The recently concluded semi-finals have been a hot topic for the past few days. Another major topic before the finals was also the dispute over the international qualifier match between the Red Leaf and Scattered Clouds teams. To both teams, who have already tasted bitter defeat in the semi-finals, this battle was crucial.
A week later, when the event ended, it was clear that the Red Leaf team had lost; it could be said they were even crushed. Anyone who watched this game would still experience a deep shock every time it was mentioned. This women’s army, which has always been known for its passion and bravery, appeared completely helpless when faced with the strength of the Scattered Clouds team in this battle.
The Scattered Clouds team seemed to be using this game to display their strength to the media who have questioned them. However, the memory of the Black Rose team’s victory in the semifinals was still vivid. If the strength of the Scattered Clouds was undeniable, then how strong was the Black Rose team this season?
Many people were wondering – could the Apocalypse team still win this year’s championship against such a dominant Black Rose team?
In any case, the League matches had come to an end, and the three teams that would be competing in the international tournament had been determined to be the Apocalypse, Black Rose, and Scattered Clouds, so all that was left was the final battle of the kings.
Before the finals, Li Bochuan, as the team leader, set up a private room in the hotel for a final encouragement. Two days after the match between the Scattered Clouds and Red Leaf teams ended, it was their turn to fight. This could be considered as the last indulgence before the match. Everyone was full of spirit and even had somewhat exalted feelings, each more passionate than the other.
Lin Xiao did not expect to receive a call from Yan Lingjiang at this moment. Standing in the corridor, he could faintly hear the bustling sounds coming from the private room, while on the other end of the phone, Yan Lingjiang spoke in a cold and indifferent tone, “Do your best in tomorrow’s match.”
Although Lin Xiao couldn’t see that guy’s expression, he could picture an extremely sour face. Surprise flashed across his face, and he smiled softly: “Alright.”
A long period of silence followed between the two people. At last, after no one spoke, the abruptly busy tone finally broke this silence. Obviously, Yan Lingjiang became impatient with this silent “conversation” and hung up first.
What an awkward kid… Lin Xiao rubbed his messy hair and walked into the private room with a helpless expression. As soon as he entered, he saw Xiao Li waving at him from afar and said, “Why did you talk on the phone for so long? Come over quickly and have a few drinks with me!”
In order to maintain their best condition, professional e-sports players usually would abstain from alcohol. If it weren’t for today’s amnesty, he probably wouldn’t have had a chance to taste a drink anytime soon. However, before Xiao Li became an e-sports player, he was a rich second-generation businessman. How could he go out socializing without drinking? Obviously, from the time he joined the club until now, it must have been really stifling for him.
Next to Xiao Li was Lin Xiao’s seat, and sitting next to him was You Jing. On the other end, Liu Zeshen was smiling as he slowly rocked his wine glass. Next, came the two twins lying on the table, Qin Lei and Shen Changyu. Then, there was Chen Anqi, who calmly looked at Shen Changyu, and Zou Qiguan, snuggled in Liu Jinxuan’s arms like a puppy…
Lin Xiao was sweating.
He was just out to answer a phone call, how many of them did Xiao Li knock down?
With this thought, he quickly glanced at the fresh orange juice in You Jing’s glass and felt satisfied. At least the “wounded” man in front of him still had self-control. Sometimes, this iceberg face that kept strangers away was also good. For example, at the moment, Xiao Li, although completely drunk, still didn’t dare to act recklessly.
“Who called you?” You Jing waited for Lin Xiao to sit down and suddenly asked.
“Just now? Wild Goose called.” Lin Xiao blurted out.
“Wild Goose?” You Jing raised his eyebrows.
“It’s Yan Lingjiang.” Lin Xiao thought he didn’t understand, so he added, “All their matches have ended, and they are returning to their Club tonight, so he called me to wish me luck.”
You Jing said “Oh. He seems to care about you.”
Does he really care about him? Lin Xiao thought for a moment and realized that, yes, although there was still not much enthusiasm expressed, leaving his grudges aside and taking the initiative to cheer him up, was enough to move him to tears. He nodded and said: “Indeed.”
You Jing didn’t say anything else for a while.
Just as Lin Xiao was about to speak, Xiao Li had already placed a large glass of beer before him and urged: “Why are you talking so much? Drink! Drink! Don’t stop until you’re drunk!”
Lin Xiao looked back and saw that the man’s handsome face was full of smiles, but there was also a faint blush. Looking carefully, he realized that his eyes were not as focused as usual, and he was speechless. He thought Xiao Li could handle so many people because he had such good alcohol tolerance. It turns out he just wasn’t visibly drunk?
“I’m drunk, take me back.” Without waiting for Xiao Li to urge him again, a slender hand interfered between them and lightly pushed the glass away. You Jing stood up and glanced at Lin Xiao: “Are you coming?”
Lin Xiao glanced at the fresh orange juice in his glass and understood: “It’s getting late, time to go.”
Xiao Li frowned: “We’re having such a great time here, why are you guys… hmm.”
“Take care, both of you.” Liu Zeshen made a gesture of “please”. If it weren’t for his hand firmly covering Xiao Li’s mouth, this posture would have appeared very gentlemanly.
Lin Xiao followed You Jing out of the private room. By now, it was already late at night, and the hotel lobby seemed somewhat empty except for a few receptionists. A cool breeze filled the air with a sense of solitude.
You Jing was walking in front of him without saying a word. Suddenly he felt a weight on his shoulders, and a trace of warmth seeped into his body. A team’s uniform coat was draped on his body, blocking some of the night chill. He paused his steps, turned to look at Lin Xiao, and asked out of nowhere, “Are you nervous?”
Not receiving the expected gratitude, Lin Xiao was taken aback by this sudden question. After a momentary pause, he smiled and replied, “What about you? Are you nervous?”
You Jing continued walking forward without saying anything. As he listened to the footsteps following behind him in silence, he finally spoke up again: “Yes, I am nervous.”
Lin Xiao’s eyes flashed with surprise. In his impression, a person like You Jing, who was so arrogant and dismissive, shouldn’t have such a down-to-earth answer, right? However, after thinking about it, he only grinned and said in a casual tone: “What a coincidence, I am also very nervous.”
He couldn’t remember how many rounds of league matches he had experienced, how many competitions he had participated in, or how many finals like this he had entered. He hadn’t counted how many awards or honors he had achieved either. Still, whenever he faced a new challenge, it would be a lie to say that he was not nervous.
Entering the finals already ensured that a medal was in the bag. However, although the champion and the runner-up were one step away, they were completely different. There was a saying, “A soldier who does not aspire to become a general is not a good soldier.” So among the e-sports players, who would actually settle for second place? What everyone coveted was, of course, the crown of champions.
“The fifth time.” There was no emotion in You Jing’s voice, “This is my fifth season since I entered the League. I always remember what I was aiming for when I turned pro, but so far, it still hasn’t come true.”
The purpose of everyone in the League should be to reach the top, right? Lin Xiao shook his head. With Yan Duzhou in the national e-sports League, winning a championship was not easy to achieve.
You Jing suddenly stopped and turned to look at him: “Do you know why Vice Captain Shen was willing to stay in the team and agreed to let me take over the position of captain?”
Was there gossip? Lin Xiao was curious. “Why?”
Something flickered in the bottom of You Jing’s deep eyes, and he looked straight into his eyes, scrutinizing him, his words clear: “Because, like him, I want to revive the Black Rose team established by Old Ghost and create a new dynasty.”
That gaze seemed to penetrate directly into his heart. Lin Xiao straightened his back imperceptibly, and they stared at each other in this eerie silence. After a while, a faint smile appeared on his lips: “There will be a dynasty.”
He knew that You Jing might have had some special feelings towards the “him from the past”, but only now did he realize that much of the pressure this person was supporting was because of him, while he was completely unaware.
What a burden to carry… Although Lin Xiao didn’t really hope that the peak glory of that year would have too much influence on the younger generation, personally speaking, for some unknown reason, You Jing’s words made him feel inexplicably happy.
You see, what could be more satisfying than having someone express their admiration right in front of you? Moreover, it was this cold and proud Queen. Even if he wasn’t aware of it, who cared? Anyway, Lin Xiao, with his thick skin, could definitely accept this “admiration” wholeheartedly.
