My Soulmate is A Libero
In order to prepare more nutritious meals, Qin Chunxiao found his way through a parenting forum, which he reached via a retired senior from the winter noodle QQ group. He successfully climbed the ranks to become a “Top-tier Supermom” in the culinary section.
There were plenty of great recipes here, low in oil and salt yet rich in nutrients. He combined them with nutrition plans shared by top-tier athletes like Lao Niu and Chang Xiaole, both renowned volleyball and beach volleyball players and current national-level coaches. This was enough to keep a young and generally healthy individual in good shape.
Qin Chunxiao successfully helped Qin Chunfeng lose weight and also ensured that Lu Xuandong’s health improved further. He was looking more and more handsome, and even his stomach issues had ceased entirely.
Stomach problems were often jokingly referred to as the “CEO disease” in many novels, as many CEOs got too busy to eat properly and ended up with such ailments. However, Lu Xuandong’s stomach issues were purely a result of his impoverished youth. Being poor meant he couldn’t afford meals, which led to constant worry. Interestingly, stomach problems could also be considered a form of emotional ailment. Not to mention, Lu Xuandong had more than just stomach issues to deal with.
But now, with his improved mood, balanced diet, and regular routine, his young body was quickly recovering. After all, CEO Lu was only 22 years old.
Qin Chunfeng had only one question: “Your vacation is almost over. Why haven’t you confessed to him yet?”
Using her clever mind, she considered it and felt that as long as Qin Chunxiao confessed, it was almost certain to succeed.
Qin Chunxiao: “Ahem, I’m preparing to confess.”
He wasn’t particularly ceremonial, but for Lu Xuandong, Qin Chunxiao hoped to make the confession meaningful. He wanted Lu Xuandong, who sometimes felt insecure, to realize just how seriously he took this relationship.
Qin Chunfeng: “So when will you be ready?”
Qin Chunxiao calculated: “At least after the Asian Championships. I haven’t finished writing the love letter.”
“Love letter!” Qin Chunfeng was shocked. Then she remembered that her grandparents had communicated through love letters, which eventually brought them together. Was Qin Chunxiao taking a lesson from his elders?
She picked up Qin Chunxiao’s paper: “From the moment we met to the time my heart was moved by you, I have traversed an unimaginably long journey… Still, this long journey, you guys have only known each other for three years, right?”
What kind of lengthy journey could an 18-year-old talk about?
Qin Chunxiao sighed and took the letter back: “You wouldn’t understand.”
From the moment they met to the moment he fell for Lu Xuandong, it felt like it spanned lifetimes, while Lu Xuandong had crawled out of hell and into the human world before meeting him.
Their relationship could indeed be considered a miraculous twist of fate.
Qin Chunfeng: “Alright, alright. I don’t understand. You guys have your own way of communicating. I guess you don’t need me as your wingman. You can just take this letter and confess. Your chances of success are about the same as winning an Olympic gold medal.”
In other words, a 100% success rate.
Qin Chunxiao was shocked. Having lived through two lifetimes, he had never participated in the Olympics. His sister said the success rate was as high as winning an Olympic gold medal. Did that mean the success rate was zero?
Was his love letter that bad? But he had scored well on his high school essays!
Qin Chunxiao decided to revise the wording of the love letter to make it more poetic and beautiful.
At the age of 22, all Lu Xuandong could think about was when Qin Chunxiao would confess. Loving someone meant being together with someone you care for, and at this point, they had gone to amusement parks, zoos, seen pandas, gone diving, and surfing together. Wasn’t it time to take the next step?
Lu Xuandong was prepared, ready to hand over his salary card and savings to Qin Chunxiao at any moment.
Lu Xuandong’s father, Lao Lu, had quite a few conservative ideas that both of his sons had ridiculed in the past, but there were some things they agreed with.
Lao Lu had said, “A responsible man should never let his family go hungry or cold. A successful man shouldn’t just ensure his woman’s basic needs are met, but also make her look glamorous and beautiful. Her dressing up as elegant and rich is also a man’s accomplishment.”
So, every month, Lao Lu gave Zhao Zhaoyan a lot of pocket money, supporting her extravagant spending and various cosmetic treatments. In Lao Lu’s eyes, this was a reflection of his sense of familial responsibility.
When Lu Yunchen entered school and experienced modern education, he had once questioned how his mom could tolerate his dad’s outdated thinking.
At that time, Zhao Zhaoyan had honestly replied to her son’s question, “Your dad is the kind of person who ignores the soul but excels everywhere else.”
With money and good looks, along with a predetermined ancestral code, his requirements for his wife were that she should be pretty and not interfere with his work to earn money. Lao Lu would provide material support, and he was even a rare case in the circle of wealthy individuals—he was clean, never strayed, all under the guise of avoiding illnesses. He even got the HPV vaccine with Zhao Zhaoyan when it was introduced, claiming that after working so hard to make money, he wanted to enjoy life to the fullest.
In a way, Lu Hao and Zhao Zhaoyan were a perfect match for each other’s requirements in a partner.
“As long as you have no expectations for love, your dad is an ideal man in this world.” That’s what Zhao Zhaoyan said at the time. This made Lu Yunchen believe, before reaching adulthood, that he belonged to the unfortunate group of wealthy yet loveless sons of prominent families. After all, his parents weren’t in love with each other.
Later, Lu Yunchen found out that in the world of superficiality, his dad was already considered a good man among the elite circles. Despite his parents’ lack of affection, Lao Lu would arrange things like multi-million value jewelry, fireworks, and luxurious yacht trips to see dolphins for Zhao Zhaoyan’s birthdays.
Lu Xuandong went even further than his father. He was more than willing to give money to Xiao Zai and knew that Xiao Zai wouldn’t ask him for pocket money. He decided to entrust his savings and the family’s financial power to him.
However, today’s little Captain Qin was still moving their relationship forward at an unhurried pace.
Lu Xuandong looked at the pot of desert roses that Qin Chunxiao had brought to his office. While the flower didn’t have much relation to actual roses, it merely looked similar and happened to grow in the desert vicinity, hence its name. This flower, able to bloom even in harsh desert conditions, possessed a unique charm, much like Qin Chunxiao himself—gentle yet passionate.
After finishing his work and gazing at the desert roses, contemplating when Xiao Zai would take him to watch “Cinema Paradiso,” his estranged younger brother gave him a call.
“Bro, I want to stay in Russia for an extra two weeks. Can you let Long-ge know? I won’t be able to attend the subsequent schedules.”
Lu Xuandong frowned, “What happened? Why are you pushing back your work?”
Lu Yunchen hesitated, “I irritated Yashenka, and he agreed to inspect my goods. But I accidentally injured him… Bro, this is about my lifetime happiness! If I don’t take this responsibility seriously and leave for China irresponsibly, Yashenka might cut ties with me for good!”
Lu Xuandong became even more displeased. Oh, so his brother couldn’t perform well during the inspection and caused a follow-up event, so now he didn’t care about his domestic work anymore? Lu Xuandong had put in so much effort to help his brother build connections and handle various matters, and now that you’re in Siberia, you’ve forgotten about everything just to satisfy Yashenka? Your romantic brain is now overruling your work? No, this kid just doesn’t have a brain!
Lu Xuandong thought that he and his brother were indeed blood-related. If he was unhappy, his brother would be impulsive. They were a perfect duo.
After careful consideration, he decided to get in touch with Qin Chunxiao’s friends to get some information. At this point, he couldn’t delay watching “Cinema Paradiso” until after the Asian Championships!
It was late August, and major provincial teams had begun intense training in preparation for the national volleyball championships scheduled for early September. In the same timeframe, the Asian Volleyball Championship was also set to take place. This major competition was closely related to securing spots for the Tokyo Olympics.
Only 12 teams could participate in the Olympics, and the qualification process varied each time due to frequent changes in the rules by the international volleyball federation (FIVB).
During the Tokyo Olympics cycle, only the top two teams from the current cycle’s Volleyball World Cup would get a direct entry to the Olympics. The World Cup was scheduled for October this year. If the Chinese team couldn’t secure a top two position, they would need to continue participating in other tournaments. After the World Cup, teams would have to go through continental qualifiers divided into seven regions, with the winner of each region earning an Olympic berth.
However, in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, as the host country, had already secured a spot, which meant other teams in the region didn’t need to compete for an Olympic spot in the qualifiers. Instead, they would participate in the next stage, the Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT). This tournament was divided into five zones, and teams could enter the OQT based on their performance in the Asian Championship. To enter the OQT, they needed to finish in the top eight in the Asian Championship and then compete in the OQT against other teams from their zone. Only the winner of each zone in the OQT would secure a ticket to Tokyo.
If the Chinese team missed out on this Olympic opportunity, their players would have to wait another four years. By then, veterans like Tong Shulan, Ding Rong, and Gao Depi might not even be able to compete due to injuries. Even someone like Qin Chunxiao, who had a remarkable physique, couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t face any accidents in the next four years.
Hence, starting from the Asian Championship in September, through the World Cup in October, and then the Olympic Qualification Tournament in January of next year, all these competitions were of crucial importance. None could be taken lightly.
To prepare for the Asian Championship in early September, national team members wouldn’t be participating in domestic volleyball tournaments. Instead, they would head to Beijing for intensive training and then travel to Iran for the competition.
The Olympic Qualification Tournament was scheduled for January 2020. They had to win the Asian Championship first!
On the last day of summer vacation, Qin Chunxiao persisted in bringing lunch to Lu Xuandong. After that, he was busy communicating with the provincial team leaders and Chen Aiguo, along with discussing matters with Gao Depi to ensure the team’s unity during the national championship. The aim was to prevent key players from leaving for other clubs.
Following that, they would head to a shopping mall to purchase the luggage needed for their travels. With this departure, Lu Xuandong wouldn’t be coming back home for at least a month. They needed to pack everything, especially masks. Qin Chunxiao planned to bring a thousand masks for the journey.
Li Ling was thoughtful, “Xiao Zai, your suitcase will still have space for other things. My suitcase is big, I can help you carry some.”
Qin Chunxiao was pleased with his kind offer and bought another thousand masks. He could distribute them to these good teammates when the time came.
Gao Depi quietly put some masks in his own bag, sharing the burden with Er Leng. He asked, “Are you pursuing Dong Zai lately?”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “Yeah, but how did you know? I didn’t mention it to you guys.”
He had initially planned to wait until he had successfully won him over before saying anything.
Gao Depi said, “You didn’t hide it when you visited Zhe Yue.”
Remember, Lu Xuandong possessed a universally admired appearance. In an era when global aesthetic standards had decreased, he was the first handsome guy among the post-95s in the Asian region. This wasn’t something he claimed himself or his agency hyped up, it was a result of votes cast by netizens from China, Japan, and South Korea. And these votes weren’t only from female netizens—male netizens would involuntarily exclaim, “He’s so damn good-looking!” upon seeing him.
In terms of looks, Dong Zai was number one. Even his body was advantageous. Standing at 197 centimeters tall (6’5″), his proportions were excellent. With diligent exercise, he looked sturdy but not bulky, and he managed to shed quite a bit of baby fat. Moreover, he possessed the best beauty enhancers for men—education (LSE alumnus), manners (morally impeccable), and wealth.
So, don’t be fooled by his soft and cute demeanor in front of Qin Chunxiao. In the eyes of the outside world, he’s the epitome of a domineering CEO. He even has an unfortunate and dramatic past—a living example of beauty gone wrong!
“There were many people taking photos at Zhe Yue’s entrance, and the value of Lu Xuandong’s pictures isn’t any less popular than airport candids of celebrities,” Gao Depi succinctly explained. “You even brought flowers with you. There are people online already decoding the flower language.”
For instance, not long ago, Qin Chunxiao posted a Weibo asking netizens which flowers were suitable for gifting and decorating indoor spaces. A bunch of people responded, even including the flower meanings.
Qin Chunxiao didn’t say anything but took the flower language of “respect and eternal love” with a white azalea to Zhe Yue. Later, he gave a “unwavering love” desert rose.
“Kid, do you realize how straightforward and passionate your expressions of love are? Assuming Lu Xuandong doesn’t openly signal his interest in you to everyone who knows you well, if your pursuit fails, it will still be a spectacle online. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Qin Chunxiao answered, “Not afraid.”
He just liked someone really great and wanted to express his affection. If the other person accepted, that would be great. If not, that was okay too.
“I don’t think liking Dong Zai is embarrassing. I’m pursuing him because he needs me to do this,” Qin Chunxiao zipped up his backpack. “Even though Dong Zai is excellent, he still thinks he’s not good enough for me. So, I want to boost his confidence through action.”
Gao Depi suddenly couldn’t say the words he had on the tip of his tongue. He realized that Qin Chunxiao’s feelings might be stronger than they had imagined. Qin Chunxiao wasn’t particularly expressive by nature. Many times, he came across as calm and rational. Just like his impenetrable defense on the court, he submerged the attacking players like an iceberg.
Was Qin Chunxiao boldly pursuing Lu Xuandong just to show off? No, from start to finish, this guy was doing it to make Lu Xuandong happy and confident. He put his feelings out there for the public eye, even if doing so might make people think Qin Chunxiao was using Lu Xuandong’s popularity to gain attention.
Yes, even if Lu Xuandong was a die-hard fan of Qin Chunxiao, often attending his games in person, their friendship was widely known. But when the public opinion surfaced this time, many of Lu Xuandong’s fans felt that Qin Chunxiao was “shamelessly using Dong-ge to promote himself,” or “a young player trying to attach himself to a powerful family.”
There were people online scolding Qin Chunxiao, and their words were extremely harsh. They didn’t care whether Qin Chunxiao was a national volleyball player, a high-achieving student who got into a prestigious university, or whether his father was a professor and his mother was a rising star in the new energy vehicle industry. They only saw that Qin Chunxiao and Lu Xuandong were good friends before. Plus, Qin Chunxiao hadn’t explicitly said they were in a romantic relationship. Perhaps Qin Chunxiao’s flower-giving was just as a friend helping to decorate Lu Xuandong’s office? This ambiguity prevented the public opinion from completely overwhelming Qin Chunxiao.
Life wasn’t a fairy tale, and there was a price for Qin Chunxiao’s active pursuit of Lu Xuandong.
However, Qin Chunxiao didn’t care about others’ criticism. When he realized Lu Xuandong’s self-doubt, he decided to boldly step into the spotlight and say “I love you.” This was not only an intense pursuit but also Qin Chunxiao’s wholehearted embrace of Lu Xuandong on a soul level. He disregarded consequences and public opinions, placing the healing of Lu Xuandong’s hidden pain as his top priority.
Gao Depi was truly amazed, “Xiao Zai… I really didn’t expect, in the 21st century—or rather, I didn’t expect there to be people like you in reality. You’re amazing, I’m impressed.”
“I’m truly impressed by you.” Gao Depi repeated himself.
He picked up his phone, “I’m going to call your Dong Zai.”
Qin Chunxiao, “Huh?”
Gao Depi raised his hand, “You’re not allowed to intercept this call. Let me tell you, if you stop me today, both you and Dong Zai will regret it for a lifetime.”
Pishen felt that if he didn’t play matchmaker for this couple today, he’d regret it for a lifetime. Damn it, he was starting to believe in love again!
“Er Leng, hold onto him. Don’t let him run away!” The captain of the Guangdong men’s volleyball team gave orders to the third-in-command.
Li Ling saluted, “Yes, sir!”
Er Leng was well aware that if Qin Chunxiao decided to leave, he wouldn’t be able to stop him. So, Er Leng had his own method. He took out a skipping rope and tied his wrist to Qin Chunxiao’s.
Qin Chunxiao stayed silent for two seconds, then commanded, “Don’t tie a knot, or you won’t be able to untie it later.”
Er Leng, “Oh, okay.” Then he tied a bow knot.
… Er Leng, you really are an “Er Leng” (a bit of a slow thinker)!
Qin Chunxiao: “Remind me, if there’s ever a situation where we need to catch someone, never let you handle it.”
Gao Depi then conveyed the message he had heard to Lu Xuandong, leaving out not a single word, but ensuring that the underlying meaning was perfectly conveyed. The evidence of its accuracy was the response he received on the other end after Lu Xuandong finished listening, saying, “I’m on my way now,” and hanging up.
Gao Depi found a spot to squat down, running his hand through his hair. He had the ruggedly handsome look that made people who saw him think, “Middle school graduate turned construction worker, stands up for friends, doesn’t hesitate to fight, ends up being taken to the police station with heating pipes attached.” His hair being disheveled only added to his rough appearance.
“Is this the miraculous true love of soulmates?” Gao Depi asked himself this way, then reached a conclusion, “No, this is the courage unique to Qin Chunxiao. It has nothing to do with whether they’re soulmates or not.”
For Lu Xuandong to survive through the hellish first half of his life, and to stand by Qin Chunxiao until the day he entered his life, based on his experiences of being abducted into the mountains at 1 year old and dragging along his mentally ill mother and vulnerable sister to eventually rise, it was clear that only the resolute Lu Xuandong could create such a miracle.
Gao Depi realized he was witnessing a miracle unfold. Regardless of how these two would develop in the future, their incredible bravery and determination at this moment were real. This was enough to make Gao Depi believe that humanity could possess this unexplainable quality, another flicker of the light of human nature in his eyes.
Lost in his thoughts, he squatted in a place with a good view, observing Qin Chunxiao and Er Leng sitting on a Lego stool outside a store, watching “Lego Ninjago.”
Lu Xuandong raced over while adhering to traffic rules. He feared Qin Chunxiao might leave yet was convinced that Qin Chunxiao wouldn’t. Finally, he just took off his coat and ran all the way to the shopping mall’s Lego store entrance as Gao Depi had mentioned.
At that moment when he saw Qin Chunxiao, he didn’t know what to say. He simply stood in front of Qin Chunxiao. He wanted to embrace him tightly, yet he also didn’t want to shatter the expectations from “Cinema Paradiso.” He contemplated whether he should just pounce on him and give him a passionate kiss before anything else.
At this point, Er Leng demonstrated his emotional intelligence. He untied the bow knot in just 0.5 seconds, then sauntered over to Gao Depi’s side, making space for the captain.
Qin Chunxiao remained seated on the stool, smiling, and said, “I haven’t finished writing my confession letter. Originally, I intended to wait until after the Asian Championships to deal with this. But the timing is perfect now. If I delay any longer, even the heavens won’t stand for it, right?”
Lu Xuandong walked up to him, his eyes already red. “You can’t delay anymore. I can’t wait any longer.”
“Then we won’t wait.” Qin Chunxiao got up. He didn’t even consider going to the private theater in a certain building less than a kilometer away, renting a screening room there, a place he had originally planned to confess. Instead, he walked into the Lego store, talked to the cashier, and asked if he and Lu Xuandong could borrow the store’s TV to watch a movie. He had something to discuss after the movie, but don’t worry, he would fast-forward. Half an hour should be more than enough.
The cashier was agreeable, “Sure, I’ll let the store manager know.”
As a senior employee who had worked at the Lego store for three years, she had long grown tired of Lego animations. A change of pace would be nice.
The store manager knew Qin Chunxiao and Lu Xuandong. She saw the two sitting on the Lego block couch inside the store, their expressions showing they were short of breath. She swallowed a mouthful of saliva, nodding in approval.
Go ahead, let them watch whatever they want. Anyway, today was a weekday, and it was already 9 o’clock. The children would be heading home to do their homework and rest. There were no customers left in the store.
Qin Chunxiao used the store’s computer to search for “Cinema Paradiso,” connected it to the TV, and immediately moved the progress bar to the final segment, then switched to double speed.
He wouldn’t delay any longer.
Qin Chunxiao moved the Lego couch in front of the TV. Lu Xuandong’s hands were trembling, so Qin Chunxiao held onto them.
“Lu Xuandong.”
“Um?”
“I left the written confession at home. Now I can only tell you verbally. Is that okay?”
“I don’t mind.”
Alright.
Qin Chunxiao looked at the screen, took a deep breath, and paused for a moment.
“Before I formally confess, I have to tell you that I really like your face. But even if you didn’t have this face, I would still like you.”
Lu Xuandong tightened his grip on that hand and responded, “Um.”
“Aesthetics are personal. In my heart, you are the most handsome being.”
You are too, Lu Xuandong thought of replying this way, yet he hesitated as he didn’t want to interrupt.
“Your beauty is founded upon your soul, radiating from within like the stars in the sky, and the first time I saw you, I was awestruck by your radiance. The courage you exhibited to escape from hell makes me look up to you. I respect you, admire you. Your resilient life astounds me. I can completely understand your fans, because I’m just as captivated by you as they are, no, even more captivated.”
Lu Xuandong’s face grew a little warm. Did Qin Chunxiao overpraise him?
“You are still a simple person. You’ve experienced poverty, yet you’ve held onto your principles in the face of money. I’ve seen your work, admired your exceptional abilities, and witnessed your adherence to law and morality. Your capability and steadfastness have won me over.”
Lu Xuandong shifted his position.
“From the moment I met you to the time I fell for you, I’ve traversed a path that most people couldn’t imagine. Unfortunately, I didn’t fall in love with you earlier than you. But thanks to you, I’m profoundly grateful that destiny has created soulmates, giving us the chance to meet.”
“I’m a proud person. I believe I possess the adventurous spirit to conquer oceans and jungles, and the curiosity to challenge frigid territories. I have good athletic talents, a decent mind, and the diligence suited for life. I used to think I was outstanding, but in your presence, I’m willing to bow my head because your determination will determine my love.”
Warmth surged to Lu Xuandong’s face. He wanted to find a glass of cold water to pour over his head, but he realized his hand was tightly held by Qin Chunxiao, and he couldn’t break free. He lowered his head and choked up, “Let go, Chunxiao, I beg you.”
He truly couldn’t hold back anymore. Right now, he just wanted to immediately duck under the table and cover his face. But he couldn’t stop feeling moved. It was as if a place in his heart had been filled. Qin Chunxiao intentionally increased the strength in his grip, not allowing any chance for escape, and he had a mischievous grin on his face.
“Starting from today, I’m willing to express words of love to you every day. If I’m fortunate enough in this lifetime, I hope that someday in the future, I can kneel and propose to you. Then I’ll bring you in front of our families. I can guarantee they will bless us.”
“Though I can’t promise that we’ll be together and guaranteed happiness, because life is unpredictable, and no one can foresee tomorrow, I’ll give my all to pursue our happiness. I hope that you and I are each other’s final love in this lifetime. And during this love that might be ended by uncontrollable factors like death, I’ll stand by you as family, friend, admirer—always by your side. No matter what happens in the future, I won’t leave you. I’m willing to share all joys and sorrows with you…”
Okay, that’s enough.
Lu Xuandong wiped his eyes as he rushed to the computer and fast-forwarded the movie to the last 3 minutes and 10 seconds. The store employees were stunned by Qin Chunxiao’s confession, and as soon as Lu Xuandong left, the store manager immediately took over the mouse and skillfully restored the movie to its original playback speed.
The TV displayed many kisses from black and white movies half a century ago. Among these movies were countless lovers expressing their affection with passionate kisses, because words paled in comparison to the intense love they felt.
At this moment, only kisses could further convey love.
In the shopping mall at 9:30 PM, the flow of people was neither too much nor too little. Several people who recognized Lu Xuandong had gathered at the open store entrance, holding up their phones.
Qin Chunxiao didn’t care about them, and neither did Lu Xuandong.
They embraced each other tightly, with a force that seemed as though they wanted to meld into each other’s bodies, their breaths intertwining.
For these 3 minutes and 10 seconds, they continued to kiss each other.
After 3 minutes and 10 seconds, Qin Chunxiao would tell Lu Xuandong the remaining content of the confession letter.
…
“From today onward, I’m willing to kiss you passionately every day, to hold you. As long as you don’t say stop, I’ll keep saying ‘I love you.’
I love you.
I love you.
In every day of our future, I’ll love you like this.”
My Soulmate is A Libero
In order to prepare more nutritious meals, Qin Chunxiao found his way through a parenting forum, which he reached via a retired senior from the winter noodle QQ group. He successfully climbed the ranks to become a “Top-tier Supermom” in the culinary section.
There were plenty of great recipes here, low in oil and salt yet rich in nutrients. He combined them with nutrition plans shared by top-tier athletes like Lao Niu and Chang Xiaole, both renowned volleyball and beach volleyball players and current national-level coaches. This was enough to keep a young and generally healthy individual in good shape.
Qin Chunxiao successfully helped Qin Chunfeng lose weight and also ensured that Lu Xuandong’s health improved further. He was looking more and more handsome, and even his stomach issues had ceased entirely.
Stomach problems were often jokingly referred to as the “CEO disease” in many novels, as many CEOs got too busy to eat properly and ended up with such ailments. However, Lu Xuandong’s stomach issues were purely a result of his impoverished youth. Being poor meant he couldn’t afford meals, which led to constant worry. Interestingly, stomach problems could also be considered a form of emotional ailment. Not to mention, Lu Xuandong had more than just stomach issues to deal with.
But now, with his improved mood, balanced diet, and regular routine, his young body was quickly recovering. After all, CEO Lu was only 22 years old.
Qin Chunfeng had only one question: “Your vacation is almost over. Why haven’t you confessed to him yet?”
Using her clever mind, she considered it and felt that as long as Qin Chunxiao confessed, it was almost certain to succeed.
Qin Chunxiao: “Ahem, I’m preparing to confess.”
He wasn’t particularly ceremonial, but for Lu Xuandong, Qin Chunxiao hoped to make the confession meaningful. He wanted Lu Xuandong, who sometimes felt insecure, to realize just how seriously he took this relationship.
Qin Chunfeng: “So when will you be ready?”
Qin Chunxiao calculated: “At least after the Asian Championships. I haven’t finished writing the love letter.”
“Love letter!” Qin Chunfeng was shocked. Then she remembered that her grandparents had communicated through love letters, which eventually brought them together. Was Qin Chunxiao taking a lesson from his elders?
She picked up Qin Chunxiao’s paper: “From the moment we met to the time my heart was moved by you, I have traversed an unimaginably long journey… Still, this long journey, you guys have only known each other for three years, right?”
What kind of lengthy journey could an 18-year-old talk about?
Qin Chunxiao sighed and took the letter back: “You wouldn’t understand.”
From the moment they met to the moment he fell for Lu Xuandong, it felt like it spanned lifetimes, while Lu Xuandong had crawled out of hell and into the human world before meeting him.
Their relationship could indeed be considered a miraculous twist of fate.
Qin Chunfeng: “Alright, alright. I don’t understand. You guys have your own way of communicating. I guess you don’t need me as your wingman. You can just take this letter and confess. Your chances of success are about the same as winning an Olympic gold medal.”
In other words, a 100% success rate.
Qin Chunxiao was shocked. Having lived through two lifetimes, he had never participated in the Olympics. His sister said the success rate was as high as winning an Olympic gold medal. Did that mean the success rate was zero?
Was his love letter that bad? But he had scored well on his high school essays!
Qin Chunxiao decided to revise the wording of the love letter to make it more poetic and beautiful.
At the age of 22, all Lu Xuandong could think about was when Qin Chunxiao would confess. Loving someone meant being together with someone you care for, and at this point, they had gone to amusement parks, zoos, seen pandas, gone diving, and surfing together. Wasn’t it time to take the next step?
Lu Xuandong was prepared, ready to hand over his salary card and savings to Qin Chunxiao at any moment.
Lu Xuandong’s father, Lao Lu, had quite a few conservative ideas that both of his sons had ridiculed in the past, but there were some things they agreed with.
Lao Lu had said, “A responsible man should never let his family go hungry or cold. A successful man shouldn’t just ensure his woman’s basic needs are met, but also make her look glamorous and beautiful. Her dressing up as elegant and rich is also a man’s accomplishment.”
So, every month, Lao Lu gave Zhao Zhaoyan a lot of pocket money, supporting her extravagant spending and various cosmetic treatments. In Lao Lu’s eyes, this was a reflection of his sense of familial responsibility.
When Lu Yunchen entered school and experienced modern education, he had once questioned how his mom could tolerate his dad’s outdated thinking.
At that time, Zhao Zhaoyan had honestly replied to her son’s question, “Your dad is the kind of person who ignores the soul but excels everywhere else.”
With money and good looks, along with a predetermined ancestral code, his requirements for his wife were that she should be pretty and not interfere with his work to earn money. Lao Lu would provide material support, and he was even a rare case in the circle of wealthy individuals—he was clean, never strayed, all under the guise of avoiding illnesses. He even got the HPV vaccine with Zhao Zhaoyan when it was introduced, claiming that after working so hard to make money, he wanted to enjoy life to the fullest.
In a way, Lu Hao and Zhao Zhaoyan were a perfect match for each other’s requirements in a partner.
“As long as you have no expectations for love, your dad is an ideal man in this world.” That’s what Zhao Zhaoyan said at the time. This made Lu Yunchen believe, before reaching adulthood, that he belonged to the unfortunate group of wealthy yet loveless sons of prominent families. After all, his parents weren’t in love with each other.
Later, Lu Yunchen found out that in the world of superficiality, his dad was already considered a good man among the elite circles. Despite his parents’ lack of affection, Lao Lu would arrange things like multi-million value jewelry, fireworks, and luxurious yacht trips to see dolphins for Zhao Zhaoyan’s birthdays.
Lu Xuandong went even further than his father. He was more than willing to give money to Xiao Zai and knew that Xiao Zai wouldn’t ask him for pocket money. He decided to entrust his savings and the family’s financial power to him.
However, today’s little Captain Qin was still moving their relationship forward at an unhurried pace.
Lu Xuandong looked at the pot of desert roses that Qin Chunxiao had brought to his office. While the flower didn’t have much relation to actual roses, it merely looked similar and happened to grow in the desert vicinity, hence its name. This flower, able to bloom even in harsh desert conditions, possessed a unique charm, much like Qin Chunxiao himself—gentle yet passionate.
After finishing his work and gazing at the desert roses, contemplating when Xiao Zai would take him to watch “Cinema Paradiso,” his estranged younger brother gave him a call.
“Bro, I want to stay in Russia for an extra two weeks. Can you let Long-ge know? I won’t be able to attend the subsequent schedules.”
Lu Xuandong frowned, “What happened? Why are you pushing back your work?”
Lu Yunchen hesitated, “I irritated Yashenka, and he agreed to inspect my goods. But I accidentally injured him… Bro, this is about my lifetime happiness! If I don’t take this responsibility seriously and leave for China irresponsibly, Yashenka might cut ties with me for good!”
Lu Xuandong became even more displeased. Oh, so his brother couldn’t perform well during the inspection and caused a follow-up event, so now he didn’t care about his domestic work anymore? Lu Xuandong had put in so much effort to help his brother build connections and handle various matters, and now that you’re in Siberia, you’ve forgotten about everything just to satisfy Yashenka? Your romantic brain is now overruling your work? No, this kid just doesn’t have a brain!
Lu Xuandong thought that he and his brother were indeed blood-related. If he was unhappy, his brother would be impulsive. They were a perfect duo.
After careful consideration, he decided to get in touch with Qin Chunxiao’s friends to get some information. At this point, he couldn’t delay watching “Cinema Paradiso” until after the Asian Championships!
It was late August, and major provincial teams had begun intense training in preparation for the national volleyball championships scheduled for early September. In the same timeframe, the Asian Volleyball Championship was also set to take place. This major competition was closely related to securing spots for the Tokyo Olympics.
Only 12 teams could participate in the Olympics, and the qualification process varied each time due to frequent changes in the rules by the international volleyball federation (FIVB).
During the Tokyo Olympics cycle, only the top two teams from the current cycle’s Volleyball World Cup would get a direct entry to the Olympics. The World Cup was scheduled for October this year. If the Chinese team couldn’t secure a top two position, they would need to continue participating in other tournaments. After the World Cup, teams would have to go through continental qualifiers divided into seven regions, with the winner of each region earning an Olympic berth.
However, in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, as the host country, had already secured a spot, which meant other teams in the region didn’t need to compete for an Olympic spot in the qualifiers. Instead, they would participate in the next stage, the Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT). This tournament was divided into five zones, and teams could enter the OQT based on their performance in the Asian Championship. To enter the OQT, they needed to finish in the top eight in the Asian Championship and then compete in the OQT against other teams from their zone. Only the winner of each zone in the OQT would secure a ticket to Tokyo.
If the Chinese team missed out on this Olympic opportunity, their players would have to wait another four years. By then, veterans like Tong Shulan, Ding Rong, and Gao Depi might not even be able to compete due to injuries. Even someone like Qin Chunxiao, who had a remarkable physique, couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t face any accidents in the next four years.
Hence, starting from the Asian Championship in September, through the World Cup in October, and then the Olympic Qualification Tournament in January of next year, all these competitions were of crucial importance. None could be taken lightly.
To prepare for the Asian Championship in early September, national team members wouldn’t be participating in domestic volleyball tournaments. Instead, they would head to Beijing for intensive training and then travel to Iran for the competition.
The Olympic Qualification Tournament was scheduled for January 2020. They had to win the Asian Championship first!
On the last day of summer vacation, Qin Chunxiao persisted in bringing lunch to Lu Xuandong. After that, he was busy communicating with the provincial team leaders and Chen Aiguo, along with discussing matters with Gao Depi to ensure the team’s unity during the national championship. The aim was to prevent key players from leaving for other clubs.
Following that, they would head to a shopping mall to purchase the luggage needed for their travels. With this departure, Lu Xuandong wouldn’t be coming back home for at least a month. They needed to pack everything, especially masks. Qin Chunxiao planned to bring a thousand masks for the journey.
Li Ling was thoughtful, “Xiao Zai, your suitcase will still have space for other things. My suitcase is big, I can help you carry some.”
Qin Chunxiao was pleased with his kind offer and bought another thousand masks. He could distribute them to these good teammates when the time came.
Gao Depi quietly put some masks in his own bag, sharing the burden with Er Leng. He asked, “Are you pursuing Dong Zai lately?”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “Yeah, but how did you know? I didn’t mention it to you guys.”
He had initially planned to wait until he had successfully won him over before saying anything.
Gao Depi said, “You didn’t hide it when you visited Zhe Yue.”
Remember, Lu Xuandong possessed a universally admired appearance. In an era when global aesthetic standards had decreased, he was the first handsome guy among the post-95s in the Asian region. This wasn’t something he claimed himself or his agency hyped up, it was a result of votes cast by netizens from China, Japan, and South Korea. And these votes weren’t only from female netizens—male netizens would involuntarily exclaim, “He’s so damn good-looking!” upon seeing him.
In terms of looks, Dong Zai was number one. Even his body was advantageous. Standing at 197 centimeters tall (6’5″), his proportions were excellent. With diligent exercise, he looked sturdy but not bulky, and he managed to shed quite a bit of baby fat. Moreover, he possessed the best beauty enhancers for men—education (LSE alumnus), manners (morally impeccable), and wealth.
So, don’t be fooled by his soft and cute demeanor in front of Qin Chunxiao. In the eyes of the outside world, he’s the epitome of a domineering CEO. He even has an unfortunate and dramatic past—a living example of beauty gone wrong!
“There were many people taking photos at Zhe Yue’s entrance, and the value of Lu Xuandong’s pictures isn’t any less popular than airport candids of celebrities,” Gao Depi succinctly explained. “You even brought flowers with you. There are people online already decoding the flower language.”
For instance, not long ago, Qin Chunxiao posted a Weibo asking netizens which flowers were suitable for gifting and decorating indoor spaces. A bunch of people responded, even including the flower meanings.
Qin Chunxiao didn’t say anything but took the flower language of “respect and eternal love” with a white azalea to Zhe Yue. Later, he gave a “unwavering love” desert rose.
“Kid, do you realize how straightforward and passionate your expressions of love are? Assuming Lu Xuandong doesn’t openly signal his interest in you to everyone who knows you well, if your pursuit fails, it will still be a spectacle online. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Qin Chunxiao answered, “Not afraid.”
He just liked someone really great and wanted to express his affection. If the other person accepted, that would be great. If not, that was okay too.
“I don’t think liking Dong Zai is embarrassing. I’m pursuing him because he needs me to do this,” Qin Chunxiao zipped up his backpack. “Even though Dong Zai is excellent, he still thinks he’s not good enough for me. So, I want to boost his confidence through action.”
Gao Depi suddenly couldn’t say the words he had on the tip of his tongue. He realized that Qin Chunxiao’s feelings might be stronger than they had imagined. Qin Chunxiao wasn’t particularly expressive by nature. Many times, he came across as calm and rational. Just like his impenetrable defense on the court, he submerged the attacking players like an iceberg.
Was Qin Chunxiao boldly pursuing Lu Xuandong just to show off? No, from start to finish, this guy was doing it to make Lu Xuandong happy and confident. He put his feelings out there for the public eye, even if doing so might make people think Qin Chunxiao was using Lu Xuandong’s popularity to gain attention.
Yes, even if Lu Xuandong was a die-hard fan of Qin Chunxiao, often attending his games in person, their friendship was widely known. But when the public opinion surfaced this time, many of Lu Xuandong’s fans felt that Qin Chunxiao was “shamelessly using Dong-ge to promote himself,” or “a young player trying to attach himself to a powerful family.”
There were people online scolding Qin Chunxiao, and their words were extremely harsh. They didn’t care whether Qin Chunxiao was a national volleyball player, a high-achieving student who got into a prestigious university, or whether his father was a professor and his mother was a rising star in the new energy vehicle industry. They only saw that Qin Chunxiao and Lu Xuandong were good friends before. Plus, Qin Chunxiao hadn’t explicitly said they were in a romantic relationship. Perhaps Qin Chunxiao’s flower-giving was just as a friend helping to decorate Lu Xuandong’s office? This ambiguity prevented the public opinion from completely overwhelming Qin Chunxiao.
Life wasn’t a fairy tale, and there was a price for Qin Chunxiao’s active pursuit of Lu Xuandong.
However, Qin Chunxiao didn’t care about others’ criticism. When he realized Lu Xuandong’s self-doubt, he decided to boldly step into the spotlight and say “I love you.” This was not only an intense pursuit but also Qin Chunxiao’s wholehearted embrace of Lu Xuandong on a soul level. He disregarded consequences and public opinions, placing the healing of Lu Xuandong’s hidden pain as his top priority.
Gao Depi was truly amazed, “Xiao Zai… I really didn’t expect, in the 21st century—or rather, I didn’t expect there to be people like you in reality. You’re amazing, I’m impressed.”
“I’m truly impressed by you.” Gao Depi repeated himself.
He picked up his phone, “I’m going to call your Dong Zai.”
Qin Chunxiao, “Huh?”
Gao Depi raised his hand, “You’re not allowed to intercept this call. Let me tell you, if you stop me today, both you and Dong Zai will regret it for a lifetime.”
Pishen felt that if he didn’t play matchmaker for this couple today, he’d regret it for a lifetime. Damn it, he was starting to believe in love again!
“Er Leng, hold onto him. Don’t let him run away!” The captain of the Guangdong men’s volleyball team gave orders to the third-in-command.
Li Ling saluted, “Yes, sir!”
Er Leng was well aware that if Qin Chunxiao decided to leave, he wouldn’t be able to stop him. So, Er Leng had his own method. He took out a skipping rope and tied his wrist to Qin Chunxiao’s.
Qin Chunxiao stayed silent for two seconds, then commanded, “Don’t tie a knot, or you won’t be able to untie it later.”
Er Leng, “Oh, okay.” Then he tied a bow knot.
… Er Leng, you really are an “Er Leng” (a bit of a slow thinker)!
Qin Chunxiao: “Remind me, if there’s ever a situation where we need to catch someone, never let you handle it.”
Gao Depi then conveyed the message he had heard to Lu Xuandong, leaving out not a single word, but ensuring that the underlying meaning was perfectly conveyed. The evidence of its accuracy was the response he received on the other end after Lu Xuandong finished listening, saying, “I’m on my way now,” and hanging up.
Gao Depi found a spot to squat down, running his hand through his hair. He had the ruggedly handsome look that made people who saw him think, “Middle school graduate turned construction worker, stands up for friends, doesn’t hesitate to fight, ends up being taken to the police station with heating pipes attached.” His hair being disheveled only added to his rough appearance.
“Is this the miraculous true love of soulmates?” Gao Depi asked himself this way, then reached a conclusion, “No, this is the courage unique to Qin Chunxiao. It has nothing to do with whether they’re soulmates or not.”
For Lu Xuandong to survive through the hellish first half of his life, and to stand by Qin Chunxiao until the day he entered his life, based on his experiences of being abducted into the mountains at 1 year old and dragging along his mentally ill mother and vulnerable sister to eventually rise, it was clear that only the resolute Lu Xuandong could create such a miracle.
Gao Depi realized he was witnessing a miracle unfold. Regardless of how these two would develop in the future, their incredible bravery and determination at this moment were real. This was enough to make Gao Depi believe that humanity could possess this unexplainable quality, another flicker of the light of human nature in his eyes.
Lost in his thoughts, he squatted in a place with a good view, observing Qin Chunxiao and Er Leng sitting on a Lego stool outside a store, watching “Lego Ninjago.”
Lu Xuandong raced over while adhering to traffic rules. He feared Qin Chunxiao might leave yet was convinced that Qin Chunxiao wouldn’t. Finally, he just took off his coat and ran all the way to the shopping mall’s Lego store entrance as Gao Depi had mentioned.
At that moment when he saw Qin Chunxiao, he didn’t know what to say. He simply stood in front of Qin Chunxiao. He wanted to embrace him tightly, yet he also didn’t want to shatter the expectations from “Cinema Paradiso.” He contemplated whether he should just pounce on him and give him a passionate kiss before anything else.
At this point, Er Leng demonstrated his emotional intelligence. He untied the bow knot in just 0.5 seconds, then sauntered over to Gao Depi’s side, making space for the captain.
Qin Chunxiao remained seated on the stool, smiling, and said, “I haven’t finished writing my confession letter. Originally, I intended to wait until after the Asian Championships to deal with this. But the timing is perfect now. If I delay any longer, even the heavens won’t stand for it, right?”
Lu Xuandong walked up to him, his eyes already red. “You can’t delay anymore. I can’t wait any longer.”
“Then we won’t wait.” Qin Chunxiao got up. He didn’t even consider going to the private theater in a certain building less than a kilometer away, renting a screening room there, a place he had originally planned to confess. Instead, he walked into the Lego store, talked to the cashier, and asked if he and Lu Xuandong could borrow the store’s TV to watch a movie. He had something to discuss after the movie, but don’t worry, he would fast-forward. Half an hour should be more than enough.
The cashier was agreeable, “Sure, I’ll let the store manager know.”
As a senior employee who had worked at the Lego store for three years, she had long grown tired of Lego animations. A change of pace would be nice.
The store manager knew Qin Chunxiao and Lu Xuandong. She saw the two sitting on the Lego block couch inside the store, their expressions showing they were short of breath. She swallowed a mouthful of saliva, nodding in approval.
Go ahead, let them watch whatever they want. Anyway, today was a weekday, and it was already 9 o’clock. The children would be heading home to do their homework and rest. There were no customers left in the store.
Qin Chunxiao used the store’s computer to search for “Cinema Paradiso,” connected it to the TV, and immediately moved the progress bar to the final segment, then switched to double speed.
He wouldn’t delay any longer.
Qin Chunxiao moved the Lego couch in front of the TV. Lu Xuandong’s hands were trembling, so Qin Chunxiao held onto them.
“Lu Xuandong.”
“Um?”
“I left the written confession at home. Now I can only tell you verbally. Is that okay?”
“I don’t mind.”
Alright.
Qin Chunxiao looked at the screen, took a deep breath, and paused for a moment.
“Before I formally confess, I have to tell you that I really like your face. But even if you didn’t have this face, I would still like you.”
Lu Xuandong tightened his grip on that hand and responded, “Um.”
“Aesthetics are personal. In my heart, you are the most handsome being.”
You are too, Lu Xuandong thought of replying this way, yet he hesitated as he didn’t want to interrupt.
“Your beauty is founded upon your soul, radiating from within like the stars in the sky, and the first time I saw you, I was awestruck by your radiance. The courage you exhibited to escape from hell makes me look up to you. I respect you, admire you. Your resilient life astounds me. I can completely understand your fans, because I’m just as captivated by you as they are, no, even more captivated.”
Lu Xuandong’s face grew a little warm. Did Qin Chunxiao overpraise him?
“You are still a simple person. You’ve experienced poverty, yet you’ve held onto your principles in the face of money. I’ve seen your work, admired your exceptional abilities, and witnessed your adherence to law and morality. Your capability and steadfastness have won me over.”
Lu Xuandong shifted his position.
“From the moment I met you to the time I fell for you, I’ve traversed a path that most people couldn’t imagine. Unfortunately, I didn’t fall in love with you earlier than you. But thanks to you, I’m profoundly grateful that destiny has created soulmates, giving us the chance to meet.”
“I’m a proud person. I believe I possess the adventurous spirit to conquer oceans and jungles, and the curiosity to challenge frigid territories. I have good athletic talents, a decent mind, and the diligence suited for life. I used to think I was outstanding, but in your presence, I’m willing to bow my head because your determination will determine my love.”
Warmth surged to Lu Xuandong’s face. He wanted to find a glass of cold water to pour over his head, but he realized his hand was tightly held by Qin Chunxiao, and he couldn’t break free. He lowered his head and choked up, “Let go, Chunxiao, I beg you.”
He truly couldn’t hold back anymore. Right now, he just wanted to immediately duck under the table and cover his face. But he couldn’t stop feeling moved. It was as if a place in his heart had been filled. Qin Chunxiao intentionally increased the strength in his grip, not allowing any chance for escape, and he had a mischievous grin on his face.
“Starting from today, I’m willing to express words of love to you every day. If I’m fortunate enough in this lifetime, I hope that someday in the future, I can kneel and propose to you. Then I’ll bring you in front of our families. I can guarantee they will bless us.”
“Though I can’t promise that we’ll be together and guaranteed happiness, because life is unpredictable, and no one can foresee tomorrow, I’ll give my all to pursue our happiness. I hope that you and I are each other’s final love in this lifetime. And during this love that might be ended by uncontrollable factors like death, I’ll stand by you as family, friend, admirer—always by your side. No matter what happens in the future, I won’t leave you. I’m willing to share all joys and sorrows with you…”
Okay, that’s enough.
Lu Xuandong wiped his eyes as he rushed to the computer and fast-forwarded the movie to the last 3 minutes and 10 seconds. The store employees were stunned by Qin Chunxiao’s confession, and as soon as Lu Xuandong left, the store manager immediately took over the mouse and skillfully restored the movie to its original playback speed.
The TV displayed many kisses from black and white movies half a century ago. Among these movies were countless lovers expressing their affection with passionate kisses, because words paled in comparison to the intense love they felt.
At this moment, only kisses could further convey love.
In the shopping mall at 9:30 PM, the flow of people was neither too much nor too little. Several people who recognized Lu Xuandong had gathered at the open store entrance, holding up their phones.
Qin Chunxiao didn’t care about them, and neither did Lu Xuandong.
They embraced each other tightly, with a force that seemed as though they wanted to meld into each other’s bodies, their breaths intertwining.
For these 3 minutes and 10 seconds, they continued to kiss each other.
After 3 minutes and 10 seconds, Qin Chunxiao would tell Lu Xuandong the remaining content of the confession letter.
…
“From today onward, I’m willing to kiss you passionately every day, to hold you. As long as you don’t say stop, I’ll keep saying ‘I love you.’
I love you.
I love you.
In every day of our future, I’ll love you like this.”
