SITS Ch14

Chapter 14: A Small Training Match

The training match was played in official training gear.

Although the coach had boasted a few days ago about doing a BO7, it ended up being a BO5.

After all, with each match and the BP (ban-pick) phase, the whole process takes over half an hour, and if they played a BO7, it would probably be late into the evening.

Following the lineup from yesterday’s meeting, they finished the BP and entered the game. TKR was the first to be surprised.

Yang Shanhe, the annoying mid-laner from TKR, typed in the [Everyone] channel: “Yo, new lineup, how interesting.”

ACE chose a rarely used dual-C system, picking late-game-oriented champions for both the ADC and jungle positions.

This system was quite common in Heart of the Wasteland, but for ACE, it was a new attempt—previously, they had always used a single-C system. It seemed like today they were planning to practice against TKR.

The mid-laner for TKR was actually an old acquaintance of Shen Man, named Yang Shanhe. When Qin Yixing was about to leave, he didn’t take Shen Man with him but took Yang Shanhe instead.

“Yang Shanhe talks a lot,” Zhao Rui said, clearly not fond of him. “I heard it was him who spread the rumors about you bullying people in the team.”

Shen Man asked, “They?”

Zhao Rui replied, “Your fans.”

Shen Man said, “You know my fans?”

Zhao Rui chuckled, “I’m a surfing expert, I know a lot of people.”

Seeing how happy he was, Shen Man didn’t have the heart to bring him down—knowing so many people, but still engaging in online relationships.

Yang Shanhe and Shen Man had been teammates for a year, but they weren’t close. Shen Man was naturally quiet, and Yang Shanhe was also introverted. However, for some reason, people who were quiet in real life seemed to talk endlessly in the game.

Shen Man couldn’t be bothered with his nonsense, so he just blocked him with one click.

Zhao Rui said, “It feels like he really hates you. What did you do to him?” Everyone said Shen Man had a bad temper, but actually, those who spent more time with him knew that he was just naturally cold in personality and was never the type to bully anyone. He kept a low profile and didn’t actively socialize. During meetings, he would always choose a corner to sit in—unfortunately, with Shen Man’s face, he couldn’t stay low-key even if he wanted to. But no matter how you looked at it, spreading rumors about him bullying people seemed a bit too much.

Shen Man said, “How would I know?” He didn’t have much of an impression of this person and could barely remember his face.

Zhao Rui replied, “…Alright then.”

There was no doubt about TKR’s strength, and trying out a new system was part of their practice, but ACE quickly began to show signs of weakness.

After all, Qin Yixing, the top player in HCC, was undeniably strong.

At the 28-minute mark, TKR destroyed ACE’s base, ending the match without much surprise.

Zhao Rui sighed, “Qin Yixing is still impressive. I heard when TKR signed him, the signing fee was particularly high.” He looked at Shen Man, “Shen-ge, how much did they offer you?”

Shen Man replied, “A few thousand.”

Zhao Rui asked, “After tax?”

Shen Man nodded.

This was something everyone in the industry knew, but it was the first time Zhao Rui heard it directly from Shen Man.

“You didn’t go?” Zhao Rui was a bit shocked. After-tax and pre-tax were two completely different concepts. Shen Man probably wouldn’t even get half of that at ACE. It was no wonder ACE’s boss treated Shen Man like a treasure.

“Captain, you’re really a good person,” Xu Zhouye sighed.

He wouldn’t have said anything if he hadn’t spoken up, but as soon as he did, Zhao Rui and Shen Man immediately thought of his salary. Zhao Rui’s tone instantly became gentle, “Xiao Ye, do you want something to drink? I’ll get it for you.”

Xu Zhouye, confused, replied, “No, I’m not thirsty.”

Shen Man said, “It’s fine, let him go. He just likes getting water for others.”

Zhao Rui: “…” That’s not true.

In the end, Zhao Rui went to grab a few bottles of soda water, and they started the second match.

In their first meeting with TKR, ACE had won easily. One of the big reasons was that Qin Yixing and his team didn’t take Xu Zhouye seriously. A jungler who was killed by a neutral monster in his first match—what kind of skill could he have? Everyone treated him like a joke.

However, in esports, when you look down on your opponent, you’ve already given up half of your chance to win.

In the second match, TKR won again. The dual-C system made Zhao Rui and Shen Man struggle a bit, as this kind of system that required passive development didn’t suit their aggressive playstyle.

The coach had been spectating and recording data. He wasn’t surprised by the result. It took a lot of practice to fully adapt to a new lineup. Having TKR as sparring partners was definitely a good thing. However, at the end of this match, TKR’s Yang Shanhe couldn’t help but type in the [Everyone] channel again, saying, “Oh, not in good shape today. Still haven’t recovered from the cold, huh?”

If it had been someone else, people might have thought he was showing concern, but this guy was definitely being sarcastic.

Yang Shanhe thought ACE would respond, but no one replied until the base exploded. He felt inexplicably ignored, and the joy of winning was dampened, even leading to some frustration. Yang Shanhe said, “What’s there to be arrogant about? Winning once and thinking you’re all that, you’re still being crushed by us!”

The team’s ADC glanced at him, “You won two games, why are you still so angry?”

Yang Shanhe said, “I just can’t stand Shen Man’s high-and-mighty attitude!”

The ADC asked, “Did he really bully you often?”

Yang Shanhe said, “Heh, not at all.”

The ADC became interested, “How did he bully you?”

Yang Shanhe opened his mouth, wanting to list a number of things to prove how awful Shen Man was, but after thinking for a while, he could only say, “He doesn’t even acknowledge me!”

The ADC asked, “Huh?”

Yang Shanhe continued, “He didn’t even accept my WeChat friend request!”

The ADC: “…”

Yang Shanhe added, “When I invited him out for a meal, he always refused!”

The ADC’s expression became a bit strange.

Yang Shanhe realized something was off and quickly tried to fix it, “But there’s something even worse.”

The ADC asked, “What?”

Yang Shanhe said, “He didn’t eat the takeout I brought for him and gave it to others!”

The ADC paused for a moment and cautiously said, “That sounds a bit strange.”

Yang Shanhe snapped, “What’s strange about it? Shen Man’s the one who’s strange! You have no idea how bad his personality is!”

The ADC thought, “Isn’t what you’re saying just that he didn’t eat your takeout? Is that bullying?”

Yang Shanhe was still seeking validation, “Qin-ge, I’m right, aren’t I?”

Who would have thought that Qin Yixing hadn’t been listening to him at all? He only looked up after Yang Shanhe called his name twice. “What’s up?”

Yang Shanhe repeated what he had said earlier, trying to seek approval. But Qin Yixing glanced at him and said, “Your description sounds like a lovesick puppy.”

Yang Shanhe: “…”

The ADC couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, Shen Man and his team were unaware of the intense discussion happening in TKR. They discussed with their coach and decided to bring out their usual ADC system for the third game.

The coach agreed.

As soon as the third game started, Shen Man sensed a strange tension in the air. TKR locked in Moon Spirit on the first pick, and everyone knew that this hero was Yang Shanhe’s signature mage. No one knew why he picked it in a training match.

“What’s going on?” Zhao Rui said, “They won two games and now they’re getting all fired up?”

“This guy’s always been weird,” Shen Man didn’t understand either. “I’m allergic to pineapple, and he insisted on bringing me pineapple sticky rice.”

Zhao Rui said, “Got it, he’s got second thoughts and wants to use pineapple to mess with you.”

Shen Man turned to Xu Zhouye, “What are you playing?”

Xu Zhouye smiled, “Since he likes typing so much, let’s give him some extra time for it.”

With that, he locked in Rabid Dog.

Shen Man: “…” Well, the tension just got stronger.

Xu Zhouye’s Rabid Dog had never been used in a professional match, so TKR hadn’t seen its power yet.

As soon as it was picked, TKR started mocking.

“Wow, picking a counter version of Rabid Dog?” Yang Shanhe didn’t forget to talk, “Did you get confused after getting beaten?”

Qin Yixing said, “Why are you talking so much today?”

Yang Shanhe said, “I only said a couple of things at the start, I don’t have time to type during the game!”

Qin Yixing replied, “You’d better not.”

It turned out to be a prophecy.

When Xu Zhouye’s Rabid Dog, controlled for the third time, crushed him again, Yang Shanhe stared at the black-and-white screen in silence.

Qin Yixing was fighting in the bottom lane, and Shen Man had picked his signature hero for this match. Their duo lane couldn’t hold up, and they didn’t have time to worry about Yang Shanhe. He said, “Stay away from the bushes.”

Yang Shanhe replied, “I didn’t even get close to the bushes.” This was a jungle map, and the grass was thick everywhere. Who knew where Xu Zhouye’s hidden Rabid Dog would pop out from to bite him?

Qin Yixing said, “Why don’t you buy a Guardian Angel?” (A piece of equipment that grants temporary invincibility when triggered.)

Yang Shanhe responded, “I only have two hundred gold in my pocket, how am I supposed to buy a Guardian Angel?”

Qin Yixing: “…”

The two fell into silence.

Finally, Qin Yixing made a decision about Yang Shanhe’s fate: “Then just wait to die.”

Yang Shanhe yelled, “Ahhhh, where the hell did Shen Man find this Xu Zhouye from?! So disgusting!!!”

As promised, Xu Zhouye gave Yang Shanhe plenty of time to type during this match.

In this game, black and white became the dominant colors for Yang Shanhe, as his score went from 0-1 to 0-3 and finally settled at 0-6.

His body lay cold on the ground, quite peacefully.

In the end, TKR unsurprisingly lost the third game. Yang Shanhe sat slumped in his chair, and Qin Yixing patted his shoulder, asking, “Do you want to go wash your face?”

Before Yang Shanhe could respond, the ADC couldn’t hold back a laugh and said, “Does washing your face help?”

Yang Shanhe retorted, “Which side are you on? You’re so happy just because we lost the game?”

The ADC replied, “This isn’t a formal match, and besides…”

Yang Shanhe asked, “Besides what?”

Qin Yixing answered for his ADC, “Besides, Shen Man is his idol.”

Yang Shanhe: “…”

The ADC laughed, “Hehe.”

Yang Shanhe: “…” You bunch of ADC players are really disgusting.

Meanwhile, the “disgusting” Shen Man sneezed. He rubbed his nose, wondering if Xu Zhouye had killed too thoroughly, making Yang Shanhe curse him behind his back.