Edited by: Ciel
That night, Chu Yan had a long dream. He dreamt about a summer many years ago, when the ‘Miracle’ professional league just started. He had set up the Pure Cleansing team despite the opposition of his best friend, Zhu Ran—— Zhu Ran and Chu Yan were close friends who grew up together. They attended the same university, and even took the electronic engineering examinations together. Originally, they planned to start a company together after graduation, but Chu Yan ran to be an esports player, which made Zhu Ran very puzzled. Later, the Miracle league grew in size, and its treatment of professional players gradually improved. After watching several matches, Zhu Ran recognised the game’s good development prospects, and gradually understood Chu Yan's ideas.
During vacation, Zhu Ran invited Chu Yan to visit his home. When Chu Yan arrived at the Zhu family home in Wuhan, he saw a little guy playing ‘Miracle’ on a computer in the study room. The little guy was very short, and dressed in sportswear, much like an elementary school student. His eyes were clear, transparent and bright, causing him to look tender and very cute. At that time, the child was busy looking for a team to play in the dungeon, and the expression on his face was very serious. Smiling, Chu Yan chose not to disturb him, and withdrew from the study room to ask, "Who is this child?"
“My nephew, Zhu Qingyue,” Zhu Ran introduced. “He likes Miracle very much, and has been playing it recently." Zhu Ran paused, lightly closing the study room’s door. He invited Chu Yan to sit down in the living room and added, "In fact, the reason I asked you to come here this time was for this matter. Qingyue has no other expertise, but is very good at playing games. How about, if he follows you later? What do you think?"
Chu Yan laughed. "How old is your nephew? Why does he look like an elementary school boy?"
"His face looks quite young, but he is already 15 years old." Zhu Ran replied.
Chu Yan frowned. "15 years old is still a minor, are you certain in letting him follow me? Playing games professionally is not as simple as playing a normal online game."
Zhu Ran patted Chu Yan’s shoulder. "We grew up together. Naturally, if you are the one taking care of him, I can rest easy."
Glancing at the closed study room door, Chu Yan asked doubtfully. “Why does your nephew live in your house? As an uncle, why do you still have to worry about his future?”
"Qingyue is actually a very pitiful child,” Zhu Ran whispered in reply. “His parents died when he was ten years old, and his only relatives in Wuhan are us. My father took him in and asked him to stay in our house for the time being. His father is my cousin, so while I am his uncle in terms of seniority, I am in fact only four years older than him. His parents left him a fortune, which is still in the custody of the lawyer for the time being. Qingyue is so young that he doesn't know how to do business. I discussed it with my father and wanted to find something for him to do first. When he grows up and matures, he will go back to the Zhu family to inherit the fortune left by his parents."
Chu Yan, of course, could trust his friend’s good nature, and he also knew that with Zhu Ran's family background, there was no need to fight over that fortune with his little nephew. They were sincere in taking care of Qingyue. It was just… Chu Yan hesitated. "Are you sure he wants to be an esports player? Playing normal games is not the same as playing competitive games."
Zhu Ran nodded. "Qingyue is very good and sensible. I have already asked him about this matter, and he really wants to be an esports player. However, he is timid and introverted. I am afraid he will be bullied if he goes to other teams, so I want to entrust him to you. At least, with you around, you can take care of him."
Chu Yan thought about it for a few moments, before making a decision. "Alright, since you’re willing to entrust him to me, I’ll accept him as my apprentice."
Zhu Ran smiled. “So, I can count on you?”
“Rest assured,” Chu Yan guaranteed. “I’ll take good care of him.”
After the two people finished their discussion, Zhu Ran knocked on the study room’s door. "Qingyue, come here. I want to introduce you to a great god."
Zhu Qingyue immediately walked over, standing beside Zhu Ran obediently, his pair of black eyes staring curiously at the unfamiliar handsome man before him.
Zhu Ran explained: "This is Chu Yan, the captain of the Pure Cleansing team. He and I grew up together and have a strong relationship. Since you want to play in the competitive league, you can follow him in the future. He is willing to accept you as his apprentice."
Hearing this, Zhu Qingyue’s eyes immediately lit up. He looked expectantly at Chu Yan and asked. "Really? You want to accept me as your apprentice?"
Hearing this, Zhu Qingyue’s eyes immediately lit up. “Really?” He asked Chu Yan expectantly. “You want me as your apprentice?”
The teenager’s voice before puberty was soft, his dark and clear eyes were like cute little animals. Chu Yan smiled as he stood up, and found that the child's height only reached his chest. Reaching out his hand, Chu Yan rubbed Zhu Qingyue's head. "Really. Are you still not going to call me master?"
Zhu Qingyue immediately yelled. “Master!”
"Go and pour a cup of tea for your master." Zhu Ran added.
Zhu Qingyue responded with “En”, obediently ran to pour a cup of tea. Chu Yan sat down on the sofa, watching the little guy make a cup of Pu'er tea and respectfully bring it to him with both hands. "Master, please have some tea."
Chu Yan laughed. "Is it necessary to be so formal?"
"Since you have been recognized as his master, you should be recognised with this cup of tea.” Zhu Ran answered. “A-Yan, Qingyue is my cousin’s only child. I have entrusted him to you, so don't bully him."
"Of course, such a good apprentice, I will take good care of him." Chu Yan immediately promised.
Taking the tea from Zhu Qingyue’s hand, Chu Yan drank a few sips, before putting down the teacup and rubbing his little apprentice's head. "Alright, you can follow me from now on. Pack up your luggage and go to Hangzhou with me in three days."
……
Three days later, Zhu Qingyue left his hometown and followed his master to the Pure Cleansing team base in Hangzhou.
Due to limited funds, Pure Cleansing team's conditions were not very good. The club did not have the small apartment-style dormitory like other clubs, but instead had a small-sized apartment with two beds, toilets and bathrooms, similar to a travellers’ inn. Fortunately, the room was very clean and comfortable to live in.
Chu Yan took his little apprentice to his room. "The conditions in the team are not very good at the moment. You can share a room with me for now, so that I can take care of you."
Zhu Qingyue followed him obediently. “It’s alright, master,” he replied earnestly, “this is very good.”
He was not a spoiled child, although the Zhu family was quite rich, and his uncle and family had never mistreated him. Still, he was dependent on others, and was not as comfortable as he would be around his own family. Zhu Qingyue had always been very obedient, he did not choose what to eat or wear, and his material requirements were not high. The conditions in the dormitory were indeed simple and crude, but he felt very good and was very happy to live with his master.
After unpacking his luggage, Zhu Qingyue followed his master to the training room.
There were several young people in the training room. Chu Yan briefly introduced him to the team members' situation, before a teenager was pulled over. "This is Luo Yuan, my other apprentice, you should call him senior brother."
Luo Yuan had a cheerful personality, and reached out a hand to greet him. “So you are the junior brother that master mentioned. So small, aren’t you still a minor?”
Zhu Qingyue flushed slightly, but reached out and shook hands with him. "Hello, senior brother. I'm fifteen years old."
Luo Yuan laughed impolitely. “So you’re still considered to be a minor!”
Zhu Qingyue lowered his head, not daring to speak.
“Qingyue is indeed still young,” Chu Yan explained, "Everyone, please take care of him. I'm going to let him stay in training camp for some time, and he will debut after he reaches 16."
After the captain said this, everyone nodded, showing their understanding. Chu Yan then began to arrange the players’ training schedule simply and decisively. In less than five minutes, the training tasks for today had been scheduled. Turning around, he saw his little apprentice's black and bright eyes looking at him seriously, causing Chu Yan to smile. He took Zhu Qingyue to sit down in front of the computer, before asking, "Qingyue, what kind of profession do you want to choose? Do you have any particular preference?"
Zhu Qingyue scratched his head. “I'm not very good at playing as an attacker. Can I play an auxiliary like master?”
“Of course you can,” Chu Yan replied. "First, you need to set up an account, and slowly upgrade from the first level. Familiarize yourself with the auxiliary’s formation skills from the beginning, then I'll teach you how to match your skill points and your equipment."
Zhu Qingyue replied seriously, “En, I understand!”
Chu Yan spent the afternoon accompanying his little apprentice to practice, explaining in detail the usage of each skill and adding point methods. Chu Yan was indeed a good master and taught him patiently. Zhu Qingyue was very moved, and looked at Chu Yan with respect and worship.
When night fell, they returned to the dormitory to sleep. However, Zhu Qingyue couldn't sleep, most likely because he was not used to the different environment.
Chu Yan noticed that the little guy in the next bed was tossing and turning around, unable to settle down. "Qingyue, what's the matter?"
Zhu Qingyue’s soft voice was heard from under the quilt. “I can’t sleep, I feel a little… a little cold...”
At that time, it was the middle of winter, and it had rained in Hangzhou for several days in a row. The dormitory was indeed damp and cold. Chu Yan was still young and full of vigour, so he didn't feel the chill. Perhaps Zhu Qingyue was more afraid of the cold? Thinking of this, Chu Yan lifted the quilt and replied, "Come and sleep with master, it's warm here."
Zhu Qingyue immediately ran over and burrowed into Chu Yan's quilt. He was thin and small, his curled up form looking pitiful.
Chu Yan took the little apprentice into his arms and smiled. "Are you afraid of the cold?"
Feeling embarrassed, Zhu Qingyue whispered. “En...”
Chu Yan responded with, “Is it warm in master’s bed?”
Nodding, Zhu Qingyue’s face blushed. “En.”
Chu Yan replied. "It's really cold these days. You can sleep with master. But ... don't wet the bed, do you hear me?"
Zhu Qingyue was stupefied. It turned out that his master was laughing at him for being too childish. His cheeks flushing pink, Zhu Qingyue said seriously. "I am fifteen years old, and I have never wet the bed."
Chu Yan rubbed his head. “You look like an eight year old child.”
Zhu Qingyue was unconvinced. “I will grow taller!”
Chu Yan laughed. “No matter how tall you grow, you won't be as tall as your master.”
"..." Zhu Qingyue had to stop talking and hung his head sullenly. Chu Yan smiled and patted his little apprentice’s back to appease him. "Master is joking with you. Go to sleep."
A moment later, the little guy in his arms fell asleep evenly, as if looking for heat, took the initiative to hug Chu Yan's waist, buried his head in Chu Yan's chest, and slept soundly. Chu Yan felt really helpless—— this apprentice was timid, afraid of the cold, and looked like a child, how can such a player mix in the esports competition circle?
By promising Zhu Ran to take care of this little guy, he would probably end up being both a master and a father!
……
Although Zhu Qingyue was timid, he had an undeniable gift for gaming, and learnt things very quickly. It only took him a few months to learn all the auxiliary gameplays.
During the Spring Festival, Pure Cleansing team gave its members a week off. Chu Yan took Zhu Qingyue back to Wuhan, visiting the Zhu family for Spring Festival celebrations.
Looking at Zhu Qingyue following Chu Yan closely, Zhu Ran couldn't help laughing. "It seems like your master-apprentice relationship is quite good?"
“En, master is very kind to me.” Zhu Qingyue replied.
Chu Yan also replied, smiling, "Xiao Zhu is really talented and learns things very fast, but he is still too young to join the professional arena at the moment. We’ll wait a little longer before sending him out."
“It's not urgent,” Zhu Ran replied simply. “As long as he follows you and studies hard, I'll be relieved.”
Everyone celebrated the new year together, before Chu Yan returned to the team with his apprentice.
After the Spring Festival, the third season was about to begin. Chu Yan's partner who also played an auxiliary went home to get married. Chu Yan had planned to let his senior apprentice Luo Yuan take his place, however, troubles kept coming up one after another. Not only did Luo Yuan's family suddenly have an accident, his mother also found out that she had advanced-stage cancer and had to be hospitalized. When Luo Yuan told him that he decided to go home to take care of his mother, Chu Yan had a headache, but could not force his apprentice to stay. In the end, he could only let the senior apprentice go back and fulfill his filial piety.
For several days in a row, Chu Yan's expression was not very good. Zhu Qingyue was aware of this and asked carefully, “Master… senior brother is gone, is there no one in the team who can replace him?”
Looking at his muddle-headed little apprentice, Chu Yan suddenly came up with an idea. “Qingyue, how about you start ahead of time, come to the competition with master this season.”
Zhu Qingyue was shocked. “Me? But I haven’t learned all the things master taught me.”
Chu Yan patted his shoulder. "Don't be afraid, your master will protect you. You can't learn much in the training camp anyway; it's better to play in a competition and gain more practical experience."
Thus, the little apprentice who was not even 16 years of age was driven onto the stage by Chu Yan to fight, becoming a part of Pure Cleansing’s team.
Pure Cleansing's tactics were originally very biased, and Zhu Qingyue had zero competition experience. As a result, he was relentlessly abused by the great gods in the arena until he didn't know what to do.
On one occasion, Pure Cleansing met the Cat God, Li Cangyu's team in the regular season. Li Cangyu was also not polite to newcomers, directly jumping into the back row to seckill Zhu Qingyue. Zhu Qingyue then revived in daze and rushed to the team battle area. As a result, he was seckilled by Li Cangyu again...
In that match, he was seckilled three times in a row without resistance. Zhu Qingyue's confidence collapsed; he could only hide backstage and secretly burst into tears.
A passing reporter took this picture and spread it on the Internet. They ridiculed the child who cried when his team lost the competition, giving him the nickname of ‘little crying bag’. Zhu Qingyue was even more uncomfortable after seeing those . He always felt that he was dragging his master down.
His face made him look like a little child who hadn’t yet grown up, and this crying expression made everyone feel like laughing—— how did this crying little brat enter the esports competition circle?
Seeing him, the great gods would joke: "Did Xiao Zhu bring tissues?" "Xiao Zhu, don't cry, I won't kill you later!"
Zhu Qingyue hid behind his master with a frightened look on his face, like an innocent white rabbit that had accidentally entered a forest full of wild beasts.
Chu Yan felt that this was not the way, and called Zhu Qingyue for a chat after they returned to the dormitories. "Qingyue, you are still young, and your psychological endurance is relatively fragile, which I can understand. But you can't go on like this. Crying won't solve the problem! Remember, even if we lose, we have to be upright, stand tall, and don't be looked down upon! If you hide and cry, you will only make people laugh!"
Noticing that his master was very angry, Zhu Qingyue’s eyes turned red. "I’m sorry, master,” he whispered, “I didn't expect to be photographed by the reporter..."
Looking at his little apprentice who was about to break into tears once more, Chu Yan sighed. Standing up, he rubbed Zhu Qingyue’s head in comfort. “I don’t blame you. I promised your uncle to take good care of you, but I can't always protect you and let you hide behind me to cry. It will only hurt you, do you understand? Qingyue, you will soon be sixteen years old, and it is time to grow up. From next season onwards, I will pass you the captain’s position. So, you must stand up tall, and gain the courage to stand before the reporters.”
Frightened, Zhu Qingyue’s face turned pale. "Capt, captain?"
Zhu Qingyue: “...”
Be the captain? He was completely uncertain, and did not dare to take over such a heavy burden.
However, his master's words could not be refused. In the end, Zhu Qingyue was forced to take over as Pure Cleansing’s captain.
In the third season, Zhu Qingyue struggled through all kinds of . At the beginning of the fourth season, he was pushed to the position of captain by Chu Yan. He had to attend various league meetings with Chu Yan and face the popular players of major teams. After each game, he had to stand in front of the reporters and accept their bombardment, never daring to cry again. In the past, he was just a newcomer; if he secretly shed tears, others could reason that his psychological endurance was too fragile. But now, he was the captain of Pure Cleansing; if he did not perform well, the entire team would become the laughingstock of the league!
Gritting his teeth, Zhu Qingyue forced himself to become stronger.
Gradually, he learned to smile in front of the reporters, and to face every failure calmly.
Zhu Qingyue grew up and matured at an amazing speed, and everyone in the league expressed their admiration for Chu Yan's special way of guiding his apprentice—— who else would dare promote an apprentice to be a captain directly! Only Chu Yan was bold enough!
Zhu Ran came to watch their competition once. Seeing the timid child in his memory suddenly turned into a smiling, slender, warm jade-like teenager, Zhu Ran almost didn’t recognize him, until Zhu Qingyue addressed him with a smile. “Uncle.”
"..." Zhu Ran was stunned for a while, but soon found that the teenager was indeed his little nephew Zhu Qingyue. He could not help looking at Chu Yan in shock. "Is it really Qingyue? He seems to have been reborn."
“You protected him too much before,” Chu Yan replied. “You see, Qingyue is no longer timid, and hasn’t cried for a long time, right?”
Thinking of his black history, Zhu Qingyue’s face flushed. "Master taught me well."
"I was right to pass Qingyue to you in the first place." Zhu Ran gratefully patted Chu Yan’s shoulder. "Thanks, brother."
Chu Yan chuckled. "Why thank me? I'm his master, isn’t it a given that I ought to raise him?"
***
Originally, if the two continued to maintain a master-apprentice relationship, things would have been good.
But as Zhu Qingyue grew up, his voice became clearer and more pleasant. Not only did his facial features open and his height increase, he had a well-balanced body with long legs and a narrow waist, with a soft and beautiful facial outline. Furthermore, he liked to wear white trousers and blue shirts, and had a clean and refreshing style. The whole person had a special temperament with both warmth and elegance, which was unforgettable.
Chu Yan found himself becoming more and more listless. In the past, both master and apprentice slept in the same room. Zhu Qingyue even tumbled into his bed to keep warm, and he could hold little Qingyue in his arms and sleep till dawn. But now, looking at Zhu Qingyue after taking a bath, he simply couldn't stand it! The teenager had a shallow smile on his face, slender legs dangled before him, and his hair was still dripping with water. Chu Yan could not control his thoughts at all. He wanted to strip off his pajamas and put him on the bed to love him fiercely.
In his dream, he overwhelmed Zhu Qingyue in various positions, violently invading Zhu Qingyue's white and inexperienced body, making him cry and beg for mercy.
These thoughts were like weeds, growing crazily in his heart, but Zhu Qingyue was completely unaware, continuing to look at his master with adoring eyes. Every time he looked at the teenager's clear and bright eyes, and listened to his respectful questions about his master's next tactical arrangement, Chu Yan felt a very strong sense of guilt in his heart.
—— He respects and trusts you as his master, but what's on your mind?!
—— Moreover, he is also the nephew of your best friend!
—— Zhu Ran had entrusted him to you, asking you to take care of him, yet you harbour thoughts worse than that of a beast!
Chu Yan was disgusted with himself, but once this evil idea had been born in his heart, it was difficult to suppress. Sometimes, even if he was only looking at Zhu Qingyue, he would be uneasy. Just the sight of Zhu Qingyue chatting with beautiful girls was enough to almost drive Chu Yan mad with jealousy.
He clearly knew that Zhu Qingyue only respected him as his master, and had no other thoughts.
Zhu Qingyue liked girls, and the Zhu family was still waiting for Qingyue to retire, for him to go back and inherit the family business. As his master, how could Chu Yan have the face to drag his apprentice into the mire?
Besides, it was about time for Chu Yan to retire, so he decided to let go completely.
Pure Cleansing team did not perform very well. For the sake of Zhu Qingyue’s future, Chu Yan suggested that he transfer to another team. However, Zhu Qingyue was very stubborn, and believed that the Pure Cleansing team was his master’s painstaking efforts. Even if his master retired, he would stick to it—— what made a good captain? A good captain had a duty, would take on responsibility, and knew how to be grateful.
The Zhu Qingyue of today was no longer the little crying bag that needed his care, and Chu Yan could also feel at ease, leaving behind this little apprentice in order to get rid of his inner demons.
Pure Cleansing's team members were very reluctant to let Chu Yan retire. Zhu Qingyue was especially reluctant to part with his master, offering a lot of wine to the man. Instead of getting his master drunk, Zhu Qingyue actually got himself drunk.
Chu Yan had a strong tolerance for alcohol; even if he drank a lot, he would still remain sober. He hugged the unconscious Zhu Qingyue close, and returned to the dormitory. Looking at the young man with red cheeks lying on the bed, Chu Yan finally couldn't help himself, and kissed his forehead gently.
"... I'm sorry, Qingyue. " Chu Yan's voice trembled slightly. "Master is leaving. I'm afraid that if I see you again, I won't be able to control my desire to kiss you, to hug you… just let time erase everything between us."
(T/N: oh no I cried T_T, my heart..)
He gently stroked Zhu Qingyue's soft hair, as fragments of their time with each other over the past few years repeatedly surfaced in his mind.
The process of this little crying bag growing up little by little had already been clearly engraved in his mind. Would time actually erase all this? Chu Yan didn't know, but all he could do was to let go.
He grew up with Qingyue and trained him into an excellent captain... But he could no longer interfere with Zhu Qingyue's future.
Zhu Qingyue should have a better future.
It was very difficult to let go. At that moment, Chu Yan realized what heartbreak was. He packed his bags and left the dormitory, feeling as if his heart was bleeding with every step.
There was a very important person who would soon be removed from his life, just as if his flesh and blood had been cruelly cut away...
Chu Yan paused at the doorway, turning back to take one last look at Zhu Qingyue, who was sleeping on the bed. Taking a deep breath, he eventually averted his gaze, and left the room.
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