Grace Harris also looked at Lily Walker, and the feeling of same-gender repulsion shot straight up. She clearly sensed a threat—maybe guys liked her, but this kind of apparent white lotus was the type girls hated most. Since entering Huzheng, it was the first time Grace Harris had felt threatened.

“Alice Green, you sure are something.” Samuel Reed’s tone was unfriendly. He had wanted to hold back, but seeing Alice Green look down on David Thompson made his anger flare.

He wasn’t a stingy person. After a year together, they could be considered friends. Alice Green was always calling them brothers, and he said he had his own team—Samuel Reed thought that was normal. Experts have their own circles; if he didn’t want to bring them along, that was understandable.

But in the end, he was recruited by Andrew Miller. Anyone familiar with Samuel Reed knew he didn’t get along with Andrew Miller. This was reality slapping him in the face. Now, seeing Alice Green’s arrogant-then-humble attitude, Samuel Reed just couldn’t let it go without a retort.

“Well, isn’t this Mr. Reed?” Alice Green acted completely unconcerned, raising his right hand and waving it casually a couple of times.

“Oh, please, don’t. I can’t live up to that.” Samuel Reed smiled and said, “Tsk tsk, climbing up the social ladder. Chairman Miller really has some skills.”

“Heh, Samuel Reed, you’re really something. I try to be polite and you really think you’re somebody?” Alice Green was getting angry. In front of Andrew Miller, he couldn’t take it and said loudly, “Usually I hang out with you because I pity you. Who I team up with is none of your business.”

“Oh yeah? Then who’s the one always calling me ‘brother’?” Samuel Reed glared, his voice rising several pitches.

“That’s enough, Samuel Reed, had a bit too much to drink, huh?” At this point, Andrew Miller stepped forward and stood in front of Alice Green. “Alice Green really was invited by me. Your skill level isn’t even enough for casual play—do you really think it’s okay to drag others down? We’re entering the intercity competition to get real results and bring honor to the school. Alice Green was hesitant about this, but I convinced him. If you’ve got a problem, take it up with me.”

Andrew Miller’s words were smooth and even, and he even took Alice Green out of the line of fire for being opportunistic. Alice Green was a bit emotional too—he wasn’t shameless, but Samuel Reed had just put him on the spot. But with 6,000 yuan on the table, why not take it? Besides, Samuel Reed and his group really were just messing around. Usually that was fine, but who would turn down money?

Chapter 13: Youth Means Never Backing Down

“Who said we’re just playing around? How do you know you’ll definitely represent the school?” Samuel Reed’s face turned red from Andrew Miller’s words.

Alice Green and the others laughed. This guy really had no self-awareness. Andrew Miller looked at Samuel Reed with a bit of pity. “Don’t you know your own skill level? That team of yours—I suggest you just disband. Sure, your family owns a few apartments, but don’t hold others back from finding jobs, okay? John Foster, think about your student loans.”

Samuel Reed was so angry he felt like coughing up blood. Usually, joking about being a “second-generation demolition kid” was just for fun among friends, but Andrew Miller’s words cut deep. After all, Andrew Miller’s family built buildings—this was blatant contempt, and he even said it with such righteousness.

“Andrew Miller, I really don’t like what you’re saying. What, just because I took out a student loan I have to act miserable every day and kneel in gratitude? First, it’s a loan—I have to pay it back. Second, it’s not from you, it’s from the state. Chairman Miller, anyone who didn’t know better would think you were the one giving it out. Anyway, let me tell you, we’re not just playing around. Team 396 will definitely represent the school, not you guys,” said David Thompson, who had already noticed John Foster’s face turning pale.

You don’t hit people where it hurts. People are optimistic not to be put down. David Thompson rarely argued, but if it came down to it, he’d inherited the fine tradition of the Li family—he wasn’t afraid of anyone.

Andrew Miller had never been treated like this before. Mentioning John Foster was a bit of a slip, but he quickly changed the subject. “Since you’re so confident, let’s make a bet. If the O team can’t represent the school, I’ll streak a lap around the campus lake. What about you guys?”

With a bit of alcohol in him, Andrew Miller was also being provocative, looking at the group with amusement. If he didn’t show some guts, people wouldn’t know who he was. At this moment, Andrew Miller was already putting on a show—girls who grew up abroad definitely liked bold guys, and he wanted to leave a deep impression on Lily Walker.

“I—” Samuel Reed was so angry he wanted to agree on the spot, but a shred of reason told him this wasn’t a joke. They were participating out of passion, but as for results, that was another matter. He couldn’t drag others down because of personal grudges.

Just as Samuel Reed was about to back down, David Thompson smiled. “If our Team 396 can’t compete, I’ll streak a lap around the school. As for you, honestly, I’m not interested. But you’ll have to formally apologize to our Mr. Foster.”

“David Thompson, right? I’ll remember you. In all my life, I’ve never had to apologize to anyone. Samuel Reed, what about you? Since we’re all classmates, don’t say I’m bullying you. If you apologize to Alice Green, we’ll let this go,” Andrew Miller said coolly.

“Mr. Thompson is the boss of our dorm. What he says goes for all of us. See you on the field.” At this point, who would back down? If it’s a fight, it’s a fight—who’s afraid of whom?

The dispute in the hotpot restaurant ended there.