Duan Wenzheng observed Wen Yan’s expression and laughed. “Why not? Isn’t the team captain being too controlling? Wouldn’t this strengthen the teamwork even more? Or is it that… Captain, do you also want to be in the same room?”
“You?!”
“But now that I think about it again, that’s impossible. After all, Captain is someone who knows the ‘difference between men and women.’ Am I right, Captain?”
“Duan Wenzheng!”
Xue Lan watched the two’s love-hate relationship with a lackluster expression. He lamented that his CP was indeed progressing rapidly.
Duan Wenzheng had become adept at swiftly and precisely hitting sensitive points within three sentences, provoking Wen Yan to the point where the usually composed individual would lose his temper.
Xie Zhinian and Xue Lan stood side by side in the hall, observing their argument. Even Xie Zhinian had never witnessed Wen Yan in such a state, and he thought it was… novel.
The relationship between the two resembled drawn swords pointed at each other, and the two onlookers watched with keen interest.
Fortunately, Xue Lan snapped out of his CP daydream. Eager for his CP to find love sooner, he cheerfully suggested, “We’re all great teammates. Since we’re looking to enhance our teamwork, why not… you two room together?”
“That’s impossible.”
“No way.”
Both of them refused simultaneously, leaving Xue Lan to awkwardly gaze up at the ceiling. Yet, despite their protests, Xue Lan couldn’t shake the feeling that, no matter how much they argued, the two would inevitably end up rooming together.
But since he knew they would room together, why argue? Why not immediately room together?
“Coincidentally, Captain, I also don’t want to live with you, so I’ll room with Exist,” Duan Wenzheng said and was about to grab Xue Lan again.
But just as he lifted his hand, he was stopped by Wen Yan.
“Captain Wen.” Duan Wenzheng raised the wrist that Wen Yan held. “Did you forget… that I like men? If you grab me like this, I might…”
Wen Yan instantly released his hand disdainfully.
Duan Wenzheng leisurely withdrew his hand and let out a long sigh. “I’m this close to sexually harassing you.”
“Duan Wenzheng.”
“…” Xue Lan could hear Wen Yan grinding his frustration through clenched teeth. In one moment, Xue Lan was pleased to witness Duan Wenzheng finally earnestly flirting with his husband, but in the next, he was back to spouting nonsense.
Xue Lan observed from the sidelines with amusement. Suddenly, Xie Zhinian, who was watching the scene alongside him, interjected.
“Then, what if you three live together?”
Xue Lan choked. He hastily refused.
“No!!”
This time, three voices harmonized in unison, prompting Xie Zhinian to burst into laughter.
“Then what do we do? Anyway, we have several options now. You guys can choose.” Xie Zhinian shrugged his shoulders, not seeming to care. “First, three of you room together.”
Once again, the three simultaneously refused decisively.
“Second, Reset and Exist…”
“No.” Before Xie Zhinian could finish his words, Wen Yan had already rejected this choice.
“Third, you, Wind with Exist…”
“No.” Duan Wenzheng learned from Wen Yan’s earlier tone and just like that, cut off Xie Zhinian.
Xie Zhinian seemed to have expected this outcome as he gave the final decision. “In that case, I’ll have to inconvenience both of you and let you share a room.”
The three “happily” returned to their rooms. Although Duan Wenzheng and Wen Yan’s expressions weren’t great, Xue Lan, who deeply understood them, knew they were definitely happy deep inside!!
It was only the habit of making stubborn, ironic remarks, and neither wanted to yield.
After bidding farewell to the two, Xue Lan made his way to the room arranged for him by Xie Zhinian, past Wen Yan’s room and a bit further on. As soon as he rounded one more corner, he would reach his room. However, just before he could make the turn, Xue Lan caught the hushed murmur of an argument.
“… I’m sorry. I didn’t want this either. I wanted to bring it up last year during the world competition, but Haoshan retired, so I…”
“What? Now our LGW is lining up for retirement? You’re talking about retirement now. Should I thank you for forgetting these past few months? Why didn’t you tell me you were thinking of retiring before the training camp started? Why are you only saying this after it’s over?”
“I…”
Xue Lan discerned that the individuals in the midst of the argument were Zhou Kanqing and Meng Qi. He came to an abrupt halt. Running into them at this moment would be exceedingly awkward.
Why did he keep stumbling into such situations? Furthermore, he was currently pulling luggage. He couldn’t move forward or retreat.
“Okay, LGW replaced three starters from one training camp. Who would say that’s cool, hearing that? Three starters… Meng Qi, don’t you think this is quite laughable?”
“Kanqing, please calm down…” Meng Qi’s voice trembled with remorse. “I understand that my retirement will cause significant trouble for all of you, but after hearing about Haoshan’s retirement, I really wanted to play one seasonal competition with you again. I also understand that the team needs to bond, and replacing three starters all at once is too much for LGW… Everything is my fault.”
“Your fault? What’s the significance of saying these things? If it’s not your fault, then is it my fault?” Although Zhou Kanqing’s words were sharp, Xue Lan could sense the undertone of a suppressed sob in his voice. “I understand you, but who understands me? What was my fault? My mistake was believing you all when you said, ‘We’ll play until we’re thirty!’ In these five years, I’ve devoted everything to Dawn of the Apocalypse and to all of you. Meanwhile, you all settle down without any delay. Has my, Zhou Kanqing’s, youth been squandered?”
Xue Lan tightened his hold on the luggage. Zhou Kanqing’s words felt like an immensely heavy weight pressing down on the pit of his stomach, suppressing any emotions from surfacing.
Meng Qi wasn’t at fault, and neither was Zhou Kanqing.
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