BVAHEDLA[W Chapter 24
by VolareAfter the match.
The audience left the arena, and the once-bustling venue gradually became deserted. Most of the lights were turned off, and only the emergency exit signs emitted a dim green glow at the players’ exit.
Chu Li-fei, carrying his bag, turned on his phone.
He had returned to get something. Just as the MU team had boarded the bus, he suddenly realized he’d left something in the lounge. He told the others to rest on the bus, and he’d be right back.
The phone screen lit up with a cold, white light in the dark passage. Chu Li-fei glanced at the time and noticed a figure standing at the corner of the passage not far away.
Moonlight streamed in, bright and gentle, blurring the person’s shadow, yet clearly revealing his thoughts.
The figure leaned against the wall, hands in pockets, head down, seemingly lost in thought. Occasionally, he would look up and take a deep breath, as if to alleviate his inner tension.
Chu Li-fei recognized the silhouette as Lu Mo-chen.
He couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Although quiet, the sound was distinctly audible in the silent player passage. Lu Mo-chen visibly stiffened.
The sound of footsteps grew closer, and Lu Mo-chen frantically rehearsed his lines, trying to calm himself. Nevertheless, a blush crept up his cheeks.
Lu Mo-chen exhaled slowly. He turned and saw Chu Li-fei watching him with a smile, the distance between them less than a foot.
Moonlight illuminated Chu Li-fei’s face, making him look even more aloof, like a noble and untouchable god, every gesture radiating inaccessibility.
But the faint smile was unmistakable.
Chu Li-fei simply looked at him. In the soft moonlight, his clear, light-colored eyes held only him.
Lu Mo-chen’s face flushed crimson. The words he had prepared vanished from his mind. His heart raced uncontrollably, conspicuously loud in the quiet passage. His hand tightened around the hard object in his pocket—the championship ring symbolizing victory and glory. Lu Mo-chen steeled himself, grabbed Chu Li-fei’s hand, and slipped the ring onto his finger.
The ring was a bright gold, complementing Chu Li-fei’s fair and slender fingers beautifully.
Then, Lu Mo-chen lowered his head, focusing on his shoes, afraid to look at Chu Li-fei’s face.
As if awaiting divine judgment.
In the dim moonlight, Chu Li-fei could only see the top of Lu Mo-chen’s head and his ears, redder than ever, like ripe cherries.
Chu Li-fei lowered his eyes, stepped forward, and pulled Lu Mo-chen into his embrace. He gently stroked his soft hair, gradually leaning down.
Lu Mo-chen stared at the floor, suddenly enveloped by a familiar, cool aura. His body trembled slightly, with a hint of nervousness and anticipation. Hands rested on the back of his head, and then, a cool and soft sensation touched his forehead.
Lu Mo-chen raised his head in disbelief. His eyes widened slightly, his astonishment gradually turning into surprise and joy. After a moment of stunned silence, he saw the indulgent look in the other’s eyes, and he returned the embrace, eagerly pressing his lips to Chu Li-fei’s.
The sudden force pushed Chu Li-fei back a step, and he nearly slammed into the cold, hard wall. But a hand quickly cushioned him.
Even so, Chu Li-fei felt his lip break.
A faint metallic taste spread in his mouth. Chu Li-fei didn’t mind; he simply stroked Lu Mo-chen’s head, running his fingers through his hair.
Just then, Chu Li-fei’s pants pocket buzzed.
His phone was ringing.
Lu Mo-chen reluctantly licked the corner of Chu Li-fei’s mouth, a hint of apology in his eyes, then glared at the phone.
It was a message from Wang Jian-guo.
[? Still haven’t found it? Are you alright?]
[By the way, have you seen Lu Mo-chen? Not long after you left, he said he had something he left in the lounge.]
[If you see him, bring him back with you.]
[The kid isn’t replying to messages, I’m afraid he’s lost.]
Lu Mo-chen leaned closer to Chu Li-fei and saw the message on the screen. He pulled out his own phone and checked. Sure enough, Wang Jian-guo had sent him two messages as well.
But he didn’t want to go back so soon…
Chu Li-fei opened the chat window and began typing “Coming back,” but he felt the gaze beside him grow increasingly resentful.
Chu Li-fei paused his finger above the green send button, and the resentful gaze intensified, almost solidifying.
Lu Mo-chen tugged at his sleeve.
Chu Li-fei smiled knowingly. He ruffled Lu Mo-chen’s hair, seeing the dissatisfaction and pleading in the other’s eyes nearly overflowing.
He finally decided to stop teasing him.
Chu Li-fei’s eyes darkened as he stroked his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his voice growing hoarse.
“Where do you want to go tonight?”
“I want… to be with you.” Lu Mo-chen mumbled, pouting. “To be with you, anywhere is fine.”
“Okay.”
Chu Li-fei deleted the words in the chat box and retyped.
[It’s too dark in the arena, can’t find it right away. You guys go ahead, Lu Mo-chen and I will take a taxi back later, don’t worry.]
Then he hit send.
Chu Li-fei turned the phone to show Lu Mo-chen, his eyes full of teasing.
Lu Mo-chen finally smiled, but he hadn’t forgotten Chu Li-fei’s earlier teasing.
He pretended to rush in for a kiss, but slowed down as he approached Chu Li-fei, brushing his lips lightly.
After they separated, they smiled at each other.
Finally, they took a taxi to Chu Li-fei’s place, which was a residential apartment building.
Chu Li-fei felt along the wall and turned on the lights.
The apartment wasn’t large and didn’t seem to be lived in often.
Lu Mo-chen stood curiously at the doorway, looking around.
Chu Li-fei handed him slippers and pulled him inside.
The apartment felt cold and empty, sparsely furnished, but fortunately, it had everything they needed.
Lu Mo-chen pushed Chu Li-fei into the bathroom. When he came out, he smelled an enticing aroma.
Lu Mo-chen carried dishes out from the kitchen: “Time was short, so I ordered some takeout and just heated it up in your pot.”
Hearing this, Chu Li-fei realized he was indeed hungry.
The match had started in the evening, and it was now almost midnight.
Chu Li-fei glanced at the kitchen, guessing that Lu Mo-chen’s “just heated it up” must have taken considerable effort.
“Thanks.”
After they finished eating, they washed the dishes together.
The warm yellow light in the kitchen shone on them, creating an inexplicably romantic atmosphere.
It was unclear who made the first move, but they drew closer and closer, eventually kissing each other.
From the kitchen to the bathroom, they left a long trail of water leading to the bedroom.
Lu Mo-chen sat on Chu Li-fei, in the dim moonlight, Chu Li-fei’s face seemed to radiate a divine glow.
As if enchanted, Lu Mo-chen absentmindedly lowered his head and kissed Chu Li-fei’s fingers. The fingers were warm, the ring cool; the contrast was vivid against his lips.
And the indulgent look in the man beneath him gave him immense encouragement.
His hands touched Chu Li-fei’s body, like smooth, cool jade, slowly warming beneath his touch, the temperature gradually rising.
Chu Li-fei pulled Lu Mo-chen into his arms, and with a flip, their positions reversed.
He looked at Lu Mo-chen’s glistening eyes and gently kissed him.
Their breaths gradually synchronized.
The next day, sunlight streamed through the window, shining on the sheer curtains, scattering in spots on the two people sleeping in each other’s arms on the bed.
Lu Mo-chen was awakened by the sunlight. He slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually returning.
Realizing what had happened last night, his face instantly flushed red, and he grabbed something to cover his face.
But, the thing in his hand…
Lu Mo-chen came to his senses and realized he was holding Chu Li-fei’s arm. He had used Chu Li-fei’s arm as a pillow all night!
Just then, he heard Chu Li-fei’s voice above him, tinged with the drowsiness and hoarseness of someone who had just woken up: “What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
Lu Mo-chen shook his head, his face red.
“Sleep a little longer. It’s only one in the afternoon. The celebratory dinner is scheduled for tonight, no rush.”
The MU team’s victory celebration was scheduled for the evening, and Chu Li-fei’s place wasn’t far from the club, so there was indeed plenty of time.
They lazed around until three or four in the afternoon before getting up.
As Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen entered the club, they heard a commotion upstairs.
Hand in hand, they went upstairs.
Hearing the sound at the door, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked towards the entrance.
Seeing the two men holding hands, a thought simultaneously occurred to everyone.
“You guys… this is?”
“We’re together,” Chu Li-fei announced openly.
However, the expressions on the faces of the MU members were somewhat indescribable.
“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at us like that? Is there a problem?”
The usually talkative Yu Qing remained silent, guiltily glancing at the computer screen, then enunciating each word carefully:
“Um… no problem, it’s just… when you came in, my stream was still on…”
On Yu Qing’s computer screen, the chat seemed to fall silent for a moment.
Then, a flood of question marks and exclamation points filled the screen, the user IDs scrolling by too fast to read.
A few days later, Chu Li-fei and Lu Mo-chen simultaneously posted the same photo on their respective Weibo accounts.
The photo was simple, just a picture of their hands clasped together.
And on Lu Mo-chen’s hand, there was a ring identical to the one on Chu Li-fei’s.
Two rings reflecting each other.