Chapter 7

Since this year only Bian Yan was recruited, his dormitory was arranged on the third floor, just like the previous batch. Coincidentally, he was placed in the same dorm as Pan Shi and Lu Chang Kong. Besides the ten youth trainees, the third floor also housed the five starting players of the team and some support staff.

“Why is that bed empty?” Bian Yan asked, sitting on his bed and pointing to the lower bunk near the door after unpacking his luggage.

“Ugh—” Pan Shi rolled his eyes, with a look that said ‘those who know, know,’ unwilling to elaborate.

Lu Chang Kong, who lived on the upper bunk above Bian Yan, jumped down upon hearing the question and gave Pan Shi a light smack.

“Hasn’t it been settled already? Can you stop being so passive-aggressive? Bian Yan, just ignore him.”

“Is it his?” Bian Yan guessed.

“Yeah, the big boss arranged a single room for Pei Ge, so naturally, he doesn’t stay with us,” Lu Chang Kong said, lying down sideways. “Honestly, this dorm is great. The three of us have an extra bed, and the view is nice and spacious.”

Pan Shi was about to retort when his phone suddenly rang. He answered it with an annoyed expression and walked out.

Bian Yan cast a curious glance—

“It’s probably a call from home again,” Lu Chang Kong whispered. “Pan Shi ran away to play esports, almost got scolded to death by his family. In the end, Coach Shen had to go to his house and vouch for him, saying if he doesn’t perform well, he has to go back home immediately to retake the college entrance exam.”

Bian Yan nodded, “What about you?”

“My family is super open-minded. My brother is a PhD from A University, with a bright future ahead. I’m the youngest, and the family business doesn’t need me to revive it, so I naturally went to pursue my dreams~” Lu Chang Kong answered happily, then looked at Bian Yan.

“Me?” Bian Yan pointed at himself, seemingly choosing his words carefully, “My parents don’t care about me. My sister wanted me to study well, but…”

From the few words, Lu Chang Kong already assumed Bian Yan was the kind of kid who defied his family to pursue his dreams, so he interrupted Bian Yan with a look of mock sorrow.

“Alright, little brother, no need to bring up sad things. It’s good that you’re here.”

Bian Yan felt a bit baffled but kept quiet.

There was a welcome meeting in the morning, and now it was nap time. There was training in the afternoon. Lu Chang Kong and Pan Shi were already snoring, but Bian Yan couldn’t sleep.

Just as he stepped out to the bathroom, his phone rang.

Bian Yan answered—

“Darling Yan Yan~”

On the screen, Bian Tang playfully blinked, her cheerful voice echoing throughout the bathroom, startling Bian Yan into quickly lowering the volume.

“When will you stop calling me that?” Bian Yan helplessly covered his face.

Bian Tang ignored her brother’s complaint, and the camera panned to reveal the sea view behind her.

“How are you doing over there, darling? I have a few days off soon. Want me to come and bring you some warmth from afar?”

“I’m afraid you’ll scare my roommates to death.”

Bian Tang pouted, “Yan Yan, you’re so heartless. But don’t worry, even though you’re all young men, I won’t fall for anyone else.”

Bian Yan propped his phone against the wall and washed his hands. His eyes, similar to Bian Tang’s, sparkled with a clever and mischievous smile.

“Really, sister? Then show some appreciation?”

It was rare for Bian Tang to hear such a pleasant “sister” from Bian Yan, giving her the feeling of having a younger brother who was like a cute puppy.

Bian Tang was overjoyed.

She fiddled with something, and then—

Bian Yan’s Alipay chimed a few times.

“Say it again,” Bian Tang closed her eyes, thoroughly enjoying it.

“Thank you, sister,” Bian Yan said smoothly, doing his job for the money.

They hadn’t chatted for long when an assistant’s voice came from the other end, and Bian Tang hurriedly got up. Bian Yan knew she was busy again.

“Goodbye, darling. I’ll miss you~” Bian Tang blew a kiss at the camera, her beautiful face magnified several times, making a strong impact.

Bian Yan waved goodbye to her.

“What, such a big red envelope only covers one time?” Bian Tang teased.

Bian Yan knew what she meant, so he mimicked her tone, “I’ll miss you too~”

Bian Tang nodded in satisfaction and hung up the call.

Before Bian Yan could put away his phone, there was a commotion at the bathroom door—

Bian Yan turned around and was met with a view full of legs, followed by a handsome face that was asking for a punch.

It was Pei Yun Chang.

Even though he had just come in, who knows how much he had overheard.

Bian Yan suddenly regretted accepting Bian Tang’s red envelope earlier.

Pei Yun Chang carried a chill, probably just returning from outside. He washed his hands, and the two of them were silent for a moment.

Bian Yan pondered whether to explain something, but felt it would be too much of a cover-up.

Maybe discuss yesterday’s match? Exchange some techniques?

No, no, no, Bian Yan immediately dismissed the idea.

All the words circled in Bian Yan’s mind, but not a single one came out.

In the time he spent in self-contradiction, Pei Yun Chang had already finished washing and was about to leave.

Bian Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

Who knew the next second—

“Youth trainees aren’t allowed to date. Instead of that, why not improve your skills?”

That annoying voice.

Damn it!

He knew it!

——

[Training Room]

Bian Yan didn’t nap at noon and arrived early at the training room to practice combos alone.

He had already come to terms with the frustrating incident from earlier.

He wasn’t going to bother explaining. If Pei Yun Chang really went to the coach to report him, the photos in his album of him and Bian Tang growing up together would definitely embarrass him.

Let him eavesdrop again.

Bian Yan was feeling quite pleased with himself, but got distracted for a moment and accidentally pressed the wrong key, breaking his combo.

The character on the screen charged straight into the enemy’s defense tower and took a hit.

What a rookie mistake.

Bian Yan suddenly felt a chill down his back.

He glanced sideways and saw Pei Yun Chang again.

Why did he come early too?!

Bian Yan wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt like Pei Yun Chang snorted disdainfully as he passed by his station, though he had no evidence.

Invisible mockery, the most infuriating kind.

Bian Yan gritted his teeth, filled with unvented anger, and could only take it out on his keyboard.

“Yo, Nova, is this some new training method?”

Lu Chang Kong was drawn in by the sound of the keyboard clattering and saw Bian Yan’s stubborn back as soon as he entered.

Pan Shi came along with him.

“What do you know? This is called technique,” Bian Yan stubbornly retorted.

“Hahahahaha—”

Pan Shi and Lu Chang Kong laughed in unison, their voices loud, but Bian Yan still caught a faint chuckle from a certain black-haired person in the distance.

“Here.”

Pan Shi took the scarf Bian Yan had left in the dormitory off his arm and draped it over his chair.

“Wow, Big Stone, already building dormitory camaraderie?”

Lu Chang Kong patted Pan Shi’s shoulder appreciatively.

“Only for Nova, Redhead.”

Pan Shi bumped Lu Chang Kong aside with his hip and swaggered back to his seat.

Lu Chang Kong was pushed several steps away, almost losing his balance. Bian Yan was also amused by the exaggerated action, pointing at Pan Shi’s big butt and laughing like a sieve.

Pei Yun Chang took off his headphones and glanced at the three of them from afar.

This afternoon was free team training, focusing on teamwork. Logically, Lu Chang Kong, who played support, should team up with either Bian Yan or Pei Yun Chang.

But Pei Yun Chang was using a smurf account today, so he couldn’t queue with Lu Chang Kong. Moreover, Lu Chang Kong had a sudden urge to play marksman, trying to find a new perspective on laning.

Bian Yan didn’t stop him and started a game on his own.

From noon until just now, Bian Yan was fuming because of Pei Yun Chang, and he was itching for a place to vent.

This time, he was determined to make the enemy marksman’s life miserable.

Bian Yan was on the third floor, and as soon as he entered, he typed “I’m playing the development lane,” communicating his lane choice with his teammates in advance.

His teammates had all chosen their positions, except for the support role, which no one wanted to play. The first player hadn’t spoken yet.

Unexpectedly, the first player also typed: “I’m playing the development lane.”

Bian Yan frowned and quickly typed—

[Y: Bro, give me the marksman, I’ll carry.]

He also showed off his 67% win rate small national badge for Curse Star.

The mid-laner on the fifth floor, seeing Bian Yan’s stats, immediately worshipped him.

[We have a pro here, everyone be on guard! Protect him at all costs!]

The first player still didn’t switch lanes and picked a Flower God Bow, typing back—

[Call your parents to play.]

Bian Yan: ?

Normally, when encountering such an arrogant teammate, Bian Yan wouldn’t bother arguing, and would just switch to another position to carry.

But not today.

[Y: Dumbass, you think you’re something just because you’re first pick? Want to fight for the position? Show your stats.]

The mid-laner, determined to stick with Bian Yan, joined in pressuring the first pick.

[Yeah, bro, show your stats.]

The first player’s ID was “Don’t Bark.”

[Don’t Bark: Don’t Bark.]

Damn.

Bian Yan pounded the keyboard, fully fired up.

[Y: I’m begging you.]

[Y: Just go AFK, and see if your dad can win without you?]

Lu Chang Kong, playing while peeking over, asked, “What’s up, Nova? Why are you always at odds with the keyboard today? Who are you cursing?”

Bian Yan was still typing furiously, but the first player stopped responding.

He actually switched to a support role.

Bian Yan: Watch your dad’s skills.

Once in the game, Bian Yan played aggressively as usual.

The support had a clear mindset, with timely control, causing the enemy marksman to miss three consecutive minions, only able to pick up scraps, and the economy gap widened quickly.

Bian Yan was developing well, pinning the enemy marksman down and breaking his defense.

[Bro, can you wait until I leave the defense tower before attacking?]

[I haven’t even seen what the minion wave looks like.]

Bian Yan ignored it, continuing to plunder resources, killing anyone who came his way.

The enemy couldn’t stand it and grouped up to catch him. Bian Yan retreated while attacking, using a set of skills to kill one of them, but he was also on the brink of death.

“Requesting support!”

Bian Yan signaled for help, but was locked onto by the enemy’s skills.

He intended to flash over the wall, but unfortunately got stuck, taking a beating from the enemy, and could only retreat towards the support.

As long as the support could tank the damage for him, Bian Yan wouldn’t die, but the support just moved a step to the right.

Bian Yan’s screen went black.

The enemy marksman got Bian Yan’s head, and their economy instantly recovered.

[Y: Dumbass, do you even know how to play? Playing support and not protecting the marksman, what are you playing, your mom?]

[Y: I was low on health and locked by the enemy, couldn’t you see? What’s the point of you being alive?]

Bian Yan seriously suspected this person was seeking revenge for earlier, definitely on purpose.

[Don’t Bark: I’m a support, not the King of Hell, can’t change your fate.]

[Don’t Bark: If you can’t use the flash key, just remove it. Sending heads across the map, how thoughtful?]

[Don’t Bark: If you’re bad, just admit it. Why pretend to be a big shot playing marksman?]

Bian Yan laughed in anger.

[Y: I started playing Sacred Domain at thirteen, when you were still in your mom’s belly, got it?]

[Y: Open the control panel and see who’s really carrying?]

[Don’t Bark: Thirteen? Alright, I won’t argue with a kid.]

Bian Yan developed alone, fighting in and out, pinning the enemy in the jungle.

The support wobbled over, not giving a single shield, and even stole two of Bian Yan’s kills with a skill.

This match, the marksman-support coordination was terrible, and the teammates didn’t develop well. Although Bian Yan had a high economy, they couldn’t win team fights against the enemy, and they quickly pushed over.

Couldn’t win.

[Y: Sitting on the toilet and not shitting, what’s the point of taking kills? Use your skills to wipe out the enemy team?]

[Don’t Bark: Don’t blame the road for being uneven if you’re not good.]

[Don’t Bark: Playing an AD and being this bad, what’s there to shout about?]

[Y: So amazing, why haven’t I seen you on the professional stage? What a joke.]

[Don’t Bark: You’ll see soon.]

Right after that message, the crystal exploded, and Bian Yan couldn’t send the long list of greetings he had prepared.

Even more infuriated.

“What happened?” Pan Shi, who had just finished a game, turned to ask.

“Ran into a dumbass support.” Bian Yan opened the homepage to add the opponent as a friend.

“Missing your brother, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll join after this game,” Lu Chang Kong blew a kiss to Bian Yan.

“Who is it? Let me see.”

Pan Shi leaned over—

What a coincidence.

Pan Shi held back his laughter.

“Don’t Bark, location Guangleng City, city mark Guang.” Bian Yan scanned his homepage, “Playing support and being this bad, yet claiming to go pro? Whoever ends up as his AD is really unlucky.”

“Who the hell is this arrogant guy?”

“Me.”

On the other side, Pei Yun Chang stood up with a smile.

“Hahahahahahahaha—”

In an instant, everyone in the training room burst into laughter.