I did some prep work over the weekend, and early Sunday morning, I headed to Fushan Villa to see what my luck would bring. I specifically chose to go during the day to avoid Ling Xiao; today was just for scouting and getting the lay of the land, not for a confrontation.
It was my first time visiting such a wealthy enclave, and it was a real eye-opener. There were hardly any people at the entrance, only a constant stream of luxury cars. I tried to pose as a delivery driver, but a security guard in a crisp, stiff uniform blocked my path. I dutifully gave him the address and the surname of the villa owner that "The Concubine" had mentioned. I figured this wasn't airport security and that should be enough, but the guard insisted I call the owner. Even though I acted perfectly humble and polite, he refused to let me in. As a result, I spent the entire morning standing there, watching luxury cars go by.
As a white sports car sped through the trees, I said wearily, "I’ve seen that trident on TV. It’s called a 'Mass-er-nasty,' right?"
The guard rolled his eyes. "It’s a Maserati!"
I flashed him a smile. Getting to curse at him without getting in trouble—how cathartic.
The guard was just doing his job, so I couldn't really hold a grudge; a bit of verbal sparring was enough comfort. Before I knew it, noon was approaching. The sun grew stronger, and I was drenched in sweat. I asked the guard when his shift ended, and the jerk actually said that even after he clocked out, he’d tell the next guy to keep an eye on me and keep me out.
"Fine, you win," I muttered. I used my backpack as a cushion on the curb, sat right in front of him, and opened my takeout, ready to dig in.
"Hey! If you're going to eat, don't do it here!"
"Well, I can't deliver it, and I can't take it back. It’d be a waste to throw it away, so I might as well eat it."
The guard tried to shove me. "Then go eat somewhere else!"
I looked up, mid-bite into a chicken leg. "Is there a constitutional law against eating here?"
I knew the guard was hungry too; standing guard is physically demanding work. Seeing him swallow his spit every now and then made me happy. I gnawed on my chicken leg and sipped my Coke, feeling triumphant. *Ah, Fushan Villa—behind those red gates, meat and wine go to waste, but you won't find me freezing to death outside!*
The guard huffed behind me. "Look at that junk you're eating. Rich people don't eat fast-food garbage like that. Next time, try to look the part!"
I ignored him. It seemed like walking in through the front door was a no-go. I had the address for the underground matches, and I wondered if this guard knew anything. Since I couldn't get in, maybe I could find a way to squeeze some intel out of him...
I plotted silently while chewing my chicken, occasionally glancing at the passing cars. Just then, a black Buick pulled up. I’d seen plenty of Buicks, so I didn't bother looking closely, but the car came to an odd stop by the curb. Hearing the car door open, my thoughts suddenly raced—the car I’d chased outside the bar that day, the one Song Guo was in, seemed to be a Buick too...
Without warning, the hand holding my chicken leg was yanked upward. Luckily, I had a firm grip, or my lunch would have hit the dirt.
A cold voice drifted down from above. "What are you doing here?"
I looked up. Good grief, it was Ling Xiao!
Another male voice from inside the car asked, "You know him?"
I craned my neck to see if it was Song Guo, but Ling Xiao grabbed my hand and gave it a sharp tug, forcing me to stand and face his legs.
Now I couldn't see Song Guo at all; I was stuck staring at Ling Xiao's lap. Honestly, when this "unreachable beauty" decided to be a thug, he really went all out...
"He's a classmate," Ling Xiao said, looking down at me with a face like frost. His voice remained calm as he answered Song Guo behind him.
I whispered, "Aren't we teammates?" I wasn't sure if being demoted from teammate to classmate was an upgrade or a downgrade.
Ling Xiao’s brow furrowed.
Fine, you're the master of the scowl. You win. I shut up.
The security guard walked over. He clearly recognized Ling Xiao and immediately began a non-stop rant about my "crimes."
"It's this guy, Master Ling. He tried to sneak in, pretending to be a delivery boy. I knew something was fishy the moment I saw him." He looked like a groveling servant from an old palace drama. Finally, he asked eagerly, "Do you want me to call the police?"
Ling Xiao didn't answer him, so the guard looked to Song Guo in the car for instructions. I felt a surge of anger. *You just won't let it go, will you? It’s just a failed attempt at trespassing, not a capital offense!* I tried to roll up my sleeves and stand up. I managed to stand, but Ling Xiao was still clutching my hand. I used my free right hand to point at Ling Xiao. "Didn't you hear him? I'm his classmate!"
The guard looked disdainful. "Even husbands and wives turn on each other; what does a classmate matter? Whether you're a delivery boy or a suspicious character, you can explain it at the station..."
Ling Xiao pulled me closer and said to the guard, "I asked him to bring the food." His voice was naturally deep, carrying an innate authority. "That's enough. We haven't turned on each other."
The guard looked at Ling Xiao, then at me. He probably hadn't expected his "keen eye" to fail him so spectacularly. He sheepishly hung up the phone.
Ling Xiao said to me, "Get in the car."
"Oh!" I packed up my food, carrying the bag in one hand and my backpack in the other as I followed him. Ling Xiao leaned into the front window and said something to Song Guo—likely asking for a ride for me. Song Guo poked his head out to scan my "delivery boy" outfit, his expression looking very strained.
Once inside, I quickly greeted the "Solicitor." "Hello, Uncle!"
Song Guo was so choked by the greeting he didn't know how to respond. He settled for changing the subject. "And what is your name, classmate?"
"My name is Qiao. Ling Xiao and I are..." I glanced at the grim-faced Ling Xiao beside me. "Childhood friends."
Song Guo scrutinized me suspiciously through the rearview mirror. "Delivering food all the way out here?"
"Yeah, but the customer didn't pick up, and the guard wouldn't let me in. It's a good thing I ran into you, Uncle, or I would've caught heatstroke."
"I'm not Ling Xiao's father. You don't need to keep calling me 'Uncle'."
"Is that so? Then you must be his uncle. It's only right that I call you 'Uncle'."
Song Guo’s face couldn't have looked worse. I stole a glance at Ling Xiao. He was staring out the window with an indifferent expression, but I was certain he was suppressing a laugh.
The places where rich people live are truly something else. Ancient trees lined the roads of the estate, creating a quiet, pleasant atmosphere. Ling Xiao stared out the window the whole way. Without his headphones and music, I wondered what he was listening to.
The "Team Heartthrob" was wearing a casual black suit today, with a white shirt underneath left casually unbuttoned at the collar. I figured he wasn't here for a match today; there was no need to look this handsome—er, this formal—for a fight.
I took out my phone and sent him a WeChat message.
— *I'm sorry. I found out about your matches through improper means and came here on my own. I'm apologizing, seriously.*
Ling Xiao’s phone was resting against his thigh. As soon as the message went through, it vibrated against him. Seeing him snap out of his daze from the vibration made me feel strangely embarrassed. Ling Xiao looked at me with displeasure, as if he didn't even need to check to know the message was from me. I tried to make my expression look as sincere as possible. He picked up the phone, glanced at the screen, and set it aside without responding.
I wasn't giving up.
— *Should we get our stories straight? What if 'Uncle Song' asks me something I don't know and I blow our cover?*
I sent several messages in a row. Ling Xiao seemed to have had enough of my pestering. He finally took a deep breath and picked up his phone.
I was already poised over my screen. When it buzzed, I tapped it instantly. It read: *If you keep making noise, you can run back up the mountain yourself.*
The winding mountain road outside was quite a sight. I clicked my tongue inwardly. *He joins the National Team and instead of learning good habits, he picks up all of Coach Hu's tricks!*
***
The car arrived at the address "The Concubine" had given me. Ling Xiao and Song Guo got out, and I followed. Song Guo stopped and looked at Ling Xiao, who turned back to me and said, "Wait for me in the car."
"Oh~" I climbed back in. I saw Ling Xiao, who had already walked a short distance away, shake his head toward me before he and Song Guo entered the massive mansion.
I was only here to scout today, and my goal was achieved; I wasn't in a rush to follow him inside. However, sitting alone in the car was incredibly boring. Seeing that Ling Xiao wouldn't be out for a while, I got out to wander around the vicinity. Fushan Villa lived up to its reputation; even the flowers and plants were rare species I’d never seen back at the base. Still, I preferred the wild grass and flowers of the Purple Mountain Base. The greenery here was too manicured, drooping delicately under the hot sun. They lacked the unbridled spirit of the plants back home.
A moment later, a black Lincoln drove into view. A man in a casual shirt and slacks stepped out. I couldn't help but stare for a few extra seconds—partly because the garden was so empty there was nothing else to look at, and partly because of my "gaydar" acting up. The man’s features had a hint of exotic flair, looking somewhat mixed-race. The shirt and slacks looked exceptionally sharp on him, possessing a rugged handsomeness that was different from Ling Xiao’s Eastern beauty, yet equally unforgettable. He looked to be about thirty, clearly a successful young professional. Standing there under the sun and green shade, he made me think, *So the "Second Male Lead" from K-Dramas actually exists in real life.*
I thought idly that if I hadn't become an athlete, I probably would have been like many other young men, dreaming of one day becoming a mature, charming man like him.
But who was he? He didn't look like the owner of the mansion. Was he here for the underground matches too?
Before reaching the front door, the man suddenly looked my way. Sensing my gaze, he didn't seem to mind; instead, he gave me a very generous smile.
If it were "The Concubine" here, would he have fallen in love at first sight with a smile like that? Yet, my heart didn't flutter at all. Probably because it was already occupied by an Eastern beauty.
***
Half an hour later, Ling Xiao and Song the Solicitor came out. Song was in high spirits as he drove us out of the estate and even thoughtfully dropped us off at the bus station at the foot of the mountain.
I followed Ling Xiao out of the car, closed the door, and waved at the driver's seat. "Goodbye, Uncle Song!"
Song Guo gave a thin, fake smile and drove away.
The station was quite remote. Only Ling Xiao and I stood on the platform; there wasn't another soul in sight on the road. I checked the sign; as expected, only two bus lines ran through here.
"Are you really that curious about me?"
Ling Xiao’s voice came suddenly. I turned and found him looking at me, the sunlight casting deep shadows under his eyes.
He was actually looking at me of his own accord? Usually, I had to stare at him until his skin crawled before he’d grant me a single, soul-stirring glance. I decided to be direct. "Ling Xiao, are you really that short on money?"
Ling Xiao looked at me without speaking.
"If you're short on cash, I can help you figure something out," I said. "You can't do those underground matches. Aside from the fact that they're illegal, the team has rules against private matches. And..." I looked at him, thinking that this person was like something carved from ice or sculpted from jade—how could he not cherish himself? "Underground matches are dangerous. You're a professional athlete; you have an obligation to take care of yourself."
Ling Xiao remained silent. He shifted his gaze toward the road where the car had come from. After a long silence, he said, without looking at me, "Aren't you a little too concerned about me?"
"I'm your teammate, of course I'm concerned. Besides..." I hesitated, wondering if I should hint at something or just joke, "Can't you tell I like you?" to see his reaction. But then I started to wonder what kind of feelings I actually had for him. I liked him, sure, but how much? Ling Xiao wasn't someone you could just joke with. Despite his cold, aloof gaze, there was a hidden intensity in his eyes. Right now, it felt like a flexed rapier pressing against my chest. My mind went a bit haywire.
"Besides what?"
The heavy bass of his voice swirled in my ears. I resisted the temptation. "Besides, you're the rival I've acknowledged," I said, ultimately holding back the words I shouldn't say. "It's not easy to find a rival for a lifetime in this world. I don't want you to be ruined by someone else."
"You win every time. How am I still a rival to you?"
"Oh, don't sell yourself short. I only win because of dumb luck. You're so driven, I'm sure you'll win it back one day!"
Ling Xiao looked at me for a while, then turned his head away again. "I really don't know if I should win against you."
The sun beat down on the station sign, the heat intense. I looked at Ling Xiao’s black hair; if I reached out to touch it, it would surely be hot, yet standing there, Ling Xiao still felt cold.
I didn't understand what he meant. He spoke as if he had a choice when facing me—as if the power to win or lose didn't belong to me.
When AlphaGo beat Lee Sedol by a large margin, it lost one game. Netizens joked that maybe AlphaGo lost on purpose, which was a terrifying thought. Ling Xiao was exactly like that—a meticulous artificial intelligence. A mere mortal like me couldn't seem to see through him.
"Are you hungry?" Ling Xiao asked suddenly.
"Huh?" I was surprised, but my stomach answered for me. After all, I’d only managed two bites of that chicken leg.
"I know a good Japanese ramen place nearby. Let's go eat first," Ling Xiao said.
"Sure!" I rubbed my hands together, the ship of our friendship setting sail. "My treat!"
"Okay," Ling Xiao said, turning to walk ahead.
Seriously... couldn't you at least talk and laugh a little while we go to lunch?
***
