And then guess how he responded!!

The next morning in the practice room, Xiao Bai moved his chair next to Pines and rambled on about his story for a long time.

Pine was only wearing headphones on one side, but he wasnt paying attention to Xiao Bai either; instead, he was single-mindedly concentrating on his team fight.

Xiao Bai ignored Pines indifference. After swallowing the youtiao1in his mouth, he said, He actually also responded to mewith a good evening!!!

Theres no way I misheard it. Even though his tone of voice still sounded extremely unenthusiastic, it was definitely a good evening!

Pine returned to base and cut off Xiao Bai before he could say good evening a third time. Didnt you say you two were absolutely irreconcilable?

Ah? Xiao Bai paused before nodding. Yeah.

Pine said, Right now, its like you want to wear the same pair of pants as him.

Xiao Bai:

Pine continued to stare at his computer screen expressionlessly. Do you not feel like youre very similar to a certain group?

Xiao Bai: What group?

Pine: That group of dumbass fans in his livestream room.

Xiao Bai: BS.

Why did you go dry your clothes in the middle of the night at two a.m.? Pine asked.

I couldnt sleep, so I decided I might as well just do my laundry. Xiao Bai leaned back in his chair. Never mind about me. When I returned to my room after hanging up my clothes, both you and Qian-ges lights were still on in your rooms. I saw it from the crack underneath the door.

I didnt really sleep After his game concluded, Qian-ge rubbed his eyes and said, Nobody in the base shouldve been able to sleep well last night, probably.

No, Soft definitely slept very soundly. Xiao Bai said, He never liked Kan.

As soon as he said that, the person himself appeared in the doorway.

Jian Rong was holding a cup of milk, his hair a bit messy, his clothing somewhat rumpled as well. His eyelids were lowered listlessly, dark circles underneath his eyes, and he looked as if he could fall asleep on the spot if someone handed him a pillow.

In the course of opening the door, entering the room, walking to his spot, turning on the computer, and entering the game, he yawned a total of seven times.

Xiao Bai: ?

Yuan Qian asked, Soft, you didnt sleep well last night either?

Jian Rong entered the queue and answered hoarsely, En.

Yuan Qian nodded understandingly. Dont stand in the wind for so long on the balcony next time, its easy to get a headache.

A cold arrow-like gaze shot over, and Xiao Bai felt a chill run down his back. He slowly nudged his seat back over to his computer using his butt.

It has nothing to do with standing in the wind. Jian Rong randomly made up an excuse. I suddenly had some trouble falling asleep in a different bed.

Everyone in the practice room:

That really was quite sudden.

Jian Rong created a custom game and practiced waveclearing for half an hour, before finally he couldnt help but pick up his cup and walk towards the break room.

TTCs base had ample amounts of everything. The break room table was full of tea bags, cocoa powder, and more, and there was a coffee machine on the side.

Jian Rong didnt know how to use it, nor did he have any interest in trying to figure it out. He arbitrarily chose an instant coffee packet and mixed it with hot water.

The warm, winter sunlight slanted into the room, just happening to land on Jian Rongs face, comfortable and pleasing.

There was no added sugar or creamer in the black coffee, making Jian Rong crinkle his brows from the bitterness.

But he finally gained a bit of energy. There was still a practice match in the afternoon, and if he continued to be sleepy, he wouldnt be able to play well.

Who are you? A gravelly, rough voice came from behind him.

Jian Rong looked back, picking up his cup, and came face-to-face with Kan, whose eyes were swollen like walnuts.

Kan was built quite robustly, and he was also tall, so he could block the entire doorway to the break room just by standing there. He was clearly in a bad mood, and he hadnt slept enough either, so he wasnt wearing a very good expression.

After seeing Jian Rong, his complexion grew even worse, his brows furrowed tight enough to pinch a mosquito to death.

Everyone knew that the competitions that Soft watched the most often were TTCs, and the player that he mocked the most frequently was Kan.

If there was one professional player who had the deepest hatred towards Soft, then it could only be Kan.

At the beginning, Kans fans would even go to Softs stream and curse him out, but because they couldnt out-curse Softs fans, and Soft himself didnt care about their attacks, they eventually stopped causing trouble.

Soft didnt use any beauty filters when streaming, so Kan recognized him the moment he saw him.

Soft? Kan was stunned. He was already annoyed in the first place, and when he saw the cup of coffee in Jian Rongs hand, the nameless fire in his heart roared even higher, to the point that he lashed out rudely. Why the fuck are you here? Who brought you here?

It seemed like Jian Rong wouldnt be able to leave anytime soon.

He took a step back and stood next to the window again, basking in the sun while asking, Are you in charge of this place?

Jian Rongs tone of voice, which was just as careless as it was in his streams, made Kan even angrier upon hearing it. He said impatiently, Im not in charge, but a trash streamer like you isnt worthy of entering our base. It doesnt matter who brought you here, hurry up and get lost.

Jian Rong sneered. If a trash streamer like me isnt worthy, then a matchfixing2 pro player like you is worthy?

It was as if someone had stabbed Kan in the heart, and his blood rushed straight to his head.

Even though what was done couldnt be undone, the LPL was still tying up the last of the loose ends, and TTC hadnt released a corresponding announcement yet either. There shouldnt be many people who knew about it

He looked Jian Rong up and down again.

One of TTCs merch mugs, cozy and loose clothing, disheveled hair, as well as a pair of black slippersthe indolent appearance of someone who had just woken up.

And there was a rule in the base: no outside visitors could spend the night.

Kan suddenly remembered. Yesterday night, he had secretly asked Yuan Qian whether the team had found a new mid laner or not.

Yuan Qian had been silent for a long time, before he finally told him that the new mid laner was already going through tryouts at the base.

Kan felt shocked, and he only recovered after quite a while. He asked, astonished, Are you here for tryouts?

Jian Rong lowered his head and took a sip of coffee, too lazy to reply.

Kan laughed, a laugh triggered from anger. He said, Ding-ge cant find any other mid laners? How come hell take in any kind of scum?

If anyone else heard that, they would probably be offended, but Jian Rong wasnt.

Compared to those fans in his livestream room, Kan was just like a baby chick throwing a tantrum.

Jian Rong thought a bit and said, He probably lowered his standards a little after he met you.

Kan involuntarily took two steps forward, his face turning red. How am I the problem? Ive played competitively for eight years, during which I havent made many mistakes. But you, youre just a piece of trash that became famous for insulting other people, you dont know how to do anything else except badmouth players day in and day out youre built so small, you must not be an adult yet, right? Did your parents teach you how to respect other people or not? Did they teach you how to behave yourself?

The more Kan spoke, the angrier he got. Im telling you, I dont really have any misgivings anymore. Im definitely going to find a lawyer and sue you, theres no way Ill let garbage like you continue to terrorize the internet. Im also going to tell Ding-ge about everything you did online and make him kick you out

Jian Rong nodded, digesting what Kan said for a beat before asking, So what youre trying to imply is that even though you play like trash, you wont allow anyone else to say it, right?

Kan choked and was about to retort when Jian Rong spoke again.

But you did get one thing right. I didnt have anyone to teach me, so I just cant control my mouth when I see pro players with contract fees worth millions of yuan perform so terribly. Thats my problem, I didnt take your feelings into consideration Jian Rong said casually, Its fine if you sue me, Ill definitely apologize in court. I can even apologize to your fans too. I was wrong, my mistake was that I redescribed Kans trash gameplay, how does that sound?

Kans neck was flushed from fury. He was controlled by his emotions, his shoulders heaving up and down in time with his breathing, and he subconsciously picked up the canned Ovaltine next to him.

What are you doing? A gentle, deep voice spoke up, breaking through their deadlock.

It was Lu Boyuan.

He wore gray-colored casual clothing, the same color as Jian Rongs long-sleeved shirt, and he stood behind Kan, holding a cup.

Although it was a question, his expression was calm, as if he didnt really need an answer.

When Jian Rong saw him, he lowered his eyes and straightened up, stealthily loosening his firm hold on his mug, which he had gripped in preparation to retaliate at any moment.

Kans rationality returned, and he glanced at the object in his hand. He explained after a long moment, I-I wanted to make some to drink.

Lu Boyuan gave an en that was neither light nor heavy. Go find Ding-ge after you finish drinking it, he still has some things to discuss with you.

got it. Kans breathing still hadnt evened out yet, and he shot Jian Rong a vicious glare before he put the Ovaltine back in its original spot. Ill go find him right now, I suddenly dont feel like drinking it anymore.

Lu Boyuan rinsed his water glass. Go ahead.

Only two people were left in the break room.

Jian Rong lowered his head, wondering if his voice was too loud just then, and made to leave the room with his coffee.

Hes not in a good mood, so dont take anything he said to heart. Lu Boyuan said as he poured ground coffee into the coffee machine.

Jian Rong paused, and said, Okay.

Lu Boyuan pressed a button before he turned to look at him. Then, did you win or lose the argument?

Jian Rong met his gaze for a few seconds and said, Ive never lost an argument before.

Lu Boyuan laughed. When he smiled, his eyes grew very bright, making Jian Rong feel even more comfortable than the sunlight on his face did.

Lu Boyuan glanced at the instant coffee packaging in the trash can. He said, En, Ill make you a cup of coffee as a reward?

Jian Rong watched him quietly.

Lu Boyuan: Dont want it?

Jian Rong poured out all of the instant coffee, answering his question with actions instead of words.

Lu Boyuan was in the middle of fiddling with the coffee machine when the person next to him suddenly asked a question.

Will I be kicked out?

Lu Boyuan didnt look over. Why are you asking that.

Jian Rong raked through his bangs and said, after a lengthy silence, Kan is a former teammate, and Im not compatible with the others either.

Well only know if youre compatible or not once we have some practice matches. Lu Boyuan said, Or do you not have the confidence to play well?

I do. Jian Rong answered very quickly. A few seconds later, he repeated again, I can play well.

Lu Boyuan handed a cup of coffee to him. Then perform well this afternoon, dont make me lose face.

Jian Rong absent-mindedly accepted the cup. Make you lose face? Why?

Lu Boyuan said, Because youre the person that I recommended in.

Jian Rong stared at him blankly. After quite some time, he asked again, Why?

Lu Boyuan hid his smile. Why I also want to know the reason why your resume made its way over to me?

Jian Rong:

Why did he have to ask so many whys???

If Jian Rong said that he accidentally saw Lu Boyuans QQ ID during his livestream, and not-so-accidentally noted it down for two years, then would he instantly be labeled a pervert and kicked out of the club?

Jian Rong wanted to stuff his head in his coffee mug right that instant.

Luckily, Ding-ge happened to arrive at that moment, rescuing Jian Rongs head.

So this is where you were. Ding-ge said, Ive been looking for you for a while.

Lu Boyuan put down his coffee mug. You finished discussing everything with Kan?

Ding-ge nodded heavily. En, he didnt have any objections, but

Halfway through, he glanced at Jian Rong.

Jian Rong instantly said, Im going to go practice now.

Jian Rong walked away extremely fast, nearly causing the coffee in his cup to spill over onto the ground.

Once he left, Lu Boyuan asked mildly, Has the heating been turned up too high lately in the base?

Ding-ge was startled. Twenty degrees3, whats wrong?

Nothing. Lu Boyuan paused. The little friend in our team often has a red face from the heat.

Then Ill go and adjust it a bit lower in a bit. Ding-ge thought a little. Its probably because young people have higher internal heat

Deep fried breadstick, usually eaten for breakfast ^I previously translated matchfixing as playing fake matches because I didnt know a better term. However, now Ive found the appropriate term, so Ill be using this going forth. Ive also made edits in the s! ^20 degrees Celsius = 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Thats cold for the middle of winter??? ^

Wei: Jian Rong to Xiao Bai, probably: Why are you so obsessed with me?? (Although also LBY to Jian Rong, probably LMAO)