Chapter 272

Next came the position swap, re-ranking according to the number of female trainees' hats removed in the first round. Tang Wulin removed only one hat, so he naturally lost first place and moved to a rear position among the male trainees.

As for this, he didn't feel any regret, after all his aim in grabbing first place was essentially to snatch Huo Yutong's hat before anyone else; after this round, whatever rank he ended up didn't matter to him.

Interestingly, Xu San Shi, who also removed only one hat like him, ended up ranked beside him, and because he entered the Inner Courtyard earlier than Tang Wulin, he happened to be placed just ahead of him.

"The next segment is the second round." Bei Bei announced loudly: "After getting to know each other in the first segment, now it's time for the girls to express who they like, so we call this second segment Love at First Sight. The rule is simple: each female trainee will receive a switch that can control the soul lamp beneath her feet, and she will light the lamp for each male trainee. Any male who receives a lit lamp from a female trainee may stay to participate in the following segments, but if unfortunately no female trainee leaves his lamp lit, then it's a pity—he can only leave this event."

Hearing Bei Bei's words, Tang Wulin couldn't help but recall Bei Bei's advice to him before participating in the Sea God Fate.

This segment's rules are indeed simple and take very little time, but for the boys it is a major test, because in this segment, no matter how strong one's ability or how excellent one's talent, if no female trainee is willing to light the lamp, they will be eliminated immediately.

After all, the number of male trainees originally exceeds that of female trainees by quite a margin, so this segment exists to reduce the number of males and simplify the situation.

Fortunately, Tang Wulin's position was relatively far back, so he wasn't the first to feel anxious; he clasped his hands behind his head and simply watched the senior students ahead face the test.

Among the senior students standing in the front rows, some passed the test easily, while others were eliminated instantly; the outcome could be described as varied and diverse.

However, most male trainees could still stay, because even if most people had no romantic interest, they usually had one or two friends of the opposite sex; as long as a male's social relations weren't too poor, passing this stage wasn't difficult.

The worst off was Xie Huan Yue; this guy was still shouting uncontrollably as he left the field:

"Fatso has no rights!"

No one left his lamp lit.

This segment proceeded swiftly, and soon it was Xu San Shi's turn.

Xu San Shi instantly grew nervous, earnestly gazing at the opposite side.

He wasn't worried about being wiped out, after all Xiao Xiao and Huo Yutong were still standing opposite; he couldn't believe those two would watch him get eliminated.

But he wasn't sure whether Jiang Nannan would leave his lamp lit, and that was what mattered most to him.

When his turn came, as expected, a large swath of lamps on the female trainees' side went out instantly.

Everyone knew his target was only one person, and because he had owed something in the first segment, few were willing to leave his lamp lit.

Fortunately, in the end three lamps remained lit for him—those of Huo Yutong, Xiao Xiao, and Jiang Nannan.

Xu San Shi's face had just lit up with joy when he heard Jiang Nannan snort and extinguish the lamp in her hand.

Instantly, his expression sank again.

Jiang Nannan not leaving his lamp lit—what's the point of those two friendship votes from Xiao Xiao and Huo Yutong then!

After Xu San Shi, it was Tang Wulin's turn.

Tang Wulin's expression was tense; his nervousness was no less than Xu San Shi's.

Like Xu San Shi, he was also aiming for a specific person, and the crucial point was that this beloved's mood was clearly off.

In that state, whatever action she took would not surprise Tang Wulin.

Unlike Xu San Shi, after Tang Wulin took the stage, only three lamps were extinguished.

They were Wu Feng, Ma Xiaotao, and Wu Ming. Wu Feng was because the two had been on bad terms since their time in the Outer Courtyard; Ma Xiaotao needs no explanation; Wu Ming was because he resented Tang Wulin for being annoyed at Huo Yutong's habitual cold demeanor over the past year and a half.

Tang Wulin's appearance alone was enough to surpass all the male Inner Courtyard trainees, and coupled with the formidable strength he had just displayed, he left a deep impression on the female trainees; as a result, aside from those few who had prior grudges with him, every other female trainee left his lamp lit.

Yet Tang Wulin relaxed not at all; he stared intently at Huo Yutong, paying attention to her movements.

Xu San Shi's recent experience told him that one shouldn't be too happy too soon, for if a reversal happened later, he would suffer.

Huo Yutong placed her small hand on the lamp's switch, pursing her lips, obviously struggling fiercely in her heart.

Everyone also noticed her change in attitude and together paid attention to her actions.

Tang Wulin's purpose for this trip was clear—just for her alone, and Huo Yutong obviously had a grudge against him; what would she do at this moment?

Time passed second by second, as the moment approached, Huo Yutong suddenly gritted her teeth, lifted her head, and glared fiercely at Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin's heart jumped; this was the first time since taking off his Douli (Hat) (Hat) (Hat) that he met Huo Yutong's gaze, the complexity and intensity of the emotion therein startled him.

Then he saw Huo Yutong lower her hand, not pressing the button.

In the end, she still left the lamp on for him.

Tang Wulin's suspended heart finally settled; he gasped heavily, his back drenched in cold sweat at some point.

He would rather endure a life-and-death battle than go through that brief minute just now; to him, that minute felt as long as an era.

Xu San Shi patted his shoulder with a somewhat complex expression.

"Brother, congratulations."

Whether Huo Yutong left the lamp on or turned it off for Tang Wulin couldn't change the fact that he could stay, but what mattered was the attitude revealed behind this action.

Obviously, although Huo Yutong was being sulky, she still was willing to acknowledge him as her boyfriend, and there was still room for reconciliation.

By comparison, Xu San Shi fared worse; judging from Jiang Nannan's attitude, she likely still hasn't moved past that incident years ago, making his chances of winning her virtually nil.

He let out a faint sigh in his heart, and Xu San Shi's eyes flickered with a barely perceptible weariness.

He has pursued Jiang Nannan for far too long; the answer he always gets is just one—no matter how strong an ironman, constantly putting a warm face on a cold butt for so many years should become unbearable.

Soon, the love-at-first-sight segment concluded smoothly.

The male trainees were eliminated in total twelve people, close to one-third.

Even so, the total number of males still exceeds that of females, still remaining in a situation of many wolves and little meat.

By the way, Huo Yutong's attitude is actually clear: being sulky is definitely going to happen, but one shouldn't lose the big picture over small things and lose her husband.

After all, a couple can argue however they like in private, but in public they must give each other full face; that is what makes a qualified partner.

(End of chapter)