Lemon Soda Candy - 48
On Saturday, Zhou Anran woke up at six in the morning.
Since Yan Xingxi and Sheng Xiaowen were visiting today, she skipped her usual library routine. Instead, she grabbed her laptop and headed to a 24-hour campus café for breakfast, finishing up the homework she’d nearly completed the day before.
By the time she was done, it was just past eight.
Zhou Anran sent a message to her dorm group chat: [I’m at the café. Heading back to the dorm soon. Want me to grab breakfast for you?]
She waited a moment.
Xie Jingyi replied first: [Yes, please!]
Xie Jingyi: [But why aren’t you at the library today? And why the sudden return to the dorm?]
Zhou Anran: [My two best friends are coming over to hang out.]
Zhou Anran: [I’m going to pick them up later.]
Bai Lingyun chimed in: [Me too, please!]
Bai Lingyun: [Thanks, Ranran baby!]
Zhou Anran placed their orders at the café, chatted briefly with Yan Xingxi and Sheng Xiaowen—who were already on their way—then packed up the food and headed back to the dorm.
Bai Lingyun was up and washing her face, while Xie Jingyi was still in bed, her messy head poking out at the sound of Zhou Anran’s return, her voice thick with sleep.
“You’re back already?”
Zhou Anran set their breakfasts on the table. “It’s quiet this early.”
“Alright.” Xie Jingyi yawned. “I’m getting up now.”
Zhou Anran packed away her books and laptop, slung her bag over her shoulder, and waved at Xie Jingyi, who was sitting on her bed in a daze. “I’m off to meet my friends. Probably won’t join you guys for lunch or dinner today.”
Xie Jingyi flopped back onto her pillow. “Got it. I’m sleeping ten more minutes.”
Leaving the dorm, Zhou Anran made her way toward the campus gates.
As she neared the outdoor basketball courts, someone stepped in front of her.
“Hey, junior. We meet again.” The voice was unfamiliar, tinged with a teasing smile.
Zhou Anran looked up and saw a tall guy—almost as tall as Chen Luobai, she estimated. His face didn’t ring any bells.
Her confusion must’ve shown, because he grinned and explained, “Don’t remember me? We met once before, during the club recruitment fair. I handed you a flyer for the basketball team.”
A faint memory stirred.
He was probably the basketball club president Xie Jingyi had called a bit of a player.
But the recollection was so vague it barely counted—she hadn’t even paid attention to his face back then.
Unsure why he’d stopped her and not particularly eager to find out, Zhou Anran was mulling over how to politely excuse herself when a hand landed on her shoulder. A familiar, fresh scent enveloped her from the side.
She didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
Her body stiffened slightly.
Chen Luobai’s lazy drawl sounded by her ear. “Senior Du.”
Du Yizhou glanced down at the possessive yet casual way Chen Luobai’s hand rested on her shoulder, then at Zhou Anran, who was blushing but not pulling away. He smirked knowingly. “Yours?”
Chen Luobai tilted his head to glance at the girl beside him, her head lowered, avoiding his gaze. “Not yet.”
Zhou Anran: …?
What does he mean, ‘not yet’?
Du Yizhou clearly caught the implication in his words.
“I see.” He took a step back. “A gentleman doesn’t steal another’s love. I won’t bother you two, but don’t rush to turn down my offer—think it over.”
As soon as Du Yizhou left, Chen Luobai dropped his hand.
Zhou Anran’s tense shoulders relaxed, and she finally dared to glance at him. “What are you doing here?”
Chen Luobai was dressed in all black, his jacket zipped to the top. He jerked his chin toward the basketball court. “Came to practice. Didn’t expect to catch you getting hit on.”
Zhou Anran: …?!
“Pretty popular, huh?” He stepped in front of her, his dark eyes locking onto hers, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.
Zhou Anran: …
Compared to him, how was this being popular?
She mumbled, “It wasn’t like that. He just said hi. I don’t even know him.”
“Good. Keep it that way.” Chen Luobai shot another glance toward Du Yizhou’s retreating figure, his tone turning serious. “Steer clear of him. He changes girlfriends faster than you can flip a page.”
Zhou Anran had no interest in getting tangled up with someone like that. She nodded obediently, then recalled Du Yizhou’s parting words. It sounded like he and Chen Luobai had some kind of deal. “What did he want you to think about?”
Chen Luobai: “He asked me to play CUBA*.”
(*CUBA refers to the China University Basketball Association.)
Zhou Anran blinked, not entirely surprised.
It’d be weirder if the campus team didn’t try to recruit him, given how good he was at basketball.
“Division One?”
Chen Luobai’s brow quirked, and he leaned in closer, lips curving slightly. “So confident in me?”
His sudden proximity hit her like a wave, his clean scent turning almost overwhelming. Zhou Anran’s breath caught.
She’d picked up a bit about basketball leagues because of his love for the game. She’d watched plenty of CBA games with her father Zhou Xianhong and had a rough grasp of NBL and CUBA.
CUBA was the college basketball league, split into three divisions. Division One was typically for specially recruited elite athletes, though exceptional regular students could compete if they met professional standards. Division Two was for regular undergrads, and Division Three was for vocational students.
His teasing tone sent heat creeping up her ears. She sidestepped his question. “So, Division Two?”
Chen Luobai hummed. “They say if I play well, there’s a shot at Division One.”
“You didn’t agree?” Zhou Anran asked.
“No time for that. I’m already busy with studies and—” Chen Luobai paused, his gaze dropping to her flushed earlobes, “chasing someone.”
For a split second, Zhou Anran thought she’d misheard.
Last Sunday, when he’d told her to check out those song lyrics, there’d been a hint of something, but it was cushioned by the song and their WeChat distance. Hearing him say he was “chasing someone” in person, standing right in front of her, hit like a tidal wave.
Even though he only said “chasing someone” and didn’t outright say it was her, it felt unreal. Her heart erupted into a chaotic burst of fireworks, louder than that night, leaving her mind blank.
Her phone buzzed abruptly, startling her. She nearly dropped it.
In the next instant, a large hand steadied hers, catching the phone and enveloping her hand in his.
Her heart trembled.
His hand was big, wrapping hers completely. His skin looked pale, but his palm was warm—scorching, even.
He leaned closer, his voice tinged with amusement, his breath hot against her ear. “What’s got you so flustered?”
Zhou Anran’s ears quivered.
He’d always been careful with boundaries.
Last Saturday, when she’d impulsively thrown herself into his arms, he’d only held her waist gently over her clothes, never crossing a line. Besides that one time in the escape room, when his fingers accidentally brushed her forehead and nose while covering her eyes, he’d only really touched her twice.
Once last Saturday, when he lightly grazed her cheek with the back of his hand.
And now.
This time felt a bit accidental too.
Her phone buzzed again.
Snapping out of it, Zhou Anran kept her head down, not daring to meet his eyes. “I’m not flustered. I’ve got my phone. You can let go now.”
Chen Luobai studied her flushed face, her trembling lashes, and her shy, almost too-easy-to-tease demeanor. Something mischievous stirred in him. “So eager to check? Who’s texting you? He Mingyu?”
Zhou Anran: …?!
Why’s he bringing up He Mingyu again?
“No, it’s probably Xixi and Xiaowen. They’re coming to visit today and should be close.”
“Really?” Chen Luobai asked, voice low.
Zhou Anran nodded. “Really.”
“…”
Two seconds passed.
Her phone buzzed again, and his hand still hadn’t let go.
Her cheeks felt like they were burning. She bit her lip and murmured, “I really need to go pick them up.”
Chen Luobai watched her lashes flutter. “Look at me first.”
Zhou Anran: …
Why does he love teasing me so much?
She slowly raised her head, her gaze meeting his dark, amused eyes. Her heart skipped another beat.
But he still didn’t let go.
“They’re coming, but you’re still watching my game this afternoon, right?” Chen Luobai asked, his eyes locked on hers.
Zhou Anran nodded. “They’re coming with me.”
“Game starts at 3:30.” His fingers twitched, but he restrained himself and slowly released her hand. “Get to the court early?”
Zhou Anran pulled her hand back, the warmth of his touch lingering. She gave a small nod.
---
At the campus gate, Zhou Anran spotted Sheng Xiaowen waiting.
She jogged over.
Sheng Xiaowen linked arms with her. “Didn’t you say five minutes ago you were almost at the gate? What took so long?”
Zhou Anran’s ears and the hand he’d held still felt warm. “Ran into Chen Luobai.”
“No wonder.” Sheng Xiaowen tilted her head, eyeing her. “Your face is so red. What’d he do to you?”
Zhou Anran: …?!
“Nothing, just talked a bit.”
“Just talked a bit, and you’re this red?” Sheng Xiaowen shot her a teasing wink. “What’s gonna happen down the line?”
Down the line? What’s that supposed to mean?
“What are you talking about?” Zhou Anran’s face burned hotter. She tugged Sheng Xiaowen forward. “Didn’t you say you haven’t eaten? Let’s grab breakfast.”
Since Yan Xingxi hadn’t arrived yet, Zhou Anran didn’t head back to campus to avoid another trip out. She took Sheng Xiaowen to a nearby café outside the campus.
They’d just ordered and sat down when Zhou Anran’s phone buzzed twice.
“Is that Xixi?” Sheng Xiaowen leaned over.
Zhou Anran picked up her phone. “Let me check.”
Unlocking the screen, she saw two WeChat messages from Xie Jingyi.
Xie Jingyi: [Ranran baby]
Xie Jingyi: [Care to explain?]
Zhou Anran, confused: [Explain what?]
Xie Jingyi: [I just woke up from my nap and got a message saying our campus heartthrob Chen Luobai was spotted outside the basketball court this morning, getting cozy with a pretty girl—hugging and holding hands.]
Zhou Anran: …?!
Hugging? Holding hands? What?!
She’d been so focused on him she hadn’t noticed if anyone passed by or if people on the court were watching.
Xie Jingyi: [I was wide awake after that.]
Xie Jingyi: [The person who told me even sent a photo.]
Xie Jingyi: [Guess who I saw?]
Zhou Anran opened the photo Xie Jingyi sent.
In it, a tall guy leaned toward her, his face close to her ear—probably when he’d said, “What’s got you so flustered?” The angle made it look like he was about to kiss her ear, though there’d been some distance.
Staring at the photo, Zhou Anran’s face heated up again.
Her phone buzzed.
Xie Jingyi: [Even though it’s just her side profile]
Xie Jingyi: [Who else have I been living and eating with for almost two months?]
Xie Jingyi: [So, Zhou Anran, or should I say, Chen Luobai’s rumored girlfriend?]
Zhou Anran: …
Zhou Anran: [It’s just the angle. He was just talking to me, nothing like that.]
Xie Jingyi: [No kissing, no hugging, no hand-holding?]
Zhou Anran’s face burned hotter. [No kissing.]
Xie Jingyi: [So there was hugging and hand-holding?]
Zhou Anran: [Not really…]
Zhou Anran: [That basketball club president you called player tried to talk to me, so Chen Luobai put his hand on my shoulder. Then when I almost dropped my phone, he caught it.]
Xie Jingyi: [So you’re saying…]
Xie Jingyi: [You two are still just pure, ordinary high school classmates?]
Zhou Anran: …
Her roommates were great, and she didn’t really want to hide things from them.
Zhou Anran: [Maybe not that ordinary?]
Zhou Anran: [I’m not sure myself.]
Zhou Anran: [So I didn’t know how to tell you guys.]
Zhou Anran: [Pitiful face.jpg]
Xie Jingyi: [I knew it!]
Xie Jingyi: [What kind of ‘ordinary classmates’ buys you dinner and escorts you back to the dorm every time?!]
Xie Jingyi: [Your innocent face is too convincing.]
Xie Jingyi: [I almost believe anything you say.]
…?
Zhou Anran: [I'm sorry.]
Zhou Anran: [I’ll bring you milk tea later.]
Xie Jingyi: [That’s more like it.]
Xie Jingyi: [But just for heads-up…]
Xie Jingyi: [Your not-so-ordinary classmate is Chen Luobai. You know how much attention he gets. Even if I don’t say anything, Lingyun will probably hear about this rumor by the end of the day. And Xinyue, who doesn’t care about gossip, will know by Monday at the latest.]
Zhou Anran: [I’ll bring milk tea for everyone.]
Zhou Anran: [Can you fill them in for me?]
After smoothing things over with Xie Jingyi, Zhou Anran let out a small sigh of relief.
Then Sheng Xiaowen’s cool voice cut through. “So, this is your ‘just talked a bit’? What kind of talk involves holding hands?”
Zhou Anran: …
Just then, Yan Xingxi walked in.
Zhou Anran turned, and Sheng Xiaowen snatched her phone.
Waving at Yan Xingxi, Sheng Xiaowen called, “Xixi, come here! I’ve got something good to show you.”
“What is it?” Yan Xingxi hurried over and sat down.
Sheng Xiaowen: “Someone got caught getting all cozy with a certain someone in public.”
Zhou Anran: …
Because of that morning’s encounter, she spent the entire morning explaining herself to people. Even Yu Xinyue, who usually didn’t care for gossip, messaged her to ask.
After lunch, Zhou Anran booked a hotel room nearby.
She and her friends took a nap in the room, then headed to the court together.
Right after leaving the hotel, Zhou Anran got a WeChat from Chen Luobai.
C: [When are you coming?]
Zhou Anran: [Just heading out.]
Zhou Anran: [We’re coming from a hotel off-campus, so it might take a bit. Probably around 3:10.]
C: [I’ll be warming up by then.]
C: [I’ll have someone meet you.]
Zhou Anran: [Okay.]
“Who’s that?” Yan Xingxi asked casually.
Zhou Anran: “Chen Luobai. He’s asking when we’re getting there.”
“Just you, I bet,” Yan Xingxi teased with a grin. “We’re not that important.”
Zhou Anran’s cheeks warmed.
“I thought it was another gossip,” Sheng Xiaowen chimed in, laughing.
Zhou Anran shook her head. “No.”
Sheng Xiaowen: “Better get used to it, though.”
“Used to what?” Zhou Anran didn’t follow.
Sheng Xiaowen: “Your current situationship is Chen Luobai. You know how much attention he gets. Back in high school, everyone knew him. At your university, even if not everyone knows him yet, I’d bet half the campus does by now. Have you thought about what it’ll be like if you two start dating? It won’t just be us or your roommates asking questions. Your classmates, our high school friends, maybe even your middle school friends will come digging for gossip.”
Seeing Zhou Anran’s stunned expression, Sheng Xiaowen added, “You haven’t thought about this, have you?”
Zhou Anran shook her head. “Not really.”
Until last week, she’d thought him liking her was impossible, something she didn’t even dare dream about. How could she have considered something this far off?
“And why he asked you to watch his game—haven’t thought about that either?” Sheng Xiaowen pressed.
Zhou Anran: …
“No.”
“You know how many people show up to watch him play, right? Agreeing to go is basically agreeing to move from private flirting to public flirting—or maybe even further.” Sheng Xiaowen pinched her cheek. “You said yes without even thinking it through?”
Zhou Anran: …
Last Saturday, when he asked if she’d come watch, she was in his arms, too flustered to think straight. The next day, when he told her to check out the lyrics to Unconditional, she was even less focused on the game.
“Alright,” Sheng Xiaowen sighed. “It’s a bit of a walk to the court. Use the time to mentally prepare for all the eyes on you.”
Before Zhou Anran could brace herself, Xie Jingyi messaged the group chat.
Xie Jingyi: [Lingyun, Xinyue, and I are heading out too.]
Zhou Anran: [?]
Zhou Anran: [Didn’t Lingyun and Xinyue say they weren’t coming?]
Xie Jingyi: [That was before.]
Xie Jingyi: [It’s the first game, Law School versus Foreign Languages. Besides Chen Luobai’s face, there’s probably not much to see.]
Xie Jingyi: [But things are different now, right?]
Bai Lingyun: [Yup, hehe. We’re coming to see the campus heartthrob and his rumored girlfriend.]
Zhou Anran: …
At the gym entrance, a tall, lanky guy approached them. “Chen Luobai asked me to bring you in.”
Zhou Anran vaguely recognized him, it seemed to be the roommate who’d picked up takeout the first time Chen Luobai treated her to late-night snacks.
He was quiet, leading them to three empty front-row seats near the edge before speaking again. “He said to call him if you need anything.”
With twenty minutes until the game, the front rows were already packed. Without Chen Luobai reserving spots, they’d probably be stuck in the back.
“Okay,” Zhou Anran replied.
The guy nodded and left through an internal passage.
Sheng Xiaowen’s gaze lingered on the passage. “Who’s that guy?”
Zhou Anran: “Probably Chen Luobai’s roommate. Why?”
Sheng Xiaowen glanced back. “His face and vibe are my type. Can you ask Chen Luobai for his WeChat?”
…?
“Are you sure?” Zhou Anran blinked. “You didn’t even talk to him.”
“Not totally sure, but I’ll start with his WeChat and figure it out.” Sheng Xiaowen hugged her arm. “Help me out?”
Zhou Anran was a bit surprised.
But thinking about it, it felt normal.
On the first day of high school, if she’d been bolder, she probably would’ve asked for Chen Luobai’s contact too.
“I’ll ask later.”
“Thanks!”
Zhou Anran turned her attention to the court.
Both teams were warming up, each on their half. The Law School players, in black jerseys, mostly had their backs to her side.
But, like countless times before, she didn’t need to search to spot him.
Chen Luobai wore black compression pants under his black basketball shorts, and with the chilly Beicheng weather, he had on a black long-sleeve. His height and proportions made him stand out, even from behind.
As if sensing something, Chen Luobai, who’d just sunk a three-pointer, turned and locked eyes with her across the court.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Someone on the court must’ve called him, because he flashed her a quick smile before turning back to keep practicing threes.
He was in good form, sinking seven out of ten three-pointers, each a clean swish.
Cheers erupted from the stands with every shot.
Even before the game started, girls were already shouting for him.
As tip-off approached, both teams stopped warming up and headed to their benches.
Unlike their high school’s casual games, A University’s official basketball tournament had proper setups, with rest chairs for players on both sides.
The Law School’s bench was right in front of their seats, barely a meter away.
Sheng Xiaowen nudged her arm and whispered, “He’s probably gonna come talk to you, right?”
Zhou Anran wasn’t sure. “No idea.”
She watched as Chen Luobai laughed and chatted with his teammates, approaching closer, her nerves growing with every step.
Then he stopped… at their bench.
Her heart, which had been racing, settled, though a twinge of disappointment flickered.
She pursed her lips, then froze as he suddenly started…
Taking off his shirt?
His long fingers grabbed the hem of his long-sleeve and pulled it up in one swift motion.
The crowd behind them erupted.
Sheng Xiaowen covered her ears. “He’s got a jersey underneath. Nothing’s even showing. What’s with the screaming?”
“Exactly. Not even abs,” Yan Xingxi said, leaning over Sheng Xiaowen’s lap to whisper, “Ranran, does Chen Luobai have abs?”
Zhou Anran: …?!
Her face heated. “How would I know?”
“He’s coming over,” Sheng Xiaowen said suddenly.
Zhou Anran looked up. Chen Luobai, holding his phone in one hand and his long-sleeve and a baseball jacket in the other, was walking straight toward her.
Her heart raced again.
He didn’t pause, stopping right in front of her and casually handing both pieces of clothing into her arms.
Suddenly, it felt like countless eyes were on her.
The Law School players on the bench turned, grinning. One of them teased loudly, “Chen Luobai, that’s too much! There’s a chair for your stuff, but you’re shoving it into a girl’s arms? What’s that about?”
Chen Luobai turned, his tone playful. “Jealous?”
“Hell yeah, I’m crying from jealousy.”
Chen Luobai’s voice dripped with smugness. “Keep crying, then.”
Zhou Anran: …?!
The teammate, clearly amused by Chen Luobai’s attitude, laughed and cursed, “Jerk.”
Chen Luobai ignored him, turning back to Zhou Anran, his face still carrying the playful grin. “Do me a favor?”
He was standing close, his familiar fresh scent lingering—whether from him or the clothes in her arms, she couldn’t tell.
Her breathing hitched. Under the weight of the stares, she asked, “Hold your clothes?”
“Nope.” Chen Luobai unlocked his phone, opened an app, and slipped it into her hands, which were resting on his clothes.
“I’ve got the camera open. Can you keep an eye on fouls for me?”
Zhou Anran blinked, caught off guard.
She looked down. His phone was on the video recording screen. His hand lingered close to hers, long fingers brushing near hers but not quite touching.
His scent grew stronger as he leaned closer.
She looked up and saw him brace one hand on the armrest beside her, half-trapping her in a way that made her heart race.
The crowd behind them stirred faintly.
She couldn’t hear what anyone was saying, because at that moment, Chen Luobai’s voice was right by her ear, low and teasing. “You taught Yan Xingxi the rules before—fouls against the person, not the ball, are violations. You remember, right?”
Her fingers tightened on his phone, accidentally brushing his.
Something restrained seemed to snap in that instant. Like that morning, he gripped her hand and the phone together, his palm even hotter now after playing.
Zhou Anran felt her heart burn with it.
The court’s bright lights glinted in his dark eyes, tiny flecks of light dancing as he looked at her, so close.
Then she heard him say—
“Zhou Anran, this time, will you protect me yourself?”
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Cute but gahhh still want more resistance
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