Chapter 23

Rong Yi felt that the conversation might be related to what happened yesterday but also thought it might not be.

After Xiao Yin hung up the phone, Rong Yi sat down on the bed opposite him and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing, just some personal matters,” Xiao Yin replied calmly. “Have you finished washing up?”

“Yeah.”

Rong Yi bent down to tie his shoelaces. He was too lazy to bend over properly, so he crossed one leg over the other and brought his foot closer to tie it.

He had just washed his hands, and his fingertips were still wet. His ankle was turned to the side, making it difficult to tie. Before he could finish, Xiao Yin got up, knelt down naturally, and took over, tying his shoelaces for him.

Rong Yi’s face instantly turned red, and he was at a loss for words. “You…”

This natural and intimate gesture was something Xiao Yin had never done before, even in the past.

Rong Yi felt embarrassed and awkwardly wanted to refuse, but Xiao Yin had already started talking about something else. “Operations also told me about the platform issue. Have you checked your phone?”

Rong Yi felt even more embarrassed. “I saw it. I was drunk last night and didn’t respond well.”

He took a deep breath, his slightly flushed face calming down a bit, and said seriously, “This is my responsibility. First, I apologize for my careless words. It not only affects me but also has a negative impact on the whole team, so I…”

“What impact?” Xiao Yin interrupted, tying one of his shoes and gently placing his ankle down before moving on to the other.

Rong Yi’s ankles were slender and beautiful, fair and smooth, with particularly graceful bones. They felt very nice to hold.

Rong Yi paused for a moment, and Xiao Yin had already finished tying the other shoe and stood up. “I’m only worried about the impact on you.”

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

“There won’t be any impact,” Xiao Yin said. “If you need, I can make them all shut up.”

Rong Yi glanced at him in surprise.

Xiao Yin’s words were calm and composed. He looked at Rong Yi with deep, serious eyes, with no hint of joking.

In that moment, Rong Yi recalled some of the legends about Xiao Yin’s background.

It was true that Xiao Yin didn’t get along with a few people, but Rong Yi always judged matters objectively. Ultimately, the influence of others on him was negligible; he simply didn’t care much about certain people.

Rong Yi said seriously, “No need.”

He was genuinely afraid that Xiao Yin might have means to make life difficult for others in the League.

Back in the day, Xiao Yin had been the Captain of the strongest team in the League. Rong Yi hadn’t interacted with him much, but thinking about it now, Xiao Yin had left the domestic Youth Training Camp and directly transitioned abroad. He started a team and secured a reserved spot in the League in the first year. How could he have done all that without some skills?

“Alright,” Xiao Yin didn’t insist, nodding. “I’ll listen to you.”

Both of them changed clothes.

Today was the last day of their post-match break. The other three team members had taken the opportunity to go out, leaving just Rong Yi and Xiao Yin at the hotel.

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

In the hallway, Rong Yi adjusted his mask while Xiao Yin checked his phone beside him. Xiao Yin casually asked, “Want to grab something to eat outside?”

“It’s kind of hot. How about we eat at the hotel?”

Rong Yi knew Xiao Yin was being polite. Xiao Yin was both a team member and the owner, with an unimaginable workload. Rong Yi considered this and said, “We haven’t done the post-match analysis yet. Although we won the recent games smoothly, I think there’s room for improvement.”

Xiao Yin paused, then agreed, “Okay.”

They went downstairs for a meal and soon returned to their room. Rong Yi grabbed a few waffles and a hot coffee, eating slowly while conducting the post-match analysis.

Rong Yi’s individual analysis was quick, but team analysis was much more complex. They weren’t at the club, so they didn’t have the usual analysis software to help. Some parts had to be manually explained. He typed away furiously, his expression serious and focused.

Initially, Xiao Yin sat by the floor-to-ceiling window working, but as Rong Yi got absorbed in his work, he didn’t notice what Xiao Yin was doing anymore. A few times when he looked back, Xiao Yin was no longer in the room.

It wasn’t until evening when Hydralisk and the others returned, laughing and making noise, that Rong Yi’s train of thought was interrupted. He closed his laptop and looked out.

He realized he had been alone in the room for quite some time without noticing.

Xiao Yin came back with Hydralisk and the others, carrying food they had brought for him.

Rong Yi rubbed his temples, “You guys are back? When did you go out?”

“Finished my work and went out, didn’t want to disturb you.”

Xiao Yin brought over the packed food and started unwrapping the chopsticks.

His fingers were long and well-defined. Usually so cold and precise, he somehow seemed perfectly natural doing these small, mundane tasks.

“Captain, we brought you milk tea and a honey bun.”

Hydralisk’s eyes immediately caught the tactical map on Rong Yi’s desk. His professional instincts kicked in, and he squeezed over to ask, “Captain, you’re doing the post-match analysis alone? Why not wait for us?”

“You guys have the day off today. I had nothing else to do, so I thought I’d get a head start. You can review it yourselves later,” Rong Yi replied casually. He thanked them and took the food Xiao Yin handed him, then started watching the replay of a recent World Championship match while eating.

“Captain’s work ethic is unbeatable,” Hydralisk clicked his tongue. “No wonder E-God is so strong. Any team he coaches is the best in the country… Captain, if you keep focusing only on work, you’ll never have a girlfriend!”

Rong Yi choked slightly.

Xiao Yin remained expressionless beside him.

Grey Cat sensed something amiss and probed, “Or do you already have a girlfriend? I heard Lu Feng say that many people in the League are interested in you—both men and women. For example, the male documentary producer who likes all your posts, or that female streamer from the Premier League…”

Rong Yi choked even harder. He took a sip of water to calm down, his tone steady, “Don’t spread rumors. Especially about girls, don’t gossip.”

He had been in the League for five years, climbing from a rookie to a Captain, and had never heard of anyone harboring any improper thoughts about him.

After all, he had a solitary nature and was a workaholic, which most people couldn’t tolerate.

Except for Xiao Yin, who had a unique taste and had been with him for a month, initially by chance.

Grey Cat scrutinized both Rong Yi and the impassive Xiao Yin, then boldly ventured in the direction they had long suspected, “Or are you and Yin-Ge already a couple?”

They had been observing Rong Yi and Xiao Yin for a long time and couldn’t wait to bring up this topic.

Rong Yi felt his ears starting to heat up again. He took another sip of water and calmly said, “…No. Who said that?”

He didn’t know what Xiao Yin had told the team, but it was likely that he had never addressed it directly.

Xiao Yin casually added, “Don’t mess with him.”

Grey Cat glanced at Rong Yi, then at the unperturbed Xiao Yin, realizing they might have gone too far this time. He immediately knelt and apologized, “My bad, Captain. We were just guessing.”

Hydralisk remained silent, but his eyes held a hint of grievance. “We’re all part of the same team. Can’t we be open about some things?”

Rong Yi shot him a look.

Hydralisk earnestly said, “Captain, you need to be careful around Xiao Yin. His sexual orientation is known worldwide. You have to stay strong!”

Rong Yi: “…”

Oblivious, Hydralisk continued to pile on, “His story even made the global esports headlines. He’s quite the player. A few years ago, he was caught renting a room with someone!”

Grey Cat quickly added, “But I think the person he was caught with wasn’t as good-looking as you, Captain.”

Wu Daogu also chimed in approvingly, “Yes, I agree.”

Rong Yi: “…”

Stop. Just stop.

If they kept talking, he’d really die of embarrassment.

After they babbled for a while, Xiao Yin finally spoke up, “You all seem very free. If you have so much free time, finish the post-match analysis. It’ll be less work when we get back to the club, and we can prepare earlier for the Group A matches.”

Hydralisk reluctantly got up, “Don’t think just because you’re the boss, you can order me around!”

His words were tough, but his actions were honest as he prepared to leave.

Wu Daogu dragged Grey Cat out with him, kindly closing the door behind them.

Rong Yi was lost in thought, his mind wandering back to past events. A spoonful of food sat in his spoon, forgotten.

Xiao Yin crossed his arms and watched him for a moment, “Ah Yi?”

“Nothing, just got distracted.”

As soon as Xiao Yin spoke, Rong Yi lowered his head and put the food in his mouth, restarting the video on his screen.

The foreign commentators’ English filled the quiet room.

Xiao Yin was doing something behind him, but Rong Yi didn’t pay attention.

After a moment of silence, Rong Yi decided to put down his spoon and muted the video.

The room fell into complete silence.

“Xiao Yin.”

Rong Yi spoke softly, “You weren’t turned gay by me, were you?”

Rong Yi liked Xiao Yin, and hurting him was never his intention. Despite his many prior speculations, he still decided to come clean and ask directly.

In the shadow behind him, Xiao Yin seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Then he quickly answered, “No. I was born this way.”

“Oh.” Rong Yi nodded, lowering his eyes, feeling a bit ashamed for his self-importance. “I was just asking.”

“You don’t have to worry,” Xiao Yin said. “I’ll talk to them later and tell them not to bring it up again. They’ve been around me for a long time and sometimes joke without thinking. Don’t take it to heart.”

Rong Yi nodded, “Okay.”

“But,” Xiao Yin paused for a moment, causing Rong Yi to hear him clearly.

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

“Really?” Rong Yi responded instinctively.

Xiao Yin didn’t reply further.

Rong Yi glanced back, seeing Xiao Yin with his back turned, hanging up clothes. He took it as the end of the conversation and returned to his post-match analysis.

The amount of information from several matches was even greater than he had anticipated, and before he knew it, it was almost 11 PM.

With their flight scheduled for noon the next day, Rong Yi figured he could catch up on sleep on the plane. He proactively told Xiao Yin, “I’m going to stay up late tonight. I don’t want to disturb you, so I’ll head over now.”

Xiao Yin responded, “I checked out your room.”

Rong Yi: “…?”

Xiao Yin didn’t seem inclined to explain further, “I checked it out after bringing over your luggage today.”

He started to take off his jacket and turned on the bathroom light, “It’s fine. I’ll be up late too. Do your thing.”

Xiao Yin soon went to take a shower.

The bathroom light was a warm yellow, creating a cozy atmosphere. The hotel’s bathroom glass was fully transparent in both directions, with only a light-colored shower curtain partially obscuring the view. Inside, the steam billowed, and the sound of running water was clear.

It made one feel a bit tense.

The scene was all too familiar.

In the past, Rong Yi thought those memories had been buried with his heartbreak, but with Xiao Yin’s return, they resurfaced, becoming clearer and clearer.

He used to know that on nights like this, he would endure a long night. Even though coming to places like this meant being prepared for such situations, the atmosphere before it all began still made his throat tighten.

Rong Yi silently recited a calming mantra to himself, reminding himself that things were different now. He then resumed his dedication to the esports career he planned to devote his life to.

Xiao Yin soon finished his shower and came out.

Rong Yi proactively turned off the main light, leaving only a small desk lamp on for himself. “If I disturb you, just let me know.”

Xiao Yin quickly lay down on the bed and responded, “It’s fine. I have some things to look at too.”

It wasn’t over-cautiousness; Rong Yi knew Xiao Yin’s habits from a few years ago.

Xiao Yin was a light sleeper and had trouble falling asleep.

Rong Yi continued working for a while, glancing back occasionally. He could clearly see Xiao Yin growing more and more tired, yet still waiting for him.

Though Xiao Yin sat calmly and silently with his phone, his eyelids were gradually drooping, his expression becoming relaxed, with his dark eyelashes resembling butterflies.

He looked more approachable than usual, even somewhat youthful.

Rong Yi decided to shut down his computer and switch to pen and paper, working in complete silence.

The workload was even more than he had anticipated; he realized that an all-nighter was not out of the question.

After a long time.

He heard the sound of the blanket rustling.

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

Xiao Yin approached him, and Rong Yi immediately turned around, ready to apologize profusely鈥”he knew Xiao Yin’s temper when he was sleepy wasn’t great. In the past, he dared to tease him precisely because Xiao Yin indulged him.

Rong Yi looked up, meeting Xiao Yin’s tired and somber gaze.

With a calm minty scent, Xiao Yin lowered his head. Rong Yi thought he was finally going to lose his patience and kick him out. Before he could react, Xiao Yin grabbed his chin.

Rong Yi: “?”

Xiao Yin lowered his eyes and gave him a light peck on the lips.