Ye Shaoyang slept until noon the next day. Rubbing his throbbing temples, he went to the bathroom to wash his face. Looking in the mirror, he found his lips slightly swollen and red, and turning his head, he could see distinct teeth marks on the side of his neck?
Holy crap! Could it be that Chi Shu really kissed him and bit him last night?
Ye Shaoyang was half-drunk and didn't remember what happened clearly. Now completely sober, the scene from last night replayed before his eyes like slow motion in a movie.
Ye Shaoyang's cheeks burned, and he quickly took a cold shower to calm himself down.
When he went out, he happened to meet Chi Shu entering the house with takeout. Ye Shaoyang's eyes darted away, embarrassed to look at Chi Shu. Chi Shu, on the other hand, had an expression as if nothing happened, placing the takeout boxes on the table and saying while picking up chopsticks, "Come eat. I ordered your favorite braised ribs and spicy grilled wings."
Ye Shaoyang lowered his head, went to the dining table, took the chopsticks, and ate voraciously.
Eating lunch face to face, Ye Shaoyang's heartbeat was chaotic. He remembered before falling asleep last night, Chi Shu seemed to ask him, "Even without the influence of pheromones, I would still like you. What about you?"
Ye Shaoyang wondered—pheromones, what was that?
After quickly finishing lunch, Ye Shaoyang got up to leave, but Chi Shu suddenly grabbed his arm. "Asked a key question last night, and you actually fell asleep. After waking up, do you want to pretend to be drunk and pretend not to remember anything?"
Ye Shaoyang: "…"
You guessed really accurately.
Chi Shu stood up, staring into Ye Shaoyang's eyes. "Yangyang, don't evade. I really like you. Are you willing to like me?"
Ye Shaoyang answered subconsciously, "How could I like men? I only treat you as a good bro…"
Chi Shu interrupted him, "When your good bro kissed you, why didn't you push him away?"
Ye Shaoyang: "…"
Chi Shu: "And even closed your eyes, heart beating faster?"
Ye Shaoyang: "..."
Can I explain with 'I drank too much'?
Ye Shaoyang was ashamed, and his cheeks burned almost cooked.
Chi Shu asked softly, "You actually like me too, right? Only, you always felt you were straight and didn't think in this direction. If last night, it was A-Rong or another teammate kissing you, what would you do?"
Thinking of the scene of being kissed by another man, Ye Shaoyang's scalp exploded. "Whoever dares to mess around, I'll beat him crippled directly, teach him how to behave!"
Chi Shu chuckled lightly. "I messed around; you don't plan to beat me?"
Ye Shaoyang's ears instantly turned red.
Chi Shu asked, "So, I am special in your heart, right?"
Ye Shaoyang bit the bullet and admitted, "Is, is a bit special."
Chi Shu reached out and gently rubbed Ye Shaoyang's hair. "I know, in this world, men being together isn't officially recognized, can't get a formal certificate, and might face a lot of resistance. You can consider slowly; I won't force you to give me an answer. I just want to tell you, no matter how hard it is, I will face it with you."
Ye Shaoyang's heart felt like it was gently wrapped by a pair of warm hands. Meeting Chi Shu's serious eyes, he suddenly couldn't bear to refuse, and subconsciously said, "Give, give me some time, I'll consider it carefully."
His mind was messy and couldn't make a decision immediately, and Chi Shu didn't force him.
Back in the bedroom, Ye Shaoyang rubbed his burning face and posted anonymously on the emotional forum: "I was kissed by my bro, but I wasn't repulsed at all. He confessed to me, and I didn't reject him directly; instead, my heart beat fiercely. Tell me, am I bent?"
The ID he used for this post was [Earthling].
The explosive post content quickly attracted a group of responses: "OP, are you sure you're straight?" "Kissed and actually ran to the forum to post with endless aftertaste instead of beating your bro into a pig head? I think you've bent into a mosquito coil!" "Still not getting together after this, really hard to end well."
Ye Shaoyang: "…"
Always felt this scene was somewhat familiar.
Seemed like in some dream, he had also posted for help on an unfamiliar forum?
In the bedroom next door, Chi Shu happened to open the forum and saw this help post.
The familiar help style and the ID [Earthling] reminded Chi Shu of the past when Yangyang posted for help on the forum wearing the [Alien] vest, asking "What to do if I was marked by my Alpha bro."
Running to the forum to post when encountering relationship problems—this habit actually hadn't changed?
Holding back laughter, Chi Shu replied: "OP, rest assured and bend boldly. He will accompany you."
Seeing this message, Ye Shaoyang's chaotic brain finally calmed down.
That's right, no matter what difficulties encountered in the future, Chi Shu would accompany him to face them together.
Just liking someone, not a crime; what's wrong with liking men?
He, Ye Shaoyang, never dragged his feet when doing things, nor had he ever been afraid of anyone. shrinking back wasn't his style. He was indeed moved by Chi Shu; the accelerated heartbeat when kissing yesterday proved this point.
If another same-sex person kissed him?
Disgusting enough to vomit; he would definitely beat the other party into a fracture.
But when Chi Shu approached him, not only did he not reject, but he blushed and his heart raced, even wanting to get closer. What was this if not liking?
Ye Shaoyang's mind suddenly cleared up.
That evening, he actively treated Chi Shu to a meal.
The two arrived at a tea restaurant near the team base, booked a private room, and Ye Shaoyang ordered a table of delicacies. Chi Shu looked at him, very puzzled. "Is today some holiday? Ordering so many dishes?"
Ye Shaoyang grinned. "Celebrating a bit."
Chi Shu: "Celebrating what?"
Ye Shaoyang leaned over and said, "Celebrating us leaving singlehood together."
Chi Shu: "…"
Although Ye Shaoyang's ears were red, his gaze when speaking was straightforward and frank. "I've considered it. I do like you. So, let's try being together!"
Back in the ABO world, when Chi Shu confessed, Ye Shaoyang agreed on the spot.
This time, confessed last night, agreed tonight, only a day apart. Ye Shaoyang being able to consider the result so quickly showed he was indeed decisive in doing things.
Chi Shu looked at his bright eyes, his heart softening. Sure enough, no matter how the appearance changed, Yangyang's personality and gaze were always what Chi Shu liked most.
Chi Shu pulled Ye Shaoyang into his arms and kissed him gently.
Ye Shaoyang grabbed Chi Shu's shoulders tightly, trying to respond. The two kissed intimately for a long time before Chi Shu let go, chuckling in a low voice, "Congratulations Yangyang on leaving singlehood."
Ye Shaoyang said thick-skinned, "Congratulations A-Shu on finding a boyfriend."
The two looked at each other, tiny reflections of each other in their eyes.
Even the air seemed to emit the sweet scent of love.
After confirming each other's feelings, Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang's relationship became more intimate. Of course, in front of teammates, they were relatively restrained, focusing on training.
Back in the dormitory at night, kissing and hugging were naturally not lacking.
But the two didn't go all the way. After all, they still had to play matches; accidental discharge would have a bad influence.
In the blink of an eye, the LPL Summer Split opened.
Because of being crazily researched and targeted by coaches of major teams, Team GD's journey in the Summer Split wasn't as smooth as the Spring Split. Unable to maintain a winning streak, they lost a few small games. But Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang adjusted quickly, breaking through the bottleneck. Team GD advanced to the S-series tournament at the end of the year as the LPL Summer Split Champion.
World Tournament. GD had bad luck in the group draw, encountering many strong enemies. All members of GD united as one, finally fighting their way out of the siege, advancing to the next round as first in the group.
They played every subsequent knockout match wonderfully, until the final Grand Finals, meeting the most favored seed team from the Korean region this season, KPZ.
This was also an old rival. In last year's S-series tournament, Ye Shaoyang lost at their hands.
In the first game, Ye Shaoyang snatched the mid-laner [Twisted Fate] with very strong support ability. Coordinating with Chi Shu's jungler [Pantheon], the two's joint global teleport system completely crushed the opponent's jungle in the Level 6 wave!
Where Ye Shaoyang was, Chi Shu was there.
Mid and Jungle followed each other like shadows, coordinating tacitly, descending from the sky multiple times to kill the opposing carry. Before KPZ team members could adapt to the match rhythm, their mentality was crushed by these two Great Demon Kings!
In the second game, KPZ adjusted quickly, barely winning back a game through macro play.
But next, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu didn't give them a chance. Ye Shaoyang brought out signature mage assassins—one game triple kill, one game penta kill, ending the match cleanly 3:1!
Team GD won the Global Finals Championship, and Ye Shaoyang took the MVP!
Thunderous applause at the scene. Ye Shaoyang jumped up excitedly, hugging Chi Shu tightly. In that moment, his eyes heated up, even wanting to cry a little.
Playing matches for so many years, he finally realized the dream of championship! Too difficult!
Ye Shaoyang choked out, "Thank you, Chi Shu."
Chi Shu knew what he was thanking for. Back in the ABO world, at the moment Tianhuan won the championship, the person Chi Shu wanted to thank most was also Ye Shaoyang—Thank you for coming to my side, becoming my best partner, experiencing wind and rain with me, and realizing dreams together.
Without you, my dream would only be an extravagant hope, and I would retire with regrets.
It is precisely because of your existence that this e-sports player experience of mine has a perfect ending. Not only did I get the dreamed-of championship, but I also found a soulmate with mutual understanding and connected hearts.
How fortunate is this?
Chi Shu gently hugged Ye Shaoyang, whispering in his ear, "No need to thank. Yangyang, knowing you is my honor."
Ye Shaoyang smiled and said, "Me too!"
Team GD members walked to the center of the main stage together, lifting the championship trophy.
The host at the scene was excited to the point of trembling voice: "Congratulations to Team GD for winning the Annual Grand Slam! Never has a team swept all championships of Spring Split, Mid-Season Invitational, Summer Split, and Global Finals in the same year, but Team GD did it!"
"That's right, I think no one will forget this year! Team GD, starting from the Spring Split, continuously captured four championship trophies, winning the Annual Grand Slam. Team GD created a miracle and created history!"
The applause at the scene was deafening.
Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang stood together, lifting the championship trophy jointly.
Dazzling light from above the main stage spilled down. Ye Shaoyang looked at the golden trophy in front of him. In a trance, he suddenly felt this scene was deja vu.
Seemed like on some exciting night, he had also lifted the championship trophy with Chi Shu like this.
Seemed like at that moment, Chi Shu had also said: "Yangyang, thank you for coming to my side."
Messy memories scattered like fragments in his mind. Ye Shaoyang was stunned for a moment, quickly pulled back to reality by the host's excited voice.
Everyone in GD accepted interviews, followed by drinking at the celebration banquet.
Ye Shaoyang returned to the hotel drunk. That night, he had a very long dream. He dreamed he went to another world, met Chi Shu, started as a rookie streamer, received attention from major teams, Chi Shu extended an olive branch to him, signed him with the highest treatment, pulling him to join Team Tianhuan…
The two advanced hand in hand, fought side by side, and led Team Tianhuan to win the World Championship.
He also dreamed of Chi Shu biting the back of his neck to "mark" him many times.
Later, he said he had no concept of Alpha and Omega, and Chi Shu "completely marked" him again.
The process of that day and night was incredibly clear in the dream, making Ye Shaoyang blush.
Waking up the next day, Ye Shaoyang hurriedly went to take a cold shower. During away matches, he and Chi Shu stayed in a double room. In this world, there was no Alpha/Omega distinction; male teammates staying in a double room was normal.
So, Chi Shu saw Ye Shaoyang's retreating figure rushing to the bathroom, walking posture a bit strange.
Ye Shaoyang showered in the bathroom for a bit too long.
Puzzled, Chi Shu got up to knock on the door. "Yangyang, what's wrong? Not feeling well?"
Ye Shaoyang's muffled voice came from inside: "Nothing, my brain is a bit messy, don't talk to me."
Chi Shu: "??"
What tantrum early in the morning?
Chi Shu was very puzzled, but didn't force Ye Shaoyang to speak.
In the afternoon, the group flew back to the country.
Probably didn't sleep well last night, Ye Shaoyang kept his eyes closed to catch up on sleep during the ten-plus hours of flight. Chi Shu didn't disturb him, only consciously offering his shoulder for Ye Shaoyang to lean on, making him sleep more comfortably.
After getting off the plane, accepted interviews from reporters again, busy with no time to chat.
Until early morning, when the group returned to the team dormitory, Chi Shu gently held Ye Shaoyang's hand and asked, "What's wrong with you? Your condition today seems a bit off."
Ye Shaoyang messed up his hair randomly, almost digging the floor with his toes. "I, I remembered everything!"
Chi Shu froze, asking tentatively, "Remembered what?"
Ye Shaoyang wanted to cry but had no tears. "I damn bent for you twice!"
Chi Shu: "..."
Looking at Ye Shaoyang, who clearly sounded fierce but had red ears, Chi Shu finally understood his meaning. Chuckling lightly, he hugged the other party and whispered, "First time strangers, second time familiar. Marking once and marking twice makes no difference; isn't that what you said? Then bending once and bending twice makes no difference either, right?"
Ye Shaoyang blushed completely. "Enough!"
Chi Shu hugged him tightly, saying gratifyingly, "This is the world you talked about, without Alpha and Omega, and without pheromones?"
Ye Shaoyang nodded. "Mn."
After a pause, Ye Shaoyang wondered, "By the way, why did you come here? Didn't I die in a car accident back then? How come I was rescued back this time, and even met you?"
Chi Shu said, "I was also confused when I first came here, until I saw your photo and checked your information. Only then did I deduce that the world we are in might be a parallel world."
Ye Shaoyang was stunned. "Parallel world? You mean, both worlds exist?"
"Yes." Chi Shu explained patiently, "The world I am in won't disappear out of thin air; and the world you are in also exists genuinely. I heard a hypothesis that different choices made by humans at certain key nodes will split into different parallel worlds. The day you were hit by the truck, your consciousness came to my world; and the day you were rescued back, my consciousness came to your world?"
Ye Shaoyang digested this information with mixed feelings.
If two worlds coexisted, just with different time flow speeds, then in Chi Shu's world, he helped Chi Shu realize his wish. Chi Shu came here again, helping him realize his championship dream.
Crossing two space-times, their appearances and voices were completely different. The only sameness was that they would still appreciate each other, understand each other, and generate unmatched tacit understanding.
That was resonance from the soul.
Ye Shaoyang took a deep breath and looked at Chi Shu. "No matter what, really thank you this time. I finally… have no regrets."
He won the World Championship.
He could finally be worthy of the coach who cultivated him, worthy of the teammates who fought side by side with him, and worthy of the fans who liked him for many years—he could retire without regrets and with a clear conscience.
It was Chi Shu who helped him realize all this.
Chi Shu looked at Ye Shaoyang gently. "This is what I should do."
Ye Shaoyang gently held Chi Shu's hand. "By the way, there's a question I want to give you an answer to."
Chi Shu: "Mn? What question?"
Ye Shaoyang said seriously, "You said, even without the influence of Alpha, Omega, and pheromones, you would still like me. Actually… I'm the same."
He stood on tiptoes and gently kissed Chi Shu's lips.
"In a world without pheromones, I will also like you."
"Irrelevant to gender, just, like you."