CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 108: BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT (PART 3)

Lin Caier was furious: "You’re a freakish sissy, who are you calling ugly!"

Lin Caier also disliked Cui Tianxiao. Clearly a straight man, but he had a face so enchanting that even women were jealous.

With her own beauty, every man would show her some courtesy for her pretty face, but Cui Tianxiao was the only one who didn’t go along with it. He had been butting heads with her since childhood, never treating her like a woman, and was always sharp when speaking.

Cui Tianxiao rolled his eyes to the sky: "Of course it’s you. Don’t say your looks can’t compare to Xing’s; they can’t even compare to mine. If you’re not the ugly one, then who is?"

Lin Caier: "You—!"

Chu Yunyi frowned: "Caier, don’t speak like that. Don’t forget you’re representing Tianyi Academy now. Your words and actions represent Tianyi’s attitude. Do you want to cause a dispute between the academies?"

Seeing Chu Yunyi displeased, Lin Caier immediately behaved like a quail, even though angry inside, she dared not continue bickering with Cui Tianxiao, merely glaring at him viciously.

Chu Yunyi extended his hand to Li Xing, saying: "Li Xing, Caier was rude, I apologize on her behalf. I’ve often heard Qingtian and Ah Xiao mention your name. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person today."

"I’ve heard from Qingtian that after he met you, he often troubled you with alchemy. Thanks to you, his old injuries have mostly healed, your Ancient Alchemy technique is indeed extraordinary."

Smart people need not speak too directly, Li Xing understood clearly why Chu Yunyi thanked her.

"It’s no trouble, he paid."

Chu Yunyi chuckled lightly, but Lin Caier spat: "Money-minded!" Her voice was just loud enough for Li Xing to hear.

With their hands still clasped, Li Xing glanced at Lin Caier, showing no intention of letting go.

Though curious about why Li Xing held on to his hand, Chu Yunyi didn’t forcefully withdraw, as that would be impolite.

Li Xing held Chu Yunyi’s hand, blinking her big eyes, asking: "Brother Chu, it’s clear this young lady was mean to me earlier, why are you apologizing for her? Is it because she’s your girlfriend?"

"Uh..." Chu Yunyi quickly explained: "No, I’m her team captain. When a team member makes a mistake, I as captain should take partial responsibility."

Chu Yunyi thought silently, given Lin Caier’s dogged temperament, having her apologize would cause more conflict, it was easier for him to do it personally.

Li Xing dragged out an "Oh" with a long sound, glancing at Lin Caier as if unintentionally, muttering:

"So you’re teammates, yet she calls you Brother Yun so affectionately, I thought she was a prospective Mrs. Chu. Tsk-tsk-tsk, isn’t that self-indulgent!" Li Xing’s voice was moderate, just right for those nearby to hear.

Ye Qingting and Qi Ming lowered their heads, biting their lips in silent laughter, while Cui Tianxiao exaggeratedly laughed and made a face at Lin Caier gleefully.

Lin Caier’s face turned exceedingly ugly, she wished she could tear Li Xing’s mouth apart.

Li Xing wasn’t done, holding Chu Yunyi’s hand as she stoked the fire: "The young lady looks nice, Brother Chu, have you ever considered making her your girlfriend?"

Chu Yunyi shook his head: "I see Caier as a sister." He’s crazy if he makes a hysterical lunatic his girlfriend.

Upon hearing Chu Yunyi’s straightforward rejection, Lin Caier’s complexion quickly turned pale.

Chu Yunyi, worried Li Xing might ask something awkward next, intended to end the conversation, gently tugging his hand, but Li Xing remained unfazed, holding on happily.

Li Xing blinked her beautiful eyes, continuing to dig further: "Then what kind of girlfriend does Brother Chu want in the future?"

"Uh, I haven’t thought about that."

Chu Yunyi was distressed, had he stopped understanding the casual interactions between men and women now?

Chu Yunyi didn’t care about grace at this point, he increased the force pulling his hand, but against Li Xing’s strange strength, he had no chance.

Chu Yunyi’s hands were long, white and slender, very pretty, Li Xing’s thumb boldly brushed across the back of his hand, softly saying: "Brother Chu, you look really nice!"

Oh my! Lin Caier was going mad, if not for An Qing holding her back, she would have used her Primordial Spirit.

Being complimented so openly by a girl, Chu Yunyi’s expression became somewhat awkward, a bit shy: "...Thank you, you look...nice too."

Chu Yunyi regretted saying that immediately, what did that even mean!

Seeing Lin Caier’s face had turned green like grass, if continued she’d lash out, finally Li Xing released Chu Yunyi, delivering the final blow:

"I read online that Brother Chu is a national idol, countless beauties are crying to be your girlfriend. I think Sister Lin is beautiful, but those girls aren’t bad either, don’t be shortsighted Brother Chu, choose the most suitable one, don’t disappoint me."

Chu Yunyi found Li Xing’s words nonsensical, yet he inexplicably agreed: "...Alright."

Why did he respond, damn it! Is Li Xing toxic?

Li Xing never liked that faux innocence act, but she couldn’t deny that when dealing with it, sometimes the best way is to turn their own tactics against them; after all, magic can only be overcome by magic.

Lin Caier mocked Qi Ming first, then ridiculed and insulted afterward, the finest revenge was not returning insults directly, but "teasing" her beloved Brother Yun, driving her to jealousy and madness, establishing a false rival within herself, torturing herself.

Seeing Lin Caier looking as if she wanted to devour her, Li Xing knew she had succeeded, gained advantage and disgusted her opponent, this feeling was so satisfying.

"Hahaha! Third Sister, you hang the words Brother Yun on your mouth all day, I thought you and Chu Yunyi had something, only today did I see he’s not into you, it’s just your wishful thinking!"

A raspy voice echoed, everyone turned to see four people in Cold Smoke Pavilion uniforms striding towards them. Walking alongside them was Xi Yuan Academy’s Desert Boat Team.

Chu Yunyi and Xi Yuan Academy’s Bai Ling exchanged glances, nodding simultaneously. Tianyi team and Desert Boat Team were old rivals, but off the field they got along decently, everyone knew each other.

When Lin Caier saw the speaker, her eyes became venomous immediately: "Spit, an illegitimate child, what right do you have to call me Third Sister?"

Lin Yin shrugged indifferently: "Calling you Third Sister is giving you face. Since you don’t want face, forget it!"

Then, turning to face Tianyi team and the Defiance Team, Lin Yin arrogantly declared:

"Everyone, the Tu Ling Team is representing Cold Smoke Pavilion in the competition for the first time this year, we have come for the championship. As newcomers, lack of experience might make our actions indiscreet. If we have offended during a confrontation, I hope the seniors can forgive us!"

An Qing snorted coldly: "A toad yawns, such big talk!"

Jiang Yuesheng’s face darkened: "The title of perpetual runner-up isn’t that easy to shed. Youngsters shouldn’t be too arrogant, be careful not to trip."

Desert Boat Team’s expression wasn’t pleasant either. They had arrived alongside the Tu Ling Team, and had already exchanged heated words, but after losing to Cold Smoke Pavilion in the last round, their morale was naturally diminished. Hearing Lin Yin boast in front of Tianyi team, they felt more at ease; if everyone was upset, no one could stay out of it.

Facing Lin Yin’s provocation, Chu Yunyi’s smile remained flawless, yet his gaze was chillingly cold:

"The Yangtze River waves push forward, older waves will be overtaken by new waves eventually, but not this year; Lin Junior can consider championship after we graduate."