FSGOR Ch43part1

Not about the trauma, not about the PTSD symptoms, not about the years of treatment. All of that—he kept buried deep inside, in the darkest corners of himself.

He would never let Jiang Tian know.

***

Meanwhile

Jiang Tian thought Chu Xuyu was simply handling work matters. Not wanting to disturb him, he returned to the guest room after his shower, refreshed and relaxed, and started replying to messages on his phone.

His teammates had finished their soccer game, gone out for dinner, and now gathered at a newly opened karaoke bar—except for him. People were already crying in the group chat, dramatically wailing that their hearts hurt.

Jiang Tian had always been the one to support everyone’s moods, making him an irreplaceable presence in the team. Even though no official captain had been named, everyone saw him as the core of the group.

He couldn’t help but think—once they went to college, hangouts like this would become rare. Maybe only a few times each holiday. So missing tonight made him feel a little guilty.

Luckily, not everyone made a fuss.

Zhao Yuanhao: Come on, don’t be like that.

Zhao Yuanhao: Ah-Tian must have something really important going on. We can hang out another time.

But then—troublemaker Lu Qiao piped up like the team’s chaotic energy incarnate:

Lu Qiao: Seriously?

Lu Qiao: He didn’t say anything about having something at home.

Lu Qiao: @KIRA bro where are you?! Don’t scare me!

Jiang Tian saw the messages: “……”

Even Zhao Yuanhao messaged him privately, worried:

Yuanhao: If your relationship gets leaked, don’t blame me. I kept my mouth shut, alright?

Jiang Tian replied that it was fine. Worst case? If Lu Qiao ever found out the truth and Chu Xuyu got bored of him, he’d probably just revert to being single again.

Yuanhao: …Damn.

Yuanhao: You’re so pessimistic.

KIRA: Huh?

KIRA: Did I?

Honestly, he’d always thought that way about relationships.

Even if Lu Qiao didn’t want to be friends anymore, sure—it would hurt, but Jiang Tian believed that was just how fragile human bonds could be.

But before the conversation could take a turn, Lu Qiao’s stomach decided to take center stage.

Apparently he’d eaten something bad, cursed out the restaurant, and ran off to find a restroom—complaining the place was a maze.

Then, without warning, the group got hit with a group voice call. No one knew why.

Turns out, Lu Qiao might’ve forgotten toilet paper and wanted someone to rescue him. But calling the group chat mid-squat?

Lu Qiao: !!!

Lu Qiao: Who the hell forgot toilet paper?!

Lu Qiao: Guys!! GOSSIP!! Insane gossip!!! Holy crap it’s wild!!!

And just like that, the quiet night turned into chaos.

Lu Qiao had apparently seen something explosive outside the restroom—and judging by his reaction, it was big enough to get even the brothers who hated gossip to apologize and join in.

Lu Qiao: GUYS. Guess who I just saw outside the bathroom??

Lu Qiao: That bastard I’ll never forgive in this lifetime—Zeng Jiaxiang. AND HE WAS IN A STALL WITH A DUDE!

Lu Qiao: I swear I’m not mistaken—I dodged their stall door just in time and heard them say something about “kicking balls” and “it’s huge.”

Lu Qiao: WHAT THE ACTUAL F—?! This is insane…

Apparently, in order to spill the tea, Lu Qiao was even holding in his own emergency—he found a safe spot and was live-broadcasting the drama.

Everyone lost it. They demanded he spy, snap a photo—anything.

But Lu Qiao refused:

Lu Qiao: You think I’m a perv?? No thanks. I’ll puke just thinking about it.

Meanwhile, Jiang Tian was the quietest one in the group chat.

He, of all people, had literally witnessed Zeng Jiaxiang buying condoms earlier. He hadn’t expected this follow-up—Zeng Jiaxiang was apparently into chaotic gay flings now?

No wonder the guy looked nervous earlier.

Now, the group begged Lu Qiao for more details.

Group: At least tell us what the guy looked like!

Lu Qiao: THAT’S THE CRAZIEST PART. He’s not our age.

Lu Qiao: Wearing a suit. Looks like some corporate office worker!

The group gasped. Jiang Tian felt a cold shiver, heart skipping a beat.

Could it be… that scumbag from his sister’s past?

That ex-boyfriend lived nearby in Chengxi Shimao. It felt like too much of a coincidence.

He didn’t tell Lu Qiao to go spy further, but his mood plummeted. If it was that guy tangled with Zeng Jiaxiang, would this spark new problems?

At that moment, familiar footsteps echoed outside the guest room.

Jiang Tian got up and instinctively opened the door.

Right outside stood Chu Xuyu.

The moment their eyes met, their breaths seemed to tangle invisibly in the air.

“Still awake?”

Chu Xuyu had a towel around his neck, hair dripping wet. His voice was low.

“Why do you look so pale?”

Jiang Tian parted his lips slightly.

“…Do I?”

He looked for a mirror but didn’t know where one was in this unfamiliar room. Chu Xuyu misread the hesitation, assuming the earlier message had sparked jealousy.

“You’re not really misunderstanding, are you?”

Chu Xuyu paused, his tone softer than ever.

“He’s an old friend from childhood—just work stuff. We don’t talk often.”

Jiang Tian hadn’t meant it that way.

But the unease in his heart remained.

“I wasn’t misunderstanding…”

“Really?” Chu Xuyu frowned.

“You’re not jealous?”

“……”

Jiang Tian didn’t know how to explain it.

Chu Xuyu stepped closer. He didn’t realize he was the more insecure one in this relationship.

“Please don’t misunderstand, okay?”

“I really like you.”

“I’ll treat you well. Always.”

That sudden confession disrupted Jiang Tian’s inner thoughts, making his chest tighten as he looked up at the man who just laid his heart bare.

Maybe it was something a friend said earlier. Maybe Chu Xuyu had reflected on himself for once. He’d always been told his temper was awful, and maybe now he was trying to change for Jiang Tian.

“Nothing you want to say?”

Chu Xuyu licked his lips. His narrow eyes were filled with a mixture of longing and affection.

“Or are you trying to tell me I’m still doing something wrong?”

Jiang Tian exhaled softly.

Then, he took a step forward, stretching out his arms. The moment he hugged Chu Xuyu, he saw the man’s pupils dilate in surprise—as if he’d just received an unexpected reward.

“Ge.”

Jiang Tian wrapped his arms around his back, burying his face into the crook of his shoulder. His voice came out soft and muffled.

“…Thank you.”

“You’re really good to me.”