"I didn't steal it; this ticket was given to me by my friend."
Lin Xiaotian was furious.
He wasn't unaware that some people were unreasonable at times, but he had never encountered anyone so belligerent.
"Then tell me, who is your friend?"
"You woman, Xiaotian's friend..."
Sofia was about to mention Tang Long's name when Lin Xiaotian pulled her back.
Lin Xiaotian shook his head, signaling Sofia not to mention Tang Long's name. It wasn't for any particular reason, purely because the game was about to start, and Lin Xiaotian didn't want to affect Tang Long's match because of his own issue.
After all, this was the Olympics.
However, Lin Xiaotian's consideration for the bigger picture was interpreted by Yang Anbi's agent as Lin Xiaotian having stolen someone's ticket and wanting to show off in front of a foreign girl. This made her even more smug. "Go on, say it, who is your friend?"
The agent swayed her shoulders and said loudly, "I've heard of people stealing money, and people stealing batteries. Stealing someone else's ticket and then showing off, that's truly bizarre. What kind of people are out there."
The agent's voice was naturally loud, and by speaking so loudly, she clearly intended to attract attention and embarrass Lin Xiaotian.
Seeing countless spectators turning their attention towards her, the agent's vanity was infinitely satisfied, and she didn't forget to use this opportunity to make Lin Xiaotian look foolish.
"Why aren't you mentioning your friend's name? Don't tell me you're going to say your friend is Tang Long... Hahaha, would Tang Long be friends with a nobody like you?"
Sofia couldn't stand it any longer, breaking free from Lin Xiaotian's grasp. "That's right, Xiaotian is Tang's friend."
"Hahaha... You pathetic losers are too shameless to say such things. Tang Long would be friends with you losers? If he's your friend, then I'm Yao Ming's relative."
*Snicker!*
The surrounding audience burst into laughter.
"This guy didn't really steal someone's ticket to get in, did he?"
"Maybe he did."
"He probably just wanted to show off in front of the foreign girl. Look at the clothes he's wearing; they're all cheap stuff from the street, less than a hundred yuan. How could he afford such a good seat?"
"Exactly, and he's sitting next to our goddess Scarlett. Damn, even with tens of thousands of yuan, you might not be able to buy this ticket."
The spectators whispered among themselves, their gazes towards Lin Xiaotian filled with disdain and mockery.
Lin Xiaotian and Sofia's faces turned red, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into. Yet, with so many people watching them, they couldn't leave nor stay.
"That's right, he is my friend, and the ticket was given to him by me."
Tang Long walked over slowly, and what's more, Tang Long was speaking into a microphone.
"Brother Yao, someone here claims to be your relative. Do you have such a relative?"
Yao Ming spread his palms and shrugged helplessly.
Big Yao was also exasperated. The game was about to start, and now this happened. Besides, why was this woman bringing him up?
"Wow, this person is really Tang Long's friend, how lucky!"
"Exactly, and Tang Long personally gave him the ticket; their relationship must be very good."
"I wish I were Tang Long's friend."
Tang Long's appearance immediately reversed the situation. The voices that had been criticizing Lin Xiaotian now turned into envy.
Only Yang Anbi's agent stood there, dumbfounded, looking shocked.
The lighting technician playfully shone the spotlight on the agent at the right moment. She looked like a stunned penguin.
Except she was a red-faced penguin, her face as red as a monkey's backside.
Impossible!
How could this pathetic loser, whose entire outfit probably didn't cost a hundred yuan, be Tang Long's friend?
"And you!"
Tang Long walked over from the court and looked at Manager Zhao indifferently.
While his height might be average in the league, he was definitely head and shoulders above ordinary people.
The two of them made eye contact, the manager having to look up at Tang Long, creating a striking visual.
"Apologize to my friend, then take your lapdog and get lost."
Manager Zhao was terrified. This was the Olympics!
Tang Long was the absolute superstar of this Olympics, a superstar featured on C1!
If he said a word, let alone the manager's position, the audience here could drown him with their spit.
"Sir, I apologize. My eyes were blinded by prejudice. I thought a celebrity's agent wouldn't lie, and I was deceived. Can you forgive me?"
Sofia said indignantly, "Let me tell you, Xiaotian is a reporter for Citi-Country Television. So, isn't this behavior of yours a disgrace to Dragon Country?"
"It has nothing to do with the country," Lin Xiaotian quickly stopped Sofia.
With so many eyes watching, if someone with ulterior motives were to magnify this, it would surely be used for gossip.
"Forget it, I forgive you."
Lin Xiaotian could still see the bigger picture in his eyes.
Manager Zhao felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and apologized repeatedly, then glared fiercely at the fat woman.
"Agent Feng, next time, please don't slander good people. Look at the trouble you've caused everyone."
Manager Zhao left dejectedly.
The agent's face had turned purple by now, and countless eyes were fixed on her.
Soon, someone recognized her.
"Isn't this Yang Anbi's agent, Feng Lu?"
"Yes, that's her."
"I saw Yang Anbi just now too."
The spectators craned their necks, but the seat where Yang Anbi had been was now empty. Yang Anbi was nowhere to be seen.
It's no wonder Yang Anbi could establish herself in variety shows so quickly; her ability to read the room was definitely top-tier among celebrities.
"Such poor manners, trying to frame someone!"
"These actors are too lawless. They wanted to switch seats and acted all arrogant. Does she think she's a first-tier star?"
These words were like knives, piercing Feng Lu's heart.
The worst part was that Yang Anbi had fled so quickly, leaving her alone to be targeted by the audience.
"Aren't you leaving? Waiting for a midnight snack?"
Someone in the stands said, which caused the audience to erupt in laughter.
Feng Lu finally reacted, and her plump body wiggled as she fled in a panic.
"Tang Long, if you don't come down soon, the referee will call you for a foul."
Guo Qiang gestured to Tang Long from the sideline, urging him to return to the game.
He had a terrible headache.
With so many reporters and his current popularity, this matter probably wasn't over yet. After the game, who knew how the media would report it.
Tang Long was more laid-back and didn't take the incident to heart. He patted Lin Xiaotian on the shoulder.
"Focus on the game. Don't let that prejudiced guy ruin your mood, both of you."
Tang Long winked at Swift. "Taylor, please look after my friends for me."
"No problem, leave it to me. You focus on the game," Swift said, waving her tiny pink fists. "Good luck, you must win!"