Chapter 2782: Online Game God's

Jin Chen loosened his hand, the corner of his mouth slightly curved, "Okay."

He turned sideways, sat and wrapped his arms around Cheng Lang's waist, pressed his cheek over, and closed his eyes.

Cheng Lang raised his hand, stroked Jin Chen's head, as he had done countless times before, gently rubbing.

He lowered his eyes, but his heart felt somewhat unpleasant.

Jin Chen silently counted about ten seconds in his heart.

"All right," Jin Chen said in a light tone, "Thank you, senior."

The brief warmth lingering in Cheng Lang's arms suddenly vanished.

He was used to Jin Chen's hugs that were never enough, his clinging and reliance; now this moderate hug is like a cup of lukewarm water, not only failing to quench thirst but instead arousing a deeper desire, yet unsatisfied, giving rise to an itch-like feeling, an annoying itch in the heart.

"It's not early, senior, you should rest early too, good night."

"... Good night." Cheng Lang's voice was dry and hoarse.

Cheng Lang stood there for a few seconds, then finally turned and walked out of the secondary bedroom.

Unbeknownst to him, Jin Chen behind him propped his cheek with one hand, the corner of his mouth spilling a smile.

It seems I can't hold back much longer, honey.

——

Cheng Lang returned to his room, hesitated repeatedly, but still dialed Xu Can's phone.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered; from the other end came Xu Can's voice, yawning nonstop, "Hey... Langzi? What are you doing up so late... My graduation project is killing me, I just lay down."

"Can," Cheng Lang said, unusually confused and annoyed, "I have a question for you."

"Speak..." Xu Can's voice was weak and listless.

"Xiao Chen has been acting strange lately." Cheng Lang described the feeling that left him at a loss.

"He's become cold toward me, distant, doesn't want to hug, comes back late at night, and even avoids a touch."

Xu Can on the other end: "Hiss."

"... Langzi, why do I find your words so familiar?"

"Familiar?" Cheng Lang didn't understand, "Who else has said something similar to you?"

"It's like those 8 p. m. family ethics dramas!" Xu Can enjoyed the drama, "That kind where a wife suspects her husband of cheating and is heartbroken."

Cheng Lang: "..."

"Are you being stupid from working on your graduation project?"

"You're the stupid one!" Xu Can retorted, "I'm telling you, Langzi, haven't you forgotten? You and Jin Chen are currently practicing an ordinary friendship, right?"

"Between ordinary friends, isn't it like this? We talk when there's something, each busy with our own when there's nothing, it's what you yourself asked for."

"But I don't want it like that." Cheng Lang's voice lowered.

"Then if you don't want it like that, isn't it just that you like him?" Xu Can yawned again.

This time, Cheng Lang unusually didn't rebut in time; after staying silent for a while, he rubbed his face, slumped.

"I don't know." Cheng Lang said hoarsely.

He just felt that if his relationship with Jin Chen in this life could only stay at the level of ordinary friends, it would inevitably be disappointing and regrettable.

Xu Can sighed again, feeling emotional, "Langzi, do you still remember what Qiu Wei said last in the multimedia room that day?"

"She said," Xu Can slowly repeated, "You don't have to be a giver, just liking Jin Chen is fine, it's not a big deal."

After Xu Can finished speaking, he was truly exhausted, "Alright, don't think about it, go to sleep first."

After hanging up, Cheng Lang took off his outer clothes and got into bed.

The blanket was warm, but his heart still felt empty and chilly.

Closing his eyes, his body still savored the sensation of Jin Chen's brief hug, the unsatisfied itch-like feeling grew stronger.

His thoughts drifted back.

Backstage at that day's comic expo, that abandoned, dim magic room.

The cramped space, the stuffy air, their breathing intertwined.

Jin Chen's distinct-knuckled hand pressed against the side of his neck, biting onto the dull ache and numbness of his earlobe.

Plus his whisper near the ear.

Cheng Lang suddenly opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling.

After a long while, he abandoned all his principles, felt cold, and the hand outside the blanket also reached inside.

Finally, he admitted.

In this life, he could never willingly be just ordinary friends with Jin Chen.

Between them, it shouldn't be, and absolutely cannot be, such an ending.

——

On Christmas Eve, the festive atmosphere on campus was heightened to its peak.

The Christmas party organized by the college was held in the school's largest auditorium.

The e-tickets released in advance by the school's official account were sold out, the auditorium had no empty seats, lights brilliant.

Jin Chen sat in the front row of the audience seats; their class also had a performance, and the Class Monitor, whom they had become somewhat familiar with lately, pulled him to fill the seats as a surprise audience member.

He lowered his head to look at his phone; Cheng Lang had just sent a message: Xiao Chen, come back early tonight, I have a Christmas gift for you.

Jin Chen curled the corner of his mouth, replied.

Just as the message was sent, a person suddenly squeezed into the empty seat, the Class Monitor holding a large bunch of flowers in his arms, running with flushed cheeks and sweat on his forehead.

"Jin Chen! Jin Chen! Jianghu emergency, ten thousand urgent!" the Class Monitor spoke at a speed like a machine gun, not stuffing that bunch of flowers into Jin Chen's arms.

Jin Chen was stunned by this sudden gift, instinctively caught it, "Forced stuffed."

The Class Monitor clasped his hands together, made a pleading gesture, "Chen ah, help me out! The instructor suddenly had an emergency and called me, I have to go right away! But my brother, my own brother! He's in the next act, he repeatedly told me I must rush onto the stage right after his performance to give him flowers! Otherwise, if he's the only one without flowers, when I go back he'll surely skin me alive!"

He took a breath and continued, "My older brother looks a lot like me; you'll recognize him at a glance! He's playing that Knight, please, Chen, later please treat me to food and milk tea! Order whatever!"

After he finished speaking, the Class Monitor's phone rang again; it seemed to be another deadly non-stop call from the instructor.

The Class Monitor clamped the phone, bowed again to Jin Chen, then turned, crouched low, and hurriedly ran down the corridor, leaving Jin Chen holding a large bouquet of flowers, sitting in place.

Jin Chen: "……"

【His mouth is really fast, this kid, like he's doing a rapid-fire clapper.】 Ling Gun Gun perched on his head, watching with relish.

Jin Chen lowered his head and sent another message to Cheng Lang: "Might be a little late; the Class Monitor has something come up temporarily, so he asked me to deliver a bouquet for him."