That's all
"Why are you all alone?"
Chen Chi looked up and saw Chu Sinian, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, standing in front of him.
He stood outside the vast stadium, holding a large bouquet of flowers in his arms. The eyes that looked at him no longer held the mockery directed at him; they were just ordinary eyes.
Such ordinariness is rare. The allure that Chu Si had since childhood has not faded with time; now that we see it, there is a reason why it has only deepened.
Chen Chi did not respond.
Chu Sinian said, "You don't seem surprised to see me."
Chen Chi walked straight down the stairs without saying a word.
Cheers erupted from inside the arena, a stark contrast to the silence outside. The lone figure walking on the stacked steps appeared somewhat small, even exuding a sense of desolation.
Chu Sinian looked at his quick and steady steps and said indifferently, "You really don't want to see me?"
Chen Chi paused for a moment.
"Ahhh!"
Holding the trophy, Ning Zicheng rushed towards the door. He recognized Chu Sinian's back at a glance and hugged him, "Ahhh, Chu Sinian! What are you doing here all of a sudden! I fucking won the championship, you know that? I'm the champion!"
Chu Sinian was knocked backward by the impact, and the bouquet fell heavily to the ground, its petals bouncing back and flying everywhere.
Amidst the stunned expressions of the group, someone reached out and helped the person who was about to fall right up, then looked sternly at Ning Zicheng.
Ning Zicheng was stunned. "Coach, Si Nian..."
Chu Sinian smiled, picked up the flowers, and stuffed them into his arms. "Let's see if you'll bump into me again next time."
"Damn, how did the coach get here?" Zhang Xiu asked.
“How else can we get through this? We’ll get through it lying down, sleeping on our side, or even just sitting there,” Li Liao replied.
Ning Zicheng smiled apologetically at him, "I won the championship this year."
"See? He won so well through his own abilities." Chu Sinian said as he descended the steps and passed Chen Chi, "Thank you."
Ning Zicheng caught up with him, "Let's go to the celebration party, I've already booked the restaurant!" He turned to Chen Chi and called out, "Coach, don't sneak away again! Let's go celebrate!"
Before Chen Chi could answer, the loud voice on the other end started again, "Chu Sinian, let's go! This time I'll treat you to a good meal!"
He pulled them along, waving his trophy-holding hand at them with a bright smile.
Zhang Xiu and Li Liao left arm in arm, and Yi Fan looked at Chen Chi, who hummed in response and walked at the back to join them at the celebration banquet.
Ning Zicheng said he would treat them to a good meal, which would have to be top-notch.
There's a secluded private kitchen restaurant in Beijing, its decor inspired by Tang Dynasty architecture. Entering through the magnificent, antique gate, several women with painted eyebrows and powdered faces dance to the elegant sounds of a guqin and pipa ensemble, accompanied by the gentle murmur of flowing water, creating a truly soothing atmosphere.
Chu Sinian and Ning Zicheng had visited this place quite often when they were in Beijing. The private chef had received the news beforehand and led the group inside, saying, "What award did you win? You seem so happy."
Ning Zicheng spoke first, his eyes and brows beaming with joy, "Uncle, I won the national championship!" He ran to Chen Chi, who was at the very back, and said, "This friend of mine is Chen Chi. He's our coach. He's incredibly talented. It was thanks to his training that we won the championship."
Ning Zicheng introduced everyone to the private chef, and then they went into the hall to choose seats.
Zhang Xiu, Li Liao, Yi Fan, and the others were already chatting enthusiastically. Usually, Chen Chi would have Yi Fan to talk to, but now that Yi Fan was entangled with the other two, he naturally had no time to pay attention to Chen Chi.
Ning Zicheng nudged Chu Sinian with her shoulder, "Hey, what's going on between you and the coach? He's been asking me about you."
Chu Sinian paused, holding his cup, and looked at Chen Chi standing up not far away. He smiled and said, "He probably wants to find out about my schedule so he can get revenge on me."
"Damn, that's an exaggeration. Our coach is quite reasonable. He may seem cold on the outside, but he's warm on the inside."
Chu Sinian neither confirmed nor denied it, but said, "My heart is indeed very warm."
Last time I even grabbed him by the neck and said there wouldn't be a next time, how could I not be angry?
Ning Zicheng shared his exciting competition experience with Chu Sinian, who expressed his great satisfaction, saying, "Where did that carefree attitude you had when we first met go? Your uncle and aunt will be so happy to give you more pocket money now."
Ning Zicheng was a little embarrassed. "Why are you bringing up that time? How old are you now? But my mom really has to give me another zero, otherwise I'll throw a tantrum."
Chu Sinian said, "This is the ultimate goal, isn't it?"
"Screw you, I'm just enriching my life experience, okay?"
Chu Sinian nodded in agreement, "Okay, then give me the zero that's added up."
Ning Zicheng was speechless. After sharing the exciting match with him, she went to find Yi Fan to continue sharing her excitement.
Chu Sinian finally had some free time. He watched Chen Chi's departing figure and followed after him.
Outside the ancient garden corridor, a stream flows quietly, and Chen Chi stands there, a scarlet cigarette between his slender fingers.
A long, thin mist pierced through his cold, stern brows as he looked over.
"You still have that deadpan face even after winning the championship." Chu Sinian smiled, his eyes and brows displaying feigned charm, his cold face as beautiful as a weapon.
Chen Chi stubbed out his cigarette, stuffing the half-smoked cigarette into his pocket. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, but why don't you even feel like smoking when you see me?"
"You didn't come to see me."
"Oh? You're so insecure about yourself?" Chu Sinian turned around, rested his forearm on the railing, and looked at the stream. "How are you doing, Coach Chen?"
Having just finished smoking, Chen Chi's voice was low, making his already deep tone sound hoarse, "How are you doing? Do you care?"
As if he hadn't expected him to ask that, Chu Sinian's smile froze for a moment, and he turned to look at him, "Why would I care about you? And do you care about me?"
Chen Chi didn't look at him, and neither of them spoke.
This isn't something they should be talking about, Chu Sinian thought, a strange feeling creeping into his heart. He then contradicted his previous answer, "Of course I didn't come to see you, I came to see Ning Zicheng."
Chen Chi said, "No."
Chu Sinian interrupted him, "What? You really think I came here to see you?" As if he had heard something funny, Chu Sinian laughed wildly, "Are you crazy? You're too narcissistic."
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, and the gurgling water splashed icy droplets onto the bluestone platform, spreading dampness.
"Engagement banquet".
“You came for Yu Shi.”
Chu Sinian suddenly narrowed his eyes and stared at him, "How do you know Yu Shi?"
A hint of sarcasm played on Chen Chi's lips. "Am I not even allowed to know?"
"You're investigating me?" Chu Sinian's expression shifted between light and shadow, a sharp thorn piercing his eyes. "Or are you investigating Yu Shi?"
Is there a difference?
Chu Sinian sneered, "Are you trying to warn me that you've grown powerful enough to threaten me at any time?"
Chen Chi suddenly looked over and stared at him, his dark eyes filled with gloom. "When I mentioned Yu, you got so angry with me?"
He moved closer, a deep flame gradually igniting in his eyes, his tone harsh and sinister, "Fine, Chu Sinian."
"If he gets any closer to me, I'll make my move."
Chu Sinian calmed down and saw the undisguised gloom in the other person's eyes, which clearly showed his extremely serious warning at this moment.
He wasn't joking. Based on Chu Sinian's understanding of him, he knew he had offended Chen Chi and there was no way to salvage the situation.
Chu Sinian felt his heart grow cold.
“You’re mentally ill,” he said sternly. “You should be alone for the rest of your life.”
Chen Chi grabbed his clothes, pinned him against a pillar, and stared at him with a terrifying expression. "What did you say?"
Chu Sinian's back ached a little from the impact, and he frowned slightly as he looked at him. "I'm telling you, you're mentally ill, and you'll be like this for many years to come."
Suddenly, a fist came flying at him, slamming into him.
Chu Sinian subconsciously closed his eyes. The fierce wind from the punch blew the hair on his forehead. He heard Chen Chi's extremely hoarse voice, "Get out."
"Get out of here."
Chen Chi let go, gripping the pillar tightly with his five fingers, as waves of violent emotions surged through his mind, overwhelming his brain like a tidal wave.
He breathed heavily, finding it increasingly difficult to control his breathing. When Chen Chi opened his eyes again, there was no one in front of him.
At a celebratory banquet, some harbored their own secrets, while others laughed and joked, slowly savoring the joy of winning the championship as they shared their stories.
When the last few people left, only Chu Sinian, who had a high alcohol tolerance, and Chen Chi, who hadn't been drinking, were still sober; everyone else was completely drunk.
Chu Sinian and Chen Chi each led the two people back to their hotel by car. After dropping them off at the hotel, Chu Sinian wanted to leave, but seeing Ning Zicheng and Zhang Xiu walking unsteadily, he sighed and took them back to their room.
As Chu Sinian was about to leave, he realized that Chen Chi had a room to himself.
He stood at the hotel elevator entrance, his body reeking of Ning Zicheng's alcohol. It was late, and he should go home.
The elevator was slowly ascending. He took a step back, stood for a few seconds, and then turned and walked towards the stairwell.
Chu Sinian walked to room 1201 and knocked on the door.
There was no response, only the sound of heavy footsteps, and then the door was opened.
Chu Sinian looked up and saw Chen Chi's cold and gloomy face.
Looking down, you see his dark purple shirt with two buttons undone. The slightly open collar reveals the lines from his neck to his chest, strong and muscular.
Chu Sinian unconsciously stepped back.
Chen Chi lowered his eyes, "Why are you backing down? Are you afraid of me?"
Chu Sinian had no intention of refuting or joking. "I'm not here to cause trouble."
Chen Chi said, "What do you mean?"
"I'm sorry about saying you're mentally ill."
Chen Chi's back stiffened.
"Are you afraid I'll retaliate against Yu Shi, so you've come to apologize?"
Chu Sinian pursed his lips, neither admitting nor denying.
In the long silence, Chen Chi's gaze slowly roamed across his face.
From his eyebrows to his jawline, Chu Sinian has never changed; it's as if he's been magnified proportionally.
As a child, she was meticulously groomed and spoiled; as she grew up, she became increasingly refined and elegant.
Chen Chi recalled their reunion at the bar, and that fox-like face under the hazy, flickering lights. His eyes, nose, and lips—every frame and scene from his childhood to the present—were etched vividly in his mind.
My unparalleled memory has somehow become a source of trouble.
The world changes, and things are ever-changing, but some moments become eternal.
Chen Chi's thin lips moved slightly: "Is Yu Shi that important?"
Chu Sinian raised his gaze and looked into those dark, deep eyes. "Very important."
Chen Chi said, "He has a boyfriend."
Chu Sinian laughed, "Yu Shi and I are like family. If Yu Shi is implicated because of me, I will not let you off the hook."
Chen Chi lowered his brows, his dark, thick eyes fixed on Chu Sinian, and said in a low, threatening voice, "I didn't investigate him."
"And then what?"
Chen Chi was speechless.
A surge of anger welled up inside him, and vicious words danced in his mind. His patience, which he had long since forgotten, miraculously returned. With his face bruised and swollen, he suppressed his malice and forced out four words in frustration: "Unreasonable."
"You're the first person to say that."
Chu Sinian composed himself and said, "I will not bother you anymore."
“I was surprised to meet you in Dong’an. Given our relationship, I shouldn’t interfere in your affairs.”
He looked at Chen Chi as if he were a stranger, "It all ends here, as you wish."
Chu Sinian left.
Chen Chi was immediately stunned.
He stood at the door for a long time, his clothes swaying in the gusts of wind, yet he remained ramrod straight.
Chen Chi lowered his eyes, looked at the footprints on the carpet in front of him, frowned, and seemed to want to step on them, but did not move for a long time.
He didn't know how long he stayed in the corridor until his body got cold from the wind, then he seemed to realize something, closed the door and went back to his room.
—
As a child, Chen Chi was not very likable. He was quiet and introverted. While other children were playing happily, he always had a deadpan expression and no one paid him any attention.
His father believed he had a mental illness early on and sent him to a mental hospital when he was of school age. For those few years, he received treatment from mental patients, ate their food, and slept in their beds, which forced him to develop bipolar disorder.
He was violent, gloomy, and unpredictable, and as venomous as a snake, full of malice towards the outside world.
That same year, his father was imprisoned for a criminal case, and the evidence that led to his imprisonment appeared out of nowhere in the bureau chief's office.
Moreover, every police officer found inexplicable evidence documents in their hands. To this day, no one in the huge Dong'an Police Station knows who sent the documents or where the evidence came from.
That same year, Chen Chi was once again labeled a jinx.
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