Chapter 45 Part 2

Lu Rong blinked in surprise. “He told you?”

Yun Qi nodded. “He knows where he stands now. He’s sorry for all that trash talk about dominating the Second Team. He wants to head there anyway… Any chance?”

“Top Trial Trainee status gives him pick of his spots, but Second Team’s not hurting for bodies right now. I can float it with them if he wants, but no promises it’ll stick—they’ve got talent stacked there too.” Lu Rong paused. “I’ll make the call and smooth things over.”

Yun Qi hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. “Thanks. If it works, send him over. He’s not KRO material.”

No sugarcoating from Yun Qi, which suited Lu Rong and the others just fine—they hated vague talk. Best of all, Yuan Lele had made his choice, so laying it out plain was the way to go.

“Deal. He can skip tomorrow then,” Fu Zhengming said. “We were just hashing this out with Captain Yu. Why drag it out two or three days? A couple games tell you all you need. No point copying Shenzhen’s esports teams’ setup.”

“Boss Xu hung out in Shenzhen for a couple days and must’ve gotten an earful,” Lu Rong said, glancing at Yu Jin. “You heard about this?”

“Just now,” Yu Jin replied.

Lu Rong nodded. “Boss Xu’s only looking out for the team.”

They were deep in talk when the streamer emerged. He nodded their way in greeting, then said to Yu Jin, “Brother Jin, gonna hit the bathroom.”

Yu Jin nodded.

The streamer headed out.

Spotting him sparked Fu Zhengming’s memory. He turned to Yun Qi. “You used to stream too, right? Back with your old team.”

“Yeah,” Yun Qi confirmed.

“I caught wind of your story the other day,” Fu Zhengming said quickly. “Wasn’t snooping—couple Trial Trainees stumbled on it, and I peeked. That captain from your old team… sexual harassment?”

Lu Rong’s face tightened uncomfortably. He muttered under his breath, “Why bring that up in front of everyone?”

Yun Qi took it in stride, calm and composed. “No worries. It’s fact.”

Fu Zhengming leaned in, intrigued. “Why didn’t it leak sooner? You endured two years of it? How’d you hold out?”

Yu Jin’s fingertips drummed lightly on the sofa armrest as he turned to Yun Qi, his expression mirroring the others’ confusion.

Yun Qi, of course, knew everyone wanted to hear the story—including Yu Jin. Even if he didn’t feel like talking, he had no choice now that they’d asked outright. He kept his emotions in perfect check, his voice steady as if the whole thing hadn’t fazed him at all. “I was just a kid back then. I didn’t dare speak up.”

Fu Zhengming and the others exchanged complicated glances.

“That guy who harassed me,” Yun Qi went on, “he had real pull. I couldn’t afford to cross him. And I was so naive—thought the team’s reputation mattered most. Figured if I just toughed it out, the storm would pass, and once I made a name for myself, I could call my own shots.”

Fu Zhengming leaned in. “So why drag it all out into the open now? No loyalty to your teammates anymore?”

Yun Qi felt like he was defending his thesis in that moment. A bad answer wouldn’t kick up any real drama—it would just make these guys look down on him. His words mattered, but only in how they shaped others’ opinions of him.

“Because even a cornered dog will bite,” Yun Qi said, his eyes flicking to Yu Jin’s tapping fingers. “Everyone has their breaking point. Push hard enough, and they’ll do anything.”

Fu Zhengming paused at that, then let out a short laugh. “Damn, that’s real talk—no lofty bullshit, just the truth. Relax, kid. You’ve got backing here now. Know who’s calling the shots? Xu Muzhe. You get what that name carries in the pro scene, right? Boss Xu looks out for talent. Under him, nobody’s gonna mess with you. Hell, even your captain gives Boss Xu face—who’d be dumb enough to bully you?”

Yu Jin and the big boss? Yun Qi hadn’t pried, but he’d pieced it together from what these guys had let slip. The two went way back.

Fu Zhengming grinned wide. “Not that I’m just hyping your Captain Yu, but a guy with his track record staying this grounded? You’re lucky. Stick with him, grind it out—no one’s touching you in the pro scene. Hardly any teams dare square up to KRO.”

Yun Qi nodded. “Got it. I won’t forget.”

Lu Rong jumped in on the ass-kissing parade. “And your Captain Yu’s easy on the eyes too, with fans all over the world. If you’re into blondes with blue eyes, he can hook you up. Follow Captain Yu, and you’ll eat well.”

Yu Jin cut him off. “Enough with the flattery.”

Lu Rong burst out laughing.

Not long after, Fu Zhengming’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen and let out an “oh.” Turning to Yu Jin, he said, “That’s our cue for today. Chen Wen needs me—heading back.”

Yu Jin shrugged. “Go ahead.”

Lu Rong got to his feet too, tagging along as he’d come. Before dipping out, he reminded Yu Jin, “Shoot me the Major Tournament Roster when it’s out.”

Yu Jin replied, “Hit up Lao Xun for it.”

Lu Rong nodded. “Fair enough. Later.”

He clapped Yun Qi on the shoulder. “Hang in there.”

Yun Qi nodded back.

Once they were gone, the streamer wandered back in. He shot a quick look at the two of them, shut the door behind him, and made for his computer. “Brother Jin, half an hour more and I’m logging off.”

Yu Jin raised a hand in acknowledgment. The streamer slipped his headset back on and got back to it.

At last, it was just the two of them.

Yu Jin stayed quiet. He leaned forward, nudging the fruit plate across the table. “Try some.”

The platter was generous, divided into sections with all sorts of refreshing summer fruits.

Yun Qi didn’t touch it. He could hear the edge in Yu Jin’s voice—he wasn’t pleased.

Yu Jin didn’t push whether he ate or not. He settled back, fixing his gaze on the hesitant young man in front of him. “Weren’t you done with whatever this is between us? You’ve kept your distance for days. Quitting now?”

Yu Jin knew everything.

He didn’t need Yun Qi to spell it out—he got the message loud and clear.

“Or,” Yu Jin pivoted, his tone sharpening, “did you run into another ‘good guy’ you wanna set me up with?”

Yun Qi winced inwardly at the memory of his own contradictory bullshit from that day. No wonder Yu Jin was pissed. He could take the sarcasm; it was his own flip-flopping that had landed him here. Ducking his head, he murmured, “Sorry.”

The streamer’s voice droned on from his setup, filling the room with background chatter. It wasn’t silent, at least—that would’ve made it impossible for Yun Qi to mask his nerves.

But Yu Jin wasn’t letting him off the hook. “Actually, I should be thanking you. For looking after me last night.”

That was exactly the sore spot Yun Qi couldn’t touch… which meant Yu Jin remembered every bit of it.

Yun Qi peeked up timidly, only to meet those piercing eyes—like they were screaming, I remember everything.

He scrambled for a way to flip the script, fumbling for the right words. “Last night… I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean?” Yu Jin pressed. “Are you talking about how we almost ended up in bed?”

“At least last night’s events shouldn’t have happened.”

“You’re right, they shouldn’t have. How could we let things get so heated with an ex?” Yu Jin’s expression darkened. “You don’t need to apologize. If anyone should, it’s me. I had too much to drink—you can just chalk it up to me being drunk and disorderly.”

Yun Qi clenched his fingertips. “I’m truly sorry…” Sorry for doing something like that to Yu Jin. They’d agreed nothing would happen before the Grand Tournament, yet he’d taken advantage when Yu Jin was drunk. All talk and no action—disgusting. Whatever anger Yu Jin felt toward him was more than justified.

“So what are you saying now?” Yu Jin asked. “Did you come here to apologize? Just for what happened last night?”

Yun Qi felt a pang of regret and closed his eyes briefly. “Yes. Can you forgive me, Captain Yu?”

Yu Jin fell silent for a long moment, but his gaze betrayed his emotions. Unfortunately, the man before him was too ashamed to look up and notice the burning intensity in his eyes.

“What’s there to forgive?” Yu Jin’s eyes deepened. “Have we done so little of this sort of thing before?”

Had they ever lacked for shameful secrets between them? Every single incident was etched into Yu Jin’s memory.

Yun Qi gripped the sofa beneath him. Those scorching memories burrowed into his heart and mind like ants, reminding him that last night’s folly was nothing compared to the many indiscretions he and Yu Jin had shared. What was that in the grand scheme?

“Besides, last night wasn’t just you losing your head,” Yu Jin added. “I can’t blame you for it.”

Yun Qi couldn’t quite parse Yu Jin’s intent.

He looked up, meeting Yu Jin’s gaze, his ears burning red. “You… don’t overthink it. I’ll behave myself.”

Even he felt guilty saying it. Could he really? He was still planning to come clean with Yu Jin after the Grand Tournament. Behave himself… Yun Qi couldn’t even convince himself.

“Is that so?” Yu Jin smiled. “How exactly will you behave? By pretending we’re strangers, like right now?”

“That’s how it should be…”

“Who told you that’s how it should be?” Yu Jin interrupted impatiently. “Who said we need to do this?”

His sharp tone made it impossible to keep lying.

“The Grand Tournament is coming up soon.” Yun Qi reminded him. No need to spell it out—Yu Jin understood.

But Yu Jin seemed utterly unconcerned, savoring the words “Grand Tournament” before letting out a chuckle. “No wonder. So it’s because of the Grand Tournament. How interesting.”

Yun Qi didn’t follow. He’d meant the tournament’s proximity should keep Yu Jin from dwelling on this, but Yu Jin’s words suggested a different interpretation.

Yu Jin picked up a perfectly washed cherry from the plate, rolling it gently between his fingers. Yun Qi thought he was about to eat it, but he didn’t. Moments later, he crushed it viciously. Juice dripped from his fingertips, even splattering onto Yun Qi’s clothes.

Yun Qi flinched in surprise.

Yu Jin’s face was streaked with cherry juice, his eyes—a storm of unreadable emotions—locked onto Yun Qi. He spoke word by word: “I should’ve known. The championship means that much to you.”

Yun Qi couldn’t name the feeling that hit him in that instant. The overhead light was warm-toned, but on Yu Jin’s face, it cast an eerie chill. He laughed—a cold, sinister sound. “Looks like someone’s already making decisions for me.”

Yun Qi’s heart raced.

Yu Jin stood, grabbing a towel from nearby to wipe his hands. As he brushed past Yun Qi, he said calmly, “Back to the training room.”

Yun Qi turned to look at him. He hadn’t finished speaking yet.

Just as he opened his mouth, Yu Jin pulled the door open. “Go tell them: until training ends, no one leaves the training room. That includes you.”

Yun Qi frowned, not fully grasping Yu Jin’s meaning.

~~~

When Yun Qi returned to the training room, everyone was there—except Ziwu. He relayed Yu Jin’s order, and they all nodded that they understood.

“What’s that about?” Liu Ying turned. “Brother Jin won’t let us go out?”

Yun Qi said, “I don’t know. I’m just passing on what he said.”

Liu Ying scratched his head. “Is Boss Xu coming today?”

Chang Shu replied, “No word on Boss Xu showing up today. And even if he did, why couldn’t we leave? Boss Xu’s got too much class to keep us from seeing him, right?”

Liu Ying looked puzzled. “Yeah, exactly. What, are we expecting some other big shot?”

Chang Shu slumped in his gaming chair. “Who knows? Why worry about it?”

His voice rose a bit as he addressed the substitutes across from them. “No one leaves till training’s done, got it?”

“What about the bathroom?”

Chang Shu tsked. “Don’t go looking for trouble.”

Liu Ying jumped up, went to the door, and locked it from the inside. He came back and said, “Door’s shut. We’ll run out the full session before anyone bolts. Might be some VIP coming—let’s not disturb them.”

Yun Qi stared at Ziwu’s empty seat, feeling a vague unease gnawing at him. But it wasn’t long before Liu Ying called out to him, inviting him to queue up for a game together. With that, all stray thoughts fled his mind. He logged in and duoed with Liu Ying.

~~~

A lone figure moved slowly and silently down the corridor on the second floor.