Chapter 71: The War Begins
Chapter Seventy-One: The War Begins （2）
Ji Xiangyu looked into the distance, not at Qing Tian, and asked with a cold tone, “Qing Tian, do you want me to win or lose this match?”
Qing Tian heard Ji Xiangyu’s question and remembered the same question Xia Yang had asked earlier. Why were they both asking her this question? Was the answer really that important?
Qing Tian cautiously asked, “Is this very important?”
Ji Xiangyu nodded, then turned around, his gaze more serious than ever as he looked at Qing Tian. He said decisively, “Because I am participating in this match because of you, and I have only one reason for wanting to win this match, and that is you. However, if you feel that you truly wish for Xia Yang to win this match, I will grant your wish and withdraw!”
Qing Tian didn’t know what to say for a moment, only opening her mouth: “I… I….”
The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat. She wanted to say, “Ji Xiangyu, I want you to win,” but she was afraid that even if he won, they would still make no progress. Even if there was progress, it would be temporary. There were too many things separating them. First, there was Ji Weiwei, and then there was the vast difference in their backgrounds. Could they truly cast aside worldly concerns?
How could Qing Tian possibly say these words out loud? She would rather keep them buried in her heart than speak them.
Ji Xiangyu couldn’t see Qing Tian’s inner struggle. He thought that Qing Tian’s silence was a form of default agreement, so he said, “I understand. I will grant your wish.”
Qing Tian shook her head: “No, no….”
Ji Xiangyu pressed, “No? What do you mean, no?”
Qing Tian became anxious. She took out a row of chocolates from her schoolbag and offered them to Ji Xiangyu. “I heard that soccer players always keep chocolate to replenish their energy. Take care of yourself, and also, it’s just….”
Before she could finish, she saw Ji Xiangyu hide the chocolates behind his back. Immediately after, a familiar voice called out.
“Qing Tian, why did you come down?”
It was Xia Yang, who had just finished warming up and had come over to rest. Xia Yang casually sat down on Qing Tian’s other side. In an instant, she was trapped between two men, truly embodying the theme: fighting for love!
Qing Tian quickly explained, “Xia Yang, I… I wanted to see… that…”
Xia Yang chuckled happily. “Look at you, you’re so nervous you can’t even finish a sentence. You wanted to bring me water? You should have just said so!”
After speaking, he took the energy drink Qing Tian was holding, which was originally intended for Ji Xiangyu, twisted off the cap, and began to drink it in large gulps. Xia Yang drank so quickly that he choked a little.
Qing Tian said with concern, “Drink slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you!”
Her unconscious gesture of concern was like a thorn in Ji Xiangyu’s eyes. He stood up and said coldly, “You two chat. I’ll go get ready. The match is about to start!”
He then walked away directly. Qing Tian watched Ji Xiangyu’s retreating back, feeling an indescribable sadness.
Xia Yang patted her shoulder and said, “Qing Tian, I will do as you wish. Don’t worry. Go back to Shi Shi, it’s dangerous here!”
Qing Tian nodded blankly and then walked towards Song Shi Shi’s seat in the stands.
Song Shi Shi and the others had already prepared streamers and were cheering for Xia Yang, as if this entire section was dedicated to cheering him on.
She listened to the other female classmates in the stands shouting loudly: “Xia Yang, Xia Yang, you’re the most handsome, you fear no one on the field! Xia Yang, Xia Yang, you’re the most manly, victory is within your grasp…”
Song Shi Shi handed her a cheering stick. She held it blankly, looking down at Ji Xiangyu, who was looking at her from afar. He had misunderstood. What should she do?
Xia Yang heard Song Shi Shi and the others’ enthusiastic cheers and, in a great mood, joined his teammates in a huddle to cheer.
Ji Weiwei’s side was not to be outdone, shouting: “Brother Yu, you’re the best, you can defeat any ruffian!”
Thus, the fans of both teams began a fierce confrontation with their slogans.
Suddenly, the field was filled with the sounds of fans cheering.
Even the referees were in high spirits. It was truly rare to participate in such a passionate match!
Qing Tian had wanted to make a gesture to cheer Ji Xiangyu on, but as soon as she raised her fist, Ji Xiangyu turned his back and began discussing tactics with his teammates.
Qing Tian’s hand, halfway raised, slowly lowered in disappointment. The camera suddenly went quiet. The cheering crowd outside seemed like people from another world compared to her. The outside world was full of passion, while her world had frozen over!
