at the corner of the second floor, Hao Ren could see the tranquil beauty of the backyard, which made him admire Zhao Hongyu's sense of design.Zhao Yanzi’s room was the first one at the corner on the...Chapter 139: Let's Talk

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The East Sea University and Jinghua University have been long-time rivals on the basketball court. Now, with Jinghua University provoking them, and despite being without several key players, East Sea managed to win by a large margin and secure their home ground, turning the entire gymnasium into a paradise of celebration.

Xie Wanjun also let out a long sigh of relief, as all pressure was suddenly alleviated. He had decided to temporarily suspend Pai Zhixiong and others from playing, and if they lost the game against Jinghua University because of this decision, he wouldn't have avoided additional stress.

Now that Zhao Jiayin has grown quickly and performed excellently, while Hao Ren remains hidden but formidable, not only excelling in rebounding but also hitting three-pointers with great accuracy, there's tremendous potential to cultivate. This proves his initial choice was correct!

"Impressive performance! I will treat everyone to a meal!" Xie Wanjun waved towards the cold bench players as well, "Zhixiong, come along too and apologize to Zhao Jiayin."

Hearing their captain's words, Pai Zhixiong and his three teammates who had watched the entire game from the cold bench realized they have another chance at playing. They hurriedly ran over.

"Ren, you're a great hero today! You officially join the basketball team!" Xie Wanjun patted Hao Ren on the shoulder again.

"No thanks, I'm just here to help this time. If asked to play basketball long-term, I have no interest at all," said Hao Ren as he wiped his sweat with a white towel.

Xie Wanjun still wanted to persuade him but after thinking it over, decided against it, "Alright, everyone has their own aspirations. With your talent, you'll succeed wherever you go."

He had been the team captain for many years, with exceptional leadership and a discerning eye. He sensed that Hao Ren was not someone to stay in this small university basketball team forever.

Of course, he also considered his sister's feelings. The players may look瀟灑 on court but their lives are filled with tedious practice sessions, often sweaty and exhausted; Xie Wanjun didn't want his sister’s boyfriend to be like that. He hoped Hao Ren would have more time to accompany Xie Yujia.

Thinking of this, he said, "I admire you very much. If you truly like Rainja, I'll do my utmost to help!"

This public declaration surprised Zhao Jiayin and the other team members. Zhao Jiayin was stunned because Xie Yujia is Hao Ren's class monitor, also her own; others were shocked because they knew Vice President Lu Qing had a very pretty sister whom he protected from everyone, even basketball teammates.

To have Lu Qing support a boy pursuing his sister shows how much he believes in this boy’s character and capability.

Hao Ren smiled but didn't say more. Xie Wanjun waved again, "Let's go eat!"

Hao Ren walked to the side of the court, picked up his phone and saw multiple missed calls: from Father, Mother, Zhao Hongyu, Xie Yujia, Zhao Yanzi, Lu Qing…

At this moment, Lu Qing came out with Lu Linlin and Lu Qianli through a passage, "The team performed well today!"

The players were surprised to receive such praise directly from the vice president. Previously, even winning the national basketball league championship wouldn't get him to show up.

Simultaneously, Zhao Yanzi's family and Hao Ren’s family, along with Xie Yujia and Xie Ming, emerged through different passages.

The three families gathered in the rest area below the court. When Zhao Yanzi saw her grandmother accompanying Xie Yujia, her expression changed slightly.

Xie Yujia sensed a bit of hostility from Zhao Yanzi's gaze but still thought she was Su Han’s cousin and believed she was feeling sorry for her sister, so she ignored it and turned to Xie Wanjun, "Brother! You played really well this time!"

"It's all due to Ren’s great performance!" Xie Wanjun took the opportunity to praise Hao Ren; seeing Xie Ming, he called him as usual, "Second Uncle."

"Marshal, you've become more and more capable!" Xie Ming said with a smile.

Zhao Jiayin looked at the large group of beautiful women who suddenly appeared. He recognized Zhao Yanzi from her previous disruption at the school and Zhao Hongyu from when she picked up Hao Ren in a Ferrari, but he failed to recognize Yue Yang and Hao Zhonghua who were wearing baseball caps and casual clothes. It was because he didn't usually care about such news and never thought that such world-class scientists would appear here.

Seeing these people seemed to be heading toward Hao Ren, Xie Wanjun also wanted to leave. He said to Xie Ming, "Uncle, I'm going to eat with the basketball team guys. Are you staying at my place tonight"

"Tonight, I'll stay at an old classmate's house. Tomorrow, I'll go to your place. This time, I won't be able to stay for long and might leave the day after tomorrow," Xie Ming said.

"Alright." Xie Wanjun nodded his head and then turned to Lu Qing, "Principal, shall I take them to eat"

Lu Qing waved his hand with a smile, saying, "Go ahead."

Sensing that Hao Ren couldn't escape now, Xie Wanjun did not call him over. He led Zhao Jiayin and others toward the locker room.

After this group of basketball team members left, only three groups related to Hao Ren remained.

Hao Ren stood in the middle as these three groups formed a triangle around him.

Everyone looked at each other, pondering over their connections. No one spoke out of caution. Even Grandma felt that something was amiss and didn't speak rashly.

"Auntie, who is this lady" A few seconds later, Zhao Hongyu asked Grandma about the woman beside her—Xie Yujia.

Grandma replied, "Oh, she's Xiao Yujia. She grew up with Ah Ren." She then introduced Xie Ming: "This is Xie Ming, Ah Zhonghua’s college classmate and also Yujia's father."

Xie Ming smiled slightly at Zhao Hongyu.

"Hello," Zhao Hongyu returned a formal smile.

Then everyone introduced each other and exchanged greetings. It seemed harmonious, of course including Principal Lu Qing’s introduction as the school principal.

Grandma hoped for Xiao Zifu to become her granddaughter-in-law, but she wouldn't introduce them like that in front of others. Thus, Zhao Yanzi's family became friends with Hao Zhonghua's family in Donghai City when introducing Xie Ming.

Xie Yujia found it strange why this vice principal would stay here with two daughters; could there be a connection between him and Hao Ren

Grandma asked Zhao Hongyu's family, "Today, Xie Ming just returned from America. Zhonghua has to accompany his old classmate for dinner. Since we all know each other now, would you like to join us"

Zhao Hongyu said with a chuckle, "No need. You two families have finally met up, so enjoy your time together."

While speaking, she glanced at Xie Yujia and inwardly sighed—this girl was indeed very pretty. Even though she didn't practice cultivation techniques, her aura wasn’t weak.

Zhao Hongyu was also a world-renowned designer with high aesthetic standards; in her eyes, even if someone put on their best makeup and attire to impress Lin Li, it would only be average at most.

After speaking, she turned to Lu Qing, "Principal Lu, I have something to discuss with you. Could you come over here"

Lu Qing replied anxiously, “Of course, please.”

A few minutes later, Lu Qing and Zhao Hongyu walked back from a distance. Yue Yang suddenly said, "Principal Lu, I also have something to talk to you for a moment. Could you spare a few minutes"

Lu Qing looked at Yue Yang and naturally didn’t dare offend him; he nodded immediately, saying, "Of course, of course."

Soon after, Lu Qing followed Yue Yang from the distance while wiping his sweat with a handkerchief.

Hao Ren and Xie Yujia looked at each other, both feeling somewhat probing. Hao Ren guessed that she might have already figured out he was Little Brother but wasn’t sure what she thought about it. Likewise, Xie Yujia didn’t know how Hao Ren felt either; the two of them were a bit bewildered and uneasy.

Ziyan Zhao’s large eyes rolled around as she analyzed the situation. She sensed that something was off with Hao Ren and Xie Yujia but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.

She felt sour inside, yet didn’t want to admit that it was jealousy. She still believed she disliked this "uncle," but seeing him interact with other girls made her feel uneasy.

"I need to give Ziyan a make-up class today and eat dinner too, so I won’t be joining you guys." Hao Ren suddenly said.

When Hao Ren spoke like this, both Hao Zhonghua and his grandmother were rather surprised.

"Ren, you haven’t seen Little Radish for such a long time. Don’t you want to chat with her" Grandma asked.

"I have plenty of opportunities to chat with my classmate Little Radish," Hao Ren said.

Upon hearing this, Grandma and Xie Ming were extremely surprised; however, the expression on Xie Yujia’s face confirmed that it was true.

"Since that’s the case, Ren will go with us. Principal Lu, you and your two ‘granddaughters’ can join us for dinner too," Zhao Guang finally spoke up.

Zhao Guang said this; Hao Zhonghua didn’t compete anymore, nodding instead, "Alright then. Ren, Uncle Zhao’s family came all the way to see your game tonight, so you should spend time with them. As for Uncle Xie’s side, we can have dinner tomorrow."

Just when both groups were about to separate, Ziyan Zhao, who had been silent while standing next to Zhao Hongyu, suddenly spoke up loudly, "Big Sister, I also want to talk to you a bit."

Xie Yujia was somewhat surprised to see Ziyan Zhao speaking to her but still nodded.

Everyone watched them walk a few steps away and saw the two of them face each other—tall and short—with cold expressions on their faces.

A while later, both of them walked back. Ziyan Zhao said to Zhao Guang, "Dad, let’s go eat."

Seeing Xie Ming looking at her with a puzzled expression, Xie Yujia smiled faintly and then told Hao Zhonghua, "Uncle, shall we also have dinner"

"Alright," Hao Zhonghua nodded, waving goodbye to Zhao Guang’s group.

Both groups left through different exits. As Hao Ren walked beside Ziyan Zhao, he wanted to ask what she had said to Xie Yujia but held back.

Lu Qing and Zhao Guang stopped on the other side of the gymnasium; they started their cars and drove out one after another. Lu Qing took Lu L琳琳 and Lu 莉莉, while Hao Ren and Ziyan Zhao were in Zhao Guang’s car.

The way to the hotel, Ziyan Zhao kept her mouth shut and looked out at the dazzling city lights; nobody could tell how she felt inside.

Zhao Hongyu smiled comfortingly at Hao Ren but then frowned as if worried too.

The dining place was in a hotel downtown, and they just fit around one table for seven people. This time, Lu Linlin sat together with the others rather than sitting separately next to Hao Ren, while Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzǐ were seated beside each other.

The conversation mostly revolved around Lu Linlin and Lu Lili, concerning themselves about their lives and asking if they had settled in. Hao Ren could sense that Zhao Guang placed great importance on the Lu sisters; this dinner seemed to have a welcoming purpose for them as well.

After finishing the meal, Lu Qing led the Lu sisters to drive with him to Zhao Guang's house, seemingly for more important matters to discuss.

Entering the house, Zhao Guang and Lu Qing went up to the small attic on the third floor, setting up a soundproofing array along the way.

Hao Ren noticed their serious expressions and guessed that recent circumstances were tense. He didn’t pry further but headed to Zhao Yanzǐ's room to help her with any academic questions she had.

The Lu sisters, as usual, felt content just being near Hao Ren and rested in the room next to Zhao Yanzǐ’s bedroom.

An hour later, Lu Qing concluded his discussion with a somber expression. He called the Lu sisters home from the small attic.

Hao Ren took this opportunity to end his tutoring session and walked out of Zhao Yanzǐ's room.

"Hao Ren, you can come with me too. You'll stay at my place tonight; tomorrow I’ll take you to school on my way there and save you the trouble of asking Dragon King for a ride," Lu Qing said to Hao Ren.

“Alright.” Hao Ren nodded in agreement.

"Yes, you can stay at Elder Lu's house tonight. We need to reorganize things here at my place tonight." Zhao Guang added.

Hao Ren nodded and said, "Uncle, please be careful."

Zhao Guang smiled, patting Hao Ren’s shoulder, “Don’t worry about it; you and Elder Lu should head back.” He then thought for a moment and suggested to Lu Qing, “Shouldn’t Aizi stay at your place tonight too”

“Sure thing. No problem. I’ll take good care of Miss Aizi,” Lu Qing immediately replied.

Zhao Guang turned around to enter Zhao Yanzǐ’s room and spoke with her for a while before she came out holding her schoolbag and another small bag containing sleepwear, skincare products, pouting slightly.

“Let's go,” Lu Qing said, leading the four of them downstairs, then driving off.

The city lights twinkled like stars in the night sky. From the moving car window, they looked like floating lanterns.

Lu Linlin and Lu Lili sat on either side of Hao Ren, each looking outside at their own sides.

As the city’s flashing lights receded past their faces from behind the car windows, a beautiful and elegant feeling was reflected. The sisters’ beauty truly defied description, no wonder the boys went wild with excitement when they saw them.

Zhao Yanzǐ, in her sky-blue school uniform, sat in front by the passenger seat holding her bag and dozing off.

"Elder Lu, are there any major events happening recently" Hao Ren couldn’t help but ask Lu Qing who was driving.

“No need to worry too much. We've learned that some powerful figures from West Sea will be here this time, so we have to make preparations accordingly,” Lu Qing said as he looked at the traffic ahead.ive’s child who came over to visit us today," Zhao Guang took this opportunity to tell Hao Zhonghua.The Yue Yang smiled and asked the ravenous Zhen Tongzi, "What's your name, little guy"Zhen Tongzi ra...