Chapter Fourteen: Is Someone Stealing Jobs?

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Jiang Hong didn’t mention why he didn’t want to join the provincial team, and Li Hua didn’t press him either. After all, the matter of joining the provincial team was still far from settled. Most likely, he was afraid that if he tried out and wasn’t selected, it would be embarrassing if the news got out. Li Hua nodded, convinced his guess was spot on.

“Jiang Hong!” A clear, sweet female voice suddenly floated over from the side.

Jiang Hong turned his head and saw a lively young girl standing there. She wore a white round-neck sports T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing healthy, sun-kissed arms with smooth muscle lines—clearly an athlete. Below, she wore a white pleated skirt and white tennis shoes adorned with several blue stripes, making her stand out.

Her jet-black hair was tied tightly with a pink hairband, giving her a neat and spirited appearance.

“Hello.” Jiang Hong recognized her as a senior from the tennis club, though they hadn’t interacted much.

He nodded politely.

“Hi, I’m Xia Ling. May I get to know you?” The girl smiled naturally, extending her hand confidently.

“Jiang Hong,” he replied, shaking her hand lightly.

Jiang Hong asked directly, “Xia Ling, did you need something?”

Xia Ling blinked, tilting her head playfully. “Why, can’t I just come to you if I have nothing to ask?”

Her tone was teasing, making anyone want to chat a bit longer.

“If it’s nothing, I’m going to practice,” Jiang Hong said, turning to leave.

Xia Ling was momentarily stunned. This unexpected response left her at a loss for words.

“Wow, Jiang Hong works so hard, no wonder his skills are so impressive!” she exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration. “Unlike me, who can never play well... Jiang Hong, could you teach me?”

The hopeful look in her eyes was impossible to refuse.

“Do you know how to retrieve balls?” Jiang Hong asked casually.

“Huh?” Xia Ling doubted she heard right. Hadn’t he just said he was going to practice?

“Jiang Hong, what are you dawdling for? Aren’t you going to finish today’s specialized training?” A cool voice suddenly came from a distance.

Jiang Hong looked over; it was Su Cheng.

Li Hua’s eyes widened. Seeing Xia Ling approach Jiang Hong made his heart ache. They had all agreed to stay single together, yet here Jiang Hong was secretly enjoying company.

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But Li Hua couldn’t understand why Jiang Hong was so cold toward Xia Ling. Could it be that Jiang Hong was shy?

Soon, Li Hua dismissed that thought. Jiang Hong had a thick skin!

Xia Ling looked toward Su Cheng, who wore somewhat worn shoes and faded pants but wore a confident smile.

Su Cheng noticed Xia Ling’s gaze and returned it.

Xia Ling instinctively looked away.

Jiang Hong had no intention of lingering; since Su Cheng had arrived, he didn’t want to waste time.

He turned back to Xia Ling. “If you don’t have anything, I’ll go practice.”

Being rejected wasn’t unusual, but Xia Ling inexplicably felt overshadowed by another girl. Her competitive spirit flared immediately.

She brightened and smiled. “Jiang Hong, can I join you?”

Then she glanced at Su Cheng, winking. “I’m sure this sister won’t mind, right?”

Proud and confident, she believed there was no way they would refuse.

“Sorry, I do mind,” Su Cheng said firmly as she stepped in front of Xia Ling.

Then she turned, grabbed Jiang Hong’s arm, and started walking toward the tennis court’s exit.

Halfway there, she looked back. “Oh, by the way, you called me the wrong age! You should be older!” She winked playfully.

Jiang Hong was dumbfounded. Su Cheng had this bold side too?

After regaining his composure, Xia Ling clenched her fist quietly, muttering with excitement, “You won’t get away.”

…

Outside the tennis court, Su Cheng released Jiang Hong’s arm and coughed awkwardly. “You promised to help me pick up balls every day. You had a match this morning and pushed it off, but don’t think you’re skipping out on today’s pay!”

Jiang Hong shrugged helplessly. “The court was too crowded to practice serves, so I’m starting with forehand and backhand.”

“And besides, you definitely won’t lose this job.”

He felt a bit powerless about Su Cheng treating him like a merciless boss.

After speaking, he motioned for her to follow.

Su Cheng watched his back and muttered softly, “Not so sure about that. Someone just tried to steal the job.”

“What did you say?” Jiang Hong turned around, not catching her words.

“Nothing!” Su Cheng stiffened, coughing quickly. “I was just asking where you’re going to practice.”

Changing the subject, Jiang Hong shrugged. “You’ll see soon enough.”

“Mysterious, mysterious,” Su Cheng grumbled as she followed.

When they reached the edge of a small grove, Jiang Hong kept walking inside, prompting Su Cheng to call out, “Jiang Hong!”

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“Hm?” Jiang Hong looked back at her.

“What are we doing here?” Su Cheng’s expression turned awkward. Although she’d never dated, everyone knew what the school’s grove was for.

Back in high school, teachers often caught couples sneaking kisses there.

“Scared to go in?” Jiang Hong teased, raising an eyebrow.

Su Cheng’s competitive spirit flared. “I’m not scared! Let’s go!”

The grove had little grass left, trampled flat by countless students.

They followed Jiang Hong all the way to the school wall, which was peppered with dense ball marks.

It seemed Jiang Hong often practiced here.

Because of rumors of a lunatic lurking in the grove with an axe, Jiang Hong trained on the tennis court to avoid disturbing the wild ducks and getting beaten up.

There was a net pocket hung in a corner of the court for practice.

Su Cheng exhaled in relief, realizing she’d overthought things.

Jiang Hong suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking at her. “Su Cheng, you’re not imagining things, are you?”

“No! Of course not! Don’t say that!” Feeling guilty, Su Cheng denied it three times quickly, afraid he’d tease her more. She urged, “Hurry up and practice, or you’ll owe me overtime!”

Jiang Hong turned back, no longer teasing.

He focused on the wall, eyes serious and sharp, a stark contrast to before.

Tossing the ball, his training began in earnest.

His skills had improved rapidly, though his training efficiency didn’t increase because he didn’t aim for easy returns. Instead, he treated the wall as a real opponent—the harder he hit, the tougher the return.

Still, it greatly boosted his abilities.

Jiang Hong ran and struck crisply in front of the wall.

Su Cheng sat nearby, chin in hands, watching his figure.

He seemed playful usually, but so serious when playing—what was the real Jiang Hong like?

“Su Cheng, pick up the balls!”

“Oh, right!” She snapped out of her daze, shook her head to clear distractions, and hurried to collect the balls.

Jiang Hong had just paid her wages, so she couldn’t slack off!