last second

Xu Xi didn't expect that he would receive a call from Lu Yongxi the next day.The other party didn't seem to know his relationship with Jiang Shize, but just regarded him as the captain of the team and a cohabitant who took in Jiang Shize.

"At five o'clock in the evening, it's okay in the restaurant opposite the basketball court, right?"

Maybe it was because of his personality, Lu Yongxi's tone was very blunt, and there was no room for discussion at all.Fortunately, Xu Xi has a gentle temperament and doesn't care about trivial matters.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Xi thought strangely, what could Lu Yongxi do with him, it must be about Jiang Shize.

It's Jiang Shize's matter again... In addition to the headache, Xu Xi is still a little nervous, but no matter what kind of mood he is in, it is enough to worry him all day.

In the evening, Xu Xi found an excuse to let Jiang Shize go home first.He arrived at the appointed restaurant, just at the appointed time.

Lu Yongxi came late, and got straight to the point as soon as he sat down.

"To invite the captain to dinner today, I want to ask the captain to do me a favor."

Xu Xi frowned slightly, and asked in surprise, "What help?"

Lu Yongxi smiled, and said as usual: "I heard from Ah Ze that he lives in the captain's house, and he seems to have a good relationship with the captain, so I want to ask the captain to help him persuade him not to stay somewhere It's a basketball club."

Xu Xi was not allowed to intervene, Lu Yongxi said lightly: "He doesn't really like basketball, he just makes a living here, he might as well go back to the United States as soon as possible."

Lu Yongxi curled his lips, completely ignoring Xu Xi's reaction, and said to himself: "He only thought of going back to China on a whim, and he probably thought of signing up to join the basketball team when he ran out of money on the way, right?"

No matter how arrogant Lu Yongxi's tone was, he really knew Jiang Shize very well.

"It was indeed like this at the beginning, but I think Jiang Shi was the one who..."

Before he finished speaking, Lu Yongxi suddenly laughed, and he said, "Your coach still wants to arrange Ah Ze to participate in the summer league? You won't really let him play, will you? Will you get a raise for playing the whole game? Ah Ze hasn't played in a long time. It's a game for money."

Seeing Xu Xi's surprised expression, Lu Yongxi said again: "When he was in the United States, he often teamed up with his friends to gamble, so he is different from you, he doesn't really like basketball at all."

No, how could Jiang Shize not like basketball?He spends his salary advances on basketball shoes, he puts himself into practice games so seriously, and, he said himself, he likes basketball more.

"For Ah Ze, basketball used to be a game to pass the time, but now it is a job to make money..."

"No, he participated in the competition very seriously and completed the training very seriously."

Not to mention Lu Yongxi, even Xu Xi himself was startled, how could he blurt out suddenly.

Lu Yongxi looked at Xu Xi in surprise, and then smiled again: "It's not surprising, he is paid, so he should have completed the training."

Xu Xi pursed his lips tightly, did not speak, and no longer refuted.

"In short, the captain helped me to persuade him, what's the point of staying in China, and he can't rely on basketball for a living. He is not young anymore, it's time to go back and work hard."

Speaking of this, Lu Yongxi paused, and then said: "By the way, his father doesn't want him to stay here either. How long can he fight on a whim."

Hearing Lu Yongxi's complaint, Xu Xi felt something stuck in his heart, and his chest felt tight.

"Jiang Shi won't listen to other people's persuasion, will he?"

Hearing this, Lu Yongxi couldn't help laughing, he said: "It's true, Ah Ze has always been so willful. However, it doesn't matter even if he doesn't listen to persuasion, there will always be other ways, no matter what method is used, Ah Ze must go back .”

Lu Yongxi suddenly remembered something, and added: "Of course, it's best if he can listen to advice. Since Ah Ze is willing to live in the captain's house, he should regard the captain as a friend."

Gradually, Xu Xi couldn't hear the words behind, and his mind was full of Lu Yongxi's phrase "no matter what method is used", and the arrogant tone made him feel even more angry.

Jiang Shize obviously likes basketball, why can't Lu Yongxi see it at all?With such a flirtatious tone, Jiang Shize's liking was denied in one sentence. Does he really care about Jiang Shize?

For the first time, Xu Xi straightened his face and said seriously: "If you didn't like it before, can't you like it now? Besides, I don't think Jiang Shi is not interested in basketball."

Lu Yongxi looked at Xu Xi in surprise, but he didn't react for a long time.

"Do you really like Jiang Shize? No matter what he thinks, no matter what he says, you just blindly confirm your guess. Are you sure, you really understand Jiang Shize?"

Lu Yongxi was not surprised that Xu Xi knew about his relationship with Jiang Shize, but glared at Xu Xi angrily, and said angrily, "What nonsense, I don't know Ah Ze? We have been together for more than ten years."

Ten years is a long time?For feelings, it may be really long.However, if you preconceive that you understand the other person, you may be trapped in your own misunderstanding for more than ten years.

Faced with Lu Yongxi's aggressive attitude, it was rare for Xu Xi to lower his face, and said unceremoniously: "Has your attitude towards Jiang Shize always been so arbitrary and aggressive? Jiang Shize said that what he likes is gentle people……"

"Shut up." Lu Yongxi growled angrily, and said coldly: "Ah Ze is just talking, even if he said he likes gentle people, he actually..."

"Lu Yongxi."

Before Lu Yongxi could finish speaking, Jiang Shize appeared in front of them.

Seeing Jiang Shi staring at him blankly, Lu Yongxi was too frightened to speak.

"Ah Ze, you..." Lu Yongxi glared at Xu Xi angrily, and said angrily, "You told Ah Ze?"

Xu Xi didn't deny it, and turned his head indifferently.

"asshole."

"Lu Yongxi!"

Jiang Shize's tone became colder every time, Lu Yongxi looked at him in surprise, and abruptly choked back the words.

"Are you kidding me?"

Lu Yongxi gave Xu Xi a hard look, pushed Jiang Shize away angrily, and left the restaurant angrily.

After Lu Yongxi left, Jiang Shi sat in his seat and explained in a calm tone: "Chen Jiaqing saw you entering this restaurant and thought I had an appointment with you, so..."

"Yeah." Xu Xi didn't know if Jiang Shi had heard their conversation, and there was a slight heat in his ears, and he couldn't help feeling restrained and embarrassed.

"The captain still remembers that I like gentle people."

Jiang Shi laughed suddenly, still cynical, but with genuine joy in his eyes.

Xu Xi was taken aback for a moment, his cheeks flushed slightly, but he couldn't say anything to refute.

"Captain, you like me, don't you?"

The smile on his face gradually disappeared, and Jiang Shi looked at Xu Xi seriously, his brown pupils were so deep that he gradually attracted Xu Xi's attention.

He seemed to see the truth in Jiang Shize's eyes, but was there really no joke?

Should it be ridiculous? At this moment, Xu Xi actually feels a headache.He should like Jiang Shize, but why can't he answer straightforwardly, is he really so unconfident?

"Jiang Shize."

After a long time, Xu Xi raised his head wearily, and when he met Jiang Shize's gaze, he couldn't help but feel his heart tighten.

There was a faint smile in his eyes, still calm and elusive.

During the period of silence between each other, did he have any expectations?Have you ever been nervous?Do you also feel the same way as yourself?

Xu Xi stared at Jiang Shi for a long time, and finally, he shook his head.

He couldn't figure out what Jiang Shize was thinking, but he knew that Jiang Shize was different from himself.You will be attracted if you are different, and you will be afraid if you are different...

"Jiang Shize, it's almost time to find a house."

Jiang Shi frowned slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.However, he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile, "Well, I'm already looking for a house and won't bother me for long."

Hearing this, Xu Xi's heart twitched, but he didn't know whether it was bitterness or relief.It must be annoying for me to look forward and backward. The so-called tenderness is nothing but weakness. I don't believe in myself, and I don't believe in Jiang Shize.However, no matter how much Xu Xi hated himself at this time, he knew very well that only by temporarily separating from Jiang Shize could he restore his original self, and it was not good to be always troubled and worried about Jiang Shize.

"Pay the bill." Jiang Shi smiled and called the waiter to pay the bill.

Seeing Jiang Shize's calm expression, Xu Xi suddenly thought, if he could say something, or show a nervous and flustered look, would he feel at ease and even be sure of Jiang Shize's feelings?

It's a pity that all assumptions are meaningless. The current situation is that he can't see the slightest abnormality from Jiang Shize's face. He easily accepted this decision without even the slightest objection.

"Let's go." Jiang Shi raised his head with a smile, and said calmly with no abnormality in his eyes.

"Um."

Xu Xi followed him and stood up, and when he was about to walk side by side with him, he found that Jiang Shize's pace was a little faster, as if he didn't want to walk with him.Xu Xi was stunned for a moment, and just about to say something, Jiang Shi slowed down and walked beside him.

Was it just an illusion?Why did Jiang Shize do this?

Realizing that he was guessing Jiang Shize's thoughts again, Xu Xi smiled helplessly, forcing himself to forget these troublesome things.

◇

For four or five days in a row, Lu Yongxi did not show up at the basketball court, and Jiang Shi went in and out with Xu Xi every day, almost never leaving his sight.

Maybe, Lu Yongxi has already gone back.

Just when Xu Xi thought so, a new accident happened.

On this day, the team was undergoing physical training, and the assistant coach hurried over and said to Jiang Shize, "Jiang Shize, go to the conference room on the second floor, the coach has something to ask for you."

Just as he was wondering why the coach didn't show up, hearing such words suddenly made Xu Xi feel worried.

Jiang Shize didn't ask any more questions, and after saying hello to Xu Xi, he left the basketball hall.

"Is the coach looking for him?" During the break, Xu Xi asked the assistant coach.

The assistant didn't hide anything, and replied, "It wasn't the coach looking for him, it was his father who came to the coach and seemed to be talking to the coach about terminating the contract."

Hearing this, Xu Xi's mind was rumbling, and he didn't recover for a long time.

"I'll go out for a while." After leaving this sentence, Xu Xi walked outside unconsciously, not even caring about the opinions of others.

Jiang Shize really wants to return to the United States?His father also rushed over?If I leave, I really won't be able to see each other, and I won't be able to participate in the summer league.He wanted to be separated from Jiang Shize for a while, but he didn't want to never see him.

Xu Xi thought in distress, and could no longer control the uneasiness in his heart.After going back, can Jiang Shize still play basketball well?It's not a game of gambling, nor a pastime, but a serious investment in the game.

Jiang Shize, he should want to participate in the summer league well, train so hard, and cultivate a tacit understanding with his teammates so hard.

He doesn't want to go back to America...

Standing at the door of the conference room, Xu Xi was hesitating whether he should go in and what capacity he would appear in.Suddenly, Xu Xi heard a strange voice, reprimanded: "Go back to America, don't make me say it a second time!"

"I seem to be an adult."

This time it was Jiang Shize's voice, with a deep smile in his tone, one could imagine the cynical attitude.

"How much time do you want to waste, playing basketball can live a lifetime? What's the future?"

"Dad, the coach is still here, so it's not good to say that?"

"Hmph, do you really like playing basketball? It's just a whim and you want to make some money. Can you stick to this attitude?"

Jiang Shi didn't answer. After a while, he said jokingly, "Dad, is playing music a real job?"

The conference room was quiet for a while, and suddenly, my father said sternly: "God, can you compare with me? If you really like basketball, I will never hinder you."

Hearing this, Xu Xi couldn't bear it any longer. Why are the people around Jiang Shize like this, denying his love for basketball sentence by sentence.They believed that Jiang Shi was just playing for fun, so they couldn't see his hard work and his seriousness?

"Sorry, coach, interrupt me." Xu Xi didn't know if it was a spur of the moment, but when he walked into the conference room, he felt a sudden return to consciousness.

In addition to Jiang Shize and the coach in the conference room, there is also a man in his 50s, who should be Jiang Shize's father.

"Coach, the group practice has started. I came to find Jiang Shize and went back to participate."

Xu Xi took a deep breath, feeling a little nervous.

The coach stared blankly at Xu Xi, then turned to look at Jiang Shize. Such an embarrassing scene did not last long, and Jiang Shize suddenly laughed out loud, being glared at by his father.

"What are you training for? You look like you're fooling around, and it's also embarrassing to play in the game."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Xi retorted: "Jiang Shize is very important to the team, and we all need him."

With such a serious tone, even Jiang Shize's father was taken aback.

"So, please let Jiang Shize stay in the team."

With such a sincere attitude, no one can refuse.

However, when his father saw Jiang with a smile on his lips, he straightened his face and said unceremoniously, "The team needs him? As long as he doesn't cause trouble for the team. Do you really think he likes basketball? It’s just that he was rebellious since he was a child. I asked him to learn music, but he would sneak out to play basketball and take the opportunity to escape.”

"That's not the case. Jiang Shi is indeed capable and has taught me a lot."

Speaking of this, Xu Xier blushed, inevitably a little embarrassed.However, no matter how complicated his mood was, and no matter how embarrassing the current situation, he still said firmly: "Maybe Jiang Shize behaves differently from everyone else, but I believe he really likes basketball, otherwise ..."

"enough."

Before Xu Xi could finish speaking, Jiang Shize's father interrupted rudely.Aware of his gaffe, he softened his tone and said, "In short, if I can't see his determination, I can't believe that he is serious about this job."

"In the official game, Jiang Shi will play. If you can see his attitude, can you recognize his love for basketball?"

Father froze for a moment, and then said after a long time, "Hmph, let's talk about it if we win."

Although he was still talking hard, it was not difficult to see that Jiang Shize's father had been persuaded by Xu Xi.

Yes, such a sincere and resolute attitude will move anyone.

At this time, Xu Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief, and he said to Jiang Shi, "Go to training now."

Pretentiously putting on a stern look, even Xu Xi himself felt that he lacked confidence.Jiang Shi couldn't help laughing, and obediently followed Xu Xi out of the conference room.

When the two of them were alone, Xu Xi felt embarrassed. What would Jiang Shi think of what he said just now? Would he feel that he was meddling?

Just when Xu Xi was uneasy, Jiang Shi suddenly smiled and said, "Aren't the captain worried? The person who made the promise is the captain, not me."

Xu Xi was taken aback, and just about to say something, when he saw Jiang again, he smiled and said, "However, I will compete seriously."

Still smiling, but Xu Xi felt that he saw a serious expression on Jiang Shize's face.

"Didn't you say training? Hurry up."

Jiang Shi smiled and grabbed Xu Xi's arm tightly, pulling him to walk outside quickly.Xu Xi wanted to struggle subconsciously, but when he saw Jiang Shi, he smiled and still didn't shake off his hand.

After this conversation, Jiang Shize's father no longer insisted on terminating the contract, but this does not mean that he acquiesced in Jiang Shize's taking basketball as a job.

Although I still have a distrustful attitude, I am willing to give it a try.Because of what Xu Xi said, Jiang Shize's father thought about it all night, and finally nodded and agreed to give Jiang Shize a chance.

◇

In the evening of the next day, Jiang Shi was in a hurry to leave, so Xu Xi asked, "Send Dad back?"

"Well, the plane at six o'clock."

"Then, your friend..." After saying that, Xu Xi was surprised that something was wrong.

However, Jiang Shi didn't show a strange expression, and replied calmly, "Well, Yongxi will go back with Dad."

"Is that so..."

"By the way, Dad said that even if he goes back, he will pay attention to the results of the game online. If he loses, he will definitely tell me to go back to the United States immediately."

Xu Xi nodded and said nothing more.

Jiang Shize was about to go out when he suddenly said, "Also, I've found a house, and I'll move in on the weekend, okay?"

Xu Xi was taken aback for a long time before he could react.I've been worrying about Jiang Shize's father for the past few days, but I forgot about it.

"Maybe there are a lot of things, but...Captain, are you listening?"

Jiang Shi yelled several times in succession, and Xu Xi finally came back to his senses.

"Oh, I'm listening."

"I mean, maybe there are a lot of things. If the captain is at home, you can pack them for me."

Xu Xi nodded and replied, "Well, I was at home that day."

"Then I'm relieved." Jiang Shi smiled easily, and said, "Then, let's wait until the weekend, I'll go first."

After finishing speaking, before Xu Xi could say "goodbye", Jiang Shi had already left quickly.Seeing the back of the other party gradually disappearing, Xu Xi felt empty, and he didn't even know what it was like.

◇

The weekend is coming soon. On this day, Jiang Shize woke up very early. When he saw him frying eggs in the kitchen, Xu Xi couldn't believe his eyes.

"Captain, do you want the egg to be a little lighter?"

Looking at Jiang Shize dully, Xu Xi asked in surprise, "Woke up so early?"

"Well, I just got a few boxes to pack."

Xu Xi looked in the direction Jiang Shize pointed, and there were several cardboard boxes in the living room. Jiang Shi lived here for two months, and there were more game consoles, daily necessities, sneakers, clothes, and more than when he came. Quite a lot.

"when are you leaving?"

Jiang Shi was stunned for a while, and said as a matter of course: "Let's go after packing, the captain has something to do? It won't waste much time."

Hearing this, Xu Xi hurriedly said, "No, I'm fine."

Jiang Shi smiled faintly, seemingly relieved.

After agreeing to move away, Jiang Shi's attitude towards Xu Xi was so gentle, neither showing anger or displeasure, nor the previous intimacy and ambiguity.The original phrase "together" seems to have been forgotten, and the relationship between the two has returned to the beginning. It is not unfamiliar, but it is not close either.

At the beginning, it was just "try it out", and naturally there was no difference between breaking up or not. However, Xu Xi felt uncomfortable in his heart, and the feeling of being at a loss lingered in his heart, which could not dissipate for a long time.

He was the one who hoped to be separated temporarily, so he couldn't blame Jiang Shize for anything.But why are you so uneasy?Because of Jiang Shize's attitude, or because he couldn't bear it?

Xu Xi thought in distress, but still failed to come to a conclusion.

"Let's start packing."

After breakfast, Jiang Shi pulled Xu Xi to sit on the ground, and the two of them were busy arranging things together, and then packed them into boxes.No matter how many things Jiang Shize had, the two of them worked together, and they were quickly sorted out. There were three boxes in total.

Xu Xi couldn't help saying: "It seems a bit much."

Jiang Shi frowned slightly, and nodded in agreement: "Well, just throw away some unnecessary things."

With that said, Jiang Shi started to get busy again, collecting unnecessary things in a box.

"Don't you want these too?"

Except for the old clothes, most of the boxes in the box are dolls from the night market last time.Xu Xi still remembers how happy Jiang Shize's expression was at that time. When he returned home, he even insisted on putting them in a visible place.

"These..."

The flannel doll does take up a lot of space, but does he really want it?The way I liked it before...

For some reason, Xu Xi suddenly became tense, with inexplicable emotions entangled in his heart, making him irritable and restless.

After a long time, Jiang Shi suddenly sighed, and said lightly: "It's better not to, it will take up space if it gets dusty."

Xu Xi was stunned, and looked at Jiang Shize in surprise. The man tidied up the box with a calm expression, and threw it aside without sealing it.

"Captain? Help me take it down together."

Just when Xu Xi was distracted, Jiang Shi had already packed his things. Apart from the suitcase when he came, there were three other cardboard boxes.

Jiang Shi is really going to move out...

I was the one who told him to move away, so I shouldn't have felt uncomfortable at all, I don't have the qualifications at all... However, the feeling in my heart is not so easy to restrain, it is undeniable that Xu Xi really feels reluctant, even faintly sad .

Going downstairs in a daze, watching Jiang Shize throw the box of velvet dolls into the trash can, Xu Xi couldn't stop the throbbing pain in his heart, and couldn't calm down for a long time.

Just lost it?Didn't you really like it?

He didn't understand, he didn't understand, he didn't even understand his own mood.Staring at the box, Mickey, Tigger, and Pooh were all lying in the trash can, and the memories of that day became unreal.

"Then, Captain, I'm going first."

Jiang Shi quickly called a taxi and moved the things into the rear compartment with the driver.

"I'm really sorry for disturbing the captain for so long."

Is it an illusion?He seemed to see a trace of reluctance in Jiang Shize's eyes.

"Then, I'll go first." Jiang Shi smiled and said calmly.

Xu Xi stared at him blankly, at a loss for words, he couldn't even say "goodbye".

"team leader?"

"Ah, it's nothing, just be careful on the road."

Jiang Shi didn't get into the car immediately, his eyes were tightly wrapped around Xu Xi's body, he couldn't see the meaning clearly in his deep eyes, and there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, but it was not so real.

"Well, then I'm leaving."

The driver urged him repeatedly, but Jiang Shize smiled and said so.

Jiang Shi stopped hesitating and got into the car soon.Xu Xi stood there in a daze, and he didn't come back to himself until he could no longer see the car.

Jiang Shi is gone...

Xu Xi's heart twitched, and he couldn't tell what it was like. He looked at the empty street blankly, and Jiang Shize's car had already driven away.

Back home, Jiang Shize was no longer in the empty room, and even the man's belongings were gone. Only then did Xu Xi clearly feel that Jiang Shize was really gone.

In the future, he will resume his own life again, maybe he doesn't need to guess Jiang Shize's thoughts, and he doesn't need to worry about the things between them, but will those happy times never go back?

Sitting alone on the sofa, Xu Xi couldn't help but feel annoyed, his loneliness gradually swallowed him up, and the feeling he should be used to now became strange again.

Whether he minds or is upset, it's all because he cares about Jiang Shize.Is it really useful to be separated for a while?Isn't this kind of thinking too selfish, will Jiang Shi be angry, will he really lose the other party?

Originally thought that the irritable mood could be recovered, unexpectedly, at this time Xu Xi felt more and more uncomfortable in the chest.He shouldn't be angry, right? Jiang Shi readily agreed?But……

Suddenly, Xu Xi remembered what he said to Jiang Shize's father that day. He said that Jiang Shize liked basketball, but his behavior was different from others, so people mistakenly thought that he had an indifferent attitude. .So, is he also like this in terms of feelings?

Xu Xi panicked, and couldn't help but think of the scene that day. When he said these words, Jiang Shi looked at him with a smile. The meaning in his eyes was so deep that he didn't pay attention at all.

However, when he thinks about it now, doesn't he find it ironic?If he really felt the same way, would he blame himself for not being able to understand?

How could this happen? He clearly understands his attitude towards basketball, but why can't he understand his attitude towards feelings?At this moment, Xu Xi realized that he was stupid and ridiculous, his heart was beating wildly, he was nervous and flustered.

Xu Xi stood up suddenly and rushed downstairs.Seeing that the box of velvet dolls was still there, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

It was originally something that Jiang Shize liked, but now, he is reluctant to part with it.

Whether it was sarcasm or reluctance, at this moment, Xu Xi couldn't care about so much anymore, he reached into the trash can in a daze, struggled to open other things, and finally took the box out.

Xu Xi put the box on the ground and carefully inspected the situation inside.The dolls were all dirty, but not ruined.Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief and felt a lot more at ease.

Just when Xu Xi was about to take it upstairs, a taxi suddenly stopped at the door.Xu Xi turned around in a daze, and when he saw the other party, he couldn't help being stunned.

"Captain." Jiang Shize stood in front of him and said with a smile.

"Why are you back, is there anything you didn't take?"

It was still the original taxi, presumably he turned back halfway.

Jiang Shi looked at the box Xu Xi was holding, and couldn't help but smile even wider. He said, "Well, I thought about it, and I still don't want to part with this box, but I didn't expect the captain to think so too."

Hearing this, Xu Xi's face was filled with embarrassment, and he was suddenly a little embarrassed.

"Captain, let's go upstairs and deal with them first."

Xu Xi was taken aback, and asked in surprise, "Aren't you going to move?"

Jiang Shi took out the box and replied, "It's not in a hurry."

Before Xu Xi could react, Jiang Shi said, "Captain, can you help us move together?"

Hearing this, Xu Xi put down the things in his hands in a daze, and walked over to help him carry the boxes together.

"I didn't expect the captain to be reluctant to part with them."

After finishing speaking, without giving Xu Xi a chance to speak, Jiang Shi had already dragged him upstairs.