Shortly after Gu Qingjiu hung up the phone, Chairman Song sent someone to invite her to join in China’s celebration.
It didn’t clash with that night’s prize-giving ceremony.
Gu Qingjiu knew that Chairman Song would definitely speak to her about the competition.
Yin Ruoyi should also be back by then.
They held the celebration banquet in the hotel, specifically in a banquet hall which China exclusively used before.
When Gu Qingjiu went over, she saw Yin Ruoyi being surrounded by people.
Contrasting the joyous expressions on those around him, Yin Ruoyi’s countenance wasn’t too good.
Chairman Song was comforting him.
“You’ve done very well already. This was your first time, after all. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. In terms of individual scores, you’re only one point under Cruff. This is definitely an excellent performance, so don’t feel too stressed.”
Although this was what was said, Gu Qingjiu could understand what Yin Ruoyi was thinking.
Yin Ruoyi pursed his lips. Having just come down from the competition, his lips looked a tad pale. As he listened to Chairman Song’s words, he merely blinked in exhaustion. “Chairman, I understand what you’re saying. But I can’t get past that hurdle in my heart.”
Yin Ruoyi was honest about his feelings.
He didn’t care about others’ opinions, but he couldn’t get past the hurdle in his own heart.
He had always been a proud one. China ranking second this time around dealt him with a blow.
Because he failed in winning Cruff.
“You can’t put it this way. In the last minute, your response exceeded everyone’s expectations faced with Cruff’s attack. Had you discovered Cruff then?”
Gu Qingjiu looked towards Yin Ruoyi upon hearing Chairman Song’s words.
“Cruff’s ability to conceal himself was indeed powerful. At the time, I only noticed the other player from the US in the house and hadn’t seen Cruff. As for what happened in the last moments, I can’t articulate it in words either. I guess it was a reflex reaction that allowed me to detect danger. I was merely taking a gamble. But I didn’t hit any of that player’s vital part, so I only got one point.”
Gu Qingjiu instantly understood.
Under those circumstances, it was an emergency state that allowed Yin Ruoyi to discover Cruff’s presence.
He wasn’t certain if that person was Cruff.
He was merely taking a gamble based on his intuition.
“Actually, we ought to be glad that Cruff was too greedy and had aimed for your fatal spot. If he wasn’t so greedy, perhaps we would have a different outcome today.”
Chairman Song mentioned the most important reason.
If Cruff had been decisive enough and only aimed to eliminate Yin Ruoyi, he wouldn’t have escaped even if Yin Ruoyi realized what was going on. It was probable that Cruff hadn’t seen this coming.
Yin Ruoyi furrowed his brows at the mention of this.
He wanted to rebut, but this was a fact.
Cruff’s capabilities were indeed terrifying.
He didn’t manage to eliminate Yin Ruoyi because he was too careless this time around.
However, China ultimately lost to the US.
With his performance in this competition, Yin Ruoyi became renowned internationally. He had a performance that wasn’t inferior to Cruff’s; he even escaped when he came across him.
Escape when he came across Cruff.
This was the major reason Yin Ruoyi felt uncomfortable.
He had never tasted defeat, yet today, he could only get this outcome that seemed like a fortunate one in others’ eyes.
This was naturally difficult for him to accept.
Getting over it was easier said than done.