Chapter 488: Epilogue – The Grand Finale

Chapter 488 Extra: The Grand Finale

After the World Championships, Tang Qing not only broke the world record but also easily cruised through the subsequent elimination rounds and finals, securing the gold medal with a dominant performance.

After the competition, Tang Qing remained as mysterious as ever, refusing all interviews. To get any news about the world champion, fans still had to rely on her sister, the notorious blabbermouth.

"Hmm? What’s my sister doing now?"

Even after all these years, Tang Yi’s eyes still held that same clear, innocent sparkle.

Completely open to questions from netizens, she answered without hesitation, "My sister went out with Brother Chi."

"Ooh, so she’s dating Brother Chi after all!"

"So they’re together, right?"

Tang Yi corrected the comments, "My sister said it’s not a date."

"They're just good friends."

The so-called "good friends" were currently standing in front of a basketball arcade game.

Tang Qing asked again, "Are you sure you want to challenge me to this?"

"You want to challenge me at basketball shooting?"

Chi Che confirmed, "Yes."

"Whoever wins can make one request of the other."

Wasn’t this handing her the win? she thought.

With the athletic talent she’d inherited, making every shot was practically guaranteed—a sure thing.

"You said it yourself."

After the "beep—" the timer started counting.

Tang Qing and Chi Che sprang into action at the same time!

Both of them were experts.

Their accuracy was terrifyingly precise.

Almost every time, their shots found the basket simultaneously.

Yet the final result showed Tang Qing was eight baskets short of Chi Che.

Baffled by the results, Tang Qing asked, "How did you do that?"

"I didn’t miss a single shot."

After checking the score again, Chi Che confirmed he had indeed won by eight baskets and replied with a winning smile, "I didn’t miss any either."

"Then how'd you beat me by eight?"

The eldest young master of the Chi family pointed at the balls under the basketball game, revealing the secret, "I started with one more ball than you."

So that was it.

With both having a 100% hit rate, Chi Che had one more basketball, allowing him to shoot faster.

So the problem was here all along...

Tang Qing suddenly understood, "So, from the very beginning, you were setting me up?"

Chi Che: "I wouldn't call it scheming. The idea was all Su Nan’s."

"But looking at the result, I did beat you by 8 shots."

For those 8 balls, he had even installed a basketball hoop in his villa and practiced for a full month, and it paid off.

"So, after all that effort, what do you want from me?"

Finally, the most critical question was asked!

Chi Che at that moment looked right at Tang Qing.

Full of affection, Chi Che spoke the words he had longed to say: "The confession by the seaside two years ago—will you give me an answer now?"

Back then, on WeChat, out of cowardice, Chi Che had personally unsent that message.

Two years later, taking this chance from the shooting game, Chi Che said with a smile, "By the rules, at least for today, you're not allowed to turn me down."

So it was about this matter.

Tang Qing was at a loss for words. After pausing for just a second, she replied, "I won't refuse you in the future either."

"I agree."

System announcement: Detected Chi Che’s affection points increase. Current affection points: 100!

Target conquered!

...

At the birthday party the following year, Tang Yi was also dressed to the nines.

Zhuang Yangqiu had waited at the entrance for a long time, but this time, he didn’t see who he was hoping to see.

Just then, Tang Yi happened to walk over, "Zhuang-ge, are you waiting for my sister?"

"My sister said she’s not coming this time."

Over the past two years, Tang Yi had learned how to handle any trouble that might arise at such banquets, and Lady Boss no longer needed to accompany her at all times.

Hearing this news, clear disappointment passed through Zhuang Yangqiu’s eyes.

Two years ago, when Tang Qing had their big fallout with Tang Junshan and found herself in a difficult situation, he had thought long and hard about a solution. In the end, he had got his father involved and tried to mediate.

Unexpectedly, his father's help turned out unnecessary.

After returning from the Tang family, his father brought news: Tang Junshan had already agreed to let Tang Qing participate in the competition.

"Yangqiu, I heard that someone from the north came and came to talk some sense into your Uncle Junshan."

In just an instant, he realized he was too late again.

His relationship with Tang Qing always seemed to be this way.

Apart from the initial pursuit, countless times after that, he was left out, could only watch as she grew closer and closer to Chi Che.

Suddenly falling from a high platform, he became an irrelevant bystander.

It was only then that Zhuang Yangqiu realized what Tang Qing had felt when he kept ignoring her before.

His eyes bleak, Zhuang Yangqiu still stood at the entrance.

Tang Yi thought it was weird: "Zhuang-ge, my sister isn't coming. Aren't you going inside?"

Tonight, she wasn't coming.

A simple statement.

Zhuang Yangqiu's entire demeanor became desolate. Standing before the door, he resembled a solitary boat, tonight destined never to reach the harbor he longed to moor at.

Tang Yi reminded him again, "Zhuang-ge, it's quite cold outside..."

Late August.

The late night hung heavy with dew.

Yet Zhuang Yangqiu said, "It's fine."

Two years ago, on that night, Tang Qing had stood here in the same despair.

Cicadas chirping and frogs croaking—every sound seemed to tell him he had to let go.

"System announcement: Detected an increase in Zhuang Yangqiu’s affection value. Current affection value: 100!"

"Mission accomplished!"