153. Breaking Free from Restraints, Pursuing Dreams
The nurse pushed the wheelchair to Yun Ling's side.
She felt sorry for this child; he suffered from severe depression due to his family's problems, and the lack of proper treatment led to this tragic end.
She hoped he would recover soon.
"Yun Ling, let's go out and get some sun," the nurse said gently to Yun Ling.
She carefully helped him into the wheelchair and pushed him outside.
The outdoor sunlight was perfect, but Yun Ling had no heart to appreciate it, still staring blankly ahead.
"Yun Ling? What's wrong? Why are you in a wheelchair?"
A slightly familiar voice rang out.
Yun Ling mechanically turned his head, and the person's face gradually came into view.
"Brother...Soldier...?"
Perhaps it had been too long since he had spoken, Yun Ling had almost forgotten how to communicate.
Not only was his voice strange, but it was also scorched, making it uncomfortable to listen to.
The nurse beside him stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Having been there for so long, this was the first time she'd heard Yun Ling speak.
"Have you injured your leg?" Soldier asked with concern.
"..." Yun Ling opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.
"Um, are you Yun Ling's friend?" the nurse asked, her tone tinged with excitement.
"Friend... sort of. What happened to him?" Soldier inquired about Yun Ling's condition.
The nurse pulled Soldier aside and told him about the events of the past few months.
"This..." Soldier scratched his head, completely unable to understand what had happened to Yun Ling to make him like this.
Severe depression and suicidal tendencies, now also suffering from severe autism. That last sentence was the only thing he had uttered in the past few months.
Suddenly, Soldier recalled what had happened a year ago.
Could it be that his visit to Yun Ling's home to invite him to participate in a professional competition led his parents to believe he was addicted to the internet, ultimately resulting in this outcome?
A chill ran down Soldier's spine. If that was the reason, then... how was he supposed to face Yun Ling?
"You probably hold a significant place in his heart. He's actually willing to talk to you. Can you think of a way to ease his inner turmoil?" the nurse pleaded.
"Me? I didn't do anything..." Soldier was bewildered again.
"Think back carefully," the nurse said, watching him intently.
Soldier recalled his interactions with Yun Ling. Their only contact was through games; nothing else.
Could it be... games?
Soldier seemed to have found a direction.
"How about... I try?" Soldier glanced at Yun Ling, who was sitting in a wheelchair not far away, stood up, and pushed the wheelchair.
The nurse immediately followed to prevent any accidents.
"Where...are we going..." Yun Ling asked.
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, we're going to play games!" Soldier answered without hesitation.
The nurse was utterly astonished. What was this? However, she didn't stop Soldier; after all, this might be the key to saving Yun Ling.
Soldier was familiar with the area and soon led Yun Ling to an internet cafe.
The nurse, having changed her clothes, followed.
Soldier skillfully turned on the computer and opened a familiar game.
At that moment, a faint light seemed to appear in Yun Ling's eyes.
His hands touched the keyboard, awkwardly pressing each button.
Gradually, his movements became smoother, and a slight smile crept onto his thin face.
Just as Soldier had predicted, the game was Yun Ling's true stage!
The nurse watched this scene in disbelief. She took a picture of Yun Ling smiling and sent it to Yun Ling's mother.
Shortly afterward, Yun Ling was taken back to the hospital.
That day, Yun Ling's mother and Soldier talked for a long time.
Yun Ling didn't know what they had talked about; he only knew that the Soldier came to revisit him the next day.
"BRN Club is now officially inviting you to join their youth training program, Yun Ling. Would you like to join?" Soldier extended his hand to him.
Yun Ling didn't say a word, but straightened up and shook hands with Soldier.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Soldier said with a smile.
Afterwards, Soldier led Yun Ling away from the place he had lived for over a decade.
Yun Ling felt no regret, only anticipation for the unknown.
For the first time, he boarded an airplane, flying towards the dream he had been forced to abandon.
Looking at the bustling city, Yun Ling felt a sense of unease.
His simple clothes seemed out of place in this city.
"Come on, let me help you get ready before we go to the club," Soldier said, leading Yun Ling to a shopping mall.
He cut his long hair, which hadn't been trimmed in months, and changed into a brand new set of clothes.
Aside from his stiff facial expression, he was quite attractive.
"Our captain is a real beauty, don't get too mesmerized," Soldier said, seemingly remembering his own embarrassing moment earlier.
"Mm..." Yun Ling nodded in response.
Soldier led Yun Ling to the club, where the receptionist greeted them warmly.
"Captain, I'm back."
"Soldier, although you're a substitute now, you still need to make up for the training matches." A serious voice rang out.
"Uh... this happened suddenly, but I'm here to redeem myself." Soldier scratched his head and pushed Yun Ling forward a few steps.
She was tall and slender, with long, silver-gray hair coiled into a spiral. Her grey eyes held a hint of intelligence and domineering power, and her gaze towards Yun Ling carried a scrutinizing quality.
"And this is..." Bronya inquired.
"Remember the kid I told you about a year ago? That esports prodigy, that's him, Yun Ling," Soldier introduced.
Yun Ling didn't speak, only nodded at her.
Just as Soldier said, she was beautiful, more beautiful than any girl Yun Ling had ever seen.
But… he couldn't see her.
Because Yun Ling didn't meet her eyes, his gaze was blankly fixed on Bronya.
In Yun Ling's eyes, Bronya was just a blurry figure.
"Oh? Didn't I remember his parents wouldn't let him be a professional player? We even lost the sixth league championship because of it," Bronya said with a hint of regret.
If Yun Ling had been there, the championship would have been a sure thing.
They got second place back then because they found a stronger jungler, but couldn't find a suitable top laner.
So they had Soldier fill in.
But Soldier was, after all, a jungler by trade, so facing tactical countermeasures, they ultimately missed out on the championship.
"Uh… Yun Ling's situation is a bit complicated. I'll explain to you later, Captain." Soldier shook his head.
"Hello, Yun Ling, I'm Ai·Hyperion∧, currently the jungler for the BRN team."
A green-clad woman greeted Yunling warmly.
Yunling nodded without speaking.
"You're so rude!" A rabbit flew up in front of Yun Ling.
"A flying rabbit?" A look of surprise flashed in Yun Ling's eyes.
"That's incredibly disrespectful! I'm Heavy Bunny 19C, and here you should call me Senior Bunny!" Heavy Bunny stomped her foot angrily in mid-air.
However, Yun Ling's silence was the only response.
Bronya quietly observed this scene and finally concluded.
"This child… seems to have serious psychological problems?"
…