Jiang Lele looked at Jiang Shi’s blushing face emoji and was utterly stunned. “Captain, he didn’t curse at you!”
He even went to the enemy’s blue buff area to help Xie Xu steal a blue buff and cover Xie Xu’s retreat!
“Do you think he recognizes you?” Jiang Lele mumbled.
Since then, not only did Jiang Shi refrain from cursing, but he also stayed close to Xie Xu all the time. Wherever the Snowman went, Senna followed with her gun, always feeding the Snowman blue buffs.
Seeing this, Jiang Lele was envious. Seeing that victory was already decided, he spoke up to Xie Xu, “Captain, let me try.”
If Jiang Shi gave him a blue buff too, he’d consider forgiving Jiang Shi for the time he cursed at him in voice chat!
Jiang Shi had been following Xie Xu’s Snowman, dominating the battlefield and about to invade the enemy jungle again, when he noticed the Snowman suddenly paused.
Then, instead of leading the way, the Snowman sneakily moved behind him, clearly waiting for him to take the lead.
Jiang Shi: “…”
He watched as the Snowman clumsily moved behind him, expressionless as he secured the enemy’s blue buff.
Jiang Lele, who had been eagerly waiting, exploded.
[Team Chat] Lele Happy Every Day1btw, “Le” in Jiang Lele’s name means happy/glad: You’ll lose your teammates like this! Better watch out, or I’ll give you a hard time!
[Team Chat] Lele Happy Every Day: But if you give me a blue buff too, I might consider forgiving you.
Jiang Shi raised an eyebrow.
[Team Chat] Don’t Look For Abuse: So it really was Xu playing earlier.
[Team Chat] Don’t Look For Abuse: Also, did I pass the trial?
[Team Chat] Lele Happy Every Day: ?
Jiang Lele was taken aback by Jiang Shi’s sharpness and immediately went silent.
For some reason, Jiang Shi, in a good mood or maybe thinking of future team camaraderie, gave Jiang Lele a blue buff.
Jiang Lele immediately smirked, “Smart move.”
Yu Hui, sitting next to him, rolled his eyes.
“Why did he ask about the buff color?” Jiang Lele wondered but still typed a reply.
[Team Chat] Lele Happy Every Day: It’s blue!
[Team Chat] Lele Happy Every Day: Why do you ask?
[Team Chat] Don’t Look For Abuse: Oh, I thought you were colorblind.
[Team Chat] Don’t Look For Abuse: Because my hair is gray, not white.
Jiang Shi then sent a smiling emoji.
Jiang Lele’s brain automatically translated that smile into “You idiot”.
“Ahh! I’m going to fight him!”
This guy couldn’t stand bearing a little loss!
Next to him, Yu Hui pressed down on his gaming chair to stop him from rocking it wildly. “You called him Little White Hair guy as soon as you met.”
“And besides, Jiang Shi will join the team this week. You can challenge him face-to-face instead of acting crazy here.”
But Jiang Lele instantly chickened out, “No way.”
That guy seemed like a tough opponent – he might not be able to win.
The enemy’s crystal was destroyed, and after the game ended, Jiang Lele immediately logged off.
He wasn’t giving Jiang Shi another chance to yell at him!
Yu Hui: “…”
The day after Jiang Lele’s slip, Jiang Shi received confirmation of passing the trial from Yuan Yang.
Yuan Yang said they’d send over the electronic contract first, and if Jiang Shi had no objections, he could come to sign it this Saturday and move into the TLG base.
Jiang Shi didn’t have many friends in real life, so he only shared the news with Bamboo, who immediately invited him out for a drink to celebrate.
They booked a private room at a high-end restaurant downtown, a place TLG often dined at, according to Bamboo.
“The food here is pretty good. TLG has good taste.” Bamboo poured Jiang Shi a drink, feeling a bit sentimental. “Once you join TLG, it’ll be harder to see each other.”
Jiang Shi downed his drink in one go. “Don’t be dramatic, we’ll probably see each other in the Rift the next day.”
Bamboo was amused by his witty remark. “True.”
He remembered something and asked, “You met Xu during the trial, right? How was it?”
Jiang Shi immediately thought of Xie Xu’s face, giving the highest praise, “A heavenly dish indeed.”
In almost twenty years, he hadn’t encountered anyone who matched his taste so well.
“That heart-racing feeling—” Jiang Shi recalled the moment vividly, concluding seriously, “I must be in love.”
Bamboo found this strangely familiar. “Didn’t you say the same thing when you saw that hand close-up?”
At that time, Jiang Shi diligently accompanied his partner every day after his livestream. After his secondary account was lost, Jiang Shi looked very lost for a long time.
“You got over your excellent ex-boyfriend so quickly?”
“Of course not.” Jiang Shi sighed, taking a melancholy sip. “I mourned him for over 300 days. Xie Xu’s appearance healed me.”
“Bullshit.” Bamboo rolled his eyes at Jiang Shi. “You’re just a natural scumbag.”
“Someone like Xie Xu isn’t that easy to fool.”
After all, with Xie Xu’s standing in the esports world, he had seen all kinds of people.
Jiang Shi knew this too. He took a cigarette from the pack Bamboo left on the table, expertly popping one out and placing it in his mouth. “That’s why I have to act all innocent!”
The more experienced someone is, the more they appreciate pure and well-behaved types.
At least that’s how it goes in TV dramas.
“Give me a light.”
Seeing Jiang Shi’s innocent-looking face, Bamboo couldn’t bring himself to light it. “Don’t smoke here, it’ll make the room reek.”
Hearing this, Jiang Shi just bit down on the cigarette, savoring the slight bitterness on his tongue.
There was a time when he was seriously addicted to cigarettes. During that online relationship, he slowly quit because his boyfriend asked him to. Now, it didn’t matter whether he smoked or not.
They chatted for a bit longer before Jiang Shi’s phone rang on the table.
It was a voice message from Yuan Yang, saying that TLG was dining out and asking if he wanted to join.
The message was mixed with Jiang Lele’s voice talking to a waiter, “Open the most expensive red wine for me, we’re not leaving sober tonight—”
Before he could finish, someone cut him off.
Jiang Shi immediately saw this as a golden opportunity.
[Jiangjiang Doesn’t Eat Ginger2his ID is actually 江江不吃姜; and the 姜 is the Jiang in Jiang Lele’s name! He probably does mean he doesn’t eat ginger, or it could be a nudge towards Lele, who’s to say?: No need, Yang-ge. I’ve already eaten, and I can’t drink much. I’ve been rushing for points all day, so I’m a little tired, I’m going to go to bed soon!]
[Jiangjiang Doesn’t Eat Ginger: Have fun, everyone!]
He added an adorable kitten squatting emoji.
Yuan Yang was very pleased, turning around to give the hollering Jiang Lele a flick on the head. “You’re too young to be drinking! Learn from Jiang Shi!”
Jiang Lele, rubbing his head in grievance, asked, “Learn what from him?”
Yuan Yang showed everyone Jiang Shi’s message. “This is what a 19-year-old should be doing.”
Hardworking, disciplined, early to bed and early to rise. Such a good kid!
He knocked on the table, “You two over there, put out those cigarettes!”
Zhao Jiu and Yu Hui, who had been named: “…”
Xie Xu, after ordering the dishes, added a few bottles of low-ABV red wine. “It’s fine, just for today.”
Jiang Lele immediately grinned, “Captain, you’re the best! Adults should live like adults, not like that little kid!”
He then asked the waiter for some Sprite to mix with the wine later.
Yuan Yang frowned at Xie Xu, “You’re spoiling them!”
Xie Xu nonchalantly took the blame.
After the higher-ups decided to recruit Jiang Shi, they had An to move to the auxiliary building.
The main building’s third floor only had five rooms, meant for the starting five, so An naturally had to make room for the newcomer.
Usually not one to stay in the training room for long, An lingered this time, making snide remarks to his teammates about being discarded once their use was over, even though his contract wasn’t up yet.
At that time, Jiang Lele got teary-eyed with anger, and Yu Hui almost started a fight.
Xie Xu eventually quelled the situation, saying An’s new training area was in the auxiliary building.
An was left speechless and pale but bit his tongue, packed his things, and left.
Yuan Yang sensed the tense atmosphere in the training room and, upon inquiry, learned about the situation.
“Whatever, it’s the off-season anyway. Drinking a bit is no big deal.” Yuan Yang hoped they would lighten up. “But saying that, An might hold a grudge against you.”
Xie Xu lightly tapped his glass, making a clear sound. “We don’t need him.”
His tone was calm but carried an undercurrent of confidence and arrogance.
Yuan Yang realized his worry was unnecessary.
Xie Xu was, after all, the star player who led TLG to three consecutive championships, with countless endorsements worth millions. Jealous and envious people were everywhere.
An’s actions showed he didn’t care about TLG, and a fallout was only a matter of time.
After several rounds of drinks, Jiang Lele looked at Xie Xu, conflicted, and showed him his phone. “Captain, I think I found your crazy fan.”
He showed Xie Xu Time’s livestream.
#Sneaking away to have an affair with Xu today, stream canceled#
Though Time wasn’t live, the chat was already filled with angry fans.
[Alright alright alright, you unfilial son, you’re still trying to trick your father?]
[If you’re going out to mess around, just do it, don’t use Xu as an excuse. (Unless you show me some bed pics)]
[Auntie’s in a bad mood today, she came specifically to watch your stream, but you’re not even online. Unfollowing.]
[T Bao has been flaking a lot lately, is he planning to quit?]
This comment sparked a lot of debate, with many denying the possibility.
[No way, this kind is practically the unofficial boss of Little Bear TV. Where can he run to?]
[Stop guessing, this idiot is just baiting us!]
[So, what is Time up to exactly?]
This comment was quickly answered.
[Your Fatter Jiang: Stop yelling, busy kissing Xu~]
This comment garnered a lot of question marks, and even Jiang Lele couldn’t help but glance at Xie Xu.
The person who was supposedly being kissed: “…”
Xie Xu pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a mix of exasperation and amusement. “Has he always been like this?”
Jiang Lele thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. Time was just as flamboyant when reminiscing about his ex-boyfriend.
Time continued to interact with his fans in a “friendly” manner.
[Your Father Jiang: No way I’m sharing bed pics, those are for my private collection only.]
[Your Father Jiang: To the auntie who unfollowed, hope you feel better soon. (hug) (sad face)]
Time’s words successfully won back that female fan’s heart, who immediately sent several small gifts to prove her loyalty, and she also said that she would patiently wait next time.
Yuan Yang came over, frowning as he read the messy comments. “What’s up with this stream? What’s with all the uncles and aunts?”
Jiang Lele explained, “Time has specific titles for fan levels. Levels 1-3 are ‘cheap sons,’ 4-6 are ‘stupid brothers’…”
He couldn’t remember the rest clearly. “Anyway, level 100 is father,’ and female fans get a corresponding title.”
Jiang Lele finished, shyly sipping his drink. “I’m level 34, so I’m his little uncle~”
Yuan Yang looked at him, speechless. “Jiang Lele, stop following these weird streamers. They have no filter or class.”
He said this while preventing Jiang Lele from pouring more wine. “And don’t treat mixed drinks as soda. When Jiang Shi joins us, learn from him! He doesn’t smoke or drink and is very diligent.”
“I checked his account earlier. He’s already reached Grandmaster and is probably asleep now.”
In Yuan Yang’s mind, Jiang Shi had become the model for the younger generation.
Reluctantly, Jiang Lele exited Time’s stream.
Xie Xu, unfazed by the interruption, picked up his coat. “I’m going out for some air.”
He walked to the end of the hotel corridor, stepped onto the balcony, and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag.
Time’s behavior reminded him of someone else.
That person was just as unfiltered yet charming.
But those were memories now.
The wind quickly consumed the cigarette, the smoke drifting back into the corridor.
“Damn… why is it so hard to find the restroom here? And there’s no one around.”
Jiang Shi, slightly tipsy, caught a whiff of smoke and looked up, seeing a faint red glow in the dark. The tall silhouette seemed familiar, but his hazy mind couldn’t pinpoint why. Leaning against the wall, he grabbed the person’s sleeve, “Hey, do you know where the restroom is—”
The motion-activated light turned on, illuminating the other person’s face.
Sharp features, defined contours, made even more striking by the dim light.
Jiang Shi: “?”
His drunkenness vanished instantly.
Why was Xie Xu here?! Shit, and he looked so drunk now!
They stared at each other in silence for three seconds.
Xie Xu stubbed out his cigarette, the odd mood from before dissipating as he looked at the supposedly well-behaved kid. A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes. “Can’t handle your drinks, huh—”
He glanced down at the hand gripping his arm. “Want me to take you to the restroom?”
“Huh? What drinks?” Jiang Shi decided to play dumb to the end, blinking innocently at Xie Xu. “I had too much orange juice.”
He tried to keep up the good boy act, but then let out a long, loud burp.
Jiang Shi: “?”
![You’re Causing Chaos Again [e-sports]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1sMqC2JNjIep8Ov.jpg "You’re Causing Chaos Again [e-sports]")
