| Marry Me, I'm Super Well-Behaved [Esports] (MARRY ME) |
The tips of Ning Nanzhou’s ears burned crimson beneath his hair. Chi Yu was pressed against him, his scorching breath seeping through the fabric, nearly making his legs give out.
Do ordinary people have pheromones too?
If not, why was his head so dizzy?
Fortunately, Chi Yu only stared at him for a moment before wiping away the droplet of water on his lips. “Just teasing you.”
Ning Nanzhou exhaled heavily in relief. Chi Yu asked, “What do you want to eat?”
“I’m not picky.” He shook his head. “Whatever you want is fine.”
For some reason, the way Chi Yu looked at him was… strange. As his brain slowly regained its ability to think, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Ning Nanzhou spent the entire meal unsettled. Before heading to the movie, he slipped into the restroom to seek advice from the experienced Xu Ye.
“I have a friend—”
Xu Ye cut him off immediately. “What happened to you?”
“It’s really not me! If it were, I’d get railed for three days and nights.” He censored the details. “A friend of mine likes someone. Normally, they don’t do anything out of line, but when the other person asked, ‘Why do you say yes to everything?’—could they tell my friend likes them?”
“That’s obviously a crush.”
!!!!
His mind had been too scrambled earlier. Who would agree to everything for someone they’d only met four times?
And—
He glanced at his reflection in the mirror—his lips smeared with color and his ears unbearably red—he really did look like someone who’d been railed for three days and nights in a manga.
Taking a deep breath, he told himself he couldn’t go on like this. He had to maintain his image!
He splashed cold water on his face, dousing the flush on his ears.
Chi Yu was waiting for him at the ticket checkpoint, his shirt buttoned up meticulously, his long legs straight and poised, exuding an air of restrained allure.
Calmly, Ning Nanzhou walked over, reminding himself not to glance downward.
Yet the moment he stepped into the Couple’s Hall and saw the seating arrangement, the tips of his ears tinged red again.
Not a single cinema near the university was decent—this one was no exception.
The space in the double seats was quite spacious, allowing one to lie back comfortably. There was also a half-meter-high partition between the seats, thoughtfully accompanied by a small card that read, "No surveillance, feel free to use as you wish," implying one could do whatever they wanted.
Do cinemas these days go this far?
Ning Nanzhou stiffened for a moment before sitting down, pretending not to notice the words on the card.
The contemporary college students didn’t disappoint him either. Before the movie even started, the neighboring seats were already filled with unmistakably suggestive sounds.
The darkness amplified sensory perception—he could clearly hear the sounds of lips and tongues entwining, and even feel—
Chi Yu’s breath drawing closer.
Just then, the movie began. He fixed his gaze straight ahead, refusing to glance sideways.
This wasn’t easy. First, he had to ignore the fact that Chi Yu was sitting right beside him, and so close at that.
Second, this was a Spanish art film—his first time watching such a genre in a theater. It was more sleep-inducing than chemical analysis class.
He had no idea why Chi Yu had chosen this film. Pinching his thigh to stay awake, he reminded himself not to doze off.
Halfway through the movie, Chi Yu glanced at the slender young man beside him. "You’re watching very attentively."
In other theaters, Ning Nanzhou might have worried about disturbing others, but this one barely had anyone genuinely here for the film.
To prove his focus, he lowered his voice and said, "This film is quite captivating. I thought the protagonist had a special reason for searching for someone, but it turns out he just stumbled upon a number by chance and embarked on this endless journey."
He racked his brain for analysis. "The romantic subplot is interesting too. The protagonist isn’t in love with one specific person but rather a type. Anastasia and Carla both fit that category."
If he’d known playing the good boy would be this torturous, he should’ve just claimed he dropped out of middle school, spent twenty years gutting fish at RT-Mart, and knew nothing but fish-gutting—certainly not gaming.
Perhaps his voice was too soft. Chi Yu rested his chin on Ning Nanzhou’s shoulder, leaning in close to his ear to listen. "Then what kind of person do you like?"
Cool lips brushed against his sensitive earlobe, as if they might be sucked or nibbled the next second. Instinctively, he described someone just like Chi Yu. "The refined, restrained type."
The moment the words left his mouth, Chi Yu let out an unreadable "Oh."
On the day of the gathering, Ning Nanzhou was alone in the dorm, unpacking a parcel.
This time, he’d bought a DK uniform—a cream-colored vest, a school-issued shirt, and a plaid tie. The outfit screamed "innocent, harmless little bunny," the kind he would’ve frowned at in the past.
Just as he finished unpacking, the dorm door swung open, and Xu Ye’s booming voice echoed from the hallway.
"Brothers, I’m back!"
If Xu Ye saw him with this kind of stuff…
Ning Nanzhou immediately shoved the clothes into the wardrobe, but it was already too late.
Xu Ye’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of white fabric. "Holy shit, Ning! What did you buy?!"
"Overthinking it," he replied as he hurriedly shutting the wardrobe door.
But the clothes were too haphazardly stuffed to close properly. Xu Ye strode over. "If it’s nothing, why hide it? A thong? Lingerie?"
Xu Ye yanked the door open, and the carelessly packed clothes tumbled out.
Both of them fell silent.
Xu Ye looked even more shocked than if he’d seen lingerie. "Xiao Zhou, how could you buy something like this?!!"
Expressionlessly, Ning Nanzhou closed his eyes. He knew this would happen…
Unable to bear Xu Ye's constant back-and-forth between staring at the clothes and then at himself, with his expression one of utter disbelief as if his worldview had been shattered.
Ning Nanzhou closed his eyes briefly to explain, "I took on an advertisement for a brand, modeling their clothes."
Xu Ye, still shaken, exclaimed, "You nearly scared me to death!"
"Isn't this at least more normal than lingerie?" Ning Nanzhou retorted, exasperated.
Xu Ye's look told him plainly that even wearing lingerie would be more normal than this "good boy" outfit.
Ning Nanzhou: "..."
After changing, he received a call from Chi Yu: "Class over? I’ll come pick you up at school."
"No need," he replied awkwardly while adjusting the light-colored tie. "The restaurant is close to campus. I can walk there."
A soft hum came from the other end. "Call me when you arrive."
After agreeing and hanging up, Ning Nanzhou walked out under Xu Ye's scrutinizing gaze.
Xu Ye didn’t doubt Ning Nanzhou’s words. Unlike them, Ning Nanzhou had been earning his own living for a long time. Yet, he was terrible with money—splurging on merchandise at the start of the month, then surviving on one meal a day by the end. Taking side gigs was nothing unusual for him.
Moreover, Ning Nanzhou’s appearance was deceiving. Dressed in a skirt, he could easily pass for a girl, with an inexplicable charm about him.
Ning Nanzhou walked from the south gate to Beihua Road, a notoriously narrow street packed with restaurants that turned into a bottleneck during mealtimes.
Some idiot had parked a Bugatti right at the intersection, blocking the way entirely—not even a fly could squeeze past. He was about to curse, "Why not park it in front of a grave?" when he remembered the restaurant was just around the corner and swallowed his words.
Good thing he did, because the owner moved the car and stepped out—a curly-haired guy with freckles and a smiling young man.
It was none other than FKW’s Support, Qiao Zhengqi, and Mid Laner, Yu Jin'an!
Watching their retreating figures, Ning Nanzhou made his way to the restaurant, heart still pounding.
Chi Yu happened to be at the entrance. Noticing the sweat on Ning Nanzhou’s forehead, he reassured him gently, "Today, it’s just two of my teammates and the club manager. They’re all easygoing—no need to be nervous."
Ning Nanzhou nodded obediently.
"Let’s go then." Chi Yu paused suddenly. "Can I hold your hand?"
Caught off guard, Ning Nanzhou’s heart raced. Should he refuse?
In the private room, Xiao Qiao was growing impatient. He was dying to know what his "sister-in-law" was like.
Baffled, he turned to Song Mingjie, who was arranging the menu. "Song-ge, why do you think the captain refused to bring him yesterday but agreed today? Did my sincerity move him? I even weeded his Ant Farm yesterday."
Song Mingjie’s eye twitched. "Don’t ask. It’s none of your business."
Yu Jin'an warned Xiao Qiao, "If you steal energy from my Ant Farm again, don’t come crying to me when you lose ranked matches."
"I’ll never ask you to log in for me again!" Xiao Qiao grumbled. "Last time we matched against your old teammate, you were practically healing them. Manager, I’m telling you—don’t sign him next season. His body’s here, but his heart’s elsewhere."
The door of the private room creaked open, and Xiao Qiao immediately fell silent.
Chi Yu walked in while holding the hand of a strikingly beautiful young man.
Beautiful was an understatement—his lashes were long and thick, his eyes like black jade from Hotan. Despite his silver hair, there wasn’t a trace of hostility about him. Instead, he looked like a soft, fluffy sparrow.
Utterly adorable.
Xiao Qiao was instantly smitten. How on earth had their captain managed to land someone like this? Why couldn’t he have such luck?!
He immediately introduced himself eagerly, "Hello, sister-in-law! I’m Qiao Zhengqi, but you can just call me Xiao Qiao. Do you play Advent? I can carry you to King rank!"
Chi Yu blocked Xiao Qiao’s overly enthusiastic gaze and said coolly, "He doesn’t play. If he wants to, I’ll carry him."
"Not into games, huh? That’s a shame—I’m really good at them," Xiao Qiao sighed, then quickly perked up again. "No worries! These days, game trolls are everywhere. Sister-in-law, you wouldn’t believe it—yesterday, some guy flamed me for being a gigolo just because I lost a match."
Ning Nanzhou raised an eyebrow. That was some next-level toxicity.
Sure, he liked trash-talking too, but he’d never call someone a gigolo.
Xiao Qiao was practically drowning in misery. "Okay, fine, the guy was decent, but not that good. I lost the 1v1, and he immediately called me a gigolo! I’m never playing Match-Three again."
The silver-haired Guji lifted its head at the mention of "Match-Three."
Wait.
Wasn’t that… him?
was in high spirits after seeing Qin Yong’s transfer news online and was about to charge straight to Diamond rank when his phone rang.
A woman’s voice came through: "Xiaozhou, it’s been three months since you came to Shanghai. Can Mom see you?"
Hearing her voice, his smile slowly stiffened, though his tone remained indifferent: "Not really convenient."
"Just at the restaurant across from your school," the woman softened her voice. "Is that okay?"
Perhaps unused to such gentleness from her, he fell silent for a moment before agreeing.
The meeting was set at a Cantonese restaurant opposite the school. Following the waiter to the private room, he hesitated briefly before entering.
Soon, he realized how laughable that hesitation had been.
A child’s innocent laughter drifted from inside. Upon entering, he was met with the sight of a harmonious family of three.
A bespectacled, refined man patiently coaxed his daughter: "Nannan can’t eat yet. Your brother hasn’t arrived. Daddy will peel the lobster for you later, okay?"
The three- or four-year-old girl spotted him, clambered down from her father, and wobbled over to call out, "Brother!"
Ning Nanzhou looked down at the child clinging to his leg, pursed his lips, then finally bent to pat her head.
As he did, he caught Qi Yidan’s hand tightening slightly.
Afraid he might do something to her?
A sardonic smile flickered across Ning Nanzhou’s lips as he sat down expressionlessly.
Qi Yidan exhaled in relief, beckoning her daughter over: "Our family is finally complete. Nannan kept asking every day when her brother would come, even before you arrived in Shanghai."
The man beside Qi Yidan added, "I often tell Nannan to follow her brother’s example—to grow up and test into a good university like him."
The little girl immediately nodded: "Nannan will go to university too!"
Hearing the words "our family," Ning Nanzhou clenched his fists, but seeing the child’s innocent face, he said nothing.
As dishes were served, the man peeled shrimp for his daughter.
Qi Yidan studied the silver-haired boy: "Your father probably never disciplined you. In your field, working at biotech companies, hair like this gives a bad impression."
Ning Nanzhou replied flatly, "I like it this way."
Qi Yidan was momentarily speechless before introducing, "This is Uncle Wu. He’s in pharmaceuticals and has many connections. If you need an internship, he can help."
The man waved modestly: "Xiaozhou is top-tier! We’d be lucky to have him—no need for 'help.'"
"I don’t need it," Ning Nanzhou stated.
"You're still young," Qi Yidan said in a tone of someone who had been through it all. "You don't know how tough the job market is now. Even with a degree from a prestigious university, without connections, you won’t find work."
"I don’t need it," he repeated.
This time, without waiting for Qi Yidan’s response, he stood up and left the table.
"Ning Nanzhou!" The woman couldn’t hold back her emotions. "Do you think you’ve had it so bad?"
"I didn’t fight for custody of you, but have I ever mistreated you all these years? Whatever I bought for Nannan, there was always a share for you—it was you who refused it! If you think you’ve had it bad, go ask how many people would love to be as ‘unfortunate’ as you!"
Ning Nanzhou paused, then walked out of the restaurant. He believed not everyone would want to know the taste of aphasia.
The December wind blew against his face, cooling his thoughts considerably.
Truthfully, Qi Yidan wasn’t entirely wrong. She had never shortchanged him materially, which was why he always lacked conviction when he wanted to accuse her.
Your mother has already been so good to you, your father has already been so good to you—what more do you want?
He slowly raised his head and noticed someone selling plush toys that children loved up ahead.
He walked over and bought a rabbit plushie, then squeezed it as he returned to the private dining room.
Inside, the little girl’s laughter still rang out. At her age, she didn’t yet understand what arguments were. There was also the sound of a man trying to mediate.
"You two haven’t seen each other in so many years. Why are you arguing with a kid? Are you happy now that you’ve given yourself crow’s feet? Give him more time."
Even if he didn’t want to admit it, the man was indeed good-natured. Qi Yidan had found herself a decent man.
"What crow’s feet?" The woman’s voice steadied somewhat. "That’s what I thought before, but look at his temperament. It’s better not to keep in touch. I’m afraid it might affect Nannan. It wouldn’t be good if she became as stubborn as him."
Nannan, sensing her mother’s unhappiness, piped up in her childish voice, "Mommy doesn’t have crow’s feet!"
Outside the private room, the teenager tightened his grip on the rabbit plushie. This was a good family too.
He had once boasted in his livestream that he could do anything. But it seemed there were things he couldn’t do.
His throat itched, and he instinctively reached into his bag for medicine, only to remember he hadn’t brought any.
Ning Nanzhou walked up to a trash bin, hesitating over whether to throw the rabbit away.
Just then, someone suddenly called his name: "Ningning?"
He turned around and saw Chi Yu’s handsome face.
"What are you doing here?" he asked reflexively.
"You didn’t read my message," Chi Yu stated matter-of-factly.
Ning Nanzhou’s ears grew warm.
Only then did he take out his phone and realize the other hadn’t mentioned last night’s incident at all. The message simply said he had business near the school and asked if Ning Nanzhou wanted to have dinner that evening.
At least the other didn’t mind what had happened. Chi Yu’s gaze fell on the plushie with its tag still attached in Ning Nanzhou’s hand. "Why throw away something you just bought?"
He looked down at the toy. "No one wants it."
In truth, the other person had a considerate father and a loving mother—he didn’t need his plush toy at all.
The man, who stood a head taller than him, bent down and asked in an impossibly gentle tone, “Then can you give it to me?”
He unconsciously licked his lips, unable to describe the feeling in his heart—as if a certain emptiness had been filled with overwhelming tenderness.
The silver-haired teenager gave a firm nod and handed the rabbit plush to Chi Yu. What he didn’t know was that from then on, Chi Yu would bring this plush to every match.
Chi Yu’s gaze lingered on the teenager’s glistening lips—they looked like they’d be very nice to kiss.
His eyes then fell on Ning Nanzhou’s faded cuffs and the overly slender wrists beneath them. He had never seen the boy wear such old clothes before.
Was he out of money to buy new ones, or did he always dress his best just to see him?
Remembering how the boy had worked part-time just to give him expensive gifts, how could he have ever thought Ning Nanzhou disliked him? He was clearly the most well-behaved kid.
Unable to articulate his emotions, Chi Yu looked at Ning Nanzhou and asked, “Shall we go eat?”
The teenager said yes.
“After that, how about a movie?”
The teenager said yes.
“Tomorrow, would you like to meet my teammates?”
The teenager said yes.
Chi Yu chuckled. “Why do you say yes to everything?”
Then, abruptly, he pressed close. “Would you say yes to trying a hundred different positions too?”
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