Volume One, Chapter 16: Delightful Rivals
“Life is like a play, all about acting skills. Comrade Jiang Ming, you’re no less exceptional.” Susan’s smile was forced, her bitter sarcasm laced with subtle barbs.
“Likewise,” Jiang Ming replied with a faint curl of his lips, a barely perceptible smile slipping through.
To Susan, that expression was a provocation, instantly raising her combativeness to full strength.
“Jiang, the king of drama, could you please hand me the script before your next performance?”
“Payment in meat? Is that the same as compensating with two pounds of beef?!”
“No matter how great the scriptwriter, they wouldn’t dare to abbreviate the lines like this!”
“Strangers think you’re lewd; those who know you think you’re making a move on me.”
Susan fired back several retorts, but Jiang Ming remained unfazed, watching her leisurely with a gaze so intense it silenced her embarrassment.
She thought: Jiang Ming’s strong and steady core is a treasure on the field as an athlete, but in life, it’s maddening beyond measure. Whatever he said or did just now, his true intention was to help her out—he had no grounds for accusation. This enchanting man, not only handsome but with a unique aura, always managed to surprise her with a blend of delight and frustration, love and hate, guilt and gratitude, curiosity and fear. Truly... a devil!
Susan inwardly groaned, surrendering a little, lowering her head in vexation. Her sudden silence, combined with the rich micro-expressions flickering inside her—wanting to be angry yet feeling shy, frantic yet helpless—made her appear charmingly playful.
Jiang Ming watched this and felt a warmth rise in his chest, unable to suppress a smile. His usual aloofness softened by a fraction, adding to his allure.
“Not going to say anything? Then let me answer you! Indeed, every time I see you, it’s full of drama. But tell me, when have you ever given me the time to write a script? No script, no rehearsal, you want me to jump into character and start acting in an instant—do you still expect precise lines from me? I write, direct, and act by myself, covering for you, without charging a single cent. Now I ask for two pounds of beef in return—is that too much? Making a move on you? Which eye did you see that with? Do I look like I’m desperate? I...”
Jiang Ming’s tone lowered, growing lighter as he spoke, but just as he was about to reveal more, he abruptly stopped.
Seeing Susan’s surprised eyes, he suddenly realized he had just spoken so much to a woman!
Not just to a woman—he had never spoken so much to a man either!
Facing this woman, he seemed to always break his own rules. This was bad, very bad.
Jiang Ming fell silent, which worried Susan deeply.
His voice was low and magnetic, the kind that could make ears swoon. Hearing him speak so much was rare, and not hearing the rest left Susan restless. She boldly pressed, “You... what?”
“Nothing. I’m heading to the cafeteria. Suit yourself.”
Jiang Ming returned to his usual cold demeanor, putting on an aura of “stay away” and “strangers keep their distance.” Ignoring Susan, he turned and walked off on his own. But his somewhat hurried steps betrayed a trace of inner turmoil.
Seeing this, Susan quickened her pace to catch up.
Even the coldest flower has a down-to-earth side. Jiang Ming’s contrast delighted Susan, stirring an urge to get closer and understand him.
“Wait, I’m coming too!”
---
“Let’s go our separate ways.”
“You promised ‘payment in meat’!”
“No need, I’ll buy it myself.”
“Come on, I keep my word, and I still owe you two pounds of meat!”
“No thanks!”
As he spoke, Jiang Ming subconsciously brushed his bangs over his forehead, trying to hide the flush on his face. Hearing the words “payment in meat” repeatedly from Susan left him feeling uneasy. The more composed he had been before, the more embarrassed he now appeared.
“Why is your face a bit red?”
“You said it’s humid and hot here.”
“Are you sure it’s not shyness?”
“Your imagination is really vivid!”
“Oh, then walk slower, your legs are too long!”
“You’re noisy!”
Despite his words, Jiang Ming slowed his pace. The little shadow behind him, though noisy, didn’t irritate him.
...
At the cafeteria, lunchtime brought a steady stream of athletes, making the place livelier.
“Hey, Ming!”
“Jiang, finished training?”
Jiang Ming was discreet outwardly, but at the Jiangzhou Sports Center, he was clearly a star. Facing the endless greetings, he nodded calmly as usual, carrying his food straight to his regular seat.
A four-person table by the window already had Wang Yining and Wang Gulai seated.
“Jiang Ming, why did you leave so fast just now? You disappeared in an instant!” Wang Gulai smiled.
“I told Brother Lai we’d eat first, then head back to the locker room to shower, but you didn’t wait for us!” Wang Yining feigned grievance like a betrayed little wife.
“I was hungry,” Jiang Ming replied simply.
Wang Yining was Jiang Ming’s junior under the same coach, while Wang Gulai joined the team the same year and was also on the national team. Among the teammates, these two were closest to Jiang Ming, his regular dining companions, and among the few who could joke with him.
---
“‘Swim Shorts Guy,’ ha! It’s rare to see you fall for a woman and gain a new nickname.”
“Boring.” Jiang Ming looked up, coldly shooting Wang Gulai a glance.
Wang Gulai immediately raised both hands, signaling he’d back off. But Wang Yining, lively and always admiring Jiang Ming, couldn’t contain his excitement at seeing his idol embarrassed.
“Think about it, Ming, Jiangzhou’s number one handsome guy, what kind of women can’t you get? Yet today you got mistaken for a pervert! Haha, why would she think you weren’t wearing pants? Is she imagining you without swim shorts? Bro, what did you do when you met Reporter Su to leave such an impression?”
“If you’re not tired, I’ll ask Coach Li to arrange extra training this afternoon.”
“Ming, I was wrong, I’ll shut up and eat.”
Wang Yining stuffed a large mouthful of rice in, but couldn’t help muttering:
“The last sentence—unbelievable, that Reporter Su is unbelievable.”
The three finally settled down to eat normally, but the swarm of girls soon fluttered over like moths to a flame.
“Jiang, there are so many people over there, can I sit here?” After training, Gao Lu, her hair still wet and unblown, looked very alluring.
“There’s someone here.”
Clearly rejected, Gao Lu sulked away to an empty table just a passage away.
Wang Yining and Wang Gulai exchanged disappointed glances but kept their calm faces; such scenes were nothing new.
“Brother Ming, I have a few fitness questions. Can I sit here? Just for one meal!” Tian Yang’s voice was soft and sweet.
“There’s someone.”
Jiang Ming didn’t even look up, not bothering to say a word more.
Tian Yang looked aggrieved but dared not overstep, so she gloomily sat opposite Gao Lu.
“Ah Ming, the mixed medley relay practice is in a couple of days, let’s discuss it,” Tang Lin from the women’s swimming team approached with her tray. Compared to Gao Lu and Tian Yang, she was obviously more familiar and confident with Jiang Ming.
However, Jiang Ming’s answer was only a few more words.