Chapter 2786: The Online Game Master's

As deep winter approached, the weather became utterly unreasonable.

In the morning it was still a warm, cozy winter sky, but by afternoon dark clouds pressed in, cold wind carrying damp chill swept over North City, followed immediately by a downpour.

Jin Chen had no class in the afternoon, holed up at home finishing the last part of the end-of-term project report ahead of schedule, he lowered his head to glance at his phone, estimating the time. At this hour, Cheng Lang should still be at the gym.

Since they confirmed their relationship, Cheng Lang has been more attentive to keeping his figure, his lean muscles maintained just right.

Jin Chen……well, Jin Chen admits, he really does like it.

Jin Chen had also suggested working out together at home before, for which he even bought equipment specially.

But after trying it twice, Cheng Lang pushed away his restless hand, panting, saying if this continued, his pecs would definitely not be trained big, but rather eaten big.

Thus, Jin Chen could only regretfully temporarily lose this home perk.

Jin Chen changed into a heavier coat, took his umbrella, and went out.

The winter rain was icy, wind blowing rain droplets onto them; the gym wasn't far from where they lived, a ten‑minute walk, and they could pick up groceries on the way back.

This gym isn't large, it operates on a small‑group private‑training basis, and the classes Cheng Lang signed up for are mostly in this evening time slot.

Cheng Lang was doing stretches, listening to the coach and a few familiar members chatting.

The office‑worker big brother in their group took a call, then his wife drove over to pick him up.

The coach was a capable woman in her early thirties, nicknamed Li Jie; she laughed and teased, "Look at them, wind or rain, someone comes to pick them up, while we few lonely singles just chat here honestly—let's wait till the rain eases before leaving; there are two shared umbrellas on the rack by the door, whoever needs one can grab it later."

The young male trainee slumped on the ground wailing, "I also want a family member! Li Jie, set me up with someone."

Li Jie: "Cut it out, first lose that belly before talking; we still have a handsome guy Cheng Lang here."

Cheng Lang listened to their teasing, didn't respond, leaned forward, feeling the stretch in the back of his thighs.

He didn't envy that big brother, instead calculating in his mind whether, if the rain stayed this heavy later, he should rush straight home or go to the nearby convenience store to buy an umbrella.

He also thought, on the way home, should he swing by the supermarket to buy some nice vegetables.

Xiao Chen has been rushing to finish his end‑term assignment, also quite mentally taxing; I should make something tasty to nourish him, as a way to relax.

However, grocery shopping is better left until tomorrow when Xiao Chen has no class, so we can go together and have more fun.

Cheng Lang thought, glancing sideways out the glass window, a figure holding a transparent umbrella walking toward the gym entrance.

The rain was heavy, the wind fierce, yet that person walked steadily.

Rainwater slid down the transparent umbrella surface; the thin mist of rain gave the youth a halo around his whole body, gorgeous and unreal, yet his expression remained pale, truly striking in the gloomy, wet, cold curtain of rain.

"Holy shit… is this handsome guy coming to the gym? Who's this family member, Li Jie? Couldn't be yours?" the male trainee also exclaimed, stunned by his looks.

Li Jie: "Good heavens, he looks like a star—I wouldn't mind at all."

Cheng Lang watched that approaching figure, pride and flutter rising in his chest; in an instant he understood why that office‑worker big brother had shown off earlier.

His gaze kept following the person outside the window until they put away the umbrella, pushed open the glass door and walked in, then he turned his head.

Cheng Lang cleared his throat, but couldn't suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth, "He's my boyfriend."

Li Jie: "I swear… handsome guys really do belong with handsome guys, a perfect match!"

【Villain Heartthrob Value detected +10, total 90!】

【Villain Blackening Value detected -5, total 10!】

Jin Chen pushed the door open, came in, put away his umbrella, and stood by the umbrella rack.

"Brother."

Cheng Lang too had been charmed by his little boyfriend today; a small pride bubbled up like soda, filling his mind solely with the desire to hold him close and bring him home.

He took Jin Chen's cool hand, fingertips lightly scratching his palm.

"Just right, I just finished my workout." Cheng Lang looked at him, eyes bright, "Come with me to change, then we'll go home."

"Okay." Jin Chen agreed, letting him lead.

Amid the teasing glances of the other members, Cheng Lang led Jin Chen toward the changing room.

The changing room was a single stall; Cheng Lang pulled Jin Chen inside and latched the door behind them.

Before Jin Chen could speak, Cheng Lang cupped his face and kissed him.

Jin Chen responded to the kiss, tongue twining, loosely embracing him, fingertips brushing over his full chest.

Cheng Lang's breathing grew heavier, he pulled back slightly, then unable to resist, grabbed Jin Chen's hand and pressed it against his own chest.

"Feel it."

Jin Chen's fingertips sank into the elastic muscle.

Cheng Lang loves cleanliness; after working out he showered, so now his skin bears only the scent of body wash, warm and smooth.

Jin Chen lowered his head to kiss the patch of reddened skin, then traced up along the collarbone, planting a peck on the corner of Cheng Lang's lips, gently rubbing.

"Brother," Jin Chen murmured against Cheng Lang's lips, "you're really passionate today."

Cheng Lang felt a little dizzy from the kiss, his chest filled with satisfied, restless emotion.

He liked Jin Chen's slightly aggressive kiss, which made him feel needed, wholly relied upon by Jin Chen.

Cheng Lang muttered, rubbing Jin Chen's hair, "Does doing assignments tire you out?"

Jin Chen rested his chin in Cheng Lang's neck crook, rubbing the warm skin, "Seeing you, I'm not tired."

Cheng Lang was soft‑hearted to an extreme, fingers sinking into Jin Chen's cool black hair, gently rubbing, "Your mouth is so sweet."

Jin Chen chuckled lightly, breath blowing onto Cheng Lang's neck side.

"Truthfully."

After lingering a while in the changing room, Cheng Lang gently pushed Jin Chen away, "All right, I'm changing; are you hungry?"

"Hungry." Jin Chen sat up straight, leaning against the wall, watching Cheng Lang pull out clean clothes.

His gaze was open and honest; Cheng Lang felt seen and sped up his dressing.

"What do you want to eat? There doesn't seem to be any vegetables left at home." Cheng Lang slipped on his jacket, tidying as he asked.

Jin Chen thought, "Let's make dumplings; it's been a while, we'll pick up some filling on the way back."

"Sure." Cheng Lang naturally listened to him, then said, "Let's buy some more shrimp; I'll make you shrimp and three‑fresh dumplings."

"Okay." Jin Chen smiled and nodded, watching him put on his jacket and sling his sports bag, then said, "I'll like anything you make, brother."

Cheng Lang gave him a look, though his eyes were smiling, "Come on, the last time I tried making that whatever innovative dish, you ate two bites and secretly fed it to the stray cat downstairs, as if I didn't notice?"

Jin Chen blinked, looking innocent, "Really? You must be misremembering, brother; your dishes are the best."

Cheng Lang had no choice with him, smiling and shaking his head, he pulled open the door, "Let's go, let's go—if we don't leave now the supermarket will close."

The two shared an umbrella and walked into the rain.

Jin Chen slipped his arm around Cheng Lang's shoulders, pulling him close into his embrace.

Cheng Lang leaned against his side, suddenly feeling that the gloomy, cold weather wasn't so unpleasant anymore.

He even wished the road could be a little longer.

"Little Chen."

"Hmm?"

"Your assignment is due next week, right?"

"Yeah, once I hand in the final assignment there won't be much left; after exam week, how's your graduation project going, brother?"

"Not bad, the code part is almost done; just the paper still needs polishing, though our department's vacation starts a bit later..."

The two chatted about trivial topics, their steps splashing through puddles.

The streetlights had come on at some point, casting a warm yellow glow that stretched the shadows of the two leaning into each other.