“I’ll have a good talk with Nie Chuan about this.”
“I respect your choices and hope both of you have a bright future.”
“Thank you.” Reese hung up the phone and looked down at his phone, where there was a picture of Nie Chuan grinning foolishly on Wall Street.
“Idiot. A little thing like this scares you into not coming back.”
That night, Nie Chuan really stayed at Mao Xian’s place. Zhou Bin also reluctantly joined them in Mao Xian’s cramped space. They sat on the floor and started playing card games.
Nie Chuan and Mao Xian were deeply engrossed, while Zhou Bin sat behind them, sipping cola with little interest.
“Da Bin, if you miss your peace of mind, you can go back first!” Nie Chuan said with an understanding expression.
“Yeah, you’re like a ghost hovering behind us, it’s stressful!” Mao Xian complained.
Zhou Bin chuckled, “I’ll go back with Ah Chuan later.”
“Huh? I’m not going back tonight. I don’t have class tomorrow morning!”
“You will go back,” Zhou Bin said with a knowing smile.
Nie Chuan ignored him and continued battling with Mao Xian.
The two were having a blast, while Zhou Bin calmly scrolled through his phone.
“Ah Chuan, your phone’s ringing,” Zhou Bin said.
“Oh, let me finish this level first!”
Finishing one level usually led to the next.
“Ah Chuan, your phone’s still ringing,” Zhou Bin kindly reminded.
“Then answer it for me, see who it is!”
Who’s ruining the mood! They could just text, and I’d reply when I see it!
“He called six times,” Zhou Bin waved Nie Chuan’s phone, “It’s Reese.”
Nie Chuan’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly feeling a chill. Reese calling six times was a big deal!
Nie Chuan could already imagine Reese’s cold expression, eyebrows raised, staring at his phone.
“Oh, it’s the seventh call now,” Zhou Bin’s expression was clearly gloating.
Nie Chuan was about to lose it, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier it was Reese!”
“You didn’t ask,” Zhou Bin’s voice was infuriatingly smug.
Seeing the eighth missed call about to happen, Nie Chuan quickly answered, his voice respectful, making Mao Xian dumbfounded.
“Hello, Reese, what’s up?”
“When will you finish the game?” Reese’s voice was calm, as if he wasn’t angry.
“I’m not going back to the dorm tonight! Mao Xian and I are going to finish the game!” Nie Chuan thought, would he still be alive if he went back now?
The calmer it sounded, the more it felt like the calm before the storm.
“It’s already ten. Play next time. I’m downstairs to take you back.”
Nie Chuan’s hand shook, almost dropping the phone.
What! Reese was downstairs! How long had he been there?
Nie Chuan looked at Zhou Bin’s smirking face, really wanting to punch him. He must have tipped Reese off!
Zhou Bin dusted off his sleeves and stood up, “Let’s go, Ah Chuan, how long do you want Reese to wait?”
Nie Chuan was about to cry. Was he destined to have no peace tonight?
With a bitter face, Nie Chuan was dragged out of Mao Xian’s place by Zhou Bin. Looking back, he could see Mao Xian waving a tissue like a little wife, bidding him farewell.
Downstairs, sure enough, Reese’s Range Rover was parked by the roadside, his hand on the steering wheel, watching Mao Xian’s door.
As Nie Chuan walked out, Reese leaned over and opened the passenger door, softly saying, “Get in.”
Nie Chuan climbed in, and Reese glanced at him, “Seatbelt.”
“Oh.” Nie Chuan lowered his head.
Zhou Bin also got in, “Mind giving me a ride?”
As if it was the most natural thing, like he and Reese were old friends.
“Sure.”
Nie Chuan was pretty sure Zhou Bin had sold him out. Who’s your real brother, me or Reese?
The car was quiet, only the streetlights passing by.
Nie Chuan rested his chin on his hand, his excitement from the game gradually giving way to fatigue. He leaned against the window and fell asleep. He didn’t even notice when Zhou Bin got off.
The car stopped, and Reese turned to look at the dozing Nie Chuan. He reached out, his fingertips brushing Nie Chuan’s bangs, and kissed his forehead.
Nie Chuan’s eyebrows twitched, and he opened his eyes, realizing Reese had just kissed him. He raised his hand to cover his forehead.
That kiss was gentle, like a feather floating in the sky.
“Do you know why I kissed your forehead?” Reese asked softly, his voice clear and cool in the quiet night.
Nie Chuan shook his head.
“A forehead kiss means ‘I forgive you.'”
Nie Chuan’s heart skipped a beat, and almost instantly, he grabbed Reese’s collar and kissed him.
He really missed Reese’s kisses. Being kissed by Reese always made him a bit scared, as if the other wanted to devour him.
But after not kissing for so long, Nie Chuan realized he missed the feeling of being tightly wrapped and enveloped by him.
He had just captured Reese’s lips, his tongue touching Reese’s lips, when Reese’s tongue pushed in, swirling in.
Nie Chuan closed his eyes, feeling Reese’s intensity.
From initial impulse, it gradually softened. Reese turned his face, holding Nie Chuan’s head.
He was about to pull Nie Chuan onto his lap, but Nie Chuan’s head hit the car roof.
“Ouch!” Nie Chuan raised his hand to cover his head, and Reese propped up the car roof, suddenly reclining the seat.
Nie Chuan jolted, Reese pulled him down, kissing his chin, his neck.
In such a confined space, big movements were impossible, but Reese clearly didn’t intend to hold back. His actions were urgent, and Nie Chuan held him tightly until it finally ended.
“I don’t think there’s anything I need to be forgiven for,” Nie Chuan said, looking frustrated in Reese’s embrace.
You got kissed by Celine too!
Of course, Nie Chuan only dared to think this, not say it out loud.
“I don’t mind you being kissed by a fan because I know when she kissed you, you were actually staring at me like an idiot.”
Reese’s fingers played with Nie Chuan’s hair.
Nie Chuan’s ears turned red, “You… you didn’t have to say it out loud!”
“What really upset me was when we had a little issue, and you thought I’d be mad at you, you ran off to hide somewhere else.”
Reese directly exposed Nie Chuan, making him feel a bit guilty.
“It won’t happen again,” Nie Chuan said.
“If only you were as responsible with me as you are on the court,” Reese whispered in Nie Chuan’s ear.
Nie Chuan felt even guiltier.
Reese kissed the back of Nie Chuan’s head. The cramped space made Nie Chuan uncomfortable, and he patted Reese, “Let’s go! I’m so tired! Let’s go back to the dorm and sleep!”
Right now, Nie Chuan wanted nothing more than to fall asleep in Reese’s arms.
When they returned to the dorm, it was already past midnight by the time Nie Chuan finished showering.
Just as he was about to lift the blanket and lie down, Reese pressed his shoulder.
“You didn’t think I’d forgive you that easily, did you?”
Reese’s eyebrow arched, and Nie Chuan was embarrassed.
So it wasn’t going to be that easy!
“I’m… I’m tired…”
Reese pulled back the blanket, “Get on.”
Nie Chuan’s eyes widened, “No way! Didn’t you get enough in the car?”
“Get on,” Reese repeated.
That was the position Nie Chuan couldn’t stand, “No way! You play by yourself!”
“If you get on yourself, we can take it slow. But if I pull you up, what do you think will happen?”
Obviously, it would be a disaster!
Reese turned to look at Nie Chuan, his eyes beautifully shaped, cold yet burning with fire. Nie Chuan was scared but couldn’t help but approach him.
Nie Chuan didn’t know when he fell asleep, but when he woke up, he had missed lunch. Even though his stomach was growling, he was too lazy to get up. Yesterday’s ordeal with Reese was more exhausting than playing three consecutive games.
Besides, Reese wasn’t up yet!
Reese still held him, kissing his back. Nie Chuan felt ticklish and shrugged his shoulders.
“A famous manager contacted Coach Gordon. It’s a good team. Do you want to go?”
Reese’s voice came from behind, and Nie Chuan’s eyes widened as he turned to look at Reese, “Are you serious?”
“It’s true.” Reese’s eyes were calm.
Such invitations were common for him, but for Nie Chuan, it was like winning the lottery, something that only happened in dreams.
“Do you want to know which team?” Reese asked.
“Of course I…” Nie Chuan started, but his initial joy calmed under Reese’s gaze, “What does it matter? If I join a top team now, I’d probably spend more time on the bench than playing. I’d rather be the current Nie Chuan than a dispensable shadow. Do you know the story of the prodigy who lost his talent?”
Nie Chuan turned, propping his head up to look at Reese.
“I know. You’re not him.”
That was enough. Nie Chuan enjoyed talking with Reese, where a few words could go deep.
Reese’s lips curved slightly, his fingers brushing Nie Chuan’s cheek, “So when do you want to go to the NBA?”
“When you think I’m ready.” Nie Chuan smiled, trying to snuggle back into the blanket, but Reese pulled him over.
“Hey! What are you doing!”
“One more time.”
“What? My waist is going to break!”
Nie Chuan went into a frenzy.
Luckily, Reese went easy on him this time, or he wouldn’t have been able to watch the AZU vs. UFR game.
On the bus, Nie Chuan was too tired to play mobile games, leaning against the window, half-asleep.
Looking at Reese next to him, eyes closed, listening to music, looking refreshed, Nie Chuan wanted to punch him.
Just then, Nie Chuan’s phone buzzed with a message from Larvin: You’re going to cheer for me, not secretly hope I lose to AZU, right?
