Chapter 65

Rong Yi wasn’t entirely sure how the situation was handled afterward.

The whole time, he was bundled in Xiao Yin’s coat, waiting in the back seat. But Xiao Yin didn’t make him wait long.

Xiao Yin stayed close to the rear car door, making phone calls and handling things.

The rear car door was slightly ajar, letting Rong Yi know that Xiao Yin was always close by, which made him feel at ease.

Rong Yi actually didn’t want to call the police. First, he didn’t want to blow things out of proportion, and second, he didn’t want to make a statement, which might interfere with the schedule and have public relations repercussions.

After discussing with him, Xiao Yin respected his wishes.

He quickly took care of the current situation, cleared the area with the staff, called the driver, and headed straight back to the VIT Club.

On the way home, Rong Yi was still hiding in Xiao Yin’s coat, feeling Xiao Yin gently holding him by the shoulder, cradling him in his arms.

The scent of mint spread around them, and Xiao Yin lightly patted the back of his neck, as if comforting a child.

Rong Yi’s condition wasn’t actually that bad. He had calmed down after getting into the car.

But he didn’t speak either. Fear is an exhausting thing. He just leaned lightly against Xiao Yin’s side, letting his fingers be held by him, curled up in his embrace without moving.

Like a bird finding its nest.

As they were almost home, Rong Yi stirred, remembering to ask softly, “What about the interview?”

At the time, Xiao Yin was at the red carpet photo session, and he came over before the event had even ended, arriving so quickly.

“Don’t worry about it,” Xiao Yin’s voice was tense, exuding calmness and gravity. “You don’t have to think about anything. I’ll handle everything.”

He was a bit stern.

Hearing this, Rong Yi believed him.

Xiao Yin was that kind of person. Being with him meant never having to worry. When he said not to worry, it was with certainty and conviction, not just mere comfort.

The driver parked the car, and Xiao Yin got out, holding Rong Yi’s hand as he led him out.

The villa was dark. Rong Yi gently lifted a bit of Xiao Yin’s coat over his head, following closely behind him.

Xiao Yin held onto his wrist the entire time.

Rong Yi obediently followed, staying close behind him, very attentive.

Once they were inside the room, Xiao Yin closed the door and adjusted the electric curtains, ensuring all the windows were well covered.

He reached out, touching the top of Rong Yi’s head, and asked softly, “Is this okay? Our villa doesn’t have cameras.”

It wasn’t really that serious.

Rong Yi looked up at him, initially wanting to say it was fine, but the calm and serious look in Xiao Yin’s eyes suddenly stirred a faint, inexplicable sense of grievance.

It was subtle, a feeling he hadn’t experienced since he started his solo journey in professional esports.

He didn’t say anything, just nodded, “Mm.”

Xiao Yin led him to sit on the shoe-changing bench by the door, then took off the coat.

Rong Yi had been hiding inside, and the stress had made his hair damp, leaving his once neat, black hair in disarray.

Xiao Yin knelt down and started to take off his shoes.

At this point, Rong Yi gently tried to stop him, “It’s okay.”

His voice was hoarse and soft. Xiao Yin replied, “It’s okay.”

He untied Rong Yi’s shoelaces and took off his shoes, placing them neatly.

Rong Yi’s feet lightly touched the wooden floor. Before he could stand up, Xiao Yin picked him up and carried him upstairs.

Rong Yi didn’t struggle.

Determined to carry him upstairs, Xiao Yin cradled his face close to his neck.

Xiao Yin carried him straight into the bathroom and turned on the heater.

“Take a hot bath to relax,” Xiao Yin said, adjusting the water temperature. He showed no intention of leaving. “I’ll call the auntie to come over and make a late-night snack.”

Since there was a schedule today, they didn’t eat at the villa, and the auntie had taken the evening off.

However, the auntie lived nearby in the VIT staff dormitory. A phone call would bring her over.

Rong Yi said softly, “No need, I’m not that…”

Xiao Yin suddenly smiled at him, “I’ll cook something for you.”

His voice was very gentle. He placed Rong Yi on the bathroom bench and didn’t leave.

As the bathtub filled with hot water, Xiao Yin stood between his spread legs, very close, and began to undress him.

His voice was so soft, like coaxing a child.

Low and gentle, the magnetic undertone was irresistible.

Rong Yi spoke softly, “You can cook?”

He wasn’t really asking, just that Xiao Yin’s way of speaking drew out a rare desire to be playful.

“I couldn’t before. When we first got together, I didn’t know how.”

Xiao Yin unbuttoned his shirt. After taking it off, he set it aside and continued to undress him.

It was all very innocent, devoid of any other emotions. Rong Yi could feel that Xiao Yin’s emotions were much more intense than his own.

Once he was undressed, Xiao Yin lifted him into the bathtub.

Water splashed, wetting Xiao Yin’s pants and shirt hem a bit, but he didn’t care. He even reached for the body wash, placing it on Rong Yi’s head to wash his hair.

Rong Yi shrank into a corner of the bathtub, initially unable to relax due to nervousness and embarrassment.

No one had ever bathed him at this age.

“How old do you think I am?” he asked softly.

It wasn’t very intimidating.

“We’re the same age, Captain Rong.” Xiao Yin’s hands worked up a lather in his hair, filling the air with the fresh scent of citrus and grapefruit. “How about I wash you until you’re a hundred?”

Rong Yi’s face turned red, his ears too, with the heat rising around them. Yet, his overall expression remained composed.

Xiao Yin treated him with the care one would give a fragile item. But ever since Xiao Yin carried him upstairs, today’s unhappiness had completely dissipated.

He was simple like that once something was over, it was over, no lingering.

“Has anyone ever bathed you?” Xiao Yin asked softly.

Rong Yi’s ears turned even redder.

“No. Not even my mom.”

“Then I’m the first,” Xiao Yin mused.

Xiao Yin picked up the showerhead, rinsing his back gently. This man resembled an AI, hard when needed, yet capable of complete tranquility when his mind wasn’t occupied.

As he rinsed his hair, Xiao Yin whispered, “Close your eyes.”

Rong Yi tilted his face up and closed his eyes.

Warm water flowed over his cheeks. Rong Yi kept his eyes tightly shut, and when the water receded, he felt warmth on his lips.

Xiao Yin had leaned in, planting a kiss. His tongue briefly touched Rong Yi’s lips before retreating, still in a soothing manner.

Rong Yi kept his eyes closed. After Xiao Yin’s lips moved away, he whispered, “I developed this condition in the eighth grade.”

The water continued to flow, the bathroom filled with steam.

Xiao Yin responded softly, “Mm.”

He was very careful, exerting no pressure, letting Rong Yi know he could stop anytime.

“When I was in the eighth grade, my parents got divorced. I went with my mom to live with the man she remarried,” Rong Yi said.

He still had his eyes closed, his wet eyelashes looking like black butterflies in the mist.

“My appearance… I wouldn’t say I’m very handsome, but there’s a certain softness to it. At school, not many girls chased after me, but more boys did than girls.”

“There were also some older men who took a liking to me. They said I was just their type.”

Xiao Yin frowned slightly.

“But that’s not the main point. The main point is that man’s younger brother, an old bachelor.”

“During one of their gatherings, he saw me. After that, it was a year of stalking and secret photos.”

Rong Yi’s voice was very calm, “I was young then, and my first instinct was to tell my mom.”

“When she heard, her first reaction was disbelief. Her second reaction was to threaten me not to tell anyone.”

“Because she wanted to stay in that family. That man had money, and she lived there on thin ice. She said I was causing trouble for her and asked if I could give her some peace.”

“Later on…”

Rong Yi paused at this point.

Xiao Yin’s hands stopped moving too. He frowned, looking at him with concern, “And then?”

“Then I called the police. I made a big fuss, and my mom lost all face.”

Rong Yi suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of a smile in them. “She kicked me out and told me to go to another city to find my uncle.”

“I took the money and instead of going to my uncle’s, I spent two days playing games in an internet café.”

“I was really good at gaming. By chance, I saw a job posting that day. I bought a standing ticket and took the earliest freight train to A City. I joined RS.”

“Back then, there was no youth training or competition training team. We were among the earliest generations.”

Rong Yi said, “That’s how it was.”

“And was that person dealt with?” Xiao Yin asked softly.

“He never admitted it, but there was a very good police officer who found a lot of recording equipment in his house. It wasn’t just me; there were other boys of my age too.”

“He was later detained. That was the end of it for me.”

“The only thing that didn’t end well might be the aftereffects it left me with.”

Rong Yi leaned his head into Xiao Yin’s palm, allowing him to rinse behind his ears. He hugged his knees, as if telling someone else’s story. “For a while, I had dreams about someone holding a camera, filming me. Wherever I went, that camera would follow me.”

Xiao Yin put down the showerhead and pulled him into his arms.

Xiao Yin’s shirt was completely soaked by now, but no one cared.

Rong Yi quietly nestled in his embrace.

At this moment, it was Rong Yi who seemed more resilient and composed than Xiao Yin.

Rong Yi tilted his head to glance at him, then reached out and gently patted his back.

“It’s really fine. It’s all in the past. Don’t worry about me.”