Chapter 52 Part 1

Soon, clips from their game match surfaced online—the ADC-support duo and the mid-jungle pair.

Le Yiqiu and Lin Xianing Playing Games#

Lin Xianing, Le Yiqiu, and Luo Luo Show Up in Maobing’s Stream#

Eyes Only on the Mid Lane’s Jungle King#

Le Yiqiu Is So Gentle Off-Screen#

How Spoiled Is Luo Luo#

It was clearly a five-player game, yet Kang Han didn’t even get a mention.

There had been one topic about her, but Luo Luo’s agency quickly suppressed it.

Luo Luo’s Support and ADC Were Super Flirty#

Heat was good, but scandals were not. The moment that topic popped up, Luo Luo’s agency shut it down, along with all related ones.

Nothing much happened on Lin Xianing’s end. So what if a couple played games together?

Besides, they were about to join a partners’ reality show. This was perfect preheating.

Zhao Ruo didn’t suppress the trending topics at all. Instead, she sent screenshots to the “Traveling with Wife” production team.

The team got the hint right away and fanned the flames, boosting the buzz for both of them.

Then, at the peak of the hype, they officially announced that the two would be participating in “Traveling with Wife.”

The show blew up before filming even started. The Sugar Mommy nearly blew up the production team’s phones, and the producer was grinning from ear to ear.

That was exactly why she had pushed back against everyone, even dragging it out to the last minute, just to wait for Lin Xianing.

Le Yiqiu had already arrived at the restaurant. Their agencies were handling the online drama, so they didn’t need to worry.

Leave professional matters to the professionals. Lin Xianing’s company made its own calls, and Luo Luo was their agency’s cash cow.

Neither company would mess things up. They just had to wait for the results.

The four of them got into their respective cars and headed to the restaurant.

Kang Han drove herself, but since they might drink a little that evening, she rode with Luo Luo instead.

Luo Luo didn’t look thrilled, but with so many people around, she couldn’t say no.

After Le Yiqiu got into the car with Lin Xianing, she sat there lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about?” Lin Xianing reached out and lightly tapped her forehead with her knuckles.

“Ow~”

Le Yiqiu put on a pitiful expression, though it was all an act. Such a gentle touch couldn’t possibly hurt—it was just her being coquettish.

Lin Xianing chuckled and rubbed her forehead softly. “Does it still hurt?”

“Much better~”

Le Yiqiu’s sweet, obedient demeanor made people want to pinch her cheeks hard.

“I think something’s off between Luo Luo and Kang Han.”

Lin Xianing let out a soft laugh. “Those two?”

“I forgot to tell you—they used to date.”

What???

Le Yiqiu was stunned. Luo Luo had been in a relationship and hadn’t told her? And it was with Lin Xianing’s friend, no less.

Luo Luo and Kang Han had met through them. Luo Luo fell head over heels at first sight and pursued Kang Han with fiery passion.

Kang Han didn’t like overly enthusiastic people. Her cool personality left her flustered by such intensity.

Somehow, they ended up together.

In the end, Kang Han couldn’t resist Luo Luo’s ardor, and they started dating.

It was sweet at first, but Luo Luo’s schedule was packed. Kang Han wasn’t the type to express herself openly or take initiative.

Both of their jobs kept them swamped, and they eventually broke up.

It lasted less than half a year. No wonder things felt awkward between exes.

“If I’d known, I would’ve had Luo Luo come tomorrow.”

Just recently, Luo Luo had told her she was still single since birth. Le Yiqiu had actually believed that Dog Thing.

No surprise they looked so awkward around each other—exes, of course.

“And look at Kang Han. She’s clearly trying to win Luo Luo back.”

Kang Han’s behavior was way too obvious. Even Le Yiqiu, who had no memory of it, could tell. Lin Xianing, who knew the full story, certainly saw it.

Le Yiqiu shook her head. “Then why did they break up in the first place?”

“If you like someone, you should seize every chance to be together, no matter what. Regretting it after breaking up—isn’t that too late?”

She didn’t know the details, but she understood Luo Luo. The woman was passionate about both love and friendship.

People like that often got dismissed as insincere, with others wondering if she was like that with everyone.

Lin Xianing had just said Luo Luo was the one pursuing. Kang Han never took the initiative.

It made Le Yiqiu feel bad for her friend. A relationship took two people. Always being the one chasing would wear anyone out.

She and Luo Luo were best friends, so naturally, she was biased toward her.

Just as Le Yiqiu sided with Luo Luo, Lin Xianing sided with Kang Han. “They were too busy back then and barely had time together.”

“They couldn’t feel each other’s love and chose to break up after weighing their options.”

“Now the agency’s on track, and Luo Luo’s career has passed its craziest phase. If they got back together, they might not repeat the same mistakes.”

They’d all noticed Kang Han’s subtle attempts at reconciliation.

Better to encourage them to try again than split them up. Lin Xianing was rooting for another shot.

Le Yiqiu didn’t know the finer details of their past interactions, so she decided to ask Luo Luo first.

If her friend still had feelings, getting back together wasn’t out of the question.

It all depended on why they’d broken up in the first place.

With Luo Luo’s personality, Le Yiqiu doubted it was as straightforward as Lin Xianing described.

As if struck by a sudden thought, Le Yiqiu leaned back against the seat and tilted her head. “Lin Xianing.”

“Hm?”

“Even though we’re not officially together yet, don’t talk about breaking up so easily, okay?”

Le Yiqiu was afraid of being rejected over and over. She wasn’t sure she’d have the courage to keep going after that.

Lin Xianing had backed off several times before, and each time, it hurt.

Even knowing Lin Xianing had her reasons, Le Yiqiu couldn’t help feeling heartbroken.

Lin Xianing understood. In the past, whenever issues came up, she’d just think to call it quits without asking Le Yiqiu’s opinion.

Maybe they hadn’t been as close back then as they were now.

What were they now?

Fake partners? Real lovers?

Their partnership was fake, and they hadn’t confirmed anything romantic.

Not quite lovers? That fit. They acted like a couple right before making it official.

That was the most fragile stage, where even tiny things could end it all.

They’d agreed on a year. Le Yiqiu didn’t want it to fall apart before then over some minor drama.

No matter what happened, she wanted them to think twice before rushing to end things—to consider if it was really worth breaking up over.

“Okay.” Lin Xianing agreed without hesitation.

Since when had she been unable to refuse Le Yiqiu’s requests?

It felt like forever ago.

Lin Xianing’s quick agreement brought a smile to Le Yiqiu’s face.

Hearing about Luo Luo and Kang Han had suddenly made her realize how easy it was to break up and how hard to reunite.

Their own situation was even more complicated. Once it ended, there might be no reason to get back together.

Just thinking about it twisted Le Yiqiu’s heart.

She shifted her position, then lay down with her head in Lin Xianing’s lap, grabbing one of her hands.

Lin Xianing looked at her sleepy expression and gently stroked her hair with her free hand.

“Want to nap? I’ll wake you when we get there.”

“I just get drowsy in the car. I’ll be fine once we’re out.”

The drive was twenty minutes, and half was already gone. Not enough for a proper sleep—waking up would be a hassle.

Lin Xianing’s thumb brushed tenderly over Le Yiqiu’s cheek. “Alright, then close your eyes and rest.”

“Mm~”

Le Yiqiu nestled obediently in Lin Xianing’s lap, eyes shut, until the car came to a smooth stop.

She blinked awake in confusion. “We here?”

“Yep.”

She sat up from Lin Xianing’s lap and leaned her head on her shoulder, nuzzling like a big puppy seeking affection.

Lin Xianing wrapped her arms around Le Yiqiu, patting her back lightly.

After a moment, Le Yiqiu perked up. “Okay, let’s get out.”

Any longer, and Luo Luo might come drag them.

She’d just been indulging in some clingy affection, her stickiness flaring up.

Luckily, Lin Xianing was happy to indulge her and put up with her spoiled side.

The two disguised themselves before stepping out. Winter was brutally cold, and no one paid them extra mind.

Bundled up like everyone else, they didn’t stand out.

They entered the restaurant, where a server led them to a private room on the second floor.

Luo Luo and Kang Han had arrived first and were already sipping tea.

The chilly wind had chased away Le Yiqiu’s drowsiness, leaving her refreshed.

She sat close to Lin Xianing and poured tea for the other two.

Cupping her tea with both hands, she took a sip from the rim. “I’m going to the restroom.”

Lin Xianing nodded. “Okay.”

Le Yiqiu stood and grabbed Luo Luo’s arm on the way. “Come with.”

Luo Luo followed reluctantly, knowing an interrogation awaited.

Sure enough, they didn’t head to the restroom. Le Yiqiu asked a server for an empty private room to chat.

Inside, the two sat across from each other.

Luo Luo didn’t dare sit beside her. Le Yiqiu kept her face stern. “Spill it. What’s going on with you and Kang Han?”

Luo Luo: “…”

She couldn’t defy “Daddy’s” authority, so she recounted everything from start to finish.

She and Kang Han had met at Le Yiqiu and Lin Xianing’s wedding.

Kang Han’s outfit hit Luo Luo’s exact kink.

Crisp white shirt tucked into slacks, buttoned all the way up except the top one, revealing her elegant neckline.

A hint of collarbone peeked out, drawing the eye irresistibly.

Especially with those half-rim silver glasses—restrained yet charged with tension, like a prim deviant.

The red-lipped, wavy-haired sophisticated older sister type perfectly matched Luo Luo’s tastes.

With her social butterfly energy, Luo Luo couldn’t let it pass. She forgot her bridesmaid duties and struck up a conversation.

The more they talked, the more she was convinced Kang Han was her type. Luo Luo considered herself sapiosexual.

Kang Han’s knowledge and poise captivated her.

So Luo Luo pursued her—fervently and sincerely.

At first, Kang Han found her too intense, invading her space.

It felt like territorial defense; she was put off by Luo Luo’s lack of boundaries.

Over time, Kang Han warmed up, realizing it was just her friend’s bubbly enthusiasm.

After a date, Luo Luo pressed her lips to Kang Han’s. “Let’s be together.”