Yun Qi returned from Yu Jin’s place with cat food and immediately poured some out for Tata.
He hadn’t just brought the food—he’d also grabbed the cat bowl. The cat cradled in his arms was starving, weaving around his feet with nonstop meows.
“Coming right up,” Yun Qi said. He filled the bowl with food and water, then set up a cozy little nest for it. Even though it was only for one night, he’d come prepared. As Tata ate quietly, Yun Qi stood and headed off for a shower.
When he emerged, Tata had polished off its meal and ignored the nest he’d made. Instead, it lay sprawled on the sofa, watching him with perfect obedience.
Yun Qi had a touch of germaphobia, but he didn’t shoo it away. When it came to his long-lost pet, he could overlook anything.
After his shower, Yun Qi tidied up the cat food. Yu Jin had given him cans, not bags—complete with a little spoon for portioning out each meal. Tata didn’t seem to eat as much as it used to. Yun Qi eyed the half bowl left behind, wondering if the cat was sick. How else could it eat so little?
He flicked on the air conditioner. The weather felt oppressively humid; he could tough it out, but the little cat couldn’t. Tata’s fur was scorching hot to the touch, and its limp, listless state didn’t look healthy at all. Yun Qi fired off a message to Yu Jin.
【Has Tata been sick these past couple of days?】
Yu Jin hadn’t gone to bed yet and, unusually, replied right away.
【No.】
Not sick, then. Yun Qi stroked the cat’s head. He’d read online that animals showed illness through reduced appetite, lethargy, and constant lounging. Yun Qi had only just reunited with Tata, so he had no idea about its recent habits, but it was a far cry from how lively it’d been when it first spotted him yesterday.
Could Yu Jin’s swat have scared it that badly?
Yun Qi settled Tata on his lap, where it lay still as can be. After a moment, he sent another message.
【Can you try not to be so rough with it from now on?】
Polite and reasonable, with the best of attitudes.
Yun Qi reflected that he’d dragged Tata into the mess tonight, all because of his own moody whims. Yu Jin was innocent. Tata was innocent. Both had suffered from his emotional waffling, and regret gnawed at him. He kept murmuring apologies to the cat on his lap, whether it understood or not.
“Don’t blame him—it’s all my fault. It won’t happen again, Tata. I won’t leave you behind anymore…”
He kept his palm pressed to its fur as the AC cooled the room, and Tata’s feverish heat finally ebbed a little. Only then did Yun Qi start to relax.
Yu Jin didn’t reply.
Yun Qi didn’t sit around waiting. When bedtime rolled around, he climbed into bed. Before long, something soft and furry brushed his cheek. In the darkness of night, Yun Qi drew Tata close beneath his hand and draped his jacket over it. That was how they slept.
The next morning, Yun Qi rose early as usual.
He had to move today, so he’d gotten up at dawn to pack.
Luckily, he didn’t have much. The room had a killer view and felt so comfortable—he really hated to leave. But a short-term stay meant handing it off to someone else soon enough. The Starting Roster results had come too fast; no one had been ready for it.
Yun Qi planned to haul his things over bit by bit. He gripped the suitcase in one hand and cradled Tata in the other as he headed toward A Block.
Early as it was, he ran into Chen Wen right at the door.
Seeing the luggage, Chen Wen said, “Moving over today?”
Yun Qi paused. “Yeah.”
Chen Wen smiled. “Want some help?”
Yun Qi tightened his grip on the suitcase handle. “No need—it’s close. I can manage.”
Chen Wen didn’t push. His eyes fell on the cat, and he frowned. “Hey, this cat looks familiar…”
Yun Qi set Tata atop the suitcase. “It’s his cat.”
His expression softened as he spoke, enough to catch Chen Wen off guard. But Chen Wen wasn’t slow on the uptake—he knew exactly who “he” meant.
“I remember that thing’s vicious. Last time I was in A Block, it wouldn’t let anyone near. How’d you two get so chummy already?” Chen Wen knew Yu Jin had sent Yun Qi there, but he had no clue about the details of their relationship.
“Maybe it likes my scent,” Yun Qi said tactfully. “Brother Wen, I’ve still got stuff to move. Catch you later.”
Chen Wen nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”
They exchanged a few pleasantries, and Yun Qi set off for A Block with his load. Tata grew heavy in his arm by the time he reached the A Block entrance, so he set it down. Right then, someone arrived to unlock the door—none other than Yu Jin.
Yu Jin swung the door open, and Tata bolted inside. He glanced at Yun Qi’s belongings and took them without a word. “Head upstairs and pick a room.”
Neither of them breathed a word about last night’s tension.
They simply pretended nothing had happened.
Yun Qi hadn’t forgotten. It was impossible for him to let it slip from his mind after just one night. Yu Jin didn’t bring it up, and Yun Qi wasn’t about to make things awkward by mentioning it himself. He followed Yu Jin upstairs, both of them moving quietly. Even though the solid walls provided good soundproofing, it was early morning, and they didn’t want to disturb anyone else’s sleep.
Yun Qi tiptoed after Yu Jin to the doors. He’d already gotten a rough look at the place with Liu Ying yesterday; now he just needed to pick his preferred spot.
Yu Jin stopped between two rooms and set down his suitcase. “Neither of these is occupied. They’ve been cleaned. Pick one.”
Yun Qi stepped inside the first door but didn’t go far, just glanced around from the doorway before stepping back out. Liu Ying had told him yesterday that Yu Jin and Chang Shu lived on this side. Yun Qi glanced at Yu Jin’s room and pointed to the one in front of him. “This one.”
Yu Jin pushed the suitcase inside and headed back out. “What about the rest of your stuff?”
Yun Qi asked, “Do I need to bring everything over today?”
Yu Jin headed downstairs, and Yun Qi followed behind him.
As they walked, Yu Jin said, “If you’re moving, move it all. No point dragging it out.”
They passed through the living room and out the main door of A Block. Yu Jin found opening and closing the heavy door annoying, so he hooked it to the side, leaving both doors wide open. Yun Qi watched his every move and asked as he stepped outside, “Are you coming too?”
Yu Jin replied, “I’ve got nothing better to do.”
He strode toward the neighboring building.
Yu Jin had brought him here on the way back, and now he wasn’t even bothered by the short trip to help with the luggage. Yun Qi felt even more embarrassed recalling how he’d snapped at him yesterday. They walked back in silence to pack up the rest of his things.
Fortunately, Yun Qi didn’t have much, so it only took a couple of trips.
“Sort it out yourself.” Yu Jin dropped the last of it at his door and returned to his own room.
Yun Qi watched him go, lost in thought for a moment before stepping inside to unpack slowly.
Things might finally settle down now.
After all the back-and-forth lately, he finally had a stable place to land. As a trial trainee, he was Ziwei Star in everyone’s eyes. Even the higher-ups had high hopes for him. No one would threaten his position for the time being. But what about the future?
If he wanted to make a long-term go of it here, he’d have to put in ten times the effort of everyone else. Yun Qi believed he had talent, but without consistent practice, he’d be in real danger.
This scene never lacked for geniuses.
Nor did it lack players in their prime. Young talent was always emerging, and he couldn’t guarantee how long his own peak would last. Rigorous training was the only way to extend it.
Once his room was sorted, Yun Qi headed straight to the Training Room.
Newbies always burned hot at first, so no one was surprised to see Yun Qi working so hard. Everyone was full of energy when they arrived. The veterans just shook their heads, thinking these kids had endless stamina.
That day, Yun Qi ate in the Dining Hall. The Master hadn’t forgotten to set an extra place for him. The kitchen was right next to it, and there was no distinction between starters and substitutes—everyone ate together in a lively crowd.
“Is it to your taste?” the Master asked Yun Qi with a smile. Yun Qi was in the middle of spearing an egg laid flat on his plate with his fork.
“Oh, it’s delicious,” Yun Qi replied quickly. “Master, your cooking is excellent, and it suits my palate perfectly.”
The Master said, “Captain Yu told me ahead of time. You’re new, and you didn’t mention any dietary restrictions.”
Hearing that Yu Jin had informed the Master about his preferences cleared up Yun Qi’s confusion. He couldn’t handle heavy, greasy food, but while the others’ bowls seemed loaded with ingredients, his were light on oil and salt—perfect for him. So Yu Jin had arranged it.
“I see.” Yun Qi stared at his meal, unsure how to describe the mix of feelings washing over him.
After how he’d lashed out at him yesterday, Yu Jin wasn’t holding a grudge?
“Why does yours look so plain?” Liu Ying remarked as he passed by on his way to refill his water.
The Master said, “That’s just his taste. I’ll make yours lighter tomorrow too. Too much heavy food isn’t good for you.”
“Don’t, Master—this is too bland for me,” Liu Ying said, holding his cup. “I’ll stick to my usual. Thanks, Master. I keep up with my workouts, so it’s fine.”
The Master chuckled, told everyone to eat well, and left the Dining Hall.
Liu Ying sat back down, not far from Yun Qi. He checked in: “How are you settling in these past couple days? Adjusting okay?”
Everyone was chatting away, and even the seating was habitual—friends sat closer. Yun Qi wasn’t tight with anyone yet, so his spot was off to the side.
“Yeah.” He wasn’t much for words.
“As long as you’re adapting. We’ve got a match on the Foreign Server next month. Could be your debut. Train hard.”
Yun Qi looked up, puzzled. “Do I already qualify for the International Tournament?”
Liu Ying said, “I told you yesterday—nothing here is set in stone. Even the day before a match, everything could still be up in the air. Rong Rong got sick right before one game and had to be replaced. Anything can happen here. If you’ve got the skills, they won’t make you wait based on timing or seniority. Everyone in A Block could be on the starting roster today and riding the bench tomorrow. It’s that unstable.”
Yun Qi knew most esports teams kept fixed starters. That way, they could build fame for both the team and the players. Frequent swaps meant a player’s unique style might never get a chance to shine, which wasn’t great for the team’s long-term growth.
But this place was different in every way. Strength was all that mattered—nothing else. If you were good enough, you played. Yun Qi had just arrived, so he figured there was no chance he’d suit up as a KRO member this year, let alone for an international tournament. At most, they’d throw him into some small scrims for practice.
This bold approach to lineups took real guts. Probably only this team had it.
