SITS Ch8

Chapter 8: The Water Maiden Belinda

The fever had subsided, but he was still coughing.

There was a match on Saturday this week. Although they were playing against teams at the bottom of the rankings, they couldn’t afford to be careless.

To prepare for the match, the coach held the usual analysis meeting in the afternoon.

Worried that his condition might worsen, Shen Man wrapped himself in thick clothing and sat in the corner with a mask on, coughing while taking notes.

After a while, the coach couldn’t help but cast a worried look at Shen Man and said, “Man, you’re coughing so badly, is it alright? If you’re not feeling well, we can go to the hospital for an X-ray.”

Shen Man shook his head: “It’s not that serious, cough cough cough.”

The coach said, “Are you sure? You look really pale.”

Shen Man replied, “Just continue talking; I promise I won’t die here at the base.”

The coach sighed, “Alright, with that promise, I’m relieved.”

Everyone else: “…” Coach, what exactly are you relieved about?

The coach went on, “MIN, this team was pretty good last season, but this season…”

Shen Man interrupted with more coughing: “cough cough cough cough cough.”

The coach continued, “Just focus on their mage, Xu Zhouye, you…”

Shen Man’s coughing became louder: “cough cough cough.”

The coach took a deep breath and was about to speak when he heard his star player, Shen Man, with a hoarse voice asking, “Coach, am I disturbing you? Sorry, I’ll try not to cough.”

The coach: “…” Shen Man, who taught you to sound so whiny?

The coach twisted his face for a moment before finally giving up: “Alright, alright, you don’t need to be in the meeting; go rest. Don’t cough your lungs out.”

Shen Man stood up, turned, and walked out, coughing all the way. The coach winced watching him.

Zhao Rui raised his hand: “Coach, my throat’s a bit itchy too.”

The coach roared: “If your throat’s itchy, scratch it! Even if you scratch it raw, you’re finishing the meeting today!”

Zhao Rui: “…” You’re so fierce.

The coach said, “Keep going, anyone else with an itchy throat? I’ve got throat lozenges!”

Everyone else stayed quiet, not daring to make a sound.

MIN used to be a strong team, but after several major roster changes, they fell apart. This season, they’ve lost all their games so far. They even tried to recruit Xu Zhouye, but he refused and chose ACE instead.

The upcoming match with MIN seemed to carry little pressure.

The coach held the meeting while Xu Zhouye listened attentively, even taking notes in his notebook.

Zhao Rui sighed, saying he liked the enthusiasm of the younger generation, reminiscing about the past…

Liu Shishi, sitting next to him, threw cold water on his words: “You were beaten by MIN so badly back in the day; it must have been because you didn’t take notes.”

Zhao Rui snapped: “You talk too much!”

Xu Zhouye couldn’t help but smile.

Zhao Rui said, “Xu Zhouye, you really love to smile.”

Xu Zhouye grinned, “Yeah, every time I think about joining ACE, I can’t help but smile.”

After saying that, Xu Zhouye glanced at the door Shen Man had left open when he walked out.

The fever had subsided, but Shen Man’s cough lingered. Over the course of a few days, he lost weight, and his face became pale, even drawing pity from the cook, who insisted on making him something extra.

But Shen Man’s appetite was terrible, and nothing tasted good to him. The cough kept him awake at night, and the coach began worrying that he might collapse inside the house, so Xu Zhouye was tasked with checking on him every morning to make sure he was still alive.

Every morning, Xu Zhouye saw Shen Man in his pajamas, hair messy, looking half-awake. Sometimes, if he arrived early, he could hear the captain mumbling, “Why is it so early today?”

Xu Zhouye laughed, “I’m here to remind you to take your medicine, Captain. Auntie made you some pear water with fritillaria; you should drink it.”

Shen Man coughed and said, “Just leave it there.”

Xu Zhouye placed it down and kindly reminded him, “Make sure to drink it.”

Shen Man nodded, glancing at Xu Zhouye. He seemed like he wanted to say something but ended up staying silent. There was something he found hard to bring up.

Xu Zhouye smiled and exited the room, even gently closing the door behind him.

Shen Man picked up the pear water. It tasted a little bitter, but he drank it all.

The match with MIN was scheduled for Saturday evening. The day before, it rained, and the weather felt a bit cold. Shen Man was still coughing and shivering, so he put on an extra jacket over his hoodie. Wearing a mask, he got off the bus and was immediately caught in a crowd, feeling like he was suffocating and almost being pressed into a flat sheet of paper.

Luckily, someone stood behind him, holding onto his shoulder, shielding him from the crowd.

It wasn’t until they entered the building that the person behind him gently let go.

“Captain, are you okay?” It was Xu Zhouye’s voice.

Shen Man shook his head: “cough cough cough I’m fine.” He took off his mask, but his nose was sweating heavily, “Why are there so many people today?”

“You didn’t know?” Zhao Rui pointed at Xu Zhouye, “This kid gained a lot of fans after his match with TKR, and today, a lot of people are here for him.”

Shen Man looked at Xu Zhouye.

Xu Zhouye shrugged: “I don’t think it has anything to do with me. They’re all here for you, Captain. Are you feeling okay?”

Shen Man coughed again and put his mask back on, gesturing that he was fine.

As they walked towards the break room, they bumped into the entire MIN team in the hallway. MIN had also undergone a major roster change this year, with new players in the marksman and mage roles. The teams had a neutral relationship, and they greeted each other calmly.

When MIN’s captain, Zhang Chaoyun, saw Shen Man wearing a mask, he was surprised: “You look really pale; are you sick?”

Shen Man’s muffled voice came from behind the mask: “cough cough cough Just a cold.”

Zhang Chaoyun said, “Sounds pretty bad.”

Shen Man coughed again: “It’s fine, cough cough cough, good luck with the match today.”

Zhang Chaoyun smiled: “Thanks, just go easy on the newbies; you’re the veteran here.”

Shen Man nodded and walked into the break room.

One of the young players from MIN, standing next to Zhang Chaoyun, was practically starstruck: “It’s Slow, it’s the real Slow!!” He was so excited, he looked like he was about to faint. “I actually saw the real Slow!!”

Zhang Chaoyun shook his head: “Alright, alright. Not only did you see him, but you’re about to get beaten by him in a bit. But, he’s not in top form today, so maybe you can find a chance.” Even with a mask, everyone could tell Shen Man wasn’t in good condition.

“Is that for real?” the young player clenched his fists. “Then I have to give it my all!”

The match began on time, and while selecting heroes, Shen Man took a sip of coffee to suppress the itch in his throat.

“What are you playing?” Zhao Rui asked.

Shen Man replied, “Water Maiden is available, take her.” Water Maiden, full name Belinda the Dancer of the Waves, a beautiful lady who loves ice skating, wields a pair of ice skate blades. She is a highly difficult marksman, and Shen Man’s signature hero, rarely seen in the game, but he decided to pick her today.

“Got it.” Zhao Rui said.

Caster 1 noticed Shen Man was sick and smiled, “Looks like Slow is feeling under the weather today; his condition doesn’t seem great. Does MIN’s new marksman have a chance?”

Caster 2 joined in, “If he plays well, maybe…”

However, there was no ‘maybe’ about it.

The first match was on the Lava map.

At level 4, the fight for the duo lane’s fire pool resources began. MIN’s duo lane, being new players, was easily overwhelmed by Shen Man and Zhao Rui, who took a double kill. By the time the enemy jungler arrived, it was too late. They only saw their duo lane’s corpses, burned in the fire pool.

The Lava map has two fire pools, one for attribute bonuses and the other for crafting equipment. With Shen Man’s double kill and control of the attribute fire pool, it was practically a perfect opening for ACE.

This left MIN’s bottom lane without a chance.

At the 12-minute mark, ACE fought a team battle, exchanging one for four. Only Liu Shishi, the tank at the front, fell. Shen Man’s Water Maiden was terrifying; her movements seemingly scripted. When MIN’s jungler used a control skill, Shen Man dodged it effortlessly, triggering gasps from the crowd.

“Too strong, too strong!” Caster 1 marveled, “He dodged everything! This play absolutely deserves a spot in the top 10 highlights of the season.”

Caster 2 commented, “Uh-oh, they’ve been stunned.”

The camera then focused on MIN’s new marksman. This rookie, in his first year in the HCC, was utterly dazzled by Shen Man’s skill. He didn’t even realize the camera was on him, his mouth hanging open in shock. His bewildered expression was quickly turned into a meme by the audience.

The live chat exploded with messages.

[Why is SW playing so harshly today?]

[Is this a bot game? Twenty minutes and they’re at the high ground, anyone who paid for tickets to see this live got scammed.]

[Isn’t there one more match?]

[With this skill gap, even ten more matches wouldn’t change anything.]

[Who said ten matches wouldn’t help? Look at Shen Man’s face, he might just collapse from exhaustion before the tenth match!]

By the end of the first match, Shen Man’s face was as pale as paper, and he was coughing heavily in the rest area. No one dared speak, afraid that even a single word might blow him away.

Xu Zhouye pulled out a thermos from his bag, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to Shen Man.

“What’s this?” Shen Man asked.

“Rock candy pear soup.” Xu Zhouye said, “It’s still warm in the thermos, drink it, it’ll soothe your throat.”

“Thanks.” Shen Man took it and drank a sip, feeling a little relief in his throat.

“Let’s go, there’s still one more match.” Xu Zhouye looked at Shen Man’s face and softly said, “Let’s finish quickly.”

His “finish quickly” almost broke the record for the fastest match in the Summer Split.

By the 18-minute mark, Xu Zhouye was already standing on the opponent’s high ground.

MIN’s captain, Zhang Chaoyun, stood in the fountain cursing. He had agreed to go easy, but it felt like his brain was about to explode.

Their rookie marksman was still giddy. “Damn, Slow is amazing! So strong, really too strong.”

Seeing Shen Man in action on the screen felt completely different from facing him in a match. Every crucial skill the rookie launched was dodged, the terrifying pressure almost made his hair stand on end.

But this wasn’t Shen Man’s best performance. He was coughing while playing, his face pale as if he might collapse on the spot.

Such a “Slow” was truly captivating.

In the end, Shen Man showed MIN some mercy and didn’t immediately push their base.

The two teams fought another team battle, and MIN was utterly helpless. By the time the first match ended, everyone already knew the result, but no one expected the process to be this one-sided.

2-0, ACE won with the fastest time.

After taking off his headset, Shen Man walked in front.

When he shook hands with MIN’s players, the rookie marksman looked at Shen Man with shining eyes. He shook Shen Man’s hand enthusiastically, not looking like someone who just lost a match. “Slow, you’re amazing! I’ve been your fan for years!!”

“Mm, thank you.” Shen Man quietly replied.

“You’re so strong.” The rookie marksman said, his eyes gleaming with tears, “It’s because of you that I started playing this game!”

Shen Man was about to say something, but all that came out was an uncontrollable cough.

The rookie marksman immediately realized, quickly letting go of his hand. “Sorry, didn’t mean to take up your time.”

Other players were still waiting behind.

Shen Man said, “It’s fine.” He was already used to hearing such things, unfazed. “You have potential; keep it up.”

With that, he turned and left the stage.

Focusing on the game is mentally exhausting.

On the way back, Shen Man leaned wearily against the window, wearing his headphones, looking like he was about to doze off.

When they arrived at the base, someone gently tapped his shoulder to wake him up.

“Captain, we’re here.” It was Xu Zhouye’s voice.

Shen Man slowly woke up, still groggy, coughing heavily. “Here?”

“Mm.” Xu Zhouye replied.

Shen Man rubbed his eyes. “I’m hungry.”

“I’ll have Auntie make some porridge for you later.” Xu Zhouye comforted Shen Man like a child, “Let’s get off the bus first.”

Shen Man nodded and slowly got up. Maybe due to his sitting posture, his legs felt numb. When he stood up, he stumbled and fell into Xu Zhouye’s arms.

Xu Zhouye reacted quickly, steadying Shen Man as he caught him, his tone full of concern. “Captain?”

Shen Man replied, “…I’m fine.” He looked up and softly complained, “My leg’s numb.”

Xu Zhouye lowered his gaze, supporting Shen Man and letting him lean against him, but showing no intention of helping him stand up. He spoke gently, “It’s fine, no rush, take your time.”

Shen Man murmured, “Mm…”

After a moment, once the numbness in his leg passed, he got up and, with Xu Zhouye’s help, got out of the car.