Translated by 🎏
Edited by apricot, @babyybluebear
It was with a bellyful of suspicion that Wei Xiao went to the mini dress rehearsal a day before the tournament, meeting the other commentators and getting familiar with the venue.
There was no script as the commentary was live, but there were still several points that he had to take note of.
For example, what he was allowed and not allowed to say. Although pro players essentially took to the commentary booth in order to excite the crowd, there was still a code of conduct. Their words would not only reflect on the esports committee but also the players themselves.
If anything happened during the commentary, it would influence the public image of the pro players and bode badly for all parties.
Wei Xiao understood and respected these guidelines. As fellow Close simps, he and Brother Big Mouth were able to hit it off and banter with each other even before going on air.
Brother Big Mouth wasn’t worried about Wei Xiao. Rather, he was more worried about Yan Jiang.
Yan Jiang was also there as one of the next day’s commentators. Having actively sought out this engagement, he was accommodating toward the necessary arrangements.
Wei Xiao discreetly studied him for a long time, and Yan Jiang noticed the attention. “What?”
Wei Xiao had thick skin and didn’t panic at being discovered. He was utterly collected. “I was just a little surprised.”
Yan Jiang: “Hm?”
Wei Xiao probed without demur, “I didn’t expect that you’d agree to cover the event.”
Yan Jiang looked at him and suddenly said, “Why do you want to know.”
It was a statement, not a question.
Amused, Wei Xiao looked at him with his head propped up on one hand. “Are you going to tell me, Captain Yan?”
Yan Jiang dropped his gaze slightly, glancing at his neck.
Wei Xiao was wearing a loose-collared T-shirt today, through which a slim black cord was faintly visible over pale collarbones. The black cord dipped under his shirt, concealing the object that hung from it.
Sensing Yan Jiang’s line of sight, Wei Xiao nonchalantly pulled the black cord out, and the object dropped onto his palm.
Sure enough, it was a championship ring.
Wei Xiao didn’t skirt around the topic. “Captain gave it to me.”
Yan Jiang averted his gaze. “Mm.”
Wei Xiao added, “It’s my lucky charm.”
Yan Jiang looked back up at him again. “Lucky charm?”
Wei Xiao revealed a toothy grin. “A symbol that FTW will definitely win this year’s championship!”
Only Little Lunatic Wei could boast so audaciously in front of a fellow competitor in the finals yet incur no hate.
With mirth in his eyes, Yan Jiang responded in a deep voice, “Y1 has five rings.”
Y1 were the defending champions, and the line-up was the same as it was last year. Each of them bore a ring on their hand.
The burn that Wei Xiao suffered was so great that he was rendered completely speechless!
Yan Jiang lowered his gaze, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll give you a present after the solo tournament.”
Wei Xiao hurriedly clambered down the stairs. “What present?”
Yan Jiang: “You’ll see.”
It was so mysterious. Wei Xiao countered, “It wouldn’t be a lucky charm, would it?”
Smiling, Yan Jiang didn’t divulge anything.
Wei Xiao: “!”
No way, it couldn’t be. Captain Yan, you wouldn’t be so silly as to spur your opponent on before the finals, right?!
Oh…
Wei Xiao did seem to especially enjoy doing that himself, prodding at people until they got chills.
The dress rehearsal was completed swiftly, and it neared dinnertime. As a local to the area, Wei Xiao naturally made an offer. “Captain Yan, shall we eat together?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Kb tlr regqglrf, Tjc Aljcu jugffv. “Yxjs.”
Ktf sbecu jrrlrajca kjr mbwqifafis yjooifv.
‘Yxjs’ wfjca sfr, gluta?
Lf vlvc’a wlrecvfgrajcv yfmjerf bo tlr ibers Jtlcfrf, vlv tf?
Yan Jiang turned around and quietly instructed the little assistant.
The assistant: “…………”
OMG, he really did agree!
Unable to believe it, the young assistant turned to look at Wei Xiao, but Wei Xiao didn’t look awed. He said, very naturally, “I’ll ask captain if he’s free.”
Yan Jiang: “……”
Wei Xiao was already making the call, winking at Yan Jiang. “Let’s go to Battle Axe Steakhouse. We’ll have captain foot the bill!
It was about three hundred bucks per person so this was just ripping off the rich!
Hearing that, the assistant instantly panicked: God Yan didn’t eat beef…
But before he could voice his doubts, Yan Jiang responded, “Alright.”
The young assistant didn’t know what to say.
Wei Xiao didn’t expect that when the call went through, it was rather noisy on Lu Feng’s end.
The solo tournament was just around the corner. As the big brother, Yuan Ze (forcibly) put together a scrimmage. The session had only just ended.
Upon hearing that Yuan Ze was there, he got the captain to enable speakerphone and yelled into the receiver, “Teacher Yuan, time to eat!”
Yuan Ze: “Eat? C’mon, hurry up and let’s play a few more games.”
Wei Xiao: “Captain Yan is also here!”
Yuan Ze: “…………”
At the computers opposite the table, Kim Sung-hyun and Xie He also looked up.
And so a majestic group of people ended up attending a casual dinner.
Wei Xiao was naturally all smiles when he saw Lu Feng, going up to him at once, but when he saw the rest tailing behind…
Yuan Ze had a wicked grin on his face.
Xie He glared at him.
Being the more friendly sort, Kim Sung-hyun greeted him in a lukewarm manner.
Old G swore under his breath. “Quiet, you’re quite something…”
Wei Xiao: “???”
Yuan Ze put on an affected tone. “It’s such a hot day, let’s collect God Xie’s life to help him cool down a little!”
Wei Xiao: “!”
Pufferfish Xie raised his eyebrows and a murderous miasma instantly rolled through the restaurant.
Wei Xiao hurried to explain. “Right. About that… God Xie…”
Xie He pulled out his seat and used his eyes to transmit three words to him – you’re done for.
Wei Xiao hastily hid at Lu Feng’s side for protection, but Xie He calmly and steadily took the seat on his right.
Wei Xiao: “………………”
He had this sinking feeling that he wasn’t going to be able to have steak tonight QAQ!
There was also Gary, who was worrying so much that he had lost his appetite.
Just take a look at the identities of those seated around the table.
All five of the Team of Gods gathered together!
He didn’t belong here. His place was under the table!
Wei Xiao was a little apprehensive at first, but after hearing that Xie He’s ‘punishment’ for him was to solo, he instantly felt better.
That’s it? He thought that it’d be worse.
Did soloing even count as punishment?
If that was considered punishment, he’d gladly be a repeat offender!
The five people who had once shared meals and a roof had not gathered together like this since parting ways three years ago.
Yan Jiang had met up with Xie He before, as had Yuan Ze and Kim Sung-hyun.
This year, Lu Feng, Yuan Ze, Kim Sung-hyun and even Xie He had shared a meal.
But this was the first time that all five of them had reunited.
Furthermore, it was an impromptu and unexpected event.
There had been no prior plans, but here they were, all taking their places at the table.
It seemed so strange yet natural at the same time.
As if nothing had ever happened, as if no time had ever gone by.
As if even they themselves were still the same people they had always been.
Yuan Ze, Kim Sung-hyun, Xie He and Close all remembered something. “Add a grilled cod to the order.”
Yan Jiang didn’t like eating beef. Whenever FTW used to eat out, his teammates would go for steak while he would have cod.
It was only then that Wei Xiao found out. “Captain Yan, you don’t eat beef?”
Yan Jiang nodded.
Wei Xiao said, vexed, “I wouldn’t have come here if I’d known…”
Yan Jiang said softly, “It’s fine.”
It was indeed. A steakhouse didn’t only serve steak.
It was as if what happened between them in the past was no more than a regretful parting.
After the meal, Wei Xiao said on a whim, “Let’s take a picture!”
Everyone at the table, including Old G, froze up.
Old G: “About that…”
Wei Xiao waved a hand.
Gary: “…………”
Having some level of self-awareness, Old G cleared out.
Without waiting for a response, Wei Xiao took a few steps back and snapped three photos.
In the first, Yuan Ze looked stunned, Xie He looked dazed and Kim Sung-hyun looked muddled. Yan Jiang and Lu Feng remained expressionless.
In the next, Yuan Ze was clicking his tongue, Xie He had managed to regain some composure and Kim Sung-hyun was solemn. Yan Jiang and Lu Feng still remained expressionless.
In the third, there was a smirk pulling the corners of Yuan Ze’s mouth while there was relief in Xie He’s eyes. The tip of Kim Sung-hyun’s nose had turned slightly red, Yan Jiang was looking warmly into the lens while Lu Feng was looking gently at Wei Xiao.
Wei Xiao signalled the waiter over and passed his phone over.
The waiter understood the assignment. “Okay.”
Wei Xiao pulled up the silly Big G, who was just about to slide beneath the table, and the two of them stood behind the Team of Gods, flashing a victory sign at the lens.
Ka-cha.
Locking the present into a picture.
On the day of the World Solo Tournament, the stadium was completely packed!
The team tournament was fun to watch, but the solo tournament was always even more intense.
It was especially so at the Chinese stadium, as that was where the globally ranked players had assembled in person.
Just look at the player lineup and the fan signs – the tournament had not yet begun, but the stadium was already boiling over.
On the stage were the All-Stars, but even the players currently off-stage had some level of fame.
FTW, Y1, L&P, EVE, Pro… The starters and coaches of powerhouses across the globe were virtually all present.
3U, TPT, RR… The star players of top teams domestically were also in full attendance.
The VIPs backstage this time were Chen Feng and Fu Li.
It was unusual for Chen Feng to get the opportunity to be at the VIP seats. The emcee quipped, “This probably can’t compare to managing the draft for Close in the solo tournament.”
In the previous competition format, the solo tournament also had a pick-and-ban phase. This was the reason why Chen Feng was also called the man behind the Great Demon King. It was because he was the only person who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Close on the stage of the world finals.
Chen Feng was in a good mood, and his lips curved into a smile. “It’s more comfortable to be seated than standing.”
The VIPs had seats, whereas coaches usually remained standing.
Actually, it wasn’t so much about his comfort with the seating but that his mood was drastically different now.
In past years, he had accompanied Lu Feng to foreign countries and watched him brave the storm alone.
This year, however, the tournament was in China, on their home ground. Close was also no longer alone, and FTW was no longer the laughingstock of the world.
The current circumstances were completely incomparable to that of the past.
The emcee proceeded to ask Fu Li about Eurostar’s participation.
Captain Fu nudged his gold-rimmed spectacles, saying evenly, “The goal is just to let him take part.”
It was beyond them to aim for the trophy; it was already a great stroke of luck that Eurowimp could make it to the international stage.
Fu Li wasn’t undermining his own teammate’s strength; it was just in light of this kind of lineup, any one of Eurostar’s competitors could make him break out into cold sweat.
Their objective for participating wasn’t to place first but to provide him an opportunity to spar against strong competitors in an attempt to cure him of his cowardice.
If TPT did actually have interest in placing, they wouldn’t have sent Eurostar out to compete.
Fu Li was actually more suited for solo tournaments in every aspect.
On the other side of the stadium, the commentary booth was just as lively as the VIP seats.
The moment Wei Xiao and Yan Jiang appeared, the livestream chat started shrieking.
Brother Big Mouth was a rather handsome fellow, but he was instantly overshadowed when the two of them stood next to him.
He wasn’t as tall, fit or handsome.
More than that, his charisma couldn’t match up either!
Wei Xiao and Yan Jiang were both in their team uniforms, and the pitch black of FTW’s uniform starkly contrasted with the pure white of Y1’s uniform.
One was wild and free; the other was placid and composed.
One had a naturally sunny disposition and seemed as if he could laugh off anything; the other was naturally austere with long and narrow dark eyes that kept his thoughts inscrutable.
Wei Xiao beamed at the camera, greeting everyone. “Hey there, I’m FTW.Quiet.”
Yan Jiang’s eyes were dark and deep, and his voice was crisp. “Good evening. I am Y1.Yan.”
It was a simple self-introduction, yet it ignited thunderous applause across the stadium.
The lens panned to the stage where the pro players had taken their seats and were currently connecting their peripherals. The esports committee had also gone all-out here.
Seated in a ring, from left to right, were Yuan Ze, Lu Feng, Xie He and Kim Sung-hyun… Their exact positions were a distant echo of the seat arrangement from back when they were competing with FTW.
Top lane, jungle, mid lane, bottom lane…
And there was their support, sitting on the far right in the commentary booth.
@babyybluebear: I still can’t decide if Yan Jiang is playing mother-in-law or sth, but Wei Xiao is already doing wife duties for husband’s family mending LOL
Thank you for the chapter!
Was I the only one who felt like tearing when they met up for dinner and had an impromptu family photo?! 🥺 Love our Wei Xiao for this!
Wei Xiao, who grew up without parents but his grandma had so much love to give, that he now have so much to share 🥹
Wei Xiaoxiao, such a dedicated wife la~ >w<
Thank you for the candies- Ah, I mean, the chapter. Thank you for the chapter!!
Thanks dear!
Wei Xiao is amazing, always!
I love him with Close, but I really want to know if Cap Yan feels something for Wei 🤐 He agrees with everything so easily 👀
Don’t get me wrong, Wei Xiaoxiao and Lu Feng are meant to be but the way Yan Jiang agrees to everything Wei Xiao suggests is adorable in a non-romantic way.
Thanks for the chapter!!
The story is so good I’m upset the characters aren’t real and we can’t see the picture 😭 what a warm meal for everyone
Thanks for the chapter. I think he is playing mil…lol
This chapter made me smile so much. First of all, I love Yan Jiang. I gotta find someone to ship him with…
And t heir team dinner was so cute!
WX is such a gem. Thanks for the chapter. It is much appreciated. I love this novel.