Lin Lan was halfway through washing his hair when he was suddenly pulled by several hands and feet. “Lin Lan, something’s wrong. Someone reported you for cheating! Stop washing, come with us to explain to Brother Mu!”
He hadn’t yet grasped what was happening when Ayu turned off the water for him, Xiao Hai tossed a towel onto his head with one hand, and Lu Shi grabbed the towel, vigorously rubbing his head in a way that didn’t treat it as a head.
“Hey? I haven’t finished washing!”
“Stop washing! What time is it already?”
The three of them hurriedly brought him to the office, even before they got close, Lin Lan heard Brother Mu’s loud voice, “What? Our substitute is accused of cheating? And the opponent is a big streamer?”
Lin Lan stopped in his tracks, his eyes gradually turning cold.
This scene reminded him of an unpleasant incident. Back when he was an unknown substitute, he clashed with a certain player in ranked, and the opponent’s fans exposed him online.
At that time, his manager told him, “I don’t care about the truth, and I don’t care if you’ve been wronged. I only care about how much economic impact this will have. So, Lin Lan, you must apologize for this.”
Back then, he truly felt a sense of injustice, as if his teeth were broken and he had to swallow the blood. It was Lin Lan’s first year in the industry, filled with humiliation and unfairness. His pride was shattered bit by bit. Later, he climbed to the top regardless of anything, just to reclaim the dignity he lost.
“Lin Lan, why aren’t you leaving?”
“Go explain to Brother Mu. We all know you didn’t cheat.”
Lin Lan refused to go, “The pure remains pure, the impure remains impure.”
If Brother Mu unfairly forced him to apologize, then he would leave. He didn’t want to endure even the slightest humiliation.
His wet hair was still dripping water, and he exuded a coldness that kept people at a distance. No one knew what had happened to him.
In the office, Brother Mu’s loud voice echoed again, “Nonsense! I’m so broke I can’t even afford equipment. Why would I buy cheats? Cheats are free, huh? Oh, not that I’m buying cheats, but you’re saying Lin Lan is buying cheats? That’s even more absurd. He only gets a few bucks in his salary; he can barely afford to eat… I don’t care what kind of streamer she is. She has to consider the current situation, right? I, Mu Zhenghong, am full of righteousness. Don’t bring me these unfounded accusations. Cheating…”
After finishing his words, he actually hung up on the other person. He lifted his leg, leaned back, and continued reading his immensely popular online cultivation novel.
Xiao Hai sighed in relief, “I knew Brother Mu understood justice.”
“Brother Mu is a good person, just a bit poor.”
“Alright, everything’s fine now. Let’s go.” Lu Shi patted Lin Lan’s shoulder and left with Xiao Hai and Ayu.
Is this the end?
Lin Lan hadn’t fully recovered from the twist of events. Through the crack in the window, the more he looked, the more he felt that Brother Mu’s round and chubby face was comforting.
This chubby but poor boss doesn’t seem bad?
Lin Lan was ready to go back to continue washing his hair but unexpectedly bumped into Xiao Shengjing. His wet hair wasn’t fully clean yet, leaving large water stains on the white and blue team uniform, like stains that would leave a mark even if he retired.
Xiao Shengjing held a document in his hand, his team uniform neatly worn, slightly disturbed by the collision.
“Sorry.”
Lin Lan’s immediate reaction was to use the towel in his hand to wipe for him. With his wet head approaching, the fragrance of bergamot in the shampoo wafted over, faint and slightly bitter.
Xiao Shengjing took a half step back, raising his hand slightly to block, “No need.” He glanced at the water stains on his clothes indifferently. His brow bone1The brow bone, also known as the supraorbital ridge or frontal eminence, is the bony ridge located above the eye sockets. It is part of the frontal bone of the skull and forms the prominence or contour just above the eyes. The shape and prominence of the brow bone can vary among individuals, contributing to the overall appearance of the face. The brow bone plays a role in facial aesthetics and can influence the appearance of the eyes and the forehead. was attractive, but he was too aloof, giving people a sense of unapproachability.
He and the silly dog were completely different types of people. Lin Lan didn’t like to force others into difficulties. Feeling the obvious resistance from the other party, he tactfully took a step back, creating a safe distance. “Captain, I didn’t mean to.”
This statement had two meanings: an apology and a reminder to the other party that he didn’t intentionally bump into him to get close. It was a subtle way of asking him to relax.
Xiao Shengjing paused for a moment, his light-colored pupils staring at Lin Lan for a long time. He uttered two words, “No problem.”
“Well then, Captain,” Lin Lan smiled, “I’ll be going now.”
As they passed by each other, the refreshing scent of bergamot hit again. Lin Lan gave him a comfortable sense of distance. The way he addressed him as “Captain” had a slightly uplifting tone, making his laughter clear and brisk.
Can a person change so much after death?
Xiao Shengjing instinctively glanced at the water stains on his clothes. It was strange; even though he had cleanliness habits, he didn’t feel very dirty.
“Xiao Xiao,” Coach Zhang happened to be looking for him, “Tomorrow will be Xiao Lin’s first time on the field. He might be a bit nervous. As the captain, help him ease his tension.”
Xiao Shengjing nodded and suddenly thought that he knew nothing about him. For the first time, he asked, “Can I watch the video of Lin Lan joining the team?”
“Sure, I’ll send it to you later.”
From a person’s gameplay, one could see their personality. Xiao Shengjing was curious about Lin Lan, so he wanted to know what kind of person he was.
The video of Lin Lan joining the team played on the computer. His gameplay mirrored his personality—extremely self-deprecating and isolated. The more the team needed him to step forward, the more he retreated.
Xiao Shengjing frowned, forcing himself not to look away.
As he continued watching, it became increasingly absurd. With a 0-5 support not initiating team fights, and cowering behind the AD, even Xiao Shengjing couldn’t comprehend how Lin Lan made it into the team.
Xiao Shengjing’s patience was slowly worn out, and he was about to close the video when suddenly he saw Lin Lan flash-Q into the backline, E back to the AD, leading the team to a victorious clash.
Xiao Shengjing’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed. As he continued watching, he saw Lin Lan twice intercepting jungle attempts to steal the dragon. The confident moves and positioning made it seem like he would never make a mistake.
This wasn’t Lin Lan at all.
It was as if someone else had taken his place.
—
Lin Lan sat down, ready for training.
Suddenly, he felt a gaze on him.
He looked up and saw a figure sitting at the door, with a slender body clad in a neatly worn white and blue team uniform, looking as composed as if attending an interview.
Why is he looking at me?
A strange feeling arose in Lin Lan’s heart.
In the original world, Xiao Shengjing also liked looking at him, his gaze just as focused and serious as it is now, unwavering. Lin Lan suddenly thought of a possibility – maybe the training wasn’t very immersive.
After finishing the game in his hands, Lin Lan quickly walked to Xiao Shengjing’s side while taking advantage of a bathroom break, testing him, “Hey, new uniform?”
Xiao Shengjing’s gaze remained indifferent; it seemed like he didn’t understand, lifting his pale pupils to look at Lin Lan with a puzzled expression.
In this split second, Lin Lan was able to distinguish that this was not Silly Dog; it was Xiao Shengjing, who seemed to have taken the wrong medicine. His guess was wrong.
He pretended nothing had happened, turning to go to the bathroom.
The conditions for traversing must be very demanding, not everyone can do it. Lin Lan didn’t know what the trigger was – perhaps death, perhaps some magnetic field – he hadn’t figured it out yet.
After washing his hands, he raised his head, and the figure in white and blue appeared in the mirror again. He stood straight at the door, not leaving or entering.
The gaze of this world’s Xiao Shengjing was too direct as if all illusions were laid bare before him. Lin Lan felt a sense of being exposed as if his secrets were seen through.
He lowered his head and splashed cold water on his face. Hearing Xiao Shengjing behind him say, “I watched your entry match.”
The entry match, that was Lin Lan’s third traverse.
What did Xiao Shengjing see?
Lin Lan looked up at the mirror, and the other person was also looking at him through the mirror. The individuals from two worlds confronted each other in the reflection.
“Not good in the beginning, but played well later.”
Water dripped from Lin Lan’s chin, and the gaze hidden behind messy hair tightened slightly.
“Hope you continue to maintain that, play well tomorrow.”
After saying this, Xiao Shengjing left. Coach Zhang asked him to console Lin Lan, so this should be considered comforting, right?
Lin Lan was stunned for a moment.
Did he make such a serious expression just to say that? Haha, scared the life out of me. He thought Xiao Shengjing had discovered something…
Lin Lan couldn’t help but burst into laughter. He didn’t expect this world’s Xiao Shengjing to have a silly dog side as well, truly carrying on the same traits.
He completely relaxed and prepared for the match. It must be said that DT’s training was really easy-going; a day of playing passed without any noteworthy incidents.
During the night, while sleeping, Lin Lan dreamt of Silly Dog again.
The other person guarded by the bedside, looking much more haggard, seemed to have accepted his fate, quietly sitting there, meticulously trimming his nails.
Lin Lan’s nails were thin and translucent, not easy to cut. Xiao Shengjing awkwardly and slowly trimmed them, his eyes becoming red from staying up.
Seeing him like this, Lin Lan couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry.
He didn’t intend to make him like this.
He felt that he must be Xiao Shengjing’s calamity. If he hadn’t encountered him, he would have lived carefree and fearless, just like the Xiao Shengjing in the mirrored world.
“Drip—drip—.”
Lin Lan tried to grasp his hand. Since he couldn’t apply force, just as he was about to attempt for the second time, he suddenly heard another world calling him.
“Lin Lan! Wake up.”
“Damn, Lin Lan, you have a match today!”
