New Beginning and Future

Chapter 70 Packing Wars and Overpowered Alliances

Summary: As departure day approaches, the base descends into organized chaos, pet logistics become a team mission, suitcases turn into battlegrounds, and loyalties are tested over fabric choices and territorial instincts. Between playful debates, strategic maneuvering, and the revelation that some partnerships are simply unfairly powerful, it becomes clear that even off-season, this duo plays to win.

Overprotective: ZGDX
Overprotective/Possessive/territorial: Chessman
Chessman is literally his own warning when it concerns his girl

Notes:

⚠️ Author's Note: And the war had started but ended quickly as our girl uses her resources!

Disclaimer: The Muse would like to remind everyone we do not own FIYS nor the beloved characters nor any dialogue from either the show nor the book...the Muse is very sad and not pleased with this continued reminder that they do not own them and never will!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Sixty-Eight

The next few days unfolded in a blur of lists, confirmations, packing arrangements, and the subtle but unmistakable shift that always accompanied the rare luxury of stepping away from competition, because although Rome waited for them like a promise carved into marble and sunlit stone, there were still responsibilities to settle before they could disappear for months without a single scrim or strategy meeting haunting their schedules, and at the center of those responsibilities were two very important, very spoiled felines who ruled the base with as much authority as their owners.

Yao sat cross-legged on the lounge floor with Da Bing sprawled across her lap and Xiao Cong circling her shoulder like a small, gray shadow, her phone balanced in one hand as she scrolled through vaccination records and grooming schedules while Sicheng leaned against the arm of the couch reviewing boarding options with the kind of stern focus he usually reserved for draft analysis. "I do not trust boarding facilities," Yao said firmly, scratching beneath Da Bing's chin as the blue-eyed cat purred like a small engine.

"They would be fine," Sicheng replied evenly, though he did not sound entirely convinced himself.

"They are not luggage," she countered without looking up.

"They are not," he agreed calmly, shifting his weight slightly as Xiao Cong leapt down to inspect his shoe laces.

Before the discussion could deepen into one of their typical quiet standoffs, Pang appeared from the kitchen doorway holding a bag of chips and peering at them curiously. "Why do you both look like you're planning a military evacuation," he asked.

"We are," Yao replied flatly, gesturing toward the cats, "for them."

Lao Mao followed shortly behind, arms crossed loosely as he glanced between the two cats and the luggage near the hallway. "You're really leaving us with them," he said, half teasing and half apprehensive.

"They are my precious fur babies," Yao replied, narrowing her eyes slightly, "not a burden."

Pang immediately straightened. "I volunteer," he announced with dramatic sincerity, "to look after them while the tyrant captain is gone."

Sicheng's gaze lifted slowly. "Tyrant?" he repeated.

Pang grinned nervously. "Lovingly tyrannical," he amended quickly.

Lao K, who had been silently listening from the far side of the room, removed one earcup from his headset and added dryly, "We will all assist, because if the captain is away, morale improves by at least fifteen percent."

Sicheng's expression did not change. "Noted," he replied calmly.

Yao snorted softly, unable to suppress her amusement.