Chapter 207: To Gain It Is My Fortune, To Lose It Is My Fate, To Regret It Is Too Late!
"After hearing the news that you would participate, we asked the dean for a substitute slot—not to play, just to be on-site," Zhu Zhuqing said calmly. Her gaze remained fixed on Kong, showing no hint of embarrassment.
"Hiss—"
The onlookers nearby gasped. This girl—no, this outstanding young woman—how could she be so bold to say such things?
Substitute slots for teams were numerous, but rarely would teams fill them with too many people. Typically, only three to five substitutes were included.
The geniuses of Lanba Academy, like Tai Long and the others, were the core members, and not one of them was at the Soul Elder level (rank 40+). Originally, three substitutes were planned. With Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing added, there were now five substitutes. Of course, they wouldn't be on the field—essentially, they just secured tickets to watch from the resting area.
Ning Rongrong's lips twitched as she glanced at Zhu Zhuqing in surprise, secretly ranting in her heart: Zhu Zhuqing, you've been so quiet when you're with me. Now that you've met this guy, you're even stealing my lines!
Hearing this, Kong slightly opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but stopped.
Alright, Zhu Zhuqing's meaning was straightforward—they came only because he was here, simply to see him.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't touched! Of course, this was predicated on good looks…
As the saying goes: The most difficult favor to repay is a beauty's kindness.
If you're unattractive, who's going to pay attention to you, right?
Dugu Yan, standing nearby, also gasped. She had met this little sister before, but she hadn't expected that, in just two years, Zhu Zhuqing had become so bold!
And—how on earth was she growing? She seemed to have developed a lot more…
"Yeah, yeah!" Ning Rongrong chimed in. "Unfortunately, with Tai Long and the others, it's hard to say whether they'll even make it to the promotion rounds. We might not get to see you take the stage yourself."
Tai Long and the others: "…"
Sorry, we're weak!
Before Kong could respond, Shui Yue'er arrived.
"Kong, long time no see!" Shui Yue'er greeted with a sweet smile, winking at Kong. Her demeanor was like a gentle spring breeze, soft and warm.
"Miss Shui Yue'er, long time no see!" Kong waved and smiled.
Shui Yue'er's timing was impeccable—he was just wondering how to break this awkward tension.
"What's with the 'Miss Shui Yue'er'? Just call me Yue'er!" Shui Yue'er's tone suddenly shifted. She glanced at Kong with a hint of grievance.
"???"
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling instinctively gave Shui Yue'er a closer look. Alright, she was clearly a strong rival!
Kong: "…"
Being too handsome, too talented, and too gifted was such a hassle!
"Thanks to your guidance, I've reached level 38! After the opening ceremony, I'd like to treat you to a meal—would that be alright?" Shui Yue'er blinked again, her expression full of anticipation.
"???"
"Guidance? This woman is at level 38?" Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing shot Kong a resentful glance. Why would he guide this stranger but not them?
Damn it, they were practically grinding their molars to dust!
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Kong felt a little lost. Should he accept? Or reject outright?
The onlookers clenched their fists, hidden in their sleeves or behind their backs, their molars suffering the same fate!
What was going on with this Royal Battle Team captain? Could being handsome really justify such unrestrained behavior?
They weren't bad-looking either!
Some quietly took note of Shui Yue'er's soul power level. This Tianshui Academy wasn't simple—just one member already had level 38 soul power.
That level of soul power was higher than some team captains!
"Is it alright?" Shui Yue'er asked again when she saw Kong staying silent, her tone slightly tinged with disappointment yet filled with greater expectation.
"Sure." Kong nodded. After saying that, he paused before continuing, "But no need for you to treat me. After the opening ceremony, let's all have a meal together."
"As for your invitation, let's save that for next time."
Hearing this, Shui Yue'er was momentarily stunned, but her expression soon lit up with joy. "Next time"? Doesn't that mean she now has a legitimate reason to ask Kong out for a meal in the future?
Kong's words were simply meant to avoid embarrassing Shui Yue'er, a polite gesture to save face. But how could a young girl grasp such subtleties?
"I'm going too! Zhuqing and I are going!" Ning Rongrong tugged on Kong's sleeve, insisting.
That so-called "next time"? Her interpretation was entirely different. To her, Kong was just brushing Shui Yue'er off. However, if it meant eating together with Kong, she wasn't about to miss out!
"Alright, no problem. Let's just treat it as a casual friends' gathering," Kong said with a gentle smile.
At the back of the group, Dai Mubai looked up at the sky, trying to keep tears from falling down his cheeks.
If only he hadn't made so many mistakes back then, would she have stayed?
But alas, no matter what he said now, it was too late.
If heaven gave him another chance, he swore he'd never repeat his past misdeeds. Instead, he would dedicate himself to diligent training and aim to defeat those two seemingly invincible "enemies"!
"To gain it is my fortune, to lose it is my fate, but to regret it now is too late!"
Dai Mubai had come to terms with it. He had no other choice—what else could he do? He was utterly despairing! Zhu Zhuqing's departure had nothing to do with Kong. How could he blame Kong for it?
After leaving, Zhu Zhuqing was free to choose who she liked—what did that have to do with him, Dai Mubai?
"Um, would it be alright if I brought Bing'er and Ruoshui along? They've been wanting to meet you too," Shui Yue'er asked hesitantly. If Kong had agreed to a one-on-one meal with her, she wouldn't have brought anyone else along—not even Shui Bing'er. But since it was a group gathering, it wouldn't hurt to have everyone join.
"Captain!!!"
"Captain!!!"
"Captain, please!!!"
Before Kong could respond, wails erupted from the single men behind him—Yu Feng, Oscar, Shi Mo, Shi Mo's brother, and others. They all stared at Kong with desperate, eager eyes.
This was the Tianshui girls' group they were talking about!
Eating with them, hanging out—what a dream come true!
"Captain, please agree! I'll cover the cost of this meal!" Yu Feng exclaimed.
"Yeah, Captain! Let Yu Feng foot the bill for this one!" others echoed enthusiastically.
Yu Feng: "???"
I treat you like brothers, and you play tricks on me?
"Alright, no problem," Kong said with a laugh.
"Oh, by the way, Yu Feng," he added, "since you're so eager to cover the cost, once the opening ceremony is over, why don't you go buy some ingredients? I'll give you a shopping list later."
"???"
For some reason, Yu Feng felt a chill run down his spine. His wallet was about to take a serious hit, wasn't it?
"S-sure, Captain!" Yu Feng stammered.
Wait—a shopping list?
Had the Captain planned this all along, setting him up as the fool to take the fall?
Damn it! Yet somehow, he willingly walked right into it!
(End of Chapter)
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