Figure Skating: Waltz on Ice

Du Liangchen sighed and tried to soften his tone, "What did you talk about with my dad? What did he say?"

"I can't tell you that, but I know how to get past Dad, so don't worry and overthink it, okay?"

"..."

They even called for Dad, and he literally burned out Du Liangchen's CPU.

"Shameless! It's not even a proper match yet, and you're already calling me 'Dad.' I don't know whether to call you bold or stupid."

Mei Jing hugged him and smiled without saying a word, refusing to answer no matter how she was asked.

The next morning, Mei Jing and Coach Jiang set off for the airport, as Du Liangchen was training and unable to see him off.

Returning to his dorm after lunch break, Du Liangchen felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness as he looked at the empty room. Before they were officially a couple, he had never realized how big the room was.

He took out his phone to call Du Langyu, his fingers trembling slightly with nervousness, like a prisoner about to be judged.

Du Liangchen couldn't help but burst into tears when the phone went dead.

He had no family before, so he cherishes the bond with his family now that he's been given a second chance. Even though he's always the one being ignored, he's still content.

The moment he answered the phone, he had the sudden urge to be with Mei Jing no matter what. He broke down because he felt he didn't deserve to have a family, and that he was rebelling against his family for someone with whom he had no blood relation.

......

The news of Mei Jing winning the competition spread in the group chat, and Du Liangchen sent his congratulations immediately.

After Mei Jing returned, Du Liangchen's father sent him a message, asking them to meet during their lunch break the next day.

Du Liangchen made a series of mistakes during his intense training, and Mei Jing noticed his reactions. When she passed by him, she would accidentally bump into his shoulder.

Du Langxing, who was watching all of this from the side, looked at the two of them with conflicted eyes, thinking that since their feelings for each other were not deep yet, it would be better to break them up as soon as possible so that it wouldn't be too painful and the time would pass quickly.

He could have forcefully separated the two, for example, by making them live in different rooms, but he was afraid that doing so would backfire, so he subtly hinted at it to his older brother and sister.

With his dismissal, everyone rushed towards the cafeteria, except for Du Liangchen and Mei Jing, who stood aside changing their shoes with complicated expressions.

Du Langxing walked up to the two of them and reminded them, "Let's go eat first."

Du Liangchen looked at him angrily: "Uncle, you know that too, don't you?"

Du Langxing frankly admitted, "Of course, I'm not afraid for you to know, it was I who told your father about your affairs."

His words were cold and ruthless, like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads, extinguishing their trust in him. For a moment, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Why?" Du Liangchen had already guessed, and his voice was surprisingly calm. He just didn't understand why Du Langxing would do this.

Du Langxing gave a bitter smile. "Because I don't want you to get hurt, especially in matters of the heart."

Mei Jing: "Coach Du..."

Du Langxing raised his hand to interrupt him: "Alright, stop talking. I don't want to hear you. You guys can't even eat like this. Let's go. If we don't go now, we'll be late."

Du Liangchen and Mei Jing exchanged a glance, went back to their apartment to change their clothes, and resolutely walked towards the front door.

The two arrived at the teahouse, gave their private room number, and a staff member led them outside.

Du Liangchen stood at the door for a long time without opening it.

Mei Jing grabbed his hand and realized how cold Du Liangchen's hand was. She looked at him with heartache and said, "Don't be afraid, we'll face this together."

"Let's go."