IRAJAS Chapter 34.1

Lin Lan woke up in a daze to the sound of the door closing. He noticed his phone lit up on the table, displaying a message from Jiang Jin: After cooperating for this period, I feel like I’m the best fit for your support. Aren’t you considering playing professionally with me? I believe your future development will be excellent.

Drunk and unable to type clearly, Lin Lan picked up the phone and sent a voice message to Jiang Jin: “What professional are you talking about? I’m already playing professionally, Jiang Jin, why are you so silly.”

Feeling uncomfortable, Lin Lan lay on the bed and fell into a deep sleep, still clutching his phone in his hand.

On the other side, Jiang Jin was repeatedly watching that promotion match. No matter how many times he watched it, he was always impressed by Lin Lan’s actions. If that person was willing to join the professional scene, he would shine.

Thinking of this, Jiang Jin couldn’t help but send him a message. Shortly after, he received a voice message reply: “What professional are you talking about? I’m already playing professionally, Jiang Jin, why are you so silly.”

Coincidentally, the screen switched to an interview with Lin Lan, calmly answering the host’s questions in front of the camera, appearing nonchalant even after winning the promotion match.

Their voices…

Why do they sound so similar?

In a flash, Jiang Jin seemed to understand something. He pulled up the data for both individuals for comparison. He hadn’t remembered wrong; it was indeed identical.

There might be two geniuses in the world who are identical, but the probability of their voices being the same is impossible.

Trembling, Jiang Jin picked up his phone: Are you Lin Lan?

On the other side, Lin Lan, after waking up and checking his phone, exclaimed, “Oh my, how did I drop ranks again? How did he recognize me?”

As he got up and started his morning routine, Lin Lan messaged Jiang Jin: Don’t be angry; I didn’t mean to deceive you. Didn’t you say you wanted to play professionally with me before? Now, I…

After sending the message, he suddenly realized something was off. He hadn’t replied to Jiang Jin’s previous messages, and he just came here on his own. What if, after he responded, Jiang Jin changed his mind?

Lin Lan quickly deleted the typed message.

Three days later, Jiang Jin couldn’t resist messaging him: Is your team… seemingly recruiting a support?

Lin Lan, with an air of indifference: Yes.

Jiang Jin hesitated for a long time on his end but couldn’t hold back: Then, what do you think of me? Do I meet your requirements?

After sending the message, he anxiously held his phone, waiting for a reply. These days, he had been thinking a lot, almost obsessed with the idea of supporting Lin Lan. When he saw that their team was recruiting a support, his heart felt like it was being crawled on by insects, and he couldn’t calm down for a moment.

Lin Lan: Aren’t you playing support for OG?

Jiang Jin quickly replied: I’m currently a free agent and can leave the team at any time. If possible, I can come for a trial with your team this afternoon.

Lin Lan: Ah? So urgent?

It has to be urgent. What if they recruit another support before him? Jiang Jin replied: Tomorrow is fine too, or should I discuss it with your team?

Lin Lan: It’s all the same. Come in the afternoon then. There are people in the team. I’ll send you the location.

After sending the location, Lin Lan knew he had successfully convinced Jiang Jin. He quickly found Coach Zhang and discussed with him, “Coach, I invited a support for an interview this afternoon. He…”

…

Upon receiving the trial message, Jiang Jin couldn’t contain his excitement as he packed his things. He brought his familiar peripherals and even printed a resume for himself.

To overcome his social anxiety, he stood in front of the mirror, repeatedly mustering the courage to introduce himself, “Hello, I’m Jiang Jin, ID is Morri. Currently, I’m the support for OG. I… No, no, it’s too stiff. I’ll have to face a group of people later, and I’m a bit breathless… I need to calm down. No team would like someone with social anxiety. Overcome myself, overcome myself…”

He spent hours doing mental preparation, but when the alarm on his phone went off, he instantly became nervous again. All the preparation seemed to be in vain.

Jiang Jin hurriedly picked up his belongings and hesitated at the door for a moment. But for the sake of being on the same team as Lin Lan, he gathered the courage to take that step.

Taking a taxi to the destination, Jiang Jin took a deep breath. A receptionist at the entrance guided him inside. He was anxiously thinking about how many people would be in the meeting room, whether the boss would be there, and how serious the coach would be. He wondered what questions they would ask. Just thinking about it made his palms sweaty.

But when he entered the meeting room, he found it empty, with only one person inside.

Coach Zhang smiled kindly, his naturally round face making him appear approachable. “You must be Jiang Jin. My last name is Zhang, just call me Coach Zhang. Please, have a seat. Make yourself at home.”

Jiang Jin’s nervousness eased a bit. “Hello.”

He sat down and quickly handed his resume to Coach Zhang. Taking a look at it, Coach Zhang’s friendly demeanor made Jiang Jin feel relieved. He glanced at the water on the table, and surprisingly, there were a few pieces of candy next to it.

Why would there be candy in the meeting room?

Jiang Jin couldn’t help but look at Coach Zhang.

Coach Zhang noticed his gaze and smiled kindly. “Our team is quite laid-back. Those candies were sent by Lin Lan for you. Help yourself.”

Lin Lan prepared candies for him?

Jiang Jin ate one, and the anxious feeling seemed to ease a lot.

“He also mentioned that you’re not good at socializing in real life, so he asked me to interview you separately. It’s strange, though. Have you two known each other before?”

“Well, we knew each other online before,” Jiang Jin replied honestly.

But he also found it strange. Although he was talkative online, in reality, he was the complete opposite. How did Lin Lan figure that out?

Is genius capable of seeing through appearances to the essence?

Coach Zhang finished reading the resume. “Your resume is excellent, and you seem to be a good fit for our team. However, your previous team was also quite good. Have you really thought about joining us?”

Jiang Jin nodded eagerly, “The OG team isn’t suitable for me. I was planning to leave the team this year, and I’ve already informed them. I just haven’t decided where to go yet. Coincidentally, I got to know Lin Lan recently. I feel that he’s a perfect fit for me, and I’m also well-suited for him. If we’re on the same team, we can definitely achieve good results…”

Coach Zhang nodded approvingly. In fact, he was satisfied regardless of the resume. He was struggling to find a support player, and now this tall support player was sent to him.

“Xiao Jin… Do you mind if I call you Xiao Jin?”

“I don’t mind. They all call me that.”

“Alright, get ready for the trial. I’ll go get Lin Lan.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Jin inexplicably became uneasy again. Knowing each other online was one thing, but meeting in person was another. For someone with severe social anxiety, chatting well online didn’t necessarily mean they could converse smoothly in person.

He lowered his head to tidy up his clothes, the lingering sweetness of the sugar still in his mouth. He thought to himself, Lin Lan should be an easygoing person, right?

The meeting room door opened, and a casually dressed person walked in with ash-gray hair. “You’re here?”

Jiang Jin didn’t react immediately, “Huh?”

Coach Zhang introduced them, “This is Lin Lan. He recommended you. Don’t you two know each other?”

Jiang Jin stammered, recalling the times he had seen Lin Lan on video. At that time, Lin Lan hadn’t cut his hair or dyed it, and his long hair covered his eyes, giving him a gloomy appearance. Overall, he didn’t look good.

Now, Lin Lan standing in front of him seemed like a completely different person. Even in a regular team uniform and ordinary slippers, with a lazy look as if he hadn’t slept well, he couldn’t hide the radiance emanating from him.

If not for the casually similar expression in their eyes, Jiang Jin would doubt if they were the same person.

Lin Lan approached him, extending his hand, “Hello, I’m Lin Lan. Welcome to our team.”

“Y-yo-you, hello…” Jiang Jin suddenly stammered.

The opponent’s superior skills aside, he was also a social cow. Moreover, he looked so handsome. OMG, this meeting was like being completely dominated by the other party.

Was there really such a perfect person in this world?

Jiang Jin’s trial was more like going through the motions. The process went very smoothly. Having thoroughly studied Lin Lan, he adapted well to Lin Lan’s playstyle. Whether Lin Lan wanted to attack or fall back, he could always coordinate perfectly, sometimes without Lin Lan even having to speak – they just knew what the other was going to do with a simple move.

The trial was intense and exhilarating, attracting numerous onlookers, including Lu Shi and their group who came to see the new teammate. There were also some academy players and staff recruited from outside, all gathered to watch the operations of the two big shots. Throughout, there were frequent expressions like “666” and “OMG” being thrown around.

After the trial, a fervor burned within Jiang Jin. Unable to hold back, he asked Lin Lan as they descended the stairs, “When can I join your team?”

“Not sure yet. We need to wait for Brother Mu to negotiate with your boss. It should be soon, though, especially since your contract is relatively simple,” replied Lin Lan.

Jiang Jin nodded, “The spring season is starting in a little over ten days. Lin Lan, I’m really looking forward to playing matches with you.”

Looking at Jiang Jin in front of him, Lin Lan asked a question that had puzzled him for years, “Jiang Jin, why do you want to be on the same team as me?”

Jiang Jin felt a bit embarrassed as he answered, “I just feel like I haven’t encountered an AD that suits me so well. It would be a regret not to play a match together.”

Unfortunately, in the original world, he played in the mid-lane, and Jiang Jin never achieved his wish, not even becoming teammates.

Lin Lan watched Jiang Jin leave and suddenly felt that maybe the reason he transmigrated to this world was to make up for some regrets in both worlds.

Jiang Jin’s entry into the team was quickly settled. It was said that Brother Mu, in order to obtain Jiang Jin’s contract sooner, even accompanied the OG boss for an all-night drinking session, successfully becoming drinking buddies.

Coach Zhang sighed, “Back in the day, Brother Mu and I also got to know each other over drinks. At that time, in school, the two of us were…”

Upon hearing that Coach Zhang was about to reminisce about the past, everyone quickly dispersed, doing whatever needed to be done on the spot.

With Jiang Jin confirmed to join, it meant Xiao Hai would be leaving.

When he left, Lin Lan and his teammates accompanied him. They went to the train station, watching him wave goodbye. Both Lu Shi and Feifei couldn’t help but have moist eyes.

“Xiao Hai clearly loves playing professionally so much. I didn’t expect him to give up like this.”

“Let’s go,” Coach Zhang comforted them. “This industry is like this, survival of the fittest. Everyone, be more open-minded. Leaving the competition scene, he can still shine brightly in other places.”

Lin Lan didn’t understand which choice would be better for Xiao Hai, just like he hadn’t figured out which choice would be better for himself at the moment.

Xiao Shengjing asked him, “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking, Captain, will you sleepwalk tonight?”

Xiao Shengjing quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard. He then pulled Lin Lan to a secluded place and whispered, “Don’t talk about that, I’ll buy you a cola.”

“Coke… I want to drink KFC’s. How about getting a bucket of chicken legs as well?”

The two returned to the base and went downstairs to KFC.

Lin Lan ordered a bunch of chicken legs and coke, enjoying the meal.

Xiao Shengjing folded his arms and asked, “You ordered just one bucket of chicken legs?”

“A bucket is still considered one portion, Captain. Don’t you want to try? It’s a new item and tastes really good.” Lin Lan handed it to him, suddenly remembering something. “Oh, I forgot, you don’t eat fried chicken.”

Xiao Shengjing, who was about to take a bite, quickly closed his mouth and pretended he hadn’t heard. “How do you know?”

Lin Lan took a bite of the chicken leg. “I guessed.”

Because the foolish dog from the original world didn’t eat it. He claimed that fried chicken was junk food in the Western world, and he even gave Lin Lan a bunch of inexplicable knowledge, making Lin Lan feel nauseous whenever he saw fried chicken during that period.

Now being able to peacefully enjoy a piece of fried chicken felt truly blissful.

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