Chapter 153: The Price of Forging Ahead
Chapter 153: The Price of Forging Ahead
Time passed as Lu Wu and Jiang Beifeng prepared anxiously for the upcoming match.
Before they knew it, May 19th arrived.
With the preliminary round concluded, Group A required an additional match due to three teams having the same score.
This match would determine the two teams from Group A that would advance to the league's top eight, chosen from among Teams 001, 018, and 042.
The match garnered significant attention, primarily because it involved Team 001, the ace team.
Early in the morning, the spectator stands and online live-streaming platforms were already packed with spectators.
It could be said that this was the most highly anticipated match of the league so far.
Even before the match began, the number of viewers in the live-streaming room soared to a staggering six million, which thrilled Lu Wu.
With such high viewership, the advertising impact would undoubtedly be substantial.
"This is fantastic! Even without considering other factors, the advertising revenue alone should bring in a substantial profit today."
While Lu Wu was excited, Jiang Beifeng, on the other side, shared the same enthusiasm.
Jiang Beifeng was an intelligent, cautious, and confident individual.
Although Team 038's unexpected victory over Team 018 had granted Lu Wu a chance to reach the finals, derailing Jiang Beifeng's sniping plan, he remained confident about today's match.
For this battle, he had already spent two days preparing.
He had considered all possible scenarios.
He had anticipated every strategy Lu Wu might employ.
All potential tactics had been analyzed, and corresponding preparations were in place.
With such thorough preparation and absolute power, Jiang Beifeng had every reason to be confident!
If he lacked confidence even in this situation, how insecure would he have to be?
Therefore, today, Lu Wu was destined to lose!
Jiang Beifeng's words were unchangeable.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the audience stands, Team 044 was seated once more.
Li Kui had his legs crossed, a toothpick in his mouth, and as he waited for the match to begin, he jested, "I thought 042's entry into the top eight was a sure thing, but who would've thought something like this would happen?
This Jiangnan Province is truly a small pond with big fish."
Beside him, Zhang San pushed up his glasses, "The situation behind the scenes is likely complicated, possibly involving issues between Jiangnan and Jiangbei. 042 just happened to be in the line of fire.
Otherwise, such a situation wouldn't have occurred."
Li Kui smirked, "Women will be women..."
"Shut up!"
Wang Jun's face darkened, and he sternly interrupted Li Kui, "If you can't control that mouth of yours, I won't mind sewing it shut for you."
Li Kui instinctively covered his mouth and apologized repeatedly.
"Boss, please don't be angry. I have a big mouth and no brain!"
Noticing the tense atmosphere, Zhang San quickly changed the subject to ease the tension, "Captain, what do you think about 042's chances in this match?"
"It's very difficult!"
As Zhang San tried to lighten the mood, Wang Jun also shifted his focus back to the match, "Team 001's level is high, and 042 has almost no chance of defeating them based on raw power alone.
The only opportunity lies in tactics!
After Team 018's battle with Team 038, Team 001 will be on guard against tactical maneuvers.
In other words, 042 needs to employ tactics to defeat their opponent, even with the opponent fully prepared and aware of their intentions. What do you think are 042's chances of victory in such a scenario?"
"It's practically zero!"
After making this assessment, Wang Jun fell silent.
Based on the information he had, Lu Wu's biggest challenge wasn't necessarily winning this match but what would happen after it.
Lu Wu now seemed entangled in the conflict between Jiangnan and Jiangbei.
This was not a favorable situation for Lu Wu.
'What a pity. If Jingdu University were to intervene, I would suggest they recruit Lu Wu to free him from this whirlpool.
A genius like him shouldn't be mired in such a quagmire.'
Wang Jun's thoughts turned somber.
On the other side, Hmm Girl's mood was even more complex.
At times, she held her head high, proud as a little rooster, and at other times, she gritted her teeth.
This was because, the day before, during the preliminary round, they had successfully advanced to the top eight in Group B.
Compared to Lu Wu's situation, Hmm Girl felt incredibly accomplished, as if she had outdone Lu Wu.
With Lu Wu likely unable to enter the top eight due to Team 001's sniping, Hmm Girl was certain of her victory.
However, the thought of Lu Wu not making it to the top eight made her determined to beat Team 018 to avenge Lu Wu.
As for Team 001? Sorry, she didn't think she could beat them.
And Lu Wu? No chance!
On the arena, aside from Team 038, Lu Wu's die-hard fan team, almost no one believed Lu Wu could defeat Team 001.
Team 042 was destined to lose this match, a consensus shared by nearly all the spectators in the stands and online.
Not only the audience but also others didn't believe Lu Wu could win this battle.
In the principal's office of Jiangnan University, the door was abruptly flung open, and Zhao Kai Ming stormed in, pointing his finger at Zhang Wen Tao's nose and cursing, "Zhang Wen Tao, you're as good as dead! They're bullying you right under your nose, and you're hiding here like a coward! If I were to say, it's because of you as the principal that Jiangnan University is going downhill!"
The insults were harsh and relentless.
However, Zhang Wen Tao, the target of the tirade, remained calm and even stood up to pour a cup of tea for Zhao Kai Ming, "Have some tea and calm down. You're getting worked up at your age, why?"
Zhao Kai Ming, not one to be appeased, brushed the tea aside, "Tea? What good will tea do!
In the past six years, I've never seen such a blatant manipulation!
Old Zhang, you must deal with that person with the surname Jiang immediately! How dare they pull such stunts on our turf!"
"Deal with him? How? With what excuse?"
"Excuse? What excuse? He's openly manipulating the competition. Do you need an excuse to deal with him?"
"But there is an excuse. If you want to deal with him, you'll need evidence, right? Even with solid evidence, you'll still need to follow the proper procedures, won't you?
Without these, how can you deal with him?"
Zhang Wen Tao sighed and spread his hands helplessly.
Hearing this, Zhao Kai Ming's anger intensified, "You can't even handle a director of admissions, and you're the principal of Jiangnan University? You're not even fit to be the director of the Fucheng Breeding Center!"
"Are you blaming me now?" Zhang Wen Tao felt wronged, "If you hadn't caused all this trouble, it wouldn't have blown up to this extent. Now we owe Jiangbei University a huge sum of money. Do I, as the principal, have to endure such humiliation?
They keep waving their IOU in my face, demanding repayment. I, the principal of Jiangnan University and the director of the breeding center, am being bullied like a helpless child."
"Fine, if you're so capable, come and take my position then!"
As Zhang Wen Tao's anger erupted, Zhao Kai Ming's momentum was momentarily suppressed, but he continued to grumble, "I know it's difficult, but even so, can't you fight for fair treatment for your students?
If you had intervened earlier, things wouldn't have come to this."
Zhao Kai Ming's words held some truth; Zhang Wen Tao did bear some responsibility for the current situation.
He had been lenient, mainly because Lu Wu's recent performance had elevated his importance in Zhang Wen Tao's eyes. To him, Lu Wu was no ordinary student; he was the hope for Jiangnan University's revival.
Zhang Wen Tao believed that subjecting Lu Wu to some pressure and testing his resilience was necessary.
Without the ability to withstand pressure, how could Lu Wu shoulder the responsibility of reviving Jiangnan University?
However, Zhang Wen Tao felt that Zhao Kai Ming was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"What do you mean 'this step'? It's not that serious. At most, Lu Wu will miss out on the quarterfinals, which isn't a big deal, right?
For Lu Wu, it's even a good thing. He'll lose some endorsements at most, and I'll make up for that!"
Zhao Kai Ming was taken aback, "You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"I just spoke with Lu Wu on the phone, and he told me about his bet with the person from Jiangbei University. If he loses this match, he won't just miss the quarterfinals; he'll also lose 55,000 points!"
"What?" Zhang Wen Tao was stunned upon hearing this.
The matter of 55,000 points was a private bet between Lu Wu and the person from Jiangbei University, a secret they both kept. So, Zhang Wen Tao was genuinely unaware of this agreement.
Noticing Zhang Wen Tao's ignorance, Zhao Kai Ming quickly shared the information he had just obtained.
At this point, Zhao Kai Ming's knowledge of the bet was due to Lu Wu's cunning. Lu Wu was showing his loyalty and seeking favor, and he also mentioned the person from Jiangbei University's attempt to recruit him and the conditions offered. He even explained the reason for the bet.
As Zhang Wen Tao gained an understanding of the situation, his face darkened.)
He had suspected that the person from Jiangbei University would try to recruit Lu Wu, but he hadn't anticipated such generous conditions.
"Now, what do you say we do? If Lu Wu loses, who will cover the 50,000 points?"
This question hit Zhang Wen Tao like a ton of bricks.
As the principal, he was already burdened by various issues, and this new problem added to his woes.
But there was no other way; he had to address this issue.
Zhang Wen Tao clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, responding to Zhao Kai Ming, "Let's wait and see. If Lu Wu decides to go to Jiangbei University after the competition, then the debt is no longer our concern.
But if he chooses to stay, I'll cover the debt. I'll do whatever it takes to settle it."
At this moment, Zhang Wen Tao wanted to slap himself.
He felt he had made a grave mistake in testing Lu Wu, and the consequences were painfully heavy.
(End of Chapter)
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