Angle Heading to Hell (Chapter 12)

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

www.murphyseyes.com

E-mail: [email protected]

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Content

Chapter 1: Chance Encounter at the Veterinary Station

Chapter 2: All Roads Lead to Rome

Chapter 3: Playing with Fire While Lords Feast

Chapter 4: Viruses and Grouper

Chapter 5: The Hunter and the Hunted

Chapter 6: The Monk Upgraded to a Flower Monk

Chapter 7: The American President’s Secret Visit to China

Chapter 8: Futile Cyber-Assault

Chapter 9: One Thing Leads to Another

Chapter 10: The Devil in Angel’s Clothing

Chapter 11: Angel Heading to Hell

Chapter 12: Japan Didn’t Sink

Chapter 13: Three Ns in South Asia

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Chapter 1: Chance Encounter at the Veterinary Station

Late autumn had painted everything gold – the reeds, the grasslands, even the sunlight dancing on the river’s surface. Everything shimmered in a golden hue, no wonder people called this the season of golden autumn. A flock of waterfowl screamed across the water, as if raking away the golden skin with their claws, before flying off with a triumphant air, looking as though they’d gotten away with something.

Xia Xiaoyu sat on the grassy slope of the riverbank, watching the scene unfold before him. He lowered his head, returning to whatever he was writing in his notebook. This semester was quickly drawing to a close. After the winter break came internships and the thesis, then graduation. Of course, ideally, he’d find a relatively good job before graduating.

He’d only had two classes this morning. After leaving class, Xia Xiaoyu returned to his dorm, packed his things into a backpack, and rode his bicycle to the river. The dilapidated bike had been a gift a year ago, when the university had first moved from the city center to University Town. A senior history major, upon graduating, no longer needed the new campus or the old bike, and had given it to Xia Xiaoyu.

University Town was located in the suburbs, and there weren’t many places to go when classes weren’t in session. Xia Xiaoyu often idled along the riverbank, simply watching the scenery, though there wasn’t much to see. Or he’d just drift into a daydream, hoping for inspiration to strike so he could write something – after all, he was a Chinese language and literature major, and scribbling down thoughts had become a habit. The riverbank was about two or three kilometers from the campus. On a nice day, it wasn’t a long walk, and the journey offered views of vast farmland, mostly devoid of people. It was a good opportunity to walk and contemplate. Riding his bicycle was even more convenient, but the downside was that the noise prevented him from thinking. As comedians say, a broken bicycle rattles everywhere except where the bell should be – and this old bike didn’t even have a bell.

It was late autumn, and the afternoon sun was plentiful, though not particularly warm. There wasn’t a breeze today, making it quite comfortable. Xia Xiaoyu sat for a long time on the riverbank, not far from the bridge, gazing at the river and the reeds, lost in thought. The notebook on his lap remained open, the wind seemingly writing something for him, oblivious to its influence. He was jolted back to reality by the cooing of a pigeon, and finally picked up his pen, writing:

“The beach has turned to hardened stone, And I run on, without knowing. Bloody footprints stain the walls, I dare not fall,

Afraid I’ll never rise again.

I have no shell like the turtle, Scars crack across my skin. My thoughts have shattered into grains of sand, My bloody footprints – Golden ornaments.”

Xia Xiaoyu couldn’t continue writing. His mood was inexplicably scattered today, though he didn’t know why. Perhaps it was simply because it was Friday, and most of his classmates had gone home, or were off spending the weekend with someone. Sometimes, a person’s emotions fluctuate over the smallest of things. Those who are ill don’t necessarily groan, and those who groan don’t necessarily have an illness. Nothing particularly special had happened today; he was simply planning to visit Master Lü’s house in Lüjiacun, intending to stay there for a few days and enjoy a peaceful, carefree weekend.

Master Lü, whose given name was Lü Weiguo, had been a veterinarian since his grandfather’s generation. Lü Weiguo learned the trade from his father from a young age, specializing in treating donkeys. He’d become quite famous in the surrounding countryside even in his youth, and during a time when donkeys were still common in rural areas, he was widely recognized as the “Master Donkey.”  He styled himself “Master Lü,” and frankly, it didn’t matter much if people got the two mixed up – as long as they used the title “Master.” When donkeys disappeared from the suburbs of major cities, Lü Weiguo, a clever man, didn’t sit idle. He turned to health and wellness, and Tai Chi, even inventing his own “Hun Dun Xing Yi Tai Chi Palm” and “Ten Ingredients, Six Flavors, Eternal Life Formula.” A year ago, he began claiming to have “Three Openings” – clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairsmell – and that he had been personally instructed by the immortal Tai Jia Zhenren. He said he favored donkeys and, in terms of seniority, was a junior brother of Zhang Guo Lao. Master Lü also spent three hundred Yuan to have a special set of master’s robes designed and sewn. The white lab coat he’d worn for most of his life was preserved, but replaced with a thin, translucent fabric to add a touch of etherealness to his weight of over 250 pounds. He paired it with equally thin white pants, and the cloud patterns embroidered on his white canvas shoes were somewhat rough, but they certainly justified the cost of the outfit. With everything prepared, the sixty-something, seemingly otherworldly Master Lü began traveling and lecturing with a female disciple in her thirties, falling into the cycle of taking on students and collecting tuition, collecting tuition and taking on students.

Master Lü had some connections to distant relatives of Xia Xiaoyu and, through introductions, had gotten to know him. They’d met a few times, and Master Lü always tried to engage him in discussions about vague, intangible concepts. Xia Xiaoyu, uninterested, had simply drifted away and hadn’t contacted Master Lü since.

Before embarking on his travels, Lü Weiguo approached Xia Xiaoyu, suggesting he rent his house as a place for contemplation and creative work. In return, Xia Xiaoyu would look after the property, with the rent covered by his wages. The only condition was that Xia Xiaoyu vacate the house when Lü Weiguo returned from his travels. Knowing Xia Xiaoyu had classes and wouldn’t be able to live in the village full-time, he figured he’d only be using the house sporadically during holidays to find some peace and quiet, while also keeping an eye on his property. It was a deal that was unlikely to result in any loss.

Master Lü’s house was located close to the village entrance, connected to a veterinary clinic that had long since been abandoned. The combined area was quite spacious, and a reliable young man looked after it, giving Master Lü peace of mind during his travels, especially since no wages were paid. Xia Xiaoyu thought it was a good arrangement. Having a quiet place to go, a farmhouse in the countryside where no one would disturb, might allow him to write something. This setup was particularly suited to a dull holiday.

Xia Xiaoyu swung open the gate to Master Lü’s courtyard and pushed the bicycle inside. He parked his rugged bike under the window of the west wing and was about to turn back to close the gate when a motorcycle roared into the courtyard, crashing directly into the wall of the main house. The rider tumbled off the motorcycle and fell to the ground. The sudden situation startled Xia Xiaoyu, and he hurried forward to check on things, intending to ask what happened, but the rider spoke first.

“I’ve run into some trouble. They’re still after me. Could you please help me?” The rider wasn’t wearing a helmet and appeared to be in her early twenties, with a thick braid, delicate features, and a good figure.

“Who’s chasing you?”

“Thugs, or maybe the triads – I’m not sure. I’ve fractured my tibia, could I possibly take refuge here for a while?”

“How many of them are there, and where are they now?”

“Four of them. They’re in a car; they’ll probably find this place shortly.”

“Alright, wait here. I’ll move your motorcycle out front to act as a decoy. Just stay put!” As he spoke, Xia Xiaoyu laboriously righted the fallen BMW K1600GT motorcycle and pushed it out of the courtyard before returning to lock the gate. He mounted the motorcycle and headed into the village, parking it outside the wall of the village head’s courtyard. He removed the key and put it in his pocket, then quickly walked back.

As Xia Xiaoyu neared Master Lü’s courtyard, he spotted a black sedan stopped on the road, and four men in black suits and sunglasses were looking around, seemingly searching for something. “These guys must be the triads the girl mentioned,” Xia Xiaoyu thought. “They certainly look the part!”

Just then, one of the men hailed him. “Excuse me, comrade. Could you tell us if you saw anyone on a motorcycle pass by just now?”

“Almost everyone in this area has a motorcycle. What does the person you’re looking for look like? What kind of motorcycle was it?” Xia Xiaoyu forced himself to remain calm, questioning the man in return.

“Oh, it was a woman, wearing a denim jacket, and a black motorcycle – a large-displacement one.”

“Oh, yes, I saw it. That big motorcycle clearly doesn’t belong to anyone from our village, and neither does the rider. She went into the village and parked outside the village head’s courtyard. She was probably there to see him; it looks like an expensive motorcycle.” Xia Xiaoyu stalled for time, engaging the men in conversation.

The man thanked him and exchanged a glance with the other three. The four of them got into the car and drove slowly into the village.

Xia Xiaoyu quickly entered the courtyard. It was empty; the girl had already managed to move herself inside the main house.

“Those men in black suits are coming, and they’re looking for you. I misled them to go to the village center. We need to go, now. I can get you out of here, or—since you’ve broken your leg—I can take you straight to the hospital.”

“Okay, thank you so much! Could you take me to the 776 Hospital, please?” the girl said.

“No problem. Here, change into this – they know you were wearing a denim jacket.” Xia Xiaoyu handed her one of his windbreakers. “You change, and I’ll go get the vehicle.”

The girl took off her denim jacket and put on Xia Xiaoyu’s coat, hopping on her left leg to the door of the main house. Just then, Xia Xiaoyu drove the vehicle over from the adjacent veterinary station.

“Is this your vehicle?” The girl laughed, looking at Xia Xiaoyu’s ride. “Can this thing even get into the city?”

“It belongs to the landlord. I borrowed it for a bit. Come on, get on – I have a plan.”

Xia Xiaoyu drove up in Master Lü’s farm tricycle, which couldn’t possibly enter the city limits of Beidu. It could only travel on roads outside the ring road. He drove the farm vehicle, carrying the girl in the back, quickly out of the village, taking back roads, winding through forests and across wheat fields, leaving a trail of black smoke as they sped towards a wholesale agricultural market near the ring road. Xia Xiaoyu was clearly familiar with the area, turning and maneuvering until they reached a van parked there.

“Er Bao! Er Bao!” Xia Xiaoyu called out.

Er Bao emerged from a shed, a half-smoked cigarette dangling from his mouth.

“Oh, it’s Uncle! I was wondering who was calling my name? What’s up?”

“Do me a favor and take us to 776 Hospital.”

“You could just take a taxi. Look, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this van is for hauling vegetables. You two, only one of you can sit in the front, and the back is dirty and doesn’t even have seats.” Er Bao said, pulling open the van’s door and gesturing for Xia Xiaoyu to look at the scattered vegetable leaves and packaging boxes on the floor.

“She’s fractured her leg; a passenger car would be too uncomfortable. Let’s go. It’ll take up just a little of your time. We’ll both sit in the back; just don’t drive too fast.”

Er Bao was six years older than Xia Xiaoyu, but due to family seniority, he still had to address Xia Xiaoyu as “Uncle.” He’d spent every summer and winter break at Xia Xiaoyu’s house growing up; Xia Xiaoyu’s mother had tutored him and supervised his studies. However, Er Bao barely made it through junior high before dropping out to work various jobs. Eventually, he started a wholesale vegetable business, and though it was hard work, he did quite well. When his uncle asked for a favor, he couldn’t help but put his heart into it. Er Bao readily agreed and drove Xia Xiaoyu and the girl towards 776 Hospital.

“You know this area pretty well?” the girl asked.

Xia Xiaoyu noticed the girl was beautiful, always smiling. Despite being chased by bad guys and having a broken leg, she maintained a composure and a smile that drew his gaze.

“Our university is nearby; I know this area like the back of my hand. Er Bao is my nephew, but you shouldn’t let his age fool you – he has to call me ‘Uncle,’ which feels a bit awkward. Mainly, all his friends have to call me ‘Uncle’ too. This van isn’t conspicuous; you can’t see inside from the outside. There are hospitals closer by, but 776 is a bit of a distance. I’m not reluctant to go—I’m worried the journey will take too long and those bad guys will catch up with us.” Xia Xiaoyu explained.

“What university do you go to?”

“Beidu University. And you? Are you a student or do you work?” Xia Xiaoyu asked.

“I’m a student at the Military Arts Academy. We can only get reimbursed for medical expenses at 776 Hospital, so that’s where we all go.”

“Oh, so that’s what I was thinking.” Xia Xiaoyu understood the reason. “That motorcycle of yours is nice, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a girl ride such a large-displacement one. Did you have it painted black yourself? I don’t think the original factory model came in black.”

“You’re quite knowledgeable. I had a repair shop customize the color. I like riding motorcycles, so I got a used one. But honestly, even used ones are still pretty expensive.” The girl continued playfully, “You drive that farm vehicle well, and you know the roads too.”

“I’m graduating next year, and I already have my driver’s license. But my license doesn’t cover handlebar-steered farm vehicles. What I just did was driving without a license, but luckily, this is the countryside – out in the sticks. I took a little-used route, and nobody’s going to care.”

“You’re quick-witted, leading those bad guys away.”

“I parked your motorcycle in front of the village head’s house. I told them you might be there to see him. The village head is a chatterbox – he can talk anyone’s ear off for half an hour. If they actually go ask him, they won’t be able to leave for a while.”

“With all this planning, you could be a spy,” she said.

“That’s not being a spy. A spy is proactively going to the other side to carry out a mission. What we’re doing is counter-reconnaissance—passive, reacting to whatever comes our way. I’ve just watched a lot of movies and TV shows; that’s where I learned it.” Xia Xiaoyu asked with concern, “Why are they chasing you? How did you break your leg?”

“I fell while running. Luckily, it’s my right leg that’s broken. I just can’t use the brake. If it were my left leg, I wouldn’t be able to shift gears. They’re just thugs, preying on honest people.”

“It’s a good thing they didn’t catch up with you. Should we call the police?”

“It’s no use calling the police. We might end up getting retaliation. Forget it, I’ll just try to avoid them in the future.”

The two of them started chatting in the back of the van. Xia Xiaoyu told the girl about Master Lü’s story, which had her laughing so hard that tears welled up in her eyes, making the journey seem less long. Along the way, the girl borrowed Xia Xiaoyu’s phone and called Auntie Wang. Listening to their conversation, Xia Xiaoyu guessed that Auntie Wang was a doctor at 776 Hospital.

“We’ve been talking for a while now. My name is Xia Xiaoyu. What’s yours?”

“Qiu Tian. The ‘Tian’ that means to add or increase.”

“Oh, that’s a pretty name.”

The van drove directly up the ramp to the hospital’s inpatient entrance. Er Bao quickly jumped out to help Qiu Tian out of the vehicle, eagerly saying, “Auntie, take it slow!” which startled Qiu Tian.

Xia Xiaoyu quickly intervened. “Don’t talk nonsense. Calling every beautiful girl next to me ‘Auntie,’ you’ve completely lost your mind.” This made Qiu Tian laugh. Xia Xiaoyu noticed that Qiu Tian looked particularly beautiful when she smiled.

Director Wang was already waiting with her student, Doctor Qin, at the entrance to the inpatient department. “Your boyfriend?”

“Auntie Wang! How is he? Is he not good-looking enough for you?” Qiu Tian said with a smile. “We just met. He helped me out of a tough spot. Besides, Auntie Wang, shouldn’t you be asking about my leg first, instead of gossiping?”

Auntie Wang patted Qiu Tian on the head. “You rascal, even with a broken leg, you’re still teasing me. I thought he was your boyfriend. I was wondering how I hadn’t heard about it.”

Now that Qiu Tian had been delivered to the hospital, Xia Xiaoyu prepared to leave. “Just leave your motorcycle there for now. If I see those men leave, I’ll find a chance to move it to the courtyard I rented—there’s a donkey shed there. You can come pick it up when your leg is recovered. I can ride a motorcycle, but I don’t have a motorcycle license, or I could deliver it to you.”

“Okay, thanks so much. I’ll come pick up the motorcycle when my leg is recovered and return your clothes. You can keep the key.”

“Sure, I’m usually at school. I only go to the village on weekends or holidays, so you can find me there if you need to. You can also come to the school.”

“No problem, I’ll be able to find you.”

Xia Xiaoyu turned to leave, and Qiu Tian called out, “Hey!”

Xia Xiaoyu turned back, and Qiu Tian said, “Thank you!”

Xia Xiaoyu and Er Bao drove off, Er Bao’s eyes fixed on the pedestrians and vehicles on the road, while Xia Xiaoyu’s mind was filled with Qiu Tian.

Qiu Tian and Director Wang arrived at the Veteran Cadre Department. The department had an X-ray machine, and Director Wang arranged for someone to take a scan of Qiu Tian’s leg. After reviewing the scan, Director Wang and Qiu Tian discussed the options. They decided against surgery and instead consulted with a specialist from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, who performed a manual realignment of Qiu Tian’s leg, applied medication, and put it in a cast. Director Wang then borrowed a wheelchair from the department and personally drove Qiu Tian home.

Xia Xiaoyu and Qiu Tian’s first encounter was somewhat accidental. Qiu Tian had been tasked with quelling an attempted armed coup, with orders to eliminate the target without expanding the scope or escalating the situation. After successfully completing the mission, she quickly withdrew, but because she hadn’t used lethal weapons against the armed personnel in the warehouse, she found herself on the defensive. Her right leg was broken when an opposing vehicle ran her over, forcing her to engage the facility’s security personnel. During her withdrawal, she managed to kill five of them while wounded, but with no ammunition left, she was forced to make a quick escape. Her motorcycle spun out of control and crashed into the courtyard Xia Xiaoyu had rented. The four men in black suits who pursued her to the village were plainclothes soldiers from the Central Guard Regiment stationed at the People’s Armed Police warehouse. They were unaware of the coup and were simply carrying out their security duties.

The entire military intelligence apparatus administratively reported to the General Staff Department, externally known as “Department Two.” At that time, Qiu Qingli, Qiu Tian’s mother, served as the Director of Department Two. She promptly received intelligence that a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and the Director of the General Logistics Department of the People’s Liberation Army were attempting to launch a military coup. Those involved included the Minister of Public Security and a provincial party secretary, who had swayed the Commander of the People’s Armed Police. The plan was for the PAP to detain the leaders of the central government and key ministries, seize control of important departments, and seize power. The United States promised that if they succeeded, Western allies would unconditionally provide comprehensive support to stabilize the situation.

The situation was urgent, and there were few people Qiu Qingli could trust and rely on. Acting in the name of the Central Military Commission, she directly ordered her biological daughter, Qiu Tian, to execute the Director of the General Logistics Department and the PAP Commander, who were directing the operation at a certain PAP warehouse. Simultaneously, Qiu Qingli led a combat team from Department Two’s internal security division to storm the meeting of the Politburo Standing Committee, controlling everyone present to prevent any surprises. She immediately explained the situation to the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The CMC and the Ministry of National Defense immediately ordered the 33rd Army, stationed in the suburbs of Beijing, to suppress the rebellion. The 33rd Army’s Political Commissar personally led a division to quickly enter Beijing and take control of key departments. The Army Commander deployed two divisions to secretly disarm the PAP forces stationed in the capital. The atmosphere was incredibly tense, with military helicopters parked on the square opposite the Forbidden City. Foreign media seized the opportunity to aggressively sensationalize the events, and subsequently, the PAP was placed under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission.

Afterward, Qiu Qingli reported the details of how she had falsely invoked the name of the Central Military Commission and acted without seeking permission. To quickly quell the situation and prevent any negative repercussions from spreading, the CMC, General Political Department, and General Staff Department decided not to pursue the other personnel involved in the unsanctioned suppression of the rebellion. Qiu Qingli received a severe reprimand and was placed on probation, relieved of her position as Director of Department Two, and dismissed from all other duties within the department. The CMC would consider whether to refer the matter to a military tribunal, and during the deliberation period, she was prohibited from leaving the premises, guarded by four special security personnel, and temporarily assigned to manage files in the archives center.

Qiu Qingli understood that someone who had committed such a serious error would not normally be granted access to the archives. She realized the CMC was protecting her from potential retaliation and thus diligently studied the files, believing she might find important information that could be useful in the future.

Two months later, Qiu Qingli received a First-Class Merit Citation for promptly uncovering the counter-revolutionary coup plot, another First-Class Merit Citation for organizing the suppression of the counter-revolutionary rebellion under pressure, and a third First-Class Merit Citation for bravely defending the national leadership. She was promoted from Senior Colonel to Major General and appointed as Deputy Director of the Central Military Commission, All-Army Informationization Commission.

It appeared to be a nominal position, but in reality, this was a newly established department created in the wake of the failed coup. The Chairman of the Central Military Commission served as its director, with the Deputy Director responsible for overseeing daily operations. Several Executive Deputy Directors managed specific areas of responsibility. It was the highest authority responsible for all military intelligence under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission. Department Two of the General Staff, which was responsible for all military intelligence, remained organizationally under the General Staff, but its operations were placed under the direct leadership of the All-Army Informationization Commission.

But Qiu Tian didn’t know about any of this initially. First, she was recovering from her injuries and didn’t want to worry her mother, so she hadn’t contacted her. Second, these matters weren’t something she needed to know. It was only later that she learned her mother had moved to Area A of the Xishan District to work.

For a month, Xia Xiaoyu had hoped every day that the dormitory administrator would call him, telling him someone was looking for him. He’d immediately check his phone every time it rang, hoping for an unfamiliar number and a voice he’d heard before but longed to hear again. He also often went to Lüjiacun to polish the large-displacement motorcycle, simultaneously hoping to see the person who would come to pick it up there as soon as possible.

This afternoon, there was a game. The school volleyball league was always held in late November. This was Xia Xiaoyu’s last time participating—next year at this time, he would have already graduated. The eleven departments of the school competed in a round-robin tournament, and the top four teams drew lots for the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the finals. Today’s semi-final between the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and the Department of Mathematics was the second match, scheduled to begin at five o’clock. “It’s ironic,” Xia Xiaoyu joked with his teammates, “do the humanities and sciences always have to clash?”

Xia Xiaoyu and his teammates arrived at the venue an hour early to do some acclimatization training. For over a decade, the Chinese Language and Literature Department’s women’s volleyball team had been the undisputed powerhouse of the school, while the men’s team had consistently ranked 11th. They were constantly teased by the department’s female students, who called the Chinese Department men’s team the “Bachelor Squad.” Eventually, every “Double Eleven” the female students would send them gifts to celebrate and wish the team would break free from their bachelor status and stop being the “Bachelor Squad,” but it never seemed to work.

Things had changed starting with Xia Xiaoyu’s class. With three solid players, including one who had played on the city’s youth team, the Chinese Department had become a dark horse, suddenly winning the championship, and had now done so for three consecutive years. This competition was the last one for this group of players, and they were determined to win. As they had before the previous three tournaments, they’d publicly declared they were there to take the championship, and were quite boastful about it. This group of players had always been arrogant, making the male students from other departments dislike them, but they had a large number of fervent fans among the female students from other departments, which only made the male students from those departments dislike the Chinese Department volleyball team even more.

With half an hour until the game began, the gymnasium was already filling with spectators. Students and teachers from the Chinese Department occupied the front rows of the west stands, while the Mathematics Department secured the best spots in the east stands. Spectators from other departments were also finding suitable seats, discussing the game and their favorite players. Xia Xiaoyu had quite a few fans. Within the university, he was a good athlete, a good student, and a student leader, so he naturally received a lot of attention.

The Mathematics team arrived late, led by their coach. Xia Xiaoyu and his teammates had long suspected they’d gone to find a place to do some targeted practice, not wanting outsiders to see. After all, this was the semi-final – if they didn’t succeed, they wouldn’t succeed at all.

The refereeing team also arrived, and the court had been cleared. After measuring the court and the net, the head referee called the two team captains over to decide which side they wanted to play on. The second referee was checking the starting player lists and jersey numbers with the two coaches. The atmosphere in the gymnasium suddenly became tense. The fans, regardless of their department, gathered on the east and west stands according to the teams they supported, but there were clearly many more people on the west stand.

The Mathematics team won the coin toss and chose to serve. As the captain and main attacker for the Chinese Department, Xu Gang selected the north side of the court and came back to inform everyone. Zhuzi said happily, “Gang, good job! We’ll be facing south and backing north, we’re definitely going to ascend the throne this year!” Everyone laughed proudly.

Xu Gang was the main attacker, a specially recruited student from a rural background, four years older than Xia Xiaoyu. He wasn’t very tall, had a dark face, but had excellent jumping ability and a strong spike. He once made a mistake and spiked the ball into the face of a referee, causing the referee to fall heavily from his chair, earning him the nickname “Referee Killer.” Xia Xiaoyu played as the setter, with average passing technique, often inadvertently creating unexpected opportunities due to inaccurate passes. However, his blocking and defense were very strong. Liu Lizhu was a middle blocker, who had played the position since his youth in the city’s youth team. Nicknamed Zhuzi, he was 1.85 meters tall – small for a professional player. He retired when he couldn’t make the starting lineup and was specially recruited into the Chinese Department as a student with special talents. These three considered themselves the strongest all-around players in the school, a claim that was a bit boastful, but largely accurate.

The referee announced that both teams could enter the court for ten minutes of field acclimatization. Seeing that the game was about to start, Xia Xiaoyu notified his teammates that he was going to the restroom. They all knew this was his habit – every time before a game began, he had to go to the restroom, mainly to wash his face, calm himself down, and make a final assessment of the potential situations and strategies in the match.

“Hurry up! People who sleep in are lazy, and people who are thirsty pee a lot – both apply to you!” Zhuzi said to him.

Xia Xiaoyu ignored him and jogged through the corridor under the stands towards the restroom near the locker rooms. As he passed an opening, he suddenly heard someone call out, “Hey!” He paused, slowed down, and turned his head to see—it was her, Qiu Tian.

“You?! You… uh, what are you doing here? You… uh, is your leg alright?” Xia Xiaoyu stammered a bit.

Qiu Tian handed him a tote bag. “Thank you for helping me that day! Here’s your jacket.”

“It was nothing, just a coincidence. Hey, you didn’t know I was from the Chinese Department, how did you find me?” Xia Xiaoyu glanced at the bag, and saw that his windbreaker had been washed and neatly folded inside.

“I had to find you for my motorcycle!” Qiu Tian said with a smile. She was wearing a white tracksuit, white sneakers, and a white baseball cap. Xia Xiaoyu couldn’t tell what brand her clothes were, but he thought she looked like a white fairy, with a loose braid and no makeup, but she was breathtakingly beautiful. Xia Xiaoyu’s heart began to race.

“I really owe you one for helping me that day, thank you!” Qiu Tian expressed her gratitude again.

“It’s really nothing. Anyone would lend a hand. As long as you’re okay! By the way, how’s your leg? Is it better?”

“It’s better now. Anyone who bullies me, I can kick them so hard they’ll see stars!” Both of them laughed heartily, and Xia Xiaoyu relaxed.

Just then, his teammates ran over, calling for him to come back, saying they had entered the court and needed him to hurry up.

“Let me treat you to a meal after the game to show my thanks. Do you have plans tonight?” Qiu Tian asked Xia Xiaoyu.

“Sure, I’m free tonight,” Xia Xiaoyu readily agreed.

“Great. Then after the game, you go back to your dormitory to shower and change, and I’ll wait for you in the garden below your department building after I’ve watched your match.”

“You’ll watch our game?”

Qiu Tian nodded.

“Good! Great! Then I’ll go play.”

“Okay.” Qiu Tian nodded.

“See you later!”

“Okay!” Qiu Tian replied. Xia Xiaoyu completely forgot about going to the restroom and dashed back to the court. Qiu Tian also found a secluded spot high up in the stands and sat down.

When Xia Xiaoyu ran back to the court, the starting players from both teams were already lined up along the sidelines. Xia Xiaoyu felt a sudden surge of energy – he was determined to give his best performance today!

The match went smoothly. Although it was the semi-final, the game was completely one-sided. The Chinese Department won 3-0, leaving some of their supporters cheering and others disappointed. But the Chinese Department had played exceptionally well, unstoppable and giving the Mathematics Department no chance at all.

After the match, Xia Xiaoyu quickly rushed back to his dormitory for a shower, changed out of his athletic uniform, and hurried towards the Chinese Department building without even drying his hair. He ran into several acquaintances along the way, exchanging greetings without really knowing what he was saying, only focused on getting to the garden in front of the building as quickly as possible. He walked and ran, breaking into a sweat along the way.

Today there was no wind, and the trees in the garden stood quietly, silently watching the layer of fallen leaves on the grass below, as if contemplating where they had come from and where they were going. Qiu Tian was sitting leisurely on a bench in a corner of the garden. Seeing Xia Xiaoyu approach, she straightened her baseball cap and walked to meet him. “You pick a restaurant, I’m treating.”

“Then I won’t be polite. Let’s go to my usual place!”

“Great! You lead the way.”

Xia Xiaoyu wanted to walk alongside Qiu Tian for a little longer, but also wanted to sit down and talk to her as soon as possible. He deliberately controlled his pace, avoiding walking too fast and appearing anxious, or too slow and giving the impression he had ulterior motives. They meandered around until they reached the school’s second cafeteria, a place Xia Xiaoyu frequented.

The school had four cafeterias. The fourth cafeteria was the largest and newest, and everyone preferred to eat there. The second cafeteria was older, more secluded, and not very spacious, but it stayed open late, primarily serving graduate students and teachers who missed the opening hours of the other cafeterias while conducting research or preparing lessons. There were also students who went there for a late-night snack after evening study hall. Xia Xiaoyu usually went to the fourth cafeteria, but after every match, he would go to the second cafeteria, ordering two dishes and a bottle of beer as a celebration of victory. So far, the Chinese Department had won every match in the school league, which was a miracle. The post-match celebration had even taken on a superstitious quality, and was seen as a harbinger of success in the next game.

The second cafeteria offered both set meals and à la carte dishes. Qiu Tian asked Xia Xiaoyu what he wanted to eat, admitting she wasn’t familiar with the place and letting him order. Xia Xiaoyu ordered the chef’s signature dish – scrambled eggs with tomatoes and stir-fried pork liver – along with two cold dishes. Qiu Tian said she didn’t drink alcohol, so Xia Xiaoyu didn’t order his usual beer.

The two of them began chatting about the day’s match and then about Xia Xiaoyu’s hobbies. During their conversation, Xia Xiaoyu learned that Qiu Tian was a junior majoring in Jinghu at the Military Arts Academy, and was eligible to apply for graduate school next year. Because she had qualified for military service upon entering school, she was considered an active member of the armed forces and might also be selected for the military’s arts troupe. However, her assignment was not yet determined, as all active members of the armed forces were subject to orders. Xia Xiaoyu estimated that Qiu Tian was a year younger than him, but they didn’t know each other well, so he didn’t ask.

“You should go back early!” Qiu Tian glanced at the wall clock, its face obscured by grease but still stubbornly ticking. “Otherwise, your girlfriend will be upset.”

Xia Xiaoyu choked, coughing and turning red, unsure if it was from the choking or the embarrassment. “I don’t even have a girlfriend!” Xia Xiaoyu’s eyes widened.

“If you don’t, then that’s just it. Look how flustered you are!” Qiu Tian covered her mouth and laughed. Xia Xiaoyu thought she looked beautiful when she smiled, and couldn’t help but steal another look.

Qiu Tian said it was too late to go out tonight, but she would come and watch the final match in two days. Once Xia Xiaoyu and his team won the championship, they could go to Lüjiacun together to pick up the motorcycle. Xia Xiaoyu offered to accompany Qiu Tian home, but she declined. So he walked her to the university gate, and the two of them parted ways.

The days leading up to the final were agonizing. Xia Xiaoyu always felt like something was missing, and he desperately wished the final match would start immediately, without any more waiting. He also knew that what he was waiting for wasn’t the match itself.

It felt like years had passed, and finally, the day of the final arrived. He hadn’t seen Qiu Tian, and Xia Xiaoyu was restless and even a little disappointed. He kept looking for someone wearing white, and there were a few, but none of them were the person he was looking for.

Only one final match was scheduled for today, at two o’clock in the afternoon. It was a Friday, so there were a lot of people coming to watch the game. As the match was about to begin, Xia Xiaoyu headed toward the restroom near the locker room, and Qiu Tian was standing at the entrance to the corridor. No one else was around, as everyone was waiting outside to watch the game. Qiu Tian was wearing all black today: a black short jacket, unbuttoned, over a black turtleneck sweater, with black pants and black high heels. She had replaced the long, thick braid she’d worn two days ago with soft, flowing waves, transforming from pure and innocent to alluring, but without being vulgar.

“Here.” Qiu Tian handed Xia Xiaoyu a cup of coffee. She was tall and slender, with sloping shoulders, a full chest, a narrow waist, and shapely hips. Qiu Tian, with her jade-like skin, looked like a celestial fairy. She wasn’t wearing any makeup, and that natural beauty made Xia Xiaoyu want to look at her, but he was afraid to linger his gaze, yet couldn’t bear to look away. He stood there, staring at her, and completely forgot to reach for the coffee.

“What are you looking at? Take it.” Qiu Tian’s eyes were like clear pools of water, their gentleness capable of melting anything.

Xia Xiaoyu finally snapped out of his trance, his face flushed. He carefully reached for the coffee, avoid to touch Qiu Tian’s hand, his heart pounding in his chest. The match went smoothly. They won their fourth consecutive championship. Some were happy, and some were sad.

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Read → Read: Miss Qiu Series → Angle Heading to Hell