Chapter Ninety-Five: Letting Go

By then the county magistrate was already ringed by reporters, countless microphones pointed at him.

Smiling warmly, he said, “I’m delighted to have witnessed such a splendid match. Two students left a deep impression on me.”

The two he meant, of course, were Yuhang and Minghan, who were practically shoved up onto the stage by the crowd.

“Excellent!” the magistrate said, flashing a thumbs-up.

The three of them posed for a photo, leaving the reporters with a striking image that would appear on the front page of the next day’s paper.

The headline read: County Magistrate Poses with Students; Sports and the Economy Advance Side by Side.

When Minghan saw that newspaper the next morning, his expression was priceless. Damn it all, for a piece of a thousand words, he and Yuhang together had received less than thirty. The entire description of the basketball game itself barely reached a hundred words. The remaining eight hundred or so were devoted to portraying the county magistrate’s impressions and expressions at the game, vivid as if he were standing there in the flesh. Minghan could not help but admire the reporter’s talent. Words like that, he felt, he could never produce even if he spent a hundred years trying.

The Qianyang Club kept its word as well. The next day, four thousand yuan had been transferred into the bank cards they had prepared in advance.

To Minghan, that money was of no immediate use, since Su Yan had already given him enough to spend. But for Yuhang, it was nothing less than a lifesaver.

Minghan handed over the card in his own hand. “Borrow it. Pay me back later, interest included.”

After a moment of silence, Yuhang accepted it. “You little profiteer.”

Yuhang still owed the neighbors more than ten thousand. This money could cover about half of it. Ever since his father had been hounded by debt and driven into such misery, Yuhang did not want to become the sort of man his father had been.

Once they had taken that first step well, the Qianyang Club almost immediately filled their schedule with activities.

First came the county Challenge Cup competition. Many local businesses wanted to put their logos on the two boys’ jerseys. It was advertising, plain and simple, and they were willing to pay for it. In addition, the club took on a great many commercial invitations for them, both from the county and the city: charity basketball games, promotional appearances for companies, and more.

Fang Ping warned them earnestly, “You have some name recognition now, but it’s still far from enough. One day, if you really become famous enough for everyone to know you, a single appearance or event could be worth tens of thousands, even more.”

Quietly, they made up their minds. Since they had chosen this road, they would try their best to turn it into a broad, sunlit avenue.

“Life from now on won’t be as easy as it was before. I’m afraid it’ll be either training or running around for appearances. We won’t even be able to lean over the corridor together and look at pretty girls anymore,” Minghan said, resting his chin in his hand with a sigh.

“That isn’t even the scariest part. I have a feeling the real storm is only just beginning.” Yuhang stared at his phone screen, as though he were waiting for someone.

Minghan understood at once. After yesterday’s live broadcast, there were very few people in the county who did not know them. Naturally, that included Huang Ying and Chen Li.

Sure enough, a moment later Yuhang received a message from Huang Ying: Come to Tea Way. Bring Minghan too.

Brief and to the point. Yet Minghan could still feel the chill in those few words.

“Yuhang, if the usually long-winded Huang Ying can send such a short message, I’m afraid you won’t be seeing tomorrow’s glorious sun.”

Yuhang flopped onto the table. “If you’re my brother, help me collect my body.”

Seeing Minghan’s face full of smug delight, Yuhang added, “Huang Ying said to bring you too. Chen Li’s probably there as well.”

Minghan froze for a moment, then slumped onto the table beside him. “Why is our life so miserable, brother?”

Half an hour later, they appeared at Tea Way.

The moment Huang Ying saw them, she gave a cool, mocking smile. “So the two invisible tycoons have arrived.”

Yuhang gave an awkward laugh. “Could you not say it like that? It sounds weird.”

Huang Ying shot him a glare, clearly displeased.

Seizing the moment, Minghan said, “Yuhang, can you be a little more serious? Everyone else is taking this pretty seriously.”

Yuhang thought, what the hell. You were just talking about brothers going through life and death together, and now you sell me out?

Chen Li was seated beside Huang Ying, saying nothing. Next to Chen Li, Chen Nuo was gulping down milk tea.

“In fact, my sister and Huang Ying aren’t angry that you chose a career so young,” Chen Nuo said bluntly. “They’re angry that something this big happened and you didn’t even say a word.”

Minghan and Yuhang both felt apologetic, but the truth was hard to bring up. The contract made it crystal clear: no dating during the term.

Was Yuhang supposed to tell Huang Ying outright, For the sake of my road to stardom, let’s break up?

Leaving aside the fact that at the time they had no idea whether they would succeed, Yuhang himself could not bear it either. He did not want to put either side in an impossible position.

Chen Nuo narrowed her eyes and looked at them strangely. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to make your name and then dump the girl who shared your hardships?”

Minghan was speechless. This girl really had a vivid imagination.

“Minghan,” Chen Li said suddenly, “does your contract place restrictions on your private life?”

Minghan was taken aback. Chen Li had actually guessed it.

Seeing his expression, Chen Li knew she was right. She sighed and said to Huang Ying, “Most companies like this impose certain rules on private life for signed talent. I’d guess the restriction on Minghan and Yuhang is probably that they can’t fall in love too early.”

Chen Nuo nodded. “Companies like this are like a lot of entertainment agencies. They train handsome young boys to build popularity. The moment they start dating, the fans scatter.”

On the internet, Minghan and Yuhang already had some name recognition, so naturally they had gathered a few fangirls as well.

Yuhang frowned in confusion. “How do you two know so much about how these companies operate?”

Chen Li was momentarily at a loss for words. She did not know how to answer. Huang Ying glanced at her, thoughtful, and then changed the subject, asking Yuhang directly, “So what do you plan to do? Are you going to break up?”

Yuhang had never expected Huang Ying to ask so bluntly. His heart sank with a heaviness beyond words.

Minghan said displeasedly, “Huang Ying, the reason Yuhang didn’t tell you was precisely because he didn’t want your relationship to be affected. What you just said is a bit too much.”

“But you still signed the contract. What, you want to wear a mask like some celebrity and sneak around with me in a secret relationship?” Huang Ying was agitated. “I don’t like playing that game.”

Yuhang’s eyes reddened slightly. He gently pinched her cheek and said with a bitter smile, “Huang Ying, I’m sorry.”

And so, yes—Yuhang meant to break up.

Without a word, he turned away, opened the door, and left Tea Way alone.

Minghan watched his lonely figure recede into the distance, silent for a long time.

He wanted so badly to tell Huang Ying, Damn it, run after him. He doesn’t want to be some basketball star at all. He only wants to be with you. It’s just that right now he needs money desperately, so he has no choice but to do this.

Huang Ying, as long as you catch up to him and take his hand, he can give up everything.

But Huang Ying simply sat down and lowered her head onto the table in silence.

At that moment, Minghan finally understood her completely.

For Huang Ying, letting go of Yuhang was the best way to protect him.