Tang Lian easily saw through the deeper meaning hidden in Bo Ranying’s words.
It was nothing more than a diversionary tactic, meant to lure her away and teach Bo Ranying instead.
That way, no one would be left to coach Nan Qi, forcing Zhou Ru to step in—and Tang Lian would lose her chance for some intimate time with Nan Qi.
Bo Ranying was willing to play the part of the doting sister just to keep her away from Nan Qi. That kind of resolve actually touched Tang Lian a little.
But even so, she wasn’t about to hand over the opportunity on a silver platter and let Bo Ranying have her way.
With her mind made up, Tang Lian gave a small smile, spreading her hands in mock distress. “But I just can’t split my attention in half again. If you’re worried about not knowing how to play, Miss Bo, you could always ask Auntie to teach you—or hire a pro coach from the club. I’m sure they’d be thrilled.”
With that deft deflection, she turned the request away effortlessly.
Bo Ranying knew Tang Lian had no intention of giving up her time with Nan Qi. She let out a couple of lukewarm laughs, hiding the fleeting gloom that passed over her eyes.
Later, of course, Zhou Ru heard about her predicament and came over to coach her, while also guiding Nan Xi.
Everyone warmed up first, doing thorough stretches.
At the start of the match, since both Nan Qi and Bo Ranying lacked badminton experience, Tang Lian took on Zhou Ru and Nan Xi alone, defending against them both while the other two watched from the sidelines, preparing for their turns.
At first, Zhou Ru seemed a bit worried and apologetic. “Is this setup putting too much pressure on you, Little Tang?”
Tang Lian raised her brows confidently. “Auntie, you and Nan Xi just smash away. I can handle whatever you throw at me.”
Zhou Ru was still skeptical, but once they started playing, she quickly realized Tang Lian wasn’t bluffing. She really could return every tricky shot from all angles that Zhou Ru and Nan Xi sent her way.
And after receiving the shuttlecock, Tang Lian could effortlessly turn it into a powerful smash, leaving the two of them scrambling and constantly chasing after balls.
The moment Tang Lian stepped onto the court, her whole aura shifted. The laziness and casual air vanished in an instant, replaced by an overwhelming presence.
It felt instinctive, as if she belonged on the court.
She crouched slightly, her thighs flexing with taut, beautiful muscle lines. Her eyes locked onto the shuttlecock’s arc as it sliced through the air, anticipating its path. She leaped, her clothes fluttering, stirring up a wave of heat in the air.
Every casual movement radiated intense allure, drawing the eye inescapably to her—to every jump, every swing of the racket, every spark of exhilaration on her face.
She was the brightest star on that vast court, radiating boundless charm.
Nan Qi’s gaze was naturally drawn to her, admiring the crisp, elegant returns and counters.
Tang Lian’s face lit up with pure enjoyment, while on the other side, Zhou Ru and Nan Xi wore the opposite expression: clear frustration.
Dejected, they soon lost the will to keep fighting.
“Little Tang, you’re ferocious,” Zhou Ru panted, gripping her racket as she stepped off the court. Sweat drenched her face, but she looked exhilarated, her expression a mix of surprise and admiration. “Let’s take a break. You look like a pro—don’t tell me that bit about not playing in ages was just to fool Auntie?”
Tang Lian’s lips curved in a grin, a hint of pride showing through. “I wouldn’t dare trick you, Auntie.”
Then, raising a brow, she lowered her voice and dropped a bombshell. “I used to be an athlete, you know. Track and field, plus all kinds of ball sports. I gave up the sports path later and took the regular college entrance exams instead.”
“Oh— no wonder!”
The revelation stunned everyone.
Zhou Ru paused for two seconds, then exclaimed dramatically, “So you really did have proper training. See? My guess wasn’t far off.”
Tang Lian gave her a thumbs-up. “Sharp eyes, Auntie.”
Nan Xi was even more excited. He rushed over to Tang Lian’s side, chattering away. “This semester, I want to join the school basketball team—play matches against other schools, win some rankings. I’ve been practicing on my own with classmates, and they say my skills are solid. But I’m still nervous about making the team tryouts. Big Sister Tang Lian, could you give me some pointers? If you help out, I’d feel way more confident!”
Looking at the boy in front of her—youthful and full of energy—Tang Lian smiled gently. “Of course.”
You’re Nan Qi’s little brother, she thought. So of course I’d extend my fondness for her to you.
Even if he hadn’t asked, she would have taken the initiative to win him over.
Nan Qi didn’t join in the excitement. She stood a little off to the side, her eyes fixed intently on Tang Lian, brows slightly furrowed. Internally, she was reeling. No matter how she looked at her, she couldn’t picture Tang Lian as a former athlete…
Her gaze lingered on Tang Lian a bit too long, sending Tang Lian’s nerves into thrilled overdrive. Her heart, already racing from the exercise, pounded even harder, all her emotions ignited by a single look from Nan Qi, reducing her to putty in her hands.
Tang Lian pressed a hand lightly to her restless chest, taking a deep breath. Ignoring Nan Xi, who was still talking to her, she strode over to Nan Qi and stopped right in front of her.
Strands of sweat-dampened hair clung messily to her cheeks, but it didn’t detract from her poise or elegance. Instead, it added a touch of wild beauty, her allure spilling over uncontrollably.
As she approached, Nan Qi’s eyes followed her every step, locked on like she was studying a puzzle—and Tang Lian was the puzzle itself.
That shimmering, almost affectionate gaze set Tang Lian’s heart racing. Bathed in those captivating eyes, she nearly convinced herself she was Nan Qi’s beloved lover. Tang Lian fought the urge to pull her into an embrace.
She swallowed hard, struggling to stay composed.
“What are you thinking about, Big Sister?”
“Whether I don’t seem like an athlete?” she said softly, voicing Nan Qi’s exact thoughts.
“…Yeah.”
Tang Lian smiled. “If you’re thinking that, Big Sister, it just means you don’t know me well enough yet. You should get to know me more.”
“Why?”
Nan Qi followed her lead, like someone teetering on a cliff’s edge, grasping for the last thread of safety. Her hiking pole was her only support, but one foot was already on crumbling rock. One more step, and she’d plummet.
She had no idea she was in danger.
“Because the more you learn about me, Big Sister, the easier it’ll be to like me!”
She said it lightly, a simple truth laced with depth.
A straight pitch, tossed right at Nan Qi.
Her intentions laid bare.
Nan Qi had no comeback—only silence.
Tang Lian turned away nonchalantly, her hair swaying, catching the sunlight’s gleam from the glass windows.
“Just watch and see!”
She spun back around and resumed chatting with Nan Xi.
After a few rounds of rest, the groupings shifted several times. Everyone played with abandon until they were utterly spent.
Nan Qi, Nan Xi, and Zhou Ru sat by the stands, fanning themselves with the electric fan while watching the two lone figures facing off on the court.
Yes, in the end, only Tang Lian and Bo Ranying remained.
Somehow, the team matches had turned into a one-on-one duel.
Bo Ranying held her racket in one hand and the shuttlecock in the other. It was her serve.
Sweat blurred her vision, dripping constantly from her forehead. Her hair and clothes were soaked through, clinging uncomfortably to her skin.
Her arms ached fiercely, her legs trembled, and the thumb on her gripping hand throbbed especially.
Every swing rubbed her fingers raw against the handle.
The reserved time had long passed, but at her request, Tang Lian had extended it.
Bo Ranying gritted her teeth, gathering her strength. She wiped the sweat from her lashes with the back of her damp hand and swung.
The racket sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh as the shuttlecock soared high and far.
But Tang Lian was just as quick. She positioned herself expertly at the landing spot, receiving the hard smash with ease and sending it back casually.
The shuttlecock wobbled in the air, barely making it over the line.
Bo Ranying jogged over slowly, judging that it might not cross.
She raised her racket, reaching the net just as it skimmed the line and dropped into her side of the court.
She missed it—a point lost.
Tang Lian judged every trajectory flawlessly, adjusting effortlessly to make Bo Ranying miss repeatedly, forcing her to chase shuttles nonstop in short bursts.
Missed—
Missed again—
Bo Ranying faulted multiple times.
She looked up, peering across the distant court. She caught Nan Qi’s concerned gaze.
But she couldn’t tell if it was fixed on her—or on Tang Lian.
She wasn’t sure at all.
She remembered how Tang Lian had dominated the court after stepping in, drawing everyone’s rapt attention. They worshiped and praised her—even Nan Qi had been drawn to her.
She could read Nan Qi’s emotions clearly.
Bo Ranying was seething with jealousy.
“Again.”
“Again.”
“Next time, I’ll catch it for sure.”
Bo Ranying repeated the words mechanically. She had lost count of her mistakes.
Her limbs were trembling like leaves in the wind, but all she could see in her vision were blurry white balls drifting hazily.
She had to catch it.
She wanted Nan Qi’s look of amazement to fall on her.
Bo Ranying had fallen into an obsessive rivalry with Tang Lian.
Once more, she failed to catch the ball.
She dragged her weary legs to pick it up, but Tang Lian set her racket aside, clearly unwilling to continue.
She walked up to Bo Ranying with a serious expression. “That’s enough. Your stamina won’t hold up if you keep going. Otherwise, you’ll be miserable come tomorrow’s workday.”
Bo Ranying shook her head. She didn’t want to hear it. Biting her lip, she pleaded with Tang Lian almost desperately. “Just one more game. I want to beat you.”
“Even one more time, nothing will change.”
Tang Lian refused all the same.
Bo Ranying felt utterly dejected. Without Tang Lian playing, she had no chance to prove she could win.
Once that stubborn resolve drained away, she collapsed like a fish gasping on dry land. She slumped against the net, utterly spent.
She panted raggedly, her heart pounding wildly from the exertion, sweat streaming freely down her body. She didn’t even have the strength to lift her arm.
Bo Ranying thought she must look hideous right now.
And Nan Qi would see her like this—no way to hide it. How miserable.
Why had she been so foolish, picking a fight with an athlete? Why challenge her own weakness against someone else’s strength?
Bo Ranying dropped her gaze in annoyance.
