HLM – Chapter 220 Let the Games Begin

As soon as Wang Bo pulled off that “magic trick,” the crowd’s enthusiasm exploded. People swarmed to give him high-fives.

He was easily the most popular person at the scene—first because of his performance at the town sports meet, second due to his massive donation at the school charity auction, and third for the heroic news coverage of him and Zhuang Ding during the earthquake.

Eva smiled brightly and said, “Looks like inviting you was the right call. You’re not just the champion of the sports meet, you’re also the popularity king.”

Wang Bo shrugged and chuckled. “Honestly, everyone’s just giving you face…”

Someone handed him a beer. “Hey, Wang, get ready. We’re about to kick things off!”

Eva stopped the guy and said, “You all go ahead and start. Wang and I will just watch.”

Thornton was standing nearby. He egged the crowd on. “Oh, come on, we can’t have that! Wang’s our newest guest. We have to show enough enthusiasm for our newcomers—otherwise, even God won’t forgive us. Right, fellas?”

“Right!” several young men echoed.

The moment they started making a fuss, Wang Bo knew something was up. But he had no idea what “kick things off” meant in this context, so he waved Charlie and the others over to ask.

Bowen encouraged him, “Just join in, you’ll definitely be the star again!”

Wang Bo scowled, “Cut the crap and give me a straight answer. I’m telling you, I’ll deal with you guys when we get back! If I hadn’t figured out what ‘bring a plate’ meant ahead of time, I would’ve embarrassed myself today!”

Juan immediately explained, “So, here’s the deal. The kickoff event is the first game of an Auckland-style party. A few strong guys each grab a beer can and try to crush it. The one whose beer sprays the highest becomes the Party Emperor for the night. The one with the lowest spray? The Clown—he gets pranked.”

Bowen added, “Don’t worry, Wang. I know how strong you are. You’ll definitely be the emperor!”

Once he understood, Wang Bo relaxed. Meanwhile, Thornton and his gang were still hyping up the crowd. Eva frowned and tried to turn them down for him, but one young man shouted, “Hey, Chinaman, are you even a man? Hiding behind a woman—what a coward! Hahaha! Are you a jelly-legged shrimp?”

Juan flared up. He pointed at the guy and shouted, “Shut your filthy mouth! For God’s sake, I’ll leave your teeth in that crap-spewing mouth of yours!”

The guys around Thornton stiffened, moving crabwise to surround them.

Juan hadn’t stood up to the Auckland gang earlier because they were debt collectors, and he had no leg to stand on. But now, standing on the moral high ground, he had no fear of regular folks.

With contempt on his face, Juan glared coldly around the group and spat. “What a bunch of trash. Wanna fight?”

Wang Bo, Charlie, and Bowen immediately stood beside him. The parrot, Commander, took off flying and shouted curses:

“Ah! Your mom’s blown up! Ah! Eat sh*t! Ah! Zhuang Ding attack! Ah! Queen attack!”

Zhuang Ding and Queen didn’t hesitate—baring sharp fangs.

Eva elbowed the most aggressive guy in the chest, pushed Juan back, and then snapped at Thornton with a deep frown, “Control your lackeys. This isn’t a bullring. This is a school party. If you wanna brawl, get out. Seriously, you’re such a pain!”

Commander squawked again, “Ah! Lackey! Ah! What a pain in the a**!”

Charlie looked amazed. “Sh*t, this parrot’s getting sassier by the day. That mouth—what a performer. Wang, how do you train it?”

Wang Bo stepped up and said, “Alright, alright, enough of this. It’s just the kickoff game, right? Thornton, how about this—just you and me. One-on-one. Winner’s the Emperor, loser’s the Clown.”

Hearing this, Eva quickly stopped him and whispered with a glance, “Thornton’s good at this. He’s the reigning Party Emperor.”

Wang Bo felt a burst of joy. Eva was standing up for him—clearly she had him in her heart.

Acting calm, he placed his hand on her shoulder and said proudly, “I’m the rebel who slays emperors.”

Thornton’s crew burst into laughter and applause. Thornton crossed his arms and puffed out his chest, showing off his exaggerated muscles. He sneered, “You sure you wanna go up against me?”

Wang Bo replied, “If you give up now, I’ll spare you—for Eva’s sake.”

That made Thornton furious. He grabbed a beer can shaped like a bottle and tossed one to Wang Bo. “Fine! Let’s go, Yellow Man! I’ll show you real strength!”

By now, night had fully fallen. One by one, the park’s halogen lights lit up, casting dazzling white beams all around. It was as bright as day.

Wang Bo and Thornton stood on the grass in the center, surrounded by a crowd. Eva leaned in and whispered, “Careful—Thornton’s the town champion for shot put and javelin. He’s also on the local rugby team.”

Wang Bo sneered. You want to compare strength? Even an Olympic weightlifting champion wouldn’t beat me.

Juan shook up Wang Bo’s can vigorously to activate the carbonation inside. On the other side, Thornton was putting on a show, swinging his can like a circus act.

They finally stood side by side. The crowd shouted excitedly, and the party vibe got even hotter. Despite the cool summer night, the atmosphere was electric.

“Hey, Thornton! Show this outsider who’s boss!”

“Crush him, Thornton! Splash beer all over his face!”

“Come on, boss! Show him your power!”

“Go, bro! You’re stronger than a gorilla!”

At a signal, Thornton squeezed with all his might. His can gave off a cringe-inducing squeeeeeze and quickly crumpled.

On Wang Bo’s side, there was only one sound: Boom!

The beer can, though aluminum, was shaped like a bottle and had a cap-style top. This allowed the beer inside to blast upward from the air pressure.

Wang Bo’s beer shot into the sky like a geyser, soaring over two meters high—unstoppable!

Thornton’s beer also shot up decently, but barely reached a meter and a half. The difference was obvious!

Bowen yelled, “Ha! I knew it! Wang’s a beast! He’s a freaking gorilla locked in a castle!”

Thornton’s side was dead silent. His own face darkened, unable to utter a word.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Wang Bo didn’t even glance at Thornton. He tossed the can aside, raised his arms, and basked in the applause like an NBA star.

Then the real party began. The pounding music kicked in. The halogen lights were replaced with colorful ones, casting a kaleidoscope of patterns across the park. Everyone started clapping and dancing to the rhythm.

Wang Bo got goofy. He’d never experienced anything like this before—he couldn’t dance at all!

As for expecting Charlie and the gang to teach him? Not a chance. Even Juan had already grabbed a hot girl and was shaking his hips. Charlie and Bowen? Long gone.

So, Wang Bo just headed over to the food and drinks area. But girls kept approaching him to dance—his earlier “magic trick” and the kickoff event had made him the star of the show.

Even some aunties came to ask him for a dance. Of course, Kiwi aunties don’t do plaza dancing.

Still, he turned them all down—because, honestly… he really didn’t know how to dance!