Ultimate Invincible Confrontation

Facing Xia Yusheng's questioning, Lin Mo shrugged. "Because I just don’t feel like it. I don’t want to compete, but I could wipe the floor with everyone if I wanted to. Coach Wang, am I wrong?"

Wang Yiping had already noticed a few things.

This boy named Xia Yusheng, from another school, clearly knew Jiang Yunlu.

But what he saw even more clearly was the relationship between Jiang Yunlu and Lin Mo.

If Jiang Yunlu’s father weren’t present, Wang Yiping would’ve wholeheartedly sided with Lin Mo.

Still, Lin Mo wasn’t wrong.

He hadn’t coached Jiang Yunlu much himself. Instead, during their eighth-grade PE classes, Lin Mo had been the one giving her training. Calling himself her personal coach? Not entirely off the mark.

And as for Lin Mo’s skills—yes, he could absolutely dominate everyone.

Wang Yiping was certain even Qi Tao wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

But if Lin Mo simply refused to compete, what could he do?

Indulge him, of course.

Maybe one day he’d change his mind and represent their school’s badminton team.

So Wang Yiping stepped forward. "I fully recognize Lin Mo’s badminton skills. He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen. If he were willing to compete, he’d undoubtedly be our team’s ace."

Good. Coach Wang knew how to play along.

Lin Mo crossed his arms. "Since our match is over by noon, the whole team’s going for lunch. Any objections?"

He directed this question at Jiang Chengshan.

That unyielding, unbothered demeanor set off alarm bells in Jiang Chengshan’s mind.

This kid was too impressive. His daughter might just fall for him.

Jiang Chengshan glanced at Jiang Yunlu—

And immediately noticed her gaze was practically glued to Lin Mo.

Oh no. His precious cabbage might’ve already been dug up.

Damn it!

As for Jiang Yunlu, she was still puzzling over one thing: Why had Xia Yusheng tattled to her father?

Her eyes shifted from Lin Mo to Xia Yusheng, sharp with accusation.

"Brother Yusheng."

Xia Yusheng perked up instantly. "Yes?"

"Do you remember the last time you took me shopping?"

"Of course! You loved that two-yuan store." Xia Yusheng eagerly recalled the memory.

"After that, my family moved away, right? Before we left, you told me your family’s housekeeper had informed my dad about us hanging out—even though you’d already warned her not to.

So you said you hated betrayal the most."

Jiang Yunlu slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

"Then why are you doing the same thing today?"

A direct strike to the heart.

Lin Mo hadn’t known about this part of Jiang Yunlu’s past.

Wait—no, he had. She’d mentioned it during lunch. The neighbor’s son had promised to marry her, so her dad had moved them away.

This level of overprotectiveness was ridiculous.

Lin Mo looked up at Jiang Chengshan, who was also studying him.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Lin Mo quickly located Jiang Chengshan’s business card.

Tianyun Century Group.

Lin Mo had heard of it—an unlisted Fortune 500 company, similar to Lao Gan Ma.

But its subsidiaries were publicly traded, a strategy that ensured profitability without exposing the parent company to major volatility.

Estimated assets: 60 billion. If listed, its valuation could skyrocket to 150 billion.

Strictly speaking, this group was even more formidable than Dajiang Corporation.

But it had vulnerabilities.

Like being an easy target for corporate raiders.

Lin Mo turned his attention back to Xia Yusheng.

The boy was still scrambling to defend himself, panic creeping into his voice. "Yunlu, I—I didn’t betray you."

Jiang Yunlu studied him, this grown-up version of her childhood neighbor.

"You’re right. You didn’t betray me. You just became the kind of person you used to despise."

She turned to Jiang Chengshan.

"Dad, don’t come back this afternoon. I’ll go home by myself." Her voice was soft, but the words landed like a stone in still water, rippling through Jiang Chengshan’s heart.

Jiang Chengshan’s world collapsed.

"Sweetheart! Let me explain—" His voice cracked, laced with a tremor of desperation he didn’t even realize was there.

This wasn’t just overprotectiveness anymore. This was full-blown doting.

But Jiang Yunlu only shook her head lightly. Her eyes held no blame, no anger—just quiet, unshakable resolve.

Jiang Chengshan suddenly understood.

His daughter had grown up. He’d always preached independence but never truly allowed it.

Now, she was seizing it for herself.

Jiang Yunlu ignored him and addressed the badminton team, her tone bright and normal again. "Everyone, go rest up. We’ve got another match this afternoon."

Coach Wang Yiping stepped forward, addressing Jiang Chengshan. "Sir, don’t worry. After the match, we’ll ensure all students return safely to school."

Jiang Chengshan forced down his distress and nodded. "Then I’ll leave it to you, Coach Wang."

Wang Yiping had been worried Jiang Chengshan might pull Jiang Yunlu from the competition.

Fortunately, she seemed to hold the reins here.

He waved to the team. "Alright, everyone, back to the bus. Rest up—no slacking this afternoon."

With that, he led the way, the others following.

Jiang Yunlu walked ahead without looking back.

Had she turned around, she’d have seen Lin Mo still standing in place, unmoving.

Jiang Chengshan frowned at him. "You got something else to say, kid?"

"Not to you."

Lin Mo bypassed Jiang Chengshan entirely and strode straight to Xia Yusheng.

Though emotionally gutted by Jiang Yunlu, Xia Yusheng wasn’t about to back down from Lin Mo.

"You’re Lin Mo, right? I’ll remember—"

Before he could finish, Lin Mo grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him off the ground with one hand.

"So you’re Xia Yusheng, huh? Forget ‘Yusheng.’ How about ‘Trash’ instead?"

He slammed Xia Yusheng onto the pavement, planting a foot on his chest.

"You think if you can’t have her, no one else should? Lucky for you, you didn’t say you’d ruin her. Otherwise, you’d be a corpse right now."

With a kick, Lin Mo sent Xia Yusheng skidding across the ground.

Then he turned to Jiang Chengshan, whose expression flickered between shock and calculation.

"Moving away was a smart call. Having a neighbor like that would’ve been trouble. See you around, Mr. Jiang."

Lin Mo walked off toward the school bus.

Jiang Chengshan glanced at the crumpled Xia Yusheng, then at Lin Mo’s retreating figure, before finally getting into his car.

"Let’s go."

"Yes, sir."

"That kid’s got a mouth on him. But remember—there’s always someone better, and skies beyond skies."

Jiang Chengshan pulled out his phone and sent a text.