Side Story 2: Bai Chen x Bai Ke (Complete)
5.
He absolutely had to attend the celebration banquet for the finals; even if he had to leave, he had to make an appearance before he left. After the awards ceremony, Bai Chen didn't go with the team's car. He had called his driver earlier to bring his own car from the base. Now, he took the car keys, sat in the driver's seat, and closed his eyes to rest.
This underground parking lot is only open to participants and staff, so even after the competition ended, it was not noisy at all; on the contrary, it was extremely quiet, with only a few footsteps occasionally heard before they quickly disappeared.
In this quiet environment, Bai Chen was able to detach himself from the hustle and bustle and finally have the mind to think about his relationship with Bai Ke.
Previously, he had always held a negative attitude towards Bai Ke and his feelings for her, so when Bai Ke kissed him, he refused without thinking.
However, the calm he had been experiencing these past few days made Bai Chen suddenly realize a fact that he had deliberately ignored for a long time: since when, Bai Ke had occupied such a large place in his heart that he could no longer measure their relationship with reason or self-interest.
At first, it was just admiration; later, it turned into heartache. Giving him special treatment was like opening a breach that, if not sealed, would only widen. Bai Ke became increasingly special to him. Finally, when Bai Chen dreamed of Bai Ke lying in his arms, he wasn't shocked or surprised, but calmly thought: Just as I expected.
He knew he was naturally aloof, and aside from his teammates Xie Wei and Shen Xiao, he had almost no friends. In fact, countless people wanted to befriend Bai Chen, but Bai Chen had no interest in developing a deep relationship with any of them. Playing duo queue to climb the ranks and hone skills was fine, but becoming close buddies or friends was truly unnecessary.
Bai Chen didn't have Xie Wei's desire to do everything perfectly, nor did he want to or bother with wasting time on useless interpersonal relationships. His focus was more on the future—what kind of help and benefits this person could provide. Only after confirming this would Bai Chen extend his goodwill and offer help and benefits in advance, thus creating a reciprocal relationship.
Bai's father once remarked that Bai Chen's personality was simply born to be a businessman. He understood the coldness and warmth of human relationships, but always put profit above them.
Being able to distinguish between primary and secondary matters, and always prioritizing reason over emotion.
When Bai Chen first decided to pursue esports, his parents were undoubtedly against it. However, Bai Chen calmly discussed with his father the prospects of esports and the chain of benefits that his fame could bring—the income of esports star players, the popularity brought by fans, and the fact that he could leverage this even after retiring and joining a company.
After careful analysis, Bai's father finally relented.
However, Bai Chen couldn't pull off this tactic in front of Bai Ke.
Actually, even if Bai Ke hadn't come looking for him today, Bai Chen would have been determined to go anyway. But Bai Ke just had to come anyway.
Every single time in the past, Bai Ke would take the initiative to come over, regardless of his cold face or lack of response. As long as he didn't explicitly refuse, Bai Ke would always smile silently and stay by his side.
This time, he refused, but Bai Ke still came, trembling and cautious.
Bai Chen raised his hand, touched his forehead, and finally made up his mind.
If Bai Ke also likes him, no matter when this feeling started, he has already hurt him too much.
At this moment, the usually cold-hearted and profit-driven eldest son of the Bai family decided to put aside all those unnecessary thoughts and face his own feelings.
Since he likes Bai Ke and Bai Ke likes him back, and they are mutually in love, then... it doesn't matter whether it's a marriage alliance or not, or whether it's about reputation.
Just then, someone gently knocked twice on the side window from the outside. Bai Chen turned his head and saw Bai Ke looking nervously into the car from the outside. He raised his hand and unlocked the door.
Upon hearing the noise, Bai Ke, as if afraid he would regret it, quickly opened the car door and ducked into the car.
He smiled and said, "Brother."
Bai Chen hummed in agreement and said, "I still have to go to the victory celebration banquet later."
These words sounded like urging him on. He paused, then gave a bitter laugh: "I...I'm sorry, brother. How about we just pretend that day never happened?"
"It didn't happen." Bai Chen turned to Bai Ke. "Do you think we can pretend it never happened?"
Bai Ke hesitated, his heart already weighed heavily these past few days. He closed his eyes and said, "No."
"Not only can't I, but once I opened my mouth, I couldn't stop. Bai Chen, I was just rambling to see if there was any possibility... I can no longer treat you as my brother. I want to kiss you, I want to be with you. Didn't you ask me why I joined TWG? Now I'm telling you, I like you, I've liked you for a very long time, I've always liked you!"
Bai Ke poured out her emotions as if venting her feelings. Rather than a confession, it was more like tearing open old wounds in her heart, exposing her bleeding heart, and then saying: Look! This is my heart!
He ran his fingers through his hair and realized that he was already sweating in just a few minutes. He didn't dare to look Bai Chen in the eye. He had come over to try and make up for things, but he couldn't hold back once Bai Chen spoke.
Like a dam that was already on the verge of collapse, now that it has cracked, it is no longer possible to continue to hold up as tightly as before. He has collapsed. All his emotions have been suppressed for too long, and now they are surging up all at once. Bai can't escape, and he can't get away from it.
He lowered his head and quickly wiped his eyes: "...Go to the celebration party, I'm leaving."
As he said this, he reached out to pull the car door handle.
But before he could make a move, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his wrist. Then, a strong force pulled him into Bai Chen's arms without any chance to resist.
Bai Ke was, after all, a grown man, yet Bai Chen easily lifted him from the passenger seat. Before Bai Ke could react, his lips were already impatiently kissing him.
Last time, the two of them were too flustered and rushed. This time, Bai Chen completely took the initiative, holding Bai Ke and kissing her deeply.
When the kiss ended, Bai Ke's face was flushed. He stared wide-eyed, his face full of disbelief: "Bai Chen?"
Bai Chen looked at him and suddenly laughed.
If he had any reservations before, after this kiss, he had no other thoughts.
What good is having more money or more power?
The most important thing is to hold the person you love most in your arms.
Bai Chen said in a hoarse voice, "Call me brother."
After saying that, he kissed her again.
Their feelings had been suppressed for too long, and now that they were out, they burned fiercely like wildfire. Bai Ke never knew that Bai Chen could be so passionate; she was hugged and coaxed, and he called her "brother" several times.
Half an hour later, Bai Ke rubbed her chin and smiled innocently: "Brother, go home early, I'll be waiting for you at home."
Bai Chen closed his eyes, repeatedly reminding himself that he had important business to attend to later, before he could barely suppress the anger in his heart.
TWG's victory celebration wasn't just a few team members getting together to eat, drink, and have fun. Sometimes they'd invite reporters who had a good relationship with the team to take some photos and write a couple of articles. Bai Chen couldn't miss these occasions; even if he left early, he had to be there after the photos were taken.
Otherwise, his absence would simply lead to trolls fabricating dozens of pages of speculation about internal discord within the TWG team.
Bai Chen's mind had already wandered elsewhere, and he was somewhat absent-minded even after arriving at his destination. Xie Wei, being his childhood friend, naturally noticed this and didn't force him. After having a couple of drinks, Xie Wei asked Jiang Yuxin to take him home.
"Home" doesn't refer to the Bai family's old house, but rather a hotel apartment Bai Chen bought near the city center. Even when he doesn't live there, someone cleans it for him, saving him time and effort. Sometimes when the team has a day off and Bai Chen doesn't want to go home, he stays here.
Bai Ke also knew this place. She had the password and a spare key in her hand, and would come here to stay for a while when she had nothing to do.
He lay on the sofa, thinking about what had happened in the car, feeling both shy and happy, but mostly in disbelief—how could Bai Chen have agreed? Why had his attitude changed so drastically?
Bai Ke could hardly believe it was true, yet it was undeniably true.
As he tossed and turned on the sofa, he heard the sound of the keypad lock being opened at the front door. He sat up abruptly, his gaze meeting Bai Chen's as he entered.
Bai Chen closed the door, took off his coat, and walked step by step toward the young man on the sofa. Throughout the entire process, he didn't say a word, nor did he take his gaze off Bai Ke.
Bai Ke instinctively sensed the danger, but because he knew what was about to happen, his anticipation and shyness outweighed his panic: "Brother..."
Bai Chen stopped in front of the sofa, gently stroking Bai Ke's cheek, his thumb tracing the young man's full, rosy lips: "I'll explain to my parents. I'll retire in two years, and then..."
Before the rest of the sentence was finished, Bai Ke understood.
His eyes and nose stung with tears. He blinked, paused for a moment, and nodded vigorously: "Okay."
"We'll have our wedding after you retire," Bai Chen said, bending down to embrace the young man.
In just a few words, he had already clearly arranged their future.
Bai Ke gripped Bai Chen's clothes tightly. Having been cold for so long, the sudden warmth only made her more afraid: "Brother, why are you..."
Kissing and hugging, Bai Chen had indeed softened, seemingly acknowledging their relationship. But he still hadn't said a definite answer, leaving Bai Ke's heart still hanging in suspense, unable to let go for a long time.
Bai Chen turned his head, kissed the corner of his lips, and without answering him, picked him up and strode into the bedroom.
In her drowsy state, Bai Ke finally heard Bai Chen whisper in her ear, "Brother loves you."
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