Chapter 23: CH 23

Rong Yi also listened to these words, feeling that it had something to do with the argument he had with himself yesterday, but also feeling that it had nothing to do with it.

After Xiao Yin hung up the phone, Rong Yi took the initiative to sit on the bed opposite him and asked, “Is there something wrong?”

“No, just some personal matters.” Xiao Yin’s voice was calm. “Have you finished washing up?”

“Yes.”

Rong Yi bent down to tie his shoelaces. Xiao Yin was too lazy to bend down, so he lifted his legs and leaned closer to let Rong Yi tie them for him. His fingertips were still wet from washing his hands, and his ankle kept moving, making it hard for Rong Yi to tie them. Before he could finish, Xiao Yin got up and knelt down, naturally taking over and tying his shoelaces.

Rong Yi’s face turned red to the roots of his ears in an instant, and he couldn’t even speak. This kind of natural intimacy, even in the past, Xiao Yin had never done it before.

Rong Yi felt embarrassed and wanted to refuse, but Xiao Yin had already started asking him about other things: “The operations team also told me about the platform’s issues. Have you checked your phone?”

Rong Yi felt even more embarrassed: “I saw it. I got drunk last night and didn’t come back very well.”

He took a deep breath, and his slightly reddened face calmed down a bit. He spoke seriously, “This is my responsibility. I apologize for my careless words, not only for myself but also for the entire team. Therefore, I…”

“What kind of impact?” After tying one of his shoelaces, Xiao Yin gently held his ankle and lowered it before bending down to tie the other one.

Rong Yi’s ankles were slender, beautiful, and fair, with particularly symmetrical bone joints that felt good to hold in hand.

Rong Yi hesitated for a moment, but Xiao Yin had already tied the other shoelace and stood up. “I’m only worried about how it might affect you.”

“I don’t mind, but our team is a new one.” Rong Yi said.

“It won’t have any impact.” Xiao Yin said, “If you need me to, I can make them all shut up.”

When Xiao Yin said this, Rong Yi was a little surprised and glanced at him.

Xiao Yin said it calmly, with a deep and serious gaze, without any hint of joking.

In that instant, Rong Yi remembered some of the rumors about Xiao Yin’s background.

He did indeed have conflicts with a few people, but Rong Yi always separated the issue from the person. In the end, other people’s influence on him was minimal, and he really didn’t care about some of these people.

Rong Yi also spoke seriously, “No need.”

He was really afraid that Xiao Yin might have means to cut off someone’s career in the league.

“He was the captain of the strongest team in the league back then. Although I didn’t know him well, looking back now, he was able to go abroad directly after leaving the domestic training camp and start a team. In the first year, they secured a reserved seat in the league. How could he not have some means?”

“Okay,” Xiao Yin didn’t insist and nodded. “I’ll follow your lead.”

Both of them changed their clothes.

Today was the last day of vacation after the game. The other three took the opportunity to go out and have fun, leaving only the two of them in the hotel.

Xiao Yin didn’t suggest any activities for the two of them, and Rong Yi also felt that this might not be a good time.

In the hallway, Rong Yi adjusted his mask, while Xiao Yin checked his phone next to him and casually said, “Do you want to go out for a meal?”

“It’s a bit hot. Why don’t we eat in the hotel?”

Rong Yi knew he was being polite. Xiao Yin was both a team member and a boss, and the amount of work he had was unimaginable. So Rong Yi showed his consideration for him and said, “We haven’t done the post-match analysis yet. Although we won the last few games easily, I still think there is room for improvement.”

Xiao Yin paused for a moment, then agreed, “Okay.”

The two went downstairs for a meal and quickly returned upstairs.

Rong Yi grabbed a few waffles and ate them slowly with hot coffee while reviewing the game. Reviewing individually was quick, but reviewing as a team was much more complicated.

Since they were not in the club, they didn’t have access to the usual analysis software, so some things had to be explained manually.

Rong Yi typed away on the keyboard, looking serious and focused.

Initially, Xiao Yin was sitting by the French windows working, but later, as Rong Yi became engrossed in his own work, he stopped paying attention to what Xiao Yin was doing. There were a few times when Rong Yi turned around and Xiao Yin was no longer in the room.

It wasn’t until evening, when the group from Ci She returned, laughing and joking, that the noise disrupted his thoughts. Rong Yi closed his laptop and looked out the window.

He had been alone in the room for a long time, but he hadn’t noticed when Xiao Yin left.

Xiao Yin brought food with him from outside for Rong Yi and carried it in his hands. Rong Yi rubbed his temples and asked, “You guys are back? When did you leave?”

“After finishing up some work, I went out. I didn’t want to disturb you,” Xiao Yin replied.

He brought Rong Yi the packed meal and began to unpack it, his long fingers and prominent joints moving with ease. Despite his usual cold and serious demeanor, he didn’t seem out of place doing such small, delicate work.

“Captain, I brought you milk tea and honey crispy bread,” he said.

Ci She noticed the tactical map on his table and, being professional players themselves, couldn’t help but ask, “Captain, you’re analyzing the game by yourself? Why didn’t you wait for us?”

“You guys have the day off today, and I didn’t have anything to do, so I thought I’d write a little. You can take a look later,” Rong Yi replied casually. He thanked them for the food and handed it over to them. They started watching a recent world tournament replay while eating.

“Captain, you’re hopeless when it comes to career aspirations,” Ci She teased, “No wonder E-Shen is so strong, and the team he leads is the strongest in the country. You’re only focused on work, so you won’t have a girlfriend!”

Rong Yi choked a little.

Xiao Yin remained expressionless beside him.

Hui Mao noticed some clues and said, “Do you already have a girlfriend? The other day, I heard from Lu Feng that there are many people in the league who want to pursue the captain, both men and women. For example, there’s a male athlete who produces a documentary and likes to like your moments on social media every day, and there’s a female anchor from the A-level professional league…”

Rong Yi choked and cleared his throat before calmly saying, “Don’t talk nonsense, especially about girls. Don’t spread rumors.”

He had been playing in the league for five years and had worked his way up from a little kid to become the captain. He had never heard of anyone having any improper thoughts about him.

After all, he had an uninteresting personality and was a workaholic, and most people couldn’t stand him.

Only Xiao Yin, with his unique taste, had been with him for a month, and he had even been picked up by him in the beginning.

Hui Mao looked at Rong Yi and Xiao Yin, who was calm on the other side, and boldly asked in the direction he had anticipated, “Or is it that you and Brother Yin are already a couple?”

They had been observing Rong Yi and Xiao Yin for a long time, and they were eager to discuss this topic.

Rong Yi’s sensitive ears were starting to heat up again. He took a sip of water and calmly said, “No. Who said that?”

He didn’t know how Xiao Yin had talked to these kids on the team, but he probably had never said it directly.

Xiao Yin also casually said, “Stop messing around with him.”

Hui Mao looked at Rong Yi and then at Xiao Yin, who remained calm, and felt that they might have gone too far this time. He immediately apologized on his knees, “I’m sorry, captain. We were just guessing.”

Ci She remained silent, but his eyes looked somewhat resentful towards them. “We are all on the same team. Can’t we be open and honest about some things?”

Rong Yi glanced at him.

Ci She sincerely said, “But captain, you have to be careful of Xiao Yin. Everyone in the world knows about his sexual orientation. You have to hold on!”

Rong Yi: “……”

Ci She continued to speak, oblivious to Rong Yi’s reaction, “Back then, his scandal made headlines in the global e-sports community. He spent so much money, and a few years ago, he was caught on camera having sex with someone!”

Hui Mao also chimed in, “But I don’t think the person he was with was as good-looking as you, Captain.”

Wu Dao Gu nodded in agreement, “Yes, I agree.”

Rong Yi: “……”

That’s enough.

Let’s talk about the real issue, the death of Zhen Society.

After a lot of discussion, Xiao Yin finally spoke up, “Are you all free? If you are, then write a post-match analysis and prepare for the A group competition when we get back to the club.”

Only then did Ci She reluctantly stand up, “Don’t think that just because you’re the boss, you can boss me around!”

Although he was speaking confidently, his body language showed that he was ready to leave.

Wu Dao Gu pulled Hui Mao and silently walked away, closing the door behind them.

Lost in thought, Rong Yi absentmindedly picked up a spoonful of rice and stared at it for a while without eating.

Xiao Yin crossed his arms and looked at him, “Ah Yi?”

“It’s nothing. I was just lost in thought.”

As soon as Xiao Yin spoke, Rong Yi lowered his head and resumed eating, clicking on the video to play again. The foreign commentator’s English commentary filled the quiet room.

Xiao Yin didn’t know what was happening behind his back, and Rong Yi didn’t pay attention either.

After a moment of silence, he thought for a moment and decided to put down his spoon and turn off the sound.

The room fell into complete silence.

“Xiao Yin.”

Rong Yi whispered, “I didn’t break you, did I?”

He liked Xiao Yin and hurting him was never his intention. Although he had many speculations before, he still decided to ask candidly this time.

Xiao Yin seemed to be stunned in the shadow behind him.

Later, he quickly replied, “No, it’s natural.”

“Oh.” Rong Yi nodded, lowered his eyes, and felt a little ashamed of his own self-righteousness. “I just wanted to ask.”

“You don’t have to worry.” Xiao Yin said, “I will tell them later that this matter doesn’t need to be mentioned again. They have been with me for a long time, and they have no sense of humor. Don’t take it seriously.”

Rong Yi nodded, “Okay.”

“But…” Rong Yi suddenly heard Xiao Yin pause.

“There are quite a few people in the alliance who like you.”

“Really?” Rong Yi said unconsciously.

Xiao Yin didn’t answer.

Rong Yi glanced back and saw Xiao Yin with his back to him, hanging his clothes. He decided to end the conversation and continued to review the game.

The amount of information from the few games was even greater than he had anticipated, and before he knew it, it was almost 11 pm.

They had a flight the next day at noon, and Rong Yi, thinking that he could catch up on sleep on the plane, proactively said to Xiao Yin, “I stayed up late tonight and don’t want to disturb you. I’ll go to my room first.”

Xiao Yin replied, “I’ve already checked out of your room.”

Rong Yi asked, “What do you mean?”

Xiao Yin didn’t seem to have much explanation, “I moved your luggage to my room earlier today and then checked out.”

Xiao Yin began to take off his jacket and turned on the bathroom light, “It’s okay, I’m also up late. You do your own thing.”

Xiao Yin quickly went to take a shower.

The warm yellow light in the bathroom was very atmospheric. The glass in the hotel bathroom was completely transparent, with only a light-colored shower curtain blocking the view. The mist inside the bathroom and the sound of water were clear, which made Rong Yi a little nervous.

This kind of scene was all too familiar to him.

Once, Rong Yi thought that memories had been sealed with the pain of lost love. But with Xiao Yin’s return, those memories were uncovered again, becoming clearer and clearer.

In the past, whenever this time came, he knew he would have to endure the night. Despite being prepared for it by coming to this place, the atmosphere beforehand still made his throat tighten.

Rong Yi silently recited a calming spell to himself and reminded himself that the situation was different now. Then, he devoted himself to his lifelong dedication to e-sports.

Xiao Yin quickly finished showering and came out.

Rong Yi took the initiative to turn off the main light, leaving himself a small desk lamp on. “If I’m bothering you, just let me know,” he said.

Xiao Yin quickly got into bed and replied, “No, it’s okay. I have some things to do too.”

It wasn’t excessive caution; Rong Yi had known about Xiao Yin’s habits for several years.

Xiao Yin had shallow sleep and was not easily able to fall asleep.

Rong Yi wrote for a while, looking back several times in the middle. It was clear to see that Xiao Yin was getting more and more tired, but he was still waiting for him.

Although the man held his phone calmly and silently, his eyelids gradually drooped, his expression relaxed, and his pitch-black eyelashes hung like butterflies.

He looked more approachable than usual, even somewhat younger.

Rong Yi simply turned off his computer and switched to handwriting, becoming completely silent.

The workload was even greater than he had anticipated, and he felt that an all-nighter was not out of the question tonight.

A long time passed.

He heard the sound of the blanket being turned over.

He thought Xiao Yin was finally going to sleep and didn’t pay attention. A few seconds later, a warm scent of mint suddenly came from behind him.

Xiao Yin walked closer to him, and Rong Yi immediately turned around, wanting to apologize frantically, he knew Xiao Yin’s temper was not good when he was sleepy, and he had dared to provoke him before because he was used to it.

Rong Yi lifted his eyes and met Xiao Yin’s tired and gloomy gaze.

Xiao Yin lowered his head, emitting a subtle fragrance of mint. Rong Yi thought he was finally going to get impatient and kick him out, but before he could run, Xiao Yin grabbed his chin.

Rong Yi: “?”

Xiao Yin lowered his eyes and lightly kissed him on the lips.