The process of prize-giving ceremonies was more or less similar.
Although not that sort of prize-giving ceremony with tens of thousands of viewers, the atmosphere was still rather lively.
Yin Ruoyi forced a smile as he received a medal of honour from the United Nations official’s hands.
Downstage, Chairman Song and the rest clapped for him.
Gu Qingjiu saw Cruff standing in the middle when he suddenly tilted his head sideways and said something to Yin Ruoyi.
The smile on Yin Ruoyi’s face stiffened instantly.
Whatever Cruff said wasn’t pleasant.
Cruff couldn’t hide the smug smirk on his face.
After the ceremony ended, Yin Ruoyi came down with a dark countenance. Chairman Song, who noticed that scene earlier, gave him a simple reminder, “Ruoyi, you shouldn’t display such an attitude at an occasion like this.”
They were from China, a great nation of the world.
On such an occasion, with so many people from other countries present, they represented China’s image. Hence, they certainly couldn’t misbehave.
Upon hearing this, Yin Ruoyi’s countenance resumed to its normal state. At least, he didn’t look as cold and aloof as earlier.
Gu Qingjiu asked him in a calm voice, “What did Cruff say earlier?”
“…”
Yin Ruoyi pursed his lips and said nothing.
Gu Qingjiu felt Cruff must have said something that pricked at Yin Ruoyi’s sensitive spots.
Or else, he couldn’t possibly show such a countenance in public and before so many people’s eyes.
Of course, this incident only proved that Cruff was of poor character.
Yin Ruoyi and the rest were about to leave after the ceremony had ended when the US representatives suddenly came up to say hello.
Their association’s coach accompanied the other party. At the same time, the representative from China was their association’s chairman.
The two leaders greeted each other in a friendly manner. However, the players under their charge weren’t as friendly.
The moment Cruff walked over, he said to Yin Ruoyi, “It’s regretful that you can only call me the witness of the peak.”
Although these words didn’t sound too problematic on the surface, it was a provocative gesture between players.
But this was a tad vicious to Yin Ruoyi.
He was the genius player China had pinned great hopes upon. It was already regretful enough that Cruff defeated him, and now Cruff had to say something like this.
He implied that even such a genius only served as a stepping stone on his path to the peak.
His last battle would take place three years later. For him to say something like that showed that Cruff had zero regards for Yin Ruoyi.
It was a fact that Yin Ruoyi had lost the competition earlier. No wonder his countenance was so terrible earlier.
Next to him, the coach tried to ease the situation on Cruff’s behalf. “Your country’s players are all very outstanding, especially this one, who even nearly defeated Cruff. He’s indeed incredible.”
Although it sounded like praise, he was disparaging Yin Ruoyi.
However, on such an occasion, Chairman Song’s smile hadn’t changed in the slightest bit.
His aura was calm and steady, as though he simply didn’t care.
With such a disposition, it was no wonder that he became the chairman.
He was someone capable of tolerating things.
Just then, Cruff suddenly caught sight of Gu Qingjiu.
That gorgeous Chinese girl he saw at the banquet yesterday.
Seeing her with Yin Ruoyi and the rest, Cruff seemed to find something. Feigning shock, he said, “I wonder if this beautiful Eastern girl is also a player from your country?”
Before the others could speak, Gu Qingjiu herself nodded with a smile and even stuck out her palm. “Yes, Mr. Cruff. Three years later, I’ll be your new opponent in your final battle.”
‘I will definitely become your nightmare.’
From how Cruff saw it, that pursed-lip smile of hers indistinctly exuded a trace of coldness.