The Eldest Lady always wants to have a double O Relationship with her old enemy - Chapter 24

This game was truly packed to the brim—every seat taken, even the “cat holes” in the aisles were crowded with people standing.

After all, this game had all the buffs stacked.

Although Jiang Lan’s game back in her third year of junior high became the most “humiliating” battle in her history, from then on she began training wholeheartedly. Her comeback and talent had been plain for all to see.

This match was also the key battle leading into nationals, so naturally, it drew the attention of all the youth basketball circles in the country.

Besides that, because of this joint competition, everyone knew that Rongqing High had yet another dazzling beauty—Tang Yanzhao.

And Tang Yanzhao’s relationship with the Shen family’s eldest daughter, Shen Jianxi, was far from ordinary. On top of that, Jiang Lan and Shen Jianxi were also well-known childhood family friends.

So whether they came for the basketball, for the beauties, or simply to watch the drama unfold, people had all gathered here, creating a true “grand spectacle.” It was even broadcast live by Rongcheng Television.

The atmosphere was electric. Shen Jianxi, Tang Yanzhao, and Ye Tao had entered early, taking the seats Jiang Lan had reserved for them—what people jokingly called the “family seats.”

Jiang Lan suddenly ran toward the audience, waving and bouncing around like a maniac. The noisy venue instantly erupted with cheers. Feeling smug, she quickly ducked away again, and the crowd went back to their chaotic chatter.

Then Shen Jianxi and the others saw her darting back, shoving a phone straight into Ye Tao’s hands.

Ye Tao frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Later Fang Xing will call on video. You help her film me.”

Shen Jianxi glanced toward the nearby TV broadcast equipment. “There’s a live television feed—wouldn’t that be clearer than a video call?”

Jiang Lan sighed impatiently. “She said the broadcast is usually wide-angle, but she wants to see me.”

The three of them exchanged looks.

Those words couldn’t sound more ambiguous.

Seeing their meaningful gazes, Jiang Lan hissed, “What kind of looks are those?”

“‘I only want to see you~.’” Shen Jianxi teased softly.

Jiang Lan snorted with a laugh. “Don’t overthink it. She said if her shoe hadn’t slipped that time, she’d be here herself. But she got caught sneaking out by her doctor, and now she can’t even leave her ward unless absolutely necessary. Since she can’t be here in person, she said she’d attend another way.”

Back then, Jiang Lan had thought Fang Xing deliberately tried to trip her, only to end up hurting herself instead.

But later she learned the truth—because the track was wet from rain and Fang Xing’s shoes had poor traction, she charged forward too fast and couldn’t control her momentum, crashing to the ground. The whole thing was a misunderstanding.

Even so, because of that accident, Jiang Lan had been forced into the role of caretaker. She wasn’t happy about it, but her conscience wouldn’t let her ignore Fang Xing either. So now she treated her with a cold face while still begrudgingly fulfilling her requests.

As soon as Jiang Lan finished speaking, the phone in Ye Tao’s hand lit up with an incoming video call. She glanced at Jiang Lan, who lifted her chin in signal.

Ye Tao answered, greeting the bare-faced Fang Xing on the screen.

Fang Xing’s smile was dazzling. “Hello.”

But with the arena so loud, her voice was completely inaudible.

Suddenly Jiang Lan leaned in close, gripping the phone and shouting toward the screen: “I’ll leave you with them. If you need anything, tell them—but they won’t hear you anyway, so it won’t matter!”

“Okay.” Fang Xing’s voice carried no anger, only even brighter amusement.

After leaving her instructions, Jiang Lan sprinted off.

Soon, the pre-game music faded. The rowdy crowd gradually quieted as both teams assembled at center court. The referee’s whistle blew, and the match officially began.

Tang Yanzhao never spoke first, only responding briefly when Shen Jianxi made a comment.

Ye Tao was unusually quiet as well, holding the phone steady, keeping the camera trained on the fast-moving Jiang Lan. From their seats, the shots of her came out surprisingly clear.

The two teams were evenly matched. The first half was a back-and-forth battle, the score neck-and-neck, both sides’ fans screaming at the top of their lungs, making it a thrilling watch.

At times like this, the key was to maintain composure, avoid mistakes, and rely on a decisive player to break the deadlock.

During halftime, the cheerleaders danced at center court, the rousing music driving the atmosphere to a peak.

Tang Yanzhao turned to Shen Jianxi. “Want some water?”

Shen Jianxi nodded obediently. “Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll get some.”

She stood and headed out. Ye Tao followed her with her eyes and remarked, “With this many people, it won’t be easy for her to get back in.”

But Tang Yanzhao’s figure was already lost among the crowd rushing out during the break.

Shen Jianxi glanced at the time on her phone, hesitating. “It should be fine.”

Ye Tao only shrugged.

Then, long forgotten on the phone screen, Fang Xing suddenly asked, “Does her phone still have enough battery?”

Ye Tao hadn’t heard clearly, but she caught Fang Xing’s lips moving. Looking down at the screen, she asked, “Did you say something?”

Fang Xing repeated, “Maybe end the video. I don’t want to drain her phone.”

Ye Tao checked the battery indicator in the corner. “It’s at eighty-two percent. Plenty.”

Fang Xing narrowed her eyes with a smile. “Good.”

Ten minutes later, the crowd who had left for the restroom began trickling back. But Tang Yanzhao, who had only gone to buy water, was still nowhere to be seen. Shen Jianxi immediately called her, but after ringing until it cut off, there was no answer.

Could Ye Tao have been right—that she got stuck outside and couldn’t get back in?

Three minutes later, Shen Jianxi couldn’t contain her anxiety anymore. “I’m going to look for her.”

As expected, Ye Tao nodded. “Mm.”

But Shen Jianxi’s path out wasn’t easy. Her face was too striking—every few steps someone stopped her with a greeting as if they knew her.

At first, she forced patience, saying “Excuse me.” But eventually her face hardened, and she snapped “Move.” After hearing it enough, people stopped testing her, and her pace quickened.

She exited through one of the side tunnels, phone pressed to her ear, worry written all over her face as she called again and again, only to get no response.

Her fingers whitened around the phone. Head down, she strode forward, redialing once more—when she spotted a crowd gathered not far ahead.

It had been a long time since Tang Yanzhao was mobbed, but Shen Jianxi’s gut twisted with unease.

She pushed through the onlookers, who, recognizing her, parted wordlessly to let her through.

And there, she saw it—Tang Yanzhao’s hand clasped tightly by a taller female alpha. Shen Jianxi’s eyes darkened, and she strode forward, yanking Tang Yanzhao’s hand free and gripping it fiercely, as if afraid someone would snatch her away.

Her gaze was sharp as blades, locked on the alpha. The alpha only smiled faintly, then lifted her eyes toward Tang Yanzhao, half-hidden behind Shen Jianxi.

“You really should consider what I just said.”

A terrible premonition weighed on Shen Jianxi, her pulse hammering in her throat. Without knowing the details, she snapped, “She’s not considering anything!”

Her tone was firm, her posture protective, leaving no room for argument.

The alpha glanced at her calmly, still smiling. “And on what grounds do you refuse on her behalf? As her friend? Shen Jianxi, aren’t you overstepping?”

When she finally got a clear look, Shen Jianxi remembered who this alpha was.

If she wasn’t mistaken, this was the same opponent who had crushed Jiang Lan back in junior high. She couldn’t recall her name, but Jiang Lan always called her “Long-armed Ape.”

Because back then, every time Jiang Lan tried to pass, this girl would intercept midway. Jiang Lan swore it had to be because her arms were longer than average.

Shen Jianxi had never taken it seriously—until now. Not only was she good at intercepting the ball, apparently she liked intercepting people too.

“She’s mine. You tell me—do I have the right to refuse for her?” Shen Jianxi shot back without flinching.

The long-armed ape sneered. “Yours? What is she to you? Your lover? Please… you two? Shen Jianxi, you’re just an omega.”

She spat out omega with pure disdain.

“You’ll never hold that unique, irreplaceable place at her side.” Her words dripped with mockery.

Shen Jianxi’s jaw trembled with fury. At once, Tang Yanzhao sensed her distress. She squeezed Shen Jianxi’s hand gently, twice.

“She’s right about one thing,” Tang Yanzhao said calmly. “It will never be you.”

With that, she led Shen Jianxi away, pushing against the flow of the crowd until they reached the quieter rest area.

There, she twisted open a water bottle and handed it over. “Drink.”

Shen Jianxi’s eyes were still bloodshot, her chest heaving as she gulped a mouthful. She slammed the bottle onto the table, water spilling over her fingers.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

Tang Yanzhao pulled out her phone. Seven missed calls and several unread messages. “I must’ve hit silent by mistake. Sorry.”

Her quick apology doused Shen Jianxi’s anger in an instant. Grinding her teeth, she demanded, “What happened between you two?”

Tang Yanzhao answered honestly. “I bumped into her while buying water. She cornered me.”

“She confessed to you?”

“Mm.”

Shen Jianxi inhaled sharply. “She said she’d take the unique place by your side.”

Tang Yanzhao capped the bottle, her tone unhurried. “You heard me—she won’t.”

Shen Jianxi blurted out, “Then who will?”

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