Chapter 67
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Lin Qingyang looked at Chu Lishu in confusion. Suddenly, Chu Lishu smiled at him, and gave him a strong push, and Lin Qingyang, not able to keep his balance, bumped into the physician behind him who was about to stand up.
Chu Lishu, with a surprised tone, exclaimed, “Cousin, were you also kicked just now? Why can’t you stand steadily?”
Lin Qingyang, with a bewildered expression, was thinking whether Chu Lishu had some plan to coordinate acting. Just as he was considering whether to pretend to be injured, Chu Lishu grabbed him and didn’t have any intention of letting him fall. Instead, Lin Qingyang fell into Chu Lishu’s arms as if it were planned.
But the physician who was bumped into behind him exclaimed, “Oh, my hand… What is this!”
Everyone’s attention immediately shifted, and they saw the physician, due to losing balance, lunging towards the person who kicked others. Instinctively trying to dodge, the physician reached out and touched the uninjured leg of that person. However, it unexpectedly caused the physician significant pain, and the physician’s hand seemed to be twisted.
The straightforward physician, sensing something was wrong, immediately shouted in surprise. Quickly opening the cuff of that leg, a piece of metal was revealed to everyone.
“Cheat! He’s cheating! He tied a piece of metal to his leg, intentionally injuring others!” One person from the team led by Qi Yan shouted loudly, causing an uproar in the entire arena.
Even the head master couldn’t sit still anymore and came down to see the situation. Collisions during cuju matches were inevitable, but intentionally causing harm with tools was intolerable.
The Eldest Prince on the high platform had already started mocking the Third Prince, “For the sake of winning, there’s no limit to the means used. The match between Cheng Yi and Wang Tong’en in the previous round was better, at least it was open and fair.”
“This… Old Three probably didn’t know. It’s likely Pei Jin’s idea alone. It’s normal not to want to lose.” Yuan Ye spoke to console, but a mocking smile was hidden within, and everyone could sense it.
At this point, the Third Prince’s expression had become extremely unpleasant. He immediately called someone to bring Pei Jin over.
Pei Jin, at this moment, naturally rushed to the scene in shock, glaring at the fool who had the metal piece tied to his leg and was now pinned down.
The guy even cast a pleading look towards Pei Jin.
“Pei Jin!” The head master, upon seeing him, immediately rebuked angrily.
Pei Jin had no idea what was going on and immediately said, “Head master, please forgive us. This guy did it on his own for the sake of winning. Our whole team was unaware.”
The guy immediately put on a shocked expression, as if feeling that Pei Jin had betrayed him, “No, Young Master Pei, how could you…”
Pei Jin immediately glared at the guy. Did this guy still want to bite her?
Since this guy was following Pei Jin, he was frightened by the intimidation and instantly dared not speak back, only lowering his head timidly.
At this moment, the Third Prince also sent someone to call for Pei Jin.
Pei Jin felt tremendous pressure as she, along with the head master and others, arrived in front of the Third Prince.
The Third Prince was furious, expressing that such methods violated the spirit of the competition and were shameful. He firmly stated that this could not be tolerated. In order to save face, he directly said, “Cousin Pei, in this round, you’ve been pit by this guy. Just concede voluntarily.”
“Your Highness!” Pei Jin immediately became anxious.
“Although it might be a bit unfair to those of you engaged in fair play, there’s really no need to continue the match.” The Third Prince believed that Pei Jin’s team didn’t have an advantage to begin with. If they used this excuse to concede, it could preserve their strength, making others think they were sabotaged by a lousy teammate. In a fair competition, the outcome was uncertain.
Hearing the Third Prince’s suggestion, the head master hesitated a bit. There were no specific rules for such situations in the competition, and generally, sending off the offender was enough. Since the Third Prince had spoken…
During the moment of hesitation, Yuan Ye and the Eldest Prince pleaded, feeling that the match could continue. They naturally understood the Third Prince’s cautious intentions, wanting to maintain an undefeated position through such a detour. They were willing to let Pei Jin’s team continue the match. Even if they won, the outcome would be tainted.
Amidst the intense discussion, Lin Qingyang below had already cast inquisitive eyes toward Chu Lishu.
“You knew from the beginning?” Lin Qingyang and Xu Wenze looked at him with puzzlement.
Chu Lishu shook his head and said, “I knew he intended to harm you, but I didn’t know he had rigged the iron plates. The physician discovered it when examining his injuries.”
Lin Qingyang’s mind was in chaos. Was there something wrong with the scene just now?
“When he kicked you, he used his left leg, but he pretended to be in pain with his right leg when lying down just now, indicating that he was intentionally hiding something,” Chu Lishu explained.
Xu Wenze quickly recalled, “Indeed!”
Lin Qingyang understood, but he and everyone around him couldn’t possibly recall this detail. After all, the situation was chaotic at the time, with two people lying on the ground both claiming pain, and the guy who kicked them groaning while holding one leg. Who would have thought he switched legs?
Lin Qingyang truly admired the observational skills of the male lead.
“Thank you…” Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but say.
Chu Lishu looked at him in confusion.
Lin Qingyang patted Chu Lishu on the shoulder, generously praising, “I heard from Qi Yan that it was your ingenious advice that helped us hold on until now. You’re truly exceptionally clever.”
Chu Lishu’s gaze softened for a moment. “Didn’t Young Master Qi say it? We’re on the same team.”
“It’s also fortunate that we encountered the team led by Pei Jin and these clever tactics. If it were the other two teams, we would have lost long ago,” Lin Qingyang said with a smile.
Chu Lishu smiled but didn’t answer. In fact, he had already figured out the countermeasures for the three teams. Since Lin Qingyang was so eager and wanted to participate seriously in the competition, he had to make sure they won at least once. He just didn’t expect the opponents to resort to such desperate measures. However, he could tell that the person who took action might not be Pei Jin; he shouldn’t be that foolish.
Shortly after, the head master announced that the match would continue, and the person who cheated was penalized and removed from the field.
Before leaving, Chu Lishu reminded, “When you serve later, it’s the best opportunity for a fierce attack.”
Lin Qingyang’s eyes lit up. He had the same idea and immediately turned to look at Xu Wenze. The two exchanged a glance, nodded in unison, and already had the idea of launching a joint attack later.
Seeing the two like this, Chu Lishu’s eyes flashed, and he could only speak up, “Be careful, don’t get injured.”
Lin Qingyang pounded his chest, giving assurance.
This time, the whole team was fueled with burning anger, eager to annihilate the opponents.
The opponents probably knew that losing under these circumstances would be even more embarrassing in front of the princes, so they had to muster a determined fighting spirit.
However, the Qi Yan team, which had decided to play a lightning-fast game, didn’t give them a chance to react.
Led by Lin Qingyang and Xu Wenze, the team broke through the defense like a sharp blade, almost making it impossible for the opponents to defend.
Seemingly driven to a frenzy, even Pei Jin forgot about everything else and positioned herself at the goal line, instructing others to defend. For a moment, the goal was surrounded like an iron bucket.
Several attacks, but the ball was consistently blocked.
In such a situation, a team’s morale can decline rapidly if they repeatedly fail to score during their offensive plays.
Suddenly, a teammate made a mistake, and the ball was snatched away.
Lin Qingyang and Xu Wenze immediately rushed to remedy the situation.
Soon, with coordinated efforts, Xu Wenze managed to retrieve the ball. However, when Lin Qingyang turned to find a suitable angle for a shot, there was simply no clear path to score.
At that moment, Lin Qingyang suddenly noticed a slightly elevated position, a glimmer of hope, but it had to be unexpected. If they were given time to react, there was a good chance they would be intercepted.
Hearing Xu Wenze calling out to him, probably asking for a pass, Lin Qingyang had a moment of inspiration.
He abandoned the posture to receive the ball, turned around with his back facing the opposing goal, and faced Xu Wenze head-on.
It wasn’t as if he was going to run back to defend, so why not adopt this posture?
The crowd was bewildered, and even Xu Wenze froze for a moment.
“Xu Wenze! Extra training performance tonight!” Lin Qingyang suddenly shouted and ran towards Xu Wenze.
Xu Wenze had already felt a telepathic connection between him and Lin Qingyang. In that instant, he understood Lin Qingyang’s intention. The scenes from that night flashed in his mind.
Although the two had never cooperated before, he could read in Lin Qingyang’s eyes where to kick and with what force.
Xu Wenze swiftly delivered a high pass.
The ball reached its peak, and Lin Qingyang leaped directly beneath it. In mid-air, he unleashed a shot with the strongest force and the perfect angle, using a posture never seen before.
Was he… taking a shot?
On the high platform, the three young princes simultaneously stood up abruptly, their eyes widening, staring intently at Lin Qingyang descending from the air, as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Onlookers, including Huo Luo on the sidelines, also stood up abruptly. “Impossible! That footwork is…”
Under the scoreboard, Chu Lishu frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping toward the three princes on the high platform.
Lin Qingyang descended in mid-air, almost stumbling, but Xu Wenze was prepared, rushing over in advance to catch Lin Qingyang. The two rolled into a ball, stabilizing themselves, and quickly looked towards the direction of the ball.
The spectators held their breath, waiting anxiously, while the opposing team had yet to react.
With a whoosh, the ball soared over everyone’s heads, heading straight for the goal. The goalkeeper reacted quickly, making a desperate attempt to save, but with a whoosh, the ball slipped through his fingertips, directly piercing the goal and hitting the wall behind, bouncing off and rolling to the feet of a stunned Pei Jin.
A goal scored, three points… Victory for Team Qi Yan!
“AH!!!!”
The entire stadium erupted from silence into enthusiastic cheers.
“Did we win?” Lin Qingyang looked at Xu Wenzhe in disbelief.
Xu Wenzhe nodded vigorously, “We won, thanks to you!”
“Ah, we won, we won!” Lin Qingyang jumped up, hugging Xu Wenzhe with pure joy, forgetting everything else!
Teammates gathered around, and the excitement was even greater than before.
Amidst the thunderous applause and cheers that almost overturned the entire cuju field, Lin Qingyang was lifted up by everyone and thrown into the air.
What’s the talk of being a little overbearing, what’s the mention of being homosexual, what’s the criticism of being a wastrel? At this moment, none of it mattered.
Is this really Lin Qingyang? Almost everyone familiar with Lin Qingyang would ask this question. Can Lin Qingyang shine like this on the field?
They witnessed someone formidable, someone they needed to look at with new eyes. Those who had mocked him earlier now blushed in embarrassment, while those who remained silent subtly mocked them in return.
Even Lin Qingwei seemed to have found her voice and exchanged some banter with Ying Xiaodie. However, she was also bewildered. Was that really her second brother?
Amidst a more lively atmosphere than the previous match, the game concluded, and the victorious team was announced.
In the afternoon, it would be a match between Team Qi Yan and Team Wang Tong’en.
Wang Tong’en stepped forward and congratulated, “Congratulations to you all. I didn’t expect you to be so formidable. However, without Qi Yan, don’t expect us to take it easy this afternoon. Aim for at least one point, and try not to embarrass yourselves too much.”
Xu Wenze didn’t bother with pleasantries and simply nodded, saying, “Let’s all do our best this afternoon.”
While they were talking, a sudden figure appeared before the teams—an eunuch.
Eunuchs usually served the princes, so why would one be here? The group was speculating whether there might be rewards or favors involved when the eunuch, with an eerie tone, announced, “Lin Qingyang, Young Master Lin, please come with this servant. His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to see you!”
Lin Qingyang, who was about to find Chu Lishu, was slightly surprised by this request. Why would the Crown Prince, Yuan Ye, want to see him? What business could the Crown Prince have with him?
Around him, envy-filled gazes suggested that Lin Qingyang’s miraculous shot had earned him the Crown Prince’s attention. It was considered a significant advantage to be favored by the Crown Prince—perhaps an opportunity to become a study companion.
However, Xu Wenze’s expression turned somewhat anxious. Seeing Lin Qingyang about to leave, he suddenly grabbed Lin Qingyang’s arm and cautioned, “Be careful when speaking. His Highness the Crown Prince… he’s quite formidable.” With the eunuch present, Xu Wenze couldn’t reveal too much.
Lin Qingyang raised an eyebrow; it seemed Xu Wenze wanted him to be cautious in his words. Lin Qingyang acknowledged the advice and followed the eunuch.
Chu Lishu, who had observed the scene from afar, promptly turned and left.
In no time, Lin Qingyang arrived at the courtyard where the princes were resting.
Upon entering, Lin Qingyang immediately knelt down, showing proper etiquette. He was determined not to give anyone the slightest reason to find fault.
However, at the expected moment to rise, there was no one instructing him to do so. Lin Qingyang felt puzzled.
After an uncomfortable silence, it was Prince Yuan who slowly spoke, sitting directly in front of Lin Qingyang, “Who taught you that move?”
Lin Qingyang was momentarily stunned, “May I ask, Your Highness, which move are you referring to?”
“Of course, I’m talking about the last shot you made. How could you possibly know that? Where did you learn it?” The Crown Prince stood up abruptly, slamming his hand on the tea table.
It wasn’t until this moment that Lin Qingyang realized the issue, but he didn’t understand. Why was this such a big deal?
“Are you referring to the hook shot? I learned it on my own.”
“Nonsense! How could you have come up with such a pose on your own? They all said you weren’t good at cuju before. You must have learned it from someone else or seen someone else perform it. Tell me, who did you see using this technique?” Yuan Ye’s voice was cold and urgent as if he were very anxious.
What’s going on? I learned it from my coach, my elementary school PE teacher! Can I say that? What’s the situation? Why are these people so excited about a simple move? Wait a minute… according to the typical plot, the only reason these cannon fodders would be so agitated is if it’s related to the male lead.
Lin Qingyang remembered that Xu Wenze had mentioned seeing this move performed by two people that night—one was Huo Luo, and the other… he didn’t finish the sentence. Why didn’t he ask more questions that night? If it turns out the male lead had done it, he could have avoided using that move to prevent trouble, even if it meant losing the game.
What kind of messed-up world is this, where a hook shot has become the male lead’s signature move?
Is the move too difficult? Are these people so dumb that they can’t learn it? That doesn’t make sense… In ancient times, without video recordings, if they only saw it once or twice… unless someone taught them in person…
Just as Lin Qingyang was lost in his thoughts, the Third Prince, who had just lost the game, suddenly suggested, “Why not capture all the people related to him and question them!”
“Wait a minute… I’m also the son of Marquis An Nan and County Princess Yawen. What mistake have I made to be treated like this by the princes?” Lin Qingyang quickly bluffed, trying to come up with a story that sounded somewhat believable. Otherwise, the male lead would be implicated as well.
“Your technique only appeared once; there’s no way someone would know it. So, who taught you? You…” Yuan Ye was about to press for an answer.
Suddenly, someone burst into the courtyard and exclaimed loudly, “It was me who taught him! Did you all forget? I learned this move a long time ago.”
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