135: E-sports genius forced love 5

That night, after Lu Chen said, "It can only be you," the air seemed to freeze.

Wen Ci walked stiffly to the door, feeling her heartbeat so loudly that the entire hallway could hear it.

The two stood in front of the room door, neither daring to look at the other, yet their fingertips brushed lightly by accident, then quickly separated as if by an electric shock.

"Then... goodnight," Wen Ci whispered, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz, her head bowed.

"Mm," Lu Chen's Adam's apple bobbed, and his fingers unconsciously caressed the doorknob.

And so, two people who clearly had a thousand words to say to each other ended up fleeing in disarray.

Back in her room, Wen Ci mechanically completed her washing routine, only finding her breathing rhythm again once she was tucked into bed.

She stared at the ceiling, her mind filled with the outline of Lu Chen's profile as he turned, illuminated by the moonlight: his sharp jawline, his slightly bobbing Adam's apple, and those eyes that were usually indifferent but now full of tenderness.

"Is this a confession?" She buried her hot face into the pillow, her fingers twisting and untwisting the corner of the quilt, "Or am I just deluding myself?"

The phone screen lit up and went dark in the darkness. After unlocking it for the third time, she finally mustered the courage to open the chat window with Lu Chen.

Her fingertips hovered over the keyboard for a long time, eventually only sending a tilting cat emoji.

【The other party is typing...】

This prompt appeared and disappeared repeatedly for a full three minutes before a new message popped up in the chat box:

【Mm.】

Wen Ci: "......"

Is that all?

She typed indignantly: 【Lu Shen, do you say anything besides "Mm"?】

This time, the reply came quickly: 【Yes.】

Wen Ci almost dropped her phone on the bed.

What exactly did this person mean?!

She rolled over, tossing her phone aside, but couldn't resist grabbing it back two seconds later, her trembling fingertips typing: 【Lu Chen, what you said today...】

Before she could finish typing, her phone suddenly vibrated—

【Lu Chen is inviting you to a video call】

"Ah!" Wen Ci sat up in a flurry, almost tripping over her quilt. She quickly tidied her messy hair, wiped away nonexistent drool from the corner of her mouth, then shakily pressed the answer button.

The moment the screen lit up, her breath hitched.

Lu Chen was half-reclining on his bed, the collar of his black silk pajamas loosely open, revealing his delicate collarbone.

His usually meticulous bangs now casually fell across his forehead, casting subtle shadows over his brows and eyes. His gaze was much softer than usual, yet still held a hint of nervous restraint.

The two stared at each other silently across the screen, neither speaking first.

Eventually, Wen Ci broke the silence: "Did you call just to stare at me blankly?"

Lu Chen's Adam's apple visibly bobbed: "What were you trying to ask just now?"

Wen Ci's heart skipped a beat, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her pajamas: "It's just... what did you mean by 'it can only be you' today?"

Silence stretched between them. Just as Wen Ci thought he wouldn't answer, Lu Chen suddenly brought his phone closer.

On the screen, his face abruptly magnified.

Wen Ci could even clearly see her tiny reflection in his pupils, and the light brown tear mole at the corner of his eye, usually hidden by his bangs.

"Wen Ci," his voice was impossibly hoarse, "I'm pursuing you."

This sentence completely stopped Wen Ci's breathing.

"Did you hear me clearly?" Lu Chen stared at her, but the tips of his ears were quietly turning red, "Do I need to say it again?"

Wen Ci buried her hot face in her knees, her voice muffled: "N-no need..."

She heard Lu Chen let out a low chuckle, the sound coming through the microphone, making her eardrums tingle.

"What about you?" he asked.

"Me what?"

"Your answer."

Wen Ci cautiously raised her head, noticing that although Lu Chen's expression on the screen was calm, his long fingers were unconsciously caressing the edge of the bedsheet, his knuckles slightly white.

This softened her heart; even the invincible Lu Shen could get nervous.

"I..." She pursed her lips, then suddenly got a mischievous idea, "I'll think about it."

Lu Chen dangerously narrowed his eyes: "Think about it?"

"That's right," she smiled, tilting her head, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Lu Shen, it's not that easy to pursue someone, is it? You'll have to try harder."

Lu Chen stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly curved his lips: "Alright."

The next second—

【Ding! Account income: 500,000.00 yuan】

Wen Ci: "???"

"Lu Chen!" she bristled, "That's not what I meant!"

"I know," his tone was calm, but a smile was hidden in his eyes, "But I want to give it to you."

Wen Ci opened her mouth, but found all her words stuck in her throat. This man, who was decisive and ruthless on the battlefield, expressed his affection in such a clumsy yet direct way.

"......Go to sleep!" She scolded him, her face red, "See you tomorrow!"

Lu Chen watched her flustered appearance, a rare tenderness appearing in his eyes: "Mm, see you tomorrow."

After hanging up the video call, Wen Ci rolled around in bed, hugging her quilt several times, until her long hair was a bird's nest before she stopped.

She pressed her hot face against the cool pillow, but still couldn't calm the wildly leaping deer in her chest.

Meanwhile, in another room next door, Lu Chen lay on his back, his arm resting over his eyes.

In the darkness, his lips curved uncontrollably upward, his mind filled with the adorable image of the girl's red, bristling face.

The next morning.

Wen Ci, sporting two dark circles under her eyes, pushed open her door and was startled by the figure by the wall.

"Lu Chen?" She clutched her chest, "Aren't you going to training today?"

In the morning light, Lu Chen leaned casually against the wall.

Today he wore a black turtleneck, which made his skin appear cool and pale, making him look like a drawn sword.

Seeing Wen Ci emerge, he straightened up and, without a word, pulled her towards him.

"!" Wen Ci hadn't even reacted before her back was against the door.

Lu Chen placed one hand on the wall beside her ear, leaning down close: "Did you sleep well last night?"

Wen Ci inhaled his faint, captivating scent and unconsciously swallowed: "P-pretty good..."

"I didn't sleep well," he leaned in closer, his breath caressing her sensitive earlobe, "I kept thinking about you."

The tips of Wen Ci's ears instantly turned so red they could drip blood: "Lu Chen!" She pushed him in embarrassment and anger, "That's cheating!"

"Mm," he admitted frankly, gently pinching her chin, "So, have you thought about it?"

Wen Ci's heart pounded like a drum, but she deliberately turned her face away: "Not that quickly..."

Lu Chen wasn't in a hurry either; he just chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down her spine: "Then I'll continue pursuing you today."

He released her and turned to walk towards the training room, but as he brushed past, he subtly hooked her little finger.

The warm touch was fleeting, yet it made Wen Ci's entire arm tingle.

Looking at his tall, straight back, Wen Ci couldn't help but smile, pressing her lips together.

The young man who was invincible on the battlefield now had earlobes so red they were almost bleeding, yet he still tried to act calm.

He was just... so adorable.

However, when she saw the huge transfer on her phone, she still firmly clicked refund.

The moment Lu Chen saw the refund notification, his face turned so dark it could drip water.

In the training room, his teammates exchanged glances, watching their captain suddenly pound the keyboard with thunderous force.

"Is Lu Shen... heartbroken?" The jungler whispered.

"Nonsense," the mid-laner rolled his eyes, "I think he's in love."

At this moment, Lu Chen stared at his phone screen, his brows tightly furrowed.

He didn't understand why Wen Ci wouldn't even accept his money.

If she didn't even want his money, what else would she want from him?

Had he done something wrong? Or... did she not actually like him that much?

These jumbled thoughts made even his breathing difficult.