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

After heating his body, Maria poured some medical-grade olive oil onto Gu Ran's skin and began a deep tissue massage.

This process… yeah, I know this one too.

Gu Ran did his best to maintain a neutral facial expression, trying to look as emotionless as a rock.

There was no denying it—Maria's massage skills were incredibly professional.

She identified every muscle point with precision, applying just the right amount of pressure. It wasn't just brute force; every movement pushed his muscles to their optimal limit without crossing into excessive pain.

Damn, she's good.

This was far superior to the so-called "professional" massage parlors he'd been to in his previous life.

For a full thirty minutes, Maria worked on his body with focused intensity, breaking a light sweat as she evenly spread the oil across his muscles.

Gu Ran shifted his shoulders slightly and immediately felt the difference—his stamina had recovered significantly!

The effectiveness of this therapy was insane!

If he could have Maria do this after every match, his recovery speed would be through the roof—not that he was thinking about it that way…

How much does she charge per session?

Should I… ask?

Maria wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Alright," she said, "one last step."

Gu Ran felt a pang of guilt. "Maria, you've worked so hard. Do you need a break?"

Maria chuckled. "No need. Let's finish this."

Then, she pulled out…

A foam roller.

No—a spiked, oversized, weaponized foam roller.

It was as thick as his forearm, covered in spiral ridges and knobs designed to dig deep into muscle tissue.

Oh. Hell. No.

Gu Ran froze in terror, his instincts screaming at him to run.

Maria grabbed the towel around his waist before he could escape, smiling sweetly.

"Don't move," she said softly. "Just a quick roll."

Before he could react—

She pressed the roller into his calf and dragged it across with full force.

Gu Ran howled in agony.

His screams echoed through the locker room—loud, guttural cries of absolute suffering.

On the field, every player stopped dead in their tracks and turned toward the locker room.

No one knew what the hell was happening inside.

Coach Carter frowned. "What are you all staring at? Get back to training!"

The team nervously resumed practice, casting occasional glances toward the locker room.

Carter let out a deep sigh. "Hang in there, Gu… This is pain you must endure… Oh, my back… Oh, my hip… Oh, f*ck…"

Inside the locker room—

Gu Ran's screams abruptly stopped.

Maria: …

Gu Ran: …

A strange silence filled the air.

Gu Ran's face turned an alarming shade of red.

At this moment, he was unnaturally calm.

This reaction… this had nothing to do with me.

I am still the same decent, well-mannered, innocent young man.

If I don't acknowledge the situation… then Maria is the one who has to deal with it.

Maria adjusted her glasses.

"Gu," she said with an amused smirk, "what are you doing?"

Oh, God.

If I say I just wanted to wipe her sweat with my towel… would she believe me?

Hell no.

Gu Ran cleared his throat, putting on his most charming, winning smile.

"Maria," he said smoothly, "I can explain this medically—"

Maria burst into laughter. "Gu, you're so adorable! No need to explain. I'm a doctor—I understand completely. I won't overthink it."

Gu Ran exhaled in relief.

Then Maria added with a playful smirk, "Of course, as someone with experience… I already know what's going on. Now, lift your towel a little."

Wait.

What?

Maria, you're acting a little… suspicious.

That's not what I meant!

Gu Ran was in full crisis mode.

Maria, completely unfazed, continued rolling the foam roller over his sore muscles.

Her long hair swayed over his towel as she worked.

Gu Ran gritted his teeth.

This is hell.

Why is this taking longer than the actual therapy?!

Time became a blur.

Eventually, Maria stopped.

"Alright," she said, stretching her arms. "You should feel completely refreshed now."

Gu Ran sat up quickly. "Maria, your skills are—wait, no—Maria, you're so… wait, I mean—"

Maria laughed until her shoulders shook. "Gu, you're too cute. Are all Chinese boys like you?"

Gu Ran refused to respond.

Maria tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Alright, time's up. Any questions before I leave?"

Gu Ran hesitated.

"...Maria, if I ever buy a cryo-chamber, can I call you for help with setup?"

Maria giggled. "Oh, please. You just wanted my number, didn't you?"

Gu Ran: "No, really! I actually plan to buy one! I can afford it! Maria, I—"

Goddamn it!

Why does it always sound suspicious when I explain things?!

Maria smirked, pulling a pen from her pocket. "Alright, alright. I understand. Hand."

Gu Ran obediently extended his hand.

Maria wiped the sweat from his palm, then carefully wrote her number on it.

At the end of the number, she drew a tiny heart.

Before leaving, she adjusted her glasses and gave him a "Call Me" gesture.

Gu Ran's scalp tingled.

This Western environment was too open.

Too dangerous.

As a respectable Chinese young man, I must protect my virtue.

Gu Ran quickly saved Maria's number in his phone. Then, just to be safe, he washed his hand twice to erase all evidence.

This time, no way was Sophie finding out.

Satisfied, he nodded to himself.

After composing himself, he dressed and cautiously left the locker room, heading toward Coach Carter.

"Coach…"

"Ah, Gu. Finished with therapy?" Carter glanced up. "Alright, go home and rest. Tomorrow's the weekend. The team still has training, but you don't need to come—just focus on recovery."

Perfect. No need to ask for leave.

Gu Ran nodded. "Got it, Coach. Oh—can I have my post-match stats? I'd like to keep them as a souvenir."

Carter frowned slightly. "Your post-match stats… Hm. How about this—you perform well in the next match, and I'll give them to you then."

Gu Ran narrowed his eyes. "Coach… you didn't lose them, did you?"

Carter scoffed. "Nonsense! I know exactly where they are! That's not losing them!"

He folded his arms. "Gu, don't get cocky just because you had a decent debut. That was one match. It doesn't prove anything. You're still a rookie. You have a long road ahead. I'm holding onto the stats because I don't want you to get distracted! Our next match is critical. Focus only on that. Now go home."

"...Yes, Coach."

Gu Ran, feeling properly lectured, left the school.

As he settled into a taxi, realization hit him like a truck.

Wait.

Did I just get PUA'd by Carter again?!

Damn it…