Chapter 83: This Is Not Where It Ends

“Since my match is the only one left, I can go alone. You all should rest,” Shen Mei said, seeing that her competition was scheduled for the afternoon, while the others had just finished theirs. After some consideration, she decided she would go by herself.

“That won’t do! You stayed with us for our matches, so we should be there for yours. Otherwise, it’d be too lonely for you,” A Zhi laughed, looping her arm through Shen Mei’s.

Everyone agreed; they were friends, after all. None would let their own fatigue keep them from supporting their close friend, especially since this wasn’t just any match.

Seeing their unanimous intent, Shen Mei sighed in resignation. “Are you worried I can’t win? Besides, I’m used to being on my own. I’ll come back as soon as it’s over.”

A Zhi and Jiang Miaomiao shook their heads in unison. How could they doubt Shen Mei? The competition she was about to face was far more prestigious than anything Li Chengbin had participated in.

Alongside Qin Sheng, who was certain to win, their other pillar of confidence was Shen Mei, the national Taekwondo champion.

“It’s not that we don’t believe in you,” Jiang Miaomiao explained gently. “We’re just worried about you going alone.”

But Shen Mei refused their company. “No need, I’ll manage,” she said, leaving for her room—perhaps to rest before the afternoon match.

Her pride would not allow interference. The others could only let her go, trusting in her capability.

“Don’t worry about her. Our belief in her is the best encouragement and support we can give,” Qin Sheng soothed Jiang Miaomiao and A Zhi, patting their shoulders.

They nodded in reluctant agreement, acknowledging Shen Mei’s wishes.

After a simple lunch, those who had competed in the morning retired to their rooms, exhausted.

Chu Xingyu stayed as well. His injury hadn’t healed, and Qin Sheng could better care for him here. Besides, their rooms were so far removed that no one else would come by.

They even cleared a room for Chu Xingyu. With Qin Sheng now familiar with the route in and out, she frequently returned with food from her spatial storage, ensuring everyone’s basic needs were met.

Still, they all understood: this ramshackle cottage was only their starting point. Heroes are not defined by their origins; though they never discussed it, they all knew they wouldn’t remain confined here.

Shen Mei, unable to sleep, lay in bed for a while before rising to prepare for her match.

She opened her door, surprised to find someone waiting.

“Qin Sheng? Why are you standing here instead of resting?” Shen Mei asked, puzzled, moving past her to pour herself a cup of warm water.

Qin Sheng’s gaze followed Shen Mei’s every move, silently watching as she drank.

“Why are you staring at me?” Shen Mei asked, aware of the scrutiny.

Leaning lazily against the wall, Qin Sheng watched her for a long moment before speaking. “I’ve rested enough. Let me accompany you this afternoon—would that be alright?”

Shen Mei set down her cup, unable to suppress a smile at Qin Sheng’s words. Turning, she said, “Didn’t we agree I’d go alone? Why the change of heart?”

Qin Sheng shook her head but said nothing. Her instincts warned her that Shen Mei’s journey wouldn’t be smooth. Whether or not her sixth sense was accurate, she simply wished to worry less.

Going together was the best solution.

Shen Mei shook her head, seeing Qin Sheng offer no explanation for her insistence, and still refused. “You don’t need to worry about me. Aside from you, no one here can beat me.”

Her pride blazed—like a wild rose, growing unchecked. Especially when it came to her strengths, her confidence soared.

“Alright then. I’ll wait here for you,” Qin Sheng relented, allowing Shen Mei to go alone.

The sudden shift left Shen Mei momentarily unsettled, a faint sense of disappointment flickering in her heart before she quickly hid it.

“I’m off, then. Rest well,” Shen Mei smiled, stepping out and closing the door behind her.

In that moment, their gazes met for just a second.

Shen Mei couldn’t read Qin Sheng’s thoughts.

“Enough thinking—time for the match,” Shen Mei murmured, patting her racing heart to calm herself.

Even a favored child of fortune feels nervous before a competition.

The moment she left the building, her anxiety eased.

“Mei Mei…”

An unexpected guest blocked her path.

It was Yang Yao, her former close friend, whose departure had left a rift between them. Shen Mei’s expression flickered; even after days apart, seeing her again brought a surge of sadness and regret.

But she kept these emotions hidden, refusing to let anyone see her vulnerability.

Yang Yao stared at Shen Mei, her gaze lingering on the once proud friend who seemed unchanged—unaffected by her absence. Shen Mei was still Shen Mei, but Yang Yao could never again be the Yang Yao she once was.

A shadow of calculation flashed in Yang Yao’s eyes.

“Is there something you need?” Shen Mei asked, brow furrowing, pretending not to care as she glanced at Yang Yao.

Yang Yao’s heart chilled, her words edged with the threat of tears. “Mei Mei, are you really going to leave me? Ever since we parted, I’ve been reflecting on our problems. I admit I made mistakes because of you, but you know I never meant it, right…”

Before she could finish, Shen Mei impatiently cut her off.

“Enough! Yang Yao, what do you mean, ‘not on purpose’? Does that make it better for those you hurt? Are they intentional, then?” Shen Mei had hoped Yang Yao would come to her senses, but it seemed she remained stubborn, refusing to admit her faults.

With a rift already between them, why prolong the friendship?

Shen Mei admitted the separation felt strange, but it wasn’t reason enough for forgiveness.

“Mei Mei…I…” Yang Yao faltered, unable to find words under Shen Mei’s rebuke.

No matter what she said, she was always at a disadvantage.

Why should it be so?

All regret and helplessness vanished from Yang Yao’s eyes, leaving only shadows and confusion.

Unusually, she did not loudly blame Shen Mei’s dislike on Qin Sheng, but remained calm.

Yang Yao had learned to manage her emotions, catching Shen Mei off guard.

“Mei Mei, since we can’t return to the past, let’s make today our official parting. This bottle of water is my last gesture of care,” Yang Yao said, emotionless, unscrewing the cap and handing it to Shen Mei.

Usually, Shen Mei would open bottles for her; Yang Yao doing so now signaled she truly meant to end things.

In a few days, it would have been the anniversary of their five-year friendship. Now, it seemed there was no need to prepare.

The more Shen Mei thought, the angrier she became. She took the bottle, gulping down most of it, showing just how disappointed and upset she was with Yang Yao.

“From now on, you walk your own path, and I’ll walk mine. We’ll keep our distance,” Shen Mei coldly declared, turning toward the core base.

Yang Yao kept her head bowed until Shen Mei was gone. Then she raised her head, her lips curling into a strange, sinister smile, no longer cautious.

“Shen Mei, you think you can act recklessly just because you know Taekwondo? If I can ruin that for you with my own hands, I wonder how angry you’ll be…”

Shen Mei quickened her pace, muttering about what had just happened. As she approached the core base, her brow furrowed and a dull pain throbbed in her chest.

Was it the anger from her encounter with Yang Yao?

She felt unwell, but since it was bearable, she entered the core base.

“Contestant Seven and Contestant One Hundred, please prepare to take the stage!” the staff announced, and the waiting area erupted in excitement once again.

“One Hundred—that’s you, Yao Yao. Go get ready!” Qin Mengchun, who accompanied Yang Yao, quietly urged her to prepare.

“Have you confirmed with Ting Ting?” Yang Yao asked, still uneasy.

Qin Mengchun smiled, whispering in her ear, “Don’t worry. What happened this morning was just an accident. You know what General Guo’s status means… You’ll be fine. See, Contestant Seven is already up.”

She pointed, and Yang Yao instinctively looked. Not far away, Shen Mei stood—her recent adversary.

“Are you alright? Maybe you should ask the staff for a break…” The girl next to Shen Mei noticed her shaky stance and pale face, suspecting illness or perhaps cramps.

Shen Mei’s complexion was visibly pale. She parted her lips weakly. “I’m fine…”

“You really shouldn’t compete like this…” the girl said, worried.

Shen Mei was about to reply when a familiar voice sounded behind her.

“Champion Shen isn’t feeling well? Or are you pretending, afraid you’ll lose? You looked fine just a moment ago,” Yang Yao taunted coldly, showing no regard for their past friendship.

In that instant, Shen Mei remembered the bottle of water she had drunk on the way, her eyes filled with hatred and disappointment.

Yang Yao, you’d better hope it wasn’t that water.

“Contestant Seven and Contestant One Hundred, hurry and prepare for your match!”