It's not a big deal if I'm disliked..

Last year, Lin Yu wouldn't have had much interest in the Martial Arts Club.

But now, he was genuinely tempted!

For one thing, after being overfed by Xia Muzhu all winter and lacking exercise, he had developed a bit of a belly!

The other reason was the bar brawl just before the semester started.

Facing that group's attack, Lin Yu could keenly sense that his body's agility and strength were far from what they used to be.

There was a noticeable difference compared to his physical condition right after he first crossed over.

Lin Yu had also been thinking about getting some exercise.

It's just that last year, that little jerk stomping on his foot had delayed his workout plans until now.

He had no objection to joining the Martial Arts Club itself.

However, one thing made him hesitate. From what Tao Yaoyao implied, it seemed she wanted him to join the club and then represent the university in competitions...

Lin Yu wasn't keen on putting himself out there in public, nor did he have any interest in stepping into a ring to prove himself against others.

What was there to fight about?

Wouldn't it be better if everyone just sat down together, talked things out honestly and reasonably?

I hate fighting more than anything!

"Joining the Martial Arts Club is fine, but as for competing..."

"Please~"

Tao Yaoyao suddenly spoke up, cutting off Lin Yu's intended refusal.

She clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her glossy pink lips slightly pouted. Her peach-blossom eyes narrowed with a pitiful, pleading look as she said in a coquettish tone,

"Just say yes, okay?"

"Our university hasn't won that city championship for three years now. For the last three years, we've lost every competition to the rival L University's Martial Arts Club."

"This year, the university is competing with L University for a project, and the higher-ups are placing great importance on this match."

"The school administration handed this task to the student union, and they, in turn, assigned it to me."

"Besides you, I can't find anyone else to help me."

Hearing this, Lin Yu felt conflicted.

Although her unusually cute, pleading, and coquettish act—so different from her usual composed and elegant demeanor—was hard to resist, Lin Yu genuinely didn't want to participate in some silly competition.

Just as he was wrestling with his thoughts, Tao Yaoyao rubbed her clasped hands together and added more fuel to the fire.

"Pretty please?"

"Could you do this as a favor for me?"

With that, Lin Yu had no more grounds for refusal.

After receiving so much help from her before, it would be rather ungrateful to keep pushing back.

"Alright then."

Lin Yu reluctantly nodded in agreement. However, to prevent any misunderstandings later, he decided to give Tao Yaoyao a heads-up first:

"Let's be clear upfront."

"I'll take this match seriously, but I can't guarantee what the outcome will be."

Tao Yaoyao nodded. She was already quite satisfied with Lin Yu's attitude.

With his skills, barring any accidents, the championship was surely S University's this time!

"Good."

"Shall I take you to the Martial Arts Department to sign up now?"

Tao Yaoyao led Lin Yu out of the teaching building.

Once downstairs, Lin Yu knew the Martial Arts Department wasn't on this campus. He was curious about how she planned to get them there when he saw her stop in front of a small pink electric scooter.

She walked to the front of the scooter, took two half-shell helmets from the basket, and first placed a pink one on her own head. With one hand fastening the strap, she handed the other pink helmet to Lin Yu, saying,

"Put this on."

Lin Yu took the helmet in a daze.

He looked down at the pink electric scooter helmet, then up at Tao Yaoyao and the pink scooter.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he asked tentatively,

"Are you planning to take me to the Martial Arts Department on this scooter?"

Tao Yaoyao paused in fastening her helmet. She turned to look at Lin Yu, blinked her eyes, and said,

"If you want to drive, that's fine too."

"Uh..."

Lin Yu was momentarily at a loss for words.

Was that really the issue here?

"Aren't there any shared bikes around?"

Lin Yu looked around but didn't see any available shared bikes.

Sometimes it was like that—if you came out late, you basically lost your chance at using a shared bike.

Finding none, Lin Yu turned his gaze back to Tao Yaoyao, intending to ask if she had seen any on her way over.

Before he could voice the question, he suddenly noticed Tao Yaoyao's expression seemed off.

The smile on her lips was a bit stiff, forced, as if she were feeling very awkward.

Tao Yaoyao reached out, handing the scooter key to Lin Yu, and said,

"You ride the scooter there."

"I'll share the Martial Arts Club's address with you in a moment."

"After signing up, you can just leave the scooter at the club."

"Or, park it wherever is convenient for you and let me know later. I'll go pick it up."

Lin Yu subconsciously took the key, but his mind was full of questions.

Was he supposed to ride the scooter alone to go sign up?

Then how would Tao Yaoyao get there?

Before Lin Yu could ask, Tao Yaoyao raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear and suddenly apologized softly,

"I'm sorry."

"I didn't realize you disliked me so much that you wouldn't even want to share a scooter with me..."

???

Three question marks popped up in Lin Yu's mind.

Dislike you? What are you talking about?

I just thought it seemed a bit too intimate, okay?

"I... I don't dislike you."

Lin Yu tried to explain.

But Tao Yaoyao seemed convinced otherwise, her voice soft as she hurriedly interjected,

"It's okay, I know I'm being annoying this time. Even if you do dislike me, it's..."

"Alright, alright, enough."

Lin Yu quickly raised his hand to stop Tao Yaoyao from continuing.

"Get on. You drive, and we'll go together."

"Huh?"

Tao Yaoyao's pink lips parted slightly in surprise, as if she hadn't processed Lin Yu's sudden change of attitude.

Lin Yu directly sat on the scooter's back seat, put on his helmet, and held out the key in his open palm to her, saying,

"Let's go."

"Oh, okay."

Tao Yaoyao nodded, seemingly still a bit dazed. She took the key from Lin Yu's hand and sat in the driver's position.

As she inserted the key into the ignition and turned it, the corner of her lips seemed to curl upwards just a little.