People loved a juicy scandal. A girl crushing on Yu Jin? Yawn. But a guy? That sparked waves. Eidis bending straight dudes? Not your everyday tale. Good thing it stayed inside the KRO Base—insiders knowing was no big deal.
Yun Qi saw Yuan Lele brush it off and nodded at the computer. “Fire it up. I’ll hop on and run some games with you.”
Yuan Lele mumbled agreement and took a seat.
By ten, the training room was buzzing with more bodies.
Yun Qi ran a few matches with Yuan Lele when Pan Feng strolled in, chomping a veggie bun. He cracked open the windows and grinned. “Today’s gonna be a riot.”
Yun Qi was drilling without his headset, fingers flying over the keys as he asked, “What’s that mean?”
Pan Feng sidled up behind him. “Lao Xun just dropped it in the group chat—Typhoon wants to scrim us, two o’clock this afternoon. You know ’em?”
“Shenzhen crew,” Yun Qi said, piecing together the basics. “Aren’t they family?”
Pan Feng snorted. “Same boss, Boss Xu, that’s all. We call it family, but zero ties. Honor scenes don’t overlap, and fans scrap online.”
“So why scrim us?” Yun Qi pressed.
Pan Feng replied, “We’ve got the chops. You’ll see this afternoon. Same company, one boss? Rivalry’s cutthroat—worse than outsiders.”
Yun Qi nodded. “Roger that.”
Didn’t sound friendly.
Everyone trickled in soon after, all clued in. Doors swung open to a flurry of chatter. In the midst of it, Yun Qi spotted Ziwu flashing him a sly smile. He’d half-risen but dropped back into his seat.
“Running late today?” Chang Shu nearby clocked Ziwu—it wasn’t his usual slot.
“Had too much fun last night, overslept a tad.” Ziwu settled in, his words drifting across the screens to Yun Qi’s ears.
Yun Qi hadn’t forgotten the night before. He just hoped Ziwu’s trap wouldn’t flap. From the second Ziwu walked in, Yun Qi’s focus splintered, ears straining toward the noise opposite. Yuan Lele counter-ganked him twice in that stretch—he didn’t even blink.
“Bro, you died again,” Yuan Lele reminded him.
Since Yuan Lele was leaving soon anyway, and the kid was surprisingly polite about it, Yun Qi decided he wanted to actually teach him a thing or two. He buckled down, ignoring Ziwu entirely, and told Yuan Lele, “Let’s play two more rounds.”
Yuan Lele had just pulled off a counter-kill against him, so his confidence had skyrocketed. He figured he’d finally leveled up. But the next two games saw him getting utterly crushed, dying without landing a single hit. In an instant, all that bravado evaporated, leaving him sighing and moaning pitifully.
Yu Jin didn’t come downstairs until lunchtime.
The two temporary trial trainees had gotten the heads-up first thing that morning: their master had lunch ready for them, and everyone was eating together.
The dining hall buzzed with activity, packed with people chatting and laughing. Yu Jin walked in and grabbed a bottle of sports drink from the fridge.
Yuan Lele’s eyes went wide the moment he spotted him. Squeezed in next to Yun Qi, he whispered, “E God…”
Yun Qi flushed with shame at the memory of what he’d done to the man last night. He averted his gaze, clutching his chopsticks like a lifeline, and didn’t even acknowledge Yuan Lele’s words.
Yu Jin had noticed him, of course. His eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the two unfamiliar faces—and the guilty party who couldn’t bring himself to look up.
Lao Xun was there eating too. He asked, “You good now?”
Yu Jin nodded. “Yeah.”
“Why chug so much?” Lao Xun pressed. “Old Lu and I tried talking you down, but you never binge like that. Last night you were like a man possessed, slamming drinks nonstop. How’re you feeling this morning?”
Yu Jin took a swig from the bottle and twisted the cap back on. “Boss Xu was going hard. Couldn’t exactly bow out, could I?”
“Boss Xu’s a business shark—what’s his tolerance like? You matching him shot for shot? Yesterday, the only one who could hang with him was Chu Li.”
“He wasn’t looking too hot either.”
“Maybe, but not blackout-level like you. You were gone.”
Yu Jin started heading for the door. “Haven’t cut loose like that in forever. Once in a blue moon won’t kill me.”
“Hey, no lunch?” Lao Xun called after him.
“Not hungry,” Yu Jin threw back over his shoulder.
Lao Xun shook his head. What a brutal hangover Yu Jin must be nursing. The guy was a model of discipline, yet here he was sleeping till noon, pounding ice-cold drinks, and skipping meals. Totally out of character.
“Don’t try to copy Captain Yu,” Lao Xun warned the group around him. “He’s built different. Eat right, stick to a solid routine—especially you, Jiu Ke. Those bags under your eyes are brutal. Grand Tournament’s right around the corner; sort yourself out.”
Yuan Lele sat beside Yun Qi on the other side of the table and murmured, “Bro, you’re better than Jiu Ke? So does that mean you’re not suiting up for the tournament?”
Yun Qi shrugged. “No idea. Let’s eat.”
He poked listlessly at the rice in his bowl, staring down at his plate in silence.
After lunch, most of the group headed off for a nap. Lao Xun reminded them to regroup at one thirty sharp—no stragglers. They mumbled their assent and shuffled back to their rooms.
Yun Qi stayed put at his station. Yuan Lele wandered over, and Yun Qi told him, “You should crash too.”
Yuan Lele grinned. “Nah, I’m wired. Not sleepy at all.”
“Young blood.”
Yuan Lele chuckled, and they both settled in.
Yuan Lele couldn’t contain himself. “I just saw E God up close.”
Yun Qi stared off into space at his keyboard. “Yeah? What’d you think?”
Yuan Lele nodded eagerly. “Super handsome—just like I pictured. But if we’re talking that unforgettable vibe, Brother Ziwu takes it. Brother Ziwu’s got that killer look.”
Yun Qi stayed quiet.
“E God’s got better presence,” Yuan Lele went on. “Stronger aura, y’know? Real manly vibe. There’s this term online—‘sexual tension.’ You know what I mean, bro?”
“Like, super aggressive?”
“Spot on,” Yuan Lele said. “E God radiates that sexual tension—total alpha energy. That’s why I’m team Brother Ziwu. He’s tall too, but I bet he’s the gentler type.”
“Gentler.” Yun Qi echoed the word with a bitter smirk. Gentle? Ziwu wouldn’t know the meaning if it bit him. A few short days, and Yun Qi had Ziwu pegged: the man was a lunatic. What lunatic was ever gentle?
“Brother Ziwu’s haircut is fire,” Yuan Lele said, running a hand through his own hair. “I wanna rock that style. Think it’d work on me, bro?”
Yun Qi gave him a once-over and said diplomatically, “You’re good with what you’ve got.”
Yuan Lele missed the subtext entirely. “I’m bored of this cut. Time for a change. I’ll grow it out and chop it like his. It’s got that color too, right? Kinda teal? Looks so sleek. Brother Ziwu just screams high-class. Me? I look like I crawled out of the poorhouse.”
“Don’t sell yourself short.”
Yuan Lele’s face fell. “Nah, it’s real. My folks don’t back me at all—say I’m wasting my life. Even broke up with my girlfriend over it. Pressure’s insane.”
“You’re only seventeen. You’ve got time.”
“It’s getting late,” Yuan Lele said, tapping the edge of the table. “I’m not cut out for studying. This is the only passion I’ve got in life, and even that’s not supported. I thought making the starting roster here would finally let me stick it to everyone, but… I can’t beat a single one of them.”
Yun Qi could hear the kid on the verge of tears. He reached out and gently patted Yuan Lele’s head. “Your life’s just beginning. The fact that you’re sitting in this spot means you’re already ahead of most people. Your parents just don’t understand yet, but they love you—they’re scared you’ll suffer. They’re new to this parenting thing and don’t know how to do it right. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. There’s nothing wrong with chasing what you love.”
Yuan Lele sniffed. “You’re right. I am pretty awesome already. I’m only seventeen, and I’m the top trial trainee here. It’s not like I can only win a championship with this team.”
“That’s the way to think.”
Yuan Lele brimmed with renewed energy. “All right, I’m logging in. I’ll practice solo first and refine those tips you gave me.”
“Go for it. I’ll keep an eye out.”
Yun Qi stuck by Yuan Lele’s side like a personal coach, murmuring reminders in his ear about what to do next. Yuan Lele’s mechanics were sharp, but his team awareness lagged, and his impulsive streak shone through even more in-game. After just a few heated exchanges, he itched to flame his teammates. Yun Qi spotted his hand hovering over the keyboard and cut in immediately. “Don’t curse them out.”
Yuan Lele’s hand jerked back involuntarily. After respawning, he threw himself back into the fray.
“Your mechanics are solid,” Yun Qi said. “Now work on your mindset. You could get a ton done in the time it takes to type an insult. Stay focused.”
Yuan Lele nodded vigorously, too absorbed to reply.
By two in the afternoon, the training room was packed.
It was time for their match against Typhoon.
Ten minutes early, Lao Xun rounded up the team. “Who’s playing today?” Ziwu tried to bow out, suggesting his substitute instead. Lao Xun shook his head. “No dice. Qidu called you out specifically. I covered for you last time, but not this round.”
Ziwu slouched, enthusiasm nowhere in sight.
Chang Shu and Rong Rong, the golden support-AD carry duo, were obvious locks. That left the jungler spot. Yi Yang jumped at it. “I’ve been dying to school that Shenzhen team for ages.” Liu Ying didn’t contest him. “Fine, you take it.”
Yi Yang practically skipped with glee. “Sweet! Little Five Wolf, huh? Watch me blow him up!”
Liu Ying cautioned, “Ease up. Five Wolf’s come a long way this year.”
Yi Yang scoffed. “Ease up? Nah, straight domination. Hundred-rank jungler—my record’s public. Stats don’t lie.”
Liu Ying smirked. “Little punk, always yapping.”
Yi Yang pulled a cheeky face.
Lao Xun turned to Jiu Ke. “Jiu Ke?”
The tentative tone said it all. Jiu Ke tilted his chin up. “Let him play.”
He nodded toward Yun Qi across the room.
Lao Xun clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Good way to introduce him to the Shenzhen crew.”
Jiu Ke nodded. “Got it.”
Lao Xun approached Yun Qi, who hadn’t realized it involved him until the invite came.
Yun Qi hesitated. “What about Brother Jiu Ke…”
“He’s in scrims,” Lao Xun said. “You haven’t teamed up with everyone since you got here. Give it a go.”
Yun Qi didn’t argue. “Sure.”
Lao Xun gestured. “Take the seat over there.”
Yun Qi blinked. “Do I need to switch sides?”
“Makes communication easier. Go on.”
Ziwu, who’d been thoroughly uninterested until then, perked up as Yun Qi circled around and paused by his side. He gave him a once-over. “Well, well, if it isn’t our top-lane powerhouse.”
Yun Qi ignored him, turning to Liu Ying as he vacated the seat. “Thanks.”
Liu Ying waved it off. “No sweat. Sit.”
Yun Qi settled in.
Ziwu propped his head on one arm, twisting to study him. When someone fakes being busy, their hands turn clumsy—and Yun Qi was no exception. Amid the chatter, Ziwu murmured, “After I left last night… you didn’t do anything naughty, did you?”
Yun Qi scooted his chair a fraction farther away, feigning deafness.
Ziwu’s slender fingers wove through his own hair, his eyes alight with teasing warmth. “So you’re not as straight-laced as you seem. You know, the you from last night… really awakens a man’s urge to conquer.”
“Shut up.” Yun Qi whipped his head around with a glare.
“Touchy now?” Ziwu chuckled. “No wonder you stare at Brother Jin like that, all fire in your eyes. You really are dying to—”
“Ziwu.” Yun Qi flushed with embarrassment. “You’re so lame.”
Ziwu only smiled, but his gaze cut like a blade through Yun Qi’s icy front, peeling back the layers to expose the raw mortification underneath.
