Chapter 49

It was late at night; they were in the living room on the first floor.

At this hour, Grey Cat was already asleep, sticking to its regular schedule. However, there was still a faint light seeping out from the door cracks of Hydralisk and Wu Daogu’s rooms. The main overhead light was off, leaving only a small row of lights on, making the surroundings quite dim.

On the sofa, there were only two overlapping shadows.

Xiao Yin was propped up on the sofa, with Rong Yi’s wrists firmly held in his grip. Rong Yi was leaning back on the sofa, his neck unable to bear the pressure, revealing his fair Adam’s apple.

The sound of their kissing finally subsided after a long while, dissolving into the quiet, silent night.

It took Rong Yi a long time to move. “You don’t have a wife.”

Xiao Yin replied softly, “Mm.”

Rong Yi whispered, “Where would you get a wife?”

His voice was very low and soft, mingled with the coffee-flavored kisses, like a bored little murmur.

Xiao Yin caressed his cheek, his voice light but warm, “If you don’t want to be, then I don’t have a wife.”

He leaned over to kiss his cheek again, his slightly cold eyebrows furrowing slightly, “What should I do?”

Rong Yi just realized that kissing could be very comfortable and quite enjoyable.

He felt so comfortable being kissed, his whole body turned soft, and he didn’t have time to respond. When Xiao Yin finally pulled away, Rong Yi sat up, rubbed his hair, and gently exhaled.

He looked exceptionally good when he was lost in love, and equally good when he was trying to pull away after it ended. It was a unique kind of beauty. The clear distinction between indulgence and sobriety, yet both deeply immersive, was a boundary unique to him. Like a cat whose fur had just been smoothed.

Xiao Yin loved observing this boundary.

Rong Yi resumed eating the coffee stick in his hand, breaking the remaining half to share with Xiao Yin. He then brought over the post match analysis materials from the day.

“This is from today. See if there’s anything to add, and we’ll discuss it together before training tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.”

Xiao Yin took the documents and held them in his hands, but instead of looking through them immediately, he first raised his eyes to look at Rong Yi.

Rong Yi rubbed his messy hair, and as he lifted his arm, the white cotton T-shirt followed the movement of his elbow, slightly revealing his waistline. “It’s getting late, I’m going to bed first.”

Xiao Yin redirected his gaze back to the documents, responding with a faint “Mm.”

Rong Yi went upstairs and paused before closing the door.

He had a habit of locking the door, something ingrained since childhood. Without locking it, he felt the door wasn’t truly closed. Tonight, he hesitated but didn’t lock it immediately.

He wasn’t sure if Xiao Yin would come up.

If Xiao Yin did come and found the door locked, would he think Rong Yi was guarding against him?

Oh well.

Xiao Yin was so polite; he would definitely ask before coming in.

Rong Yi had just laid down when he received a message from Xiao Yin.

“Is the door locked?”

Xiao Yin was just downstairs. The sound of the door locking was quite crisp, a clear click of the latch. He must have heard it.

Rong Yi replied, “Yes, it’s locked.”

There was a long pause from Xiao Yin’s side.

“Then what if I want to hold you while sleeping? What should I do?”

Rong Yi hid under the covers, his face slightly flushed. He did want Xiao Yin to hold him while sleeping; it felt great. But then he glanced at the time and immediately sobered up.

It was almost midnight, past his health-conscious bedtime.

He didn’t respond directly: “Good night, Boss. Get some rest.”

Then he didn’t check his messages again and fell asleep soundly.

The next day, Rong Yi slept in a bit and got up at 8:30.

It was another refreshing day.

After washing up, he opened the door and went downstairs.

The villa was quiet. Rong Yi glanced around and saw the other four were already seated in the training room, with Xiao Yin standing behind Wu Daogu, discussing something.

They must have started training early.

Rong Yi knew the post match analysis was scheduled for 9:00, so he wasn’t in a hurry. He reviewed the match details sent back by the data team from the previous day while heading to the cafeteria.

The breakfast left by the auntie today was millet porridge and smoked salmon toast with a side of salad. Rong Yi didn’t like such healthy breakfasts; he preferred high-fat, high-sugar, high-carb options.

Taking the elevator upstairs, Rong Yi entered the cafeteria to get his meal. The moment he stepped in, he was taken aback by the atmosphere inside.

This was the busiest time in the cafeteria, with members from the operations team, data team, finance team, and other departments all present. But as soon as they saw him, they all fell silent, clearly eager to gossip but not daring to.

Rong Yi got some soya milk, grabbed a steamed bun and a small bowl of beef noodles, and found an empty table to start eating.

He remained calm and composed.

As long as he wasn’t embarrassed, it was others who would feel awkward.

Rong Yi had no idea whether the VIT staff were aware of his relationship with Xiao Yin, but judging by how the younger members were making a fuss, they probably knew.

However, credit to Xiao Yin for leading such a team: each member kept their lips sealed, eyes downcast, and minds focused, displaying remarkable professionalism.

While eating his steamed bun, Rong Yi casually scrolled through his phone.

The hashtag [Xiao Yin’s Love Bite] was still trending, even after a night had passed. Since it exploded last night, it was now in the peak of its fermentation period, gaining even more traction.

Naturally, Xiao Yin’s account was also skyrocketing in popularity.

His response was exactly what he had told Rong Yi yesterday: he reposted and commented.

“My wife did it.”

Not only domestically, but he also posted it on international platforms, causing overseas fans and viewers who were initially unaware to get equally excited in the comments.

“Holy crap, Xiao Yin got married? What a bombshell! After all these years, he suddenly ties the knot!”

“I need to know his wife’s name within a minute.”

“I’ve been gossiping all night. Is it someone from the industry or outside? Or maybe a celebrity? I’m dying to know.”

“Based on what Yin-Ge revealed five years ago, at least we know it’s a guy, right?”

“Guys, I’m getting excited!”

“According to reliable sources: it’s someone from the industry.”

Rong Yi clicked on this so-called “reliable source.”

Sure enough, it was Lin Yi.

Lin Yi, the chatterbox, was at it again, blabbering all over the platform.

[Commentator Lin Yi]: “Ahem, I might as well admit I played matchmaker.”

With just that one line, netizens were convinced it was someone from the industry.

So the guessing game began, from players to coaches, even digging into Lin Yi’s social connections.

Unfortunately, Lin Yi’s extensive network was too vast, and his close friendship with Rong Yi was rarely publicized.

Netizens speculated about numerous pairings within the industry but couldn’t find a suitable match, mainly because the vibes didn’t align.

Whoever managed to win over Xiao Yin must be quite a character.

The VIT team members didn’t exude any romantic vibes, yet some insiders had picked up on subtle clues.

“Could it be Easy Baby?”

“Easy? Why do you think that?”

“During the League’s weekend variety show recording at VIT, Easy Baby wasn’t on screen, but he rode with Yin-Ge alone in the same car. Yin-Ge even helped block the camera for him! I still have that gif! They look perfect together!”

“He pulled him by the shoulder, almost hugging him!”

“Yeah, I remember too. Every time Easy Baby is at VIT, he gets top treatment. I think I’ve uncovered the core secret! Isn’t this exclusive pampering?”

“I’m shipping it, I’m shipping it—Handsome guy duo, I’m shipping it to the max! Does anyone doubt that Easy Baby is a hottie?”

“Some do, since he’s never shown his face. Only his hands.”

“They already pieced together his hands and feet! With such beautiful hands, his face must be gorgeous too!”

“Are we the only ones shipping this? Last week during the live stream, it was clear Yin wanted to duo lane with Easy Baby! How did you all miss that?”

Rong Yi quietly observed.

Things were heading in an uncontrollable yet foreseeable direction.

Lin Yi messaged him: “Easy Baby, people are starting to guess it’s you. Aren’t you going to respond?”

Rong Yi took a bite of his beef noodles and replied, “No need to respond. It’s not a big deal. Posting about non-competition matters on public platforms feels weird.”

Lin Yi said, “But shouldn’t you give Yin a proper title?”

Rong Yi thought for a moment and then secretly messaged him: “We’re just regular boyfriends right now. What if we break up later? You get it, right?”

Lin Yi laughed heartily on the other end and after a while said, “Alright, alright. With Yin’s personality matched with yours, you really have him wrapped around your finger.”

Rong Yi disagreed, “I’m not manipulating him. How am I manipulating him?”

After finishing his meal, Rong Yi got up to leave and noticed the time: exactly 8:58.

He liked arriving two minutes early; it gave him a sense of punctuality and security.

The training room was very quiet.

Rong Yi had assumed that by the time he arrived, the others would have already finished their daily brief meeting. But when he checked the meeting notes, they hadn’t started yet.

Rong Yi tilted his head slightly. “No meeting today?”

Wu Daogu, Grey Cat, and Hydralisk turned from their computers, each with a different expression but all wearing a strangely restrained and honest look. They obediently replied, “The Captain is hosting the meeting. Ahem.”

Rong Yi reached for a pen, pausing slightly.

He could feel three pairs of burning eyes fixed on him.

Their gazes darted between him and Xiao Yin.

The kids’ gossiping hearts were beyond anyone’s control now. Hydralisk, Grey Cat, and Wu Daogu all stared intensely at the two of them, but no one dared to speak up under Xiao Yin’s intimidating presence.

The Love Bite.

What a thrilling scandal these two had stirred up.

Caught red-handed, no explanation would convince them otherwise!

Rong Yi grabbed a pen and tried to maintain his composure as he glanced toward them. Then he said, “Shall I start?”

“Yes, yes, Captain, please start.”

“I watched three matches from other teams yesterday and have some new ideas.”

Rong Yi looked down to write, but the pen he had just picked up ran out of ink, producing uneven lines.

He shook the pen, and halfway through, Xiao Yin gently pressed his hand, handing him the fountain pen he used for signing documents.

“Use this.”

The training room fell into an absolute silence.

After a long pause.

Hydralisk: “Eww—”

Grey Cat: “Ohhh—”

Wu Daogu: “Whoa—”

Rong Yi’s ears were about to turn red. He lowered his eyes, continuing without a break, “Xiao, this champion works well with… with…”

Xiao Yin was also watching him.

Forget it, he couldn’t continue either.

Rong Yi put away the pen, holding the hefty piece still warm from Xiao Yin’s touch.

Calmly, he addressed everyone, “Alright, I’m dating Xiao Yin.”