Chapter 54: The Ways of the World

But because of this delay, the competitors behind quickly left Lin Yu far behind. Unhurriedly, he adjusted his posture and began sprinting after them again. The rivals ahead suddenly felt as if a fierce tiger was closing in from behind. Goosebumps rose on their skin, and before they could even look back to see who was exerting such pressure, a dark shadow overtook them—one after another! Lin Yu passed seven or eight opponents on the curve!

Facing the final bend before the finish line, only three or four rivals remained ahead. When only three meters were left to the finish, Lin Yu launched a sudden sprint, speeding past the competitors like the wind and seizing first place with an excellent result!

“That’s so cool!”

Ji Ya was immediately as excited as a child, clapping her hands. The production team’s cameramen switched two or three times before they could barely keep up with Lin Yu’s dazzling, explosive skating speed.

Lin Yu was riding high and paid little mind to the camera crew’s despair. After claiming victory, he headed straight for Ji Ya. The two cheered and applauded, and Lin Yu, in his excitement, lifted Ji Ya up and spun her around in midair.

From the nearby rest area came intermittent sounds of quarreling. The girl who had suffered an injury due to her boyfriend’s failed trick blamed all her misfortune on him, declaring that since he wasn’t a champion, there was no need for them to be together anymore.

The blond-haired man stormed out, his face dark, a clear slap mark on his right cheek. Fuming, he pointed at Lin Yu and cried to the big guy with colorful hair beside him, “It’s this guy who made me lose my girlfriend! Brother, you have to avenge me!”

The colorful-haired man looked to be about twenty years old. Lin Yu recognized him—he’d seen his photo posted on the list of consecutive champions when entering the skating rink.

It was peculiar; his left eye was covered by hair, leaving only one eye exposed. How could he see the track clearly and win so many times? Were all his opponents blind?

The colorful-haired man stepped forward and issued a challenge to Lin Yu. Ji Ya, with a glance, signaled to him, “Don’t bother coming back if you don’t win.” Lin Yu accepted the challenge.

The match between the reigning champion and the newcomer genius was about to begin. Nearly everyone in the skating rink gathered to watch. The atmosphere instantly grew lively, with people starting to place bets, seizing the opportunity to make a quick profit.

Gambling is everywhere.

The staff prepared for the race, signaling both competitors to stand at the starting line. The rules remained: three laps to determine the winner. At the sound of the whistle, both shot forward like dark horses.

Lin Yu tried his usual tactic—overtaking on the bend—but the colorful-haired man seized the inner lane first, clearly both clever and formidable.

Lin Yu admitted he’d underestimated him. He adjusted his mindset and rallied. The two were evenly matched, battling for the lead. The colorful-haired man appeared calm, but waves roiled beneath the surface. He had won over a dozen consecutive matches, never encountering such a strong rival. To have someone go toe-to-toe with him—normally, others would have been left far behind by now.

They synchronized through the second lap, leaving only the final lap. On the curve, Lin Yu didn’t rush to overtake; instead, he mirrored the other’s side-touching-the-ground maneuver, both passing the bend perfectly one after another. The distance remained at half a meter, with no breakthrough, but the spectators erupted in cheers.

Their extraordinary performance made the audience feel as if they were watching an international competition; it was simply too spectacular!

Lin Yu observed every move of the colorful-haired man ahead. When the two were evenly matched, only a slip from one side could allow the other to pull ahead. Suddenly, a new rule was announced: the staff, through the loudspeaker, required both athletes to perform a mid-air spin before they could continue skating.

Both sought to showcase their skills under the new rule. The colorful-haired man, eager to excel, jumped too high. He spun at the same time as Lin Yu, but nearly stumbled upon landing. Though he quickly recovered, Lin Yu seized the opportunity, landing steadily and instantly sprinting ahead, widening the gap.

The colorful-haired man adjusted his posture and accelerated, his body bent like an eagle. Yet Lin Yu was even faster, embodying the speed of the swiftest bird in nature—a hummingbird. Passing the final bend before the finish line, he suddenly burst forth, crossing the finish at lightning speed!

Ji Ya leapt into the air, momentarily forgetting her cool, CEO demeanor, cheering wildly for Lin Yu. “Victory!”

The timekeepers at the finish announced the results: Lin Yu beat his rival by a full five seconds, breaking the long-standing record held by the colorful-haired man!

The camera woman caught up, panting, feeling as if she could die, but unfortunately, life goes on and work must be done...

Yet, the look she gave Lin Yu now held a bit of resentment. What a troublesome man!

Ji Ya walked onto the rink, patted Lin Yu’s shoulder, her spirits high. “How about a match with me?”

Lin Yu’s lips curled up. Hadn’t she just claimed to be clueless about skating? He thought she was just here for some rookie fun, but it turned out the CEO was hiding her true abilities!

Seeing her so excited, he knew this was the best time to negotiate, so he smiled and proposed, “It’s my honor to compete with the boss, but shouldn’t we have a wager?”

Ji Ya’s competitive spirit was ignited. Raised with strict education, she’d dabbled in every elite social pastime. Especially since skating was an Olympic discipline, she firmly believed she could win, happily agreeing to Lin Yu’s terms, unaware it was a trap.

“How about something simple? Winner gets treated to milk tea, loser joins the milk tea franchise!”

Lin Yu smoothly laid out his plan, hoping to profit from the boss. Ji Ya seemed to see through his intent. Though she couldn’t guess why he wanted to join her milk tea franchise, she didn’t expose him. In this industry, who didn’t have a franchise business?

Artists have ambition; bosses are reassured!

“Add a spa.”

“Oh? The boss has such special preferences?”

“What special preferences?”

“Don’t worry, music, massage, all eighteen skills, I’ll arrange everything for you.”

Ji Ya was still a bit confused. Lin Yu sighed inwardly—could it be, could it be, that the boss was truly so innocent? Didn’t even know these massage techniques?

Meeting those speechless eyes, Lin Yu conceded. Indeed, the boss was genuinely pure...

But thinking of his franchise opportunity, he couldn’t hesitate: “I’ll bet with you.”

Lin Yu’s outstanding performance in the previous two matches had turned everyone present into mere spectators, watching him and Ji Ya’s duel.

The crowd voluntarily cleared the rink, leaving just the two of them. The staff waved their flags; the two exchanged glances, then made their pre-race preparations, bending low, ready to sprint.

Ji Ya had grasped Lin Yu’s habit of overtaking on curves, seizing the inner lane at the first opportunity. Lin Yu didn’t rush to accelerate, instead yielding the curve to Ji Ya.

To him, the boss was paramount.