"You finally answered the phone! I was so worried!" As soon as the call connected, Chen Yang heard Han Song's anxious voice. "Chen Yang, where are you? I called more than a dozen times and no one answered!"
"Sorry, boss, I slept too soundly last night, and my phone was on vibrate, so I didn't hear it! I'm in Xiamen right now!" Chen Yang said apologetically. "Why were you in such a hurry to call me? What's wrong?"
"Why did you go to Xiamen?" Han Song's voice was filled with anxiety. "You haven't forgotten, have you? Cao Xiao and Hu Tian from the Physical Education Department made an appointment to play a game this afternoon." "Come on, let's have a competition! We're already way behind them in skill, if you don't come, what's the point of us even competing?"
Chen Yang slapped his forehead:
"Oh dear, look at my brain! I've been so busy lately, I completely forgot! Boss, what time is the competition this afternoon?"
"Three-thirty, can you make it back in time?"
Chen Yang glanced at the Mickey Mouse alarm clock on his bedside table. It was ten in the morning. Driving from Xiamen back to Fuzhou should only take four hours if he was fast, so he quickly replied:
"No problem, I'll be right back!"
Seeing Chen Yang hang up, Ning Qiaoqian asked with concern: "Xiao Yangzi, what happened?"
"Oh, nothing, just some things at school," Chen Yang said. "Sister Qian, I have to go back to Rongcheng soon, I'll go say goodbye to your father!"
"Okay, I'll take you downstairs!" Ning Qiaoqian said readily. "He should be feeding the fish in the back garden right now!"
The two walked side by side to the backyard. Ning Kuncheng was indeed playing with the koi by the pond. Hearing that Chen Yang had to go back to Rongcheng soon, he didn't try to stop him. He just pondered for a moment and then said:
"Since you have something to do, then go back. By the way, what about yesterday..." "That car belongs to Qianqian, right? Well, she'll be staying in Xiamen for a few more days, so we'll leave the car for her. Since it's your first time visiting, let me give you a car as a small gift!"
Chen Yang immediately waved his hands, saying,
"Uncle Ning, this won't do! I can't accept a gift without giving something in return!"
Ning Kuncheng glared at him, feigning anger,
"Why not? I say it's fine! It's just a car! If you really marry Qianqian, won't my vast fortune be left to you two?"
Chen Yang looked at Ning Qiaoqian with pleading eyes.
Ning Qiaoqian knew Chen Yang's temper. She knew very well that even if she were really his girlfriend, he would never accept the car, especially since their relationship hadn't reached that stage yet! So, Ning Qiaoqian glanced at Ning Kuncheng, who was glaring at her, and said impatiently,
"Alright! Alright! Chen Yang already said he doesn't want it anymore! You still..."
"Fine! Fine! Fine! I won't see you off, I won't see you off, okay!" Ning Kuncheng panicked when he saw his daughter was angry and quickly said.
Ning Kuncheng observed Ning Qiaoqian's expression and carefully said,
"Qianqian, how about this? Acheng and Ahu are in Xiamen these days, how about Chen Yang drives their car back to Rongcheng today? When you get back to Rongcheng, Chen Yang can return it to Acheng!"
Acheng and Ahu were the men Ning Kuncheng had specially sent to Rongcheng to secretly protect Ning Qiaoqian; they were the men in black who had attacked Deng Qing and the other thugs at the bar that day. Of course, Ning Qiaoqian knew about their existence and tacitly approved of her father's plan. Hearing her father's words, Ning Qiaoqian immediately looked at Chen Yang with a questioning gaze. Chen Yang thought for a moment. Firstly, he was in a hurry to return to Rongcheng, and taking the bus would definitely take too long. Secondly, this was already a compromise; if he didn't accept it, he would seem heartless, and Ning Kuncheng would lose face.
So Chen Yang nodded subtly.
Seeing this, Ning Qiaoqian immediately nodded slightly and said,
"Alright! Let's do it this way!"
Ning Kuncheng immediately beamed and waved for Acheng to prepare the car. He then said seriously to Chen Yang,
"Chen Yang, Qianqian is my precious darling. I won't interfere in your relationship, but remember one thing: you must treat her well. If one day I find out you've bullied her or done anything to betray her, hmph! I will make sure you never forget it!"
Ning Kuncheng's voice was already somewhat stern as he spoke, naturally exuding an aura of authority. Just after Ning Kuncheng proposed the car-borrowing plan, Ning Qiaoqian sought Chen Yang's opinion. Although it was only a glance, Ning Kuncheng noticed it. From Ning Qiaoqian's behavior over the past two days, Ning Kuncheng could tell that she was deeply in love with Chen Yang.
However, Ning Kuncheng still couldn't quite understand Chen Yang. Although he came from a poor family, he was polite and well-mannered, his every move revealing the good upbringing of a well-to-do family. Moreover, according to Brother Dao's report, Chen Yang also knew military first aid techniques, and was extremely skilled at them. Ning Kuncheng had reviewed Chen Yang's file; he had no military experience and no connections in the military.
Usually in control, Ning Kuncheng had a natural wariness of people he couldn't understand. Plus, his daughter was his heart and soul, so he couldn't help but issue a warning.
Before Chen Yang could answer, Ning Qiaoqian objected. She grabbed Chen Yang's arm and said coldly,
"Why are you so talkative! Mind your own business from now on! Chen Yang, come on! I'll see you out!"
Ning Qiaoqian could be a little temperamental with her father, but Chen Yang couldn't be so rude. He smiled at Ning Kuncheng and said,
"Don't worry, Uncle Ning! I'll remember your advice! I'll take my leave now!"
Ning Kuncheng wanted to say a few more words, but he really couldn't handle Ning Qiaoqian. He waved his hand helplessly and said,
"Go!"
As soon as they were out of Ning Kuncheng's sight, Ning Qiaoqian immediately let go of his arm and walked alongside Chen Yang. They arrived at the front yard, where Acheng had already prepared the car—a black Land Rover Freelander SUV.
Chen Yang got into the car and started the engine when Ning Qiaoqian walked to the car and gently knocked on the window. After Chen Yang rolled down the car window, Ning Qiaoqian leaned into the driver's seat, her hands resting on the door frame. She brought her sexy red lips close to Chen Yang's ear and whispered:
"Little Yang, I'm so touched that you'd risk your life for me!"
She hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued:
"But don't worry! We're just acting. I won't affect you and Su He… After my cousin's matter is settled, I'll explain to… my father. Just stay in Rongcheng peacefully; he definitely won't dare to cause you any trouble!"
With that, Ning Qiaoqian patted Chen Yang's shoulder, straightened up, and forced a smile, saying:
"Let's go! It's getting late!"
"Oh! Sister Qian, I'm off then!" Chen Yang felt that Ning Qiaoqian was acting strangely today, but he was in a hurry to get back to Rongcheng and didn't have time to think about it further. "Okay, be careful on the road!"
Chen Yang stepped on the gas, and the Land Rover sped out of the villa's gate.
Ning Qiaoqian stood there, watching the car disappear into the distance, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
Was it really just acting?
Ning Qiaoqian asked herself this question. She didn't know when it had happened, but Chen Yang's image in her mind had transformed from that shy, introverted boy into the reliable man she knew. This image was so deeply etched in her heart that it had unknowingly taken root in the softest part of her soul. Thinking back to how she had enthusiastically tried to matchmake Chen Yang and Su He, Ning Qiaoqian felt increasingly conflicted. She sighed sadly and turned back into the villa.
Chen Yang drove at breakneck speed, finally exiting the Ronglu Expressway around 2 PM. However, he encountered a minor problem entering the city: a massive traffic jam on the Second Ring Road. By the time he reached Rongda University, it was already 3 PM.
Last night's hangover still gave Chen Yang a slight headache, but he was mostly recovered. Thanks to his consistent exercise, his physical condition was significantly better than before. Acheng was also very thoughtful, knowing Chen Yang would be in a rush and wouldn't have time to eat, so he had left a bag of snacks in the car. Chen Yang stopped at a service area on the highway, wolfed down the entire bag of food, and now felt quite energetic.
Upon entering the city, Chen Yang received a call from his dorm leader, Han Song. They had all gone to the stadium to prepare for the game, so Chen Yang drove straight to Rongda University's C field.
Chen Yang parked his car on the sidelines. As soon as he got out, the sharp-eyed Cao Xiao spotted him:
"Nice car, Third Brother!"
Everyone stopped and gathered around. Han Song, an off-road enthusiast, saw the imposing Land Rover and circled it twice, his eyes lighting up, excitedly saying:
"Wow, Third Brother! You're driving a Land Rover now!"
Chen Yang smiled faintly and said:
"I couldn't afford this car even if I sold myself. I was in a hurry, so I borrowed it from a friend!"
"Wow! Third Brother, your outfit is pretty good too! This is this year's new model! Much better than your 'Adidas' gear!" Cao Xiao exclaimed loudly upon seeing Chen Yang's Adidas. Before Chen Yang's rebirth, his previous life was quite difficult, and his clothes were naturally less refined. Among his possessions was a knock-off Adidas t-shirt he bought for fifteen yuan at a street stall. The brand was "adibas," and its shape and color were very similar to the official Adidas logo, except the second "d" was replaced with a "b." His roommates jokingly called Chen Yang's battle uniform "Adidas." So Cao Xiao's comment was just a joke, not malicious.
"Hey! Why are you so gossipy!" Chen Yang laughed and scolded. "The competition is about to start, shouldn't we get used to the venue?"
"Right, right!" Cao Xiao snapped out of his daze. "Important things come first! Guys, let's go practice a bit more!"
Today's competition was a matter of Cao Xiao's male pride, so he was particularly focused. Chen Yang's reminder immediately prompted Cao Xiao to call everyone back to the field to train.
Chen Yang, wearing a t-shirt and long athletic pants, bounced around a few times. The shoes Hua Bo had prepared for Chen Yang were just a pair of running shoes, but Chen Yang couldn't find any professional soccer cleats on the spot, so he had to make do. Fortunately, these were Adidas' latest breathable running shoes, extremely soft and comfortable, at least better than the "Warrior" canvas sneakers he had in his dorm.
After doing a set of chest-expanding, arm-swinging, and high-knee exercises on the track to warm up his body, Chen Yang was about to run onto the field for some ball training when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a slender figure in a white linen dress walking gracefully towards him from a distance.