Chapter 56: Yue Xin's Words

They were all young people, brimming with youthful energy—students through and through. Especially the boys, who found it hard to control themselves at the sight of the girls’ curvaceous figures; their noses threatened to bleed, their composure all but lost.

At that moment, Li Xin stared intently at the entrance of the girls’ changing room, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. After all, opportunities to see so many girls in swimsuits were rare indeed.

But Chu Tian felt no interest at all. In his mind, the images of the five beautiful senior sisters from yesterday lingered—fiery, alluring figures. Compared to them, these young girls, most of whom hadn’t fully matured, failed to capture his attention.

Just then, another group of girls exited the changing room, led by Yue Xin. Yue Xin’s features were delicate, and her strappy one-piece swimsuit accentuated her voluptuous, shapely figure. She walked along the poolside, her long, snowy-white legs drawing the gaze of many boys in an instant.

Chu Tian, however, didn’t even glance in her direction.

“Chu Tian, I remember your family and the Yue family go way back. You and Yue Xin grew up together, didn’t you? How come you’re not even a little interested in her?” Li Xin, noticing Chu Tian’s indifference, couldn’t help but ask in surprise.

“I’m not familiar with her,” Chu Tian replied coolly, seeming genuinely unconcerned with anything related to Yue Xin.

At that moment, a group of boys stepped out of their changing room, led by Han Zhuang. Han Zhuang excelled both academically and physically, his muscular frame drawing cries of admiration from the girls.

“The class president is so handsome!”

“Han Zhuang is not only top of the grade, he’s also a swimming ace. If only I could be his girlfriend…”

“Stop daydreaming. Haven’t you heard the rumors? Someone beat Han Zhuang in an exam.”

“Is that true? Who could possibly manage that? I’ve never heard of it before.”

Students from neighboring classes didn’t know about the competition between Chu Tian and Han Zhuang; they’d only heard vague rumors and couldn’t tell if they were true. After all, that simulated college entrance exam had been a private contest between Chu Tian and Han Zhuang, with the results never made public.

But those in the same class as Han Zhuang and Chu Tian knew the truth.

“The rumor is true. I’m from Class One, Senior Three—I can vouch for it.”

“About a week ago, Han Zhuang and Chu Tian took a simulated college entrance exam together, and Chu Tian won decisively.”

Li Xin loved to be in the spotlight; even though Chu Tian was the winner, it didn’t stop Li Xin from showing off.

“Is it really true?”

“Couldn’t he have cheated?”

“If he didn’t cheat, how could he beat Han Zhuang in the exam?”

Many were skeptical, refusing to believe Li Xin’s claims.

Just then, Han Zhuang overheard the commotion. His face darkened as he stepped forward.

“What he said is true. I did lose to Chu Tian in the exam,” Han Zhuang admitted readily, not bothering to deny his previous defeat. It was no secret—many in Class One could testify—so it was better to admit it openly.

Immediately, the whole pool was abuzz. The girls from the neighboring class, hearing Han Zhuang’s admission, felt their fantasies shatter.

Han Zhuang paid no heed to the commotion around him. His eyes locked onto Chu Tian.

“Since you’re here at the swimming pool, why not change into a swimsuit?” Han Zhuang asked.

“I’m not interested in swimming,” Chu Tian replied with a light laugh. If his beautiful senior sisters were in the water, he’d have dived in without hesitation. But ordinary swimming hardly stirred his interest.

“Is it just that you’re not interested, or are you actually a landlubber—can’t swim at all?” Han Zhuang sneered, his tone laced with mockery.

Chu Tian caught the implication and retorted, “What, you want to compete with me again?”

“Chu Tian, maybe you managed a lucky win in the exam, but swimming is my strong suit. You’ll never beat me again,” Han Zhuang’s face tightened. Since Chu Tian’s victory, Chu Tian had become like a demon in his mind. Unless he could defeat Chu Tian fair and square, that demon would haunt him, denying him peace.

“If I win, I hope you won’t bother me at school anymore,” Chu Tian said coldly. Having lived once more, he didn’t mind playing games with a child like Han Zhuang.

“Fine. If you win, I’ll steer clear of you at school and never trouble you again. But if you lose, you’ll have to follow my orders from now on!” Han Zhuang was confident, certain he wouldn’t lose. As long as Chu Tian agreed to compete, he’d accept any wager.

Hearing this, Chu Tian nodded, stood up, and walked into the changing room.

“Wait for me, Chu Tian,” Li Xin hurried after him. Chu Tian hadn’t brought swim trunks, but Li Xin had just bought a new pair he could lend him.

A few minutes later, Chu Tian emerged from the changing room, instantly attracting everyone’s attention.

“I never expected Chu Tian, once he took off his clothes, to have such a well-built physique.”

“We really underestimated him before. Did he train specially for this?”

“Compared to Chu Tian’s abs, Han Zhuang’s body looks a bit scrawny.”

The crowd murmured, more interested in discussing Chu Tian’s physique than the outcome of the contest.

“Chu Tian, Han Zhuang is the school’s swimming ace—even the P.E. teachers can’t match him. Are you sure you can win?”

“If you lose in front of so many people, it’ll be embarrassing.”

Li Xin sidled up to Chu Tian, his tone tinged with concern.

“Don’t worry,” Chu Tian waved him off and strode to the poolside.

Just then, Yue Xin walked up to Chu Tian.

“Chu Tian, I don’t care why you agreed to the match, but I advise you to give up. Don’t humiliate yourself,” Yue Xin’s tone was heavy; even before the contest began, she’d already predicted Chu Tian’s defeat. The last simulated exam had been like this, and now the swimming match was too—Yue Xin seemed never to have much faith in Chu Tian.

Perhaps the old Chu Tian had been too mediocre, leaving Yue Xin with an indelible impression, causing her to look down on him now.

“Why are you so eager for me to give up?” Chu Tian smiled, meeting Yue Xin’s gaze.

“Though you beat Han Zhuang in the exam, swimming is his strong suit. You absolutely can’t win.”

“In honor of our families’ friendship, I don’t want to see you humiliate yourself, and I certainly don’t want you to bring shame to the Chu family,” Yue Xin pressed, trying to persuade Chu Tian to reconsider. Though she looked down on him, she bore him no ill will; her words were sincere.

But Chu Tian found it baffling.

“Whether I bring shame to the Chu family or not—what does that have to do with you?” Chu Tian asked coldly.