FSGOR Ch15

They had stayed out too late at the bar, so the next day during team training, the main players, led by Jiang Tian, appeared listless.

The coach scolded them thoroughly, but didn’t speak too harshly—after all, with Jiang Tian around, which teacher wouldn’t show a bit of favoritism? He didn’t even mention the usual punishment of running laps around the field.

By evening, the team disbanded to rest and take care of dinner on their own. Feeling a bit guilty, Jiang Tian offered to treat Lu Qiao and Zhao Yuanhao to a meal.

But the two of them only ordered milk tea made with non-dairy creamer, acting as if they’d scored a great deal, happily chatting away about how the scumbag was sure to take the bait.

Jiang Tian was skeptical. “You really think it’s a sure thing?”

Zhao Yuanhao grinned. “Yesterday’s move might’ve been an accident, but that scumbag’s possessiveness must be through the roof now. I bet he’s afraid some other gay guy will snatch you up.”

Lu Qiao clenched his fist with a smirk. “Just a couple more days till we meet. Let’s see how hard I can punch him!”

The more Jiang Tian listened, the more sense it seemed to make. Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He thought it was a message from the scammer, but when he unlocked the screen, he saw it was a flight app notification: his sister was halfway to Ningcheng.

He was a thoughtful boy—he always paid attention to things like weather and traffic based on his sister’s travel plans.

As soon as he turned off the screen, a message from the online scam target popped up. The two friends next to him figured the scammer was about to call and tactfully walked away, even nudging him with a knowing look that said: don’t screw this up.

Jiang Tian nodded, his palms slightly sweaty. Late spring in Ningcheng had come early this year, and the air was already heavy with restless heat.

Afternoon Tea: Sweetheart.

Afternoon Tea: What are you doing?

KIRA: Playing soccer.

KIRA: What’s up?

Afternoon Tea: I want to hear your voice.

The guy was still as clingy as ever. Jiang Tian figured they wouldn’t be talking much longer anyway, so he gave in and responded while biting on his milk tea straw.

KIRA: Okay.

KIRA: I’m taking a break right now.

 KIRA: Should I call you now?

The guy didn’t reply—he just directly sent a call request. A drop of melted ice water slid off Jiang Tian’s milk tea cup. Just as he was about to wipe it off, he accidentally tapped “accept,” not realizing it was a video call.

“!!!”

Jiang Tian reacted fast—he immediately switched the camera as the call connected. With only the dim lighting of the field, the guy probably didn’t get a good look at his face.

But this guy was sneaky—his side of the screen was pitch black. It was obviously a trick to sneak a peek at what Jiang Tian looked like.

“Why aren’t you showing your face?”

The man’s low voice spread out through the air. In the breeze of the night, it sent a chill up Jiang Tian’s spine.

Jiang Tian sensed a hint of danger, but brushed it off as imagination and instead complained, “You didn’t tell me in advance.”

Chu Xuyu: “Would you have shown your face if I had?”

Of course not—but Jiang Tian couldn’t blow up about it, so he just held his now-warm phone and mumbled a reason. “I was afraid you’d lose interest in meeting if you saw me.”

The man’s tone was laced with amusement. “Aren’t you pretty confident?”

Jiang Tian: “…”

“Not that confident.”

The two of them were quiet for a moment. The man didn’t say anything, but the atmosphere suddenly turned ambiguous, like an invisible net closing in from all directions.

By now, Chu Xuyu had left the spa and was sitting in his sports car, idly rubbing the steering wheel with his thumb. “I can be in Ningcheng the day after tomorrow.”

Jiang Tian was briefly surprised. “That soon?”

“You don’t want to see me early?”

“…No, that’s not it.”

Jiang Tian confirmed this guy was acting weird. And with all the talk from his friends, he really thought it was just possessiveness kicking in. So he played along, saying, “Of course I want to see you sooner.”

“Oh really.” Chu Xuyu chuckled softly. “I’ve been a bit troubled lately.”

Jiang Tian: “Hmm?”

“Wondering when I offended one of my colleagues.”

“…”

He’s even venting about work now?

Looks like the scumbag really is falling for him—treating him like a genuine love interest. Jiang Tian paused for a moment, figuring he should try comforting him, even if he wasn’t good at it. “Maybe find a chance to ask them about it.”

“Yeah, I probably should.”

Chu Xuyu was silent for a while before saying softly, “Sweetheart.”

Jiang Tian: “…Yeah?”

Chu Xuyu: “Day after tomorrow, then?”

Jiang Tian was caught off guard. He hadn’t even told his sister yet. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and decided to play it safe. “Should be okay.”

Chu Xuyu: “Why only ‘should’?”

Jiang Tian: “There might be something going on at home.”

Chu Xuyu: “Like what?”

“…”

Jiang Tian finished the last of his milk tea. Their screens were both dark—neither could see the other’s face. Only their breathing mingled in the air, like they were intentionally dragging time out. Jiang Tian had no choice but to agree. “Alright, day after tomorrow it is.”

After a few seconds, Chu Xuyu asked again, “Are you short on money?”

Jiang Tian: “…”

That ancient conversation again. He really didn’t want to go back to that topic, so he changed tack. “Ge, I’m really not after your money.”

But the guy pressed on. “Then what are you after?”

Jiang Tian felt something was seriously off with the guy, but he couldn’t quite say why. He just responded gloomily, “I already told you before.”

—He’d said he was only after feelings.

“Alright.”

Chu Xuyu chuckled softly, then asked, “Do you go to bars a lot?”

Jiang Tian responded quickly, “Not really. Only when I’m feeling down, and usually with friends.”

“Oh?” Chu Xuyu asked again, “When was the last time?”

Jiang Tian felt like he was being interrogated. He casually made up a time, intentionally slipping in the night when Jiang Jing had found out the guy was a marriage-scamming gay man.

Chu Xuyu: “The night you added me as a friend?”

Jiang Tian: “Yeah.”

He rolled with it. After all, he had come back from the bar that night and was feeling especially lonely when he swiped onto the guy’s profile.

The man let out a meaningful chuckle, his fingers tapping on something with a dull thud—like a whisper beside his ear. “So you were planning to hook up?”

Jiang Tian’s ears burned. “…Yeah.”

Typing was one thing, saying it aloud was completely different. He was starting to feel awkward. The other guy finally relented, “When we meet the day after tomorrow, make sure you bring what you’re supposed to.”

Jiang Tian froze. It wasn’t until after the call ended that he realized what the guy meant by that.

“…”

His ears were ridiculously hot. When a teammate walked by and glanced at him, he quickly got up and pretended nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Chu Xuyu was still thinking about their chat, eyes glinting with danger. He couldn’t even be bothered to pack—he headed straight to the airport.

He moved up his return flight, but still missed a crucial person. He could only text his secretary: contact me as soon as you land.

As for Jiang Jing, she arrived in Ningcheng over six hours later, wrapping up her business trip happily. Her best friend Lu Yang, who worked in the entertainment industry, came to pick her up. The two chatted nonstop, and Jiang Jing didn’t even notice her work phone had shut off from a dead battery.

“I saw that new handbag collection too!”

Lu Yang, something of a rich girl herself, looked enviously at her bestie’s new purse. “Girl, your boss is something else. Rich and tasteful. If someone could date him, that’d be a dream!”

Jiang Jing winked. “Right? Our boss seriously has good taste. Always dressed like a male model. I have no idea how he’s still single.”

Lu Yang, putting on her sunglasses and getting ready to drive, suddenly thought of something: “Don’t tell me… he’s gay?”

Jiang Jing: “???”

What kind of horror story are you telling?

Lu Yang: “…”

Oops. Wrong time to say that, huh?

They exchanged a glance, then started trash-talking the scumbag again while heading to Xingfugang Residences—eventually segueing into talk about their younger brothers.

At the same time—

Jiang Tian was cooking a late-night meal at home. Lu Qiao was helping out. The table was full of great dishes, including freshly fried Korean-style chicken—the smell alone had him drooling.

“No eating early.”

Jiang Tian normally wasn’t so particular, but since both Jiang Jing and Lu Yang were coming home, he wanted the welcome dinner to look perfect. “You can use my phone to order milk tea if you’re craving something.”

Lu Qiao grinned. “Nah, no need. My mom gave me tons of allowance. Drinks are on me!”

Jiang Tian just smiled and stirred the pot, finally feeling like he could relax. The worst of the last few days was finally behind him.

Lu Qiao kept giving live updates on their sisters’ location. When the final dish was done, they heard the front door open. The two boys ran to greet them like excited little dogs.

As Lu Yang often said, Jiang Tian was a smart little border collie, while Lu Qiao was a hyper beagle. Now the girls teased them again.

“I haven’t even brought up your test scores yet, and you’re already complaining I didn’t bring you gifts!”

“It’s true though…”

Lu Qiao drooped like a guilty puppy. “Jing Jie came back from her trip and bought me sneakers. You come back from filming and all you do is yell at me for not studying. Can’t I say anything?”

Jiang Jing laughed and rubbed his head. Jiang Tian quietly helped carry in the luggage. With dinner ready, his damp bangs stuck to his forehead. Even in the bustle, he radiated a calm maturity.

“Jie.”

Jiang Tian took the luxury sneakers from Jiang Jing. “You didn’t have to get me something this expensive.”

Jiang Jing smiled. “Don’t always think it’s a waste. Your Jie works at a top-tier company—she’s practically a little rich woman.”

Jiang Tian bit his lip bashfully. The other pair came over too. Lu Qiao sweetly thanked them, while Lu Yang complimented Jiang Tian on still being so handsome and asked if he’d grown taller. The room was warm and full of laughter.

The smell of food filled the dining area. After washing up and sitting down, Jiang Jing brought up how the scumbag was still in his hometown but should be back the day after tomorrow. Lu Yang immediately joined the fray with full firepower.

Jiang Tian finally relaxed and started eating. But then Lu Yang leaned over and asked, “So, Xiao-Tian, when are you planning to meet him?”

“…”

Jiang Tian swallowed a bite of rice. “He said the day after tomorrow.”

Both: “?!”

Oh boy, the drama was about to start.

Before they could say more, Jiang Jing suddenly jumped up and yanked her work phone from its charger. Everyone looked at her in confusion.

She was already jogging toward her room. “You guys keep eating. My boss probably needs some documents from my laptop!”

Lu Yang: “Seriously? You’ve barely eaten. It’s that urgent?”

Jiang Jing: “It looked really urgent!”

Jiang Tian, however, had stopped eating completely.

A moment ago, he’d caught a glimpse of his Jie’s phone. He couldn’t see anything through the privacy screen, but for some reason, he felt uneasy.

He stood and told the others to keep eating, gripping his phone tightly as he walked toward Jiang Jing’s room. He knocked gently. “Jie.”

“Do you want me to heat up your food later?”

“And also…”

Inside, Jiang Jing was just booting up her computer. She walked over to open the door and said it wasn’t that urgent. “Come in and talk. So that Yang guy really agreed to meet up the day after tomorrow?”

The scumbag’s name was Yang Xiantong. Jiang Tian had always known that, but lately they just called him the scumbag.

He nodded without correcting her and handed over his phone. “Jie, can you help me figure out what to say?”

Jiang Jing sat down in her ergonomic chair. The moment she touched the cushion, she looked at the screen—and shot up like she’d been electrocuted. “?!!!”

Jiang Tian jumped. “Jie?! What’s wrong?”

Jiang Jing’s hands trembled. Her face turned pale with disbelief.

She couldn’t believe her eyes. The guy in Jiang Tian’s chat—he had the exact same molten-sunset avatar and username that her boss used.

She screamed loud enough to shake the whole house:
“DID I JUST GIVE MY BOSS’S ACCOUNT TO YOU?!”

Jiang Tian froze on the spot.
“…………”

‘Jie.’

‘Are you serious right now?’