The basketball court was surrounded by students.
Word had spread quickly that the mysterious new transfer student was about to play.
Mo Chen stood in the center of the court, the orange basketball resting quietly in his hands. His calm expression had not changed, but inside his mind he was carefully observing the situation.
Lin Yue stood near the edge of the court with her friends.
Chen Xinyi leaned closer to her and whispered excitedly.
"Your cousin is about to embarrass himself."
Lin Yue crossed her arms.
"I warned him."
On the court, one of the players laughed loudly.
"Hey new guy, do you even know how to play?"
Mo Chen glanced down at the ball again.
"…No."
The entire court burst into laughter.
Even Gu Tianhao chuckled.
"You don't know how to play basketball?"
Mo Chen calmly tossed the ball once and caught it again.
"I will learn."
One of the players waved him off.
"Forget it. Just step out before you hurt yourself."
Lin Yue covered her face with both hands.
This is so embarrassing…
But Mo Chen did not move.
Instead, he quietly watched the others begin the game.
Players ran across the court quickly, passing the ball between them.
Mo Chen simply stood still.
Watching.
Learning.
The ball moved again.
A player rushed forward, preparing to score.
And at that exact second—
Mo Chen moved.
It happened so fast that no one understood what they saw.
One moment he was standing at the edge of the court.
The next—
He appeared directly in front of the player.
The ball was already in his hand.
The player froze.
"…What?"
Mo Chen turned.
His body moved smoothly as if he had practiced the game for years.
One step.
Two steps.
Then—
The ball flew through the air.
Swish.
Perfect shot.
The court went silent.
Students stared in disbelief.
Lin Yue's eyes widened.
"…What?"
Gu Tianhao narrowed his eyes.
"Again."
The game continued.
But this time something strange happened.
Mo Chen moved like the wind.
No one could stop him.
Every pass was intercepted.
Every attempt to block him failed.
His movements were incredibly fast but effortless, as if the court belonged to him.
Within minutes—
Another perfect shot.
Then another.
And another.
The crowd around the court began cheering loudly.
"Whoa!"
"Did you see that?!"
"He's amazing!"
Lin Yue found herself jumping excitedly.
"Go Mo Chen!"
Her friends looked at her in shock.
"You're cheering your cousin like that?"
Lin Yue froze.
"…I mean… yes."
On the court, Mo Chen moved again.
The ball reached him.
Three defenders rushed toward him.
But they could not even touch him.
He stepped between them easily.
Jumped.
And dunked the ball into the basket.
The crowd exploded.
"WOOOO!"
Even Gu Tianhao laughed.
"Okay, new guy. You're insane."
The game ended with Mo Chen scoring the final point.
Students rushed toward the court.
Several girls immediately surrounded him.
"Excuse me!"
"Which department are you from?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"What year are you in?"
Mo Chen stared at them calmly.
He had faced armies before.
But this… was confusing.
One girl stepped closer.
"You're really handsome."
Another asked shyly.
"Can we add you on social media?"
Mo Chen suddenly looked over the crowd.
And spotted Lin Yue watching.
Without saying a word—
He slipped through the crowd.
Within seconds he appeared beside her.
Lin Yue blinked.
"How did you escape?"
Mo Chen shrugged slightly.
"They ask too many questions."
Lin Yue laughed.
"Well congratulations."
He looked at her.
"For what?"
"You became famous on your first day."
Mo Chen did not seem impressed.
They walked back toward the academic building together.
Classes continued normally for the rest of the afternoon.
But whispers followed Mo Chen everywhere.
"The basketball guy…"
"Did you see his speed?"
Lin Yue pretended not to hear anything.
Later that evening, classes ended.
Students began leaving campus.
Lin Yue and her friends walked toward the university gate together.
Gu Tianhao stretched his arms.
"That was a good game today."
Chen Xinyi turned toward Mo Chen.
"So cousin, where do you live?"
Lin Yue froze.
Mo Chen opened his mouth to answer.
"I stay with—"
Suddenly—
Lin Yue pinched his arm hard.
Mo Chen paused.
Lin Yue smiled awkwardly.
"He stays near Riverside Apartments."
Her friends nodded.
"Oh that area is close to campus."
"Nice place!"
"See you tomorrow!"
Everyone waved goodbye and walked off in different directions.
Soon only Lin Yue and Mo Chen remained outside the gate.
The evening sky had turned orange as the sun began setting.
Mo Chen looked at her calmly.
"Why did you not tell them the truth?"
Lin Yue crossed her arms.
"Because they would misunderstand."
"What would they misunderstand?"
She hesitated.
"…That we live together."
Mo Chen blinked.
"And that is incorrect?"
Lin Yue's face turned bright red.
"That's not the point!"
Mo Chen studied her carefully.
"Explain."
Lin Yue looked away quickly.
"If people think a girl and a man live together…"
She paused.
"They'll assume things."
"What things?"
Lin Yue groaned.
"You're impossible."
Mo Chen stepped closer slightly.
"You are blushing."
"I am not!"
"You are."
She covered her face.
"This conversation is over."
Mo Chen smiled faintly.
The evening breeze moved softly around them.
And for a moment—
Neither of them noticed how close they were standing.
End of Chapter 15...