Shen Chi Yan had read Song Qi Nian perfectly—every movement was a careful calculation. Her mind raced through the variables: the force needed, the ball's velocity, even how the pins would cascade upon impact.
Lin Lanxing shifted restlessly, stomach churning with growing unease. Each second Song Qi Nian delayed felt like another nail in her coffin. "Song Qi Nian, what the hell are you doing? Just throw the damn ball already!"
Song Qi Nian's eyes drifted open. Every motion that followed was a mirror of Shen Chi Yan's earlier instruction, her arm swinging in a perfect arc as she released the ball.
The entire room held its breath. The ball thundered down the lane, commanding everyone's attention.
Then came the crash—pins scattering like startled birds. The crowd erupted, their cheers bouncing off the walls.
A strike. Perfect. Flawless.
Song Qi Nian released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Without thinking, she turned to find Shen Chi Yan's reaction, only to encounter that piercing stare of his—dark and unfathomable.
Her pulse jumped, and she snapped her gaze away. Damn it. Since when had she started craving his approval?
"Incredible!" He Gaomin's voice cut through the chaos, his face bright with genuine amazement. "A perfect strike from a complete beginner!"
Lin Lanxing's expression crumpled, color draining from her face.
This couldn't be happening.
How had Song Qi Nian managed what had taken her years to perfect?
The crowd's voice rose as one: "A bet is a bet!"
"Kneel down and lick the shoes!"
The chanting swelled through the room until it was deafening. Lin Lanxing's knuckles went white as she clenched her fists, her face twisting with rage.
"This is bullshit!" she screamed at the crowd. "A round is ten pins. I knocked them all down too! It's a tie—I didn't lose!"
Technically, she had a point. Each round allowed two throws, and clearing all ten pins between those throws counted as a win.
But everyone at Xianting Club knew the unspoken hierarchy: a perfect strike outranked a two-throw clear. Always had.
For Lin Lanxing—a seasoned player—to lose to a complete novice was bad enough. Now she was trying to squirm out of the consequences?
Someone in the crowd called out, "Master Shen, Young Master He—you're judging today. Who won?"
All eyes snapped to Shen Chi Yan.
He drained his glass in one smooth motion before turning to He Gaomin with practiced calm. "Young Master He, your thoughts?"
He Gaomin froze. He'd come to watch the drama, not get dragged into it.
Then understanding hit him: Master Shen was giving him an out. Making someone lick shoes wasn't just humiliating—it was crushing. Better to let someone else defuse the situation.
He Gaomin plastered on a smile. "According to the rules, it's a tie! Thank you, ladies, for an incredible match. Master Shen has graciously offered to cover everyone's tab tonight!"
"Master Shen, you're the man!"
"Young Master He, brilliant call!"
Song Qi Nian's lips tightened. She'd seen this coming.
Shen Chi Yan caught her expression, his brows drawing together.
In the Restroom!
Lin Lanxing splashed water on her face again and again, her hands shaking with rage.
Damn it. Damn everything.
He Gaomin might have called it a tie, but she knew better. She'd lost. Badly.
She'd wanted to watch Song Qi Nian crumble. Instead, she'd made herself look like a fool. Every time she thought of those smirks, those whispers, her stomach turned.
This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
She yanked out her phone and called Lin Qiu Tong, spilling every detail of what had happened, her voice trembling with fury.
Song Qi Nian had barely stepped out of the bowling alley when Song Jia Shu came running up, worry etched across his face.
"Sis! Are you okay? Did Lin Lanxing hurt you?"
He'd been making coffee when Lin Lanxing had someone detain him—keeping him away while she went after Song Qi Nian. He'd only broken free after it was all over.
Seeing him dripping with sweat, Song Qi Nian's heart clenched. She pulled out a tissue, dabbing his forehead. [I'm fine, really.]
Song Jia Shu studied her carefully, shoulders finally relaxing when he saw she was telling the truth.
Not wanting to keep him from work, Song Qi Nian headed out. She'd just reached the main entrance when her phone buzzed—a message from Shen Ke Qin.
"Sister-in-law, heard that witch Lin Lanxing came after you again. What kind of person challenges a beginner when they've been bowling for ten years? Pathetic."
Before Song Qi Nian could respond, another message popped up.
"But damn, you showed her! One perfect strike and she completely lost it—God, I wish I'd been there to see her face! Must have been incredible!"
"And don't stress about Jia Shu. I pulled some strings with my friends. Lin Lanxing won't dare touch him."
Song Qi Nian felt warmth spread through her chest.
[Thanks, Ke Qin. Let's get dinner soon.]
"Hey, no need to be so formal—we're family! But I won't turn down food, haha..."
"Perfect, we'll figure out a day."
A black Cayenne pulled up beside her as she finished texting. Her head snapped up as Gao Kunlun stepped out. Since when had Shen Chi Yan switched cars?
Gao Kunlun opened the back door. "Young Madam."
She hesitated, but Shen Chi Yan's voice cut through her uncertainty. "Get in."
She did. What choice did she have?
Gao Kunlun exhaled quietly.
Song Qi Nian sat in silence, her feelings a mess. This morning he'd torn into her, and now he was teaching her bowling. What was his game?
She stared out the window, which only darkened Shen Chi Yan's mood. She used to watch him constantly during their car rides. Now she wouldn't even look his way.
"What's wrong? Disappointed I didn't make Lin Lanxing lick your shoes?"
She finally turned to him. Seeing his scowl, she shook her head. The challenge had only been about protecting Jia Shu. Nothing more.
"She lost to you today. Everyone knows it."
Song Qi Nian blinked. He thought she'd won? Then why call it a tie?
The answer hit her: Lin Lanxing was Lin Qiu Tong's sister. He couldn't let her lose face publicly.
"Top science student in Jinghua City's 18th Gaokao. You earned that title."
His praise caught her off guard, warming her chest. But wait—how did he even know about her exam scores?
Thinking of his help that afternoon, she signed "thank you."
His hand caught hers mid-motion.
Before she could process what was happening, his cool lips found hers.
He'd wanted to do this since that moment she'd turned to him after her strike, eyes bright with victory.
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