Glory [e-sports]

ranslator: xiin

editors: apricot & juurensha

Zhou Xingfei’s expression was very ugly.

Wei Xiao had forced him into a situation where he had no choice but to fight.

Zhou Xingfei had noticed how popular FTW had been over the past two days.

As a team that was on the downtrend in the China competition zone, not only had they not fallen into becoming a garbage team, but they’d actually stirred up such a big ruckus with their training match. Zhou Xingfei was really unwilling to accept it.

Especially given that Bai Cai was still in FTW.

In the past year, Zhou Xingfei hadn’t had an easy time in OD. Even without mentioning his own personal problems, his personal strength wasn’t enough for him to be able to stand steadily in the European competition zone.

He was a newcomer. If it hadn’t been that he was able to take care of himself, and the fact that Yan Jiang and Xie He, who were also Chinese, had both managed to make outstanding achievements in the European competition zone, OD wouldn’t have chosen him at all.

OD might not be one of the strongest teams in Europe, but they were strong enough to leave the Chinese teams a few streets behind.

Zhou Xingfei, who’d suffered for a year before finally making some progress, had originally wanted to show off to his ‘old friend’ in the training camp. However, who could’ve known that Bai Cai would steal his limelight?

The entire winter training camp was discussing FTW. Even OD’s coaching team had come to him to ask about the situation.

Zhou Xingfei was good at dealing with these things, and he’d given a very proper reply. He’d also deliberately stated that Bai Cai had once been his teammate, and if necessary, he could help them arrange a training match.

He knew that the European zone looked down on the Chinese teams, and it wasn’t likely that they would want a training match.

Especially since Zhou Xingfei was a rookie. If Bai Cai had been his teammate, then it meant that he must also be a newcomer.

In FTW, other than Close, everyone else was a newcomer. No matter how much they shouted and hollered, they were just blindly hopping and jumping around.

That was the impression that Zhou Xingfei had purposely wanted to give.

Sure enough, the coach had lost interest and hadn’t mentioned it again.

The fire of irritation Zhou Xingfei felt in his heart was burning higher and higher. Today, he’d unexpectedly run into Bai Cai in the restaurant, and he couldn’t hold back for a moment longer!

Why was Bai Cai so lucky?

After being benched in AE for a month, he’d actually been picked up by FTW. It was really great.

And FTW was very different this year. Was Bai Cai, this tight assed miser, really going to make a comeback?

Zhou Xingfei really didn’t feel that he’d done anything wrong back then.

Man struggled upwards, while water flowed downwards. Why should he have stayed in the country when he had a chance to step towards a bigger future?

If nothing else, after staying in OD for a season or two, he would become a star player that others fought over when he returned home.

With such a good opportunity in front of him, why wouldn’t he go? Was he an idiot?

It was true that Bai Cai had helped him out a little when he was in the youth training camp, but it wasn’t worth giving up his future for the sake of that!

Besides, he hadn’t forced Bai Cai to terminate his contract. Boro had been a garbage team, and they’d disbanded the very next year. Bai Cai leaving early had clearly been a good thing.

If Bai Cai hadn’t terminated his contract back then, would he be in FTW eating and living well now?

The more Zhou Xingfei thought about it, the more he felt that he hadn’t done anything wrong. He even felt that Bai Cai was attacking him instead.

Wasn’t it just something from the past, why was he treating it like it was so important!

Zhou Xingfei: “A training match isn’t something I can…”

He really didn’t want to have this training match. It was risky no matter how he looked at it. It hadn’t been easy for him to finally stand stably in OD. He couldn’t afford to take risks!

His teammate spoke up, “Zhou, let’s do it!”

Zhou Xingfei was stunned.

A trace of ridicule flashed through Wei Xiao’s eyes. Zhou Xingfei saw it and realized he’d fallen into a trap!

The player from OD said, “What’s there to be scared of? Is it even possible for us to lose?”

The bait of two million yuan was too attractive. Anyone who heard about it would feel excited.

Zhou Xingfei explained to his teammates, “But I didn’t trick him into losing money. Why should I apologize?”

The OD team members were surprised, “How come you’ve already decided that we’ll lose before we even play?”

Zhou Xingfei: “……”

A person who didn’t treat his former teammates like human beings, shouldn’t expect his current teammates to treat him like a human being.

An apology was completely disproportionate to a bet of two million.

In the eyes of the other members of OD, a training match was just a matter of losing nothing and feeling no pain if they lost and gaining two million if they won. Why shouldn’t they play?

Zhou Xingfei was already in a position where he couldn’t back down, and his teammates were dissatisfied with him, “Zhou, you really don’t trust us at all.”

These words were rather heavy. Zhou Xingfei didn’t want to enter a conflict with his teammates before the season even began.

He tried to defend himself, “I just feel that an unfair contest brings no honor to the victor!”

His teammate: “Any game that’s won with strength is fair!”

Wei Xiao saw that the situation had basically heated up to where he wanted it and spoke up again, “Since God Zhou has so many scruples, how about we just drop it.”

Zhou Xingfei looked at him warily.

Wei Xiao continued, “Free matching is about to start. We’ll try to climb up the scoreboard together. If FTW makes it to the top three, we’ll choose OD; if OD makes it to the top three, then you guys can do as you like.”

Zhou Xingfei froze. It sounded as though Wei Xiao had taken a step back, and it seemed as though he was giving him a way out.

FTW make it into the top three?

This little brat really dared to talk! Everyone knew that FTW had come in seventh yesterday.

Since it was the first day of free matching, there had been many teams who had a wait and see attitude. They weren’t in a hurry to score points, wanting to explore other teams’ routines first so that it would be easier to grab the bonus pool in the future.

However, that wasn’t the case for FTW. Zhou Xingfei had seen the records for their fights, and the team’s 2+2+1 combination was one that was clearly focused on winning points.

Although Zhou Xingfei hadn’t finished watching all their matches, after picking out a random game, he could tell that they’d been playing very seriously.

FTW had been serious about scoring points, but they’d ended up losing messily.

With that level of skill, could they enter the top three today?

OD’s players couldn’t help themselves anymore, “Zhou, don’t worry, we can definitely win!”

Someone was rushing over to give them money. Anyone who didn’t take it was a fool!

Zhou Xingfei was left with no way out. He wanted to say that a training match was something the coaching team had to decide on, and whatever he said wouldn’t count since he was a player, but now… that argument had been completely killed off when Wei Xiao mentioned the scoreboard.

Besides… he didn’t believe that FTW could make it to the top three!

Zhou Xingfei stared at Wei Xiao, “If you guys dare to make an appointment, then of course we’ll play!”

Wei Xiao didn’t step back at all, “If you lose, you have to apologize to White for tricking him into terminating his contract.”

Zhou Xingfei had originally wanted to continue explaining that he hadn’t tricked Bai Cai, but when he thought about how nobody else was here and how his teammates might blow up if he tried to push the situation any further, he became more direct, “Fine!”

OD team member: “And what if you lose?”

Wei Xiao: “Your two million in labor fees, I’ll pay it in full.”

The people from OD left. Bai Cai grabbed at Wei Xiao’s arm, “Are you crazy!”

How was this even related to anything? In order to make a statement, he’d put down two million?

How motherf*cking retarded was that!

Wei Xiao: “If I didn’t do that, would those idiots be baited?”

Bai Cai was super anxious, “Do I even f*cking need his apology?”

Wei Xiao looked at him. His eyes were solemn and serious.

Whenever he wasn’t smiling, the features of this handsome youth who was normally always grinning and cheeky would appear extremely cold. The feeling he gave off even started to resemble Close.

Wei Xiao: “If it wasn’t for the sake of FTW, I would’ve sent him to the hospital a long time ago!”

Bai Cai was shocked inside. A thick stream of heat trickled in like magma and slowly filled up his chest, feeling so heavy that it was difficult for him to speak.

What had happened back then…

Bai Cai had thought that he’d let it go a long time ago. Why should he keep such a white-eyed wolf in his heart?

However, in reality, people’s hearts were soft. Once they had been scratched, it would take a long time for them to heal.

In 2019, Bai Cai had only been 18 years old.

He’d followed Wei Xiao and experienced the hot blooded passion of e-sports, then met Zhou Xingfei while in a helpless position, after suffering from a cold welcome to reality with Boro.

Bai Cai had thought that he’d met a teammate, someone who was like Wei Xiao, who was worthy of being trusted and followed.

Unfortunately, Zhou Xingfei was completely different from Wei Xiao.

Wei Xiao was very inspiring and motivational. Even if it had only been in the youth training camp, it had made Bai Cai feel the charm of chasing after his dreams as a youth.

Zhou Xingfei only had the ability to talk and sell people. He talked about following dreams, but in reality, it was all out of selfishness.

Bai Cai used one million yuan to terminate the contract. Not only had he used up all the savings he’d put together, all of his own expectations and dreams were riding on it as well.

As for Zhou Xingfei, he’d been relaxed and carefree as he abandoned him, and had practically even stomped all over it before he left.

He’d crushed Bai Cai’s hopes and had almost crushed Bai Cai’s life.

How difficult had things been for Bai Cai back then?

He had no money and no team. He had supposedly entered AE, but because there was no formal contract, he was faced with cold gazes and ridicule.

How desperate was it for an 18 year old youth to pass his days in such an aimless way?

Bai Cai had really wanted to give up.

He’d packed up his things and prepared to go back to his hometown. He could work or farm; he hadn’t graduated from high school, so there were no future prospects there. Just being able to feed himself would be enough.

It had been Wei Xiao who’d insisted that he stay.

Wei Xiao had used a lot of energy to understand the cause and effect of the whole situation, and he’d wanted to go and find Zhou Xingfei right then and there.

Unfortunately, that scum had long gone abroad.

What’s more, it was pointless to go find him. He could beat him up to vent his anger, but it wouldn’t solve anything.

Wei Xiao’s advice to him had been: “Go to FTW!”

Bai Cai hugged Soybean and smiled bitterly, “Even if FTW declines even further, they’re still a powerful team within the country. Why would they want a player like me with no achievements?”

Wei Xiao’s eyes were firm and confident, “Go and find Close, and tell him that you can play support for him!”

Bai Cai was stunned.

Wei Xiao: “If you can play support for me, then you can definitely play support for him!”

Bai Cai’s scalp tingled, and his hands trembled slightly, “But…”

Wei Xiao ignited his motivation with a single sentence, “What are you cowering for, you’re about to go home and raise pigs, how about just going for it one last time?”

Bai Cai: “……”

Wei Xiao pulled him up and dragged him to the internet cafe. The two of them constantly double queued, double queued, double queued.

Wei Xiao could basically simulate all the jungler talents that Close often used. He used Close’s style to play jungler and led Bai Cai to adapt and become familiar with it.

It was like this for one day, two days, three days…

Not only did Wei Xiao help him find the hand feel, he also helped him with rhythm and direction.

One week later, Wei Xiao was full of confidence, “Go, Old Bai! Close will definitely love you so much he won’t let you go!”

Bai Cai was amused into laughter, “Get lost, what kind of bullshit are you saying!”

Wei Xiao thought about it, then retorted back at him, “Don’t judge the great demon king based on how cold his face is. In fact, he’s a very good person. Proper women are scared of being entangled. If he’s unwilling to play double queue with you, then just set up camp on FTW’s floor and refuse to leave!”

Bai Cai: “Get lost, get lost, get lost!”

Originally, he’d still been a little nervous. After being stirred up by Wei Xiao, to hell with being nervous!

Bai Cai went to FTW.

He’d never even dreamed that he’d have the courage to say a sentence like, “Close, I can be your support player!”

Close had given him a chance.

Bai Cai had indeed achieved it. In 2020, he accompanied FTW to win the domestic championship and became China’s champion support player.

When Bai Cai thought of the past, his heart was full of mixed feelings.

How could there be such a huge gap between different people.

There was Zhou Xingfei, who made people feel sick, and there was Wei Xiao, who gave people a new lease on life.

Bai Cai sighed, “… If a dog bites you, do you really have to go and bite it back?”

Wei Xiao replied, “This matter should’ve been wrapped up a long time ago.”

Bai Cai was still worried, “If you want to make an appointment for a training match, just do it privately. Why did you have to make it a points competition?”

The three training matches held every evening were also called the competition for points, and it could be considered a livestream gimmick for the investor daddies.

Wei Xiao’s voice was steady, “I want him to apologize to you in public.”

Simply saying sorry was nothing. He wanted Zhou Xingfei to apologize to Bai Cai in front of all 18 teams, in front of the livestream camera, in front of the whole audience!

Even if what happened in the past was a long time ago, even if nobody knew about those things, he still wanted Zhou Xingfei to pay for what he’d done!

Bai Cai’s heart felt like it was boiling hot, and the tip of his nose felt sour, “Damn it.”

This doggy thing was really going to make him cry.

A series of footsteps rushed over. Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle were both breathless and panting from running.

Ning Zhehan: “Brother, Brother Bai, you… are you all right!”

He’d hurried over just in time to see Bai Cai’s reddened eyes.

When Li Chun arrived at the FTW training room, Chen Feng and Xiang Liu hadn’t been there.

Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle had just finished their meal and were preparing to kill some soldiers to warm up and so that they’d have a better feel for the game when they started the free matching games.

Li Chun had quickly told them about what was happening in the bathroom of the restaurant.

These two little ones had rushed over anxiously after thanking him.

It was a big taboo for professional players to fight, especially in the training grounds where everything was under monitoring.

It didn’t matter who started the fight; it would be troublesome to have it in their records.

The competition committee couldn’t be blamed for being so harsh. It was true that e-sports players were young and impulsive, yet it was also true that they were very much in the public eye. It had been difficult for e-sports to gain more of a positive reputation in recent years, and nobody wanted to have this reputation tarnished.

Therefore, fighting was absolutely not allowed. If the punishment was mild, the players would be banned from competing for a period of time. If it was serious, they wouldn’t be able to compete for life. The penalties were very heavy.

Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle saw that there were no signs of fighting anywhere and let out sighs of relief.

When they’d heard Li Chun’s words, they’d rushed down in a hurry, wanting to stop a fight from happening as soon as possible. They hadn’t even dared to waste time calling Chen Feng.

Fortunately, nothing had happened with Bai Cai and Wei Xiao.

Bai Cai wiped his face messily and said, “It’s fine, why did you all run over…”

He hadn’t finished speaking yet when Wei Xiao had already pulled the two little ones over and started chattering, “Brothers, help me out.”

Ning Zhehan & Yue Wenle: “???”

Wei Xiao: “Some fool bullied our Brother Cai, and I was impulsive and made a two million yuan training match bet…”

He summarized everything with a few words, and Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle were both muddled.

“Holy shit! Two million!”

Wei Xiao added fuel to the fire, “In fact, if we can’t make it into the top three of the scoreboard today, it’ll be equal to me losing without even fighting.”

Ning Zhehan was shocked, “You’ll have to give them two million?”

Wei Xiao nodded solemnly, “Yes.”

Not only Little Ning, even Old Yue sucked in a breath.

Bai Cai, who was to the side, “…………”

If he hadn’t been about to start crying, he would definitely go up and start cursing. Wei Xiao, could you f*cking stop bullshitting ahhhhhhh!

Wei Xiao shook his head, “In fact, it’s fine if I lose money. The main thing is losing face for our Brother Cai.”

Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle didn’t know about what had happened to Bai Cai back then.

Wei Xiao didn’t care about whether Bai Cai was shy about it or not, and he told the two of them about how Zhou Xingfei had bullied Bai Cai.

They were all close brothers. They would share this bitter hatred and bully that scum together!

Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle instantly exploded in anger, “F*ck, that’s going overboard!”

Bai Cai: “……”

After listening to this black history a few more times, he didn’t even feel the pain in his heart anymore.

Wei Xiao patted Little Ning and Old Yue on the shoulder and said solemnly, “Fellow brothers, it will be a bloody battle today!”

Ning Zhehan was on fire, “We definitely can’t lose!”

Yue Wenle chomped down viciously on a mouthful of potato chips!

Wei Xiao made a closing statement, “For the sake of our Caicai’s innocence, we must win!”

Bai Cai: “???”

Innocence, your sister! Could you speak with human words?!

Little Ning spoke in a small voice, “Hey, Brother Xiao, it’s ‘reputation’, right?”

Wei Xiao thought about it and continued to be expansive, “For the sake of Brother Cai’s desire and passion, we must win!”

Bai Cai: “…………”

F*ck you ahhhhhhh!!

They went to eat baked lobster to replenish their strength. Wei Xiao even got a cup of watermelon juice that Brother Cai had squeezed out personally.

Ning Zhehan and Yue Wenle went with them and ate another meal.

After they had eaten their fill, the four of them went upstairs.

When Chen Feng went over to check in on them, he was a little surprised, “Are you not drawing lots today?”

Wei Xiao: “I’ll double queue with Brother Cai today.”

Ning Zhehan raised his hand, “Brother Le and I will double queue together!”

Yue Wenle: “Mm.”

Bai Cai had a sore throat.

Lu Feng arrived five minutes before the free matching began, and saw that the four little ones were full of fighting spirit.

He looked at Chen Feng, “?”

Chen Feng had already learned the full story, and his skull was pounding, “You just keep indulging him!”

Lu Feng looked at Wei Xiao.

Wei Xiao smiled at him, “Thanks, captain!”

Lu Feng was shaken by his words, “What’s the matter?”

Wei Xiao: “Thanks to the two million break-up fee you gave me, I was able to act so fiercely today!”

Indeed. Wei Xiao had dared to throw down such fierce words because he really did have money in his bank account.

It wasn’t the money he’d made from the accompanying player platform. It was the two million that Lu Feng had sent to Wei Xiao.

It was the bullshit break-up fee that Wei Xiao had asked for.

Oh, it was the break-up fee that he’d planned and failed to give to his ‘girlfriend’.

Lu Feng paused for a moment, then corrected him. “It’s not a break-up fee.”

Wei Xiao blinked.

Lu Feng rubbed his soft black hair, “It’s private spending money.”

xiin: OMG EVERYONE! Check out this fanart that Egg and Rice (Egg and Rice#4025) made of the FTW team~~ I quote:

[ These are the expressions of the other members of FTW that I imagine they would have after having little lunatic Wei Xiao around for awhile. ]

aren’t they the cutest ahhhhhh!!!!