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Su Mucheng decides that she wants to remain by Ye Xiu’s side soon after she loses her brother. She doesn’t remember much from the funeral, the day passing in a haze of condolences and staring at Su Muqiu’s grave. But she remembers how her eyes had burned from her tears, remembers Ye Xiu’s arm around her shoulders, warm and comforting, even as he mourns himself.
He’s by her side when she finally makes herself move from the grave, stumbling on legs that are too numb from kneeling, and Ye Xiu’s arm is around her waist before she can fall. He keeps it there, even after she regains her bearings, a point of contact as they make their way back to an apartment that is too empty and too quiet.
Su Mucheng has been sleeping in her room for a year, has always appreciated the quiet that her room gives her, but tonight she finds herself gravitating towards the sofa, tucking herself up tight and holding onto her knees.
She doesn’t really register the blanket being draped over her shoulders, but she startles back to herself when the couch shifts as Ye Xiu takes his place. He doesn’t say anything; he simply reaches for the remote, the sound of some reality contest filling the small space, chasing away the oppressive silence.
His arm is around her shoulders soon after, steady weight grounding her as she leans into his warmth; she keeps her eyes on the screen and wills her tears not to fall. She loses the battle, and she presses herself against Ye Xiu’s side, the rise and fall of his chest reassuring, and Su Mucheng clings to his hand as they sit up through the night.
***
It is hard to feel proud in her debut year, even with the Best Partners award going to her and Ye Xiu. Three years of championships, and yet despite her finally being able to stand at Ye Xiu’s side on Glory’s stage, Excellent Era fails to win their fourth.
Ye Xiu’s face reveals nothing when she finds him after the interviews are over, and her face aches from the smiling, from clenching her teeth and biting back sharp responses to pointed questions. She doesn’t break the silence, watching the plumes of smoke drifting up through the night air.
The sight is a familiar one, standing at Ye Xiu’s side and letting the quiet wind its way around them, relishing in the scene. Su Mucheng finds herself soothed by the familiarity, comforted by keeping her eyes on the coiling smoke, drifting along with the cool night breeze.
“Best Partners Mucheng.” Ye Xiu smiles around his cigarette, and Su Mucheng finds it easy to return the smile.
“Best Partners.” She thinks to herself, feeling the title settle across her, heavy and comforting. “Best Partners.”
***
Ye Xiu’s name appearing on her screen is a balm on Su Mucheng’s heart, easing the worry that he was lost without Excellent Era. Su Mucheng has faith in him, has always had faith in him, but she knows what Excellent Era means to him, knows that he left quietly for a reason and that the loss hit him hard. She thinks she remembers the internet café, having passed it while walking back to the club, and she comforts herself with the knowledge that Ye Xiu will have a plan.
Even if he doesn’t have one in this very moment, he will have one soon enough, and she lets the thought settle in her chest, lets the warmth suffuse through her like a glowing ember.
She picks up Dancing Rain from where she left her and rubs one finger against the edge of the card, across the grooves in the plastic, letting the familiar ridges comfort her as she leaves her room to face what Excellent Era has become.
Su Mucheng knows that Ye Xiu will have a plan soon enough and that she will be ready to stand beside him when he needs her.
***
It feels good to be by Ye Xiu’s side once more, returned to where she feels most comfortable, where she has always strived to be. It feels even better with the warmth of Happy surrounding them both, a supportive team standing by Ye Xiu’s side once more, comforting Su Mucheng with the knowledge that Happy has Ye Xiu’s back.
After years of watching Ye Xiu being undermined, scapegoated and pushed to the side, it feels good to see him standing with a team that has his back and want what is best for the team, what is best for Glory.
Su Mucheng can’t help the small smile playing on her lips, basking in the warmth of a team she can trust.
***
It feels different in Season 11. With Ye Xiu having left Glory’s stage. Su Mucheng is used to standing at Ye Xiu’s side, and now when she looks to her side, Fang Rui is there, a bright grin written across his features. She looks further and sees Qiao Yifan and An Wenyi discussing something, pouring over a screen they’re holding between them. Baozi is peering intently at Wei Chen’s phone, hanging off Tang Rou as she comments, Wei Chen snorting out a laugh. Mo Fan and Luo Ji are listening to Chen Guo as she speaks; Mo Fan occasionally nods or shakes his head when she pauses, and Luo Ji chiming in with his thoughts.
Su Mucheng is pulled out of her thoughts by Fang Rui’s hand on her shoulder, and his eyes seem knowing as she traces his features. He seems to be mulling over his words, and Su Mucheng waits for him to collect himself, watching the way his eyes trace over their team, fondness in his eyes.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Fang Rui’s smile widens, “having a team again.”
Su Mucheng sucks in a soft breath at his words, letting her gaze sweep across the room to encompass all of Happy again and Fang Rui’s words strike something within her.
“Yes, it does.”