In a high-end restaurant, the annual family gathering was in full swing. Under the luxurious lighting, a variety of dishes filled the air with enticing aromas, while bustling relatives chatted and laughed, creating an extraordinarily lively atmosphere. Lin Shiyong stood in this familiar yet strange scene, feeling a mix of emotions inside.
Growing up in such a business-oriented family, Lin Shiyong always felt like an outsider. Tonight, facing the attention and inquiries from numerous relatives, she couldn't help but feel a bit suffocated.
"Ah, I heard you've been doing quite well in esports recently?" a distant relative asked enthusiastically.
"Yes, we all saw the news report about you; you really brought honor to the family!" another relative added.
Faced with these compliments, Lin Shiyong could only smile and nod, but inside she felt quite uneasy. Beneath these superficial praises lay doubts about her choice to pursue a career in esports.
At that moment, Gu Jincheng unexpectedly appeared at the gathering. He was dressed in a simple dark casual outfit, which stood in stark contrast to the luxurious atmosphere of the Lin family, yet he was particularly eye-catching.
Seeing Gu Jincheng, Lin Shiyong couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and quickly walked over. "Jincheng, what brings you here?"
Gu Jincheng smiled slightly. "I came here to eat. I happened to see you, so I thought I'd come over to say hello and offer you some support."
Lin Shiyong felt a warmth in her heart as she held Gu Jincheng's hand and introduced him to her relatives, saying, "This is our team captain and also my good friend, Gu Jincheng."
Gu Jincheng remained calm in the face of many curious gazes. He politely greeted each relative and patiently answered questions about esports, quickly winning the favor of everyone present.
As the gathering progressed, Lin Shiyong found herself increasingly dependent on Gu Jincheng without even realizing it. She began to realize that Gu Jincheng was no longer just a teammate to her.
After the dinner, Lin Shiyong and Gu Jincheng walked together into the garden. Unable to hold back, Lin Shiyong spoke up, "Your presence tonight really gave me a lot of support. I..."
Gu Jincheng gently interrupted her, "Shiyong, you don't need to say anything. All I can do is support you when you need it. These days, we have been each other's motivation. I see your efforts and your strength in the face of difficulties. I believe that no matter what challenges you encounter, you will be able to face them bravely."
Lin Shiyong listened to Gu Jincheng's words, feeling a surge of emotions, and her eyes couldn't help but become moist. She turned her head, not wanting Gu Jincheng to see her vulnerability at that moment. "You always do this, giving me strength when I need it the most."
Gu Jincheng gently pulled her into his arms, giving her the most reassuring embrace. "Because I understand you and cherish the relationship we have."
In Gu Jincheng's embrace, Lin Shiyong felt an unprecedented sense of security. She understood that facing the past did not mean being bound by it. With Gu Jincheng by her side, she had the courage to confront everything, including the emotions deep within herself that she had been afraid to face.
"Jincheng, I..." Lin Shiyong whispered, unsure of how to express her emotions at that moment.
Gu Jincheng released her, cupping her face in his hands and looking at her seriously. "Shiyong, no matter what you want to say, I will listen. There is no need for us to hide anything between us."
Lin Shiyong gazed into Gu Jincheng's deep eyes and finally mustered the courage to say, "Jincheng, I think my feelings for you have surpassed friendship."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jincheng's eyes flashed with surprise, followed by a deep tenderness. "Shiyong, I'm so glad you could share this with me. In fact, I've been thinking about our relationship as well. I am willing to explore where this feeling can lead us together."
Upon hearing these words, the burden in Lin Shiyong's heart seemed to lighten significantly, and a radiant smile blossomed on her face. The two held each other's hands tightly, as if at that moment, they were ready to spend a lifetime together.
As the night deepened, every light in the garden seemed to witness the beauty of this moment for them. Lin Shiyong and Gu Jincheng walked through the garden, sharing secrets and deepening their understanding of one another.
As Lin Shiyong slowly walked back to the banquet hall of the restaurant with Gu Jincheng by her side, her mood had completely changed. With Gu Jincheng's unexpected support, she felt an unprecedented strength. Their hands remained tightly clasped, as if they could transmit endless power to each other.
Stepping back into the banquet hall, Lin Shiyong's gaze became more resolute. Faced with curious or judgmental looks, she no longer felt uneasy or timid. Gu Jincheng's presence made her realize that her choices were not wrong; her dreams and passions had the strongest backing.
When an elder asked about the esports career again, Lin Shiyong responded with more confidence this time: "Yes, I have indeed achieved some success in the esports field. I know this path is different from traditional career routes, but I truly love it. I believe that no matter what path you choose, the most important thing is to have passion for it and to work hard in pursuit of it."
Gu Jincheng stood beside her, his gaze filled with encouragement. When Lin Shiyong's eyes met his, he gently nodded, as if to say, "That's right, exactly."
As the banquet progressed to its conclusion, Lin Shiyong's mood improved significantly. She began to actively engage with her relatives, even sharing some amusing stories and challenges from her experiences in the esports arena. Her tales piqued everyone's interest, and gradually, they started to gain a better understanding of esports.
The lights of the banquet dimmed, and Gu Jincheng's figure cast a long shadow at the entrance. He turned around, his gaze sweeping through the crowd before settling on Lin Shiyong. His steps were slow yet resolute, each stride seeming to leave a gentle imprint on her heart.
"Tonight, you were truly outstanding, Shiyong." Gu Jincheng's voice was deep and magnetic, with an elusive tenderness hidden in his gaze.
Lin Shiyong's cheeks flushed slightly, a smile brightening her face. "It's all thanks to you, Jincheng. If it weren't for you by my side, I might have stepped back long ago."
Gu Jincheng Gently holding her hand, the warmth of her palm seeped through his delicate skin and reached her heart. "Silly, there's no need for thanks between us. Just remember, no matter what lies ahead, we will walk towards higher places together."
At this moment, their gazes met once again. Unlike before, this time, there was a hint of unspoken emotions in their eyes, as if in this brief exchange, they could both clearly feel each other's heartbeat.
At that moment, Lin Shiyong suddenly felt a surge of impulse. She gently leaned in, almost touching Gu Jincheng. Gu Jincheng was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Shiyong, you..." Gu Jincheng's voice trailed off as Lin Shiyong softly pressed her lips against his.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze. Lin Shiyong felt Gu Jincheng's body stiffen slightly, and then he gently responded to her kiss. This kiss was both an exploration and an acknowledgment, and the air between them seemed to become heated as a result.
When they finally parted, Lin Shiyong's face was radiant with a glow she had never experienced before, while Gu Jincheng looked at her tenderly, his eyes sparkling with a brightness that outshone the stars.
"Shiyong, what kind of ridiculous idea is this?" Gu Jincheng said with a smirk, seemingly mocking his own surprise.
Lin Shiyong stuck out her tongue playfully and replied, "Who told you to speak so beautifully just now? I couldn't help myself..." She paused halfway through, suddenly realizing her impulsiveness, and gently bit her lip. "But, don't you like it?"
Gu Jincheng moved closer, his gaze deep: "Like? Of course..." He deliberately elongated his words, then pulled her into his embrace, whispering in her ear, "Of course I like it. How could I not like a surprise like this?"
Lin Shiyong's heart raced so fast that she could feel Gu Jincheng's heartbeat quickening against her chest as well. In this embrace, all sounds seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of their breaths and heartbeats.
"But next time, you can't be so impulsive," Gu Jincheng said, his tone pretending to be serious, but his eyes were filled with affection.
Lin Shiyong looked up and pretended to be indifferent as she pouted, "Hmph, who needs your permission?" However, the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her true feelings, full of happiness and sweetness.
Gu Jincheng gently kissed her forehead, a gesture filled with affection. "Alright, let's call it a night. I'll take you home."
Hand in hand, they stepped out of the restaurant. Under the streetlights, their shadows stretched long and intertwined. Along the way, Lin Shiyong occasionally shared little stories, while Gu Jincheng patiently listened, chiming in with a comment or two that made Lin Shiyong laugh heartily. Everything felt so natural, as if they had long been accustomed to each other's presence.
When they arrived at Lin Shiyong's doorstep, Gu Jincheng stopped and turned to face her. "Thank you for everything tonight, Shiyong."
Lin Shiyong smiled, her eyes sparkling like stars. "I should be the one saying thank you, Jincheng. Tonight has been very special."
Gu Jincheng nodded gently and then turned to leave. Lin Shiyong stood at the door, watching his retreating figure until he disappeared into the night.
Everything that happened tonight would become the most precious memory in her heart. This was just the beginning of their story, and there would be more challenges awaiting them in the future. But at this moment, she only wanted to immerse herself in this sweetness and happiness, not wanting to wake up too soon.
That night was an important turning point for Lin Shiyong. She not only confronted her past but also solidified her direction for the future. With a partner like Gu Jincheng, Lin Shiyong believed she could bravely pursue her dreams, no longer fearing any challenges.
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