Chapter 41: The Arrival of Lord Hai

On the way home from school, Wang Xinrou’s mouth never stopped for a moment, chattering incessantly at He Tian.

“You have no idea how cool you looked back there! You took on the whole basketball team by yourself!”

“How come you have so many fans? Even more than I do!”

“Hmph… those girls were insane! You don’t know, some of the things they shouted were enough to make anyone blush, so bold!”

“I never thought you’d end up friends with Wu Sen and his crew! And they actually look up to you so much!”

“What a spectacular day! That scene—I’ll never forget it as long as I live!”

Wang Xinrou spoke, and He Tian listened.

“Hey! Say something, will you? Cat got your tongue?” Wang Xinrou was clearly annoyed by He Tian’s lack of response. Wasn’t this just wasting her feelings? How could a man act like this?

“After listening to you go on and on, I’ve come to a conclusion,” He Tian finally said.

“What conclusion?” Wang Xinrou asked.

“You’ve definitely fallen for me,” He Tian said, perfectly serious.

“Oh, please! I thought you had something real to say! Dream on, not even close!” Wang Xinrou’s heart skipped a beat—he’d hit the mark! But she would never admit it. To confess would be far too embarrassing!

“Such a contradiction! What’s so hard about confessing? Maybe I wouldn’t even turn you down,” He Tian said with a smile.

“Get lost, just drive!” Wang Xinrou shot back, fiercer than ever.

“Hahaha… can’t face the truth, little miss?” He Tian burst out laughing.

Wang Xinrou gritted her teeth, deciding not to stoop to his level. She would hold her tongue!

As for whether Ouyang Bingbing would update “Listening to the Tides Pavilion” soon—never mind that for now. But as for Wang Xinrou making the first move and confessing to He Tian, that was utterly unacceptable to her!

In her mind, it was only right for He Tian to confess to her first! It was a matter of dignity, one she absolutely could not compromise on.

“Home! Tonight, train hard! You’re just about to master that move completely!” With a step on the gas, He Tian sped up.

At dinner, Wang Xinmeng officially informed He Tian that the photo shoot was set for Saturday. If all went well, it could be wrapped up in a day.

Now, the entire group’s publicity department was revolving around He Tian; the whole strategy was now focused on the men’s fashion brand.

And on Sunday, they were scheduled to film a TV commercial. The director and all necessary staff had already been contacted. Wang Xinmeng wanted to give He Tian a heads-up in advance, so he wouldn’t end up missing it due to other commitments.

“No problem!” He Tian replied simply.

The scene at the basketball gym today had given He Tian a taste of a life so different from what he once knew—so much more vivid and exciting. So, he didn’t mind experiencing more of this excitement in a different identity.

Wang Xinmeng was thoroughly satisfied and full of anticipation.

That night, after coaching Wang Xinrou through her training, He Tian didn’t go out again.

The avenue with Young Master Hai was now closed off. As for Hong Kong or the assassin training base, neither was somewhere He Tian could head to right now.

He simply couldn’t bring himself to leave just yet. At the very least, he had to wait until Lan Ji arrived in Tianhai.

He Tian was making the most of his time to train. Last night’s encounter had made him keenly aware of his own shortcomings, leaving him with a strong sense of crisis.

Every member of Dragon Soul was synonymous with invincibility.

From this perspective alone, He Tian was far from qualified! This only motivated him further.

However, training inner strength was a long-term endeavor; no major progress could be achieved in a short time. He Tian’s drive was simply to keep up daily training and maintain the right mindset.

He knew better than to rush things.

Another morning came, and He Tian continued his usual exercise, breathing in the purple qi from the east as always, and guiding Wang Xinrou as usual.

With her unwavering dedication, Wang Xinrou’s progress was exactly as He Tian had anticipated—remarkably fast.

He Tian was already considering what technique to teach her next.

He also needed to schedule the purchase of some training equipment. He wanted to create a regimen for Wang Xinrou that would increase her strength and fitness without turning her into a muscle-bound woman.

――

Seaside Villa District.

At Young Master Hai’s villa.

Early in the morning, Young Master Hai finished his workout and showered, sitting elegantly at the table and eating breakfast with care.

“Young Master!” A Kun entered from outside, his shoulder still bandaged—the injury lingering.

That night, seeing A Kun’s wounds, Young Master Hai had said nothing in blame.

“A Kun, you’re here. Sit down! Eat with me,” Young Master Hai said with a smile. “Another set of dishes, please!”

“Yes, Young Master!” The servant quickly brought A Kun a fresh set of tableware.

“Thank you, Young Master!” A Kun sat down and ate slowly.

They didn’t speak until Young Master Hai had finished eating and moved to the living room. Only then did he signal for A Kun to sit and speak.

“Wu Hao did as instructed and went to work early this morning. Nothing out of the ordinary happened all day—no one came looking for him,” A Kun reported.

“No one?” Young Master Hai frowned slightly, thinking for a moment. “Keep watching! Put someone on him—closely! He can be abducted, but under no circumstances can anyone be allowed to kill Wu Hao, understand?”

“Yes, Young Master!” A Kun nodded.

“Let the others handle that. Later, come with me to Tianhai University,” Young Master Hai said, lighting a cigarette and smiling.

“All right!” A Kun didn’t ask why; he simply agreed.

“He Tian… you must work for me! This time’s race—I won’t lose! Especially not to them!” Young Master Hai muttered to himself.

Soon, there would be a race. Young Master Hai had plenty of good drivers, but He Tian’s presence lingered in his mind.

He had watched He Tian’s racing footage countless times in recent days, growing ever more impressed and determined to have He Tian on his team for this race.

He was also very interested in He Tian’s connection to the Wang family and wondered if he could use He Tian to get closer to Wang Xinmeng.

“Wang Xinmeng…” Just thinking of her brought a subtle smile to Young Master Hai’s lips.

He was never short of women, and no woman he fancied had ever been out of reach—except Wang Xinmeng, who had rebuffed him time and again, something that still rankled him.

“Let’s go! To Tianhai University!” Once dressed, Young Master Hai headed straight there.

――――

He Tian was now an absolute celebrity.

At Tianhai University, not knowing He Tian’s name was a sure sign you were completely out of the loop.

Especially after yesterday’s wild display, which countless people were now talking about.

With today’s technology, yesterday’s video had already appeared online from every conceivable angle, racking up thousands of views in no time.

Some even reposted it to forums and gleefully announced that China had its own “basketball god.”

He Tian truly felt helpless about all this.

Wang Xinrou had already filled him in on everything happening online.

But though he was exasperated, He Tian wasn’t worried anyone would discover anything from the footage—at the very least, no one could tell if he possessed inner strength.

And since he had no intention of pursuing a career in basketball, he could only let things take their course.

Still, peace was impossible now.

In fact, even while He Tian was sitting in class, someone came looking for him.

“And you are?” He Tian saw a scholarly man in his forties, wearing glasses.

“Hello, let me introduce myself. I’m Meng Ziqiang, coach of the Tianhai University basketball team.” Meng Ziqiang hadn’t been on campus yesterday, but he’d heard all about what had happened and watched the video that night.

He was immediately fascinated by He Tian.

He’d scolded Wu Sen and the others for not recruiting such a talent, only to learn from them that He Tian wasn’t interested.

Still, Meng Ziqiang couldn’t bear to see such a gifted player turn away from basketball, so he came in person to invite him.

For the coach to come himself was paying He Tian the ultimate respect.

“Coach Meng, hello.” He Tian smiled wryly—clearly he’d overdone it yesterday.

“He Tian, I think you know why I’m here. I’ll get right to the point: join the basketball team! I’ll get you the best treatment, and we’ll take care of your academics,” Meng Ziqiang said sincerely.

“Coach Meng, I’m really sorry. This isn’t the path I want. I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you,” He Tian replied firmly.

“Think it over! This is a rare opportunity. If you shine in the college league, moving up to the CBA or even the NBA is entirely possible! I watched your video—you have phenomenal talent and physical gifts. With some polish on the fundamentals, your future is limitless!” Meng Ziqiang pressed on.

“I’m sorry, Coach Meng…” He Tian still refused.

Meng Ziqiang truly valued He Tian, and even after repeated refusals, he kept inviting him, promising as he left that the basketball team doors would always be open to him.

“Who was looking for you?” Wang Xinrou asked when He Tian returned to class.

“Meng Ziqiang, the basketball coach,” He Tian replied.

“You turned him down, didn’t you?” Wang Xinrou said confidently.

“Of course,” said He Tian.

“I knew it!” Wang Xinrou grinned.

After school, He Tian and Wang Xinrou headed to Ouyang Bingbing’s rented apartment.

Lin Ying had already started merging and renovating the three stores, so everyone was gathering at the apartment for dinner now.

And this was the third day since Ouyang Bingbing had entered the stock market—He Tian and Wang Xinrou both wanted to see if she’d achieved her set goal.

But just as He Tian was about to drive Wang Xinrou away, a man in a suit strode up to him.

“Mr. He, our Young Master would like to see you,” the man said solemnly.

“Your Young Master? Who?” He Tian asked.

“Young Master Hai.”

“Young Master Hai?” He Tian felt a sudden jolt in his heart.