Chapter Fifty-Four: Outwitted by One’s Own Wit (Part Two)

“Can’t handle losing? I knew there were people who could win but couldn’t accept defeat. Sigh, what’s a true gentleman, anyway? Just a polished facade.” Tan Xue let out a sigh, as if she saw right through Chu Dong.

His veins bulged on his forehead—when had he ever been looked down upon like this? Chu Dong nearly blurted out that losing was nothing to be ashamed of, but then he thought better of it. This wasn’t the moment for bravado. If he admitted defeat now, the days ahead would only be harder. Swallowing his impulse, he said, “Are we going to play or not? We never said it was just one round to decide the winner.”

“Fine, today I’ll indulge your little vanity. I’ll make sure you’re convinced, fair and square.” Tan Xue placed the small ball on a nearby stone, then pulled another identical ball from her bag and waved it at Chu Dong. “See clearly this time?”

“I see it,” Chu Dong replied, staring unblinkingly at the ball in her hand.

“That’s good. Don’t say I’m cheating again.” With a smile, Tan Xue had Chu Dong confirm the ball, then opened it, took out a pen, and wrote a “2” on a strip of paper she had already prepared. She folded it carefully, sealed it inside the ball, and then picked up the other ball she had set aside.

“This time, it should be my turn to choose first, right?” Her large eyes sparkled with amusement as she asked Chu Dong, who was still fixated on the balls.

“No,” Chu Dong shook his head, “The balls are all yours, you might recognize them. For fairness, I should choose first.”

“What a so-called gentleman—when it comes down to it, you show your true colors.” Tan Xue didn’t argue; she picked up the balls and hid them behind her back, fiddling with them for a while before presenting them, palm open. “Petty man, you go ahead and pick.”

Chu Dong was delighted. He’d spotted a tiny black dot on the ball Tan Xue had just brought out—not obvious, easy to miss, but Chu Dong had been watching closely. He knew she’d only switched the balls behind her back, not the papers inside. That meant, as long as he didn’t make a mistake, winning two more rounds was a breeze.

“I’m picking, then?” He glanced at Tan Xue’s calm face, asking cautiously.

“Go ahead, since when did you become so hesitant?” Tan Xue was a little impatient, though her heart was pounding.

“Come on, who’s hesitant? I just don’t want you to go back on your word.” Chu Dong muttered, then swiftly snatched the ball he’d already marked out from her palm. He burst into laughter. “You lost! I knew the balls were different, haha…”

“They’re all the same—who said they weren’t?” Tan Xue looked at her ball in confusion, holding it up to the sunlight for inspection.

“All the same? Well, check for yourself.” Chu Dong pinched his ball open and took out a neatly folded strip of paper. “Haha, what else do you have to say? Admit defeat?”

“I don’t believe it.” Tan Xue pouted, her voice playful.

“Hah, still not convinced? You just won’t turn back until you hit a wall.” Chu Dong unfolded the paper and showed it to Tan Xue. “Ta-da, look.”

“Look at what? You want me to see how you lost?” Tan Xue’s frown relaxed, and she smiled, showing no sign of disappointment.

“Come on, are you still denying it?” Chu Dong turned the paper and was stunned—it clearly bore the number “2.”

“What? That's not right. Yours was supposed to be ‘2’—how did this happen?”

As Chu Dong stood up to grab the ball from Tan Xue’s hand, she flung it away, mimicking his earlier gesture, sending it out of sight.

“You—?”

“What about me? A real man keeps his word, doesn’t he?” Tan Xue was now savoring her revenge, feeling utterly satisfied. The frustration from childhood, when Chu Dong bullied her, was finally released.

Slapping his thigh, Chu Dong suddenly understood: he’d been outfoxed. All along, both balls contained a “2.” His own suspicion led him to believe that picking first would disrupt Tan Xue’s plan, thinking the balls must have had a “1.” Without checking the paper in Tan Xue’s ball, he conceded defeat.

He had watched Tan Xue plainly write a “2” and seal it in the ball, assuming she was trying her luck since she’d already won a round. He’d smartly picked the other ball, only to find it was also a “2.”

He knew hers must have been the same, but his hand was slow, and she tossed it out of reach, leaving no proof. Knowing the truth was useless now.

“You little rascal, you’ve learned some tricks,” Chu Dong said, his finger trembling as he pointed at the triumphant Tan Xue. He slumped down, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

“A bet’s a bet. No more words. Now, I need to think carefully about what conditions I’ll set.” Tan Xue was brimming with confidence. The grievances from her childhood had been largely avenged.

“Oh, I just remembered, I’ve got an appointment this afternoon. You can take your time thinking—I’ll head out first.” Chu Dong stood, spun in place a few times, rummaged in his pocket for his phone, dialed a random number, and spoke without checking if the call had connected. “Hello, Mr. Wang? It’s me. Where are we meeting this afternoon? … On the island? … Good, good, then on the island. I’ll reserve a spot and wait for you. … All right, see you then.”

Tan Xue said nothing, just stretched out her hand toward Chu Dong, her big eyes blinking.

“What are you doing? I’ve got business to attend to.” Chu Dong glared, feigning seriousness.

Silent, her hand still outstretched, Tan Xue insisted, stubborn as ever.

“Fine, here you go.” He placed the phone in her hand, grinning as he sat nearby. “Xue’er, haven’t you missed me all these years? I knew it—after all, we shared a bed for years as kids, I…”

Seeing Tan Xue’s eyes widen, Chu Dong swallowed the rest of his words and smacked his lips. “All right, tell me, what’s your condition? A real man stands tall, even in a storm.”

“Pfft, you talk big without paying taxes.” Her cheeks flushed, Tan Xue coughed lightly. “It’s not that I want to let you off; I just haven’t thought of a punishment harsh enough yet. When I do, I’ll let you know. But remember, you owe me three conditions now. If you ever dare to go back on your word, I—I…” Tan Xue struggled to think of a threat, finally blurting out, “If you dare to break your promise, I’ll tell my godmother!”

Her godmother was Chu Dong’s mother. If his mother found out, there’d be trouble.

Chu Dong slapped his forehead, “Oh, my dear mother!”