Desire to Lure [Esports] - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Yu Wenzhi’s apology carried immense weight. Xu Rui noticed that Sheng Xu’s hostility had dissipated, replaced by a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes.

Whether he was stunned by Yu Wenzhi’s lack of ego or something else, Xu Rui didn’t know. But the manager was quick-witted; seeing that Yu Wenzhi had stabilized the situation, he jumped in: “Sheng Xu, come on, let Rui-ge show you to your room.”

A rising star arriving as a newcomer, receiving a personal apology from Captain Yu and a personal welcome from the General Manager, the Tea Team was certainly giving him enough face.

Sheng Xu wasn’t ungrateful. He strode toward the door. As he passed the receptionist, he effortlessly hoisted the forty-pound backpack with one hand and swung it over his shoulder; the wind stirred by the bag swept right past Yu Wenzhi’s face.

The receptionist let out a startled cry, but Yu Wenzhi didn’t even blink. His gaze, still as an ancient well, pierced through the gap and landed on the four first-team starters.

Sheng Xu let out a light sneer.

A group of people playing the “bad cop” and one playing the “good cop” was nothing more than resentment that his arrival had broken their balance.

Sheng Xu followed Xu Rui out of the training room. Before leaving, Xu Rui lightly patted Yu Wenzhi on the shoulder.

Yu Wenzhi gave a low “Mhm.” The two shared perfect rapport; Xu Rui took Sheng Xu away, and Yu Wenzhi stayed behind.

Yu Wenzhi didn’t say much. His gaze traveled over the faces of the four teammates. There was an invisible pressure in his bright black eyes that commanded authority without anger, forcing several of them to lower their heads, unable to look him in the eye.

After only a few seconds, Yu Wenzhi spoke, his voice still gentle and carrying a hint of a smile: “Respect is earned through strength. We had to earn it, and so must he.”

In one sentence, he affirmed the strength of everyone present, including Ever, while pointing out that Sheng Xu had yet to prove himself and wouldn’t necessarily replace Ever. Simultaneously, he reminded them to think back to their own loneliness and struggles when they first joined the team, asking them to practice empathy.

Regardless, the suffocating tension completely vanished.

Zechuan let out a low cough. “Just now was indeed a bit much.”

He didn’t elaborate; everyone else knew exactly in what way they had crossed the line.

Ware scratched his neck and said awkwardly, “Captain, what time was our scrim this afternoon again?”

He was just making conversation; he remembered the scrim time better than anyone.

Yu Wenzhi didn’t call him out: “Two o’clock.”

Ware: “Ah… then Captain, shall we go grab lunch together?”

The cafeteria auntie should have prepared lunch long ago.

Yu Wenzhi: “You guys go first. I’m going back to the dorm for a bit.”

Only Ever turned his head away. He twisted open a bottle of mineral water; he wasn’t thirsty, but he forced it down his throat. The calmed atmosphere made him feel as out of place as a cold appetizer at a grand banquet.

Sheng Xu’s entire worldly possessions consisted of that forty-pound bag. He tossed it by the bed and sat down.

There was only a pad on the bed; the sheets hadn’t been laid out yet. He didn’t even take off his outdoor pants, spreading his long legs out casually and bracing his hands on the pad as he surveyed the dorm.

The space wasn’t small, but the two beds faced each other directly. They could see one another with zero privacy. The opposite bed was made neatly, clean and free of clutter. Beneath it was a two-square-meter foam mat for walking barefoot, and a beanbag chair sat in the corner.

The bedside table, however, wasn’t as minimalist as the bed. An unfinished book lay face-down on the surface. Next to the book was a jar of preserved fruit, a jar of chocolate balls, a tin of fruit hard candies, and a bag of pineapple cakes.

Every snack had been opened, and nearly all were half-eaten. The air seemed to drift with invisible threads of sugar.

Sheng Xu frowned.

Whether it was Yu Wenzhi’s public apology which felt like a facade to protect the others that annoyed him, or the sudden racing of his heart that he resisted, he now felt a surge of irritation looking at these sugary things.

Sheng Xu got up and headed straight for the bathroom. He turned on the tap and splashed several handfuls of water onto his face. He didn’t wipe it off, letting the clear water drip down his chin.

The ice-cold water calmed him.

Heart racing? He was just startled by that apology. That was all.

Yu Wenzhi’s “soft approach” might fool others, but he wasn’t buying it.

After washing his face, Sheng Xu adjusted the skull-bone chain around his neck, pulled on his hood, tucked away his phone, and intended to head out for some fast food.

He had no intention of eating with the Tea Team members for the time being.

Unexpectedly, though he tried to avoid the main paths, he ran right into Yu Wenzhi on the small staircase.

The water on Sheng Xu’s face had just dried, but the hair on his forehead was still damp. Sunlight streamed in from the landing window behind him, hitting him and casting a long shadow down the stairs, landing right at Yu Wenzhi’s feet.

Yu Wenzhi looked up against the light, his pupils illuminated into clear amber.

He smiled and stepped up the stairs, his pace as light as a cat’s.

Sheng Xu slammed his back against the wall and raised a leg, brashly stepping onto the handrail to block Yu Wenzhi’s path.

Yu Wenzhi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Sheng Xu’s tone was unfriendly: “You’re the Captain, right?”

Yu Wenzhi’s gaze dropped slightly, landing on Sheng Xu’s long, powerful leg.

To be fair, the staircase wasn’t narrow, but with Sheng Xu’s leg raised, his knee was still bent; the black jeans molded the muscular lines of his calf exceptionally well.

The leg was very long, and strong.

“What is it?” Yu Wenzhi asked calmly.

Sheng Xu tilted his chin up, looking down at Yu Wenzhi arrogantly. He said coldly, “Stay out of my business from now on. I’m not going to be as obedient as those four lapdogs.”

Having received a show of strength, he naturally had to return the favor. The rules of the street: tit for tat.

Lapdogs. That was a fresh term. Yu Wenzhi had never compared people to dogs before, but thinking about it now, humans and dogs really did have much in common.

Yu Wenzhi slowly and steadily curled his lips into a smile, staring at Sheng Xu, observing him with great interest.

Sheng Xu’s brow furrowed: “What are you looking at me for?”

Yu Wenzhi spoke unhurriedly: “Alright. Anything else?”

Sheng Xu paused, then said with disgust: “Throw your sweets away. They attract bugs.”

Actually, he hadn’t seen any bugs; he was just making up an excuse.

Yu Wenzhi lowered his eyes in thought. From Sheng Xu’s angle, he could see the back of the man’s neck stretched into a striking line of white.

“Okay.”

As soon as he spoke, Yu Wenzhi reached out and tapped Sheng Xu’s knee: “Remember to wipe the spot you stepped on.”

He didn’t know which pressure point the palm had hit, but Sheng Xu felt his calf give an uncontrollable jerk. Losing his balance, his leg slammed heavily onto the floor, the vibration making his hip go numb with a dull ache.

He was stunned for a moment, his hostility surging. Just as he was about to vent his anger on Yu Wenzhi, he saw Yu Wenzhi’s brow furrow tightly. The man’s footsteps faltered, his body swayed, and he began to fall backward uncontrollably.

Behind him were flights of stairs, hard tiles and sharp edges. It happened in a flash, catching him completely off guard.

“F*ck! You…”

Still shaken, Sheng Xu snapped out of it to find he had already grabbed Yu Wenzhi around the waist. His own elbow slammed hard against the wall, making him hiss in pain, but even so, he didn’t dare let go.

Yu Wenzhi had his eyes closed, his brow slightly creased. He leaned into Sheng Xu’s arms listlessly and quickly fished a piece of chocolate out of his pocket.

He rubbed the wrapper open, expertly fed it into his mouth, and pressed a fingertip against his moist, red lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

Sheng Xu watched in shock, the sweet aroma of dark chocolate drifting into his nose, his eyes following Yu Wenzhi’s finger the entire time.

Yu Wenzhi recovered quickly. He pushed Sheng Xu’s hands away, pulled himself out of the embrace, and smiled with crinkled eyes: “Thanks.”

Then he stepped elegantly up the stairs, leaving Sheng Xu standing there dazed.

This guy almost fell and died just now, right? How can he act like nothing happened? Knowing he has low blood sugar and not…

Sheng Xu’s expression darkened. Whatever. None of my business.

After eating, Sheng Xu was in no rush to return to the club. He knew the original Tea Team was scrimming, and going back would be depressing.

He swam for two hours before returning. Walking up the stairs, he paused, then specifically diverted back to the small staircase. He used a paper towel to wipe the spot he had stepped on, then returned to the dorm with a clear conscience.

When he pushed the door open, the room was empty. Yu Wenzhi was likely still training.

Sheng Xu washed the swimming trunks and towel he had bought at the pool. Just as he was about to hang them on the balcony, he noticed that the sweets on Yu Wenzhi’s bedside table were gone.

Only a single book remained, closed and neatly placed.

Sheng Xu: “.”

Hah. If they’re gone, they’re gone. Who cares if you have low blood sugar. Besides, we’re all adults. Is he going to die without a few jars of sweets?

He hung his clothes on the balcony, put the sheets and pillowcases on his bed, and flopped down. Bracing his arms under his head, he tried to fall asleep.

Restless, the sluggish sunset pierced into the room, stinging his eyes and disturbing his light slumber.

Ten minutes later, Sheng Xu opened his bloodshot eyes. He stood up in a rage and stormed out the door with a terrible expression.

He just couldn’t sleep and was going out for a stroll. That was all.

When the afternoon training ended, Yu Wenzhi returned to the dorm.

As soon as he entered, he found the lights were off. Sheng Xu hadn’t even taken off his clothes; he was lying directly on the bed with his back turned. No breathing could be heard, and it was unclear if he was asleep.

From the corner of his eye, Yu Wenzhi noticed that his bedside table was now stocked with full containers of chocolate beans, sweet preserves, fruit hard candies, and pineapple cakes.

The brands were more expensive than the ones he usually bought, but they were arranged messily—the owner had clearly been in an exceptionally foul mood.

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