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

When Gu Ran and Sophie arrived home, Andrew and Sally were already waiting in the living room.

The moment Andrew saw Gu Ran, he leaped up in excitement. "My God, Gu! You're finally back! I've been waiting so long I think I'm losing more hair!"

Whoa, whoa, Uncle Andrew, don't blame me for that!

Your hair was already disappearing before I even met you!

Gu Ran quickly reassured him. "Uncle, let's talk this over, there's no need to get so—"

"Wait! Gu! Let's talk outside!"

Before Gu Ran could even mention the word betting, Andrew dragged him by the shoulder, signaling him furiously.

Sally frowned. "What are you two being so secretive about?"

Andrew grinned. "Oh, nothing—just some man-to-man talk."

With that, he pulled Gu Ran out the door.

Gu Ran sighed. "Sorry, Uncle, I almost spilled the beans about your secret gambling stash."

Andrew clutched his chest. "Don't say another word! I swear, you nearly scared the life out of me! But Gu, you were right! The legendary Chinese feng shui really is incredible! The match went exactly as you predicted—two red cards for Madrid, and Messi scored twice! Why didn't I listen to you?! It must be because you didn't insist hard enough!"

Gu Ran: …

What else was I supposed to do?

Slap you across the face and force you to bet with me?

Andrew groaned. "Ah, if I had just followed your advice, I'd be £145,000 richer! I swear from now on, I'll always follow your bets! Whatever you pick, I'll bet the same! I trust you, Gu!"

Gu Ran immediately shook his head. "No, Uncle, don't trust me, seriously!"

Andrew's face turned stern. "Ha! I knew it! You're mad at me for not listening yesterday, so now you're trying to shut me out! Alright, I admit I was wrong! I apologize! Even if you won't do it for me, do it for Sophie—don't think I don't know what happened between you two!"

Whoa, whoa—

Gu Ran's heart nearly skipped a beat.

How did you find out about what just happened on the train?!

"Uncle, let me explain," Gu Ran stammered. "It wasn't exactly what you think—"

Andrew immediately waved his hands. "No, no! I don't want the details! That's too much for my heart! I just want today's betting slip!"

"Uncle, if you follow today's bet, you'll feel even worse."

"Ah-ha! Testing me, are you?" Andrew chuckled. "Gu, you don't have to test me—I promise I can handle it! From now on, I won't even analyze—I'll just bet exactly what you bet!"

"Uncle, this really isn't a test… I just placed today's bet randomly. Let's wait until I actually feel something before—"

"Stop talking! Hand it over!"

Andrew snatched Gu Ran's phone and checked the bet.

380x odds.

Andrew's face lit up. "Jackpot—"

Gu Ran sighed and rubbed his temples.

Missing one bet isn't a big deal.

Missing two bets isn't a big deal.

But missing every single one…

Uncle Andrew, you're truly something else.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Sophie and Sally were deep in conversation.

Sophie beamed. "Mom, I have something really important to tell you!"

Sally smirked knowingly. "I already know."

Sophie's eyes widened. "Wait… you know?"

Sally looked smug. "Of course I do. I'm your mother—I know everything. You want to tell me that you and Gu Ran are together, right? I figured that out yesterday."

Sophie froze.

Yesterday?!

But we only got together on the train today…

Does my mom have psychic abilities?!

No, wait—

Sophie blushed. "Hold on, Mom. Yes, Gu Ran and I are together now, I admit that. But… that's not what I was going to say!"

Now it was Sally's turn to pause. "…Sophie? You're not pregnant, are you?"

"WHAT?!" Sophie's face went beet red as she stomped her foot. "Mom! Of course not!"

Sally let out a relieved sigh. "Right, right! It's only been a day, there's no way you'd know that quickly."

Sophie took a deep breath. "Mom, what I actually wanted to say is—I passed the audition for HBO's Game of Thrones! I'm officially going to be an actress!"

Sally gasped in shock. "What… You… HBO?"

Sophie's eyes glistened with excitement. "Yes! Yes!"

Sally was even more excited. "You mean the HBO?! The network that made Spartacus?! Oh my God, Spartacus—I love that show! I rewatch every episode at least five times!"

Sophie: …

"Mom, I haven't watched Spartacus, but I know it's made by Starz, not HBO! But that's not the point! What I'm saying is—I leave tomorrow for a training camp! I'm leaving!"

Sally gave her a huge hug. "Oh my God, my daughter! You're really going to be an actress! You're really going to star in Spartacus 2—that's my dream come true!"

"Mom! I'm acting in Game of Thrones! GAME OF THRONES!"

"Alright, alright—whatever it is, I'm proud of you! You're an actress now! I know you're going to be a star! What do you want for dinner? I'll cook you anything!"

Sophie thought for a moment. "I want… that spicy, chewy thing I had yesterday!"

Sally blinked. "Uh… what is that?"

"I don't know! It was something Gu Ran made me eat—it was amazing!"

Just the memory of that numbing spiciness made Sophie's mouth water.

"Gu! Gu!"

Sally rushed out of the room to find him.

That evening, the family had a grand meal of Mao Xue Wang, Shuizhu Beef, and Lazi Chicken.

Gu Ran ordered everything from a local Chinese restaurant, making sure it was freshly delivered.

While the dishes weren't quite as flavorful as the ones he had in London, Sophie's family still enjoyed every bite.

Everyone was happy—except for Andrew.

His 380x bet… lost.

Andrew sat at the table, stuffing his mouth with food in silence, stewing over his defeat.

He swore to himself:

If I ever blindly follow Gu Ran's "gut feelings" again, I'll start calling him Daddy.

After dinner, Gu Ran washed up early and went straight to bed.

The match was in two days, so he had to wake up early tomorrow to train.

Between today's travels and the "exercise" on the train, he needed a good night's sleep.

Sophie must be exhausted too.

She probably wouldn't come tonight.

And even if she did, he'd resist.

They were both focusing on their careers now.

As he was thinking this…

Sophie, wearing a sheer nightgown, quietly pushed his door open.

Click.

She locked it behind her.

Gu Ran sat up immediately. "Sophie! You… took your time!"

…

A mature reader should know what happens next.