Chapter 58: 057 Zi Han's Friends (Seeking Followers, Seeking Monthly Passes)
"On your marks—go!"
As the whistle sounded, Xia Nuo and the three other little contestants in her group immediately started running.
The smallest in stature, Xia Nuo ran the fastest and was the first to jump onto the foam floating board of the first obstacle.
One, and then another!
Success!
Due to her smaller size and lower center of gravity, Xia Nuo was not easily thrown off the board; she only needed to be mindful of the distances she jumped.
Getting into the groove, Xia Nuo quickly cleared the first obstacle, and the second was three rolling, rotating foam poles.
The height of the poles was a bit challenging for Xia Nuo's stature.
"Can Nuo Nuo stride over it?"
"She didn't stride over, she crawled through!"
The petite Xia Nuo had her unique bodily advantage, she found a loophole!
Meanwhile, the three children in Xia Nuo's group were still crossing the floating boards, with the girls afraid of falling into the water, thus advancing slowly.
"Ah, it's unexpected, but leading the pack in the first group is our very own Nuo Nuo Strawberry Jam."
"Nuo Nuo is really brave, go Nuo Nuo!"
"The other children shouldn't lag behind either!"
Soon, Xia Nuo reached the third obstacle!
Carry the big hammer across the sea!
This posed a significant challenge to the physical strength of the children.
Xia Nuo took a deep breath and clenched the air hammer tightly.
Then the air hammer activated, and its gentle swinging made Xia Nuo instinctively close her eyes.
Xia Nuo gripped the air hammer tightly, and everyone's hearts were in their throats.
Only Fang You, watching from the side, appeared composed.
Nuo Nuo would not be defeated here.
In the special training before this event, Xia Nuo had practiced by holding onto Fang You and not letting him throw her off.
If even You You couldn't shake off Nuo Nuo, a mere air hammer wouldn't manage it either!
And just as Fang You had predicted!
Now, the only challenge that lay before Xia Nuo was a brain teaser.
Quick Mental Math!
Xia Nuo jumped onto the platform, pressed the button, and the question appeared on the board, while the inflatable wall on the side of the platform activated.
The wall would not stop until the correct answer was given, which was necessary for the bridge to the finish line to rise.
[10+8=?]
"They, they're giving a double-digit addition problem!"
"It's probably too hard for Nuo Nuo!"
"Is this rigged? How can they give such a question to a five-year-old! XXX, refund!"
"Wake up, you didn't even buy a ticket!"
10... plus 8...
Xia Nuo counted on her fingers, as the inflatable wall gradually moved closer to her.
Hosted by m_vl_em_p_yr
It's, it's almost touching Nuo Nuo's arm!
Will she be pushed off like this?
At the last moment, Xia Nuo shouted into the microphone:
"18!"
The inflatable wall mechanism stopped.
Xia Nuo had worked out the correct answer! The crowd erupted into cheers!
It was a heart-stopping, thrilling comeback race!
Everyone had been on edge watching Xia Nuo's performance.
Xia Nuo struggled up the stairs and pressed the finish button!
"Let's congratulate her, Nuo Nuo succeeded in the challenge!"
Xia Nuo walked off the field, with Xia Anyang and Lin Yi immediately coming up to lift their daughter.
"How are you feeling, Nuo Nuo? Are you hurt? Let daddy check..."
Xia Nuo wriggled excitedly, wiggling her little butt with a joyful swing, "That was so much fun!"
In Xia Nuo's group, she was the only one to pass.
There were fewer girls competing, so the boys' competition started soon after.
The challenges for the boys' group were different from those for the girls', with their obstacles being more difficult.
Carry the big hammer across the sea was replaced by continuous rope swings, which greatly tested physical fitness, especially the strength of the arms and wrists.
And the final Quick Mental Math not only required answering questions but also crawling forward before the mechanism stopped, crossing a barrier of netting, which greatly tested crawling speed.
Before the competition started, Wang Zihan was still preoccupied with the charm issue.
"You You, maybe you should let me take care of your charm. If you fall into the water and get Ling Nai's stuff wet, she's going to be really upset."
"I didn't want the charm either, I'll receive my own charms from Ling Nai in the future. She promised to make one for me too, truly, I'm not lying to you..."
The competition began!
You You charged forth!
You You was clearing obstacles!
You You passed the first one, then the second...
Fang You slammed the button with the swiftness of lightning—
The competition ended.
Wang Zihan, still struggling to cross the spinning foam pole, was dumbstruck!
The host, gearing up for an impassioned commentary, was also dumbstruck!
"I only knew You You was good at playing the drum set before, but I didn't expect his physical fitness to be this great!"
"This kid really doesn't have any weaknesses."
"Did you guys see how fast he was climbing the net just now?"
"That was frightening, he's definitely trained."
"I've always said that You You must have been a soldier in his past life!"
"More than just a soldier, he's practically special forces."
With many people present, Fang You harvested more than 1,000 points of Emotional Energy in one breath.
Effective, indeed, effective indeed...
He would be able to harvest even more during the finals!
Fang You walked off the stage amid cheers, but Wang Zihan's challenge wasn't over yet.
[Wang Zihan absolutely doesn't want to lose to you in front of Ling Nai, so he has decided to go all out! Emotional Energy +30]
Wang Zihan summoned his courage and swung on the rope towards the finish line!
Wang Zihan fell into the water!
Too bad, Zi Han.
Looks like this game of harvesting emotions is over for now.
Wang Zihan was carried out of the pool by the staff.
He wiped the water off his face, his expression determined.
It's a pity to lose to You You.
At least, the amulet wasn't soaked.
As long as Ling Nai is happy, I'm also happy.
Now that I think about it, when Ling Nai was cheering just now, it seemed like she was cheering for both me and You You.
Wang Zihan wanted to go over to Ling Nai to thank her.
But as soon as he left the arena, he saw Fang You being surrounded by Ling Nai, Xia Nuo, and Luo Xianyu, with the adorable girls all congratulating their good friend on his victory.
Xia Nuo held Fang You's hand, hopping around excitedly, "You You is so fast! It ended in a swoosh! You're so amazing!"
Luo Xianyu clutched the corner of Fang You's clothes and swayed, gazing at Fang You with adoration.
This boy is pretty amazing, isn't he?
That's right... he's Ayu's daddy!
Noticing Wang Zihan approaching him, Fang You glanced at him, causing Wang Zihan to immediately lose his composure:
"Fang You, don't get too smug. You're only this strong because you have the amulet prepared by Ling Nai!"
"If I had Ling Nai's amulet, I could be just as strong as you!"
Asai Reina's face instantly reddened upon hearing this, and her posture became involuntarily coy.
Keep talking, Wang Zihan.
Ling Nai likes to hear that!
Seeing Ling Nai giggle at his teasing, Wang Zihan suddenly felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
He scratched his head embarrassedly and shyly began to trace circles with his foot.
Ling Nai, you're finally starting to like me!
Just as Wang Zihan wondered whether he should re-add Ling Nai as a friend on his smartwatch, Asai Reina pulled Fang You's arm:
"You You, about that..."
Asai Reina mumbled, "The competition ended too late today, I've talked it over with my mom, and we'd like to stay over in Mei City for the night. Can I come over to your place to spend the night?"
"Ah?" Fang You frowned slightly, seemingly a bit reluctant.
"You You's place is too small; let's sleep at my place. I'll sleep with Ling Nai!" Xia Nuo pulled Asai Reina's hand, hopping about.
"No... don't want Ling Nai to sleep with Nuo Nuo."
Ayu pushed away Xia Nuo and Asai Reina's hands.
She still saw Asai Reina as an outsider.
"Then, Ayu can come sleep with me too!"
"Don't want to!"
"Don't want Ling Nai either."
Asai Reina said disdainfully, "If I'm to sleep with Nuo Nuo, Ling Nai would rather stay at a hotel!"
"Then you better go stay at a hotel."
Fang You casually replied, then saw Wang Zihan looking at him with gritted teeth.
He seemed to have something to say...
[Wang Zihan hopes you could be a little gentler towards Ling Nai, Emotional Energy +20]
Did I... say something too harsh just now?
Tough to maintain.
Just then, Fang You's mind suddenly pinged:
[Congratulations on accumulating 1,000 points of Wang Zihan's Emotional Energy, awarding 500 points of Growth Energy! Current Growth Energy (37220/50000)]
[Hidden Talent [Zi Han's Friend] unlocked: Wang Zihan's Emotional Energy output towards you is now doubled.]
Well, I'll be, wow...
I've leached so much energy from Uncle Xia before without unlocking this Talent, how come it's unlocked just like that with Zi Han?
Fang You really couldn't help wanting to tease Wang Zihan some more.
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