Full-Time Substitute

On the eve of the Valorant Champions tournament, the much-anticipated TLP team suddenly changed its lineup. As the regular starter who was replaced, Ni Yuan was the last person to find out.

Overnight, Ni Yuan went from starter to substitute. Yet the internet was full of cheers, with everyone praising the new arrival.

"They should've replaced that noob Vidar ages ago! His stats are always at the bottom. He plants the spike, then gives away or feeds kills. He's worse than Pidan."

"Finally, Vidar's gone. TLP's dark days are over!"

"The new guy is K, a famous fragger from the North American region. I guarantee TLP has a much better shot at the championship with K on the team!"

"This is definitely the best decision TLP has ever made."

Ni Yuan had a good attitude. As long as the team could win the championship, he figured, none of these sacrifices mattered. He could put up with it.

Until he found out that K was the one his boyfriend had always secretly loved.

If K hadn't gone abroad to study and become unavailable to join TLP, Ni Yuan might never have become a starter. Now K was back. Not only did Ni Yuan have to give up the spot he'd worked so hard to earn in the championship tournament, but he also realized that he wasn't the one his boyfriend truly loved.

Only then did Ni Yuan understand that, from start to finish, whether in gaming or in love, he'd always just been K's substitute.

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After two years of secretly loving Zhou Chengzhen and one year of openly pursuing him, Ni Yuan naively believed that Zhou Chengzhen's love was something he'd won through endless effort and hardship, just like the contract TLP had once offered him.

Once he'd figured it all out, Ni Yuan said nothing. With a pen between his teeth, he coolly signed his name and immediately terminated his contract with TLP.

Then he blocked Zhou Chengzhen.

Not long after, Ni Yuan transferred to the team next door. On the day of the championship, he stood across from Zhou Chengzhen, hand in hand with his new boyfriend. For the first time, he saw Zhou Chengzhen's eyes turn red.

Later, Ni Yuan terminated another contract and founded a new team of his own. He was looking to recruit fresh talent.

That's when he came across a young prodigy with outstanding aim, game sense, and decision-making. Ni Yuan was intrigued.

During a live tryout, the boy turned on his mic.

But the voice that came out was that familiar, deep one: "Vidar."

Zhou Chengzhen was practically groveling, as cautious as a puppy afraid of being abandoned, proud yet aggrieved. He made his in-game character bow its head and crouch obediently in front of Ni Yuan.

The hottest star player, TLP's strongest ace, was now in front of tens of thousands of viewers in a livestream, seemingly holding back tears as he said in a low voice:

"I'm the number-one active duelist in the country. If you want to compete in the championship, there's no reason not to pick me."

The instant he said that, the live chat exploded.

Zhou Chengzhen x Ni Yuan

A duelist top who can't shoot without his wife's instructions x a shot-caller bottom who needs a well-behaved dog that follows orders to win

#No real-life counterparts. The game only provides the setting; all details about professional tournaments are invented to serve the plot and have nothing to do with reality.

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Premise: The esports stage is huge. If you have a dream, come play