Going for the Throat

"Mm, you're not bad, kid. Ever thought about serving in the Military Department?" Fang Wei said, his tone now calm.

Lin Hao froze at that, and the other principals were just as shocked.

The God of War wanted to recruit Lin Hao? Holy crap, this kid was about to shoot straight to the top.

Lin Hao himself, however, remained remarkably calm. "God of War, I came to Wu University to study so I could serve my country in the future. But right now, I'm still too weak. I hope to keep training and studying at Wu University. Once I'm capable, I'll serve the country."

Fang Wei studied Lin Hao for several seconds. Seeing how resolute he looked, he burst into hearty laughter. "Good, good! No wonder that girl has her eye on you. Once you graduate, I'll come recruit you myself."

Huh? Lin Hao was dumbfounded. That girl had her eye on him? Which girl? It never occurred to him that Fang Yao might be the one. After meeting so many big shots in just ten minutes, his brain was still a little fried.

"What the hell are you up to, you old geezer Fang?" A loud shout rang out. Everyone looked up to see Jiang Tianhai rushing over to Lin Hao. Lin Hao's eyes lit up. Oh, an old friend!

Everyone greeted him in unison again. Jiang Tianhai waved them off, unconcerned, then walked up to Lin Hao and looked him over.

Lin Hao hurriedly greeted him. "General Jiang."

Jiang Tianhai wasn't as stiff as Fang Wei. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he asked, "What did you call me?"

Lin Hao blinked, then caught on. "Uncle Jiang." Jiang Weiwei watched her father fooling around and felt utterly exasperated. Beside her, Su Xiaorui covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Everyone was shocked all over again by Lin Hao's form of address. Was he acquainted with Jiang Tianhai?

Jiang Tianhai ignored everyone's expressions and turned to Fang Wei. "Old Fang, that's not very nice. You're openly poaching right in front of me." He decided to strike first.

Fang Wei wasn't having it. "Old Jiang, what do you mean, poaching? I don't follow."

Seeing Fang Wei refuse to take the bait, Jiang Tianhai cut straight to the chase. "Lin Hao is a student at Shancheng Martial University. I discovered this genius first. And we have a bet, remember?"

Fang Wei thought, Ha, so Lin Hao was the one Old Jiang meant. He glanced impassively toward a spot beyond the competition arena. "Come on, Old Jiang. A bet's a bet, but Lin Hao hasn't even won the championship yet. What's wrong with recruiting him in advance? And who says I can't recruit students from Shancheng Martial University?" Lin Hao's face darkened. It sounded like these two old geezers had made some kind of bet about him.

Jiang Tianhai instantly bristled. "Old Fang, don't be unreasonable. The competition's still going. I'll lay my cards on the table right now: I'm sure Lin Hao can win the championship."

Fang Wei chuckled. Jiang Tianhai, you're forcing me to hit you with a point-blank ultimate. Then he said, "Old Jiang, I'm not bragging. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know Lin Hao will come to me." Before Jiang Tianhai could say another word, Fang Wei turned to the other side and asked pointedly, "Daughter, what are you doing up here?"

Everyone turned to see a stunning girl in a yellow dress running over with an adorable little girl in tow. The older girl immediately stepped in front of Lin Hao to shield him. "Old Fang, if you dare bully Lin Hao, I'll fight you!"

Lin Hao's brain had crashed, he'd died on the spot, the city had been destroyed, and the planet had exploded—he didn't even know what else to add. In short, Lin Hao was completely stunned! (The End)

Who was he? Where was he? What was he doing here? He'd just die on the spot for fifteen minutes. Nobody disturb him.

Lin Xiaorou waved an enormous lollipop in front of Lin Hao's face. Huh? What was wrong with her brother? Couldn't he see Xiao Rou?

Jiang Tianhai was stunned. Holy crap, Fang, you shameless old schemer! You're using the beauty card! Then his eyes darted about. What's that supposed to mean? You're not the only one with a daughter. Old Jiang's got one too! He turned to Jiang Weiwei. Seeing her father look her way, Jiang Weiwei sensed trouble. She tried to stop him, but it was already too late.

"Weiwei, come here!" Jiang Tianhai boomed, full of vigor. Jiang Weiwei lowered her head and walked over to him.

"Old Fang, I'll tell you straight: Lin Hao learned my Jiang Family's Secret Art, a technique we never pass on to outsiders. I've been raising him to be my future son-in-law." Jiang Tianhai delivered his own point-blank ultimate.

Fang Wei was utterly shocked. He knew about the Jiang Family's secret technique, the Concentration Method, which only the Jiang Family's heir was qualified to learn. Holy crap, you old schemer—you actually stole my kid!

Fang Yao stared at Jiang Tianhai in astonishment, then looked at Jiang Weiwei. Lin Yueyue stood right beside Lin Hao and patted him on the shoulder. "Well, look at you, brat. You managed to woo the God of War's daughter—and not just one, but two! Your auntie didn't spoil you for nothing. I'm telling Mom this great news as soon as we get home!"

Lin Hao didn't hear a word Lin Yueyue said. "Jiang Tianhai passed down the Concentration Method to me, and it's the Jiang Family's secret technique? I'm the Jiang Family's son-in-law? Since when did I know about that? Fang Wei is Fang Yao's dad?" His mind was in total chaos. The principals and Shancheng Martial University team members were just as stunned.

"Holy crap, what did I just see? Is this something a free-to-play player like me is allowed to know?"

"Damn, Lin bro! You wooed the God of War's daughter—and not just one, but two! One of them's even our principal."

"I hereby declare Lin bro my idol. The kind I'd never replace, even if you killed me."

Jiang Tianhai and Fang Wei were still arguing back and forth when two female voices rang out together: "Dad, shut up!"

Jiang Weiwei and Fang Yao pulled Jiang Tianhai and Fang Wei aside. "The competition isn't over yet. The audience is watching! Whatever you need to discuss, do it at home!"

The two men realized that arguing here wasn't getting them anywhere, so they returned to the judges' seats. Fang Yao was just about to leave with Xiao Rou and Lin Yueyue when Jiang Weiwei walked over. "Um, Fang Yao, why don't you watch the competition with us?" Before Fang Yao could answer, Xiao Rou clapped her hands and jumped up excitedly. "I want to stay with Big Brother!" Fang Yao hesitated for a moment as she looked at Lin Xiaorou, then agreed.

Lin Hao followed Jiang Weiwei and the others back to the contestants' waiting area like a walking corpse. Lin Yueyue went over to him. "Silly boy, you're not really broken, are you?"

Lin Hao's mind was a complete jumble. "Um, Auntie, I need some peace and quiet."

Lin Yueyue immediately asked, "Who's Jingjing?"

Lin Hao's face darkened. Auntie, didn't you think that joke was ice-cold?

In less than a minute, all the big shots on the competition stage had returned to their seats. Jiang Tianhai announced from the judges' table, "The competition will continue!"

Meanwhile, the referee was huddled in a corner, trembling.