Su Mucheng's Understanding

Sunlight streamed through the curtains into the room. Wang Ze was still sound asleep in bed, while Liu Hao, feeling groggy from a hangover, climbed out of bed.

Last night, after sabotaging Ye Qiu and winning the match, plus the highly talked-about post-match interview, Tao Xuan was delighted and organised a celebratory party for the entire Excellent Era team. Liu Hao got drunk during the celebration.

"Alcohol numbs the nerves. I should drink less in the future. It'd be great to have immunity to alcohol..." Liu Hao muttered as he got up, took a shower, and changed into fresh clothes.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped out of the room, he ran into Su Mucheng, who was happily bouncing around. Her flowing hair carried a refreshing orange fragrance.

Liu Hao thought it was refreshing to run into a beautiful woman first thing in the morning, waving a greeting. "Good morning, Chief Su."

"Good morning?" Su Mucheng glanced at her watch. "It's already noon. You should be saying good afternoon. You sure can sleep."

"Really? I didn't notice. No wonder I'm so hungry," Liu Hao chuckled. He was a bit surprised. Didn't Su Mucheng dislike him? Why was she suddenly so friendly today?

"You drank a lot last night, didn't you? When you came back, you reeked of alcohol. Ye Qiu was furious," Su Mucheng said in a big, sisterly, admonishing tone. "The captain made it a rule: professional players are not allowed to drink. It numbs the nerves and slows reactions."

"Well, we won the match last night and brought Excellent Era a lot of attention and traffic. The boss was happy, and when he raised his glass, we couldn't just drink juice," Liu Hao laughed.

"Really? If the boss made you drink, then there was no choice..."

"By the way, where did you two go last night?" Liu Hao asked casually. Ye Qiu and Su Mucheng hadn't attended the celebration party.

"Why are you suddenly interested in where we went?" Su Mucheng immediately became wary, scrutinising Liu Hao from head to toe.

She wasn't oblivious to the internet. After last night's match, many people were shipping her and Liu Hao as a couple, with some speculating that Liu Hao might like her and be pursuing her...

Su Mucheng initially didn't believe it, but Liu Hao's sudden interest in her personal life made her suspicious. Could it be that Liu Hao had been hiding his feelings because she was close to Ye Qiu, and that's why he isolated and targeted Ye Qiu? Su Mucheng's imagination ran wild...

"What kind of look is that?" Liu Hao was amused and exasperated. Su Mucheng looked at him as if he were a creepy pervert.

"You... You're not like what they say online, are you?" Su Mucheng was sceptical.

"What are you talking about?" At first, Liu Hao didn't understand but then connected the dots between online rumours and Su Mucheng's look. He suddenly understood and felt speechless. "Relax, I have no interest in girls with orange hair. Get rid of that strange look."

Girls with orange hair are such a specific target. Su Mucheng sighed in relief. "Tha are 's good. But why did y.ask where we went last night?"

Liu Hao shook his head. "Actually, I could guess. You two went to watch a movie last night, right?"

"How did you know?" Su Mucheng was surprised. Last night, she had indeed asked Ye Qiu to watch a movie with her, and they also had Turkish ice cream together.

"Just a guess. A single guy and girl going out at night is obviously a date. You're public figures, so a dark cinema is your first choice, where you don't have to worry about being seen."

"So what?" Su Mucheng admitted.

"I just wanted to ask what movie you watched and how it was. I have a date tonight and don't want to ruin the atmosphere with a bad movie," Liu Hao said.

"It was okay. It's a tragic love story. Girls liked it, and many cried. But I guess you boys don't like it. Ye Qiu fell asleep after ten minutes, and I secretly ate his popcorn," Su Mucheng laughed.

Liu Hao nodded, noting it down. It seemed he needed to drink some coffee to stay awake before the movie.

"You have a girlfriend?" Su Mucheng suddenly asked, intrigued.

Liu Hao shook his head. "No, it's a friend. She invited me to the aquarium, and I'm treating her to a movie tonight."

"Oh~" Su Mucheng smiled knowingly.

"Hey, hey, hey, you've watched too many soap operas. Don't overthink it. She's just a good friend, and she's also a big fan of yours," Liu Hao interrupted Su Mucheng's thoughts.

"Well, have a good date then," Su Mucheng said.

As she was about to leave to find Ye Qiu, Liu Hao suddenly stopped her and said, "One more thing. The boss organised last night's party. He invited all the bosses who organised last night's party to watch a movie instead, which embarrassed him. He's furious."

"I know." Su Mucheng's tone was calm, like a windless lake. "I know the boss is deliberately trying to pair us and targeting Ye Qiu, but I don't like his methods, so I deliberately didn't go..."

Liu Hao was stunned. Su Mucheng seemed to understand everything.

"You're acting strange today," Liu Hao said suspiciously. "Your hostility towards me has diminished a lot... And you were smiling at me just now?"

"Hehe, you noticed?" Su Mucheng smiled. "Actually, I really hated you last night. I said a lot of bad things about you to Ye Qiu, but then Ye Qiu told me you were forced to do this... Although I still hate you for targeting Ye Qiu and not listening to his commands, knowing your ultimate goal is to win the game, I don't hate you as much anymore."

"Well, thanks for your understanding."

"Hehe, you're welcome."

"And about the boss's plans, I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. Maybe if Ye Qiu agrees to show his face, everything will be resolved."

"I know, we all know. Thanks for the reminder, Liu Hao."

...

According to Excellent Era's management rules, Saturdays were off days for rest, and the team members could do as they pleased. Liu Hao didn't plan to stay in the training room like Ye Qiu, who was playing Glory.

After the match last night, Chen Guo messaged him, inviting him to the aquarium in the afternoon to celebrate his winning the first MVP of the eighth season.

The aquarium was one of the top three dating spots, a weekend sanctuary for couples. I watched beautiful fish through crystal glass, took photos together, hugged, and kissed, all of which made relationships more intimate.

Liu Hao had no excuse for refusing, so he accepted Chen Guo's invitation. Besides, he couldn't bear to refuse an invitation from a beautiful woman.

(End of Chapter)

Chapters 83-87 are up on my Patreon. Chapter 67 is free on my Patreon.