"Indeed, I’m Instructor Hang’s apprentice, but she didn’t favor me at all. Everything I’ve achieved is through my own efforts.
She likes me because I endure hardship without complaint, and your reluctance to call me out is because you’re afraid to offend Instructor Hang. You did it on purpose!" Yu Na continued bluffing Luo Ye.
Luo Ye smiled slightly, "Do you think I need to please Instructor Hang? The ’Dislikes Luo Ye’ might as well be written on her forehead. Tell me, what’s the difference between offending her and not?"
Yu Na finally gave up probing, "Alright, this time I believe you, but Luo Ye, I—I, Yu Na, am never someone who admits defeat easily. Coming to this school was not my wish, but since I’m here, I’m determined to be the best. And..." After a long pause, she looked at Luo Ye with a resolute expression, "I like him and I won’t let you have him!"
"Hehe... who do you like?" Luo Ye laughed mockingly.
"Seriously, I tried to be friends with you, but I couldn’t. Since that’s the case, let’s be open and honest. I also have the right to do what I want, and as for who he eventually chooses, it’ll depend on our respective abilities!" Yu Na looked at Luo Ye earnestly, "Ye Family needs allies who can truly help the family advance. You, after all, are just an outsider!"
"Oh?" Luo Ye feigned sudden realization, "So you like Brother Ye, huh? Weren’t you the one who said you hated arranged marriages and would absolutely refuse them? How quickly that changes, faster than the weather in June?"
"I do hate arranged marriages, but now it’s because I like him. Telling you is because I’m somewhat at fault here, giving you a chance to defend. Whether you appreciate it or not is up to you!"
"Whom you like is your business, pursuing him is also your business; what does that have to do with me?" Luo Ye’s expression turns indifferent, "I’ve always guessed that Hang Menglin targets me not just because of her preferences, but mainly because of your feelings for Brother Ye or perhaps due to your family’s request. Claiming to be from some great family and always engaging in sneaky activities, isn’t that embarrassing?"
"To achieve our goals, we utilize our strengths; there’s nothing shameful about that." Yu Na smiled, "Aren’t you also using every opportunity to stick close to him?"
"Provocations won’t work on me. I won’t hide my relationship with him, and as for what kind you think it is, judge for yourself. Alright..." Luo Ye glanced at her wristwatch, "You’ve said what you wanted to say, expressed what you needed to, and I understand your core message, so let’s leave it at that." She took a few steps, then turned back with a sweet smile, "People only continuously remind others of their strength when they lack confidence!"
Watching Luo Ye’s retreating figure, Yu Na showed a bitter smile, "I’m not confident, and from his attitude, it’s clear who holds more weight in his heart."
"It’s not over until the last step; no one can declare themselves the winner yet." Hang Menglin’s voice suddenly sounded. Yu Na jumped, "Instructor, when did you get here?"
Hang Menglin pointed to the shadow behind the basketball stand, "I’ve been here all along, and that girl definitely saw me." She finished speaking, gazing thoughtfully in the direction Luo Ye disappeared.
"I understand now, she was telling us to compete openly and fair!" Yu Na apologetically looked at Hang Menglin, "Sorry, Instructor, I was reckless!"
Hang Menglin waved it off, "It’s fine, Ye Xuan indeed is talented, and it’s normal for you to have fallen for him."
Yu Na chuckled shyly, "I thought you didn’t like him, Instructor. From today onwards, let me enter intensive training!"
Hang Menglin patted Yu Na on the shoulder with satisfaction, "The military likes real power, only by honestly overcoming your rivals can you earn respect."
"I understand. For now, I will focus all my attention on training."
Hang Menglin hesitated, "Nana, I owe you an apology too. If I hadn’t been so eager to have you establish your authority, today’s embarrassment wouldn’t have happened."
"Instructor, you’ve done it for my good, I understand." Yu Na glanced in the distance and saw Luo Ye, Zhan Hao, and others appearing at the entrance of the West Playground, "They are also here for training, Instructor. Let’s start."
"If the training is really going to be overseen by the female Yama, we’ve fallen into hell," Xing Nong couldn’t help but gulp as he watched from afar the exchange between Hang Menglin and Yu Na.
Bai Qingchu came over, "I’m worried if Yu Na might turn into another female Yama."
"If you want to qualify, better start practicing. If you want to give up, there’s still time." Seeing Liu Xing starting to run faster, Luo Ye quickly shouted, "Liu Xing, don’t push yourself too hard, if it recurs, you really won’t be able to participate."
"It’s alright, Zhan Hao’s medical skills are great." Liu Xing shouted back as he ran farther away.
"My skills might be accurate, but I’m no immortal," Zhan Hao shook his head helplessly, "These past few days in the dorm, he’s been relentlessly practicing weight lifting."
"Zhan Hao, I’m really interested in your hidden weapon, are you going to teach it or not?" Xing Nong’s eyes gleamed as he looked at the wrist guard Zhan Hao was holding, finally voicing his thoughts.
This seemingly stylish leather wrist guard is actually a pouch for needles, which can swiftly subdue an opponent unforeseen. Ever since watching Zhan Hao’s performance, Xing Nong had been obsessing over it repeatedly.
Zhan Hao laughed, "Teaching you is not a problem, but when you master it, that’s not my concern."
"Can I really learn this?" Luo Ye said with great interest, though he was too embarrassed to ask before.
"Yes, it’s not a secret technique, but mastering it to perfection takes time. You need strong wrists, accurate judgment, and quick speed. It took me three years to hit the target with every shot effortlessly."
"Ah, that long?" Xing Nong’s little face fell, "Actually, I was thinking, whenever someone wants to hurt me, I could just fire a needle at them. But distant waters can’t put out a nearby fire. Why can’t it be automatic? Like the ones in TV shows, just press a button and ’whoosh,’ the needle shoots out. It’s so convenient."
Luo Ye sighed helplessly, "On TV, they also show masters waving their hands and people dropping dead in heaps. Do you believe that? Don’t let their practice scare you. Among the 27 classes on our side, how many have reached that level?
Besides, during sparring, you can’t be asking for people’s lives. With the way you’re worried, our school would cripple too many people each year. If you’re really scared, just don’t participate in the selection. As long as you don’t join the group of 30, you’ll definitely not undergo this kind of combat training."
"I’m just talking; what have we ever been afraid of? Running away from a battle is something Yan Xingnong would never do. It’s just that the selection is tomorrow, and I’m feeling nervous." Xing Nong patted her chest and hurried to practice her weaknesses.
"Luo Ye, this is for you." Zhan Hao took out a dark brown wrist guard from his pocket: "I noticed you were interested in this last time, but it wasn’t the right moment to give it to you. Since you brought it up today, I won’t be coy."
"How can I accept this?" Luo Ye quickly declined.
"Luo Ye, don’t overthink it." Zhong Hao firmly placed it in Luo Ye’s hand, "Once you’ve mastered this, it’s as good as any hidden weapon. I’ve put the issues you need to pay attention to during practice inside, with illustrations. With your smarts, you probably don’t need me to teach, right?"
"Thank you!" Luo Ye held his head in pain, "But how am I supposed to explain this to Xing Nong?"