“Ah.”
A sigh came from Chang Shu beside him.
Yun Qi hurriedly joined the teamfight. “Sorry,” he said to Chang Shu. “I was a bit slow to react just now.”
Chang Shu waved it off magnanimously. “No worries. We won anyway.”
Yun Qi had joined the fight a little too late. By the time he arrived, their team was already battered and retreating. A full-health Dust like his dealt massive damage to the enemy squad, so to make up for his earlier slip-up, Yun Qi flashed in and snagged the Goddess’s kill. Wind Hidden turned back to try and save her, only to get taken out right alongside.
“Nice,” Chang Shu said. “You avenged me.”
【Shenzhen Typhoon Yaya: We’re done for】
【Shenzhen Typhoon Qidu: Shouldn’t have turned back】
That teamfight blunder had left the enemy on the ropes, about to lose high ground. Yi Yang chimed in, “We got the win.”
Yun Qi had racked up a double kill, leaving just one enemy alive. The team debated whether to give them a chance to come back.
“Push?” Chang Shu asked.
Yi Yang was impatient, not in the mood to show mercy. “Just end it. I need to go chew out Five Wolf afterward anyway.”
Rong Rong agreed. “Yeah, take the nexus.”
And with that, they smashed the enemy’s nexus crystal.
Victory flashed across the screen.
Yun Qi’s heart trembled—not from the teamfight, but from Yu Jin’s words. He wanted to steal a glance at Yu Jin’s expression, but he couldn’t bring himself to. Shame burned through him; he couldn’t even turn his head.
He didn’t understand what Yu Jin meant.
Or rather… he didn’t dare to understand.
Back in the team room, the voice chat was a cacophony of noise.
Everyone was chattering away about the game.
“Man, I’m so pissed. I shouldn’t have turned back for that last one, or we might’ve held,” Qidu grumbled.
“You holding against a 1v3? Dream on,” Yi Yang shot back, exposing the truth. “Your mechanics are still trash. Didn’t you guys hire some hotshot coach?”
“Eidis is right there as your captain. Who’s the hotshot compared to him? Quit acting like you didn’t get the better end of the deal.”
“You’re embarrassing Shenzhen. With your level, I’d 1v5 you no problem.”
“Big talk, no practice. Yi Yang, hit me up for a solo queue later.”
“Who’s your top laner? Is that Jiu Ke himself?”
Yun Qi had his headset draped around his neck, close enough to catch the chaotic banter without wearing it. But his focus was elsewhere—on Yu Jin beside him. Yu Jin was reviewing some recent training data and had called Liu Ying over, speaking to him in low tones.
Liu Ying just nodded along. This genius support, a nightmare to every squishy in the pro scene, turned into an obedient robot in front of Yu Jin—following orders without question. If Yu Jin told him to fix something, he’d scratch his head and say he’d work on it. If Yu Jin praised him, he wouldn’t get too cocky, just nod and vow to keep improving.
Of course. Liu Ying stood in the spot every pro player envied: at Yu Jin’s side. For most, hearing a pointer or two from Yu Jin was a lifelong goal. But Liu Ying was his acknowledged protégé, receiving patient guidance and insights. That kind of honor wasn’t for just anyone.
Liu Ying must have his own unique charm. Out of everyone, why was he the only one who could rightfully claim the role of Yu Jin’s disciple?
With Liu Ying right there and the current vibe not right for diving into last night’s topic with Yu Jin, Yun Qi kept his head down, staring at his thighs under the desk. Shame flushed the tip of his nose red.
“I’m talking to you,” Ziwu prompted. “What’re you thinking about?”
Yun Qi slipped his headset back on. “Nothing.”
Sure enough, the voice channel was buzzing about him. Yaya, who’d faced him in lane, was especially hyped—grilling Yun Qi about his background and trying to poach him in front of everyone. Yun Qi listened for a few moments.
“Come on, Milk Cap? Typhoon’s perks are just as good as KRO’s. I’d even step aside for you.”
“And unlike your all-brute squad, we’ve got plenty of eye candy here. Don’t believe me? Ask Ziwu.”
“You’ll have a feast for the eyes if you join.”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” Yun Qi said.
Yaya picked up on something off. “Wait, your voice sounds kinda familiar.”
His teammate asked, “Familiar how?”
“Like I’ve heard it somewhere before.”
Ziwu pulled out a lighter, stuck a cigarette in his mouth, and typed: He’s an old SK guy.
He hated wearing headsets—they messed up his hair.
His slender fingers flew across the keyboard. Once Ziwu finished typing, the other side got even more excited, digging for Yun Qi’s details. With the chat exploding, Ziwu tuned it out. He lit his smoke, only to hear a cool voice warn, “Take it outside.”
Ziwu looked up quick. Yu Jin hadn’t even lifted his head but had clocked exactly what he was doing. Ziwu chuckled, stood, and said, “Forgot. Heading out now.”
Yun Qi watched as he got up from his seat and walked off.
He turned to look at Yu Jin. Liu Ying had already left, and with Ziwu gone, there was no one sitting beside him. Yun Qi asked, “What did you mean just now?”
Yu Jin said, “Didn’t you not want to talk to me?”
These past few days, the two of them had barely spoken. Whenever they ran into each other, they didn’t even exchange greetings—they acted more like strangers than teammates. Yun Qi knew he was on shaky ground, but the question gnawed at him. He had to swallow his pride and strike up a conversation with Yu Jin.
“How much do you remember?” Yun Qi explained in a low voice—or tried to cover it up. “Last night you were wasted, and I just wanted to check on you. You know, teammate concern…”
Yu Jin wasn’t buying it. “And then?”
Yun Qi’s hands clenched under the table. “What ‘and then’?”
Yu Jin pressed, “And that was it?”
Yun Qi tested the waters. “I don’t get what you mean.”
His face flushed red as a baboon’s ass.
So what was he supposed to say? Did you kiss me, or did I kiss you? We clung to each other, inseparable, our passion raging like a thunderstorm?
How mortifying.
How utterly shameless.
Yu Jin didn’t let it slide with a vague brush-off. He repeated his earlier words clearly and deliberately: “I told you, I never black out when I drink. I remember everything that happens while I’m awake. Unless I’m out cold from sleep, then there’s no helping it.”
Yun Qi tensed. “So… were you awake or asleep yesterday?”
He didn’t even realize how idiotic he sounded. He desperately wanted Yu Jin to have passed out cold. Sure, the lack of reaction might make Yu Jin suspicious, but Yun Qi didn’t care about that. He just needed a straight answer.
At that moment, Yu Jin stood up, leaned in close, and murmured right by Yun Qi’s ear. “What do you think?”
Then he walked away. That single line had set Yun Qi’s nerves on edge as he strode out of the Training Room.
“Still on?” Chang Shu asked. “Rui Rui?”
The sub Rui Rui looked up. “Where’s Brother Ziwu?”
Chang Shu replied, “He stepped out for a smoke. You fill in.”
Rui Rui circled around the chair and sat between Chang Shu and Yun Qi.
Yi Yang chimed in, “Rui Rui, don’t embarrass me against Qidu. Just clear minions under the tower.”
“Who’re you underestimating?”
“You, duh. Feed first blood and you’re answering to me.”
Yun Qi joined the second match halfheartedly.
His mind was miles away.
Yu Jin never came back. Yun Qi played carelessly, and Yaya, who was laning against him, noticed he wasn’t as aggressive as before. He typed in chat asking if they’d switched players. Yun Qi saw it but ignored him. Chang Shu glanced over and asked, “You okay?”
Yun Qi muttered, “Yeah.”
After the second game, Yun Qi logged off. Ziwu returned and saw him standing. “Where you headed?”
Yun Qi turned only to Jiu Ke. “Bro, take my spot. Got something to handle.”
Jiu Ke nodded.
Yun Qi left the Training Room. Lao Xun was in the hallway on his phone. He looked up, spotted Yun Qi, and muted it. “Need something?”
Yun Qi asked, “Where’s Captain Yu?”
Lao Xun jerked his thumb toward the Streaming Room inside.
Yun Qi made his way there, unaware of Lao Xun watching him intently from behind.
At the Streaming Room door, it stood slightly ajar, voices drifting out. Knocking would interrupt, so Yun Qi skipped it. After a moment’s hesitation, he pushed it open.
The first thing he saw was the substitute at the computer, chattering away loudly. He was streaming a game while bantering with fans about the International Tournament, too absorbed to notice the newcomer.
The room was spacious, split into two sections. The streamer’s setup had a pristine backdrop wall, free of clutter, encircled by mics and gear—his personal domain. Near the door sat a sofa and long table with a platter of fresh-cut fruit. Three men lounged around it in conversation: Yu Jin and two bosses from the team next door, faces Yun Qi recognized.
Pushing the door drew all three gazes. Yu Jin sized him up indifferently. They’d been mid-chat, and Yun Qi’s entrance was poorly timed.
Yun Qi had assumed Yu Jin was alone. Gripping the doorframe, he said to him, “I’ll come back later.”
Before Yu Jin could reply, one of the pair spoke up. “What’s to hide from? Forgot us already?”
Yun Qi greeted them politely. “Brother Rong, Brother Ming.”
Lu Rong waved him over. “Get in here. Been a while.”
Yun Qi glanced at Yu Jin, who neither invited nor objected. Slowly, Yun Qi stepped inside.
Lu Rong gestured to an empty seat.
Fu Zhengming gazed at Yun Qi with undisguised fondness, his eyes brimming with the kind of indulgent affection an elder reserves for a promising young talent. “You’re a real looker—clean-cut, with such clear brows and bright eyes.”
Yun Qi wasn’t sure how to respond. He offered Fu Zhengming a shy smile and fidgeted awkwardly with the sofa cushion beneath him.
“We were just chatting with Captain Yu about the International Tournament,” Lu Rong said. He didn’t treat Yun Qi like an outsider; they’d crossed paths at the neighboring team before, so he was no stranger. “Perfect timing with you showing up. How’ve things been lately? Have you sparred with Jiu Ke? You think you can make the starting roster for next month’s Grand Tournament?”
“We’ve played,” Yun Qi said as he settled onto the single-seater sofa nearby. Slim and slight as he was, he only took up half the cushion, his posture stiff and reserved—like a student facing questions from their homeroom teacher. “Whether I make it or not is up to the higher-ups. I don’t know yet.”
“And your head-to-head results against Jiu Ke? Beat him, and you’re in.”
“Best of three.”
“Not bad at all,” Lu Rong said approvingly. “That pretty much seals it. What do you mean you don’t know?”
Yu Jin stayed out of the conversation.
Fu Zhengming had watched Yun Qi’s rise from the start. Even now, stories about him circulated at the neighboring team—he’d earned a spot on the starting roster in record time. Fu Zhengming had always been a fan, first for the kid’s skills, then for his striking good looks. Yun Qi was refined and handsome in a way that pleased the eye, especially for someone of Fu Zhengming’s age. He didn’t mince words. “I knew I had the right read on you. Your future’s unlimited. Keep pushing hard. Captain Yu’s the real deal; we can rest easy knowing you’re with him. You’ll pick up plenty, and mark my words, you’ll go places. I’m rooting for you—keep it up.”
His words rang true from the heart. Yun Qi glanced at Yu Jin. “I know.”
Lu Rong pressed on. “How about those two kids we sent over?” He’d delivered them personally. Handing off useful talent to Yu Jin was nothing but beneficial for their side.
They were counting on Yu Jin owing them a favor.
“They’re decent,” Yun Qi said tactfully, “but they’re missing that killer instinct.” They still had rough edges everywhere. Mechanics were solid, but game sense lagged—fatal in team play. Yuan Lele fit that bill; as for the other one, Yun Qi hadn’t worked with him much, so he couldn’t say.
“Decent is decent, not good enough is not. They were so eager to join up, I figured letting them see the gap for themselves would drive the point home better than anything.” Lu Rong clearly knew those two Ziwei Stars weren’t as brilliant as hoped, so this outcome came as no surprise.
Yun Qi saw his opening and brought up Yuan Lele. “Brother Rong, Lele mentioned he wants to join the Second Team.”
