Captain, I Beg You to Give Me an Official Status [E-sports] - Chapter 7

For some reason, the atmosphere on the field grew solemn. The audience watching the big screen found themselves holding their breath for these two, as if they were watching an official match. It felt like a final circle situation where only two lone wolves remained.

【Can ZD throw the pan? Let’s see a recreation of that legendary scene.】

【Why does it feel like these two are at each other’s throats? Isn’t this an exhibition match? Why is it so intense?】

【Yeah, Duo Ming feels a bit strange. I cannot put my finger on it, but it is weird. It is like he is targeting ZD. It was weird during the faction match, too.】

Xu Ziqi’s heart remained unruffled. He quickly controlled his character to walk over to the masked man. Crouching down, he picked up the frying pan dropped by Core and said, “Come on.”

Sheng Huanian gave a muffled reply, “Mm.”

“Heal up.”

“I am not healing. Let us just fight.”

Xu Ziqi hesitated for a moment, his voice carrying a faint hint of a smile when he spoke again. “Fine. You are the one choosing not to heal.”

“Mm. I will not.”

Sheng Huanian’s gaze was fixed on the screen. His concentration intensified as he maneuvered and probed his opponent. Those eyes, always filled with a touch of arrogance and a transparent competitive streak, never lacked a sense of pressure. If one were to actually meet his gaze, their hands might tremble on the gun.

There was no dialogue during their duel.

This time, Xu Ziqi won, ending the fight with two-thirds of his health remaining. Even ignoring the health gap before the fight started, his hit rate was significantly higher than Sheng Huanian’s.

At the deciding moment, the split-screen on the big screen zoomed in on both of them. It was this close-up shot, lasting less than ten seconds, that gave birth to the most unusual pairing in the league in a quiet corner of the internet.

Even though the individuals involved were not close and there were no romantic moments, the sight of those two matching faces was enough to make many fans swoon.

During the halftime break, Xiao sat next to Sheng Huanian and asked, “You and ZD are not close, right?”

Sheng Huanian put down his phone and looked over indifferently. “No.”

Xiao’s gaze turned meaningful as he whispered, “Then were you targeting him during the faction match, or was it unconscious?”

Sheng Huanian tilted his head. “Targeting?”

Xiao looked down at his phone. “Brother Feng just sent me a message. He told me to tell you not to target ZD too much. A lot of people on the forums are saying you are picking on him, saying that as a rookie, you are too much.” He swallowed the word and phrased it as delicately as possible. “It is just an exhibition match, so do not take it too seriously. I know you want to win, but the match communications are being broadcast. Just be careful.”

As the leader of the team, Xiao always felt a heavy sense of responsibility. He observed Sheng Huanian’s expression and advised, “It is better to avoid trouble. Wing already has a conflict with him, so just pay a little more attention while you are on the field.”

Sheng Huanian had already turned his head back. After a few seconds of silence, he uttered only three words, “I understand now.”

Walking through the player tunnel alone to head back on stage, Sheng Huanian suddenly stopped by the wall. His position did not block anyone, so Xu Ziqi, walking by five seconds later, passed as usual.

Sheng Huanian looked up, watching the retreating back that was about to disappear.

The back of the deep red jersey was printed with his ID and the date of his professional debut:

2018. Zhidao 2018. 05. 03.

Once the figure vanished, Sheng Huanian, standing three steps below, strode to the front and sat in a seat separated from Xu Ziqi by a single partition.

In the upcoming duo match, the two winners of the individual matches were given priority in choosing their partners.

While the host was explaining the rules on stage, Sheng Huanian rested one hand on his leg. In a corner where no one could see, that hand clenched tightly for over ten seconds before slowly relaxing.

Xu Ziqi, having won the second individual match, received the microphone from the host. Without much hesitation, he quickly said, “Paipai.”

Hearing his name, Paipai wore an “I knew the captain would pick me” expression. His smile was vivid as he looked forward to a perfect synergy to take the final exhibition game of the night.

While Xu Ziqi actively teamed up with Paipai, Sheng Huanian sat next door, playing the exhibition match with his own team captain.

Sheng Huanian disliked contact with others. Shortly after the match began, many viewers noticed the massive gap between the two. Xiao knew Sheng Huanian’s habits, so he did not mind that the boy had moved his chair so far to the edge.

【Are these two from Wing acting out a long-distance drama?】

【Why does it look so funny? Can Duo Ming even see his screen anymore?】

【Do not mind him, the rookie has a thing about personal space and does not like being too close. Relationships within Wing are very good!】

Halfway through the match, Sheng Huanian and Xiao were caught in a pincer move by two opposing teams. They had no way to fight back on the open plains without cover, and their screens soon went black.

Sitting next to them, Xu Ziqi had long since taken his hands off his keyboard. Having been eliminated early and feeling bored, he was leaning over to talk to Paipai, occasionally curling his lips into a smile.

A gaze from the side remained hidden in the dim light.

The observer was peering through the cracks, once again reaching out to grab the remaining light.

Then, he gripped it tight, making it belong to him for a brief moment.

Returning to the TK base, it was already past eleven in the evening. Xu Ziqi went straight to the training room, played one high-level ranked match, and was then called into a room by the team manager, Qiqi.

Qiqi tilted his chin, signaling for Xu Ziqi to sit in the chair.

Xu Ziqi held a bottle of ice-cold mineral water in his right hand and took a large swig after sitting down.

Qiqi frowned. “You are drinking ice water in this weather? Pay attention to your health, and do not take it lightly.”

Xu Ziqi chuckled. “How did you become such a nag after becoming a father?”

“What does me being a father have to do with it? You have the worst eating habits in the whole base. You know you have a weak stomach, yet you never care. Take this ice water for example; it is freezing outside, so what happens if you do not drink it? Do you want to spend the rest of your life relying on painkillers?”

Xu Ziqi leaned back, completely relaxed. “Is this how you curse your players? I only transferred here a season ago. If something really happens to me, I would feel like I failed the team.”

Qiqi snapped, “Then pay attention!”

“Fine, I understand.” Xu Ziqi felt the manager’s concern had been a bit overboard lately, nearly reaching the point of setting a mandatory bedtime.

Qiqi sat on the edge of the bed and began to discuss business. “Lot has some family matters and will be gone for a few days; I am just letting you know. We are definitely restructuring the team next season. You and Paipai are staying. We are planning to talk to that free agent from Stars. If it works, he will play; if not, we will develop him. He is young anyway, so we can put him in the youth academy first.”

The smile faded from Xu Ziqi’s face, and he sat up straight. When it came to the transfer window, he was always serious and professional.

Qiqi continued, “We definitely need to buy an entry fragger. Once we have the information next week, we will start scheduling trials. We will book a few people at once and try them out together.”

Xu Ziqi looked at him. “There are many entry fraggers, but not many who are actually listed for transfer and have professional stage experience.”

“Yes, the experienced ones usually do not move, and there is no news yet. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Those with less experience are more obedient, and it might be easier for you guys to build synergy.”

Qiqi looked at Xu Ziqi with a serious tone. “The team will be rebuilt with you as the core. The coaching staff will listen to your thoughts. Keep an eye out when the transfer list comes out and see who you would prefer to trial first so we can contact them as soon as possible.”

Xu Ziqi nodded. “I understand.”

“Do you have any thoughts right now? Is there any entry fragger you are leaning toward or think we have a shot at?”

At this, a certain figure flashed through Xu Ziqi’s mind, but he quickly said in a casual tone, “There is a good one, but there is probably no chance.”

“Who is it?”

Xu Ziqi answered quickly, “The rookie from Wing. His mechanics are good and his aim is very steady.”

The expectant look on Qiqi’s face vanished instantly. He lowered his head and said, “Then there really is no chance. He probably will not transfer, and knowing the nature of Wing, there is no way they would let him go.”

Xu Ziqi joked, “Is that how you talk about your former employer?”

Qiqi gave a fake smile. “Could I say more than you do?”

Xu Ziqi nodded honestly, sounding almost proud. “True, definitely not.”

After the second day of exhibition matches ended, Sheng Huanian, who had placed second in cumulative points over the two days, sat in his seat undergoing an interview with the host.

“Can you share your team’s goals for the Spring Split? Does your team have any plans for this transfer window?”

Sheng Huanian took the microphone expressionlessly and, in the most natural and ordinary tone, said something that shocked the entire venue.

“I do not know. I am not sure where I will be during the transfer window, so I do not know yet.”

The audience went silent for a second before erupting into a loud roar.

The experienced host was also stunned, freezing for two seconds before maintaining her professional smile to follow up. “If I understand correctly, you mean that you might have other arrangements for this transfer window, right?”

Sheng Huanian did not take the microphone back. As the camera panned over, he noticed it out of the corner of his eye and gave a quick nod.

The host remained professional amidst the noisy background, controlling the rhythm of the scene. She quickly brought her microphone back to her lips. “Then let us look forward to this transfer window! We hope every transferring player gets what they wish for and can shine on the stage of the Spring Split!”

Many voices rang in his ears, but Sheng Huanian did not care. When he turned around, he bumped right into someone’s gaze.

Xu Ziqi was caught off guard. After Sheng Huanian’s answer, he had involuntarily fixed his eyes on him.

Xu Ziqi was wondering why the person who just won the Winter Split MVP would choose to transfer. Who gave him the courage to say it so bluntly on stage? Had he already settled things with the team? Would Wing really let him go?

Xu Ziqi stared at Sheng Huanian’s face, running these questions through his mind.

At that moment, Sheng Huanian turned to look over. When their eyes met, Xu Ziqi was a bit slow to pull his gaze away.

The eye contact lasted less than three seconds.

However, Sheng Huanian saw the emotions on Xu Ziqi’s face. Since he was not good at hiding them, everything showed on the surface.

Surprise, confusion, and a tiny bit of anticipation.

On the other side, Xu Ziqi, who had just stepped off stage, received a call from manager Qiqi.

Qiqi could not suppress his excitement over the phone, sounding like he was on the verge of laughing out loud. “Is he really transferring? Can I start making calls right now?”

Xu Ziqi remained calm and whispered, “That is what he said, but it is not certain yet. I do not know if it is for real.”

“Listen, you go ask him. Ask him if he is really going to transfer. Get me a confirmed answer so I can arrange things early.”

“Me?”

Qiqi said firmly, “Yes, just call him over and ask. I do not think he is joking. Go confirm it.”

Xu Ziqi felt helpless. “I am not close to him. Asking so directly would be…”

Just then, someone wearing a black team jersey walked past Xu Ziqi, leaving behind a brief sentence.

“It is true.”

Xu Ziqi froze, lowering the still-active phone to his side as he looked at the back just three steps ahead.

Sheng Huanian stopped and turned to look at him. “I really am going to transfer.”

“You…”

Xu Ziqi found himself speechless in front of him once again, perhaps because the younger man was too candid.

Sheng Huanian turned back. A second later, he resumed his pace and left the corridor.

Xu Ziqi stayed where he was, slowly bringing the phone back to his ear. He said in a deep voice, “He said the transfer is real. I think you can start planning.”

[Wing. Duo Ming personally admits he will be listed in the transfer window!]

Before the players had even left the venue, this topic had already climbed to the top of the trending searches.

【What?】

【No way, who just comes out and says they are transferring like that?】

【Why is he transferring? Wing’s results in the Winter Split were great. Why stop playing with them? Is there internal conflict?】

【Shocking! The first person to self-leak before the transfer window even starts. Time to predict what his transfer fee will be.】

【I just want to know, did the people at Wing know about this?】

【As expected, bombshell news has no warning. Saying it so directly is impressive.】

Inside the car, Sheng Huanian was looking at his phone. Beside him, Xiao looked grim. He suddenly spoke up, “Is there a problem with the team?”

Sheng Huanian understood what he meant. Without any disguise, he said bluntly and clearly, “There is a problem, but that is not why I want to transfer.”

Xiao turned his head, asking curiously, “Then why?”

Sheng Huanian looked at a photo on his phone and said softly, “There is someone I want to be teammates with even more.”