In the fencing hall on the second floor, Shen Chi Yan's eyes were sharp. He struck his opponent with a sword, and the other party raised his hands in surrender, "I give up, I give up!"
Shen Chi Yan removed his helmet and ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair.
He had exquisite and handsome features, and a lean, tall physique. Even this simple gesture of running his hand through his hair was brimming with hormones, making him incredibly handsome.
The man he was facing also removed his mask. He wasn't bad-looking either, but compared to Shen Chi Yan, he was still far behind.
This man was named He Gao Min. He used to play with Guan Ming Xu's brother, Guan Hong Xian, frequently. After Guan Hong Xian was imprisoned for murder, He Gao Min became Shen Chi Yan's sparring partner.
"Thank you, Fifth Master, for letting me choose fencing over boxing. If we were boxing, I'd probably be dead by now."
Shen Chi Yan wiped the sweat from his face with a towel, his expression still grim.
"What's wrong with you today? Who dared to anger our Fifth Master Shen?"
The thought of that woman made Shen Chi Yan even more dejected.
"I'm going to take a shower!"
While showering, Shen Chi Yan's mind was filled with Song Qi Nian. The woman's every smile, every frown, every move, and every action kept replaying in his mind.
Especially when he teased her, how she clearly felt uncomfortable yet actively cooperated, it was simply…
Damn it!
Song Qi Nian was indeed intoxicating.
After a cold shower, he came out and saw He Gao Min holding a glass of red wine, looking at the scene downstairs with an air of amusement.
Seeing Shen Chi Yan emerge, He Gao Min chuckled, "Fifth Master, your moonbeam's sister is having a bowling showdown with someone again. But this time it's not a man, but a petite and cute little fairy."
Shen Chi Yan had no interest in Lin Lan Xing's affairs.
Lin Lan Xing was a skilled bowler and always acted as if she was superior to everyone. Whether happy or unhappy, she would come here to find someone to spar with, satisfying herself by humiliating the loser.
"Let's go!"
Seeing Shen Chi Yan pick up his clothes and prepare to leave, He Gao Min smiled, "Aren't you going to watch? I heard the bet between Lin Lan Xing and that girl is whoever loses has to kneel and lick the other's shoe!"
He Gao Min then sighed, "Given Lin Lan Xing's bowling skills, that little beauty is definitely in for a miserable time. Why would she be so foolish as to challenge Lin Lan Xing to a bowling match?"
Shen Chi Yan was about to leave, but He Gao Min was still chattering behind him. He felt annoyed and his eyes instinctively scanned the crowd, wanting to see who this woman who courted death was. Then, he saw Song Qi Nian in the crowd.
Shen Chi Yan: "..."
Song Qi Nian was still wearing the same dress from earlier. She must have come here after quietly sending off Xiao Qiao.
That's right, Song Jia Shu worked here, so she must have come to find Song Jia Shu.
But why would she suddenly get into a showdown with Lin Lan Xing?
At this moment, she was surrounded by a group of people, with cheering men and women and a smug and arrogant Lin Lan Xing all around.
She was so petite and frail, like a chick surrounded by hungry eagles.
He Gao Min saw Shen Chi Yan stop and stare intently at the scene downstairs. He raised an eyebrow slightly, walked up to him with his wine glass, and said, "Worried your future little sister-in-law might be at a disadvantage? Don't worry, she…"
He Gao Min's words were cut off by Shen Chi Yan's faint interruption, "Someone reckless has arrived."
"Ah?"
"Didn't you want to watch the excitement? Isn't it better to get up close?"
He Gao Min was stunned for a few seconds when he saw Shen Chi Yan not leave directly but instead walk towards the bowling alley. He immediately put down his glass and chased after him, "Fifth Master, wait for me!"
…
Song Qi Nian was still wondering why Lin Lan Xing was so confident she would win a bowling match.
Just now, she finally learned from others about Lin Lan Xing's prowess.
They even said that not many people in this club could beat Lin Lan Xing.
And in Song Qi Nian's opinion, "not many people can beat Lin Lan Xing" meant that some people had indeed defeated Lin Lan Xing before.
Since Lin Lan Xing wasn't invincible, as long as there was a one-in-a-billion chance, she would give it her all.
Besides, it was just knocking down wooden pins with a ball. It didn't seem that difficult.
"Song Qi Nian, I won't say I'm bullying you. Shall we try a practice round first?"
Song Qi Nian had indeed never played bowling before. A practice round would be good for her, so she nodded in agreement.
Lin Lan Xing knocked down all ten pins with her first ball, and the crowd cheered and whistled.
She snorted with a smug and proud look, then handed the ball to Song Qi Nian, "Your turn."
Song Qi Nian, mimicking Lin Lan Xing's grip, held the ball and threw it.
To everyone's anticipation, the ball went straight into the gutter, missing all the pins.
"Haha..."
The crowd burst into laughter. Lin Lan Xing laughed so hard she could barely breathe, "Song Qi Nian, can't you play, or are you pretending you can't bowl to surprise me in the actual match later?"
Song Qi Nian bit her lip, her face looking a little unsightly. The ball was a bit heavy, and she struggled to even pick it up and throw it, let alone hit the target.
"Here, you have one more ball."
Just as Song Qi Nian was about to reach for the ball, another ball was suddenly handed to her, "Use this one."
Hearing a familiar voice, Song Qi Nian abruptly turned her head and saw Shen Chi Yan.
The others also saw Shen Chi Yan and instinctively took a few steps back.
When Lin Lan Xing saw Shen Chi Yan, she performed a disappearing act of her smile for everyone.
Damn it, why was Shen Chi Yan here?
Then, she smiled at Shen Chi Yan, "Brother Chi Yan, Miss Song insisted on a bowling showdown with me. Since you're here, will you be our referee?"
Song Qi Nian felt completely overwhelmed. What a blatant distortion of facts.
She was somewhat afraid. Lin Lan Xing was Lin Qiu Tong's sister, so it was natural for Shen Chi Yan to help Lin Lan Xing.
With the way things were going, she was likely in for a rough day.
To her surprise, Shen Chi Yan merely glanced at Lin Lan Xing and pulled Song Qi Nian towards the lane.
"When playing bowling, choosing the right ball is very important. You don't have much strength, so that ball just now wasn't suitable for you. Pick up the ball..."
Song Qi Nian was a little dazed. Although she didn't understand the situation, she instinctively obeyed.
"Start with your right foot, and extend the ball forward simultaneously."
"Step with your left foot, with the ball in your hand forming an angle of about 90 degrees with your body."
Song Qi Nian acted like a robot, doing exactly as Shen Chi Yan instructed.
"90 degrees isn't enough!"
Shen Chi Yan reached out and pressed down on Song Qi Nian's body. It was just a simple touch, but Song Qi Nian's body stiffened.
"When stepping forward with your right foot, position the ball behind you. When sliding with your left foot, gently release the ball from your hand simultaneously."
Just as Song Qi Nian was about to release the ball, Shen Chi Yan suddenly stopped her, "Did I tell you to release the ball?"
Song Qi Nian blushed instantly, like a student who was caught for operating without paying attention.
Shen Chi Yan's face remained expressionless. He continued, "When releasing the ball, keep your body straight, relax your shoulders, and walk towards the lane."
Song Qi Nian instinctively relaxed her shoulders, and her back was suddenly hit, "Not enough, relax more!"
"The swing of the ball should be like a pendulum, perpendicular to the ground. Your eyes should focus on the arrows on the lane, which indicate the path the ball will take after it's released."
Song Qi Nian nodded. The next second, Shen Chi Yan suddenly leaned in close, their noses almost touching.
For a moment, Song Qi Nian felt her heart nearly leap out of her chest.
Shen Chi Yan, however, acted as if nothing had happened and said calmly, "Naturally hook your wrist, and release the ball."
Song Qi Nian took a deep breath and sent the ball out...