Yan He whistled with his lips immediately after five seconds and the match began. Initially, it was peaceful and everyone was going with the flow. Both teams already shot a goal each before the first half ended. Yan Che's voice could be heard across the field and most of them were jokingly tackling one another. Although Yan Nuan was initially awkward, she still fit in and was able to get the hang of it all. Most of her teammates soon warmed up to her. Even Yan Jing had no reason to find trouble with her. However, in the second half, tension rose the moment the other team shot two goals in a row. Every player in Yan Nuan's team was nervous. They were all on nerves the moment Yan Che took hold of the ball. He approached their goalpost, avoiding their defenders and kicked. Yan Nuan's eyes flashed. She hurried forward, stopping the rolling ball with a kick and passed to their striker, Yan Cui. Everyone immediately cheered the moment he got control of the ball. He kicked it and approached the other team's goalpost. The opposite team immediately surrounded him and everyone was tensed. At this moment, everyone forgot that it wasn't a competition. They immediately began to goad him,
"Pass it to me!" one of the boys in Yan Nuan's team called out to Yan Cui but he was unresponsive. Yan Nuan stood in her position, watching Yan Cui and his subtle movements. She sucked in a breath and her eyes flashed immediately he kicked the ball. She knew it. He was being selfish and wanted to shoot the goal himself, even though, there was a lesser chance for him to score compared to passing it to the boy.
She chased after the ball which had been grabbed by an opponent and tackled with him until she snatched away the ball. Immediately, their focus was on her and they chased after her. As she neared the opponents' goal post, she was instantly met with the defenders who tried to snatch the ball from her legs. Amidst the struggle, Yan Nuan sighted one of her teammates. She instantly prepared to kick the ball towards him but she was caught off guard when someone grabbed her. She winced and looked downwards, stunned. Although, her mounds weren't that big and visible, it was still there, right?
But the boy didn't notice, he continued to pull her. Yan Nuan's eyes burned from the pain. She instantly passed the ball to her teammate before grabbing his hand and flinging it away from her. It was then he finally noticed. He lifted his hand and felt his fingers in confusion. He looked at her as though he was about to ask something but his attention was immediately diverted, the moment he noticed she had passed the ball. He immediately left with his teammates. Yan Nuan looked as they rushed off. Her teammate kicked the ball and it bypassed the goalkeeper's leg and rolled into the net. Everyone instantly cheered.
Yan He called out, "Time up."
Everyone knew the other team won. However, they were all excited. They patted the boy who scored the last goal in the back and cheered, "Not bad."
He glanced at her and nodded appreciatively. Yan Nuan nodded back and immediately began to walk back to the living room along with the others. Yan Che beckoned to her the moment she walked in and she went over, wiping the sheen of sweat on her forehead as she sat. He smiled and held a bottle of water towards her.
"Water?"
Yan Nuan nodded appreciatively and collected it. She gulped a few mouthfuls and was about to return the half filled bottle back to him when she felt a gaze on her. She lifted her head and looked in the direction of the gaze. It was the boy who grabbed her the other time. He was staring at her and talking to the boy next to him. Upon sensing her gaze on him, he scratched his head awkwardly and looked away. Yan Nuan's forehead subsequently formed a line and she frowned.
'Is he being suspicious of me? Did he realize that I'm not a boy?'
The moment she looked away, the boy glanced in her direction in confusion as he muttered to his brother sitting next o him, "I have a feeling I've forgotten something. Something important..."
His brother replied indifferently, "If you forgot something, you'll remember later."
The boy nodded seriously. "Ok. Maybe, I'll remember later."
Yan Nuan held the bottle tightly and lowered her head, several thoughts running her head. But most importantly, it all ended up on one thought; how to survive if she were to be disowned by the Yan family. Considering that she transmigrated into the body of a young master whose father was considerably rich, she had no problem dealing with her living expenses. During the two weeks she transmigrated into the modern world, she never had any life threatening problems. Although, she had no love for her family members, including Father Yan, they cohabitated well. But if she were to be chased out by the Yan family Old Master, how would she survive in an unfamiliar world?
She silently made up her mind to keep an eye on that cousin.
"Yehan. Yehan..."
Yan Nuan jolted when she felt a hand poke her in the shoulder. She turned towards Yan Che who was about to reach out and poke her once more. "Huh? What's wrong?"
He retracted his hand and leaned back. "You were lost in thought. What were you thinking?"
"Nothing," Yan Nuan replied calmly, her face returning back to its usual calmness.
"I like your personality," he suddenly said and Yan Nuan couldn't help but look at him in confusion. "Cold and aloof but not hostile."
Yan Nuan looked away seemingly unmoved. But she was thinking about why he said that. Was she cold? It seemed so. Most of her subordinates in the Shadow army feared her because of her indifferent and aloof personality. She of course, had heard a lot of rumors regarding her. Especially since she was a girl. But, she knew she wasn't cold. It was just that she couldn't bring herself to trust anyone completely. Especially after what happened with Han Qing. And mostly, couldn't find someone who was compatible with her personality. Moreover, she was a stranger in this world. She couldn't afford to let go in front of anyone. She was a stranger in this world. If it were to be revealed that she wasn't Yan Yehan and she was only a person who went against time and transmigrated into the modern era, she would be in danger. It was then Yan Nuan made up her mind. She couldn't let anyone find out about her identity.
She narrowed her gaze at him. "You've only known me for at most one hour. How can you be so sure of what my personality is like?"
"Of course, the time is short. But, I've seen what you're like." He chuckled and pointed at the door upstairs. "They're done."
Yan Nuan also looked up following his gesture.
She saw her Third uncle coming down the stairs with her father following behind him. Everyone of them soon came down including the Old Master who was supported by one of the servants. Yan Nuan didn't have much recollection of the old man but in her memories, she knew he was a strict man. He settled in a couch, his hand tightly gripping his walking chair to support himself. His gaze slowly ran over everyone seated. The room was crowded considering how much grandsons the Old Master had. It was even sufficient enough for two football teams. He cleared his throat and said,
"You're all here," he began, his eyes boring holes into them as though he could see through them. It was extremely unnerving. His gaze stopped on Yan Che sitting beside Yan Nuan and called out, "You're back, Yan Che?"
Yan Che revealed a smile and walked to him. "Yes, grandfather. I came back yesterday. I'm intending to start my own company soon. So, I came to check out China's economy before deciding."
Old Master Yan gave an understanding nod.
"That's good. So, what business is it?"
"I majored in computer technology. So, I'll be opening a gaming company."
"I see. Not bad. Your cousins are also doing well here," the Old Master replied. "Then, you'll be staying here for long?"
"Yeah. I'm settling down here."
The Old Master returned his gaze to Yan Nuan and asked, "Yehan?"
Yan Nuan eyes flashed and she stood up. She couldn't bring herself to say 'grandfather' like Yan Che said and only said, "It's me."
"I know it's you. You haven't be coming to the ancestral mansion for a long time. Why did you come today?"
Yan Nuan was confused. The former host didn't visit the old man that much? No wonder she didn't have much recollection of him.
She bowed slightly, her mind revolving as she tried to figure out what to do. "I was wrong."
However, because her gaze was lowered, she couldn't see the surprise in the eyes of everyone. Yan Yehan was famed for his insolent behavior. He didn't put even the Old Master to eyes. It was no wonder why he could escape visiting the ancestral mansion. Even the Old Master was helpless.
They were all surprised to see him bow and apologize.
Even the Old Master was taken aback but he quickly got over it. "I heard, you came first in gaokao."
Yan Nuan lifted her head. "Yes."
"Hm. I see. Several universities must have sent you invitation letters. Which will you choose?"
Everyone's gaze fell on Yan Nuan immediately. But she was unnerved. She hadn't decided yet. She still had to go for the test for the National Defense Academy. If she was unable to join, she would consider what to do next.
At that thought, she straightened up and calmly replied, "I haven't decided yet."
The Old Master stared at her and nodded thoughtfully. "When you make up your mind, inform me."
Yan Nuan nodded. She was about to take a seat when her First uncle suddenly called out, "Didn't you say you wanted to be a pilot? How about you choose Ou university? I heard they managed to invite that renowned aircraft engineer, Lu Wen to be one of their professors."
Yan Nuan's steps immediately halted. The original owner wanted to be a pilot? It was a fancy dream and he also had the intelligence to support it. But the current Yan Nuan didn't have enough academic intelligence. She wouldn't be able to cope.
She turned to her First uncle. "Actually, I'm considering registering for the National Defense Academy."
Surprise flashed in his eyes. "National Defense Academy?"
"Yes."
Immediately, she saw her father stood up and bellowed at her, "National Defense Academy? Yan Yehan, are you trying to worry me to death?"