【Orange × Nan Xi】Nan Xi’s Confession: An Chenxia, I Like You
In the current League S-Group, there really wasn’t a shortage of supports, but teams in the A-Group and B-Group had a huge demand for them.
Especially a tactical support like Orange. Buying him would likely help a team break into the S-Group. So, as long as the price wasn’t ridiculously high, there would definitely be no lack of a market.
Nan Xi naturally understood the market as well. If Orange left this time, the time he had to interact with him would become even less.
He didn’t want Orange to leave.
Almost as soon as Orange left, Nan Xi found the manager.
“An Chenxia wants to be listed?”
“You heard too?” The manager’s face revealed a sense of helplessness. “I was just about to ask you if something happened to him recently.”
“A few days ago, he was still saying he wanted to help the team win more championships. If there wasn’t some sudden situation, I don’t think he’d leave.”
Nan Xi knew full well it was mostly because he had broken Orange’s heart.
But he couldn’t tell the manager that.
He could only obscure the point. “Does the club agree?”
“From a performance standpoint, we obviously can’t bear to let him go,” the manager said. “The specifics will depend on the owner.”
After all, when you buy a player, you obviously want to wait for them to achieve good results before discussing their departure.
The manager quietly revealed the reality to Nan Xi: “Most likely, it won’t be approved.”
It made sense. The owner was a businessman, after all, and would surely put profit first.
“You have a good relationship with him. You should try to persuade him and help out.”
Nan Xi gave a somewhat bitter “un.” He wanted to, but would Orange still be willing to talk to him now?
The owner ultimately did not approve Orange’s transfer request. Actually, Orange had expected this, but he had wanted to try anyway. He wanted to hide far away from Nan Xi. But since it wasn’t approved, he could only avoid him in daily life.
Nan Xi clearly felt that Orange was truly planning to ignore him this time. Not only did Orange not sit with him during practice, but even during match reviews, he almost didn’t communicate with him. Instead, Orange would take a small notebook and record all of Xing Chen’s individual mechanical habits.
Xing Chen and Orange had a fairly good relationship. In the team, Xing Chen trusted and relied on Orange the most. He couldn’t help but say, “Orange, you’re being too serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course. You’re the ADC I’m protecting. Naturally, I have to analyze and remember every detail of your operations to make adjustments.”
When these words fell into Nan Xi’s ears, they sounded uncomfortable and awkward no matter how he heard them.
It was as if the position that originally belonged to him had been taken by someone else.
The Mid-laner, showing a total lack of situational awareness, added fuel to the fire from the side. “Tsk, tsk. Orange, you really spoil Xing Chen. In the whole League, he probably has the best damage environment, right?”
“You’re practically glued to him in every game.”
“I’m a support. It’s my job to protect the ADC,” Orange said, looking at him with a bit of helplessness. “Xing Chen’s aggressive playstyle is a strength but also a weakness. Without protection, it’s easy for him to be targeted and picked off.”
Xing Chen had also become comfortable with everyone and could joke around. “Are you jealous that I have a support?
“After all, the Captain won’t even give you the Blue Buff in ranked games.”
Xing Chen continued, “Once when we ran into each other, the Captain even gave up a game’s worth of buffs for Dawn.”
The Mid-laner nearly exploded, rolling up his sleeves. “Damn it, Xing Chen, don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re younger!”
“Everyone be quiet!” Nan Xi said coldly. “What’s there to argue about when the review isn’t even finished?
“The two of you, stay behind for extra training later.”
He stole a worried glance in Orange’s direction, fearing that Xing Chen’s words just now would make Orange feel bad.
But Orange’s reaction was extremely indifferent.
It was as if what just happened had nothing to do with him at all.
He kept his head down, writing something in his notebook.
Watching Orange’s movements, a flash of loneliness passed through Nan Xi’s eyes.
So it felt this miserable to be ignored by the person you like.
Nan Xi had completely figured it out. He and Wen Ran were a thing of the past. What was missed was missed; at most, it was a regret of youth.
But if he missed Orange, he would never forgive himself for the rest of his life.
An Chenxia, in the past, it was always you chasing me. I was wrong to you. Now, it’s my turn to chase you.
In the afternoon, Nan Xi bought a large box of chocolates and brought them to the training room to share with everyone.
This was the brand Orange had given him before, saying it was his favorite.
The Mid-laner was the first to run over and take a piece. “Wow! What’s the special occasion? The Captain is actually giving out chocolates!”
The Solo-laner shouted as he walked over, “Save some for me! I love sweets!”
Nan Xi didn’t pay them any mind. He was holding two pieces separately in his hand.
Orange sat in his chair, seemingly not attracted to the treats at all.
He didn’t even spare them a glance.
Nan Xi walked to his side and placed the chocolates on the table. “An Chenxia, for you.”
Orange’s body visibly stiffened, and he moved slightly away.
In an extremely polite and distant tone, he said, “Thank you, but I don’t like chocolate.”
Now it was Nan Xi’s turn to be stunned. Wasn’t this Orange’s favorite brand?
How could he suddenly not like it?
Orange turned slightly and continued to stare at the data on his computer. He didn’t know what Nan Xi’s motivation was for doing this.
The man had clearly rejected him and stated he liked Wen Ran. Why was he coming to give him chocolates now?
Orange couldn’t figure it out, but he had already decided to have no further interaction with Nan Xi, so he shut him out completely.
Xing Chen still had a piece in his mouth as he came over and saw the ones on Orange’s desk. He immediately asked, “Orange, why aren’t you eating them? This chocolate is so fragrant!”
Orange said flatly, “I don’t like them.”
“Then can I have them?” Xing Chen completely missed the low-pressure aura radiating from Nan Xi next to him. “I love them!”
“Un.”
Xing Chen happily grabbed the chocolates from the table. If glares could be materialized, Nan Xi would have nearly pierced through him.
Finally, the training match ended, and the players stood up from their seats, intending to leave.
“Orange, stay for a moment,” Nan Xi spoke up. “I have some things I want to discuss with you.”
Though puzzled, Orange could only endure the awkwardness since Nan Xi was the Captain.
He forced himself to ask, “What does the Captain want to say to me?
“I recall the tactical discussion has already been done once.”
Nan Xi was slightly taken aback. Orange no longer called him “Little Captain,” but had switched to the same cold and distant title everyone else used.
Nan Xi asked somewhat awkwardly, “Is today’s chocolate not the brand you liked most in the past?”
Orange didn’t know why he was asking this and said coolly, “I liked it before, but I don’t like it now. Do I need a reason?”
These words were highly suggestive. Nan Xi felt hurt hearing them—was he referring to himself?
“If the Captain has nothing else, I’ll be leaving first.”
“Wait a moment.”
Nan Xi reached out and grabbed Orange’s wrist. He no longer hesitated. Looking at the other’s face, he said firmly, “An Chenxia, I like you.”
Orange: “???”
He doubted he was hallucinating. What did Nan Xi just say? He likes him?
If he wasn’t dreaming, he must be going crazy.
“I admit I liked Wen Ran before, and it was because of him that I rejected you.” Actually, Nan Xi had done his homework before speaking, planning what to say first and second to best care for the other’s feelings. But when he truly faced Orange, he forgot all those so-called “speaking techniques.”
“At that time, I couldn’t distinguish my feelings for you, nor had I sorted out my emotions regarding Wen Ran. So I couldn’t lead you on; I wasn’t worth you treating me that way.”
Nan Xi spoke very sincerely. He wasn’t good with words, so everything he said was from the heart.
“But later I figured it out. I like you,” Nan Xi said. “I did wrong things before and used the wrong methods. I don’t ask for your forgiveness; I only hope you can give me a chance to be good to you. Is that okay?”
After speaking, he looked at Orange nervously. Nan Xi had never spoken so much in one breath before; he felt like he had used up three days’ worth of words.
It would be impossible to say Orange wasn’t moved or shocked. After all, he truly loved Nan Xi. It had only been a few days since he decided to draw a clear line, so naturally, that deep love couldn’t dissipate all at once.
Although he knew Nan Xi wasn’t the type to “two-time” or play with people’s feelings, his guard was high:
“You said you couldn’t distinguish before. Then are you sure you’ve distinguished between liking and not liking now?”
“I have!” Nan Xi was somewhat desperate to prove it to Orange. A look of expectation appeared on his beautiful, cold face. “I want to be with you. When I see you, I can’t help but move closer. When others get close to you, I feel uncomfortable.”
##############################################################
“Stop!”
Before Nan Xi could finish the rest of his sentence, Orange interrupted him.
Orange was already blushing furiously, the tips of his ears turned a vivid red. God knows how Nan Xi could say such things with that face, completely unfazed. He had thought Nan Xi was the pure, restrained type who could hold in his feelings for Wen Ran for so long without saying a word. But now, why was he throwing “straight balls” at him?
And with such intensity!
Even in his wildest fantasies about a future with Nan Xi, Orange hadn’t dared to imagine anything deeper than holding hands and “sticking together”!
Nan Xi looked at Orange nervously. “So, do you believe me?”
Orange lowered his head, not daring to look at Nan Xi. He didn’t answer the question, but instead gritted his teeth, pushed Nan Xi away, and rushed out of the training room.
Running all the way back to his room, Orange touched his cheeks—they were so hot!
It was all that Nan Xi’s fault, saying such suggestive things to people for no reason!
But he couldn’t help but think about it, and his face grew even redder.
If he truly developed to that stage with Nan Xi, that handsome face would be holding him and slowly kissing him, and there would be even deeper interactions…
No, no, I can’t think about it!
Orange hugged his pillow, nearly burying himself in it. This Nan Xi was truly hateful!
He watched several videos of “love-brains” digging for wild vegetables (making poor life choices for love) before his heart finally calmed down.
Then he heard three knocks on his room door.
It couldn’t be Nan Xi, could it?
Orange was terrified that the other would see him blushing because of him—that would be too embarrassing!
He quickly ran into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed cold water on his face. After taking a few deep breaths and making sure the redness wasn’t visible, he opened the door.
There was no one outside, only a beautifully packaged box on the floor.
Orange took it inside and opened it, only to find it was a whole box of chocolates.
It was packed full, and there was a card inside.
The handwriting was familiar:
[Orange-bao, goodnight.]
Translator’s Note: Nan Xi is finally making moves! A “straight ball” (直球 – Zhi Qiu) is an esports/Internet slang term for being direct and blunt about your feelings, without any mind games. “Orange-bao” (橙寶) is an affectionate nickname. Also, the reference to “digging wild vegetables” is a popular Chinese meme from a TV show (Love and Redemption) about a character who suffers because of their “love-brain” (being irrational due to love). Orange is trying to snap himself out of it!
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