Chapter 178: Chapter 177 Participation is What Counts

“Gu Huai…”

Qi Yue stood rooted to the spot, dazed at the sudden appearance of the person she hadn’t seen for a long time. The familiar and comforting scent of the man instantly dispelled her previous suffocation, “You… how did you come here…”

Amidst the gasps and screams of the crowd, Gu Huai’s gaze remained firmly on the girl.

The depths of the man’s eyes seemed to be shrouded in a thick white mist, yet tender rays of light seeped through, weaving around the girl layer by layer…

Gu Huai slightly curved the corners of his lips, his star-like eyes smiling as he looked at the girl, “Sorry for being late, I’m your partner for today. President Qi, please take good care of me.”

Qi Yue’s face went blank for a moment, “You… you are… my… partner?”

Teacher Li had gone through so much trouble to find her a male partner, and it turned out to be Gu Huai?

While Qi Yue didn’t voice it out loud, her expression made it clear. On one hand, she was genuinely surprised; on the other, it was unbelievable…

She certainly hadn’t forgotten Gu Huai’s shooting skills…

She hadn’t forgotten that in the 250 combination, Gu Huai was the one who scored zero…

With Gu Huai’s level of shooting, which couldn’t even hit the target, how could he possibly have a professional certificate to participate in the competition?

“If I remember correctly… the last time I saw you… your shooting level… was still zero circles…” Qi Yue said.

Looking at the girl’s deeply serious expression, Gu Huai couldn’t help but chuckle softly, then spoke in the same tone, “If I remember correctly, the last time I saw President Qi, President Qi told me… you don’t know how to shoot… it’s just luck…?”

Qi Yue: “…”

Gu Huai: “…”

The two of them, one with zero score off-target, one unable to rely on luck, looked at each other, wordless in their shared predicament.

Even though Gu Huai’s skills were terribly lacking, the moment he appeared again, when he stood beside her, Qi Yue’s heart was filled with warmth and joy.

That feeling was clear and real…

The puzzle that had troubled her for so long seemed like a small seed, gradually breaking through the dirt, wanting to sprout…

Qi Yue’s heart suddenly began to beat uncontrollably faster again, “By the way, I heard that you were sick. I was afraid to disturb your rest and didn’t dare to call you. Seeing that you’re okay now, I feel relieved.”

Gu Huai looked at the girl, a dim and unclear emotion in his eyes, “I’ve been waiting for so long and still didn’t receive President Qi’s disturbance. I thought maybe President Qi’s intimacy value was reset.”

President Qi choked with a cough, muttering under her breath, “How could that be, clearly, I accumulate it…”

While Qi Yue was talking with Gu Huai, she suddenly caught sight of a fluttering red in the audience.

It was Song Qiuqiu and Su Xiaotang, who had brought a huge cheering banner to the scene.

Following that, Qi Yue saw another banner being raised.

It was Jiang Lang and Ling Feng, holding a cheer banner for Gu Huai, which neatly joined with the one held by Song Qiuqiu and Su Xiaotang.

Two banners, one bearing Qi Yue’s name and the other Gu Huai’s name. Though they were obviously made in a hurry and looked simple, they brought moisture to Qi Yue’s eyes.

Qi Yue’s eyes shone brightly as she extended her palm towards the man beside her, “Great God! It doesn’t matter if we’re not good, friendship comes first, competition second. Let’s do our best!”

Gu Huai paused slightly, then chuckled softly, extending his hand to gently strike against the girl’s palm, “Yeah, it’s the participation that counts, let’s do our best.”

Their palms touched briefly before parting. Gu Huai squeezed his now-empty hand, as if he was holding onto the lingering warmth from the girl’s palm…