Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 14. A Small Tiff (Part 1)

June 18, 1994, Saturday.

Around two o'clock in the afternoon, Guan Xuchen arrived at Xiaoda Middle School with his cousin, Lin Jiehao (pron.: lin jye how), who was two years his junior. Gao Xinglang was already waiting at the school gate.

After introducing the two, Gao Xinglang looked at the slender but tall boy and thought he bore a striking resemblance to his younger self in primary school. He extended his right hand and smiled, "Hello, Lin Jiehao. Welcome to Xiaoda Middle School."

Lin Jiehao returned the smile and shook Gao Xinglang's hand, "Hello, Brother Gao Xinglang. Thank you in advance for your guidance."

Guan Xuchen couldn't help but laugh, "You two are being so formal, as if you were having business negotiations. Why don't you just call him Jiehao and you call him Brother Lang?"

Both Gao Xinglang and Lin Jiehao smiled sheepishly.

After a brief exchange, Gao Xinglang and Guan Xuchen showed Lin Jiehao around Xiaoda Middle School. As Lin Jiehao walked, he marveled, "Wow, it's indeed a key middle school, so beautiful! Brother Lang, Cousin, it's great that you guys can study here. If not for the central allocation, I'd definitely choose Xiaoda Middle School."

Guan Xuchen said in a serious manner, "There are many good schools in Nanhai, too. Or you can come to Xiaoda Middle School when you go to senior middle school. We'll be in the same school then. And you'll be able to play basketball every day with Brother Lang."

Then he added jokingly, "Brother Lang would also love to learn the 'Foshan Shadowless Kick' from you."

"I'm not Wong Fei-hung. I don't know that," Lin Jiehao responded smilingly, and then said excitedly, "But I'll definitely try my best to get into Xiaoda. Then I'll be able to play basketball with Brother Lang and Cousin often!"

"Soupy, you will certainly be able to stay in Xiaoda for senior middle school. But it's hard for me to say," Gao Xinglang appeared to have little confidence.

"Lang, do please stay in Xiaoda. Or --" Guan Xuchen paused for a moment and continued, "I'll go to whatever school you go to!"

"Cousin, why do you want to go to the same senior middle school as Brother Lang?" Lin Jiehao asked curiously.

Guan Xuchen looked at Gao Xinglang, then smiled and said to Lin Jiehao, "Because--because I also want to play basketball with him every day!"

Gao Xinglang smiled and didn't say anything.

The three of them strolled around the campus for a while, then Gao Xinglang brought Guan Xuchen and Lin Jiehao to the side door of the gymnasium. Gao Xinglang took out the key from his pocket, opened the door, brought Guan Xuchen and Lin Jiehao inside, and then carefully closed the side door.

"Wow, this gym is so big." Lin Jiehao cheered and ran around inside the gym before stopping to ask Gao Xinglang, "Brother Lang, is this where your basketball team usually trains?"

Gao Xinglang nodded and replied, "We sometimes train here, and sometimes on the playground."

"Wow, you are so lucky. Our school basketball team only trains on the playground." Lin Jiehao said enviously.

"Come on, let's have a little match," Gao Xinglang suggested.

So the three boys started playing basketball in the gym. In the process, Gao Xinglang frequently offered Lin Jiehao advice on his crossover, dribbling, and shooting skills.

After playing for over an hour, the three of them sat on the sidelines for a break. "Brother Lang, you're so amazing!" Lin Jiehao exclaimed happily. "Only if I could play basketball with you more often!"