Chapter 35: Lady Lan

"Remember this, my name is Wu Sen!" The handsome Wu Sen glared at He Tian fiercely, his manner menacing and unfriendly.

"Wu Sen, then may I ask what your relationship is with Wang Xinrou?" He Tian ignored Wu Sen's hostility. This must be one of Wang Xinrou's admirers! Yet... it seemed Wang Xinrou had never mentioned him. Probably doesn't know him at all.

Even if she does, he is likely just another passerby, a background character.

"Why do you care about my relationship with her? Just stay away from her!" Wu Sen snarled, "Otherwise, kid, you'd better watch yourself!"

"If you won't say what your relationship with her is, why should I stay away from her?" He Tian was genuinely puzzled.

"She belongs to me! So you need to keep your distance!" Wu Sen declared proudly.

"Yours? I doubt it." He Tian sized Wu Sen up and down. "Are you as handsome as I am?"

"Kid, are you looking for trouble?" Wu Sen raised his fist.

Wu Sen had to admit, if it came down to looks alone, he was indeed slightly inferior to He Tian. Just a little bit.

"Where do you think we are? Would you dare make a move here? Go ahead, punch me in the face! Right here, my face!" He Tian stepped forward, pointing to his own face.

Wu Sen retreated.

This was an office building!

Starting a fight here would be inviting disciplinary action, even dismissal. Wu Sen was no fool.

"Kid! You won't listen to reason, huh?" Wu Sen said, his face darkening.

"Do you call that reason? There's not a shred of sincerity! Why should I listen?" He Tian retorted sharply.

"Name your price, then! Ten thousand yuan! How about it?" Wu Sen said directly.

"I can guarantee you'll never win Wang Xinrou's heart!" He Tian looked at Wu Sen with utter contempt. She was handsome, yes, and judging by the looks of it, probably a rich second-generation, with a solid family background. But unfortunately... far too shallow! Wang Xinrou would never be interested in such a person.

"Kid, refusing a toast only to drink a penalty, is that it?" Wu Sen was furious at He Tian's bold curse.

"So what? Lay down the challenge! I'll take anything you dish out!" He Tian replied with scorn.

He Tian found that such verbal sparring, playing tough, was actually quite entertaining.

So this was how boys of this age pursued girls! Truly, it was pathetic.

"You said it! Don't say I'm bullying you... If you dare, let's play basketball!" Wu Sen grinned, full of self-confidence.

"Basketball?" He Tian was momentarily stunned.

It wasn't that He Tian was unfamiliar with basketball, but Wu Sen's mood swing was rather dramatic.

"Do you dare to compete?" Wu Sen looked at He Tian smugly. He had seen the video on the campus network! He knew He Tian had handled those thugs, and Wu Sen was aware that Leopard's men were all tough customers!

Besides, He Tian had beaten Qin Long, and now everyone knew about it!

So from the very start, Wu Sen had no intention of fighting He Tian.

If it came to blows, Wu Sen felt he'd be asking for trouble!

From the beginning, Wu Sen had set a trap for He Tian.

Wu Sen was also clear—this was an office building! He Tian would never dare make a move!

Then, he would provoke He Tian, and finally, propose a basketball match.

Wu Sen played for the Tianhai University basketball team, and he was a starter!

So, in basketball, Wu Sen was full of confidence!

As long as He Tian agreed to play, Wu Sen could humiliate him thoroughly on the court.

Then, let Wang Xinrou see for herself.

Naturally, Wang Xinrou would lose any favorable impression she might have had of He Tian! Then, with Wu Sen's conditions, winning her over wouldn't be a problem.

One had to admit, Wu Sen's plan was tightly constructed!

Even He Tian, experiencing his first rival's challenge, didn't see through Wu Sen's real intentions at first.

"How do you want to play?" He Tian looked at the smug Wu Sen, feeling a deep sense of pity for him.

"You say how—we'll play it your way!" Wu Sen responded generously.

"You decide, I'm not much of a basketball player," He Tian waved his hand, even more magnanimous than Wu Sen.

"One-on-one. Whoever scores ten baskets first wins, possession changes after a miss!" Wu Sen said immediately. He didn't care whether He Tian had played basketball; the less skilled, the better. It would give him a chance to thoroughly humiliate He Tian.

"Fine!" He Tian nodded.

"Noon, at the gym. I'll be waiting for you, kid!" Wu Sen, having achieved his goal, was about to leave.

"You seem to have forgotten something!" He Tian reminded him.

"What?" Wu Sen asked.

"What happens if you lose? What happens if you win?" He Tian smiled.

"The loser can't pursue Wang Xinrou anymore!" Wu Sen replied instantly.

"No problem!" He Tian waved his hand.

Wu Sen turned to leave, but paused, realizing it looked as though He Tian had dismissed him with a wave—wasn't that a bit humiliating?

"Kid, I'll be waiting for you. Don't chicken out!" Wu Sen pointed at He Tian, dropped his parting words, and strode off arrogantly.

He Tian smiled and shook his head.

What was all this about?

Had he become a guardian angel?

But basketball? It might be fun to play!

Besides...

Although He Tian hadn't made up his mind yet, he did like Wang Xinrou quite a bit! So, he couldn't allow any other guy to lay a finger on her.

Thus, defeating one rival after another—wasn't that... a rather satisfying thing?

With that, He Tian leaned back against the wall, basking in the sun.

His mind still lingered on the matter of Prince Hai.

Then, He Tian's thoughts turned. He realized he needed a helper...

He could ask the Dragon Head for someone, but none of those people were ever free.

And besides, could he truly trust them? He Tian felt a bit uneasy about that.

So he needed to use his own resources!

After thinking it over, He Tian took out his phone and activated a special program.

This was a phone exclusively for Dragon Soul members!

It had many functions.

He Tian found a number and dialed out.

"Lan Ji, it's me," He Tian said with a smile.

"He Tian!" The reply was tinged with surprise and delight.

"So, are you tired? If you are, take a break. I need your help with something here—it's going to take a long time," He Tian said directly.

"When?" Lan Ji responded immediately.

"The sooner, the better! I'm in Tianhai—call me when you arrive," He Tian said.

"Alright!" Lan Ji agreed readily.

"Is it any trouble for you?" He Tian paused, then asked.

"Not much," Lan Ji replied with a laugh.

"Good! I'll be waiting!" He Tian said.

"See you in Tianhai!" Lan Ji hung up.

Far away in Botswana, Africa, a young woman in her twenties, her face adorned with various patterns, ended the call. A smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

"Lan Ji, Lan Ji!"

"Captain!"

"The target is in place. What are you doing?"

"Sorry, Captain, moving now!" Lan Ji stuck out her tongue, quickly adjusted her sniper rifle, tweaked her aim, and squeezed the trigger.

In the distance, a flash of blood—a perfect headshot...

It was an ambush.

Both sides were mercenaries.

The battle ended swiftly amid a storm of gunfire.

Many camouflaged figures, their faces painted in bright patterns, rushed out, rapidly cleaning up the battlefield.

All of Africa was a paradise for mercenaries—this was no exaggeration!

The number of mercenaries active across Africa was estimated at over a million!

It was an enormous group.

War had never truly disappeared from Africa.

"Retreat!" The captain quickly ordered.

This was the Wild Wolf Mercenary Company.

It was entirely composed of Asian members.

The group numbered eight hundred.

They were one of many mercenary units on the continent.

After returning to camp, their next task was to deliver the cargo to their client, collect payment, and thus complete the mission.

Subsequent matters had specialized personnel assigned.

People like Lan Ji weren't needed for the follow-up.

Lan Ji found the captain.

His codename was Wild Wolf.

"Something up?" Wild Wolf looked at Lan Ji.

"The King of Soldiers summoned me," Lan Ji said.

"The King of Soldiers? He Tian!" Wild Wolf's eyes widened. To him, only one person could bear that title—a man he had worked with: He Tian.

"Yes," Lan Ji nodded.

"What does he need?" Wild Wolf asked.

"He needs my help in Tianhai, China. It'll take a long time," Lan Ji replied.

"You should know—Wild Wolf needs you!" Wild Wolf stood and paced, his voice heavy.

"But Captain, my life belongs to him! I've told you before, whenever he calls, I will never refuse. Now, his call has come!" Lan Ji said earnestly. "You know this!"

"I do. But..." Wild Wolf said, "Did he say what for?"

"No," Lan Ji shook her head.

"And if I say you can't go?" Wild Wolf asked, his tone grave.

"Captain, you know me!" Lan Ji replied. "You know, even if I go to the King of Soldiers, I'm still one of Wild Wolf's people! If Wild Wolf ever faces danger, I'm sure the King of Soldiers will not turn his back. That means we have a powerful ally. It's good for us!"

Wild Wolf pondered for a long moment before nodding. "Alright, go. But remember, you're one of us."

"Captain, I will never forget who gave me everything I have now!" Lan Ji said immediately. "Thank you, Captain!"

"Send him my regards!" Wild Wolf smiled.

"Definitely!" Lan Ji nodded.

"Hey, are you asleep?" Wang Xinrou quietly approached He Tian and slapped him sharply.

Unfortunately, He Tian didn't react as Wang Xinrou had expected.

Instead, he calmly opened his eyes, looked at her, and said, "Basking in the sun—it's really comfortable."

"Sunbathing is comfortable! Aren't you worried about getting dark without sunscreen?" Wang Xinrou dared not sit directly in the sunlight—it's terrible for a girl's skin.

"I can't discuss this with you," He Tian squinted and said, "Do you know someone named Wu Sen?"

"Wu Sen... that second-year senior, the one on the school basketball team? I know him! What's up?" Wang Xinrou thought for a moment before replying.

"He just came to me, told me to stay away from you!" He Tian blinked and smiled, "I'm thinking of taking his advice!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Wang Xinrou clenched her fists and hurriedly protested.