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

This little girl… she's setting up another flag.

Did she really think she could outplay me, a mature man who's been reborn?

Gu Ran smirked. "So you're really not mad anymore?"

Sophie held her head high. "Of course not."

Gu Ran spread his hands. "That's great. But you still have to keep your promise. Get down."

Sophie's face hardened with determination. "It's just thirty push-ups, right? Fine! No big deal! Gu Ran, today I'll show you that I, Sophie, never go back on my word. Once I finish, we're even."

Gu Ran remained calm. "Go ahead then."

Sophie took a deep breath and gracefully got into position on the floor.

As expected of the leading star in the school drama club, her posture was quite elegant.

"Start."

She tensed her body and pushed herself up with her arms.

Barely managing to complete eight reps, she was already gasping for breath, her face flushed, body trembling slightly.

Her spaghetti-strap nightgown slipped off her smooth, porcelain-like shoulder, revealing a lace-trimmed bra beneath.

Gu Ran quickly averted his eyes.

But he still caught a glimpse.

Huh… so she does have something.

Judging by the fact that she switched to a push-up bra, it was clear she was putting in effort.

But… who was she trying so hard for?

Was it for me?

No way, right?

By the time Sophie reached her ninth push-up, her arms gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor, panting heavily. "Twenty-one more… I just need a break."

Gu Ran frowned. "You think this is a payment plan?"

Sophie lifted her head from the floor, glaring at him with her light blue eyes. "What do you mean it doesn't count?!"

Gu Ran took on the stance of a strict coach. "Your hips were way too high, and your posture wasn't even correct. You weren't pushing your body up properly."

"You!" Sophie's frustration boiled over. "Gu Ran, are you some kind of devil?! I'm not a professional athlete, do you really have to be this strict?"

Gu Ran remained serious. "This is for your own good. Proper push-ups improve blood circulation to your chest. Unless, of course… you don't mind staying an A-cup forever?"

"GU RAN!" Sophie stomped her foot, her face burning. "My chest size has nothing to do with you! I'm not even your girlfriend!"

Gu Ran shrugged. "Forget it, I knew you wouldn't last."

"I can! Watch me!"

Teeth clenched, Sophie got back down and forced herself through another push-up.

This one was much better than before.

But Gu Ran still shook his head. "Nope, still not right. Your waist needs to sink lower, and your shoulders should relax. So this one doesn't count either."

"You—!" Sophie was about to explode.

Here it comes… here it comes… Gu Ran was thrilled.

But then, Sophie exhaled deeply, calming herself down. She smiled smugly. "Hah. I can't get mad at you. Otherwise, I'd really have to take your last name. Fine, if it's not perfect, I'll just rest a bit and try again."

What the hell?!

Something was wrong.

Sophie, what happened to you today?

You're really not going to get mad?!

Can you at least let me farm a little?!

Without her negative emotions hitting 100, he wouldn't even be able to grab a flawed system bubble, let alone a perfect one.

Gu Ran stared at Sophie, utterly defeated.

She casually sat down at his desk to rest.

The desk was a bit messy, covered with all the instant food he had bought earlier. He had been too busy admiring his new football shoes to put them away.

Seeing the Chinese labels, Sophie asked, "What is all this?"

"Just some food," Gu Ran replied. "Sophie, forget that. You should keep doing push-ups."

But Sophie wasn't in a hurry at all. "What's the rush? Worst case scenario, neither of us sleeps tonight."

Now Gu Ran was the one getting anxious. "Sophie, don't be like this—"

She smirked, clearly enjoying his frustration. Then, her gaze fell on something in his shopping bag. She picked up a small folded note. "What's this?"

Gu Ran answered casually, "Just a phone number."

Sophie examined the neatly written digits and the small heart drawn beside them. Her expression darkened instantly. "…A woman's. Hah. Which bar did you meet her at?"

Gu Ran shrugged. "Didn't go to a bar. Just a saleswoman's number."

Her voice grew colder. "A saleswoman? And why, exactly, did she give you her number? You must've been flirting with her while you were shopping."

Gu Ran sighed. "She was shaking her F-cup in my face the whole time, but I wasn't interested."

F-cup…

A dark storm cloud covered Sophie's face.

I'm not mad. I'm not mad.

I'm a classy woman…

F-cup…

If I get mad, I'll have to take his last name…

F-cup…

There's no way they weren't flirting.

F-cup…

He's definitely saying this on purpose!

Sophie slammed the desk, rage erupting. "GU RAN!!! You perverted—!"

Gu Ran immediately stepped forward, clamping a hand over her mouth. "The walls are thin, don't yell—"

Ding!

[Detected 100 points of negative emotion from Sophie Turner. System bubble generating…]

Holy shit?!

Gu Ran sucked in a sharp breath, eyes filled with joy.

What just happened?

How did her negative emotions suddenly hit 100?!

Wait—Sophie, don't tell me…

You're jealous?!

A large, glowing red bubble appeared beneath Sophie's feet.

This was his second perfect 100-point bubble.

And both had come from Sophie.

Sophie, you're amazing.

Sophie, you have no idea how much I appreciate you right now!

Gu Ran kept his composure, but as he kept his hand over Sophie's mouth, he subtly shifted forward, pressing the tip of his foot against the red system bubble—

Sophie struggled hard, trying to push him off.

The chair beneath her wobbled under the pressure.

For the first time, Gu Ran missed a system bubble.

He immediately pressed down harder, holding her still.

Gotta claim this talent point first.

I can figure out how to calm her down later.

The crimson bubble shattered into a dazzling thread of light, which then absorbed into his body.

Ding!

[You have obtained a talent point from a perfect system bubble. Daily collection progress: 1/10.]

Oh, hell yes.

Gu Ran let out a satisfied breath.

"Let me go!" Sophie squirmed furiously, face flushed as she struggled against his grip—

And then suddenly, she froze.

…

(Chapter End)