We Can’t Go Back 21p2

Chapter 21 Part 2

The latter turned his head, pretending not to see.

Jian Wu rubbed his chilled face and took the milk tea.

Peach oolong, with sugar.

His favorite flavor.

When his phone was passed back to him, he saw there were already six drinks in the order.

Jian Wu hadn’t ordered yet. He Yong rarely paid attention to what he liked or disliked, let alone those kids. So, needless to say, it must have been Song Shuci who ordered for him.

He originally wanted to tell Song Shuci that he didn’t really like this flavor anymore, but when he looked at Song Shuci, he happened to be standing under the basket, catching the ball and glancing back at him.

So, for some reason, he didn’t change the order and just placed it.

The students were huddled in a corner, sipping their milk tea and chatting about games. Only the three adults remained on the benches beside the basketball court.

Jian Wu was replying to messages on his phone when he heard He Yong chatting with Song Shuci again: “Professor Song, I’m actually a little curious, you play center quite well, why didn’t you continue playing center and switched to point guard? You’re so good at grabbing rebounds, honestly, you’re more suited for playing under the basket.”

Jian Wu had just asked this question, and Song Shuci hadn’t answered. But He Yong, as a PE teacher, had a keen eye. Now, without distractions or interruptions, Jian Wu glanced at Song Shuci, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

This time, Song Shuci actually answered.

“Maybe because I lacked a teammate like Teacher Jian.”

Jian Wu’s smile faded.

“Just because of that?” He Yong didn’t understand.

“Mm.” Perhaps feeling his explanation wasn’t convincing enough, Song Shuci added: “Jian Wu can always score when I pass him the ball, others can’t.”

“That’s a bit too demanding,” He Yong, oblivious to the undercurrent between them, seriously commented on basketball, “Not everyone in America plays in the NBA, how can ordinary people guarantee they’ll score every time you pass them the ball? Even Jian Ge isn’t always that accurate.”

Song Shuci glanced at him: “He can’t with you, but he can with me.”

He Yong: “?”

Song Shuci briefly shed his amiable facade, and his annoying middle school demeanor returned: “It’s okay, there will be many more opportunities to play together in the future. If you don’t believe me, we can make plans again later.”

“…” He Yong swallowed a curse.

The three of them were sitting side by side, Song Shuci between him and Jian Wu. He Yong, probably feeling indignant, leaned forward past Song Shuci and asked Jian Wu: “Jian Ge, am I that bad at basketball? Tell me, why can he do it with you but not me?”

Jian Wu really wanted to say it wasn’t a matter of who he could do it with, but that Song Shuci was just like this, hadn’t changed after twenty years. Pretentious and annoying.

Either tolerate it, or fight him.

But saying that would be too disruptive, so Jian Wu chose to reach behind Song Shuci and tug on the corner of his shirt.

Perhaps his conscience kicked in, or perhaps the corner of his shirt was voice-activated.

Song Shuci took a deep breath and actually apologized to He Yong: “Sorry, I was joking.”

“Yes,” Jian Wu also smoothed things over, pointing at Song Shuci’s head, “He’s been in the lab for too long, exposed to too many toxins, it’s affecting his brain, so he doesn’t speak very well, please understand.”

Song Shuci: “Hm?”

Jian Wu tugged on his voice-activated shirt corner again.

Song Shuci: “…Mm.”

“Ah? So that’s it.” He Yong’s expression changed, his anger turning into sympathy, “Then it must be tough being a researcher.”

“But Jian Ge,” he said again, “You two have such a good relationship. You’ve only known each other for a few days, and Professor Song even told you such private things.”

“…” Jian Wu said, “Maybe it’s just a connection at first sight.”

“So envious.”

Song Shuci: “Haha.”

Now that things were cleared up, He Yong’s anger naturally subsided, and he said with gentle tolerance, as if caring for someone with intellectual disabilities: “Alright, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Perhaps to avoid seeming petty, he thought for a moment and added a few words of approval: “Actually, Professor Song, you weren’t wrong. You two do have great chemistry, not just better than me and Jian Ge, I think even those who have played together for many years might not be able to match you two.”

As a professional PE teacher, He Yong had a clear view of the game. The two of them played seamlessly. Once or twice could be a coincidence, but so many times was a bit too much.

“Jian Ge, you two just met, how can you have such good chemistry?”

Jian Wu chuckled dryly and said perfunctorily: “Fate, I guess.”

After all, he couldn’t possibly tell He Yong that he had been playing basketball with Song Shuci since he was six, that Song Shuci had taught him how to play, and that even the reverse layup he had just performed was something Song Shuci had forced him to practice.

There was no way. When they were young, playing against each other, Song Shuci could always block his shots because of their height difference. He was annoyed, and since he couldn’t magically grow taller, he could only improve his skills.

As for his shooting accuracy, that was also forced by Song Shuci.

Song Shuci had no sense of teamwork when playing basketball, often passing him the ball regardless of the situation, saying “I only trust you.”

Others might be annoyed, but since they couldn’t beat him at grabbing rebounds, they could only tolerate it.

But Jian Wu was very sensitive when it came to team sports. Missing shots was a small matter, he was truly afraid others would gang up and beat Song Shuci up.

This was probably why he was always particularly accurate when shooting the balls Song Shuci passed him.

Over time, perhaps because of their high scoring rate, those who were annoyed by them on the court gradually started calling them the “golden duo” and even started actively telling Song Shuci to pass the ball to Jian Wu.

“It’s a shame you two aren’t childhood friends,” He Yong said, “Did you know? Point guard and center are actually the most suitable positions for childhood sweethearts to practice.”

He explained: “The point guard believes the center will definitely grab the rebound, help with screens, and spare no effort to create shooting opportunities for him. The center believes that as long as the ball is passed to the point guard, no matter how tight the defense, the point guard will definitely break through and score. That sense of security is really amazing.”

“Amazing?” Jian Wu originally wanted to complain inwardly that this “trust” had forced him to get up before dawn to practice.

But seeing Song Shuci’s slightly touched expression, he couldn’t bring himself to complain.

He Yong was actually right.

A teammate who trusted you like that, and whom you could trust like that, was truly rare.

Thinking about it carefully, perhaps the breakdown of his and Song Shuci’s relationship also started with the breakdown of trust.

Because he had lied to Song Shuci once, Song Shuci no longer completely trusted him.

“Isn’t it amazing?” He Yong was shocked that someone would deny his “point guard-center childhood sweetheart theory” and hurriedly argued, “I really think it’s great to have a teammate like that. I used to play center, and my childhood friend played point guard. We played together for many years, our coordination was no worse than yours, and playing with him was the best experience of my life.” He sighed, “It’s just a shame we can’t play together anymore.”

“Why?” Jian Wu was curious.

“We… we’re no longer friends,” He Yong, for once, wasn’t grinning, but looked rather gloomy, “You might not believe this, although it’s not as absurd as Jian Wu’s dog falling in love with a mouse, it’s still quite absurd.”

Song Shuci, inexplicably brought up again: “…”

“He…” He Yong paused, “Likes the same sex.”

Jian Wu, Song Shuci: “Oh.”

“Oh?” He Yong slapped his thigh, surprised and excited, “You’re not surprised? He’s gay!”

“Uh,” Jian Wu thought for a moment and feigned surprise, “Wow, so surprising.”

“Mm,” Song Shuci agreed calmly, “Indeed surprising.”

Clearly seeing through their pretense, He Yong said, puzzled: “Seriously? Is being gay that common? Why are you both so calm?”

Jian Wu said: “It’s not very common, statistically speaking.”

But based on He Yong’s circle of friends, it was indeed a bit common.

Among him, Song Shuci, He Yong, and Ling Meng, 75% were gay. He Yong was the only exception. Adding his childhood friend, the concentration was indeed a bit high.

He Yong, completely oblivious to his friends’ sexual orientations, seeing Jian Wu and Song Shuci so calm, began to doubt himself: “Am I too old-fashioned?” He still remembered how he had panicked and run away after his childhood friend confessed to him, unable to sleep the whole night.

“Actually, I’ve felt quite guilty all these years. I wanted to tell him I wouldn’t hate him because of this, but I really panicked and ignored him for a few days. Then I heard he transferred schools.” Thinking of this, perhaps touching on some sad memories, his mood seemed to dampen.

“So I stopped playing center. I don’t know if you understand that feeling, when you’ve honed your coordination with someone, but there’s no one on the court who understands you anymore.”

“I understand,” Song Shuci said.

“I knew it, you also played center, you definitely understand. But it’s good that you’ve met Jian Ge now, you can ask him to play with you next time.” He Yong couldn’t help but feel envious again, “Honestly, don’t you think you and Teacher Jian are a match made in heaven?”

“I…” Song Shuci looked at Jian Wu with a subtle expression.

Jian Wu refused to meet his gaze.

“What does Teacher Jian think?” He suddenly threw the question over.

Jian Wu was silent for a while, then abruptly stood up: “I think it’s about to rain, I have to go home, let’s make plans another time.”

“Leaving already?” He Yong looked at the sky, “It hasn’t started raining yet.”

“It’ll be too late if I wait,” Jian Wu said, “I’ll get drenched riding my motorcycle.”

“Then Professor Song…”

“I’ll go with him,” Song Shuci also stood up.

“Why are you two so attached?” He Yong shrugged, not quite ready to say goodbye.

Even more reluctant were his students. Hearing that Jian Wu was leaving, they all gathered around. After all, if Jian Wu left, He Yong would continue to make them practice, and there would be no one to speak up for them.

“Teacher Jian,” the boys pleaded, “Won’t you play a little longer?”

“Not today,” Jian Wu smiled, “I’ll play with you again when I have time.”

“Will you come watch our tryouts?” The student who loved milk tea the most was full of ideas.

“That depends on whether Teacher He invites me,” Jian Wu said.

“Of course I’ll invite you,” He Yong joked, “Who else will prepare their meals if you don’t come?”

The students, their meals secured, were delighted and cheered: “Long live Teacher Jian!”

Jian Wu gestured for them to be quiet, but he couldn’t stop their enthusiasm. In the end, he could only smile helplessly: “Bye.”

In the locker room, Jian Wu changed back into his “Retire Early” T-shirt.

Seeing that Song Shuci seemed about to critique his fashion sense again, Jian Wu quickly put on his black jacket before he could speak.

Noticing his action, Song Shuci couldn’t help but chuckle. He looked at Jian Wu in his black tracksuit and said: “Are you going back to the affiliated middle school?”

“Yeah,” Jian Wu said, “My motorcycle is parked there.”

“Then… can you give me a ride to pick up my glasses?” Song Shuci said.

Jian Wu was stunned: “What glasses?”

“I left my glasses in Dean Ling’s office last time,” Song Shuci explained, “I asked Ling Meng on WeChat, and she said Dean Ling put them in her office, and she would take me to get them after we came back.”

Jian Wu looked at Song Shuci with slight surprise.

This guy, always the one to criticize others for being forgetful, when did he start losing things himself? Could it be because he heard his voice in the room that day, making him flustered? Or did he forget his glasses because he was rushing to the elevator?

This thought made Jian Wu’s heart tingle with a subtle, itchy sensation.

He pursed his lips and asked Song Shuci: “Then why don’t you go find Ling Meng?”

“She probably forgot when we got off the bus,” Song Shuci said, “And I forgot too.”

The first half of the sentence was definitely true, the second half was debatable.

“She told me before that you two share an office,” Song Shuci asked, “So, Teacher Jian, can you do me a favor?”

“Can I refuse?” Jian Wu tossed his jersey into the washing machine at the school’s basketball court.

The dark tracksuit made his neck look very elegant. Song Shuci looked at it for a moment, then teased: “No.”

Jian Wu held his luggage in his left hand, his unopened milk tea in his right, and a bunch of keys hooked on his little finger. He turned his head and rolled his eyes.

“Then why did you ask?”

Although B Medical University was small, the campus was quite beautiful.

Jian Wu took Song Shuci through a side path. The late cherry blossoms in April were in full bloom, a pink mist like the sunset glow, softening the austere buildings of B Medical University with a gentle warmth.

Song Shuci admired the cherry blossoms for a while, then suddenly smiled: “Did you deliberately take this path so we could enjoy the flowers together?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Jian Wu glanced at the cobblestones under his feet, “This way is shorter.”

“Are you sure it’s shorter?” Song Shuci glanced at the navigation.

Jian Wu glared at him: “Don’t look if you don’t want to.”

“Why aren’t you drinking your milk tea?” The straw was still wrapped in plastic.

Jian Wu said: “I’ll drink it when I get back.”

Song Shuci nodded, then asked: “Are you happy today?”

“Song Shuci,” Jian Wu paused and suggested, “You don’t have to talk if you have nothing to say.”

Song Shuci seemed to have contracted a chatterbox disease whenever he was alone with him, especially in a school environment, the symptoms would become even more severe. Hearing Jian Wu’s impatience, not only did he not stop talking, he became even more enthusiastic: “So, are you happy or not?”

“…So-so.”

“Were you happy playing basketball with me… or with He Yong?”

Jian Wu bumped Song Shuci with his luggage: “Song Shuci, are you done yet?”

Unexpectedly, the man chuckled, seemingly amused.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Jian Wu glared at him.

“Mm,” Song Shuci admitted with a muffled laugh.

Jian Wu, who had been acting tough, couldn’t help but smile along with him.

“So annoying,” he looked down at their synchronized footsteps, which he hadn’t noticed before, and said with a smile.

Song Shuci readily assessed himself: “Not bad.”

After a moment of silence, he nudged Jian Wu lightly with his arm: “Hey.”

“What?”

“He Yong just said we’re a match made in heaven,” Song Shuci said, “Why did you change the subject?”

Jian Wu stopped walking.

“What’s wrong?” Song Shuci asked.

Jian Wu looked up, his gaze no longer on their footsteps, and realized they had arrived at the entrance of the affiliated middle school.

The red arched gate had eight large characters written in yellow paint: “Study hard, make progress every day.” The campus was empty on the weekend, only the leisurely gatekeeper was leaning back in the security room, petting a cat and laughing while watching short videos.

The smile on his face faded: “Do you think we’re a match made in heaven?”

Song Shuci looked at him: “What do you want to say?”

“I just think… if even heaven-sent fate can end up like this for us…” Jian Wu’s tone was unusually self-deprecating.

“Then we’re probably doomed.”