The competition was in full swing, the tension rising with each passing moment. The air was thick with anticipation as the next round of the tournament approached. Participants, though exhausted from the previous round, readied themselves for what was to come.
During the break, while the others who had qualified for the next round rested, Yue Ling and Princess Mei sat together, chatting and eating meatballs. Yue Ling, always mischievous, managed to coax a laugh out of Princess Mei—something that was so rare, it startled the spectators. Those who had long known of Princess Mei's cold, unapproachable demeanor couldn't help but be taken aback by her genuine smile.
Even Bao, who had always been one to maintain his stoic nature, admitted, "This… this is the best smile I've ever seen. Who is Yue Ling to her? I've never seen her laugh like that."
Yize, standing nearby, spoke up, "A lot more unexpected things will keep happening as long as Grandfather Yue and his granddaughter are here. I don't think we all truly know the depth of their relationship."
Jia, ever curious, chimed in, "I've heard that the Empress who came yesterday to observe the competition actually respects Grandfather Yue. I heard from my father that the Empress is his daughter, which means… Princess Mei is also his granddaughter."
Yize nodded thoughtfully. "If only we knew the true identity of Grandfather Yue's companion. I wouldn't want to mention gender, but companion… What does he or she really look like?"
Bao interjected, "Since you're all such good friends, Jia, why not just ask Princess Mei directly? I think you're probably closer to her than I am."
Jia, confused, shot back, "Just because we're all friends here doesn't mean I'm close to the princess, you know."
The conversation continued as they all gossiped about Yue Ling and Princess Mei, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected connection between them. Despite the competition and the rivalry that brewed in the air, there was something oddly familiar about the bond the two shared.
As the bell rang for the second round, all 75 remaining competitors stepped forward to hear the rules. The commentator, with a wave of her hand, presented the golden lots. The numbers were etched into the center of the lots in silver, and as the contestants took turns drawing, a hush fell over the crowd.
Everyone noticed how Yue Ling stood in her usual spot, eyeing the last floating lot. Turning to Princess Mei, she smiled mischievously. "Mei Mei, you helped me with the drawing yesterday. Are you not helping me today? Though, I'm not as short as I was yesterday."
Before Princess Mei could respond, someone in the crowd muttered, "You flew to meet your grandfather yesterday, and now you're disturbing the princess?"
But before the person could finish, Princess Mei swiftly flew to Yue Ling's side to hand her the lot. Yue Ling, with a dramatic flourish, took it, then in a disguised voice said, "Mei Mei, my love, thank you for helping this gentleman."
The entire crowd froze, disgusted by the exaggerated act. Princess Mei herself cringed, but the spectacle didn't end there. As the commentator called out for those with number 38, Yue Ling glanced down at her jade piece and realized she was holding the number that had yet to be picked. Smiling knowingly, she turned to the commentator. "Seems like I'm the only one without a partner," she said.
The commentator nodded, gesturing for her to rest until the second round began. "You may sit this one out. The one without a partner must rest."
The other competitors, jealous of her luck, muttered under their breath. "Sometimes, acting nonchalant really pays off," one of them grumbled.
As the pairs were formed and the rules explained, Yue Ling found herself alone, her luck seeming almost too perfect. The 37 other pairs began to separate, their teams forming as they prepared for the second round. Each pair would need to defeat their opponent, but if one person from the pair was knocked out, the entire pair would lose.
Yue Ling, now with time to rest, sat back and waited. Her eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. Despite the competition around her, she remained calm, knowing full well that her true abilities had yet to be revealed.