Chapter 55

Morning.

A gentle breeze swept away the lingering softness of the night, and at the end of the corridor, bright, clear light spilled in.

Perhaps because of his physique, Su Huiyu wasn’t the kind of teenager who felt sluggish in the mornings like others.

Once he was awake, he was fully awake.

He held his phone in one hand, reading an announcement in the group chat, and said to Hou Mo walking beside him:

“I’ll go warm up with you later.”

“Mm…” Hou Mo still looked half-asleep. Even though it was his second match today, he had gotten up early because there was a media interview.

The two walked into the cafeteria, where many players were already eating breakfast.

Normally, Su Huiyu and Hou Mo preferred to eat in their rooms. But today singles matches had started—San Xian had the first match of the morning, Coach Wang had to accompany him, and Su Anyi was also busy helping out.

Everyone was occupied, so no one brought them breakfast. They had to come themselves.

Hou Mo walked in with a tray and muttered:

“You should grab an extra egg later, and also porridge and—”

When he looked to the side, Su Huiyu was already gone.

He found him immediately.

Su Huiyu had gone straight toward Tang Yao and Gu Libo, who were eating, and kicked the table.

Hou Mo quickly put down his tray and rushed over, grabbing Su Huiyu’s hand before his middle finger could rise.

Even so, Su Huiyu was still furious and trying to curse them. Hou Mo covered his mouth.

The earlier table kick had already drawn everyone’s attention.

People looked over in shock—were they about to fight? After yesterday’s doubles match, did they already hold a grudge? Did they have no sportsmanship at all?

And there were reporters coming soon—were they that reckless?

Tang Yao snapped:

“What are you doing?!”

Su Huiyu tried to curse again, struggling against Hou Mo’s hand. Hou Mo simply cursed for him instead:

“You look like a damn gorilla! Shameless!”

“Ha?!” Tang Yao was stunned.

Hou Mo, seeing Su Huiyu still not calm, turned and gave Tang Yao a middle finger before quickly pulling it back.

Tang Yao was completely dumbfounded.

Su Huiyu still looked unsatisfied, clearly wanting a fight. Hou Mo lifted him up and said casually:

“See you.”

Gu Libo suddenly said coldly:

“I thought you two didn’t get along. Turns out you’re pretty close?”

“Where’d you get that idea?” Hou Mo replied while struggling to hold Su Huiyu still. “That’s called flirting.”

He carried Su Huiyu out.

At the door, he finally set him down and pressed him against the wall.

“Yu-ge, reporters are coming later. They love shooting cafeterias. If you start trouble and get caught on camera, you’re done for.”

“I get angry just seeing them,” Su Huiyu said.

“Can you just bear with it? We still have matches this afternoon.”

“… ”

Su Huiyu turned his head away, sulking.

Hou Mo shifted slightly to block him from view.

“Yu-ge, be good. I already cursed back for you. That line yesterday—we returned it. No regrets, right?”

“But I didn’t say it myself!”

“I’m your spokesperson. Everyone already knows we’re on the same side.”

After a moment, Su Huiyu finally gave in.

They went back to breakfast. Hou Mo stuck close the entire time, afraid he’d go pick another fight.

Fortunately, he behaved and even ate an extra egg.

After breakfast, they cleaned up and headed for interviews.

Hou Mo answered most of the questions alone, smiling easily under the camera.

At the end, he suddenly pulled Su Huiyu over:

“He’s my doubles partner. Can we take a photo together?”

The reporter agreed, praising him:

“Your partner is very handsome.”

“Of course. He’s a very talented newcomer,” Hou Mo said, putting an arm around his shoulder for the photo.

Before leaving, he turned back:

“Brother, please send me a copy of the photo.”

The reporter then asked more questions about doubles.

Su Huiyu said calmly:

“I don’t play singles. I only play doubles.”

“Is it because your individual ability isn’t strong enough?”

“No.” He pointed at Hou Mo. “He used to be the national No. 1. As long as I can beat him, that proves my ability. I play doubles because of Coach Wang, and because I want to play with him.”

Hou Mo replied when asked:

“I play doubles because I want to accompany him.”

“Are you two close?”

“Okay, I guess,” Su Huiyu said flatly.

“He’s my childhood friend,” Hou Mo said happily.

After the interview, Hou Mo went to stretch and had Su Huiyu help press his shoulder.

But Su Huiyu’s hand slipped slightly against the tension of his muscles and withdrew.

Hou Mo didn’t mind.

“I won’t break. You can press harder.”

A staff member then approached Su Huiyu:

“Your sponsor is preparing new uniforms for you. You can customize printed words—what do you want to print?”

Su Huiyu wrote something down.

Hou Mo came over, saw it, and smiled before writing his own line beside it.

Su Anyi checked the sheet and asked:

“Are you sure about these?”

Su Huiyu nodded.

“As long as Yu-ge agrees,” Hou Mo added.

Later, they watched Liu Mo’s match. Nearby, Deng Yiheng rambled about mascots.

Hou Mo laughed so hard his shoulders shook.

After Liu Mo finished, it was Hou Mo’s turn.

He told Su Huiyu to stay seated.

But halfway through the match, Su Huiyu couldn’t help standing up—only to realize he was starting to get used to following Hou Mo everywhere.

The match ended cleanly in straight sets.

As Hou Mo walked off court, girls nearby were already cheering and holding banners with his name.

He even went over to ask for one for Su Huiyu.

But Su Huiyu refused and walked off without waiting.

When Hou Mo caught up, a group of girls were still surrounding him.

He accepted their support politely, then said:

“Thanks. I’ll go with my partner now.”

The girls said goodbye cheerfully.

As they walked away, Su Huiyu suddenly asked:

“Are they coming again this afternoon?”

“Yeah.”

“From your old school?”

“No, from No. 3 High.”

“…You know them?”

“I have a fan group,” Hou Mo said casually.

Su Huiyu stopped walking.

“I’m going back to the hotel.”

Hou Mo panicked:

“I still have doping tests—wait for me, Yu-ge!”

But Su Huiyu was already gone.

Deng Yiheng looked confused:

“He seemed fine earlier.”

Hou Mo stared after him.

“…Did he run into Tang Yao again?”