Chen Che stared blankly at the screen.
“I’m joining that ‘Death-by-Love Club’ right this second.”
When Secretary Chi was on the enemy team, Captain Qi would just hide in the bush with him, gazing soulfully into his eyes. But when it was him? All-out slaughter, no mercy whatsoever. The double standard was glaring. Chen Che fumed—he had to get revenge for this public humiliation!
And then he was immediately steamrolled by Chi Zhan and Captain Qi’s tag-team combo.
“Are you sure… this is okay?” Chi Zhan hesitated.
Chen Che had bottomed out on the leaderboard. As a Jungler, his score was so bad that even the Support had higher economy.
Qi Song had only one comment.
“Don’t treat him like a human.”
Chi Zhan was still a bit clumsy using a keyboard—he usually played on his phone. He was only just getting used to the PC controls, and he couldn’t remember the keybinds yet.
That said, the keyboard felt amazing. Sleek black keys, paired with the tiny, cool-faced Meow-Meow icon beside them—it melted Chi Zhan on the spot.
“Dodge should be…”
Chi Zhan was still trying to figure it out when his hand was gently guided, pressing the right key.
He fumbled clumsily, tapping button after button. A tangled mess of lines popped up above his character’s head. Qi Song’s lips quirked upward, and Chi Zhan caught him in the act.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“All beginners are like this.”
“But you were laughing,” Chi Zhan insisted. When it came to skill, he was way worse than Chen Che.
“I wasn’t laughing at your lack of skill.”
Meow-Meow didn’t need skill. Being adorable was more than enough.
Qi Song tapped a key lightly—and suddenly, the keyboard lit up. Not in some flashy, eye-searing way, but with a subtle glow that flickered once and vanished.
Chi Zhan blinked.
“…?”
These kinds of keyboards usually came with backlit effects, but this one only lit up for a second? He wondered if the battery was low. He’d just unboxed it—did it need charging already? He made a mental note to check the manual later…
Time flew while they were gaming. Before long, it was nearly dark outside. Qi Song took a call—it sounded like the coach. Something had come up, and he’d have to cancel his time off.
Qi Song put on a trench coat. Chi Zhan rarely saw him wear something this sleek and tailored in winter. Normally, he was all about puffy jackets and scarves. Chi Zhan couldn’t help sneaking a few extra glances—then quickly averted his eyes when Qi Song turned around.
Of course Qi Song noticed the stolen glances. He just pretended not to, buttoning up his coat with those long, graceful fingers, wrapping his scarf around his neck, and saying, “I’m heading out.”
“Be careful. Looks like it might rain… I’ll find you an umbrella.”
That’s when he noticed—he still hadn’t returned Cen Chi’s umbrella. It was sitting exactly where he’d left it, unused. He was speechless.
Dr. Cen had come over for nothing.
Qi Song took the umbrella, but didn’t leave. He stood at the doorway, looking at Chi Zhan in silence.
Chi Zhan tilted his head.
“Did you forget something?”
“My boyfriend. Give me a kiss before I go.”
“……Who…”
Chi Zhan’s face flushed in an instant. The heat shot up his neck, making his tongue stumble over itself. He had to force himself to pause and calm down before he could squeeze out a full sentence.
“Who’s your boyfriend? We broke up. No kiss.”
Qi Song didn’t respond. Half his face was tucked into that soft knit scarf, but somehow, the sight triggered a very specific image in Chi Zhan’s mind—
Sad Cat Meme.jpg
Sad cat. Sad cat wants kiss.
No—no! He couldn’t give in!
Chi Zhan made to open the door. But as he passed Qi Song, the latter reached out, gently tugged his sleeve, and leaned in to kiss him softly on the lips.
“Too late. I kissed you. We’re not breaking up.”
Chi Zhan was left utterly speechless.
Qi Song opened the door and turned back with a smile.
“It’s cold outside. No need to walk me out.”
The temperature difference between indoors and out hit like a slap. The moment the door opened, cold air rushed in—and Chi Zhan saw Chu Xingxiao sitting right there on the doorstep.
“…?”
He hadn’t expected this at all. Chu Xingxiao hadn’t left?
“You’re still here?”
This time, Chu Xingxiao wasn’t just wearing a T-shirt—he’d at least thrown on a windbreaker. But even so, it clearly wasn’t warm enough.
Qi Song narrowed his eyes.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I just wanted to sit here. Problem?”
The moment these two met, it was like flint and steel—instant sparks. Snappy, hostile, bristling with tension.
“You don’t have a place to stay?”
Chu Xingxiao didn’t even look at him. He was staring straight at Chi Zhan behind Qi Song, eyes big and pitiful.
He looked even more pitiful than a puppy.
Qi Song had met his match.
When it came to playing cute, these cousins really were cut from the same cloth—each had their own killer skill set.
Chi Zhan was caught completely off guard. Chu Xingxiao had stormed out earlier, clearly furious. He’d assumed the guy went back to the hotel. Who would’ve thought he’d just… sit outside for hours?
But then again, his phone was still inside, and his own place was under renovation—he had nowhere to go. Chi Zhan couldn’t just throw him out into the cold.
Qi Song said, “Come with me.”
Chu Xingxiao flinched, immediately wary.
“Why? You’ve never cared about me before. Don’t start now.”
Qi Song’s brows drew together.
Chu Xingxiao had always been a handful, even as a kid, but oddly endearing. Maybe it was because he was younger—he knew exactly how to act sweet and innocent when he needed to.
And Chi Zhan was a soft-hearted person.
A few hours ago, Qi Song wouldn’t have even seen him as a threat.
But now? Underestimating him would be giving him the perfect chance to worm his way in.
Qi Song wasn’t going to let that happen.
Chu Xingxiao stood up, a bit unsteady, but managed to straighten himself. He looked at Chi Zhan and said softly:
“Gege… it’s really cold out here.”
He was like a sulky dog who ran off to sulk in a corner, refusing to let anyone see. But once he realized no one was coming to find him, he slowly crawled out of hiding, inching his way back, desperate to regain his master’s affection.
