Chapter 66: Xiao Yang Didn’t Come?

Xiao Yang showed no intention of refuting a single word. His attitude made it clear—he tacitly agreed with what Gu Ci had said.

Huo Shuyue understood that Gu Ci’s claim was meant to prove she had no need for underhanded methods if she truly wanted to keep Xiao Yang from competing. Yet, Huo’s heart still ached with jealousy. After a while, she couldn’t help but glare fiercely at Gu Ci.

In Shi Xuetong’s chest, envy raged like wildfire. What was so special about Gu Ci? Was it just that her face was a little prettier? Yet Xiao Yang was actually willing to give up basketball—a passion of over ten years—for her! He would even risk losing the match against Cao Yue!

Everyone knew that if Xiao Yang lost, he’d have to be at Cao Yue’s beck and call for an entire month!

What on earth did Gu Ci have that could possibly justify this?

Gu Ci paid her no mind, giving Xiao Yang only a fleeting glance. “I’m going to fit you with something now. Just relax and pay attention to how it feels.”

Xiao Yang immediately perked up, as if he realized Gu Ci might have another way to help him stand before his bones had fully healed. He couldn’t wait. “Let’s get started, then.”

At these words, Shi Xuetong’s eyes blazed red. In a burst of anger, she rushed at Gu Ci, trying to knock the case from her hands. “No! I won’t let you harm Xiao Yang!”

Gu Ci’s gaze turned icy. Without hesitation, she kicked Shi Xuetong aside.

Shi Xuetong tumbled to the floor, but still shouted stubbornly at Xiao Yang, “Brother Xiao! That woman just wants to hurt you. Don’t trust her!”

Xiao Yang frowned impatiently. “Shi Xuetong, enough already. I know exactly what kind of person Sister Ci is. I don’t need your nonsense.”

He glanced at his friends nearby. “Take her outside.”

That was the last straw for Shi Xuetong. She stared at Xiao Yang in disbelief, screaming, “Are you out of your mind, Xiao Yang? She’s the reason you can’t feel your leg, and you still believe her lies?”

“Fine! Let’s see how you manage to stand without the special medicine I brought you!” With that, she ignored the friends trying to escort her out and stormed from Xiao Yang’s hospital room, slamming the door behind her.

Her heart seethed with resentment.

Fine! If Xiao Yang was going to treat her like this, he could just wait to lose. In the end, he’d still be hers!

She had barely taken a few steps outside when she overheard a richly dressed woman on the phone. “What’s going on? Haven’t you managed to invite Doctor Gu yet?”

“I told you, no matter the cost, you must bring Doctor Gu here! My Yue Ling’s wrist cannot afford any mishap!”

Hearing the name Doctor Gu, Shi Xuetong couldn’t help but interject, “Doctor Gu? He’s nothing but an empty reputation. Are you really still putting your faith in him?”

The sudden interruption made Mrs. Bai hang up, frowning in irritation. “What would a young girl like you know? Do you even know which Doctor Gu I’m talking about? The Doctor Gu I mean is a world-renowned orthopedist, hardly someone with an undeserved reputation.”

This was Mrs. Bai, who had spent days exhausting herself over Meng Yueling’s fractured hand. She had been using every connection the Meng family had, trying in vain to bring Doctor Gu in to treat her daughter.

Someone of that stature—how could the girl before her claim he was only famous for nothing? Mrs. Bai simply assumed they were talking about different people.

But when Shi Xuetong heard the phrase “world-renowned orthopedist,” her expression didn’t change at all. She just sneered, “Of course it’s him—a selfish, hypocritical doctor who can’t stand anyone being better than him!”

Mrs. Bai quickly asked, “Why would you say that? Have you met Doctor Gu?”

“He just came to the hospital a few days ago to look at my friend’s fracture,” Shi Xuetong said, shrugging resentfully. “But he can’t cure anything, and he even forbade the director and others from treating my friend properly!”

Mrs. Bai frowned. “Maybe you met an impostor?”

Shi Xuetong protested, “Impossible! My friend is none other than the young master of the Xiao family, Xiao Yang! The director and all the others were there. How could Doctor Gu be an impostor?”

Then an idea struck her. “Auntie, are you looking for Doctor Gu for someone’s fracture?”

A flash of vengeful pleasure crossed her eyes.

If Xiao Yang didn’t want her help, he shouldn’t blame her for what came next.

——————

By afternoon, it was time for Xiao Yang’s basketball match against Cao Yue.

Not wanting to return to Xiao Yang’s hospital room, Shi Xuetong arrived at the court early. She hadn’t been there long before she ran into Cao Yue’s group.

Cao Yue sauntered over with a lazy grin. “Well, if it isn’t our little sister Shi. Here so early—were you missing me or something?”

Disgust flickered in Shi Xuetong’s eyes. She took a step back, wary. “I don’t really know you.”

Cao Yue snorted, reached out, and pinched her cheek with casual insolence. “Sister, you sure didn’t sound like that on the phone the other day!”

Shi Xuetong’s face changed instantly, and she cut him off. “What do you want, Cao Yue!”

Cao Yue kept up the playful act. “Don’t be so nervous. There’s no one else here—other than you and me, who would ever know it was you that day…”

“Cao Yue!” Shi Xuetong stamped her foot in panic.

Seeing her so nervous, Cao Yue couldn’t help but laugh loudly, teasing, “Don’t be nervous, sister. With Xiao Yang like this, do you really think he’ll show up today? Don’t worry, no one will ever know what you’ve done.”

Shi Xuetong gritted her teeth and pressed him again, “Cao Yue, don’t forget what you promised me. You said you wouldn’t bully Xiao Yang if I helped you!”

Cao Yue feigned confusion. “Sister, when did I ever promise that? He’s embarrassed me so many times—how could I not teach him a lesson?”

Shi Xuetong’s face darkened with fury. “Cao Yue, how can you go back on your word? You promised—”

Cao Yue interrupted, “I promised to help you get what you wanted—to be with Xiao Yang. That’s all. I never agreed to anything else.”

“You’re shameless!” Unable to contain herself, Shi Xuetong slapped him across the face.

But Cao Yue caught her wrist easily and brushed her aside.

Shi Xuetong stumbled back a few steps, her bravado barely concealing her fear. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll testify that you all planned to hurt him? You’ll be in serious trouble if I do!”

Cao Yue pulled an exaggerated face of mock terror. “Oh, I’m so scared!”

His cronies behind him burst into raucous laughter, their arrogance unmistakable.

“Go on, little sister, say whatever you want. And be sure to tell your beloved Xiao Yang exactly who broke his leg and who’s about to see him lose this match!”

Shi Xuetong’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.

She shook her head and shouted, “It had nothing to do with me! Don’t you dare say otherwise! You acted on your own—”

At that moment, Huo Shuyue’s voice called from not far away. “Shi Xuetong, what are you doing?”

Shi Xuetong’s heart skipped a beat. She turned to see Huo Shuyue approaching with several of Xiao Yang’s friends, all heading for the court.

Among them, Xiao Yang was nowhere to be seen.