195 Friendship Firs (1/2)

”You…” James’s voice died off and he scoffed, no longer willing to argue over this topic with Ye Qingxuan. But he quickly felt that there was something else wrong! ”Wait, what is this?”

The gold dog sitting on the ground scoffed and rolled its eyes, not wanting to bother with him.

”Oh, that.” Ye Qingxuan picked his nose with his pinkie finger and stated, ”That’s our goalie. Let me introduce you to him. His name is Old Phil, and he is an irreplaceable member of the History department…”

James stared, dumbfounded. ”It—it’s clearly a dog!”

”So what?” Bai Xi rolled her eyes. ”Even dogs are better than you all…what are you scared of?”

”Referee, objection!” James twisted his head toward the referee. The referee was also confused and subconsciously looked behind him to the top of the stands. He quickly received the sign and his expression became strange.

Eyeing Ye Qingxuan, he coughed and said, ”Objection ineffective. Special circumstances call for special treatment. James, stop wasting time and shake their hand to start.”

James practically thought that he heard incorrectly. Special circumstances call for special treatment? But that was clearly a dog! But he quickly forced down his shock and depression, and gloomily stretched his hand toward Ye Qingxuan. ”I hope to learn from you.”

”And I, you.” Ye Qingxuan shook his hand and swung it forcefully. His smile was full of enthusiasm.

Seeing his cheerful smile, James felt anger coming from everywhere. Clenching his jaw, he grit out, ”Rest assured that friendship comes first and the game comes second. We won’t go for the kill. At most, you’ll just lose horribly.”

”Oh, really? Then thank you so much.” Ye Qingxuan gave a fake laugh too. ”We’re really not very confident, so please have mercy on us.”

”Of course, of course.” James moved his facial muscles into a smile and grasped Ye Qingxuan’s hand, shaking it.

Clunk. Something fell from Ye Qingxuan’s sleeves and landed on the ground with a crisp sound. Under the sun, everyone was stunned. It was a heavy iron wrench and it shone blindingly with silver light.

”This…” James was frozen.

Ye Qingxuan calmly picked up the wrench and stuffed it back into his sleeve. ”As you can see, we’re a team that loves mechanics, so it’s normal for us to have wrenches in our pockets.” He fluttered his lashes innocently, as if he was really telling the truth.

Clunk! There was another sound behind him.

A hammer fell from under Bai Xi’s skirt. Its reflection shone with cold light, making James’s expression change dramatically. His lips quivered, but he could not say anything.

”As you can see, we’re also skilled at woodworking,” Ye Qingxuan explained seriously. ”That’s why it’s also normal to have a hammer in our pockets. Bai Xi, quickly put it away. Aren’t you scared of the seniors laughing at us?” He pretended to scold Bai Xi and then pushed a smile back onto his face as he gazed at James. ”Please don’t mind us. That was just a small episode.”

Ye Qingxuan patted his bulging chest that was filled with who-knew-what and promised with a serious face, ”Believe me, this game will be very fun!”

For some reason, James’s team felt an eerie chill go down their spines.

-

”Both sides get ready!” The referee stood at the midline of the field and gazed at the players on either side of him. He gently placed the customized soccer ball down at his feet and carefully retreated.

Once the game started, this place would be a battleground. They were only students, but they were musicians after all. Those who still dared to stand in the center of a messy fight between dozens of musicians were either suicidal or had something wrong with their brain.

Now, the eyes of both sides were scanning for weak points in the other team. Some were already murmuring to themselves, preparing the syllables they would chant later. The three graduating students unabashedly pulled out their instruments.

After hesitating for a bit, Bench Guy pulled out an average-looking flute from his sleeve. It was clear that this was not his usual instrument. It looked like the cheap and mass-produced stuff made for students to get used to playing. With the heavy load of aether, it would be hard to last one game.

If not for the fact that they could play and communicate with the aether only after the game began, they would have started preparing now.

”Huh, they look unfriendly.” Charles whistled.

”Three!” The sound of the referee’s countdown traveled over.

At the back, Old Phil opened its mouth. Its sharp teeth reflected a cold glint under the sun, chilling one’s heart. It seemed as if it would charge over as soon as the countdown ended.

James’s blood ran cold. Had these History department b*stards really decided to squash a musician’s dignity and get into a fist fight right at the start? They were not even giving him time to play his music score…Weren’t they scared of breaking the game’s rules and getting a foul?

”They won’t dare…” He gritted his teeth and glared at Ye Qingxuan furiously. Ye Qingxuan, the offense, smiled at him.

”Two!”

Under everyone’s gazes, the youth on the field smiled innocently, but his hand reached for his chest naturally and grasped something. Was it a hammer? Or a bat? Or some weird Eastern weapon?!

”One!”