I Just Wanted to Play Soccer, But I Became a Hollywood Heartthrob

"Quick! Stop Rust!"

The main players of the team rushed forward, grabbing onto Rust's muscular frame.

"Rust! Don't do anything rash!"

"Gu Ran might be annoying, but he's our teammate now. Besides, the coach just gave him his favorite No.3 jersey. If you start a fight now, you can forget about playing in the national tournament!"

"Yeah, Rust! Calm down! It's just… one… no, two girls!"

Watergate clung onto Rust from behind, trying to restrain him. "Rust, let me give you some advice—next time, pick a fat and ugly girl to confess to. I guarantee Gu Ran won't steal her from you! Trust me!"

"Actually… you don't necessarily have to date girls…."

"Exactly! If you broaden your horizons, your options increase!"

The group of troublemaker teammates tried their best to reason with him.

"F*ck off! All of you!" Rust shoved them away, his face flushed with frustration. "I just want to have a private talk with Gu Ran!"

Captain Bread eyed him suspiciously. "You promise you're not gonna do anything stupid?"

Rust gritted his teeth. "Do I look like someone who does stupid things?"

The entire group nodded simultaneously. "Yes."

At that moment, Gu Ran stepped forward, his face calm and unbothered. "Rust, failing to confess to Susanna might not be a bad thing. She's… well, she's too much for you to handle."

Rust parted the crowd and suddenly reached out to grab Gu Ran's hand—

Just as everyone thought he was about to throw a punch, Rust spoke sincerely, "Gu Ran, you're amazing at picking up girls! How do you do it? Can you teach me?"

What the hell...

The entire group of teammates was dumbfounded.

Even Gu Ran himself was caught off guard.

Damn, that mood swing was too fast!

If Rust had been half a second slower, Gu Ran's 40-meter groin-kick would have landed!

Captain Bread looked confused. "Wait… so you're not fighting Gu Ran over Susanna?"

Rust sneered. "Susanna? I don't even remember what she looks like… You guys never understood. I don't want revenge—I just really want to learn how to get girls! Gu Ran, please teach me!"

What the hell?!

Just because you can't get a girlfriend, do you have to act this desperate?!

Look at me, I don't even want a girlfriend! I just want to play football!

Gu Ran chuckled helplessly. "I really don't know how to pick up girls."

That was the truth.

He had no idea why girls kept coming to him.

It was actually pretty annoying~

—Of course, he wouldn't say that out loud.

Rust looked at him with disbelief. "Coach was right, you Chinese people are too humble."

Gu Ran waved his hands. "No, no, I mean it. Besides, at our age, we shouldn't waste energy chasing girls. We should focus on playing football."

Rust paused for a moment, then suddenly had a realization. "...I get it! What you're saying is, if I play well… girls will come naturally!"

Gu Ran: "…"

Damn, that was some twisted logic.

After thinking about it, Gu Ran nodded. "...You're not wrong."

Rust sighed. "But I already play really well. I'm the main center-back of Southampton Private High. If I'm so good, why don't I have a girlfriend?"

Gu Ran smiled. "That just means you're not good enough yet. Look at Chelsea's captain, John Terry. He played so well that not only did the female fans love him, even his teammates' girlfriends liked him."

After dropping that bombshell, Gu Ran patted Rust's shoulder and turned to leave.

Rust stood there, deep in thought for a long time.

"…I understand now! I finally understand! Gu Ran is absolutely right! I only think I'm strong, but I'm actually not strong enough! That's why I can't get a girlfriend!"

"Alright! From now on, I will train harder! If I play well enough, girls will come to me! I will become Terry! I'll make my teammates' girlfriends like me!"

Rust threw his fists in the air, determined.

The teammates who had been worried about him suddenly turned pale.

Watergate pointed at Rust. "…Take him down."

In an instant, seven or eight teammates charged at Rust, tackling him to the ground like an NFL team.

"Wait! Let me explain—this is what Gu Ran taught me— AHHH—!"

Rust was instantly buried under a pile of sweaty teammates.

After leaving the training ground, Gu Ran didn't go home immediately. Instead, he sent a voice message to Aunt Sally, letting her know he'd be staying late to train.

With the school team excuse, he now had the perfect reason to avoid eating at Turner's house.

Gu Ran took a taxi to the best Chinese restaurant in Southampton and enjoyed a feast.

After dinner, he wandered around town, taking in the sights.

That was, until a strange woman tried to slip a business card into his pocket.

Gu Ran quickly hailed a taxi and went home.

By the time he arrived, it was nearly 10 PM.

After showering, he lay on his bed, staring at his phone, waiting for midnight.

Yes… tonight, he still had to grind Sophie for talent points.

Talent points were important.

Of course, aside from needing the points, there was also the fact that… well, spending time with Sophie was pretty fun.

A future superstar actress, still soft and innocent…

Even though their relationship was fake for now…

Well, if an opportunity presented itself in the future…

Hmm…

Before he could think further, Gu Ran closed his eyes and instantly fell asleep.

Today had been exhausting.

First, a one-on-one duel with Rust. Then, the focus and effort required to pull off the Curved Blade Free Kick. Negotiating with Maria using his silver tongue. And finally, the three-second sprint test in the medical exam.

Executing the Curved Blade Free Kick didn't drain his stamina too much, but it took a ridiculous amount of concentration—far more than a normal skill.

At his current level, he couldn't use it more than three times per match.

If he wanted to use more advanced techniques, he'd need to upgrade his overall rating first.

Thinking about all this, Gu Ran drifted into deep sleep.

He dreamed.

In his dream, he lay on a hospital bed.

Maria, dressed in a nurse's uniform, walked in with a gentle smile.

Gu Ran stood up immediately to greet her—

Meanwhile, across town.

"Damn you, Gu Ran! Stupid Gu Ran!"

At midnight, Sophie sat on her bed, angrily clenching her pillow.

"It's already 12! Why hasn't he texted me to call me over for push-ups?!"

"He used to be so punctual before!"

"Hmph! I'm so mad! If he doesn't text me soon, I'll just go to sleep!"

"No! Even if he texts me, I'll ignore him! Let him feel what it's like to be left hanging!"

Sophie huffed and buried herself under her blanket.

Ding!

A text notification popped up.

In an instant, Sophie sprang out of her blanket, her lips curling into a smile.

"Hmph! I knew it…"

She opened the message—

It wasn't from Gu Ran.

It was from her best friend, Susanna.

A video attachment:

["Go, Ran! You're amazing!"]

["Go, hubby!!!"]

In the clip, Gu Ran was sprinting at full speed, surrounded by cheering girls.

Smack!

Sophie's phone dropped to the floor.

(End of Chapter.)

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