Chapter Seventeen: The Scoundrel Goes Back on His Word?

Fang Zhiyin’s group wasn’t the first to compete. She took advantage of the waiting time to get acquainted with everyone in her group.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Junyan’s group was already locked in a tug-of-war with another. Ouyang’s team included two women, but the rest were sturdy men, and with Ouyang Junyan at the head, their presence was formidable. The opposing group, seeing their own boss among the competitors, though determined to win, hesitated in their actions.

In less than half a minute, Ouyang Junyan’s team managed to pull all their opponents across the line in one go.

“You guys are just too weak!” Ouyang Junyan didn’t hold back, berating the other group.

Watching anxiously, Fang Zhiyin was filled with regret, wishing she could go back in time—why had she spoken so recklessly?

At that moment, the elderly gentleman, who would retire in half a year, curved his lips into a smile. “I know how we can win.”

“What?” At first, Fang Zhiyin didn’t know who was speaking. After scanning the group and realizing it was him, she could hardly believe it. “Do you have a method?”

Although their team had been hastily assembled, this was no time for hesitation. Fang Zhiyin still wanted to win, however slim the chance!

“Are you all willing to listen to me?” The old man was a bit surprised.

“Of course! Please, tell us!” Hope sparked anew in Fang Zhiyin.

Their group gathered in a circle, whispering in secret.

…

It was finally Fang Zhiyin’s group’s turn for the tug-of-war. Ouyang Junyan watched from a short distance away.

Aside from her own group and Ouyang Junyan, Fang Zhiyin didn’t know the other participants, but that didn’t dampen her resolve to win. She mirrored Ouyang Junyan, taking the lead position, and placed the strongest man at the end of the line.

The old man’s words echoed in her mind:

“The technique for tug-of-war is actually quite simple. We’re not truly testing strength, but friction! First, everyone must grip the rope correctly: both palms facing upward, with the rope passing underneath. Next, your toes should be ahead of your knees, and before the match starts, your whole body should be fully stretched and straightened…”

Ouyang Junyan was a bit stunned to see their group’s formation.

The tug-of-war began!

The opposing team looked powerful on the surface, shouting loudly, but they wasted their energy on bluster.

Fang Zhiyin’s group maintained the posture taught by the old man, gritting their teeth and twisting the rope.

To their surprise, they held their ground!

Both teams stood immobile. The opposing group soon sensed something was wrong, and then someone let out a thunderous shout, only to stumble and fall.

Seeing the situation turn favorable, Fang Zhiyin immediately called out, “Pull!”

In the next moment, she experienced what “the power of unity” truly meant. Her group, though less physically imposing, rallied with all their might. Each person pulled with every ounce of strength, dragging the opponents across—victory wasn’t easy, but they had won this round.

“What?” Ouyang Junyan could hardly believe his eyes. He’d thought Fang Zhiyin’s group, made up of the old, the sick, and the weak, had no chance against his team.

Fang Zhiyin herself hadn’t expected to win. Elated, she ran to the end of the line and high-fived the old strategist.

Ten minutes later, Fang Zhiyin and Ouyang Junyan faced off.

Fang Zhiyin took a deep breath, not forgetting the wager she’d made with him, and instructed her group to follow the same method as before.

“Everyone, lean back as much as possible! Half squat, horse stance, shift your weight backward. Keep your center of gravity low, and lean collectively. To put it simply, push your abdomen or hips forward, eyes on the sky! Most importantly, don’t be afraid of falling!” The old man’s advice lingered in her ears. Fang Zhiyin glanced at Ouyang Junyan, thinking, if they lost, maybe the twenty-eight-year-old Ouyang Junyan could abolish this inhumane, militarized system.

If they lost.

“Listen up, everyone!” Ouyang Junyan addressed his group, “When I say ‘start,’ pull with all your strength! Don’t give the other side a moment to breathe! If we lose, none of you are allowed to leave work before ten for the next month!”

His team fell silent.

…This really was militarized.

Fang Zhiyin turned to her group and called, “Just do as we practiced earlier. Best if we win, but don’t be afraid if we lose.”

Everyone nodded in silent agreement.

The match began.

Ouyang Junyan’s group was fierce. At the signal, they pulled with all their might, and Fang Zhiyin’s group was dragged several meters in an instant.

Fang Zhiyin’s mind went blank, unable to think at all.

“Everyone!” At that moment, Ouyang Junyan’s assistant, the girl weighing barely eighty pounds, summoned her courage. “I have an idea!”

“Speak!” Fang Zhiyin said, her face flushed and neck tense.

“I’ll count to three, and then we all take three steps forward…”

A man at the back interrupted, “Girl! We’re about to lose, and you want us to move forward? That’s just handing them the win!”

“I thought of this because we’re losing! But remember, after stepping forward, try not to fall! If we move forward, our force will shift, and the other side will be thrown off balance…”

“Alright! Let’s do what she says!” Fang Zhiyin cut her off, afraid Ouyang Junyan’s team might overhear.

In truth, the other team thought victory was imminent and didn’t care what Fang Zhiyin’s group was saying.

“I’ll count to three!” Fang Zhiyin said decisively, “One, two, three…” As soon as she finished, everyone stepped forward three paces.

They caught Ouyang Junyan’s group completely off guard; his team leaned back and tumbled to the ground.

“Quick! Pull!” Fang Zhiyin shouted, her cheeks flushed. Her group united, dragging the fallen opponents toward their side.

Ouyang Junyan reacted instantly, but it was too late. On the ground, not only were they embarrassed, but it was impossible to muster any real strength.

It all happened in just ten seconds.

By the time Ouyang Junyan recovered, Fang Zhiyin’s group had already dragged them across!

Had they won?

They actually won?!

Fang Zhiyin saw Ouyang Junyan’s stunned expression and couldn’t help but smile mischievously. She strode over and looked down at him, “Ouyang, a real man keeps his word. You’d better cancel this so-called militarized training from now on!”

But Ouyang Junyan climbed up from the ground and gave a cold laugh. “Did I promise you?”

…This wretched man, breaking his word!