CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172: RELEASE THEM AND I’LL GO WITH YOU (2)_1

He didn’t have the thick skin necessary to become the butt of other people’s jokes.

"I heard everything loud and clear just now," he chuckled. "Could it be that Elder Yu and Elder Zhi, both of you, are prone to exaggeration and don’t stand by your words? If that’s really the case, I believe many in the military would be disheartened, HAHAHAHA, wouldn’t you agree?"

A wave of laughter followed, as a group of people made their entrance. Shangguan You suddenly realized that this was a conspiracy, a blatant conspiracy. Why did these people choose to come now, of all times? Why?

Shangguan You exchanged a look with Shangguan Qing and they both stepped back, while Yu Zifeng and Yu Zijin also exchanged glances and retreated, leaving the elders of the Shangguan Family and the Yu Family to step forward. The status of these interlopers was beyond their own, and a careless move might drag both the Yu and Shangguan Families into troubled waters.

"Elder Li, what a rare visitor," someone commented.

"HAHAHA, Elder Li’s timing is perfect. You can help us witness this bet."

A playful remark escalated into a formal wager, with Elder Li from the Li Family and security personnel from the Luo Family acting as witnesses.

Li Wanying and Shangguan Rou, upon seeing the newcomers, joyfully approached. Shangguan Rou was especially affectionate, lavishing him with calls of "Grandpa" in the warmest tone.

Shangguan You and Shangguan Qing exchanged glances, then nodded to each other and exited the scene. Entanglements of officialdom were not what they wished to be involved in at the moment. Their current mission was to study diligently. Besides, there were many things Shangguan Zhi and his sons did not want the two of them to know.

Yu Zifeng and his sister also left the room, and for the first time, the group of four stood peacefully on the balcony, gazing at the lights outside.

The light shone upon Yu Zifeng’s angular, handsome face, his phoenix eyes gleaming faintly. After scanning Shangguan You, he nodded subtly.

"In a few more years, Little You will certainly become even more beautiful," Yu Zifeng mused calmly. "Zijin, if you lose, I’ll have to marry into the Shangguan Family. So, for your brother’s lifelong happiness, you can’t afford to lose, you understand?"

His gaze then shifted to Shangguan Qing.

"HEHE, Little You, for brother’s sake, you too must not lose. You need to summon the courage you had in front of the cameras a few days ago and ensure victory," Shangguan Qing’s gentle voice arose.

"Brother, do you really wish to marry into another family?"

Shangguan You and Yu Zijin spoke in unison. Shangguan You did not like Yu Zifeng, just as Yu Zijin did not like Shangguan Qing. Regardless of who won or lost between them, such a bet was not what they wanted to see, nor were they willing participants.

Both of them raised their eyebrows at the same time. The two elders had spoken up. With the addition of the Li Family’s interference, what else could they do now? Either Yu Zifeng would marry into the Shangguan Family or Shangguan Qing into the Yu Family. Although they were somewhat reluctant, it was now difficult to change. Thankfully, they were only in high school, with four more years until their university graduation.

"Brother Qing, Yu Young Master, I know you’re both dissatisfied with this bet, and likewise, Yu Zijin, you wouldn’t want to see your brother marry into another family, right?" Shangguan You’s eyes flickered as she posed the question to Yu Zijin, whose gaze toward Ye Shaoshao was one of envy. The person she liked was Ye Shaoshao, not her brother.

"Do you have any ideas?"

"The bet our grandfathers made was about winning and losing. What if there’s neither a winner nor a loser? Then the bet would be pointless, wouldn’t it? Neither would have to marry into the other’s family, and the Li Family’s witnesses would be irrelevant, correct?"

As Shangguan You spoke, a glint of realization lit up in the eyes of the other three. But how could they achieve a draw? The girls didn’t have a telepathic understanding, so how could they manage to score exactly the same on the exams?

"There are three methods. First, achieve perfect scores in every subject. However, that might be difficult, unless one is a genius. Second, get zero points in every course. This is much easier. Just write your name and submit your paper. But if we do that, our grandfathers will know we are doing it on purpose. The third way is to take the exam and answer the questions normally, but the scores must be exactly the same—this, too, is difficult," Shangguan You explained, letting Yu Zijin choose. If it were up to her, getting perfect scores wouldn’t be an issue, but how confident was Yu Zijin? Scoring zero was a sure win, but if both got zeros, that result would give rise to suspicion. The third option was not impossible.

"Let’s go with the third method," Yu Zijin finally declared after a moment’s silence. Shangguan You looked at her curiously, having thought Zijin would choose the second option, only to find that she had opted for the third.

"Young Master Qing, for the sake of us not having to marry into another family, it seems we need a temporary alliance," Yu Zifeng said with a light chuckle and a glint in his eyes. Shangguan You’s composure had surprised him.

Perhaps bringing her home as a bride wouldn’t be such a bad thing, but allowing himself to be married into another family? That was out of the question.

"Alright," Shangguan Qing replied with a light laugh, as he and Yu Zifeng high-fived each other.

Shangguan You and Yu Zijin also exchanged a smile. In this world, there were no eternal enemies, nor were there eternal friends. Just a few minutes before, they had wanted to embarrass each other, but now they could discuss collaboration. However, their families were unaware of this cooperation.

The once lively banquet hall gradually quieted down. When the four of them returned to the private room, everyone had moved to the dance floor. It was only after a good meal that the networking began, and that was the highlight of every year’s banquet.

"Brother Qing, let’s go," Shangguan You said, taking Shangguan Qing’s arm and heading towards the banquet hall. With the bomb defused for the night, although there would be no explosion, where were those in black who had taken her away? Where would they appear? What was their purpose?

Beautifully dressed ladies and handsome gentlemen, affluent officials, big and small figures, everything one could ask for was present. White-suited servers, carrying platters, weaved constantly among the guests. Shangguan You, with her sharp eyes, noticed Luo Tong and Luo Wu mingling in the crowd, wearing earpieces, carefully checking for suspicious individuals while receiving messages from others.

The two brothers were indeed fulfilling their duties conscientiously.