Falling Into Your Smile: The Path Forward.

The days following Tong Yao's revelation to the team were a whirlwind of adjustments, both big and small. As much as they tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, there was no denying that things had changed. The team's practice sessions were now more carefully structured to allow for Tong Yao's rest, and the intensity of their training was gradually dialed back, especially on days when she looked particularly fatigued.

It wasn't just about managing her physical well-being—there were also the psychological adjustments that came with this new reality. Tong Yao had always been fiercely competitive, someone who thrived on the adrenaline of high-stakes matches. But now, she found herself constantly second-guessing her decisions, worrying not just about her performance, but about how every action might affect the tiny life growing inside her.

Her mood swings didn't help. One moment, she would feel a surge of determination, ready to take on anything that came her way. The next, she would be overwhelmed by a wave of uncertainty, questioning whether she was making the right choices—for herself, for her baby, for the team. Lu Sicheng was her rock during these times, his calm, unflappable nature grounding her when her emotions threatened to spiral out of control.

Despite the changes, the team's focus remained on the upcoming tournament. The playoffs were just around the corner, and they were determined to secure their place at Worlds. Tong Yao's pregnancy was a challenge, but it was also a source of unexpected strength. It gave the team a new sense of purpose, a deeper bond that transcended their roles as teammates. They weren't just playing for themselves anymore—they were playing for their future, for the family they were becoming.

But as much as they tried to stay positive, there were moments when the reality of their situation hit hard. One such moment came during a particularly grueling scrimmage against YQCB. The match had been intense, with both teams pushing each other to the limit. Tong Yao was in the zone, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she executed one flawless play after another. But as the game dragged on, she began to feel a familiar ache in her lower back—a dull, persistent pain that she had learned to associate with her pregnancy.

She tried to push through it, ignoring the discomfort as she focused on the game. But the pain grew worse, radiating up her spine until it was impossible to ignore. Her concentration wavered, and she missed a crucial skill shot, costing her team a critical fight.

"Damn it!" she muttered under her breath, her frustration mounting as she realized what had happened. She could feel the eyes of her teammates on her, could sense their concern even as they tried to hide it.

"Smiling, are you okay?" Lao K asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Tong Yao forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine," she lied, trying to shake off the pain. "Just a little tired, that's all."

But Lu Sicheng wasn't fooled. He knew her better than anyone, and he could see through the façade she was trying to put up. Without a word, he reached over and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch reassuring.

"Take a break," he said quietly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Tong Yao wanted to protest, to insist that she was fine and could keep going. But the look in Lu Sicheng's eyes stopped her. He wasn't just her captain—he was her partner, and he knew when she needed to step back, even when she couldn't admit it to herself.

Reluctantly, she nodded and stepped away from the computer, letting Xiao Rui call for a pause in the scrimmage. As she sat down on the couch, trying to stretch out the pain in her back, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She hated the idea of letting her team down, of being the weak link in their otherwise flawless chain.

But as she watched her teammates gather around Lu Sicheng, discussing strategy for the next match, she realized that they weren't disappointed in her. They were concerned, yes, but they also trusted her. They knew that she was doing her best, that she was pushing herself to the limit—and they respected her for it.

As the team continued their discussion, Lu Sicheng broke away from the group and joined her on the couch. He didn't say anything at first, just sat beside her, his presence a comforting anchor.

"You don't have to do this alone, you know," he said after a moment, his voice soft.

Tong Yao looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability. "I know," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't want to be a burden."

"You're not a burden," Lu Sicheng said firmly. "You're part of this team. And we're all in this together."

His words were simple, but they carried a weight that Tong Yao hadn't realized she needed to hear. She had been so focused on proving that she could handle everything on her own that she had forgotten the most important lesson of all—being part of a team meant relying on each other, leaning on each other when things got tough.

"Thank you," she said, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke the words aloud.

Lu Sicheng reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We've got this, Yao Yao," he said, his tone confident. "And we've got you."