[Esports] I Started an Online Romance with a Big Shot After Retiring Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Once the New Year passed, the streets became lively.

Shen Yanjin wore a down jacket, leaning on the second-floor balcony looking out. The streets were decorated with lights and colors. This area was considered the old town. Being old had its benefits; during festivals, the atmosphere was thick.

He rested his chin in his hand, watching two children waving glowing toy swords and hacking at each other, shouting random made-up move names. He couldn’t help but smile, his breath condensing into a white mist.

Watching them, his mind involuntarily drifted away.

What is Duan Mingyue doing now? Who is he with? Has he eaten?

Shen Yanjin, a child from a family that could at best be considered middle-class, couldn’t imagine what a wealthy family like the Duans was really like.

But he knew that the KW base and home stadium in Cloud City were all properties under the Duan Group. Picking just one out would be an astronomical figure. And that was just a drop in the bucket.

Even though he knew this long ago, Shen Yanjin still couldn’t help but sigh: I really found an incredible partner.

Although there was sunshine in the afternoon, it couldn’t hide the chill. He froze on the balcony for a while. Just as he wanted to close the window and go back in, the phone in his pocket vibrated twice.

[RedMoon: Standing on the balcony in such cold weather, aren’t you freezing?]

Shen Yanjin’s eyes widened. He put down the phone and looked around the street.

Then he saw a tall, slender figure walk out from the corner and wave at him. Duan Mingyue was wearing a black coat today. He looked cold and handsome beyond words. Standing in this street full of mundane life, he felt inexplicably out of place.

The moment their eyes met, the corners of Duan Mingyue’s lips curled up slightly, and his cold aura instantly softened.

These days, family, friends, training—Shen Yanjin was kept busy spinning. But in the gaps, he occasionally felt a bit empty.

It wasn’t until this moment that he felt his world light up.

Without even closing the window, Shen Yanjin turned and ran downstairs.

Mother Shen was washing fruit. Seeing him blow out the door like the wind, she was startled. “W-what are you doing?”

Father Shen shook his newspaper. He understood but didn’t speak, just grunted.

The moment the door opened, the cold air from outside rushed in.

Shen Yanjin hurriedly put on his shoes, stumbled out with the heels crushed, looking so urgent as if fearing what he saw upstairs was just an illusion.

Sponsored

Fortunately, it wasn’t.

When Shen Yanjin left the base, Duan Mingyue had asked for his address in advance.

Perhaps Shen Yanjin didn’t notice it himself, but in their calls, he kept saying he missed him over and over again. As time passed, it became more frequent—saying it in the morning, at noon, and at night.

When they were together, Shen Yanjin was clingy. It was their first time being apart for so long since confirming the relationship. Duan Mingyue’s heart ached for him. Since there was nothing to do at home anyway, after the New Year, he told his parents and came over early.

Hearing rapid footsteps, Duan Mingyue withdrew his gaze and looked back. The young man’s hair was messy, his expression dazed, his eyes full of surprise.

He smiled and opened his arms.

The young man who used to panic even when hugging in a deserted corner now jumped recklessly into his arms under the sunlight.

Duan Mingyue stroked his hair and said, “What’s the rush?”

Shen Yanjin hugged Duan Mingyue’s waist tightly, burying his face in the man’s neck, inhaling Duan Mingyue’s scent like huffing a cat. “Missed you.”

Duan Mingyue amusedly pinched the young man’s earlobe. His fingers were slightly cool, feeling exceptionally comfortable on the soft, burning earlobe.

This was obviously not a good place to talk. Duan Mingyue asked, “Are you alone at home, or are your parents there?”

“They’re both there.” Shen Yanjin rubbed his face affectionately against his clothes and smiled shyly. “Didn’t know you were coming, didn’t prepare anything.”

Duan Mingyue said, “My fault. I came on a whim and forgot to tell you first.”

Shen Yanjin calmed down a bit now, holding his hand and leading him inside. “How did you get here? Are there flights today?”

Duan Mingyue smiled. “Private jet.”

Evil capitalism!

Shen Yanjin paused, asking worriedly, “Your parents really won’t give me a ten-million-dollar check and kick me out?”

Duan Mingyue was amused by him, pinching his waist. “Watched too many TV dramas, haven’t you?”

Walking into the house, seeing the crooked shoes on his feet, Shen Yanjin realized how anxiously he had run out just now. His face heated up as he bent down to find slippers for Duan Mingyue in the shoe cabinet.

His brain was still in a daze. Duan Mingyue, however, was quite sober. Entering the door, he greeted Father Shen and Mother Shen first, exchanged pleasantries, and then handed over the gifts.

Sponsored

Mother Shen clearly hadn’t expected Duan Mingyue to come so suddenly. Looking at her son again, she thought to herself, No wonder he ran out like that just now. His partner is here.

Father Shen and Mother Shen knew that Shen Yanjin had liked Duan Mingyue for over five years and ran to Cloud City for him—rounding up, it was six years.

Although Mother Shen still found it hard to accept this “male daughter-in-law” in her heart, the child liked him, so what could be done? Besides, she searched later and found out how prominent Duan Mingyue’s family background was.

For a family like theirs, such prominence didn’t bring peace of mind; instead, it made them feel insecure—could such a man live a good life with Shen Yanjin?

But Duan Mingyue was impeccable in his conduct, intentionally ingratiating himself. His smile was like a spring breeze, making one feel intimate and reliable.

Mother Shen accepted the gifts. Father Shen also gave face, standing up to nod at Duan Mingyue and even smiling.

Shen Yanjin knew Duan Mingyue’s trip was to formally meet his parents, but he still couldn’t help dragging the person upstairs.

Mother Shen saw her son’s impatient look, stopped Father Shen who wanted to speak, and said, “Little Duan, go upstairs with Yanjin first. I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

Duan Mingyue nodded, going with the flow.

The Shen family bought this two-story building early on. The house faced north and south with ample light. The second floor had only a utility room, a storage room, and Shen Yanjin’s bedroom and study.

As soon as they entered, Duan Mingyue heard the sound of the door locking behind him.

He turned around helplessly and affectionately, catching the soft body lunging at him. “Why so urgent? I wanted to leave a good impression on your parents.”

“Your impression on them is good enough.” Now inside his own room, there was no need to shy away. Shen Yanjin took off his jacket, wrapped his arms around Duan Mingyue’s neck, and pressed his lips up.

Duan Mingyue raised his hand to support the back of his head, leaning down slightly. Their lips met, soft and lingering.

The curtains were drawn tight, the light inside dim. The large bed creaked slightly.

Duan Mingyue propped up his upper body, squeezed body lotion into his palm, and whispered a warning, “Keep your voice down.”

Immediately, the lubricated fingers explored downwards slowly.

Shen Yanjin tilted his head back, exposing his fragile Adam’s apple, a soft cry spilling from the corner of his lips. “B-Brother… I missed you so much.”

No more words were needed. Duan Mingyue rubbed him into his embrace with more force.

Duan Mingyue had met Shen Yanjin’s parents once before, but that wasn’t formal. During dinner, the four sat around the table. Father Shen and Mother Shen asked all sorts of indirect questions, and Duan Mingyue answered everything in detail.

Sponsored

Finally, Mother Shen asked the question she wanted to know most and was most anxious about. “Little Duan, about you and Yanjin… do your parents know? What is their attitude?”

The hem of his clothes seemed to be tugged lightly under the table. Duan Mingyue quietly caught that restless hand, holding it in his palm. On the surface, he said, “Auntie, don’t worry. I have explained everything to my parents. They are very supportive of my choice.”

Mother Shen nodded repeatedly, smiling bitterly. “That’s good. Yanjin, this child… has suffered a lot.”

Duan Mingyue understood her meaning. Interlacing fingers with Shen Yanjin under the table, he said warmly, “I will cherish him.”

Being shown love so openly in front of others for the first time, Shen Yanjin felt half shy and half joyous, his eyes curving into smiles.

Only now did he know that having a love blessed by family was such a happy thing.

And the one holding his hand was the man he had loved foolishly for so long.

After the meal, Duan Mingyue was called into the study by Father Shen.

Shen Yanjin sat on the sofa, watching TV programs absent-mindedly, glancing at the study every minute.

Mother Shen couldn’t stand it anymore. She went over and handed him a tangerine to peel. “Still looking? You’ll twist your neck off.”

Shen Yanjin was embarrassed and silently lowered his head to peel the tangerine.

Mother Shen’s expression was even more complicated. It was like thinking she raised a pig that would root up someone else’s cabbage, only to turn around and see the cabbage wasn’t rooted, but her pig was rooted by someone else’s pig instead.

No one knows a son like his mother. In just this short time together, Mother Shen had sensed from her son’s posture of wanting to stick to Duan Mingyue every moment that she hadn’t found a male daughter-in-law, but brought back a son-in-law!

The tangerine entered his mouth, sweet and sour. The white pith not peeled clean carried a slight bitterness.

The heating in the room wasn’t high, just right, but it was inevitably a bit stuffy. A wisp of refreshing evening breeze blew in from the balcony door left slightly ajar. The TV was replaying a Spring Festival Gala skit. The content wasn’t interesting. Watching it, Shen Yanjin’s mind flew to the study again.

However, not long after, the study door opened, and Duan Mingyue walked out with Father Shen.

Father Shen had a rare smile on his face, patting Duan Mingyue’s shoulder. “I entrust Yanjin to you.”

Duan Mingyue responded with a smile, his posture very respectful. “Yes.”

This scene had a touch of filial piety. Shen Yanjin recalled and found that even he had never received such a good face from his father. For a moment, his mood was a bit complicated.

That night, the two lay in bed. Shen Yanjin poked Duan Mingyue’s chest and whispered, “What did you and my dad talk about?”

Sponsored

Duan Mingyue took his hand and kissed it. “Secret.”

Shen Yanjin didn’t really want to know. Lying in the man’s arms after a long time felt familiarly secure. Drowsiness gradually welled up. He groggily grabbed Duan Mingyue’s collar. “…If you won’t say, then don’t.”

Duan Mingyue patted his back. “Sleep.”

And so he slept sweetly through the night, dreamless.

After spending another day at Shen Yanjin’s home, it was time for Shen Yanjin to go home with Duan Mingyue.

📖 Return to Table of Contents