IRAJAS Chapter 7

While brushing his teeth, Lin Lan listened to Lu Shi’s description of the tragic scene at that time: “At that time, Xiao Hai was almost fainting from the pain, his hands were covered in blood, Ayu carried him back, and both of them were covered in blood. When I opened the door and saw it, I was almost scared to death. You don’t know how terrifying it was. I thought someone had died. Then I quickly went to call the team leader and took him to the hospital…”

“How did he get injured?”

“They said a board from the second-floor renovation fell down. Originally, it was going to hit Ayu, but Xiao Hai reached out to block it. Unexpectedly, there were nails on top, cutting a large gash on his arm.”

“Is it serious?”

“Very serious,” Lu Shi said and suddenly pulled out the photos from that time to show Lin Lan, “Look, isn’t it terrifying?”

In the photo, Xiao Hai’s arm had flesh and skin turned outward, exposing the flesh.

Lin Lan, caught off guard, saw a sea of blood. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his mind, flashing scenes of the car accident.

In fact, after being hit, he had some awareness. He could feel the blood flowing out of his body. That stupid dog, Xiao Shengjing, was crying loudly beside him, and his body gradually grew colder.

He even knew how he was pushed into the operating room and how he came out. The whole process was as long and torturous as a drawn-out execution.

Seeing the blood again, Lin Lan felt a physiological nausea. The thick and numb pain was like maggots clinging to his bones.

He instinctively pushed away Lu Shi’s phone, “Take it away!”

The phone fell to the ground, and Lu Shi was startled by his reaction. It took him a long time to pick up the phone, “What’s wrong with you?”

Lin Lan also realized that he was a bit too agitated. He washed his face to calm down, “Have they all gone to the hospital?”

“Yeah, those who could go have already gone.” After saying this, Lu Shi looked at Wu Tianqi. He still had the mood to chat with his little fans, laughing and joking, which was quite conspicuous. “Brother Wu didn’t go. He only cares about himself. Xiao Hai is injured, and he hasn’t even said a word of concern.”

There are many people like this, including Lin Lan when he was hit by a car. The people around him only cared about their interests.

Lin Lan found it unremarkable, “Let’s think about where to apply after the team disbands.”

Lu Shi looked at him incredulously, “You still have the mood to make sarcastic remarks? When you were hospitalized, Xiao Hai was still concerned about you. Now he’s experiencing such a major accident, and you’re here throwing stones down the well. How sad do you think he must be when he hears about it…”

Lin Lan originally wanted to say, “It’s none of my business,” but seeing Lu Shi angrily leaving, his mind inexplicably recalled the time after his car accident. Apart from that silly dog Xiao Shengjing, not a single person shed tears for him. The white, vast hospital room felt like a world in a mirror, with only him remaining.

He stood still for a long time, looking at Wu Tianqi’s expression. Surprisingly, the smirk of the former world boss seemed to overlap with his current self.

Lin Lan didn’t want to be that kind of person. Unprecedentedly, he expressed concern for his teammates in the group chat: How is Xiao Hai’s hand?

Ayu was the first to respond: Fortunately, the nerves were not affected, but stitches were needed. He may not be able to play in the upcoming matches.

Not too serious, at least he can still continue his professional career. Lin Lan was about to close his phone, but then Ayu replied again: Thank you for your concern.

He didn’t really help much, just casually asking a question.

Lin Lan felt a bit uneasy, flipped his phone, and quickly pushed this matter out of his mind.

In the hospital, after sending the message, Ayu suddenly sighed, “Actually, Lin Lan is not a bad person.”

Xiao Shengjing, who was about to leave, paused, “What happened?”

Ayu took out his phone and showed him the chat records in the group, “He just showed concern for Xiao Hai’s injury in the group. This is the first time he actively spoke in the group. I didn’t expect it to be about caring for a teammate. I feel that after that incident, he has really changed a lot.”

Xiao Shengjing lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze lingering on the group chat records. Wu Tianqi, who played together, didn’t say anything, but the first person to express concern was Lin Lan.

“Where do you think he has changed?”

Ayu couldn’t pinpoint it. He carefully recalled, “I just feel that he has become more genuine, saying whatever he wants. My grandmother used to say that after experiencing death, a person may understand many truths. Maybe he suddenly figured something out.”

Does experiencing death really bring about such a significant change?

Xiao Shengjing has been on the same team with him for almost a year, and strangely, he doesn’t have a deep impression of this substitute.

The only impression is that he is very self-deprecating and sensitive. He always hides in the shadows, secretly watching him. As soon as their eyes meet, he withdraws in fear, as if for him, even the word “like” is a luxury.

To be honest, Xiao Shengjing doesn’t like this kind of personality.

He prefers someone who says what they want.

Returning from the hospital to the club, it was almost dawn. Xiao Hai’s hand was wrapped like a dumpling, with seventeen stitches. He lowered his head apologetically, and everyone stood in the meeting room, struggling to accept the harsh reality that Xiao Hai wouldn’t be able to play in the upcoming matches.

The already precarious promotion matches now seemed entirely hopeless.

Coach Zhang regretfully announced, “Our current ranking was originally fourth, but just a moment ago, the fifth-ranked team won 2-0, surpassing us in victories. So, our ranking has dropped, and for the next two matches, we not only need to win but also achieve a 2-0 record to have a chance at reaching the top three.”

This news was undoubtedly a blow, and even if Xiao Hai hadn’t been injured, it would be challenging to achieve. After hearing this, some began to consider deliberately losing.

Boss Mu also seemed to accept his fate. He put down the small Buddha in his hand and faced reality, saying, “Understood, everyone, let’s do our best.”

Feeling responsible for the setback, Xiao Hai, who was injured, apologized with a heavy heart, “I’m sorry, this is my fault! I let everyone down.”

The team’s atmosphere suddenly became stifling. Fortunately, Coach Zhang took the initiative, “It’s okay; you take good care of your injury. The reason for this emergency meeting is not to blame anyone but to discuss a solution. Since Xiao Hai can’t play, who will substitute for the next two matches?”

DT had just persuaded a group of new players to leave, and now, only Lu Shi and Lin Lan could play.

Logically, Lin Lan, being the substitute support, should step in for the injured starter without any doubt. However, his recent suicide attempt had everyone concerned about his mental state, so they dared not speak up.

Lately, Wu Tianqi harbored strong resentment towards Lin Lan. The only way he could suppress him was through his starting position. If Lin Lan played alongside him, wouldn’t it be like treating him as an equal?

Thus, Wu Tianqi vehemently recommended another person, “Lu Shi is originally a top laner; playing support shouldn’t be that difficult, right? Just practice a few champions quickly and get through it.”

His assumed expertise only made him a laughingstock from the very beginning.

“The ‘support is useless’ argument” had long been outdated. Since the S5 version, support has gradually strengthened. In Lin Lan’s previous world, support had evolved to the point where it could influence the entire game. There was even a saying that went, “The effectiveness of the bot lane depends on the support’s skills.” This showed just how crucial the support role was.

Even in the current version of the mirror world, the support position was significant enough to take on a leadership role.

Lin Lan chuckled at Wu Tianqi’s absurdity. His round, narrow eyes were half closed, with a bright glint inside, unintentionally drawing people in.

Xiao Shengjing lifted his pale pupils to look at Lin Lan. Suddenly, he thought of what Ayu had said. People who had experienced death would understand certain things. What had Lin Lan figured out in the moment of death?

Xiao Shengjing was somewhat curious about him.

He hastily scribbled a few strokes on the notebook, outlining Lin Lan’s silhouette. As for what to fill inside, he couldn’t quite imagine.

After hearing Wu Tianqi’s fallacious argument, Xiao Hai’s eyes showed some disagreement. However, his weak nature prevented him from retorting, only leaving his eyes slightly reddened, evoking a sense of pity from Ayu.

Coach Zhang had grown accustomed to Wu Tianqi’s self-righteous thoughts. After listening to his words, he treated it as if he had heard a joke. “Let Xiao Lin come. I’ve seen him play support before; he performed well in the match when he joined the team.”

Lin Lan, upon hearing this, suddenly remembered. The coach who patted his shoulder during the third time travel, wasn’t he this round-faced guy? He seemed to have gained some roundness in this one-year absence.

Aside from his dislike for Lin Lan, Wu Tianqi harbored another concern. He was afraid that Lin Lan couldn’t control himself and might do something embarrassing on the stage, affecting his own future.

He insisted, “How can someone who attempted suicide play on stage? Aren’t you afraid he’ll cause trouble? Anyway, we’re going to lose the next few games. Instead of ruining our reputation, it’s better for everyone to cherish their own feathers and focus on their future.”

His words seemed to ring an alarm for everyone.

The games were undoubtedly going to be lost, and DT was undoubtedly going to disband. People should think more about their future matches.

Everyone fell silent, clearly concerned about this issue.

Coach Zhang sighed. He was a bit worn out, whether it was financially or mentally. “Lu Shi, Lin Lan, you two discuss who will play.”

Lu Shi was sitting relatively upfront, and everyone looked at him first. He hesitated for a long time without daring to agree.

It was precisely when he was in a dilemma and breaking out in a cold sweat.

In the corner, where the light couldn’t reach, Lin Lan suddenly stood up lazily, stretching in a cat-like, leisurely manner. “I’ll do it.”

As he stretched, his expression was as comfortable and relaxed as a cat’s. He casually put his hands in his pockets and sauntered toward the group.

His round, narrow eyes exuded an inherent confidence, as if all the challenges in the world were nothing to him.

At that moment, especially in Lu Shi’s heart, he seemed like a savior descending to earth on a rainbow.

Lu Shi looked at him excitedly, feeling like he was seeing a dear friend!

Lin Lan had a habit since childhood.

The more others said he couldn’t, the more he wanted to prove himself.

The more Wu Tianqi rejected him from playing, the more he insisted on playing. He wanted to make this noob open his eyes and see who the real cancer of this team was.

He slowly approached the others, still carrying that lazy and indifferent demeanor. Strangely, with the same face, why did he look exceptionally handsome today?

Coach Zhang admired his spirit of taking responsibility, repeatedly praising him with three “good” in a row.

Only Wu Tianqi was still against it. “Are you going to let someone who attempted suicide play in the game? I disagree! I just want to finish the last two games properly! I don’t want any mistakes!”

Lin Lan smiled nonchalantly, offering him a piece of cold knowledge, “If you’re afraid of not performing well and losing face, you can let Lu Shi play. He’s also good at playing top lane.”

Wu Tianqi instantly fell silent, his neck stiffened, and his expression looked as if he had just eaten something extremely unpleasant.

Lin Lan was in a good mood. He looked forward to playing. The expression on Wu Tianqi’s face would surely be very interesting, wouldn’t it?

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