Try Again chapter 12

Can’t Stop 2

Jiang Lin followed Ji Minglun back to the stands, where Deng Yi and Shen Ran had already distributed all forty cups of drinks. Besides the basketball team members and teachers, they also handed out drinks to more than ten girls in the stands and the cheerleaders.

Most of these girls were freshmen and sophomores who often came to watch the basketball team’s practices and games. When Ji Minglun came out, one girl stood up and cupped her hands around her mouth, shouting, “Senior, if you win, you can’t just treat us to one cup of coffee; you have to take us out to eat!”

“Yeah, senior, treat us!” chimed in two other girls nearby, waving their arms and laughing.

Ji Minglun smiled at them, revealing a few bright white teeth. “Then you all have to cheer hard. If we win, I’ll treat you to a buffet at Marriott.”

The girls clapped excitedly, and one even picked up a whistle to blow. Jiang Lin wasn’t unfamiliar with such scenes; Ji Minglun had been good at basketball since he was young and was also handsome, so every time he played, the atmosphere would inevitably become lively.

However, compared to before, Jiang Lin felt very differently watching this scene now.

Lost in thought as he watched Ji Minglun, Shen Ran took a green kiwi juice from Ji Minglun’s hand. They exchanged words, and Shen Ran walked towards him with the kiwi juice in hand.

Handing him the lukewarm beverage, Shen Ran gestured towards the right side of the stands, “Senior said you can sit over there. It’s quieter with fewer people.”

Lowering his eyes to the drink in his hand, Jiang Lin’s hiccups showed no sign of stopping. Under Shen Ran’s puzzled gaze, he turned his face away and went to the designated stands, finding the highest spot to sit. He pierced the straw through the lid and started drinking the sweet and sour kiwi juice.

The people inside the venue started warming up, surrounded by various sounds of conversation, the collision of basketballs, and the squeaking of sneakers on the floor. Jiang Lin’s attention was fixed on Ji Minglun, to the point where even the persistent hiccups he had lost their noticeable presence.

That day’s opponents were the basketball team from another campus. On the way there, he had overheard Deng Yi and Shen Ran mention that their captain, Liu Yi, had a grudge against Ji Minglun. Sure enough, after the game started, Liu Yi, the center, along with another small forward, focused on Ji Minglun, trying to suppress his rebounds. However, Ji Minglun managed to shake them off several times and scored multiple long-range shots from beyond the three-point line.

Jiang Lin was well aware of Ji Minglun’s basketball skills, but every time Ji Minglun scored, he couldn’t help but clap along. Once, when Ji Minglun turned to wipe the sweat off his brow, he happened to catch sight of Jiang Lin’s cheerful expression. After locking eyes for a moment, Ji Minglun turned his face back. After that, whenever he scored, he would glance at Jiang Lin, who was always watching him with intent.

Not long after the second half of the game began, Ji Minglun and Liu Yi collided while going for a pass, causing Liu Yi’s arm to hit Ji Minglun’s ear. Immediately, Ji Minglun experienced a persistent ringing in his ears. Although there was no dizziness or nausea, the coach was worried about his condition and forced him to take a break, substituting Shen Ran in for him.

Jiang Lin stretched his neck, anxiously watching Ji Minglun. He saw him sitting on the bench, where Deng Yi was applying an ice pack to his ear, quickly surrounded by other teammates. Unable to see clearly, Jiang Lin decided to walk down the stands and approach him.

When he got closer, the coach told the onlookers to disperse so they wouldn’t disturb Ji Minglun’s rest. Jiang Lin was pushed aside before he could get close, and it wasn’t until Ji Minglun lifted his head that he noticed him.

Ji Minglun’s eyes were slightly red, and he was sweating around his neck and chest, but his expression didn’t show any unusual signs. Jiang Lin looked worried and hesitant to ask questions, occasionally hiccupping, which seemed to ease Ji Minglun’s mood a bit, bringing a faint smile to his lips.

Deng Yi noticed Ji Minglun smiling and scolded, “You’re still smiling? Let me see without the towel.”

He didn’t let Deng Yi look, standing up and walking to the right towards the bathroom.

Jiang Lin wanted to follow him, but before he could take a step, Deng Yi rushed ahead. Watching their figures disappear behind the safety door, he felt frustrated and pinched the cup in his hand.

Standing near the corner, he wanted to wait for Ji Minglun to come out. Before long, he saw Deng Yi pushing the door open with a serious expression, heading in another direction. He immediately went over and pushed open the bathroom door, finding Ji Minglun leaning against the edge of the sink, the ice pack towel tossed aside as he looked down at his phone.

Ji Minglun was hit on the left ear, and Jiang Lin quickly moved around to check the injury.

Ji Minglun didn’t pull away. After Jiang Lin inspected it, he became more anxious, saying, “It’s swollen; you need to go get checked out at the infirmary.”

The atmosphere was initially heavy, but because of Jiang Lin’s hiccup, it felt different. Jiang Lin felt embarrassed, but his attention remained on Ji Minglun. The hit was on the back part of the ear; although it didn’t injure any vital spots, the entire ear was red and swollen. It must have hurt a lot, yet Ji Minglun was able to act as if nothing was wrong.

“Let’s go,” Jiang Lin urged with a frown. Ji Minglun picked up the towel and continued to hold it against his ear: “It’s far, and I don’t want to walk. I’m fine with just icing it.”

“Is there anywhere else that hurts?” Jiang Lin asked again.

“Just the ringing in my ears.”

Jiang Lin stared at Ji Minglun’s face and, seeing that his expression was indeed normal, he felt a bit relieved and leaned against the sink beside him. After hiccuping a couple more times, he irritably pounded his chest.

After lowering his hand, he heard Ji Minglun say, “You should go to the infirmary; they can help stop your hiccups too.”

Jiang Lin lifted his head, about to agree, but hiccupped again. Leaving the bathroom, they exited the gym through the back door, heading to the infirmary under the blazing sun.

On the way, Ji Minglun received a call from Deng Yi, who asked why he hadn’t come out yet. He made up an excuse about buying something. After hanging up, he heard Jiang Lin say beside him, “Deng Yi cares about you a lot.”

While saying this, Jiang Lin was focused on the uneven steps below him. Ji Minglun’s tone returned to its previous coldness: “She’s been the person who cares about me the most this year.”

This remark stirred up feelings of guilt and self-reproach in Jiang Lin. From then on, he stopped talking, with only the occasional hiccup breaking the silence between them.

The duty doctor at the infirmary recognized Ji Minglun. After examining him and finding no major issues, he turned to check on Jiang Lin’s hiccups.

“Try taking a deep breath,” the doctor advised Jiang Lin. “Inhale deeply, hold it, then exhale slowly. Repeat several times.”

Under the doctor’s guidance, Jiang Lin tried a few times, but unfortunately, it didn’t work. The doctor then suggested he take small sips of cool water and swallow it multiple times, but that also yielded no results. Finally, the doctor reminded him to divert his attention and not think about it, as it would gradually stop.

After bidding farewell to the doctor, the two returned to the gym, and as they pushed the door open, cheers erupted inside. It turned out that their team had won, and Shen Ran was being surrounded by everyone, laughing and cheering.

Ji Minglun walked over, and Deng Yi was the first to notice him. She came over and linked her arm with his, asking how he was. He pulled his arm away and said he was fine, moving to Shen Ran’s side. After inquiring about the second half of the game, he felt happy. When everyone discussed where to celebrate that night, he suggested going to Marriott for the buffet, treating everyone.

He was known for being generous within the team, so everyone readily agreed, happily tidying up the venue before heading out together.

Deng Yi stayed by Ji Minglun’s side the whole time, helping him fold clothes and organize his bag. When they were about to leave, she finally noticed Jiang Lin still standing not far away, watching them.

Remembering how much effort Jiang Lin had put into carrying drinks earlier, Deng Yi approached him and asked, “Jiang Lin, do you want to join us for a meal?”

Jiang Lin, who was looking for an excuse to go along, nodded and said okay.

Since Ji Minglun hadn’t driven that day, Jiang Lin suggested they take his car as they exited the gym.

Deng Yi replied, “Then we’ll wait for you at the south gate.”

Ji Minglun didn’t object, so Jiang Lin went ahead to get the car. When the car arrived, Deng Yi opened the back door first, and Ji Minglun followed her in.

After the car turned onto the main road, Deng Yi said to Ji Minglun, “This car is the same model as yours, right? It’s just the exterior color that’s different; the interior color scheme is identical.”

Jiang Lin tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Looking in the rearview mirror, he made eye contact with Ji Minglun. They both silently averted their gaze, and Ji Minglun replied, “Yes, it’s the same model.”

“That’s a coincidence. Not many people drive Nio cars. Jiang Lin, how did you come to buy this one?”

Jiang Lin was formulating a response but was interrupted by Ji Minglun, who changed the subject: “Call Shen Ran. If they arrive first, tell him to reserve a spot. I’ll transfer him the money via WeChat.”

Deng Yi unlocked her phone and called Shen Ran. Jiang Lin glanced at Ji Minglun through the rearview mirror again. Ji Minglun looked up, caught his eye for a moment, and then shifted his gaze to the window.

For the remainder of the journey, Ji Minglun closed his eyes to rest, and Deng Yi didn’t disturb him, focusing instead on replying to messages. Jiang Lin, meanwhile, was concentrating on driving, but he couldn’t stop hiccupping, which made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Jiang Lin noticed there were quite a few students dining together, scattered across seven or eight tables. They were the last to arrive, with only Shen Ran sitting alone at a four-person table, waving at them.

Deng Yi was the first to walk over, sitting down opposite Shen Ran. When Ji Minglun arrived, she pulled out a chair for him to sit in.

Shen Ran looked at Ji Minglun and, seeing he sat down without hesitation, pulled out the chair next to him and smiled at Jiang Lin, saying, “You can sit here.”