Duan Heng’s Embrace

Nan Pei’s wrist was slender, and Lu Bairan’s hand could completely wrap around it. Feeling the warmth on his wrist, Nan Pei froze, eyes wide in surprise.

Lu Bairan hadn’t expected himself to make such an impulsive move. After speaking, he pressed his thin lips together, his arm stiff, fingers hesitating whether to let go.

Nan Pei thought Lu Bairan might not be fully awake or perhaps his fever was muddling his mind. Although he was eager to watch Duan Heng’s match, he couldn’t break character, so he didn’t shake off Lu Bairan’s hand.

With a concerned look, Nan Pei softly asked, “Xiao Ran, what’s wrong?”

“…I feel a bit uncomfortable,” Lu Bairan said quietly, looking down, avoiding Nan Pei’s gaze, “I’m not used to being alone.”

Nan Pei was puzzled. Lu Bairan had been navigating the entertainment industry alone, yet he said such a thing? It seemed illness made people vulnerable.

“I understand.” Nan Pei glanced at his phone; there was still some time before the match started. He then looked at Lu Bairan and said, “I’ll stay with you.”

Only then did Lu Bairan release Nan Pei’s hand. Nan Pei sat by the bed, watching him, “You can keep sleeping. I’ll be right here.”

Lu Bairan couldn’t help but look at Nan Pei, his eyes brightening, a brief smile on his lips, though he quickly hid his happiness.

Previously, sleeping alone in his cramped room, Lu Bairan felt only oppression and loneliness. But Nan Pei’s presence, like his flashy clothes, added a splash of color to the room.

At that moment, Lu Bairan suddenly found Nan Pei’s nouveau riche attire not so unpleasant.

After a while, Lu Bairan looked at the person by the bed, his voice calm and gentle, “…Thank you.”

Nan Pei smiled at him, “It’s my honor to take care of a future Film Emperor.”

For the first time, Lu Bairan didn’t resist the words “future Film Emperor.” He felt a sudden urge to make those words a reality.

Perhaps Lu Bairan had once dreamed of this, but reality had forced him to bury it deep. Now, Nan Pei was reigniting that dream.

Lu Bairan wanted to prove to Nan Pei that he hadn’t chosen the wrong person. This thought surprised even Lu Bairan himself. But at this moment, it seemed very reasonable…

Feeling someone sitting by the bed, Lu Bairan closed his eyes and peacefully fell asleep again.

Once Lu Bairan was fully asleep, Nan Pei quietly left the apartment. The match was about to start, and he needed to get to the venue quickly and change his clothes beforehand.

Though time was tight, the system panel showed that Lu Bairan’s career line had advanced by 5%. It seemed today’s efforts weren’t in vain; the river scene was indeed crucial for Lu Bairan.

At the “Crown of Thorns” qualifier venue, the TKT team had already entered, and the coaching staff was ready. The match was about to begin. Their opponent was a strong team named QF, with a much better track record than TKT.

In the audience, there weren’t many TKT fans, mostly QF supporters. Duan Heng sat on stage, searching the crowd for a familiar figure, but couldn’t find it.

With his phone about to be collected, he sent a few more messages to Nan Pei before handing it to the coach. Duan Heng’s expression appeared cold, his eyes filled with unknown emotions. Everyone thought he was nervous about the match, casting a low-pressure atmosphere over the arena.

The match officially began. This was TKT’s first official match after reformation, so they were inevitably a bit tense. Despite the coaching staff’s encouragement, the first game didn’t go smoothly.

However, the new TKT team surprised their opponents, being completely different from before. TKT’s few fans initially thought the investor’s sudden changes were foolish, but seeing their performance, they were incredulous—was this really the same TKT that no one had faith in?

The match was intense, but QF had a slight edge, making fewer mistakes than TKT. Ultimately, QF won the first game, boosting their morale. The audience applauded and cheered for the evenly matched teams.

After losing the first game, Duan Heng tightened his grip on the mouse, staring intently at the screen, taking a deep breath. He glanced at the audience again. Nan Pei still hadn’t come… He didn’t even know what he was hoping for.

The coach briefly reviewed the previous game with Duan Heng and the others, encouraging them, “You did well in the first game. You still have a good chance to win the second…”

But Duan Heng didn’t hear any of it. He knew he shouldn’t be distracted by Nan Pei. Yet he couldn’t help it.

Just as Duan Heng was about to look away, a figure entered the venue, wearing a well-tailored, understated suit, hair neatly styled, and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a restrained elegance.

Duan Heng’s eyes widened. Nan Pei knew this match was crucial for Duan Heng. In the original plot, QF was a strong team TKT encountered later, but due to a lack of protagonist luck, they faced them in the first game. He was there to cheer for TKT.

Duan Heng’s gaze followed Nan Pei, a flash of disbelief in his eyes, his heart skipping a beat. The earlier frustration vanished.

Nan Pei reached the audience, and the next second, he unfurled a banner that read— “Duan Heng Victory! TKT Victory!” The banner also featured a chibi drawing of Duan Heng.

Seeing the banner, Duan Heng was momentarily stunned, his lips curling into a smile, a hint of joy in his eyes. In the crowd, Nan Pei looked directly at Duan Heng, mouthing “Good luck.”

His attention was entirely on Duan Heng, eyes filled with tension, anticipation, and hope, looking at Duan Heng as if he were the most important person in the world.

At that moment, it seemed Duan Heng’s eyes only had Nan Pei. Of course, he didn’t know that Nan Pei was thinking: Duan Heng better not lose the match, or his career progress might get stuck!

The TKT team quickly noticed Nan Pei’s arrival. Nan Pei often accompanied them during training, guiding them many times, becoming a trusted pillar of the club. His presence instantly boosted TKT’s morale, as if they hadn’t lost the previous game.

In the second game, Duan Heng seemed like a different person, playing aggressively, often appearing in unexpected positions, creating immense psychological pressure on each opponent.

This time, Duan Heng focused all his attention, wanting to showcase perfect skills in front of Nan Pei. Clearly, he succeeded. The TKT team, invigorated, repeatedly pushed QF to near defeat, quickly breaking through all three lanes.

Duan Heng effortlessly destroyed the crystal, eliciting gasps from the audience. Even the commentator was surprised, “What’s up with TKT’s Duan Heng today? His performance is terrifying, getting multiple triple kills in one match, going godlike in ten minutes…”

Winning the second game, Duan Heng restrained his emotions, discreetly glancing at someone in the audience. He saw Nan Pei cheering with the crowd, raising the banner high.

The conspicuous banner caught the director’s attention, and the live broadcast camera focused on Nan Pei. Seeing himself on the big screen, Nan Pei was startled, quickly using the banner to cover his face.

However, people still caught a glimpse of him, marveling at the high appearance of this TKT fan. Duan Heng looked at Nan Pei and the banner, secretly curling his lips, feeling happier than when he won the match.

Meanwhile, in the Song Group Building, Song Jingchen, after finishing his tasks, noticed a line in his memo— [Today is TKT’s first match.]

Song Jingchen didn’t particularly follow TKT or enjoy watching e-sports, but since the club was an investment he shared with Nan Pei, he felt a sense of concern for TKT.

Song Jingchen thought, if it was TKT’s first match, then Nan Pei should be there too? With this thought, Song Jingchen impulsively opened the match’s live broadcast website.

Not long after clicking in, Song Jingchen saw TKT win the second game. The director cut to a familiar figure. Nan Pei was holding a banner, cheering like the other fans, with “Duan Heng Victory! TKT Victory!” written on it.

Song Jingchen frowned slightly. Who was Duan Heng? A member of the TKT team? For some reason, Song Jingchen felt a bit concerned about the name.

However, Song Jingchen knew clearly that Nan Pei only had him in his heart. Even if he cheered for others, it was just to help the team win the match. With TKT winning, both Nan Pei and Song Jingchen could profit. In other words, Nan Pei cheering on-site was to make Song Jingchen money. Yes, that must be it.

This Duan Heng was likely the team’s core, but ultimately just a tool, useful only for helping the team profit. Watching Nan Pei on the screen, Song Jingchen thought for a moment and decided to attend the match as an investor. After all, with Nan Pei working so hard to make him money, he couldn’t just sit idly by. Moreover, he had a project to discuss with Nan Pei.

A moment later, Song Jingchen stood up and told Secretary Candy, “Contact the ‘Crown of Thorns’ match organizers for me. I want to attend as a team investor.”

Candy was momentarily stunned, “Now?”

Song Jingchen nodded and left the office.

At the match venue, the atmosphere reached a climax with TKT’s increasingly impressive performance. Initially, e-sports fans who didn’t support TKT were amazed by this dark horse team, with many becoming Duan Heng’s fans.

In the heated atmosphere, TKT continued their winning streak, crushingly winning the third game. In the subsequent fourth game, during the B/P phase, Duan Heng locked in the underpowered hero “Cheetah.”

Amidst the surprised discussions, Duan Heng glanced at Nan Pei in the audience, noticing his surprised expression. Duan Heng’s lips curled; he knew Nan Pei hadn’t expected him to use his favorite hero to go all out on stage.

Nan Pei’s slightly flickering gaze and slightly parted lips confirmed Duan Heng’s guess. Duan Heng decided to give his all to win this game, proving his absolute strength to Nan Pei. He knew Nan Pei was waiting for this moment too.

In the audience, Nan Pei watched the live screen in surprise, quietly muttering, “Choosing this lousy hero in the final game, is this guy trying to drive me crazy? Can’t he just play it safe and win? Is this a lack of luck or a lack of IQ…”

On stage, Duan Heng suddenly sneezed. He knew it was Nan Pei cheering for him in his heart, so his confidence grew stronger.

Although the hero Duan Heng chose wasn’t strong, it was his main hero, and his understanding of “Cheetah” was masterful, with impeccable operational details. Soon, Duan Heng pulled ahead of the opposing jungler economically, entering a rampage mode.

Nan Pei, like everyone else, was stunned—Duan Heng’s operational strength was incredible! Besides skill, Duan Heng exuded a fierce determination to prove something.

The fourth game ended in a crushing victory, with TKT winning 20 to 9 in kills. The terrifying economic gap nearly crushed QF’s morale. TKT ultimately won the first qualifier match 3:1.

This result surprised even the TKT team, who couldn’t help but jump and cheer, hugging each other. Defeating a strong opponent like QF was a milestone for the TKT club, proving they had truly transformed.

Nan Pei checked the system panel, seeing Duan Heng’s career line advance by 6%! He couldn’t contain his joy, running onto the stage to celebrate with everyone.

After the match, Duan Heng’s gaze remained on Nan Pei. However, when Nan Pei ran onto the stage, Duan Heng deliberately looked away, pretending not to see him.

“Xiao Duan, you were amazing today!” Nan Pei ran to Duan Heng, sincerely praising, “In my eyes, you’re the future champion!”

Duan Heng looked at Nan Pei, pressing his lips, and said lightly, “Just average, didn’t use my full strength.”

The TKT members, seeing Nan Pei on stage, excitedly hugged him, interrupting his conversation with Duan Heng. Duan Heng watched quietly from the side.

Nan Pei hugged each TKT member. Finally, only Duan Heng remained un-hugged. Nan Pei knew if he hugged Duan Heng, he’d likely be pushed away or even scolded. However, according to his character in the e-sports novel, he had to hug Duan Heng to express his happiness and joy.

To stay in character, Nan Pei composed himself, adjusted his expression, and smiled at Duan Heng. Duan Heng also looked at Nan Pei, his expression a bit unnatural. Nan Pei didn’t notice the flash of anticipation in Duan Heng’s eyes, which quickly disappeared.

The next second, Nan Pei took a deep breath, suddenly stepping forward and hugging Duan Heng. Although young, Duan Heng was tall, with a muscular build, wearing a purple and white team uniform with a hint of citrus-scented cologne, mixed with a faint hormonal scent, like a ripe orange in the sun.

After hugging Duan Heng, Nan Pei said with a smile, “Congratulations, Xiao Duan. You’ve worked hard during this time…” His voice carried excitement and shyness, fully expressing joy and affection.

Nan Pei thought Duan Heng would immediately push him away. But he didn’t. Being hugged by Nan Pei, Duan Heng’s heart inexplicably began to race. Even during the match, Duan Heng hadn’t been this nervous. Although it was just a polite hug, he could feel the strength and warmth of Nan Pei’s arms.

Duan Heng’s heartbeat was like a drum. Just as Nan Pei wondered why Duan Heng hadn’t reacted, the system’s voice suddenly sounded, startling Nan Pei:

“Song Jingchen is here.”

Nan Pei: “???”

He didn’t immediately understand the system’s meaning. The system quickly repeated, “Song Jingchen is at the match venue now, right below the stage!”

Nan Pei’s eyes widened in shock, asking, “Why is he here? Don’t scare me…”

System: “He’s really here, I didn’t mistake it. He’s below, looking for you…”

Realizing this, Nan Pei quickly tried to push Duan Heng away. However, at that moment, Duan Heng suddenly extended his arms, politely yet firmly hugging Nan Pei’s shoulders.

The next moment, his low voice came from above Nan Pei’s head, “…Not hard.”

Nan Pei was stunned, his mind blank. The system’s voice sounded again:

“Song Jingchen… is looking this way.”

Author’s Note:

Don’t panic, it’s a small scene.

Keep the support coming~