TCWSITD – Chapter 45.3

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Chapter 45.3 – The Puppy’s Confession

The mood between them stayed fairly light as they walked. Although Lin Jiang didn’t agree with Shen Ju’s perspective, he wouldn’t stop him. After all, once a person loses their dream, they become like a walking corpse.

After another half-block, Lin Jiang suddenly asked, “Do you really feel unimportant at home?”

“Yeah. It doesn’t matter whether I’m there or not. My dad would probably live longer if he can’t see me around, and I’m too lazy to go back and annoy him.”

Lin Jiang knew all too well how aggravating this Esport’s Crown Prince could be. “I suppose your two older brothers are very outstanding.”

“Yeah, they’re incredible—to a degree I’ll never be able to reach in this lifetime. When I was young I was resentful, but after growing up I finally accepted it calmly. I’ve made peace with the fact that I’m just a failure.”

Lin Jiang chuckled. It would be the first time he will share his own experiences with someone else. “Actually, I’m also the least capable one in my family.”

“You saw it yourself the other day. My second sister’s a famous actress, already quite well-known, yet she’s constantly pushing to reinvent herself and climb even higher, aiming for the very top. My eldest brother is even more impressive. He’s a top graduate from Harvard who co-founded a listed company before even graduating and is now a partner of seven major corporations.”

“My parents are on a whole other tier. Both hold dual PhDs—one in research and development, the other in the internet industry.”

“And then there’s me, probably the family’s biggest disappointment.”

“Every time I go home, I’m at the bottom of the family hierarchy—running errands, grabbing their packages, washing dishes, mopping floors, and I can’t even grumble about it. I’m often the one trying to soothe their wounded feelings, too. I hardly go home during holidays now. It’s more exhausting than staying at the team dorm.”

So even Lin Jiang, who seemed so outstanding in everyone’s eyes, also faced the awkward reality of being the lowest on the family food chain.

Shen Ju’s eyes went wide, like he was seeing Lin Jiang for the first time, staring at him intently.

Lin Jiang laughed at his expression and playfully punched his head. “What’s with that look? You already know two of my secrets. If you dare tell others, I’ll silence you for good.”

Shen Ju wouldn’t dare. Instead, he thought aloud, “So if we get together in the future, should I be the one doing all those chores when we visit your family?”

Lin Jiang burst out laughing, partly annoyed, and grabbed Shen Ju by the neck. “What nonsense are you spouting? I never agreed to anything.”

After saying this, he suddenly thought of something and laughed again.

He imagined Shen Ju, utterly incompetent at everything yet infuriatingly good at provoking people, ending up in a staring contest with his second sister at home.

Looks like troublemakers really do need other troublemakers to keep them in check.

Shen Ju also thought about their future, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise.

There was still half an hour’s walk to the base. Maybe it was because of the good weather or because they were in a good mood, neither of them mentioned taking a taxi.

They chatted back and forth, leisurely walking through the night, slowly unpacking years of pent-up emotions.

By the time they reached the base, Lin Jiang was somewhat tired.

So was Shen Ju, who rested his chin on Lin Jiang’s shoulder as they naturally waited for the elevator together.

Suddenly, the elevator dinged open, revealing two figures.

Shen Ju immediately sprang back like a released spring, while Lin Jiang awkwardly scratched his head.

It was Ryan and Li Qian stepping out.

Ryan’s eyes lit up at the sight of them. “Hey!” she greeted. “Captain Lin, are your hands okay?”

Lin Jiang glanced at Shen Ju. “Yeah, they’re fine.”

“Fine? What kind of answer is that?” Li Qian stepped forward and pinched Lin Jiang’s wrist but failed to discern anything conclusive. Then, with his usual careless air, he pulled out a cigarette. “Alright, you head upstairs.”

“Mm. Are you two heading back?”

“Yep, I drove here, so I’m giving Ryan a ride back.”

“Alright, be careful.”

“Captain Lin,” Ryan suddenly called out to him, as if she had something to tell him. ““When you go up, be care—”

“Enough, enough. Let the young folks handle their own affairs,” Li Qian said, pulling Ryan away. Even from a distance, Ryan’s complaints could be heard: “I’m still young too, you know!”

Lin Jiang hadn’t initially felt awkward, but once the elevator doors closed and it was just the two of them inside, the awkward atmosphere began to spread endlessly.

Beside him, Shen Ju didn’t need to say a word—just a simple glance or a slight movement, and Lin Jiang could sense it with pinpoint accuracy.

He hadn’t noticed it before, but now it seemed Shen Ju’s gaze was always fixed on him. Normally distant with others, Shen Ju became particularly clingy, like a spoiled child, whenever they were alone.

Right before the elevator reached their floor, Shen Ju’s fingers hooked gently into his palm again.

Lin Jiang subtly pulled his hand away, a bit flustered. “Uh, we should be a bit more careful when we’re at the base.”

Shen Ju seemed to smile, replying with a soft “Mm.”

Only after stepping out of the elevator did Lin Jiang realize how strange his words had been. What did he mean by “be more careful in the team”? It made it sound like there was actually something between them.

The moment the elevator doors opened, Song Zhixu’s loud voice echoed through the hallway. Even through two doors, he could spot Lin Jiang and immediately started shouting, “Captain’s back! Captain’s back! Move, quick, quick!”

As soon as Lin Jiang entered the training room, a loud pop! exploded in his ears—confetti streamers bursting all over him.

“Ta-da! On this groundbreaking, world-shaking day, we owe everything to one person—our glorious captain, Lin Jiang!”

“Thank you, Captain, for leading us to rise up! Thank you, Captain, for leading us into a new era! For helping OT win our very first trophy!”

“And most importantly—I don’t have to go home and grow sweet potatoes anymore!”

“Now, let’s welcome our captain to give a speech!”

Lin Jiang, now decked out like a human Christmas tree from the confetti blast: “???”

“Song Zhixu.”

“Here!”

“You should go home and farm sweet potatoes after all.”

“Hahahaha…” The room erupted with ruthless laughter. “Song Zhixu, you are going to make me laugh to death! I told you the captain wouldn’t like such childish things!”

“The captain’s only 21! What’s wrong with being a little childish?” Song Zhixu tried to salvage his dignity. “Captain, weren’t you moved by my passionate performance?”

“I didn’t dare be moved—I was afraid you’d spray me again.” Lin Jiang raised his hands, now covered in colorful residue, fully expressing his helplessness. “Are you sure this stuff can be washed off?”

Song Zhixu had been sure… but now he wasn’t so sure anymore.

He hurriedly picked up the bottle to inspect it. “I think this stuff is washable…”

Shen Ju was genuinely tempted to crack open Song Zhixu’s skull—just to check if it was stuffed with cement instead of a brain.

He crouched in front of Lin Jiang, helping to clean off the confetti. Zhou Wen also joined in to help. In the end, they found that the ones on his face could be cleaned off, but the ones on his clothes couldn’t be removed.

“Song Zhixu.”

“Here!”

“It’s truly a blessing to have you around.”

Their teammates burst into laughter again. “Hahaha, hurry up and buy new clothes for the captain.”

Song Zhixu started panicking. “I-I’ll definitely take responsibility, Captain, don’t worry!” He then stubbornly examined the bottle again. “Did I buy the wrong one…?”

The training room dissolved into laughter. It seemed that after winning the championship, even the smallest, most trivial things could keep them happy for a long time.

Maybe this was just what it meant to be truly happy—everything around you feels light and bright.

The lively atmosphere rubbed off on Lin Jiang, and he couldn’t help but laugh along. He loved this kind of vibe. It made him feel like his existence had meaning.

When Song Zhixu saw Lin Jiang laughing, he couldn’t help but laugh along as well.

He scratched his head and carefully admitted his mistake, “Captain, I’m sorry for what happened just now. Let me buy you a new shirt. Pick whatever you want! I can afford it!”

Duren smacked him upside the head. “Lin Jiang doesn’t need your money.”

Song Zhixu rubbed his head, thinking Duren was ruining everything.

Of course he knew Lin Jiang didn’t care about the money—he just wanted an excuse to buy him something…

After all the fuss, they looked at the time. It was about time to sleep.

Duren couldn’t be bothered to arrange anything for them. “Wake up whenever you want tomorrow. The meeting’s at 3 PM, I’ll let you know the rest of the schedule then. Alright, I’m heading home to be with my girlfriend.”

“What? Manager Du, you’re not single?”

“You think everyone’s like you?”

“Hahahahaha…”

After seeing Duren off, everyone still had no intention of going to sleep. They all gathered around, chattering away about their plans.

Lin Jiang, covered in colors, wanted to go upstairs and shower first.

Song Zhixu quietly followed behind him, looking at him expectantly. “Captain… after the meeting tomorrow, can I go with you to buy a new shirt? I feel kinda bad about what happened today.”

Lin Jiang wasn’t bothered by the shirt. “No need. I’ve got plenty of clothes.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Song Zhixu’s eyes. He wanted to say more but withdrew timidly, forcing a silly smile. “I see… Then thank you, Captain.”

“It’s just a shirt, no need to be so polite. Alright, go hang out with the others. I’ll change and come down later.”

“Okay!”

After his shower, Lin Jiang was just about to toss his stained clothes in the wash and see if they’d come clean.

When he opened the door, he saw Shen Ju coming over with a basin.

“What are you doing?”

“Captain, let me wash them for you.”

Lin Jiang didn’t hand them over. “Didn’t we agree to keep some distance in the team?”

Shen Ju’s ears turned red. “I… just want to practice in advance.”

Lin Jiang: …

Practice in advance…

What kind of nonsense was this?

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