Crowned for You

"Whether a match gets chaotic is up to Xu Yi."

That's an accepted truth across the league.

Two years ago, Xu Yi suddenly announced his retirement, becoming the biggest what-if in the entire esports scene.

Two years later, news that he'd bought his former team, ACG, shot straight to the top of the trending charts.

At the same time, a hot thread appeared on the forums.

"Serious discussion: Which is more impossible to deal with, Adam's harem or his 4-1 split push?"

"The esports Daji is back in action."

In the training room, Qi Nan walked in, took the iced coffee from Xu Yi's hand, and replaced it with hot water. "Don't drink anything cold."

Xu Yi leaned into his arms and smiled. "You're really going to boss me around that much?"

Qi Nan replied in a low voice, "Since you were seven, what haven't I looked after for you?"

Everyone in the league knew that South was Xu Yi's shadow. He'd been there when Xu Yi reached the top, when he got treatment, and when he rebuilt the dynasty.

After the match, KK rushed into Xu Yi's room and pinned him against the wall, coming at him aggressively.

"Captain, guess what I want to penetrate right now: a tower's defenses, or you?"

The livestream camera suddenly turned on, and a million viewers flooded in just in time to hear Xu Yi's hoarse, breathless voice.

"Turn off the stream..."

The comments exploded instantly.

[???]

[Can I watch this without paying?]

The sweet, well-behaved substitute he'd picked up from an internet cafe had now become ACG's biggest rival.

The Rookie of the Year, Cheng Mu, followed behind Xu Yi with his gaming gear in his arms, his eyes shining. "Bro, I just solo-killed KK!"

Xu Yi indulged him like a child, ruffling his hair. "Mm, good boy."

Cheng Mu took the chance to nuzzle into his palm, pushing his luck. "Then tonight... can I come to your room to review the match?"

Xu Yi leaned lazily against the wall and glanced at him. "Kid, keep your admiration in check."

"I'm not admiring you," Cheng Mu said, his gaze burning as he pressed closer. "I'm pursuing you."

The CP shippers were losing their minds.

[Nan-Yi is real! They've been childhood friends for 23 years. What do you have to compete with that?]

[KK is the original! Have you forgotten those smoldering looks from the days he was a substitute?]

[Go for it, Wood! A younger puppy is the answer!]

Behind the scenes after the match, three men with their own schemes crossed paths in a narrow corridor.

Xu Yi saw right through them but said nothing. He leaned against the doorway and smiled.

"What a coincidence."

"Don't rush. One at a time."

Theme: Strive hard and never give up easily.