CH 45.2

In the end Fu Zheng's team won the game, almost without suspense. A number of the other young male colleagues were very jovial about the matter, and guys who had never met Fu Zheng before approached him for high-fives.

It was easy to get close to people doing sports, because during sports, participants often showed their true characters. Though Fu Zheng was good with the ball, he didn't overly show off his skill. Though he had control over the situation, the ball game didn't become his individual exhibition match. Instead, after the first half gave them an absolute advantage, he gave up nearly all of his shots to the rest of the team in the second half. In this way he showed himself to them as a considerate person who allowed nearly every player in the team the opportunity to participate and perform. In the end, not only did his team win the match but everyone on it had a great time as well.

"It's Fu Zheng, isn't it? Let's play together again!"

"You play so well!"

"Here, let's exchange numbers and hang out again later!"

They slapped him on the back to show their recognition and friendship. Chen Shuo looked on with mixed feelings. He had originally planned this game to show off in front of Ning Wan, but unexpectedly, Fu Zheng had shown up halfway and not only had he not gotten to show off, but had been completely shown up by him.

But Chen Shuo was a calm sort of person. Ning Wan was currently making her way down from the audience, so he adjusted his expressions and when she walked over, he patted Fu Zheng on the shoulder and said, "You're pretty good at basketball."

Sincerely envious, he bowed his head and with a little guilt and loss said, "It's my fault for being bad at playing and dragging our team down."

Ning Wan was soft-hearted and could never bear to let another person feel downcast. Sure enough, as soon as Chen Shuo said this she tore her eyes from Fu Zheng and turned to him. "What are you saying? Someone always has to win or lose during a game and you're not a pro. Of course there will be times when you won't do so well. Maybe you'll win against Fu Zheng next time."

She smiled wholeheartedly and glanced at Fu Zheng. "Don't you think so too, Fu Zheng?" She then handed the water bottles she was holding to both of them.

Fu Zheng cast Chen Shuo a mocking glance. Then he closed his eyes. When he looked up again, he once again returned to his gentle demeanor, looking for all the world like a nice guy with no temper at all. Nodding to Ning Wan, he agreed, "Yes, Chen Shuo's also very good. He's not as good as I am right now maybe just because he's a little younger and has less experience. In a few years he'll surely catch up."

Chen Shuo gnashed his teeth, but patiently forbore. "You're right, but there's one thing I'm worried about. Since basketball is about physical strength and explosive force, when players get older, they're no longer guaranteed to be at their peak. The older someone gets, the less they can play. Experience alone won't cut it. Once they're not in good shape, they'll go into decline."

But unexpectedly, it seemed like Fu Zheng had been waiting for him to say this, because he immediately latched on to the argument--

"Chen Shuo is right. I'm worried that I won't be able to play for much longer..." Fu Zheng heaved a sigh and looked toward Ning Wan, seemingly very depressed. "Actually, I once sprained my ankle doing sports, and theoretically I shouldn't be doing strenuous exercise..."

"You have an old ankle injury?!” as anticipated, Ning Wan's voice rose with anxiety. "Why didn't you say so earlier? If you're injured you shouldn't have played. Which foot is it? Is there anything wrong with it?"

……

Sure enough, Ning Wan's attention returned once again to Fu Zheng. Chen Shuo's blood pressure rose watching the scene before him. He had managed to win Ning Wan's attention by acting pitiful and taken advantage of the opportunity to land a blow about Fu Zheng's age. Who would have thought that this fellow would act pitiful too...

Chen Shuo sneered inwardly. Since everyone was acting pitiful, let's see who was worse off.

"Ahh--"

He let out a short, low cry.

As anticipated, Ning Wan turned. "What's wrong, Chen Shuo?"

Chen Shuo grimaced. "I just took off too hard, and there was some water on the court where I landed. I managed to stay on my feet, but I think I've twisted my foot. When I was running around just now it seemed okay, but it's suddenly started to hurt."

Fu Zheng had claimed to have an old injury, but it wasn't flaring up. Now he claimed that he had just suffered a new injury, and his face was twisted in pain. Naturally, this was much more worthy of Ning Wan's attention.

Sure enough, Ning Wan looked very anxious. Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Shuo said, "It doesn't seem swollen, obviously, so I don't know what's going on. But I can't stand the pain." He frowned and said reluctantly, "Maybe I should go to the hospital?" Then he looked at Ning Wan embarrassedly. "Senior sister, can you go with me? I'm afraid I can't walk by myself..."

"Of course I'll go with you," Ning Wan promised.

Just as she said that, Fu Zheng's voice rang out--

"I'll go too." He looked at Chen Shuo with a smile and said gently, "Although it happens that I'm not currently in pain, I, too have an old ankle injury. I usually don't like going to the hospital alone, so I'll go along with you this time."

Saying so, he looked at Ning Wan, "Besides, Chen Shuo's sprain may worsen. If it's just you accompanying him and it gets worse to the point he can no longer walk by himself, you won't be able to help him. It's better if I'm there too."

Fu Zheng's statement seemed reasonable and Ning Wan was quickly convinced, "It makes sense, so let's hurry to the hospital!"

Just for a hospital, the three of them advanced out as if going on a spring outing.

Chen Shuo was nervous the whole way, not daring to let his guard down for fear that Fu Zheng would pull off some new stunt. The two men kept up their plastic friendship, chatting with each other the whole way before finally arriving at the hospital.

They checked into the orthopedics department and got a number in line. Everything was going well until then, but when it was time to go in, Chen Shuo and Fu Zheng once again commenced dealing with each other.

The first one to be called was Fu Zheng's number. Ning Wan stood up immediately to accompany him in, but how could Chen Shuo let Fu Zheng have his way? He didn't want Ning Wan and Fu Zheng to be alone together, so he immediately stood up--

"Ning Wan, let me go in with Lawyer Fu," he said with a smile, "Actually, I have an old ankle injury too, so listening to what he's going through will be good reference. You rest outside."

Fu Zheng gave Chen Shuo a meaningful look, but didn't refute. He only smiled and said, "Then Chen Shuo can have his new injury seen to while I'm in there. We're both taking care of each other, how very convenient."

Naturally, Ning Wan had no objections. She nodded and sat down in the waiting area outside the door.

Chen Shuo had wanted Ning Wan to come in to get his ankle treated alongside him, but in order to blunt Fu Zheng's attack, he could only take the Pyrrhic victory. He gave Fu Zheng a nasty look, and then entered the consulting room with him in tow.

He didn't let Fu Zheng get away so easily inside the consulting room. Since Ning Wan was gone, there was no longer a need for Chen Shuo to hide his hostility. His face cold, he satirized Fu Zheng thoroughly - what old injury? Even though the doctor examined his ankle several times, they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Fu Zheng's nature didn't allow him to let Chen Shuo get away either, and he mocked Chen Shuo's "new ankle injury" back. The two went head to head and clashed swords. When he emerged from the consulting area, Chen Shuo still wasn't done yet. had some wanting more. Hoping to get the last word in before Ning Wan arrived, he started--

"Lawyer Fu, you really ought to..."

But Fu Zheng ignored him this time, his eyes fixed on the waiting area not far away...

Aware of the difference, Chen Shuo followed Fu Zheng's gaze.

He wouldn't have known if he hadn't looked, but now that he had seen it, he couldn't let it be--

In the waiting area, Ning Wan was sitting next to a doctor in a white coat. He was a man around her age. Gold-rimmed glasses perched on his elegant face, and he had an urbane manner. He was right now looking at Ning Wan and laughing, his lips lightly covered.

It seemed as though they were discussing something funny, because Ning Wan laughed too. Their eyes seemed as though they were quite familiar with each other, as if they had some form of tacit understanding...

He hadn't even vanquished this damnable Fu Zheng yet. From where had this other fox1 popped out from?!

Chen Shuo's heart felt like it was about to explode. Where had 'first come, first served'2 gone to?

He glanced at Fu Zheng beside him, and Fu Zheng looked back. Although they didn't speak, Chen Shuo saw the tacit understanding in his eyes.

Chen Shuo decided to call a truce with Fu Zheng. Now that a new enemy was present, it was better to form an alliance to fend off the new enemy together!