Chapter 28 – Good Cub
“Wash, take a bath…”
Cheng Che raised his face and looked at him, his eyes filled with drunkenness.
Lin Xingling hesitated in place for a long time, finally nodded in agreement, and reached out to embrace him. “Hmm, let’s take a bath. I’ll take you to the bath… Good boy, get up first.”
It’s just washing a child. What could go wrong?
Little did they know that Cheng Che would suddenly become uncooperative: “No, no… hiccup, no…”
Lin Xingling: ?
I was too naive to expect a drunk person to keep their promise.
“We agreed to take a bath, so hurry up.”
Upon hearing his words, Cheng Che simply lay down on the ground and rolled around with his legs up in the air.
The alcohol hit him very quickly.
Lin Xingling reached out to him, adopting a serious expression. “Get up, hurry up. I’ll count to three.”
“…Ow.” Cheng Che got up, hugged Lin Xingling’s arm, and bit his wrist, but not with much force. It was more like playing.
“Woo… hey…”
“Good boy, let’s go take a bath, okay?” Lin Xingling used his other hand to touch his hair. “There will be bubbles in the bath, and I’ll put some fragrance on you.”
Cheng Che remained silent, still holding onto his wrist without letting go.
Knock, knock…
A soft knocking sound came from outside, followed by Liu Ying’s voice from behind the door. “Captain, I squeezed some orange juice for Brother Che. I left it at the door. Remember to take it.”
Lin Xingling responded, but before he could react, Cheng Che grabbed him and pulled him towards the door.
“Orange, orange juice! Drink… it’s tasty… hiccup!”
So much orange juice!
He really is like a child…
Opening the door, Cheng Che immediately grabbed the cup and held it in his arms. Lin Xingling chuckled and patted his shoulder. “No one is going to take it from you, no need to rush.”
Cheng Che shook his head and solemnly handed him the cup. “Drink… Captain… give, give it to Xingling to drink… drink it… gulp, gulp…”
His words were unclear, but at least he recognized who he was.
“Hmm… Mom… th-thank you, um…”
…It seemed like he didn’t recognize him again.
“Good boy, you drink. After you finish, I’ll take you to the bath.”
Lin Xingling helped him sit on the revolving armchair, made him comfortable, and lightly tapped his nose with his index finger.
Cheng Che drank orange juice through the straw and suddenly laughed foolishly. “You… you want to… want to bathe me… right?”
“…”
Lin Xingling had a headache.
His wrist also hurt.
He had seen many drunk people before. They either blabbered and bragged, remained silent or cried, or simply passed out unconscious.
But he had never seen someone like Cheng Che, who, after drinking, would become like a temperamental child.
Pulling faces, grabbing hair, and taking off clothes…
Lin Xingling was gentle by nature, and even when he was being pushed to his limits, he could only smile helplessly and endure the discomfort while taking care of Cheng Che.
It was only when Cheng Che grew tired from his tantrum and hugged his orange juice that Lin Xingling had a chance to take out the medical kit and apply a waterproof bandage to his re-injured wrist.
After Cheng Che finished drinking the orange juice, he willingly came over to ask for a hug, and Lin Xingling hugged him and headed towards the bathroom.
“Good baby, do you want to take a bath and go to sleep?”
In his drunken state, Cheng Che remained silent with a face flushed red.
Lin Xingling had liked him from the start…
Ever since the first appearance of the child in the previous life, when he won the competition and mentioned his own name in an interview, Lin Xingling had been paying attention to him and knew that he had also been paying attention to him.
Two years later, their relationship had been lukewarm, with both of them hesitant to get close to each other.
Cheng Che simply had a heavy filter on his idol.
And Lin Xingling was worried that his feelings for Cheng Che would cause him distress… after all, the child only had a simple fan’s affection for him.
It was until that World Championship final, where both of them fell down the stairs together… Lin Xingling probably died and was reborn three years earlier, while Cheng Che should have survived under his protection.
Heaven and man were separated.
But, he had started a new life.
And he had also encountered a seventeen-year-old Cheng Che, who was really adorable… except when he drank alcohol.
“Wash, take a bath… hehe…”
Lin Xingling looked at the child in his arms and chuckled.
If he couldn’t be with you, then he would always be by your side.
He filled the bathtub with water and took off his jacket.
Without paying much attention to the clothes on his body, Lin Xingling hugged the child’s waist and put him into the bathtub. The water level reached just above his chest, with a thick layer of foamy bath salt floating on top.
Cheng Che happily played with the bubbles in the bathtub.
Lin Xingling, ‘fully armed,‘ held a bath towel and grabbed his arm to wash him. He washed one side and then the other, scrubbed his back, and asked the child to stand up so he could wash his legs.
He was a diligent bath scrubber.
Cheng Che mumbled incoherently, becoming more and more intoxicated.
“Close your eyes, I’ll wash your hair.”
Lin Xingling looked at his eyes, closed his own eyes, and Cheng Che imitated him by closing his eyes.
He wet the child’s hair with the showerhead and pumped some shampoo into his palms. He rubbed his hands together and started washing Cheng Che’s hair.
A dense pink foam covered his head.
“Ha… achoo!”
Cheng Che couldn’t help but sneeze.
Lin Xingling chuckled lightly. “Be a good boy, rinse off the foam, and then you can open your eyes.”
“Mmm…”
He rinsed the foam off his hair and body. Lin Xingling dried his body with a towel and helped him put on pajamas and little pants.
He really was just a child…
“Hey…” Cheng Che seemed to realize something and covered his legs with both hands.
“Don’t… don’t look… Mommy said no.”
“Cough… alright, alright, I won’t look. Come, let me carry you back to bed.” Lin Xingling suppressed his laughter.
Cheng Che happily pounced into his arms. “Go to sleep! Hiccup~”
…
After blow-drying the child’s hair and laying him on the bed, covered with a blanket… Lin Xingling took out a tissue from a box on the table and wiped the waterproof bandage on his left wrist.
This thing was truly waterproof, still tightly adhering without any signs of loosening.
He checked the time on his phone, 3:27 a.m.
…Not even the hardest working player in the team would stay up this late.
He logged into Weibo and reposted the official account’s announcement of the team securing a temporary spot in the KPL. Lin Xingling closed his phone… but then opened it again.
He took a picture of the intoxicated Cheng Che.
“It’s really good.”
The days were still long, take it slowly.
He turned off the bright light in the room and turned on the small night light.
“I want… a hug, then I’ll sleep.”
The room became dim, and the mischievous short-legged child began to act up again.
Lin Xingling let him squeeze into his arms and patted his back soothingly. “Alright, be good and go to sleep. A good sleep will make you feel better.”
It was strange that after Cheng Che got drunk, he didn’t complain about feeling unwell. Apart from being a bit restless, he was quite easy to take care of (?).
“Sleep… sleep, sleep…”
Cheng Che lifted his hand and pressed it against Lin Xingling’s face, then touched his earring, looking very happy.
He really liked earrings…
Lin Xingling closed his eyes. “Sweet dreams.”
At 3:49 am, Lin Xingling was awakened by the child tossing and turning.
Cheng Che couldn’t speak clearly, “Um… want, want…”
“What do you want?”
Lin Xingling didn’t understand.
“…Um, yeah.” The child stopped talking and just lifted the blanket, staring at his own legs.
Lin Xingling:…
“You want to go to the toilet…”
Not trusting him to go alone, Lin Xingling reluctantly got out of bed and took him to the bathroom. Cheng Che couldn’t come out with Lin Xingling watching him, and he shook his head uncomfortably, “Don’t… don’t look…”
“Okay.”
“Pee, pee, pee…”
Lin Xingling turned his back and whistled, being very considerate.
Back in the room, Cheng Che yawned.
“Headache… hurts, uncomfortable.”
…Dizzy and with a pounding headache, everything in front of him was blurred.
Lin Xingling tucked him back into the wrapped-up blanket. “Sleep, you’ll feel better after a good sleep.”
At 5:16 am, Lin Xingling woke up, and Cheng Che was no longer by his side. Wondering what happened, he looked down and saw the child sleeping soundly on the floor.
He must have wanted to go down and get some water when Lin Xingling was asleep but accidentally fell down and, silly as he was, didn’t come back up and just fell asleep on the floor.
Sleeping soundly when faced with difficulties.
He picked him up and covered him with the blanket.
The child really didn’t make things easy…
“Gurgle… gurgle…”
Sleeping so soundly, even snoring.
Lin Xingling sighed and continued sleeping while holding his little short-legged ball.
“…”
“Mmm… yeah…”
He woke up groggily, and when he woke up again, it was already noon the next day… Cheng Che sat up and rubbed his eyes, the first thing he did was check his phone.
11:32 am.
What happened last night?
His head was pounding, and he couldn’t remember anything except for sitting on the back of an electric scooter and coming back with Lin Xingling… everything else was a blur.
He felt refreshed, and he had changed into pajamas… um, he probably changed them himself.
Couldn’t remember clearly.
Ah…
Cheng Che rubbed his eyes and looked around.
Lin Xingling’s purple blanket was neatly folded and placed at the end of the bed, indicating that he had already gotten up…
He first opened his phone to see if there were any messages from contacts.
His father had sent dozens of messages, all asking him to come home and visit whenever he had time. Compared to before, when his father insisted on him giving up his esports career and inheriting the family business, he had compromised a lot.
However, Cheng Che had not forgiven him.
That woman… was always a thorn in the hearts of father and son.
He closed the chat and opened Weibo. There was a mention from someone he followed, TG’s mid laner, Lian Rong.
To others, he was the god of mid lane, but in Cheng Che’s eyes, he was the great elder brother of the sea.
【TG-Lianrong】:
@DCT-Clear [Broken Heart][Broken Heart]…Broken Heart
“Sharing a song: ‘Too Bad It’s Not You'”
(Scheduled to be sent at 7:07 AM)
This was truly a masterpiece from a player with profound meaning.
Lava sounds like “love,” and “heart” corresponds to “love.” The seven broken hearts refer to the jungler Lava’s poor performance. The seven broken hearts also refer to the ADC Qi Qi. The scheduled post at 7:07 am refers to the support role on Chinese Valentine’s Day.
…Except for the top laner Peng You, who was not mentioned, everyone else was criticized.
This Weibo post clearly reflected Lian Rong’s mood: garbage teammates.
In the comments section below, his group of devoted fans were supporting him.
There were also some fans of the people he made fun of who engaged in arguments in the comments. However, they couldn’t withstand the attacks from Lian Rong’s fans, who were called ‘Black Lotus’ (fans of Lian Rong), and they retreated like beaten dogs.
The official TG account didn’t dare to respond to him.
After all, the official account had three million followers, while Lian Rong had over eight million fans. There was nothing they could do.
Among all the professional esports players in the KPL league, the only one who had more fans than him was the jungler Stars, with over eleven million fans.
Cheng Che observed the comments section.
Sorting by popularity, the first comment was unexpectedly about Lava.
[TG-Lava: Who is Clear? Just a stuttering nobody that nobody wants.]
Cheng Che: ???
His entire day’s good mood came to an end here.
After sweeping the former KPL champion team FG with a score of 4-0 yesterday, Clear’s fans increased to over five hundred thousand, with the majority being active fans.
But his Weibo page remained as clean as a blank sheet of paper for a whole day.
So, following the belief of “wherever Clear is mentioned, we will be there,” Clear’s small fans found their way to Lian Rong’s page.
Looking at the first comment in the Weibo comments section, it was hilarious.
What do you mean Clear is a nobody? We all want him!
Clear’s fans rushed to attack Lava’s comment.
They were very friendly, as if they were just having fun.
[Haha? I’m laughing. Don’t you know Clear is in charge of the KPL league?]
[Isn’t Clear the training director?]
[Don’t you guys watch KPL? Clear is already a commentator.]
[Clear has long become the successor to TX. You guys are so outdated.]
[Haha, I’m dying of laughter. Clear has already moved to the LPL division!]
[Didn’t Clear retire?]
[BSA? Isn’t Clear part of the organizing committee as a referee?]
Cheng Che couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the comments, and he found even more outrageous ones below.
[Isn’t Clear Thanos’ son? He’s going back to take over the universe.]
[Clear has turned into light now, and we all aspire to become light.]
[Rising from a near-death illness, Clear turned out to be me myself.]
[Clear: Thank you all.]
Lian Rong’s Black Lotus fans: ???
Why are Clear’s fans so peculiar?
Cheng Che’s style was even more peculiar.
【DCT-Clear: wrnlm】
What the heck did he just say?
Everyone was confused.
After replying to the comment like this, Cheng Che satisfactorily closed his phone, changed into clean clothes, and got out of bed to freshen up.
His head was pounding… he massaged his temples.
He went to the living room and saw Wu You and the others sitting on the sofa watching the movie <A Chinese Odyssey.> Cheng Che approached them and greeted, “Good morning.”
Phantom: “Morning.”
Wu You: “Morning, Brother Che, are you awake?”
Thinking about his appearance last night, Liu Ying couldn’t help but chuckle and got up to the small kitchen, saying, “Are you awake? I’ll make you a cup of hangover tea.”
Brother Feng isn’t here; he should be busy in the office… Lin Xingling isn’t here either, which was something he didn’t expect.
Cheng Che sat on the sofa in a daze, not saying a word.
When Liu Ying came back with the tea and placed it in front of him, he picked up the cup and obediently drank it.
Liu Ying smiled happily, “Brother Che, did you see Weibo? God Lian mentioned you in a post. It seems like he thinks you’re better than their team members.”
“And he didn’t mention you, ah!” mischievous Wu You teased.
Liu Ying pouted and said determinedly, “One day, I will make him notice me and praise me as a talented mid laner.”
“Ah…” Cheng Che nodded. “Definitely, in the autumn tournament… we’ll play in the KPL, and then we’ll face him… and play well.”
After speaking, he took a grape from the fruit plate on the table and ate it.
“Mhm.”
Listening to their conversation, Wu You opened his phone and refreshed Weibo. He successfully found Lianrong’s post at fifth place on the trending list.
The comment section was already exploding.
All because of Clear’s “wrnlm” remark.
“Brother … Brother Che… why did you curse so bluntly?” Wu You, who finished devouring this piece of juicy gossip on Weibo, looked at Cheng Che in disbelief.
With his rosy lips, white teeth, and delicate features… he didn’t seem like someone who would use such vulgar language.
Cheng Che: “Huh?”
Not only did I curse him, I also want to beat him up.
“Exactly, that TG jungler, you directly insulted his mother?” Wu You thought he didn’t understand and clarified it further.
“What?” Liu Ying, puzzled, opened his phone and clicked on the pushed hot topic <Clear angrily scolds former teammates.> Suddenly, he understood.
Brother Che cursed someone again? Wait, why did I think “again”?
Phantom, who knew about the incident, spoke indifferently, “That person deserved it.”
“No, public figures should watch their language and be civil.”
Wu You worriedly turned off the TV and spoke righteously, “Professional players will be fined for cursing.”
“Then… Lava also cursed Brother Che!” Liu Ying furrowed his brows. “They should be fined together.”
Cheng Che remained silent.
A few minutes later, Lin Xingling pushed open the office door and walked straight towards Cheng Che. But when he reached the child’s side, he couldn’t utter any reproachful words.
He just forced a smile and said, “Are you awake? Do you have a headache? Are you hungry? Have some bread to fill your stomach, and later I’ll make lunch.”
A series of questions, filled with concern.
Cheng Che felt frightened.
“I… I, I was wrong.”
Apologizing proactively was a good child’s behavior.
Lin Xingling patted his head. “I told you not to use foul language or curse at people. Don’t do it again, okay?”
Wu You & Liu Ying: “There is no greater improvement than acknowledging and correcting one’s mistakes.”
Phantom: …
Both of you are as close as peas in a pod.
“What should we do about the cursing incident? Oh no, how did it suddenly rise to fourth place on the trending list? We don’t have money to manipulate the rankings!” Brother Feng came out of the office, furrowing his brow while checking his phone.
The subway elderly man experienced deja vu.
Lin Xingling waved his hand. “The child already knows he was wrong. It’s easy to resolve this matter.”
The bandage wrapped around his hand was particularly eye-catching.
“Captain… Captain, what happened to your hand?” Cheng Che asked, getting off topic.
“Oh… it’s nothing,” Lin Xingling didn’t want him to feel guilty and told a well-intentioned lie, “I accidentally bumped into something, an old injury. It’ll be fine after a few days… and luckily, there are no matches coming up.”
Liu Ying and the others cooperated well and didn’t expose the lie, supporting him in his deception.
That’s how it went…
Cheng Che had a headache, feeling like he had forgotten something but couldn’t remember.
Brother Feng furrowed his brow even deeper.
“Or maybe Clear can post an apology on Weibo? Make a big deal small, and a small deal even smaller.”
Apologize?! Impossible, absolutely impossible! Cheng Che shook his head, “He… he started it… he insulted me. I won’t… I won’t apologize.”
“Alright, alright, no need to apologize,” Lin Xingling sat beside him and handed him a cream-filled pastry, resembling a doting parent to a child.
Brother Feng said, “You spoiled this child.”
Lin Xingling smiled and said, “If we have to, we’ll just pay the fine. It’s a small price to pay, we can’t let our child feel wronged.”
“You’re saying something outrageous!” Brother Feng slammed the table and looked at Cheng Che, “Clear, listen to what he’s saying, isn’t it reasonable?”
Cheng Che blinked, “W-why wouldn’t it be?”
Brother Feng:…
“Liu Ying.”
Liu Ying just smiled.
“Xiao You, Xiao Pei, you two…”
Wu You turned on the television and said with a smile, “I don’t care, I want to watch TV.”
Phantom: “Hmm.”
“Alright, alright, majority rules. If everyone thinks it’s fine, then just let it go,” Lin Xingling gently stroked Cheng Che’s hair, her eyes filled with tenderness.
“My good cub…”
Cub… good cub?
Cheng Che choked on his pastry.
“Uh.”
That was his nickname. Since his mother passed away, he hadn’t heard it again.
“Captain… why… why are you calling me that?”
The TV played a classic line from Stephen Chow’s movie, “Once, there was a sincere love in front of me, but I didn’t cherish it. When I lost it, I regretted it…”
Ah… Lin Xingling suddenly realized she had slipped up, “Uh, it’s nothing… just…”
Just wanted to say it, to be reckless.
“Good cub? Such a cute nickname, haha. How did Star Dad come up with it?” Wu You poked fun.
Cheng Che also eagerly awaited his answer.
Lin Xingling began to make up a story, “Well, it’s because you’re so well-behaved and young, so I thought… well, something like that.”
“…” Cheng Che fell silent.
“If you don’t like it… then I won’t call you that anymore. It’s fine,” Lin Xingling forced a laugh.
There were six people in the living room, but not a single one spoke.
The ticking of the wall clock echoed clearly, reaching everyone’s ears.
After a long silence, Cheng Che sighed, “Alright, don’t… don’t call me that anymore.”
The already tense atmosphere plummeted to freezing point.
Author’s Note:
【Mini Theater】
Came up with something funny all of a sudden.
Cheng Cheng: Call me a good cub!
Xing Ling: No way.
Author: Covering mouth and chuckling.jpg