Chapter 41 Part 3

But Yu Jin asked him, “Are you full?”

Yun Qi hesitated and nodded at him.

Yu Jin went to the roadside to buy some things—hot snacks. After getting back in the car, he tossed the cat to the back seat and handed the snacks to Yun Qi.

The two of them headed back to the KRO Base.

Yun Qi silently held the items in his hand. The steaming hot snacks pressed against his palm through the paper bag. No matter how much Tata meowed in the back, Yun Qi had no energy to pay attention to it. All his focus was still on the dinner table dialogue—Yu Jin’s reason for turning down Zhou Yu.

He said he had someone he liked.

Someone he’d known for three years.

Was that person him?

Could he be this presumptuous?

If it was, was he using him as a shield, just pulling some random excuse, or did he really still like him like he said…

If not, then who was it? After breaking up with him, had Yu Jin met new friends? A man? A woman? From their circle? Outside it?

If he tried asking now, would Yu Jin think he was being too nosy or too narcissistic?

Yun Qi held the warm snacks, keeping his mouth shut. He wanted to ask several times but held back due to all his misgivings. After they’d driven most of the way, he finally beat around the bush and spoke up: “Zhou Yu’s sister is pretty cute…”

Yu Jin glanced at him, then turned back to the wheel.

“She’s still in school, so it might not be convenient.” The Peace Knot up front swayed gently with the car, occasionally blocking a swath of the view in front of Yun Qi. Nighttime Shanghai was gorgeously bewitching, ablaze with lights. The vehicles traveling steadily on the road bustled about, each person heading to their own destinations.

It was the season for romance.

Blowing in the wind with someone you like, strolling the streets—boring things became meaningful when done with that heart-to-heart person. Romance was just an entertaining way to pass the time. Seeing a perfect match, anyone would want to play matchmaker.

Even if it was none of their business.

“You and I got together when we were still in school too,” Yu Jin’s voice was steady. “If you don’t like someone, anything can be an excuse.”

Yeah, he and Yu Jin had gotten together at an even less appropriate time for dating. So what if she was still in school now? Could that really be a reason to refuse?

Yun Qi didn’t probe any further.

He’d eaten about seventy percent full at the table, and Yu Jin had bought him these snacks. There was no need to overthink it just staring at these. Even if Yu Jin was really using him as a shield, so what? What was wrong with that? It was great—at least he was the first person who came to mind.

It was already very late when the two returned to the KRO Base. After giving Tata its breeding treatment, it quieted down a lot. Yun Qi put it back on the balcony, while Yu Jin was called away as soon as he walked in the door. Someone dragged him into the Streaming Room, and Yun Qi had no idea what they talked about.

Hearing some noise, Rong Rong came out and saw him. He asked where they’d gone, and Yun Qi explained briefly. Rong Rong was surprised: “You went with Captain Yu?”

Yun Qi said, “Yeah.”

Rong Rong said, “That’s kinda miraculous. You two are pretty close, huh?”

Rong Rong hadn’t originally thought there was anything off about it, but the new guy who was close to Yu Jin definitely wouldn’t count as the first one. For breeding the cat, he’d actually brought Yun Qi along? He didn’t quite get it.

Yun Qi said, “He didn’t want to hold the cat. Tata isn’t afraid of me, so I could help hold it for him.”

Rong Rong tilted his head to glance at Tata on the balcony and took it at face value: “Tata really has a tricky personality. It’s been in the base so long, and aside from Captain Yu, it won’t let anyone touch it. You’re pretty amazing too, getting on good terms with it.”

Yun Qi looked toward the balcony, his mind heavy with worries.

Rong Rong asked if he’d eaten. Yun Qi said he had, but he didn’t mention going out with Zhou Yu. He knew to choose his words carefully. The people at the KRO Base still had no idea about his past relationship with Yu Jin, and that wasn’t the kind of thing you just shared with others. Even if he didn’t care, the fallout for Yu Jin would be catastrophic. With so much attention on him, people were desperate to unearth any private dirt. Walls had ears, and human motives were inscrutable—he’d learned that lesson long ago.

So at the base, he had to stay cautious.

After a quick exchange with Rong Rong, Yun Qi headed back to his room.

The space was spotless. After the day’s events, Yun Qi actually felt a bit more energized. He stowed away his medications, leaving the door slightly ajar. Lively chatter drifted up from the lounge downstairs.

What were they up to so late?

Yun Qi poked his head out for a look. From the second floor railing, he spotted a big crowd below, Chen Wen among them. He couldn’t quite catch what they were saying, but Yi Yang was cracking up. Moments later, Yu Jin emerged too. The group settled onto the sofas, chatting about trial trainees.

From the snippets Yun Qi overheard, it sounded like another standout trial trainee had appeared. Chen Wen wanted Yu Jin to mentor him—likely for the jungler spot. Yi Yang shot that down immediately, demanding a one-on-one duel first. Yun Qi listened for a couple of exchanges before slipping back into his room.

Ever since Yun Qi’s last trip home, He Xuan had added his contact and occasionally grilled him on pro-scene insider info. The kid idolized Yu Jin and asked about him nonstop. Once he heard Yun Qi had joined KRO, the messages exploded. Yun Qi hadn’t replied right away amid training, but He Xuan never got annoyed, just kept sending check-ins.

【Bro, when you coming back next?】

【Tell me when you’re back, I’ll swing by】

【Saw your transfer news. Eidis on your squad now? Can you see him? Hook me up with a sig.】

【Hehe, my classmates are dying of jealousy knowing you’re my bro. They wanna meet you on the DL.】

【Hit me back when you’re free~】

Yun Qi scrolled through, replying to a few.

【No time soon, but I’ll let you know if I head back.】

【Hit the books, don’t blab about me too much.】

【I’ll snag you an Eidis one if I get the chance.】

【Late—crash already.】

Messages sent, Yun Qi slid open the floor-to-ceiling window and stared out at the night.

It was fully dark now, but sleep wouldn’t come.

The noise from downstairs rumbled on. He didn’t join them, unsure if he’d be welcome.

Waking up so late had thrown off his rhythm; even deep into the night, he felt wide awake. A breeze cooled him at the window as he took in the backyard view. On a sudden impulse, Yun Qi realized he hadn’t properly explored the place yet.

Insomnia wasn’t yielding, so why not wander and get the lay of the KRO Base?

The lounge crew was still at it, so Yun Qi took the far staircase to avoid bothering them. As he reached the steps, Tata trailed after him. Yun Qi descended, and it followed right behind. Heart softening, he scooped Tata up and headed out the back door.

The backyard sprawled wide, lounge chairs tucked by the pool—deserted at this hour. Yun Qi crunched along the gravel path, bushes flanking both sides, their shadows creepy in the dark.

He set Tata down.

A few steps on, he glanced back; Tata toddled after, delighted. When it paused, Yun Qi stopped and waited, cooing softly, “Tata.”

It hurried to catch up.

Yun Qi led Tata along the winding path. The base dwarfed his expectations—the bosses spared no expense. Prime real estate like this? Even elite domestic teams’ digs were the stuff of dreams for most.

Small wonder Yi Yang was hell-bent on cracking KRO’s starting roster, subbing there over starting anywhere else.

He’d clawed up from trial trainee himself, and KRO drew far more of them than rivals. Everyone piled in, chasing the real shot at glory.

Pro gaming took deep pockets too.

Hitching to a powerhouse team was how you got your share of the spoils.

Yun Qi meandered a while before halting abruptly.

In the hazy glow, he made out tangled shapes amid the bushes.

Propped against a tree trunk, two guys locked in a kiss.

The slimmer one was cradled in the taller one’s arms, muscled biceps cinching a narrow waist. Passionate and fierce, they melted into each other. Nighttime path lights barely pierced the gloom, leaving them in a shadow pocket—their profiles faintly lit.

Suddenly, the sharp crack of a branch snapping echoed from the bushes. Someone inside had spotted Yun Qi. The disheveled boy in the stranger’s arms stepped on a broken twig in his agitation, his panicked gaze fixed on the figure illuminated by the streetlamp. He desperately tried to shrink back behind the other man’s sturdy arm, into the shadows.

His jacket hung loosely off one shoulder, his sleeveless shirt rucked up beneath it. His rounded shoulders gleamed with a soft, watery sheen in the night. The man whose face was buried against those shoulders finally paused his lingering caresses, sensing the sudden tension in his embrace. Only then did he slowly turn his head.

Who else could it be?

Ziwu, the KRO starting roster member whose very secret he had once stumbled upon.

Half of Ziwu’s face remained cloaked in shadow. From this distance, Yun Qi couldn’t make out his expression, but he could tell Ziwu had turned to stare at him—and he didn’t look pleased. Ziwu was still draped over the boy’s shoulder, his gaze locked on Yun Qi. Even without seeing his eyes, one word slammed into Yun Qi’s brain: lust.

Ziwu didn’t panic at being caught. He straightened up, lifted an arm, and swiftly tied back his tousled wolf tail with a rubber band. At the same time, he told the boy in front of him, “Head back first.”

The boy pulled his clothes together and scurried off.

Yun Qi felt too awkward to linger. He turned to leave, only to glance back and realize the cat was gone. A quick search revealed Tata had somehow slipped into the bushes, right beside Ziwu.

Yun Qi clenched his fists, steeled himself, and pushed into the undergrowth. He scooped up Tata from next to Ziwu and started to withdraw—but as he took his first step, a warm palm clamped firmly around his arm. Yun Qi shivered violently and stammered, “I… I won’t tell anyone.”

He never should have gone out today!

First he’d overheard a secret, and now he’d walked in on someone’s private moment. Were he and Ziwu cursed to clash, like magnets repelling each other or stars in opposition? Why did he keep stumbling into Ziwu’s business?

Ziwu had never liked him much anyway.

Yun Qi took a couple of ragged breaths. Ziwu wouldn’t silence him to cover it up, would he? In that instant, Yun Qi’s mind spun with grim possibilities. They barely interacted on a normal day—surely this wouldn’t make things even more strained between them.

Yun Qi squeezed his eyes shut in frustration.

He hated himself for it—not staying in yesterday or tomorrow, but venturing out today of all days. What a fool.

Ziwu let out a low chuckle at his words. Gripping Yun Qi’s arm, he spun him around to face him fully. Yun Qi stumbled, nearly tumbling into the dirt; Ziwu hadn’t held back at all, almost as if on purpose.

“Tell whoever you want. I don’t care,” Ziwu said. He reached out to tease the cat cradled in Yun Qi’s arms. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

His hand darted forward, and Tata lashed out with a claw. Yun Qi yelped, “Tata!”

He grabbed the cat’s paw in a hurry, but it was too late. Fresh blood welled up across Ziwu’s hand, two long red gashes stark and shocking.

Yun Qi clutched Tata closer and said apologetically, “Sorry…”

“Quite the little terror, aren’t you, Little White-Eyed Wolf?” Ziwu murmured, his expression darkening as he lifted his hand to inspect the stinging scratches. “You go for anyone but your master, don’t you?”

Yun Qi urged him, “You should head back and bandage that.”

Ziwu just stared at him, motionless. A moment later, he pressed down hard on the wound with his other hand. Yun Qi’s heart lurched.

For some reason, Yun Qi suddenly found Ziwu a little unhinged—maybe even deranged.

“You…” Yun Qi tightened his grip on Tata’s paw and looked up in alarm. “Doesn’t it hurt?”

Ziwu met his gaze and pressed even harder. “Whether it hurts or not, what does it matter to you?”

Yun Qi had half a mind to bolt, but with Tata’s claw marks fresh on Ziwu’s hand, fleeing now would feel like running from the scene of an accident. Still, Ziwu clearly rubbed him the wrong way, and all Yun Qi wanted was to escape. “It doesn’t. I shouldn’t have said anything. The base has a medical room—go get it looked at. I’ll cover the cost.”

He turned to go, but Ziwu yanked him back again. Yun Qi’s patience was fraying thin, and he hated being grabbed like that. He opened his mouth to snap—only for Ziwu to hit him with a bombshell question.

“What’s your relationship with Brother Jin?”