“Is there anything else your AW team would like to say at the end of the interview?” The interview host held the microphone out, extending it toward the AW captain.
AW-Changfeng pushed up his glasses, wearing the look of someone who considered victory already secured. “Let’s just use our team name to wrap up this interview. We always win.”
This Captain Changfeng had previously served as the second team captain for the Python team, emerging as a top-tier jungler at a remarkably young age. He had shown immense promise during the draft selection, prompting the Python team to invite him in as a second-team captain.
However, the Python team’s strongest roster consisted of the five veteran generals of the original first team, leaving Changfeng with zero chance of breaking into their starting lineup. After enduring a lengthy stint on the bench, he gritted his teeth, paid his own contract buyout, and transferred directly to the AW team to become a true leader.
While AW was not a permanent resident team in the GPL, Changfeng now possessed the confidence to carry the squad much further. Throwing out so many bold remarks during the interview served as clear proof of Changfeng’s absolute self-assurance.
The host dragged out a long and teasing “Oh,” giving a thumbs-up. “What a fierce pre-match declaration! We wish you the best of luck today.”
AW-Changfeng lifted his chin, jutting it out toward the camera lens as he delivered an aggressively targeted provocation. “I’m the jungler, so the opposing jungle better watch out. Don’t let their jungle turn into my personal territory. Alright, we’ll settle things on the stage.”
“Very well, let’s have the AW team step aside for a brief rest,” the host said with a tight-lipped smile.
Standing backstage with the rest of the first team, Yan Shu heard every single word of the pre-match provocation coming from the interview area.
How nostalgic.
Four years ago, back when he was TW-Snow Moon, Yan Shu had delivered plenty of arrogant declarations himself.
Even the most childish boasts had crossed his lips.
Yet he couldn’t remember a single one now, recalling only the accident that followed, his desperate denials, and his eventual pathetic pleas for his teammates to trust him.
At that thought, Yan Shu closed his eyes.
The other first-team members had also heard the AW team’s pre-match taunts, though their mindset differed entirely from Yan Shu’s. Lin Qi, possessing his usual big mouth, responded with a dismissive hand gesture.
“Such big talk, Captain. Isn’t that a direct dig at you? Once we get up there, we definitely have to strike an ultra-cool pose and drop an even cooler pre-match declaration!” Lin Qi grew increasingly excited as he fantasized, imagining how dazzling an entrance with thunderous sound effects would be.
Zhuoyue’s expression darkened slightly. “Zip it the moment you get up there.”
“Alright, I’ll go up and…” Lin Qi finally registered what the captain had just said. “Why though? Captain, I want to issue a challenge! Captain!”
Lin Qi prepared to howl a bit more, but Ye Xuanqing cut him off. “Enough, stop before you get chewed out by the captain right before the match.”
With Lin Qi’s clatter silenced, the rest of the first team fell utterly still.
After pulling his face mask securely into place, Yan Shu followed his teammates out to the interview area, consciously sliding into the background to hide in a spot where the cameras rarely lingered.
“Welcome the starting members of our SR team to the interview room.” Following standard protocol, the host offered a brief welcome before introducing each member in turn.
The entire interview proceeded strictly by the book. As captain, Zhuoyue handled the majority of the questions.
Yan Shu couldn’t help admiring Zhuoyue’s eloquence. While the captain proved rigorous and sharp-tongued with his own teammates internally, he remained fiercely protective of them externally, sparing no praise when credit was due.
Once the basic questions concluded, the host’s gaze shifted to the masked figure standing in the corner. “Oh, is this SR-Moon? Such a familiar face, wait, a completely new face. Why are you wearing a face mask?”
Noticing Yan Shu lacked a microphone, she extended her own directly toward him. “Would you like to say a few words?”
Yan Shu froze, his hands locked stiffly at his sides, completely at a loss for how to react. Positioned far off to the side, neither cameras nor stage lights had been focused on his corner, but the host’s sudden curiosity instantly dragged him into the blinding spotlight.
The host held the microphone expectantly, hoping to see him pull down the mask.
Right as the awkward standoff reached its peak, Zhuoyue reached out, snatched the microphone from her hand, and lowered his head slightly. “Our teammate has a bit of appearance anxiety, if everyone could kindly understand. Instead of worrying about what our players look like, perhaps you’d prefer wondering how we plan to dismantle AW in a moment, yes?”
Zhuoyue tilted his head with a slight smile toward the camera, his handsome features capable of unsettling anyone’s composure.
Unwilling to press Yan Shu any further, the host withdrew her hand, raised the microphone, and announced, “Then let’s have the SR team head back for a short break as we bring everyone an exciting match right after this.”
With the interview segment finally concluded, Yan Shu exhaled a long breath he had been holding the moment he stepped off the stage.
Following a few steps behind the crowd, Yan Shu debated with himself before quickening his pace. Closing the distance to Zhuoyue in three quick strides, he murmured a soft “Thank you.”
Hearing the words, Zhuoyue glanced back with casual indifference, then turned his gaze straight ahead, responding in a cold tone. “Don’t tag along to interviews next time.”
Yan Shu paused for a moment, nodded, and offered an emotionless “Understood.”
Luo Yan, standing close to the captain, let out a snort of mockery. Lacking formal education, he still reached for a sharp vocabulary to ridicule Yan Shu. “Oh, how utterly embarrassing. What do they call that again? Right, making a fool of yourself.”
“Quiet down,” Zhuoyue commanded coldly.
For reasons unknown, Zhuoyue’s mood seemed sour today, lacking yesterday’s gentle encouragement for the team not to stress. The captain’s foul mood cast a heavy shadow over the entire SR squad, leaving everyone too terrified to speak as absolute silence blanketed the lounge.
Coach Jane stood before the players with his arms crossed, rubbing his brow in helpless frustration. “What is this? Why is everyone dragging such a heavy mood into the match?”
Clueless as to why everyone acted so tense, Lin Qi used silent lip movements accompanied by expressive gestures. “I don’t know either. The captain won’t let me talk.”
Frowning, Jane glanced toward Zhuoyue, who sat in the corner with his eyes closed to rest, and roughly pieced together the cause. Zhuoyue shared bad blood with the Python club’s management and held mutual hostility toward their roster. With AW’s new captain hailing from the Python team, Zhuoyue’s current irritation came as no surprise.
“Zhuoyue, some grudges need to be swallowed for now. Otherwise, if we make it to the GPL finals and run into the Python team, do you plan on forfeiting?” Coach Jane massaged his temples. “Can you try having a bit more emotional resilience?”
“I know,” Zhuoyue opened his eyes, his fists clenching tightly. “I’m going to beat them.”
During his brief moment of quiet reflection just now, unpleasant memories had resurfaced unbidden. To this day, he could not forget how Python’s owner, Xu Kanan, had dismantled the original SR roster, nor the humiliating ways he had been mocked and cornered back then.
The Python team.
Python.
That team, and the person lurking behind the scenes, was nothing more than a poisonous snake.
Swallowing his anger through clenched teeth, Zhuoyue checked the time. It was time to take the stage.
“Let’s move out, play hard, no losing allowed,” Zhuoyue commanded, standing up and taking the lead with his back turned to the rest, cutting a solitary and resolute figure.
Hearing mention of the Python team left Yan Shu experiencing a tangled mess of complex emotions as well.
Both individuals stepped onto the arena stage carrying heavy burdens.
Given that today’s schedule included the afternoon qualifier finals, the venue drew an exceptionally large crowd. The roaring cheers inside threatened to blow the roof off the building, and upon spotting Zhuoyue’s arrival, several passionate fans stood up waving banners while screaming, “Hubby, I love you!”
Ignoring the distractions, Zhuoyue sat down, calibrated his equipment without a flicker of expression, and cast an icy stare across the stage toward AW-Changfeng.
Changfeng lifted his gaze at that exact moment. Their eyes locked, crackling with hostility like live wires striking together.
Yan Shu inadvertently caught the silent clash between the two captains, tracing Zhuoyue’s line of sight over to the opposing leader.
Changfeng.
The very name sounded like it was spoiling for a fight with Zhuoyue.
Zhuoyue went by Wind, while the other called himself Longfeng, meaning enduring wind.
The hostility remained too blatant, right down to matching their gaming IDs with opposing themes.
AW-Changfeng stuck his tongue out at Zhuoyue and casually raised his middle finger.
Having long outgrown the rebellious phase of rolling up his sleeves for street fights, Zhuoyue suppressed his rising rage, returning Changfeng’s stare with a smile that carried hidden blades.
The broadcast cameras immediately caught the exchange. Even the usually silver-tongued commentators fell silent for a moment before laughing it off by remarking on how spirited the younger generation of players was today.
Sparks flew instantly.
Coach Jane ran through a standard ban-pick phase, securing a relatively stable team composition for the SR squad.
When it came time for the opposing side to pick their heroes, Coach Jane froze completely in shock.
The opponents opened with Baili Shouyue, followed by Su Lie, then Mulan, rounding things out with Kai and Gongsun Li, the complete Great Wall Guard lineup.
The commentators grew awkward. Initially speculating that the AW team would never draft the Great Wall Guard unless joking around, they never expected the picks to actually get locked in.
Commentator A forced a chuckle. “Shouyue playing mid? Low damage output, maximum emotional disrespect.”
“How are we even supposed to play against this? Is this a joke?” Commentator B failed to grasp AW’s intent. “Are they throwing a game? AW’s match score was already trailing SR by a point.”
Commentator A shook his head. “Who knows, let’s just watch how this match unfolds.”
Once the match loaded in, complete silence settled over the SR team’s voice channel.
“Captain, how do we play against this?” Luo Yan muttered in frustration upon spotting the enemy Shouyue.
Zhuoyue’s knuckles turned stark white as he spoke in a low rumble. “07, rotate to the mid lane for farm. Sanhu, head down to the bottom lane.”
The opening phase of the match proceeded normally, but once players hit level four, the AW members began swarming Zhuoyue’s jungle to cause chaos.
Fortunately, protected by Yan Shu, Lin Qi farmed efficiently, making the defense of Zhuoyue’s jungle area relatively painless.
The opponents’ lineup was never built for serious competitive play. Deciding to tank their match score purely to rattle Zhuoyue’s mindset came at the direct cost of throwing the game.
The SR team secured a two-to-zero victory over the Lions.
Walking off the stage, Yan Shu felt as though waking from a trance. Glancing back at the shifting stage lights, for a fleeting moment, reality blurred.
Through several consecutive matches, Yan Shu grew increasingly certain of one truth: he was hopelessly addicted to the battlefield.
He refused to be bound by scandals for the rest of his life, refused to become a withered veteran, and refused to retire before lifting a championship trophy.
Choosing to return to the league this time had been the absolute right call.
At that realization, a rare smile bloomed across Yan Shu’s face. He truly loved the stage, more than anything else in the world.
Just as he pondered his future path, a sudden cheer shattered the quiet inside the lounge.
“Captain! You’re treating us to dinner!” Lin Qi bounded around like a monkey, his stellar stage performance making it abundantly clear how desperately he had fought for that free meal from the captain.
Crossing his arms, Zhuoyue couldn’t help laughing. “Fine, you guys pick the place.”
“Can we have Western food? The super expensive kind?” Lin Qi’s eyes sparkled.
Ye Xuanqing remained indifferent to the choice.
With his mood thoroughly improved, Luo Yan tossed a pointed jab at Lin Qi. “Western restaurants are so quiet. You’d probably get dragged out by security the second you walked in.”
“How could that happen? I just want something nice. Captain, please,” Lin Qi pleaded, making a zipping motion across his lips with his hand while keeping his mouth shut and forcing sounds out from his throat. “I am closed-mouthed and very quiet.”
“Fine, Western food it is.” Zhuoyue wasn’t one to pinch pennies. Though once genuinely strapped for cash, his accumulated tournament winnings provided a comfortable cushion now.
With dinner settled, Yan Shu followed his teammates to the new location.
As the team bus cruised down the highway, Yan Shu sat quietly in the corner, listening to the lively laughter of the teammates gathered upfront.
Flashes of his old TW teammates crossed his mind.
Back then, the team darling who used to liven up the atmosphere just like Lin Qi was none other than Yan Shu.
Now, Yan Shu gazed out the window at the passing streetlamps. His side profile reflected against the glass pane highlighted just how much had changed over the years.
Offering a bitter smile, he closed his eyes with quiet contentment, pulled out his small personal backpack, and took his medication right on schedule.
With a water bottle stored inside the bag, Yan Shu no longer had to endure swallowing the pills dry like he had earlier that afternoon.
Holding the medicine bottle, he prepared to shake out a few tablets.
Suddenly, the bus slammed on the brakes. Lin Qi, goofing off with a teammate, lost his footing and tumbled backward into the rear of the bus, knocking over Yan Shu’s pill bottle in the process.
White tablets scattered across the floor, with one rolling all the way to the front row and coming to a stop right against Zhuoyue’s shoe.
“What’s this junk?” Luo Yan glanced down at the white pills, turning back with an expression of disgust. “Must you take meds on the bus? Are you some kind of sickly invalid?”
Ye Xuanqing muttered quietly, “07, stay properly seated on the bus.”
Stuck on the floor unable to stand immediately, Lin Qi felt as though his backside had shattered into eight pieces. Wincing as he clutched the back of a seat, he hoisted himself up, grabbed the nearest spot, and offered an apologetic look to Yan Shu. “Sorry about that. Looks like your pills spilled everywhere and aren’t any good now.”
“It’s fine.” Yan Shu crouched down to retrieve the bottle, relieved to see a few tablets still rattling safely inside. His luck wasn’t completely terrible.
True to his gossipy nature, Lin Qi tilted his head. “What kind of medicine is that? Do you have stomach issues too? I noticed you sprinting to the washroom super fast between matches this afternoon. Xu Ya already headed back to the club early, do you want to head back early as well?”
“No stomach issues.” Yan Shu shook his head, pinching the pill bottle to check if the remaining tablets were dirty.
Seeing Yan Shu’s lack of interest in elaborating, Lin Qi lost interest and crawled back to his seat upfront.
Up front, Zhuoyue narrowed his eyes slightly. Waiting until no one was paying attention, he scooped up the pill resting near his foot, wrapped it neatly in a tissue, and slipped it into his pocket.
Following Lin Qi’s painful tumble, the bus finally settled down. Nursing his bruised backside, Lin Qi sat crookedly in his seat, enjoying a rare stretch of quiet.
Only then did Yan Shu pop the few remaining pills into his mouth and swallow them down with mineral water.
He wondered when his stress response would finally vanish. He remembered Dr. Helen telling him that once the knot in his heart untied, his condition would completely heal.
Gazing at the blurred reflections of streetlamps outside the window, he silently tightened his grip on the medicine bottle.
Before long, the bus pulled to a smooth stop outside a restaurant.
The team filed off the bus one by one, with Zhuoyue leading the way.
Just as they reached the entrance, a staff member stepped forward with immaculate gentlemanly grace. “I apologize, gentlemen, but due to store policy, formal attire is required for entry. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this causes to your dining experience.”
“Ah,” Lin Qi wailed.
Unfazed, Zhuoyue pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and spoke directly into the receiver. “A-Qiang, do you wear formal wear just to eat nowadays? I’m standing right outside your front door, just finished a match, and can’t change into formal wear.”
With those brief words, Zhuoyue hung up.
Within the time it took to smoke half a cigarette, the front doors swung open to reveal a rugged, tough-looking man. While dressed in a suit, his fierce and intimidating facial features looked completely out of place inside a Western establishment.
Stepping outside, the tough guy walked straight up to Zhuoyue and threw an arm around his shoulders. “Brother Zhuo, what nonsense are you talking about with formal wear? If you’d told me in advance, I’d have rolled out a red carpet to welcome you. You’re an esports player who brought glory to the country, after all.”
Zhuoyue smiled. “Cut the flattery and give me a private room.”
“Alright, since you’re here, you get top-tier treatment. Are all these guys behind you your teammates?” A-Qiang turned to the doorway attendant and instructed, “Remember these faces. Free meals for them every time they visit.”
The attendant looked stunned. “Yes, boss.”
“That won’t do, we still have to pay,” Zhuoyue stated firmly.
A-Qiang chuckled as he ushered them inside. “You need to learn to enjoy life. The life we have now was something we didn’t even dare to imagine back in the day. I was only able to set up this business thanks to your support, so free meals are the least I can do.”
“Even blood brothers settle accounts clearly.”
Knowing he couldn’t win an argument against Zhuoyue, A-Qiang relented. “Fine, I can’t argue with you.”
Guided by the owner, they entered the most luxurious private room available.
Yan Shu scanned the room and selected an inconspicuous seat near the edge.
The lighting inside the private room was bright and dazzling.
As A-Qiang continued talking to Zhuoyue, he raised his head and caught sight of Yan Shu. He froze noticeably, stared at Yan Shu repeatedly for a few seconds, and then pointed at him, saying, “Brother Zhuo, isn’t this your room…”
Zhuoyue moved with lightning speed, clamping his hand over A-Qiang’s mouth. “No.”
While A-Qiang hadn’t spoken quietly, everyone around had only caught the opening words, while the tail end muffled by Zhuoyue remained entirely inaudible.
“Huh? Boss, you know him?” Lin Qi picked up the scent of gossip and latched onto the owner with questions.
With Zhuoyue’s shoe stepping heavily down on his toe, A-Qiang realized he had slipped up and instantly pivoted. “Don’t know him, my eyes must be playing tricks on me.”
Confused, Yan Shu chose not to dwell on it.
A-Qiang awkwardly continued, “How about some drinks? I heard you guys beat the Lions today.”
“Red wine? Like eighty-second Lafite tier?” Lin Qi’s attention immediately shifted to the new topic.
High-end red wine was out of the question, and ordinary alcohol was too. With another match scheduled for tomorrow, Zhuoyue vetoed any alcohol on the table tonight.
Drinks were out, but Zhuoyue still ordered a table full of pricey dishes. King crab, abalone, sea cucumber, and top-tier Wagyu beef arrived in endless high-end courses, leaving his teammates drooling.
“If we win the qualifiers tomorrow, I’m treating dinner again.” Zhuoyue paused, his gaze sharpening. “If you can’t win, you’re walking back to the club on foot.”
The first team dropped their jaws. “Huh?”
“If we lose the qualifiers, whether our club can even continue existing becomes a question. Do you still expect to have money for a cab ride back?” Zhuoyue’s warning sounded harsh, but it wasn’t an exaggeration. The SR team’s current situation was hanging by a thread; failing to secure a GPL ticket meant…
Zhuoyue clenched his fists as memories surfaced of the Python team owner buying away three of his teammates and then approaching him with those exact words.
Thinking of this made Zhuoyue even more determined to break into the GPL, lead the team into S-group, and crush the Python team. He also wanted to make the club’s upper management feel the crisis and let the Python team’s owner taste what it was like when a roster fell apart at the seams.
Fueled by the captain’s words, the mood at the dinner table shifted instantly.
Yan Shu ate quietly with his head down, while the logistics staff beside him kept their mouths shut.
The meal remained dead silent until the very end, with no one daring to act out.
Returning to the club after dinner, the other team members retired to bed early, but Yan Shu found himself unable to sleep.
Part of it stemmed from the excitement of playing on stage today, and the rest from his personal training habits.
In the training room, Yan Shu played four or five Peak Tournament matches before finally heading back to his dorm to sleep.
The hallway from the training room to the dorms passed the pantry. As Yan Shu walked past, a figure inside startled him. Looking closer, he realized it was Zhuoyue standing by the ashtray, smoking a cigarette.
Spotting Yan Shu, Zhuoyue removed the cigarette from his mouth and said in a flat tone, “Get some rest early.”
Yan Shu paused his steps and asked back, “Tomorrow, will I still be able to play in the match?”
Zhuoyue initially intended to walk away, but upon hearing that question, he halted his steps.
“We’ll see.”