Chapter 16: The Second Encounter

Chapter 21: The Second Encounter

William—what a character. Su Feng couldn’t help but feel he was just stirring up trouble. Here was a team captain, lowering his pride to come and talk to him, yet the man in front of her responded with sheer indifference.

“How ungrateful you are, Su Feng…” This, of course, was William’s inner monologue. For now, William wasn’t ready to drop all pretenses with Su Feng. In other words, William was not yet prepared to make an enemy of him.

“Captain William, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. Honestly, I have quite a lot of personal matters to attend to. I don’t have time for idle chitchat, so I really can’t spare any more time. I’m leaving now. Goodbye, Captain William…” Su Feng smiled at William, waved his hand as a final gesture of farewell, and walked off.

“Su Feng…” Staring at Su Feng’s departing figure, Captain William was fuming, grinding his teeth as he muttered, “You Chinese brat, so unappreciative, aren’t you? Well then, Su Feng, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Su Feng, walking down the street on his way home, was completely unaware that William had set his sights on him—and with a vengeance.

But Su Feng didn’t let such things bother him. Not in the slightest.

Let come what may—soldiers against soldiers, water against earth. Who’s afraid of whom in this world? Su Feng didn’t consider himself a coward. He wasn’t one to go looking for trouble, but if someone came looking for trouble with him, he certainly wouldn’t stand idly by.

No, he would never agree to that.

Clearly, William was the one making trouble for no reason now, wasn’t he?

So Su Feng saw no need for courtesy. If this man tried to set him up, Su Feng wouldn’t hesitate to dig a pit in return.

Just as Su Feng was making his way home, his phone suddenly chimed. He glanced at it, a flicker of surprise crossing his face—it was a message from William.

“Su Feng, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a penalty cup, understand? Remember, I’m the captain of this club! Do you get it? Do you?” Su Feng stared at the message, the threat and coercion practically leaping off the screen.

But Su Feng was not one to capitulate. He wasn’t weak-willed, nor was he a pushover.

In fact, he was stubborn. If anyone tried to force him, he would stand his ground to the bitter end.

No room for negotiation.

Now, William had laid his cards on the table, openly threatening him. Su Feng decided he couldn’t back down any further.

After a brief moment’s thought, he picked up his phone and replied.

“Captain William, I, Su Feng, don’t believe I’ve ever wronged you. Why are you making things difficult for me? Honestly, that’s not right! If you have a problem with me, let’s talk it out face-to-face. Once things are clear, it’ll be better for both of us, don’t you think, Captain William? I believe what I’m saying is quite reasonable, isn’t it?”

Su Feng’s fingers flew over the keypad. He finished the message in no time and sent it off to William.

He knew full well that, despite his impressive title, William was in truth a coward, one who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Rumor had it he’d even sidelined the club’s head coach, becoming both the team’s and the club’s spiritual leader.

But Su Feng had seen through him long ago. William was not someone you’d want to share a trench with—he would only bring disaster.

“Send messages to yourself all you want. I’m done playing your game.” With that muttered to himself, Su Feng powered off his phone, paying William no further mind.

As he walked home, Su Feng felt a profound loneliness. He wondered if every Chinese person who came to America, to Houston, felt the same way.

He didn’t dare dwell on it. He feared that sense of loneliness would consume his entire heart, filling it completely. That was his greatest dread.

“I may experience plenty of loneliness, but if I keep running from it, I’ll fall into that abyss forever. That’s not the life I want. I must live well.” Glancing at the passersby around him, Su Feng longed to blend into this society. All he needed was time.

Just then, as Su Feng was walking along, someone stepped in front of him, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “Hey, man, remember me?”

Su Feng looked at the guy, puzzled. The man seemed utterly unfamiliar.

Yet he’d spoken so familiarly, as if they were old friends. Su Feng couldn’t help but wonder if this man really did know him.

“And you are…?” Su Feng scrutinized him up and down, but truly didn’t recognize him. Scratching his head, he asked, “Uh…who are you? I really don’t know you. Honestly, I don’t.”

P.S. — I’ve caught a cold, so writing’s a real struggle right now. Please keep supporting me. Thank you…