Super Doctor

Xu Ze walked onto the basketball court with a puzzled expression. When Luo Zi spotted him, he waved lightly and called out with a loud laugh, “Look who’s here—our big star!”

“What are you talking about…” Xu Ze forced a bitter smile as he jogged over, then asked helplessly, “What’s going on? Today isn’t a match—why are there so many people?”

Seeing Xu Ze’s baffled expression, Luo Zi burst into laughter. “It’s all because of you!”

“Because of me?” Xu Ze blinked innocently.

“Of course because of you! You think it’s because of me?” Luo Zi chuckled, patting Xu Ze’s shoulder. “Someone must’ve spread the word that you might show up for practice today, and before we knew it, the rumor blew up…”

“And now we’ve got this.” He shrugged, then caught a basketball tossed by Jiang Bo from the front and handed it to Xu Ze. “Go on, play for a bit. At least give these ladies a good show—otherwise, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Give them a good show…” Xu Ze’s forehead nearly wrinkled in exasperation as he took the ball, muttering under his breath, I’m not some entertainer… What does he mean, ‘let them have fun’?

Before he could finish his thoughts, the crowd of girls erupted into excited squeals at the sight of him holding the ball. Their cheers sent a ripple of restless energy through the guys on the court.

Faced with their eager gazes, Xu Ze could only sigh inwardly. Is this luck or misfortune? Playing basketball not for my own enjoyment, but for someone else’s—what a pain…

Despite his reluctance, he dribbled the ball a few times, stretched his limbs, and jogged toward the opposite hoop. Taking two quick steps inside the free-throw line, he bent his knees, leaped—

—and with a smooth motion, flipped the ball into the net as he soared past the rim. The swish of the net sent it swaying violently.

“Ahhh! So cool!” The girls on the sidelines screamed, their faces flushed. Even Xu Ze, usually unshaken, felt a rush of excitement. He shook his head in mild disbelief. No wonder Zhang Tianyu acted the way he did after I beat him. If I got used to this kind of attention and suddenly lost it, I’d probably feel pretty down too.

With a quiet sigh, he grabbed the ball and joined Luo Zi’s team for a scrimmage. It had been a while since he’d trained with the team, and tomorrow’s match against the Management Department—the loser of Group D—would decide their spot in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, the Journalism Department would face the Surveying Department, the winner of Group D. Both teams were strong and evenly matched, making it a tough battle for either side.

Xu Ze smirked. None of that concerns me. My job is just to get our team into the top four. Against the relatively weaker Management Department, with me here, it shouldn’t be a problem. All I want now is to make up for lost time and enjoy the game.

Tang Zhi strode forward, scanning the crowded court ahead. The distant shrieks of girls and faint chants of “Xu Ze! Xu Ze!” confirmed he was in the right place.

He moved closer, towering over the crowd of female spectators, and watched as Xu Ze effortlessly weaved past two defenders before laying the ball in. A faint smile touched Tang Zhi’s lips. Ah, youth…

Under the court’s lights, Xu Ze’s sweat-glazed face and wind-tossed hair gave him an effortlessly charismatic aura. Tang Zhi’s expression turned amused. No wonder Miss Sun has taken a liking to this kid. Though if he really does have feelings for her, he’s in for a rough road ahead…

Then another thought struck him. But if Old Master Tang takes a shine to him after this, things might just work out.

…

Xu Ze caught a pass from Li Tianbao, bulldozed past a reserve player, and—despite a double-team—launched himself into the air with a fierce yell, slamming the ball through the hoop.

As the net snapped taut, he hung from the rim, catching his breath while the girls’ screams crescendoed around him. The breeze cooled his heated skin, and for a moment, he savored the view from above.

Xu Ze loved this—the sensation of looking down at the crowd, the admiration in their eyes. It made him wonder if, deep down, he wasn’t as low-key as he pretended. Maybe he enjoyed the spotlight more than he admitted.

The corner of his mouth curled into a faint, effortless smirk, sending another wave of flutters through the watching girls.

Li Yan sat cross-legged at the edge of the court, cheeks pink as she stared at the lanky figure in blue dangling from the hoop. That lazy, captivating smile of his made her heart pound—and then ache with regret.

That idiot Zhang Lin Yun… How could she let go of someone like Xu Ze? If it were me, I’d cherish him with everything I had. He’s perfect—handsome, hardworking, kind…

Her thoughts spiraled. But why did Sun Lingfei get to him first?

Then doubt crept in. Wait… Xu Ze and Sun Lingfei never actually confirmed they’re dating. That photo at La Villa was the only real ‘evidence.’ They’re hardly ever seen together—she didn’t even come to his last game. Something’s off.

A spark of hope flared. Maybe they’re not actually together? Rumor says they got close after he helped her during a high fever… What if they’re just good friends?

The idea sent a giddy thrill through her.

…

Just as Xu Ze prepared to drop from the rim, he spotted Tang Zhi standing head-and-shoulders above the crowd. His stomach lurched. Crap—I lost track of time!

He landed hastily, exchanged a quick word with Luo Zi, then hurried off the court—ignoring the girls’ burning stares—to approach Tang Zhi with an apologetic grin.

“Tang-ge, sorry about that. Got carried away with the game… You waited long?”

Tang Zhi shook his head, smiling. “Not at all. I called your phone first, but no answer. Thought I’d have trouble finding you, but one quick ask around led me here. Lucky guess.”

Xu Ze rubbed his neck sheepishly. “How’s Old Master Tang today?”

At this, Tang Zhi’s face brightened. “Better than ever. No angina since your acupuncture—usually he’d have an episode every day or two, but it’s been three now. He’s in great spirits.”

Xu Ze exhaled in relief. “Glad to hear it. I was worried he might’ve had another attack this afternoon.”

“Head back to the car,” Tang Zhi said. “I’ll wait for you there.”

“Got it. Be right out after I change.”

With a nod, Tang Zhi turned and left.