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Love Triangle
Dongfang Qingcang stood silently, scowling and clenching his jaw as he watched Lina receive unexpected news from her teammate. He felt an unfamiliar sensation in his chest, like his heart was being torn apart, his chest tight with a pain he could not explain. ‘Why does her happiness bring pain to my chest?’ he wondered, his breathing becoming shallow as he struggled to control his composure, confused by the sudden news and change in his mood.
Her surprise was evident as she heard what her teammate had to say. “I wasn’t expecting this,” she exclaimed, her eyes widening as she tried to process the news.
Qingcang turned away, his heart heavy as he walked away from the scene, not wanting to hear anything more.
Her teammate spoke again, “Yichen’s divorce will be completed today by noon. He wants to see you before he leaves for a trip tonight; he said he has something to tell you as a single man this evening. He’ll show up at your door at eight.”
“But I…” she started to speak, but the words caught in her throat. ‘I’m getting married in two days…’ she thought. She became confused when she heard about Yichen’s request; she did not want more complications. ‘I’m happy he gets free from that monster, but seeing him as a date is… I don’t know… Should I see him?’ she wondered.
Her teammate interrupted her thoughts, “But what? Isn’t this what you always wanted?”
‘I could see what Yichen has to say; I won’t be able to hear him out after I get married,’ Lina’s attention turned to her teammate, and she spoke firmly, “I’ll think about it. Are you about to leave for the competition? Remember, we have a one-hour meeting before the game. I’ll see you in two hours.”
“Yes, captain,” her teammate replied before hanging up.
She let out a sigh. ‘Maybe I should talk about this with Pretty Eyes… I won’t see Yichen if he doesn’t want me to,’ she thought, the weight of her upcoming marriage heavy on her mind.
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The Moon Supreme walked out of Lina’s room and headed towards the estate’s backyard, a peaceful and serene place with beautiful scenery. The greenery was vibrant, and the birds’ chirping provided a melodic soundtrack to the ambiance.
Qingcang settled into a chair, letting his thoughts wander back to the conversation in Lina’s room. He pondered deeply, lost in thought, ‘It’s strange. The bond with the Silly Little Human should have allowed us to share our joy and sorrow. She was so excited about Yichen’s divorce, but I… felt uneasy… I never expected the bond to be so odd. I can’t let my guard down.’
“GOTCHA!” Lina’s voice suddenly pierced through Qingcang’s thoughts as she emerged energetically from behind the chair he was sitting in, startling him with her playful nature. She held her hands in a claw-like shape near her face, her eyes shining with mischief.
Qingcang’s eyes widened in surprise, and his heart raced as he realized he had let his guard down. He never expected to be so absent-minded today to fall for her impulsivity.
“Hehe, I always wanted to do that,” Lina said, her voice light and playful as she giggled, her eyes glinting mischievously. The sound of her laughter was rich, and it was clear that she was enjoying herself. Her smile widened, and her body language relaxed, and it was evident that she was in a good mood.
“You!” Qingcang exclaimed, his finger pointed swiftly at her. His expression shifted from surprise to irritation, and his lips pressed together tightly. Her sudden appearance and mischievousness had taken him off guard, and he snarled, “Giddy woman!” He was usually known for his cold-blooded demeanor, but her behavior rattled him.
Despite Qingcang’s irritated reaction, Lina seemed unfazed and smiled brightly. She disregarded his sneer and the dangerous look he gave her. She flashed a smile and greeted him, “Pretty Eyes, good morning!” She walked over to a chair opposite the table where he was seated and sat down.
“Hmph,” Qingcang scoffed and scowled at Lina, his jaw clenched tightly in frustration. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes briefly to calm himself down. “You’re up early this time,” he remarked before delicately taking a sip from his cup of tea, indicating that he had grown accustomed to her habits. The cup’s steam rose and dissipated into the air, mingling with the morning breeze.
Lina replied, still smiling, “Yes, well… I slept well last night. Thanks to you for bringing me here safely,” expressing her gratitude towards Qingcang with a serene smile.
Qingcang observed Lina and noticed a difference in her demeanor. ‘She didn’t cry at midnight this time; that’s why she slept well,’ he thought as he raised his cup to his lips.
“And I have some news. Yichen is getting a divorce… I’m also told that he doesn’t love Jianmin,” Lina revealed.
Qingcang responded indifferently, “Is that so?” He knew about the details and was not surprised by the information.
“Uhh… yeah…” Lina hesitated before continuing, carefully considering her words before speaking. She noticed Qingcang was about to take another sip of his tea without looking at her. “And one more thing,” she began, “He wants to see me tonight.”
Qingcang froze at Lina’s last sentence and immediately raised his eyes to stare intensely at her. He distanced the cup from his lips and faced her, casually asking, “Didn’t you tell me that he broke your heart?”
“I forgave him… Besides, his divorce will be completed today by noon,” Lina replied with a faint smile, trying to ease her mind.
Qingcang still held his face in the same position and looked at Lina. “You’re going?” he asked, his tone a bit cold.
Lina sighed deeply, sensing the tension in the air. “I don’t know; I wanted to ask you if seeing him tonight is okay. If it makes you sad, I won’t go,” she replied, trying to gauge Qingcang’s reaction.
Qingcang’s mind raced as he thought, ‘Sad? I’m devoid of emotion. Besides, her happiness is my priority now, or the portal won’t open.’ He looked into Lina’s eyes and scoffed, “Hmph. Do what makes you happy,” he said indifferently.
Qingcang’s response took Lina aback. “What?” she asked, confused.
“That’s right. Isn’t this what you always wanted?” Qingcang said aloofly, his gaze leaving Lina’s as he spoke.
Lina was shocked. She did not expect the man she thought had a crush on her to suddenly encourage her to see someone else. She did not know how to feel about this but was relieved she would not break Qingcang’s heart by seeing Yichen tonight. She thought, ‘I should have known… Pretty Eyes only cared about me opening this damn portal.’ She scoffed, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. “Fine, thanks for being honest with me,” she said hesitantly as she grabbed a spoon. She stirred her fragrant tea with a silver spoon. The steam wafted into the air, carrying the aroma of the tea leaves with it.
Suddenly, Qingcang’s voice broke the silence. “Why does he want to see you?” he asked abruptly, his eyes piercing into Lina’s.
The suddenness of Qingcang’s question took Lina aback. “My teammate told me that Yichen wants to tell me something… I don’t know why he wants to see me, but I think he likes me,” she said with a wide grin, excited at the thought of being desired again. “Or else, why would he say that he doesn’t love Jianmin and wants to see me right before he leaves on a trip? He wants to see me as a single man tonight.”
Lina’s words piqued Qingcang’s attention, and his head shook slightly as he looked at her intently. His expression grew serious, and he clenched his jaw tightly, trying to control his turmoil. Her words were like a knife twisting in his chest, causing his eyebrows to furrow, betraying his frustration.
Lina continued, her voice rising with each word, “Maybe all those signs that I’ve been getting that I’m fated to be with him could be true.” She looked down with a cheesy grin and chuckled like a little schoolgirl. She could not help but feel giddy, unknowingly irritating Qingcang with her laugh.
As Qingcang heard her words, he felt like he was suffocating from poison. His anger began to boil, his eyes became irritated, and his lips curved into a slight sneer as he broke the cup in his hand, shattering it into tiny pieces. “You’re unpredictable and inconsistent,” he said, his voice laced with anger. He stood up, his tall and lean frame towering over the table. With his left hand resting on his straight back, he elegantly took a few heavy strides and walked away.
She watched Qingcang go, blinking, still holding her spoon firmly. She was stunned, unable to process what had just happened. She had never seen him so angry before, and she could not understand why her words had triggered such a reaction in him. “H-hey! You’re going to fix this cup later!” she exclaimed while holding her spoon as if she were about to throw it in his direction. “Ugh… Why is he so upset?” she groaned and sighed deeply.
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Three and a half hours had passed, and the final round of the international gaming championship had begun. The air was electric, with an undeniable buzz of anticipation and excitement. The venue, a massive building with a modern design, was filled to the brim with gaming enthusiasts. The walls were adorned with giant screens that showcased the game’s events, and LED lighting was everywhere.
As the game commenced, cheering crowds and gaming sounds echoed throughout the place, creating an almost deafening ambiance. The venue layout was open and spacious, accommodating the current game being played. The lighting was dim, with striking spotlights illuminating the gamers on stage. The participants sat on elegant chairs, each with a powerful computer in front of them.
“The red team is going at it! We expect nothing less from their captain, the world’s best strategist! Always one step ahead of her opponents! What a view!” the commentator exclaimed cheerfully.
Lina’s team had won the first half of the game, and if they won the second half, they would take first place. As the group’s captain, she commanded them with great skill and precision. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she shouted, “Hold off their tank player now!”
As the game progressed, the commentator could not contain his excitement and exclaimed, “Unbelievable! The red team is winning!”
She yelled joyfully as she hit the final blow, winning the match. “YES! HERE WE GO!” she cried out. “WE WON!” she screamed, almost shedding a tear of joy as the commentator congratulated them over the microphone as her team emerged victorious.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the team celebrated by hugging and high-fiving each other, enjoying the moment of triumph.
Lina, the team captain, was interviewed by the media. She smiled and said, “It was a tough match, and our opponents were strong, but we were determined to win.” When asked about their strategy, she explained, “We analyzed our opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and devised a plan that would work best for us. And I’m glad to say that it paid off.”
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Lina parked her sleek, purple car on the driveway of her grand home, a mansion with a vast garden, and stepped out onto the concrete pavement. She took a deep breath of the fresh, crisp air and admired the lush greenery surrounding her with each step. The vibrant colors of the flowers and trees, combined with the fragrance of the blooming garden, made her feel content.
As Lina walked towards the entrance of her house, she felt the cool breeze brush past her, lifting her hair off her shoulders. She reached the door, turned the handle, and pushed it open, eager to surprise her friend, Dongfang Qingcang, with exciting news. However, to her surprise, he was nowhere to be found.
Lina removed her shoes and muttered, “Strange… he’s usually here.” She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “Pretty Eyes?” she called out, her hands on her hips. “Alright, you can come out now!” Frustrated, she crossed her arms, growing increasingly impatient.
Lina made her way up the wide stairs, the echoes of her footsteps resonating through the grand hallway of her home. She reached her bedroom and made herself comfortable on her bed. She grabbed her phone from her purse, tapped the Gallery app, and scrolled through the pictures of her and her teammates, taken just today. As she swiped, she came across yesterday’s photo of her and Qingcang embracing each other at the amusement park. She received the digital version just an hour after she emailed the photographer last night after the Ferry Wheel.
Lina sat on her bed, her face a portrait of concern. She furrowed her brows, deep in thought, pondering over Qingcang’s strange actions, ‘Why did he encourage me to see Yichen? Was I delusional about his crush on me?’ She sighed deeply, her thoughts running wild, making it hard for her to breathe. ‘Yichen is late… why?’ she thought, feeling disappointed. She looked at the time on her phone and sighed again.
An hour passed, and Dongfang Qingcang appeared outside Lina’s room, his dark aura dissipating into thin air. But as soon as he saw her door open and laid eyes on her, he noticed she was sitting in the dark, her back slightly hunched over and looking sad.
As Lina sat on her bed, she heard footsteps approaching. She perked up and saw it was Qingcang. The sight of him lifted her spirits, filling her heart with joy. A smile spread across her face as she exclaimed, “Hey, you’re back!” She could not wait to share her news with him. “I have something good to tell you,” she chirped. My team won! We became the champions!”
“Mhm,” Qingcang replied with a nod, but his eyes narrowed slightly, sensing that something was off. He could feel Lina’s joy but also detected a hint of sadness in her heart.
As Lina sat in the dimly lit room, the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the window illuminated her face. Her concern for Qingcang was evident; she asked, “Oh yeah, where were you?”
Qingcang stood before Lina, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyebrow raised. “I was looking for the culprit,” he replied matter-of-factly.
Lina looked away from Qingcang, sighing. “I thought you… Never mind,” she trailed off, her voice faltering, not wanting to finish her sentence.
Qingcang sensed the pain in Lina’s heart and asked, “Why are you sitting in the dark?”
Lina’s gaze fell to the floor, still not facing Qingcang. “I just… forgot to turn on the lights,” she replied with a lump in her throat, her voice thick with emotion.
Qingcang fell silent. He knew that Lina was struggling with sadness and acted tough around him.
Lina’s voice was quiet, and her eyes were downcast as she tried to change the subject. “Oh yes, I placed your dinner in the kitchen. You can warm it up,” she said, her voice lacking her usual warmth.
Qingcang was not one to beat around the bush and got straight to the point, “He’s late, am I right?” he asked abruptly, crossing his arms over his chest.
Lina fell silent and sighed deeply, her heart heavy. She refused to meet Qingcang’s eyes as she spoke. “I don’t think he’s coming, Pretty Eyes. He stood me up…” she said, her voice trailing into a whisper as her heart filled with sorrow. She continued staring at the floor.
Qingcang took a deep breath, his eyes shifting to the window, deep in thought. He sighed as he tried to find a solution, unsure what to do in these situations.
Ding!
Suddenly, the sound caught their attention, and Lina’s head snapped up, her eyes locking onto her phone. She reached for it with trembling fingers, hoping beyond hope that the message was from Yichen, explaining why he had left her waiting. But it was from his ex-wife. “J-Jianmin,” she stammered, her voice barely audible above the sound of her racing heart.
Qingcang scowled, his hands curling into fists. “What does that mutt want?” he spat maliciously, a dangerous glint in his eye as he mentally prepared to skin Jianmin.
“She…” Lina’s voice trailed off, and she felt as if she had been slapped in the face. “She said that I have to watch what Yichen had said about me,” she explained, her words tumbling out in a rush as her stress levels spiked.
Lina opened the recording Jianmin had sent her, and Qingcang leaned over her shoulder, his arms still crossed over his chest as they looked at the screen.
Jianmin’s voice was cold as she accused Yichen, “You filed for divorce to go to Lina, didn’t you?” She ensured that the conversation was being documented; it was evident that she had secretly videoed the conversation because of the way she held her phone.
Yichen turned to face Jianmin, and his eyes grew colder by the second. “Lina is a great strategist who benefits any esports team,” he replied, his tone serious.
Jianmin questioned, “So what makes you want to divorce me?”
“I don’t love you,” Yichen replied straightforwardly.
Lina and Qingcang watched the recorded conversation intently. Both their attentions were caught.
“But I never liked Lina as a woman, either,” Yichen added, his voice cold and devoid of any sentiment as he made the statement.
Lina gasped. Her breaths became shallow as her eyes widened in shock, unable to believe what she heard. Qingcang, standing over her shoulder, let out a slight scoff in response to Yichen’s words.
Jianmin spoke up with bitterness evident in her voice. “Oh? But weren’t you two close for a few years? Weren’t you going to move into her city?” she asked.
Yichen clarified his previous statement, “All my team members live in her city, so she wasn’t the reason. Yes, we were close. But even so, I would have pursued her if I were interested in her. But, as time passed, I saw that I could never see her more than a little sister. She’s kind but too playful and emotional, which makes her unattractive to me.”
Lina felt like she was being torn apart with each sentence Yichen said. Her eyes widened in shock, her lips started to tremble, and her breathing became heavy. Qingcang’s aloof eyes grew slightly colder in response to Yichen’s words.
With cold eyes, Yichen continued his criticisms and concluded, “I might talk about video ideas with her, but I don’t like to spend more time on her than that. Besides, she’s an entertainer and overly bold. She can’t get ahold of her wild side and throws tantrums, thus undeserving to be a part of my prestigious family.”
Lina stared at her phone in disbelief as Yichen spoke ill of her. As the video ended, she turned off her phone, fighting back tears. Qingcang’s eyebrows furrowed as he could feel every bit of her sorrow in his heart, even though she refused to look in his direction.
All original additions in “The Moon Supreme, Dongfang Qingcang” are copyright © 2022 by Aurora Luxi. All rights reserved.
Aurora Luxi 