Chapter 45 – Do you want to ship yourself with Unique?
The cake, though plain-looking, was surprisingly delicious. Ji Wei devoured two large pieces, feeling dizzy from the sugar rush.
While everyone was gathered, Xu Shaoqiu announced the offseason arrangements.
“You only get four days off this year. After that, you’ll need to come back for training.”
“Huh?” Da Shu pulled a bitter face. “Didn’t we always have a week off before?”
Xu Shaoqiu said, “Last year’s PGC champion, SOP, was a rising star from South Korea. The coaching staff has compiled a lot of footage for review. You need to return early to study it and aim for a better result this time.”
Mi Li nodded. “That’s fine. I don’t want to lose and get scolded again.”
Xu Shaoqiu continued, “Unique and Solve, you’ve been invited to the All-Star Game hosted by Aurora TV. I’ll arrange for the second team and the new academy players to attend the Aurora Cup. Unique, you don’t need to go.”
The All-Star Game was an entertainment competition hosted by the platform, bringing together popular players from various clubs. The prize money wasn’t high, so it was mainly considered a fan benefit.
Da Shu said enviously, “Wow, last year it was me and Solve who went. Unique, you’re so popular.”
Yin Sijue replied indifferently, “It’s a good thing it’s not you this year. I still remember how you threw a grenade while I was attacking the building last year, killing me in last place.”
Da Shu: “…I’m sorry. I really meant to save you, but KK got me instead.”
Xu Shaoqiu cut in, “There’s also good news. Don’t we usually have team-building activities in the offseason? This year, I spoke with the UGC manager, and we decided to combine groups and go to a luxury resort in the next city. It’ll be livelier with more people.”
Da Shu groaned, “No way! I don’t want to see that stinky Kelly.”
“Then you can get your revenge this time,” Xu Shaoqiu said leisurely. “We chose this place because it has a famous outdoor recreational activity that suits us.”
Da Shu: “What kind of outdoor activity suits us?”
Xu Shaoqiu smiled. “Real-life CS.”
He announced to everyone’s surprise, “We’ll leave at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow. It’ll be a two-day trip by car, so make sure you pack your bags tonight.”
…
The next afternoon.
Lao Ma sat in the back seat of the nanny car, his eyes blank. “I can’t believe my old bones are still playing this kind of game with you guys.”
Da Shu had packed a huge bag of snacks, like an elementary school student on a spring outing. “Your young bones aren’t that great either, are they? I didn’t think people still liked this kind of old-fashioned outdoor activity.”
Mi Li said, “But I heard that villa is quite famous. They have a wide range of food, drinks, and entertainment. I guess real-life CS is just one part of it.”
“Then why only two days? How stingy!” Da Shu glanced around, then turned to look at Ji Wei, who was dozing off, and spoke tentatively.
“Unique, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask for a long time.”
Ji Wei opened one eye. “What?”
“We’re going on a team-building trip. Why are you wearing gaming headphones? And such expensive ones at that. Are you planning to practice secretly?”
Ji Wei: …
He had received the headphones as a gift last night and had planned to try them out today. But Brother Qiu had suddenly announced a team-building trip, and Ji Wei couldn’t resist showing off, so he wore them as they left.
He uttered three words: “I’m listening to music.”
Da Shu pointed at his shoulder. “But you didn’t plug them in.”
Ji Wei tilted his head and saw the cable dangling from his shoulder, mocking him silently.
“…”
Yin Sijue, who had been quietly watching the exchange, adjusted his own headphones and smiled. “These can connect to Bluetooth. I’ll fix it for you.”
Da Shu, watching enviously from the side, said, “I want to buy a pair too, but they’re way too expensive. And they’re hard to find in stock these days. Where did you get them?”
Ji Wei glanced at the man beside him and answered honestly, “This was a birthday present from the captain.”
Da Shu: “Damn! I’m getting pink eye.”
Xu Shaoqiu glanced at the rearview mirror suspiciously. Yin Sijue was leaning in to adjust Ji Wei’s headphones, the two of them close enough to look undeniably intimate.
“I really don’t get you two.” He was pleased with the positive atmosphere in the team, but also puzzled. “You haven’t known each other that long, yet you’re already this close.”
Ji Wei and Yin Sijue exchanged glances, each holding a secret in their eyes.
It hasn’t been a short time, Ji Wei thought. We’ve known each other the longest here.
…
The resort was nestled deep in the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery. The vast expanse of trees blended seamlessly with the skyline. One breath of fresh air was enough to feel invigorated.
It truly was luxurious—Xu Shaoqiu hadn’t been exaggerating.
After parking, Xu Shaoqiu helped with the luggage and checked everyone in. Surrounded by the vibrant atmosphere of nature, the pressure of days of intense competition finally began to ease, and their bodies gradually relaxed.
“UGC hasn’t arrived yet, but they’ll be staying downstairs. We’ll barbecue with them tonight.”
Ji Wei climbed out of the car, still clinging to the door. Only after hearing Xu Shaoqiu’s words did it dawn on him—this was going to be an overnight trip.
A trip he and Yin Sijue would be taking together.
Yin Sijue retrieved Ji Wei’s small bag from the back seat and noticed that the boy, who had slept through most of the journey, was suddenly blushing.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah? Nothing.” Ji Wei fanned himself awkwardly. “It’s just… still pretty hot in here.”
Da Shu was puzzled. “Really? I think it’s much cooler than the city. It’s just nice to have so many trees!”
The villa was understated yet luxurious. To reach the accommodations, they had to walk past a massive infinity pool set into the corridor like a sapphire, its beauty almost dreamlike.
Ji Wei couldn’t help but wonder: staying here for three nights must cost a fortune, right?
The club probably wouldn’t give them separate rooms.
If it was a double room, would he have to share with Yin Sijue?
He hesitated all the way to the villa entrance, where the manor’s housekeeper led them inside and stood ready to hand out room cards.
Ji Wei looked down and saw six cards neatly arranged in front of him.
“…”
Thankfully, he hadn’t said anything to Yin Sijue. With ears flushed, he quickly snatched one card and hurried off to find his room.
Yin Sijue lingered behind, pointing at Ji Wei’s retreating back as he spoke to the housekeeper. “Please give me a room closer to him—preferably right next door.”
Xu Shaoqiu: “…?”
As he wished, Yin Sijue got the room beside Ji Wei’s. Satisfied, he set down his luggage and pulled out his phone.
S: [How’s the room?]
Ji Wei frowned at the message. What was he supposed to say? Weren’t all the rooms the same?
Still, he lifted his phone, spun in a circle to take a 360-degree video, and sent it.
Just then, a notification popped up: Xu Shaoqiu had @Ji Wei in the group chat.
Xu Shaoqiu No Overtime: [The artist finished the doll proofs. Take a look—do they look okay? @Weiwei Dounan]
Clicking open the image, Ji Wei saw a doll about twenty centimeters tall with a big head, tucked-down hair, slightly drooping eyes, and a small white tooth showing beneath its delicately shaped nose and slightly open mouth.
Weiwei Dounan: [So cute! Doesn’t it look like me?]
Xu Shaoqiu No Overtime: [Exactly like you. We’ll also make a 1:1 life-size costume, but fans usually buy their own.]
S: [Make one for me.]
Xu Shaoqiu No Overtime: [?]
Da Shu Doesn’t Want to Be a Libero: [Brother, why are you using your teammate’s dolls?]
S : [Playing with them.]
Weiwei Dounan: […]
Before Ji Wei could fully savor his excitement, his pinned chat lit up again.
S: [My room is a little different from yours. Want to come take a look?]
Three minutes later, Ji Wei stood in another room with almost the exact same layout, muttering, “What’s the difference?”
“The coach said in the group chat that we’ll have lunch with the UGC guys in half an hour,” Yin Sijue said, glancing at his phone.
Ji Wei tilted his head at him. “So?”
Yin Sijue lowered his head, smiled, and kissed him. “So we can kiss for another half hour.”
…
When it comes to kissing, once you’ve kissed once, there’s always a second time.
When Ji Wei’s chin was pinched, the awkwardness of their first kiss was gone. He had slowly learned a few things—like gently parting his lips when Yin Sijue leaned in.
But his ability to withstand it was still weak. When his teeth were pried open by the slippery tip of Yin Sijue’s tongue, Ji Wei’s legs nearly gave out and he almost collapsed.
The man scooped him up onto his lap, one hand gripping his neck with domineering strength. Their lips and tongues tangled, breath burning, muscles tightening. Ji Wei was swept away by the force of the kiss.
A chill slid across his waist—Yin Sijue’s icy fingertips slipping under the hem of his T-shirt, clasping his slender frame.
Knock knock. Two knocks sounded on the door.
Ji Wei nearly jumped out of his skin. He shoved Yin Sijue aside, eyes wide with silent panic: Who?!
Before Yin Sijue could reply, Ji Wei had already bolted. He flung open the bathroom door and darted inside.
Yin Sijue paused, then, amused, went to answer the knock.
Xu Shaoqiu stood outside, hesitating. “I have something to ask you.”
Annoyance flickered across Yin Sijue’s face at the interruption. “What is it?”
Xu Shaoqiu glanced at the half-open bathroom door. “Can I come in for a moment?”
“Fine.” Yin Sijue reluctantly stepped aside.
“…”
Ignoring his reluctance, Xu Shaoqiu hesitated, then asked, “What’s been going on with you lately?”
“What do you mean?”
Xu Shaoqiu lifted his phone, pointing at the chat logs. “No one collects their teammates’ merchandise, do they?”
Yin Sijue was about to nod, but his gaze shifted past Xu Shaoqiu’s shoulder. A head slowly peeked out from the bathroom, frantically shaking side to side—so hard it almost left an afterimage.
Yin Sijue could only answer perfunctorily: “Yeah, I’m not normal.”
Xu Shaoqiu pressed on. “Also, I didn’t tell Unique before because I was afraid he’d overthink it. But that photo of you two at the movies? It got over ten thousand reposts on Weibo, and fans even created a super topic for you as a couple. It’s pretty popular.”
He fell silent for a beat, then blurted a blunt question: “Be honest—Do you want to ship yourself with Unique?”
“…”
Yin Sijue stared at him for a long time, silent.
Xu Shaoqiu thought that look was familiar. The last time he’d seen it was when Yin Sijue asked him to buy health supplements.
“Is that true?” he pressed.
Yin Sijue didn’t answer directly “What if I want to be shipped with him?
Xu Shaoqiu: “You’d definitely have to tell me in advance! Our team hasn’t planned for this kind of thing, but it’s not impossible. I’ve seen other teams do it before. And the new colleague in the publicity department used to work at an entertainment company—she’s even done talent shows. She’s very familiar with… the process. Should I ask her to help you plan it out?”
Yin Sijue raised an eyebrow. “How?”
“I’ll be filming a video during this team building and editing it into a vlog to post on Weibo. If you’re interested, I’ll have her write a script for you two to follow. Don’t worry, she’s really good.”
“A script? It won’t be too explicit, will it?”
As he spoke, Yin Sijue kept his eyes fixed on the bathroom door behind Xu Shaoqiu.
Inside, Ji Wei clutched the door with both hands, his entire body flushed with embarrassment. Too afraid to speak, he could only signal with his eyes: Enough already!
“How explicit could it be? You’re not actors,” Xu Shaoqiu said, oblivious to the movement behind him.
Yin Sijue’s lips curved into a smile as he listed them off: “Like holding hands, hugging, and then—”
Bang! A muffled thud came from inside the bathroom, as if someone had fallen.
Startled, Xu Shaoqiu turned toward the sound. But the only thing he saw was the closed bathroom door.
He was about to check when someone grabbed him and shoved him out of the room.
Yin Sijue braced himself against the doorframe. “I’m going to use the restroom. Go out first. I’ll think about it carefully.”
“It doesn’t matter whether you think about it or not—you should talk it over with Unique. I’m not saying your bathroom looks—”
“This hotel isn’t very good. The bathtub looks cracked. I’ll go check it out.”
Yin Sijue shot him an apologetic look and slammed the door shut.
Xu Shaoqiu outside: …???