Not long after getting into the car, Pool Star Universe’s phone rang.
He glanced at the caller ID and impatiently hung up.
However, the caller was clearly not willing to let him off that easily and soon called back, creating the only sound in the quiet compartment.
Pool Star Universe clicked his tongue in annoyance, pretending to power off his phone.
The girl sitting next to him, Tong Sui, whispered, “Why not pick it up? What if it’s something important?”
His action of turning off the phone was abruptly halted by Tong Sui’s words. He grunted in acknowledgment and answered the call.
The coach’s long-lost nagging voice echoed through the phone, “Pool Star Universe, are you rebelling now that you’ve left the team, making headlines for hitting someone on the show? How can you be this reckless?!”
Pool Star Universe didn’t respond and let him rant.
The coach seemed unsatisfied and continued to berate him, “If it weren’t for the fact that you looked like you were about to die from not eating or drinking back then, I would never have let you participate in that ridiculous variety show!”
The coach’s words successfully redirected Tong Sui’s attention back to Pool Star Universe. Even though her gaze was light, he still felt a burning intensity.
For once, he interrupted the coach’s tirade, “The time outside the season is my free time.”
The coach paused for a moment, his anger suddenly dissipating. “So how are things on your end? Do you need me to come and rescue you?”
“No need, I’m already out,” Pool Star Universe replied. “There’s nothing else; I’ll hang up now.”
He hung up the phone as he spoke.
Moments later, his phone rang again, but this time the caller was a single word.
Dad.
Pool Star Universe frowned; it seemed that concern from family wasn’t a good thing for him.
Upon answering, a middle-aged man’s voice on the other end came through with a hint of helplessness, “Have you had your fun yet?”
“Get to the point.”
Pool Star Universe didn’t even use a greeting, but the other side seemed used to it. “I’ve seen your news. Letting you play eSports was my last concession. I won’t tolerate you getting into fights; moreover, you need to withdraw from that variety show right now and come back to H City to see me.”
“I won’t withdraw,” Pool Star Universe said firmly. “What I choose to do is my business; stop meddling in my affairs.”
“You think I enjoy meddling in your mess? You got into a fight this time, what about next time? Pool Star Universe, do you want to end up in prison?”
Beep beep beep.
The call was cut off mid-sentence.
Pool’s father looked at the disconnected call; this wasn’t the first time this had happened. When Pool Star Universe insisted on dropping out of school to play games, they had already hit an irreconcilable conflict.
Now, so much time had passed, and that rift had never been repaired, but had instead become more irretrievable as time went on.
Pool’s father slumped helplessly in his chair, baffled by what his son was thinking; it always seemed filled with spikes and rebellion.
As long as it was a decision he made, he would never listen to anyone else’s opinions.
Given this, he decided not to engage in futile communication anymore. Instead, he directly contacted his subordinates and even the program’s director to force Pool Star Universe out of the variety show; otherwise, he would withdraw all previous sponsorships.
He could tolerate his son being lost in his career for a few years, waiting for him to return after having enough fun, but he could not agree to let him walk down an uncontrollable path.
After hanging up, Pool Star Universe turned off his phone and slammed it hard against the ground, his temper boiling over.
His strength was considerable, and the phone shattered on the ground, with pieces of glass flying.
Tong Sui picked it up and looked at him, sensing that he wasn’t in a good mood. If he were blamed by family without knowing the truth, he’d also feel very upset.
“Pool Star Universe…” he softly handed the phone back, “Please don’t be upset, okay?”
He rarely comforted anyone, and his words felt a bit powerless, but he wanted to say something, anything to improve Pool Star Universe’s mood.
Pool Star Universe glanced over and noticed his fingertips resting on the phone’s screen; the sharp shards could easily hurt him.
He took the phone back and examined his hand.
“Can’t you see it’s broken? If you get injured, you’ll end up crying later.”
Pool Star Universe’s somewhat rough hands rummaged over Tong Sui’s palm, carefully checking, and after confirming there were no injuries, he snorted without any intention of letting go.
“This little thing can’t possibly make me angry; you think too little of me.”
Tong Sui let him hold on to his hand, “Your face looked really ugly earlier.”
“Can’t help it; it’s in my nature.”
Most people would first think he was angry upon seeing him.
“That’s different,” Tong Sui said. “You weren’t in a good mood earlier, but you’re better now, yet you’re still angry.”
Seeing him speak about his emotions so seriously, Pool Star Universe felt a strange amusement and leaned a bit closer, “Yeah, everyone says I’m a violent man; who knows, I might start domestic violence later. Are you afraid?”
Domestic violence?
Tong Sui replied, “You wouldn’t do that.”
Pool Star Universe paused, realizing this made his cheeks slightly warm, and turned his head, even his ears flushed red.
Does Tong Sui really believe in him?
Wouldn’t he think Pool Star Universe’s act of hitting someone was too reckless? Yet he still wanted to be close to him?
As he pondered aimlessly, he suddenly heard Tong Sui call out, “Stop the car,” and upon seeing the opened door, a surge of panic welled up inside him, instinctively grasping his hand, “Where are you going?”
“Just getting something,” Tong Sui said. “I’ll be back soon.”
Pool Star Universe reluctantly replied with an “Mm.”
After Tong Sui left, the car fell silent again, and Pool Star Universe’s expression reverted to his usual cold demeanor, heavy and stern.
Since they left late, the others had likely returned to the cabin already, leaving only the driver and Pool Star Universe in the car.
Pool Star Universe lowered his head, cleaning the shards from his phone bit by bit, and when he turned it back on, he found numerous unnecessary messages of concern.