40 Malone

Duan Nanzhou’s sighs could have circled her house several times, yet they did nothing to alleviate her distress.

It had been half a month since that “unpleasant parting,” and the scene kept resurfacing in her mind. Ever since Ma Long’s feelings for her had been laid bare, Duan Nanzhou had felt incredibly conflicted. She was certain of her own heart—she had never considered Ma Long in a romantic light, nor did she have any such intentions toward him.

This situation was different from her past encounters with others. She and Ma Long were close, and in this life, they were excellent friends. She couldn't bring herself to be as ruthless or as final as she had been when rejecting others in the past. Consequently, she felt as though her brain might explode. Why was this happening? She wasn’t exactly a magnet for everyone’s affections, was she? She thought back to Ma Long’s wife in her previous life—a completely different type of person. It made no sense; how could he have fallen for her?

While Duan Nanzhou sat at home feeling trapped, Ma Long felt as though he were destined to share the same fate as everyone else who had pursued her: ending up as someone she could no longer even call a friend. Since they parted ways, Ma Long had intentionally stopped texting her, and Duan Nanzhou had not spoken a single word to him since. This reality confirmed to Ma Long that although she had verbally agreed to continue being friends, her actions were merely a polite facade to gradually distance herself.

Ma Long decided he couldn't just sit by and wait for the end. He felt he had to reach out more often; no matter what, he couldn't let the connection break completely, or he would truly have no chance left. He began sharing his daily life and inviting her to meals as usual. However, in reality, aside from the occasional reply, Duan Nanzhou had effectively vanished from his life. Her responses were purely formal, clearly signaling a polite rejection.

Ma Long felt like pulling his hair out. He wanted to be proactive, but she gave him no openings and had retreated from his side entirely. This one act of courage had resulted in such a situation that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Aside from the two involved, their mutual friends saw the situation most clearly. Xu Xin, Zhang Jike, and Liu Shiwen had heard through the grapevine about Ma Long’s failed confession and Duan Nanzhou’s rejection, and they were anxious. As Ma Long’s teammates and Duan Nanzhou’s good friends, they desperately wanted the two to be together, but matters of the heart weren't something they could force. They hadn't expected the outcome to be the worst-case scenario.

Xu Xin and Zhang Jike tried to comfort their friend, but they felt Ma Long should try one more time—if only to get some closure, rather than leaving him feeling as though he had “died without knowing why.” As a woman, Liu Shiwen understood Duan Nanzhou’s perspective better. Given their professional overlap, their friendship, and their circle of mutual friends, Duan Nanzhou’s approach was a dignified way to say goodbye, avoiding future awkwardness between an athlete and a journalist.

However, all three agreed that the situation had to be resolved; otherwise, Ma Long’s internal struggle would continue, and it would remain a burden for Duan Nanzhou.

Nearly a month later, when they finally found some free time, the group cooked up an excuse to host a dinner, bringing everyone together. To convince Duan Nanzhou that it was a simple gathering without Ma Long, they went to great lengths, even tricking other members of their dining crew into coming and then leaving.

Duan Nanzhou arrived half-skeptical, and seeing everyone there except Ma Long put her at ease—only for there to be a twist. When she saw the others make excuses to leave and Ma Long suddenly appear, she was speechless. Looking at the awkward expressions on the faces of Liu Shiwen and the others, she knew exactly who the culprits were. They were overdoing it; if they had just been honest, she might have come anyway. Perhaps they were just afraid she would refuse, as she had done so many times before.

In truth, Duan Nanzhou had been struggling, wanting to escape the situation, but she had reached a point where she wanted to find an opportunity to talk to Ma Long clearly and tell him not to waste his time on her. She hadn't expected the opportunity to present itself before she even looked for it.

Seeing Ma Long, who had appeared midway, his shock and embarrassment didn't seem faked. It turned out they had deceived both of them.

Regardless, they had to eat. Neither Duan Nanzhou nor Ma Long spoke first. Xu Xin and the others acted as intermediaries, desperately trying to lighten the mood so the two would exchange a few words. By the end of the meal, however, they had only traded formal pleasantries, touching on nothing of substance. Exchanging glances, Xu Xin, Zhang Jike, and Liu Shiwen realized this wouldn't do—their difficult effort to bring the two together had been for nothing.

“Should we go sing karaoke?” Liu Shiwen cautiously suggested.

“Sing?” Duan Nanzhou expressed doubt; she wasn't one for singing.

“Yes, yes! We haven't gone in a long time, let's go together!” Liu Shiwen said, steeling herself for the task, even though she had no interest in singing herself.

“Exactly, it’ll help digest the food,” Xu Xin chimed in.

“Let’s go!” Zhang Jike decided.

Duan Nanzhou was looking for a chance to talk to Ma Long anyway, so she agreed. Seeing that she was willing, Ma Long had no objections.

Once inside the KTV room, Duan Nanzhou was inexplicably maneuvered into a seat right next to Ma Long. The others kept squeezing them together until they were practically pressed against each other. Their intentions were so obvious that Duan Nanzhou felt a headache coming on.

“Want to play a game?” Zhang Jike suggested.

“What kind of game?”

“Dice, guessing high or low. Loser drinks or chooses truth or dare!”

“Great, great, that’s a good game!” Xu Xin immediately agreed.

Duan Nanzhou was speechless at their coordinated routine; they didn't give her any chance to refuse. However, her luck was excellent; she barely lost, while the others were baited into revealing gossip or ended up drinking several glasses.

“Shall we continue?” Duan Nanzhou offered a mysterious smile. A bunch of amateurs trying to trap her? They had only ended up trapping themselves.

“Continue!” Xu Xin looked at his two comrades and gritted his teeth. If they didn't continue, their efforts today would be for nothing. They had to press on.

“Fine. I’m going to the restroom; we’ll continue when I get back,” Duan Nanzhou said, leaving the room. Not long after she left, Ma Long followed her out.

The three left behind in the room stared at each other, confused. Had the two spoken in private earlier? If they had gone out together, wouldn't the matter be resolved? Had their efforts been in vain?

In reality, Ma Long had followed her because, as Duan Nanzhou was leaving, she had tapped his arm to signal him. The lighting was poor, so the others hadn't noticed.

Once they were out, Duan Nanzhou led him into an empty room nearby, intending to give him her final answer and thoughts. Ma Long had followed with a heavy heart, still harboring a glimmer of hope—what if? But after hearing what Duan Nanzhou had to say, he fell into a profound silence. It seemed he had hoped for too much.

“I’m sorry,” Duan Nanzhou said, and without hesitation, she left the room and returned.

Ma Long remained behind, taking a long moment to compose himself. Combined with the wine he’d had earlier, he felt as if he were living in a nightmare. How had things spiraled into this?

When Ma Long returned to the room, the others were already in the second half of their session. It was clear that since Duan Nanzhou had settled the matter, she felt a weight lifted and was playing along with the others without concern. Unexpectedly, her luck, which had been so good in the first half, was abysmal in the second.

Staring at another loss, Duan Nanzhou looked blankly ahead. Where had her luck gone?

“Well, Nanzhou, pick one!” Xu Xin felt vindicated. Though he didn't know what had happened when they stepped out, seeing Duan Nanzhou finally struggle in the game made up for his own frustration.

“Truth!” Having already been trapped by dares and drinks, Duan Nanzhou chose the third option. She really couldn't handle more alcohol, and she didn't want to be forced into any outrageous dares.

“What do you think of Ma Long?” Zhang Jike asked. As Duan Nanzhou prepared to answer, he quickly added, “In terms of whether he could be your boyfriend!”

Duan Nanzhou fell silent. At that moment, Ma Long returned, seeing the others staring at her, waiting for her answer. They gestured for him to come and sit down. Ma Long intended to sit at the edge of the sofa, but Xu Xin grabbed him and shoved him right next to Duan Nanzhou, leaving the two in awkward silence.

“I’ll drink,” Duan Nanzhou decided. This was a private matter between her and Ma Long; she didn't want to air it out, as it would be uncomfortable for everyone. Was she supposed to say she had just dragged him out to reject him and list all the reasons why?

Looking at the glass in front of her, she put on a pained expression. She hated the taste of alcohol, but she closed her eyes and steeled herself to down it. Just as it reached her lips, Ma Long reached over and took the glass, drinking it for her. Duan Nanzhou was startled, then immediately felt relieved—thank goodness she didn't have to drink the vile liquid.

“Ooh…”

“Whoa…”

Seeing Ma Long’s gesture, the others immediately started catcalling, but a glare from Ma Long silenced them.

“Alright, alright, let’s continue…”

After that, Duan Nanzhou’s luck remained terrible, but she didn't dare choose truth or dare, opting to drink instead. However, out of five glasses, Ma Long drank four for her; she only drank one herself.

When the game ended, everyone except Duan Nanzhou and Liu Shiwen had collapsed. Xu Xin was picked up by his girlfriend, Yao Yan, and Zhang Jike was taken by Liu Shiwen. That left only Ma Long.

Duan Nanzhou: “...”

“You aren't leaving him to me, are you? I drank too!” Duan Nanzhou asked, struggling, as she watched her good friend Liu Shiwen helping her boyfriend away.

“Nanzhou, just leave Ma Long at a hotel. If he goes back like this, he’ll be scolded to death by Coach Liu, and it might even affect the competition. You know how it is!” Liu Shiwen explained. She wanted to help, but she couldn't handle everyone on her own.

“Then let’s go to the hotel together,” Duan Nanzhou said, feeling they shouldn't be alone.

“Fine, then help me support Ma Long.”

“Mhm, let’s go.”