Little Fish and Mint - Chapter 18

Yu Nuo peeked into the training room. “I made some cold brew tea. Want some?”

“Sure, come in,” Will said, taking off his headset and looking at her.

Yu Nuo stepped inside, shivering slightly in the air conditioning. She set the tea down. “What temperature is the AC set to? Aren’t you worried about catching a cold?”

“We’re not that fragile,” someone said.

“Still, don’t set it too low,” she said, disapprovingly, then poured tea for everyone.

Her long, dark hair was loose, her face bare of makeup, her delicate features similar to Yu Ge’s, but softer, more gentle.

She’d look stunning either as a boy or a girl, Awen thought admiringly. “No wonder people say daughters are better. Who doesn’t want a caring little sister? Just stay here, Mei-mei.” [Mei-mei means “younger sister.”]

“I only have a few days off. I have to go back the day after tomorrow.”

“Everything going okay at TG? No one giving you trouble? You can work here, you know,” Will said, concerned.

She forced a smile. “Everyone’s been nice.”

“Good.”

Little C rolled his eyes. “Stop watching so many palace dramas, Will. Everyone knows she’s Fish’s sister. Who would bully her?”

Awen, watching a match, said, “TG is playing WR in the semifinals soon, right?”

Yu Nuo nodded.

The Summer Split was divided into East and West conferences. The playoffs were nearing the end. The East was a chaotic mess, while in the West, OG was dominating, having already secured a spot in the quarterfinals. They’d had a relaxing two weeks, with only regular evening practice and occasional streaming.

During match weeks, their schedules were less hectic, usually waking up in the afternoon.

Yu Nuo changed the subject. “Where’s my brother?”

“No idea. He said he had to go out,” Awen said, also wondering where he was.

“Don’t tell me he’s…” Little C started, then stopped as Awen gave him a warning look.

Yu Nuo seemed to sense something. “Did my father come looking for him again?” she asked.

Awen mumbled, “Yeah.”

“When? Why didn’t you tell me…?” she asked, worried. “Is he okay?”

Awen looked at her. “Your brother is a grown man. He’ll be fine. I think his father just wanted him to sign something.”

“Oh.”

“Sign what?”

“Our grandmother left us her old house in the countryside. Second Aunt’s friend works at the housing authority and said it might be demolished soon. My father wants us to give it to Xiao Jiang,” [Xiao Jiang is likely Yu Ge and Yu Nuo’s half-brother.] she explained quietly.

“What?! That’s ridiculous!” Roy exclaimed. “How shameless can he be?”

“Let’s not talk about this,” Awen stood up. “Xiao Nuo, come outside. I need to talk to you.”

“About what?” She followed him, feeling uneasy.

Awen hesitated, then said seriously, “Your brother’s been in a bad mood lately.”

“Because of… family issues?”

“I think… it’s because of you.”

Confused, she pointed at herself. “Me?”

“Don’t think I’m gossiping. You know I care about you like a sister,” he said hesitantly. “Fish didn’t tell us about you liking Conquer. I saw him looking at Conquer’s Weibo and asked. That’s how I found out…”

Yu Nuo blushed crimson.

“I even saw you and Conquer taking a walk together during the Intercontinental Tournament. I knew something was up.”

Yu Nuo didn’t deny it.

Awen, although finding the situation absurd, tried to be supportive. “Conquer is… well, he’s handsome. It’s normal for a young girl like you to like handsome guys.”

Knowing how sensitive she was, he chose his words carefully. “But… Conquer and your brother don’t get along, and he seems like a player. I’m worried you’ll get hurt, and your brother would be devastated.”

She looked away, wanting to say something, then hesitated.

“Just… take your time. Keep this crush to yourself for now, okay?” Awen advised.

Yu Nuo looked troubled.

Just then, Yu Ge appeared in the lobby.

They both fell silent.

“I… I’ll go pour some tea,” Yu Nuo mumbled, hurrying away.

✧✧✧

“Where did you go?” Will asked as Yu Ge entered the training room.

Yu Ge didn’t answer, walking towards Yu Nuo and handing her a milk tea.

“For me?” she asked, surprised.

He nodded.

Seeing his damp hair and remembering Awen’s words, she felt a pang of guilt. “It’s so hot outside. Why did you go out to buy me this?”

“I was in the area,” he replied casually.

Will sighed dramatically. “How is your sister supposed to find a husband with a brother like you?”

“I make enough money to support her,” Yu Ge said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Awen glanced at Yu Ge, sensing his good mood.

“Showing off your wealth, huh?” Will grumbled.

Yu Ge opened a bottle of water, leaning against the table as he watched the match with Awen. “Who’s playing?”

“PRT and WR.”

As the second game was about to start, the camera focused on the host.

“I haven’t seen Mi Yin in a while. Didn’t she usually host our post-game interviews? Why the new person?” Awen wondered.

“Ask Fish,” Roy said.

“What? Fish and Mi Yin? They’re not a thing. It’s just fans shipping them. Why would they need to avoid each other?” Little C asked, confused.

Awen suddenly remembered something. “Fish, did you ever add Mi Yin on WeChat? She asked me for your contact info.”

“Who?”

“Mi Yin.”

Yu Ge didn’t even look up. “No idea who that is.”

Awen: “…” I knew it.

No one usually dared to pry into Yu Ge’s personal life, but Roy, emboldened by his seemingly good mood, teased, “Bro, aren’t you lonely? Isn’t all this abstinence bad for your health?”

Yu Ge looked at him coldly. “Run out of things to say?”

Roy wisely shut up.

Yu Nuo giggled. “I also hope my brother finds a girlfriend.”

“Right? Someone lively. You two are so quiet. Your home must be depressing,” Roy said.

Yu Nuo suddenly thought of someone.

“It’ll happen. Love can come knocking anytime. Maybe you’ll have a sister-in-law tomorrow,” Awen said.

As if on cue, her phone rang.

“Tongtong-jie?” she answered, surprised.

Yu Ge glanced at her.

Yu Nuo covered the phone. “Hold on, let me ask,” she whispered, then after a pause, “Okay, I’ll let you know.”

She hung up and was about to message Chen Yuzheng when Yu Ge asked, “Who was that?”

“Huh?”

“Who called?” he repeated, his tone flat.

Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned off her phone screen. “…Chen Yuzheng’s cousin.”

Having recently confessed her “crush” on Chen Yuzheng, she was worried about upsetting Yu Ge. “She’s… in the area… and wants to have dinner…” she said nervously.

“Dinner?” Yu Ge raised an eyebrow.

“Give it a rest, will you? Your sister is an adult! Control your possessiveness!” Awen said, exasperated.

“Exactly,” Roy agreed.

Yu Nuo had been worried Yu Ge would find it strange that Xu Yitong even knew she was at the OG base. Only Chen Yuzheng would have told her. But luckily, he hadn’t noticed.

“Can I… go out later?” she asked tentatively.

“Having dinner with Xu Yitong? Just the two of you?” Roy asked.

“Yeah.”

“Aren’t you making soup?”

“Oh, right,” she suddenly remembered.

“Just invite her here,” Awen suggested casually.

Hesitant, she looked at Yu Ge. “Bro, is that okay?” she asked quietly.

He was watching the match, seemingly uninterested. “Whatever.”

Relieved, she said, “I’ll ask her.”

✧✧✧

Xu Yitong was thrilled to receive Yu Nuo’s invitation.

She’d wanted to check on the younger couple and, of course, discreetly gather some intel on Yu Ge.

But she hadn’t expected to be invited to dinner at the OG base.

She’d only left Yu Ge an hour ago, and his words, “They already are,” had been replaying in her mind ever since.

It was a normal, harmless statement, but it had created a strange… atmosphere between them.

I was talking about SpongeBob and Squidward, as friends, right? she wondered.

But her excitement to see Yu Ge overshadowed any lingering awkwardness. She happily accepted the invitation.

Carrying two large watermelons, she arrived at the OG base. The security guard recognized her.

“Back again?” he asked, amused.

“Yep!” she greeted him cheerfully.

Yu Nuo was waiting at the entrance. “You’ve been here before?” she asked, surprised.

Xu Yitong mumbled a vague response, not wanting to revisit that painful memory.

“Why did you bring watermelons?”

“It’s summer! Perfect watermelon weather!”

Yu Nuo hesitated.

She knew Yu Ge disliked watermelon. He was a bit of a germaphobe and avoided messy foods. But it seemed rude to mention it.

Besides, Xu Yitong hadn’t specifically said the watermelons were for him.

“I’ll carry one,” Yu Nuo offered.

“Thanks. They’re heavy.”

“Sir, would you like some watermelon?” Xu Yitong turned to the guard. “I’ll bring you a slice later. Thanks again for last time!”

The villa looked even more impressive inside, with a large front yard and lush greenery.

Yu Nuo led her into the kitchen, where the housekeeper helped them cut the watermelons.

“Are they still asleep?” Xu Yitong asked, peering into the empty living room.

“Everyone except my brother is upstairs.”

“Where is he?”

“Probably in his room.”

“Oh.”

After cutting the watermelon, Xu Yitong took a plate out to the security guard, who declined the whole plate, taking only half.

She walked back inside, carrying the remaining watermelon.

She spotted Yu Ge standing by the stairs.

He seemed to have just showered, his hair still damp, wearing a white T-shirt. He paused mid-wipe as their eyes met.

She smiled, suddenly shy. She hurried over, offering him the plate. “Watermelon? It’s really sweet.”

Yu Nuo came out of the kitchen, her heart sinking as she saw them.

She hurried over, ready to intervene, when she heard her brother say quietly, “I’ll have some later.”