Chapter 990: At Ease 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Congratulations! Tonight’s performance was fantastic!"

Candice stared blankly at Lu Ke. His clear eyebrows and sunny smile were still familiar, but they were now subtly mixed with a touch of maturity. His bright eyes were like the North Star in the night, guiding lost travelers back to a safe path. Even the pitch-black night couldn’t block that light.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Candice finally understood what it meant to have her heart flutter. The slight trembling and pounding of her heart made every single cell in her body cheer and scream. Before she even realized it, her cheeks began to flush, and the corners of her mouth curled upward.

"Just one? Isn’t that a bit rude?" Adriana’s lazy and slightly husky voice sounded in her ear with a hint of provocation and slyness, instantly bringing Candice back to her senses. It wasn’t just her and Lu Ke here; they were in a public place with countless people around them.

At this moment, Candice realized that all eyes were on her and Lu Ke—envious, speculative, curious, probing, and expectant. The countless hot gazes made it feel as if they were standing at the center of the world, with their every move exposed for all to see.

The envious stares felt like hundreds of spotlights focusing on her at once. She could feel the heat on her skin, which made countless butterflies flutter in her stomach. The dopamine and adrenaline made her expression light up.

But then, Candice sobered up. They needed to keep it a secret. They didn’t want to become the focus of the world like Adam and Behati did, which could disrupt Lu Ke’s preparations.

The locker room turmoil from the past few weeks had just died down. The last thing Lu Ke needed now was interference from paparazzi. That would be an even worse and more terrible disturbance and destruction than a locker room issue, and once it started, it would never end. If that happened, no one could predict what would happen in the playoffs.

After realizing this, Candice straightened her back a little. Although every cell in her body was filled with joy and sweet happiness, she forced herself to calm down. She didn’t look overly surprised or exaggerated. Instead, she tried her best to act natural, as if it were just a visit from a regular friend.

However, now, the one who was in a more difficult position than Candice should be Lu Ke.

Candice suddenly thought of the countless topics that had revolved around Lu Ke today. It was both funny and curious, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. She crossed her arms over her chest and joined her friends, looking at Lu Ke.

Lu Ke was indeed a little uncomfortable right now. All of a sudden, he was bathed in the gazes of so many women. It felt like even his breathing was being monitored, not to mention his every move. Even Candice was looking at him with a similar playful gaze, which made Lu Ke laugh helplessly.

Almost imperceptibly, Lu Ke twisted his shoulders a little, as if he was adjusting his tense muscles. He then straightened his back and bravely faced all the scrutinizing gazes, just like he did when he stood on the field for the first time to face the severe challenge of a professional game.

Lu Ke directly responded to Adriana’s teasing, but his voice was still a little awkward. "...I’ve tried my best, but it seems that all the roses at the venue today have already been snatched up by others. I couldn’t make it in time."

There was no smooth maturity, but the youthful innocence and sincerity of a young man. More importantly, there was a small sense of humor without being slick and arrogant. He effortlessly teased Adam and responded to Adriana’s tricky question. It was like a white sheet hanging in the sun on a summer afternoon. A gentle breeze blew by, and the fresh scent of soap came rushing at them.

"Roses?" Everyone’s eyes turned toward where Behati and Adam were.

That area was still the most lively and crowded. It seemed as if more than half of the people at the venue were gathered in one place. But subtly, many curious and scrutinizing gazes were still being cast toward Lu Ke’s location.

Then, the Victoria’s Secret Angels gathered around Lu Ke looked at each other and exchanged meaningful glances. They all laughed charmingly. The melodious laughter with various accents made everyone truly experience what it felt like to be charmed by a variety of beauties.

Alessandra’s eyes shifted back and forth between Lu Ke and Candice. She seemed to have smelled an unusual undercurrent. She asked in a very suggestive way, "So, why did you suddenly show up at the show tonight? If we’re not mistaken, the season should still be in progress. Wouldn’t you get scolded by your coach for being here?"

Leigh had already considered this question. He had already talked to Harbaugh beforehand and got permission from the team manager Trent Baalke before finalizing the schedule for today and tomorrow.

Even though it was Lu Ke’s private matter and it wouldn’t affect the team’s regular training or game, Leigh still reported it to maintain a good working relationship with the team. There was no harm in it. What’s more, given Lu Ke’s attitude toward training, Leigh knew that he would want it that way.

Facing the sudden probing question, Lu Ke was calmer than Candice. He didn’t panic at all.

"Oh, it was a pure coincidence. A sponsor just happened to provide a rare opportunity, and I only found out about it at the last minute." He was not only answering Alessandra’s question but also clearing up Candice’s confusion. "Since I’ve already arrived, it would be rude not to come and say hello."

The last sentence was directed at Candice.

Then Lu Ke faced everyone again. "I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Lu Ke, Candice’s friend." It was not too intimate, nor was it intentionally distant. This generous and at-ease demeanor was what felt most normal, quietly dispelling everyone’s suspicious gazes.

"We know." Adriana leaned forward again, putting her hands on Candice’s shoulders. She seemed to have believed Lu Ke’s explanation. "There’s news about you everywhere lately. It’s too difficult not to notice. Look, even Leo is your friend. How could we not know? Good evening, I’m Adriana Lima."

Then, Adriana winked and said slyly, "Luckily, Gisele didn’t show up tonight. Otherwise, it would be a bit awkward for you guys to stand together."

This wasn’t just aimed at Lu Ke—because Lu Ke had defeated Brady today—but also at Leonardo from the corner of her eye. She was clearly teasing him. It seemed they were pretty good friends.

"If that’s the case, you must have an even harder time at NBA parties," Lu Ke said with a regretful look, with sincerity.

Adriana’s husband, Marko Jaric, had played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies, but during his career, these three teams weren’t particularly good in the league. They lost a lot of games, and he even became a bench player after joining the Grizzlies.

If Brady lost, Gisele would be uncomfortable. Then if Jaric lost, Adriana would obviously not be too happy either.

Lu Ke made a small counterattack by making an analogy. Of course, his tone was still light and teasing. He not only successfully got himself out of the difficult situation but also helped Leonardo. The other models all giggled, and some even started to tease Adriana.

But Adriana was a little firecracker. Her straightforward and bold personality had never changed. Now she exaggeratedly scrunched up her face, showing a look of disgust, and complained in a high voice, "Ah! I didn’t expect you to be the type to show off your humor and wit. Oh, all the sexiness is gone now. What am I going to do?"

"...I don’t have to worry about retaliation from Marko Jaric and the NBA?" Lu Ke’s voice went up at the end, and he said uncertainly. Then he raised his hands in a surrendering gesture. "I truly have no intention of starting a war between the two sports leagues. I don’t want to be Achilles, and you don’t look like Helen."

Achilles and Agamemnon started the Trojan War over the world’s most beautiful goddess, Helen.

Leonardo was the first to clap and laugh. Then, the other models who understood Lu Ke’s humor also laughed. It was a brilliant move, absolutely brilliant!

Even Adriana had to applaud in admiration.

Lu Ke and Adriana’s banter was just a few sentences, but the back and forth was sparkling with wit.

But, thanks to Adriana’s teasing, Lu Ke fell into his familiar rhythm, and it became easy for him to handle the situation. Unconsciously, the focus of attention was shifted away from Candice and Lu Ke again. As their eyes met by chance, both of them secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Then, Lu Ke raised his right hand again and offered the tulip. He wasn’t trying to hide it; he was doing it out in the open.

Candice didn’t refuse. She took the tulip with both hands. Her cheeks were a little flushed. Under everyone’s gaze, she didn’t dare to easily show her feelings. But Candice also couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency inside. Maybe it was because of the countless topics and discussions about Lu Ke today, or maybe it was because she was worried about being caught by the paparazzi. She now only wished that Lu Ke would leave quickly. Was this... jealousy?

No, this was not jealousy. Absolutely not!

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