The base’s internet speed was quite fast. After downloading the internation server, Sui Ning logged into the account provided by the official.
System: Account verification in progress… Success. Summoner Wind, welcome back!
“……Wind.”
Sui Ning couldn’t help but feel startled when he saw this familiar yet unfamiliar system message.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Yunyu noticed something off and leaned over to take a look. “Something not right?”
The boy’s posture was lazy and casual, half-slouched over the desk, one cheek pressed down in a way that was almost a little cute. When he leaned closer to speak, he nearly sprawled across toward Sui Ning’s hand, like a puppy wanting to nuzzle against its owner’s hand.
He didn’t seem to notice it himself. Tilting his chin slightly, he peered at Sui Ning’s screen. A few stray locks of hair brushed across the back of Sui Ning’s right hand—soft, ticklish, like tiny electric sparks running across his skin.
Sui Ning’s pupils shrank; he immediately pulled his hand back. “…Nothing.”
After a pause, Sui Ning lowered his eyes, pretending he had just been about to type, placing his hand back on the keyboard. His long lashes, dark like crow feathers, cast a small shadow.
Was his reaction just now a little too intense? It was just hair brushing against him… better to act as though he was typing and pass it off.
Pressing his lips together, Sui Ning instinctively tapped out a string of meaningless keystrokes, then deleted them again.
“I’ve added you.” The young man casually opened his friends list as though nothing had happened. “But my rank’s pretty low right now, I can climb by myself if needed…”
He had added all of Ji Yunyu’s accounts as friends.
Ji Yunyu raised his brows and instantly accepted the request. His eyes drifted, lingering deliberately on Suning’s hand. “Together.”
“…Not necessary. Smurf games don’t really help with practice.”
“Even saving you one minute is still time saved. The sooner you climb up, the sooner we can practice our synergy.” Ji Yunyu’s lips curled mischievously as he leaned closer, deliberately lowering his voice. “We’re twin stars, aren’t we?”
As he spoke, his warm breath brushed against Sui Ning’s arm. His sharp, beautiful dark eyes shimmered with a faint purple glow, staring straight at him, catching every flicker of expression.
From the angle, Sui Ning should have had the upper hand—looking down from above—while Ji Yunyu, with his cheek resting innocently against the cold desk surface, looked almost well-behaved…
…Why isn’t he wearing long sleeves?
Those deep eyes locked onto him. Suning pressed his lips together, a strange thought flashing through his mind.
His arm trembled slightly; instinctively he turned his gaze away.
Ji Yunyu’s smile only deepened.
Thoughts muddled, Sui Ning’s voice unconsciously softened. “I—”
“Ugh—!” A few seats away, Lin Zhaoxu, who had been eavesdropping, suddenly rolled his eyes and made exaggerated retching noises. “Disgusting! If someone wants to duo just to climb ranks, just say so already!”
Ji Yunyu: …Damn it.
“Shut up, son.” Ji Yunyu didn’t move, his face expressionless, but the way he looked at Lin Zhaoxu was like staring at a dead man.
Lin Zhaoxu made a face at him. “Did I say anything wrong? Brother Su and I are twin stars too, and you don’t see us duo all the time! What do you think you are, conjoined twins? Obviously someone just wants to climb but doesn’t have the guts to admit it!”
Ji Yunyu: “…You looking for death? And by the way, my solo queue win rate is way higher than when I carry your dead weight.”
After all, he was still a top-tier jungler among the younger generation of pros. Ranking up in solo queue was trivial for him—his solo win rate averaged over 75%. It was only when he duoed with Lin Zhaoxu that he often lost six out of ten games.
…But that wasn’t the point! Why did this idiot always have to butt in at times like this! Ji Yunyu ground his teeth.
Lin Zhaoxu felt no shame. “Bullshit! You’re just bad! Even I can’t carry you! My precious support never says I drag him down!”
He loved to play flashy in ranked, experimenting with heroes and builds, especially when his support wasn’t around. As for win rate… well.
At the far end, Cheng Su sighed. “First of all, I’m your dad. Second, mind your own business when grown-ups are talking. Lastly, get online and duo. Your Soul-Piercing Spear is trash—go practice more.”
“Oh.” The word training immediately made Lin Zhaoxu behave. “I’m on, bro.”
Two seconds later, he couldn’t help but mutter, “My Grier isn’t that bad though…”
“Shut up and join. I invited you.”
“…Oh.”
Lin Zhaoxu hunched his shoulders, meekly joining the team lobby.
The marksman-support “sweet duo” went off, punctuated by Cheng Su’s sighs and gentle “encouragements” like: “What’s in your head, snot?”, “Missed another cannon minion? Donate your eyes if you don’t need them,” and “With this level of play, how do you even eat?”
Ji Yunyu: …And just like that, this son escaped death.
The boy snorted in irritation, pulling his gaze back to Sui Ning.
Sui Ning had already brushed aside his earlier strange reaction, face calm as he met Ji Yunyu’s eyes. “We can start too.”
“….” Ji Yunyu wanted to grind his teeth again. “Okay.”
“Cloud4, right? I’ll invite you.”
“…Mm.”
Sui Ning blinked. “What’s wrong? You don’t look too happy.”
Ji Yunyu was dying inside. “Nothing. Just start.”
Sui Ning gave a small “oh” and queued up for matchmaking.
The official pro account already had every hero unlocked, so he could play anything he wanted—but skins and all the flashy effects still had to be bought by the players themselves. For international tournaments, the organizers would issue “super accounts” with everything unlocked, but they would be taken back after the event.
Even pros still had to spend money—seriously, who else would do this? Sui Ning couldn’t help but think of a certain Antarctic beast.
Still, thanks to the balance protection of parallel worlds, War of Glory hadn’t gone down the rabbit hole of billion-blade weapons, crystal paywalls, VIP999s, “Kyoto’s Ultimate King,” or limited-time holiday lootboxes. Everything was clearly priced, which was relatively fair.
But since their starting rank was so low, both Sui Ning and Ji Yunyu played pretty casually, even winning easily with ridiculous combos.
——
1 a.m.
[Dorm 203]
After the long boat trip from Jinling to Shanghai that morning, Sui Ning had decided, for once, to sleep early.
PNG’s dorms had double rooms, each with its own bathroom. The young man grabbed his toiletries, took a quick shower, and came out steaming with heat. Beads of water slid from his damp hair, the towel slung casually over his shoulders.
He noticed Ji Yunyu sitting on the bed, head lowered, one hand on his phone and the other scribbling notes. Curious, Sui Ning walked over. “What are you looking at?”
“The 6.2 update, I—”
His words cut off. Ji Yunyu’s eyes lifted from his phone, landing on Sui Ning—and instantly went still.
The young man had just come out of the shower, his cheeks faintly flushed from the steam, making his pale skin look even whiter. His soft peach-colored lips moved as he spoke, drawing Ji Yunyu’s eyes and making his throat bob unconsciously.
Seeing the dazed look, Sui Ning tilted his head, a rare childlike gesture. His dark eyes shone gentle and innocent in the warm orange lamplight. Damp strands of black hair clung to his cheek, making him look docile, easy to bully.
“What’s wrong?”
Ji Yunyu didn’t answer. He watched a bead of water slide from Sui Ning’s temple, down the pale line of his throat, across his Adam’s apple, tracing the elegant curve until it sank into his collarbone—then lower, disappearing into the loose neckline of his sleep shirt.
…Wait.
“......”
Wasn’t that neckline way too wide—?!
His eyes fixed on the collar, Ji Yunyu sucked in a sharp breath. His face flamed red as he raised a trembling finger. “You, you—”
Sui Ning: Huh?
Holding back, then failing to hold back, Ji Yunyu gritted his teeth, grabbed Sui Ning’s wrist, and yanked him down.
Startled, Sui Ning stumbled. “W-wait, what—?”
Before he could process it, Ji Yunyu had pushed him onto the bed, panting. Sui Ning’s damp hair pressed into the sheets, soaking the fabric.
Towering over him, Ji Yunyu stared down.
“Wait, wait, what are you doing?” Sui Ning’s heart skipped, his cheeks flushing pink. “Let go, you’ll get the bed wet…”
The black-haired youth tried to struggle, but quickly realized that this “little brother,” just half a year younger than him, had shocking strength.
Even when his shirt hem rode up, exposing a stretch of smooth pale stomach, his resistance was effortlessly suppressed. One hand pinned both wrists above his pillow; those dark eyes gave away nothing.
…Did this guy always train this much? Sui Ning bit his lip.
“I’m saying.”
With the light behind him, half his face in shadow, Ji Yunyu’s tone was calm, expressionless. “…The neckline’s too big.”
“……” Sui Ning blinked, then instinctively glanced at his shirt.
Choking a little, he protested, “…This is just a normal T-shirt!”
“This one won’t do.”
“You’re being too controlling, little—cough.”
“No.” Ji Yunyu ignored the half-finished word. His free hand tugged Sui Ning’s shirt back into place, his tone brooking no refusal.
He repeated: “It won’t do.”
Sui Ning let out a long sigh. “I’ve always worn—”
Feeling the grip on his wrist tighten, he quickly changed tack. “Fine, I’ll change. In a few days.”
“I don’t have any other clothes. Buying some will take time. I can’t exactly wear yours, right?” Sui Ning added hastily when Ji Yunyu seemed about to argue again.
“......”
Wear… mine…?
The words shattered his predatory mood. Ji Yunyu’s face burned scarlet. He released Sui Ning and scrambled off the bed in a fluster. “Damn it, you—you—stop saying stuff like that!”
Sitting up, Sui Ning calmly straightened his shirt. “I was just being honest.”
After a pause, he sighed with a trace of nostalgia. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen that reaction… Just now you were so scary I thought you had a fever.”
“…Tsk.” Ji Yunyu pressed both hands against the tips of his ears, red and burning as if they were bleeding. “Might as well scare you to death.”
Sui Ning looked innocent: “How was I supposed to know you’d suddenly act like that?”
His gaze shifted to Ji Yunyu’s phone. “What were you looking at just now?”
“…The new season’s info.” Ji Yunyu answered reluctantly.
Sui Ning tapped the notebook beside him. “Can I see?”
“…Sure.”
With permission granted, the young man sat right on the bed and began flipping through. The latest pages were filled with information about the new season, along with Ji Yunyu’s personal thoughts and possible strategy experiments.
Scanning a few lines, Sui Ning nodded thoughtfully. “True, with Rift Herald in 6.2, early game might need more plays focused around top lane.”
“Mm. Fighter tops might rise again.” Ji Yunyu responded, then squeezed his eyes shut hard. “You… wipe your hair first, or you’ll get a headache.”
Sui Ning blinked, lifted an eyebrow, eyes tinted with mischief. “Didn’t I already wipe it dry with your blanket?”
On the spot where he’d just been lying, there was indeed a faint wet patch.
“You’re killing me here.” The boy muttered, yet dutifully grabbed Sui Ning’s towel, spread it open, and dropped it onto his head.
“…You’re gonna wipe it for me?”
Ji Yunyu’s hand trembled, as if burned. “I mean—it’s not like I couldn’t—cough, cough! N-no, wipe it yourself!”
Sui Nng: …You really didn’t need to overreact this much.
He wanted to tease him a little more, but recalling Ji Yunyu’s unusually intense behavior just now, Sui Ning swallowed the words back down.
He took the towel and dried his hair, then slowly lifted his gaze. “Want to keep looking through it together?”
“…W-what?”
“The 6.2 update.”
“…Oh.”
Ji Yunyu obediently leaned against him and sat down, even fishing a pen out from the messy blanket.
It wasn’t until much later that he belatedly realized…
Wait.
Wasn’t this… his bed?
…Sh*t!!
——
The next day, 9 a.m.
Knock knock knock knock—
Lin Zhaoxu dragged a half-asleep Cheng Su. “Come on, hurry up, I’m definitely winning the early-bird championship today.”
Cheng Su: “…zzzz.”
Cheng Su: “If you want to play childish games like this, don’t drag me into it.”
“Daddy and son united, what do you know.” Lin Zhaoxu sneered. “Downstairs now, watch your step.”
“…Ugh.”
By the time they reached the training room door, Cheng Su sighed, ready to collapse at his seat for another nap. Lin Zhaoxu, however, surveyed the room like an emperor making his entrance. Perfect—he was surely the firs—what the hell?!!
His hand trembled as he pointed. “Ji—Ji—”
Ji Yunyu, with eye bags so dark they looked like smoky eyeliner: “Ji your fucking ass.”
Lin Zhaoxu broke down: “How the hell are you up this early?!”
Ji Yunyu sneered coldly. “As long as I don’t sleep… I’m always the earliest.”
“Bullshit! All-nighters ruin game balance!” The genius marksman spat at such cheating. “This round doesn’t count—we’ll rematch tomorrow.”
“Hehe.”
Ji Yunyu couldn’t even be bothered.
Soon after, Sui Ning arrived, surprised at how “lively” it already was. “Why are you all up so early?”
Lin Zhaoxu mumbled, “Early to bed, early to rise, healthy body, healthy mind.”
Ji Yunyu raised his head, cast him a chilling glance, and said nothing.
Feeling a little awkward, Sui Ning pressed his fist lightly to his lips and coughed. “So, um…”
His lashes trembled. “About the strategy we discussed last night…”
Almost simultaneously, Ji Yunyu and he blurted out: “About last night, don’t—” take it to heart.
Sui Ning froze. “Hm? Which part?”
“Nothing.” Ji Yunyu forced a crooked smile, lips twitching as he muttered under his breath, “I should never expect your signal receiver to work properly.”
“Uh… so, the strategy we discussed—should we try it today?”
Ji Yunyu’s expression didn’t budge. “Try it. Of course we’ll try it.”
His voice was so cold it could freeze.
Not far away, Lin Zhaoxu shivered at the murderous aura, sneaking a glance with the corner of his eye—only to immediately look away, terrified. Holy crap, this little Ji—or no, Brother Yun—why does he look like he’s about to go full villain mode?
What the hell did he go through last night?! Lin Zhaoxu sucked in a sharp breath, silently offering his deepest condolences to all the low-ranked players on the international server today.
Meanwhile, Cheng Su—kept awake by the plummeting room temperature—tried to signal Sui Ning with his eyes: …Ugh. For fuck’s sake, control your guy.
But the still half-drowsy, squinting Sui Ning only thought: …Are his eyes twitching?
----------
No comments:
Post a Comment