56: People wearing masks are quite a contrast.

Sun Libang's voice announcing the results echoed through the simulated combat arena.

The clamor in the stands gradually subsided; it was truly an… ugly battle.

Zhao Qiang was dragged away like a dead dog, limp and powerless, his eyes unfocused.

Lin Dong's face was as black as a pot, and under everyone's gaze, he flicked his sleeves and left, not even bothering to exchange pleasantries.

"Congratulations! That was an easy win!"

Yao Xiao bounced over, her face beaming with a happy smile, carrying a hint of proud satisfaction.

Then she wrinkled her nose and complained,

"That Lin Dong is getting more and more annoying, buzzing around like a fly."

"It's clearly his own incompetence; he keeps losing money in our family's business and just takes it out on others."

"I'm sorry, Lu Yuan, he was clearly targeting me, and you ended up suffering for no reason."

"Oh? From what you're saying, your two families have a long-standing grudge?"

He asked, following the cue, quite interested in the reasons behind it.

For the son of the card Association President to be so impatient even at school, it must not be a minor friction.

"Alas, it's more than just a long-standing grudge."

Yao Xiao sighed.

"Our Yao Family and their Lin Family are both major enterprises dealing in cards in Jiang City, and the competition has always been very intense."

"Especially in high-end cards, rare materials, and core resource sales channels, we are practically sworn enemies."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

"You know, our Yao Family Enterprise has always had a very keen business sense."

Yao Xiao spoke with a hint of pride when mentioning her family's industry.

"A few years ago, my father saw the potential of online card marketplaces and invested a lot of resources into developing them."

"We integrated the supply chain, optimized logistics, and held many online events and promotions. Our prices were cheaper than physical stores, our service was good, and our variety was complete."

She counted on her fingers.

"As a result, the effect was surprisingly good! Many customers who were used to going to traditional high-end physical stores like the Lin Family's all came to our online marketplace."

"The Lin Family's business was immediately shattered."

Lu Yuan nodded; this was indeed a dimension-reducing strike.

Traditional business models often have no power to fight back against emerging internet models.

"Later, the Lin Family also wanted to learn from us and go online, but it was already too late."

Yao Xiao's lips curved into a sly smile.

"How could my father give them a chance?"

"In terms of supply chain maturity, they couldn't compare to us; in terms of marketing strategies, they couldn't even catch up."

"We also used platform rules to wage several price wars and signed exclusive online sales rights for several rare cards."

She paused, with a hint of uncertainty and speculation.

"Even… I secretly heard my father on the phone, it seems he reported them several times for irregular operations, which led to their newly opened online stores being shut down several times…"

A flicker of understanding passed through Lu Yuan's eyes.

Business is like war; all means are fair game.

Yao Tianxiao being able to make the Jiang City branch so successful proved he was not an easy opponent.

"So," Yao Xiao spread her hands, her tone helpless, "the Lin Family, from top to bottom, practically hates our family to death."

"As President Lin's son, Lin Dong must have heard a lot of complaints at home, and in the business world, he probably got suppressed by my father quite a bit himself."

"This time, it's probably another big deal that fell through."

"This resentment and frustration naturally shifted to me."

"Seeing you close to me today, he probably wanted to annoy me and get some payback by suppressing you."

After listening, Lu Yuan understood the whole story.

Lin Dong's character was only that much.

Taking out the frustration of his family's business competition losses on a girl and an innocent classmate, and with such clumsy methods.

Ridiculous.

He was disdainful in his heart, but his face remained impassive.

His gaze fell on Yao Xiao's slightly pouting face, which was flushed from explaining, and his heart stirred.

The topic could perhaps be changed.

"So that's it, no wonder he was so agitated."

"Oh, right, I promised you a gold beast taming card."

"Putting my two aside…"

He deliberately paused, looking into Yao Xiao's eyes, his voice softening.

"What do you think… or rather… what type of gold card do you personally prefer?"

"Is it more inclined towards the extreme attack and speed of the Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon, or… do you prefer the powerful defense and control of the Raging Waves Sea Soul?"

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener took it to heart.

"Eh?"

He… he asked me what I like?

He's asking about my preferences?

An indescribable warmth suddenly rushed from her heart to her cheeks.

"I… I…"

Yao Xiao felt her cheeks burning, her heart pounding like a drum, so fast it almost leaped out of her throat.

She instinctively lowered her head, nervously twisting the corner of her clothes, her lips moved a few times, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Her mind was a jumble, filled with the images of those two earth-shattering gold cards.

Should she choose the fiercely attacking Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon, or the Bedrock-solid Raging Waves Sea Soul?

This question seemed to be about more than just cards… A strange shyness, mixed with a barely perceptible hint of secret joy, quietly spread through her heart.

Looking at the girl's earlobes, which instantly turned crimson, and her flustered demeanor.

Lu Yuan: ???

What's there to hesitate about? Just say what style you like.

However, it was rare to see Miss Yao like this, and it was quite interesting.

She must have misunderstood; teasing her a little wouldn't hurt.

He didn't let it go; instead, he leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them, his voice carrying a gentle smile as he continued to "press on."

"It's okay, you don't have to answer now."

"You can go back and ask Mr. Yao for his opinion; after all, this is a big deal."

He first offered a way out, then added, his tone coaxing,

"Or… you can simply tell me."

"If you only consider yourself, attack or defense?"

"Which kind of power do you personally prefer the feeling of?"

This time, Yao Xiao completely couldn't take it anymore.

She felt her cheeks were about to burn, and even her neck turned a faint pink.

If he kept staring and asking her like this, she might just spontaneously combust on the spot!

"Oh, no! Let's not talk about this!!!"

She suddenly looked up, quickly interrupting Lu Yuan, her voice a little shaky from nervousness.

"Any card is fine… just give me whatever you think is best."

"Uh, I still have a match, I'm going to go prepare."

She clumsily changed the subject, her eyes darting away, not daring to meet Lu Yuan's gaze again.

"Mm, okay."

Lu Yuan watched her flee in disarray, the smile in his eyes deepening, and he nodded compliantly.

"The old saying is true, those who wear masks are all quite contrasting."

...