Chu Xinghui had originally wanted to hit cancel, but Pei Hanmo had sent too many requests, and the teasing in the livestream hadn't helped.
Luckily, he was still wearing his frog headpiece, or everyone in the livestream would have seen his surprised expression.
He hit confirm.
Pei Hanmo hadn't turned on voice chat. He simply waited quietly for Chu Xinghui to arrive.
As soon as Chu Xinghui entered, he started a ranked match.
[Why isn't the other guy using voice chat?]
[Xinghan suddenly feels a little fake. Isn't this just selling a gay ship?]
[Same... Pei Hanmo's even changing his persona to get along with Chu Xinghui. It's blatant ship-baiting.]
[Agreed. Suddenly feels fake.]
Looking at the messages in the livestream, Chu Xinghui let out a huge sigh of relief.
Did this count as a blessing in disguise?
Since he hadn't played in a long time, Chu Xinghui had dropped quite a few ranks and was now in Gold (very low).
He picked a random jungler. Unless something unexpected happened, the opponents should be bots.
Black Earth Ink picked Yao and sent Japanese Army Hui a heart.
Chu Xinghui: ...
When the timer ran out, the match began. Clearly, something unexpected had happened: the opponents were real people.
They even sent a provocative message.
[I'll Chop Your Head Off: A couple on the other team? I hate couples the most. Just wait till I slaughter you.]
[Black Earth Ink: Protect me, Older Brother. I'm so scared QAQ.]
Seriously, dude?
Chu Xinghui stared wide-eyed at Pei Hanmo's message, as though he couldn't understand the words.
[Confirmed. That's not Pei Hanmo.]
[Maybe they just have the same name... But with that intimacy level, it really could be ship-baiting.]
[Exactly. Just buy a few gifts and send them over on the spot~]
While he dutifully farmed his own jungle, Pei Hanmo slipped into the enemy jungle to stir up trouble.
He kept calling Chu Xinghui Older Brother as he ran wild.
Listening to the death sound effects coming from beside him, Gu Mingyue stared at Chu Xinghui's livestream, drenched in sweat.
Honestly, if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed Pei Hanmo was sending those messages.
Who could understand? Gu Chupei had just invited him over to chat, and he'd gotten bored and happened to open Chu Xinghui's livestream.
After the green frog assaulted his eyes, the sound of Pei Hanmo starting up a game suddenly came from behind him.
Chu Xinghui's livestream in front, Pei Hanmo behind-Mingyue was caught between them.
He howled inwardly, Could you lovebirds stop showing off in front of a single guy, aaaaaah!
Chu Xinghui ended the livestream without taking off his frog costume, even at the very end.
If he hadn't known Pei Hanmo was using that game account, Chu Xinghui would have suspected a hen was playing on the other end.
He'd called him Older Brother hundreds of times in a single match.
He didn't even recognize the words Older Brother anymore.
"Huihui... I know I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I still want to."
Gu Kai was scrolling through Weibo on his phone, his expression hard to describe.
"The Xinghan Super Topic has already Photoshopped a marriage certificate for you two."
"?"
Chu Xinghui turned his head in astonishment.
"Didn't they say I was ship-baiting? Why are they Photoshopping pictures now?"
A shipper's heart was impossible to fathom!
"They must be trying to keep it from getting so popular that people find it annoying."
Wen Liangtian seemed thoroughly familiar with this sort of thing.
"After all, your Super Topic is just too popular, so they have to tell outsiders it's ship-baiting.
"Another explanation is that you two are so real, you're scaring the shippers."
As the only person present who didn't know about Chu Xinghui and Pei Hanmo's relationship, Wen Liangtian delivered a perfectly coherent analysis.
"Since Liangtian's explained it, I won't."
Gu Kai had only come over to help Chu Xinghui with the livestream. Now that it was finished, it was time for him to leave.
Once I get home, I can secretly browse the Xinghan Super Topic!
There'll probably be loads of fan art today!
A smile instantly spread across his face, and he waved at Chu Xinghui.
"I'll head off now, Huihui~"
"Mm."
Chu Xinghui waved back, but no matter how he looked at it, Gu Kai's expression resembled that Lolita-dressed girl's.
Once Gu Kai closed the door, Wen Liangtian took a deep breath and placed both hands on Lan Xiangxian's shoulders.
"Xiangxian, listen to me."
Caught off guard by the hands suddenly pressing on his shoulders, Lan Xiangxian looked at Wen Liangtian in confusion.
"What is it, Liangtian?"
Seeing that Wen Liangtian was about to say it, Chu Xinghui's expression grew somber too. He sat down on a stool nearby and waited for Wen Liangtian to speak.
"That first love Gu Chupei talked about is coming back. I don't know when, but it might be soon.
"Xiangxian, how about leaving the home Gu Chupei prepared for you for now?
"Huihui and I will help you with whatever comes after."
Lan Xiangxian showed little reaction to the news. He only froze briefly before breaking into a smile.
"There's no need, Liangtian. My mom's still in Gu Chupei's hands. He said if I don't go back tonight, he'll have to consider what to do with her..."
The smile was flawless. Wen Liangtian couldn't find a single crack in it.
Was this the best acting Lan Xiangxian had ever done?
But the revelation that spilled from Lan Xiangxian's mouth left both of them rooted to the spot.
"You mean Gu Chupei's using your mom's life to keep you tied to him?"
Chu Xinghui didn't know who his own mother was, so he treasured family especially deeply.
The thought of Gu Chupei threatening Lan Xiangxian with his family made him furious. He grabbed his phone and messaged Pei Hanmo.
[Chu Xinghui: Did you know Gu Chupei's threatening Lan Xiangxian with his family's lives?]
Pei Hanmo knew Chu Xinghui valued family above all else. He could even picture his angry expression.
[Boss (moneybags version): I tried persuading him (aggrieved.jdg).]
Those few words told Chu Xinghui that Gu Chupei wasn't going to let Lan Xiangxian go.
Looking at their grave expressions, Lan Xiangxian kept the smile on his face.
"Actually, I know my mother's illness has long been incurable. Even in the critical care ward, she's only clinging to life.
"I've been too greedy, wanting her to stay in this world too long, wanting her to spend more time with me.
"When I'm all alone someday, I'll come find you."
He stood up and picked up the bag he'd left on the sofa.
"Once that person comes back, I'll be free."
Gu Chupei had already sent dozens of messages, every one sweetly urging him to come home.
But threats were mixed in among them.
"How many times have you checked your phone since earlier?"
Pei Hanmo questioned Gu Chupei coldly.
Although he couldn't interfere in this matter, since Chu Xinghui had spoken up, he would naturally help Older Brother to the very end.
He had experienced Gu Chupei's current state himself, back when Chu Xinghui had brought up breaking up.
He'd sent Chu Xinghui countless messages without receiving a reply, and had even entertained the idea of having the people around him tie Chu Xinghui up and imprison him at home.
But he'd held himself back. He knew love obtained that way wasn't true love.
He hoped Gu Chupei could understand that too.
Before you continue