No One Else Will Do But You - Chapter 18

“Shu Luo, want to come out and play some ball?”

After getting Zhang Feiyang’s call, Shu Luo wondered if he should ask Jiang Mu to come along.

“Yeah, sure!”

“I’ll see you at the sports center. Oh, and invite Jiang Mu. Will he come? Ask him.”

Did Zhang Feiyang just read my mind? Shu Luo thought.

“Okay, I was just about to ask him to come.”

Zhang Feiyang on the other end of the line smiled triumphantly. Hmph! I’ll let those girls see our charm. They dare to look down on us? We’ll make them go crazy and scream.

He then got busy putting on his jersey and doing his hair.

Shu Luo opened his window and called to the window across the way, “Jiang Mu, wanna go play basketball?”

Jiang Mu, who was working on some documents, looked up and saw Shu Luo waving at him. He thought, Basketball? That’s good. It’ll help me relax.

But he was still thinking about how to get Shu Luo to call him “ge.” Well, here’s my chance.

He had been dabbling in the stock market recently. He had spent half a month on it, using the money he had saved, which was from the piggy bank he had prepared for Shu Luo. It contained over two thousand coins, one-euro and two-euro coins, that he had saved since he was a child, as well as some paper money that adults had given him as pocket money.

So, the documents he was working on were all for preparing for the stock market.

Shu Luo asking him to play was a good way to unwind. It’s not too late to give Shu Luo the money after I win in the stock market.

“What’s taking you so long? You’re so slow.”

Shu Luo squinted, watching Jiang Mu stroll over like a model. The height difference was apparent when he got closer.

“Oh, I was just finishing up some documents. Let’s go.” Jiang Mu casually ruffled Shu Luo’s hair. The soft feeling was like a touch to his heart, giving him a sense of security.

When they arrived at the court, Zhang Feiyang had been waiting for a long time, and仲晴 was with him.

Hey, why is this terrifying girl here too?

Shu Luo pouted and glared at Zhang Feiyang. Why would you bring a girl to a basketball game, especially when it’s not a real game?

仲晴 happened to see Shu Luo’s expression. “Shu Luo, what’s with that look? You don’t want me to be here, do you?”

Her tone was confrontational.

“No, of course not. I welcome you!” Shu Luo pretended to be welcoming, clapping his hands and smiling brightly. His dimples were visible, and he looked so lovable.

Jiang Mu’s eyes darkened. Why does he smile so sweetly at girls?

“Hmph, hypocrite,” but  was still smiling happily.

Zhang Feiyang looked like he had seen a ghost. This feisty woman wasn’t usually like this. Why was she smiling so sweetly, and at Shu Luo of all people? Usually, she would scold him as soon as she saw him. They were like enemies… Enemies? Or are they a couple of bickering lovebirds?!

Oh, I think I’ve uncovered a secret.

Zhang Feiyang glanced at Jiang Mu. Oh my, why is his face so dark? What’s wrong with him? It looks like he’s staring at… Shu Luo? What’s going on here? It’s like he’s looking at a love rival. A love rival?!

Oh, I think I’ve uncovered another secret.

Jiang Mu took the basketball from Zhang Feiyang’s hand and started dribbling. He bent his body slightly and stared at Shu Luo.

“Shu Luo, let’s play a one-on-one first.” His voice was low and meaningful.

Shu Luo nodded, smiling as he spread his arms to block him. “Okay, let’s go!”

Wow, a challenge!

Zhang Feiyang sidled up to 仲晴, looking like he was watching a show. “Look at this. This is going to be good. Jiang Mu is going to play against Shu Luo? Shu Luo is a rookie, and Jiang Mu is a star power forward. It’s obviously a one-sided beatdown.”

The smile on 仲晴’s face seemed to fade a little. Jiang Mu’s eyes on her just now felt like needles, and it made her uncomfortable.

Shu Luo was indeed asking for a beating. His defense was useless against Jiang Mu, who was just toying with him. But Shu Luo was a serious person and wouldn’t give up until he blocked a shot.

After Jiang Mu made his thirteenth shot and Shu Luo hadn’t blocked a single one, he got angry.

“Hey, I don’t believe it. I can’t even block one shot!”

He jumped with all his might, but he put too much force into it. He didn’t block the shot and watched the ball go in. When he landed, he twisted his ankle.

“Hiss…”

Jiang Mu heard the sound after he made the shot and immediately turned around. He saw Shu Luo hopping on one foot, his face pale.

He anxiously walked over, put his arm around his waist, and supported him. “Did you twist your ankle?”

Zhang Feiyang and  immediately walked over.

“Why are you so competitive? It’s okay to lose! Now you’ve hurt yourself for nothing!”  said angrily. Although her tone was harsh, there was a lot of concern in her eyes.

Jiang Mu didn’t like this feeling at all, the feeling that his precious treasure was being coveted.

Shu Luo was a little disappointed, but his ankle didn’t hurt too much. “I… I was just trying to see if I could…” he said meekly. He turned his face and used Jiang Mu’s T-shirt to wipe his sweat.

Now, the game was over before it even began.

“Let’s go. I want to go home.”

There was a hint of disappointment in Shu Luo’s voice.

Jiang Mu immediately picked him up and carried him on his back. He told Zhang Feiyang and 仲晴 he was leaving and walked away.

didn’t understand. “Zhang Feiyang, don’t you think Jiang Mu is too protective of Shu Luo?”

“They’re good friends, and they’re neighbors and desk partners. It’s normal for him to be nice to him.”

“No, something’s not right. How come you’re not that nice to Shu Luo? Would you carry him if he got hurt?”

“Yeah.”

“Would you let him use your clothes to wipe his sweat?”

“Uh…”

“Would you let him lie on you after class?”

Zhang Feiyang felt a shiver down his spine.

“Would you like to touch his hair and pinch his cheeks?”

“…” That’s enough. I’m getting goosebumps.

“Would you only smile at him and be cold to us?”

Zhang Feiyang sighed. “仲晴, why are you making it sound like Jiang Mu likes Shu Luo? That’s so creepy. Jiang Mu isn’t cold to us, okay?”

“I think he does.” A woman’s intuition, especially when it comes to relationships.

“No way. Can’t you just be happy that he’s nice to Shu Luo?”

gave Zhang Feiyang an eye roll.

“A Mu, am I heavy?”

A sullen voice came from his back.

“Hmm? Not at all.”

“A Mu, am I stupid?”

“Hmm? No.”

Shu Luo sighed. “But I feel like I can’t compare to you. I feel a little defeated.”

Jiang Mu chuckled softly. “You don’t need to compare yourself to me, and you don’t need to be better than me. Just be yourself.”

“How can I do that? Now, when my mom goes out, she always talks about how amazing her godson is and never talks about me.”

“Call me ‘ge,’ and I’ll give you everything.”

Jiang Mu’s voice was more mature than his. He always had a trustworthy aura about him that couldn’t be questioned. Shu Luo trusted him because Jiang Mu never broke his promises.

“Really? I’ve always trusted you.”

He heard his voice become more lively. His lips curled into a slight smile. “When have I ever failed to fulfill a promise I made to you? I’ll fulfill it now, and I’ll fulfill it in the future. I’ll never break my word.”

“Ge, I’ll trust you one more time. Teach me how to play basketball!”

“Say it again.” My heart is trembling.

“Ge, ge, ge…”

Shu Luo repeated it countless times in his ear, each time like a beat in his heart, making him feel alive.

“Okay, I’ll teach you how to play before school starts.”

“Haha, it’s a deal!”