The two had barely finished warming up when someone brought tea. Lian Bo picked up the delicate ceramic cup and took a sip, then gave the referee a look.
Zhao Yu brought down a sharp hand chop and shouted, "Everyone remembers this bet, right?! Falling off or admitting defeat will terminate this match!"
Xu Li, who had just risen on his toes, immediately pulled back and turned to look at his leader helplessly. He thought it had started, and his nerves were already taut.
He knew this, of course. He had learned the higher-ups' intentions during the previous simulated rescue mission. That was why he was determined to win, but even with his all, he couldn't seem to keep up with Jian You.
This was why he wanted to obtain what he desired in this manner.
He admitted it was somewhat unsportsmanlike, fighting a woman, an unfair victory. However, he desperately needed this position and the material benefits it brought!
He had grown up an orphan, raised by his grandmother. His grandmother had treated him very well.
But as she grew older, her health deteriorated. She often suffered from minor ailments, but hospital and medicine costs were too high. Now, she even needed a small surgery, and he had no spare money.
Advancing one rank would greatly alleviate his current situation and allow him to provide a better life for his grandmother...
"Ugh~"
Xu Li clutched his chest and looked up sharply, only to realize the competition had started at some point, and Jian You was the one who had just hit him. Jian You's next attack was already before him.
He reacted quickly, stepping back while extending his hands to block.
Lian Bo below couldn't help but shake his head. To be distracted at a time like this; in a real fight, he would already be a corpse.
However, it was evident that their foundations were good, especially Jian You's ability to grasp the situation so quickly, showing good comprehension. From what they said, Jian You had passed all the basic tests in one go.
And now, she could withstand fighting a man considerably stronger than her. Lian Bo also noticed that Jian You was using leverage, borrowing strength to strike, and turning a small force into a great one.
As time passed, both began to show signs of fatigue, and their movements gradually revealed their limitations. However, being able to last this long earned the admiration of several people below.
Soon, Jian You was kicked by Xu Li and hit against the railing. She leaned against the railing, panting, clearly unable to hold on.
Without giving her a chance to rest, Xu Li attacked again, pursuing her. Jian You weakly resisted a few times, but in the final onslaught, Xu Li struck with all his might. Jian You was knocked to the ground, her hands supporting her before she finally collapsed.
Even though Jian You refused to give up, after several exchanges, she suddenly lay down on the platform, glaring fiercely at Xu Li without speaking.
Jian You's face and nose were swollen, her lips bruised and still bleeding. Every visible part of her was covered in bruises. Seeing a woman beaten to this state, everyone felt pity.
Zhao Yu's gaze never left Jian You. He said slowly in a deep voice, "Give up. The outcome is clear. You'll suffer less."
If their young lady had suffered even one-tenth of this, he would have beaten the offender to death!
He had no other virtues, but anyone he recognized as his own, he would treat as family, willing to risk his life for them!
Jian You spat out a mouthful of blood and subtly shook her head. Her face still bore a stubborn, unconvinced expression.
Seeing this, Xu Li lightly wiped his mouth and said, "Apologies." Then he strode towards Jian You.
It was time to end this!
As Xu Li approached, he leaned down and lifted Jian You. Since she wouldn't surrender, the only way to end the match was: elimination!
Just as his muscular arms tensed, the weight above him suddenly lightened...
Jian You suddenly reversed, encircling Xu Li's neck. Using his body for leverage, she sprang into the air, kicking Xu Li hard.
All of this happened in a flash. Before Xu Li could react, his body was uncontrollably tumbling over the railing. He still hadn't processed what happened when he felt a clear pain in his back...
He had lost...
He had utterly lost to a woman. All his proud skills were a joke at this moment. He... was worse than a woman...
Looking at the bright lights above, Xu Li's eyes suddenly dimmed. What about Grandma...
Lu Qing below gaped, looking at the scene in disbelief. So, Jian You had won, right?
He dazedly turned to look at the leader and Lian Bo. Neither of them reacted. The next moment, Zhao Yu loudly announced the result: "Jian You wins!"
He paused, then continued, "Jian You, Captain of the Thirty-Sixth Company!"
Lian Bo stared at Jian You, who was being helped down, lost in thought. After a moment, he finally spoke, addressing Zhao Yu, but his eyes were on the battered Jian You.
"I will take her. The Thirty-Sixth Company will be temporarily managed by Xu Li, and all benefits will be distributed according to the captain's treatment."
After saying this, Lian Bo got up and left, and Jian You was also taken away.
On the ground, a glint of light suddenly appeared in Xu Li's eyes, as radiant as clouds in the sky. He slowly smiled, a smile from the heart...
Afterward, the members of the Thirty-Sixth Company saw that the previously reserved Xu Li became much more cheerful, occasionally joking with people.
No one dared to refute Lian Bo's words. When the notice came down, the crowd erupted.
"Sister You is the best! I knew she'd be the captain!"
The original second team was displeased. "She's our captain too, how can you talk like she belongs to you alone!"
The little fan immediately put his hands on his hips, his head held high: "Sister You belongs to me alone. She already recognized me as her little brother!"
As a result, the first and second teams started flexing their muscles, gritting their teeth in anger. The next moment, fists were flying like they were free!
"Ouch! That hurts! Go easy, I was wrong~"
"What are you doing? Is there no order here?!"
Zhao Yu entered and saw a group of people in utter disarray, his face instantly turning as black as charcoal!
But fortunately, within two seconds, they had all lined up neatly. Zhao Yu said nothing more, as he had something else to say.
He walked around the square formation and spoke calmly: "If your aptitude wasn't so poor, you wouldn't have had your teams merged. And now you have the nerve to fool around!"
Zhao Yu looked with satisfaction at the lowered heads of everyone, daring not to make a sound, letting the atmosphere become increasingly tense.
After a long while, Zhao Yu spoke again, his expression serious and authoritative:
"Jian You, for instigating a brawl and disrupting internal order, has been specifically criticized by the higher-ups. And Xu Li cannot escape responsibility. Go back and write a self-criticism immediately. If such a thing happens again, it will not be so easily overlooked! Do you understand?!"
"Yes!"