AFMWDX Chapter 11

TL: Hua

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The streamer competition is divided into preliminary, semi-final, and final stages, with streamers from different categories competing separately.

Yu Qingtang’s ACG channel is divided into four sections: [Voice Actor], [Anime], [Gaming], and [Otaku Dance].

During the preliminaries, streamers will participate in six 1v1 PK matches. Each streamer uses their strengths to gain audience support, and the one with the most likes wins. The top four popular contestants will advance to the semi-finals.

No matter the format, it wasn’t difficult for Yu Qingtang; the competition just increased the frequency of his livestreams.

After the PK match that day, Yu Qingtang and Xu Baizhang visited several properties but couldn’t find a satisfactory house.

On the way back, Yu Qingtang noticed the other’s mood. “Baizhang, are you anxious?”

“A little.”

Not many things could upset him, so Yu Qingtang asked, “Because of the house?”

Xu Baizhang nodded in agreement.

Yu Qingtang comforted him, “Don’t rush, as long as we have a place to live.”

“I’m not anxious about the house; I’m anxious about getting married.”

His heart pounded like a sudden downpour, and there was a marshmallow in his chest, soaked with rain, melting sweetly everywhere.

“Who says you need a house to get married?” Yu Qingtang pulled out his phone. “We can get our marriage certificate first and then slowly look for a house.”

“My mom sent me a few auspicious dates two days ago. Let me see if any fit…”

Yu Qingtang’s eyes stopped on the nearest date: October 7th, the fifth day of the ninth lunar month. Auspicious for marriage, sacrifice, and praying for blessings.

“Are you free tomorrow?” Yu Qingtang shook his phone. “The almanac says tomorrow at 9 AM is an auspicious time.”

The car stopped at his doorstep, and Xu Baizhang turned to meet Yu Qingtang’s gaze. “Yes.”

Yu Qingtang put down his phone. “It’s settled then.”

Xu Baizhang suppressed his excitement with a smile. “Mm.”

Yu Qingtang: “Want to come up for a bit?”

Xu Baizhang: “Next time, I have plans with friends.”

“Okay, I’m going up first.” Yu Qingtang opened the car door, took a step out, and then turned back. “Oh, right.”

Xu Baizhang: “What’s wrong?”

Yu Qingtang leaned down by the car and crooked his finger at him.

Xu Baizhang unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned as much as possible towards the passenger seat.

There was a very light pressure on his right shoulder, and the ring circle resting on it was like a star halo. Xu Baizhang felt warmth by his ear and a soft, hook-like voice.

“See you tomorrow, fiancé.”

—

In the evening, a bar in the city center.

Three men sat in a booth.

Zhong Yan raised a bottle of beer and clinked it against a teacup and a thermos. “Have either of you calculated how long it’s been since the three of us last gathered?”

Liang Songsheng sipped his tea. “Too busy.”

“Hold on, no excuses.” Zhong Yan scanned the two men beside him. “Alright, who’s going to confess first?”

Zhong Yan drinking beer, Liang Songsheng drinking tea, and Xu Baizhang with his own thermos were collectively known as the “Three Giants of the Provincial Hospital.”

Zhong Yan was in the emergency department, Liang Songsheng in neurosurgery, and Xu Baizhang in traditional Chinese medicine. They were among the few young doctors who had risen to director positions.

They were once classmates, roommates, and long-time friends. They went to Germany for studies together and returned to work at the Provincial Hospital after graduation.

Xu Baizhang didn’t bat an eye. “Confess what?”

“Stop playing dumb. When you swaggered through the outpatient building the other day wearing glasses and a suit, you should’ve known this day would come.” Zhong Yan gave him no quarter. “I heard those intern nurses went crazy, lining up overnight to snatch all your appointments. Dean Yang was furious and scolded the head nurse profusely.”

At the mention of this, Xu Baizhang couldn’t help but get a headache. “I didn’t expect that to happen either.”

Zhong Yan: “You’ve also got a secret lover?”

Xu Baizhang: “What do you mean ‘also’?”

Zhong Yan glanced at Liang Songsheng and said, “This old fossil not only hides a beauty in his golden house, but his old tree is also blooming.”

Xu Baizhang was about to speak, but Zhong Yan cut him off again. “Old Xu, don’t try to change the subject. You confess first, then Old Liang. No one’s escaping.”

Xu Baizhang: “I want to get married; I had a blind date.”

Zhong Yan had known Xu Baizhang for over ten years, and from his understanding, the probability of this person having thoughts of marriage was not much higher than Mars colliding with Earth.

But marriage was ultimately a joyous occasion, so Zhong Yan casually asked, “How did the date go?”

Xu Baizhang: “Getting our marriage certificate tomorrow.”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Zhong Yan choked, his face red. “Alright, quietly doing big things!”

Liang Songsheng raised his teacup. “Baizhang, congratulations.”

“Congratulations!” Zhong Yan also raised his glass. “When you have time, invite your partner out for a meal.”

Xu Baizhang said yes and clinked glasses with the two.

Zhong Yan mocked himself, “Ah, one of you has a secret fiancé at home, and the other is about to get his certificate. Only I’m left, a miserable single dog.”

“Is that so?” Xu Baizhang was merciless. “What about the new resident in your department? The one with yellow hair?”

Liang Songsheng added fuel to the fire, “Private tutoring, extra attentiveness. Is Director Zhong really that responsible?”

Zhong Yan: “…” Damn it.

“I’m sorry, okay?” Zhong Yan’s mouth felt like it was stuffed with a gourd. “Directors, don’t tease me; I can’t take it.”

He changed the subject. “Come on, come on, drink up!”

At the same time, all three of their phones rang in succession.

Zhong Yan pulled out his phone the fastest. “Well, big trouble’s here.”

—

The decision to get the marriage certificate was sudden, and Yu Qingtang only remembered afterward that they needed a joint photo for it. Nowadays, it’s popular to take photos at a professional studio and then just fill out forms and get stamps at the civil affairs bureau.

He thought Xu Baizhang probably wouldn’t care about those things, and they could just take the picture tomorrow. But the joint photo was a bust shot, and it would look better if their tops were coordinated.

Based on Xu Baizhang’s usual style, Yu Qingtang picked out four shirts in similar colors and styles. He took pictures of them all and sent them to Xu Baizhang for his opinion when he said goodnight before bed.

After tidying up the clothes, Yu Qingtang called his parents to inform them about getting the marriage certificate. His parents were as excited as if it were New Year’s. They agreed to have dinner tomorrow evening, then fussed about getting off the phone because they needed to prepare red packets and tomorrow’s menu.

After showering, his phone vibrated on the bedside table.

It was Xu Baizhang’s call.

Yu Qingtang answered. “Are you home?”

“I’m downstairs at your place. I want to see you.”

Yu Qingtang wiped his hair and smiled. “Then come up; you have a key.”

“Time is a bit tight; I might…”

Yu Qingtang dropped the towel. “Wait for me; I’m coming down.”

In early October, the evening breeze was chilly.

Yu Qingtang was only wearing long pants and a short-sleeved T-shirt, and his hair was still damp.

Xu Baizhang took off his jacket and put it over him. “Are you cold?”

Yu Qingtang was only concerned about the urgency in his voice. “What happened? You sound urgent.”

Xu Baizhang helped him button up. “Just received a notice: there’s been a large-scale avalanche in Shigatse, and the situation is critical, requiring support. The plane leaves at 11 PM.”

Yu Qingtang also knew about Shigatse; the station had released news two hours ago, and external reporters had already rushed there.

Even if he didn’t want him to go, even with a thousand reluctances, Yu Qingtang didn’t say that childish phrase, “Can you not go?” As a journalist, he knew that some things were beyond his control.

“When will you be back? Is it dangerous?”

“We’ll only be at the rescue center, not the front lines.” Xu Baizhang only looked at him, not blinking. “I don’t know the exact time, but it shouldn’t be too long.”

Yu Qingtang relaxed a little. “Then you must still be careful.”

Xu Baizhang pulled out a set of keys and handed them to him. “Please help me take care of the flowers and fish. Water the flowers once every seven days, and feed the fish once a day. There are also herbs drying on the balcony; you’ll need to bring them in if it rains.”

Yu Qingtang took the keys and said okay.

Xu Baizhang’s phone kept vibrating, but he didn’t answer it. He glanced at the time, then his gaze returned to Yu Qingtang. “I have to go immediately. Our matter…”

Although not intentional, it had to be temporarily put on hold.

Yu Qingtang said, “It’s okay. Mom gave us so many good dates. We can go when you get back.”

Seeing that he hadn’t fully relaxed, Yu Qingtang half-jokingly said, “Alright, stop looking at me like that. Such a big living person, are you afraid I’ll run away?”

“Yes,” Xu Baizhang said.

The world fell silent.

A simple “yes,” as if it were a love confession.

“Old Xu, hurry! We’ll miss the plane!”

A car was parked about ten meters away. The light was dim, and the person inside couldn’t be seen, but they were definitely calling Xu Baizhang.

Xu Baizhang paid no attention, his pupils fixed only on the person in front of him. “I should go.”

“Wait.”

Yu Qingtang didn’t like one-sided relationships, nor would he let his loved one go without return. “Just one second.”

Yu Qingtang took half a step forward, his chin brushing his shoulder line, and gently embraced him. “I won’t run. We’ll get married when you come back.”

His waist and abdomen were tightened by an external force, feeling the shape of Xu Baizhang’s palms. It was like crazy, entwining vines growing in midsummer, wanting to pierce his skin and take root in his heart.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

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