When Zhu Zhiyao got up the next day, he still felt a sharp pain in his stomach. So his teammates rushed him to the hospital immediately. The diagnosis? Gastric bleeding.
It was a tricky condition that could be either serious or manageable, but it was undeniably a pain in the neck.
Upon hearing the diagnosis, Ji Siyue's first thought was to suggest that Zhu Zhiyao take a break from the upcoming finals. But she quickly dismissed the idea, fearing that it might come across as a sign of irresponsibility.
Zhu Zhiyao, on the other hand, was worried that Ji Siyue might actually voice those concerns. He avoided her gaze and kept his mouth shut.
Ji Siyue scanned the room, taking in the anxious faces of her teammates. Their eyes were filled with a mix of hope and trepidation, mostly worry.
Qin Chengyao, on the other hand, remained calm and composed. He seemed to be leaving the decision up to her.
After a moment of thought, Ji Siyue reached out and patted Zhu Zhiyao on the shoulder. He flinched involuntarily, as if he was scared.
"Are you up for it?" she asked.
Zhu Zhiyao's eyes widened in disbelief. "You..."
"This is the last game. I'm asking if you're still in the game. If you are, we'll train together. But let me be clear: if you choose to train, you have to see it through to the end. If you think you can't handle it, it's better to step down now. We don't want any last - minute surprises."
Zhu Zhiyao stood up excitedly. "I—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Qin Chengyao, who was standing at the back of the group, spoke up quietly. "This is a serious decision. Take your time. Don't rush into it. Stay in the hospital for a few days. From now on, our team's diet will be light. Two of you stay here. The rest, come with me for training."
On the way back, Ji Siyue and Qin Chengyao were in the same car. "Why did you stop him from answering?" she asked.
Qin Chengyao didn't answer as he was driving.
Ji Siyue guessed and said tentatively, "Are you worried that he might make a hasty decision and regret it later?"
At a red light, Qin Chengyao took her hand and played with it. "If he thinks he can handle it but fails, it will affect the team. And no matter what we say, he'll probably blame himself for the loss. That's why I want him to think it through. I don't want him to carry that burden."
It made sense.
Ji Siyue hoped that Zhu Zhiyao would make the right decision.
Two days later, while the team was having a training meeting on the second floor, the door on the first floor opened. A figure walked in.
It was Zhu Zhiyao.
He scanned the room, then gave a faint smile but said nothing.
Xing Xing seemed to have a hunch. His eyes welled up with tears. "Brother Zhu, are you still in the game?"
Landu echoed, "Yeah... Are you still with us?"
Ji Siyue watched nervously, feeling her breath slow down.
Only Qin Chengyao stood up. He held Zhu Zhiyao's Bluetooth earphone and walked up to him, as if to hand it over.
Zhu Zhiyao stared at it for a while but didn't take it right away. He looked around at everyone, then his eyes landed on Ji Siyue.
Seeing Ji Siyue on the verge of tears, Zhu Zhiyao's expression softened a bit.
He smiled and took the earphone. "I was just kidding."
Nan Gongqi shouted, "I'm going to beat you up today!"
Nan Gongqi was the first to rush over and pin Zhu Zhiyao on the sofa. The others quickly followed suit, punching him playfully.
Ji Siyue covered her mouth and couldn't help crying.
Everyone knew what it meant for Zhu Zhiyao to come back. It meant shouldering the pressure, even though he didn't have to. They were all touched, but as tough guys, they could only express their joy in this rough - and - tumble way.
While they were having fun, Qin Chengyao stood beside Ji Siyue, watching them with a soft look in his eyes.
Ji Siyue asked curiously, "Why don't you go and join them?"
"They're having enough fun. I'll stay with you."
"Ha... Lao Qin, are you afraid they'll see you cry?"
Qin Chengyao was taken aback.
Had he been crying? He didn't even notice.
Ji Siyue smiled and walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Why have you been so clingy these days?"
"Nothing..."
"Are you afraid of changes? Do you think any change will take me away from you?"
Qin Chengyao was stunned. He closed his eyes for a long time and then reluctantly nodded.
"Yeah."
Ji Siyue smiled and hugged him tightly. "Don't worry. I've made up my mind. No matter what happens, I'm not leaving this time."
The guys over there had finished their play - fight. They turned around and saw the two lovebirds and started howling. "You two leaders, pay attention! There are kids here!"
Xing Xing played along and howled, "Yeah! Can you please consider my feelings as a kid?"
Qin Chengyao walked over and gave Xing Xing a light slap on the head. "You're twenty - two, for god's sake. You're not a kid."
Everyone burst into laughter. Ji Siyue laughed so hard that her stomach hurt. But as she laughed, her eyes welled up with tears.
How she wished this moment could last forever.
The final game was approaching. After the game, regardless of the outcome, the team would disband. Everyone would go back to their own lives. This experience would only remain as a beautiful memory, rather than a part of their ongoing youth.
Time flew by. Half a month later, the final game was finally here.
This was the ultimate showdown! A three - year - long rivalry was finally coming to an end!