It’s normal to have skills in Wangwang, right?

Chapter 420 A Meeting at Dusk and Unpretentious Care

As many had expected, the final singles match of the Japan-US Junior Tennis Exchange Tournament saw Ryoma Echizen face off against Kevin Smith.

A fateful duel was swiftly thrust onto the stage after Kirihara Akaya's unexpected departure. The blond-haired boy, Kevin, channeled all his anger at not facing Echizen into an even more ferocious offensive on the court.

Ryoma Echizen, the proud young man who always said "I'm still far from good enough," also delivered the most powerful response with his superb skills and tenacious will.

In the end, the score was final. Ryoma Echizen won.

The Japanese team won this highly anticipated exchange match with a total score of three wins, one draw, and one loss. Deafening cheers erupted in the stadium, celebrating both the Japanese victory and the thrilling match.

However, amidst the wave of celebration, there were also discordant notes.

Inside the medical room, Kirihara Akaya, who had just regained consciousness, was completely stunned when he learned from Vice Captain Sanada that the match was over and that Echizen Ryoma had won the final game in his place. Immediately, a huge wave of disappointment, resentment, grievance, and anger at himself for "messing up" overwhelmed him.

"Waaaaahh ...

"I...I almost...Waaah...It was all my fault...Waaah...I'm so sorry, Vice-Captain...I'm so sorry, Captain Yukimura...I'm so sorry, everyone...Waaah..."

Everyone else in the medical room was caught off guard by the sudden outburst of crying. The medical staff wanted to offer comfort, but didn't know how to begin.

Among the Rikkai regulars who came with them, Marui and Jackal's faces were filled with heartache and helplessness, while Yanagi Renji silently recorded the data on Akaya's emotional breakdown.

Genichiro Sanada's temples had been throbbing ever since Kirihara first cried out. He clenched his fists, his face as black as the bottom of a pot. Seeing his junior's pathetic state, especially in front of outsiders, Sanada felt that Rikkai University's reputation was about to be ruined by this kid's crying.

Endure... This is a wounded soldier... Sanada silently chanted in his heart.

"Waaah... Echizen must be so smug... Waaah... I could have done it..."

Patience... He has just been through danger...

"Aaaaaah—I'm so unwilling to accept this—!!"

"Shut up!!!"

Finally, the volcano erupted. Sanada's thunderous roar, like a thunderclap, exploded in the medical room, instantly drowning out Kirihara's cries. He stepped forward, his iron fist clenched, a "teaching of love" style flick on the forehead about to fall.

Kirihara's crying stopped abruptly, turning into a loud sob. He raised his tear-blurred face and saw his vice-captain's dark face, enough to frighten even ghosts, and a fist hovering above his head. He was so frightened that he hiccuped and fell completely silent, leaving only his trembling shoulders and rabbit-red eyes looking pitifully at Sanada.

The world is quiet.

Sanada took a deep breath, withdrew his fist, but his face remained grim: "Too lax! What kind of man cries like this! This was an accident; learn from it, and win next time!"

"Yes...yes! Vice Minister!" Kirihara, with a heavy nasal voice, obediently lay back down. Although his eyes were still red, he finally dared not howl anymore.

However, Liu Lingyin did not see this scene, since it happened after she and Yukimura and the others had separated.

As Ryoma Echizen secured the victory on the field and the entire stadium erupted in cheers, she was enduring the lingering, dull pain in her mind, as if she were being repeatedly struck by a blunt instrument, and the nauseating weakness rising from the depths of her soul, as she bid farewell to Yukimura Seiichi, Niou Masaharu, and others beside her.

"Yukimura-kun, Niou-kun, Yanagi-kun... The match is over, I... I'll be going now."

Her voice was much lower and hoarse than usual, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between her teeth. Her face was so pale it was almost transparent, even her lips had lost all color. The veins on both sides of her forehead were still throbbing, revealing the pain she was trying so hard to endure.

Yukimura's violet-blue eyes stared intently at her, his gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce through the surface and reveal the deeper wounds she was trying so hard to hide.

He didn't press her to explain why she looked worse than the injured Kirihara; he simply said gently but firmly:

"Lingyin, you're in a very bad state right now. We're worried about you leaving alone."

Niou also dropped all his joking expression, his silver-blue eyes filled with worry:

"Yeah, Puri~ You look like you could be blown over by a gust of wind. Shall we take you?"

Liu Lian'er did not speak, but his gaze was fixed on Liu Lingyin's slightly trembling fingers and unsteady steps.

Liu Lingyin understood their good intentions and was grateful for their thoughtfulness, so she didn't press for the reason.

She managed a very faint smile and shook her head: "Thank you, but really, it's not necessary. I... I'm going to meet up with Sakaki's father. We'll go back together after he's done there."

She brought up Sakaki Taro as a reason, which would dispel their doubts and insistence to the greatest extent possible.

As expected, upon hearing that she was with Director Sakaki, Yukimura and the others relaxed their tense expressions slightly. Sakaki Taro's meticulousness and reliability were well-known, and with him around, Yanagi Suzune's safety was at least assured.

“In that case, we’ll take you somewhere you can see Director Sakaki.”

Yukimura nodded, his voice still gentle, but with a hint of unwavering insistence. This was the biggest concession he could make, at least to confirm that she wasn't leaving the venue alone.

Liu Lingyin was too exhausted to refuse any longer, and knowing that this was their bottom line, she simply gave a soft "hmm".

So, escorted by several Rikkai University regulars, they slowly walked towards the relatively less crowded passageway leading to the internal work area inside the stadium.

Upon reaching the entrance of the passageway, where she could already see a few staff members and security personnel, Liu Lingyin stopped and once again politely declined their offer to see her off.

"That's enough. Sakaki's father's office is not far ahead. I can go there myself. You should go back and check on Akaya."

She mentioned Kirihara, successfully diverting some of their attention.

Yukimura glanced at the passageway not far away that indeed had a "Staff Area" sign, then looked at Liu Lingyin's pale but slightly more stable expression, and finally nodded:

"Okay, then take care of yourself. If... you need anything, feel free to contact us."

He left behind these words, which were quite meaningful.

"Well, thank you."

Liu Lingyin sincerely thanked them, watching as the Rikkai students turned and walked towards the medical room.

Only after their figures disappeared around the corner did Liu Lingyin finally let out a long sigh of relief. Her body swayed, and she had to reach out and grab the cold wall to avoid slipping and falling. Her headache not only didn't subside, but it became even more intense due to the movement and tension, and her vision blurred in waves.

She was indeed going to find Sakaki Taro, but not to leave together; rather, to inform him that he needed to leave first. Her current condition made it completely unsuitable for her to remain in the bustling arena, much less for her to accompany Sakaki Taro to deal with the various post-match social engagements and interviews.

Leaning against the wall, Liu Lingyin caught her breath and, with trembling hands, pulled her phone from her backpack. Her fingertips were icy cold, and she had to try several times to unlock the screen. She found "Sakaki's father's" number and dialed it.

The call was answered quickly, with some background noise, but congratulations and conversations could be faintly heard.

"Ringtone?"

Sakaki Taro's voice came through, remaining calm and composed even in such an environment.

“Dad Sakaki,” Liu Lingyin tried to make her voice sound as steady as possible, “The competition is over, and I… I’m feeling a little unwell and would like to go back and rest first.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Sakaki Taro's voice became much clearer, indicating that he had moved to a relatively quiet place.

"Are you feeling unwell? Is it serious? Do you need to see a doctor?"

His question was concise and direct, carrying his usual seriousness, yet also revealing his concern.

"No, no," Liu Lingyin quickly said. "I'm just a little tired and have a headache. It's probably because... I had the air conditioning on for too long last night, and the venue was crowded and stuffy. I want to go home and lie down for a while."

She came up with a relatively reasonable excuse.

Sakaki Taro didn't immediately agree, seemingly assessing the truthfulness of her words. After a moment, he said, "Okay. Be careful, go straight home, don't linger outside. Text me when you get home."

"Yes, I know, thank you, Papa Sakaki." Relieved to have received permission, Liu Lingyin breathed a sigh of relief.

After hanging up the phone with Sakaki Taro, Yanagi Rin did not leave immediately.

She leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, took out some mentholatum and applied it to the throbbing spot on her head, enduring another wave of headaches.

The minty scent of the menthol lingered in my nose, but it had little effect on the excruciating pain that stemmed from a psychological level, only bringing a slight, superficial, numbing coolness.

She needs "Little Purple." That lazy but special healing spider is currently the only thing that can slightly alleviate the pain of her mental exhaustion.

Although its effect is not as good as a specialized mental calming drug, it's better than nothing. And "Little Purple"... is still with Atobe Keigo.

Without hesitation, Liu Lingyin picked up her phone again, found the name labeled "Grandpa Atobe" in her contacts, and dialed it.

The phone rang regularly, five or six times, and just as Liu Lingyin thought that Atobe might be busy or hadn't heard it, the call was answered.

"I am Atobe."

Atobe Keigo's magnificent, deep, and magnetic voice, like that of a cello, came through the receiver. The background noise was relatively quiet, with only the slight rustling of clothes. He had probably just left the noisy center area.

Normally, Liu Lingyin might have thought to herself, "That's quite a beautiful voice," but at this moment, the intense headache and weakness left her with no desire to appreciate anything. Her tone was tinged with barely concealed urgency and a weakness born of pain:

“Atobe, it’s me, Liu Lingyin.” She paused, then cut straight to the point, her voice slightly unsteady, “I wanted to ask… ‘Komurasaki,’ did you bring her with you? You mean… that medicine spider.”

There was a noticeable pause on the other end of the phone.

Immediately, Atobe's voice rose slightly, carrying a habitual arrogance and disdain, as if he had been offended:

"Huh? Such an unglamorous creature, how could I possibly carry it with me all the time!"

His tone sounded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with anger, but upon closer listening, there seemed to be a subtle unnaturalness, as if he was trying to cover something up.

"Liu Lingyin, you'd better find some time to take that shabby thing back with you! What kind of nonsense is it to leave it here with me!"

Hearing Atobe's familiar, flamboyant, and disdainful tone, Liu Lingyin felt a strange sense of relief.

At least, Atobe was still the same Atobe, and did not show excessive panic or alienation because of "Komurasaki's" strangeness.

"You're so handsome, Atobe-sama!"

Liu Lingyin's voice was still weak, but she still couldn't help but blurt out nonsense.

"But don't worry about finding the time. Just tell me where it is, and I... I'll go get it right now."

Atobe's slightly upturned lips, which had been tinged with amusement after hearing Liu Lingyin's comment, "You're handsome," faltered upon hearing the rest of the sentence. He asked uncertainly, "I'm even."

"Now?"

His tone rose, this time with obvious surprise.

He didn't immediately answer the question about the location, but instead keenly noticed the unusual tone in Liu Lingyin's voice.

"Liu Lingyin, where are you now?"

His voice deepened, losing some of its ornate tone and gaining more substantial concern and scrutiny.

"Are you feeling unwell? Your voice sounds off."

Liu Lingyin didn't have the energy to make up more excuses, nor the strength to put on a brave face. She simply gave the general location she was in.

After listening, Atobe remained silent for a few seconds. Only his steady breathing could be heard on the phone. Then, he spoke again, his voice regaining its usual arrogance, but carrying an undeniable decisiveness:

"You... stay there and don't move. Just stay where you are and wait for me."

Liu Lingyin was taken aback: "Huh?"

Atobe seemed to cough lightly, quickening his speech as if to cover it up:

"Ah, it's too much of a waste of time for you to go find where that unglamorous creature of yours is. I'll take you to get it; it'll be faster."

Liu Lingyin had a splitting headache at the moment and didn't want to say anything more. Of course, it would be best to get 'Little Purple' as soon as possible.

"Oh... okay." She obediently agreed, her voice as soft as a feather.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Lingyin stuffed her phone back into her pocket and almost collapsed against the wall.

She took out the bottle of homemade cooling balm again, dipped a little with her cool fingers, and applied it to her throbbing temples and forehead. Then, she gently pressed and massaged the area in circles with the base of her palms.

The cooling medicinal oil seeped into her skin, bringing waves of coolness in an attempt to combat the burning pain spreading from the depths of her soul. The effect was limited, but it at least cleared her muddled consciousness slightly and gave her a little strength to persevere.

Atobe Keigo didn't keep her waiting long. A series of slightly hurried yet still elegant footsteps approached from afar and stopped in front of her.