In the third-floor fencing gym, Shen Chi Yan struck his target with deadly precision, his gaze never wavering. His opponent immediately threw up both hands. "I yield! I yield!"
When Shen Chi Yan pulled off his helmet, his hair was soaked with sweat. He ran a hand through it, the simple gesture transformed by his striking features and athletic build into something magnetic. His opponent, He Gaomin, removed his own mask. Though handsome enough, he paled in comparison to Shen Chi Yan.
He Gaomin used to be close with Guan Yang, Guan Ming Xu's older brother, before Guan Yang went to prison for murder. Since then, he'd become Shen Chi Yan's regular sparring partner.
"Thank heaven Fifth Master lets me fence instead of box," He Gaomin said with a light laugh. "Boxing with you would've put me in the ground by now."
Shen Chi Yan's expression remained granite as he wiped his face with a towel.
"What's eating at you today? Who'd dare cross Fifth Master Shen?"
The mere thought of that woman darkened Shen Chi Yan's mood further. "Going to shower," he muttered.
Under the spray, he couldn't escape thoughts of Song Qi Nian. Every expression, every movement, the very way she carried herself haunted him. Especially when he'd intimidated her—the way she'd flinched yet yielded...
Damn it.
Song Qi Nian was pure poison.
After a cold shower, he emerged to find He Gaomin nursing a glass of red wine, watching something downstairs with obvious amusement.
"Fifth Master," He Gaomin said with a smirk, "your White Moonlight's sister is at it again with the bowling. Though this time she's not taking on a man—it's some cute little slip of a thing."
Shen Chi Yan couldn't care less about Lin Lanxing's games. She was a skilled bowler who wore her superiority like armor, challenging others whenever her mood swung high or low, feeding off their humiliation.
"We're leaving," Shen Chi Yan said, gathering his clothes.
He Gaomin's lips curled into a smirk. "You're missing out on the show. Word is, whoever loses between Lin Lanxing and that girl has to get down and lick the winner's shoes!"
With a shake of his head, he added, "With Lin Lanxing's bowling skills? That pretty little thing doesn't stand a chance. I can't imagine what got into her head to issue that challenge."
Shen Chi Yan was ready to walk away when He Gaomin's words grated on him. He found himself looking down to see who'd been foolish enough to make such a bet—only to recognize Song Qi Nian among the crowd.
Shen Chi Yan went still.
She was still wearing the same dress from earlier, probably having come straight here after dropping off Qiaoqiao.
Of course—her brother Song Jia Shu worked here. She must have come to visit him.
But how had she gotten tangled up in a bowling match against Lin Lanxing?
The crowd pressed in around her, making Song Qi Nian look almost fragile in their midst, like a lone sparrow surrounded by vultures. The air was thick with the excited chatter of men and women, while Lin Lanxing stood there radiating smugness.
He Gaomin caught Shen Chi Yan's sudden pause, noting how his dark eyes remained fixed on the scene below. He sidled over, wine glass in hand. "Worried about your future sister-in-law? Don't stress, she—"
"Someone who doesn't know what they're talking about has arrived," Shen Chi Yan cut in, his voice cold.
"What?"
"Didn't you want to watch the excitement? It'll be better from up close."
He Gaomin froze as Shen Chi Yan headed toward the bowling alley instead of leaving. He quickly set down his glass and hurried after him. "Fifth Master, hold up!"
...
Song Qi Nian couldn't understand why Lin Lanxing seemed so certain of victory after just one game.
As she listened to the murmurs around her, she began to piece together just how good Lin Lanxing really was.
From what everyone said, hardly anyone at this club had ever bested Lin Lanxing at bowling.
But to Song Qi Nian, "hardly anyone" meant someone had managed it before.
If Lin Lanxing wasn't unbeatable, then even with odds of one in a billion, Song Qi Nian would fight with everything she had.
After all, wasn't it just rolling a ball to knock down some pins? How difficult could that really be?
"Song Qi Nian, I'm not trying to be unfair. Why don't we do a practice round first?"
Since Song Qi Nian had never bowled before, a practice round seemed reasonable. She nodded.
Lin Lanxing stepped up and with one smooth throw, knocked down all ten pins. The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles.
She turned to Song Qi Nian with a self-satisfied smirk plastered across her face. "Your turn."
Song Qi Nian picked up the ball, trying to copy Lin Lanxing's grip, and threw it.
The crowd watched as the ball veered straight into the gutter without touching a single pin.
"Haha..."
Laughter erupted from the crowd, with Lin Lanxing practically doubling over. "Song Qi Nian, are you actually this bad, or are you just playing dumb to surprise me in the real match?"
Song Qi Nian bit her lip, her face growing dark. The ball was heavier than she'd expected—just throwing it was a challenge, let alone aiming it.
"Here, you get one more try."
As Song Qi Nian reached for another ball, a different one appeared in front of her. "Use this one instead."
That voice—Song Qi Nian spun around to find Shen Chi Yan standing there.
The crowd immediately shifted backward, creating space.
Lin Lanxing's smile vanished the moment she spotted him.
Shit. Why was Shen Chi Yan here?
She quickly pulled herself together, forcing her lips into a smile. "Brother Chi Yan, Miss Song was the one who wanted to bowl against me. Since you're here, why don't you judge our match?"
Song Qi Nian felt her stomach drop—what a way to twist things around.
She couldn't help feeling anxious. After all, Lin Lanxing was Lin Qiutong's sister. Wouldn't Shen Chi Yan naturally take her side?
Given how things were going, this wasn't looking good for her at all.
But then Shen Chi Yan barely spared Lin Lanxing a glance before guiding Song Qi Nian to the lane.
"The right ball makes all the difference in bowling. That one's too heavy for you. Here, try this one..."
Song Qi Nian stood there, confused but finding herself following his instructions without question.
"Step forward with your right foot and extend the ball out in front."
"When you move your left foot, keep the ball at a right angle to your body."
Song Qi Nian followed his instructions mechanically, trying to get each movement exactly right.
"That angle's not wide enough!"
Shen Chi Yan reached over, adjusting her stance with a light press against her frame.
That brief contact was enough to make every muscle in Song Qi Nian's body go rigid.
"Let the ball swing back when your right foot moves forward. As your left foot slides, release it smoothly." Just as Song Qi Nian started to let go, Shen Chi Yan cut in: "Did I say you could release it yet?"
Caught in the act, Song Qi Nian froze like a student caught daydreaming, her cheeks burning.
Shen Chi Yan kept his face neutral. "Keep your body straight when you release. Shoulders loose, move directly toward the lane."
Song Qi Nian tried to relax her shoulders, but a quick tap on her back made them shoot up again. "Not enough—loosen up more!"
"The ball should swing like a pendulum, straight down. Watch those arrows on the lane—that's where your ball needs to go after you let go."
Song Qi Nian nodded. Then suddenly Shen Chi Yan leaned in close—so close their noses almost touched.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
But Shen Chi Yan pulled back as if nothing had happened, his voice steady: "Now make it flow naturally. Let it go."
Drawing in a deep breath, Song Qi Nian released the ball...
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