After the match ended, Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang were invited to accept an interview together.
Seeing the two handsome guys appear at the interview desk simultaneously, the reporter excitedly picked up the microphone. "Congratulations to Tianhuan for a 3:1 victory in the first round of the playoffs! Welcome, Shuoyue and Lieyang, to the interview desk!"
Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu took the microphones and politely greeted the cameramen and reporters.
The reporter said, "In today's match, Tianhuan brought out many lineup compositions we didn't see in the regular season. For example, the [Soul Reaper] and [Spirit Butterfly] tracking system in the first game; the Sun, Moon, and Star combination in the second game; and the [Abyssal Lord] Jungle with [Sharpshooter] Mid in the fourth game. These tactics were truly refreshing for the audience!"
She paused, then turned to look at the two of them. "What is the reason behind Tianhuan making so many changes? Since there were many lineups that performed well in the regular season, wouldn't it be more stable to use those?"
Ye Shaoyang explained, "Because we wanted to seek a breakthrough and try some new lineups. For example, Mage Jungle and Marksman Mid—the principle of the Mid-Jungle synergy is actually the same, but by swapping positions, we can keep the opponent guessing during the BP phase, and we also have more options."
Hearing this, Xie Yuan couldn't help but roast, "In the future, playing against Tianhuan, we might as well just give up on the BP."
Fang Zhengqing agreed, "Mn. They can even swap hero positions at will. We banned a bunch of Junglers, and Chi Shu ended up taking a Mage into the Jungle? It was a complete waste of effort."
Hearing this, Coach Chen couldn't help but sigh softly.
He thought back to when he first started following the streamer 'Xiao Bai.' Back then, Xiao Bai was just a newbie rushing the national server ranking with [Abyssal Lord]. In the blink of an eye, a year had passed, and Ye Shaoyang's growth speed was truly astonishing.
Not only had he become an all-around Mid-laner who could play every Mage, but he could even bring Marksmen out to play in matches, helping Team Tianhuan enrich their tactical thinking greatly. His combat level, psychological quality, and understanding of the macro game were already at the level of an international-class Mid-laner.
It was truly a pity that he hadn't been able to secure Xiao Bai for Team Jingzhe back then, allowing Chi Shu to snatch him up.
Looking at the handsome young man speaking with fervor in the interview booth, Coach Chen couldn't help but lament, "With Shuoyue and Lieyang joining forces, perhaps this season… the World Championship trophy can finally be brought back to our Huaguo region."
Fang Zhengqing turned to look at him. "Is Coach resigned to letting Tianhuan win the championship?"
Coach Chen said, "Although I'm very unwilling, I have to say, the S10 Tianhuan team is indeed very strong. Even stronger than S6!"
Fang Zhengqing smiled and patted the coach's shoulder. "It's fine. We've already done our best. Let's just play the remaining matches well and leave no regrets."
They say Alphas are very competitive, but Fang Zhengqing's mindset had always been very "Buddha-like" (chill/go-with-the-flow). Compared to captains of other teams who hyped their players up with adrenaline every day, Fang Zhengqing spent most of his free time petting his cat.
Hype them up? Impossible.
Fang Zhengqing had never been blood-pumping or passionate; he always looked sleepy, as if he had just woken up. Win or lose, he maintained a "just finish playing" attitude. The League's Laziest Alpha lived up to his reputation.
At the interview desk, the reporter changed the topic. "Lieyang, many fans want to know, has your mindset changed after winning the Individual World Championship? Did that championship give you more confidence to try using new tactics?"
Ye Shaoyang said, "My confidence didn't come from that trophy."
He looked at Chi Shu beside him, smiled slightly, and said, "It was given to me by my teammates."
The reporter asked, "You mean, Tianhuan's teammates give you a lot of confidence?"
Ye Shaoyang nodded. "That's right. Qu Jiang's performance is always stable, Old Qin is our solid shield, and Xiao Xing is improving very fast… And there's our Captain Chi. Every time we link up as Mid-Jungle, our thoughts are synchronized, which is why I have the confidence to try more heroes. Because I know my teammates will definitely support me."
The reporter couldn't help but look at Chi Shu. "What does Captain Chi think? when Lieyang used [Sharpshooter] in the Mid lane, did you never suspect he might make a mistake?"
Chi Shu said calmly, "I never doubt Yangyang's ability." He looked at Ye Shaoyang with a gentle gaze. "So, no matter what choice Yangyang makes, I will believe in him and support him. I think that's how teammates should trust each other."
Many players watching the match: "..."
That sentence really stings!
Not all teammates trust each other like you two, okay? Some teammates would argue or even fall out over hero selection and lineup composition issues.
Teammates like you two, whose brainwaves are synchronized, are the minority!
The reporter was roasting them internally as well, but outwardly joked, "Cough, if the Professional League issued a 'Model Partners Award,' I think Shuoyue and Lieyang would definitely win the trophy!"
Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu looked at each other and smiled.
Chi Shu said, "Pity there isn't such an award."
Ye Shaoyang chimed in, "I suggest Chairman Qiu consider it. Issue a Model Partner trophy to us."
Chairman Qiu: "???"
What is a Model Partner? I've only heard of a Model Couple Award?
The reporter hurriedly ended the topic. "Thank you both for accepting our interview. I hope Tianhuan continues to show their style in the upcoming matches! See you next week!"
After the interview, they had to pass through a long corridor to return to the backstage area.
Chi Shu walked in front, and Ye Shaoyang followed behind him. Under the dim lights, Chi Shu suddenly gently took Ye Shaoyang's hand, interlacing their fingers.
Ye Shaoyang's heart skipped a beat. He didn't let go; instead, he actively held back.
The two walked forward secretly holding hands. In the quiet space, the frequency of their heartbeats seemed particularly clear. It wasn't until the end of the corridor, the moment the lights brightened, that they tacitly let go of each other, putting on an expression of "we are just good partners."
Backstage, the Jingzhe players were discussing where to eat. Upon seeing Chi Shu, Xie Yuan turned and said, "Chi Shu, going for a late-night snack tonight?"
Chi Shu asked, cutting straight to the point, "Do I need to treat?"
Xie Yuan smiled unabashedly, his eyes curving. "Everyone heard that, right? Captain Chi is treating. Thanks, Captain Chi!"
Chi Shu: "…"
Seeing Chi Shu looking speechless, Ye Shaoyang couldn't help but whisper, "These old friends of yours are really interesting. Xie Yuan is practically the King of Freeloading, isn't he? He makes you treat him every time a match ends."
This was already the third time.
Chi Shu shrugged. "Fine, I'll treat you guys to a meal. Consider it payment for taking Fang Zhengqing's First Blood."
Fang Zhengqing didn't get angry. He adjusted his glasses and said, "Then I have to choose a place carefully and make your wallet bleed a little more. Hmm… how about the Starry Sky Restaurant?"
Chi Shu was speechless. "Is that necessary?"
Fang Zhengqing and Xie Yuan spoke in unison: "Of course it is!"
Ye Shaoyang didn't know about the Starry Sky Restaurant, so he quickly searched it on his phone—it was one of the famous high-end revolving restaurants in Star City, located on the top floor of the Galaxy Building. The average cost per person was very high. If Chi Shu really treated so many people there, his wallet would definitely suffer massive blood loss.
Coach Chen stepped in to stop them in time. "Cough, jokes aside, there's no need to be so extravagant and wasteful. It wouldn't look good if reporters took photos of it. Let's just eat something casual nearby."
Xie Yuan thought for a moment and said, "How about that BBQ shop on Longhu Road? It's not far."
Chi Shu said, "Sure."
The players and coaches of both teams went to the BBQ shop Xie Yuan designated.
According to the schedule, Jingzhe had been knocked into the Loser's Bracket, and their next opponent would only be determined after the first round of the Loser's Bracket finished. Tianhuan's next opponent would also be determined after Beimu and Yueying played in the Winner's Bracket, which would take two weeks.
With plenty of time, the replay analysis could wait until tomorrow. The two coaches also wanted the players to relax.
On the way, Ye Shaoyang looked at the scenery outside the car window, feeling it was somewhat familiar. It wasn't until the car turned onto a street and he saw the huge sign of the "Star City E-sports Center" not far ahead—with lights shining on the sign—that he realized this was the place where Chi Shu had once taken him for the e-sports talent test. It was also the place where Chi Shu trained in his youth.
After getting out of the car, Xie Yuan led everyone into the BBQ shop with familiar ease.
The owner of the BBQ shop was pleasantly surprised. "A-Yuan, what brings you here!" Seeing the people behind him, the owner got excited again. "Little Chi, Little Fang, you're all here!"
Fang Zhengqing smiled and said, "Auntie Lin, we just finished a match, so I brought the teammates over for a late-night snack."
Chi Shu also nodded to her in greeting.
Ye Shaoyang looked at Chi Shu, who leaned close to his ear and introduced in a low voice, "Back when we were at the Star City Youth Training Base, we often trained until two or three in the morning. When we got hungry, we'd order takeout from this place. If we got tired of the base food, we'd come to the shop for BBQ to improve our diet. So the landlady knows us."
Ye Shaoyang suddenly realized, "No wonder Xie Yuan wanted to come here. You haven't been here for many years, right?"
Chi Shu nodded. "I haven't been here for five years since leaving the Youth Training Base."
Everyone found a large private room on the second floor and sat down.
Xie Yuan looked out the window, his eyes full of nostalgia. "In the past, we trained at the Youth Training Base opposite here. Every night we played ranked and tallied our wins. The person with the fewest wins had to treat everyone to late-night snacks."
He turned back to look at Ye Shaoyang and asked mysteriously, "Guess who treated the most times?"
Ye Shaoyang guessed, "Could it be Chi Shu?"
Xie Yuan laughed. "Guessed right!"
Ye Shaoyang was puzzled. "Was Chi Shu's win rate the lowest during your trainee days?"
Xie Yuan explained, "Because the three of us agreed to trio-queue, but we made Chi Shu and Fang Fang duo-queue."
Chi Shu and Fang Zhengqing looked at each other with mutual disdain, and the surrounding teammates burst into collective laughter.
If those two teamed up, the win rate would definitely be the lowest.
After all, this Mid-Jungle pair with "reverse chemistry" had the ability to single-handedly cause all three lanes to collapse.
Fang Zhengqing raised an eyebrow. "Can we not mention dark history?"
Xie Yuan laughed happily. "Anyway, back then, you and Chi Shu didn't have enough monthly living expenses to cover the treats. You two had no choice but to work as play partners (boosters) to earn money."
Fang Zhengqing said, "When we were boosting, we got matched on the same team and caused both clients to lose. We got reported by the clients, and the boosting gig went down the drain too."
Chi Shu: "…"
Ye Shaoyang laughed out loud from the side. "Your lives as trainees were quite colorful, huh?"
Thinking of his experiences in his youth, Chi Shu's mouth twitched slightly, and he whispered, "Back then, there was no pressure from competitions. Even if the coach scolded us every day, we didn't care much. We were just playing purely for fun."
Xie Yuan sighed. "Yeah, actually those two years were our most relaxed times."
In their youth, everyone harbored dreams, thinking they were the brightest new star in the e-sports circle, thinking they would definitely win the championship.
Only after signing with a team and becoming professional players did they realize that every match was incomparably difficult.
Tianhuan took second place in the World Tournament in S6, narrowly missing the championship.
Jingzhe won the domestic championship in S8 and also made it to the World Tournament, only to return in defeat.
In their hearts, they all had regrets and unfulfilled dreams.
Unfortunately, competitive sports were just that cruel; there was only one champion.
Xie Yuan looked at Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang and smiled. "It's already the tenth season. No matter who makes it to the World Tournament in the end, I hope the World Championship trophy can be brought back by a team from our Huaguo region."
He paused and said, "At that time, if the person who wins the championship treats everyone to a meal at the Starry Sky Restaurant, no one should scold us, right?"
Chi Shu agreed decisively. "Done. Whoever wins the championship comes back to Star City to treat."
Actually, that was their dream when they were young—to stand on the world's highest stage to accept the award, and also to sit in the highest and most beautiful restaurant in Star City, eating a luxurious buffet.
Back then, they were young, didn't have much salary, and were embarrassed to spend their families' money recklessly. After becoming e-sports players, they were busy with matches and training, with even less time to return to their old haunts.
Chi Shu remembered that five years ago, on the day the five of them signed with different teams and left the Youth Training Base, Xie Yuan had pointed to that building not far away and said, "In the future, whoever wins the World Championship comes back to treat for dinner, and we'll go to the most expensive restaurant."
In the years that followed, Xie Yuan was also the one who actively organized their gatherings.
The calm and sharp Marksman on the field was actually a very gentle and loyal person in life.
After the meal, Xie Yuan suddenly walked up to Ye Shaoyang, leaned in, and whispered, "Lieyang, I think your [Sharpshooter] doesn't lose out to any world-class Marksman."
Ye Shaoyang was stunned. He didn't expect Xie Yuan to give him such a high evaluation.
Xie Yuan said with a smile, "Your coordination with Chi Shu isn't any worse than that champion duo from Korea. Keep it up. Waiting for you guys to get good results."
Ye Shaoyang nodded and said, "Mn, we'll do our best."
Back at the hotel, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu walked side by side toward their rooms.
When they reached a deserted corner, Ye Shaoyang couldn't help but say, "Actually, I quite envy you. It's really rare to have friends like them whom you've been close with since your trainee days."
Chi Shu whispered, "Mn, they are indeed good people. Just purely playing games, without so much scheming. Later, I'll formally introduce you to them, as my boyfriend."
Ye Shaoyang gently extended his arms and actively hugged Chi Shu, whispering, "Having you is enough for me."
Chi Shu paused. "Why say that all of a sudden?"
Ye Shaoyang smiled brilliantly. "Nothing, just feeling a bit emotional. It's good that I met you."
In this strange world, meeting you gave me so many wonderful experiences.
This is the luckiest thing since I transmigrated.
No matter what the setting of this ABO world is, you are my best partner and boyfriend.
With you here, I'm not afraid of how difficult the upcoming matches might be.
Thinking of this, Ye Shaoyang actively stood on his tiptoes and gently kissed Chi Shu.
Chi Shu: "..."
Chi Shu, whose brain had crashed from the kiss, was dazed for a long time before reacting. He immediately hugged Ye Shaoyang and kissed him back fiercely. Ye Shaoyang hurriedly pushed him. "Wait, what if someone…"
Chi Shu backhandedly swiped his card to open the door, pulled Ye Shaoyang into the room, and whispered, "There's no one now."
The next moment, Ye Shaoyang was pressed against the wall by the Alpha, kissed until his legs went soft.
Ye Shaoyang: "…"
Grass, he just couldn't help himself earlier. Looking at Chi Shu's handsome face and thinking about how he met such a good teammate who eventually became his lover, he boldly leaned in for a kiss.
They were a couple anyway; what was wrong with a kiss?
Unexpectedly, this Alpha dragged him directly into the room and kissed him until his lips were swollen.
After a long time, Chi Shu finally let go of him with satisfaction. Pressing against his lips, he whispered, "I wanted to kiss you back in the soundproof booth. I held back until now. Our Yangyang was really handsome today."
Their eyes met, and Ye Shaoyang's heartbeat went out of control. He couldn't help but say, "You… you were also very handsome."
Chi Shu was moved beyond control and held Ye Shaoyang to kiss for a while longer.
Ye Shaoyang didn't know what shyness was. Anyway, kissing Chi Shu was quite comfortable, right? He didn't dislike it. So he cooperatively held Chi Shu, trying out the thrill of a secret tryst.
The kiss grew more and more passionate.
Before they completely lost control, Chi Shu slammed on the brakes in time. With a hoarse voice, he said, "I… I'm afraid I won't be able to control it and enter a Susceptibility Period again. Go back and rest first."
Remembering the experience of the Susceptibility Period in Korea, Ye Shaoyang's scalp went numb, and he hurriedly stopped his movements.
The two looked at each other, ears turning red simultaneously.
Chi Shu walked to the door, checked outside, coughed, and said, "No one. Go back quickly."
Ye Shaoyang came out of Chi Shu's room sneaking like a thief and quickly walked into his own room.
Back in the bathroom, looking at his swollen lips, Ye Shaoyang couldn't help but smile helplessly.
Was Chi Shu aloof?
He was indeed cold and serious in front of others.
But in front of Ye Shaoyang, this Alpha was actually quite passionate.
What would happen when they did a Complete Mark in the future!
Ye Shaoyang really didn't have the face to think about it anymore.