Chapter 73

Chapter 73

The team consisted of five people, and among them, three harbored concerns.

Both Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu were masters at controlling their emotions, giving nothing away.

Lu Zhao, on the other hand, kept zoning out and frequently glanced at them.

This round was a lot tougher than yesterday's. They had to guide the robot along a set path, pick up colored balls, and do it all in the right order.

This part of the challenge tested their ability to handle emergencies and follow precise programming instructions.

Plus, they had to build the robot from scratch using the materials provided by the organizers.

The five held a brief meeting. Hu Chengyu said, “Wu Ya will handle the wiring, Huang Ze will design, Lu Zhao will measure the track, and Xie Shiyu will write the program…”

Each person nodded in agreement, and then they discussed the details.

Lu Zhao and the others mostly just listened as Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu took charge of the discussion.

Xie Shiyu said, “Recognizing touch data…”

Hu Chengyu replied, “Is this an issue on your end, or are you saying you can't fix it?”

Lu Zhao felt a bit nervous; he could sense the tension between the two.

However, it was perfectly normal for the two to discuss these issues, as one was the team leader and the other the vice leader.

But Lu Zhao still worried that the two might clash at any moment.

Fortunately, after the details were confirmed, the parts they were responsible for didn’t require much interaction, and the team managed to stay civil.

While other teams were finishing up, their own time was running short.

With just three minutes to go, they finally got everything assembled.

Now, it was up to Xie Shiyu.

However, they had forgotten that emergency measures were part of the test in this competition.

As a scream came from track 2, it drew many people’s attention.

Even Lu Zhao glanced over. Track 2 was from a well-known school in Zhu City.

Yet, they had crashed on the designated route.

Even a college freshman following a textbook shouldn’t have made such a mistake.

Hu Chengyu said, “Chip problem.”

This issue, though basic, was also easy to resolve.

After the initial panic, the students from track 2 quickly stabilized, modified the program, and returned to the designated route.

Lu Zhao shook his head; with such a problem, they were likely looking at a last-place finish.

No sooner had he sighed than two more tracks ran into problems.

The coach, who had seen it all before, quickly figured out what was going on and frowned. “It’s an issue with the official materials.”

Hu Chengyu realized the problem earlier than anyone else. After all, the materials had passed through his hands, and whether there were issues or not, he could tell at a glance.

Xie Shiyu sat at the computer, looking calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of tension.

He asked directly, "What's the problem?"

Hu Chengyu: "The lifting height of the arm isn't enough, and in the worst case, it will break."

Lu Zhao and the other two teammates looked at Hu Chengyu in surprise, their minds filled with the thought, 'You know the problem, but you're not trying to solve it?'

Xie Shiyu's hand tightened suddenly on the mouse; the problem was more serious than he had anticipated.

Ever since issues arose on the other lanes, he had guessed the intention of the organizers.

Already, two teams had been disqualified.

Five minutes after Hu Chengyu's explanation, the robot reached the designated spot for the color-coded balls.

Everyone else watched the robot nervously.

The mechanical arm slowly lifted, and sure enough, it couldn't go any further when it reached about eighty degrees.

Hu Chengyu: "Continue, just break it."

Lu Zhao: ...

Even the coach looked at Hu Chengyu in surprise.

Xie Shiyu hesitated for only two or three seconds before doing as Hu Chengyu said.

Even in the large venue, Lu Zhao could almost hear the 'snap' as the mechanical arm broke.

If they couldn't place the ball in the right spot, they'd automatically fail, even if they followed the designated path back.

People who had been following Team A since yesterday shook their heads, thinking it was all over for them.

Lu Zhao clenched his fists, his face flushing with frustration.

But then, a spectator let out a surprised 'huh.'

Lu Zhao's eyes lit up.

His face was still red, but now it was from excitement.

After the arm snapped, Xie Shiyu quickly reprogrammed it, transforming the broken arm into a circular shape.

The two mechanical arms came slightly closer together, steadily holding the ball. The broken arms, now connected only by the central axis, rotated 360 degrees.

He didn’t even need to turn around—just place the ball in the matching color spot behind him.

This actually saved time.

As a result, the ball placement, which usually took ten minutes, was done in just six, cutting the time nearly in half.

A first place for Team A was now certain.

Xie Shiyu controlled the robot, setting the program to automatically place the balls, and still didn't relax until it reached the finish line.

Team A finished a full seven minutes ahead of second place, securing a dominant win.

Wu Ya and Huang Ze hugged in excitement, and Lu Zhao happily whistled.

Many spectators also sincerely applauded.

Especially the two teams that had been eliminated earlier, who had been watching this "fight for survival" with envy but also admiration for their skills.

Xie Shiyu had been so tense that his back was drenched in sweat.

He took off his mask and took two deep breaths.

Just as Wu Ya was feeling happy, she suddenly noticed the obvious bruises on Xie Shiyu's face that had been covered by concealer and let out a surprised "Hey!"

Wu Ya: "Shiyu, your face..."

The sweat had caused the concealer to wear off, revealing the bruising underneath.

At this, everyone looked at Xie Shiyu, but he had already quickly put his mask back on. "It's fine."

Seeing this, Wu Ya didn't say anything more.

Xie Shiyu: "I'm going to the restroom."

Hu Chengyu watched his departing figure.

Impressed by Xie Shiyu's earlier performance, Lu Zhao felt his hostility lessen a bit.

Seeing his brother staring at Xie Shiyu's back, he asked, "Bro, what are you looking at?"

Hu Chengyu: "I'm going to the restroom."

Lu Zhao: "!"

Could they be about to fight in the restroom?

He wasn't worried that Hu Chengyu or Xie Shiyu would lose if they fought, but he was concerned that someone with ulterior motives might report it to the organizers. That wouldn't be fair at all.

Lu Zhao felt like following them.

Xie Shiyu went to the restroom, stood in front of the mirror, and pulled his mask down to his chin, looking at the bruises with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

That morning, Shen Yan had borrowed something from a girl to help cover the injury.

Shen Yan said, "You can't go on stage to receive an award with a bruised face, right?"

Xie Shiyu asked with a smile, "So you're that confident I'll win an award?"

Shen Yan was silent, and Xie Shiyu knew that he trusted Hu Chengyu.

As he stood there, he caught sight of Hu Chengyu in the mirror.

The smile in his eyes faded away instantly.

"Did Shen Yan help you cover that up?" Hu Chengyu said, hooking Xie Shiyu's mask with his finger, his eyes full of determination.

"What does it have to do with you?"

"You went out to fight in the middle of the night and had Shen Yan pick you up. Have you ever considered what might have happened to him in an unfamiliar city? What if something dangerous happened to him on the way? What if he had an attack on the way?"

Xie Shiyu forcefully pulled open Hu Chengyu's hand, his eyes filled with contempt. "Yan Yan is an independent person, an adult, and he can take responsibility for himself."

"At the same time, he's not a delicate flower."

Xie Shiyu looked at Hu Chengyu provocatively.

Hu Chengyu: "To me, he's a delicate flower."

Xie Shiyu wasn't angry, instead he tapped Hu Chengyu's shoulder. "Can you really protect him?"

"Don't forget about Hu Tianhong in the Hu family."

When Lu Zhao reached the restroom, he heard a loud bang and rushed inside.

The sight inside left Lu Zhao stunned.

Hu Chengyu had Xie Shiyu's hand pinned against the wall, while Lu Zhao had kicked Hu Chengyu in the side.

He instinctively shouted, "What are you guys doing?"

It wasn't hard to see why he jumped to conclusions—their positions were way too suggestive.

Both Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu looked at Lu Zhao at the same time. Lu Zhao had blood on his lip and his hair was disheveled.

After that first impression, Lu Zhao's mind raced, unable to form a coherent thought.

He even started to suspect Xie Shiyu's reddened lips.

But in the next second, Xie Shiyu's knee shot up, slamming into Hu Chengyu's stomach. Even though Hu Chengyu dodged quickly, he still took some of the force and had to release his hold on Xie Shiyu.

Xie Shiyu smiled, but his eyes were cold as he said, "Care so much? Should I pursue him then?"

Hu Chengyu's surrounding aura dropped a few degrees; he didn't speak but directly threw a punch at Xie Shiyu.

Xie Shiyu snorted and laughed. "Hit harder, or else he won't be upset when he sees this later."

As he spoke, his teeth were stained with blood.

Hu Chengyu's eyes flashed with anger, clearly ready to act on his impulse.

But he was stopped by Lu Zhao from behind. "Bro, calm down, this isn't the place to fight."

"Xie Shiyu, get out quickly."

Xie Shiyu had thought Lu Zhao came to help Hu Chengyu, so he was slightly surprised when Lu Zhao tried to calm Hu Chengyu down.

Facing Hu Chengyu alone, although he couldn't win, Hu Chengyu wouldn't get any advantage either. But with Lu Zhao involved, he definitely couldn't win.

Since he couldn't win, he might as well say something to amuse himself.

Xie Shiyu wiped the corner of his mouth and walked past the two of them.

When only the two of them were left in the restroom, Lu Zhao felt uneasy. He didn't know how much rationality his brother had left.

Especially with his dark expression and bloodshot eyes, Lu Zhao felt even more uneasy.

He secretly called Shen Yan, praying to God that Yan Yan would pick up the phone.

The phone was on speaker, and despite some distorted sounds, they could clearly hear Shen Yan's excited voice: "Lu Zhao? Is the competition over?"

Lu Zhao glanced at Hu Chengyu and responded, "Yeah, it's over."

If Shen Yan had been on a video call, he would have seen how Lu Zhao's expression changed. His face shifted from worry and fear to relief, and then to a hint of happiness, making it quite expressive.

Ever since Shen Yan's voice came through the phone, Lu Zhao noticed a change in his brother. The tension in his features melted away.

Unaware that Hu Chengyu was standing right next to Lu Zhao, Shen Yan sounded completely at ease: "With Lu Zhao around, everything will be fine."

Shen Yan didn't say "number one," although in his heart, he believed that with Hu Chengyu and Xie Shiyu around, they would definitely achieve great results. But you never know, so better safe than sorry.

Lu Zhao glanced sideways at Hu Chengyu, noting that his expression had returned to its usual calm. He thought to himself: Sure enough, opposites attract.

"Sounds like it's pretty lively over there?" Lu Zhao steered away from the competition topic, worried that continuing to talk might bring up Xie Shiyu's name.

But from the phone, Shen Yan's laughter came through: "Don't mess around!"

This time, Lu Zhao instinctively looked at Hu Chengyu, his throat bobbing. The way Shen Yan said 'don't mess around' had a playful edge, tinged with affection.

Hu Chengyu's expression darkened.

But the next second, a teasing voice came through the phone: "Brother, look at me!"

Lu Zhao's face darkened, and he rolled his eyes at the phone. "Shen Lin, did a ghost get hold of your throat?"

"What do you know? This is called a clipped voice!" Shen Lin's normal male voice came through the phone, sounding arrogant.

"Can you not disturb our brothers' vacation?"