Only those who have been tempered by blood possess the wildness and instinct of a beast. So, it’s better not to say that… I’m backing down today!
He Yining barely spoke a word around people he didn’t care about. If he didn’t have to talk, he wouldn’t open his mouth at all!
The referee stepped onto the court and signaled the tip-off! The two teams collided instantly.
He Yining stood 188 centimeters tall, giving him an absolute height advantage. With his stamina, endurance, and lightning-fast reflexes, he swept across the court like a storm, unstoppable except for Liu Yi, who could barely slow him down.
Liu Yi quickly realized the gap between himself and He Yining! This man was terrifyingly strong! Even if he held back his aura, his physical abilities could crush every other man on the court! How could Xiao Qi’s man be this frighteningly powerful?
Too bad there was no way to get online during the game or dig up info on this guy! Once Liu Yi knew he was no match for He Yining, he immediately changed tactics. Using the strategy of “Tian Ji’s horse racing,” he assigned the weakest players to guard He Yining while he himself turned and charged straight at Wen Yibo!
Wen Yibo: “…”
Liu Yi might not be He Yining’s match, but he could easily toy with Wen Yibo! In just a few minutes, Liu Yi had stolen the ball from Wen Yibo several times!
“Hey, why are you targeting me?” Wen Yibo finally couldn’t hold back, muttering as Liu Yi snatched the ball again. “You’re not into me, are you?” “Into you?” Liu Yi snorted. “You’re not even as good-looking as me. I’d rather date myself than you!”
Fan Sheng, who was guarding nearby, overheard and burst out laughing. Wen Yibo glared. “Oh, really? Fine, you’re tough! Just wait and see!”
Shen Qi stood at the front of the stands, clutching a towel and a bottle of water, anxiously watching the scoreboard. He Yining and his team were too strong. Only Liu Yi on Team Five was struggling to close the gap. If this kept up, they’d lose this afternoon! Ten points! The whole team’s ten points! Slipping away right before her eyes!
Shen Qi grew more and more anxious. He Yining glanced back and caught the worry on her face. He paused mid-motion, about to shoot a three-pointer. A hint of amusement flickered in his phoenix eyes. He nudged the ball with his fingers, and the shot missed.
Wen Yibo was stunned. “Yining, what’s wrong?” He Yining checked the score and replied calmly, “We’re already thirty points ahead. Time to let them score. If they can’t win, our reward tonight won’t get delivered!”
Fan Sheng and Fan Li chimed in, “Yeah, Yibo, don’t you want to test that girl’s drinking capacity?” Wen Yibo immediately puffed up. “Just watch me drink her under the table tonight! If she weren’t a woman, I’d have—”
He Yining couldn’t help but smirk. “It’s rare to see a woman who gets under your skin like this. Aren’t you the one who claims there’s no woman you can’t win over, only men who don’t try hard enough?” “I…” Wen Yibo faltered. “That depends on who it is! Look at her! She’s almost as tall as me! I’m 185, and she’s got to be close to 180! And her face—she looks practically like a guy! How am I supposed to make a move on someone like that?”
He Yining finally had a chance to mock him. “Can’t do it, huh? Don’t make excuses.” Fan Sheng and Fan Li sided with He Yining, nodding in unison. “Right, right.” “Hey, you guys…” Wen Yibo pointed at them helplessly. “Are you seriously trying to get me to hit on that tomboy? Cut it out, okay?” “If you can win her over, I’ll admit you’re a true Casanova,” He Yining said slowly.
Wen Yibo was left speechless. Fan Sheng and Fan Li exchanged glances, thinking, *This guy’s getting crafty again.* That underhanded move was pretty clever! If Wen Yibo actually managed to land Liu Yi, wouldn’t Xiao Qi be safe by default? He Yining wouldn’t have to do a thing—the threat would vanish! And if Liu Yi was taken, Xiao Qi would be straight as an arrow!
Wen Yibo, predictably, took the bait. “You said it! I don’t believe there’s a woman in this world I, Wen Yibo, can’t win over! There are only women I don’t bother chasing, not ones I can’t catch! Just watch! But let me tell you, if I succeed, what’s in it for me? Yining, don’t think I don’t see through your scheme—you’re trying to pull a fast one, aren’t you?” “What do you want?” He Yining replied lazily. “Shares in the new hotel? Transfer of the northwest mining rights? That pink rough diamond I just secured? Or the land I just bought?”
Wen Yibo was stumped for a moment before finally answering, “Forget it, we’ll figure it out later! Just wait and see my victory!” With that, he turned and went to block Liu Yi.
By the second half of the game, Liu Yi noticed something was off. The other side was deliberately holding back. Even when He Yining got the ball, he’d make a careless mistake and let Team Five snatch it back. Seeing this, Liu Yi’s mind raced with possibilities: Did they want Team Five to advance? Did He Yining want to see Xiao Qi? Or did he just disdain playing against someone on a lower level?
Whatever the case, he’d take the reward first! Since He Yining’s team was easing up, Liu Yi didn’t hesitate to close the score gap. By the time the final whistle blew, he had overtaken He Yining’s team by five points.
Team Five erupted in cheers! Everyone had gained ten points! Those ten points could be crucial in the upcoming rounds!
Shen Qi could tell He Yining’s team had thrown the game, but she was still happy for Liu Yi. Clutching water and a towel, she ran toward him. Before she got far, a figure darted in front of her, snatched the water and towel from her hands, and walked off without a second glance!
Just walked off! Shen Qi froze, then turned to see He Yining shamelessly taking the supplies she’d prepared for Liu Yi and strolling off the court. How shameless!
Liu Yi tried to go to Shen Qi, but Wen Yibo blocked him. “Alright, there’s a reward for tonight. What do you want?” Wen Yibo cut straight to the point. “Are you out of your mind?” Liu Yi brushed him off and kept walking toward Shen Qi. “Fine, you probably don’t know who I am yet. It’s still a secret for now, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m one of the judges for this design competition’s finals. Are you sure you don’t want to ask for a reward?” Wen Yibo smirked at Liu Yi.
Liu Yi stopped in his tracks. Wen Yibo’s grin widened. He knew it! Flash his status, and it always worked! He’d used this trick on countless minor stars and singers—never failed!
“Xiao Qi told me her paintbrush was really awkward during the preliminaries. But we can’t bring our own tools for the competition. Can you get her a new set?” Liu Yi glanced back, a faint smile curling his lips.
Even Wen Yibo had to admit Liu Yi had a sunny smile. He hadn’t expected Liu Yi to ask for something for Shen Qi instead of himself. “Sure, that’s doable. You can ask for something else too. Like, uh, treating me to dinner or something.” “Treat you to dinner?” Liu Yi cut him off, pointing at his own face. “I only dine with guys better-looking than me. Want me to treat you? Get better-looking first, you sissy!”
With that, Liu Yi walked off without looking back. Wen Yibo stood there, fuming at the last two words. She called him a sissy? Seriously? What about her tomboy image? Was that any better? No, wait—he was handsome and suave, not a sissy! He was plenty manly! If she weren’t a woman and he didn’t have a rule against hitting them, he’d make her pay today!
Ugh, this was infuriating!
Shen Qi didn’t know what Liu Yi and Wen Yibo had said, but by the time Liu Yi came over, Wen Yibo’s face was green. She asked with concern, “Did you argue with Wen Yibo?” “His name’s Wen Yibo? Figures—such a girly name. Look at me, Liu Yi—Brother Yi—how cool is that?” Liu Yi snorted dismissively. “Xiao Qi, I told him since I won this game, they’d swap out your competition tools so you won’t be held back in the next round.”
Shen Qi felt a warmth in her heart. “You’re always thinking of me.” Liu Yi ruffled her hair. “Silly girl, of course I’ve got your back.” Shen Qi handed him another bottle of water. “Here! The committee said there’s a banquet tonight, supposedly a celebration for Team Five. But we only played basketball for a day—why throw a party?” “Probably to motivate the other nine teams to fight harder tomorrow. We’ve got seven days of this,” Liu Yi said, shaking off the sweat. “I don’t get why they’re adding this kind of activity to the competition. Most people will still get eliminated. What’s the point of bonding now?” “Who knows? Maybe the committee has its reasons. We’ll just focus on doing our best,” Shen Qi replied with a smile. “Come on, let’s head back to the hotel. The buses are waiting outside.”
Liu Yi tossed his empty bottle into the trash can with a perfect arc. The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked away together.