After lunch, Wu Yong was hanging outside the training facilities walking off his meal when he saw Matron Yuan walking in his direction. Matron Yuan called out to him, "Big Beard Wu."
"What?"
She handed him a printed report. "Yi-Bai's urine test report. I helped pick it up for him."
"Thanks." Wu Yong accepted it and flipped through it. "Everything fine?"
"No problems," said Matron Yuan, turning to leave.
"Hey, uh..." Wu Yong called out.
"Is there anything else?"
"It's nothing, I just feel that... you're pretty cute when you aren't scolding others."
Matron Yuan rolled her eyes. "Nutjob."
During afternoon training, Tang Yi-Bai eagerly asked Wu Yong, "Coach Wu, will we have a break for New Year's this year?"
Wu Yong sneered. "In your dreams."
Tang Yi-Bai: "..." Coach Wu must not have taken his medication today — so hot-tempered.
What a shame — he would not be able to spend New Year's Day with Yun Duo. Maybe he could go see her after training...
Wu Yong swiftly shattered his fantasy. "Not only will you not be getting a break, there's an extra activity you'll need to attend on the night of New Year's Eve after your training."
Tang Yi-Bai face crumpled. Training was still acceptable, but it was a pain to have to participate in marketing activities. The main issue was that many of the big sisters in the entertainment industry was especially liberal and liked to tease him suggestively. Even scarier was that some men too liked to tease him suggestively...
Aside from his own girlfriend, he really did not want to be hit on by anyone else. Otherwise, even if he was innocent, it would still be hard for him to explain things to Yun Duo.
Not just that. Those people who have been in the entertainment industry for a long time are especially prone to come with extra hassle. They knew everyone, and anytime there was an event, they would also invite Tang Yi-Bai along to eat and drink together. If he refused every single time, he would come off as too aloof, but if he did not refuse the invites, where would he find the time to eat and party so much? He might as well put all that time and effort into teasing his girlfriend!
In the end, it was always Coach Wu who helped him resolve these issues. No matter who invited him, he only had to reply with "my coach does not allow it". After all, his coach already looked like 'the rough sort' (Matron Yuan's original words), so he was perfect to play the villain.
31st of December. Tang Yi-Bai climbed out of the pool and took a quick shower, and after changing into some clean clothes, he went to attend a New Year’s Eve event. On the way, he called Yun Duo to ask what she was doing. Yun Duo replied that she was shopping with Auntie Lu.
Looks like she wasn't at all lonely even without him by her side...
Tang Yi-Bai asked, "Where's my dad?"
Yun Duo: "We left him at the husband storage area."
Tang Yi-Bai: =.= He felt like he was seeing his future.
After hurriedly exchanging a few more words, Yun Duo hung up — she was busy helping Auntie Lu look for clothes.
Tang Yi-Bai felt a little melancholic. They were spending New Year's Eve in such a lively fashion, but he was stuck attending some random event.
Due to his identity as an athlete, Tang Yi-Bai had plenty of good reasons to leave the event early; the organisers were very understanding. Thus, he was able to extricate himself around 10 o'clock.
His original plan was to hurry home and sleep, but he really wanted to see Yun Duo right now. He really, really wanted to see her.
So, screw his original plans!
He knew his parents basically no longer stayed up late, so they should already be home or on their way back home at this time. Tang Yi-Bai called Yun Duo's cell phone. "Duoduo, come out and play."
"Play what? You should go back to sleep now. You still have training tomorrow."
"I want to see you right now. If I can't see you, I won't be able to sleep well. If I don't sleep well, I won't be able to train properly tomorrow."
"What a childish reason..."
However, Yun Duo did not manage to resist him and got out of the car halfway. Uncle Tang had intended to send her to where she would meet with Doudou, but the road was just too congested. Driving there and back would cause the older couple to return home very late and affect their rest, so Yun Duo stubbornly refused and hailed a taxi on her own to go meet with Tang Yi-Bai.
Dressed in a navy-blue windbreaker, khaki casual pants, and brown cowhide boots, Tang Yi-Bai stood waiting for Yun Duo under the street lamps with his hands in his pockets. His figure was just too amazing. Even behind a face mask, he frequently drew the attention of the passerbys.
In the end, two girls braved themselves to step forwards and asked, "May I ask if you're Tang Yi-Bai?"
"I'm not —"
"Aaaaaaaaah! Tang Yi-Bai!" The girls became frenzied even before he could answer.
Tang Yi-Bai: "..." People who acted against common sense was way too frightening.
After that, the two girls circled Tang Yi-Bai asking for his autograph and photos, and they even called their friends to ask them to come over as well. Tang Yi-Bai was rather frantic, frequently looking towards taxis passing by on the road.
Finally, one car stopped before them. The car window rolled down to reveal a lady's face. The lady asked with a straight face, "Sir, do you need a taxi? We can give you a ride?"
Tang Yi-Bai smiled. "Okay."
The two clueless fans quickly hurried to ask, "Pretty lady, can you give us a ride as well?"
Yun Duo asked with a smile, "Where are you two planning to go?"
"We'll go wherever Tang Yi-Bai is going."
"Hehe, dream on!" And she rolled up the window.
Tang Yi-Bai had just opened the car door when he heard this, and he could not help but chuckle. Once he got into the car, he put an arm around Yun Duo's shoulder and leaned closer to whisper, "Jealous?"
He was too close, almost about to cling fully onto her. Yun Duo stretched out to place a hand on his face, preventing him from moving any closer. "The driver is watching..."
The driver quickly objected from the front. "I see nothing. Please feel free to do as you like."
Tang Yi-Bai, the shameless fellow, stuck out his tongue and licked her palm.
As if electrocuted, Yun Duo tugged her hand back with a red face. She said in a low voice, "Are you a puppy...?"
Tang Yi-Bai smiled, still shameless. "If I'm a dog, you're a bun."
The driver could not bear to hear any more. He turned on the car radio. At this moment, he would rather listen to all sorts of ads on treating infertility than listen to their sweet talk. A single dog could not afford to be wounded.
The two of them finally ended up at Nanluoguxiang. It was New Year's Eve, so there were people everywhere. Tang Yi-Bai put on his face mask again. Yun Duo looked over his outfit and said, "You're so handsome today it's blinding. You're handsome even with your face hidden."
Tang Yi-Bai thought, 'I'm even more handsome without any clothes on'. Of course, he only dared to think these words in his mind and not say them out loud, lest he be beaten like some hooligan.
He took a little box from his pocket and gave it to her. "A New Year's present."
"Thank you." Yun Duo accepted the velvet box and opened it. Inside was a hairpin made with citrine. The clear crystals were pieced together to form little flower bunches. It was very beautiful.
Tang Yi-Bai did not miss the joy shining from her eyes. He was very happy that Yun Duo liked the present. He removed the hairpin from the box and helped her pin it to her head. Under the rays from the colourful lights on both sides of the street, the citrine was shining brilliantly, accentuating her youthful beauty.
Right then, she must certainly be the most beautiful sight in the world. He cradled her face and his eyes were scrunched up in a wide smile. "My little princess."
"Who's your little princess?" Yun Duo touched the hairpin and then rifled through her purse. "I also prepared a gift for you. I was planning to give it to you tomorrow."
Her gift was a bracelet she had weaved herself. Last time, she had helped Xiang Yang-Yang weave one, so she had thought of weaving one for Tang Yi-Bai as well. Consequently, Xiang Yang-Yang had once caught her weaving and forcefully traded bracelets with her. Thus, Yun Duo could only start again to weave a new one for Tang Yi-Bai. She had just finished the bracelet yesterday. The bracelet had been woven with blue and white silk thread. The blue base of the bracelet was like water, while the white diamonds were connected head to tail, like a trail of little fishes. That first bracelet she had been weaving had a white base and blue diamonds. In order to make sure Yi-Bai's bracelet did not match Xiang Yang-Yang's, Yun Duo had switched the colours around.
Tang Yi-Bai stretched out a hand and Yun Duo helped him to put on the bracelet. After she put it on, he flipped his hand around to catch her hand and linked their fingers together.
He wanted to kiss her, but he was still wearing his face mask.
Forget it, he'll save it up for now.
The two of them walked along the street, holding hands. The streets were lined with a variety of small shops which sold some very fun and creative items. Strolling and shopping, they unconsciously bought quite a lot of things. Tang Yi-Bai played the part of a perfect boyfriend — he did not allow Yun Duo to spend a single cent from start to end.
After they were tired of walking, they stopped at a bar.
The bar was holding a New Year's Eve rave. Under the dim lights, young men and women were writhing on the dance floor while the live singers screamed through their microphones. When ordering a drink, Yun Duo hesitated. Ever since Tang Yi-Bai had been reported last time, she had been extra cautious. Some people just could not bear to see others doing well. It was just that unreasonable. If by any chance someone who hated Tang Yi-Bai recognised him here and slipped something into his drink... fine, she would admit that she was a little paranoid, but it was better safe than sorry, right? Even if no one recognised Tang Yi-Bai, what if someone drugged him out of jealousy because he was just so good-looking? Or what if someone already high themselves started slipping drugs around recklessly and Tang Yi-Bai just so happened to consume some? Or what if the bartender accidentally gave them the wrong drinks and Tang Yi-Bai ended up with a spiked drink...? Life was full of dangers!
She flipped through the drinks menu three times before ordering a Bloody Mary for herself. She then ordered a bottle of Nongfu Spring mineral water for Tang Yi-Bai and specially instructed the bartender not to open it in advance. They would open it on their own.
Tang Yi-Bai: "..." What about having a good bar rave?! Who drinks mineral water at a rave? !
Yun Duo blinked and stared at him, then pouted and said, "I'm doing it for your own good."
He could not take her cuteness — no matter what she did wrong, as soon as she acted cute he would forgive her without a shred of hesitation. Moreover, she wasn't even doing anything wrong right now. He wasn't someone who was unreasonable or ignorant, so of course he knew she was thinking for his sake. Seeing her like this, his heart felt like it was about to melt. He ripped his mask aside, pulled her to him and bent down to kiss her.
Yun Duo turned weak from his kiss.
Later, much later, he would find out how many trials and difficulties her unusual caution had helped him to avoid.
After lunch, Wu Yong was hanging outside the training facilities walking off his meal when he saw Matron Yuan walking in his direction. Matron Yuan called out to him, "Big Beard Wu."
"What?"
She handed him a printed report. "Yi-Bai's urine test report. I helped pick it up for him."
"Thanks." Wu Yong accepted it and flipped through it. "Everything fine?"
"No problems," said Matron Yuan, turning to leave.
"Hey, uh..." Wu Yong called out.
"Is there anything else?"
"It's nothing, I just feel that... you're pretty cute when you aren't scolding others."
Matron Yuan rolled her eyes. "Nutjob."
During afternoon training, Tang Yi-Bai eagerly asked Wu Yong, "Coach Wu, will we have a break for New Year's this year?"
Wu Yong sneered. "In your dreams."
Tang Yi-Bai: "..." Coach Wu must not have taken his medication today — so hot-tempered.
What a shame — he would not be able to spend New Year's Day with Yun Duo. Maybe he could go see her after training...
Wu Yong swiftly shattered his fantasy. "Not only will you not be getting a break, there's an extra activity you'll need to attend on the night of New Year's Eve after your training."
Tang Yi-Bai face crumpled. Training was still acceptable, but it was a pain to have to participate in marketing activities. The main issue was that many of the big sisters in the entertainment industry was especially liberal and liked to tease him suggestively. Even scarier was that some men too liked to tease him suggestively...
Aside from his own girlfriend, he really did not want to be hit on by anyone else. Otherwise, even if he was innocent, it would still be hard for him to explain things to Yun Duo.
Not just that. Those people who have been in the entertainment industry for a long time are especially prone to come with extra hassle. They knew everyone, and anytime there was an event, they would also invite Tang Yi-Bai along to eat and drink together. If he refused every single time, he would come off as too aloof, but if he did not refuse the invites, where would he find the time to eat and party so much? He might as well put all that time and effort into teasing his girlfriend!
In the end, it was always Coach Wu who helped him resolve these issues. No matter who invited him, he only had to reply with "my coach does not allow it". After all, his coach already looked like 'the rough sort' (Matron Yuan's original words), so he was perfect to play the villain.
31st of December. Tang Yi-Bai climbed out of the pool and took a quick shower, and after changing into some clean clothes, he went to attend a New Year’s Eve event. On the way, he called Yun Duo to ask what she was doing. Yun Duo replied that she was shopping with Auntie Lu.
Looks like she wasn't at all lonely even without him by her side...
Tang Yi-Bai asked, "Where's my dad?"
Yun Duo: "We left him at the husband storage area."
Tang Yi-Bai: =.= He felt like he was seeing his future.
After hurriedly exchanging a few more words, Yun Duo hung up — she was busy helping Auntie Lu look for clothes.
Tang Yi-Bai felt a little melancholic. They were spending New Year's Eve in such a lively fashion, but he was stuck attending some random event.
Due to his identity as an athlete, Tang Yi-Bai had plenty of good reasons to leave the event early; the organisers were very understanding. Thus, he was able to extricate himself around 10 o'clock.
His original plan was to hurry home and sleep, but he really wanted to see Yun Duo right now. He really, really wanted to see her.
So, screw his original plans!
He knew his parents basically no longer stayed up late, so they should already be home or on their way back home at this time. Tang Yi-Bai called Yun Duo's cell phone. "Duoduo, come out and play."
"Play what? You should go back to sleep now. You still have training tomorrow."
"I want to see you right now. If I can't see you, I won't be able to sleep well. If I don't sleep well, I won't be able to train properly tomorrow."
"What a childish reason..."
However, Yun Duo did not manage to resist him and got out of the car halfway. Uncle Tang had intended to send her to where she would meet with Doudou, but the road was just too congested. Driving there and back would cause the older couple to return home very late and affect their rest, so Yun Duo stubbornly refused and hailed a taxi on her own to go meet with Tang Yi-Bai.
Dressed in a navy-blue windbreaker, khaki casual pants, and brown cowhide boots, Tang Yi-Bai stood waiting for Yun Duo under the street lamps with his hands in his pockets. His figure was just too amazing. Even behind a face mask, he frequently drew the attention of the passerbys.
In the end, two girls braved themselves to step forwards and asked, "May I ask if you're Tang Yi-Bai?"
"I'm not —"
"Aaaaaaaaah! Tang Yi-Bai!" The girls became frenzied even before he could answer.
Tang Yi-Bai: "..." People who acted against common sense was way too frightening.
After that, the two girls circled Tang Yi-Bai asking for his autograph and photos, and they even called their friends to ask them to come over as well. Tang Yi-Bai was rather frantic, frequently looking towards taxis passing by on the road.
Finally, one car stopped before them. The car window rolled down to reveal a lady's face. The lady asked with a straight face, "Sir, do you need a taxi? We can give you a ride?"
Tang Yi-Bai smiled. "Okay."
The two clueless fans quickly hurried to ask, "Pretty lady, can you give us a ride as well?"
Yun Duo asked with a smile, "Where are you two planning to go?"
"We'll go wherever Tang Yi-Bai is going."
"Hehe, dream on!" And she rolled up the window.
Tang Yi-Bai had just opened the car door when he heard this, and he could not help but chuckle. Once he got into the car, he put an arm around Yun Duo's shoulder and leaned closer to whisper, "Jealous?"
He was too close, almost about to cling fully onto her. Yun Duo stretched out to place a hand on his face, preventing him from moving any closer. "The driver is watching..."
The driver quickly objected from the front. "I see nothing. Please feel free to do as you like."
Tang Yi-Bai, the shameless fellow, stuck out his tongue and licked her palm.
As if electrocuted, Yun Duo tugged her hand back with a red face. She said in a low voice, "Are you a puppy...?"
Tang Yi-Bai smiled, still shameless. "If I'm a dog, you're a bun."
The driver could not bear to hear any more. He turned on the car radio. At this moment, he would rather listen to all sorts of ads on treating infertility than listen to their sweet talk. A single dog could not afford to be wounded.
The two of them finally ended up at Nanluoguxiang. It was New Year's Eve, so there were people everywhere. Tang Yi-Bai put on his face mask again. Yun Duo looked over his outfit and said, "You're so handsome today it's blinding. You're handsome even with your face hidden."
Tang Yi-Bai thought, 'I'm even more handsome without any clothes on'. Of course, he only dared to think these words in his mind and not say them out loud, lest he be beaten like some hooligan.
He took a little box from his pocket and gave it to her. "A New Year's present."
"Thank you." Yun Duo accepted the velvet box and opened it. Inside was a hairpin made with citrine. The clear crystals were pieced together to form little flower bunches. It was very beautiful.
Tang Yi-Bai did not miss the joy shining from her eyes. He was very happy that Yun Duo liked the present. He removed the hairpin from the box and helped her pin it to her head. Under the rays from the colourful lights on both sides of the street, the citrine was shining brilliantly, accentuating her youthful beauty.
Right then, she must certainly be the most beautiful sight in the world. He cradled her face and his eyes were scrunched up in a wide smile. "My little princess."
"Who's your little princess?" Yun Duo touched the hairpin and then rifled through her purse. "I also prepared a gift for you. I was planning to give it to you tomorrow."
Her gift was a bracelet she had weaved herself. Last time, she had helped Xiang Yang-Yang weave one, so she had thought of weaving one for Tang Yi-Bai as well. Consequently, Xiang Yang-Yang had once caught her weaving and forcefully traded bracelets with her. Thus, Yun Duo could only start again to weave a new one for Tang Yi-Bai. She had just finished the bracelet yesterday. The bracelet had been woven with blue and white silk thread. The blue base of the bracelet was like water, while the white diamonds were connected head to tail, like a trail of little fishes. That first bracelet she had been weaving had a white base and blue diamonds. In order to make sure Yi-Bai's bracelet did not match Xiang Yang-Yang's, Yun Duo had switched the colours around.
Tang Yi-Bai stretched out a hand and Yun Duo helped him to put on the bracelet. After she put it on, he flipped his hand around to catch her hand and linked their fingers together.
He wanted to kiss her, but he was still wearing his face mask.
Forget it, he'll save it up for now.
The two of them walked along the street, holding hands. The streets were lined with a variety of small shops which sold some very fun and creative items. Strolling and shopping, they unconsciously bought quite a lot of things. Tang Yi-Bai played the part of a perfect boyfriend — he did not allow Yun Duo to spend a single cent from start to end.
After they were tired of walking, they stopped at a bar.
The bar was holding a New Year's Eve rave. Under the dim lights, young men and women were writhing on the dance floor while the live singers screamed through their microphones. When ordering a drink, Yun Duo hesitated. Ever since Tang Yi-Bai had been reported last time, she had been extra cautious. Some people just could not bear to see others doing well. It was just that unreasonable. If by any chance someone who hated Tang Yi-Bai recognised him here and slipped something into his drink... fine, she would admit that she was a little paranoid, but it was better safe than sorry, right? Even if no one recognised Tang Yi-Bai, what if someone drugged him out of jealousy because he was just so good-looking? Or what if someone already high themselves started slipping drugs around recklessly and Tang Yi-Bai just so happened to consume some? Or what if the bartender accidentally gave them the wrong drinks and Tang Yi-Bai ended up with a spiked drink...? Life was full of dangers!
She flipped through the drinks menu three times before ordering a Bloody Mary for herself. She then ordered a bottle of Nongfu Spring mineral water for Tang Yi-Bai and specially instructed the bartender not to open it in advance. They would open it on their own.
Tang Yi-Bai: "..." What about having a good bar rave?! Who drinks mineral water at a rave? !
Yun Duo blinked and stared at him, then pouted and said, "I'm doing it for your own good."
He could not take her cuteness — no matter what she did wrong, as soon as she acted cute he would forgive her without a shred of hesitation. Moreover, she wasn't even doing anything wrong right now. He wasn't someone who was unreasonable or ignorant, so of course he knew she was thinking for his sake. Seeing her like this, his heart felt like it was about to melt. He ripped his mask aside, pulled her to him and bent down to kiss her.
Yun Duo turned weak from his kiss.
Later, much later, he would find out how many trials and difficulties her unusual caution had helped him to avoid.
