Zhang Qinan was stunned and then angrily scolded, “You’re crazy! A cortisone shot will only numb the pain. Once the match is over, your hand injury will get even worse.”

Kuang Ye had clearly thought this through before speaking. “There’s still some time between the Fall Championship and the Global Championship. Let O Lan and the others focus on building their synergy during the early stages, and I’ll have enough time to rest and heal.”

The coach hesitated for a moment before finally turning to Kuang Ye. “This is your last Fall Championship. If you don’t win the championship, you won’t be satisfied, will you?”

Kuang Ye nodded firmly, his ambition laid bare. “That’s right! The Spring Championship, the Fall Championship, the Global Championship—I want to leave a legacy in HW that people will never forget!”

Zhang Qinan was still against it. In the world of competitive sports, countless athletes had sacrificed their careers because of cortisone injections. However, the coach stopped him and said, “He’s retiring anyway. Forget about the future—winning is his future now.” Then, the coach headed to the referee’s area to request a player substitution.

—

Fifth Match of the Fall Championship Finals: ST Substitution

When Kuang Ye’s handsome and confident face appeared in the preparation zone, the crowd’s cheers nearly blew the roof off the stadium.

Commentator A: “So, ST’s earlier substitution was part of their strategy? They wanted to catch WQ off guard while keeping their star player rested?”
Commentator B: “Now it all depends on whether ST’s jungler can deliver his best performance after sitting out two games.”

As the final match began, every spectator in the arena leaned forward, as if they could dive into the screen to play alongside the team.

Because this was the deciding match, both sides played cautiously. However, midway through, ST’s marksman made a critical mistake, giving WQ the first blood. Although Kuang Ye managed to secure a kill in return, the gold bonus from first blood was still more significant.

The tension in the room was palpable. On the sidelines, even Kuang Xingran grabbed Mu Wan’s hand tightly, muttering under her breath, “Win, win, win.”

Halfway through the match, WQ held a slight economic lead and had already destroyed six of ST’s towers. Despite being at a disadvantage, ST managed to push down one of WQ’s inhibitor towers in the bottom lane—the tower closest to the Nexus.

Commentator A: “Another team fight is starting! But with ST’s current economic disadvantage, engaging in team fights right now is very risky for them.”

Commentator B: “Just like the previous match, with an economic lead, WQ definitely won’t let ST develop any further.”
Commentator A: “Ah, as expected. ST lost the team fight. Their marksman and top laner are dead, and their jungler barely escaped with low health.”
Commentator B: “The Dragon King has spawned, and WQ is going for it. If WQ secures this dragon, their lead will grow even bigger.”
Commentator A: “Here comes ST’s mid-laner to disrupt them. Wow, ST Lele is incredible! He’s holding off five players alone, and now ST’s support, who just healed up at the base, is also heading over.”
Commentator B: “The dragon is about to go down! ST Lele freezes the enemies, and the dragon’s health regenerates.”
Commentator A: “WQ’s jungler is chasing ST’s mid-laner but fails to catch him. Meanwhile, ST’s support sacrifices himself to protect the mid-laner.”
Commentator B: “And now the mid-laner is back to disrupt the dragon fight again.”

As everyone watched ST’s mid-laner repeatedly harass WQ’s attempts at taking the dragon, someone suddenly asked, “Where’s ST’s jungler?”

WQ’s players also realized the problem: ST’s jungler had been missing from their vision for at least 20 seconds.

[Your crystal is under attack.]

The sound notification echoed in WQ’s ears. Looking at the bottom lane, where ST had destroyed their inhibitor turret and reached their crystal, WQ’s captain was both shocked and furious. “Return to base! Kuang Ye, that cunning bastard, is backdooring with low health!”

System: Detected inappropriate language. Yellow card warning.

WQ didn’t care about any warnings. With the championship at stake, they scrambled to return to their base. Seeing this, ST’s mid-laner, Shen Lele, stopped hiding and boldly stepped forward. With dazzling movements, he blocked WQ’s highest-damage marksman, though he fell within five seconds.

Before dying, he said calmly, “Captain, it’s all up to you.”

Kuang Ye’s focus was razor-sharp. His hands flew across the keyboard, fingers a blur as he controlled his character.

The commentators’ voices rose in excitement.
Commentator A: “ST’s jungler is backdooring with minions, and the crystal’s health is already halfway down! WQ’s support will reach the base in approximately six seconds!”

With a wave of enemy heroes charging toward him, Kuang Ye neither fled nor fought back. He focused solely on attacking the crystal. Finally, just as the system announced his death, a sharp boom echoed.

The crystal shattered.

ST won.^[1]T/L notes: Damn, I enjoyed their games hahaha eventhough I don’t play lpl and any esport games, this got me on edge haha. Bravo and congrats ST!

“Ahhhhhhhh!”

A deafening wave of cheers erupted in the arena. ST fans jumped out of their seats, waving ST flags wildly in the back rows. Everyone chanted in unison, “ST invincible! ST is amazing!”

Victory was the best reward for their fans.

Kuang Xingran stood up, shouting the chant along with everyone else, her face glowing with excitement. She had been too nervous to sit during the final moments.

Only Mu Wan remained seated, torn between pride for her lover’s victory and worry about the condition of his wrist.

As the victory music played, ST’s six players, dressed in their team uniforms, stood on the podium. Amidst the confetti and fans’ blessings, they raised the golden trophy together.

“ST!” “ST!” “ST!”

The shouts soared to the heavens.

Kuang Ye kissed the trophy, then suddenly turned to the camera and shouted loud enough for everyone to hear: “Wan wan, I like you!”

The arena fell silent for a moment before erupting into louder cheers and teasing laughter.

Mu Wan was immensely grateful for her mask. Without it, her flushed face would have made it obvious to everyone that she was the “Wan wan” Kuang Ye had just confessed to.

But there were people in the audience who knew.

Kuang Xingran teased her, “Sister-in-law, my brother just confessed to you!”

Mu Wan’s ears burned even redder as she wished she could shrink into a tiny quail. Yet, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from Kuang Ye’s face on stage.

In her heart, she silently replied: I like you too.