Words That Don't Fit

Not anymore?

Doesn't that prove it used to happen often?

Lin Yu glanced at Tao Yaoyao again. At some point, she had returned to that quiet, elegant look, as if the dejected person from just a moment ago wasn't her at all.

He looked her up and down.

She was exquisitely dressed and behaved gracefully, exuding an elegant aura cultivated by wealth and a good education.

Looking at her, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel curious.

Could someone like her actually get bullied?

Does the "Innate Bully-Magnet Physique" disregard family background?

Probably not, right?

Lin Yu rubbed his chin.

For people from good families, even if they get involved in school bullying incidents, they rarely end up as the victim.

Or is there some other reason involved?

Remembering the strangely placed bruise on Tao Yaoyao, Lin Yu suddenly felt that she wasn't as glamorous as she appeared on the surface.

Picking up the unfinished chicken wing stuffed with rice on a skewer, Lin Yu took a bite and chewed slowly.

He remained silent for a long time. Even after finishing all the food on the table, Lin Yu never uttered the sentence he had repeated countless times in his heart:

If you run into any trouble, you can come to me.

...

A few days flew by.

The Round of 16 and the Quarterfinals were both completed.

Lin Yu's victories couldn't exactly be called a walk in the park, but they were certainly effortless.

As for that Qi Fei from L University, Lin Yu watched one of his matches; he won just as easily.

Judging by his movements and performance, he was definitely an expert with professional training.

Lin Yu had assumed they would likely meet in the finals, but unexpectedly, he drew him in the semifinals.

Watching Qi Fei in the distance waving his white lot stick with a smile, Lin Yu nodded back as a greeting.

That night in the hotel, Lin Yu lay on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling, his soul rummaging through memories of his past life, integrating various Sanda combat experiences.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A soft knocking sound fished Lin Yu's soul out from the ocean of memories. Looking toward the door, Lin Yu got out of bed and walked over.

He didn't open it immediately; instead, he looked through the peephole. It was Tao Yaoyao, but her expression looked a bit odd, like a hostage who had been shoved in front of the door.

"Who is it?"

Lin Yu asked.

"Us."

Tao Yaoyao's voice sounded from outside.

"Tell those 'us' to get lost."

After a few spoiled, quiet huffs, the sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

"Okay, they're gone."

Tao Yaoyao's voice came again, sounding like she was stifling a laugh.

Lin Yu opened the door but didn't invite her in. He asked:

"What's up?"

Tao Yaoyao held up the iPad in her hand.

"I have some recordings of Qi Fei's matches here. I brought them for you to watch."

Lin Yu nodded. Seeing it was about serious business, he let her in.

Tao Yaoyao sat on the edge of the bed. She seemed to have just showered; her skin was dewy, her cheeks flushed, and a few unruly strands of hair at her temples were still damp, making her look casual yet beautiful.

Sliding her fingers across the iPad screen, she waved Lin Yu over to watch the videos.

Lin Yu sat down about two feet away from her, leaning his upper body slightly and craning his neck to see.

Tao Yaoyao noticed the distance Lin Yu deliberately maintained. After knowing each other for so long, he was still like this. She felt a bit disappointed, but her face remained calm.

She placed the iPad in the empty space between them, tilting her head to watch the footage with him.

"How is it?"

After watching three full matches, Tao Yaoyao looked up at Lin Yu and asked:

"Are you confident?"

Lin Yu smacked his lips. He didn't nod or shake his head, but instead praised the opponent:

"He's quite professional."

Yeah.

He was indeed very professional. His speed, footwork, timing, and distance control were all top-tier.

Moreover, the footage showed he was extremely good at counter-attacking. He could easily neutralize fierce offenses, making his opponents look exceptionally clumsy.

This was then followed by a swift counter to knock them down.

He was a force to be reckoned with.

As for whether he could beat him...

Modestly speaking, Lin Yu felt it wouldn't be much of a problem.

However, to avoid jinxing it, his words were full of humility.

"I don't know. We'll see tomorrow in the ring."

"I'll know once we exchange blows."

Tao Yaoyao nodded. She was quite confident in Lin Yu's strength and didn't show much worry.

"What did they come here for?"

Lin Yu remembered the strange group hiding outside and couldn't help asking Tao Yaoyao.

"They wanted to dance for you. They said it would help you relax. Do you want to see?"

"No, no, definitely not."

Lin Yu waved his hands in refusal, having absolutely no interest.

He wanted to stay as far away as possible from those characters associated with erotica plotlines.

Speaking of which, is Tao Yaoyao really not a character from an erotic story?

He felt a sense of familiarity with her, but was that based on his past life memories of adult comics, or her resemblance to Tang Manman...?

?

Who turned on my aimbot?

A patch of snow-white skin suddenly appeared in his field of view. Driven by instinct almost bypassing his brain, Lin Yu's gaze was forcibly dragged over.

Whoa!

See, Tao Yaoyao and Tang Manman aren't the same type of person at all, right?

The difference is visible to the naked eye!

No!

What the hell are you looking at?

Gouge your eyes out!

Lin Yu hurriedly shifted his gaze, trying to pull his attention out of that alluring valley...

Wait!

Lin Yu plunged his gaze back in.

???

What is that?

Tao Yaoyao had noticed Lin Yu's gaze early on. She secretly rejoiced, suppressing her shyness and nervousness, and even squeezed her arms together to cooperate.

But when she saw Lin Yu's expression turn grave and shocked, Tao Yaoyao was startled awake. She hurriedly covered her chest with her hands, her face draining of color.

"I..."

Lin Yu wanted to explain, but Tao Yaoyao gave him no chance. Clutching her chest, she bolted out the door.

*Thud!* A loud noise echoed as the door was slammed shut.

Lin Yu was left alone in the room, his mind constantly replaying the image of the greenish-purple bruise he had just seen.