Chapter 9 — Change players in the final match

He used it the wrong way and hurt you, that is unforgivable. But I hope you believe that it didn't mean to hurt you, it just... wanted to keep you.” At that moment, the room door opened. Giang Nghien Tu stood there, holding a lunch box. Seeing me crying, he froze.

“I…” – He opened his mouth –

“I'll go out first.”

“No need.” – I wiped my tears –

“Thank you, Uncle Giang, for telling me these things.”

Uncle Giang patted my hand:

“Let's talk, you two. Take a nap.”

Giang Nghien Tu gently closed the door and walked to me. He handed me a tissue, his fingers shaking slightly.

“Sorry.” – He said –

“You made me cry again.”

I shook my head:

“It's not because of you.”

Silence spread in the hospital room. Outside, the sky was turning sunset, the whole city began to light up.

“Thu Nguyet,” – Giang Nghien Tu suddenly said –

“I asked for a one-year reservation.”

I raised my head.

“The company needs people. Your father needs to rest.

You have to shoulder the burden.” His voice was calm, as if he had accepted everything:

“The study abroad application has been approved... but I gave up.”

The comment line appears: 【He hasn't told anyone yet. Even my father doesn't know that he gave up his place to study abroad.】

“Why didn't you tell me?” – I asked.

“Because I don't want to use that to tie you down.” – Giang Nghien Tu smiled bitterly –

“‘Look how much I gave up for you, you should forgive me’ — that kind of scenario… is too low.

I made this choice because it is a responsibility I need to shoulder, not a bargaining chip in love." I quietly looked at him. Giang Nghien Tu right now is completely different from the teenager who lost control on the football field a month ago. His arrogance was still there, but it was no longer the brashness that challenged the world — it had subsided, turning into a kind of quiet burden.

“This year, I will dedicate myself to managing the company and taking care of my father.” – He said –

“And will also... learn how to truly love someone.

It's not possession, it's not scrutiny, it's respect and companionship. He looked at me, his eyes clear:

“I don't expect you to wait. You have the right to move forward, meet new people, start a new life.

If a year from now, by your side is someone better than me, I will bless you.”

“What if… there is no one else?” – I asked softly.

Giang Nghien Tu's eyes lit up, but he tried to suppress it:

“Then I will pursue you again.

The way you deserve, not the way I'm used to. When I left the hospital, it was completely dark. Giang Nghien Tu sent me downstairs, and when he reached the parking lot, he called me back:

“Thu Nguyet.”

I turned around. Under the streetlight, his appearance becomes gentle:

"Thank you for still coming to visit my father."

"Uncle Giang always treats me very well."

“Yes.” – He nodded, then hesitated –

“Tham Tinh Ha... seems like a good person.”

I said nothing.

“If…” – Giang Nghien Tu took a deep breath –

“If he can make you laugh,

then be with him more. Your smile is so beautiful, but I was too selfish, always wanting to keep that smile for myself.” My heart felt like someone had punched me really hard.

“Giang Nghien Tu,” – I said –

“You've really grown up.”

He smiled, the corners of his eyes revealing faint folds:

“It's just... the price is too much to pay big."

5

One year later, the finals of the student basketball tournament. Same stadium, same familiar location. I held a bottle of mineral water and walked in. The stands were half full. The stream of comments bustled before my eyes： 【It's the final! Finally the last chapter!】 【I bet Tham Tinh Ha wins! This year he played so stable!】 【But Giang Nghien Tu has transformed, don't you guys read the financial news? He saved the entire Jiang family company!】 【Whoever wins is fine, the female lead has grown up, that's the most important thing.】 I found a seat - it was a ticket given by Tham Tinh Ha, in the front row, but not VIP. He said:

“I don't want to make you feel pressured.”

The opening whistle blew and the match began. Team Giang Nghien Tu wore red, Tham Tinh Ha wore white. When the two met on the field, the air froze for a moment. Giang Nghien Tu was the one who reached out first. Tham Tinh Ha was a bit surprised and then took it. Comments exploded： 【Oh my god! Handshake already! Times have really changed!】 Truly... things have changed. This year, Giang Nghien Tu quit school to take over the company, bringing back a family business that was on the verge of bankruptcy. The financial magazine called him "The young businessman who reversed his destiny", posting a photo of him wearing a suit standing on a construction site, his face dirty but his eyes very determined. You don't look for me anymore. Only on holidays do we send a short greeting. On my birthday, he sent me a limited edition artbook that I said I liked, along with a small piece of paper:

“Happy birthday.”

And Tham Tinh Ha is always by my side. He walked with me to the art museum, listened to me whine about graduation, and brought me late-night snacks when I worked late. Never push the limits, never push. Just as he promised:

“Wait for me, slowly.”

Three months ago, I asked him:

“Aren't you tired?”

He replied:

“Waiting for a flower to bloom, how can you be tired?”

The match was tense. Giang Nghien Tu's technique has clearly eroded - after all, it's been a year of not practicing properly, but he makes up for it with tactics: Directing his teammates to move, keeping the situation very calm. Tham Tinh Ha is still the same shining captain as before: Breakthrough, go to the basket, shoot three points - every move is decisive and clean. Every time he scores, he looks towards me and smiles softly — as if sharing the joy. Midway through the half, the score was still tight. I went out to buy water and met Giang Nghien Tu in the hallway. He was exchanging strategies with the coach. When he saw me, his eyes softened.

“Are you here?” – He greeted naturally, like an old friend.

“Yes. You played well.”

“Hands are still stiff.” – He rotated his wrist –

“But it feels... so good.”

We were about a meter apart, neither close nor far. Over the past year, the hurt that seemed to tear my heart apart has now turned into a gentle nostalgia.

“How is your father these days?” – I asked.

“Much better. Last month I went to recover in Hainan."

He hesitated a bit:

“He said thank you for sending the tea.”

“It's the right thing to do.”