Chapter 59: The Bet (3)

Yu Fan glanced at Qiao Xi, whose gaze was fixed on the person about to take the stage.

Pulling his eyes away, Yu Fan said in a low voice, “I don’t like making bets.”

“Oh, don’t be so rigid! How about this—let’s add a second-chance round. If I win, I’ll set you another tough challenge. If you can’t complete it, then that means I’ve truly won. But if you manage to do it, then I lose and I’ll study obediently from now on. How about it?” Ji Niansheng tried hard to persuade Yu Fan to bet with him—life without a phone, computer, or pocket money was just too hard to bear. “Qiao Xi’s not someone to be underestimated. I’m not sure I’ll win, so I’m already giving you a second chance. That’s more than fair, don’t you think?”

The fourth match ended quickly, and as expected, the boys’ team won. Now the score was tied at two-all—this next round would truly decide the winner.

There was no time to let Yu Fan mull it over. Ji Niansheng slapped him on the shoulder. “It’s settled then.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hurried off to the field.

He sat down facing Qiao Xi. At the P.E. teacher’s signal to get ready, they gripped each other’s hands. When the teacher called “start,” both exerted their strength at once. The stalemate lasted a long time, neither showing any sign of emotion—it was clear they were evenly matched.

Both held back a little, waiting for the right moment.

But neither relaxed their guard. The deadlock dragged on, and Ji Niansheng realized there was no point in delay. Mustering all his strength, he pressed down with full force. Qiao Xi, sensing the shift, did the same. Still, neither could pin the other, though Ji Niansheng gradually gained the upper hand. Qiao Xi continued to resist; victory was still uncertain.

“Go, Qiao Xi! Go, Qiao Xi!”

“Come on, Ji Niansheng! You can do it!”

The cheers from both sides reached a fever pitch.

No, I have to win! Ji Niansheng gritted his teeth, gathered every ounce of strength, and in an instant, slammed Qiao Xi’s hand down.

A collective sigh escaped the girls, their cheers deflating at once, while the boys leapt to their feet, wild with excitement.

“Niansheng, you were amazing!”

“At last, we boys didn’t lose face!”

“Qiao Xi,” Ji Niansheng turned to him with a thumbs-up, “well done.”

Everyone admired Qiao Xi’s resilience; after all, everyone knew Ji Niansheng’s favorite sport was baseball, and he was good enough for the national team—he just chose to play for fun.

“I now announce the results: the boys’ team wins,” the P.E. teacher declared. “According to the rules, the girls will run three laps around the track.”

“A loss is a loss; there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Let’s go,” Gu Panxi called out, leading the way. The others followed, and the boys, in high spirits, even ran alongside them.

“So?” Ji Niansheng walked over to Yu Fan, brimming with pride. “A bet’s a bet—you have to accept defeat.”

“Did I ever actually agree to the bet?” Yu Fan replied, his voice low.

“I don’t care. You didn’t say no in the end, so that means you agreed.” Sometimes, he could be quite shameless.

Yu Fan could have denied it completely, but he didn’t want Ji Niansheng holding this over him forever.

“Fine, set your challenge,” he said, certain that no question could stump him.

“Let me think,” Ji Niansheng replied. Knowing Yu Fan’s abilities, the challenge had to be unique to trip him up.

Make him run a lap around the track stark naked…

No, suggesting something like that would definitely get him eliminated on the spot.