They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

“I specifically threw that classic debate topic at him, hoping he could come up with one or two points without any discussion, since this topic is really quite difficult.” Wu Yuehua handed her phone to the fourth debater.

"...Could it be that debate topic?" The fourth debater looked terrified.

"Hmm. Money is/is not the root of all evil."

"He's on the affirmative side?!"

The fourth debater continued to widen her eyes.

"Hmm, the hardest argument to write. Money is the root of all evil."

Senior Wu Yuehua sighed.

"...Ning Ruoyu defined 'ten thousand' as 'many' rather than 'all', and defined 'money' as 'property' and extended it to 'material pursuit'. In the end, she emphasized that this conclusion was only a matter of whether or not it did not involve value, thus filling the last loophole."

"What do you mean?" The second debater looked up.

"In other words, Ning Ruoyu's view is that the pursuit of material wealth is the root of many evils, and this is just a phenomenon, not a value. We can make changes to this value, but we should recognize that the pursuit of material wealth will inevitably lead to evil, and this is indisputable."

Senior Wu Yuehua gave a wry smile.

"It's truly hard to refute."

"It's just a clever substitution of concepts." I couldn't stand being looked at like a monster. "Although it smacks of sophistry, perhaps sophistry is inherently a form of debate."

During this period of learning about debate competitions, I've come to understand one thing. In a debate, the contestants and the audience are different. The audience can draw their own conclusions through the discussion between the two sides, while the contestants are simply a group of people debating for their own positions. When they are on the affirmative side, they speak for the affirmative; when they are on the negative side, they refute the negative.

"!" The fourth debater clapped her hands. "I'm not going to question him anymore. My junior understood this principle in just a few hours, a principle that took me two years to grasp. I'm done playing around!"

"Compared to you seniors, I'm still far behind." I said politely, then looked at Wu Yuehua.

"...Well, in terms of ability, I think there's no problem." Senior Wu Yuehua sighed. "Honestly, would anyone believe it if I told them? I actually reached the level of a competition debater in just a few hours."

"Then why don't I give my debating position to my junior?"

The fourth debater spoke up.

"Is it okay? If it weren't for your heroic efforts last time, we probably would have lost even more badly, right?" Senior Wu Yuehua hesitated before speaking.

"It's precisely because I did my best last time that I realized the fourth debater position needs a breakthrough even more," the fourth debater said with a smile. She was very serious and earnest when discussing the competition.

"And besides, if Ning-junior were to pull you along this time, we'd probably see an even better performance, right? I need to watch closely from the stands, hehe~"

The fourth debater smiled at me with narrowed eyes, "I'm counting on you, junior, for Wu Yuehua. Don't let her appearance fool you, she can be impulsive and serious on the field sometimes. I'll have to ask you to keep her in check."

Honestly, I don't really have confidence.

Just as Wu Yuehua said, debate is a game for four people. Although it might be a bit disrespectful to say that to the senior students, their level is indeed somewhat different from that of Wu Yuehua.

This gap isn't a problem when the teams are evenly matched, but it becomes a very obvious weakness when facing a strong opponent with a specific strategy.

I could only smile and agree. Senior Wu Yuehua probably already understood these things, so there was no need for me to spell them out.

“Exactly, exactly. Regardless of what Xiao Wu says, sometimes she wishes she could dominate the entire free debate herself.” The second debater nodded in deep agreement.

"Of course, we won't let her do that, because standing up alone during a free debate will lose a lot of points. But we often can't keep up with the other side's train of thought, so we usually stand up to answer the easier questions. With you here, things should look much better," the first debater said somewhat timidly.

"Am I really that hard to get along with..." As teammates who had competed together many times, Wu Yuehua didn't have her usual president and senior demeanor in front of these three senior girls. She looked somewhat disappointed at this moment.

"No, that's not it. We just know that Xiao Wu is actually keeping up with our skill level and trying his best to help us win."

The fourth debater smiled gently.

"So this time, since they've gone so far as to provoke us right here at our doorstep—Xiao Wu, you'd better do your best to beat them back! If you have your junior helping you, you need to show your true skill!"

"Yes, yes, Xiao Wu has done very well. This time, we also want to see Xiao Wu's most handsome side." The second debater laughed. "So, I also found a great off-stage assistant."

"What? I've never heard of this before?!" Senior Wu Yuehua immediately looked at the other girls next to her, only to find that they seemed just as confused.

"They came to see me a few days ago~ Don't worry, I've already tested it, it's really powerful! And, we're quite familiar with each other."

The second debater spoke to herself.

Even so...

"Ah, he's here. I'll go and call him in."

In a flash, the second debater ran to the door.

"Ta-da! -- The smart and handsome junior who occasionally follows behind Wu Yuehua!"

Being able to replace the fourth debater meant that everything else was none of my business. I was just enjoying the gossip when I was suddenly caught off guard by this whole mess.

This description sounds a bit ominous.

"Hey everyone, seniors. Oh, and there's that guy secretly plotting something again—did you pass the test? Are we teammates now?"

The handsome guy who appeared gave the female students a gentle and humble smile, but raised an eyebrow at me.

"...Seriously, what are you doing here?" I sighed.

"Anyway, I'm not here to help. After all, no one has ever asked me for a favor."

Chen Di said with a smile.

"Ah, sorry, junior, well, I don't want to trouble those around me with my affairs..."

"No, no, it's okay, senior. I know, I'm not blaming you." Chen Di looked at me. "Want to debate? I think I should take an entry test too."

"What's wrong? No, this kind of thing is too tiring and troublesome..."

"Come and debate."

"...I'm scared of you."

—A dozen minutes later.

"Wow! Can we really be on the same team as him?!" "I knew he was handsome! But also terrifying!" "...I thought I came for Wu Yuehua, but it turns out I came for the junior. Wow, I really want to see what happens next!"

Senior Wu Yuehua glanced at me, who was looking somewhat disheveled from the intense debate, and chuckled.

"Are you serious? It's just practice, why are you being so difficult?" I sighed.

"This is crucial to whether I can join the team, so of course I have to give it my all," Chen Di said with a smile.

"You went all out, but I just got tested by these senior students."

"I deeply sympathize with you—so, may I have the honor of joining the exhibition team?" Chen Di asked politely to the senior students.

The second debater, a senior student, immediately declared, "I was originally planning to have you, junior, take my place!"

"So handsome..." The first debater was still muttering to herself.

“I have no problem either.” Senior Wu Yuehua nodded.

“I’ve already had junior Ning Ruoyu take my place, so I should ask for his opinion.” The fourth debater looked at me and smiled.

"..." Chen Di looked at me with a half-smile.

"Really."

I sighed.

"Okay."

[Next chapter preview: "This competition is more dangerous than you think, I'm not kidding."]

I'm arguing with Chen Di.

"...That makes so much sense that I can't even refute it." I gave a wry smile.

"I won't say a word until my lawyer arrives!"

I've been ostracized by the band members! (Deep sorrow)

Chapter 117: They created a group chat behind my back!!

"have a finger in the pie……"

"Bounce back."

I'm arguing with Chen Di.

This guy was completely unaware of the danger he was in and insisted on coming to join the fun.

Although because of his participation, I don't even believe how badly we'll lose.

But that's not the most important issue. The exhibition match they proposed is just a smokescreen. Someone like the first speaker, who was previously the first speaker, might not be of much concern to the opposing team. But if the second speaker is changed, I'm worried that the replacement will also be targeted.

At the very least, they'll be seen as our accomplices.

Based on my speculation, the reason those guys proposed the friendly match was most likely so that they could take advantage of the chaotic situation during the Hundred Clubs Battle at Linwai High School and make some deals in a place where they wouldn't be suspected.

On the one hand, the other party's understanding of me is still at the stage of "being on par with Jin Shuheng in the gray industry," and according to his inherent thinking, he should think that I will not take the initiative to get involved in the white industry, and that matters of the underworld should be left to the underworld; on the other hand, if a problem really arises, he is confident that Linwai will directly cancel the Hundred Regiments War, so that he can get wind of it in advance and leave.

This is indeed the case. Given the large number of minors involved, following the principle of "avoiding mistakes rather than seeking merit," prioritizing protection over punishment, no one would dare to induce law enforcement while knowing the situation.

Other places are fine, but in places like schools, where a slight misstep could trigger public outcry, no one on the white side dares to use the safety of these high school students as bait. While the black and gray sides might not care as much, they still have to consider the white side's bottom line.

Therefore, considering all the above, given that guy's cautious yet arrogant personality, an exhibition match is indeed a very good pretext. The buyers and members could then mingle among the so-called members of the club, a problem that a high school disciplinary committee or similar body could not solve.

The cancellation of the Hundred Regiments Offensive indicates that the White side has taken notice and continues to lie low; its continued operation proves that the White side has not made sufficient preparations, and that the black and gray areas cannot be too blatant on the surface, giving them enough room for maneuver—truly a clever strategy.

For them to come up with such a scheme without knowing our specific situation is already quite bold and meticulous.

Moreover, depending on how things unfold, there's another follow-up that can be utilized...

"This competition is more dangerous than you think, I'm not kidding."

Chen Di shook his head.

"Although I don't understand the cause and effect, those Lucheng University debate teams participating in the exhibition match weren't just there to debate, were they?"

"Why do you think so?"

"If they want to prove their strength, their victory in the regional qualifiers has already defended their dignity; I don't think they would come to compete on a holiday morning just to show off," Chen Di said calmly. "Most importantly, even though the competition is at nine or ten o'clock, they would have to get up at seven or eight o'clock to get here—and those people are college students."

"...That makes so much sense that I can't even refute it." I gave a wry smile.

"Given that you deliberately avoided me, I can only guess that the other party's purpose in coming here is not only not pure, but may even be dirty. Putting aside the purpose and reason, why would they specifically use an exhibition match as an excuse?"

"—Considering the atmosphere at the school during the Hundred Regiments Offensive and the competition itself, there were probably some unrelated people who would take advantage of the chaos to sneak in, right? After all, there was already a lot of freedom of movement back then, and with a competition going on, people would probably be even less wary of visitors claiming to be from Lucheng University."

"What a monster." I was speechless. There's a huge information gap between us, and for this guy to be able to deduce things to this extent using this level of information, I truly think it's incredible.

"Now that you know, why are you still getting involved? I've always thought that Chen Di, you should be able to distinguish between what you can and cannot participate in."

"Wrong. It is true that it is important to know what you can and cannot participate in. But I think an even more important premise is to understand what is optional but essential to participate in."

Chen Di shrugged. "You don't know why you didn't think of that—what would happen if the other side won?"

It seems we were thinking about the same thing.

I sighed.

"...the bonfire party and victory celebration on the third day."

"That's right. According to the judging process of the Hundred Clubs Battle, all the winning clubs and teams will celebrate and be recognized in the evening—guess how many so-called 'Lucheng University students' can flood in under that pretext if they stay until then?"

He's right. Debate is, after all, a rather niche competition, and given that the competition is in the morning, too many students from Lu University mingling with the debate team or attending as spectators would attract the attention of security personnel and even the White Team—in terms of attention, this is highly unusual.

After all, this club showcase event was meant to curry favor with superiors. If it weren't for the competition, there shouldn't have been so many 'unrelated people' besides family members.

If they win, they can use the celebrations and the excitement as an excuse to spread the news to the Lucheng University student group, then blend in and flood in—at that point, the mix of members from Linwai High School will be completely out of control. Even if the white team comes, there's no guarantee there won't be any mistakes.

The college students who come to join the fun and whose energy begins to surge at night will become their best shield, and the darkness will conceal all transactions that take place at Linwai High School.

“If they really want to achieve some kind of goal, then winning would be a more convenient time to strike.” Chen Di stroked his chin. “If I were to do something bad, like an assassination, I would probably make these preparations. First, I would blend in and wait for the outcome of the competition.”

"The best outcome would be to win, do my own thing during the celebration banquet, and then leave quickly. There were too many people and too many things to do that night, and the investigation would probably take a lot of time and energy, and I had already extricated myself from the situation."

"The worst outcome is losing. Then I'll look for an opportunity to strike later and take advantage of it to leave. In any case, it's much safer than striking before the match. After all, if I'm discovered before the match, I'll be trapped because I can't leave due to the match; and if I'm not a player but just an excuse to watch the match and leave before the match, I'll also attract a lot of attention."

"In conclusion, if those people are really going to take action—most likely they'll decide after the competition ends, depending on the situation. Therefore, my involvement will most likely skew the outcome against them. What do you think of my conjecture?"

Chen Di said with a smile.

"I won't say a word until my lawyer arrives!"

I was sulking.

"Being too smart will leave you with no friends!"

"After all, I'm making friends with a cunning guy like you. What can I do if I don't have a little bit of wit?" Chen Di said, then stopped laughing.

"Do you really think no one noticed during the rehearsal that day? It wasn't just me; An Yu, Qiu Luxi, Senior Chu Guyin, and even Ge Lanlan all realized that you and the president were hiding a secret. They just didn't say anything because they trusted you."