Chapter 52 - Do You Know What You’re Doing?
After a day of classes, Ji Liao was packing his schoolbag and preparing to leave when Chen Li Wen and Li You Xin suddenly ran over, propped a basketball on his table and asked him if he wanted to play for a few rounds.
Since last year’s basketball match, the three of them had been getting on well.
Ji Liao’s hands paused. In the past, he always played basketball with Yu Jin, but because he was studying art, he no longer came for class. Moreover, he was in a bad mood today, so playing a few games to decompress was good.
“Okay.” He answered eagerly.
Together, they walked to the outdoor basketball courts in high spirit. There were seven or eight locations, and they played once they found an empty one.
Ji Liao’s sullenness caused his shooting and dribbling to be a bit problematic, so much so that Li You Xin and Chen Li Wen were caught unprepared.
Nearby, He Cheng Ming and Lin Jiang passed by. Lin Jiang glanced over and realised that it was Ji Liao! He immediately reported to Ming Ge that he found a trace of his sister-in-law in front of him!
He Cheng Ming’s gaze travelled over just in time to see Ji Liao with the ball. He turned smoothly, stepped up to shoot and scored. His eyebrows rose. Although he had no interest towards basketball, he became excited to play after watching Ji Liao score, so he led Lin Jiang over.
The first to see them was Li You Xin, who stopped immediately and elbowed Ji Liao.
Ji Liao turned his head and met Lin Jiang’s interested expression. “The skills of you three aren’t bad. Should we have a PK match?” He itched to play again as it had been a long time since he joined a game.
Ji Liao said with a smile, “Okay, but there are only two of you.” With that, he looked at He Cheng Ming with anticipation — he had never seen He Cheng Ming play basketball.
Just then, Gu Ming Ren came over expressionlessly. He threw his schoolbag aside and said coolly, “I’ll join.”
When Lin Jiang saw him, he rolled his eyes. But the other boy had been quite calm recently. To be exact, he hadn’t bothered him since New Year. So today, for He Cheng Ming, Lin Jiang didn’t try to embarrass Gu Ming Ren.
Next to them, Li You Xin and Chen Li Wen were shocked, never to expect a day that they would be playing with these 2 + 1 big-shots! In order not to let Ji Liao down, they mustered up twelve thousand points of energy to persevere.
But it seemed like it wasn’t any business of theirs.
He Cheng Ming was tall and quick-witted, making it easy for him to get the ball. But why did he pass the ball to Ji Liao?! Weren’t they the opponents?!
Li You Xin and Chen Li Wen were confused and didn’t understand this reverse operation.
Ji Liao caught the ball and automatically took a shot with it, then laughed at his boyfriend for not knowing how to play and not even able to recognise his teammates. With smiling eyes, he thought that He Cheng Ming’s mistake was cute.
Beside them, Lin Jiang was very angry. How could they let their opponent score when their team was so awesome?! What the fuck!
Later, he realised that it was his own awesome team that betrayed him! But this traitor was his Ming Ge. What could he say? Nothing, he couldn’t say anything.
After being beaten by their opponent for several rounds, Lin Jiang became desperate. Giving several looks to He Cheng Ming who was brainlessly favouring his wife, he hoped that this teammate of his could understand that they were now in PK!
PK, understand?!
They had to win!
Of course, He Cheng Ming ignored him. In his eyes, as long as Ji Liao was happy, that was winning.
Lin Jiang was weeping. His bitter appearance emotionally affected Gu Ming Ren. So, taking off his glasses, he followed He Cheng Ming’s example.
The two of them grabbed for the ball crazily. One was pursuing the ball for Ji Liao, while the other one was pursuing for Lin Jiang. Lin Jiang was excited and shot baskets blissfully. He had forgotten his grudges and resentments, even calling out, “Gu Ming Ren, hurry up! Grab him!”
Young Master Gu received the order and tried even harder to intercept the ball. The two big-shots played energetically, neither giving in.
Nearby, Li You Xin and Cheng Li Wen shared the same thoughts: Who were they? Why were they standing here? Weren’t they playing basketball? Why couldn’t they even touch the ball?
When He Cheng Ming and Gu Ming Ren both realised that they had crossed the line, the scene became extremely awkward. Especially Lin Jiang, who was remorseful enough to hit himself in the mouth. Why was he yelling about nothing?!
Ji Liao didn’t care. With sweetness still in his heart, he walked over to break the awkwardness. “It’s almost late. Why don’t we stop here?”
When Li You Xin and Chen Li Wen heard him, they nodded wildly, wanting to escape as fast as they could.
At this, Gu Ming Ren stopped, set the basketball aside, then put his glasses on slowly, becoming the cold student president again.
Lin Jiang was used to running errands; he went to a nearby store to buy a few bottles of water. He gave two bottles to He Cheng Ming, thought for a moment, then walked towards Gu Ming Ren.
“Want one?” He said in an unfriendly tone.
Gu Ming Ren’s lips curved and reached for the water bottle, his fingertips touching the other boy’s warm hand. Lin Jiang frowned fiercely and scolded him internally. He was really shameless, even wanting to take advantage of this!
With a wooden expression, he turned and left.
He Cheng Ming gave the water bottle to Ji Liao, but Ji Liao told him not to drink it instead. He ran to get his own thermos cup.
It was winter. Although they were sweating, He Cheng Ming caught colds easily and it was better not to drink cold water, he thought as he handed the thermos cup to him. “Drink this. It’s hot.”
There wasn’t much water in the thermos cup. After giving it to He Cheng Ming, Ji Liao himself could only drink the cold water.
“You really know how to show your affection.” The tall youth’s heart softened and he hugged the boy in his arms, wishing he could squeeze him into his own body.
They were in public and Ji Liao was a little embarrassed. He was about to push him away when suddenly a few cheers and whistles broke out nearby. Ji Liao looked up to discover that the boys playing at the other basketball courts had seen and stopped to pay attention to them.
He Cheng Ming glanced over and those people shut their mouths instantly.
Ji Liao shyly led him to the seat at the front of the sports field. A sudden memory resurfaced as he recalled their first kiss here.
At that time, he had been sitting on the same seat, and when he looked up, he met He Cheng Ming’s face and their lips touched. His heart had been beating fast but he didn’t feel disgusted.
He walked over and sat in the same position again.
Tall and slender beside him, He Cheng Ming swallowed, sat down and lifted his head to drink the water, showing off his extremely sexy neck.
At the sight, Ji Liao’s mouth dried. He was dazed by the beauty and moved closer to kiss him.
He Cheng Ming almost choked, barely managing to swallow the water in his throat. He turned and pressed Ji Liao down as he looked at him deeply and said in a hoarse voice, “Baby, do you know what you’re doing?”
Ji Liao was now afraid after he felt the other boy’s bulging reaction. He immediately corrected his attitude and raised both hands in surrender.
“Too late.” He Cheng Ming held his waist and lifted him up.
Ji Liao was really frightened and said urgently, “We’re in the sports field!”
Although there were not many people left after school, if anyone saw, they were dead for sure!
“Good boy. Don’t be afraid.” He Cheng Ming kissed him to appease him, then brought him to the nearest toilet and closed the door with a bang.
Ji Liao was propped against the back of the door, face-to-face.
He swallowed with difficulty and saw the extreme resistance on the other boy’s face. His heart beat as if it wanted to burst out of its chamber. He looked nervously at the person in front of him and stammered, “Do, do you want me to help, help you?”
He Cheng Ming froze — his throat felt like it was on fire. He covered Ji Liao’s mouth, then pulled his hand downwards.
The boy’s trembling appearance was too tantalising, and it was killing him!
When they came out of the toilet, Ji Liao’s eyes were red and his hand was sore. Charm was misleading and he would never dare to do it again!
Since someone had resolved his physiological needs, he was in a good mood and happily cried out baby.
They didn’t expect to bump into Gu Ming Ren and Lin Jiang.
Lin Jiang was walking in front, shouting for Ming Ge. Then he saw the suspicious blush on Ji Liao’s face, and he understood immediately. He looked in the direction where the two of them came out from. Holy shit, the toilet?
That was quite exciting!
Behind him, Gu Ming Ren’s heart was pierced. He looked at others who hugged each other. Looking at himself, he hadn’t even touched a hand.
“Not going back?” He Cheng Ming asked in a deliberate mischievous tone.
Lin Jiang gave out two bouts of laughter. “Leaving now.” As long as this pervert behind him didn’t follow him!
Half an hour ago, he left the basketball court and went back to class to get his schoolbag. Then he got entangled with Gu Ming Ren, who said he wanted to return the favour for the bottle of water. In actuality, would he not know the true reason? Since he didn’t agree, Gu Ming Ren followed him. Damn it, he followed him all the way!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Fuck! He shouldn’t have bought that extra bottle of water!!
Seeing Lin Jiang’s expression and attitude, He Cheng Ming felt some sympathy for Gu Ming Ren. Lin Jiang was too straight and extremely stubborn. Apart from listening to He Cheng Ming occasionally, others could hardly move Lin Jiang.
But he couldn’t force him to be nice to Gu Ming Ren.
Gu Ming Ren was his brother. Lin Jiang was also his brother. He couldn’t say who was closer to whom, and only they could work it out themselves.
He left with his arm around Ji Liao.
Once he saw them disappear, Lin Jiang immediately turned to the person behind him and said with hatred, “Can you not fucking follow me?”
Gu Ming Ren’s eyes narrowed. He felt an actual chill in his own heart. He said indifferently, “Give me a reason.”
“Does this need a reason?! You’ve been fucking following me for half an hour. Did I ask you why?!” Lin Jiang was irritable.
“That’s me pursuing you.” Gu Ming Ren answered him, expressionless.
Lin Jiang choked. Gu Ming Ren’s gaze burned into his, making him extremely uncomfortable. He turned his face away and retorted in a loud voice, “Pursue my foot! I’m straighter than a steel bar. It’s impossible! I advise you to give up as soon as possible.”
“If you don’t try, how would you know?” Gu Ming Ren moved forwards and pinched his chin, forcing the boy to look at him. His fierce eyes seemed as if he wanted to see through him.
Lin Jiang frowned and punched the person in front of him. Unexpectedly, the person in front of him didn’t avoid it as his knuckles hit his lips. Miserable, Gu Ming Ren stepped back and leaned against the wall. He wiped the blood on his lips and smiled.
The smile was taunting and laden with pain.
Lin Jiang was stunned for a moment; he gritted his teeth and strode away without reluctance.
Gu Ming Ren watched his retreating back, feeling cold and numb. He didn’t withdraw his gaze until the figure disappeared.
The young, passionate fire within him diminished at that moment.