The paragraph where he explains his motivation to fight (“I hate losing, so prepare and win”) is pure shounen. It’s generic but honest. I want him to fail sometimes to humble his personality. The title “Challenger” seems too arrogant after he nearly died. The story is building him up for a fall.
Xia Yiran's possessiveness over Shen Yan is really showing. She got upset when he wouldn't tell her what happened, and then that game just made everything worse between them. I get wanting honesty but she's a bit intense.
The "let's pretend to be a couple" plan is such a transparent excuse to get them closer and I am completely okay with it. Bal knows what he's doing, and Phia's outrage over the proposal is hilarious because she plays right into it anyway