Chapter 8: Playing to His Interests

The next day, Tara slept until the sun was high in the sky.

Her head felt like it was going to explode, and her whole body felt as if it had been run over by a truck.

Tara sat up in discomfort, pulled back the bed curtain, and looked down, only to see Josie sitting at her desk, focused on drawing on a digital tablet.

"Josie, what time is it?"

Her voice was slightly hoarse as she asked groggily, "Where are Cassie and the others?"

Hearing Tara's voice, Josie stopped her pen, looked up at her, and smiled. "You're awake?"

"It’s 12:10 PM. Cassie and the others went to eat."

Seeing Tara looking completely drained, Josie smirked. "I’m waiting for you. Well, can you get up?"

Her muddled thoughts slowly aligned, and those shameful actions and words from last night resurfaced in her mind.

It was one thing for her behavior to be out of control while drunk, but the most agonizing part was remembering exactly what she did and said after waking up.

Why can't humans just have sudden amnesia?

How did Killian manage to hold himself back from hitting her?

With an awkward heat rising in her cheeks, Tara closed her eyes and took a faint, deep breath before answering normally, "I can."

After quickly getting ready, she and Josie headed to Cafeteria Number One.

"Cassie told me everything about last night."

At the dining table, Josie lightly tapped Tara's tray with her chopsticks, a mischievous smile on her face. "Not bad, Tara. That was pretty bold, confessing directly like that. Good. Now you can openly show your love to the Campus King."

The words "show your love" made Tara turn beet-red.

She simply picked up a piece of curry potato and stuffed it into Josie's mouth to shut her up.

"Tsk, such thin skin?"

Looking at Tara's cherry-red face, Josie let out a lazy sigh and said with her mouth full:

"Sigh, I was planning to teach you some pursuit techniques, but since you're so shy, I guess I'll..."

"Don't," Tara immediately put down her chopsticks and grabbed her hand. "Please tell me, Josie. I’m begging you."

Josie smirked at her for a few seconds before putting on an understanding expression. "Fine. Since you're being so sincere, I suppose I can give you some pointers."

She leaned in and whispered, "The first step of the pursuit law—confessing your feelings—is already done. So, for the second step, what you need to do is play to his interests."

Tara nodded seriously, like she was in a training seminar, waiting for her to continue.

Josie continued her analysis: "From what I know, Killian likes basketball, just like your brother Sean."

"Tomorrow, the Computer Science department has its final basketball championship match. Every class has to send at least one guy to play. Since Sean is away on business, Killian, as one of the two best players in Class 1, will definitely be on the court!"

"So..."

The next afternoon at 2:30 PM, at the gymnasium basketball court.

The spectators packed the stands, with a majority being girls.

Under the strong suggestion of Josie and Cassie, Tara had applied some refined light makeup and came to watch the match.

"We’re actually in the first row. It’s such a shame Daisy couldn't come to this prime spot."

Josie sighed, putting her arm around Cassie's shoulder with a smile. "Actually, that guy Parker is quite considerate. Why don't you just give him a chance?"

Cassie smirked and gave a proud huff. "We'll see how he performs after this."

She turned back to Tara, glancing at the towel and mineral water in her hands, and reminded her: "We’re in the closest seats. Seize the opportunity. When it’s over, you have to be fast, okay?"

Tara gripped the water and towel tightly and nodded seriously.

The match was about to begin. On the court, the players from both the Computer Science and Law departments had all arrived.

Killian’s height, nearly 1.9 meters, made him stand out exceptionally in the crowd.

Combined with his god-defying looks and physique, he drew the attention of almost every girl in the gym. Every simple movement he made triggered varying degrees of screaming.

"Heh, just a pretty face. His skills are probably mediocre at best."

On the Law department side, Brandon patted Parker’s shoulder and said confidently, "Parker, you're definitely going to crush him later!"

Parker didn't respond to the flattery; he was staring blankly at a slender, beautiful figure in the first row of the stands.

Brandon’s flattery missed its mark. He rubbed his nose awkwardly and followed Parker’s gaze to the audience.

"Hey, isn't that my sister-in-law?"

Brandon didn't know that Parker and Tara had broken up. He said with a smile, "She’s looking right at you!"

Seeing this, the corners of Parker’s lips curled up with pleasure.

Yes, Parker was certain of it too—she was looking at him.

So, her behavior of forcing a kiss on that stranger the other day was just an act, a deliberate attempt to make him angry.

His little girlfriend was a pure person, but men have desires. She was always too conservative to let him touch her, so he had to find another outlet.

He had merely made a mistake that any man would make, but he had changed now.

And since his little girlfriend was someone who valued feelings, her coming specifically to watch him play basketball meant she still couldn't let go of their two-year relationship. She had thought it through and forgiven him.

He had to perform exceptionally well in the upcoming game so as not to disappoint her.

"Haven't seen her for a while, but she seems to have gotten even prettier."

Brandon sighed. "In my opinion, that school beauty poll on the confession wall is total crap. That girl Josie is nowhere near as good as her."

"To me, she is clearly the most beautiful girl in the whole school."

He smiled and said, "Look, she’s holding a towel and mineral water. It must be specifically prepared for you, Parker. Won't those other guys be dying of envy?"

"I’m already jealous, Parker." Brandon patted Parker’s shoulder again, teasing, "The game hasn't even started, but you've already won big time!"

Parker felt a bit lightheaded from all the flattery.

He couldn't help but flash a confident, gentle smile, sending it across the court to Tara.

At that moment, Tara, who was focused on watching Killian warm up, was suddenly obscured by a stray lock of hair. She reached up to brush it away.

Unexpectedly, as her vision shifted, she found herself making eye contact with Parker.

Tara froze.

What’s going on? Why is that disgusting scumbag Parker in this basketball game?

Is his face twitching? Why is he giving her such a disgusting smile?

Tara was so repulsed that she got goosebumps all over. She immediately lowered her head as if avoiding a plague, not daring to look around anymore.

Unbeknownst to Tara, her action took on a completely different meaning in Parker’s eyes.

Is his little girlfriend... shy?

She really is as pure and cute as always.

The joy in Parker’s heart grew, and he became even more determined to win this game!