Chapter Nine: Chen Sanpang

The system automatically filtered the options for Chen Feng, and without hesitation, he extracted the knowledge he needed. He had earned ten achievement points and spent six of them in one go, leaving him with four. Instantly, Chen Feng felt his mind fill with a wealth of knowledge, deeply imprinted into the recesses of his memory—so deeply that it would be difficult to forget even if he tried.

After that serious illness, the steroids in his body had dulled his memory, but now, thanks to the Extraction System, he would never forget this new knowledge—it was etched into his brain as if by fire. Taking a moment to digest everything he had just absorbed, Chen Feng lay back on his bed and soon drifted into sleep again.

********

Chen Feng’s dazzling performance on the basketball court quickly became the talk of the entire school. High school life was dull and monotonous; any bit of gossip would be magnified and spread like wildfire. In the last five minutes of the game, Chen Feng had scored fifty-five points in a single breath—an extraordinary feat. Most astonishing of all was his perfect three-point shooting, which became the subject of endless student discussion.

Because of this, Chen Feng gained a new nickname: Fatty Chen the Three-pointer. So what if he was overweight? His three-point shots never missed. After this basketball match, Chen Feng’s image in the eyes of his classmates had changed considerably.

In contrast, Lin Hang was consumed with anger. He couldn’t accept that he had lost to that fat loser; he couldn’t forgive himself for the mistake he made—passing the ball to Chen Feng at such a critical moment. Although no one blamed him after the game, Lin Hang could clearly sense that the way students looked at him had changed; the admiration he once enjoyed was gone. He could vaguely feel people pointing and whispering about him behind his back.

Lin Hang, who was so used to applause and adulation, could hardly bear the pressure.

“That Lin Hang—basketball prince, huh? Can’t even defend against Fatty Chen. What kind of prince is he supposed to be? Utterly useless!” Occasionally, while using the restroom, Lin Hang overheard these whispered discussions.

“Exactly! He always acted so cocky, but now he lost to Fatty Chen—serves him right!”

“But who would’ve thought Chen the Three-pointer was so good? Those three-pointers were unstoppable. Lin Hang just stood there, helpless—ha!”

Lin Hang clenched his fists in frustration, but his hands soon slackened. He knew the truth—he really had lost to Chen Feng.

“Damn fat pig, what are you so proud of?” Lin Hang muttered through clenched teeth, “I just wore myself out too much; otherwise, how could I possibly lose to you?”

Clenching his fists again, Lin Hang recalled the moment Fang Yue had shown concern for Chen Feng. “You fat bastard, I’ll crush you next time. I swear it.”

Oblivious to all the rumors swirling around him, Chen Feng woke up again at noon.

Gurgle!

His stomach growled with hunger, and Chen Feng rubbed his belly.

“Chen Feng, are you awake?” Fang Yue’s voice reached his ears. Chen Feng sat up abruptly. Though his whole body ached, he felt his strength returning.

“I’m awake!” Chen Feng turned and saw Fang Yue standing there, holding a lunchbox, smiling. “I thought you’d be hungry, so I bought you some food.”

“Thank you!” Chen Feng took the lunchbox from her, feeling a rare sense of gratitude. Apart from his parents, no one had ever treated him so kindly.

“No need for thanks,” Fang Yue said, pulling up a chair to sit beside him. “Honestly, I never realized you were so good at basketball!”

“It’s nothing—just a bit of talent, I guess.” Chen Feng opened the lunchbox, and the aroma hit him immediately. He was so hungry that he didn’t care if the food was still hot; he dug in with big gulps.

Fang Yue watched him with a touch of pity in her eyes. If she hadn’t heard it from Chen Feng himself, she never would have guessed how much pain he bore inside.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to change—he just hadn’t been able to.

“Why did you push yourself so hard today?” Once Chen Feng had eaten most of the food, Fang Yue asked quietly.

“Hmm?” Chen Feng was taken aback, looking at her in surprise. “Why do you ask?”

“You were different today,” Fang Yue replied softly. “Normally, you wouldn’t have volunteered to play. Why did you go out there? Why did you insist on staying?”

Chen Feng fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly. “Actually, I really crave it.”

“Crave?” Fang Yue was puzzled.

“Yes, I do,” Chen Feng set the empty lunchbox aside and looked at her earnestly. “I want to be respected by others. I don’t want to be a useless fat guy. I’m trying to change, even if it’s just a little. The cheers today were wonderful. I liked them. I want more applause and recognition.”

He smiled at her. “I guess I should have some ambition, don’t you think?”

“Good luck! I believe you can do it,” Fang Yue said with a smile.

Creak!

Just then, the infirmary door was thrown open. Lin Hang strode in, his face dark. When he saw Fang Yue at Chen Feng’s bedside, the malice in his eyes deepened.

“Nice performance on the court today, Chen Feng,” Lin Hang sneered, standing at the foot of the bed.

“Lin Hang?” Fang Yue stood up, frowning. “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing much,” Lin Hang said coldly, eyes fixed on Chen Feng. “Chen Feng, do you dare to face me one-on-one? Just you and me?”

Fang Yue was momentarily stunned. So this was why Lin Hang had come—she’d heard plenty of students gossiping about today’s game, saying Lin Hang had been outplayed and Chen Feng was unexpectedly amazing.

Though Lin Hang had his fans at school, he had just as many enemies. He’d always been arrogant, and while many admired him, even more resented him. Now that he’d been beaten by Chen Feng, he couldn’t tolerate the humiliation.

“A one-on-one?” Chen Feng was startled for a moment, but then a surge of joy filled his heart. Just now, he’d earned plenty of achievement points from the game. If he could defeat Lin Hang in public, wouldn’t he earn even more? Even if it wasn’t ten, four or five would be great.

Thinking of this, Chen Feng was about to agree on the spot.

“Lin Hang, what’s wrong with you? Chen Feng is already exhausted and you’re still challenging him? How can you be like this?” Fang Yue protested.

“That’s none of your business. Chen Feng, if you’re a real man, face me one-on-one. Or are you afraid you’re not up to it?” Lin Hang taunted.

“Fang Yue,” Chen Feng forced himself to sit up, stopping her from saying more. He glanced at Lin Hang and then replied, “You want a one-on-one? I can agree, but I have my conditions.”

“Name them,” Lin Hang snapped.

“I’ll play you, but not now. I’m too tired, and the monthly exams are coming up. I need to get into shape. One week from now, we’ll have our match. Do you dare?”

One week?

Lin Hang paused, then nodded coldly. “Fine. One week from now, I’ll be waiting.”

With that, he turned and stormed out of the infirmary.

Chen Feng exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting to Fang Yue. “Fang Yue, could I ask you a favor?”

“Go on,” she replied, curious.

“Please spread the word about this match,” Chen Feng said seriously. “The more people who know, the better. On the day of the match, the bigger the crowd, the better. Understand?”

“Alright,” Fang Yue nodded, then asked with a hint of puzzlement, “Why do you want everyone to know? Are you trying to show off?”

“Something like that,” Chen Feng smiled, unable to reveal his true motive.

He had a hunch that to earn more achievement points, he needed to stand out, to step into the spotlight. Lin Hang was practically delivering him points on a silver platter—it would be foolish not to seize the opportunity.

(Out of internet, sorry. I managed to finish writing, but when I turned on the computer, I was instantly disheartened—the new book ranking had been bombarded again. Please, I need your support—likes, clicks, recommendations, rewards—anything!)