Yao Tang didn’t answer her and just said, “Let’s go.”
Qin Jing shotXu Xuananother helpless look.
They all knew that she was a talented player with a promising future ahead of her. The problem was that she hadn’t been training properly as of late. Instead, she was following Yao Ranaround, doing the girl’s bidding.
At this rate, her skills would only go to waste.
Qin Jing tried hard to steerXu Xuanto the right path by giving words of encouragement. She hadn’t lost because she was lacking, but because Yao Tang was simply too good. The matter of the six million yuan had nothing to do withXu Xuan, either. It was all becauseYao Ranhad wanted to put money on the line. And yetXu Xuanwas the one working hard to pay for their loss.
With no other option, Qin Jingturned toYao Tangfor help. “Sister Tang, won’t you come and talk some sense into her? Tell her not to be too stubborn and to stop wasting her potential onYao Ran.”
Qin Jing realized early on that whileXu Xuanignored her most of the time, the girl actually heldYao Tangin high regard.
Whenever Yao Tangaddressed her,Xu Xuanwould respond with sincerity.
Qin Jing still couldn’t figure out the reason behind this strange dynamic; all she knew was that ifYao Tangsaid the same words toXu Xuan, the latter would definitely listen.
If Meng Yangwere here, he would probably tellQin JingthatXu Xuan’s attitude was born out of her respect forYao Tang.
After all, Yao Tanghad completely dominated the last tournament.
Yao Tang humoredQin Jingand looked atXu Xuan, but all she said was, “You’re free to make your own decisions, but you must take responsibility for the consequences that follow.”
Qin Jing pressed her lips together, visibly unhappy withYao Tang’s lackluster words. “That’s right, it’s all up to you in the end…” she muttered.
She couldn’t help but frown at Yao Tang. Didn’t she also wantXu Xuanto stand up for herself and put an end toYao Ran’s abuse? Why was she saying this now?
She was practically telling Xu Xuanto maintain the way of things. Then what ifYao Ranreally led the innocentXu Xuanastray, to the point of no going back?
Qin Jing tugged at the hem ofYao Tang’s shirt, hinting at the other girl to change the subject.
To her dismay, Yao Tangdidn’t say anything more.
Xu Xuan stared atYao Tang. “I will,” she said somberly. “Don’t worry.”
Qin Jing almost blurted it out, but she managed to hold her tongue at the last minute. She notedYao Tang’s stony expression. She didn’t seem inclined to speak again.
Qin Jing was beyond frustrated at this point. She opened her mouth to keep the conversation back on track, but she was interrupted by the ringing of Xu Xuan’s phone.
The two other girls watched as Xu Xuananswered the call. Although they couldn’t hear what was being said on the other end, they could see the nervous shifting ofXu Xuan’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll go over right away,” she said hurriedly.
Xu Xuan ended the call and bid them an abrupt goodbye before sprinting away.
Qin Jing could only watch her go.
It was the first time she had seen the ever-tough Xu Xuanexhibit fear. But something else occurred to her then. “Sister Tang, did she just run away because she doesn’t want to listen to my nagging?”
“That can’t be,” Yao Tanganswered with a sigh.
Qin Jing narrowed her eyes in the directionXu Xuanhad left. After a moment, she pulledYao Tangclose and said, “Why don’t we go and take a look? Maybe she really is in trouble. We might be able to help her.”
Yao Tang raised an eyebrow. “She’s obviously busy.”
Even so, Qin Jingpulled her forward. “Come on. Let’s just say it was a coincidence, that we happen to be headed the same way. Hurry!”
She was going to see what Xu Xuanwas up to today, or she wasn’t the young lady of the powerful Qin family!
Qin Jing hastened her pace and pulledYao Tangalong.
Yao Tang was about to break free whenQin Jing’s next words made her pause.
“Sister Tang, if you come with me right now, I’ll do five more test papers tomorrow. I’ll also ask our classmates to do them with me. But if you don’t, I’ll go on a study strike! I’m sure you don’t want to do those test papers, right? I’ll help you finish them!”
“Ten papers,” Yao Tangsaid in her usual indifferent tone. “Finish ten papers by tomorrow.”
That finally made Qin Jinghalt in her tracks. She whirled around and gaveYao Tanga pleading look, but the latter kept her cool expression.
“Fine,” she bit out in the end. “I’ll do ten more papers.”
They were just test papers, anyway. She just needed to put some muscle into it, that was all. Besides, she had her classmates to help her out.
With that settled, the two girls pushed forward and followed Xu Xuanthrough the winding alleys. At last,Xu Xuanstopped in front of an establishment.