The CEO's Substitute Wife Is A Genius-Chapter 331: Lu Shao has you, and President Nan has me

Chapter 331: Chapter 331: Lu Shao has you, and President Nan has me

The basketball court was equipped with changing rooms and provided basketball attire of various sizes.

However, those who came here to play basketball were mostly male.

Consequently, the basketball attire provided was predominantly designed for men.

The few women’s basketball outfits available were incredibly small, and Jiang Man couldn’t fit into them.

So, she picked up a men’s size 170 and headed to the restroom on her own.

At that time, the changing room was bustling with activity, Lu Xingzhou and Nan Juefeng were each changing into their basketball gear, occasionally "admiring" each other’s physiques.

The two were practically on par with each other, though Nan Juefeng appeared a bit more refined and had fairer skin.

Lu Xingzhou’s skin was a wheatish color, resembling that healthy complexion often obtained from regular exercise.

"Lu, don’t worry, we will definitely win."

Though it was called playing basketball, in essence, it was a game of loyalty and strategy.

The others were undoubtedly choosing sides, expressing their allegiance through this gesture.

"Nan doesn’t look like the workout type."

"Exactly, with your frequent gym workouts, Lu, you definitely have the upper hand in strength."

Lu Xingzhou ignored the flattery from those around him, not caring in the slightest.

Nan Juefeng put on his wrist guard, filled with confidence.

...

Meanwhile, in the women’s restroom.

Jiang Man quickly changed into the basketball attire.

The loose outfit hid her shapely figure.

She retied her hair into a high ponytail, tugging at the end of her hair to ensure it wouldn’t affect her during the game.

Just as she was about to leave, she ran into someone entering the restroom, holding a blue team’s basketball outfit.

Shen Yu nodded slightly at Jiang Man as a greeting.

Jiang Man stopped in her tracks with a puzzled look, "You’re joining too?"

"Yes," Shen Yu bit her lip.

She didn’t have many options left, her family was pressing her hard to get married, calling her repeatedly, urging her to quit her job.

She was annoyed by it all, but eventually couldn’t withstand their gossip.

She agreed to resign before the year’s end, then to return to her hometown to get married and have children.

She didn’t have much time left by Nan’s side, and the chances to fight alongside him were getting fewer.

She was well aware, he wanted to win against Lu Xingzhou tonight.

This desire to win was probably just a psychological comfort.

If he could win, perhaps it would lessen the bitterness in his heart.

"Do you even know how to play basketball?" Jiang Man asked kindly.

With her refined makeup and mature demeanor, Shen Yu didn’t look like she had any athletic talent.

"I don’t," she thought bitterly, "but I don’t want to see Nan face Lu alone. You’re there for Lu, and for Nan... there’s still me..."

"Ouch." Jiang Man frowned, sensing a different vibe.

Watching Shen Yu walk toward a cubicle, she shoved her hands into her sweatpants pockets.

Waiting there until Shen Yu came out fully changed.

Leisurely assessing her, Jiang Man smirked, "You like Nan Juefeng, don’t you?"

Shen Yu was taken aback, hastily explaining, "I’m Nan’s secretary, Miss Jiang, please don’t misunderstand."

"I haven’t misunderstood," Jiang Man stood tall, emanating a strong presence, "I am Lu Xingzhou’s wife, and supporting him is beyond reproach. But the ’secretary’ excuse doesn’t hold."

"Miss Jiang, please stop joking," Shen Yu continued to deny.

Jiang Man didn’t say much more, simply raised an eyebrow, "I’m not suited for Nan Juefeng. You are. He’s a very needy person, needing someone as thoughtful as you to warm him, to love him, something I cannot do."

Because she herself lacked the capacity to love.

Both she and Nan Juefeng were similar types of people, having both experienced tragic pasts and childhoods, which shaped their personalities to need love.

This need was manifested differently; she was so fiercely independent she could live well without love.

Nan Juefeng, on the other hand, approached love with almost an obsession.

This was why he suffered from a psychological disorder that required a psychiatric consult.

Too brooding, too obsessed, yet too kind.

Typically, someone with his personality would take what they wanted by force.

But he didn’t. He always held back, repressed his desires.

She had always understood what Nan Juefeng wanted.

Because she knew she couldn’t give him what he wanted, she always maintained a distant relationship with him.

She had once thought, if she had met Nan Juefeng before meeting Lu Xingzhou, would the outcome be different?

Lately, she realized, hadn’t she met Nan Juefeng first?

No matter whom she had met first, the result would have been the same.

"If you really like him, I can help you pursue him."

Jiang Man said indifferently.

She actually had a hope that Nan Juefeng would find a good girl, rather than hanging on her, as if she were the only one.

What happened during childhood was in the past, and she had already moved on, hoping he could let go soon as well.

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Jiang," Shen Yu nodded slightly, giving a bitter smile, "But I’m not worthy of him."

Nan always admired people as outstanding as Jiang Man.

She couldn’t even compare to a single hair of Jiang Man, where did she get the confidence to bravely pursue love?

"As long as I can maintain this superior-subordinate relationship with President Nan, I’m already quite content."

Having said that, Shen Yu nodded towards Jiang Man again.

Jiang Man followed her out of the restroom.

When they arrived at the basketball court, the place was already packed with people.

Some were warming up, others were joking around.

When they saw the two beauties appear, everyone exchanged glances.

What was this situation?

Everyone involuntarily turned their gazes toward Nan Juefeng.

"Isn’t this President Nan’s secretary? Just saw her."

The crowd was full of gossip.

Originally, it was thought to be a love triangle, but turned out to be a love quadrangle?

"Shen Yu?"

Nan Juefeng always trusted Shen Yu.

Because she always acted sensibly, she had always been a relief to him.

But at this moment, her behavior baffled him.

"President, I’d like to join too. The opposite side has Miss Jiang, we have me, that would be fair. Otherwise, five men against four men and one woman, even if we win, it wouldn’t be honorable."

"Um..." The people on the blue team choked.

This secretary couldn’t be an undercover agent sent by the opposing team, could she?

To win, of course, one must use any means necessary, right?

Who cares about fairness?

"You’re right," Nan Juefeng agreed.

What he wanted was a fair contest with Lu Xingzhou.

"Which position will you play?" he asked.

Shen Yu answered strongly and clearly, "Small forward!"

Upon hearing she wanted to play small forward, the other team members on the blue side immediately became noisy.

"You can’t defend well with that build, you’ll easily get hurt."

"We’re not a professional team; it’s just a friendly match," Shen Yu smiled, looking back at the red team not far away: "Right, Mr. Lu?"

"Of course, it’s just for fun, stop at mild contact."

...

Soon, the warm-up ended.

A basketball enthusiast acted as the referee, playing the role convincingly.

After a whistle blew, the sound of dribbling resounded through the area.

A power forward needs strong confrontation skills, jumping ability, and stable footwork.

As soon as Jiang Man got the ball at the start, three from the blue team immediately double-teamed her.

Jiang Man reacted quickly, passing the ball to the guard, Lu Xingzhou.

With great speed and powerful impact, he dodged and feinted.

The ball was passed into Lu Xingzou’s hands.

The next second, the crowd was stunned.

Less than a minute into the game, the scoring guard took a long-distance shot.

Swish—