Except for the one time Bai Yu lost his temper, the training room had never been this quiet.
Outside, staff members whispered among themselves. Even though gossiping was strictly prohibited, they couldn’t resist the temptation. The team's confidentiality protocols were solid, but no secret stays hidden forever.
Once someone recognized the new coach as Lin Kun, the news spread quickly through private group chats. Not long after, however, a message appeared in the main group chat: discussion strictly forbidden.
Bai Yu personally drafted a long message, fabricating a new identity for Lin Kun. If outsiders asked, they were to use this cover story. No personal details about Lin Kun were to be revealed under any circumstances.
This had been Lin Kun’s only condition when signing on. After staying away from the public eye for so long, he had returned solely to support Bai Yu. He had no interest in getting pulled back into the spotlight.
Bai Yu’s phone wouldn’t stop lighting up with messages from Zhou Xunwen, who insisted on knowing how Lu Sheng had reacted. Although Bai Yu did enjoy seeing Lu Sheng get put in his place, he wasn’t keen on others witnessing it too, so he brushed Zhou Xunwen off with a brief reply: “They didn’t fight. Everything’s great.”
He even sent a photo of the “harmonious” training session.
Zhou Xunwen was completely disappointed. “Seriously? Lu Sheng just gave in like that? Did you bribe him with something?”
The word “bribe” made Bai Yu uncomfortable. He gave a vague answer and left it at that. When training wrapped up, he quickly pocketed his phone and walked in.
Just then, Song Bo stopped him at the door with a question. Bai Yu couldn’t brush him off, so he stayed and discussed it with him in the hallway. From inside, Lin Kun’s voice could be heard wrapping up the session. It was still the first day, so he hadn’t pushed them too hard. After packing up, he walked to the door and gave Bai Yu a nod in passing.
Bai Yu returned the nod and instinctively glanced at Lu Sheng.
He was back in uniform, tidying up his equipment and shutting down his computer. Hands in his pockets, he walked out without saying a word.
He noticed Bai Yu as he passed. Bai Yu had intended to call out to him, but the moment their eyes met, Lu Sheng turned away and walked off.
Song Bo, standing nearby, was still animatedly sharing his thoughts. “We’ve got a big advantage against FFT. If Shi’an can hold the top lane, our win rate goes above fifty percent. FFT is definitely under more pressure, so in the first playoff match, they’ll probably go with a riskier comp. We can counter with something more traditional, but we’ll need to drill the basics hard...”
Bai Yu replied with a distracted “Mm,” clearly preoccupied.
After adjusting Song Bo’s lineup and giving him a few more instructions, he sent him off to dinner.
Then he headed in Lu Sheng’s direction.
The sky outside had already begun to darken. At this time, most people were eating. The courtyard was empty except for Lu Sheng, who stood alone by a bench, cigarette in hand, looking thoroughly annoyed.
Bai Yu could more or less guess what had happened. Chen Shi’an had probably withheld the truth, misleading Lu Sheng and triggering such a strong reaction.
Chen Shi’an had sensed Bai Yu’s hesitation and chosen to play the bad guy himself.
For something big to succeed, someone always had to bleed. Chen Shi’an had taken the first hit. Lu Sheng was now going through his trial. Fang Zhixu, Xu Bo, Qi Yi, they would all make sacrifices in time.
Bai Yu had walked this path himself. He knew every sacrifice was worth it.
He had also told Lu Sheng in advance: dating him would come with hardship. He had said he’d keep work and personal life separate.
Even so, seeing Lu Sheng standing alone, smoking outside, not even looking particularly sad, still made him seem pitiful somehow. Bai Yu felt the urge to comfort him.
He didn’t quite understand the feeling and didn’t bother analyzing it. He simply walked over and asked, “Why aren’t you eating? You feeling okay?”
Lu Sheng stubbed out his cigarette when he saw him approach. “Not hungry,” he said.
Bai Yu looked at him, sensing that he really did mind the situation, so he offered an explanation. “I don’t know what Chen Shi’an told you. I assumed you were on board with the decision...”
Yes, Chen Shi’an had steered him. But fundamentally, this was a team decision to bring in a new coach. Lu Sheng’s opinion hadn’t been necessary.
As a player, his job was to follow team arrangements and perform.
That’s how it was in North America. No personal feelings. No close bonds. Just a relentless drive to crush every opponent.
But things had changed since Bai Yu became team lead.
It was as if he’d gained a weakness. He was no longer invincible, no longer had that ruthless edge he’d carried to North America.
His biggest problem with Lin Kun wasn’t the man himself. It was that he feared Lin Kun really might be better than him. That Bai Yu had been right all along.
Lu Sheng didn’t speak right away, afraid he’d give too much away. He took another drag from his cigarette, eyes heavy with thought as he stared at Bai Yu.
Bai Yu’s tone had softened completely, very different from the professionalism he’d shown earlier. “If this is making you uncomfortable, talk to me. I can mediate. Okay?”
Lu Sheng raised his eyes and asked, “When you said you wanted to talk yesterday, was it because you really liked me, or were you trying to make it up to me?”
The question caught Bai Yu off guard. It was a while before he responded. “Why would you think that?”
Lu Sheng couldn’t help it. He had chased Bai Yu for so long with no progress. Then, the day before Lin Kun joined, Bai Yu suddenly gave in. It felt more like a settlement than a confession.
He took another puff and said with growing indifference, “Bai Yu, I don’t want pity. If that’s what this is, then let’s forget it ever happened. You be the captain. I’ll be the player. Just like the contract said. Business and personal matters completely separate.”
Bai Yu stared at him for a long moment. Then, the ever-polite Bai Yu swore at him. “Lu Sheng, are you stupid?”
Lu Sheng blinked, confused by the sudden insult. He looked up and saw real frustration on Bai Yu’s face. “You think I don’t understand the difference between work and personal life?”
His cigarette burned his fingers before he realized what had been said.
“So... it’s not compensation?”
Bai Yu honestly didn’t understand how Lu Sheng’s mind worked. Why would he ever think something like this was a form of compensation?
Realizing he was wrong, Lu Sheng’s expression shifted. He immediately tried to pull Bai Yu in, but Bai Yu was still upset and wouldn’t budge. “If you really want to pretend none of this happened, fine by me.”
He tried to dodge, but Lu Sheng was too fast and way too strong.
His hand clamped around Bai Yu’s wrist, pulling him close. He wanted to apologize but didn’t know how. All he could do was wrap his arms around Bai Yu and hug him tightly.
Bai Yu couldn’t break free, so he let him hold on. Since everything was already out in the open, he might as well lay it all out. “For me, career will always come before relationships. I’m not going to throw away ninety million like you did. I won’t play favorites in the team. If that makes you feel wronged and you want out, I won’t stop you.”
The streetlight flickered on, casting an eerie pale glow across Bai Yu’s face. He didn’t look at Lu Sheng. His calm expression had a strange beauty to it. Even though he was speaking plainly, something about him stirred darker thoughts, like you might want to make him cry just to see what it looked like.
Lu Sheng felt that maybe he’d wasted too much effort trying to explain himself. He should have just kissed him and been done with it.
He rubbed the back of Bai Yu’s head, his gaze darkening, leaning in as if he really meant to do it. Bai Yu wouldn’t give in, so Lu Sheng tried harder to pull him close. “I’m not upset. I like it this way.”
He lowered his head, eyes full of intent.
Bai Yu saw him leaning in and grew flustered.
But Lu Sheng stopped just short, his lips barely two centimeters away. His eyes gleamed as if he’d already kissed him. “So they’re work. I’m personal. Right?”
Bai Yu gave a soft laugh. “What else would you be?”
Everyone said Bai Yu only cared about the game. Bai Yu had believed that too. But Lu Sheng had changed something. Thrown a wrench into his plans.
He admitted it. “At first, I did think this kind of relationship would hold me back. You did mess with my focus. But before I said yes to you, I’d already decided to turn that emotion into motivation.”
He didn’t look at Lu Sheng while speaking, so he missed the way Lu Sheng’s expression softened.
Like a puppy, Lu Sheng gently nuzzled his hair and hummed quietly in agreement.
The movement tickled Bai Yu, but he didn’t push him away. He was starting to see how intimacy could affect his emotions.
There was something quiet and secretive about it. Something private that couldn’t be made public.
His ears turned slightly red, and he quickly pulled away. “I didn’t know Chen Shi’an hadn’t explained things properly. I was wondering why you suddenly got so obedient...”
Lu Sheng recalled the incident and remained disgruntled. “You’re right. Chen Shi’an’s been lying to me”
Bai Yu offered a few words of comfort and also tried to defend Chen Shi’an a little, saying that with Lin Kun joining the team, the pressure on everyone had increased. “But don’t worry. I’ll mediate. I won’t let the pressure get too overwhelming. If it ever becomes too much, just talk to me privately and I’ll try to plead your case...”
If this had been before, Lu Sheng might not have accepted it.
But things were different now. He could tell that Bai Yu was leaning toward him, and the distinction between closeness and distance was becoming obvious.
Lu Sheng was genuinely pleased. He threw an arm around Bai Yu’s shoulder and pressed a kiss to his hair, his tone light. “Relax. Your boyfriend handles pressure like a pro.”
Bai Yu paused, then cursed him. “Have you no shame?”
Even being scolded didn’t dampen Lu Sheng’s mood. He leaned in and kissed Bai Yu’s hair again. “Just had a smoke. I’ll spare you the kiss.”
And by kiss, he clearly meant the real kind.
Bai Yu had just calmed down, only for his emotions to spike again. He rarely cursed at people. Lu Sheng was the first.
How had he not realized earlier that Lu Sheng could be this shameless? No matter how harshly he scolded him, the man wouldn’t leave. No matter how hard he pushed, he wouldn’t budge.
Still, it gave Bai Yu a rare sense of peace. After walking alone for so long, someone was finally willing to stand by him. Suddenly, whatever storms lay ahead didn’t seem so hard to weather.