TCWSITD – Chapter 77 (Extra Chapter 5)

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Chapter 77 (Extra Chapter 5) – Sweet Side Story

On the day Lin Jiang officially announced his retirement, many people in the industry called him. Zeng Yuan sent his blessings from afar. “Congratulations! After eight years on the battlefield, you can finally rest.”

“Your ’eight years’ doesn’t sound like a compliment. Feels more like you’re teasing me for being old.”

“I’m not!” Zeng Yuan laughed loudly. “Are you really not holding a retirement ceremony? Even a small, private one?”

“No, it’s too flashy. And in that kind of setting, many would probably cry, right? I can’t stand seeing others cry.”

“That’s true. Your Puppy Shen would probably cry his eyes out. Your fans would definitely miss you too. Actually, you’re only 25. Why not play one more year? Doesn’t seem like you’re that old yet.”

Lin Jiang sighed and removed his glasses. “I’m 26, alright? I really can’t keep going. I won’t hold a retirement ceremony, but you’re welcome at my birthday party tomorrow.”

“Deal! You must invite me! I’ll give Old Mao a call too.”

“Mm.”

After hanging up, Lin Jiang put his glasses back on to review the contract. Although retired, he had no plans to leave OT. The team had offered him a rehire as a coach.

If all went well, next season he’d still be on the field, competing alongside Shen Ju.

He took a sip of coffee just as Shen Ju returned home.

His voice echoed from the living room. “I’m home!”

Lin Jiang had sold his old apartment and bought a new two-bedroom. Every time he worked in the study, he could hear Shen Ju come home, announcing himself like that.

Removing his glasses, Lin Jiang walked to the living room to find Shen Ju stripping off sweaty clothes, heading for the shower. “What have you been up to lately? Coming home drenched every day”

“I was working out.” He leaned in to plant a kiss on Lin Jiang, but caught a whiff of his own sweat and hurried off to shower.

Lin Jiang set the contract aside, leaning against the bathroom door with his coffee, glancing inside. “Shen Ju, are you hiding something from me? Why take a shower in broad daylight?”

“Not at all.” Shen Ju cracked the door open, poking out his puppy-like head to kiss him. “Don’t overthink it. I really was exercising. So, what do you want to eat tonight? I’ll take you out.”

Lin Jiang wasn’t appeased. “Tomorrow’s my birthday. You’re really not coming?”

Shen Ju nodded. “I want to stay home and rest.”

His eyes remained full of warmth and intensity. “Lin Jiang, you go enjoy yourself with Old Mao and the others. When you get back, I’ll make it up to you with a cake.”

Lin Jiang glanced at him carefully, seeing no hint of deceit. “You don’t like being with Old Mao and the others?”

“No, I just feel that whenever I’m around, you all can’t really talk freely. Look, every time you guys meet, I end up waiting on the side until you finish chatting.”

The reasoning sounded plausible enough that Lin Jiang couldn’t argue, though he felt a pang of disappointment.“You really aren’t hiding anything from me?”

“Don’t worry, I really’m not.” He closed the door and continued showering. “Lin Jiang, can you get me a clean set of clothes?”

Lin Jiang handed him the clothes, hesitating. “Actually, it’s not like we have to invite them. If you don’t want to…”

Shen Ju opened the door again, tugged him inside, and kissed him with a grin. “Why do you keep asking? Are you worried I’m cheating?”

Over the years, Shen Ju’s features had matured, giving him the air of someone who could have had seven or eight exes. Old Mao kept warning Lin Jiang to keep an eye on him.

Lin Jiang turned his face away uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then why do you keep asking?” Shen Ju kissed him again, looking somewhat pleased. “Don’t overthink it. I just want to rest at home. You enjoy your birthday with them, and when you come back I’ll take you to the amusement park to see your favorite dancing bear.”

At least he had a conscience; he hadn’t forgotten Lin Jiang’s birthday wish.

Lin Jiang let him off. “Go wash properly.”

The next day, Lin Jiang got up, straightened his clothes, and glanced at Shen Ju playing games on the couch. He still felt a little regretful. “You really aren’t coming with me?”

Shen Ju didn’t even look up. “Not going.”

Lin Jiang didn’t quite understand.

Could it really be like people online said—that once someone is pursued, they no longer know how to cherish it?

“I’m leaving?”

“Mm.”

“Really leaving?”

“Bye-bye.”

What a little rascal.

Lin Jiang muttered a curse under his breath as he closed the door.

His birthday party was supposed to be small, but word spread, and more and more people showed up. Even Song Zhixu and A’Deng tagged along.

It was rare for everyone to gather like this, and the atmosphere was lively. Old Mao generously offered his arcade for free play, and everyone had a blast.

Song Zhixu challenged Lin Jiang to a motorcycle game—and lost all five rounds.

Lin Jiang couldn’t take it anymore and started coaching him. “Don’t keep your foot so stiff. Your posture should flow with the machine, got it?”

Song Zhixu took it seriously, practicing carefully, until it suddenly dawned on him: “Wait… I’m not in OT anymore. Why am I still listening so obediently?”

The guys next to them burst out laughing. “Hahaha, probably muscle memory. Those thousands of solo matches Lin Jiang played weren’t taught for nothing.”

“You little rascal… Lin Jiang raised you back then, didn’t he? You’re lucky.”

Song Zhixu grinned proudly, clearly pleased by the remark. He dragged Lin Jiang into a few more rounds before suddenly remembering, “Hey, where’s Shen Ju?”

The room fell silent. Everyone seemed to realize the same thing. It was the off-season; even Song Zhixu and A Deng had come running over just for this party. There was no reason for Shen Ju to be absent.

Lin Jiang explained: “He’s resting at home.”

Resting at home could mean he wasn’t feeling well.

Everyone went back to doing their own things. Lin Jiang was pulled into a chat by Zeng Yuan, and they talked until evening.

At dinner, Lin Jiang texted Shen Ju again.

[Lin Jiang: Really not coming? Song Zhixu and A’Deng are here.]

A long time passed before he got a reply.

[Shen Ju: ? Why is Song Zhixu there?]

[Shen Ju: Lin Jiang, didn’t you say you were coming home for dinner? Hurry back!]

[Shen Ju: Quick, quick, come alone. I’m waiting to have cake with you.]

Why so secretive over cake?

Lin Jiang also wanted to go home, but Old Mao stopped him for another long chat, bought a cake, and insisted on eating it at his place. “We haven’t seen your new house yet! Perfect chance to check it out!”

Well… it’s just cake. Might as well go together.

He led the group back to his new place. As soon as he entered the passcode and opened the door, confetti exploded everywhere.

A banner overhead read “Happy Birthday, Lin Jiang!” The room was filled with balloons, and the music was deafening. Then, a person in a bear costume stood up.

Lin Jiang’s eyes widened as realization struck. “Wait!”

The music was blasting, and Shen Ju couldn’t hear a word Lin Jiang was saying. Clumsy in his bear suit, he performed a dance he’d spent three days learning.

It was clumsy, yet strangely graceful.

Shen Ju had initially thought he would feel extremely embarrassed, but to his surprise, the more he danced, the more energetic he became. In the end, he steeled himself, closed his eyes, and threw himself into the performance with all his might.

A full 360-degree spin, then dropping to one knee, removing the headpiece, and pulling out the gift he had prepared long in advance, presenting it to Lin Jiang. “Lin Jiang, happy birthday!”

Lin Jiang could only press a hand to his forehead in helpless amusement. Behind him, more than half the esports circle stood frozen, then erupted into thunderous laughter: “Hahahahahaha…!”

“Whoa, I thought this was a booked show—didn’t expect it’s Shen Ju!”

“Wait, let me see. Is that really Shen Ju?”

“I was just wondering which bear could dance with such enthusiasm.”

“It’s really Shen Ju? HAHAHAHA.”

“Kneeling on one knee, I thought it was a marriage proposal!”

“Lin Jiang, you’re something else, enjoying such good food behind our backs!”

Shen Ju was already thinking of jumping off the floor in frustration. He glared at Lin Jiang: “Weren’t you supposed to come back alone?”

Lin Jiang: ?

How was he supposed to know Shen Ju would be this bold?!

The laughter outside grew even more unrestrained, with Song Zhixu laughing the loudest. “Shen Ju, you really went all out, huh?”

Furious, Shen Ju threw the bear head aside, “Song Zhixu, how dare you film this?! Was this for you to watch?!”

He was about to charge at Song Zhixu and beat him up when Lin Jiang suddenly hoisted him over his shoulder, carrying him back into the room and shutting the door. “Stay put. I’ll handle this.”

Shen Ju struggled to get up, “No way, I have to silence Song Zhixu. He’s definitely going to spread this.”

Lin Jiang pressed him down onto the bed and kissed him without hesitation. The kiss was deep enough to leave Shen Ju flushed and breathless as he lay there looking at him.

The teasing outside grew louder and denser. Inside the room, they locked eyes. Lin Jiang rubbed the corner of Shen Ju’s lips firmly, leaned down for another brief kiss, and said, “Wait for me. I’ll go deal with it.”

Shen Ju, red-faced and still buried in the clumsy bear costume, blushed like an apple. “Then… I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Lin Jiang couldn’t resist kissing him one more time.

He got up and shooed everyone outside away.“Alright, everyone, time to go!”

“Weren’t we supposed to eat cake? Lin Jiang, you value romance over friends!”

“Hahaha, not just Lin Jiang… who could possibly resist Shen Ju?”

“Now I finally understand how he managed to win you over.”

“Just thinking about it makes my little heart was trembling. Lin Jiang, you secretly enjoy such good food behind our backs!”

Lin Jiang had no patience for their teasing. After escorting them downstairs, he reminded them, “Delete all the photos. If anyone post them, I’m coming for you.”

“Relax, no photos were taken at all!”

“Damn, who would dare to post photos of Shen Ju?”

“Hahaha, there’s no way I could compete with him…”

Lin Jiang could only let them tease him; he couldn’t argue at all.

Before leaving, he pulled Song Zhixu aside and said, “Listen, Shen Ju’s thin-skinned. Just pretend what happened earlier never happened.”

Song Zhixu’s eyes sparkled as he grinned. “Captain, you’re so good to him. It’s making me jealous.”

Lin Jiang patted his shoulder teasingly. “Then work hard and get yourself a partner.”

Song Zhixu smiled but didn’t say anything.

When Lin Jiang returned home, Shen Ju had already showered and changed, looking at him awkwardly. “You said your birthday wish was to see a bear dance. I didn’t want you watching anyone else, so I learned it myself.”

So all the secrecy these past few days was to prepare a surprise for him.

Lin Jiang picked up the little bear costume from the floor, feeling a bit regretful. “Can we do it one more time?”

Shen Ju’s expression changed instantly, absolutely refusing to dance again.

He pressed Lin Jiang firmly onto the sofa. “Forget what just happened! And don’t ever bring it up again!”

Lin Jiang wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. After suppressing his amusement, he sighed regretfully. “Too bad I didn’t get a clear look just now.”

Shen Ju kissed him, his cheeks still slightly red. He seemed to be struggling with himself, and after a while said softly: “Then… make another birthday wish.”

Lin Jiang quickly closed his eyes and wished: “I want to see the little bear dance again.”

Before he could finish speaking, Shen Ju scooped him up from the sofa and carried him straight to the bedroom.

“Hey! My wish was just for the little bear to dance!”

“Let me perform a puppy dance first to set the mood.”

Perhaps the incident had affected Shen Ju more than expected, because he was particularly intense that night, as if determined to make up for the humiliation he’d suffered.

The next day, Lin Jiang couldn’t even get out of bed and had to cancel their planned gathering.

Old Mao teased in the group chat.

[Old Mao: Tired from last night? Although I wonder whose back hurts more, yours or Shen Ju’s?]

[Brother Jizhi: Isn’t it obvious? After seeing how Shen Ju was buttering him up yesterday, of course our Lin Jiang was on top!]

[Brother Yu: Not necessarily… Shen Ju has better stamina, and Lin Jiang’s back isn’t that strong…]

Lin Jiang glanced at the group chat filled with crude jokes and sighed. He was seriously considering leaving the chat—these single guys were way too interested in his private life.

Behind him, Shen Ju woke up bleary-eyed and instinctively began massaging Lin Jiang’s waist. “Still sore?”

It wasn’t just Lin Jiang’s back that hurt yesterday; Shen Ju hadn’t fully recovered either. He had been too vigorous, and Lin Jiang had gotten a little out of control, leaving marks on Shen Ju’s arms and back.

With the intensity of the moment fading, Lin Jiang looked at the marks on Shen Ju and couldn’t help but wonder if he was truly as indifferent as he claimed.

Shen Ju pulled him back under the blankets, his body burning hot against Lin Jiang’s back. . “Still sore? Lie down, I’ll massage your back.”

Lin Jiang thought it was better not to let him.

Otherwise, in the early morning, his back would only ache more.

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strawberrypoptl: Aaaaand we’re doneeeee~ Thank you very so much for joining me in this story. See you next time!~

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