Chapter 44
Shen He spent a few more days playing in the neighborhood. Chen Yuchuan followed him the whole time. The two spoke very little, ate together, stayed at the same hotel, and occasionally walked side by side on the street. That was all.
But Chenhe's mood did improve a lot.
The day before returning to City A, Shen He packed his luggage and prepared to go downstairs for dinner. Chen Yuchuan stood outside his door, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.
"Leaving tomorrow?" Chen Yuchuan asked.
"Um."
"What time? I need to book my tickets."
Shen He stopped and turned to look at him: "Don't keep doing this."
Chen Yuchuan tapped his fingers on the cigarette pack and turned his head to the side: "What?"
“You have your own things to do,” Shen He said calmly.
He looked at Chen Yuchuan, his gaze indifferent: "You should do something you want to do, go see other places, or—"
He didn't continue, "Anyway, don't focus all your attention on me."
"This isn't good for you," he added after thinking for a moment.
Chen Yuchuan was silent for a few seconds, then stuffed the cigarettes and cigarette pack back into his pocket, straightened up, and walked towards Shen He. He stopped in front of Shen He, staring into his eyes: "I thought you gave me a chance to pursue you."
Shen He didn't look at him, walked straight ahead, and said vaguely, "I guess so."
Chen Yuchuan didn't speak, but just followed him, his eyes filled with a complex emotion.
“But you don’t have to do this.” Shen He wanted to explain something, but when the words reached his lips, he found he didn’t know how to put it clearly.
Chen Yuchuan suddenly interrupted him, his voice lowering: "I know you don't need me."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly: "You can handle everything by yourself. I know that better than anyone."
Shenhe didn't reply.
“Back in high school, the first time you agreed to go out with me, I prepared everything, but you ended up carrying a big bag by yourself, with everything useful and nothing superfluous.” Chen Yuchuan smiled, a smile tinged with helplessness. “I knew then that you didn’t need anyone’s care at all, even though I really wanted to.”
He spoke as if he had finally resigned himself to his fate. Shen He was too clear-headed and too independent, so clear-headed that Chen Yuchuan felt like he had struck gold to become friends with him.
“It’s the same now.” Chen Yuchuan looked at him. “Even if you start over on your own, you can handle everything yourself.”
He paused, his fingers clenching and then relaxing.
“But I always think about what else you need, and what I can do for you.” Chen Yuchuan’s voice was a little hoarse. He took a step forward, raised his hand, and finally placed it on Shen He’s shoulder with a firm but not too heavy touch.
"Even if it's just helping you block out those annoying emotions and deal with those things that make you unhappy," he paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, "at least it can make you a little happier every day."
Chen He remained silent.
"I don't care whether you accept me or not." Chen Yuchuan said this slowly, his fingers tightening slightly, as if he was trying to control his emotions.
"I just want things to be like before," Chen Yuchuan stared into his eyes, his gaze deep, "like when we were still brothers, is that alright?"
He didn't say anything more.
Shen He looked at Chen Yuchuan, at this flamboyant and arrogant man who never bowed his head, now standing in front of him with an unusual restraint and caution.
“You’ll get very tired doing this,” Shen He finally said.
“I’m willing to do this,” Chen Yuchuan replied immediately, his voice regaining some strength. “All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy.”
Shen He paused for a moment, didn't look at him, and only said one sentence:
"what ever."
If being with me makes you happy.
After returning to City A, Shen He had a chat with Manager Chen and accepted VLG's invitation.
Clearly, someone had tipped off Chen Yuchuan as soon as he agreed. Chen Yuchuan couldn't contain his excitement; the corners of his mouth couldn't be suppressed as he casually asked, "What did you talk about with your manager?"
Shen He only said he was going to VLG, without explaining anything further.
The reason is actually quite simple: it's mainly about money.
In his plans, his future education and living expenses will require a significant amount of money, which is one of the reasons he decided to pursue a professional career. Earning more money is never a bad thing. Besides, playing for ASG was truly frustrating and was wearing down his enthusiasm.
Going to VLG is different; he only needs to do his job, and Chen Yuchuan can handle the rest. To put it bluntly, why lose when you can win effortlessly?
Since you're going to play professionally, play comfortably.
The transfer was completed quickly. Before leaving, Shen He had a meal with Zhou Yifan as a farewell.
Gao Mingyuan was still out of town, and the two agreed to meet again when he returned.
Although Shenhe felt he didn't need friends, having two more contacts wouldn't make a difference.
Chen Yuchuan insisted on going with him. Shen He initially wanted to refuse, but seeing his nervous expression, he ultimately said nothing.
At the dinner table, Chen Yuchuan and Zhou Yifan inexplicably started arguing. Shen He was at his wit's end. He frowned and said a few words, and the two finally quieted down.
After finishing his meal, Zhou Yifan called out to Shen He, "Brother, I want to talk to you alone for a bit."
Chen Yuchuan's expression immediately changed. He stood there staring at Zhou Yifan with an indescribable look in his eyes.
Shen He turned and glanced at him.
Chen Yuchuan pursed his lips, his eyes filled with reluctance, but in the end he still turned and left.
Zhou Yifan lit a cigarette and said with a smile, "I used to dream that we could win a championship together next season."
Shen He glanced at him and said, "You're still young, you have a lot of potential, and you'll have plenty of opportunities."
Zhou Yifan shook his head: "What's the use of potential? You can't eat it."
He paused, then said half-jokingly, "But it's okay, I'm younger than Chen Yuchuan. Once I outlive that bastard, I'll make my mark."
Shen He's lips twitched, and he almost burst out laughing.
Zhou Yifan looked at him and said half-jokingly, "Brother, now that you're gone, I'll be the only one taking the blame."
Shen He was silent for a moment, then thought for a moment and said, "Your skills are very good, I don't need to say more about that. But games are not just about your hands, they also require your brain."
Zhou Yifan was stunned for a moment.
“You can listen to the coach’s instructions, but don’t follow them completely.” Shen He’s tone was calm but firm. “He’s not smart, you can’t always follow him.”
“And then there are your teammates.” Shen He paused, his gaze fixed on the distance. “Don’t take your teammates too seriously.”
Zhou Yifan frowned: "What do you mean?"
"If they play well, you cooperate. If they play poorly, you play by yourself. If they want to win, they have to cooperate with you, not the other way around."
Shen He turned to look at him, his tone indifferent: "Don't end up losing the game and feeling frustrated yourself."
Zhou Yifan pondered those words for a while, then laughed: "Brother He, you're being too self-centered."
"That's how games are," Shen He said expressionlessly. "The most important thing is that you have fun."
Zhou Yifan was silent for a moment, then nodded.
The two chatted for a few more minutes. Before parting, Zhou Yifan reached out and patted Shen He on the shoulder: "Brother He, you are really strong. Go to VLG and do your best to beat Chen Yuchuan. Don't let him steal your thunder."
Shen He was somewhat speechless: "Why are you arguing with him?"
Zhou Yifan sighed: "Sigh, you don't understand. Anyway, we'll be rivals from now on. See you on the field then."
Chen Yuchuan stood not far away, leaning against the car, waiting for him. When he saw Shen He approaching, he immediately stood up straight, his eyes scanning over him as if to confirm something.
"Finished talking?" Chen Yuchuan asked.
"Um."
"What did you talk about?"
Shen He said, "He told me to trample you under my feet."
Chen Yuchuan suddenly smiled and asked, "Why are you rewarding me?"
"..."
I'm begging you.
Chen Yuchuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw a rare hint of unease appear on Shen He's usually calm face.
On the day he left, Chen Yuchuan called more than a dozen people to help Shen He tidy up his dormitory.
Chen He didn't have much stuff to begin with; a suitcase and a few cardboard boxes were enough. He didn't understand why Chen Yuchuan was making such a fuss, but Chen Yuchuan insisted, and he was too lazy to explain further.
Shen He felt a little regretful, since Chen Yuchuan had specially arranged for the room to be renovated before, and he had been quite comfortable living there. Now he was somewhat reluctant to part with it.
Finally, Chen Yuchuan had someone bring over a custom-made glass fish tank, which was encased in a box lined with shock-absorbing cotton. He carefully placed the fish that had been kept in the river inside and closed the lid.
Shen He looked at the excessively exquisite box, somewhat speechless: "What are you doing?"
“Move the fish.” Chen Yuchuan adjusted the thermometer in the box with a serious expression. “Didn’t you always raise this fish like your own son? You would check the water temperature and observe its condition every day, afraid that something might happen to it.”
He carefully added some methylene blue to the tank, looking very professional, and continued, "I had it custom-made, with constant temperature and oxygenation, and high-end filtration, to ensure it's lively and healthy even at VLG."
Looking at Chen Yuchuan's serious expression, Shen He remained silent for two seconds before finally bursting out, "You're really stupid."
Chen Yuchuan paused in his actions, looked up at him, and asked, "Why are you suddenly scolding me?"
“This kind of fish only lives for two to three years.” Shen He said calmly, mercilessly shattering his fantasy. “That one died of old age long ago.”
Chen Yuchuan froze, looking down at the fish swimming around in the box: "Then this one..."
"I just bought it at the beginning of the year."
"..."
Chen Yuchuan was silent for a few seconds, then pretended to be nonchalant: "This is your youngest son, and he's also my youngest son. How can we, as parents, wrong our children?"
Shenhe ignored his ramblings.
The dorms at VLG are much better than those at ASG. The rooms are laid out like small apartments, fully equipped, with a separate kitchenette and balcony. The furniture is all new, simple and clean, with excellent natural light, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the base's garden.
Shen He stood at the doorway, looked around, paused for a few seconds, and turned to look at Chen Yuchuan: "Is VLG really that exaggerated?"
Chen Yuchuan was sitting on the ground assembling boxes. Hearing this, he looked up and smiled: "You're different."
Shen He was stunned, not quite understanding: "What?"
Chen Yuchuan put down what he was holding, walked up to him, and looked at him with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He paused for a moment, then deliberately lowered his voice and said, "After all, you are the most precious person in my heart."
Chen He: "..."
Shen He stared at Chen Yuchuan for a few seconds, the curse already on the tip of his tongue, but he finally took a deep breath, turned around and walked into the balcony without expression.
Chen Yuchuan laughed out loud behind him, looking like he was in a good mood.
"Don't be angry," Chen Yuchuan said, following him inside. His voice was full of laughter. "I was just telling the truth."
Shenhe ignored him and opened the window to let in some fresh air.
“But seriously,” Chen Yuchuan said, putting away his joking tone, and walked over to him, “this room of yours was arranged by me personally. It’s in a good location, quiet, and well-lit.”
He paused, then pointed to the huge fish tank in the corner: "The fish tank was installed in advance, arranged by professionals, and has been conditioned for a week. After a short rest, we can put our child in it."
Shenhe looked at the huge fish tank used for raising fish, and then at the exquisite and complex landscaping, with aquatic plants, artificial mountains, and driftwood arranged like a miniature underwater world.
With the addition of a fully automatic filtration, water changing, and feeding system, small fish no more than eight centimeters long live in a one-meter-long tank. He estimates that he won't even be able to see the fish anymore in the future.
After a moment of silence, Shen He finally gritted his teeth and squeezed out two words: "Thanks."
Chen Yuchuan was quite pleased: "Why are you being so polite with me? It's all for the sake of the children."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
