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ntranslator: baumkuchen editors: serefina, glitterypanda

nAnother two and a half years passed since Dong Ge and He Changsheng started living together.

nThe year before, Dong Ge hadn’t been able to celebrate the New Year at home, as he was participating in a competition at that time, so this year’s New Year’s celebration was especially lively.

nThe house had been renovated, with a floor-length window added to the dining room. Heavy snow piled on the steps outside, but it was as warm as spring in the area enclosed by the four walls.

nThere were dumplings stuffed with pork and Chinese onion filling rolling up and down in the boiling aluminum pot; the steamed pork was suffused with a caramel shine, the meigancai was dark, fresh and delicious, and the aroma of the meat juices drew out the full mellow and rich flavour of the meigancai, perfectly complementing one another; the freshly harvested oysters were fleshy and plump, the fishy taste of the minerals perfectly covered by ginger ale.

nThis marvelous, abundant table full of delicacies was entirely prepared by Dong Feihong.

nThere weren’t many people participating in this family dinner, with only four people present: Mister Dong, Madam Dong, Dong Ge, and Dong Feihong.

nMadam Dong, face flushed entirely red, helped pick out food for Dong Ge as Dong Ge had a drink with Mister Dong.

nDong Ge was very good at holding his alcohol, so when Mister Dong’s face was red and ears were flushed, there was only a bit of an alluring flush on Dong Ge’s cheeks and his eyes were still bright, clear and quiet.

nSince this was a family dinner, it was naturally inevitable that they would talk about personal matters during the dinner.

nMadam Dong asked with a giggle, “Xiao Ge, has anyone caught your eye recently?”

nDong Ge said, “I’m training every day, where would I have the time to think about this kind of thing?”

nMadam Dong winked. “Don’t play dumb with your mother, if you like someone, just tell Mom.”

nDong Ge, “How would I.”

nMadam Dong simply made her words more direct. “Do you like men or women?”

nThis world was different from the previous one. Society’s acceptance of homosexuals was considerably so-so. Madam Dong being able to ask such a question truly gave Dong Ge a bit of a shock.

nAnd soon after, Madam Dong gave her reason. “What’s with that look? For better or for worse, our family runs a skating rink. Most of the time, it’s boys bringing other boys to skate with them. Over these past few years, how many times has Mom accompanied you overseas? What western scenery have I not seen?”

nDong Ge was surprised. “……Why did you suddenly think of this?”

nIt was true that Dong Ge had always been gay, but how did Madam Dong pick up on this?

nMadam Dong had a face that read “Brat, your mother’s guessed correctly, hasn’t she”. “Is that person surnamed He?”

nChi Xiaochi, “……” Hah?

nMadam Dong said, “The last time I went to visit you, I bumped into a female teammate of yours, so we chatted a little. She said that there was a person who would always come to the side of the rink to watch you practice, and every time he came, your jumps would become particularly energised. Whichever jump was the most fancy, you’d jump it. She said it really enthusiastically, so I went to go listen around. Originally I thought it was a girl, but I never expected……”

nChi Xiaochi, “……Liu-laoshi, Liu-laoshi. Is this true?”

nDuring training, Chi Xiaochi had always handed complete control of his body back to Dong Ge, leaving him free to do as he wished. He hadn’t expected that the boy would actually use this opportunity to show his feelings.

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n061, “……It’s true.”

nChi Xiaochi held up his wine cup. “……I taught him for so long, only to bring up a little peacock who knows how to show off his tail in the end.”

n061 laughed.

nEver since he received that last subtle signal, 061 had begun to pay special attention to what was going on in Dong Ge’s body.

nSure enough, there was yet another reaction this time.

nIf 061 hadn’t felt wrongly, the signal he received this time read “blushing”.

nSeeing Dong Ge remain silent, Madam Dong couldn’t resist continuing her preaching, “If you like men, that’s fine, it’s not like it’s anything bad. If you were to be like your uncle, playing at some kind of celibacy, that would be troublesome. When you get old and your body is injured, who will take care of you?”

nDong Feihong, who had been named for no reason, immediately turned cautious, lowering his head and obediently eating his food, yet at the same time winking at Dong Ge over his bowl of rice.

nAfter the meal, Madam Dong washed the dishes, Mister Dong wiped the table, and Dong Ge was chased off to go watch TV.

nAfter changing the channel to China Central Television, he pulled on his coat and walked out the door.

nHe found Dong Feihong smoking by the side of the skating rink.

nOver the rink was a bright red banner: To congratulate Dong Ge on entering the national team, the rink will be free for seven days.

nThe notice had been issued before the New Year.

nDong Ge, another female singles skater Liang Xiao, as well as He Changsheng and Fang Xiaoyan, these two pair skaters, had been recognised by the National Skating Association and would become members of the national team starting at the end of that year.

nThe training venue was still up to the provincial team. If there was an important competition, they would gather together for intensive training.

nAfter the New Year, they would be flying to Finland to prepare for the World Figure Skating Championship practice session in three months.

nUpon seeing him, Dong Feihong casually waved away the smoke, planning on extinguishing his cigarette.

nChi Xiaochi said, “No need.”

nHe stepped forward and placed his open palm in front of Dong Feihong.

nDong Feihong, knowing what he meant, dug out his cigarette box from his chest pocket. “Can you smoke?”

nChi Xiaochi pulled one out from the middle and placed it in his mouth. “A little.”

nDong Feihong smiled and said, “Let us men smoke in secret. Don’t let your mother find out, or else she’ll start saying I’ve corrupted you again.”

nAs he spoke, he placed his burning cigarette back in his mouth and lowered his head, pulling out his lighter from his pocket.

nBut unexpectedly, Chi Xiaochi tiptoed slightly, causing the cigarette in his mouth to naturally bump into the cigarette in Dong Feihong’s mouth.

n——Hiss.

nThe dark red, burning cigarette butt lit the paper covering the other cigarette, which in turn lit the tobacco inside.

nDong Feihong’s heart suddenly jumped.

nAfter lighting his cigarette, Chi Xiaochi automatically pulled back, as if the one who had performed that ambiguous action just now wasn’t him.

nLeaning against the cold railings, he looked up at the dark night sky and the sporadic blooms of fireworks that would burst occasionally therein.

nEven so many years after the decree banning the private lighting of fireworks had been issued, there were still people willing to go against the law. It was as if they felt they wouldn’t be celebrating the Chinese New Year the right way, if they didn’t make some noise during the new year.

nChi Xiaochi asked, “Uncle, I heard you’re going overseas.”

nDong Feihong nodded.

nChi Xiaochi’s mission in this world was nearing its end, so he too needed to make preparations for his “disappearance” in advance.

nChi Xiaochi said, “It’s really good abroad. In the future, when I go overseas for competitions, I can still come visit you.”

nDong Feihong just smiled slightly, not answering.

n“Dong Feihong” existed for the sake of protecting Chi Xiaochi. Without Chi Xiaochi, if he wanted to cross the huge gap between timelines to maintain “Dong Feihong”’s existence, it would be too difficult, and too unrealistic.

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nAfter that, Chi Xiaochi stopped talking.

nNephew and uncle smoked a cigarette side by side, then lit another.

nThe temperature difference between indoors and outdoors was extremely huge, but to Chi Xiaochi, who trained in the cold all year round, this bit of cold was nothing.

nJust like that, the two stood there quietly for a while, before suddenly, Chi Xiaochi spoke.

nFacing the vast, empty rink, he asked, “Uncle, have you seen 《The Matrix》?”

nThis world had this film, but because 061 hadn’t seen it, Dong Feihong hadn’t seen it either.

nHe shook his head honestly and asked, “What is it about?”

nChi Xiaochi took a puff of his cigarette. “Nothing much. It’s a good movie.”

nThe tone he used to say this was very loose and languid, incredibly close to the true Chi Xiaochi.

nIn Dong Feihong’s eyes, all data could be analysed. So, at this moment, the Chi Xiaochi in his eyes had his complete, original appearance.

n——Snow-white smoke flowed past his slightly reddened lips, floating up along his perfectly formed nose and slowly dispersing, disappearing into the freezing air.

nHis eyes were filled with a provocative heedlessness, mixed with a bit of melancholy, enchanting to the point of distraction.

nDong Feihong couldn’t help but speak, “You……”

nHowever, before he could finish speaking, Madam Dong’s voice drifted over from afar, “Dong Ge. ……Xiao Ge! Where are you?!”

nChi Xiaochi naturally reverted his expression to one of Dong Ge’s and skillfully dumped his cigarette butt in the disposable cup prepared by Dong Feihong that was filled with water. “Mom, I’m here.”

nMadam Dong shouted, “There’s someone here looking for you.”

nDong Ge had thought that it might be an acquaintance, but when he saw He Changsheng dragging his suitcase behind him, he was still given a shock.

nHe quickly walked over. “He-qianbei?”

n“I originally meant to come by your house to wish you a Happy New Year tomorrow.” He Changsheng’s breath escaped in white puffs from his mouth. His eyelashes covered in frost, he looked both pale and beautiful. “……But something unexpected happened. Can I stay at your house for a day?”

nDong Ge of course agreed.

nHis house had two guest rooms, so there was enough space for He Changsheng to stay.

nAs he brought He Changsheng into his home, Dong Ge didn’t ask a single question. And when he introduced He Changsheng to his parents, he just said that He Changsheng was here on a trip.

nMadam Dong recognised him, and having just heard the rumours off the grapevine recently, her gaze towards He Changsheng was a little different. “It’s New Year’s Eve, why are you out on a trip? What about your parents?”

nHe Changsheng held a hot cup of tea in his hands and answered truthfully, “I’m an orphan.”

nHe Changsheng had been bullied right after entering the sports school for this very reason. In the eyes of children, those who had mothers were naturally superior to those without.

nNow, bringing up such matters once more, He Changsheng already didn’t have any special feelings about it, but Madam Dong already couldn’t hold back her loving heart, beginning to fuss over him and handing him melon seeds. After about three sentences, she was pretty much ready to adopt him.

nHe Changsheng had never received such grand treatment before in his life. For a while, he was at a loss as to what to do, only able to keep close to the familiar Dong Ge’s side.

nIn the end, it was Dong Ge who rescued him and brought him to the guest room.

nThe moment the door closed, He Changsheng breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

nDong Ge, “You’re not used to this.”

nHe Changsheng, “Yeah, I’m not very used to this. Lou-ge’s family…… isn’t like this.”

nMister and Madam Lou had been reminded of He Changsheng’s life experiences many times by Lou Sifan in private. Hence, He Changsheng was always treated with absolute caution, with a deep fear of touching his sore spots. As such, even though He Changsheng was treated with courtesy in the Lou home, it was always unavoidably awkward.

nIn contrast, he was a little unused to Madam Dong’s enthusiasm, but it warmed his heart a little.

nDong Ge went silent.

nHe Changsheng sat down on the chair. “I’ll stay overnight and leave tomorrow.”

nDong Ge said, “Up to you. If you want, you can stay a few more days.”

nHe Changsheng said, “Can you lend me some money?”

nDong Ge, “How much?”

nHe Changsheng, “I need a train ticket back to the provincial team, so about 120 should be enough.”

nDong Ge said, “Alright. But I don’t think there are any tickets left by now. First check online to see if there are any tickets remaining.”

nHe Changsheng said, “I lost my phone.”

nDong Ge, “……You should buy a spare first then.”

nHe Changsheng, “My wallet and cell phone were stolen.”

nDong Ge, “……What do you still have on you?”

nHe Changsheng said, “I still have my ID card. I’ve always kept my ID card and wallet separately.”

nChi Xiaochi, “……”

nFuck, all that this New Year left you was your ID card?

nHe asked, “Qianbei, you came here because you were planning on celebrating the New Year with Lou-qianbei, right?”

nHe Changsheng fell strangely silent for a while, before answering, “En. He and I got into a fight.”

n……Alright, so the cause and effect of the story had finally come together.

nHe Changsheng had originally planned on celebrating the New Year with Lou Sifan, but something unexpected happened and an angry argument occurred; He Changsheng left the Lou home, planning on going to the train station to buy a ticket back to the provincial team, but his wallet and cellphone were unexpectedly stolen. Without any other options, he could only go on foot to look for Dong Ge, who was also in the area, for help.

nDong Ge checked if there were any train tickets left. “From the first day of the Lunar New Year to the fourth, all the tickets have been sold out.”

nHe Changsheng lowered his head. “I’ll take the bus back.”

nDong Ge said, “Alright, I’ll go with you to the passenger terminal tomorrow to take a look.”

nHe Changsheng said, “Thank you.”

nHe Changsheng didn’t say why he and Lou Sifan had fought, and Dong Ge didn’t ask.

nHe Changsheng was grateful for this seemingly inconsiderate consideration.

nSince last year’s good news had been sent to the provincial team, Lou Sifan hadn’t been in very good condition. In the next national competition, he didn’t even manage to enter the preliminaries.

nThis matter infuriated Lou Sifan’s coach, who made him prepare at least 5 individual self-reflections and analyses.

nAnd while chatting that afternoon, Mister Lou had also brought up that matter, telling him to guard himself against pride and impatience and to learn more from his teammate, Dong Ge.

nAt that time, Lou Sifan’s expression had been very ugly.

nHe Changsheng knew that this topic wasn’t pleasant for him, and hence wanted to turn the conversation to another topic. “Dong Ge also lives around here, right? Tomorrow I’m going to find him and wish him a Happy New Year, Lou-ge, want to come with me?”

nThe Lou Sifan who had always been cultured and refined unexpectedly blew up. “Can you not bring up that person!?”

nHe Changsheng was stunned. “……”

nLou Sifan began to shout, as if venting, “Wherever I go it’s him, wherever I go it’s him! For these past few years, you haven’t had a home to return to. Who was it that took you in for the New Year? If you want to go find him, fine then, go, quickly go! Don’t stay here——”

nOnce the words left his mouth, Lou Sifan also realised his mistake. His face flushed a purplish-red, but even if he wanted to take back his words, it was too late.

nHe Changsheng had already gotten over the death of his parents, but it was hard for him to accept his friend saying this kind of thing.

nSo, in order to prevent things from becoming even more unbearable, he chose to leave.

nAfter their simple conversation, He Changsheng said, “You should go keep your parents company.”

nDong Ge said, “I’ll stay with you.”

nHe Changsheng said, “Accompanying me will be very boring. I’m going to be designing my skating routine.”

nDong Ge said, “That’s interesting.”

nOnly then did He Changsheng realise the person before him was also someone for whom figure skating was life. To them, figure skating would never be boring, and every day would have something new.

nHis heart softened even further. “Alright.”

nHe Changsheng’s “routine” was the program routine they intended to perform at the World Championships.

nThis time, He Changsheng’s coach was rather ambitious, wanting He Changsheng and Fang Xiaoyan to break through the regret of getting fourth place from last time and win a medal.

nTherefore, while Dong Ge had already submitted his routine last year, He Changsheng was still consulting with his choreographer, burning the midnight oil every day. Even this New Year’s Day was no exception.

nDong Ge went out, made a pot of black tea and came back in. “Qianbei, do you have any problems?”

nHe Changsheng’s expression was a little vexed. “I need to hand in routine number twelve tomorrow, but I’m not sure how to design this movement better.”

nDong Ge looked over at his drafted routine.

nIn Dong Ge’s memories, He Changsheng had performed rather excellently in this World Championship, but because of yet another change of partners and their not being accustomed enough to each other yet, their expressiveness was lacking and they lost their chance at a medal.

n“Puberty” was a major hurdle practically every athlete had to pass, especially ice skaters and swimmers, for theirs was a type of sport which had requirements for body types that were so harsh it was almost perverse.

nDong Ge and the other athletes’ body weights were measured in liang, and their measurements were taken every day. If there was any increase or decrease beyond the calculated range, they would suffer a penalty and their training would double.

nGirls, due to having to face the development of breasts, buttocks and other such organs, faced more uncertainties than boys, so during puberty, male skaters often had to change their female partners.

nBut this time, He Changsheng’s partner was Fang Xiaoyan, who had worked with him for almost ten years. In terms of technique and cooperation, there shouldn’t be any problem.

nSeeing He Changsheng wrack his brains yet remain unable to come up with a solution, Dong Ge simply proposed, “My family has an ice rink, why don’t we try it out on the ice?”

nThe author has something to say:

nWe’ll be seeing the two little beauties dance tomorrow qwq

nAlso, have you all seen The Matrix?

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nsere: !!!!! MY BABIES !!!!!

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