Desire to Lure [Esports] - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The MSI Semifinals followed a BO3 format best of three. This was the format most familiar to the players, as they played BO3s throughout the Spring and Summer Splits every year.

The match was set to begin at 7:00 PM. At 5:00 PM, the players from both sides began arriving at the venue.

As the TEA team bus came to a halt, the fans who had been waiting for a long time swarmed forward.

“Captain Yu, fighting! TEA, fighting! Here’s a letter for you!”

After the coach and manager stepped down, Yu Wenzhi was the first player to appear. The moment he stepped off the bus, envelopes and gifts were thrust toward his face. He leaned back instinctively and gave a helpless smile. “You can mail them to the club. We aren’t allowed to accept things before a match.”

This rule was primarily to prevent ill-intentioned people from harming players or influencing the outcome of a match. After all, LoL was currently the most-watched game in the world; every match had illegal gambling rings involved, and some people would stop at nothing to win money.

Yu Wenzhi’s refusal was always delivered in a way that made it impossible to hold a grudge. When those eyes, gentle as water, looked over, supplemented by a beaming smile, the fans obediently withdrew their hands and consciously cleared a path for him.

As Maoyi stepped down and saw the group of quiet, demure girls, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Damn, as expected of one of the ‘Ten Great Forbidden Arts’ Captain Yu’s enchantment.”

Zechuan stifled a laugh and tapped him on the head. “Don’t forget our team’s taboo. You aren’t allowed to call the Captain a…” Fox.

Maoyi: “Tsk, I didn’t say it. Whoever is implying it is the one saying it.”

Ware followed, and the fans waved gently.

“Hi, Little Wa, do your best!”

“Mao-Mao, hold the line against ZZY, you can do it!”

“Brother Chuan, time to Carry!”

“Ever, believe in yourself, today depends on.” Before a girl’s soft voice could finish, a sudden, high-pitched roar erupted from behind.

“Holy shit, our Bking is here!”

“The three-year term is up! Your subordinates welcome King Sheng to the stage to slaughter in all directions!”

“Go show them what’s up! If you don’t get a Pentakill, your throne is shaky!”

“Are you starting? If you don’t start, the sisters are going to smash Xu Rui’s car windows!”

“TEA is so cowardly for closing the Weibo comments. Don’t you know we ‘Gunpowder Gang’ are here to give you guys KPI?”

Sheng Xu hunched his back as he stepped off the bus, hands in his pockets. He looked toward the source of the noise; it was a group of kids who looked even younger than him. Leather pants, leather jackets, big sunglasses, dyed hair, perms, and exposed midriffs the whole crew was faking a “badass” look.

Sheng Xu gave them a look of pure disdain, pulled his hood over his head, and walked past with a cold face, clearly wanting no part of this “Gunpowder Gang.”

“Damn, I fucking love that look of contempt on your face!”

“He thinks his fans are tacky again! Dammit, who would be your fan these days if they didn’t have a bit of a masochistic streak?”

Sheng Xu quickened his pace, rushing to catch up with Yu Wenzhi, wishing he could reach out and cover Yu Wenzhi’s ears.

God, this is so cringe. How embarrassing.

Ware was dying of laughter. Usually, Sheng Xu was like a bomb ready to go off, and no one dared to provoke him; this was the first time they had seen him unable to handle a situation and simply running away.

Ever, however, grumbled, “Fans take after their idol. Just a bunch of annoying brats.”

Ware blinked and replied, “Eh, they’re just kids. We were like that in middle and high school too.”

“Who was like that? No manners, no upbringing. They’re the type who’ll end up running away from home and getting into street fights,” Ever said before quickly entering the venue.

Ware really couldn’t laugh anymore. He stood still and looked at Ever’s back, feeling like the person in front of him had become a stranger.

After the players entered the venue, they were led by staff to the preparation room. Before the match, there was still a segment for the casters to warm up the crowd and thank the sponsors.

This match was crucial, and the stands were almost full. Many LPL teams had come to watch, and some friends had sent Yu Wenzhi messages of encouragement before he arrived.

Inside the preparation room, the clear voices of the casters could be heard.

Caster A: “I have to say, I’m personally really looking forward to today’s match.”

Caster B: “V6 is an established European powerhouse. According to our pre-match big data model analysis, their probability of winning the championship is very high.”

Caster A: “Hey Hongzhong, don’t you think V6 actually counters TEA a bit? We all know V6 plays around their top laner, ZZY. Some of their roster systems are quite unique, and our LPL hasn’t researched them much.”

Caster B: “True. Over the years, TEA’s most common strategy has been Mid-Jungle synergy and a 4-1 split push. But the one doing the split pushing is Maoyi. I wonder if Maoyi will still be effective against ZZY.”

Caster A: “Actually, in the early years, TEA was better at the ‘Protect the One’ style, as well as the 3+2.”

Caster B: “You mean… when that man was here.”

Caster A: “Hahaha, if TEA wins today, they’ll likely meet that man in the finals.”

Caster B: “We’re drifting off topic. There’s actually another suspenseful point today: whether TEA will field Ever or Sheng Xu.”

Caster A: “If they field Sheng Xu, could they play ‘Protect the One’ or 3+2? I feel like his explosiveness is similar to back in the day…”

Caster B: “But if they want to play it safe, I think it’ll be Ever. Sheng Xu has been there for less than a month, after all.”

TEA Preparation Room.

Half of Sheng Xu’s face was hidden under the brim of his hat. His thumb pressed against the knuckle of his middle finger as he stole glances at Yu Wenzhi with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He couldn’t bring himself to say it directly, but he was certainly hoping to go on stage.

Opportunities for major tournaments were hard to come by, especially against a legendary team like V6. That one training match had shown him how formidable ZZY was, which only fueled his desire to win. He was confident he could turn the bot lane into a breakthrough point—as long as Yu Wenzhi was his support…

“Ever, we might try the 3+2 today. Maoyi and Little Wa will hold down ZZY, while you and Wenzhi get to the mid lane as fast as possible to help Zechuan force team fights,” Zou Kai suddenly announced.

Sheng Xu froze and turned to look at Zou Kai.

Shouldn’t they discuss who’s starting first?

Ever rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath. “Understood, Coach.”

Zou Kai nodded. “We have to contain ZZY, so there will be a lot of pressure on you three. Whatever you do, don’t let them counter-pressure you.”

Ever: “I’ll definitely hold the line.”

Sheng Xu’s face darkened, his eyes turning cold. A 3+2 was clearly more suited for him. If they wanted a 3v4 to be blunt. Ever would be a free kill.

He snapped his gaze toward Yu Wenzhi, expecting him to immediately refute Zou Kai. With Yu Wenzhi’s tactical brilliance, it was impossible for him not to know that he was the right choice.

Yu Wenzhi was leaning against the sofa, his head propped on one hand, seemingly dazed.

Zou Kai: “Then it’s settled. Let’s do the cheer.”

It was the usual ritual before going on stage: hands together for a collective shout. One by one, hands reached out and piled in the center. Yu Wenzhi’s eyes moved slightly as if he had just snapped back to reality. He raised his long, fair hand and placed it on the very top.

Zechuan looked toward Sheng Xu. Now that Sheng Xu was a member of TEA, there was no reason not to join the cheer.

Zou Kai: “Sheng Xu?”

Sheng Xu’s brow was furrowed, his fists tightening inside his pockets. He refused to take them out. The air suddenly turned stagnant; a silent battle of wills took place through gazes and waiting.

Zou Kai didn’t wait long. He said directly, “One, two, three—Fighting!”

“Number one!”

The hands broke apart. Everyone shouldered their peripheral bags, preparing to head out.

“Holy shit, where’s my mouse?” Ever suddenly cried out. He scrambled through his bag, his face turning pale.

The group stopped and turned to look at him.

Ever said in a panic, “My mouse is gone. I remember bringing it. Ware, did you see me bring it?”

Ware had packed his peripherals with Ever and did indeed remember. “Yeah, I remember you put it in the small side pocket.”

“It’s gone now. I just slept on the bus for a bit, and by the time I got off, it was gone.” Ever slapped his bag repeatedly, looking genuinely frantic.

Zechuan and Maoyi instinctively hunched over to help him search the room.

Yu Wenzhi frowned. Just as he was about to crouch down to help, Ever turned and asked, “Sheng Xu, you were sitting diagonally behind me. Did you see it?”

Yu Wenzhi’s movement froze. His eyelid flickered, and he stood back up.

Sheng Xu was already in a foul mood. Hearing this, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he snapped, “No!”

Ever’s eyes turned red with panic. He shook his bag helplessly, muttering, “I’m only used to that mouse. How am I supposed to play if I can’t find it?”

As soon as he said that, the others exchanged glances and simultaneously turned their gaze toward Sheng Xu. Everyone else had been on the floor searching, as anxious as Ever himself, while only Sheng Xu remained indifferent and irritable. If Ever couldn’t play, the one who stood to benefit most was…

Zou Kai was a blunt man with a short fuse who didn’t filter his words. He immediately said, “Sheng Xu, open your bag and let us see…”

“If you don’t have a mouse, go borrow one!” Yu Wenzhi’s tone was icy. He cut Zou Kai off directly, his gaze fixed steadily on Ever.

Zou Kai was stunned by the outburst and looked at Yu Wenzhi in confusion. For a moment, it was terrifyingly quiet.

Yu Wenzhi’s features were delicate, his pupils bright. His words had been suddenly harsh, but they quickly turned casual again. He wore a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “On the day ZZY won the World Championship, he used a borrowed mouse too. Just consider it a tribute.”

Ever met Yu Wenzhi’s slight smile, but he couldn’t help but feel a chill in his heart. Yu Wenzhi’s eyes seemed to see through everything, leaving no room for petty schemes to hide. That kind of gaze always put immense pressure on him, making him feel like a pathetic clown putting on a clumsy performance.

The others, however, relaxed when they saw Yu Wenzhi smile, not thinking twice about it.

Zechuan: “Our mice should be the same brand. How about I give you mine, and I’ll go borrow one?”

Ever swallowed, then suddenly lowered his hand to pat his trouser pocket. His eyes lit up with a look of surprise. “Hey, I found it! It was in my pocket!”

“Man, you gave me a heart attack!”

“Save me, Brother E. Can you please not be so dramatic next time?”

“Let’s go, let’s go. Don’t let it ruin the mood. Let’s play well.”

The others treated it as a minor mishap and turned to walk out the door.

Ever pulled out the mouse with a forced smile, stealing a look at Yu Wenzhi’s expression. He saw that Yu Wenzhi had already wiped the smile from his face. He took a sip of the rose herbal tea in front of the monitor to moisten his throat, never looking at Ever again.

Ever let out a secret sigh of relief. Perhaps he was just overthinking it. Yu Wenzhi was likely just unhappy with his clumsiness; it wasn’t necessarily suspicion.

Ever quickened his pace to follow him out, saying eagerly, “Captain, aren’t you taking that tea with you?”

“No.”

The preparation room became instantly lonely. Sheng Xu slumped against the wall. The image of Yu Wenzhi smiling and ruffling his hair flashed before his eyes. He stared at the door for a while.

Why didn’t you choose me?

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