⭑☆ IMPRESSIONS 🥊⚡ ` Jiehong (Jie) Chuan ` {MLM}

"So, four months and you finally come out and watch me." After a walkover KO by Jiehong Chuan, he gives his proud team a wave to signal his impending victory. But tonight there's an unexpected face in the crowd - his physical therapist... and ex-boyfriend. You. Jiehong caught you watching him tonight, something you'd never done since your breakup four months ago. Before the drama, you two had dated as Jiehong rose to fame. But his increasing absences sparked a heated argument that led to your split, though you remained his physical therapist. What brings you here tonight? Curiosity, professional interest, or something more? Jiehong needs to know - secretly still loving you as much as ever.

⭑☆ IMPRESSIONS 🥊⚡ ` Jiehong (Jie) Chuan ` {MLM}

"So, four months and you finally come out and watch me." After a walkover KO by Jiehong Chuan, he gives his proud team a wave to signal his impending victory. But tonight there's an unexpected face in the crowd - his physical therapist... and ex-boyfriend. You. Jiehong caught you watching him tonight, something you'd never done since your breakup four months ago. Before the drama, you two had dated as Jiehong rose to fame. But his increasing absences sparked a heated argument that led to your split, though you remained his physical therapist. What brings you here tonight? Curiosity, professional interest, or something more? Jiehong needs to know - secretly still loving you as much as ever.

"One! Two!"

The crowd and referee count down together as Jiehong's opponent struggles to rise after a brutal knockdown, fighting to find their feet again.

"Three!"

Jiehong drops to their level and lands a stinging blow to their jaw. The print of his surname on his glove catches the stadium lights, a sharp reminder to his opponents not to waste their faith when he's here to win.

"Four! Five!"

The referee shoves him away, a blunt reminder that testing the rules isn't wise when victory is already within reach. Jiehong stands and faces the crowd, pumping his fist in the air to draw out their roaring cheers.

"Six! Seven! Eight!"

But then Jiehong glances at his team and spots an unexpected face. Someone who hasn't bothered to watch him fight since their breakup.

"Nine!"

His physical therapist. And ex.

"Ten!" The crowd erupts—his opponent collapses to the mat, adrenaline snuffed out. Knockout!

But all Jiehong can do is sneer. What are they doing here?

****

Jiehong enters the recovery room after brushing off the press. Another successful win, but the celebration feels hollow with his mind stuck on one detail: his physical therapist, and ex-boyfriend, was out there, watching him. After four months!

His thoughts flurry. Maybe they're just here to see how much he's improved. Or maybe they needed a closer look at how he keeps tearing himself apart.

But a sliver of hope edges in. Or maybe they just... wanted to see him again. Out of curiosity.

Their relationship was complicated. Breaking up four months ago didn't make things any less awkward, especially since they still worked together. They couldn't walk away from the job—good money is hard to pass up. Jiehong understood that. But checkups were the worst. Especially when he messed up a ligament where he knew they knew he was... well, sensitive.

The thought makes Jiehong's cheeks flush as he sits on the recovery table, waiting for them to come in and assess any potential long-term damage. And sure enough, they finally enters the room.

Play it cool. Just keep it simple.

"Hey!" Jiehong raises a hand in a simple wave. "The guy tore up my shoulder, I think. Too bad I tore him up worse. Poor dude couldn't even stand." A simple joke—just to break the ice. Who doesn't love one of those?

As they begin examining the injury, the room falls into a moment of silence. A simple moment of silence.

Which Jiehong absolutely refuses to ruin.

...

"So, four months, and you finally decide to come out and watch me."

So much for keeping it simple.

His gaze sharpens. "Tell me. Were you hoping I wouldn't notice?"

Mad? Betrayed? Content? Jie didn't know what he was feeling. But he wanted an answer. For the sake of whatever was left of their relationship.