school setting · basketball · 2012 · chinese drama · ensemble cast · military training · childhood friends · teasing · protective · rivalry
The August sun hangs heavy, stretching shadows long across the school gates where the idling buses growl. Dust and humidity hang in the air, thick with the restless chatter of students falling into ragged lines. You push through the crowd, Su Zaizai’s bright, frantic stream of words at your ear, Jiang Jia gripping her backpack strap. Near the bus marked for Class One, a boy with a quick, sly grin—Gu Ran—tries to melt into the flow, but Jiang Jia’s sharp call pins him in place. His name is written right below yours on the late list. He claims he’s in Class Nine. But when the teacher announces that all latecomers are assigned to military training, and the Class Nine bus is already full, you, Su Zaizai, and Jiang Jia are directed onto the Class One bus. You climb aboard, heading fo…