Cheng Xinxin noticed her unusual condition and her eyes slightly changed, “Why are you having a nosebleed?” An Junxing, after hearing this, belatedly pulled out a tissue to wipe it. “Old problem,” she replied calmly, then stood up, “Are you done talking?” Cheng Xinxin was stunned, evidently not expecting such a composed reaction from a woman hearing these words. Watching An Junxing’s slender figure as she left, Cheng Xinxin suddenly felt a bit scared, fearing that this woman might truly enter Lu Jiaming’s heart.
Lanwan Villa
Upon returning to the villa, An Junxing felt as if she were being swallowed by the night. Leaning on the sofa, she closed her eyes, but Cheng Xinxin’s words echoed in her mind. Did she want to cry? Yes, but crying was futile. Actually, she should be content; during the five years she spent with Mr. Lu, she gained a villa she could never afford on her own, and Mr. Lu would give her an endless amount of money every month…
The next day, the company was abuzz with excitement over Cheng Xinxin’s return, planning an outing to Happy Valley. Mu Tao, having just finished a game, approached An Junxing. “The boss is too good to Cheng Xinxin, isn’t he? Even when we won championships before, we just got to go to a bar as a special treat.” Another female colleague whispered, “Have you heard this saying? You take your girlfriend to drink, dance, and stay at a hotel, but you take your future wife to Disneyland or Happy Valley. Men are actually quite clever; they know the difference.”
An Junxing felt a lump in her throat, almost shedding tears. She didn’t join their discussion, silently practicing, but her female archer missed several shots.
“Knock, knock…” Her desk was suddenly rapped, and she looked up to see Lu Jiaming’s cold profile. “Come out for a moment.” An Junxing followed him out, leaving behind a chorus of whispers, all worried she was about to get scolded.
In the Office
Lu Jiaming laid out the recent competition and training data in front of An Junxing. “You used to be the top female archer, but now your performance is the worst. There’s a friendly match at Junyuan tomorrow; I want you to lead the new players to win with absolute advantage.” An Junxing’s eyes trembled, but before she could respond, Lu Jiaming stood up. “This is your last chance.” “Yes.” An Junxing couldn’t refuse. As Lu Jiaming was about to leave the office, she couldn’t help but ask, “Will you get married?” The man paused, his lips parting slightly, “This is the company, I am your superior, I am not obliged to answer personal questions.” After he left, An Junxing remained dazed for a long time. That day, she didn’t go home, staying in the training room to practice.
The next day arrived quickly. At Junyuan Arena, the crowd of fans surged. An Junxing, as the team captain, led the team in. She immediately spotted Lu Jiaming and Cheng Xinxin sitting in the front, their low conversation and intimate gestures evident.
The match soon began. An Junxing was known for her fast hands and stable judgment for victory. Today, in the first half, her performance was stable, keeping the opponents at bay. However, no one noticed her decreasing finger agility and increasingly rapid breathing. During halftime, she hid in the bathroom, swallowing handfuls of medication, her throat dry and bitter.
“Lu Jiaming, did you think I left you for money when I broke off our engagement and married someone else? No, it was because of the disrespect from you and your family. My mother just wanted a million and a house, was she wrong? She just wanted me to have the security I deserved!” As An Junxing was about to leave the bathroom, she suddenly heard Cheng Xinxin’s aggrieved voice. “Back then, the team wasn’t as famous, and you had no money. If I were really after wealth, I wouldn’t have been your girlfriend.” Then, she heard Lu Jiaming reply, “So, what do you want this time?” “My husband died, and his son refuses to share the inheritance with me; I want you to help me get my half.” Cheng Xinxin paused, then added, “And I want you to marry me; this is what you owe me!” An Junxing’s breath caught, then she heard Lu Jiaming’s familiar voice, “Alright.”
Chapter 4: Birthday Gift
And I want you to marry me… An Junxing stepped back onto the stage, that sentence echoing in her mind. Time ticked on. “Drip, drip…” Drops of blood fell from her nose onto the keyboard. Lu Jiaming, watching from below, his gaze tightened. Soon, the applause was thunderous. “We won.” When she left the stage, An Junxing was unsteady on her feet. Lu Jiaming was about to inquire when Mu Tao quickly came up to support her, “Is it too dry today? Sister Xing, why do you keep getting nosebleeds lately?” An Junxing adeptly wiped it with a tissue, not looking at Lu Jiaming. “It’s like this every winter, don’t worry.” After informing Lu Jiaming, Mu Tao led her away.
As they walked out of the venue side by side, Lu Jiaming watched their retreating figures, his deep black eyes inscrutable. The late autumn wind brushed against them. Mu Tao draped his jacket over An Junxing’s shoulders, “Our team’s first female warrior can’t get sick.” Listening to his gentle words, An Junxing’s throat felt bitter. “Thank you, I can go back by myself.” After being put into a taxi, An Junxing looked through the window at the youthful Mu Tao, feeling envious. The optimal age for an eSports player is 18 to 24; Mu Tao still had a long road ahead. An Junxing looked down at her trembling hands, her eyes dim. Perhaps it was time for her to retire…
Lanwan Villa
