This time, the bowling ball stayed true to its path, following the arrows painted on the lane.
When it finally struck, only a single pin toppled over - Song Qi Nian's arms simply hadn't had the strength.
Her cheeks burned. For someone who could breeze through complex academic theories, her complete ineptitude at anything athletic was mortifying.
Despite Shen Chi Yan's patient instruction, she'd only managed to knock down that solitary pin.
"You need to put more power behind it when you release," he said.
Song Qi Nian felt herself relax slightly when she saw his expression - there was no judgment there, no hint of mockery.
"Keep practicing what I showed you."
Around them, voices began to rise.
"Who's that woman? Since when does Master Shen give personal bowling lessons?"
"Isn't Lin Lanxing supposed to be his future sister-in-law? Why's he taking some stranger's side over hers?"
"There's something going on between those two, don't you think?"
Lin Lanxing felt rage building in her chest as the whispers reached her ears. Finding Shen Chi Yan here had been unexpected enough - watching him coach Song Qi Nian was unbearable.
What game was he playing?
As Song Qi Nian positioned herself for another attempt, Lin Lanxing cut in, her voice sharp as ice. "Song Qi Nian, I don't have all day to watch you practice. Are we competing or not? Either we start now, or you forfeit." Her lips curved into a cruel smile. "You haven't forgotten our wager, have you?"
Even with Shen Chi Yan standing right there, what did it matter? Song Qi Nian had agreed to the bet of her own free will. Lin Lanxing hadn't forced her hand.
And with all these eyes on them, surely even Shen Chi Yan wouldn't risk his reputation by defending Song Qi Nian.
"Maybe Lin Lanxing's worried Song Qi Nian might actually get better with practice. Why else rush to start?"
"Imagine losing to a beginner - now that would be embarrassing."
"Picking on someone who's just starting out... not exactly impressive, even if you win."
"All of you, shut up!" Lin Lanxing snapped, whirling back to Song Qi Nian. "Are you in or not?"
Shen Chi Yan fixed Lin Lanxing with a cold stare. She felt a flicker of fear, but stood her ground. She knew he wouldn't actually intervene.
After all, he owed her brother his life, and her sister held his affections.
Song Qi Nian studied Lin Lanxing carefully, noting how rattled and unstable she appeared.
Backing down wasn't an option.
She glanced at Shen Chi Yan. His silence told her enough, and she nodded.
"One round decides it."
The rules were straightforward: knock down all ten pins to win.
Each player got two chances per round. If the first throw didn't clear all the pins, they got another shot.
Eager to humiliate Song Qi Nian in front of Shen Chi Yan, Lin Lanxing turned to him with a honeyed smile. "Brother Chi Yan, since you're here, would you referee our match?"
He Gao Min jumped in immediately. "I'll co-referee with Master Shen!"
A staff member brought chairs over. He Gao Min grinned at Shen Chi Yan. "Master Shen, let's watch these lovely ladies compete."
Shen Chi Yan cast one more look at Song Qi Nian before settling onto the sofa beside He Gao Min.
He Gao Min poured Shen Chi Yan a drink, dropping in two ice cubes.
They clinked glasses, and He Gao Min smirked. "Master Shen, care to place your bet? Who's going to win?"
When Shen Chi Yan didn't answer, He Gao Min raised his eyebrows. "Don't tell me you think that pretty newcomer can beat Lin Lanxing? She's clearly never bowled before."
The corner of Shen Chi Yan's mouth twitched slightly. "We'll see."
"Who's going first?" Lin Lanxing asked, balancing the bowling ball and staring Song Qi Nian down.
Song Qi Nian gestured toward her.
"Oh, giving me first shot? Not worried I'll nail another perfect strike and get in your head?"
Song Qi Nian's smile was slight as she typed on her phone: [You won't get that lucky twice.]
Lin Lanxing nearly choked on her rage. The nerve of Song Qi Nian, calling her perfect strike just dumb luck!
Fine.
If she needed proof, Lin Lanxing would gladly provide it - with another flawless strike to crush whatever confidence Song Qi Nian had left.
Lin Lanxing gripped the ball, stepped up to the lane, and released it in one smooth motion.
The crowd went quiet, watching. But something was off - maybe her grip, maybe her release - and this time, no strike. The 7 and 10 pins stood stubbornly at the back, untouched.
Song Qi Nian felt a surge of satisfaction. Her theory had been right.
She hadn't let Lin Lanxing go first out of fear - she'd wanted to confirm what she suspected.
She might be new to bowling, but physics and math? Those were her territory.
The 7 and 10 pins were bowling's notorious nemesis, positioned at opposite corners of the back row.
It came down to simple geometry - those pins sat at the ends of a horizontal line, while the ball traveled vertically. The nearly perpendicular angle made it practically impossible for one ball to take out both pins directly.
The only way to get a strike was to knock down the other pins first, letting them take out the 7 and 10 in a chain reaction.
Lin Lanxing had the skill and power to score that strike during practice.
But overconfidence was her weakness - like a champion swimmer getting careless in familiar waters.
When someone you look down on suggests your success was just luck, it gets under your skin.
Whether taking tests or playing sports, psychology trumped everything else.
Lin Lanxing's composure had cracked, and with it went her chance at another perfect strike.
Lin Lanxing's confident smile vanished when she saw which pins were left standing - the 7 and 10.
Damn it! Out of all the possible combinations, it had to be these two?
"Hit it! Hit it! Hit it!"
The crowd's taunting grew louder. Lin Lanxing shot them a murderous look before grabbing another ball and sending it down the lane.
She hadn't earned her title as "Bowling Princess" of Xianting Club for nothing. Her shot knocked down the 10-pin first, then ricocheted to take out the 7.
"Yes!"
Lin Lanxing's victory cry was drowned out by the crowd's cheers.
Everyone knew the odds of hitting both the 7 and 10 pins in one throw were next to impossible.
Riding high on her success, Lin Lanxing strutted over to Song Qi Nian with a smirk. "We both know I've won this, but I suppose you deserve a chance to at least try the game."
Song Qi Nian didn't acknowledge her. She picked up a ball and stepped onto the approach.
Instead of bowling immediately, she closed her eyes, mentally walking through each step.
She knew she couldn't match Lin Lanxing's technical skill. If her first throw failed, or if she left just the 7 and 10 pins standing, there'd be no recovery.
Her only shot at winning was to knock down all ten pins at once.
The crowd started muttering again as they watched Song Qi Nian standing motionless, eyes shut.
"Look at her, trying to be dramatic," Lin Lanxing scoffed.
He Gao Min turned to Shen Chi Yan. "Master Shen, what's our little beauty doing up there?"
Shen Chi Yan's dark eyes were fixed on Song Qi Nian, a knowing smirk playing at his lips.
"Calculating."
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