Lu Xiangyang noticed that the Aurora supervisor really didn't seem to like him, glaring at him even while eating.
He pressed his lips together.
"What's wrong?" Shen Kuangye asked. "Not happy?"
He had just been happily eating roast duck a moment ago.
Lu Xiangyang didn't expect that even a slight change in his expression could be noticed by Shen Kuangye. He shook his head: "Nothing, I just choked a little."
Shen Kuangye had packed the roast duck in pieces perfectly sized for Lu Xiangyang's mouth; the chance of him choking was practically zero. And judging by his earlier expression, he was definitely unhappy.
But the person in front of him looked so serious that he temporarily pushed aside his doubts.
"Why is your throat so shallow?" he asked.
After asking, Lu Xiangyang, who had been drinking water to cover his slight embarrassment, suddenly choked.
His face turned bright red.
"What's wrong?"
Shui Yi, who was chatting with Coach Aurora, glanced over at them.
Coughing, Lu Xiangyang waved his hands frantically: "Nothing, nothing at all."
Right now, he wished he could shrink to the ground and hide like an ostrich.
The key was what Shen Kuangye had just said…
He had seen it not long ago on a mysterious link in a CP fan forum!
Even though he was happily close to Shen Kuangye now, the most he could do was cuddle or maybe a cheek kiss.
This was Lu Xiangyang's first time in a relationship. Naturally, he felt a bit restless around someone he liked, but Shen Kuangye was too principled to go any further.
All he could do was lurk in the CP forum, finding "content" for himself.
Who would have the actual person go to their own CP forum to collect content for themselves?? Ugh.
Lu Xiangyang, feeling aggrieved, quickly absorbed the "knowledge" he had missed these past few days.
He didn't have the heart to revisit the articles; it was just that one line that left a deep impression, impossible to forget.
And Shen Kuangye's tone just now… was even sexier than he had imagined.
Lu Xiangyang, you really are a pervert.
Shen Kuangye didn't know he was thinking so much. He simply handed him a tissue to wipe his mouth, then took another one to dab the small water stains on Lu Xiangyang's clothes.
"You two are really close."
Tsuki smiled and said in Chinese.
Coughing until the corners of his eyes were red, Lu Xiangyang thought Tsuki was just genuinely commenting, so he sincerely replied: "Yeah, we're pretty close."
Tsuki: "."
Who asked you.
Lu Xiangyang didn't understand why Tsuki suddenly seemed cold again. Maybe it was just a cultural difference. He wouldn't act like that.
Shen Kuangye checked the time on his phone. Lu Xiangyang leaned closer, sighing softly: "It's almost nine. We'll have to stay up late when we get back."
After all, they had agreed to a romantic duo game tonight.
"If you get tired, you can sleep first," Shen Kuangye said.
"I won't." Lu Xiangyang refused.
Finally getting a chance for a duo session, he could have fun and make their CP forum fans happy at the same time. He couldn't just give that up.
The two of them went back to whispering.
Tsuki thought he had chosen a terrible spot.
He had wanted to be closer to that person, but instead he was forced to watch their interaction all evening.
He decided to go to the bathroom to calm down.
Just after coming out, he saw someone standing at the door.
He smiled slightly, took out a fragrant tissue to wipe his hands, and slowly approached: "Why are you standing here?"
He guessed: "Waiting for me?"
Shen Kuangye's expression was calm. He lowered his eyes and said in a flat voice: "I just wanted to know what you're dissatisfied with regarding Lu Xiangyang."
Tsuki forced a stiff smile and pretended not to understand: "What do you mean?"
"You can't not know what I mean," Shen Kuangye said.
Tsuki was silent for a moment, then laughed—not the gentle, pretended kind, but a sharp, flamboyant laugh.
All the friendly disguises he had worn in front of Shen Kuangye disappeared. His eyes looked straight at him: "I didn't expect you'd notice."
"I really don't like him. Aren't you curious why?"
He laughed and leaned closer. Shen Kuangye calmly stepped back.
Tsuki noticed the small movement, and his smile stiffened.
"You really dislike me that much?" he asked.
Shen Kuangye didn't answer.
"If I'm not mistaken, you and that Lu Xiangyang aren't a couple, right?"
Tsuki raised an eyebrow. In his view, their interactions were at most just flirting. But he was confident in himself, he didn't think he could lose to such an ordinary boy.
Shen Kuangye didn't respond; indeed, he and Lu Xiangyang weren't officially a couple yet. His silence was the best answer.
Tsuki continued: "What's so good about him? How am I worse than him? Family background-wise, my family is wealthy, our enterprises spread across Asia, and I'm very familiar with China. Communicating with you is no problem. Skill-wise, I once placed second and third in the Abyss tournament. Last year, if I hadn't had a fever, I almost won. Appearance-wise, I'm not bad either. Plenty of people chase me."
Indeed, his face was exceptionally handsome, and being young and tender-faced, anyone passing by couldn't take their eyes off him.
"I've been watching you two from Japan. Honestly, your skills are strong enough to join a better team, not stuck in this bottom-ranking team. I felt it this afternoon during training." His sharp eyes stared at Shen Kuangye. "You don't belong here. Lu Xiangyang comes from an ordinary family; his father passed away early, his mother is ill. He's not good enough for you. Compared to me, he's far behind. Don't you want to reconsider?"
Shen Kuangye looked at him with cold eyes, then let out a faint snort.
Tsuki was confused: "What are you laughing at?"
"Because all your so-called advantages mean nothing to me."
Shen Kuangye's voice carried impatience, low and firm: "Just know this: if you have a problem, take it out on me, not him."
Ever since their first meeting with Aurora, Shen Kuangye had keenly noticed this.
He was sensitive to others' malice, especially Tsuki's malice toward Lu Xiangyang. But he knew it wasn't the right time.
This Japanese player, however, was too arrogant, causing Lu Xiangyang to suffer inexplicably today. Shen Kuangye had left soon after, claiming he needed to step out.
Tsuki's smile vanished completely.
He had grown up with many admirers and the indulgence of his family, able to get whatever he wanted. He had courage and confidence to pursue his career freely.
He had always believed: if you like something, take it by any means.
Shen Kuangye was the first to refuse him so decisively—and threaten him.
"He's really that good?"
Tsuki sneered, full of resentment and pride.
"Yes."
Shen Kuangye looked at him, speaking each word clearly:
"Remember what I said today. If there's a next time, I won't hold back because of your face."
As Shen Kuangye turned to leave, he added:
"And one more thing—you were wrong about him. His father was stabbed while saving someone and passed away in the hospital. His mother fell ill and was hospitalized. He even considered signing a contract to take EAR from last place to ninth. He's stronger than anyone. He's the child of a hero, his mother's pride, the backbone of the team. He is not ordinary and worthless as you claimed. Under these conditions, I don't think you could accomplish half of what he has."
"Moreover, if anyone is 'unworthy,' it's me, not him."
Shen Kuangye never expected his own youthful self would recklessly pursue such warmth in the world.
He considered himself cold and ruthless, yet couldn't resist touching this unique warmth.
Finally holding this flame in his hands, he couldn't help but wonder: can I really have this?
Someone so good—do I truly deserve them?
He had made that Abyss promise with Lu Xiangyang partly because he felt unworthy.
He willingly became Lu Xiangyang's PLAN B.
Tsuki fell silent.
Shen Kuangye didn't bother listening to more nonsense. He believed he had made himself clear.
If Tsuki kept pestering or refused to understand, Shen Kuangye would follow through.
"I'll prove your judgment is wrong!"
Tsuki said unwillingly. "Next year's Abyss, I'll see if you even get selected."
Shen Kuangye left as if he hadn't heard.
After he left, Tsuki kicked a nearby plant, eyes reddened.
As Shen Kuangye came out, he saw Lu Xiangyang holding his phone, smiling as if chatting with someone.
Walking closer, he realized Lu Xiangyang was talking to Lu Ning.
"By the way, Mom, how's your health lately?" Lu Xiangyang asked.
Lu Ning smiled: "Much better. Yangyang, have you lost weight again?"
Lu Xiangyang replied vaguely: "Not at all. The club brothers take good care of me."
How could he admit that he lost his appetite due to heartbreak?
"I have a holiday this week, I'll come visit you," Lu Xiangyang said. "I kind of miss you."
Because of family reasons, he had rarely expressed himself before. Slowly, being with Shen Kuangye, he had learned to say things he once thought were cheesy.
Lu Ning paused, then smiled: "Good, Mom misses you too."
She sighed, eyes slightly red: "I just feel useless. Why did I get sick and burden you?"
Lu Xiangyang quickly stopped her: "Mom, don't think like that."
"After Dad's accident, raising me alone was already exhausting. Don't always blame yourself. People get sick. When you cared for me as a child, now that I'm grown, I take care of you."
Lu Ning tilted her head, wiping tears, choking slightly: "Our Yangyang has grown up."
She didn't know how many hardships he had endured alone.
Lu Xiangyang's eyes, shallow as they were, nearly reddened too. He hurried: "Mom, I'll hang up now. Our coach is calling me. If anything, message me on WeChat."
After that, he ended the call.
He pressed his lips together, raising his hand to rub his eyes.
Just as he adjusted his mood to go back, he realized Shen Kuangye had quietly been standing next to him.
Lu Xiangyang froze, corners of his eyes faintly red: "Brother, when did you get here?"
"Just now," Shen Kuangye asked. "What were you talking about?"
Lu Xiangyang smiled: "Nothing, just a few words with Mom."
Those beautiful eyes looked up at Shen Kuangye: "Shall we go back? They're probably waiting anxiously."
He hesitated: "But Tsuki hasn't returned yet. Could he have gotten lost?"
Lu Xiangyang only worried about others' safety, unaware that Tsuki had just scorned and insulted him in front of others.
Shen Kuangye sighed softly and naturally held his hand: "Forget them. Let's go back to the club first."
He knew that the young master might confront others publicly, but he didn't care. He just didn't want it to affect Lu Xiangyang's mood.
T/N: I mean… if this were my other self, or my other dominant self, I'd probably already be married to him. Why date some stranger when my other self is such a super green flag🤪, lol.