Love is as simple as badminton.

Chapter 43 is not like the corner of the wood.

The night before the Freshman Cup.

"That's enough for today's practice."

At the "training base" of Haomao's Home, Wang Tianmao put down his racket and walked off the court with his hands behind his back.

"Before the game, the focus should be on maintaining your form and not pushing yourself too hard. Your form is like a spring, with periods of compression and release. The best approach is to save your peak performance for the game."

Shi Yuqi was away tonight, so he personally took charge of feeding the disciples the ball.

When Lin Xiang walked off the court, Wang Tianmao noticed his gaze—an unprecedented focus that reminded him of himself on the eve of winning gold at the World Championships years ago.

Wang Tianmao thought his gaze was very cool, so he spent the whole night looking in the mirror in the bathroom and almost got a spanking from the coach for staying up late.

It's a pity there were no cell phones back then, otherwise he would have definitely taken a picture.

"Looks like you value it quite a bit."

"Um."

"It's just a small freshman cup, is it really that big of a deal? Besides, you've played in competitions before, you should have plenty of experience, right?"

"no the same."

"What's different?"

"In short, it's just different."

Lin Xiang slung his golf bag over his shoulder and said goodbye to his coach.

From this angle, you can also see that he picked up the hot milk that was placed on the table by the door when he left.

I wonder if I ordered it myself, or if someone specially delivered it to me?

That's so hard to guess.

Wang Tianmao, holding a thermos and fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, burst into hearty laughter, seemingly lost in thought.

·

At the entrance of Xiangda University, there is a food street.

"For Xiao Luo."

"Thank you, brother."

Wang Yang handed a skewer of grilled gluten to Wang Luo—a small meal before the competition was a family tradition.

"It's a pity that Zhe-ge is at Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, otherwise the three of us brothers would be together, haha."

Wang Yang patted his younger brother on the shoulder, "What are your goals for this year's Freshman Cup?"

Before Wang Luo could even speak, the other reserve team members who had come to satisfy their cravings began to shower him with compliments.

"Is there even a question? The Goddess of the Luo River must win the gold medal!"

"Exactly! Senior Deng has personally confirmed it, so there's no doubt about it!"

"Luoshen, looking forward to you playing singles in the high school entrance exam next year!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yang nodded with satisfaction.

As the most talented of the three brothers, Wang Luo certainly did not disappoint him.

"I'm definitely going to be eliminated in the first round, haha, I'm going up against the legendary Lin Xiang in the very first round!"

Wang Yang threw away the wooden stick in his hand, his tone both emotional and excited.

Since that disastrous 3-point defeat, he has learned his lesson and picked up training again.

Not only did he regularly train his strength and physical fitness, but he also found a badminton institution outside of school and went to learn badminton when he didn't have classes. In addition, he also quit smoking and drinking.

Although he had no hope of beating Lin Xiang, he had a fulfilling and happy time during this period.

Wang Yang felt that even if they couldn't win this time, they could at least lose gracefully. Putting everything else aside, getting five points shouldn't be a problem, right?

"But if it's you, little brother, I think it's fine!"

Wang Yang nodded repeatedly—although Lin Xiang was very strong, he still favored his younger brother. "Look, even the school team captain has certified him," he said.

"..."

Wang Luo's lips twitched slightly, revealing a helpless smile.

If you don't know how to respond, just smile.

Just then, his phone vibrated; he had received a message from "Yutenji Wakama".

[Xiao Wang, Lin Xiang seems to be very serious. You should be prepared.]

“…………”

Wang Luo silently gazed at the sky, and even the last trace of his smile vanished.

Family, do you think I will win?

·

Building 18, Room 520, Yuehua Garden.

"Oh dear, who's back?"

Jian Yueying pinched Shi Yuqi's waist with a mischievous grin, making the latter giggle.

"Ever since Lin Xiang came along, Qiqi has become increasingly neglectful of her family. Oh well~ what can you do? If it's going to rain, it'll rain; if a mother wants to remarry, she'll remarry. Let her be."

"Who, who's getting married?"

Shi Yuqi quickly slapped her hand away, and said emphatically, "The official competition is tomorrow, and I went to check everything one last time. Otherwise, what if something goes wrong? Also, the invited guests have arrived, and as the people in charge, Ye Ge and I definitely have to go and entertain them."

"But it was only nine o'clock when you finished all that. The hotel is right next to Yuehua Garden; you can just cross the street and come back. What were you doing between nine and nine-thirty?"

"..."

Shi Yuqi chuckled, trying to get away with being cute.

"Since my junior is still training, I figured I might as well help him out since I was already here..."

"Oh right, right, it was just a small thing~"

Jian Yueying smiled mischievously and agreed.

"Our Qiqi is such a busy person, how could she possibly ride two miles to the main building just because it's 'on the way' for Brother Lin Xiang?"

It's truly heartbreaking to see Lin Xiang, such an outstanding young man, still all alone. Deep down, doesn't he also yearn for care and attention?

I've recently added a few female classmates on WeChat; they're all very gentle, considerate, and pretty. Since Qiqi is too busy, I'll help ease the burden and refer them to Brother Lin Xiang~

"You dare!"

Shi Yuqi shuddered as if her tail had been stepped on, and reached out to snatch her phone, which made Jian Yueying burst into laughter.

"Oh, I was just kidding!"

She quickly showed Shi Yuqi her phone screen; it turned out she was just playing a match-3 game.

"Who could be more gentle, considerate, and beautiful than you?"

"Yueyue, you're so annoying!"

"Wrong, wrong. Hehe, even our Kiki can be possessive of her food sometimes~"

"snort……"

"So, Kiki, you already have the answer in your heart, don't you?"

Jian Yueying put her hand on Shi Yuqi's shoulder.

"You encouraged me to be brave back then, so why are you hesitant and afraid when it comes to yourself?"

"I……"

Shi Yuqi remained silent for a long time.

"I don't think I can do it."

"Can't it? What's wrong with it!"

Jian Yueying's eyes widened. "If you can't do it, then there aren't many girls in the world who can! Have some confidence in yourself, Qiqi!"

"It's not a matter of confidence or lack thereof."

Shi Yuqi shook her head. "But, if two people are to become partners, they have to maintain a very close relationship at all times, right?"

"what?"

"It's like when you talk to your boyfriend on the phone every day, and the calls go on for a long time. But I feel like we can't achieve that kind of connection. We both have our own things to do."

Shi Yuqi looked up at the sky, "Besides, don't people online say that if you haven't held hands after knowing each other for a month, there's no future, and you can only be good friends from now on..."

"??? What kind of bullshit is that?!"

Jian Yueying opened her mouth wide.

"Love isn't a mathematical formula. You're facing a living, breathing person, unlike a corner of wood where you can press a certain option and get a certain result."

Every relationship is unique, so why stare at a timetable like you're rushing to catch a train? You've been staring at it for ages and still haven't even seen if the scenery outside the window is round or flat. Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?

Some relationships are intimately close, while others are based on unspoken understanding. But there's no good or bad in either; they're both wonderful.

Isn't badminton the same? Which of the truly great players uses a formula to play?

Shi Yuqi looked up, somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect you could say something so reasonable."

"That awful Kiki! I was trying to comfort you and you insulted me! Take this!"

"Haha, stop fooling around. I have to get up early tomorrow, I'm going to sleep now!"

Shi Yuqi didn't argue with her and climbed into bed as quickly as possible. However, she kept thinking about those words and couldn't calm down for a long time.

Until the phone rang once—

Shoko Toyokawa: "I can already see the Psychology of Love course listed on my screen. Thank you for helping me book it."

Chang Qisu Shi: "You're welcome~"

Shi Yuqi immediately wrapped herself in the blanket and got up.

Chang Qi Su Shi: "Good luck with the Freshman Cup tomorrow! I'll bring you some treats!"

Shoko Toyokawa: "Hmm. Senior, would you like cherries or strawberries?"

Chang Chi Su-shi: "Strawberry, please!"

Toyokawa Shoko: "Okay, I'll rest now. Goodnight, senpai."

Chang Qisu Shi: "Goodnight~"

The girl lay back down, her thoughts no longer chaotic, and peacefully drifted off to sleep.

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