[The presale listing went up by mistake, so I'm not writing this for now]
Mutual pining · Second chances · Healing
Sports journalist gong × Football star shou
Xu Tianyi, the prodigy footballer once hailed as a source of pride by countless people in China, fell from grace overnight and retired in disgrace.
A tide of blame and abuse came crashing down on him.
Someone dug up an article published four years ago by Wen Tianyang, a well-known sports journalist at Pioneer TV, titled "The Future No. 1? Xu Tianyi's Technical Weaknesses and the Challenges of Changing Positions." They left a question beneath it:
[Reporter Wen, what do you think of Xu Tianyi's current situation? Do you think his downfall was caused by flaws in his character?]
The famously calm and objective Reporter Wen lost his temper for once: [I don't think Xu Tianyi has any flaws in his character. Anyone who suggests otherwise is ridiculous.]
Seeing this, Xu Tianyi's supporters sprang back to life, and online flame wars over him grew more and more intense.
But then Xu Tianyi, who had been absent from social media for a long time, suddenly appeared and commented beneath Wen Tianyang's clearly supportive post:
[Get lost. Stop pretending to be a good person here. You disgust me.]
At once, the public's long-standing resentment toward him erupted. On top of the usual accusations that he was wasting his talent and was arrogant, he was given a new charge: being ungrateful.
Some busybodies dug up articles about Xu Tianyi that Wen Tianyang had posted under an anonymous account over the past four years, and discovered that the reporter seemed to harbor a deep grudge against the young, famous striker.
Just as everyone was certain that the two men must be enemies, someone found a blurry video:
In it, a much younger Xu Tianyi, sporting his signature red hair, holds up a phone in one hand and wraps the other around Wen Tianyang's neck. Beneath the glittering Eiffel Tower in Paris at night, he smiles as he kisses him.
#At odds in public, making out in private#
A wealthy young master gong who seems cool but is actually a little unhinged
×
A pampered shou who seems carefree but is pure-hearted inside
[Reading Guide]
1. Both are virgins, HE, 1v1
2. Gong is three years older
3. No characters are based on real people
4. Fundamentally a sweet romance, with little focus on matches
5. Retirement is temporary; he'll make a comeback
6. The breakup is brief, no angst!
Theme: Swim against the current and return to the top.
