Amid lighthearted chatter, Sheng Congzhi had already donned all her equipment.
One had to admit, the set Fu Yan lent her was indeed very handsome, a pure black genuine leather handmade set, matched with jeweled cufflinks, luxurious and exquisite.
But the chest guard and arm guard were somewhat large…
It seemed like a men's style.
Sheng Congzhi critiqued internally, yet Fu Yuting was provoked beyond measure.
She couldn't have imagined her uncle would suddenly show up, and even rent such fine equipment for this wretched woman, far more lavish than her own!
However, with everyone present, Fu Yuting could only suppress her dissatisfaction for now, "Let's start."
Sheng Congzhi turned her head, her movements a tad cool, "You first."
Fu Yuting sneered inwardly: As expected, it's her first time playing, does she want to learn how I draw the bow?
Simply an imitation of Dong Shi's grimace!
She stepped forward confidently, took the bow in her left hand, adjusted her position to the target in front of her, then picked up the arrow with her right hand, fitting it to the bowstring with practiced ease…
After assuming an extremely standard ready position.
She took aim.
Then released.
The arrow shot out swiftly.
The staff quickly announced the score: "8 points."
Fu Yuting nodded, "Not bad."
Several of her friends chimed in unison, "Yuting looks so cool!"
It was then Sheng Congzhi's turn.
She calmly picked up the bow and arrow, her pale wrist pulling back the arrow, her eyes slightly squinting like peach blossoms.
Also a very standard archery stance, upright and beautiful.
Fu Yuting frowned.
Pretty smart, huh? Imitated it so accurately with just one look.
…
At this moment, the gaze of everyone in the venue was focused on the two competitors.
"Miss Sheng…" Xia Zixi pondered thoughtfully, "It seems like she has practiced before?"
Hearing this, Lu Jiangnian's eyes widened, "Really? Fu Er, give your judgment."
Fu Yan's lips curved up slightly, smiling without a word.
The arrow was quickly released.
And in an instant, it felt as though Fu Yuting had been slapped across the face, the heat blazing on her skin.
The staff reported the score: "9 points."
Lu Huaichen immediately whistled, "Zhizhi looks so cool!"
Fu Yuting: !!!
Impossible!
It must be luck!
She took a deep breath, picked up the bow and arrow, and focused intently to shoot the second arrow.
This time she felt she performed better than the first.
Indeed, the staff reported: "9 points."
Fu Yuting immediately beamed with pride.
Her entourage also shouted frantically: "Yuting is so amazing!"
But what shocked everyone was…
Sheng Congzhi's second arrow, once again shot out—that was—
"10 points!"
Fu Yuting's eyes widened, she simply couldn't believe what she was seeing.
10 points?
How could this be?
Was Sheng Congzhi just that lucky?
But in the face of real skill, luck was only an accident, she refused to believe it…
She quickly picked up the bow and arrow, shooting the third.
But whether her emotions were disturbed, she only scored 7 points this time.
It was over, she was out of form…
In contrast to Fu Yuting's panic, Sheng Congzhi remained composed, shooting the third arrow with a beautiful and steady posture.
Luckily this time her performance was also not up to par, only 8 points.
Then someone voiced their suspicion: "Another point higher than Yuting?"
Others joined in the conversation:
"Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"
"Yeah, every time just one point more."
"What's going on?"
Fu Yuting glanced to her side.
Sheng Congzhi was looking right at her, her red lips curving into a smile, then she winked at her.
That smile…
Seemed somewhat wicked.
A sudden chill struck Fu Yuting's heart: Could it be deliberate?!
"Continue." Sheng Congzhi gestured.
Fu Yuting pushed aside her thoughts, picking up the bow and arrow to shoot the fourth.
The staff announced: "9 points!"
Fu Yuting let out a sigh of relief.
As long as she could outscore Sheng Congzhi by a few points this time, the final victory would eventually be hers…
Before she finished her thoughts, Sheng Congzhi had already swiftly shot out her arrow.
"Another 10 points!"
The words of the staff member caused a collective gasp from the crowd.
And Fu Yuting felt a buzz in her head as her entire being almost split apart.
Only now did she realize: Sheng Congzhi not only knew how to shoot arrows but was also very good at it!
Because scoring one extra ring might be nothing remarkable, but to do so four times in a row, each time, with only one ring more than hers, was not something you could describe as luck or coincidence...
"Continue," Sheng Congzhi signaled once more.
Fu Yuting gritted her teeth in frustration.
With great effort, she picked up the bow and arrow and shot the fifth arrow...
The staff member announced, "Missed target, 0 rings."
Fu Yuting stood there, her mind going blank.
She missed the target?
She actually missed the target?
Suddenly turning her face, she saw Sheng Congzhi watching her with a faint smile in her eyes, "Shall we continue the competition?"
Fu Yuting crumbled and furiously slammed her bow and arrows to the ground.
A clang rang out.
Everyone jumped in surprise.
Fu Yuting screamed, "You did that on purpose!"
Sheng Congzhi actually nodded in admission, "I was considerate. I only scored one ring more than you, so you wouldn't look too bad in your loss."
Fu Yuting couldn't control her emotions, "You're such a hypocrite, pretending you can't shoot when in fact you can, saying it's your first time, you did it on purpose, intending to humiliate me..."
Sheng Congzhi laughed, "Miss Fu, you are mistaken. Firstly, I didn't pretend I couldn't do it, it really was my first time in an archery competition."
"You..."
"Secondly," Sheng Congzhi interrupted swiftly, "you were the one who wanted to compete with me. I refused several times, but you persisted obstinately and were insistent on competing with me. Now you're blaming me for your loss? Humiliation is what you brought upon yourself."
Whispers of discussion began to rise from the crowd behind them.
Fu Yuting couldn't hold back anymore, and with a screech, she clawed her way toward Sheng Congzhi...
Sheng Congzhi dodged with agile grace.
Fu Yuting couldn't control her momentum and fell forward onto the floor.
The princess who had been spoiled and adored from childhood within the Fu Family, when had she ever faced such public humiliation?
Scrambling up in embarrassment, she tried to charge again, but Fu Dongting, who arrived just in time, held her back, "Yuting! Calm down!"
Fu Yuting's eyes were red as she struggled, "Brother, she did it on purpose..."
"Enough!" Fu Dongting's voice was harsh, "Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough tonight? Come back with me!"
He was strong, and he dragged his sister away without even having time to greet others.
Lu Jiangnian shook his head, clicking his tongue. Even he could no longer watch, "Is Fu Yuting serious? Resorting to violence because she lost?"
"She's just a young girl, too thin-skinned, couldn't control herself for a moment," Xia Zhixi's voice was gentle, "This Miss Sheng has a sharp tongue, too. She's not giving any face..."
A mocking laugh suddenly erupted.
Fu Yan spoke in a deep voice, "Why should she give face?"
Xia Zhixi was slightly startled.
Lu Jiangnian was puzzled too, "Who are you talking about?"
Fu Yan stepped forward decisively.
"What are you doing now?" Lu Jiangnian was clueless.
Xia Zhixi watched his retreating back, the expression on her face growing increasingly grave.
...
Over here, as soon as the competition ended, Lu Huaichen rushed over, "Zhizhi, you were amazing!"
Sheng Congzhi responded with a calm tone, "It was okay."
"When did you learn archery?"
"I played around with it previously when I was filming."
Seeing a shadow dressed in black approaching,
Sheng Congzhi bowed her head, starting to remove the protective glove from her finger.
"Uncle," Lu Huaichen blissfully announced, "Zhizhi won."
Fu Yan nodded, "I saw."
"Uncle, this equipment is quite expensive, isn't it?"
"Not really," Fu Yan said surprisingly, "want to have a match with me?"
Lu Huaichen was surprised.
Sheng Congzhi's actions froze instantly, too.
As she lifted her head, she saw Fu Yan lightly arching his brows, "If I win tonight..."
He deliberately paused.
Sheng Congzhi: ...
And Lu Huaichen still had to ask, "What about tonight?"
Fu Yan's smile was like that of a sly fox, "Tonight, you must agree to one of my conditions."
Sheng Congzhi: !!!
To outsiders, this might not seem so significant.
After all, losing a bet and abiding by the agreement is normal, agreeing to the conditions of the other party.
But why did it sound so wrong to her?
"Uncle, what if you lose?" Lu Huaichen challenged, "Zhizhi is quite good, she even hit two ten rings just now."
"If I lose," Fu Yan's voice carried a smile, "tonight..."
Again?
Sheng Congzhi was resigned to the dealings of this number six.
The next second.
Fu Yan suddenly leaned in close, his voice so low that only the two of them could hear—
"I'll be at your mercy."
Sheng Congzhi: ...Damn!!!