The signing event had already ended past 2 a.m., and Xing Xing was calling everyone over to celebrate with a banquet.
Li Shu and the others had all started live streaming, chatting with fans, and the live rooms were full of colorful gift effects.
Li Shu was replying to a fan: "Did you cry back then? No, no, of course I didn't cry."
"What? You even photoshopped the picture? Delete it immediately."
At that moment, someone in the chat asked, "Random question, why didn't SUN and WILD go live? qaq."
Li Shu glanced at the comment, then instinctively looked toward Lu Xiangyang and Shen Kuangye's seats. In the dimly lit car, the two boys in their team uniforms were leaning closely against each other. The usually indifferent taller boy was now relaxing against the seat back, his head slightly tilted, a few strands of hair falling messily on his forehead, eyes closed. Lu Xiangyang's head rested gently on his shoulder, also quietly with eyes shut.
Their quiet scene was completely out of place compared to the lively atmosphere elsewhere.
Li Shu quietly told the chat: "They're asleep."
[What! rwkk!]
[The two babies are asleep! I want to see too!]
[BOOK, please!]
Li Shu chuckled: "No way."
[I'll send five carnival gifts.]
"You guys…" Li Shu rubbed his forehead with a wry smile, "don't tempt me. You can't see them, only our team can."
[Too cruel! When's the youth training? I want to join!]
Li Shu laughed: "Our team doesn't need more people. The seven of us are fine; that's more important than anything else."
It wasn't until they were close to the hotel that Shen Kuangye finally opened his eyes.
He hadn't actually been asleep; his mind kept replaying the championship scene over and over—Lu Xiangyang catching the gold medal, the expression on his face, the slightly reddened eyes facing the microphone…
His shoulder suddenly loosened—it turned out Lu Xiangyang's head had slipped from his shoulder. Shen Kuangye quickly reached out to steady him.
Lu Xiangyang had a small habit: after sitting in the car for a while, he'd get sleepy. He had intended to take a short nap before reaching the hotel. When he drowsily opened his eyes, he realized he was almost curled up in Shen Kuangye's lap. He immediately snapped awake and quickly sat upright.
He instinctively tidied his slightly messy hair and asked, "Are we there yet?"
"Not yet."
"Brother, you know what? I was dreaming just now about our championship scene."
Lu Xiangyang whispered, "Even now, it still feels unreal to me."
Everything tonight felt like an impossible dream.
Shen Kuangye reached into his pocket and pulled out a few gold medals to show him: "Does this feel real now?"
Lu Xiangyang touched them and glanced at his own medal: "Yeah, it does."
Tonight, after winning the championship, Shen Kuangye seemed calmer than anyone else, as if it hadn't been him who had won.
Lu Xiangyang observed him for a moment; Shen Kuangye's expression remained neutral, only occasionally glancing at the gold medal on his chest.
Lu Xiangyang silently teased Shen Kuangye for being so reserved, he seemed calm in every situation, yet he was secretly happy all alone.
His eyes wandered, and thinking of a little indulgence for himself, he whispered, "Brother, do I look handsome tonight?"
Shen Kuangye turned his eyes toward him, leaned close to his ear, and softly said three words: "Super handsome."
The warm breath teased Lu Xiangyang's ear, warm and faintly carrying Shen Kuangye's signature hint of mint, a sharp contrast to his usual stoic appearance. His lips were so close to Lu Xiangyang's ear that one could feel the slight quiver.
——
"Why is your face so red?"
After getting out of the car, Yi Shui looked at Lu Xiangyang. His pale skin made any flush very noticeable. He mumbled, "It's the air conditioning."
Yi Shui glanced, unconvinced. Xing Xing suddenly patted his shoulder: "Watch the step."
"Oh," Yi Shui acknowledged, and the thought that had crossed his mind disappeared. He stepped inside.
Xing Xing lingered at a distance, watching their backs thoughtfully until Lu Xiangyang and Shen Kuangye walked ahead.
"Brother," Lu Xiangyang said, "I keep feeling like Xing Ge is watching us."
Shen Kuangye remained calm: "Handsome."
Lu Xiangyang: "..."
At the celebration banquet, everyone was a bit tipsy. Xing Xing reluctantly agreed to let them have a little wine. Considering the health effects, he brought low-alcohol fruit wine. Later, when Li Shu protested, they brought some beer as well.
Shen Kuangye had originally intended to abstain, but a slightly drunk Li Shu handed a bottle of peach-flavored wine to Lu Xiangyang: "Drink some."
Lu Xiangyang sniffed it lightly. The sweet peach scent made him suddenly want a sip.
Before he could take it, a fair, slender hand took the bottle for him. Shen Kuangye remained calm: "He can't drink; I'll do it for him."
The reason sounded perfectly reasonable.
Only Shen Kuangye knew the real reason.
Lu Xiangyang looked too obedient after drinking. He didn't want anyone else to see.
Li Shu didn't understand, but still nodded: "Fine."
Shen Kuangye tilted his head and took a few sips. Lu Xiangyang, a bit worried, tugged on his sleeve: "Brother, are you okay drinking this?"
After finishing a can, Shen Kuangye's expression remained calm: "It's fine."
Lu Xiangyang still wasn't convinced. He knew his own limits with alcohol, so Shen Kuangye… should be similar, right?
He spent the whole meal observing Shen Kuangye, noticing nothing unusual, even having him help pick food and whisper little words.
Lu Xiangyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief—he hadn't gotten drunk.
But when it was time to leave, as Lu Xiangyang stood, Shen Kuangye's hand tightly held his, fingers interlaced.
His heart skipped a beat—this was happening in public. Had his brother ever been this bold before?
Fortunately, everyone around was a bit drunk and didn't notice their little gesture.
Lu Xiangyang couldn't help but glance again at Shen Kuangye, who maintained his calm expression but gripped his hand tightly, guiding him out.
On the car ride, Shen Kuangye didn't let go.
Lu Xiangyang leaned close and asked, "Brother, are you drunk?"
Shen Kuangye's expression was indifferent: "No."
Only now, he smelled strongly of peach wine, mingling with the sharp mint scent.
At the hotel, Xing Xing and Jiang Chixin helped Li Shu to his room, while Cheng Rang helped Pei Xunan. Lu Xiangyang was led by Shen Kuangye, who remained silent the entire way.
After entering the room:
Click.
Shen Kuangye locked the door.
The room fell silent, the scent of peach wine even more noticeable.
Lu Xiangyang was about to speak when his phone rang—it was Shen Luoyu calling.
Since the last movie outing, Shen Luoyu had often said he was busy and couldn't practice alone. Now, seeing the results of the championship, he probably called at this time.
Lu Xiangyang was about to answer when Shen Kuangye took the phone, his tone calm: "Don't answer him."
Lu Xiangyang froze, realizing something was off. Normally, Shen Kuangye wouldn't act like this.
He thought maybe Shen Kuangye was drunk.
He vaguely suspected that Shen Kuangye didn't really like Shen Luoyu, though he wasn't sure. Shen Kuangye hid his emotions too well.
He tentatively asked, "Brother, why don't you want me to answer his call?"
Shen Kuangye's dark, glossy eyes stared at him, childlike, voice cold: "I dislike him."
"Why do you dislike him?" Lu Xiangyang pressed.
Shen Kuangye refused to answer, letting go of his hand and sitting silently by the window, his back alone and small, like a hurt child.
Lu Xiangyang wasn't willing to let this opportunity slip. He climbed onto the bed, took Shen Kuangye from behind, wrapped his arms around his neck, and coaxed, "Brother, tell me."
Shen Kuangye's lips moved, but he said nothing.
"I won't give you the phone back unless you tell me. I still have to reply to someone," Lu Xiangyang pretended he was going to reach for it.
Shen Kuangye gripped the phone tightly.
"Brother, why don't you want me in touch with Shen Luoyu?" Lu Xiangyang asked.
After a long pause, Shen Kuangye reluctantly said: "He likes you."
Lu Xiangyang froze, instinctively replying: "Impossible, we're just good friends."
His tone was gentle, but Shen Kuangye looked hurt: "You don't believe me."
His eyes even reddened a little. Seeing him like this, Lu Xiangyang softened his voice: "I believe you, I believe you. Whatever you say, I believe. Don't cry."
Suddenly, he remembered all the odd things Shen Kuangye did when he and Shen Luoyu were on calls or hanging out—it all made sense now.
He also remembered what Shen Luoyu had said to him, and the hesitant expression during Valentine's Day outing.
Lu Xiangyang felt a shock, silently scolding himself for being so slow to notice.
How many times had he unknowingly hurt Shen Kuangye? Shen Kuangye had allowed him the freedom to choose in the past. Could it have been because of Shen Luoyu?
"Brother, were you worried I'd like him?" Lu Xiangyang asked cautiously.
Shen Kuangye lowered his gaze, and after a long while, murmured: "Mm."
"So you secretly listened to our calls, worried I'd be sad and not eat when I hung out with him, worried I'd leave, right?" Lu Xiangyang pressed.
Shen Kuangye's long lashes fluttered: "Mm."
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Lu Xiangyang asked.
Shen Kuangye muttered: "I'm not as good as him."
Perhaps Shen Luoyu really was a better match for Lu Xiangyang.
His tone was desolate. Lu Xiangyang felt a dull ache in his heart, unable to understand why Shen Kuangye would think that.
"Who says you're worse than him?" Lu Xiangyang asked. He cupped Shen Kuangye's face, eyes serious: "Brother, you're the best."
He didn't understand why such an excellent person like Shen Kuangye could be so insecure now.
He reflected that he had never noticed Shen Kuangye's feelings, letting him feel alone and sad.
Shen Kuangye looked up at him, disbelief in his tone: "Really?"
He reeked of alcohol, his usually clear eyes now hazy.
Lu Xiangyang nodded: "Brother, you're really great. I don't like Shen Luoyu; I only see him as a friend. I only like you."
He thought that in terms of love, they had always been a bit slow to understand each other. Perhaps from the beginning, they were bound together, born to love each other.
So no one else would appear in his vision again.
"Only like me?" Shen Kuangye repeated.
"Only you," Lu Xiangyang immediately replied.
Suddenly, Shen Kuangye pulled him tightly into his arms, making it hard for Lu Xiangyang to breathe.
"Lu Xiangyang," he croaked, "don't treat me so well."
He felt undeserving. The more Lu Xiangyang was like this, the more afraid he was of some unknown separation.
At first, he only wanted Lu Xiangyang to leave that predatory club, but now he realized he was growing greedy.
Greed was not a good thing.
"Why?" Lu Xiangyang asked in return.
He didn't understand why comforting Shen Kuangye was already considered treating him well. Under that cold face, how much past hurt from others was hidden?
Lu Xiangyang tried to calm his emotions, and his voice became even softer: "I was born to love you."
From the beginning, we were the closest people in the world; I was born to love you.
"So, brother, don't overthink."
Perhaps the alcohol on Shen Kuangye was intoxicating as well. Lu Xiangyang finally spoke out the insecurities he had kept inside: "The one who doesn't deserve you is me."
Shen Kuangye, so gentle and caring, already bearing endless pressure and leading the team to countless championships, sometimes Lu Xiangyang also asked himself: if he hadn't met Shen Kuangye through competitions, there would surely be many talented, beautiful people pursuing him. At that time, Lu Xiangyang might have lost all advantages.
Shen Kuangye frowned slightly: "You're great."
"You're the champion," he clumsily reassured him, "my pride."
Tonight, during the final match, when Lu Xiangyang walked onto the stage in his team uniform, the usually obedient boy now looked cold and determined, adjusting his equipment. That image stayed in Shen Kuangye's heart for a long time.
The boy he raised no longer carried the mindset of being ruined if he lost, but the hopes of family, the blessings of friends, and the encouragement of teammates.
Lu Xiangyang could be proud, worry-free, chasing only his dream and claiming victory, as well as his own FMVP.
How could Shen Kuangye not be proud?
Lu Xiangyang touched Shen Kuangye's slightly tired face from the competition, holding back tears: "Brother, you're my pride too."
Shen Kuangye's lashes trembled. After so many years of competition, this seemed like the first time someone had said he was their pride.
Hearing this long-delayed phrase made his eyes burn slightly.
Lu Xiangyang wiped away his tears and asked softly: "Brother, are you sleepy?"
Shen Kuangye nodded: "A little."
Lu Xiangyang reached out: "Do you want to sleep in my arms?"
Shen Kuangye's voice carried reliance: "Yes."
It had always been Shen Kuangye holding Lu Xiangyang to sleep; today was the opposite.
Shen Kuangye buried his head in Lu Xiangyang's chest, holding him tightly as if afraid he'd leave.
Lu Xiangyang had thought Shen Kuangye only liked holding him because he was afraid of the cold.
Now it seemed there was more to it.
Perhaps subconsciously, Shen Kuangye only trusted him; beneath that indifferent exterior, he was also afraid of being alone.
Lu Xiangyang held him safely, quietly listening to the fireworks outside.
The final match was on January 1st, and in the frantic preparation for the competition, he had even forgotten it was the New Year.
Amid the fireworks, Lu Xiangyang whispered to Shen Kuangye: "Brother, Happy New Year."