Pei Ran put the hat on his lap and sat in the audience seats watching them play basketball, his jacket, water cup, and various other items placed beside him.

On the court, everyone else was already panting, hands on their hips, gasping for breath—typical esports otaku.

Except for Yan Zhun.

Yan Zhun ran very fast and hardly ever stopped. Others mostly passed the ball to him. Midway through, Lin Xuhuan seemed unable to run anymore. He stood in place, waving his hand to signal for a short break.

Yan Zhun threw the ball into the hoop. He didn't rush to pick it up, instead standing in place and lifting the hem of his shirt to wipe away his sweat.

Next to him, Lin Xuhuan took off his shirt. He usually didn't look fat, but with his shirt off, he was all soft, white flesh, a testament to the good food at the TZG Base.

The two of them standing together made for a rather tragic comparison.

Just then, Yan Zhun glanced over from the corner of his eye.

Pei Ran paused, then pretended to be calm and averted his gaze.

Lin Xuhuan was so tired he wanted to collapse on the ground. He couldn't help but walk over to Yan Zhun and rest his elbow on him. Because he wasn't tall enough, he had to raise his arm to reach, making the posture a bit comical.

“Brother, are you tired?”

Yan Zhun said, “I'm fine.”

Lin Xuhuan coughed lightly. “I know the Coach told you to supervise our workout, but I think we've been playing for over half an hour, and everyone's tired...”

Yan Zhun hummed. “Aren't we resting now?”

“...”

Lin Xuhuan wanted to say, 'Don't use your standards to measure us passionate esports youths,' but on second thought, Yan Zhun was also an esports youth, and damn it, he was even stronger.

He looked up, about to say something else, but realized Yan Zhun's attention was elsewhere.

Lin Xuhuan followed his gaze and saw Pei Ran sitting in the audience. Pei Ran's posture was proper, making him look exceptionally well-behaved, a stark contrast to the boorish men around him with their legs crossed or propped up.

Lin Xuhuan clicked his tongue. “You called Baby Ran over just to have him watch our stuff?”

“Doesn't he have a name?” Yan Zhun asked.

“But 'Baby' is more affectionate, and besides, his ID is literally Baby Ran.” At this, Lin Xuhuan said in confusion, “Though, he doesn't seem like the type of person who would choose an ID like that.”

Yan Zhun ignored him. The basketball was thrown back by someone else. He caught it easily and bounced it a few times casually.

Lin Xuhuan took a couple more glances and suddenly noticed something. “Brother, isn't that your hat Baby Ran is holding?”

That style of hat was a limited edition. He had even begged Yan Zhun to give it to him but hadn't succeeded.

The ball hit the ground and bounced back up. Yan Zhun caught it with one hand and tossed it to him. “Ten more minutes, then we'll go eat.”

After the game, the five of them, drenched in sweat, walked towards the steps.

Pei Ran handed them tissues. Lin Xuhuan took one. “Baby Ran, you even carry tissues with you.”

“It's a habit.” Pei Ran pulled out another and held it out to Yan Zhun. “...Do you want one?”

“Thanks.” Yan Zhun took it casually, their fingertips brushing against each other.

Having just finished playing, Yan Zhun's fingertips were warm. Pei Ran felt as if he had been scalded.

He blinked rapidly a few times and distributed the tissues to the others.

“Pei Ran.” A voice came from his right.

Pei Ran turned his head and saw Luo Qingshan standing on the right side of the steps.

Luo Qingshan had his hair cut into a buzz cut, which made him look much more energetic. He was dressed neatly and crisply; one look at his attire and you could tell he wasn't here to play basketball.

Luo Qingshan walked over to them. Intentionally or not, he glanced at Yan Zhun, then his gaze returned to Pei Ran. “I heard you were here, so I came over specially.”

Pei Ran was silent for a moment before asking, “You needed to see me about something?”

“Yes.” Luo Qingshan paused, then suddenly chuckled. “It was actually Yan Zhun who reminded me about this.”

The atmosphere suddenly became inexplicably strange. The other onlookers looked at Yan Zhun, not understanding what was going on.

Yan Zhun had his head down, wiping sweat from his neck, his expression as cold as ever.

Luo Qingshan continued, “He said that after we broke up, you returned all my things to me, so I should return yours as well. I went back and thought about it, and he's right. Regardless of whether you agree to get back together with me, I should return those things.”

As soon as these words were out, the scene instantly froze.

The few of them stopped wiping their sweat, held their breath, and looked at each other.

Lin Xuhuan's eyes widened. He subconsciously looked at Pei Ran. Pei Ran's back was ramrod straight, unmoving, his expression frank and indifferent.

We, broke up, get back together?

If he understood correctly, then Baby Ran and this guy... were in that kind of relationship?

Of course, Luo Qingshan's purpose in coming wasn't to return things—otherwise, he wouldn't have come empty-handed. He just wanted to find an opportunity to be alone with Pei Ran.

And given Pei Ran's personality, he naturally wouldn't let him return them.

Seeing the astonished expressions on the others' faces, Luo Qingshan felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. He did it on purpose. He wanted these people to know that his relationship with Pei Ran was not simple, and that it wasn't so easy for them to make a clean break.

“Those things, I don't really remember them clearly.” Pei Ran calmly broke the silence.

Luo Qingshan said, “What?”

“The things I gave you, I can't remember them. Do you?” Pei Ran looked up at him, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

Luo Qingshan didn't treat his sexuality as a private matter, and Pei Ran had long gotten used to it. In the beginning, Pei Ran had been a bit awkward about it and had talked to Luo Qingshan. Luo Qingshan had coaxed him, saying he didn't want a secret relationship and wanted to date like a “normal person.” Pei Ran had nothing to say to that and just let him be.

He hadn't expected it to still be like this even after they broke up.

“I... You gave me so much, how could I remember it all...” Not getting the expected response, Luo Qingshan's tone became a little flustered.

Pei Ran nodded. “Then just count whatever you remember. Converting it to cash is fine.”

Luo Qingshan's heart clenched. He licked his lips. “I'm afraid I'll get the details mixed up. Why don't we go have dinner and calculate it carefully?”

Encountering a scene like this, Lin Xuhuan was a bit embarrassed. He exchanged glances with his teammates and decided to find an excuse to slip away and give them some space.

Lin Xuhuan coughed lightly. “Well then, we'll just—”

“We've booked a restaurant,” Yan Zhun naturally cut in, lowering his eyes to say to Pei Ran, “and we've included a spot for you.”

Lin Xuhuan froze, a question mark slowly appearing above his head.

'Wait, why are we getting involved in this topic, Brother?'

Yan Zhun acted as if he didn't see him winking and making faces, his gaze still fixed on Pei Ran.

Luo Qingshan frowned. “Yan Zhun, you...”

“Oh, right! Baby Ran, we really did book a spot for you!” Since his brother had spoken, Lin Xuhuan of course had to back him up, chiming in, “Japanese food, 1988 per person! Our Coach is covering it! It's non-refundable if you don't go, what a waste!”

“Baby Ran? Why do you call him 'Baby'?” Luo Qingshan narrowed his eyes. “Wait, you guys are from TZG? Who allowed you to come into our school to play basketball? Did Yan Zhun bring you in?”

“Luo Qingshan.” Pei Ran frowned, cutting him off. “Forget about dinner. Just calculate the amount and transfer the money to me. You don't need to give me a list.”

He clutched the hat and stood up. “We have other things to do, we're leaving.”

Pei Ran turned and left. Lin Xuhuan, riled up by Luo Qingshan's tone, was about to say a few words when Yan Zhun tapped his shoulder, signaling for him to follow.

The group left the gymnasium, leaving Luo Qingshan standing on the steps, his expression frighteningly dark.

Lin Xuhuan hadn't been lying. The Coach had indeed booked them a Japanese restaurant. They arrived at the restaurant in the time it took to change their clothes in the car.

But the atmosphere between them was still awkward.