I'm skilled in bed.

That afternoon, Bai Haonan had completely forgotten all about the troubles of football gambling and betting. He spent the day joyfully on the medical university’s football field, only leaving when darkness fell. The students attending class didn’t play for long, but even before class ended, football enthusiasts from the university began trickling in, eager to claim the pitch for casual matches. Their skill level far surpassed that of the students from class, but compared to Bai Haonan, it was the difference between a handful of rice grains and a bucketful: he was operating on a whole other plane. Having already established himself on the field, he assumed the role of the early-arriving host, unceremoniously assigning and rearranging the players: “You, join the other side for balance, that’ll make it more fun. You, go play on the next field, your basics are too weak…”

This unquestionable confidence and his skill left no one objecting. Even those he sent off didn’t complain, instead stepping off with a reluctant smile to watch from the sidelines, unwilling to leave. It was the classic “he who has the greatest skill commands the room.” Bai Haonan was clearly a ringer.

As the original group of boys and girls from class left, more and more students arrived: players, couples strolling across the pitch, students eating from bowls in the stands. Almost every eye was drawn, as if by gravity, to the patch of grass where he played. Even though the entire field could be divided into three separate pitches, everyone crowded shoulder to shoulder around the one where Bai Haonan was in command.

Unlike the other students, who wore a chaotic jumble of dirty old jerseys, Bai Haonan stood out in a silver-gray designer T-shirt, faded white jeans, and neon green Nike Airs. He looked every bit the well-off outsider. Unlike the others, who were drenched in sweat, he barely seemed to break a sweat at all, gliding back and forth across the pitch with an easy, unhurried stride, most often calling out brief instructions: “Turn!” “Left side!” “Release it!”

Anyone who’s played football knows the common habit: in the heat of play, people either shout teammates’ names or holler “Hey! Hey!” to call for the ball. But this tall young man, masked in a light blue disposable mask and glasses, was astonishingly precise with his commands. If you put yourself in the ball handler’s shoes, you’d realize how different it was: instead of tuning out a cacophony of meaningless shouts, you received clear, actionable instructions. Bai Haonan’s words were efficient and effective.

Moreover, he only directed the player with the ball, so those in possession often responded instinctively, following his guidance. Watching from the sidelines, you’d see the ball zip through two or three passes, then suddenly appear at the striker’s feet in front of goal—sometimes even the striker would look surprised, but all the same would finish with a beaming smile and a poke into the net.

Everyone loved this free-flowing style of play. The scoring side cheered, and the others marveled and wanted more. Before long, even those who’d been left out were calling him “bro,” saying, “You’re playing favorites—let us try it too!”

Bai Haonan would just laugh and switch sides, orchestrating the other team as well. He simply organized play from midfield, barely needing to sprint or tackle. Perhaps his role as a holding midfielder would go unnoticed in the professional leagues, but here, among casual university players, his command of the game seemed almost unreachably high. He seldom shot or dribbled extravagantly, but simply enjoyed the pleasure of controlling the flow and rhythm, relishing his command on the field.

It was as if he were a general, leading two squads of raw recruits through drills for fun, meticulously assigning each according to their strengths, frequently swapping players and positions. Even with a group of mediocrities, he managed to balance teams and keep everyone engaged, losing himself in the process and forgetting all his worries.

By the time darkness forced an end to the game, these previously unknown university students were treating Bai Haonan with warm respect. “Bro, which college are you from? You’re definitely not in our department—are you a newly recruited athlete?”

“Come play more often if you can! I feel like I’ve leveled up today—what a rush! The teamwork felt amazing!”

Bai Haonan was a little reluctant to leave, but he just smiled and shook his head, saying little: “Sure, I can come often…” Without even removing his mask, he waved goodbye and walked off the pitch. Many watched as his memorable silhouette disappeared at the edge of the field, where he got into a white hatchback and drove away.

That night, talk of the mysterious expert on the football field was everywhere in the men’s dorms; even the girls’ dorms buzzed about a handsome guy someone had spotted. One girl even commented on how cool he looked sliding into that little white car—never mind that it was just an entry-level grocery-getter.

Although owning a family car was becoming increasingly common and students driving to school were no longer rare, it still implied a certain level of affluence. Even his outfit caught the eye of some girls, who later chatted about it in their dorm rooms. One girl even insisted that, despite appearances, some of those little white cars could be expensive specialty models, and some people just preferred to keep their wealth hidden. What times we live in—what a set of values!

Even masked and bespectacled, Bai Haonan exuded a maturity quite distinct from the average college guy. His agile, athletic movements made him seem young, but there was something about him that was both collegiate and worldly—a combination that made him easy fodder for girls’ conversations. Sometimes, women can be even more dramatic than men when discussing the opposite sex.

Meanwhile, Qiao Yingna was also talking about men with Chen Sufen. She hadn’t intended to say anything, but as she finished tidying up to go out, she repeatedly passed the living room and saw Chen Sufen sitting blankly at the coffee table that doubled as a dining table. Aside from a new set of bedding on the sofa, there was just a pile of takeout food—already cold.

“You didn’t call him?” she asked.

Chen Sufen was startled from her daze. “Huh? Oh, I did. He didn’t answer…”

After another glance at her roommate’s face, Qiao Yingna made up her mind: “Xiaofen, I know I don’t really have a right to say this, but that Lao Nan is really just an aimless womanizer. Maybe you’re infatuated with him, maybe you’d give everything for him, but I have to warn you: you can’t change him. If you keep getting tangled up with him, you’ll suffer for the rest of your life.” She spoke quickly, a little surprised that she wasn’t interrupted.

Chen Sufen’s smile gradually softened her face, revealing none of the brash, clueless demeanor she showed Bai Haonan. “I know. He started flirting with girls when he was twelve, slept with the track girls at fifteen. By now, aside from football—and chasing women—he’s useless at anything else. Even his football lacks ambition. My dad’s been scolding him for twenty years. I never thought I could change him. I just hope that if one day he can settle down and stop fooling around with other women, I’ll be content. As for everything else, I study hard so I can support him. No matter how little drive he has, it’s fine.”

Qiao Yingna hadn’t expected her words to change her roommate’s mind, but she was still shocked by Chen Sufen’s devotion. “You know… some men never settle down, no matter how long they live. They’ll always be hungry and unfaithful.”

Chen Sufen looked up at the senior clinical medicine student with a knowing, serene smile. “Maybe, but what can I do? Ever since I can remember, he’s taken care of me. Our families lived side by side in little houses. Our parents were always off traveling for games or lost in cards and dancing. I grew up sleeping in his bed. When I had my first period, he taught me what to do, brought me pads from his girlfriends. To borrow the terms those shut-in guys use online, I’m his ‘cultivated little loli.’ But as I grew up and went to school, and he started playing professional football, we ended up living in two different worlds. I know he really cares for me and never treats me like those women he forgets the moment he turns around. That’s enough. I know why he has no ambition. That’s enough for me.”

Faced with those two final “that’s enoughs,” Qiao Yingna could only shrug in resignation. “Fine, pretend I never said anything. Just be ready for a lifetime of hardship.”

Chen Sufen lowered her head, perhaps speaking to herself, perhaps to her roommate: “If you have someone worth suffering for, then it’s not really suffering.”

Qiao Yingna was astonished into silence, pursing her lips. As she headed out, she ran straight into Bai Haonan, who was returning with a bunch of paper bags, looking cheerful. Spotting the elegant young woman, he immediately tried to ingratiate himself: “Night shift, right? Need a ride? I’m free. I even swung by the medical school this afternoon, you know, your place…”

The intern couldn’t help but admire his enthusiasm, smiling as she pointed to the door left ajar: “Xiaofen’s been waiting for you to have dinner. See you!”

Bai Haonan, ever the gentleman, didn’t push his luck. He clapped his hands to keep the hallway’s motion-sensor lights on, watched Qiao Yingna gracefully head downstairs, and returned her parting gesture of thanks before entering the apartment to grumble: “Damn it, you could’ve set me up a bit.”

Chen Sufen’s sarcasm was back in full force: “Want me to drug her for you?”

Bai Haonan responded righteously: “I have standards, you know. I’m not that low. I rely on skill!”

Without a word, Chen Sufen grabbed her chopsticks and took a swing at him.

She actually hit him!