Chapter 66
The hotel suite was shielded from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, leaving only the warm light of the room and the silent nightscape of Country J flowing through the window. The celebratory champagne had been opened, and the crystal bubbles rose and burst on the wall of the glass, making a subtle sound.
The two of them sat side by side on the soft carpet, leaning against the sofa. On the coffee table in front of them were wine glasses and some snacks. A lighthearted and funny Korean drama was playing on the TV, but neither of them was paying attention.
Ling Yao had changed out of his flashy stage costume for a simple white T-shirt and slacks. His makeup-free face was clearly fatigued, but his eyes were relaxed and soft. He took a sip of champagne and listened to Su Rui whisper about the funny things he'd encountered at work: a very picky model, a close call when he nearly knocked over an expensive light fixture, and the harmless banter between colleagues.
Su Rui's voice was gentle, tinged with a smile. Ling Yao tilted his head to look at him, occasionally chuckling softly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the stem of the glass. It had been a long time since they had been together like this, quietly, sharing the trivial yet real moments of each other's lives. It was as if time had flowed back to a peaceful summer afternoon, simple, yet precious.
The show went into commercial break, and the room fell into a comfortable silence. Ling Yao's gaze shifted from the TV screen to the bubbles rising in the glass. The smile on his face gradually faded, tinged with a complex emotion.
Suddenly, he spoke softly, his voice a little hoarse: "Su Rui." "Huh?" Su Rui turned her head to look at him.
Ling Yao didn't turn around immediately, still staring at his wine glass: "Today on stage... I thanked the company, the team, the members, and the fans..." He paused, his voice lowered with a barely perceptible tremor, "I thanked almost everyone."
He finally turned his head and looked at Su Rui, his eyes filled with guilt, struggle, and a deep sense of powerlessness: "But... I didn't thank you. I didn't dare to say a word."
Su Rui's heart trembled slightly. She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but was blocked by Ling Yao's next words.
"I'm a coward, Su Rui." A bitter arc appeared at the corner of his mouth. "I'm standing in such a high place, holding the trophy, being watched by so many people, shouting my love...but I don't even have the courage to admit you."
He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his surging emotions, but it had the opposite effect, and his voice became even more nasal: "I'm still so selfish... I can't let go of everything I have now. I can't imagine what would happen if... if I were discovered... I can't let down those fans who screamed and cried for me... I..."
His words became a little confused, his eyes quickly reddened, and his voice choked: "I am like this... Such a bad person... Such a selfish person... How can you still... Still like me?"
The last few words were almost squeezed out from his throat with great difficulty, filled with incredible self-loathing and a deep confusion. The hot tears finally slid down from his red eyes and fell on the back of his hand that was tightly holding the cup.
Su Rui's tears welled up instantly. He didn't feel wronged, but heartbroken. He saw the heavy shackles and immense psychological pressure behind Ling Yao's dazzling starlight, and saw his deep, unspeakable pain.
He put down his wine glass, reached out, and gently held Ling Yao's slightly trembling hand. His voice was gentle but firm: "Don't say that... Ling Yao, don't say that to yourself."
He sniffed and tried to make his voice sound steady. "I like you, not because you are perfect. I like you, the good, the bad, the selfish, the brave... all of you."
He looked Ling Yao in the eyes and said word by word, "Also, I know that the biggest credit for you winning that trophy today goes to you. It was you who practiced so hard until you were injured, and it was you who bore all the pressure... You deserve it. You don't need to thank me."
Ling Yao shook his head violently, tears falling even harder: "No... If it weren't for you... I might have given up a long time ago... Every time I feel like I'm about to give up, I think of you... Su Rui, the person I should thank the most... is you..."
These words seemed to have drained away all his strength. He put down his wine glass, stretched out his hand, and hugged Su Rui tightly in his arms, burying her wet face in his neck, her shoulders trembling slightly because of suppressed crying.
Su Rui hugged him back, patting his back gently, like comforting a child who had suffered great injustice. He said nothing more, just letting his tears slide silently, soaking the cloth on Ling Yao's shoulders.
The champagne bubbles still rose quietly, the TV commercials continued to blare, and the city lights outside the window continued to blare. But in this quiet suite, two young people embraced each other and cried. After sharing the peak of joy, they finally dropped all pretenses and touched each other's deepest vulnerability and the heaviest dependence.
This gratitude that cannot be expressed in words is more sincere and moving than any speech on stage.
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