IRAJAS Chapter 46

A showdown with his idol – it should be every player’s dream, right?

Xu Shengwei was no exception.

He would rather join DT as a trainee just for an opportunity like this, and now, it has finally arrived.

Without a second thought, he tightened his jacket, sat down, put on his headphones, adjusted his equipment, and focused his gaze on the game panel without relaxing for a moment.

Before the match began, he had considered many possibilities and simulated the details of facing off against Lin Lan in his mind. However, when it came to the actual lane phase, he realized the vast difference between himself and Lin Lan.

Lin Lan’s hand speed was incredibly fast, even faster than he had imagined. Moreover, Lin Lan seemed like a seasoned fox, constantly setting traps and playing mind games, making him question his own existence.

Despite putting in his maximum effort, he couldn’t compete with Lin Lan even the slightest bit. A daring maneuver led to his direct return to the fountain.

The synergy between Lin Lan and Jiang Jin was too perfect. Both were experienced players who could anticipate each other’s moves with just a single step.

From the moment they decided to engage, they had already rehearsed in their minds how their opponents would meet their demise. No prey could escape their lock-in; they were the highest-level hunters.

Xu Shengwei encountered such a high-level playstyle for the first time, and his heart started pounding violently. Everything hidden in his bloodstream seemed to be flowing in reverse.

He went back to the top lane repeatedly, getting knocked down each time, yet standing up again each time.

Lin Lan possessed the power he craved the most. Whenever he saw Lin Lan, an irresistible urge to charge up and challenge him surged within him, wanting to bring him down, to tear a piece of flesh from him…

However, thoughts were just thoughts. In reality, no matter how extreme he played, he was still powerless in front of Lin Lan.

After killing him again, Lin Lan stood beside his lifeless body without moving. Then, a message appeared on the screen: “You forgot everything you learned in the first two games?”

Xu Shengwei suddenly froze. As the surging emotions gradually calmed down, he realized that Lin Lan had indeed been teaching him in the first two games. Yet, he still couldn’t break the habit of reckless aggression. Would Lin Lan be disappointed?

Lin Lan left without looking back after typing that message. He didn’t give Xu Shengwei any chance afterward, securing the victory in the most ruthless and decisive manner.

Against absolute power, any attempt to resist head-on was suicidal.

After the end of the third game in this training match, Coach Zhang briefly reviewed the match with them. The trainees had to return to their training room.

Before leaving, Xu Shengwei looked back three times but didn’t see what he wanted. Lin Lan sat on the chair, casually chatting with teammates. Lin Lan did not give him a single glance, as if the previous attention he received was just a casual remark.

“Why aren’t you leaving?” A teammate called out to him. “Xu Shengwei, what are you looking at?”

He kept his head down without replying, turned around, and merged into the departing crowd. The longer he walked, the more he felt himself drifting farther away from what he desired. Finally, he abruptly came to a halt.

“Xu Shengwei, the elevator is about to close. Aren’t you getting on?”

Xu Shengwei didn’t enter; he seemed to have figured out what he wanted. Suddenly, he turned around and walked back.

“Xu Shengwei, where are you going? Hey, Xu Shengwei!”

He walked faster, attempting to shake off the calls of those people. In the end, he ran back to the training room, breathless, and stopped Lin Lan: “Can I, can I add you as a friend?”

Frantically, he took out his phone, opened his QR code, and handed it to Lin Lan. “I want to play a solo game with you.”

Playing a solo game with the two-time reigning champion of solo matches?

Lin Lan looked at the person in front of him in confusion. “Are you sure you can beat me?”

“I can’t,” he stared at Lin Lan without blinking, “but I want to give it a try.”

Lin Lan glanced at the QR code in his hand and then at him. He was tall and slender, with a slightly dark complexion, sporting a crew cut. However, even with his youthful appearance, he couldn’t conceal his ambition for esports.

Xu Shengwei had ambitions in esports.

But his ambition wasn’t about climbing high or going far; it was about constantly challenging his own limits.

His upbringing was particularly rough and unconventional.

Lin Lan somewhat acknowledged him and took out his phone to add him as a friend. “When do you want to have the match?”

“The sooner, the better,” Xu Shengwei replied. Perhaps feeling a bit impolite, he lowered his head and added, “Thank you.” After saying that, he walked away with his head down.

The “thank you” left Lin Lan puzzled.

Lu Shi, standing beside them, burst into laughter without reservation. “Haha, he makes it sound like you’re his elder. It’s hilarious. You’re just a year older than him, and he’s using formal language. Oh my goodness…”

Xiao Shengjing, who had finished packing up, came out and asked them, “What’s so funny?”

“That Xu Shengwei just now, the greenhorn guy. He said ‘thank you’ to Lin Lan, and it cracked me up. He’s just a year younger than Lin Lan,” Lu Shi chuckled and then playfully grabbed Lin Lan’s shoulder. “But seriously, are you interested in that kid? Personally selecting him, even giving him support. Jiang Jin didn’t get such treatment back then…”

Lin Lan couldn’t be bothered to explain and just smiled without saying anything.

Lu Shi warned him, “Don’t blame me for not reminding you. If you two clash in positions, no matter how good you are to him, it might turn into a hostile situation in the future.”

Focused on talking to Lin Lan, he didn’t notice he was getting too close. Xiao Shengjing forcefully cleared his throat, “Lu Shi, are you free? Perfect, take this to the youth training camp, distribute one to each person, and collect the signed copies.”

Lu Shi: ?

Why does everyone think he’s so free?

After shooing Lu Shi away, Xiao Shengjing also started probing Lin Lan, “Are you interested in that kid?”

Lin Lan nodded without any hesitation, “His talent is pretty good; he just needs someone to guide him.”

“Do you want to guide him?”

“Yeah, it’s just a small favor. His playstyle also suits Jiang Jin well. In case I’m not around someday, DT will have a player who can handle emergencies.”

Said unintentionally, but it sounded intentional.

Xiao Shengjing instinctively furrowed his brows.

He noticed that Lin Lan didn’t talk about leaving but rather mentioned not being around someday, giving the feeling as if he could pass away at any moment.

Xiao Shengjing stopped in his tracks, somewhat anxiously calling out to him, “Lin Lan.”

Lin Lan turned around, “What’s wrong?”

“Have you been under a lot of pressure lately?”

Lin Lan shook his head, feeling the question was a bit random.

“Is your mood not good?”

Lin Lan shook his head again; he couldn’t be happier after obtaining the shares.

Xiao Shengjing couldn’t fathom what reason Lin Lan would have for contemplating suicide. This feeling unsettled him; it was the first time in his life he encountered something he couldn’t control.

After hesitating for a while, he told Lin Lan, “No matter what difficulties you face, you can talk to me. Don’t bear it alone.”

After saying that, he gently touched Lin Lan’s head, seemingly comforting him.

Lin Lan didn’t need comforting in the first place, but after being comforted, he unexpectedly felt the warmth of being cared for.

The captain and the silly dog were indeed different.

In the eyes of the silly dog, Lin Lan was the invincible champion, but in the captain’s eyes, he seemed like a fragile treasure.

Xiao Shengjing’s phone suddenly rang, interrupting Lin Lan’s thoughts. He gestured for Xiao Shengjing to handle the matter urgently, and he went back to his room.

There were numerous messages from Xie Zilu on his phone. Although he was away on a business trip and not doing much, the habit of messaging Lin Lan every day remained unchanged.

Lin Lan opened the messages, all filled with trivial matters. Xie Zilu seemed like someone with an illness, expressing his feelings about everything he saw.

He scrolled through the messages until he finally found some useful information – a photo of Xie Zilu with a girl after his business trip. The girl looked in poor condition, wearing glasses, short hair, and avoiding eye contact with the camera. On the contrary, Xie Zilu, wearing sunglasses, had a playful smile, behaving oddly, and even making a “peace” gesture towards the camera.

After sending the photo, he asked Lin Lan: Guess who this is?

Lin Lan couldn’t recognize her. Since he missed the messages at that time, Xie Zilu continued sending various unrelated messages, without mentioning this girl.

Xie Zilu sent the photo to him, indicating that this person had some connection with him. Lin Lan zoomed in on the picture and finally found a clue on the back of the girl’s hand – she had a mole.

It was Jiang Xi!

Lin Lan’s heart skipped a beat. He never expected the vibrant and beautiful Jiang Xi from his memories to transform into this appearance. What happened to her after dropping out of school?

He quickly messaged Xie Zilu: What happened to Jiang Xi?

Xie Zilu replied instantly: You finally bothered to talk to me? It wasn’t in vain for me to specially drive to see her.

Lin Lan knew Xie Zilu had gone on a business trip to the United States, so Jiang Xi should also be in the United States: She went to the United States?

Xie Zilu didn’t refute; he continued speaking to him: I didn’t expect you to remember her. It seems she left quite an impression on you. But unfortunately, her luck wasn’t good. Her family faced troubles and went bankrupt. They sent her abroad for refuge, and all her funds were frozen. Now, she has to work and study part-time to get through university. I went to check, and hmm, she’s living a particularly tough life.

Lin Lan wasn’t sure if Jiang Xi’s situation was also related to Xie Zilu. If it were, this person would be too formidable.

Seeing Lin Lan not responding, Xie Zilu sent another message: Scared? Actually, you don’t need to be afraid. The person I can’t bear to see die the most in this world is you. Otherwise, how could you have come out alive from that school? Whether you believe it or not, Jiang Xi’s situation has nothing to do with me. If you want to know the truth, wait for me to return to the country, and we can slowly play games. The rules are the same as before.

Lin Lan: Can you give me Jiang Xi’s contact information?

Xie Zilu: Heh, if I give it to you, can we still continue this game? Lin Lan, I can responsibly tell you that you are far from the truth right now. This game can still be played.

After sending this message, he didn’t reply anymore. Lin Lan, looking at his last message, fell into confusion. He didn’t know if Xie Zilu was trying to confuse him or something else, but it certainly caused significant turmoil in his thoughts.

After careful consideration, Lin Lan decided to tell the situation to Xiao Shengjing next door.

Xiao Shengjing looked at the photo and suddenly remembered something. “This is Chinatown in the United States.”

He opened his computer and went online. After a thorough search, he found photos from almost the same angle.

Lin Lan carefully verified it, and indeed, it was the same place. Moreover, Xie Zilu took the photo recently, and the signs in the pictures matched.

“This Chinatown is quite famous, and there aren’t many universities around it. Only one university accepts international students,” Xiao Shengjing continued with a series of searches, narrowing the target to a specific university. “The number of international students at this university isn’t high, and those working part-time are even fewer. I have a friend living nearby. I can ask him to help me inquire. Perhaps we can find Jiang Xi’s contact information.”

He finished speaking and sent a message to his friend, then waited for the response.

Lin Lan was amazed by Xiao Shengjing’s swift actions. “Ah, you can find this?”

Xiao Shengjing had only done a small favor, and he nodded. He looked at Lin Lan through the thin lenses, making him a bit uncomfortable. “Is there anything else you need help with?”

Lin Lan quickly shook his head. “Captain, you’ve already helped me a lot.”

“However, something is strange. Xie Zilu told me today that Jiang Xi’s situation has nothing to do with him and said I’m far from the truth.” Lin Lan had always thought that finding Jiang Xi meant finding the victim. Catching Xie Zilu would be evidence against the clown man, enough to convict him completely. However, Xie Zilu’s statements today made him uncertain. “Is he deliberately guiding me, or is he testing me?”

Xiao Shengjing pondered for a moment. “As long as we find Jiang Xi, whatever his purpose is, it will become clear.”

Lin Lan also thought it through.

He went back to patiently await Xiao Shengjing’s message. After two days, the response he received was unexpected: there was no person named Jiang Xi at the school. The person in the photo was a janitor in Chinatown. She mentioned that she only took money to pose for the photo, and the mole on her was deliberately applied by the person who took her to the spot. She wasn’t even Chinese.

Lin Lan pulled up the photo Xie Zilu sent again. Xie Zilu was smiling maliciously in the picture as if mocking his foolishness.

This photo was deliberately sent by Xie Zilu, and the location was his choice. How could he leave such obvious geographical features for himself?

Lin Lan made a very basic mistake—underestimating Xie Zilu.

Xie Zilu was the head of the “Gotham” school association. Every time he committed a crime, he wore a mask and used a voice changer. He had strong anti-investigation capabilities. How could he be a fool?

Just as Lin Lan guessed, the next day he received a message from Xie Zilu: Surprise! Surprised? Hahaha… Lin Lan, do you like the American gift I gave you? The mole on her was personally applied by me. Holding the photo, I went to find a master to mark it for her. Isn’t it exactly the same? Lin Lan, I know you have a lot of questions. Let’s meet after the game today. You choose the location, and I’ll be there. Let’s change the rules this time: each person asks the other a question, and we continue until one can’t answer. How about that?

Lin Lan turned off his phone, thought for a moment, then opened it again: Okay.

The phone turned off, everything was handed over.

Today, DT’s opponent was JIO, and they came in with strong momentum, winning the first round against DT.

DT’s fans were still consoling themselves, claiming it was a tactical withdrawal. Once Lin Lan’s form returned, they could turn the tide in a 1v2 situation.

However, the second round wasn’t much better than the first. DT’s 4-protect-1 strategy struggled, especially against strong teams. No matter how hard Lin Lan tried to output damage, it seemed futile in the face of a significant disadvantage.

DT undeniably lost the second round. Faced with a barrage of mockery in the comments, DT’s fans finally had to admit that DT was just a pseudo-strong team. The gap between it and the truly strong teams was too vast. Ideas like “making a comeback in a 1v2 situation” or “tactical withdrawal” were merely excuses for winning with a slight advantage.

In essence, DT was a second-rate team.

It couldn’t compete with the strong teams.

After this game, DT’s ranking plummeted to fourth place. Another loss would drop them to fifth place, and with another defeat, they might not even make it to the playoffs.

The atmosphere in the lounge was gloomy. After the once proud 4-protect-1 strategy was exposed, DT seemed to be facing a dead end.

Lin Lan told Coach Zhang that he needed to go out for a while.

Coach Zhang was still concerned that Lin Lan was in a bad mood. “Don’t read the online comments. You played well, and it’s not your fault for losing. Please don’t feel pressured.”

Lin Lan felt no pressure.

He knew beforehand that DT would undoubtedly lose. Losing was expected, and refusing to give up the 4-protect-1 strategy would only result in a more devastating defeat.

After taking leave, Lin Lan found a coffee shop and sent his location to Xie Zilu. He ordered a drink and a dessert for himself and waited for the other party to arrive.

Xie Zilu wore a striped suit, a very eye-catching blue. His hand was adorned with rings, and he wore sunglasses, resembling a star on a runway. As soon as he entered, many people’s eyes were drawn to him.

“Why didn’t you order for me?” He sat across from Lin Lan and picked up the menu to order something. Lin Lan across from him said, “Split the bill.”

Xie Zilu chuckled, “Can’t even treat me to a cup of coffee that costs a few dozen yuan?”

Lin Lan spoke frankly, “I’m quite broke.”

“Well, that works out perfectly. I’m very rich,” Xie Zilu leaned back on the sofa, gesturing toward himself suggestively. “Consider it?”

Lin Lan didn’t even hesitate. “Not considering it. I’m afraid of lunatics.”

“Tsk, you’re the one with issues, and you have the nerve to say that about me?” Xie Zilu flipped open the menu and ordered himself a cappuccino, and a piece of dessert.

Lin Lan hadn’t noticed it before. Xie Zilu looked fierce, but his taste actually leaned toward sweetness.

“What are you looking at?” Xie Zilu leaned back on the sofa again in an unrefined manner, looking at him with a half-smile, a hint of defiance in his words. “I heard you lost miserably in today’s match. But it’s strange, why did you choose to play AD? I remember back when we faced off, you played mid-lane quite well, and it suited you.”

“I like playing AD. Is that not allowed?”

“Heh,” Xie Zilu shrugged it off. “You and I are the same kind of people, born to control everything. I still think mid-lane suits you best.”

“But you can play whatever you want; it doesn’t matter to me.” He said and rolled up his sleeves, reaching over to take the dessert from Lin Lan’s side, directly starting to eat. “I rushed back for this appointment today without even having time to eat, so I’ll use yours as a quick snack.”

He ate the dessert in big bites, exhibiting a bit of a youthful feel at this moment, somewhat fitting for his age. He seemed more like a teenager deliberately trying to appear mature.

Xie Zilu finished Lin Lan’s dessert in three bites and then exclaimed, “Hungry.”

Lin Lan pushed the untouched juice on his side toward Xie Zilu. Xie Zilu, without any disdain, picked it up and drank heartily.

After finishing, he slammed the cup down heavily.

Despite being full and having enough to drink, Xie Zilu still seemed somewhat unsatisfied. He liked tilting his head, using that scrutinizing gaze, resembling a hunter examining its prey. “Who goes first?”

Lin Lan didn’t yield to him, directly asking, “Is the real Jiang Xi in the United States?”

“Yes.” Now it was Xie Zilu’s turn. “After the main personality disappeared, you lost that part of your memory, right?”

“Yes,” Lin Lan continued to inquire, “Is the culprit who harmed Jiang Xi to this extent the true mastermind behind forcing me to take medication?”

Xie Zilu squinted his eyes. He didn’t expect Lin Lan to ask such a sharp question. He slightly opened his mouth, moved his lips, and weighed it for about 5 seconds before answering, “Yes.”

After Lin Lan finished asking, it was Xie Zilu’s turn.

He seemed unprepared, taking a long time before asking, “Do you remember Jiang Xi? Is the main personality’s memory gradually recovering?”

Being guessed by Xie Zilu, he was truly sensitive in this regard.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Lan considered many possibilities. Even if he didn’t answer this question, the other party could guess from his hesitation, just like how he had guessed last time.

Xie Zilu was very clever, a formidable opponent.

The reason he could take the upper hand in the previous encounters was that Xie Zilu wasn’t prepared. Once he got ready for this game, Lin Lan might not be his match.

Lin Lan answered, “Yes.”

He continued to ask, “The culprit who harmed Jiang Xi and me, is it you?”

Xie Zilu smiled, “No.”

Just then, Xie Zilu’s ordered coffee and dessert arrived.

He used the same method of finishing the dessert in three bites, lingeringly licking the cream off his lips. He chuckled, “It’s strange, though. I had no appetite on the plane. But seeing you, I suddenly became hungry.”

He casually wiped away the remnants at the corner of his mouth with a tissue, lightly tapping the table with his ring-adorned hand. With keen interest, he gazed at Lin Lan and slowly posed his question, “The disappeared main personality won’t come back, right?”

Lin Lan didn’t answer, but Xie Zilu had already seen the answer he wanted in his eyes.

His mood suddenly became very good, as if he had thought of something delightful. He couldn’t help but laugh out loud, not hiding his joy at all. The smile on his lips grew bigger and bigger. “He has indeed completely disappeared. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be in such a hurry to find the true culprit for revenge, am I right, Lin Lan? I’ve got the answer I wanted. Let’s end the game for today.”

Lin Lan didn’t quite understand why he was so eager to confirm whether the main personality would come back. Could it be because the main personality knew some secrets about him that were unknown to others?

However, when he learned that he was slowly recovering memories of the main personality, he didn’t mind…

Lin Lan didn’t understand Xie Zilu’s purpose, but he could feel that he was at a disadvantage in this game. He calmly proposed, “I’ll set the rules for the next game, and you can choose the location.”

Xie Zilu readily accepted, “Of course, I can do that.”

Since we’ve talked openly, there’s no point in lingering. Lin Lan slung his backpack over his shoulder and prepared to leave.

Xie Zilu called out to him, “Won’t you sit with me a bit longer?”

“The team has training.”

“Aren’t you settling the bill?”

“AA.”

Since Xie Zilu ate everything, it’s only fair that he covers the entire bill.

“Lin Lan, I’m really starting to like you more and more.” Xie Zilu laughed again, behaving like a lunatic, utterly unconcerned about the onlookers.

Without looking back, Lin Lan left.

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