Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  Yet with the exception of Ji Zhiyao missing a marble or two and being kept in the dark, the others all secretly exchanged glances, clearly knowing why Mo Huaifeng was unhappy.

  But none of them would say it.

  Such matters between them, if they were to intervene at their own will, aren’t they waiting for a beating?

  Mo Huaifeng pulled a long face without speaking, Ji Zhiyao could not think of a reason and so simply decided to stop thinking, directly raising his hand to gesture while calling out, “Hyun Woo!”


  Mo Huaifeng’s face instantly became darker than the bottom of a pot.

  Yet what made him even more dejected was that Hyun Woo heard Ji Zhiyao’s shout very quickly and turned to look in their direction.

  Catching sight of them, Hyun Woo appeared to be slightly surprised, he waved, then said something to his companions, then started to walk towards them.

  Ji Zhiyao said in matter-of-factly tone, “Captain, take a good look, I didn’t go over, he was the one to come here first, if I ignore him, how rude would that be?”


  He felt like strangling Ji Zhiyao to death right now.

  Hyun Woo walked over and greeted all of them, then said in English, “Such a surprise to see all of you here. Are you guys here to participate in the qualifiers on the day after tomorrow?”


  Before Ji Zhiyao spoke, Mo Huaifeng replied, “If not? Would we be so idle to specially come back here to see you?”


  “Huh?”


  Ji Zhiyao coughed once and pushed Mo Huaifeng aside. “My Captain didn’t take his medicine before coming out today, no need to bother with him. That’s right, we’re here to participate in the qualifiers, how about you, why are you here today?”


  “I came to meet two of my friends.”


  “Then we’re rather fated to meet huh.”


  Hyun Woo nodded with a smile, something came to his mind, he instinctively glanced at the black-faced Mo Huaifeng, then said to Ji Zhiyao, “I saw the news regarding the both of you on the forum two days ago, is it true?”


  News?

  Was he referring to the news about them publicly coming out?

  Ji Zhiyao was stunned for a moment and did not react in time. Yet Mo Huaifeng was especially quick this time, his hand went around Ji Zhiyao’s shoulder right away as he replied composedly, “That’s right, it’s exactly what you think it is.”


  Hyun Woo commented disapprovingly, “Aren’t you guys taking the fans’ feelings into consideration? Besides the qualifiers is very challenging, if you guys don’t make it into the international league, wouldn’t you have to wait for another three years, by then……”


  The others all didn’t look too pleased.

  As a battleteam, they’d never criticized Captain and NoHomo, it didn’t seem too apt for Hyun Woo to say such things as an outsider. Besides, Captain and NoHomo had never messed with fans, or promised them anything. Did they still have to pay heed to what others thought to date?

  Ji Zhiyao even went further in removing Mo Huaifeng’s arm, his smile becoming a weak one as he said, “Hyun Woo, this is a private affair between me and Captain, we don’t need the fans to make decisions for us. Besides, to say something not so pleasant, Vita battleteam and Mix is almost evenly matched, since Vita battleteam has successfully qualified for a spot, you ought to have confidence in us too.”


  Ji Zhiyao was already being very polite with his words. Everyone knew at heart that Vita battleteam’s capability was actually beneath Mix now.

  Hyun Woo was rendered speechless.

  Mo Huaifeng gave Ji Zhiyao a glance, then turned to look coolly at Hyun Woo, “Hyun Woo, your friends seem to be waiting for you, we shall disturb you any longer. Here’s wishing that Vita battleteam will achieve a good result.”


  Hyun Woo forced a reluctant smile. “Then I shall take my leave first, similarly wishing that Mix will successfully qualify.”


  After Hyun Woo left, Ji Zhiyao looked towards Mo Huaifeng. “He……”


  “Are you still going to freely call unfamiliar people to our table?”


  “I……”


  “Have you not learned your lesson yet?”


  “Sorry, I was wrong.”


  Mo Huaifeng nodded with a satisfied grunt.

  Ji Zhiyao rolled his eyes and took a bite of the barbecued meat in his plate, taking it as the busybody Hyun Woo and Mo Huaifeng who thought of treating him to domestic violence all day long.

  The stats analyzer raised his glass of beer. “Alright, since we’ve already come to this point, let’s do our best. Sincerely wishing for Vita battleteam to not meet us in the league, cheers!”


  Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them, sending out a clear and melodious sound. “Cheers!”
……

  Two days later, 8 AM.

  All the Mix members had changed into their team uniform and set out for Seoul eSports Hall, where the qualifiers and international league were to be held.

  At around 8:15 AM, they arrived, Mo Huaifeng walked right at the front of the group. When they saw the usher, Yuan Wei stepped forward and handed the permit card to participate in the qualifiers that was in his bag to him.

  The usher scanned it to ascertain their identity, then bowed slightly to them. They were instructed to confirm their identity information one by one on electronic devices before they were brought into hall, to the waiting area for drawing of lots.

  In an area of less than 100 sqm, there were already almost a hundred people seated. Approximately more than 20 battleteams, it was extremely cramped. Uniforms of every hue were squeezed together, Ji Zhiyao only felt like he was about to suffocate.

  Mo Huaifeng frowned lightly, catching sight of Ji Zhiyao who didn’t look well, he said, “Bear with it for a while. We’ll be preparing to compete once the lots are drawn.”


  Ji Zhiyao nodded. “Captain, I’m not that dainty please.”


  “Whatever you say.”


  What’s up with such an odd feeling, as if he was being indulged by an old father?

  The usher brought them to a corner where there were more than 10 empty chairs, then left.

  Everyone sat down, some played with their phones, some chatted, some slept, there wasn’t a hint of a nervous atmosphere at all. The stats analyzer was initially feeling a rather uncontrollable surge of emotion, yet he turned back to the sight of them in various positions of leisure and relaxation, hence he snapped his fingers a few times, “Are you guys looking for a beating?”


  Ji Zhiyao grinned. “Oh no Old Ning, we’re the ones going on stage, not you, why are you so nervous?”


  “This concerns whether we buy plane tickets to return home right away or stay in Korea for a month, can I not be nervous?”


  Xiaofei pointed out, “If we screw up, then it’s not a question of whether to return home or not…… But whether we’ll be flying back or swimming back yeah?”


  Yuan Wei agreed. “Very right. Shall I find a place to buy life buoys and oxygen tanks for all of you now.”


  Nuo grumbled, “Oh dear, have some confidence in us please? As long as Captain is alive, all of those people will only be crown princes, they won’t be able to usurp the throne.”


  Ji Zhiyao added, “Look, this is the land that Captain has taken down for us!”


  The stats analyzer and Yuan Wei turned to him.

  Mo Huaifeng lifted a corner of his lips into a smirk. “Did you think that by saying that I will carry all of you?”


  Nuo questioned, “Is that not the case?”


  “Of course not, is it so easy to take advantage of daddy?”


  Nuo sobbed. “I won’t take no for answer, I’m a weak, pitiful and helpless little support, what else can I do other than waiting to be carried?”


  “You can take the red buff and go fight by yourself.

  “Or be a bait and get yourself into the opponent’s team to be a spy?”


  “What the hell!”


  Ji Zhiyao chuckled for a while and it occurred to him as an afterthought that his Captain seemed to be in quite a good mood, as he was talking a lot more than usual.

  10 minutes passed very quickly. Soon, all the battleteams had arrived. Some staff members walked over and switched on the LED screen and its connecting devices.

  The qualifiers was divided in three zones, A,B and C, with 10 teams in each zone. This allocation will be completely randomly divided by the computer system, then displayed on this screen, following that would then be the representatives of each team coming forward to draw lots.

  All of Mix slowly began to breathe lightly as they stared fixedly at the screen.

  Very soon, the groupings were rolled out.

  Mix battleteam was put in the C zone.

  Ji Zhiyao asked, “Captain, take a look at the other nine battleteams. How are they like? Do you have any impression of them?”


  “No.”


  Yet Mo Huaifeng wasn’t nervous at all and instead seemed very at ease.

  In next to no time, preparation for the drawing of lots were done, the crew announced that battleteam representatives could now go on stage to draw lots.

  Mo Huaifeng went up and casually brought out a small dark blue ball. After checking it, the crew put their name down.

  Before long, their opponent, another team that drew a small dark blue ball appeared on the screen.

  NN battleteam.

  The stats analyzer thought that he had a very good understanding of the international battleteams, but he was still a little confused. “From North America? What battleteam is this? Captain, have you heard of them?”


  “No. Probably an unknown battleteam.”


  Ji Zhiyao was baffled. “This is the qualifiers for the international league, why would there be an unknown battleteam?”


  Mo Huaifeng replied, “Whoever has made some results already has a spot among the set quota, they won’t be here to participate in the qualifiers. The six battleteams that emerge from the qualifiers basically enter the actual competition to take the last few placings.”


  Heng suddenly became excited. “Does this mean that we can dominate?”


  “If nothing goes wrong.”


  Hence everyone became even more eager.

  The stats analyzer said, “Since we know our opponent, let’s not continue sitting here, we’ll go to zone C.”


  The competition was to officially begin at 9 AM, and Mix’s match against NN was the second match.

  Everyone stood up and followed the crew to the waiting area for participants.

  The first match of zone C began shortly after.

  In the beginning, Ji Zhiyao watched on very attentively, yet after watching for ten over minutes, he realized that it didn’t seem as interesting as he had imagined it would be. Thus his gaze shifted away, casually glancing at everywhere else…… In a second, in another corner, he found their opponents, NN battleteam dressed in a black and white team uniform.

  He tapped Mo Huaifeng. “Captain look.”


  Mo Huaifeng looked along Ji Zhiyao’s finger in the direction he was pointing in and asked, “NN?”


  “Yes.”


  NN battleteam together with their coach and stats analyzer made up a total of seven people, no reserves. Looking across, none of them were familiar to their eyes. Ji Zhiyao lifted a brow; it seemed like this lineup wasn’t considered strong.

  After all, in China, battleteams without reserves were the weaker ones.

  As if having sensed that there was someone looking at them, a man with short blond curls from NN battleteam turned towards the direction of Ji Zhiyao and the rest. The man said a word, then held up a thumb.

  Ji Zhiyao who hadn’t turned back saw it very clearly and was dumbfounded. “What the hell?”


  So hostile, would he get pregnant or what from a look?

  Mo Huaifeng did not see anything and asked, “What’s wrong?”


  “Captain, am I going on later or would it be Brother Xiao?”


  Mo Huaifeng was dazed by his question, Xiao poked a head out from the side, saying, “It should be me. Why, NoHomo, are your hands itching?”


  Ji Zhiyao promptly tattled, “No Brother Xiao, earlier on there was an idiot from that side who pointed the middle finger at you!”


  “Huh?”


  “Captain saw it too, am I right Captain?”


  Starting to mess around again.

  He darted a glance at Ji Zhiyao, then nodded with a straight face.

  “Excuse me? Which idiot? I didn’t want to watch the match and just played with my phone for a while and I still have to act in accordance with what others want?”


  Ji Zhiyao swiftly pointed in the direction of NN battleteam.

  The Caucasian that lifted a thumb earlier was no longer looking at them. Hence Xiao successfully saw the huge team logo on his back and was delighted. “Wow, a fated opponent, what a coincidence. In that case, see if I will break his mutt head later.”


  Ji Zhiyao cheered. “Go Brother Xiao, mighty Brother Xiao, Brother Xiao is the best!”


  It felt really good to effortlessly get someone to exact revenge for him.

  He grinned, turning his head, he realized that Mo Huaifeng was still looking at him.

  Ji Zhiyao instantly straightened up and justified himself obediently. “Captain, other than the target of the finger not being Brother Xiao but me, everything else I said was right.”


  “Why didn’t you approach me?”


  “No I just thought his physique looked somewhat like a jungler……”


  “I’ll do it.”


  Hence once the second match began, the stats analyzer asked with a blank face, “What the hell? Did Captain and Xiao secretly eat gunpowder?”


  At the start of the match Mo Huaifeng aggressively engaged and took two kills, Xiao invaded into the opponent’s jungler to counter-jungle and after he was found, he sacrificed himself to perish with the opponent, virtually unyielding, after respawning he clung onto the opposing jungler again, like life and death foes…… If it wasn’t for the fact that the other two lanes were still developing normally, the stats analyzer would be rushing on stage and grab Xiao by his mutt head to give him a beating.

  Though North America was skilled in aggressive gameplay, it seemed like even NN battleteam had not seen such a mad dog style. For a moment they were totally stunned and in a flurry. Despite this, the stats analyzer was still pulling a long face, when they came down, they would probably be welcomed by a similar fierce group attack.

  The culprit Ji Zhiyao was completely unrepentant, sitting on the chair with an expression of “I don’t know anything”.

  The second turret at the bottom lane was pushed down very quickly under the strong offense of Mo Huaifeng and Nuo who did not steal the red buff today, Xiao also came back to his senses, after farming some creeps, he headed right for the little dragon.

  Though he almost lost the little dragon to the opponents due to little gold and equipment, it was fortunate that Heng and Xiao shared great teamwork, Heng came to his aid very quickly and took the little dragon ahead of the opponents.

  Everything after that naturally led to their victory.

  Yet once they left the stage, what faced the five people was the furious glare of the stats analyzer.

  Xiao suddenly felt guilty. “Um, we finished this match, the next one is tomorrow, let’s return to the hotel……”


  The stats analyzer flared up, “Return my ass! Other than eating, you sleep and you can’t even play properly in competitions now, are you a pig? !”


  Heng chimed in, “Old Ning, you can be angry, but don’t use such unpleasant words when criticizing him.”


  Xiao nodded fervently.

  Heng continued, “Don’t say that about the pig, to be compared to Xiao, how sad would the pig be?”


  The stats analyzer and Xiao were speechless.

  Heng was very happy with his teasing, the stats analyzer was at a loss of whether to laugh or cry, after clearing his throat, he said, “Let’s return to the hotel first.”


  Everyone nodded like chickens pecking at rice.

  There was only one match per day that they had to play for the qualifiers, two battleteams with the highest accumulated points in each zone will make up the total of six battleteams to qualify. They won the first match today and only needed to win another two matches in the next two days to enter the official competition.

  They’d completed a third of the qualifiers, yet all of their moods were a little graver than yesterday.

  The closer they were to the official competition, the more it was becoming their true battleground.

  After arriving at the hotel, the stats analyzer gathered everyone in his hotel room for a lecture, their coach sat at the side, adding in biting remarks from time to time. Even Mo Huaifeng, the former chief in the team and Ji Zhiyao and Xiaofei who did not participate in the match were not spared. Xiao got it the hardest, his expression alternating between dark and pale, as if he could become an opera singer right away…… In the end the stats analyzer spoke till his mouth was parched and his tongue scorched and finally ended his character building education, reluctantly letting them off.

  Everyone swiftly escaped from the stats analyzer’s room.

  The stats analyzer shook his head in resignation, the coach sat down beside him, his expression relaxed as he commented, “Their condition for this year is not bad.”


  “Yeah.”


  Although they went “off-line” once in a while, and each was more mischievous than the previous, it was undeniable that everyone was full of drive, and there was the eagerness in everyone’s heart.

  They will definitely clinch a good placing and completely cast off the regret from three years ago……

  Hence, the next day.

  Around 8:30 AM, all of Mix arrived at Seoul eSports Hall again.

  Today’s matches were still decided through lots, there were only five battleteams left in each zone, hence there would be an empty lot and that battleteam would advance directly. The remaining four battleteams were to be divided into two groups and the victorious battleteam would advance.

  As there was an empty lot, everyone really hoped that Mo Huaifeng could draw that and then they could head back to the hotel for a good sleep.

  Nuo said, “Captain, why not you repost some images of koi before going on stage. I’m really not awake. If I experience a brain fade later, don’t blame me for doing the team in.”


  Ji Zhiyao quickly rebutted, “Do you think Captain is like you……”


  Mo Huaifeng had already pulled out his phone. “Which one?”


  Mo Huaifeng explained, “I’m sleepy too, there’s a time difference, I’m still drowsy.”


  “F*ck your time difference, Korea is only an hour ahead of China!”


  “So I’ve slept an hour less, nothing wrong.”


  Was it calculated like this?

  Ji Zhiyao was fooled by Mo Huaifeng and began to pull at his fingers to do some calculation. Mo Huaifeng, according to Nuo’s instructions, reposted an image of koi in his WeChat Moments, then put his phone back into his pocket and went on stage as if nothing had happened.

  Ji Zhiyao had yet to be done with his calculations and Mo Huaifeng was already walking off stage with a white ball representing the empty lot.

  Nuo exclaimed, “Damn! Am I the hidden koi in our battleteam?”


  K was astonished. “What the f*ck!”


  Xiaofei clapped his hands. “Wow Brother is amazing!”


  Heng laughed. “I am going back to sleep!”


  Xiao nodded. “My Captain is truly a model example for us!”


  Ji Zhiyao merely commented, “Nuo, are you a devil?”


  Mo Huaifeng was also a little surprised, yet this unexpected result clearly made him very happy. Hence he smiled and announced, “Back to the hotel.”


  All of Mix had not been out for a full hour and in a flash they were back in the hotel again.

  Entering the room, Mo Huaifeng laid on the bed and fell asleep very quickly. Ji Zhiyao wasn’t sleepy and could not fall asleep even after tossing and turning, hence he plugged in his ear piece and quietly played with his phone, to avoid disturbing Mo Huaifeng.

  Ji Qingge easily came to his mind.

  [MelonRind: You mutt, so many days in school and you don’t know to give me a call to let me know you’re safe?]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: Oh dear, well wasn’t I fearing that you would be competing and have no time for me? Besides, I’m in the same university that you are in, it’s so close to home, what would be unsafe?]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: Do you want to consider directly retaining for two years and graduate with me?]

  [MelonRind: Scram!]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: Trash, you’re just jealous that I’m younger and prettier than you.]

  [MelonRind: Don’t come to Korea next month.]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: What the hell? I’m going to go, you promised me!]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: To think I even mentioned Fi-god to mum and dad these few days!]

  [MelonRind: What did you say about Captain?]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: I didn’t speak ill of him, don’t overthink and accuse me unjustly! I only showed them Fi-god’s photo and exaggerated the news of you guys coming out publicly and provoked much discussion in while I was at that…… Our mum seems really baffled as to why Fi-god wants to be in a gay relationship with you when he’s so handsome.]

  “What……”


  He’d just uttered a word and quickly covered his mouth, after turning back to glance at Mo Huaifeng who was in deep sleep, he then relaxed and silently hollered “the hell” at his screen.

  What did she mean by “Why would Fi-god be in a gay relationship with him when he’s so handsome”? Was he not good-looking himself?

  Besides! It was Fi-god who made a move on him first!

  Ji Zhiyao was so pissed off.

  And Ji Qingge was still going on.

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: This is the first time I had so much to say with mum.]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: Why do you think that’s the case?]

  Because you’re asking for a beating!

  Ji Zhiyao glared angrily at the screen and saw the next text very quickly, [By the way, mum and dad asked subtly, when are you going to bring Fi-god back home for a meal, and what plans do you guys have for the future?]

  His expression froze on his face as he forgot how to react in the moment.

  That mum and dad could accept Mo Huaifeng and him being together, was already very surprising to him, he did not expect that……

  [MelonRind: You sure? You’re pulling my leg?]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: Do I look very idle, why would I fool you? [rolls eyes] [rolls eyes] ]

  [MelonRind: Why would mum and dad suddenly say that?]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: Isn’t it all because your sister is China’s number one wingwoman, otherwise did you think it could be this simple? Remember to thank me.]

  [fairlycomplicatedlittlelovesong: So what do you think about it?]

  Ji Zhiyao sank into deep thought.

  About bringing him home for a meal, he’d definitely have to think about it for some time, otherwise with how his Captain could be as shy as a squirrel sometimes, he might even come up with justified reasons to reject him; and about their plans for the future……

  Weren’t there several countries that had legalized gay marriage?

  It seemed like a good thing, to spend the rest of his life like this with Captain.

  While they could still compete, they would stay in Mix battleteam and shine with their teammates. When they could no longer carry, they would willingly retire, Mo Huaifeng could stay in the battleteam to be a coach. As for himself, he could sign on to any livestreaming platform and stream himself playing various games, if he still had a lot of haters then, then he would just stay hidden and play games as he wished……

  Many thoughts went through his mind, but Ji Zhiyao’s expression became more and more relaxed.

  In the next few decades, if things could be as simple as he imagined, it would be already be interesting enough.

  A few hours later, Mo Huaifeng woke up and saw Ji Zhiyao sleeping soundly in an odd position, one leg was drooping onto the ground, the other was on the blanket, there was even an idiot-like smile on his face.