WG - 48

Before Chi Zhiyu could react,

Xie Ye sat up slightly, staring at her still-stunned expression. His lips curved upward as he murmured softly, “This time, the advantage you took wasn’t small.”

“However,” he didn’t seem the least bit bothered by being taken advantage of. Instead, he casually reminded her, “Next time, remember to aim more accurately.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu stared at his still smug expression. Her mind, accustomed to bantering with him, paused for two seconds before she nodded. “Alright.”

Xie Ye: “?”

“I’ll aim better next time.”

“…”

After her words fell, Chi Zhiyu finally snapped back to reality, belatedly realizing that her lips felt slightly numb and tingly.

And the place she had just touched…

Her gaze unconsciously shifted upward, landing on his thin lips.

The next second—

By the time Chi Zhiyu realized what she had just done and said, her body stiffened.

She could hardly believe her own ears. A rush of blood surged to her face, and her ears instantly turned bright red. She couldn’t utter a single word.

Xie Ye didn’t speak either, merely gazing at her with deep, inscrutable eyes.

For some inexplicable reason, when Chi Zhiyu met his gaze, her scalp tingled. She immediately turned her head toward the computer screen, avoiding his eyes, and stammered awkwardly, “Th-this…”

Her voice was hoarse, so she cleared her throat. “I still don’t know how to play this. Teach me again.”

Xie Ye’s obsidian eyes glinted, his tone unhurried as he asked, “Didn’t I just teach you?”

“I heard it earlier, but I didn’t quite remember.” Chi Zhiyu feigned calmness. “Explain it again—I’ll definitely remember this time.”

“Oh.” Xie Ye slowly asked, “Why didn’t you remember?”

At his words, Chi Zhiyu recalled their earlier position, which instantly made her brain flush with heat. She pursed her lips and hastily improvised, “Because—”

“Because,” Xie Ye cut in smoothly, watching her, “you weren’t listening at all.”

“…” Chi Zhiyu didn’t process his words immediately. “Huh?”

Xie Ye’s dark eyes fixed on her without blinking. He didn’t repeat himself. “Here—”

He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing the edge of her earlobe, pinching it gently. The corner of his lips curled upward. “Your ears are red.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu’s breath hitched.

His fingertips were cool against her heated ear cartilage. That spot was now warm, as if infected by her own heat.

When he pointed it out so bluntly, her ears, which had just begun to calm down, flushed red again.

Her mind went blank, and her body froze stiff.

“What are you thinking about?” Xie Ye’s thumb grazed her earlobe teasingly, dragging out his words. “Oh, they’re red again.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu immediately crumbled under his teasing. She raised her hand to cover her ears and glared at him. “Can you stop talking?!”

Seeing her bristle like a startled cat,

Xie Ye couldn’t help but chuckle softly. He withdrew his hand, raising an eyebrow, and stopped teasing her. “If I don’t talk, how am I supposed to teach you this?”

As he spoke, he pulled her chair closer to his side with one hand.

Chi Zhiyu’s body swayed slightly, and she narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. “What are you doing?”

Xie Ye casually picked up the mouse, placing it in front of her, and once again guided her hands to control it.

Chi Zhiyu paused briefly.

Xie Ye glanced at her from the side, his tone loaded with meaning. “Listen carefully this time. I’m only teaching you once. If your mind wanders again…”

Before he could finish, Chi Zhiyu hastily interrupted, feeling embarrassed. “I got it, I got it. Hurry up and teach.”

Don’t say useless things.

As if he’d caught the subtext of her words, Xie Ye’s brow quirked slightly, and the corners of his lips curved upward. “Oh, you understand this time?”

Naturally enveloped in his embrace, Chi Zhiyu nodded. “I think so.”

Xie Ye’s lips twitched slightly, whether he believed her or not. But regardless, he walked her through the system’s operations once more.

Perhaps it was a case of familiarity breeding ease. This time, Chi Zhiyu didn’t feel awkward. She listened attentively to his instructions while memorizing the steps.

Later, she instinctively leaned back, naturally falling into his embrace. Her attention was entirely focused on the game, her brows furrowed as she stared at the screen, feeling inexplicably frustrated. “Why can’t I hit the target properly?”

Xie Ye casually moved the mouse for her. “Shoot.”

Upon hearing this, Chi Zhiyu instinctively pressed the left button.

A gunshot rang out.

Chi Zhiyu clicked her tongue impatiently, releasing the mouse. “I’m done playing. It’s obviously on your side.”

Xie Ye chuckled softly.

Rising from his embrace, Chi Zhiyu handed the mouse back to him. “You practice on your own. I’ll supervise you.”

Xie Ye accepted it lazily with a hum.

Chi Zhiyu sat back in her seat, following along as she watched the computer screen.

But after only a few moments, she realized that the software he was using now seemed completely different from what she had been playing earlier.

Chi Zhiyu watched as his long, slender fingers swiftly danced across the keyboard, controlling the character’s movements. His right hand firmly held the gun, firing bullets that all landed precisely in the center of the target.

After exhausting the ammunition in the device, Xie Ye released the mouse and stretched his wrists.

Chi Zhiyu looked at his calm expression, inexplicably sensing an air of “See? These little games are nothing” about him.

Suddenly, she remembered something Lin Jie had said.

Top of the server.

That must mean he’s incredibly strong.

Had they sought him out because of that?

Chi Zhiyu pondered for a moment before hesitantly asking, “Are you going to the club in a few days?”

Now that the college entrance exams were over, it seemed like a week had already passed since the agreed-upon date in his contract.

Perhaps knowing she would ask this,

Xie Ye indifferently hummed in acknowledgment.

Chi Zhiyu pursed her lips. “Has Lin Jie already gone?”

Xie Ye: “I don’t know.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu faltered. “Didn’t you ask him?”

Xie Ye calmly replied, “What’s there to ask?”

“You two were classmates after all. And now you’re both going together. Don’t you think you should—”

“Wait a minute.” Xie Ye interrupted her.

Chi Zhiyu: “Hmm?”

Xie Ye glanced at her, drawling lazily, “What do you mean by ‘going together’?”

“…”

Xie Ye seemed to find this statement problematic. He smirked faintly, dragging out his words. “How long has it been? Are you tossing me aside for someone else already?”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu burst into laughter. “That’s not what I meant. Why are you jumping to conclusions?”

She corrected herself. “I meant that since you two are going to the club together, you should at least show some concern for each other.”

“Oh.” Xie Ye sneered. “Is he still a kid?”

“Forget it.” Chi Zhiyu grew tired of this topic and switched to another key point. “So, Lin Jie has already gone, but you haven’t. Won’t they say anything about you?”

It must look bad to be late for so long before even becoming an official team member.

Chi Zhiyu worried that he might get scolded or isolated.

Xie Ye, however, seemed completely unfazed, casually asking, “Say what about me?”

“Say that you’re…” Chi Zhiyu hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “…arrogant and domineering.”

“…”

Xie Ye’s tone dripped with arrogance. “Me? Arrogant?”

Chi Zhiyu blurted out, “Aren’t you?”

Xie Ye’s lips curved slightly, his tone leisurely. “Nope.”

“…”

“So you think I’m arrogant and domineering?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.” Xie Ye sized her up, his tone playful. “Then maybe you need to take a deeper, more thorough understanding of your partner’s personality.”

“…”

Chi Zhiyu thought this guy seriously lacked self-awareness. She didn’t respond to his comment and continued, “So when are you planning to go to the club?”

Xie Ye shrugged lazily. “We’ll see.”

“If you’re leaving, remember to tell me in advance.” Chi Zhiyu hesitated for a moment. “I can come and see you off.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Ye didn’t respond immediately but glanced at the time and casually remarked, “Three hours left.”

“What?” Chi Zhiyu didn’t understand.

“Your birthday.”

“Hmm, so what?”

“I told the club I’d leave on the fourteenth.”

Chi Zhiyu froze.

Today was the thirteenth.

“Because I wanted to,” Xie Ye raised his hand, ruffling the top of her head forcefully. His voice carried a light laugh as he slowly, deliberately enunciated each word. “To spend your birthday with you.”

That’s why he waited until now.

...

Thanks to Jian Yazhi’s words, Chi Zhiyu and Xie Ye didn’t linger too long before heading downstairs to eat cake.

Every year, the birthday routine was the same—a small cake.

Since Chi Zhiyu couldn’t eat much, and Xie Ye didn’t like sweets, the cake wasn’t large. Just enough for everyone to taste.

The cake stayed the same size, but the number of candles on top kept increasing.

Xie Ye placed the final candle and casually lit it with a lighter.

Jian Yazhi turned off the lights. In the dim room, only the flickering yellow glow of the candles illuminated the space, casting soft light.

As if driving away the surrounding darkness.

Chi Zhiyu stared at the bright candles on the cake, her expression somewhat absent.

Xie Ye broke her train of thought, saying indifferently, “Make a wish.”

“Oh.” Chi Zhiyu refocused her gaze on the candles, pausing quietly for a few seconds.

She had never made a wish before.

Every year, she simply pretended to close her eyes, never thinking of any wishes.

Because there was no god.

And if there were—

They wouldn’t bother fulfilling her desires.

But this time, Chi Zhiyu clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, earnestly making a silent wish in her heart.

After about ten seconds, she opened her eyes, leaned forward, and blew out the candles one by one. Jian Yazhi turned the lights back on, offered her blessings, and then cut and distributed small slices of cake to them.

“Aunt Jian, it’s late. You should go rest first,” Chi Zhiyu glanced at the clock.

It was already past eleven o’clock.

Patients needed to stick to a regular schedule. Normally, Jian Yazhi would have been asleep by this time. She had stayed awake tonight just for Chi Zhiyu’s birthday.

“Alright. You two should rest early too. Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

Chi Zhiyu nodded, watching Jian Yazhi return to her room. She then casually sat at the dining table, eating her slice of cake, finding it surprisingly delicious.

Xie Ye poured her a glass of water and lazily sat beside her, fiddling with his phone. He didn’t touch his cake.

After finishing her small slice, Chi Zhiyu set down her fork, resisting the urge to eat more, but she couldn’t help glancing at his untouched piece.

“If you want to eat, go ahead.” Xie Ye pushed the plate toward her, tilting his chin.

Chi Zhiyu shook her head. “It’s too late. I can’t eat anymore. I’ll gain weight.”

Upon hearing this, Xie Ye didn’t say anything. Instead, he picked up a forkful of cake and held it to her lips, drawling lazily, “Open up.”

Chi Zhiyu froze, hesitating for a long moment before finally obeying.

Xie Ye quietly fed her, spooning a few bites. “Want more?”

Chi Zhiyu shook her head. “No, thanks.”

Xie Ye hummed softly, setting the fork down. “That’s enough.”

Chi Zhiyu licked a bit of frosting from the corner of her lips. “What do you mean, ‘enough’?”

“It’s time.” Xie Ye turned to look at her, meeting her eyes. He raised his hand, gently brushing the corner of her lips. His voice was low and husky, both ambiguous and tender.

“Happy eighteenth birthday, Chi Zhiyu.”

The next afternoon.

Chi Zhiyu accompanied Xie Ye to the YG Club as promised.

Jian Yazhi didn’t join them but joked as they left, saying that with Xiaozhi around, it was like she was going in her place.

When they arrived at the YG Club building, Lin Jie was already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing them approach, he waved enthusiastically, swiped his card to open the door, and led them inside. He confidently took the elevator to the third floor.

The elevator was transparent, suspended in mid-air, offering a view of the first and second floors below.

This was Chi Zhiyu’s first visit.

Looking at the first floor’s setup, it resembled a training camp. Rows of computers were spaced evenly apart. If you had to describe it, it was somewhat like an internet café, though the environment and equipment here were far more professional.

The trainees on the first floor noticed the strangers entering. They assumed it was another trainee, but to their surprise, the visitors headed directly to the third floor.

The third floor was where the main team trained. They had previously heard rumors of two new recruits, but it was still uncertain. They needed to undergo some polishing first.

One of them, Lin Jie, they had already seen. But the other remained unseen.

Word had it that the person was quite skilled.

Curious, the trainees stared at the elevator, catching a glimpse of a figure—apparently, a girl.

???

Did they recruit a girl this time?

No way.

When the elevator reached the third floor, it chimed open.

Chi Zhiyu followed behind Xie Ye as they stepped out.

Before she could steady herself, an exaggerated voice rang out from ahead.

“Oh my! Our Ye Ge is finally here!”

Yang Bin ran over, intending to hug Xie Ye, but his gaze suddenly caught sight of someone standing behind him—someone with long hair.

Hmm?

Long hair?

He froze, quickly tilting his head to peek behind Xie Ye. When he saw the delicate, pretty face, he was stunned.

Chi Zhiyu stood in place, her gaze suddenly meeting a youthful-looking boy full of innocence. She blinked and waved first. “Hello.”

“Holy crap!”

Yang Bin immediately took a step back, his expression shocked. Realizing his mistake, he hurriedly apologized. “No, no, Miss! Don’t misunderstand—I wasn’t cursing you.”

Chi Zhiyu, recognizing the familiar phrase, smiled. “It’s fine. I know.”

Yang Bin was still bewildered, looking up at Xie Ye with hesitation. “Ye Ge, who is…?”

Before Chi Zhiyu could introduce herself,

Xie Ye lazily hummed, “Oh,” and then reached out to take her hand, which had been hanging by her side.

Chi Zhiyu paused, instinctively turning her head to look at him.

Xie Ye’s palm shifted slightly, his fingertips lightly hooking her fingers. He looked at Yang Bin across from them with an air of nonchalance. He quirked his lips, drawing out his tone. “Can’t you tell?”

“?”

“This is my significant other.”