Chapter 90 – Three Years (END)

Are we being honest with each other, okay?

Lin Xingling was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head to meet his clear eyes, remaining silent for a long time.

On the other hand, Cheng Che seemed quite calm, meeting his gaze head-on without any trace of fear. He looked directly at Lin Xingling until he shyly averted his gaze, then chuckled lightly and said he already knew.

“What do you know?” Lin Xingling looked puzzled.

Cheng Che reached out and pulled him closer by the neck, gently opening his thin lips. “I know that three years from now, you won’t be with me.”

“?!!”

Lin Xingling didn’t know what to say for a moment; his mind felt as if it had frozen like a malfunctioning device.

The two of them remained frozen in their postures in front of the chair for a long time. In the end, Cheng Che couldn’t help but laugh. “N-No need to be so nervous. I know… I know that you’re also the you from three years later. I want… I want you to know…”

“You’re not… alone.”

“I am a person,” Lin Xingling smiled. “Don’t say random things.”

“Chuck~” Cheng Che’s eyes curved with his laughter. “So, it means we both… have been reborn?”

Lin Xingling nodded. “I’ve never denied it.”

Some parts of himself were so obvious that he couldn’t hide them. On the other hand, Cheng Che had disguised himself well, and he hadn’t dared to think that Cheng Che had also come back from a previous life after such a long time.

Cheng Che: “I’m just saying, isn’t there a possibility that it’s not me who’s good at pretending, but you who’s silly?”

“When did you realize it?”

At his words, Cheng Che hugged him tighter and whispered in his ear, “I slowly realized it. It was only tonight that I truly confirmed it.”

“Even if it’s not… I still like you.”

In his previous life, he was his idol, the goal and motivation for his professional career. In this life, it was already fortunate enough for him to fight alongside him and achieve honor together.

Lin Xingling smiled bitterly, regretting that he only realized it now.

“…It’s okay. Well, at least we… we like each other, right?”

“Right!”

…

Three years later.

August 28, 2021. The scheduled location for the final of the King of Glory World Championship is Anping Sports Center in Nanhuai City.

At 5:25 pm, five minutes before the opening ceremony of the match, as soon as the commentator reminded everyone to take their seats, a line of text appeared on the large screen of the stadium:

[Finals Night: TG Team vs. SYG Team]

The screen switched, and the photos of two boys appeared. On the left, wearing a white jersey and smiling disdainfully, was Cheng Che, the captain of the TG team. On the right, wearing a black jersey with an expressionless face, was Lin Xingling, the captain of the SYG team.

The screen displayed the caption:

[Top Marksman TG-Clear × Strongest Jungler SYG-Stars]

— Young geniuses among us, looking back after three years!

They both made their official debut/comeback in the autumn tournament of 2019. Cheng Che played in the development lane, while Lin Xingling specialized in jungle.

They served different teams and have been in a love-hate relationship since Cheng Che’s first match against Lin Xingling in the KPL. It has been three years since then.

“Ah, my Dad Star!!!”

“SYG is going for three consecutive wins, the Star Child Stars!”

“Jungler Daddy Stars! Peak performance since debut! Lin Xingling, bring home the Golden Phoenix Cup for us!”

“Clear! Insult me again, hubby!!!”

“TG, there’s no man you can’t defeat or insult! Clear is here! The opponents should surrender quickly!”

“The League’s top trashtalker Cheng Che… oh, sorry, the top marksman is awesome!”

Amidst the applause and cheers that rose and fell throughout the arena, the commentator’s impassioned words, accompanied by the resounding opening ceremony music, ignited the atmosphere at the venue.

Even the support sounds reached backstage.

Cheng Che couldn’t quite make out what those fans were shouting, but he could vaguely hear someone calling his and his archenemy Lin Xingling’s in-game IDs.

“Star’s Clarity, the passage of time! In these long but fleeting three years, TG and SYG teams blablabla… Clear and Stars are also rivals…”

“Ah, ah, ah, Star’s Clarity, marvelous~”

Hearing the commentator’s words from the front desk, the top laner and support of SYG turned their heads with a gloating expression to look at their team captain, Lin Xingling, who was at the back of the team… and the enemy team captain, Cheng Che.

Cheng Che jokingly raised his middle finger at the two of them and slowly brought his index finger up as well.

“Insulting opponents is prohibited in the league, and if it’s severe, it can lead to a suspension,” Lin Xingling calmly reminded him, reaching out to press down on his finger and hold it.

“I know.”

Even when playing around, there are limits. What kind of person is he? Cheng Che rolled his eyes and pulled his finger out of Lin Xingling’s hand, tucking both hands into the pockets of his team’s jersey.

With both hands in his pockets, showing no affection for anyone.

The two team captains were archenemies, so they were usually a bit more hostile towards each other. After playing matches for a while, the players from both sides had gotten used to it and didn’t pay much attention, casually going up the stairs together, laughing and joking.

The large screen at the front desk displayed the pre-recorded trash-talking video, and the sound reached the hallway.

“How impressive! Can the fallen wild player Stars not show off? The last time he played Mirror in the jungle, his incredible plays made our mid laner eat three bowls of rice and still feel hungry.”

With a hint of arrogance, it was clear that the voice belonged to Cheng Che:

“…Let me give an impartial and objective evaluation of Stars… well, let’s put it this way, Stars as a jungler has pushed the ceiling so high that others are left helpless. He is undoubtedly the kitchen of the jungle.”

Someone who specializes in serving dishes that go well with rice.

“…”

Cheng Che, as the league’s certified number one trashtalker… ah, no, marksman, had an absolute ability to attract hate. Although everyone had already heard these words during the recording, hearing them again now made it difficult for their blood pressure to calm down.

“Ha.”

The person involved at this moment wasn’t embarrassed at all; on the contrary, he felt even more awesome. Cheng Che bumped his elbow against Lin Xingling, who was walking alongside him, and smiled, “What does the Jungle King think of what I said?”

With a cold expression, Lin Xingling replied, “Is your marksman only good at talking?”

“Heh~”

The voice in the video being played at the front desk changed, it was SYG’s support, Cheng Zhi, who had a mouth that could talk anyone into submission, good or bad.

Cheng Zhi said, “The number one trashtalker Clear… cough cough cough cough cough, good day to you, young master.”

Cheng Che still hadn’t understood the meaning of those coughs; he was lost in thought when suddenly he slipped and missed a step, causing his body to tilt backward.

“??!”

In that instant, he wanted to grab onto the person beside him to maintain his balance, but with his hands in his pockets, he couldn’t move in time. All he could see was Lin Xingling getting farther and farther away…

The feeling of weightlessness spread from the top of his head to his entire body, and Cheng Che helplessly and fearfully closed his eyes.

“Cheng Che?!”

“Damn it! Quick, help him! Are you okay, Brother Che?!”

“Oh my god! Captain!”

“Damn it, call an ambulance!”

During the brief moment of falling, it seemed that his clothes were caught on something. Cheng Che didn’t dare to open his eyes or move, and he could hear a cacophony of voices in his ears.

He could only feel that in the end, it seemed like he had fallen down the stairs together with that thing.

The pain spread throughout his body.

…

That day, the man in black grabbed the collar of the white-clad youth.

That day, the two of them were like a pair of black and white butterflies dancing in the air, experiencing a fleeting brilliance.

Cheng Che opened his eyes and saw Lin Xingling sleeping peacefully beside him.

Please keep your heart beating because someone is waiting for you to resonate.

–End of the main text–

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ry’s note:

Finished! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

Thank you t readers who have been reading from the beginning to the end…

I apologize for any typos and translation errors.

I hope you enjoy this story

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Chapter 89 – Frank

Knowing the tricks of the trade, Lin Xingling couldn’t do anything about it. He could only silently clean his hands and lift the person up, carrying them back to the room.

“Put me down… Your hands, your wrists will get tired.”

The eloquent little stutterer’s brain immediately became dull in this situation.

“Not tired,” he said in a low voice near his ear, and then Lin Xingling chuckled and said, “Don’t speak so loudly. Do you want Xiao You and the others to come out and watch?”

“…”

Well, maybe it’s not a bad idea…

After being carried back to the room, Cheng Che had an expectant look on his face.

Lin Xingling felt embarrassed under his eager gaze, so he lowered his head and stood silently by the bed.

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat subtle.

It was winter, and the heating in the room was not turned on yet, but there was a warm feeling in the air, as if it were late spring. Cheng Che blushed and sat obediently on the bed with his legs crossed, his bright blue eyes fixed on Lin Xingling, never looking away.

Just as Lin Xingling was about to speak and break the silence, his own phone rang.

“Go out and take the call.”

Cheng Che waved his hand.

But Lin Xingling didn’t expect that he would be gone for nearly half an hour. When he returned, he only told Cheng Che to go to sleep first and explained that he had something to take care of on his end.

“…Then come back quickly, I’ll wait for you.”

Seeing the adorable little child wrapped up in the blanket, Lin Xingling leaned over and tucked the corners of the blanket for him, then went out of the room to answer Lian Rong’s call.

“What conflict could we have? It’s just that Liu Ying asked about my ex-girlfriend before, and I answered truthfully, and he got angry…”

…

Lian Rong really liked him, so he was very candid. He answered whatever was asked of him seriously.

At that time, Liu Ying asked, “Did you truly love all your previous girlfriends?”

Lian Rong replied, “Yes, otherwise why would I be with them?”

“…What about me?”

With high emotional intelligence like Lian Rong, of course, he would answer that the other person was special to him and so on. Liu Ying was also pleased, and when a child’s mood improved, he naturally wanted to get to know him better.

The conversation on the phone was quite pleasant, but Liu Ying kept lingering on the fact that he had dated other girlfriends before and had some lingering doubts about that.

No matter how Lian Rong explained, it was useless. In the end, he became annoyed and stopped saying anything, giving him the silent treatment.

After hearing this, Lin Xingling thought to himself:…

“It’s understandable that Liu Ying doesn’t believe you. After all, think about your own reputation.”

There were rumors in the industry about Lian Shen’s chaotic personal life, changing girlfriends like changing clothes, and besides the exposed girlfriends, there were many other mistresses. Who would believe that such a playboy in the dating scene could still remain celibate until now?

Lian Rong sighed and said he didn’t know what to do.

After days of the silent treatment, he tried to calm down every day, but all he could think about was Liu Ying’s smile… so sweet and exceptionally pure.

“Explain it to him. He really likes you and will listen.”

Lin Xingling pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and pouted, “When you argue, you’re all heated up, but now that you’ve calmed down, just talk it out… By the way, be careful not to upset Liu Ying.”

We have our mid-lane teammate, and we still have matches to play.

“I know.” Lian Rong snapped his fingers. “Wait until I finish explaining to him… Oh, we shouldn’t see each other until the tournament is over. Occasionally chat a bit, I understand, I understand.”

Let’s both maintain our own states and moods.

“Okay, I’ll tell him to answer your call.” (Lin)

“Thank you, Da Ling. I’ll treat you to barbecue when you’re free.” (Lian)

…

After explaining everything to Liu Ying, Lin Xingling closed the door for him and stood in the corridor, stretching his waist and wrists… The joints made a crackling sound, sounding like bamboo shoots breaking through the earth in spring.

He opened his phone, it was after one in the morning… On the lock screen, there was a notification from an anonymous Q&A.

Lin Xingling clicked on it: “How can I make the man I live with fall in love with me?”

Lin Xingling: “Elderly person on the subway looking at a phone.jpg”

He immediately forwarded it to Cheng Che.

[DCT-Stars: What a coincidence!]

[DCT-Clear: Ah / Crying]

[DCT-Clear: How can I make the man I live with ‘up’ for me?]

[DCT-Stars: Wash up and go to sleep / Smiling]

When he entered the room, he saw Cheng Che lying on the bed with a pair of long white legs exposed. Lin Xingling frowned, went over and patted his leg, and asked, “Aren’t you cold?”

Cheng Che replied, “Not cold!”

“Hurry up and cover yourself with the blanket. I didn’t spend five million yuan to buy you just to let you get sick.” Lin Xingling grabbed his little leg and stuffed it directly into the blanket… Although the soft and smooth touch felt good, he still refrained from touching him further.

It’s fine to touch the child as much as you want when they grow up, but not now… Even though they have already had intimate skin-to-skin contact, it’s still not allowed.

Cheng Che probably knew what he was thinking, so he extended his leg again.

“Here, touch a bit more.”

“Don’t tease, tomorrow you have to put on autumn pants for me, alright?” Lin Xingling said as he once again stuffed his leg into the blanket, only to have it pulled out by Cheng Che once more. Suddenly, his face showed an uncertain expression.

Cheng Che, seemingly oblivious, smiled and lifted his leg. “I just took a shower, and I smell… really good. Want to have a whiff?”

Lin Xingling:…

Lin Xingling turned and walked away, afraid that he would hesitate for a second and couldn’t resist dealing with the little guy on the spot.

Cheng Che: ???

At this moment, Cheng Che’s little friend had a head full of question marks:

“What do you mean, Lin Xingling? What do you mean? Are you unable to? Are you Yang Wei? Is it not interesting anymore? Don’t you like me?”

Countless words turned into a single question: [What should I do if my husband doesn’t like me anymore?]

With a hopeful mindset, Cheng Che sent out the question, wanting it to reach Lin Xingling.

The system was still very reliable.

On Lin Xingling’s side, the question was almost received synchronously.

Editing the response: [You’re still too young, I can’t go that far, but you have to believe that I really love you…]

Blah blah~

“Barrier-free communication.”

While typing, a faint figure suddenly appeared behind.

“The captain is still here… Is there something you need?”

It was Liu Ying. Lin Xingling shook his head, stood in the corridor with his back to Room 508, and continued editing the message.

Liu Ying yawned and returned to his room.

“It’s nothing, just the captain at the door, probably for Brother Che…”

[…I really, really like you, dear. Don’t think too much, okay…]

Editing was successful. Clicking to send the comment.

Cheng Che: Hello!

Lin Xingling: “Why did you come out? Is it… because your legs are cold? Hurry back, go, go, go!”

Coming out bare-legged is really ridiculous.

“Eh…”

Leaning over to take a glance at his phone, Cheng Che’s mouth curled up in satisfaction and he proudly said, “Are you sending cheesy sweet nothings to some little kitty?”

“It’s you, this little kitty…” Lin Xingling’s face blushed as soon as he said that.

He lowered his head and only then noticed that Cheng Che was actually wearing his own shirt… Lin Xingling bit his lip and said, “The shirt is too big for me, it’s okay to wear it as pajamas, but not outside… Do you know?”

Cheng Che nodded and wrapped his arm around Lin Xingling’s neck, leaning in to give a gentle peck on the lips, smiling.

Lin Xingling: “I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.”

“Can’t you stay?”

After a moment of thought, Cheng Che reluctantly let go of his hand and ‘threatened,’ saying, “If you go to the guest room to sleep, then I’ll, I’ll go to the training room for a live broadcast.”

It’s bound to be a treat for the viewers who are still awake…

“If you really want that, put on some pants and change into the team uniform before going.” Lin Xingling patted his shoulder, with a kind expression on his face.

Who are you pretending to be, Daddy…

Cheng Che raised an eyebrow and said, “No, I’ll just start the live stream like this, and I’ll… I’ll perform a section for everyone…”

He forgot what he was going to say.

Lin Xingling asked, “Is it ‘The Drunken Concubine’?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

…You really are something, kid.

Lin Xingling grabbed his arm and said softly, “Stop messing around and go back to sleep.”

Cheng Che said, “Then give me a kiss.”

…

The two of them were being affectionate in the corridor, but in the end, Lin Xingling was half-pushed and half-led back to the room by Cheng Che.

Returning to the room, the temperature set by the heater was a bit high, and the air was stuffy.

Lin Xingling first went to the bathroom to fill a basin with water, and then brought a cup of warm water for Cheng Che to drink.

Cheng Che was wearing a shirt that was slightly too big for him, with some of the buttons undone, revealing a hint of his upper thighs.

At this moment, he was sitting loosely on the gaming chair in the room, unconsciously crossing his legs and exposing even more.

Lin Xingling coughed and asked him to pay attention to his posture.

But instead, he changed to a sitting position where one foot was on the stool, assuming a very arrogant appearance.

Lin Xingling: …

“No more nonsense, go to bed.”

“Call me something sweet and I’ll sleep.”

The kid was being naughty.

“Good boy, go to sleep and stop causing trouble.”

“Xiao Che… Che Che… Che brat… brat…”

“Good boy…”

Lin Xingling had thoughts like, “What did I do wrong for the heavens to treat me like this?”

If it weren’t for the fact that he was a kid, he would really be unable to resist touching him… But the problem is, he’s only eighteen years old, so all he can do is kiss, hug, and lift him up.

After calling him several different names without a response, Lin Xingling finally asked in exasperation, “What sweet name do you want to be called?”

Cheng Che said, “Wife~”

“…No.”

It was too embarrassing to say, so Lin Xingling resolutely refused.

Cheng Che tilted his head and persistently said, “You bought me with a wife contract, so I’m your wife.”

He had a demeanor of being stubborn and not going to sleep unless he was called “wife”.

“Okay, okay, okay…”

Lin Xingling compromised and said, “Wife…”

After saying that, his face turned as red as a tomato.

This little devil.

Cheng Che became even more bold, saying, “Wife doesn’t want to sleep, wife wants to sleep with husband.”

He learned to be shameless from somewhere.

Lin Xingling pressed him down on the chair and gave him a serious talk, “You mustn’t think about these things. Let me tell you, when you grow up a few more years, I will definitely love and cherish you, you know?”

“…”

The child’s attitude was clear: Love and cherish me now.

“Really, at least… wait until you’re twenty years old.”

Taking off his glasses and placing them on the table, Lin Xingling smiled and reached out to touch the hair of the reluctant child in front of him, like stroking a cat, and it felt good.

“Are you kidding?”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Che said he was lying, which startled Lin Xingling for a moment. He asked why he said that.

Cheng Che sighed, “Can’t we be honest with each other?”

Author’s Note:

As long as the car runs fast, there is no sadness, only love.

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Chapter 88 – Coriander

When Lin Xingling entered the room, he only saw a dumpling sitting cross-legged on a chair. The dumpling held a phone to their ear with their right hand while gesturing with their free left hand.

…He really didn’t want to eavesdrop on their gibberish.

Anyway, it was just some trivial matters.

“They ended the broadcast so early?”

Cheng Che shook his head and pointed to the computer, saying that he turned off the camera and microphone.

After explaining, he continued to criticize Liu Ying in hindsight, wearing the appearance of a post-event armchair strategist. “If it doesn’t feel right, it’s better to break up early. No one should… shouldn’t delay anyone.”

Lin Xingling listened in a daze and asked, “Who is it?”

“Your good… good mid laner, who else.”

…

After a few sentences, Lin Xingling roughly understood the ins and outs of the situation.

The couple in the mid lane was having a fight for some reason, and it had been going on for a few days without any resolution. Liu Ying insisted on breaking up unilaterally, and even Lian Rong was angry and ignoring everyone…

It was really boring.

“I understand that they are arguing, but advising a breakup instead of reconciliation… to be honest, it’s a bit unethical.”

Liu Ying on the other end of the phone remained silent.

Cheng Che rolled his eyes and said, “I just want him to think for himself. But if I were in this situation, I would definitely consider whether the two of us are compatible or not.”

Lin Xingling reached out and touched his soft hair, smiling. “So, have you considered it? Are you compatible?”

Liu Ying: You two look at me… am I compatible?

Something was said in a coquettish manner from the other side, and the call was suddenly hung up.

Leaving the mid laner alone in the corner of the bed, playing the peak competition in a lonely and pitiful state.

Perhaps it was an unlucky night. The champion mid laner kept repeating “timi, defeat” after four consecutive losses and uninstalled the game directly.

Getting angry and playing games only made you angrier.

For a moment, Lin Xingling wanted to call Brother Che, but he was afraid of disturbing Dad Star and Mom Star. After thinking about it, he decided not to make the call.

Refreshed the messages countless times, but there was still no update from the specially marked “concerned” message.

“…”

In the DCT-Clear live streaming room, there was no video or sound.

The viewers had been staring at the black screen since Lin Xingling and Liu Ying flipped the game against the wind with Yao and Xi Shi for half an hour. When the streamer finally managed to turn on the microphone and camera, he had to announce that the broadcast was ending.

[“We’ve been waiting in vain, another heartbreaking day with DCT”]

[“???”]

[“What does this mean?”]

[“Dad Star’s hand! On his shoulder! Dad Star!!!”]

[“What the hell happened to your mouth, did someone hit you? /silly”]

Some observant viewers had already noticed the redness around Cheng Che’s mouth and the wrinkles on his clothes. With a little more speculation, they could figure out something extraordinary.

Before they could start discussing it in depth, Lin Xingling once again turned off the camera and microphone, swiftly ending the stream and logging out.

Cheng Che’s progress in today’s live broadcast task: 25%.

“If we keep doing this every day, the task won’t be completed at all… What should I do about my streaming hours?” Cheng Che raised an eyebrow and looked at him, asking, “How about you accompany me for a duo stream to meet the streaming hour requirement?”

“Let’s talk about it tomorrow.” Lin Xingling kissed his cheek and said, “It’s time for you to sleep.”

“It’s only ten o’clock…”

The sleep schedule for professional players was usually from 3 a.m. to 12 p.m., but there were no matches recently, so Lin Xingling wanted him to get some extra sleep.

“Now is the time to grow taller.”

Lin Xingling pointed at the tip of his nose with his finger, educating the child, “I asked the doctor, at your age, sleeping more can help you grow taller.”

“Growing taller… I won’t grow taller if I’m being crushed.”

“Then don’t let yourself be crushed.”

“Hey! That’s not what I meant!”

Cheng Che took a small orange from the desk next to the computer and showed it to him, smiling mysteriously.

“I meant this.”

A navel orange.

Lin Xingling pursed his lips and said no.

Anything related to making heart-shaped cakes was absolutely not allowed.

After experiencing that incident for the first time, Cheng Che was like a porcelain doll in Lin Xingling’s eyes, unable to touch… at least not too forcefully.

Hemostatic disorders were quite scary, and he didn’t want his child to bleed again.

Even now, he didn’t let Cheng Che even cut an apple by himself, fearing that he might get injured.

“I really can’t do it… Hmm, really, it was just that I didn’t adapt the first time, but now I have adapted. Let’s give it a try.”

Once you start eating meat, it’s not easy to stop. It had been more than ten days, and logically, the wound should have healed by now and forgotten the pain.

Lin Xingling insisted on not touching it, so he ended up receiving a tantrum-throwing and rolling cat on the bed, begging for consent.

Begging was futile. Captain Cheng was “heartless,” directly tucking him into bed and hugging him, then turning off the lights to sleep.

“Do you still think of me as a child…”

“Just sleep.”

The two weeks of vacation passed peacefully, and when it was time to return to the team, Cheng Che’s complexion had visibly improved.

Eating well and sleeping well, it would be strange if he didn’t look good.

Wu You and Phantom were still the same, one lively and cheerful, the other silent and reserved, yet they insisted on standing together.

Creating a stark contrast.

Coach Liang Feng had gone home to visit his parents and seemed quite energetic.

Lin Xingling was similar to him.

During the vacation, Lian Rong and Lian Ying have been in a cold war and still haven’t made up. Liu Ying is the one who has changed the most among everyone: he has probably lost some weight, and his eyes also appear somewhat dull.

But a passionate young man would always be a passionate young man. As soon as he saw his usual teammates fighting side by side with him and returned to the familiar training room, he would immediately recover his vitality when sitting in his own position.

“Jungle, jungle, smite them to death!!!”

“Liu Ying, is your flash ready? Can we make a play?”

“You really are a melon shooter, Brother Che, you are.”

“Support, protect the ADC, Dad Star protects the backline.”

“You two, Wu You, Xiao Pei, what are you doing?! Don’t push the lanes!”

Everyone was playing a messy five-man rank, making the coach sigh repeatedly from the sidelines. “Indeed, it’s necessary for you to regain your touch a bit. Otherwise, is this how you’re going to play training matches?”

It wasn’t that their touch was off, but facing each other and playing ranked together again was exciting.

Teammates who were usually close hadn’t seen each other for half a month, so seeing each other again would naturally bring joy, and conversations would involuntarily become more frequent. In this afternoon of regaining their touch in the five-man rank, everyone was giving commands, and everyone was chatting a lot.

Except for Phantom, who remained as calm as ever.

Liang Feng had to repeat many times that the main shot-caller was Lin Xingling as support, followed by mid-laner Liu Ying, then jungler Wu You, followed by ADC Cheng Che and top laner Phantom.

Everyone: Got it!

In the evening, they ordered takeout, fried chicken, Sprite, and spicy hot pot, ordering a whole bunch of food.

They replaced alcohol with water, considering it a small team-building activity.

They posted on Weibo.

[DCT Esports Club]

The five divine beasts are gathered! Coach Liang summons the Divine Dragon!

[Image: Five team members fighting for food.JPG]

[Everyone knows that the food in DCT is good because we have a chef, the jungler]

[uu: Are you polite?]

[If I Had Three Smites]

[Looking at Dad Star and Cub Che, so sweet aww]

[Starry Sky is amazing]

[I didn’t see it wrong, Dad Star is feeding Cub Che, eat more to grow taller!”]

Wu You waved a Sprite in front of Cheng Che’s eyes, “Brother Che, look, see what this is.”

“Give it here.” Cheng Che snatched it with one hand, “Hey…”

The Sprite bottle he just got disappeared?!

Lin Xingling said, “He’s already had two drinks today, he can’t have any more.”

“What, what’s with this person…” Cheng Che picked up a sesame ball with his chopsticks and threw it into Liu Ying’s bowl, “Liu Ying, eat more.”

Liu Ying obediently ate.

Wu You said, “I want to eat too~”

“You don’t have hands, do you~” Cheng Che raised an eyebrow at him.

“Xiao~ Pei~”

Phantom stood up and left.

Liang Feng held his forehead, “It’s starting again.”

During dinner, there was chaos, but when it came to transferring spoons or tidying up the takeout bags, everyone suddenly fell silent.

“It’s your turn…”

No one wanted to be chosen.

Lady Luck favored everyone except Cheng Che.

Cheng Che:…

“Beautiful.”

Wu You stood up and applauded, laughing as he patted Cheng Che’s shoulder. “Brother Che, work hard and strive to clean up more neatly.”

“Then let’s go back and compete in the peak tournament.”

Those who didn’t want to clean up had all left, leaving only Cheng Che in place.

Lin Xingling rushed back faster than anyone else.

[DCT-Clear: I’m back.]

[DCT-Stars: Okay /grinning]

Lin Xingling came back again.

“Sharing blessings and hardships, look at this table…”

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

Lin Xingling, who voluntarily offered to help clean up the table, had a pained expression on his face.

Cheng Che was browsing his phone on the side.

As he scrolled, he saw a notification: “There’s hope for people who don’t eat cilantro…”

He clicked on it: [How to make cilantro taste delicious]

He felt a sudden unease in his heart.

“Captain…”

“Yeah?”

Lin Xingling looked up at him, and in the dim light, he could see that the child’s eye sockets were red, with tiny specks of light shimmering within.

Very beautiful…

Cheng Che’s eyes were very beautiful, like clear lakes in the snowy highlands.

They say that’s called a “lake.”

“What’s wrong?”

Upon hearing the response, Cheng Che blinked his eyelashes a few times and suddenly chuckled, “Can you eat cilantro?”

…

Eating cilantro…

Lin Xingling nodded, saying that he could eat it but also that he could choose not to… because Cheng Che didn’t like cilantro, this matter was firmly engraved in his mind.

“Well then, I should keep my distance from you.” Cheng Che rubbed his eyes, making his eye sockets appear even redder in the dim light, as if he had cried.

“Haha, what do you mean?”

Lin Xingling finished tidying up the last bit, packed the trash bag into the trash can, and then went to the small kitchen to wash his hands.

Cheng Che followed behind, “If you can eat cilantro, what will happen if one day you eat me?”

This… Lin Xingling found it amusing, “When I eat you, I’ll sprinkle cilantro on you.”

Cheng Che looked at him seriously, “I will die without closing my eyes.”

Lin Xingling said, “Sprinkle cilantro, green onions, minced garlic, shredded ginger, diced celery… everything.”

… What a devilish remark.

Cheng Che blinked his eyes and smiled, “So you mean… one day you will actually eat me?”

Lin Xingling nodded.

“Rather than choosing a day, let’s do it today!”

---

Chaoter 87 – Orange

The consequences of lack of self-restraint are very serious.

By the time Lin Xingling wanted to carry Cheng Che to take a bath, and lifted the blanket, what he saw was a shocking scene.

The precious chambers hide a withered beauty, and the bedding is filled with remnants of flowers and defeated willows, truly pitiful.

… Why is there blood?

“How did this happen?”

“No, don’t… um…”

Cheng Che drowsily held onto his arm, preventing him from moving, murmuring that he was tired and wanted to sleep.

He didn’t expect Lin Xingling to lose control like this. Tonight was a mess.

As Lin Xingling looked at the crimson scene, his facial expressions became more and more complex… It started with some discomfort, then slowly turned into guilt. Now, why does he feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in his heart?

Although boys don’t have that kind of thing that bleeds when broken, hmm…

“Don’t sleep yet, let me clean you up and apply some medicine.”

“Okay…”

After Lin Xingling forcefully carried him to the bathroom and cleaned him up, Cheng Che’s consciousness also recovered slightly.

With a flushed face and a tired look, Cheng Che reluctantly welcomed the aftermath, still feeling a burning heat in his body. He ignored the foreign object blocking sensation and the trickle flowing from there.

Seeing the injured area on his own child, Lin Xingling was in a dilemma. “What’s going on? Why can’t the bleeding stop?”

Cheng Che chuckled lightly, saying it was due to a clotting disorder.

“In the drawer, there’s a blue-packaged tube… um, an antifibrinolytic agent, use that…”

As the pampered son of a wealthy family, Cheng Che was delicate and prone to illnesses.

He was no exception, and his condition was even more severe.

“…”

Cheng Che stayed in bed for two days.

On the third day, unable to withstand the news from Liu Ying and Wu You that it was snowing outside, Cheng Che stood at the door of Room 508, waiting for them to go out and play together.

A simplified version of Cheng Che, standing in the snow.

Lin Xingling made a small snowman for him.

With earmuffs, gloves, and a scarf, he looked cute and silly.

Just as they finished building it, Cheng Che accidentally stepped back without looking and crushed the snowman.

Lin Xingling: (´ཀ`」 ∠)

Cheng Che: “Ah…”

“It’s okay, let’s tidy up and go eat.”

To celebrate Cheng Che getting out of bed today, they decided to have a feast… Anyway, winning the championship brought in enough money to spend.

A behavior befitting a nouveau riche.

It was a good thing originally.

Until Cheng Che spoke up, “Let’s eat… eat that big white duck, um…”

Lin Xingling said, “You mean Peking duck.”

Cheng Che: “Quack quack quack?”

Everyone fell silent.

Even Wu You, who usually enjoyed bantering with Cheng Che, didn’t say anything.

Everyone looked at the child with pity in their eyes.

It’s over, Clear is clueless.

“Cheng Che, don’t scare me…”

Liu Ying patted his shoulder and handed him a glass of Sprite.

Cheng Che shook his head and said he didn’t want to drink it.

“Are you still the Cheng Che I know?” Wu You looked at him incredulously, then looked at Lin Xingling. “Dad Star… what’s going on with Cheng Che?”

“Well…”

Maybe he’s just not used to being together with himself yet.

Lin Xingling scratched the corner of his mouth and instructed the waiter not to make the dishes spicy, without garlic or coriander.

He was already very considerate.

…

After that incident, Cheng Che felt down for several consecutive days. With a two-week break and everyone going back home, he didn’t want to go back, so he moved in with Lin Xingling.

Lin Xingrong exclaimed, “Sister-in-law, you’re so lucky!”

He quickly went to the kitchen to prepare delicious food for his sister-in-law.

Sweet fermented rice balls, caramelized pumpkin cakes, spicy crayfish… They ordered everything.

…Ordered takeout from the kitchen.

Lin Xingling looked for cream puffs in the living room to feed Cheng Che. Holding one and stuffing it into his mouth, he said, “This should make us feel like we’re dating, right?… Do I really have to call you as Chen Enci’s teachings suggest?”

“Kiss, my wife?”

Cheng Che couldn’t help but chuckle… He swallowed the puff, and cream oozed out of his mouth.

Xiaorong, who had just entered the living room, was confused: “???”

My brother is such a jerk…

Lin Xingling laughed and wiped his mouth with a tissue, telling him to swallow quickly.

After saying that, he lifted his waist and went to get him some water.

Strange implications.

“Um… Che Che…”

After he walked away, Lin Xingrong brought a can of cola and sat down, giving it to Cheng Che. “My brother, um… use this to rinse your mouth.”

Cheng Che, who instantly understood the implication of “cola rinse,” blushed immediately. “Ah, no, it’s not, it’s the cream puff…”

“Ah…”

Sorry, little sister-in-law, I misinterpreted.

Lin Xingrong punished herself by facing the wall.

Looking eagerly at Lin Xingling who came over with water and a plate of fruits, Cheng Che only took an orange and started peeling it to eat.

This is orange sauce, this is cherry sauce, this is my Cheng Che sauce~

Cheng Che tasted a strawberry, and it was sour.

“Eat blueberries, they’re sweet.” Lin Xingling grabbed a handful and fed him.

“I… I’ll eat them myself…” Cheng Che didn’t feel comfortable eating like that with his family around, so he picked a few blueberries and ate them himself.

Xiaorong:…

Am I interfering with your performance here?

…

When he was in a good mood in the evening, Cheng Che livestreamed for his fans. On the table were fruits that he had recently started to enjoy during the day.

Lin Xingling was busy, so he played a game of his peak-ranked match to warm up.

While waiting for the match to start, Cheng Che glanced at the bullet comments and interacted with his viewers.

“Ah, I’m… at the captain’s house, come and play for a few days.”

“Fruits… Among them, um… this orange… is pretty, pretty tasty.”

[“Navel oranges are not only delicious but also easy to make.”]

[“Dad Star is taking care of the little one so well, where can Cheng Che find such a good girlfriend like Dad Star in the future? [dog head]”]

[“Brother, when looking for a girlfriend, don’t look for a dad.”]

“…Um, the game is starting.”

Although… Lin Xingling didn’t say it could be made public, so he shouldn’t mention it.

Cheng Che wouldn’t do something that was completely harmful and had no benefits.

He played as Yao in the jungle and got a Xi Shi in the mid lane.

After clearing the jungle, he was about to go to the mid lane for ganks when Xishi suddenly pinged his avatar.

[Peak Summoner 10 (Yao):?]

[Peak Summoner 8 (Xi Shi): I got dumped today. Can you not gank my lane?]

[Peak Summoner 10 (Yao): I didn’t get dumped. Alright, I’ll save the blue buff for you later, okay?]

[Peak Summoner 8 (Xi Shi): [Received]]

Happily eating minions together, Cheng Che kept his promise and successfully counterattacked the enemy jungler by taking their third blue buff and giving his own blue buff to Xi Shi.

Xi Shi struggled to take the blue buff in the mid lane.

[Peak Summoner 8 (Xi Shi): Dad, help me take the blue.]

Cheng Che: “……”

This is not proper…

[“I think she meant “come” “]

[” “Come” “]

[“Hahaha, Xi Shi’s brain isn’t working properly after getting dumped”]

…

They lost the team fight, and their teammates kept dying, leaving only Yao and Xi Shi… And then Yao died too.

Xi Shi stole the Baron.

Xi Shi: Stunned—

Quickly using his microphone to communicate with the team, Cheng Che said, “Six.”

The opponent’s microphone opened: “Mhm.”

It’s you, Little Brother Ying…

[“Little Brother Ying doesn’t have a livestream, so I didn’t recognize him”]

[“Xi Shi: I got dumped, can you not steal my lane?”]

[“I hear nasal sounds, he’s been crying. Clear, quickly ask her what happened”]

“Liu Ying, what… what happened?” Cheng Che asked in confusion.

Liu Ying let out a puzzled laugh.

Cheng Che asked, “What break… what break-up?”

“Big brother, shouldn’t the focus be on not stealing my lane?”

Your intelligence…

---

Chapter 86 – First Night

On the night they won the championship, Cheng Che’s mood was extremely low.

He had thought that a lifetime of hard work should bring a different state, but now it felt too smooth-sailing.

Just like a dream.

Perhaps he was indeed dreaming, and the real him was barely clinging to life on a sickbed, fantasizing about the beautiful life he wished for in his dreams.

“Charity, the way he… aren’t you sad?” Sitting by the bed, he asked Lin Xingling like this.

Lin Xingling said, “I’m sad.”

But if I had known earlier… and even experienced it once, it wouldn’t have touched me so deeply.

After all, I know Chen Enci will be fine.

Cheng Che is the biggest variable in his life.

He fears that this world doesn’t exist, and worries that everything is just imagined. This is Lin Xingling’s greatest concern.

Neither of them spoke.

After a while, Cheng Che turned off the light and stopped Lin Xingling from turning on the night light.

Cheng Che is afraid of the dark, very afraid.

When he was young, he was kidnapped and stuffed into a suitcase by bad people. It was pitch black, his hands tied behind him, without even the chance to reach out and see if he could see his fingers.

These are things he doesn’t want to tell Lin Xingling.

He doesn’t want pity, he just wants to be loved.

The moon on the sixteenth night is round and bright, and the moonlight shining into the room doesn’t make it so terrifying even without turning on the lights.

Cheng Che lay flat on the bed, looking even paler than the moonlight… He looked at Lin Xingling in front of him with a hint of sadness and said he was scared.

“It’s really not scary… Come, let’s face it together, okay?”

…

---

Chapter 85 – Champion

Listening to Hua Xin, he said that people in familiar places may be less nervous and more easily get into a state. Cheng Che clung to Lin Xingling and asked him to take him back to his house.

Taking a bath, cleaning up.

When Cheng Che came out, Lin Xingling was sitting at the table wearing glasses, reading a college textbook – civil engineering major, which was difficult to understand, and Cheng Che didn’t want to understand it either.

He walked over confidently and leaned on his shoulder, asking, “Are you going to study this book tonight?”

The words were cleverly spoken, with a double entendre.

Lin Xingling stood up, took off his glasses and put them on the desk. He embraced Cheng Che’s waist with one hand and lifted his chin with the other, then directly kissed his soft lips.

Desire, a strong desire…

“Knock, knock, knock…“

Just as the fire was about to ignite, it was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Lin Xingrong asked, “Brother, are you asleep? I bought some midnight snacks. Do you want to eat them? They’re crayfish.”

Lin Xingling:…

My good sister, I’ve never seen you share midnight snacks with me before.

Yes, Lin Xingrong came for Cheng Che.

When she was having dinner, she said, “There’s nothing better than dumplings, and it’s fun, hehe~”

Nothing is more fun than a sister-in-law.

Cheng Che is really fun. When he doesn’t speak, he’s like a little dumpling, and he often comes up with witty remarks when he does speak.

He has both good looks and an interesting soul.

Crayfish!

Cheng Che pushed him away and swallowed his saliva. “I… I want to eat…”

“Can’t you be more mature?” Lin Xingling sighed.

…

In the end, they followed Xiaorong to eat crayfish, returned to the room, Cheng Che pursed his lips and asked, “Do you still want… burp… um, my throat is so spicy…”

Spicy food.

Lin Xingling poured him a glass of Sprite to soothe his throat.

“Is it still spicy?”

“I want a kiss… then, it won’t be spicy anymore.”

Cheng Che held onto Lin Xingling’s neck and pecked his lips like a little chick pecking at rice.

They wanted to finish what they hadn’t done.

“Knock, knock, knock…“

“Da Ling, come here and see what’s wrong with this camera.”

It was Lin Haiqing.

Lin Xingling:…

He’s really my biological father.

After helping his father fix the camera, Cheng Che was already tired, sitting on the edge of the bed and yawning.

“Che’er, let me hold you.”

This time, there was no kissing. Lin Xingling pressed him onto the bed directly, undressing for sleep.

Intimate and warm, the room was filled with warmth.

Lin Xingling patiently expanded him and lightly pressed on his sensitive gland, and Cheng Che almost immediately responded with pleasure.

“Mmm…”

“Shh, keep it down.”

Someone kindly reminded them, “Soundproofing isn’t that effective, what needs to be heard will still…”

As expected, he suddenly became nervous, clutching his fingers tightly, squeezing and sucking eagerly.

“More… more… Ah… make it hurt more…”

…

Even just foreplay almost made Cheng Che lose control.

If Lin Xingling hadn’t noticed and squeezed him softly, he would probably have no strength left by now.

The child whimpered and said he was uncomfortable.

“Be good, don’t move, shall I tie you up first?”

“No… um… I don’t want that…”

…

Lin Xingling was familiar with the process, and Cheng Che savored the pleasure.

Indeed, in a familiar place, Cheng Che was much more relaxed than when he was at the training base, although he still blushed in front of Lin Xingling.

“Is it… okay now?”

Half-pushing, half-accepting, the knocking sound came again.

It was Lin Xingling’s mother.

“Da Ling, fetch some water for the room. The weather is too dry. Get a basin of water to humidify the air.”

Lin Xingling tried his best to answer her with a hoarse voice.

His mother was worried, “Should I go and get it for you?”

“No need.”

“Okay.” His mother left disappointed.

Next, Lin Xingling kissed his mouth and said, “Che’er, you should think it through, after tonight…”

“Knock, knock, knock…“

Lin Xingrong: “Brother, Mom has brought some water for you and asked me to put it at the door. Remember to bring it in.”

“I got it.”

Lin Xingling answered absentmindedly and continued looking at Cheng Che.

Cheng Che’s face had a faint blush as he obediently wrapped his legs around Lin Xingling’s waist and remained silent.

This was his answer.

He had thought it through, so this was how it would be.

At a critical moment, the knocking sound resounded once again.

Lin Xingling:…

Lin Xingling tried to get into the mood and ignored them.

However…

“Da Ling~”

“Brother!”

“My good son!”

When they had nothing to do, they really had nothing to do, but once there was something to be done, chaos broke loose in the house.

In the end, Lin Xingling couldn’t take it anymore, so he dressed Cheng Che and took him to the bathroom for a bath.

Of course, it was only after the child was comfortable that peace was restored.

After drying his hair and wrapping him up in the blankets, Lin Xingling’s anger had dissipated.

“Go to sleep. Tomorrow we have a training match, and the day after tomorrow is the finals.”

“Oh…”

The afternoon training match was scheduled with Team TG. Although there were rumors online about the two teams not getting along, it was just like that.

There was no animosity, just a friendly atmosphere.

After all, they were all insiders in the industry.

Best of 7, and the score was 4:3.

In the end, DCT emerged as the winner.

After the match, Liang Feng analyzed it with them.

After it was over, he called Lin Xingling aside and said, “I have a feeling… that BP from TG wasn’t from him.”

“You’re overthinking.”

Lin Xingling patted his shoulder and comforted him, “Even if it wasn’t, what does it prove… maybe he took leave because he wasn’t feeling well.”

“That’s also possible…”

…

After a good night’s sleep, they woke up to welcome the finals.

Lin Xingling looked puzzled as Cheng Che dressed and asked, “Why aren’t you wearing long johns?”

“The venue has heating, it’s fine.”

Young people don’t understand the severity until their legs start to ache later on, and then they regret it.

Lin Xingling rummaged through the drawers and found a warm pair of long johns.

“Quickly put them on, or your legs will freeze.”

I didn’t spend five million to have you fall ill…

“Can’t you coddle me a bit? Is it really that bad?”

“…”

Lin Xingling remained silent.

After a while, he took out a pair of thick socks from the drawer, held Cheng Che’s ankle, and half-forcedly put them on for him.

After tonight’s match, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. It’s such a cold day, so they need to wear more and wear thicker.

Cheng Che allowed him to fuss over him as they set off for the main venue at four in the afternoon.

Shanghai Jian’an Sports Center, the place where dreams began.

Whether it’s in this lifetime or the previous one.

On the way, Cheng Che half-closed his eyes and had a dream.

He dreamt about the various details of him falling down the stairs, as he imagined, and what followed… a simple hospital room with a snow-white ceiling, pale blue bedsheets, an intravenous drip stand, and a heart rate monitor by the side.

…And there was that man on the hospital bed, wearing an oxygen mask and looking not too well.

Startled, he woke up feeling somewhat anxious.

…

After getting off the car, the temperature outside was very cold. Cheng Che paid attention to Lin Xingling, who had a pale face and stood shivering on the side.

They had talked about it before; he had always been sensitive to the cold and had a difficult time in winter.

“Captain.”

As soon as he heard a voice, before Lin Xingling could respond, Cheng Che suddenly covered his face with his two soft, warm hands.

“Hmm?”

Rubbing and kneading, they were really soft and nice to hold.

He warmed up Lin Xingling’s icy face, and a smile of happiness appeared on Cheng Che’s face.

Wu You chuckled and teased, “Why are you two showing affection in public like this?”

“I’m hap-happy to warm him up. What’s it… what’s it to you, hmph.”

Phantom, as usual, didn’t say a word.

“…Ah.”

Liu Ying withdrew the hand that was about to take out a hand warmer from his pocket, lost in thought.

“Let’s go, it’s time to enter.”

Liang Feng seemed a bit listless.

…

Makeup, and then waiting for the opening ceremony to end before the players from both sides entered the stage.

Lin Xingling carried the team flag, walking at the back.

SYG’s flag bearer was the support player, Cheng Zhi.

This final match seemed to lack excitement.

Mainly because the SYG team was in chaos before the start, with their marksman, Charity, unable to play due to illness, and their mid-laner, Zhi Shi, missing.

Two substitutes from the second team were sent in.

The result was self-evident, despite SYG’s desperate resistance, they still couldn’t defeat DCT.

They were taken down with a score of 4:1.

After winning the match, there was no hint of joy on Liang Feng and the others’ faces.

On the one hand, their opponents were in a weakened state, making the team’s victory feel dishonorable and disgusting.

Fans in the competitive gaming community were discussing it fervently, and there were even conspiracy theories claiming that DCT had bought the championship.

They must be pretending to be poor.

“Let’s congratulate the DCT team for winning the S13 championship in their first appearance on the KPL stage!”

Commentator Jiang Li smiled and said, “Please have the DCT team come up here to receive the championship trophy and an IOU.”

Everyone was confused.

Jiang Li explained, “Because they still owe the membership fee… that’s why.”

This move cleared the suspicion of DCT buying the championship.

After all, if they didn’t even have the money to pay the membership fee, how could they come up with 10 million?

Reluctantly, Cheng Che and the others went up to receive that IOU.

Commentator A Hua couldn’t help but laugh, “Please have the coach and players of the DCT team come up here to raise the cup.”

You guys are a group of grown men and so adorable~

Cheng Che’s expression be like: [Are you kidding me?]

Lin Xingling’s expression: [Strange jokes are increasing.]

Wu You: [Empty-headed]

Liu Ying: [Just smile it off.]

Phantom: [Hehe, well said.]

Liang Feng: [We don’t need this trophy… but we still want the prize money in our account.]

…

This might be the most low-pressure award ceremony in the history of KPL.

Not a single person from the championship team is smiling; they all look like they have something on their minds.

Even when they step down from the stage, there is no celebration. They split into two groups: Cheng Che follows Lin Xingling and Liang Feng to visit Charity, while Wu You, Liu Ying, and Phantom help in the search for Zhi Shi.

…

Chen Enci’s illness belongs to a serious arrhythmiaArrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm or irregular heartbeat..

It was the same in the previous life, during the autumn season finals: SYG vs. TG. SYG’s Charity had to withdraw due to illness and didn’t return until the following spring season.

It’s the same in this life.

His mindset is good, and he’s comforting Cheng Che.

“I’m really fine, the surgery was successful. I just need to rest more.”

Cheng Che nods and says, “Didn’t we tell you to take care of yourself…”

“Sorry…”

…

Life is like this. There will be happiness and regrets. We are alone in our endeavors, only able to live according to our own desires and efforts.

We can also find that person to support each other…

December 21, 2018.

DCT team wins the KPL Autumn season championship.

Author’s message:

＿|＼○＿

---

Chapter 84 – Calm

The child has been unusually active recently, as if they have ADHDADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder…

Lin Xingling can’t control him either, so he can only let him play around here and there.

“If you’re tired, take a nap.”

Unexpectedly, Cheng Che behaved differently and obediently washed his face and feet before getting into bed.

“Do you want some milk?”

Cheng Che shook his head.

Without any room for argument, Lin Xingling took out the milk that had been heated over water and gave Cheng Che a thumbs-up. “Drinking milk will make you strong like a cow.”

“You said…you said that drinking calcium and vitamin D can make you…”

Cheng Che rolled his eyes and complained, “Why didn’t you…didn’t say that drinking it can make you get calcium…now you don’t touch me…I…um…”

Awkwardly, he couldn’t get up.

Trying to do something else to distract his attention, but it always backfires.

Only during training matches and peak competitions does he not think about these annoying things.

Cheng Che irritably pulled his hair and sighed.

“Hmm?” Lin Xingling frowned slightly.

He didn’t quite understand what the little one was mumbling about.

“Alright, let’s stop talking and go to sleep.”

Cheng Che wrapped himself in the blanket, facing away from him, like a sulking little kitten.

The hamster timidly poked his head, as if asking, “Do you want some?”

Ignoring him…

Lin Xingling coaxed him, “Have some, and tomorrow I’ll take you home to see Zhu Zhu.”

Zhu Zhu is the Dutch pig they raise at home, and Lin Xingling’s parents treat it as their own child.

Last time, Cheng Che only pinched it a few times, which made the elderly couple feel heartbroken.

“My parents…will…feel sorry…”

Cheng Che finally spoke.

He really likes small rodents because they’re cute, but he doesn’t know why he can’t resist the urge to squeeze them in his hands…tight.

…Squeezed them.

“Then be gentle when playing with Zhu Zhu.”

“Okay…”

Obeying, he drank the milk and went to sleep. The next day, Lin Xingling kept his promise and took him to play with Zhu Zhu.

Cheng Che’s future parents-in-law stood there with a heavy stone in their hearts.

Don’t accidentally harm our precious child. If you’re going to harm someone, just harm Da Ling.

Lin Xingling slumped on the sofa, seeking advice from his friends.

The question was: How do you deal with your partner’s unstable emotions lately?

Charity: You’ve asked the right person.

“Adolescence is full of restlessness. You’ll know when you act like an animal several times.”

“I haven’t…but I’m mainly afraid…”

Wang Ben, who understands it all: “What are you worried about? Let me tell you, kids nowadays are mature. If you’re afraid that he’ll feel uncomfortable, he’ll think you’re uncomfortable, not him.”

Asking Fu Cheng, Da Chengzi’s answer was similar to Wang Ben’s:

“That’s a sign of insecurity, Dad Xing. Think about it, you’ve been with Cheng’s brat for so long, and you don’t even give him a slight reaction, let alone thinking about sleeping with him.”

“If it were me, I would also worry that you don’t like me. If it were me, I would think you’re only with me because you’re afraid of hurting my feelings.”

…

Combining what they said, Lin Xingling belatedly realized that he had been too overprotective of Cheng Che and considered him too fragile…

to the point that they hardly had any intimate interactions.

The child has grown up and will have to face it eventually.

Lin Xingling has always been someone who acts upon his words.

Before going to bed that night, following the usual routine, he asked Cheng Che if he wanted to drink milk.

Cheng Che still shook his head. “I…I don’t want to drink anymore. I drink it every day…I even dream…dream of milking others.”

“Milk others?”

Um…that’s an interesting thing to say…

Cheng Che yawned and said, “Teammates.”

Lin Xingling found it funny and asked, “Did you dream that you were Cai Wenji?”

Cheng Che suddenly put on a serious face, “No, it was a spring.”

“Hahaha…”

Hearing Lin Xingling laugh twice, Cheng Che looked puzzled and asked, “Why do I feel like there’s something strange about you?”

This laughter is so perfunctory, clearly indicating that something is on their mind.

…

They tried to embrace each other and calm their nervous emotions, like a couple preparing for something beautiful in their lives, sharing passionate kisses… but in the end, nothing happened.

Both of them were too shy.

When they went to sleep, Cheng Che obediently nestled into Lin Xingling’s embrace, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Did I go too far and make him lose interest?

Or… was he never capable to begin with?

Lin Xingling held him, gently caressing the two round and adorable dimples on the boy’s waist with his thumb.

“Mmm…”

Cheng Che nuzzled against his chest and softly said, “It’s… it’s okay. Even if you can’t… I… I won’t mind.”

Lin Xingling: Huh?

“What kind of talk is that?”

Cheng Che: Human talk.

…

“Let’s sleep. We have a training match with DW tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

Even the tactic of provocation didn’t work.

The next day, the five members of DW experienced the most incredible BO7 training match of their lives.

Their proud marksman, Clear, played with extremely low pressure, no longer recklessly seeking opportunities like before.

The Stars’ roaming frequency increased.

The bottom lane couple resembled a cold war or a pending divorce.

But it had to be said that this style of play broke through their team’s norms and took their opponents by surprise.

DCT easily won the first two rounds.

Then DW made a comeback with three consecutive victories, reaching match point.

Lin Xingling asked, “What does Clear say? Can I lane with you this game?”

Cheng Che shook his head and, during the champion select, discussed with the coach and picked Varus. “You play with the jungler and control the tempo…”

“Alright.”

In this game, Varus played cautiously.

With accurate predictions and a stroke of luck, he hit five consecutive Q abilities, securing first blood against Aphelios.

Afterward, he ambushed and killed the enemy jungler in the brush, securing both buffs.

“Six.”

Wu You frowned. “Brother Che, what’s wrong with you?”

Normally, this wasn’t the time to speak…

In these six games, Cheng Che hardly said a few words. He went from stuttering to being completely silent.

“Xiao You, take the dragon.” Lin Xingling let out a heavy sigh.

“Okay, wait for me.”

…

The game was evenly matched, with DW ultimately having a slight advantage.

4-2, they won the training match.

A significant portion of Varus’ damage came from his Q ability, which relied on prediction and a good feel for the game… It was quite mysterious.

“As for the finals, we’ll see if we should pick Varus depending on the situation…”

After packing up their equipment and leaving the training room, Lin Xingling wrapped his arm around Cheng Che’s and said, “Be happy.”

Cheng Che responded with a perfunctory chuckle.

Lin Xingling:…

Don’t take me for a fool!

“The priority now is the finals the day after tomorrow, you know? Once we win the finals…”

“There will still be the Winter Championship, I know.”

Cheng Che raised his hand and tilted Lin Xingling’s chin upward, tilting his head. “The competition never ends.”

“Just like my love for you.”

Cheng Che:…

“Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore. Let’s go solo queue.”

“It’s too dangerous to go solo, why not bring the clown captain with us?” (Star)

“Tsk… I really can’t do anything with you.”

Author’s note:

I’ve lost my soul. ＿|＼○＿

---

Chapter 83 – Noisy

The next morning, when I woke up, the people around me were gone.

Liang Feng had a splitting headache. He pounded his forehead to calm down and noticed a small piece of paper beside his pillow.

The elegant lowercase script is Gu Xincha’s handwriting.

[Three wishes:

1. Live a good life and take care of Xiao Bai.
2. Keep pursuing our dreams.
3. Don’t ask me where I’ve gone. I’ll come back when the flowers on the balcony bloom.]

In the lower right corner of the paper, there was a small smiling emoticon.

Indeed, there was no sign of Gu Xincha anywhere. The whole house was cold and empty, except for the lingering warmth in the sheets from last night.

Liang Feng looked at the keys and notes on the table, feeling puzzled. Where was he going?

To the TG team, perhaps… It should be.

After all, they had the losers’ bracket finals tonight.

It was his own fault for forgetting about it. He had let Gu Xincha down last night.

In the evening, in the losers’ bracket finals, TG was playing against SYG, their longtime rivals. The quality of the matches was high, with back and forth plays, even going to a full BO7 series.

It was a peak showdown.

Gu Xincha brought out the combination of Diao Chan and Gong Sunli as the marksman and support, Lian Rong used Shiranui Mai, and Lian Po played as the top laner and Pei Qinhu as the jungler.

Their overall strength was high, and the early game went smoothly. The shortcomings in the late game could be compensated for by the mobility of Diao Chan.

On the other side, they had a semi-turtle lineup, with the powerful combination of Taiyi Zhenren and Sun Shangxiang as the marksman and support. Zhi Shi also used Shiranui Mai, as the mid laner, and Liu Ling Wang played as the top laner.

Liu Ling Wang provided vision, while Liu Bang provided tankiness and protection.

In the early game, as expected, SYG was suppressed by TG.

However, at the fifteen-minute mark, TG’s jungler made a mistake, and then Diao Chan was caught.

Mo Luo’s Gong Sunli coordinated with the top laner and mid laner to engage in a 2-for-5 team fight at the Dragon Pit. Gong Sunli secured a pentakill, but unfortunately, the Elder Dragon was taken by Liu Ling Wang before dying.

“Pentakill!!! Mo Luo with a pentakill in the losers’ bracket finals!”

“This is Mo Luo’s second pentakill in the series!”

The pace of the game went back and forth.

When Sun Shang Xiang, the “Miss” of SYG, reached her power spike, she could use her second skill to break armor and instantly eliminate most of the squishy enemies with her first skill passive.

At this point, SYG truly became fierce.

TG’s Diao Chan was caught again.

Without Diao Chan’s ability to split-push, the risk of solo carrying became greater, so Lava and the others had to play defensively.

“Sun Shang Xiang’s damage explodes and instantly takes down a full-health Shiranui Mai!”

“Lian Po survives the ultimate with Purify, and Pei Qinhu comes in for the kill! Taiyi Zhenren trades his life for a resurrection! Sun Shang Xiang can still counter-attack! Double kill! Triple kill!”

“Sun Shang Xiang takes out Gong Sunli in an amazing play! Quadrakill in hand!”

When Da Qiao revived, all four of his teammates were killed. There were twenty seconds left on the interference, and they couldn’t clear the super minions. Helplessly, he watched as the three opponents pushed the crystal.

“Victory!”

“Let’s congratulate SYG! They have successfully advanced to the 2018 Autumn Championship Finals!”

…

“Are you okay?”

Lin Xingling patted Liang Feng’s shoulder in a comforting manner.

Liang Feng just glanced indifferently at the flowerpot he brought back from Gu Xincha’s house… Inside it was a piece of rock.

“There’s a kind… called Stoneflower, hmm, I think that’s it.” Lin Xingling rubbed his forehead and looked at that annoying thing, supposedly a plant, together with him.

But it clearly was a rock…

When the rock blooms, he won’t be able to come back.

“He might… need to take a short break to clear his mind, you know, he’s under a lot of pressure.”

During the post-match interview on the live broadcast, Gu Xincha yawned lightly with faint dark circles under his eyes and said a few words.

He felt guilty, taking all the blame upon himself.

Although anyone with clear eyes could see that it wasn’t his fault…

Less than five minutes later, the top search on Weibo became “TG team coach resigns due to self-blame.”

Liang Feng didn’t say anything and went back to his room.

“Rest well,” Lin Xingling instructed with concern.

“I know.”

…

“Xiao Bai, Xiao Bai, come over here, to your big brother!”

Cheng Che and Liu Ying were playing with Xiao Bai, and Xiao Bai wasn’t shy at all, playing happily with the children.

“Xiao Bai, look, there are biscuits here~”

“Xiao Bai!”

Lin Xingling stood up and walked over, lightly tapping Cheng Che’s fluffy head with his fingertip.

“Shh, lower your voices, the coach needs to sleep.”

Cheng Che looked up at him and said, “I think I should go to bed too.”

So well-behaved.

Well-behaved kids don’t exist.

They were well-behaved for one night, and the next day was a noisy day.

First, they went out with everyone to fly kites, but the kite couldn’t take off. Cheng Che and Wu You argued about it.

Cheng Che said Wu You couldn’t do it, and Wu You said Cheng Che was just talk.

They gave the kite to Cheng Che and let him fly it, but he couldn’t get it up for a long time.

Cheng Che:…

“Xiao Luo took cosplay photos, let’s go check it out…”

Wu You: “Just say it.”

When Cheng Che became anxious, he spent ten yuan to buy two hydrogen balloons and tied them to the kite, making it fly.

“Clear the way, the road is smooth.”

Lin Xingling, who was playing with his phone, sighed.

“Oh, there goes today’s soda money.”

Cheng Che: QwQ

Mo Luo was truly miserable. They didn’t win the match but got two pentakills. He even cosplayed as Yu Ji and Gong Sunli.

Yu Ji’s Farewell My Concubine and Gong Sunli’s Infinite Stars Reward.

The comments section was full of people calling them their wives.

Cub Luo really liked the headpiece from Farewell My Concubine, and he even wore it during the live stream.

But he had already changed into the team uniform.

[DCT-Clear: “Is this Yu Ji’s Glory Limited skin?”]

“Yes, Clear, hehe~”

[“Clear, talk more.”]

[“Yu Ji·Jade of the Abyss?”]

[Mid lane mage Yue Yang: “It’s not the Glory Limited, it’s the Qingming Festival Limited.”]

[“Yue Yang, are you itching for a fight?”]

Mo Luo laughed and cursed, changing his account on the live stream.

Lin Xingling leaned over to take a look and said confidently, “His cosplay doesn’t look as good as yours.”

Cheng Che looked at him blankly.

“Ah…”

A bit awkward, isn’t it…

“If it looks good, I’ll wear it in the afternoon when I go home…”

Cheng Che tidied up his messy hair in front of his ears and blushed slightly.

Lin Xingling:…

Help, I didn’t mean it that way!

In the afternoon, when they went home, Han Chuan called to play ranked games, and the child happily went to play ranked with someone else, forgetting about cosplaying.

By the time they remembered, Lin Xingling was already taking a nap.

He went to bed before five and has just fallen asleep.

Cheng Che stood by the bed and watched for a while, then turned around and went out to play with Liu Ying.

Liu Ying was video chatting with Lian Rong.

From their conversation, it seemed that Lian Rong was imparting his experience of playing mid-lane to Liu Ying.

With nothing else to do, Cheng Che could only tease Wu You.

One day without teasing feels like three autumns.

…

At night, Cheng Che put up a note at the door of Wu You’s room that said “Beware of Evil Monkey, No Entry,” and Wu You chased him to beat him up.

Fortunately, Phantom stopped them, and Xiao Pei earnestly lectured them, “Get along well.”

Wu You:…

Cheng Che: “Thank you, Xiao Pei. You won’t be bothered by Wu You anymore.”

Phantom: (brandishing a weapon)

Stopped by Liu Ying.

Cheng Che: “Liu Ying, you’re so nice. You won’t have any scumbags around you anymore.”

Liu Ying: (brandishing a weapon)

Stopped by the coach.

Cheng Che: “Brother Feng, you’re a really good person.”

Liang Feng:…

“Lin Xingling, come out and see your child.”

Lin Xingling pushed open the door and came out of the room, with a face covered in random turtle patterns drawn with colored pencils. He helplessly said, “He’s still young, just mischievous.”

Everyone:…

Hahaha, okay, your face is quite convincing.

“Dad Starts, let me tell you a joke.”

Wu You covered his mouth and giggled. Without waiting for him to speak, he said directly, “I hit the gong, but it made a loud noise. I got a little angry and said to the gong… If you’re going to be so loud, I can’t do anything about it.”

Cheng Che, mischievous? If you think so, I can’t do anything about it.

He’s purely asking for trouble himself.

“Hey…”

Lin Xingling didn’t think too much and took Cheng Che back to the room… When he closed the door and turned around, he saw the child sitting obediently on the edge of the bed, looking at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well… nothing.”

Seeing Cheng Che hesitating to speak, Lin Xingling thought he wanted a kiss, so he walked over, pressed his shoulder, and leaned in to kiss him… but Cheng Che avoided it.

Why is the child playing hard to get…

Lin Xingling looked at him seriously and said, “Don’t move, let the captain give you a kiss.”

Cheng Che’s perspective:

Facing Lin Xingling, whose face was covered in turtle drawings: “Jibber jabber macaca~”

Cheng Che couldn’t help but laugh.

“Tsk…”

The more he wanted to kiss him, the happier he laughed, giggling uncontrollably. Finally, Lin Xingling compromised and said, “Stop laughing, brother…”

Little brother, you’re really something else.

Cheng Che shook his head, wiped away the tears of laughter, his eyes moist, his face flushed… he did look pretty.

“Don’t… don’t look at me like that…”

The turtle drawing was done by him and wasn’t that funny, but when paired with Lin Xingling’s serious expression, it was really hilarious.

Lin Xingling, how can you be so funny…

“Let me see what’s wrong with you?”

Lin Xingling was getting more and more puzzled.

He leaned over and pinned the child under him, who burst into laughter as expected.

That’s great.

Lin Xingling sat silently at the desk, just watching Cheng Che.

Cheng Che was still laughing.

The mischievous support and his heartless marksman.

When Cheng Che finally stopped laughing, he quickly told Lin Xingling to wash his face.

“Cheng Che.”

Lin Xingling came out of the bathroom with a gloomy face.

The child was already wrapped in a blanket, pretending to be asleep.

Not really asleep, but pretending to be.

“You’re so mischievous, you little rascal…” Lin Xingling patted his back and sighed.

Cheng Che mumbled and promised to behave from now on.

The next day, he continued to do his own thing.

Getting up half an hour earlier than everyone else, he tied a rope around the doorknob of Wu You and Phantom’s rooms across from him, then went back to his room and slept in Lin Xingling’s embrace.

When Wu You and the others woke up, they had a tug-of-war competition with the corridor and the door panels.

Phantom and Wu You were unaware, and neither of them let go.

“What’s going on? Our door won’t open!” (You)

“…” (Pei)

It wasn’t until Liu Ying heard the noise and came out to see the rope tied between the two doors that he told them to stop pulling and untied the rope himself.

The two of them came out and looked at each other.

“Why do I feel like… Cheng Ge has been overly energetic lately…”

Author’s Note:

Of course, he has to be energetic~

---

Chapter 82 – Wish

When the duo returned from their interview, they only found a note left by the young couple:

[Check phone messages]

After checking the messages, we got a general understanding: Liu Ying left, Liang Feng also left, Lin Xingling took Cheng Che out for barbecue and told them to go and have something to eat on their own.

Lin Xingling PS: Go and eat something delicious, don’t deprive yourselves~

Phantom asked, “What do you feel like eating tonight?”

Wu You seemed to ignore him and absentmindedly clenched his fist, muttering to himself, “Since they’re all gone, I can go and ask Sister A Hua out… hehe, Xiao Pei, how about you have dinner by yourself?”

His tone carried a sense of sudden realization and delight.

“Oh.”

Phantom, with a heavy heart, carried the purchased white wine and some snacks back to the team’s base. After taking a shower, he sat alone in his room, drinking in silence.

After half a bottle of wine, when he was feeling drowsy, he suddenly heard the sound of keys unlocking the door from outside.

Phantom’s heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that everyone returned so early?

[Long Legs Club]

[Phantom: Has anyone returned?]

[DCT-Stars: I took Clear to my place. I won’t be going back to sleep tonight.]

[Brother Feng: Not going back +1]

[Give the refill to God Lian: Ah, I might return late…]

[DCT-Clear: @Give the refill to God Lian, no matter how late it is, you must come back.]

[Huaxin Radish: Yingying finally left… Ah, finally succeeded!]

[Huaxin Radish: Congratulations to me for bringing up two excellent disciples~]

[DCT-Cheng: [Facepalm]]

…

None of them at this hour… Is it Wu You?

It shouldn’t be. Didn’t he say he was going to have dinner with that A Hua… Was he rejected?

But that doesn’t make sense. If he was rejected, shouldn’t he have bombarded himself with messages and sought comfort right away?

Phantom’s mind was in a mess. He got up and went out to check.

Indeed, it was Wu You who entered the door, but he was different from usual… The usually carefree Wu You was now just lowering his head and remaining silent.

“What’s wrong?”

Wu You looked up, biting his lower lip tightly, looking all pitiful.

“Xiao Pei… she’s busy…”

If she’s busy, she’s busy, but… Phantom didn’t say anything and turned back to his room.

Wu You tugged at his clothes.

“Xiao Pei, I feel so miserable… Don’t you think Sister A Hua treats me like a little kid?” Wu You pouted and complained, “I went to find her, and she…”

“That’s enough.”

Without waiting for Wu You to finish his words, Phantom interrupted him directly.

He didn’t want to hear all these random things…

He walked straight to his room and slammed the door shut.

For some reason, he was a bit angry…

A peaceful night shouldn’t be spent in anger; it should be joyful and filled with romantic things.

Gu Xincha took Liang Feng to a cake shop and handed him a large bouquet of blood-red roses that had been pre-ordered. “After today, you’ll be twenty-eight.”

“Getting old,” Liang Feng received the flowers and hugged them, forcing a bitter smile.

He signaled for the waiter to bring over the completed cake.

Holding the cake, Gu Xincha said: “You’re not getting old, it’s your birthday, be happier.”

“I’m really happy to be able to see you… Unexpected surprises, so to speak.” Liang Feng walked out of the shop arm in arm with him, bathed in warm orange light, looking very warm.

“Where do you want to go tonight?”

Liang Feng gently pinched Gu Xincha’s delicate fingers and spoke softly.

His birthday was supposed to be a time for him to make decisions on his own, but he sought another person’s opinion everywhere… It showed how important that person was to him.

Gu Xincha knew that he was important.

However, for Gu Xincha, it was most important for Liang Feng to live his own life happily.

“Liang Feng…”

…it was obvious where they were going. The two of them went to Gu Xincha’s house with a tacit understanding.

Xiao Bai barked and ran out to greet them.

“It still recognizes me?!”

Liang Feng happily touched the soft, snow-white fur of the Samoyed, and the Samoyed happily rubbed against his hand.

This place was the house they shared after graduating. After their jobs stabilized, they bought it… Xiao Bai was the dog Liang Feng raised for him during the time when Gu Xincha was depressed after losing both parents.

When they first got it, it was still small, just two months old. Now it had grown into a big dog.

It had been about three years…

Time flies.

Gu Xincha nodded and said, “Xiao Bai misses you.”

I miss him too.

Mainly because after both of them switched careers to become coaches, they worked for different teams and companies, so Liang Feng moved out of the house… Later, Gu Xincha had an accident, and he still hadn’t dared to come back until now.

“Brother Feng, welcome home.”

Tonight was a good sign.

The bookshelves were filled with books on tea art, and jars and bottles of tea leaves, indicating the house owner’s passionate love for tea.

These tea leaves were precious.

He personally sought out these treasures… Most of the ones Wang Yiniang gave him as gifts ended up in the trash.

Liang Feng looked around the room with a touch of emotion. It was meticulously arranged and spotlessly clean… It was Gu Xincha’s consistent style.

“After all these years, you haven’t changed a bit.”

If Cheng Che’s cleanliness was mostly due to his aversion to people, then Gu Xincha’s cleanliness was genuine.

Apart from Liang Feng, he was disgusted with everyone else.

To be honest, the scariest thing is not when people get dirty, but when a clean freak gets dirty.

He had gone through a lot these years.

If it wasn’t for Liang Feng… But it was all worth it. The days of hardship were about to come to an end.

“I haven’t changed, but you have changed a lot.”

The corners of Gu Xincha’s mouth lifted slightly as he asked, “What would you like to drink? Coffee or tea?”

“Tea, a new one.” Because of having tea plants at home, Liang Feng always drank freshly picked tea and had developed a habit of not drinking old tea leaves.

Gu Xincha said, “Only old tea leaves are left.”

Liang Feng responded, “Then I won’t drink.”

He wouldn’t compromise when it came to matters, but when it came to people… he could compromise.

Understanding Gu Xincha’s meaning, Liang Feng reached out to stop him, his voice hoarse as he conceded, “I don’t mind the old tea leaves.”

…

They brewed the tea leaves and placed some snacks and cake on the table.

Liang Feng wanted to help, but Gu Xincha wouldn’t let him, so Liang Feng could only sit on the sofa with Xiao Bai in his arms and watch Gu Xincha busy around.

“Gu Xun, let me ask you a question, answer honestly.”

Gu Xincha paused and said, “Okay…”

Liang Feng asked seriously, “Has that bastard surnamed Wang been here?”

“Of course not.”

This was Gu Xincha’s last pure land, how could he allow anyone to set foot here?

Wang Yinian forcefully took him away, and those who got him couldn’t get his heart… But what they wanted was his body. They used various means to threaten and lure him to keep him by their side.

After several twists and turns, Gu Xincha was mentally and physically exhausted.

“Let’s not talk about unpleasant things,” Liang Feng gritted his teeth, sighed, and ultimately brought up the unpleasant topic, “Gu Xun, tell me, how can I save you…”

Gu Xincha shook his head, “You’re already saving me.”

Like a lighthouse to a ship, my dim and lifeless existence is only preserved for you.

Guiding you until I have devoted my last bit of light.

“…”

Liang Feng was about to get up, and Xiao Bai obediently got off his lap, circling around the sofa and coffee table.

The two stood face to face, without speaking for a long time.

Finally, Liang Feng took the initiative to kiss Gu Xincha’s cheek and said, “Well, as long as you’re fine now.”

Gu Xincha smiled, “I was fine to begin with.”

Then he remembered something and changed the subject, “By the way, take Xiao Bai with you tomorrow. It misses you, spend more time with it.”

“Why would I spend time with a dog? I want to spend more time with you.”

Liang Feng wrapped his arm around his waist, using a little force to hold him tightly.

“…”

The person in his arms showed a hint of shyness, but still forced composure. He gently broke free from the embrace and sat on the sofa, opening the cake box and preparing to light the candles.

“…Hmm, twenty-eight years old, let’s use eight candles.”

Happy birthday.

“…Wishing you a happy birthday~”

After the birthday song finished, Gu Xincha asked him to blow out the candles.

Liang Feng made a wish and blew out the candles, asking, “Today is my birthday, can I make a wish from you?”

Gu Xincha lowered his gaze and said, “On my twenty-eighth birthday, I’m celebrating with you. Can I make three wishes then?”

“You really can’t suffer any loss.”

…

After singing the birthday song, Liang Feng used a lighter to relight the candles for him. He sighed, “It’s really unfair to make you celebrate with me.”

“But what about the three wishes? No suffering any loss.”

Gu Xincha placed his hands together in front of his chest, remained silent for a while, and when the candles were about to extinguish, he blew them out in one breath.

Looking very devout.

“What do you wish for?” Liang Feng smiled.

“I’ll tell you tomorrow, it won’t come true today.”

Liang Feng’s wish was very simple.

He wanted Gu Xincha to be well, to be happy every day, to take care of his health, and to have a carefree life… Everything beautiful should be by Gu Xincha’s side.

After cutting the cake and giving a little piece of bread to Xiao Bai to eat before sending it to bed, Gu Xincha playfully dipped his fingertips in the cake and wiped it on Liang Feng’s nose.

The two of them started playing around like they did when they were children.

When they got a bit tired, Gu Xincha held a tea cup and took a sip, smiling, “It would be great if we could always be together like this.”

Liang Feng extended his index finger and tapped his forehead, “Yeah.”

I really regret not being with Gu Xun back then, not keeping the promise to protect him well, as I had promised his father.

Both of them paused for a moment, then laughed in unison with tacit understanding.

Gu Xincha asked, “Brother Feng, do you like me?”

Liang Feng answered, “I do.”

In the past, I couldn’t admit it due to societal pressure and internal conflicts, but now, when things have already reached an irreparable state… even if I say I like him, it’s not a big deal.

Gu Xun, I really, really like you.

From childhood…

…

The sound of water splashing came from the bathroom.

The bedroom door opened and closed.

“It smells so nice…”

Even though he hadn’t been drinking, he couldn’t help but feel a bit intoxicated.

…

The flickering of the lamp, an affectionate room.

Afterward, they knew nothing more. They only remembered that on this night, Gu Xincha gently embraced Liang Feng, and everything seemed ethereal, as if it were in the sky.

Gu Xincha was like a defiled orchid, barely surviving, only to bring the most beautiful bloom to the person he loved.

Without fearing the subsequent decay.

Although he hadn’t used much strength, Liang Feng found himself crying continuously.

“Gu Xun, Gu Xun, don’t cry.”

…

After taking a shower, Liang Feng and Gu Xincha slept under the same blanket, Liang Feng held him in his arms and gently patted his back like comforting a child.

“Is it still hurting a lot? Why are you crying again?”

“I’m happy…”

Gu Xincha wiped away the tears from his eyes and said, “I’m really happy today.”

His voice sounded hoarse because of what happened earlier.

Liang Feng had been single for twenty-eight years and rarely dealt with his own affairs… Suddenly being with the person he liked, he naturally couldn’t control his emotions and spared no effort.

Almost making Gu Xincha shout his heart out.

“Do you want some water?” Liang Feng asked with concern.

Gu Xincha smiled and said, “I just had some earlier.”

“…Alright, then.”

“If you want more, I don’t mind.”

“…”

Mischievous…

Author’s note:

＿|＼○＿

This is the only chapter. The next chapter will be a complete mess~

---

Chapter 81 – Kiss

4:2, the match ended, and the winner stood up to shake hands with their opponent.

Cheng Che and Mo Luo tightly gripped each other’s hands, giving each other encouragement and support… Mo Luo opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.

Cheng Che chuckled lightly.

“Hello there, the first sharpshooter of the 2019 Autumn TG in this lifetime.”

[“Clear killed me!”]

[“The kid’s smile is so handsome, and I, Dad Star, am in love.”]

[“Mo Luo, sobbing…”]

On the screen, it was unclear whether Cheng Che or Mo Luo initiated it, but they embraced each other.

On one side, Qi Xi stared fixedly at Clear and Mo Luo, thinking that he also wanted a hug. So he extended his chubby, short arms and hugged him.

Lin Xingling: “Uh…”

The camera swept past and landed on Lian Rong.

Shaking hands with the mid-lane classmate…

Liu Ying slightly tiptoed, and Lian Rong thought he wanted to whisper something, so after realizing it, he bent his waist a bit.

A warm touch spread across his face—it was a kiss. Liu Ying timidly pecked his cheek.

When the soft lips left his cheek, Lian Rong surprisingly felt a bit reluctant…

Mixed emotions filled his heart, it was strange.

“Ah ah ah ah ah!!!”

The scene appearing on the big screen made the audience, especially the girls among them, scream.

In the live chat:

[“I’m interested! Did Little Brother Ying succeed in chasing the star?!”]

[“What’s going on here? This, this, this!”]

[“I, the God Lian, happen to be in the dating period. Little Brother Ying, keep going. I’m waiting for wedding candy~”]

Liu Ying lowered his eyes, smiling faintly, overwhelmed with bittersweet feelings.

While Lian Rong had a bewildered expression on his face…

…

Backstage, Liang Feng tapped his head forcefully.

“What are you thinking about all day?”

Liu Ying hid behind Cheng Che, burying his head and weakly explained, “Isn’t it natural to feel happy after winning… Besides, the tarot cards said I should be brave the next time God Lian is single, who knows…”

During the days of playing in the KPL, he had many conversations with Lian Rong, not only about gameplay but also about life, dreams, and everyday matters.

…The two of them really hit it off.

But what he didn’t know was that Lian Rong got along well with everyone.

The Sea King must have the capital with his looks, wealth, and interesting personality…

Lian Rong had everything, and he had a way with words… So he always had female companions around him.

Cheng Che knew, that’s why Cheng Che called him scum.

Lin Xingling also knew, and Lin Xingling thought he was just…

Lin Xingling (being glared at by Cheng Che): Uh, yeah, that’s right.

“Scum.”

Brother, I’m sorry.

Despite being indoctrinated by Cheng Che’s long-held belief that Lian Rong was a scumbag and that we should stay away from scumbags, Liu Ying still didn’t think much of it.

The kiss tonight was the best proof.

As for Lian Rong, he went to wash his face as soon as he got off the stage, wanting to calm himself down.

That child, Liu Ying… Ah, all the children in the Da Lin team are good-looking…

But I’m a straight guy!

Lian Rong frowned and looked at himself in the mirror, feeling like he might be overthinking.

With my appearance, it can’t be, right?

He went to ask Gu Xincha, who replied, “What misunderstandings do you have about your own appearance?”

Lian Rong sighed, “It’s not like that child likes me, right?”

“Emmm…”

Coach Gu was speechless, “Can’t he simply treat you as a senior? What’s wrong with a kiss? Does a kiss mean he likes you?”

“Well… I mean… If he likes me…” (Lian)

“You… Do you like him too?” (Chai)

“You just said he doesn’t like me, now I also like him, my logic is a mess.” (Lian)

Gu Xincha smiled helplessly and said, “It’s up to you.”

“Hey, Cha, what’s wrong with you today?”

Ever since that day when he was taken by Wang Yinian to some dance party, he hadn’t come back to supervise training matches for three days. And when he did come back a few days ago, he seemed to be in a low mood.

But today… he seemed to be in a good mood.

And he even teased him a couple of times.

“Oh, right, I’m not going back with you guys tonight. I have something to do. Please tell Manager Zhang for me.” Gu Xincha was reminded of something by Liu Ying’s words.

Lian Rong said, “Xiao Luo lost and is going to eat supper. You have things to take care of. You guys are truly amazing.”

Mo Luo, who was ordering takeout, said, “Hehe~”

Lava patted his shoulder and said, “Don’t think too much. Tomorrow, we’ll review and practice again. We’ll do our best in the loser’s bracket final tomorrow night.”

A friend joked, “It’s really hard to imagine those words coming out of your mouth.”

“Hehe~”

The interview team went to Phantom and Wu You, Liang Feng went to register information, and the others rested in the lounge and waited.

Liu Ying awaited his prince charming.

But this prince didn’t ride a white horse, didn’t hold a sword or flowers in his hand.

Lian Rong approached under pressure and said to him, “You played well today, keep it up.”

Liu Ying looked at him expectantly.

“…Ahem.”

Lin Xingling coughed as a reminder.

Dragged away by Cheng Che.

Cheng Che: “Let, let Liu Ying handle it himself.”

Anyway, I’ve already done everything I can. I can’t stop it. Whether he gets hurt or not depends on Liu Ying’s fate.

In the spacious lounge, only two people were left.

“Liu, Liu Ying…”

“Do you want to ask me what it means when I kiss you?”

Liu Ying’s clear eyes were filled with a chaotic expression of love, so intense that it seemed as if they could drown the person looking into them.

“God Lian, that’s what I mean…”

“Hmm?”

…

As Liang Feng pushed the door open and entered, the scene before him almost took his breath away.

The forever obedient child in his own heart, the well-behaved Liu Ying who would never do anything out of line… was currently embracing Lian Rong’s neck and kissing him.

The two of them were kissing passionately, completely oblivious to their surroundings.

Lian Rong had his arms wrapped around Liu Ying’s slender waist, greedily savoring the sweet air from the young boy’s mouth.

“Mmm… Mmm…”

His original intention in coming here was to check on Liu Ying and encourage his junior to continue striving in the competition, but he never expected…

At the moment when Liu Ying took the initiative to kiss, there was a soft and gentle pressure on their lips… Lian Rong’s rationality disappeared in an instant, and he only wanted to indulge in sweet kisses with him.

“What a straight guy, go to hell.”

Perhaps he never was one from the beginning.

Otherwise, why would he feel his heart racing for this child, Liu Ying?

Lian Rong felt happy when he chatted with him.

Looking at his photos would unintentionally make his heart flutter.

During the competition, their skills astonished each other.

“You predicted my prediction, but I predicted your prediction of my prediction…”

An infinite loop.

Between the kisses, many thoughts flashed through Lian Rong’s mind, but only one remained: Is this love?

Let’s just consider it as love, even if it’s not love, we can still play around.

Hua Xin wasn’t wrong at all. Liu Ying taking the initiative is really enticing.

Everyone likes it when a reserved and elegant beauty takes the lead with them…

Liu Ying was kissed in a way that left him flustered, only able to shake his legs and cling tightly to the person in front of him.

“Mmm…”

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lian Rong placed his leg between Liu Ying’s legs and gently pushed him onto the couch. Liu Ying ended up sitting with his legs wide open on the couch, while Lian Rong cradled his head, forcing them to continue kissing.

Liang Feng, who was watching from the side, thought to himself: “That’s great, really great.”

(His fists clenched.)

Cheng Che & Lin Xingling: …

Didn’t we tell you not to go in? Now look, how can we still have a happy birthday celebration…

After the kiss, Liu Ying looked at Lian Rong with glistening tears in his eyes.

“Liu Ying… um… I’ll take responsibility… I will, I’ll take responsibility,” Lian Rong nervously spoke, stumbling over his words.

After all these years of wandering in the realm of love, it was his first time getting involved with a boy, so he was quite nervous.

Cheng Che & Lin Xingling: Just spectating—

Liang Feng: The coach is warming up—

Liu Ying couldn’t help but chuckle at their reactions.

He stuttered and thought they might have mistaken him for Cheng Ge.

But the Tarot cards were really accurate…

“Will you be with me?”

Lian Rong, while despising himself internally, kept an eye on Liu Ying’s expression.

He didn’t pay attention to Liang Feng and the others since they weren’t important at the moment.

Liang Feng: “Who allowed you to snatch my cabbage?”

Lin Xingling and Cheng Che: That’s just our own pig snatching our cabbage, nothing we can do about it.

But you, an outsider, also want to snatch my cabbage?!

Liang Feng flexed his wrist and said, “Give me a satisfactory answer, or else…”

A voice came from the doorway, “Or else what?”

Everyone’s expressions changed upon hearing it.

…The second calf protector has arrived.

Gu Xincha kicked the door as soon as he entered, true to the T.G. family tradition of door-kicking.

“As long as both parties are happy, why not?” Liang Feng, the coach, said.

The implied meaning behind his words was: I let him snatch it, so what?

“…”

This, this, it’s something… Lin Xingling leaned over to Cheng Che and whispered in his ear, “The dinner plan for tonight is canceled. I’ll take you to have barbecue.”

Cheng Che nodded.

He understood. Liu Ying was probably going with Lian Róong, and Liang Feng was going to celebrate his birthday with Coach Gu… Lin Xingling had told him about their feelings, which was truly moving.

Liang Feng couldn’t say anything in front of Gu Xincha; he froze in place.

Gu Xincha said, “Happy birthday.”

Things were developing just as Cheng Che had expected.

Lian Rong’s confession was successful/Liu Ying successfully pursued his idol, and now that they were together, they couldn’t be separated. So tonight…

Lin Xingling pointed at Lian Rong’s nose and instructed, “No matter what, don’t act like a beast… Well, you guys can talk, but make sure to bring him back safe and sound no matter how late it gets.”

“Do you still doubt me?” Lian Rong waved his hand and pushed his finger aside, wrapping his arm around Liu Ying’s neck.

He smiled and said, “I promise to return him safe and sound… Oops, I mean return him safe and sound to Lín.” Cheng Che gazed at him pensively.

“Safely return him to Che.”

Liang Feng:…

Lian Rong: “Safely return him to Liang. Is that acceptable, my brothers-in-law?”

The brothers-in-law, except for Lin Xingling, all had dark expressions.

Lin Xingling said, “I trust you to handle things.”

He knew that although Lian Rong was a bit carefree, he wasn’t a bad person and still had his limits.

And… it’s always the sea kings who are deeply affectionate, only to blame the beauty for hurting their hearts. If love is reciprocated sincerely, the sea king will devote himself to one person.

Lian Rong had just been hurt too badly when he was in a relationship, so during this time…

Believe me, Liu Ying will definitely make him change his ways.

Go for it, Liu Ying!

Dad Xing and Brother Che believe in you!

Cheng Che: Thanks, but I don’t believe it. I’ll wait for him to come back crying after being treated badly.

…

“Well, let’s go first~”

Liu Ying, who lacked loyalty, slipped away with his partner.

Just like high school students skipping class.

Gu Xincha looked at Liang Feng, and the two exchanged glances.

Liang Feng spoke in a discussing tone to Lin Xingling, “Then I… um, plans have changed. Da Ling, you guys go have dinner without me…”

Forgetting friendship for love.

Lin Xingling waved his hand, “Go ahead, go ahead. We’ll wait here for Xiao You and Xiao Pei.”

Everything is under control.

Once everyone left, there were only two people left in the lounge.

Cheng Che asked somewhat displeased, “Isn’t there no surveillance cameras in the lounge? Lian Rong is really bold.”

“I covered the surveillance cameras, here.” Lin Xingling pointed to the side.

Cheng Che: Ehehe~

Young lovers, like dry firewood, it’s time to kiss.

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