Translator: _Min
Si Fuqing flipped through the information sheet once more.
Together, there were nearly four hundred stars participating from different countries; indeed, the number was vast.
The fastest APM was a top star from the Muston Dukedom, with a record of 323.
âThe competition wonât be easy,â Cheng Yiqiao said, taking it in stride. âWeâll do our best.â
Si Fuqing nodded. âI will definitely do my best.â
Sang Yanqing was silent for a moment.
Do your best? Your definitions seem to differ, donât they?
After a brief rest, the group went out to dine and take a stroll.
As they passed a square, Cheng Yiqiao suddenly stopped in her tracks.
âOur athletes!â she exclaimed excitedly. âQingqing, look, thatâs the womenâs swimming team!â
This edition of the International Sports Games was also being held in the Muston Dukedom.
Beginning in November, athletes from various countries had gradually arrived by the end of October.
âXu Wangtong!â Cheng Yiqiaoâs excitement grew. âSheâs my idol! She made her debut at the International Sports Games at fourteen and has won four consecutive championships. By eighteen, she was already a grand slam winner!â
Hearing this name, Si Fuqing paused for a moment.
She looked over, her gaze lingering on the woman under the flag, slightly lost in thought.
Yuejian, with her keen perception, noticed Si Fuqingâs gaze. âDo you know her?â
âYes,â Si Fuqing responded, her tone light and without much detail. âWe met on a mission before. I didnât expect she had retired.â
Meanwhile, the womenâs swimming team also spotted them.
A girl around fourteen or fifteen tugged at Xu Wangtongâs sleeve, whispered something, then excitedly ran toward Si Fuqing.
âSister Qingqing,â the girl said shyly, âIâm a fan. May I have your autograph?â
Cheng Yiqiao was surprised. âQingqing, youâve made it. Your fans are quite impressive. â
âOf course.â Si Fuqing bent down and patted her head. âWould you like a photo together?â
âYes, yes!â The girl nodded vigorously. âSister Qingiqng, wait till I get a medal!â
âAlright,â Si Fuqing smiled. âIâll be waiting. Then I can brag to others that Iâve taken a photo with a world champion.â
After obtaining the autograph and photo, the girl happily returned. Si Fuqing turned around. âHow did Xu Wangtong become a coach?â
âYou didnât know?â Cheng Yiqiao sighed. âFour years ago, the International Sports Committee wrongly accused Xu Wangtong of doping and banned her for ten years. Only this year was the truth revealed.â
âEven though the ban was lifted, her golden years have passed, and she canât compete for gold medals anymore. So, she chose to become a coach.â
Si Fuqingâs eyes flickered. âA wrongful accusation?â
âWhether it was wrongful or not, how could we possibly know?â Cheng Yiqiao whispered. âEvery circle has its conflicts of interest, and the competition in sports is even greater than among us stars.â
Si Fuqing fell silent.
Indeed.
Many athletes train from a young age, spending decades without the chance to stand on the international stage, only to remain as subsitutes.
âLetâs go,â Cheng Yiqiao shook her head. âItâs time for dinner.â
She always remembered Si Fuqingâs alcohol allergy, ensuring no alcoholic dishes appeared on the table.
The next morning.
The Oracle hosted its first celebrity match, inviting stars from various countries, drawing attention from both the gaming and entertainment circles.
Media from all countries arrived on-site for live broadcasts.
The opening ceremony was in the morning, with the competition officially starting in the afternoon.
At the backstage entrance, the stars had all gathered.
There were many different skin and hair colors, indeed a grand assembly.
Under the organizersâ arrangements, the stars began to enter.
âWhy is he right in front of us?â Cheng Yiqiao frowned. âQingqing, we must be cautious in our approach.â
The Great Xia Empireâs entry order was in the middle.
The team ahead was Andrewâs.
Andrew also noticed the Great Xia Empire following behind and a scornful sneer appeared on his face.
Si Fuqing glanced over indifferently. âNo need to be cautious. Let them come.â
âNext up, the team from the Great Xia Empire,â the host announced. âLetâs welcome them with the warmest applause!â The audienceâs applause thundered.
But then, Andrewâs team suddenly stopped.
The stage was split into two teams.
This had never happened before.
The host paused, about to intervene, but Andrew had already spoken. âI heard that the Great Xia Empire is inferior to the Western Continent in every aspect, especially in gaming. Why bother registering?â
His voice, amplified by the microphone, reached everyone
His voice, loud and amplified by the microphone, was audible to everyone, both on stage and off.
As the audience continued to enter, they were momentarily stunned by his words.
Si Fuqing slowly lifted her head.
âLet it go. Weâre all actors here, so today, letâs not talk about gaming. Letâs discuss our abilities as actors instead,â Andrew said, arms crossed and his tone dripping with scorn. âI wonder how many international award -winning actors or actresses your country has produced in recent years, or how many have been admitted to the Glenn awards?â
âIt seems there are none,â he said, smiling disdainfully. âThe Great Xia Empire really is declining. I donât know how you have the confidence to stand here. Maybe you should go back and practice for another ten thousand years before you try to compete with us.â
Cheng Yiqiao had advised Si Fuqing to be cautious and to ignore such provocations.
But now, her anger flared, yet she had to restrain herself from confronting him physically.
It was clear to all with eyes that Andrew had been deliberately put forward.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
They aimed to embarrass the Great Xia Empire before so many people, indifferent to sacrificing a competitorâs eligibility.
Silence fell over the audience.
MO Yanwen immediately looked towards Yu Xiheng, who paused before speaking. âSir.â
Yu Xihengâs eyes slightly closed, but his intent to confront was overwhelmingly clear.
At that moment, Si Fuqing made her move.
She stepped forward, unhurried.
This action changed the expressions of Cheng Yiqiao and the others.
Cheng Yiqiaoâs palms sweated as she reached out to grab Si Fuqingâs arm. âQingqingâ¦â
They were not in the Great Xia Empire, and though it was just a celebrity exhibition match, it was an international event!
Everyone, in front of the large screens on and off the stage, was watching.
Even a diplomat could face endless troubles for a single misplaced word.
The opponent was aggressive. Not responding would seem cowardly.
But to respond might be seen as making a mountain out of a molehill.
It seemed there was no right choice.
They were momentarily at a loss for words, unable to find a perfect retort. Meng Xue stood by, her head lowered, her gaze filled with undisguised mockery and schadenfreude.
Si Fuqing had already stepped forward.
If she didnât make a statement now, her career in the entertainment industry would be over.
Not just the entertainment industry, she wouldnât be able to continue in the Great Xia Empire at all.
The event was indeed being broadcast live.
The domestic audience was very interested in this celebrity exhibition match. [Damn, let me at that guy! Who is he to look down on us?]
[This generation of stars really isnât up to snuff, rendered speechless by a challenge. Itâs embarrassing.]
[??? Try answering yourself. You donât even have what it takes to stand up there.]
[I want to see what Si Fuqing can say. Smart people know that keeping quiet and letting the organizers handle it is the right approach.]
Andrewâs expression remained contemptuous.
He was quite handsome, but in his eyes, most stars from the Great Xia Empire were merely pretty faces.
Good to look at, but lacking in substance.
âWhy?â Si Fuqing began calmly, âBecause we discovered fire by drilling wood, while you awaited heavenly gifts.â
âBecause when floods came, you hid in your boats, whereas we did not hesitate to control the flood to save the world, when we could have hid in our home mere steps away (1).â
âBecause you worship the sun as a deity, we dared to shoot arrows at it (2).â
âBecause for five thousand years, the civilization of Great Xia has spanned without interruption!â
She smiled. âIf you have the audacity to stand here, why shouldnât we be confident?â
Refers to the story of Yu the Great Subdues the Flood
Refers to the story of Hou Yiâs shooting down of the 9 suns