Li Qiao stuffed her phone back into her pocket with a complicated expression. She picked up the bottle of mineral water on the table, took a sip, and changed the subject. "What kind of conflict does he have with my third brother?"
Shang Yu glanced at the girl and slowly stood up, leaning on his knee. "You can ask your third brother when you get the chance."
With that, Li Qiao looked up at his rising figure and didn't press the issue about Ou Bai any further. Instead, she asked, "Wanna play ball?"
"Yeah, come on."
…
A few minutes later, Qiu Huan and Ou Bai returned to the court, only to see Li Qiao's fluid form executing a perfect four-step approach and skillful shot.
Qiu Huan rubbed his chin and nudged Ou Bai's shoulder. "This girl's got some skills—nine out of ten shots land."
Ou Bai's expression had eased considerably, but there was still a touch of pride and stubbornness in his tone.
He gave a light snort. "Just average."
In all his life, it was the first time he'd met a girl who so confidently claimed not to know who he was.
Who was he?
The nation's top idol, the dream man of every woman in the country.
Women who wanted to marry him could form a line stretching all the way to the moon!
Yet Li Qiao didn't know who he was. And to top it off… she turned out to be the sister of Li Cheng, that infamous borderland bandit.
Absolutely outrageous!
Qiu Huan shot a chilly glance at Ou Bai and added sarcastically, "When did you become so petty?"
At those words, Ou Bai darkened and silently returned to his seat, his whole expression clouded with gloom. As he opened up his social media app, he muttered stiffly to himself, "Is it because I'm not handsome enough? Or not charming enough? How could someone not know who I am?"
Qiu Huan: "…"
Then he heard Ou Bai mutter again under his breath, "A bandit's sister really is a bandit. That whole family's blind!"
Great. The nation's beloved idol, spoiled rotten by fans, was having another meltdown.
…
In the next ten minutes, Li Qiao and Shang Yu played three rounds of bowling.
Surprisingly, she narrowly beat him.
Now, back in the lounge beside the lanes, Li Qiao wiped her fingers, her eyes gleaming like stars. "Do you play often, Master Yan?"
"Not really. Just practice occasionally." The man pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket, spinning it between his fingers. Then, lifting his eyes slightly, he asked, "What do you want to eat later?"
Leaning against the table, Li Qiao propped her chin up with one hand, her eyes brightening. "You're treating me?"
"Mm. Your reward for winning." Shang Yu's gaze carried an indescribable depth, and the bright light above cast a glow on his chiseled features—enough to make hearts race.
Li Qiao's throat itched slightly. She took another sip of water to calm the flutter in her chest. "I'm not picky. I'll eat anything—you decide."
With that, she set down the water bottle and lightly bit her lip. "I'm going to the restroom first."
Leaving the private bowling room, Li Qiao took a moment to steady herself, then strolled unhurriedly into Hall 2 next door.
Actually, her phone had been buzzing the whole time she was playing with Shang Yu—several calls from Nan Yin.
At that moment, inside Hall 2, Nan Yin was sitting on a couch in the corner with a bowling ball on her lap. When she heard footsteps approaching, she glanced sideways and mock-scolded, "Babe, don't tell me you got lost in here!"
She had already called Li Qiao seven or eight times with no answer.
If this kept up, she was ready to grab a weapon and go searching!
"Mm, had something to deal with," Li Qiao replied, casually sitting down beside Nan Yin with her legs crossed in a relaxed pose.
Nan Yin didn't doubt her. She held out the bowling ball with a charming smile. "Since you're done, play a few rounds with me?"
Li Qiao shot her a sidelong glance and nudged the ball back with her elbow. "Nope. Not done yet—I'm heading out."
Nan Yin: "???"