Chapter 5: Still, You Are the Best!

“He Tian, go for it!” Wang Xinrou shouted from the audience, her voice ringing out with the enthusiasm of someone who relished chaos.

He Tian was speechless... Yet, looking around, it seemed the other boys had been infected by Wang Xinrou’s passion as well!

He Tian found it baffling. Were girls like her really the most popular these days? Good heavens, what kind of world was this?

The truth was, the world He Tian had been exposed to since childhood was anything but normal. When it came to ordinary ways of thinking, it was fair to say He Tian was behind the times.

“After you,” Qin Long said, maintaining a veneer of politeness despite his insincerity. He put on a show of composure and grace.

Unfortunately, he didn’t realize how many people saw right through him!

He was nothing but a clown.

“Xinrou, let’s make a bet,” He Tian said nonchalantly, tapping his gloves as he spoke to Wang Xinrou below the stage.

“Qin Long, you listen here,” Wang Xinrou called out, emboldened by her faith in He Tian. “If you lose today, you have to steer clear whenever you see me from now on, got it?” Her confidence soared, emboldened by He Tian’s prowess—a modern-day university version of borrowing a tiger’s might.

“No problem. But what if I win?” Qin Long, still full of confidence—no, at this point, outright arrogance.

“Set whatever condition you want!” Wang Xinrou declared boldly.

He Tian smiled.

No matter what, he was pleased with Wang Xinrou’s display. To believe so completely, to trust utterly and without reservation—He Tian found this quality much to his liking.

“Excellent! My friend, let’s do this!” Qin Long slapped his gloves together fiercely, exuding an air of aggression that looked impressive at a glance.

But to He Tian, it was all for show—nowhere near the real thing.

In Qin Long’s current state, he was nowhere near special forces material, whereas He Tian had been in that environment since he was twelve.

“As the host wishes,” He Tian said with a smile, folding his arms behind his back and not even sparing Qin Long a glance, doubling the contempt Qin Long had shown him earlier.

He Tian had never been one to let himself be slighted.

It had been that way all his life.

And besides, the name Qin Long itself irritated him. Whenever he saw it, he felt like landing a few punches and kicks.

“Looking for trouble!” Anger flashed across Qin Long’s face. With a fierce step forward, he lunged at He Tian, his fist flying.

“He’s no match for Chen Long,” He Tian immediately assessed, comparing Qin Long to Chen Long.

With a slight movement, He Tian dodged the punch.

“Agh!” Qin Long missed and instantly changed tactics, launching another punch.

But again, he failed to touch He Tian.

No matter how Qin Long attacked, He Tian easily avoided every blow, as if he were toying with a monkey.

“Hahaha, Qin Long, you can’t even land a hit! Why bother fighting? Just admit defeat already!” Wang Xinrou laughed uproariously, brimming with glee.

“If you’ve got guts, stop dodging!” Qin Long shouted, exasperated.

“Is that your request?” He Tian smiled. When Qin Long threw yet another punch, He Tian didn’t dodge this time. Instead, he caught Qin Long’s fist in his palm, gave it a casual twist, and flung him aside.

He Tian could see through Qin Long’s style—classic kickboxing, but lacking versatility and real power, which crippled his overall combat strength.

Qin Long got up, a stormy look on his face, fully aware he’d encountered a true expert.

But to just give up? He couldn’t accept that.

He charged again!

This time, He Tian moved, closing the distance with much greater speed. With a simple movement, he grabbed Qin Long and tossed him aside again!

Again Qin Long got up—only to be thrown again.

Again, and again.

The entire gym fell silent—not because they admired Qin Long’s tenacity, but because his utter lack of resistance was shocking.

After being thrown out one more time, Qin Long didn’t get up.

It wasn’t that he was too weak.

He realized that each time he was thrown, the impact was surprisingly light—he hadn’t been hurt.

But that only made it more terrifying: not only could He Tian throw him at will, but he could also control the force with precision—a level of skill Qin Long hadn’t even imagined.

To persist any further would only make him look ridiculous.

He Tian removed his gloves—he hadn’t even needed to use them.

“Hahaha, we won!” Wang Xinrou was briefly awestruck, but quickly returned to her usual self.

He Tian ignored her and walked over to Qin Long, who was still on the ground.

He squatted down and said quietly, “You’re not bad. But you chose the wrong path. And another thing—your name doesn’t suit you at all.”

“I’ll beat you one day!” Qin Long gritted his teeth.

“I’ll be waiting!” He Tian burst into laughter. For all his pretentiousness, Qin Long’s refusal to concede was something He Tian could appreciate.

Everyone has flaws, but they also have virtues.

Now, both were laid bare before He Tian.

“Wow, He Tian, you were amazing!” Outside the gym, Wang Xinrou was practically bouncing with excitement.

He Tian smiled.

Qin Long was actually impressive, especially in the university circle. No wonder Wang Xinrou had never found anyone who could handle him. But compared to He Tian... well, there was simply no comparison.

“So cool!” Wang Xinrou was giddy, completely enraptured by He Tian’s calm smile.

“Show me around,” He Tian said. He knew Wang Xinrou was a bundle of contradictions—a clever girl, not someone who’d be conquered by a mere smile.

“No problem! Leave it to me. I’ll show you around our college first. You know, we’re classmates! Let me tell you, Tianshi University has a lot of nice places!” Wang Xinrou circled around He Tian, chattering away like a lark.

In her lively company, He Tian gained a preliminary understanding of Tianshi University.

Most importantly, he grew familiar with the surroundings and the layout!

It was his habit: in any new place, he needed to know everything inside and out, or he’d feel uneasy.

Perhaps it was what people called an occupational hazard.

It was Saturday, and there were no classes. He Tian still had to wait two days before he could truly become a college student.

“What are you staring at me for?” Wang Xinrou asked as she devoured a bowl of hand-shaved noodles at a street-food stall outside the university.

“I’m just surprised by your reaction,” He Tian replied with a smile.

“Please, you’re thinking, ‘With all your wealth, why are you eating at a street stall?’ That’s such a cliché!” Wang Xinrou scoffed, waving her hand dismissively.

“Do you really like it? Or are you just rebelling after being under your sister’s thumb for so long?” He Tian understood now—Wang Xinrou was full of defiance.

“Don’t you think it’s delicious? Come on, save some room, there’s lots of good food on this street. I’ll show you!” Wang Xinrou put down her bowl and dragged He Tian along.

After that, He Tian was genuinely full.

In the past, he hadn’t dared—no, he hadn’t been allowed—to eat just anything.

But now, he was free and wanted to blend into ordinary society. Eating street food was as normal as it got.

In the end, his stomach was stuffed.

“Oh my, I’m so full! It’s been ages since I ate so freely from start to finish!” Wang Xinrou was stuffed to the point she could barely straighten up.

“I really wonder how you stay so slim,” He Tian mused.

“Hmph, I’m just built differently! I can eat whatever I like and never worry about gaining weight!” Wang Xinrou declared, her pride evident. Then her eyes lit up. “He Tian, can you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” He Tian was using his inner energy to digest—a stuffed belly was uncomfortable.

“Teach me martial arts!” Wang Xinrou looked at him eagerly.

“My skills aren’t something you can learn,” He Tian shook his head.

“Why not? I’m a quick learner, and smart too—honestly, I pick things up in no time!” Wang Xinrou was anxious. She wanted to be as cool as He Tian, handling people like Qin Long with ease.

“I can’t teach you,” He Tian knew very well the source of his abilities.

They came from the “Nine Dragons as One” technique the Dragon Head had given him as a child—a technique not only impossible for a girl like Wang Xinrou to practice, but also forbidden by the Dragon Soul tradition to be passed on to outsiders.

“Oh, come on! Don’t be so aloof. I promise to do whatever you say, okay?” Wang Xinrou pleaded.

“You already promised that,” He Tian reminded her.

“Did I?” Wang Xinrou’s eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands. “Then I’ll introduce you to my dormmates—they’re all stunning beauties! Really! How about it? Is that enough?”

“Not interested,” He Tian remained unmoved.

“Seriously... are you made of stone?” This was Wang Xinrou’s trump card. Beauty—what man could resist it? Yet it had no effect on He Tian! Wang Xinrou felt quite defeated.

“Think whatever you like,” He Tian replied.

“Must you be so cool? Don’t you find it boring?” Wang Xinrou sighed, finding He Tian impossible to tease.

“Sometimes I do. Why not find something fun to do instead?” He Tian deftly changed the subject.

“That’s easy! Come with me!” Wang Xinrou followed along with the shift.

Smart girl, He Tian thought. She knew things didn’t happen all at once; patience was needed.

Guided by Wang Xinrou, He Tian arrived at the Game Zone—a place he’d never visited before.

“Haha, I haven’t been here in ages! Ever since my sister’s business took off, I’ve had less freedom! Come on, let’s go have some fun! Let’s drive some cars!” Wang Xinrou pulled He Tian into the crowd.

Watching her bounce from one game to another, her face aglow with excitement, as carefree as a bird set free, He Tian couldn’t help but smile as well.

“You know, He Tian, it used to be Chen Long and the others who tagged along with me! They were so annoying—never played with me! But you’re different!” Wang Xinrou shouted over the noise.

“And that’s enough for you?” He Tian raised an eyebrow, touched his nose, and spread his hands in mock helplessness...