As Wanyan Tianyue's arm drew closer and closer to the tabletop, Hu Xiaotian could barely contain his delight, and a smile appeared at the corners of Xue Shengjing's mouth. Just then, Wanyan Tianyue suddenly roared, "Hah!" The situation reversed in an instant. Xiangqin seemed to give up resisting all at once, and with a twist of his wrist, Wanyan Tianyue turned her arm back and pinned it firmly against the stone table. Panting, he stared at Xiangqin in disbelief. Others might not understand, but how could he not know? He had thought he was about to lose, only for Xiangqin to deliberately ease off at the last moment, allowing him to turn the tables and win. 💥👺 🎉👻
As though nothing had happened, Xiangqin said casually, "This gentleman has won. My admiration!"
Everyone froze. Hu Xiaotian and Xue Shengjing stared at each other, wide-eyed. Both were shrewd old hands, but even shrewd old hands could miscalculate. Xue Shengjing's mistake had been trusting Hu Xiaotian's brains too much, while Hu Xiaotian had never imagined Xiangqin would trip him up at the critical moment. Thinking it over, it made perfect sense. Hadn't he just promised to take her punishment if she lost? She must have started planning this then and laid the groundwork. One careless moment, and he had walked straight into her trap. A man had to honor his wagers. Hu Xiaotian nodded. "I was outmatched. I'll accept my loss!" Yet he looked at Xiangqin as he spoke. It was not Xiangqin who had lost; he had lost to her.
Hu Xiaotian picked up a jar of wine and laughed readily. "I'll finish both jars!" One was for his own wager, and the other was for Xiangqin's loss.
Seeing Hu Xiaotian admit defeat so readily, Xue Shengjing could hardly wriggle out