Mu Wan looked at the other person’s anxious expression and nodded firmly. “Yes, he can recover. Don’t worry!”

The person immediately sighed in relief. When this news spread online, Kuang Ye’s fans were also reassured, though many believed Mu Wan was just saying comforting words.

As Kuang Ye officially withdrew from the global tournament, the sponsors who had been secured previously started calling to express their intent to withdraw. This had Zhang Qinan so stressed that he developed cold sores on his lips.

The concern was that Su You Club only had this one team competing in HW. He worried the club would slash ST’s budget for the following year because of this situation.

Kuang Ye dismissed the worry.

Zhang Qinan, frustrated, retorted, “The club doesn’t belong to you. Do you think they’re running a charity? If there’s no profit, why would they keep pouring money in?”

Kuang Ye hesitated and then motioned for Zhang Qinan to come closer. “Manager, besides being the true young master of the Kuang family, I have another secret. Want to hear it?”

Zhang Xiangnan eyed him skeptically but walked over. “What is it?”

Kuang Ye revealed that he was the actual owner of the club.

Zhang Qinan’s jaw dropped in disbelief. After a moment, he even touched Kuang Ye’s forehead. “Your hand’s injured; since when is your brain broken too?”

Kuang Ye slapped his hand away and explained, “It’s true. Remember when ST’s previous owner planned to sell the team because they were immigrating?”

“I happened to own a gaming club company, so I bought ST.”

After all, if a new boss took over and decided to interfere—perhaps even wanting to play on the main roster—ST would’ve been doomed.

“I was worried people would feel pressured interacting with me if they knew, so I told no one.”

Zhang Qinan was stunned. He had always thought it was strange that Su You Club invested heavily in ST without interfering, like some sort of cash cow. Now it all made sense.

Kuang Ye assured him, “So stop worrying about ST going bankrupt tomorrow. As long as I’m here, ST won’t fold.”

Zhang Qinan was quiet for a moment before suddenly patting Kuang Ye’s shoulder. “So, Boss, even without the country’s top jungler, ST’s funding for next year won’t decrease, right?”

Feigning difficulty, Kuang Ye replied, “That depends on your performance in the global tournament.”

Zhang Qinan responded, “Don’t worry, I’ll dig them out and get them back to training immediately.”

Kuang Ye checked his watch. “You’re serious?”

Zhang Qinan blinked. “Of course not.”

Kuang Ye raised an eyebrow. “So you’re just giving empty promises to your boss?”

Zhang Qinan shrugged. “I’m an old guy; you don’t expect me to kneel before you, do you?”

The two exchanged a glance and burst out laughing. They knew their relationship wouldn’t change because of any title or status.

——

“I told the manager to keep this between us and the coach so that the team doesn’t feel awkward around me,” Kuang Ye said during a video call with Mu Wan after his conversation with Zhang Qinan.

Mu Wan teased, “I can’t speak for the others, but Shen Le would definitely still fight you for the last piece of bread. And he’d argue it’s justified—after all, you’re a big boss. Why compete with a poor worker like him?”

Kuang Ye laughed. “That guy’s so carefree. On his birthday last year, he used being the youngest as an excuse to make everyone buy him figurines. Since I’m the captain, I had to buy double. If he knew I was the boss, he’d probably expect triple.”

Mu Wan smiled. “Now that O Lan has joined ST, Shen Lele isn’t the youngest anymore, right?”

Kuang Ye nodded. “Those two get along well. They’ve been duo-queuing a lot lately, practicing their mid-jungle synergy.”

“That’s good,” Mu Wan said. “By the way, Euro has joined Jian Jia, and the competition with Li Yue for the lead position in the band is intense.”

“Are you joining the band too?” Kuang Ye asked.

“I want to, but I can’t attend every event with the band. Plus, I’m busy preparing for the Paganini competition, so I’m not suited for the lead position.”

Seeing Mu Wan’s slightly tired face, Kuang Ye’s eyes filled with concern. He unconsciously reached out as if to touch her face through the screen. When his hand met the cold screen, he snapped back to reality and pouted. “Jiejie, I miss you.”

Blushing slightly, Mu Wan cupped her cheeks and replied through the camera, “Ah Ye, I miss you too.”

Separated by the screen, they shared their longing for each other, their soft whispers full of affection.

——

The next day, Mu Wan overslept, and by the time she got up, the sun was already high in the sky.

Using voice commands, she opened the curtains and wrinkled her nose in mild irritation.

No fiancé to wake her up in the morning? Disappointing.

After getting ready, she headed to her office downstairs. Her new assistant reheated the breakfast that had been delivered by ST’s housekeeper and brought it in.

“Boss, here’s today’s love-filled breakfast.”

Mu Wan smiled. “Thank you!”

The breakfast consisted of fried spring rolls and freshly blended soy milk. While eating, she checked her phone to ensure she hadn’t missed any important messages.

She noticed a video sent by Yuan Weiwei about half an hour earlier. The thumbnail showed someone who looked like a top-tier lecturer giving a serious and profound presentation.

Mu Wan frowned. “??”

Was Yuan Weiwei’s account hacked?

Before she could open it, Kuang Xingran also sent her a message. Upon opening it, she realized it was the same video.

[Starry Sky Guides the North Star^[1]I changed Kuang Xingran username to this one]: Wanwan, this is mind-blowing. I had no idea Yuan Weiwei had such skills!