Chapter 52
The two stayed in Yuncheng for a few days.
They ate, went shopping, and did the usual things that brothers do. Shen He would occasionally put his arm around Chen Yuchuan's shoulder, acting like a good buddy, but only Chen Yuchuan knew that he was just tired and wanted to find a support.
In the end, they were still photographed and the photos were posted on forums. Some people were gushing over the sweet moments, while many others said it was malicious pandering to the BL (Boys' Love) audience and had no bottom line, which they couldn't accept. The two didn't care at all and went back to City B after they had their fun.
The car drove directly to Chen Yuchuan's house.
Shen He caught a glimpse of the deliberately mysterious expression on Chen Yuchuan's face and was indeed a little curious, but he didn't show it.
“Here.” Chen Yuchuan led him into a room.
As soon as Shenhe entered, his eyes were drawn to the large vat against the wall. The transparent glass vat was filled with wood chips, recreating a small patch of forest floor, with a few vines, a few stones, and a small water basin in the corner.
Chen Yuchuan rolled up his sleeves and rummaged through the wood chips for a long time before carefully pulling out two small snakes.
Chen He approached. Two small snakes were restless in Chen Yuchuan's palm, crawling around erratically. They were beautiful blue, their scales shimmering under the light. They were very small, probably only a little over a foot long, constantly flicking their tongues, trying to escape from his hand.
"How is it?" Chen Yuchuan turned his head, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Shen He stared at the two snakes for a few seconds: "These snakes are not easy to raise."
"Huh?" Chen Yuchuan was stunned.
“This is a mutated foreign breed, and the temperature, humidity, and feeding are all very particular,” Shen He said calmly. “We’re both so busy, we’ll probably have to ask your uncle and aunt to take care of it.”
Chen Yuchuan said nonchalantly, "So what? If you like it, you'll definitely find someone to raise it properly for you."
Shen He didn't speak, but reached out and took it. A small snake coiled around his finger, its cool touch smooth and delicate. The other kept trying to burrow into his sleeve, seemingly frightened. He examined it closely; its scales were smooth, its eyes bright, and it looked very healthy.
Chen Yuchuan clicked his tongue in amazement: "How come all these things like you so much?"
“You’re too fierce.” Shen He glanced at him and added, “But this snake looks a lot like you.”
"Hmm?" Chen Yuchuan raised an eyebrow.
Shen He looked down at the snake in his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips: "It should be your younger brother or sister."
Chen Yuchuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, a mischievous glint in his eyes: "Then you really are its sister-in-law."
Shen He raised his eyes and said expressionlessly, "I am its father."
Chen Yuchuan laughed out loud.
Shenhe reminded him, "You know nothing about raising snakes, so I'm the only one who looks after them at home. I'm their father, is there a problem?"
"Alright, alright, whatever you say." Chen Yuchuan stopped laughing, picked up a snake and examined it carefully, "But this snake with its pointed snout and monkey-like face, how does it resemble me? You just want to take advantage of me, I know."
"Didn't you take advantage of me first?" Shen He snatched the snake back and sat on the sofa to continue observing.
"I knew you'd like it." Chen Yuchuan's tone was tinged with smugness.
Shen He really liked it. He had always had this idea, but before he had no fixed abode, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to take good care of it, so he only kept one fish that was easy to take with him.
There was another reason besides that: keeping reptiles as pets meant feeding them mice, and Shen He felt that was too cruel and he couldn't bring himself to do it. Chen Yuchuan obviously hadn't considered that much; he just guessed that Shen He would like them, so he bought the two little creatures. However, Chen Yuchuan promised to find someone to take care of them, so he wouldn't have to do it himself, which was really good.
Shen He touched the little snake in his hand, then shook his head, feeling that he was being a bit hypocritical.
"I originally wanted to get a cat or a dog." Chen Yuchuan leaned back on the sofa, his arm casually draped over the back of the chair behind Shen He. "But I felt that we two grown men couldn't provide any emotional value to cats and dogs."
Upon hearing this, Shen He suddenly smiled. It seemed that Chen Yuchuan indeed did not need him to provide emotional support.
The smile was faint, but the eyes curved, showing that he was in a good mood: "I can support myself after I stop playing professionally."
He paused, then added, "If we haven't broken up by then."
Chen Yuchuan stared at him for a few seconds, his tone unreadable: "Don't talk nonsense."
"Hmm," Shen He responded, continuing to fiddle with the little creature in his hand. The snake crawled around on his wrist, and Shen He found it quite cute, so he took out his phone and snapped a picture.
He opened Weibo, posted the photo, and captioned it simply: Chen Yuchuan's younger brother and sister.
Chen Yuchuan leaned over and glanced at it: "Why did you send this ugly thing?"
"You gave it to me even though it's ugly?" Shen He put away his phone. "They all want me to post my daily life, so this is ready-made material."
"Alright then." Chen Yuchuan laughed. "Now it's finally not just me running the business on my own."
Comments quickly flooded in:
[Such beautiful hands (licks) But brother, aren't you scared? They look terrifying.]
[Who understands the true value of a blogger who updates only once every three months?]
[I don't want to see snakes, I want to see Styx's cold face 555]
[It turns out that the bracelet that Sichuan dog wore last time was actually a gift from his male sister-in-law, not from his actual sister-in-law.]
What's the difference? Aren't they both Styx?
Wow, even the aloof Styx is getting involved in this bromance thing?
Zhou Yifan's comment appeared at the top: Isn't Chen Yuchuan a dog? How did he get involved with snakes?
Upon seeing this comment, Shenhe thought for a moment and replied: What you said seems to make some sense.
Chen Yuchuan was a little unhappy when he saw Zhou Yifan, and he also took out his phone to send something.
"Forget it," Shenhe stopped him.
Chen Yuchuan raised his head.
"People say we're overdoing the bromance, and it's actually quite annoying to keep discussing it like this," Shen He said calmly.
"Fine." Chen Yuchuan put down his phone, looking disdainful. "I really don't understand these people. They don't really like the real thing, but they're really enthusiastic about the fake one."
He stared at the sunken hand for a while, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, bring your fish back too."
Shenhe looked up at him.
“The whole family needs to be together.” Chen Yuchuan leaned back on the sofa. “What kind of family is this, with the youngest son always wandering around?”
Shen He paused for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his lips: "Okay."
After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke up: "The off-season starts after next week's games, and I want to go back for a visit."
Chen Yuchuan thought he was going back to see his parents, and his expression changed: "Going back for what? To cause trouble again?"
"Didn't you say the family should be together?" Shen He turned his head, a smile in his eyes. "I have to go see your two younger siblings back in your hometown, don't I?"
Chen Yuchuan was taken aback, then realized what he was talking about. His tense expression relaxed, and he chuckled, "Okay."
He reached out and put his arm around Shen He's shoulder, pulling him closer to him: "But you have to make it clear to that black dog that I'm its dad now too."
Shen He leaned back lazily on the sofa: "Alright, alright, stop messing up the seniority."
On the day of the competition, Chen Yuchuan looked extremely anxious.
During the draft phase, he immediately requested Predator as his first pick and also asked the coach to give Shenhe the Cat Spirit Witch. Both heroes are very strong in the early game and have extremely low margins for error. Once they fall behind in the early game, the entire game is over.
Yi Yang couldn't help but ask over the voice message, "Brother Chuan, are you in a hurry to pee? Why are you being so aggressive?"
"Urgent need to pee my ass." Chen Yuchuan cracked his knuckles, his tone nonchalant. "I have to go with my wife to her parents' house to see the kids. There's no other way, I have to get this over with quickly."
The team voice chat went silent instantly.
Shenhe's voice came coldly: "I feel like you're in a hurry to be reincarnated."
Chen Yuchuan sensed the warning in his tone and immediately changed his tone: "Brother Styx, don't be angry. Cooperate with me this once, and we'll try to finish the battle in two hours."
Yi Yang asked Shen He in a low voice, "Brother He, what does Brother Chuan mean by 'wife and children'?"
Shen He said expressionlessly, "What serious things could this person possibly say?"
Upon seeing this lineup, the commentator couldn't help but feel a little worried: "VLG's lineup... is a bit reckless."
The partner nodded: "Is this a fast push? River and Styx both picked early-game heroes. If they can't gain a decisive advantage by the 20-minute mark, it will be very difficult to win in the late game."
Once in the game, Chen Yuchuan's pace was indeed fierce.
At level three, they directly invaded the enemy jungle, and Shenhe provided timely support to secure First Blood. Five minutes later, they controlled the first dragon, and the pace of the game revolved around the bottom half of the map. The two early-game strong heroes maintained an unstoppable rhythm and made no mistakes that gave the opponent any opportunities.
In fifteen minutes, the economy led by five thousand.
Twenty minutes later, VLG secured Baron Nashor.
Twenty-five minutes later, the base was completely destroyed in one fell swoop.
The second game was almost a carbon copy of the previous one. Although they made a mistake in the middle, it didn't have much of an impact, and they still managed to win the game steadily.
After the match, the two packed up their equipment and walked out one after the other. Chen Yuchuan followed behind, suddenly put his hand on Shen He's shoulder, and said with a smug grin, "Come on, let's go back to your wife's parents' house."
Chen He stopped and turned to look at him.
Chen Yuchuan shrugged and put it another way: "Let's go see my brother's son and daughter."
Shenhe brought a pot of flowers, and buried in the soil was the fish that had died of old age.
"This is the tomb you were talking about?" Shen He stared in disbelief at the scene before him.
This is not an ordinary pet cemetery; it's more like a meticulously planned small park.
“Hmm.” Chen Yuchuan walked ahead. “If we’re going to bury him, let’s bury him in a decent place.”
Chen He felt a tightness in his throat. Although all life returns to dust after death, he suddenly felt that if an afterlife truly existed, they would surely be living happily there.
"Over here." Chen Yuchuan led him to a tree.
There were two small tombstones, one inscribed "White Cat" and the other "Black Dog." The tombstones were surrounded by flowers, and there were also some bones and toy fish. Next to them was a small pond, its surface reflecting the sky and clouds.
Chenhe squatted down and placed the flowerpot under the tree, near the pond. He gently patted the soil around it down.
"Now they're all together." Shen He patted the dirt off his hands.
Shen He stared at the two small tombstones for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "How naive I was before. If I really liked them, I should have brought them home to take care of them earlier, and then there wouldn't have been so many problems later."
“They’re just your friends.” Chen Yuchuan turned to look at him. “Life and death are predestined, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Shen He was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Maybe."
They just sat there and talked about many things from the past.
The sun slowly slanted westward, casting long shadows.
Shen He said to himself, "Now it's really time to say goodbye to the past."
Chen Yuchuan reached out and grasped his hand, squeezing it firmly.
"Let's go," Chen Yuchuan said. "Let's go home."
The driver took them there, and on the way back, the two planned to walk around and visit Chen Yuchuan's house here.
As they crossed an intersection, Shen He suddenly stopped, and Chen Yuchuan instantly understood. It was a small restaurant, not very big, and looked quite shabby, with a faded signboard. They used to often eat here after playing games; the food was really good.
"Want to go in and get something to eat?" Shen He asked.
Chen Yuchuan glanced at the shop and nodded: "Let's go."
The restaurant's environment was indeed just average; the tables and chairs were a bit old, and the floor wasn't very clean. But when the dishes were served, the familiar taste was just as I remembered.
Shen He took a few bites, then suddenly remembered something and looked up at Chen Yuchuan: "What's with your OCD?"
Chen Yuchuan picked up a piece of food and said casually, "I don't have any germaphobia, I'm just too lazy to eat with those idiots."
Shen He stared at him for a few seconds without saying a word.
Chen Yuchuan got up, went to the counter, grabbed a bottle of beer, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.
Shen He looked at the bottle of wine and reached out to take it.
"Are you sure you want to drink?" Chen Yuchuan reminded him.
"Try it." Shen He unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip.
The liquor was a bit bitter, but not too bad. Chen He took another sip.
“You’ve never drunk this before, drink slowly.” Chen Yuchuan frowned.
"It's nothing." Shen He put down the wine bottle and continued eating.
But then he drank more and more, and when Chen Yuchuan tried to stop him, Shen He dodged his hand.
"Don't drink anymore." Chen Yuchuan said helplessly. He pushed the beer aside and got a glass of water instead, just in case he had to help Chen He back later.
Shen He was a little tipsy. He waved Chen Yuchuan's hand away, put down the bottle, and looked at Chen Yuchuan with a scrutinizing gaze: "Did you often lie to me before?"
"No," Chen Yuchuan said.
“Yes,” Shen He insisted. “What brothers? What’s so interesting about playing professionally? And he’s a germaphobe.”
He paused, then lowered his voice: "You just want to be with me."
Chen Yuchuan didn't speak, he just looked at him.
Shen He chuckled: "You've been lying to me from the very beginning, haven't you?"
“It’s not a lie.” Chen Yuchuan stared at him, his tone lowering. “From the very beginning, I just wanted to have you.”
He said it with a self-assured confidence.
"I don't want anyone else to get close to you, and I don't want you to leave me."
Chen Yuchuan reached out and grabbed his wrist, his grip heavy: "I fucking watch you being so polite to those people every day, watching you being so gentle to everyone, I really want to smash their heads in."
His breathing was a little heavy, and his voice was low and hoarse: "Sometimes I can't control myself. I know you don't like it, but that's just how I feel."
His eyes were deep, filled with undisguised possessiveness: "You know, I can't live without you."
Shen He listened to his words, remained silent for a few seconds, and then smiled.
Shen He's eyes were somewhat unfocused, but his tone was clear: "You're quite the smooth talker, no wonder you were able to fool me for so long."
By the time Chenhe had drunk his fill, it was already quite late.
He lost his balance and leaned on Chen Yuchuan's shoulder, his steps unsteady. Chen Yuchuan half-carried, half-lifted him into the house, and it took quite a bit of effort to get him to cooperate with washing up. Fortunately, Shen He wasn't noisy even though he was drunk, just a little sluggish.
Chen Yuchuan helped Shen He to sit down on the sofa. Shen He's eyes were still a little dazed. He patted Chen Yuchuan's shoulder and said indistinctly, "Thanks, brother."
Chen Yuchuan paused for a second, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.
He leaned down and kissed Shen He on the forehead: "Who's your brother?"
Shen He didn't say anything, but simply raised his hand and pulled the person down. After looking at him for a long time, he finally came to his senses and said, "You're my boyfriend."
When their lips met, Chen Yuchuan was completely stunned. He never expected that Shen He would actually kiss him first.
He instinctively pressed down on Chenhe's shoulder, leaning his body in to deepen the kiss.
Shenhe did not push him away.
Chen Yuchuan's eyes lit up, and he wrapped his arm around Shen He's waist. After the kiss, Shen He leaned back on the sofa. Whether it was drowsiness or the effects of alcohol, his expression was calm, but his eyes were softer than usual.
Chen Yuchuan stared at him, his eyes darkening: "That's it?"
"Otherwise what?" Shen He's voice was a beat slower than usual, carrying a hint of laziness.
"Damn it." Chen Yuchuan cursed under his breath, leaning over and pressing Shen He down onto the sofa. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"What nonsense are you spouting again?" Shen He looked up at him, his eyes cold, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This expression made Chen Yuchuan tense up. He couldn't wait to lower his head and kiss him again, but Shen He pushed him away. Chen Yuchuan felt his movement and loosened his grip a little, and the two of them switched positions, with Shen He sitting on Chen Yuchuan's lap.
Chen Yuchuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Baby, you want to take the place of me?"
"No?" Shen He looked down at him.
“Okay.” Chen Yuchuan stared at him, his eyes full of excitement. “That’s fucking good, baby, keep going.”
Shenhe lowered her head and kissed him briefly.
Chen Yuchuan gripped the back of Shen He's neck with one hand, preventing him from leaving. With his other hand, he tightly tightened his grip on Shen He's waist, pressing him down. He deepened the kiss, biting Shen He's lower lip hard, their teeth clashing, his tongue sweeping across Shen He's lips, aggressively prying open his jaw.
Shen He tasted blood and realized his lip had been bitten. He pressed down on the man's neck, using some force to push him away, and asked, "Is that enough?"
"Damn, what do you think?" Chen Yuchuan's voice was hoarse, his eyes blatant. "Not enough at all."
Shen He didn't speak, his gaze fixed on a certain spot.
Chen Yuchuan's Adam's apple bobbed a few times.
"So soon?" Shen He's words were already a little stammering, but there was a hint of doubt in them.
"Nonsense." Chen Yuchuan stared at him, his eyes fierce. "You're sitting on me, and you're looking at me like that, how could I not?"
“It really is…” Shen He paused, trying to think of a word, but his mind was clearly foggy and he couldn’t think of one.
He simply stopped thinking about it.
...
Chen He moved slowly and with little force, staring blankly at his hand as if studying something interesting.
"Damn it..." Chen Yuchuan cursed under his breath, grabbing Shen He's waist and trying to push him down.
Shen He pressed down on his shoulder, not with much force, but with a hint of impatience in his expression: "Don't move."
This expression made Chen Yuchuan tense up. He stopped what he was doing and stared at Shen He. That usually expressionless face was now tinged with drunkenness, but the aloofness in his eyes remained. It was as if an unapproachable god had descended from the clouds, bestowing upon him a moment's attention.
Chen Yuchuan's eyes were full of anticipation and excitement.
...
He stared at Shenhe, wanting to lean in and kiss him.
But Shen He grabbed his neck with his other hand, pressing him back down, and said in a childish tone, "Can't you listen to me?"
Chen Yuchuan wasn't dissatisfied at all; on the contrary, he became even more excited. His eyes turned red as he stared intently at Shen He's expressionless face. "Baby, you're making me fucking ecstatic..."
...
He didn't make any further moves, but simply held Chen He tightly around the waist. That contradictory feeling of being aloof yet also a little childish due to drunkenness, and maintaining a distant demeanor even while doing this, made Chen Yuchuan anxious and uneasy.
Seeing that he was relatively obedient, Shenhe patted his hair, smiled, and rewarded him with a kiss.
Chen Yuchuan suddenly arched his body, and the next second, he grabbed Shen He's waist with force, stood up, and pressed Shen He onto the sofa: "Try seducing me again?"
Shen He looked somewhat surprised and patted his face: "Wake up."
"You fucking..." Chen Yuchuan pressed him down, his eyes dark, "Who's really out of their mind? Do you even know what you're doing?"
“I know,” Shen He said.
...
Chen Yuchuan sat on the sofa, took Chen He's hand, and carefully wiped it with a damp towel.
Shen He opened his eyes, looked at his hands, and frowned.
"It's clean now," Chen Yuchuan said.
Chenhe struggled to his feet: "No."
"Alright, alright, I'll go with you to wash your hands." Chen Yuchuan helped him stand up.
Chen He staggered toward the bathroom, his steps unsteady, his whole body swaying violently.
Chen Yuchuan quickly reached out to support his waist, afraid that he would fall.
As a result, Chen Yuchuan lost his footing in the river and was pulled backward, falling back onto the sofa.
Shen He collapsed into Chen Yuchuan's arms. Chen Yuchuan paused for a moment, adjusted his position, and let Shen He's back press against him. He then wrapped his arms around Shen He's waist from behind, holding him tightly in his embrace.
Chen He struggled to get up: "I'm going to wash my hands."
"You're not allowed to go." Chen Yuchuan rested his chin on his shoulder, his voice low and husky, "Baby, I'll make you feel good."
"Get out of my way," Shen He said. "Don't bother me."
“Holding it in isn’t good for your health,” Chen Yuchuan said, moving his hand down.
"What are you holding back?" Shen He retorted.
Chen Yuchuan reached out, touched it, and then froze.
There was no reaction at all.
He was about to explode just now, but Shen He didn't react at all?
Chen Yuchuan felt a little frustrated and leaned close to his ear to ask, "Baby, are you impotent?"
Shen He turned to look at him: "If you say another word, get out."
Chen Yuchuan stared at the sinking river for a few seconds, somewhat skeptical.
...
Chen Yuchuan moved slowly with one hand, but with the other, he pinched Shen He's chin, turning his head to the side.
The kiss was deep and intensely aggressive. After a few seconds of being kissed, Shen He suddenly raised his hand and pressed Chen Yuchuan's face, turning his head away.
"Don't bite randomly." Shen He was a little angry. "Are you a dog?"
Chen Yuchuan's face was pressed down, and he stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly laughing: "Okay, no biting, but a kiss is fine, right?"
“No way.” Shen He replied matter-of-factly.
"..."
Chen Yuchuan could only tactfully move his hand away and instead put his arm around Shen He's waist. Only then was Shen He satisfied. He closed his eyes and leaned back into Chen Yuchuan's arms.
...
Chen Yuchuan slowed his movements and bit down hard on the side of his neck.
"Was it good?" Chen Yuchuan asked.
"..." Shen He didn't answer, his eyes closed, looking like he was really asleep.
Chen Yuchuan hugged him, and after they both calmed down, he kissed his cheek: "Go take a shower."
"Goodnight, I'm going to sleep now," Shen He said in a muffled voice.
Seeing his expression, Chen Yuchuan couldn't help but pinch his cheek.
Shenhe opened his eyes, his mind a complete blank.
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, making him squint. He shifted his body, triggering a hangover headache.
He paused for a few seconds, his memory slowly returning.
Last night's alcohol, and then...
Shen He sat up, looking somewhat speechless. Drinking really does make people lose their minds.
He sighed, raised his hand to touch his neck, and felt a sharp pain. He knew without looking that Chen Yuchuan, that bastard, had bitten him. The scene from last night flashed through his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more outrageous it seemed.
"Awake?" Chen Yuchuan's voice suddenly rang out.
Shen He turned his head to look at him. Chen Yuchuan was lying on his side, propping his head up with one hand, his eyes filled with a hint of triumphant pleasure.
"You were quite proactive last night."
Shen He looked at him expressionlessly and said nothing.
Chen Yuchuan propped himself up and sat up, wrapped his arms around him from behind, rested his chin on his shoulder, and groped his waist and abdomen.
Shenhe turned to look at him.
Chen Yuchuan touched his neck again, "You let me bite all of these on your own initiative."
"Keep making this up." Shen He raised an eyebrow.
"Were you sober last night?" Chen Yuchuan asked with a smug look on his face. "I see, so you were deliberately trying to seduce me."
Shen He stared at him for a few seconds and said calmly, "You weren't doing so well last night either."
Chen Yuchuan's smile froze: "..."
“He couldn’t go on for more than a few minutes,” Shen He continued, clearly not taking Chen Yuchuan seriously.
Chen Yuchuan's eyes were deep, his thumb stroking his jawline as he asked, "Really only a few minutes? Who kept saying they were tired, sleepy, and going to sleep, hmm?"
Chen Yuchuan was simply blinded by lust and couldn't control himself, but Shen He was clearly exaggerating.
Chen Yuchuan grabbed his hand and pushed him onto the bed: "You have insulted my dignity. I have to prove myself."
Shen He reached out and pushed his face away: "Alright, stop talking. It's really vulgar to discuss these things so early in the morning."
Chen Yuchuan stared at his face and sneered, "You've already turned on me? You're all straight now that you've had your fun, and you're all afraid to talk about sex, huh?"
Shen He looked at him, appearing completely self-righteous: "Yes, so what?"
"Would a straight man do this kind of thing with his brother?" Chen Yuchuan leaned closer to him and lowered his voice.
"Chen Yuchuan," Shen He interrupted him, his tone casual, "Do you want to be my brother, or my boyfriend? It's up to you."
"..."
"Also, you used a lot of foul language last night, so be more careful in the future."
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