Chapter 107: An Alliance Formed

Inside the Qianyang Club.

Fang Ping was reporting the situation to Dong Zhijun. Dong Zhijun was scrolling through online discussions and trending posts. “Everything seems to be moving in a good direction, but there’s one problem.”

“Is Mr. Dong worried that the two youngsters might develop unevenly?”

Dong Zhijun nodded. “Although those two get along very well, as you’ve noticed, Ming Han has more potential both in appearance and overall capabilities. In fact, he has what it takes to enter the entertainment industry. Was it too hasty to have them form a duo in the first place?”

Fang Ping replied, “From what I know about them, neither would agree to be separated. You know, students who haven’t experienced society yet tend to value emotions above all else.”

Dong Zhijun sighed. “If everyone placed emotions so highly, there’d be far fewer troubles. It’s precisely because so many people put interests above all else that there are so many conflicts and betrayals among brothers. In our line of work, such things are all too common.”

Brothers who once drank, ate, and admired girls together suddenly turning their blades on each other for personal gain—that might be one of the saddest things in this world.

Dong Zhijun believed he had seen enough of such stories. Yet he couldn’t guarantee what those two kids would become in the future.

“Xiao Fang, as their mentor, you must make the stakes clear to them.”

Fang Ping understood Dong Zhijun perfectly—no one knew him better. Calm and rational…

“Even if it seems a bit cruel to them.”

…

Ming Han returned home and browsed online discussions.

He probably never imagined that one day so many words would describe him—some good, some bad—but none quite fully capturing who he was.

A girl replied under one of the posts about Ming Han: “Ming Han, you handsome guy, I want to have your babies.”

Ming Han silently responded: “According to genetics, the kids might belong to Old Sun next door.”

His own appearance online sparked a small stir.

But as you know, Ming Han debuted as part of the “Morning Star” duo. Yet many noticed that Ming Han’s popularity far outpaced Yu Hang’s.

This might not be good news for the duo.

Though Ming Han and Yu Hang didn’t pay much attention to who was more famous, netizens spun countless stories and analyses.

Their relationship was depicted with all the intrigue of palace politics.

“The story of the Magician and Iverson’s love-hate relationship”—this post analyzed their connection by everything from their different stances during events, concluding they hated each other, to their reduced cooperation on the court, implying a rift had formed.

Ming Han read it with amusement—only to realize it was about him and Yu Hang. He was instantly baffled.

This society was incredible—allowing imagination to run wild, intertwining with real life, fabricating all kinds of dull and trivial stories. Then a swarm of fools cheered them on.

Just then, two messages arrived.

The first was from Yu Hang:
“Did you see that trending post about us? I laughed so hard I almost choked.”

Ming Han thought for a moment and replied seriously:
“Me too!”

The second was from Fang Ping, always concise:
“Something’s up tomorrow! You and me, Renhe Teahouse. Noon, twelve o’clock.”

The time and place were clear, but the key was the participants.

Just you and me—no Yu Hang.

Fang Ping purposely chose noon, the time boarding students returned to their dorms after class.

Ming Han sensed something but simply replied with one word: “OK!”

Many things can’t be argued or refuted—you have to act on them.

Signing a contract with Yu Hang meant that contract belonged to both of them jointly and was unchangeable. Neither people nor law allowed changes.

The next day, Ming Han arrived punctually at Renhe Teahouse. After giving his name, a waiter led him to a private room.

Fang Ping was busy working on her laptop.

She closed it when she saw Ming Han and gave a professional smile. “Let’s eat first.”

They ordered dishes and drinks—all famous local snacks.

At first, neither spoke; they ate quietly.

Ming Han finished two bowls of rice quickly, wiping his mouth with a napkin rather ungracefully. “Sister Fang, let’s get to the point!”

Fang Ping’s eyes showed surprise. “You little guy, it seems you already know why I called you.”

Ming Han shrugged. “Being around someone as crafty as you, Sister Fang, I’ve turned into an old mountain demon too.”

Before coming, Fang Ping had been hesitating. After all, she had been taking care of these two kids for the past two months. They were well-behaved, mature, and responsible in every activity.

“What do you think about your relationship with Yu Hang?”

“Not much to think about—after all, he’s a guy.”

Fang Ping chuckled. “You know I don’t mean that.”

Ming Han took a gulp of cola; the fizz tingled his tongue pleasantly.

“Sister Fang, we’re a duo.”

That sentence said it all—like a sword that remains as long as its wielder lives, severed face means death. Bold and resolute.

Fang Ping continued, “Maybe without him, you’d develop better. The company would arrange more events for you, because with your talent, your potential isn’t limited to basketball. Honestly, Ming Han, you were born for this. Although it sounds cliché.”

Though she affirmed his potential, Ming Han felt no joy. He suddenly realized this entire conversation was happening behind Yu Hang’s back. If Yu Hang knew he was about to be abandoned for no reason, he’d surely be hurt.

Ming Han said deliberately, word by word, “Without him, I wouldn’t even consider this path. Nor would I choose it.”

He would never forget his best buddy, patting his shoulder and firmly saying, “Ming Han, we’ll be teammates for a long time, right?”

Of course.

Fang Ping stared at Ming Han for a long time.

After witnessing so many things in society, people tend to grow numb.

But this kid seemed to ignite a fire in her heart. Suddenly, she wanted to throw aside all conventions and dance wildly in the streets like Stephen Chow in “Shaolin Soccer”…

“Ming Han, this is your decision, right?”

Ming Han nodded. “Sister Fang, I don’t think I’m being impulsive. I believe that being with him will create the greatest value for the company.”

Strangely, he had never really talked with him about this, yet his confidence in him was unmatched.

“That’s for the best…”

After Ming Han took his leave, Fang Ping murmured softly, “If only it could always be like this, how wonderful it would be!”

Time can change everything! She had experienced it and believed it wholeheartedly.