IRAJAS Chapter 146

Jiang Xu always brings up this question during his live streams, so everyone knows he’s going to choose a Master Yi skin. He cares more about the feel than the special effects.

The other four have never mentioned it, so Lu Shi curiously asks them, “You guys haven’t decided what skin to choose yet?”

Jiang Jin says, “I’ve already decided. I want to choose Zilean. I’ve even thought about the effects. Zilean has a big clock on his back, right? I’ll replace that decoration with my plushies, one on each side, like two guardian spirits protecting me. They’ll be hopping around me. Isn’t that cute?”

His expression melts the hearts of fans, flooding the chat: [Ahhh so cute! Definitely buying!]

But his teammates mercilessly mock him, “Hahaha, what the heck? Are the plushies going to be flying around during fights?”

“Turn the bombs into plushies. Throw one for a slow, throw two to grab onto the enemy’s legs and stop them from moving…”

“Just throw the plushies at the enemy during fights and kill them with cuteness.”

“Hahaha, you guys are killing me…”

Jiang Jin keeps insisting, “No no no”, but the topic has already spun out of control.

The topic quickly shifted to Xu Shengwei, “What are you going to choose? Varus?”

Xu Shengwei seemed indifferent, scratching his head with a lack of strong opinion, “I’m okay with anything.”

“Kai’Sa?”

“Sure.”

“Tristana?”

“Yeah… that works too.”

“Why are you okay with everything? Should we also give you a plushie?”

“Turn the cannonballs into plushies. So when you and Jiang Jin are in a lane together, it’ll be like, pew~ pew~ boom~!”

“Hahaha, that’s so silly…” His teammates laughed mercilessly.

The final topic inevitably circled back to Xiao Shengjing and Lin Lan. Lu Shi pressed eagerly for an answer. But both of them remained non-committal. Lin Lan even teased them, “Guess who I’ve played before.”

Everyone reminisced about the heroes Lin Lan had played, from top to mid, down to support—there was hardly any position he hadn’t touched. With a myriad of champions under his belt, guessing which one he’d pick next was a challenge.

Online fans exploded into speculation games. Some were certain it would be champions like LeBlanc or Akali, while others thought it might be something more obscure, knowing Lin Lan’s unconventional style.

Finally, when the official announcement came, Jiang Xu chose Master Yi, Jiang Jin chose Zilean, Xu Shengwei chose Varus, Xiao Shengjing chose Lee Sin, and as expected, Lin Lan chose Akali.

[Ahhh, I knew Lin Lan would pick Akali!]

[He almost always picks this champion in crucial matches!]

[Akali is his ladder to ascension!]

[In do-or-die moments, he ascends to godhood with this champion!]

[Hahaha, I guessed right!]

[Akali players rejoice!]

[Finally, Akali is getting a decent skin!]

With the champions decided, the next question was about the design concept. Because DT is a new team, the designers paid close attention to their ideas and promised to accommodate them as much as possible.

Almost all DT players believed that feel was more important than special effects. They wanted a skin that would feel great for anyone who played it.

However, when it came to the design style and color selection, opinions were completely divided. Each person insisted on their own ideas in the livestream and tried to convince the others, causing chaos at the base every day.

Xu Shengwei always said, “Anything works, as long as it sells well.”

Jiang Xu had his own thoughts: “Chinese culture values chivalry and righteousness, with a grand heroism. I think an ink wash style would be the most beautiful and fitting.”

Jiang Jin felt, “It definitely needs warmth. I like colors with warmth, the Marquis color scheme looks so good.”

Lin Lan directly opposed, “What you guys are suggesting is too ordinary. Trust me on this, as someone experienced, let’s go for something dazzling, like a Western fantasy style. It’ll be incredibly cool!”

Xiao Shengjing chuckled indulgently, “I’ll go with Lin Lan’s choice. Lin Lan has 2 votes, you guys lose.”

The other teammates: “???”

Are we still playing together?

After some online arguments, Riot’s designers finally came up with the final concept. They fully respected each player’s preferences and decided to design a theological skin combining Eastern and Western elements.

Xu Shengwei, being younger and daring in matches, would have his skin designed to reflect a fearless and brave image.

Jiang Xu, upholding the ideals of chivalry, would have his skin styled to exude a sense of elegance. Master Yi himself is a very drifting hero, and just imagining the design would reveal its beauty.

Jiang Jin’s skin would lean towards a god of kindness and protection, emphasizing benevolence, and the design would consider incorporating elements similar to guardian creatures.

As for Lin Lan’s skin, it would lean towards a mystical deity. The designers promised to aim for a more dazzling and handsome direction, even considering integrating Lin Lan’s Three Realms doctrine.

Xiao Shengjing didn’t have many requirements for his skin. But to complement Lin Lan’s choice, his skin would also lean towards a cool direction.

After the designer’s video was released, fans were ecstatic to the point of going crazy. The designer was truly considerate of the players’ dreams with these skins!

Moreover, the original champions chosen by DT’s five members were already extremely cool. So when the skins come out, they will definitely be stunningly eye-catching!

Now, the five at the base finally stopped arguing and peacefully played matches while eagerly awaiting the release of their skins.

During this period, the designer also shared several design drafts, and everyone noticed how dedicated the designer was.

For Jiang Jin’s skin, the two dolls he often carries were designed as elements of Eastern mythical beasts. They bounce around with the character’s movements like two guardian spirits, and reportedly, there’s even a hidden Easter egg: when the hero’s health drops below a critical point, his little cat spirit will be splashed with water, turning into a soaked cat, which cleverly references an incident he faced during the World Championship.

Next is Lin Lan’s skin. The designer truly integrated the concept of the Three Realms. When marking an opponent, the skin enters the first realm, swirling with something akin to “qi” around him. Upon triggering the mark, it enters the second realm, where this “qi” enters the opponent’s body. When hiding in the W smoke, it enters the third realm, where the “qi” bursts out of the body, illuminating the entire smoke field.

What’s even more interesting is that it’s rumored that Lee Sin and Akali will have lover skins, which is exactly what Xiao Shengjing hoped for.

It’s said that Lin Lan’s skin will have a hidden Easter egg: when encountering Lee Sin using his championship skin, Akali will immediately put down her sickle and greet him, saying, “Hey, I heard we’re teammates? The intimate kind, right?”

When Lee Sin encounters Akali with the same skin, he stops and lets out an indulgent laugh, “Yes, yes, yes.”

When they both target the same enemy, if Akali strikes first, there’s a trigger of lively sounds, “Watch me dazzle them!”

Lee Sin responds indulgently, “Alright, alright.”

If Lee Sin strikes first, he says, “Stay behind me.”

Akali obediently sheathes her sharp blades.

This Easter egg really ramps up the atmosphere of their relationship, and just imagining Lin Lan and Xiao Shengjing’s voices makes it almost unbearable.

Online discussions erupted enthusiastically, claiming this to be the most heart-melting couple skin in the world!

Meanwhile, DT had already advanced to the finals of the spring split, causing chaos left and right. Just recently, Lin Lan and Xiao Shengjing used the combination of Akali and Lee Sin in a match, showcasing spectacular plays.

After watching this game, fans couldn’t wait to see them both in their couple skins.

However, the production cycle for skins is very long. During the long wait, fans weren’t overwhelmed by the couple skins but rather by Xiao Shengjing’s indulgent daily routines.

After winning the spring split championship, Lin Lan hurriedly packed a suitcase and went to stay at Xiao Shengjing’s house.

On the first day, Xiao Shengjing smiled indulgently, turning the camera towards Lin Lan behind him, full of joy, “He came as soon as the vacation started, couldn’t wait, like a little puppy, sticking to me.”

As soon as the video was posted, countless fans screamed that they shouldn’t have clicked—it was a new form of dog abuse!

The next day, Xiao Shengjing posted another video, and yet everyone couldn’t resist the temptation to click.

Then they saw Xiao Shengjing’s smile fade away. He turned the camera towards Lin Lan behind him. Lin Lan was sitting on his couch in shorts and a t-shirt, deeply engrossed in playing games—truly engrossed.

Xiao Shengjing sighed, “He’s been playing since yesterday and hasn’t acknowledged me. I call him, but he doesn’t respond.”

He finished speaking and even demonstrated on the spot, picking up a trash can from the floor, “Lin Lan, how about eating this tonight?”

Although Lin Lan turned his head, his eyes were glued to the screen, not moving an inch, “Okay, okay…”

Xiao Shengjing sighed deeply, his expression genuinely disheartened. “He even eats from the trash can. What else can I do with him?”

Later that evening, he posted another photo—a picture of the trash can with Lin Lan, captioned: “Dig in.”

In the photo, Lin Lan held chopsticks, looking at the trash can with an expression even more disheartened than Xiao Shengjing’s.

Fans burst into laughter: [Hahaha, it had to be you, Captain Xiao!]

[Hahaha. Indeed, hubby can handle him…]

[Hahaha. This is hilarious. What devilish literature…]

[Captain Xiao is truly the terminator of internet addiction.]

[Lin Lan can conquer the world but can’t conquer the jungle because he doesn’t know how.]

After the trash can incident, Lin Lan behaved for a few days. But not long after, he couldn’t resist and started playing with VR equipment again.

Xiao Shengjing helplessly recorded a video, capturing the reckless beauty of Lin Lan playing games behind him in VR. “Can I throw away this VR equipment?”

The comments section erupted in carefree laughter, showing no sympathy for Xiao Shengjing but rather for the VR equipment, asking where he would throw it.

Some commented that Xiao Shengjing was indeed a superb husband. As an esports player, his first thought wasn’t about throwing his wife away but throwing away the gaming device!

After a week of playing, Lin Lan finally satisfied his urge, picked up his phone, and belatedly realized Xiao Shengjing had already posted about him online.

Frustrated, he grabbed Xiao Shengjing. “Why do you keep badmouthing me online?”

Xiao Shengjing was busy cooking soup in the kitchen, steam billowing from the pot. Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed Lin Lan’s lips, soothing him, “Isn’t it because you’re ignoring me?”

For a moment, Lin Lan felt he might be in the wrong. As they kissed, Xiao Shengjing turned off the stove in the kitchen and carried him to the sofa.

Earlier, the two had made love on the sofa once after a few drinks, with Lin Lan being the receptive partner. He had been sore for a day afterward and swore not to do it again.

Xiao Shengjing kissed him until he was dizzy, then laid him on the sofa. Suddenly, Lin Lan realized, “Who’s going to be on top this time?”

Xiao Shengjing, lying beneath him, smiled and kissed him while his hands started pulling at his clothes. His voice rolled with desire, “It’s your turn this time.”

Lin Lan chose to be on top. Ten minutes later, he suddenly noticed, “What’s different this time compared to last time?”

Xiao Shengjing chuckled, holding onto his neck and kissing him until he felt dizzy again, coaxing him, “The position is different this time. It’ll be more comfortable.”

Lin Lan half-believed, only to realize he had been deceived again.

As he lay on the sofa feeling sulky, Xiao Shengjing brought over the soup he had made, kneeling beside him with good humor, “Come on, have some. Want me to feed you?”

The aroma of the pork ribs in the soup wafted into his nostrils, with added red dates making it smell sweet.

Xiao Shengjing always did this, making a bunch of delicious food to cheer him up.

Lin Lan was both angry and tempted by the delicious smell.

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