Chapter 22: Lang Xian Woken Up in the Dead of Night Part 2

Yun Qi’s notifications had been blowing up since early morning. Fans flooded his Weibo and streaming apps, begging to know if he’d show.

Even acquaintances in the scene were hitting him up, asking if he’d be there tonight.

Outsiders had no clue about his situation at SK.

【Doesn’t Eat Grass: I wanna go so bad, but I’ve gotta head home tomorrow. Damn it.】

【Doesn’t Eat Grass: You going? You skipped last year—what about now? SK sort out their roster drama?】

【Doesn’t Eat Grass: You and Qingmo for real or what? It’s all you two blowing up the feeds lately. Fake hype turning real? Actually dating?】

Yun Qi stood in his room, staring at the WeChat messages popping up one after another. Fresh from the bathroom, droplets of water still dotted his face. He grabbed a tissue, dabbed at it haphazardly, then snatched his phone to reply.

【Silk Scarf: Yeah, I’m going.】

【Silk Scarf: Sucks you can’t make it. I’ll eat extra for you tomorrow night.】

【Silk Scarf: Qingmo thing’s fake. Just hype.】

【Silk Scarf: My future’s set. I’m listed on the Exchange now—they’ve got my profile up.】

After answering sour, Yun Qi pulled up the official Exchange app. Profiles of newly listed players were updated there in real time. His thirty-million transfer fee shot straight to the top spot, dominating the first page. Unless a team snapped him up soon, he’d linger on the Exchange—the grim fate of every washed-up pro.

Yun Qi simply hadn’t imagined he’d end up here.

He was probably the Exchange’s punchline right now. Thirty million—what gall. His profile laid out his position, age, and a few personal notes, but the honors section sat empty, save for the irrelevant tag “Popular Player.” Of course—no championships to his name. SK had choked in the Grand Finals; “Top Three in National Server Circuit” was the best he could claim.

Yun Qi skimmed it once, then powered off his phone.

He stepped out, slipping into a bright outfit. The warm orange hue was eye-catching, and against his pale skin, it made him look even more youthful and striking.

The moment he descended the stairs, he caught Yueqiu’s attention.

Yueqiu stood at the base, cradling a gaming console. He glanced up at the vibrant figure. “Not often I see you in something so bold.”

Yun Qi looked down at himself. “Esports Night—dressing up a little isn’t too much, is it?”

Yueqiu grinned. “Not at all. Suits you great—full of life.”

They steered clear of the incident from two nights ago.

Not because it was forgotten, but because neither wanted to dredge it up. Yun Qi seemed back to his old self these past couple of days, so Yueqiu wasn’t about to rock the boat.

Act like it never happened—that was the plan.

Yun Qi was just as uninterested in revisiting it.

He was sick of the pity and caution in everyone’s eyes.

“Where’s Brother Yan?” Yun Qi asked. “How’re we heading out tonight?”

“Captain Lang’s driving us all,” Yueqiu replied, watching Yun Qi closely as he said it. When no flicker crossed his face, he added, “That cool with you?”

Yun Qi smiled at him. “No problem.”

So the failed transfer just blew over like that?

Yun Qi didn’t seem like he was holding a grudge. Was he planning to accept it all now? Yueqiu hoped so. He didn’t want to see any more infighting—he wanted unity and camaraderie in the team, but that was clearly just wishful thinking.

Yueqiu’s eyes were cautious and wary. Yun Qi knew exactly what was on his mind. He’d convinced himself to stay calm. He wouldn’t waste energy on futile resistance or force himself to compromise. All he needed to do now was wait quietly. He had no interest in more pointless talk with anyone from SK.

Yun Qi changed clothes and stepped into the Training Room.

He’d slept through the entire previous day in his room. Neither Lang Xian nor Yueqiu had disturbed him. Yun Qi had savored that fleeting peace, but now it was over. He still had to face reality.

With the special event today, training wasn’t mandatory, but the new guy was brimming with enthusiasm—just like Yun Qi had been when he started, convinced that skill was all that mattered. Danwan was the only one in the Training Room, logging in right on time and signing off on schedule, playing the part to perfection. When Yun Qi walked in, Danwan flashed him a smile.

“Morning.” It was that polished, friendly, utterly professional grin—Yun Qi’s old standby.

“Morning.” Yun Qi headed to Xue Yan’s station. “Starting this early? You even able to drag yourself out of bed?”

“I don’t pull all-nighters anymore,” Danwan said. “Been fixing my sleep schedule. Better to stick to a routine.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Yun Qi replied with forced warmth. “Breakfast yet?”

Danwan shook his head. “Nah, not hungry in the morning.”

“Same here,” Yun Qi said, “but it’s not exactly healthy.”

They bantered back and forth like genuine teammates hitting it off. In truth, Yun Qi’s sudden chattiness was just the countdown ticking away.

Soon, he’d be free of it all.

Moments later, Xue Yan and the others trickled in. He blinked at the sight of Yun Qi and Danwan together in the Training Room. “You two getting along?”

Yun Qi shrugged. “Why wouldn’t we? We both speak Chinese.”

“But…” Xue Yan trailed off, glancing between them. The word “rivals” stuck in his throat. Why poke the bear? He shook his head. “Forget it.”

Yun Qi and Danwan both knew what he’d almost said.

Let the awkward tension simmer. As long as everyone stayed quiet and aware, the conflict could stay buried.

Surface-level peace was all most people wanted.

Who was getting screwed over and who was coming out on top? Everyone knew it deep down.

Lang Xian didn’t show up until noon. He took one look at Yun Qi in the Training Room and said nothing. Jiu Shuang had only learned about the Exchange listing yesterday afternoon. He’d felt a secret thrill at first, but that absurd price tag left him dumbfounded. So it was all just procedure—no one actually wanted him gone.

Jiu Shuang figured Yun Qi was off the Starting Roster for good now. Danwan was the one grinding sessions with them every day; Yun Qi might as well have been benched. Still, with him hanging around the base, Jiu Shuang couldn’t relax. The guy could bounce back anytime.

After all, there was still that connection with their captain. A couple of sweet nothings in private, and he’d have his spot back.

Jiu Shuang knew he had to act, but Lang Xian was too smitten to listen. So he did the next best thing: he dragged Chen Xia into more hangouts with Danwan, freezing Yun Qi out as a show of defiance.

The moment he walked in, Jiu Shuang fussed over Danwan—asking how he was settling in, inviting him out for meals. All right in front of Yun Qi.

Yun Qi clocked every bit of it, ignored it completely, and scoffed inwardly.

“Qi Qi, you’re up on the Exchange.” Xue Yan was scrolling his phone and spotted the listing. He relayed it: “Tons of people hitting up my account asking about you.”

Yun Qi stayed unruffled. “Yeah, saw it this morning.”

PR would handle the responses—or not. The talks with management had fallen through, but Yun Qi was dead set on leaving, so up on the Exchange his profile went. No one was dropping that insane sum to snag him outright. Now it was a matter of being shopped around, vetted, compared—his future dangling in someone else’s hands.

He felt no panic. The sky-high number didn’t even irk him anymore like it had the day before. Xue Yan, though, was still reeling, all fired up on his behalf. “Thirty million? What the hell is Brother Li thinking? Who’s gonna pay that? Danwan only cost a few hundred thou.”

Danwan: “…”

Xue Yan backpedaled fast. “Sorry, mouth ran ahead of me—not what I meant…”

Danwan: “No worries.”

Everyone got the picture. Xue Yan was the only one on the team really tight with Yun Qi; pulling him to their side wouldn’t be easy.

Xue Yan turned to Yun Qi. “Maybe talk to Brother Li one more time?”

Yun Qi just shook his head. “Nah.”

He stared at his photo on the computer screen. “Hang it up. Looks pretty good.”

Pretty good? Xue Yan wondered if he was hallucinating. Such a sudden turnaround—hadn’t he been threatening to leave just a couple of days ago? Of course, he’d come back in the end, but between Yueqiu’s place and here, it had just been a minor outburst.

“Everyone knows what event we’ve got tonight, right?” Lang Xian steered the conversation back on track. “I’ve already submitted the roster, so no one’s skipping out. Don’t do anything to embarrass the team. Eat well, drink up, make some connections. You can loosen up tonight, but not too much—cameras will be everywhere, so keep it together.”

Jiu Shuang raised his hand. “Captain Lang, can I bring my girlfriend?”

“She’s coming?”

“Yeah, she’ll get here this afternoon. Can’t just leave her hanging after she rushed over.” Jiu Shuang had a girlfriend who dropped by often to see him. She’d even stayed at the base before. She was still in school, so trips like this weren’t easy.

Lang Xian nodded. “Sure. I’ll sort it out. Should be able to get her in.”

“Thanks.”

“Anyone else bringing family?” Lang Xian asked. “Give me the names now. No changes once the event kicks off.”

The room went quiet. Yun Qi sat next to Xue Yan like he was part of the furniture, but his outfit was impossible to ignore—flashy, even, drawing eyes from across the room. Lang Xian’s gaze flicked past Xue Yan to those hands resting on the table. Every little movement thudded against his chest like a heartbeat. For some reason, Yun Qi struck him as even more striking than before.

“That’s the list. We’re locked in.” As Lang Xian spoke, his eyes stayed glued to Yun Qi’s hands. He watched those slender, pale fingers grip the pen—seemed so easy to take hold of. A flicker of illicit desire stirred in his mind, only to be shoved back down.

He craved a moment alone with Yun Qi, but the guy stuck to Xue Yan like glue, almost on purpose. Lang Xian let it go.

Jiu Shuang’s girlfriend arrived that afternoon. She greeted everyone warmly, then settled quietly beside him to watch him game. The team waited for the event to begin.

Before seven o’clock, they all changed into their best outfits and headed out.

Lang Xian drove, with Xue Yan and Yun Qi in the back seat. Chen Xia rode with Danwan, Jiu Shuang with his girlfriend, and Yueqiu took shotgun. He tagged along too—no real reason, just cabin fever at the base. Everyone needed a night out.

Esports Night happened every year, a chance for players to network and mingle. Pros weren’t the only ones invited; any esports fan could apply for a spot, enjoy the food, make friends. It was the perfect scene.

But plenty of pros treated it less like a party and more like a launchpad. Job-hunting? Slip a business card to your dream team—discreetly, of course, out of sight from your own squad. Connections opened doors, making it a crucial night for anyone in the game.

It was Yun Qi’s first Esports Night. At the entrance, three staffers in uniforms welcomed guests with warm, polite smiles.

The group headed inside, passing a sea of familiar faces—all heavy hitters in the scene. Some at the peak of their careers, others fresh-faced minors. Everyone dressed to impress for the big evening.

“You guys go ahead with Brother Qiu,” Lang Xian said. “I’ll catch up after saying hi to someone.” They piled out and walked in together.

Yun Qi trailed Xue Yan toward the door, already spotting familiar faces. Xue Yan noticed too and murmured, “KRO’s here. That’s Ziwu, right?”

Ziwu, KRO’s mid laner—the most valuable mage player in the game right now. Jiu Shuang didn’t bow to many mids, but Ziwu was one he did. He name-dropped him constantly, his ultimate rival, and never skimped on praise. Ziwu embodied everything Jiu Shuang aspired to be.

From raw skill and poise to his looks—Jiu Shuang approved it all.

Yun Qi glanced over. “They’re here too.”

Up ahead, Jiu Shuang had spotted them and turned to his girlfriend. “The guy at the wine table—that’s Ziwu. The one I always talk about. Didn’t expect KRO tonight. Fingers crossed I get a word in with him.”

“He’s the kind of player you want to be?”

“Exactly. What do you think? Killer vibe, huh?”

She scanned the crowd and nodded. “Stands out from the rest, yeah. But don’t they say Eidis is the endgame of esports? You don’t wanna be like him?”