The afternoon sun cast long streaks of light through the high windows of the university gym, Sneakers squeaked on polished wood, the rhythmic thud of basketballs echoed, and the occasional burst of laughter from the guys lightened the air. Li Wei wiped sweat from his forehead, breathing in the scent of resin, sweat, and determination.
"One more round!" he called out, dribbling the ball with that effortless grace that made him look like the court was made for him.
"Man, you never get tired," Tao groaned, bent over and panting. "You've been at it since morning."
Li Wei grinned, spinning the ball on his finger. "That's because you guys keep slacking. You think talent alone will save you on game day?"
The boys groaned, but they knew he was right. As the captain of the university team, Li Wei didn't just have the skills—he had the drive, the discipline, and the charm that made people follow him naturally. Even though he didn't come from money or status, he was the kind of guy others just gravitated toward.
As they were resetting positions, the heavy gym doors swung open with a loud creak.
Zhao Teng strolled in like he owned the place, wearing his custom tracksuit, a smirk tugging at his lips. He was the young master of one of the local powerhouse and also a werewolf families in northern China, known for throwing his weight—and money—around campus. And today, clearly, he was here with a purpose.
"Still playing with these nobodies, Li Wei?" Zhao Teng's voice echoed sharply, slicing through the gym's chatter.
Li Wei raised an eyebrow, casually passing the ball to Tao. "What do you want, Zhao?"
"I came to see what the hype is about," Zhao said with a fake laugh. "They say the great Li Wei is unbeatable on the court. Thought I'd test the myth myself."
The whole gym paused.
"Man, don't entertain him," Tao muttered under his breath. "He's just looking for trouble."
But Li Wei shrugged. "Why not? One-on-one?"
Zhao's eyes lit up. "Let's go."
The match started with a coin flip—Zhao got possession. He played aggressively, charging in like a storm using his super speed and strength, but to Li Wei, everything looks like it has been slowed down, with a burst of speed and strength that he didn't know where they came from he danced around him with controlled ease. His steps were quick, fluid. The ball moved like it was a part of him. Within minutes, it was clear who the real baller was.
10–4. Li Wei
The last move sealed it—he faked left, spun right, leapt, and slammed the ball through the hoop with a thundering dunk. The sound of the rim vibrating echoed through the gym. The others clapped and whistled, while Zhao Teng stood frozen, humiliated.
"How the hell did he win, I should be faster than him. Am a freaking werewolf." he thought
"No hard feelings," Li Wei said, clapping him on the shoulder as he passed.
Zhao brushed his hand off and left seething with anger planning to ask his father if maybe his awakening was fake.
An hour later, Li Wei strolled into English class, hair still slightly damp from his quick shower. He grabbed his usual spot near the window. The room buzzed with chatter, everyone curious about the new teacher who was supposed to take over.
"This is the last class"
Then she walked in.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor, each step poised, calm, confident. She had sharp, expressive eyes and a smile that suggested she had seen more of the world than any of them could imagine. Her black pencil skirt and crisp white blouse gave her an aura of elegance. She was probably in her early 30s—but her presence made everyone sit up straighter.
"Good afternoon," she said in fluent, crisp English. "I'm Miss Liang. I'll be your instructor for the rest of the semester. Your previous teacher had to leave for... personal reasons."
LiWei barely noticed when Tao leaned toward him and whispered, "Hey… I just got the new game, that people are playing recently,let go to my house and play"
LiWei leaned over and whispered back, "Man, I don't even know.
Hey what happened, you look distracted since morning - Tao asked
He replied "I think I had the weirdest dream of my life this week that a werewolf bit me and now I feel stronger and handsome,yes handsome—"
Tao stared at him as if look at an idiot
"Hey what is with that look"
"Nothing" Tao replied, I just think you have been reading fantasy novels too much
"Yes I know" Li Wei mumbled
"Mr. Li Wei." Miss Liang's voice snapped through the air, gentle but commanding.
He sat up straight, blinking.
"Since you're so eager to talk, let me ask you a few questions. What's the past perfect tense of the verb 'to go'?"
"Uh… had gone."
She nodded. "Good. Use it in a sentence."
He cleared his throat. "I had gone home before I realized I forgot my keys."
A few chuckles. She smiled slightly.
"Translate this: 'Despite the storm, he continued walking toward his goal.'"
LiWei answered in flawless English.
"Well done," she said, returning to the front. "At least your English is as good as your reputation."
He could feel the boys behind him snickering. But there was a flicker of interest in Miss Liang's eyes that wasn't lost on him either.
Class ended. As the students filed out, LiWei waved at Tao, promising to meet up by evening to test the new game.He slung his bag over one shoulder. The hallway was loud with chatter and footsteps. He stepped into the courtyard, letting the evening breeze cool his skin. The sky was slowly transitioning into that golden hue right before sunset.
Then, a sleek black car pulled up right in front of him. It was long, low to the ground, with tinted windows and a matte finish that shimmered faintly. An emblem shaped like a silver wolf's head gleamed on the hood.
"What the—?" LiWei stopped in his tracks.
The window lowered halfway.
A voice spoke, low and composed. "Li Wei, Get in."
His brows furrowed. "And you are?"
The window rolled down completely.
Sitting in the back seat was her.
The girl from the night he thought was a dream.
She wore a grey fitted suit, sharp as her gaze. Her long black hair was neatly pulled back, and a diamond earring glinted on her ear.
It was her. The one whose name he didn't even know. The one he thought he hallucinated. The one who had clawed at his back with desperate hands and whispered his name like a secret in his dream.
Only now, she looked… different. Composed. Cold.
"Get in. We need to talk."
Jinhai's heart pounded—not in fear, but something else. Confusion. Curiosity. A spark of recognition deep in his blood he couldn't explain.
He stepped forward, slowly.
"Sure," he said. He is curious to see the girl he thought he saw in his dream standing before him