Zhang Fan had actually crushed the basketball with his bare hands. Just how much strength did it take to achieve such a feat? Witnessing the brutal scene unfold before him, Liu Yufei couldn't help but recall what Lin Zihao had told him before the game: "This kid has immense strength, be careful later."
Liu Yufei hadn't believed it then. Zhang Fan appeared lean, with only faint muscle definition on his arms, yet he had unleashed such power.
To crush a basketball with the strength of one's palms, even Lin Haotian, the strongest among the sports students, known as 'the bull,' wouldn't be able to do that.
"There's no need to play today's basketball game anymore. You trash, if you want to play, go play in the trash can. Playing on the basketball court only insults the game," Zhang Fan said disdainfully, casually crushing the basketball and pointing at Liu Yufei, Lin Zihao, and the others.
Liu Yufei, Lin Zihao, and the others' faces turned grim upon hearing this. However, intimidated by Zhang Fan's earlier display, no one dared to retort.
"Also, if you want to fight, I'm always ready. But before you come for me, you'd better book a hospital bed in advance, because anyone who lays a hand on me will surely pay the price." After speaking, Zhang Fan turned and left, leaving everyone in a daze.
"Holy crap, Brother Fan, that was so badass! I'm following you from now on," Zhuo Tairan was also stunned by Zhang Fan's aura. After a long pause, he reacted and eagerly followed.
What was supposed to be a basketball game between two classes had been ruined by this incident, leaving both teams with no interest in playing. Lin Zihao immediately announced that Class Two was withdrawing from the competition. Everyone else also sighed and gradually dispersed. Liu Yufei stared at Zhang Fan's receding back, his face ashen, gritting his teeth, unable to recover for a long time.
"What do you plan to do?" Lin Zihao asked, seeing Liu Yufei's state.
Knowing Liu Yufei's personality, he definitely wouldn't let such a loss of face slide. However, Zhang Fan's earlier demonstration had indeed intimidated him.
"He seems like he can fight well. I wonder how well? Ten people, or a hundred?" Liu Yufei said softly.
"Whatever you decide to do, I just want to remind you: never underestimate him," Lin Zihao said.
After the series of events in the past two days, he found that Zhang Fan was like a changed person, completely different from his past self, giving him a sense of being inscrutable and dangerous.
"Don't worry, just seeing him crush a basketball with his bare hands is enough for me not to underestimate him. But no matter how well he fights, can he fight against a group of sports students?" Liu Yufei said.
"Wouldn't that be going too far?" Lin Zihao frowned slightly. If Liu Yufei really gathered a group of sports students for a fight, the commotion would be considerable. Moreover, those sports students had been exercising regularly, possessed much greater strength than ordinary people, and were young, with no regard for restraint when they struck.
"I know what I'm doing. I'll notify you when the time comes." Liu Yufei's expression was calm, but his eyes were cold and distant. This time, he was determined to make that arrogant brat pay the price.
"Just teach him a lesson, don't make it too big of a deal," Lin Zihao shook his head and advised.
"Don't worry, no one will die."
...
Zhang Fan didn't take the matter to heart at all. After leaving the basketball court, he was preparing to go out for dinner with Zhuo Tairan and the others. Zhao Qingqing and Ling Yanxue were also present. Seeing Ling Yanxue with Zhang Fan, Qiao Ruxin quickly followed, her woman's intuition telling her that this woman was trying to steal her best friend's man.
"What do you guys want to eat?" Qiao Ruxin asked.
"Let's go for barbecue," Zhang Fan said after a moment's thought.
Before the semester started, he had specially concocted a secret recipe for seasonings for his uncle, Zhao Yongchang. He wanted to test its flavor.
"Barbecue? That's fine, but the barbecue around our school isn't very good." Qiao Ruxin commented.
"Let's go, I'll take you to a place that will guarantee your satisfaction." Zhang Fan glanced at Zhao Qingqing and smiled mysteriously.
Hearing Zhang Fan say this, Zhao Qingqing understood that he intended to take everyone to her family's place.
"Then let's go." Zhuo Tairan spoke up when no one else objected.
Because of Zhang Fan, they had been accompanied by beautiful girls for meals these past two days. Therefore, Zhuo Tairan didn't have any strong opinions about what to eat; as long as there were beautiful women to look at, it was fine, after all, beautiful scenery was a feast for the eyes.
They hailed a taxi. The five of them squeezed in, barely managing to fit. Zhuo Tairan had wanted to sit in the back, squeezed next to Ling Yanxue, but was met with unanimous opposition. Reluctantly, he had to sit in the front.
Donghai No. 7 Middle School wasn't too far from the university town area. After about twenty minutes by car, they arrived at Qingqing Barbecue Stall.
As soon as they got out of the car, everyone was startled by the scene before them. The open-air barbecue stall had incredibly bustling business. What was originally just six tables had now expanded to ten, and there were still many people standing around, waiting to get takeaway to eat in their dorms.
"It smells so good. No wonder business is so good." Everyone couldn't help but swallow as they smelled the barbecue aroma wafting from the stall.
"But all the seats are full. Are we going to wait all this time?" Qiao Ruxin asked, looking at the lively popularity of the small barbecue stall.
"Qingqing Barbecue Stall? Could it be that Qingqing's family owns this place?" Zhuo Tairan exclaimed, looking at the sign in front of the stall.
Zhao Qingqing smiled without answering and walked directly towards the barbecue stall.
"Dad, Mom," Zhao Qingqing called out sweetly.
"Qingqing, you're here! I was so busy I didn't even notice." Zhao Yongchang, who was busy grilling at the stall, looked up and said with surprise.
"It really is!" Zhuo Tairan's eyes lit up at this, as if he had spotted an opportunity to eat for free.
Zhang Fan ignored Zhuo Tairan and walked towards his uncle, Zhao Yongchang.
"Uncle, I brought some classmates to eat barbecue today and to check out the business." Zhang Fan said.
"Little Fan, you're here too." Zhao Yongchang's face lit up with joy. "Speaking of which, that secret recipe you concocted is really great. Now, with just a charcoal grill, the scent of my barbecue can be smelled throughout this entire snack street. You can see it from the crowds."
"That's good," Zhang Fan smiled.
"I'll ask your aunt to set up a table for you," Zhao Yongchang said, seeing that Zhang Fan had brought classmates, and prepared to get up.
"No need. I can do it myself. Aunt is busy right now." Zhang Fan quickly stopped him. His aunt was busy at the moment, and he didn't want to add to the chaos.
Zhang Fan was very familiar with the barbecue stall. He went into the shop, found a square table, and set it up outside.
Then, Zhang Fan helped them choose some barbecue skewers, varieties he felt were worth trying. With the food selected, everyone sat down around the square table.