Figure Skating: Waltz on Ice

Du Liangchen initially played marksman, but after seeing Menglei's backdoor play, he became interested in the game, even though he didn't have much of a feel for it. Knowing that Mei Jing usually played jungle and was extremely skilled at it (peak rating 1800), Du Liangchen asked him to teach him how to jungle.

The car accident did affect Du Liangchen's hand; after recovering, it wasn't as flexible as before.

At first, no one noticed anything wrong with Du Liangchen's hands; he himself only felt that his hands were often cold and frozen.

It wasn't until his wound had fully healed and he started playing games that he realized this, as he, who usually plays jungle and marksman with exceptionally smooth skills, frequently made mistakes.

I went to the hospital for an X-ray. The doctor's diagnosis was that there were too many wounds on my hands, and they were too close together. There isn't much muscle protection on the hands; they're mostly nerves and blood vessels. The fact that no nerves were severed means the injury is considered minor and won't affect my daily life.

Du Liangchen has now switched to playing the easier-to-operate top and mid lanes.

After returning to China and resting for three days, Du Liangchen was fully recovered.

He attended the team's victory celebration and received a bonus. Just thinking about being one step closer to buying a house made Du Liangchen so happy he could spin around in circles.

At the start of the holiday, Du Langyue stayed at the company for three days to finish up the album and wait for the release on her birthday, April 6th.

Du Langyue suddenly informed him that the recording of "Battle at the Peak" would begin on April 9th, and asked him and Mei Jing to come over in the next couple of days to sign the contract.

Looking at the calendar, there were still ten days left, which was plenty of time. He sent a message to Mei Jing, who was back in his hometown, and asked him to come over early to sign the contract.

Upon receiving the message, Mei Jing was at a DIY handmade gold shop making a birthday gift for Du Liangchen. She wanted to make him a little rabbit lucky charm anklet.

After the jade pendant broke and scratched him, he stopped wearing any jewelry. Mei Jing thought that Du Liang was about to come of age and hoped that his future would be bright.

I braided a beautiful and sturdy red rope for him, and strung it with rabbit zodiac animals that I had handmade at the jewelry store.

Du Liangchen was born in the Year of the Dragon. Mei Jing originally wanted to ask a master craftsman to guide him in making a beautiful and imposing dragon, but dragons were too difficult to make, so she chose her own zodiac animal, the Rabbit, hoping that she could protect him at all times.

Mei Jing carried her bag to Kyoto to find Du Liangchen, and the two were taken by Wang Keran to meet the program director.

On the way, Wang Keran saw Mei Jing casually take out snacks from her bag and ask Du Liangchen if he wanted some, and curiously looked at the two of them.

Du Langyue had instructed her to take good care of the two of them, and since the boss had spoken, he would naturally take care of Mei Jing.

The car stopped in front of a building, and the three of them got out and entered the company, where they were led by the receptionist to meet director Wang Guancheng.

With Wang Keran present, the two successfully signed the contract. Afterwards, Wang Keran said, "Director Wang, would you like to have a meal with me sometime?"

Wang Guancheng smiled and said, "I have something to do here. Maybe next time."

Wang Keran didn't bother them any further and left with Du Liangchen and Mei Jing.

At midnight on April 6th, Du Liangchen's first solo album, "Entanglement," was officially released online, and Mei Jingka sent him birthday wishes at midnight.

Du Liangchen, who had been watching the data all night without sleeping, saw that the number of views had already exceeded one million by morning. Rubbing his groggy head, he walked out of his room and saw the person in the living room, standing there dumbfounded in the doorway.

"Big brother, second brother? When did you get back?"

The two brothers who were talking to Grandpa and Grandma Du turned around when they heard the voice and saw Du Liangchen standing there in surprise. The two brothers smiled at each other and then went up to give him two big hugs.

"Xiao Chen is already 18 years old, how come he's still so cute!"

"Congratulations, Xiao Chen, you're now an adult!"

"Big brother! Second brother! I missed you so much! I thought you weren't coming back today~" Du Liangchen's eyes welled up with tears as his eldest and second brothers, who were usually so busy, made a special trip back to celebrate his 18th birthday. He buried his face in their shoulders and said in a trembling voice.

Sensing her younger brother's fragile emotional state, she patted his back tenderly.

"How could we not come back on such an important day for Xiaochen?"

"And let me tell you, not only are we back to celebrate your birthday, but Dad and Mom are back too. They'll be back around noon."

Du Liangchen suppressed his uncontrollable emotions, glanced at the wet patch on his brother's shoulder, and instantly blushed. He said in a soft, nasal voice, "I'm going to wash my face." After saying that, he retreated into his room and slammed the door shut.

The two older brothers, who were locked outside the door, blinked, then laughed so hard they couldn't stand up straight.

Hearing the laughter outside the door, Du Liangchen smiled happily and couldn't wait to tell Mei Jing the good news.

Mei Jing asked to meet him that evening to give him a birthday present.

At noon, the family finally gathered together. Du Langyue had booked a restaurant, and everyone drove out to eat.

On the way, Du Langyue told them that Du Liangchen's album had already surpassed five million plays, and the number was still rising.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Du Langyu turned to look at Du Liangchen in the back seat and praised, "Such high numbers on the first day, not bad, son!"

"The song has a generally sad tone, but it also carries a longing for a better future, which will definitely resonate with many people." Tian Zhixi smiled broadly, very proud of Du Liangchen's artistic talent. However, thinking about the content of the song, her smile faded. "Little Chen, do you have someone you like?"

The car fell silent instantly, and all three of them looked uneasy for a moment.

Seeing that Du Liangchen remained silent, Tian Zhixi became even more certain of her thoughts. "Did you confess to a girl you liked and get rejected? It's hard for Mom not to overthink such a melancholic song!"

Du Liangchen explained awkwardly, "Mom! Don't make wild guesses. I was just feeling lonely training alone abroad, and I was fantasizing about having someone by my side. That's why I said that."

"Huh? Is that really true?" Tian Zhixi looked at his eyes with suspicion.

Du Liangchen avoided her eyes and looked out the window. "Of course!"

"Okay, Mom won't tease you anymore!" Tian Zhixi patted his leg with a smile, and said gently and expectantly, "You're an adult now, so go after the girl you like. Mom supports you!"

Du Langyue, sitting in the front row, suppressed a laugh and looked at her older brother, whose face was as black as the bottom of a pot, sitting in the passenger seat.

At the dinner table, the family was enjoying themselves, but Du Langyu ate in a sullen mood. After returning home, he called Du Liangchen to the balcony alone.

"Dad, did you need something?" Du Liangchen asked somewhat uneasily, unsure of what his father wanted.

"Xiao Chen, your mom and dad don't spend much time with you because of work. You've always been a very opinionated child, but Dad still has a few words to say to you."

"Dad, you're talking, and I'm listening carefully."

"Starting today, you are an adult. I don't know if you have any idea what adulthood means?"

"Doesn't adulthood mean you have to take responsibility for your own actions from now on?"

"Pretty much. You have to be responsible for your actions, choices, and the consequences of doing so. For example, if you insist on participating in a variety show, you will have to face the good and bad consequences that follow."

"Dad, you don't agree to Mei Jing participating in the show together, so why did you...?"

"Why did you have your aunt sign the contract on my behalf?" Du Langyu said before he could finish speaking.

Du Liangchen hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "...Yes!"

Du Langyu stared at him calmly and sharply, his dark eyes seeming to see straight into his heart, as if seeing through all his pretenses, his emotions surging within them.