Strong Offense and DefenseCh44.2 - Reece’s Heart: The Needle at the Bottom of the Sea

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Translator: Drea

Co-Translator/Editor: Mims VI9wF

____________________

    When Reece arrived, he saw Nie Chuan crouching in front of his door while playing games on his phone with a concentrated expression. 

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

 

    “Hey, I’m back.” XgNy1i

 

    Nie Chuan saw Reece as soon as he looked up. As he hurriedly got up, Reece opened the door and placed a small box on the corner of the coffee table. He removed his coat unhurriedly, revealing the beautiful lines of his shoulders. “What’s the problem?” 

 

    “Here!” Nie Chuan opened the paper that was in his pocket and spread it out on the table. 

14dPaq

 

    Reece looked down at the paper and pointed out two of the problems with his finger. “I’ve taught you these two.” 

 

    Nie Chuan’s shoulders stiffened and he felt a little embarrassed 囧. bQrTqu

 

    “Can you help me go over it again?” At times like this, he must thicken his face! 

 

    He had just been thinking that these two problems seemed a little familiar, and he unexpectedly seemed to be able to solve them with his IQ too. oEkKl8

 

    Reece didn’t say anything more. He took out a pen and beckoned to Nie Chuan. 

 

   Nie Chuan quickly sat down beside him like a lackey and bowed his head to listen carefully.  0wxN K

 

   The problems were solved very quickly. Nie Chuan, who originally had an ulterior motive, also became serious because of Reece’s very rational voice and took some notes.

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    “Was there anything else?” Reece asked.  2 EC0G

 

    “…… No…… nothing,” Nie Chuan shook his head.

 

    No ah, I still wanted to ask why you’re mad at me!  dtc3Sf

 

   “Then go home early.” Reece raised his chin and his eyes fell on the box on the corner of the table. “You can take that chocolate.”

 

    “Ah? Thank you!” BF46Yq

 

    Nie Chuan picked up the box. In his experience, the smaller the box and the less chocolate there is on the inside, the more precious and better tasting it is!

 

    Reece gave him chocolate so does that mean he actually wasn’t angry with him at all and he was the one who was overthinking?  Mtcwl6

 

    Maybe like how girls are moody for several days every month, Reece is also like that? 

 

    Nie Chuan walked to the door with the chocolate, but found Reece still sitting in the same spot without even the slightest intention of getting up. b5ZOYP

 

    Sure enough…… something still wasn’t right ba?

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    Ordinarily, Reese would say “close the door” or even walk him all the way back to the dormitory.  EZcnp4

 

    Problems between men are better settled directly, alright?

 

    Nie Chuan took a deep breath, turned around and mustered up his courage to say, “Um, Reece…… what’s the matter with you lately? Is there anything that’s making you unhappy? I feel like you haven’t been very willing to talk to me.” ugTrXn

 

    After saying everything in one breath, Nie Chuan’s heart was racing. 

 

    Will Reece say, “It’s none of your business,” or “What were you thinking”? tojI8R

 

    However, when Reece didn’t show any intentions of speaking even after several seconds had passed, Nie Chuan felt embarrassed.

 

   “Alright, I won’t bother you anymore.” iYmu0t

 

    Nie Chuan was a little dejected. He thought Reese would at least be rather close with him since he had accompanied him in strolling around New York……

 

    Just when Nie Chuan touched the doorknob, Reece finally spoke.  sjgxfD

 

    “Nie Chuan, do you know what I like?”

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    Nie Chuan was stunned. A couple seconds later, he tentatively replied, “Basketball?” uO3Fx1

 

    “Besides that. Such as what color I like?”

 

    Why are you asking this all of a sudden?  fFhTd8

 

    Nie Chuan tilted his head up to think about this and what appeared in his mind was Reece’s usual attire when attending class. 

 

    “Grey? Khaki or maybe black?” n80uX2

 

    The colors that Reece liked were all very lowkey. Even if they were dull, Reece was always able to make them look elegant.

 

    “What do I like to eat?” Reece also asked. PRJ3j6

 

    Nie Chuan suddenly couldn’t keep up with Reece’s thinking process. However, based on his own experience, he must be honest when in front of Reece.

 

    “I don’t know what you like to eat, but I do know what you don’t like……” Bh7JTK

 

    “Then what do I not like eating?”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

 

    “Things that are too sweet. Actually, you don’t like eating things like cakes or chocolates.” TbOniX

 

    Nie Chuan recalled how when they ate together at the Cantonese style tea house, Reece never touched the shuang pi nai (double skin milk) or cha siu nor did he ever see him eat cake or chocolate. 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

 

    “Ccv sbe ilxf obbvr klat j yla bo atf bglulcji oijnbg, atlcur wjvf klat ogfrt lcugfvlfcar.” gb98VK

 

    “Ktfc ktja xlcv bo rtbfr vb P ilxf?”

 

    “Abgvjcr.” FNlRZ6

 

    “Qtja wbnlfr vb P ilxf?”

 

    “Vqlfiyfgu?” Rlf Jtejc kjrc’a regf lo tf uba atlr mjafubgs gluta bg cba. c3WoAu

 

    Dea bc atf JG rtfio lc Effmf’r gbbw kjr atf wbnlf《Qjg Lbgrf》.

 

    “And what about Ewing? Do you know what Ewing likes to eat?” jnaMyd

 

    Why did the topic turn to Ewing again? 

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    “He…… doesn’t have anything he doesn’t like eating ba……” cy69Ze

 

    “What color does he like?”

 

    “…… I don’t know……” 6TJyu5

 

    Why would he pay attention to what color Ewing likes ah! It’s so weird! 

 

    “What brand are his shoes?” O8w4fC

 

    Nie Chuan tilted his head up in thought, “Is it also Jordans?”

 

    “It’s Adidas.” t7K9Gu

 

    “Oh……”

 

    Does this matter?  n6JtP2

 

    “What movies does he like?”

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    “……” bNQTsD

 

    Nie Chuan shook his head. 

 

    But according to Ewing’s taste, if it’s not《The Minions》then it should be《Cars》ba? vg6JNO

 

    “Then do you know what kind of person I like?”

 

    When Reece asked this question, his voice was slow as if to give Nie Chuan enough time to think.  9KDgc8

 

    Nie Chuan only felt as though countless nerves in his brain were stirred by the other’s voice before breaking apart one by one. 

 

    He shook his head. adtmv

 

    What kind of person does Reece like? 

 

    It wasn’t as if Nie Chuan, Carlo and the others hadn’t discussed this jokingly in private. Aa7rTH

 

    “Do you really not know?” Reece asked.

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    Nie Chuan felt as if a feather had slid over his heart, causing him to itch all over.  Zj1k9N

 

    “Cate Blanchett?”

 

    Nie Chuan felt that men who knew how to appreciate Cate Blanchett all had good taste. kcp7DQ

 

    Reece shook his head, got up, and came over to Nie Chuan.

 

    “The person I like seems a little careless and is a little unreliable, but when he knows what his goal is, he will always persevere to the end.” iFMYDV

 

    Nie Chuan unconsciously took a step back. 

 

    “The person I like, every time he fails, he can get back on his feet with just a little bit of encouragement and will do better than the last time.” AhoKkC

 

    Reece leaned down slightly and looked into Nie Chuan’s eyes. 

 

    Nie Chuan backed away again, his back already pasted against the door.  9fjAhz

 

    “The person I like, just when others think he can only accomplish this much, he will go beyond everyone’s expectations.”

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    Reece came closer again. His hand reached between Nie Chuan’s arms and his body and covered the handle of the door.  VaTAPR

 

    Nie Chuan had the illusion that he was being held in the other’s arms.

 

    “Do you like Ewing?” 3XTIiL

 

    This question completely suppressed Nie Chuan as he found that today’s topic could all be traced back to Ewing in the end! 

 

    “I…… I rather like playing basketball with Ewing, and also eating with him……” 3mQ 7i

 

    “Then you guys just play basketball?” Reece’s voice rose slightly. Listening to it, Nie Chuan felt as if his heart was scratched by something.

 

    “Right! I would help Ewing practice by acting as an opponent for him to pass and then afterwards Ewing would help me practice shooting from the three point line! Now I can make five shots out of every ten!” jucVU7

 

    “So you like practicing with Ewing better than with me?”

 

    “That’s different!” Nie Chuan blurted out but then didn’t know how to continue.  eMIRtf

 

    “How is it different?”

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    Nie Chuan opened his mouth but was unable to say the reason why.  ZKR5Hu

 

    Reece maintained his posture as he patiently stared at Nie Chuan. 

 

    “Ewing…… he also has his own worries. He also wants to get stronger and become a solid support for the team. And I’m his teammate, so don’t I need to bring out his strengths? That’s why I should practice with him and make DK’s outer perimeter even more consolidated, right?” ZKBqk0

 

    “And what about me?”

 

    “You are my goal!” TzlK79

 

    Normally if he had said these words, he would have felt as if he was shamelessly boasting but at a time like this how could he be so strong-willed ne

 

    Reece stared at him and his originally expressionless face finally had a trace of warmth. YUHmO1

 

    Then, Nie Chuan heard the sound of the door lock turning. “Let’s go, I’ll send you back,” Reece said.

 

    “I…… I can go back by myself!” PGUSob

 

    “Didn’t you see the news from school? There was a student who got robbed on their way back from school at night.”

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    That was a female student ah r12BqY

 

    And I didn’t even bring money on me ah

 

    “If you don’t want me to send you back then forget it.” cs67Ie

 

    “Ah! No no!” Nie Chuan hurriedly waved his hand.

 

    If Reece was willing to accompany him back to his dormitory then does that mean he wasn’t mad at him anymore?  WT f9E

 

    The two walked one behind the other on the small pathway. It was already very late but a few students would occasionally pass by. 

 

    Nie Chuan looked at Reese’s back and his mind constantly replayed what he said. dNZJO9

 

    Has perseverance, isn’t afraid of failure, and can always exceed others expectations. The person Reece likes is really outstanding as expected ah!

 

    But people like that are hard to find ba n3sXm

 

    Wait, what Reece used was “he,” not “she”?

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    So his so-called “like” wasn’t just like but “appreciation” ma? RSeUCD

 

    When Nie Chuan returned to his room that night, Zhou Bin was searching information online.

 

    “How was it? Did you solve the problem between you and Reece?” Zhou Bin asked. yfGCOz

 

    “It was okay ba…… I don’t think he’s mad at me anymore.” 

 

    “That’s good. I can’t be your only friend here. If I’m not by your side when you start doing something stupid again, someone has to correct you.” dGcsvP

 

    “Hey! Da Bin!”

 

    Zhou Bin laughed, “Ai, every time I’m with you and Mao Xian, I would get this strong sense of intellectual superiority.” aYEvL5

 

    Nie Chuan automatically dismissed Zhou Bin’s words. 

 

    “Say Da Bin, does ‘like’ also mean ‘appreciate’ in English?”  9yxD7W

 

    “Like means to be pleased with and having a good impression.” 

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    “Oh. So you can also use ‘like’ if you like someone and want her to be your girlfriend ma? ySWeK1

 

    “Use love ba?” Zhou Bin suddenly reacted, “Who did you randomly confess to this time?”

 

    “I didn’t!” Nie Chuan hastily protested.   er2H7R

 

    “Ai, even if you want to confess, you should change to a more elegant way of putting it ba.” 

 

    “What?” r7yaGW

 

    “I’m crazy about you.”

 

    Nie Chuan showed a disappointed expression. “That’s it? Can that increase my confession’s success rate?” 2vyLfN

 

    Zhou Bin shook his finger and admonished, “It can increase the speed of your failure. Girls will probably directly tell you you’re insane.” 

 

    Nie Chuan completely gave up on communicating with Zhou Bin and went into the bathroom. biuDZ9

 

    So when Reece said that to him, was he just hoping that Nie Chuan would become that kind of person? 

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    Nie Chuan was taking a shower when he heard Zhou Bin shout, “Ah Chuan! Who gave you this chocolate! These are especially expensive and delicious ah! Can you give these to me!” gV89RI

 

    Nie Chuan burst out of the bathroom, “That chocolate can’t be given away!” 

 

    Zhou Bin looked at him in surprise, “Ah Chuan, do you really mind that much? It’s not like I want your life!” neF2xf

 

    “Taking it away is just like taking my life away!” 

 

    How many times would I get to eat something like this in this lifetime ah! z4kvh0

 

    “For you to treasure it to this extent, Celine wouldn’t have given it to you ba? After eating it wouldn’t it be given to the toilet in the end?”

 

    “It’s not from Celine,” Nie Chuan said. efwdgu

 

    “Then who?” 

 

    “Reece.”  iX Ufq

 

    Zhou Bin froze then immediately said, “Ah, then I don’t want it, you can eat it all.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

 

    Sure enough, using Reece’s name is still very deterring ah iI c23

 

    At ease, Nie Chuan went back into the bathroom to take a shower. 

 

    When he laid down in bed and carefully thought back, Nie Chuan suddenly felt that there doesn’t seem to be any contradiction between himself and Reece?  nLqrSh

 

    It seems like there really wasn’t any contradiction at all ah

 

    Ai—— Reece’s heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea. 1wUoKx

 

    The next morning, Zhou Bin only had to call Nie Chuan once before he got out of bed. 

 

    “Wow, Ah Chuan, the sun seems to be rising in the West today!”  g5yh0a

 

    When Nie Chuan got up, the first thing he did wasn’t to rush into the bathroom to empty his bladder but to go to the window and look down. Sure enough, that familiar figure was leaning against the mailbox while scrolling through the morning news on his phone. 

 

    Reece came to wait for him so that they can do morning training together! So things were back to normal between himself and Reece! g2RsKp

 

    Nie Chuan happily ran into the bathroom and brushed his teeth while humming a song. With a towel and some water, he rushed downstairs.

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    Who knew that as soon as he arrived beside Reece, the other would throw something over. d5MamU

 

    Fortunately, Nie Chuan reacted quickly enough otherwise he would definitely have gotten a nosebleed.

 

    “Eh? Why the weights?” 2gzsep

 

    “Didn’t you see the training plan that Coach sent to your email?”

 

    “Oh……” Nie Chuan said, having just remembered.  Kevdlu

 

    “Wearing weights is an effective way to double the effect of our limited training time. It can increase the strength of your wrist when dribbling as well as your legs.”

 

    Nie Chuan stuffed the weights into his wristbands and fastened some on his ankles as well, then jumped a few times and did some dribbles.  NnjuhC

 

    “It doesn’t feel that obvious.” 

 

    Nie Chuan looked at Reece suspiciously. Did he not add too much weight because he was looking down on him? 7Xejhu

 

    Reece only gave a faint smile. 

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    The three kilometer morning exercise was already a piece of cake for Nie Chuan. After running three kilometers, Nie Chuan was still able to complete the specified number of push ups, sit ups and pull ups. 9HoP1s

 

    Today, however, his body felt a little heavy after running three kilometers. It seems like the weights added onto his body were working. 

 

    Nie Chuan was lying down on the grass on the inside of the track. As Reece knelt on one knee and pressed down on his ankles, Nie Chuan began his sit ups for the day.  03OMx1

 

    While doing his sit ups, Nie Chuan couldn’t help but ask, “Reece, do you also have weights on?”

 

    “Of course.”   xMjZPC

 

    “How much are your weights?”

 

    “Three times yours.” 4odB8q

 

    “Then do you feel really tired after exercising?”

 

    “No.” K2UlL

 

    “Oh.” 

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

 

    To not feel tired with three times the weight, sure enough Reece has a monster-like stamina. fNGdWw

 

    Nie Chuan suddenly thought of something, “Wait! So you’ve been wearing weights every time you practice one-on-one with me?”

 

   “Of course.” Reece replied as if it was only natural. OGzWdM

____________________

Drea: Hmm a monster-like stamina you say ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ) I see

 

MadMadamMims: Thank God that’s cleared up, too much vinegar is bad for you Reece!  b0xzCP

Leave a Comment

12 comments

  1. Drea: Hmm a monster-like stamina you say ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° ) I see

    LOL omg Drea. Thanks for the chapter!

  2. “Do you like Ewing?” is the modern version of “Ah, so you like Mian Mian?”. I see no difference 😂