Chapter 761: Complicated
Candice and Curry, along with their fan friends, grabbed Marcus's right hand. Like bargemen, they worked together to lift Marcus up. Marcus was completely suspended in a clumsy posture, trying to find a foothold, but the smooth wall offered no chance. His constantly kicking feet were truly hilarious and made everyone burst into laughter.
Behind them, Aldon, Lu Ke, Logan, and the others were all laughing uncontrollably, standing there and doubled over with laughter. But Lu Ke quickly reacted, worried that Marcus would get hurt. He hurried over and used his hands to hold Marcus's feet. However, he wasn't there to save Marcus but to push him upward with a force.
"Whoosh," Marcus was pulled into the stands and disappeared into the surging crowd.
"Ah! Oh! No! Hehe, hahaha, I'm ticklish! Oh no! Not there, hey, hey, not there, no, no!"
Marcus's broken shouts came through in the midst of the cheering crowd, echoing in the stadium tunnel and making people's imaginations run wild and laugh uncontrollably.
Lu Ke was also full of smiles and gave two thumbs up to Candice and Curry. Candice proudly flipped her ponytail and then extended her right hand. Lu Ke once again made a small run-up and high-fived Candice and Curry.
Emma stood still, witnessing everything.
She couldn't see any sign of a lady in Candice, but she also couldn't see any sign of embarrassment. Her sweaty and radiant face looked so natural and harmonious, perfectly blending in with the festive atmosphere. There was no sense of incongruity. The camaraderie in the air was heartwarming.
By all accounts, she should have felt disdain, but deep down, a hint of envy was growing. Emma immediately took a deep breath and cut off this emotion that shouldn't exist. This was a false image. Everything was a false image!
There was no need to wait. Roger Goodell took the initiative to greet them. The San Francisco 49ers players all swarmed over, pushing Lu Ke to the front. Like a triangular arrow, they walked over with a clear goal.
Unconsciously, Emma's gaze was completely fixed on Lu Ke.
There was no special reason, just because he was walking in the front. It was purely for this reason, that's it, it must be, it must be.
Lu Ke's footsteps stopped. Emma straightened her back slightly, raised her chin, and waited for the other party to greet her first. As a lady, how could she greet him first? This was not allowed, absolutely not allowed!
Then, Emma noticed that Lu Ke smiled and nodded, first at Goodell, then at Leonardo, and finally at her.
She was last!
And, she could clearly feel that when he faced her, Lu Ke's smile became a little colder. The politeness was mixed with a sense of distance. Even the warmth in his eyes had obviously dropped, as if he was drawing a clear line between them!
Damn it!
What does he mean? Who does he think he is to act so high and mighty? And who gave him the right to distance himself from her? She was the one who should have been the one to actively create distance, please!
"...This is the only time we have to enjoy the victory. We're going to a bar to relax a bit later. If you don't have other plans, you're welcome to join us."
The words entered her ears. Emma came back to her senses and her eyes widened. She stared at Lu Ke in disbelief.
He only invited Leonardo and didn't invite her? How rude, he has no manners at all! Doesn't he even know basic etiquette? He's an athlete, all right! She doesn't like him. She doesn't like him at all! This damn guy is like a thorn in her side, what the hell!
"Haha, of course, it's my honor. But I'm a lightweight, so I probably can't keep up with you."
"Don't worry, we won't be drinking until we pass out. A hangover would be terrible. Of course, Aldon is an exception."
"Hey! Bambi, you're talking to Leonardo, don't drag me into it!"
The playful banter went back and forth, and everyone laughed. But for Emma, it was getting more and more unbearable. She just wanted to roll her eyes, but to maintain her image as a lady, she had to endure it. She could only repeatedly tell herself in her heart: she is a lady, she is a lady, she will not stoop to his level!
But...
God!
Why? Why was he so natural, so happy, and so relaxed when he was talking to that girl just now? And now that he's standing in front of her, he won't even look at her? Is she not pretty enough? Or is she too formal? Or is he color-blind and unable to make an accurate judgment? Or is it... his taste is too unique?
"Oh!"
"...Miss Watson?"
The voice in her ear suddenly became clear. Emma blinked her eyes and showed her proper smile again. She looked at Lu Ke, and then she saw Lu Ke pause. A meaningful smile appeared on his lips, and he repeated his words again. "I said, if Miss Watson is also interested..."
"No! I'm not!" Almost reflexively, Emma interrupted Lu Ke's next words and answered unreasonably, rejecting him decisively. At the same time, Emma raised her chin and once again adopted a proud posture, emphasizing her position of refusal with her expression and actions.
"..." Lu Ke was a little surprised that his words were interrupted, but he then showed a polite smile—a kind of official, perfunctory smile from a celebrity. "That's not a surprise. I think Miss Watson must have had plans beforehand. But, this was a request from my teammates, so I still had to ask. No offense."
"Hey! Bambi!"
"How could you sell us out!"
"There's a lady here!"
The teammates standing behind Lu Ke all began to protest loudly.
Emma could barely keep the smile on her face. Did he just let out a long sigh of relief? Or was he mocking her? Or was he expressing disdain? Why did his tone sound so happy? Why did he seem so eager to get rid of her? Why? Was it for that girl just now?
"Sorry, I have to work in a while. I think I must be going." Emma ignored Lu Ke and turned to Goodell. Her words were simple but firm. The one who should walk away gracefully was her!
Goodell noticed Emma's firm gaze and reacted immediately. Without asking, he nodded in understanding. "Of course, we've kept you long enough. I hope you enjoyed today's game, and I hope we'll have a chance to meet again. I mean, on the NFL field."
After exchanging a few polite words, Emma nodded at the San Francisco 49ers players, only not looking at Lu Ke. Then, like a queen inspecting her territory, she turned around proudly. Her high heels clacked on the ground, and she walked away. In her heart, she warned herself:
"Straighten your back! Don't look back! Straighten your back! Don't look back! Perfect! Your performance is perfect! Compared to that girl just now! You are perfect! Yes, just like that! You should leave now and leave that clown behind forever!"
Leonardo lightly glanced at Emma's retreating back. The young girl's attitude and emotions were really difficult to hide, even though she tried very hard. He looked at Lu Ke and showed a faint smile, motioning with his chin, "Do you know what that was all about?"
Lu Ke spread his hands with an innocent expression. "I swear, I really don't know her."
However, Leonardo didn't say anything, but just stared at him meaningfully, as if he knew everything. Lu Ke could only change his words helplessly, "Okay, we met on a plane once, but we only exchanged a few words. Our relationship wasn't too good. This is only the second time. I'm sure she doesn't like me."
"Ha." Leonardo didn't say much, just gave a dry laugh. "Girls..."
"...You can't guess their minds?" Lu Ke finished the second half of the sentence, which made Leonardo laugh heartily.
From the chaos before the game to the tension during the game and until now, Lu Ke and Leonardo finally had time to talk properly. "So, seeing you at the game today, does that mean you've officially become a football fan?"
Leonardo shrugged his shoulders lightly. "Yes, I can say that. Today's game was truly brilliant, not as brilliant as the last one, but still captivating."
"More captivating than basketball?" Lu Ke raised his eyebrows and continued to ask.
Leonardo immediately stopped smiling and said with a serious face, "Don't push your luck."
"It seems that my teammates and I still need to work hard to get Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio to move to San Francisco!" Lu Ke clenched his fists and cheered for himself. His serious look made Leonardo unable to hold back his laughter.
"Bambi? Hurry up, the reporters are getting impatient. If we drag this on any longer, they'll riot!"
"Bambi, we need your immediate help. The reporters have started protesting together!"
"Bambi... Bambi..."
The heartbroken pleas were so exaggerated that they forcefully interrupted Lu Ke and Leonardo's conversation. Lu Ke shrugged helplessly, "Duty calls! I'll go over and work now. We can talk more at the bar later. By the way, thank you for coming to support us today. You know, it has earned us a lot of exposure."
As he spoke, Lu Ke's eyes lightly fell on Goodell, who was not far away.
No words were needed. They both knew, and they both chuckled.
Then, Lu Ke didn't stop again. He turned around and walked in the direction where the reporters were gathered, ready to enjoy the shining moment that belonged to the winners. From a distance, the rustling commotion came toward him.
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