This really had something to do with Wu Siyuan.
The person who made Jiang Jingtong’s attitude shift was indeed him. Although Jiang Jingtong didn’t think the method Gu Siyuan had provided was useful, when he was with Shi Yuanbai, he couldn’t help but think of that message from Gu Siyuan, which said not to be too eager.
So, Jiang Jingtong became a little more indifferent to what Shi Yuanbai said, just a tiny bit.
Unexpectedly, after frowning slightly, Shi Yuanbai actually became even more attentive and caring than before.
The corner of Jiang Jingtong’s lips curved upward. It seemed like Gu Siyuan wasn’t entirely useless after all, besides that face of his that vaguely resembled Shi Yuanbai, his advice also had some value.
Shi Yuanbai would fuss over him, but never this anxiously. This indicated that he should keep checking what Gu Siyuan has to say.
After their date, Shi Yuanbai immediately went behind the scenes to dig around, trying to figure out who Jiang Jingtong had been hanging out with lately. Which shameless guy had managed to catch Jingtong’s attention?
Other than Gu Siyuan, he also discovered a sophomore who had been sticking to Jiang Jingtong like glue recently. Often that junior even found excuses to lean against Jiang Jingtong which made Shi Yuanbai’s face darken.
`Someone dares to touch his man?`
Jiang Jingtong had gone to see Gu Siyuan, but just as Shi Yuanbai had expected, Gu Siyuan said something that made Jiang Jingtong’s face twist and leave in anger. Probably the same nonsense he said to him about CPs and all that.
Still, Shi Yuanbai thought, at least Gu Siyuan had some self-awareness. His gaze then shifted to that sophomore’s name on the report list, and he smiled faintly. Likes clinging to people, does he?
Meanwhile, blissfully unaware, Wu Siyuan kept working hard on his studies and life. His situation wasn’t the best, but compared to many, it was already pretty decent so he didn’t need to worry too much.
But he might still have to face people like Jiang Jingtong in the future, so he had to work harder. What if they still targeted him even if they were together? That would be troublesome.
He had just finished chatting with Chen Xuyao and the others about stocks. Everyone had some spare cash, so they exchanged investment tips together.
Previously, Chen Xuyao had noticed Gu Siyuan buying stocks and casually asked for recommendations. Turns out those picks had risen nicely, so Chen Xuyao got a group together to follow his lead and buy some too.
At this time, Jiang Jingtong, who hadn’t disturbed him for a while, sent another message.
— Your advice was good. Keep it up.
Keep it up? Keep what up? Wu Siyuan didn’t really get Jiang Jingtong’s brain circuit, so he just sent back a question mark.
— ?
He couldn't even understand his meaning. This guy really wasn’t very bright. But then again, besides Shi Yuanbai, who could truly understand what went on in his mind? Jiang Jingtong shook his head and sent another message to Gu Siyuan.
— I mean, your last advice, about not being too eager. That was good. Keep sharing new ideas like that.
Since he and Shi Yuanbai had made some progress, the inferior substitute, Gu Siyuan, was no longer needed. Might as well put waste to use and have him toss out a few more suggestions. This would let him know that someone like him could never interfere in the love between him and Shi Yuanbai.
— New ideas? Then I need to know how far you two have gotten, and whether you actually followed through on my last suggestion.
This guy was problematic, speaking ambiguously and expecting others to guess his thoughts. Fortunately, this person has nothing to do with him, and he didn’t need to deal with him constantly. Otherwise, he would really want to punch him to wake him up.
Now that they're making progress, this disgusting guy won't come to him with a face full of affection to gross him out, will he?
During this time, Gu Siyuan had come to appreciate Chen Xuyao’s presence. As long as Chen Xuyao was nearby, Jiang Jingtong would not approach. Yes, he had bumped into Jiang Jingtong a few times during this period. Each time, the guy looked like he wanted to come over, but the moment he saw Chen Xuyao, he would turn and leave without looking back.
Chen Xuyao was even more effective than bug spray.
— Progress? According to your method, Yuanbai noticed a new watch he liked the other day. I deliberately waited two minutes before saying I would buy it, and that night he kept fussing over me. Your suggestion was amazing!
‘…That’s it? Seriously, that’s it?’ Gu Siyuan squinted at the screen like an old man struggling to read text, trying to find some deeper meaning. There wasn’t any. Just two minutes.
Dude, even pretending to be on a phone call can last half an hour. Two minutes? I’m starting to suspect you’re really not up to par.
If the original plot hadn’t made it clear that Jiang Jingtong’s lovers were always very satisfied with him in that department, Gu Siyuan would seriously have doubts.
— Are you satisfied with this? Don’t tell me that if you’re upset normally, Shi-shixiong never comforts you? Hasn’t he ever fussed over you before?
Satisfied? Of course not! Reading this, Jiang Jingtong fell into thought.
— Then what do you think I should do?
So Gu Siyuan laid out his questionable theories again, telling Jiang Jingtong to follow them strictly, like a checklist.
— Think about it. If you stick to the plan, you’ll get way more benefits. Isn’t that better than just these tiny little crumbs?
Jiang Jingtong clenched his phone tightly. This time, he really believed these suggestions were useful.
Seeing his promise, Gu Siyuan exhaled deeply in his dorm room, and then closed the book on the desk, ‘The Complete Guide to Handling Sea Kings’, with a thud.
— Right, don’t make any mistakes. Guys like you are a dime a dozen. If Shi-shixiong decides to study abroad, he’ll have plenty of options. So you’d better work hard and not mess up. Got it?
The key was to make Jiang Jingtong aware of his own replaceability. Shi Yuanbai really was always browsing for other options, it was just that he hadn’t found anyone easier to control than Jiang Jingtong.
A dime a dozen? Reading that, Jiang Jingtong’s anger flared. Did Gu Siyuan even know who he was? Did he know who his father was?
Daring to say such things, he was really bold. Maybe he wanted to attract his attention with this kind of thinking?
Hah. He’d remember this. Jiang Jingtong’s face was blank, but his thoughts were cold.
Wu Siyuan couldn’t care less. As long as he was strong enough, Jiang Jingtong would never get the chance to fight back.
As a senior, next semester they would not have any classes. So this term, he had to push the main couple to accelerate their romance.
That was just step one. He already had step two in mind.
In the upcoming week there was a college basketball game. Jiang Jingtong, a key player on the varsity team, wouldn’t miss his last college match.
Of course, Wu Siyuan wouldn’t miss the opportunity either. Since the student council was hosting the game, he would have the perfect excuse to get closer to these two people.
Although they were in the same college and the two protagonists knew him, it wasn’t that easy to get close to Jiang Jingtong and Shi Yuanbai in real life. But he was sure Shi Yuanbai would come to cheer for Jiang Jingtong. With both main characters in the same place, the setup was perfect.
Shi Yuanbai wouldn’t screw up in this kind of situation. All Wu Siyuan needed to do was make his sweet gestures land even better.
The student council had already prepared the supplies for the game. After looking at the detailed list sent in the group, Wu Siyuan asked Gao Minda, the only one in their dorm with a girlfriend, for advice.
“If you were a player, and the person you liked was in the stands, what would you want them to prepare for you?”
Gao Minda thought for a while. “As long as she keeps looking at me, I’d be happy.”
“Besides the cheering. I mean, like towels, water, and so on. Would you want to get those from her?”
Gao Minda fantasized for a moment, then shyly admitted, “That would be the best.”
“Any requirements for the towel?”
Gao Minda shook his head. “As long as it wipes sweat, it’s fine.”
Wu Siyuan nodded. The basketball club always prepared these things for the players. If it was the same as what the club provided then it wouldn’t stand out.
He scrolled through shopping apps and casually picked a towel with the slogan ‘Seize Victory’ printed on it, then clicked buy.
At the match, Shi Yuanbai did show up in the stands. Jiang Jingtong kept turning back to look at him.
Their eyes met again and again, overflowing with sugary, affectionate vibes.
It would have been even better if Shi Yuanbai had prepared something thoughtful, but unfortunately, he only came in person. But Jiang Jingtong already looked satisfied, he was truly hopeless.
Wu Siyuan, not having much to do, strolled over with his towel and two bottles of water, sitting down right next to Shi Yuanbai where there was an empty seat.
“Shi-shixiong, you came specially to watch Jiang-shixiong play?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for people nearby to hear.
Shi Yuanbai, seeing it was Gu Siyuan, just nodded. “Yes. This is basically Jingtong’s last college game. It's a kind of commemoration.”
Wu Siyuan nodded. “Then why not take some cool photos of him? Later you’ll have memories to look back on.”
Hearing Gu Siyuan’s words, Shi Yuanbai reflexively took out his phone and started taking random photos of Jiang Jingtong. After all, in front of a brainless fan, he had to maintain his persona. In fact, if the brainless fan was no longer brainless, he could become the strongest rival. That’s what Shi Yuanbai thought.
During this period, he had asked many people, and they all said that Gu Siyuan did look a bit like him, but their personalities were worlds apart. He honestly feared that if Jiang Jingtong ever lost hope of a future with him, he might just replace him with this substitute.
Thankfully, even if Jiang Jingtong had such intentions, Gu Siyuan clearly didn’t.
Watching him obediently taking photos, Wu Siyuan handed over the props he had prepared in advance..
“Shixiong, these are extras from the student council. Later you can give them to Jiang-shixiong.” Then he winked at Shi Yuanbai. “Who knows, maybe he’ll be really touched when he sees you prepared these things for him.”
With his mission accomplished, Wu Siyuan left without looking back. He saw someone taking event photos nearby and leaned over to speak to him.
“Hey bro, later if Shi-shixiong runs over to Jiang-shixiong, can you grab a few shots for me?”
The guy with the camera frowned. “Why do you want their photos?”
Wu Siyuan said, “To post on the super-topic of course.”
“What super-topic?”
“Their CP super-topic! They’re finally feeding us candy1. I believe, in time, they'll definitely have a happy ending."
“Are they really together? No way, a happy ending? How’s that possible? Didn’t Shi Yuanbai say they were just friends?”
Seeing the guy’s mix of disbelief and heartbreak, Gu Siyuan chuckled. “Just wait. Didn’t you see the way they’ve been making eyes at each other? If that’s fake, then what is real?”
But the photographer could no longer hear what Wu Siyuan was saying, his heart was shattered. Just two days ago, Shi Yuanbai had sworn to him that there was nothing between him and Jiang Jingtong.
At halftime, when Jiang Jingtong ran straight to Shi Yuanbai and wrapped him in his sweaty arms, the photographer unconsciously pressed the shutter. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. ‘So it was true. Shi Yuanbai lied to me.’
Meanwhile, Wu Siyuan quietly retreated, his mission accomplished. One strong competitor had been eliminated.
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Feeding candy: slang in CP fandoms for giving ship worthy moments that make fans happy.