Zeng Rui glanced at his minimap and said over Team Shanghai’s voice chat, “They went top. No possible ganks bot. This is our chance.”

Tang Bingyao nodded and replied, “Mhm! Okay!” She glanced at her experience bar and smiled. I need to stop worrying so much and just play! Mhm! That’s what I’m gonna do! I’m going to play! Be the person Lin Feng first saw in the NetCow Cafe! She said, “Zeng Rui, I’m one minion from 6. Can you get that one?” She then pinged on the Red melee minion next to Zeng Rui’s Leona before focusing her attention on Zhejiang University’s Botlaners.

Zhejiang’s Janna noticed a sudden change in Vayne’s movement pattern. She isn’t going for the minion. She’s running straight at Sun Ruinian! Janna moved her wand to call forth a Howling Gale! The winds started gathering in front of her, slowly gaining in power! I’ll knock her right back! The Howling Gale blew forward and carved a path through the Rift!

Tang Bingyao expected the Howling Gale. The whole reason she was pushing before hitting Level 6 was to make Janna use it prematurely. Nice! She glanced at Zeng Rui’s Leona, who was smiting the melee minion with the help from a Support item. The item sucked away the experience and then shared it between Zeng Rui’s Leona and Tang Bingyao’s Vayne. A blinding radiance erupted from Vayne! Level 6! Tang Bingyao learned her ultimate skill and activated it! Final Hour! She then had her Vayne Tumble to the side, dodging the Howling Gale and disappearing into the shadows!

Vayne ran towards Sun Ruinian’s Jinx and then raised her crossbow to fire an empowered silver bolt! The arrow shot from the string, after which Vayne would lower her crossbow. It was the final part of the auto attack animation. But Tang Bingyao canceled it by clicking on her mouse button! Vayne’s arm jumped to its normal position faster than it normally would and then she raised it again for a second auto attack!

Sun Ruinian narrowed his eyes and grimaced. She’s stronger than me right now because of that kill on Janna earlier. I can’t fight this. I need to… RUN! He pushed down on the E key and activated Flame Chompers! His Jinx raised her bazooka and fired three grenades! They landed on the ground in front of her and started cackling, searching for a victim! Jinx then turned around and ran away towards her outer tower!

Tang Bingyao smiled and pressed the D key. Knew you’d do that. You always do! A mottled flash of light carried her Jinx past the Flame Chompers before placing her back onto the Rift. She then arced around Jinx and found the angle for Condemn! Vayne raised the large crossbow from her back and squeezed the trigger! A large, heavy bolt flew out and pinned Jinx to the wall behind her! The third silver ring appeared beneath her feet, setting off an explosion of true damage!

“Nice flash!” Zeng Rui exclaimed in a rare show of emotion. He glanced at his experience bar. Almost 6. One more… He saw a melee minion that was about to die and slashed at it with his sword! Perfect! We got this! He cast Flash and had his Leona followed after Tang Bingyao’s Vayne!

“Good job, ZengZeng! Keep going!” Lin Feng exclaimed over the team’s voice chat.

Zeng Rui narrowed his eyes and replied, “I know.” He then activated Zenith Blade. His Leona projected a solar image of her sword that pierced through the air, shooting straight at Jinx!

FuckFuckFUCK! I’m dead! Sun Ruinian was biting on his lips, waiting for the stun from Condemn to wear off. He saw the Zenith Blade flying towards him. I CAN’T GET HIT! FLASH! There was a miniscule gap between the moment that the stun wore off and the Zenith Blade would hit his Jinx. He managed to find it. The light carried Jinx away a small distance. Sun Ruinian shook his head and sighed loudly. I got—

I got this! Perfect! Zeng Rui never even considered the possibility of Zenith Blade hitting. It was a distraction tactic. His Leona already raised her sword to the high heavens and called down a Solar Flare! A blaze from the sun slammed down on Summoner’s Rift! It smacked Jinx to the ground and stunned her!

Tang Bingyao wanted to kill Sun Ruinian’s Jinx before the stun from Solar Flare wore off, but Zhejiang’s Janna ran interference by casting Exhaust! A debilitating energy wrapped around Vayne and hampered all her stats! Tang Bingyao bit on her lips and focused her full attention on Jinx. Not letting you go! I won’t! She kept firing auto attacks, until the third silver ring appeared beneath Jinx and set off an explosion of true damage! But Janna had designated Vayne as the Eye of the Storm! A gale blew to life around Vayne and protected her from the damage!

Zeng Rui watched the stun about to wear off and grimaced. I’ll have to step into tower range… I will. He said over the team’s voice chat, “Push! We’re killing her!” He then had his Leona charge at Sun Ruinian’s Vayne! The Red team’s outer tower targeted Zeng Rui’s Leona and fired an energy shot! He ignored the damage while casting Ignite on Jinx! The unquenchable flames burned away on Jinx’s skin! He followed up with Shield of Daybreak and stunned her right as the stun from Solar Flare wore off!

Tang Bingyao’s Vayne broke free from the Exhaust! Jinx’s health was down to the last few percentages and there were two silver rings floating around her. Tang Bingyao smiled and pushed down on the Q key–Tumble! Her Vayne made a somersault towards Sun Ruinian’s Jinx and fired an empowered auto attack! A third silver ring wrapped around Jinx! It set off a chain reaction in which all three silver rings exploded and dealt massive true damage!

《You have slain an enemy!》

Tang Bingyao smiled brightly and leaned back in her gaming chair. I did it! I act—

“DON’T STOP! JANNA IS ALIVE! GOGOGO!” Lin Feng cried out.

“Huh?” Tang Bingyao mumbled, confused. “But she’s under the to—”

“Go! That dum–” Zeng Rui stopped himself and took a deep breath before continuing, “Lin Feng is here.”

Lin Feng’s LeBlanc appeared from Red Team’s bottom side Jungle! She dashed at Janna with Distortion! As the splash damage tore through Janna’s health bar, a Sigil of Malice took shape above her head and two Ethereal Chains wrapped around her body! The chains set off the sigil, dealing a ton of damage! Janna’s health evaporated and she was rooted to the ground! One auto attack would finish her off!

Tang Bingyao’s eyes went wide as she saw Lin Feng’s LeBlanc jump in and then jump back out again. Zhejiang’s Janna was rooted and had only 50 health remaining. He’s giving me… She nodded and said over the team’s voice chat, “Mhm! Thanks!” She then had her Vayne run forward and fire an auto attack.

《Double kill!》

Zhejiang University’s Janna stared at his grey screen. He finally mumbled, “What the hell…?”

Sun Ruinian just shook his head, his eyes wide in shock. What the hell was that? How did that LeBlanc just appear? How did they just happen to both hit Level 6 at just the right time? How… Since when are they this good? It’s like we’re playing against a different team! This is… This is shit!

Up on the caster desk, Rollfire had spent the seconds before the fight in bot lane lauding Zhejiang University for their gank in the top lane. Now, he fell into a silent daze and let Silent Reed take over. She clutched the microphone tightly in her fist and moved it to her mouth. She shouted, “A tower for a tower! And a kill for TWO KILLS! Team Shanghai fights back! They’re taking the Tower in bot lane and now have the clear advantage there!”

Up in the stands, Yan Fang adjusted his glasses and said, “That caster is right. We’ve got the advantage in bot. Tang Tang is doing great this game! Her Vayne is going to become a real monster!”

Ouyang clenched his fists and shouted, “Hell yeah! I knew the second brophina was great! Didn’t I always tell you guys how good Tang Tang is? All the way back when we had to play Senior Class 8, I said she was the best! But you guys didn’t believe me then! Believe me now? Ha! She’s doing super great!”

Liu Yue laughed and cheered, “Tang Tang is amazing! WOOT WOOT!”

✹

Shi Hang closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Sun Ruinian, I needed you to… He shook his head. Can’t blame this on you. It’s not your fault that we’re playing against Maple. It’s not your fault that he… He breathed out loudly. It’s not your fault that he can lift the level of his entire team up. I didn’t think he could do it to this extent after the first two games. But this is exactly the strength of Maple. And then he shows up in bot to secure the second kill and the tower. It’s, it’s… He breathed in deeply and let it all out again. He then opened his eyes and chuckled. It’s going to be real fucking hard, but I’m not giving up!

“Yo, guys,” Shi Hang said over the team’s voice chat. He waited for a brief moment and then continued, “We’re a bit behind. Top is good, so let’s focus on that. We need to play it safe everywhere else. Just farm it up. Bot lane needs a freeze near their inner tower. And we all need to help Mao ward his Jungle. Keep your eyes on LeBlanc and Rengar at all times! Don’t lose them! We’re gonna play the long game!”

This was the first game in which Zhejiang University, both with and without Shi Hang, was pushed back all tournament. But they’d played plenty of training matches in this exact scenario. They retreated from the various lanes in practiced motion and slowly built up their line of wards. That wall of vision was also a divide they didn’t cross.

In the top lane, Irelia clung to her tower. If the minion wave pushed past it, she left the lane and farmed the monster camps in the top side Jungle.

In the mid lane, Shi Hang’s Orianna farmed the minions near her outer tower. And when the Red minions pushed out into the lane, he left his lane to farm monster camps in the Jungle.

In the bot lane, Sun Ruinian’s Jinx froze the minion wave right outside his inner tower. His Janna Support was hovering nearby, but she concerned herself with keeping vision on the entire bottom half of the map. She was losing experience doing this, but that was an acceptable loss because it meant more experience for Sun Ruinian’s Jinx. And the faster he hit Level 18, the better.

Rollfire leaned back in his chair at the caster desk. He put the microphone on his chest and said, “That’s Zhejiang University for you! They’re showing some real quality here! Their team is great in the late game, so they’re forcing the game to get there. They’ve killed all action and are just farming now. It doesn’t even matter if they lose a Dragon, or two! This game is all theirs when they get their Champions to Level 18!” He glanced at Silent Reed, who was leaning forward in her seat watching the game, and grinned. Stupid bitch, show me what you got! Tell me how Team Shanghai is gonna win this one! They’re “oh so good!” right? Right, they’re not! He stretched his head before continuing, “That brings me to Team Shanghai. Eh, there isn’t much to say about them. They’re ahead and doing good! Thumbs up to them! But… But they’ve got a Rengar Jungler. You guys ever seen a Rengar be relevant in the ultra late game? I haven’t. She’s gonna fall off hard.”

Dickfire is at it again! What a shocker! Silent Reed rolled her eyes, annoyed. She then grabbed her microphone and said, “Say what you will, but that Rengar is fed. She just needs to find an opening. Maybe two. And then it’s game over for Zhejiang University.”

✹

At 12 minutes, An Xin checked the minimap. I’ve been keeping track of the wards… It should… She narrowed her eyes and had her Rengar slip into Red Team’s bottom side Jungle. Ward here and there. If I wait here for a few more seconds… She went through her mental notes, remembering exactly where she saw the wards go down. Got it. They won’t see it coming. That Jinx is still farming. An Xin giggled. Her Rengar had arrived at the jungle wall separating the bot lane from the Jungle.

Thrill of the Hunt! An Xin’s Rengar disappeared, stalking its prey from the shadows! The eyes of the predator flashed to life above Jinx’s head! Rengar leaped over the Jungle wall at her! She followed up with Savagery! The five ferocity stacks empowered the attack as Rengar cut into Jinx with his sharp blade! He then let out a Battle Roar and threw a Bola! The cooldown on Savagery had already reset. She cut down again, the massive damage tearing away Jinx’s health!

《Killing spree!》

Sun Ruinian sunk back into his chair, his screen having turned a dull grey. What the… What was that? He shook his head and looked at the damage table. That Empowered Savagery did more than 60% of my health as damage! What the fuck!? How did Rengar get this… He bit on his lips and shook his head again. This good… She tricked us. This is a different player. The first two games… We need to adapt. He took a deep breath and turned to look at his teammates. He waited for a bit, but then said over the team’s voice chat, “Sorry, guys. I don’t know…”

“Not your fault,” Shi Hang interrupted. He looked at his teammates one by one and continued, “They’re good. That LeBlanc? Insane. That Rengar in this game? Also really good. We need to focus and play our damndest! We can’t give them anymore.”

Across the stage in Team Shanghai’s soundproof booth, An Xin raised her head to look past her monitor at the crowd behind. She could see them jumping up and down, and smiled. This is what he loves. And I’m here, playing with him! I can still do it! I’m playing with him and helping him! This is what I want! The smile disappeared from her face and was replaced by a frown. I wish this series would never end.

Sun Ruinian closed his eyes for a brief moment and then shook his head. Janna is dead. No point in trying to help her. That’ll just get me killed as well. He glanced up at the river entrance and saw Rengar running into the bot lane. His Jinx was too far into the lane, and Janna was even more out of position and stunned. Sorry, friend. This is all I can do. He pressed down on the E key to activate Flame Chompers! Jinx threw down three grenades to block Rengar from running straight at Janna! She then turned around and ran towards her outer tower.

An Xin’s Rengar stopped chasing Janna and instead went after Jinx! She knew that she wouldn’t catch up. Jinx had too much of a head start for that. But it allowed Rengar to enter the brush along the bottom side of the bot lane. While in a brush, his passive skill Unseen Predator became active. It applied a leap effect to his auto attacks, increasing their range!

Sun Ruinian grimaced and said over the team’s voice chat, “Don’t Flash. Rengar is in the brush.”

“Yeah… Sorry,” Zhejiang’s Support replied. He looked at his monitor. A bola came flying from the brush Rengar was hiding in and slowed his Janna right after the stun from Condemn wore off. Not like I’m gonna run away anyway… Maybe I can get the Leona to take the kill… He had his Janna run at the Leona, carving a path through the minions, and stuck close to Leona in the hopes she would make the mistake of auto attacking him.

Tang Bingyao’s Vayne auto-attacked Janna. Each silver bolt applied a stack to Janna, and every third stack caused all three stacks to explode! The true damage ripped through Janna’s health bar. Rengar and Leona were nearby, making sure she couldn’t escape. And finally Tang Bingyao’s Vayne landed the killing blow!

《You have slain an enemy!》

An Xin giggled and said over Team Shanghai’s voice chat, “That was a nice engage, Zeng Rui!” She then turned to look at Tang Bingyao and winked before adding, “And a great follow up from you!”

Zeng Rui glanced at An Xin and raised an eyebrow. This wasn’t anything special. Typical gank. You pressured Jinx away and I got the stun on Janna. This isn’t worth a single compliment! He then turned his head to look at Lin Feng and narrowed his eyes. Want to see real skills that are worth compliments? Just wait! I’ll show you them!

“Mhm! Thanks!” Tang Bingyao replied to An Xin, smiling.

✹

Shi Hang’s mouse hand felt clammy and cold chills ran up and down his spine. How is his LeBlanc so much better than his Fizz? What is this!? He clicked around the mid lane, focusing so much on his positioning that he barely registered the caster minion in the back dying to a minion. He blinked. Shit! He’s too good! We’re only five minutes in and al—

Shi Hang distracted himself with his thoughts. He made a small positional error, giving Lin Feng an angle for the engagement. Lin Feng’s fingers were already pressing down on the buttons of his keyboard. His LeBlanc jumped on top of Shi Hang’s Orianna with Distortion! Magical damage splashed out around LeBlanc as she followed up with Sigil of Malice! She projected a sigil that dealt damage and marked Orianna! And finally she cast Ethereal Chains.

FlashFLASH! Shi Hang’s eyes went wide, his fingers moving purely on instinct. A flash of light wrapped around his Orianna and carried her a short distance away before dropping her back onto the Rift. Right behind her, the Ethereal Chains shot past. Shit! That was close… If they’d hit… Shit, I’d be dead!

“WOOOOOO! SICK FLASH!”
“That’s a pro player for you right there! He actually has the reaction speed to dodge a point blank LeBlanc E!”
“How does that even work!? Did he recognize the animation? Or was it more like expecting it was coming? I just… Fuck! I wish I was that good!”
“Haha, yeah! He’s a god! AyDeeCee won’t die to such an obvious LB trick!”
“AyDeeCee take my energy!”

Shi Hang had his Orianna retreat towards her outer tower and waited for Lin Feng’s LeBlanc to reactivate Distortion. He held his breath. His eyes were pried open wide. Sweat dripped down his forehead. And then he let go. LeBlanc jumped back to her original position with the second cast of Distortion. Thank god. Shi Hang had his Orianna move forward again, searching for the maximum range at which he could last hit minions without getting jumped on by LeBlanc. He then shook his head and chuckled, incredulous. What the hell got into him? His LeBlanc is insane! If he’d hit those chains… Shit! I need to pay more attention! I can’t let him get fed on LeBlanc! He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. I need to play better.

Across the stage in Team Shanghai’s soundproof booth, Lin Feng sat in his gaming chair. His back was straight, his hands were moving as if by themselves, and his eyes were locked on the monitor in front of him. There were no distracting thoughts or voices. All he saw was what LeBlanc saw on the Rift. He was her. The delay between player and Champion disappeared. Struggles with his focus dissipated. Every move he made was just right. His LeBlanc, he was flawless.

✹

The Toplaners spent the first couple minutes of the game fighting on their island in the top lane. Zhejiang’s Irelia was the stronger dueler, but Zhang Hao’s Dr. Mundo didn’t let her duel him. He sat within his outer tower’s range and threw Infected Cleavers at her. She didn’t have any ranged skills that could counter this tactic. Slowly but surely, her health dropped. It all came to a head in the sixth minute. Zhang Hao judged he had enough damage, so he left his tower’s range and chased after Irelia! She turned around and ran away after coming to the same conclusion.

Zhejiang’s Irelia ran through the top lane, dodging and weaving the Infected Cleavers that were hurled after her. But they applied a slow on hit. And after she got hit the first time, it became practically impossible to dodge the next. She was slowed and attacked. Her health dropped. Suddenly, a Flash of light wrapped her up and carried her a short distance forward!

Zhang Hao narrowed his eyes and activated his own Flash! Dr. Mundo appeared right on top of the Irelia again! But in doing so, he also arrived within range of Red Team’s Outer Tower. Two more hits. That’s all I need! I’ve got enough health for this! COME ON! He charged forward! Q! Dr. Mundo hurled another Infected Cleaver at Irelia!

Zhejiang’s Toplaner grinned. This is my tower! Idiot! He had his Irelia dash at Zhang Hao’s Dr. Mundo with Bladesurge and then activated Equilibrium Strike! Irelia raised her blades high above her head and hacked down onto Dr. Mundo! It dealt a ton of damage, and more importantly stunned him! Eat that! He grinned brighter when the first energy shot fired from the outer tower and slammed into Dr. Mundo! Stupid cleaver throwing son of a bitch!

Irelia was right on top of Zhang Hao’s Dr. Mundo, trying to kill him before the stun wore off. But Dr. Mundo was a Champion with a vast pool of health. The stun broke and he still had a good bit of health remaining. Zhang Hao’s Dr. Mundo struck out with an auto attack and then threw a final Infected Cleaver! Shit! I gotta get outta he—

《You have slain an enemy!》

《You have been slain!》

“Ay, hot damn! So close!” Zhang Hao complained to himself, annoyed. But then he started grinning. But I got the kill! Fuck yeah! Shitty B grade player! Get your ass kicked by my awesome C+++ skills! I’ll just keep throwing cleavers at you! See how you’re gonna like this game!

✹

“Time to come mid for a gank, Mao,” Shi Hang ordered over Zhejiang University’s voice chat. He glanced at the game clock. Almost 7 minutes in. We’re both Level 6. If LeBlanc jumps on me, she has the damage to kill me. Maple knows. Of course he does! So he’s going to jump on me and try to kill me. Shi Hang smiled and looked at his minimap, where he saw Maokai making his way to the brush right above the mid lane. That’s why we need to be ready for it. He’ll go in and then we’re gonna turn it around! All we need is to lock him down before he gets his full combo off on me!

The Blue and Red minion waves were fighting in the middle of the lane. Shi Hang’s Orianna walked up to last hit a melee minion. This was the exact move Lin Feng had been waiting for. He narrowed his eyes and moved his mouse over her. He then pressed down on the W key followed right away by the R key! LeBlanc distorted time and space to jump forward, landing in the middle of the minion wave! She then Mimicked Distortion for another large jump and landed on top of Orianna! Massive splash damage ruptured Orianna’s health!

“LeBlanc is going in! SHE’S GOING IN FOR THE KILL!” Silent Reed cried out into her microphone. She leaned forward and shouted, “BUT IT’S A BAIT FROM SHI HANG! A BAIT! LOOK AT MAOKAI!” She briefly paused to catch her breath before adding, “AND RENGAR! RENGAR IS ALSO INCOMING!”

Shi Hang had expected that Lin Feng’s LeBlack would engage. He cast Command: Protect on himself right away! Orianna’s Ball flew back to her side and formed a protective shield around her! She followed up with her ultimate skill! Command: Shockwave! A powerful electromagnetic storm started raging around her Ball! It swept out and pulled everything within the immediate vicinity towards her! All the while, Zhejiang’s Maokai had run into the mid lane and cast Twisting Advance! He contorted into a mass of moving roots and dashed at LeBlanc!

Lin Feng smiled. I win. He cast Ignite on Orianna before activating the second half of Distortion. LeBlanc blinked away, back to the spot from which she’d cast the original skill. The electromagnetic storm from Orianna’s ultimate missed her entirely, while Maokai kept flying after her all the way towards Blue Team’s outer tower.

Shit! Shi Hang’s eye twitched. The gank was a failure. He looked at his Orianna. Her health bar was down below half and the unquenchable flames from Ignite were whittling that down further. I can’t cha— The eyes of a predator opened above his Orianna’s head. Rengar!? RENGAR!

An Xin’s Rengar had turned invisible with Thrill of the Hunt! His ferocity stacks built up to the max, empowering his next skill! When he got close to Orianna, he activated Savagery and leapt out from the shadows at her! He followed up by throwing a Bola and then hacking into Orianna with an empowered Savagery! She was slowed and her health bar dropped, while Rengar’s attack speed increased! He attacked her with his blade and finished with a loud Battle Roar! A soundwave slammed into Orianna and killed her!

《You have slain an enemy!》

“A KILL! RENGAR DID IT!” Silent Reed screamed into her microphone. She turned to look at the audience and screamed, “WOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“WOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“WOOT WOOT! BUNBUN RULES!”
“SWEET MOTHER! THAT RENGAR DAMAGE!”
“SICK PLAY! JEEEEEEEE!”
“Holy sweet damn! INSAAAAAANE!”
“RENGAL DOIN’ IT! LOOOOOOOOL!”
“THEY SMACKIN’ THE PRO! FUCKING UNREAL!”

Rollfire stared at the large LCD screen with his eyes and mouth wide open, dazed. How…? That… What? That speed! He shook his head and used his hand to close his mouth. What the hell happened with Team Shanghai’s Jungler? Since when is she that good? She linked that perfectly! It’s like she read that LeBlanc’s mind for a gank! And now they’ve got the Maokai completely out of position too… FUCK! FUCKFUCK FUCK FUCK!

Lin Feng’s LeBlanc was hit by Maokai’s Twisting Advance. She was locked down for a brief moment as Maokai returned back to his original form. And then she broke free. Lin Feng smiled, activating both Sigil of Malice and Ethereal Chains! His LeBlanc waved her staff and placed the sigil on Maokai, after which a set of chains shot out from her and wrapped around him! They set off the sigil for a burst of damage and slowed him!

Zhejiang’s Maokai tried to run away, but couldn’t open up enough distance before the secondary effect from Ethereal Chains activated. The chains had wrapped completely around him and locked him to the ground! LeBlanc cast magic at him from behind. And right in front of him, standing between him and Red Team’s outer tower, was An Xin’s Rengar!

Lin Feng’s LeBlanc and An Xin’s Rengar tore through Maokai’s health! He didn’t have Flash up and no other abilities off cooldown that could help him escape. Even with his large health pool, there was nothing he could do. It was eventually Lin Feng’s LeBlanc who landed the killing blow with a Sigil of Malice.

《You have slain an enemy!》

“That’s the lead!” Lin Feng said over the team’s voice chat, satisfied. He then nodded at An Xin and added, “Great Rengar mechanics! Good job!”

An Xin smiled and replied, “Like I need you to tell me. My Rengar has always been great!”

Lin Feng scratched his nose and glanced at An Xin. Then he chuckled. Maybe she was just not in the right headspace the last two games. This is the BunBun I know! She’s back! This is great! He looked back at his monitor, and more specifically at the minimap. “We should take Dragon,” he said over the team’s voice chat.

“Alright, we’ll push bot and come,” Zeng Rui replied.

An Xin giggled and concluded, “Great! This Dragon is ours then!”

✹

The players from Zhejiang University were visibly upset. The third game of this best of five series had started terribly with an early kill for An Xin’s Rengar. And from there, she went on to get an assist in the bot lane and now a kill plus an assist in the mid lane! The game wasn’t even 8 minutes in and she was already sitting on a KDA of 2/0/2!

Zhejiang’s Jungler punched his desk and complained over the team’s voice chat, “When did their Jungler learn to jungle!? She was terrible in the first two games? What the hell happened to her!?”

“I don’t know. We need to focus,” Sun Ruinian replied. He then glanced at Shi Hang and frowned. She even got the jump on him? How…?

Shi Hang was staring at his monitor. At the dull grey colours. Their coordination has really improved… No, no. It’s not that. It’s more that… It’s more that she’s suddenly gotten a lot better! The way she’s playing right now, I was already dead when those eyes popped up! This is actually kind of worrying… He knitted his brows and opened the game scoreboard. She’s 2/0/2. If she gets any more fed, she’ll snowball the entire game! We’re gonna lose if it goes on like this!

“Alright guys, playtime is over,” Shi Hang said over the team’s voice chat. He continued, “First things first. Pink wards. Buy them, lots of them. We need to know where that Rengar is at all times. Then…” He turned his head to look at his Toplaner. “… I’m coming for a gank together with Maokai. I need you to start shoving the top lane. Be ready to tower dive that Mundo.” He finally turned to look at Sun Ruinian and paused. I’ve taught you everything. I know how good you are. And you’re good enough to carry this. I’ll leave the bot lane to you. He smiled and concluded, “Do what you need to do in bot. Don’t let the Vayne scale.”

✹

At 7:40 minutes, Zhejiang’s Irelia finished pushing the top lane. A big Red minion wave had gathered in front of Blue team’s outer tower and was now pushing into its range. She followed behind them and focused her attention on auto attacking the tower, ignoring Dr. Mundo. This threw Zhang Hao completely off. He was so confused that he threw an Infected Cleaver at her, instead of considering the possibility of a gank happening.

Shi Hang’s Orianna and Zhejiang’s Maokai walked into the top lane from the Blue team’s Jungle. They were right behind Zhang Hao’s Dr. Mundo. Maokai locked onto him with Twisting Advance. He contorted to a large root and locked Dr. Mundo down! Shi Hang had his Orianna’s Ball travel with Maokai and activated her ultimate, Command: Shockwave, to displace Dr. Mundo!

The damage quickly piled up. Zhang Hao tried to ward off the gank, tried to get at least a kill back, but he was Dr. Mundo. He didn’t deal very much damage, and he hadn’t bought nearly enough defensive items to tank the assault from three enemy Champions.

Shi Hang had his Orianna’s Ball attack Dr. Mundo, while ordering over the team’s voice chat, “Back away, Mao. We’ve got this.”

Zhejiang University’s Maokai ran towards the edge of the outer tower’s range right as another energy shot hit him. The damage was negligible to his large health pool. He then waited for a brief moment, glancing back to see Shi Hang’s Orianna and the Irelia destroying Dr. Mundo’s health bar, before running out of the tower’s range. “Good gank, guys!” he said over the team’s voice chat.

《An ally has slain a Champion!》

“Push the tower,” Shi Hang ordered, smiling. Good! We’re winning top from here on out! He looked at his minimap and nodded, satisfied. Sun Ruinian will take care of the bot lane as well! He panned his camera over the mid lane, and paused. He gritted his teeth and felt his stomach twist into a knot. That just leaves the mess in mid. What the fuck did I think not banning LeBlanc? I know he’s a monster on her! It’s fucking unfair that someone can be that good on a Champion! Riot should ban him from playing her! He shook his head. I should’ve seen it coming. And now I’ll have to find a way around it. We’re gonna play around her. Make her irrelevant, just like the wards will make Rengar useless! Yeah, that’s it. We just gotta stay the hell away from his LeBlanc! And the Rengar…

“OH YEAH! YOU WANTED HEAT? WE GONNA BRING THE FIRE!” Liu Yue screamed when he saw Lin Feng pick LeBlanc for mid lane. He knew just how good Lin Feng was with this Champion. skill on this Champion. Everyone at High School 13 had heard of Lin Feng’s insane Le Blanc skills by now. The story of how Lin Feng crushed a potential esports club member who was Diamond ranked at tryouts had turned into a school legend. Liu Yue pumped his fist in the air and shouted, “We’re winning this 10,000,000% guaranteed!”

Ouyang grinned. Sort of. It was a grin through teeth clenched in excitement as his entire body trembled and shook. His knuckles turned white from his tightly balled fists. This gonna be good! He looked left and then right, searching for someone to share his excitement with. He finally said, “About goddamn time! Best bro is gonna carry this one! This is the comeback! I swear on my great grandma’s grave! His LeBlanc is gonna tear through Shi Hang! He’s gonna teach those arrogant shitheads and their pro cheater a lesson they won’t be forgetting!”

Yang Fan adjusted his glasses and analyzed, “It appears Lin Feng is going to pop off this game. It is 99% likely that he will, as Ouyang so nicely put it, tear through AyDeeCee!”

Ren Rou glanced at Yang Fan, surprised. Then she grinned and turned her attention to a different section of the audience. It was where the students from Zhejiang University were sitting. They won’t know what’ll hit them. This is going to be so sweet!

✹

Shi Hang sat behind his computer, his gaze locked on the LeBlanc pick. His LeBlanc. His… Nerves fluttered in his stomach and tied it into a knot. He glanced past his teammates at Team Shanghai’s soundproof booth. His LeBlanc… He grimaced and lightly shook his head. I’ve been having so much fun playing against him for the last two games that I completely forgot to prepare for… Well. This.

The four other players from Zhejiang University didn’t notice that Shi Hang’s body language changed or that his mood was completely different. They laughed when they saw that Lin Feng had locked in on LeBlanc. Then they quipped at each other about how Lin Feng seemed to really enjoy playing Ability Power assassins in the mid lane.

“Well, it doesn’t matter,” Zhejiang’s Jungler said. He shrugged and continued, “He played Fizz last game and lost to Shi Hang. Eh, he did fine at the start, sure. But once we got into the second half of the game? He didn’t do much of anything!”

Zhejiang’s Support laughed and said, “With Shi Hang as our Midlaner, there’s nothing that kid can do! 3-0, here we come!”

Shi Hang looked at his teammates and couldn’t stop himself from smiling. If only you guys knew who he is. If only you guys knew about his LeBlanc… He started laughing and shaking his head. LeBlanc was Maple’s signature Champion! No one, absolutely no one could beat his LeBlanc! He bit on his lips and sunk back a bit in his gaming chair. I have to play against Maple’s LeBlanc. Playing against his Fizz was hard enough… but now it’s LeBlanc. Now he’s serious. He laughed again, helpless. Fuck. Fuck it. I’ll do what I can. It’d be really embarrassing if I feed, but… I mean… He raised his shoulder and shook his head again. This is Maple’s LeBlanc. What can I do? The only saving grace here is that I don’t have to worry about his teammates. They just aren’t good enough to keep up with him. Shi Hang rolled his head and flexed his shoulders. We’re up 2-0 because his teammates aren’t great. If he had his old team… No. Scratch that. If all he had was Autumn, I’d have never agreed to play. I’d be running so fast that they wouldn’t even see me! Just the two of them, we’d get our asses kicked! It’s really crazy how strong his old team was. Two players in the Top 10 of the world! Shi Hang grinned. He grabbed his mouse with one hand and placed the fingers of his other hand on his keyboard. Thank god I don’t have to play any of them on top of Maple. His current team is a fantastic handicap for him!

✹

Zeng Rui sat in his gaming chair, looking at his screen while also glancing at Lin Feng. I’m fucking done with you! Egotistical asshole! Yeah, you’re playing great! Fuck, you’re going even against AyDeeCee! But that doesn’t mean we’re suddenly shit! We’re all good! We’re a strong team! You need to get your head out of your ass and be a teamplayer! He turned his head to look at Lin Feng and said, “You don’t have to worry about bot. Just focus on mid lane. Tang Tang and I’ll take care of things down here.”

Tang Bingyao stared intently at Jinx’s portrait on the loading screen. What he says! Mhm! We’re going to win the bot lane! Screw everything else! She nodded, more to herself than anyone else.

“Don’t think about top either, Lin Feng!” Zhang Hao exclaimed. He balled his fist and continued, “Even if I have to cling to his leg and scream for my mommy, I won’t let him get away from me! I don’t give a single fuck about his B-whatever-grade! I’ll keep him down! Trust me.”

Lin Feng smiled and nodded, and then suddenly scrunched his nose. He turned to look at An Xin and said, “BunBun, will you be fine playing Rengar? The last two games…”

An Xin tilted her head to look at Lin Feng. Her lips were still smiling, but she’d narrowed her eyes. A cold chill swept through the soundproof booth as she said, “OH? Are you doubting your teammates again? Weren’t the others clear? Do I have to repeat them!? Don’t worry about Top. Don’t worry about Bot. Don’t worry about Jungle! You nitwit! If you feed, I swear!”

Tang Bingyao, Zeng Rui and Zhang Hao unconsciously pushed themselves away from Lin Feng and An Xin. They knew better than anyone what could happen next. But Lin Feng didn’t argue back for a change. He just scratched his head and said, “Ok, ok! Don’t worry! I’m best at LeBlanc! I’ll win mid!” He then turned his attention to his monitor. His right hand wrapped around the mouse, his thumb lightly pressing against the side of it. He then moved his left hand to hover right above his keyboard. His pinky finger moved first, tapping down on the Q key. His ring finger followed, pressing the W key. His middle finger then pushed down on the E key. Good. He gazed at his screen, narrowing his eyes just enough to block everything else out, and said over the team’s voice chat, “Let’s give ‘em hell!”

✹

《Welcome to Summoner’s Rift!》

The game announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers in the venue. Team Shanghai’s Champions spawned on the blue fountain in the bottom left corner of the map and Zhejiang University’s Champions spawned on the red fountain on the other side of the map. They bought their starter items and then made their way out of the base down the various lanes and into the Jungle.

Rollfire held his microphone close to his mouth and said, “What a pick from Team Shanghai! They went with Rengar! The Jungler who’s been struggling on Lee Sin goes with another mechanical heavy Champion! She really wants to go all out in this final game!”

“Hoh, hoh, hoh!” Silent Reed countered. She shook her head and replied, “Who says this is the final game? I’m saying this game is all Team Shanghai’s! Definitely! Because how sweet would it be if we get to cast another three games? An epic five game series! Just imagine!”

Rollfire grinned. Trying so hard to kiss Shanghai Stupid Organization’s ass, huh? Well, that’s one way to get invited to cast again. Being an actually good caster might also help. But we both know you suck at that! He nodded at himself and then said, “I feel like if we wanted to get a Game 4, Team Shanghai should’ve gone for something else. Maybe something like that Fiddlesticks from before!”

Silent Reed sighed loudly into her microphone, spooking herself. She shook her head and focused her attention on the large LCD screen. She said, “Let’s just get into the game! Looks like we’re starting with a normal lane setup! Rengar is starting on the Red buff and Maokai on the Blue buff!”

An Xin had Rengar kill the Red Brambleback, smiling. She tapped her fingers on her mouse and felt them reacting like she wanted them to. The meds are finally kicking in! This is good! I can play like this! I can finally do what I normally do! Her smile turned brighter as she panned her screen towards the top-side Jungle from the Red team. Level 2 invade on their Red Buff? Yeah! 

An Xin’s Rengar stalked through the Jungle, running between brushes down a practiced path. He dodged the wards and vision from Zhejiang University and slipped into the brush next to Red team’s Red Buff Camp. Maokai had just arrived and was attacking the Red Brambleback. He was slowly whittling its health down, while taking substantial damage himself.

An Xin smiled. He isn’t expecting me at all. I can just wait. She watched Zhejiang’s Maokai fight until the Red Brambleback was down to half health. First blood! She clicked on Maokai! Rengar leapt from the brush and struck out with his claws!

Zhejiang University’s Jungler hadn’t expected the gank at all. His eyes went wide and he slammed down on the D key before he even realised he had. A mottled flash of light wrapped around his Maokai and carried him a short distance. But Rengar followed right behind him with a Flash of his own. ShitShitShit!

《First Blood!》

“OH MY GOOOOOOOOD! WOOOOO!”
“WOOT WOOT! FIRST BLOOD FOR BUNBUN!”
“WOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“TEAM SHANGHAI FOR THE TURNAROUND!”
“SICK GANK! HAHAHA!”

Inside Team Shanghai’s soundproof booth, An Xin breathed out and relaxed. She then turned to look at Lin Feng and teased, “Watch out. I’ve already got a lead on you.”

✹

Zhejiang’s Toplaner raised his brows and turned his head to look at his Jungler. He shook his head and said over the team’s voice chat, “Really, dude? Really? How the heck did you get caught there?”

The Support sat all the way on the other end of the long desk. He leaned back a bit to look at his Jungler and added, “Be a little careful! Shit! You wanna play against a fed Rengar or something?”

Sun Ruinian narrowed his eyes and interrupted, “Guys. Focus! Don’t be careless, please.”

“Fuck! Sorry, guys…” Zhejiang’s Jungler shook his head and kicked against the back of his desk. He grimaced and continued, “I just… Fuck! I really didn’t see it coming! She was so bad the last two games! Why the fuck is she suddenly invading? Dammit! I should’ve been more careful. One ward would’ve helped me survive there. And I even panic-flashed. Seriously, I’m stupid. Sorry, I’m really sorry.”

Shi Hang scrunched his nose and tilted his head. This feels, it feels wrong. He’s on LeBlanc and after that Lee Sin, she goes with Rengar? It’s all wrong. He said over the team’s voice chat, “Calm it. That Rengar is more aggressive than before, so let’s be ready for it. Get some wards up and don’t rush back to your Red Buff. She might still be there.”

Maple. Maple, Maple, Maple. Shi Hang focused his attention back on the LeBlanc he was playing against in the mid lane. She always stood behind you. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen her play. The girl with the pigtails. Everyone knew her. She was the genius! But she never played. She just followed after you. I’m starting to get really curious to find out just how good she is. He grinned and narrowed his eyes. I saw that kill on Maokai. But I was too late. I couldn’t collapse on her. She played that really well. If she starts playing like that… It’ll be interesting again!

✹

“Well, that was a great invade by Rengar!” Silent Reed said into her microphone. She shook her head and continued, “Such a nice first blood! I’m really impressed! And look at this.” She pointed at the large LCD screen, which showed Zhejiang’s Jungler carefully entering his Jungle and placing wards in every brush, and continued, “Rengar has already returned to her own Jungle. But Zhejiang’s wards didn’t catch her, so they’re probably thinking she’s still in their Jungle! It’s such a nice play!”

Rollfire grabbed his microphone and argued, “Nothing wrong with being careful! See how they’re placing down wards and getting up some good vision around their Jungle? That’s exactly what Fuzhou Tech should’ve done to stop Team Shanghai in the previous round! Then it’d be Fuzhou Tech facing off against Zhejiang University here today!”

Silent Reed turned her head to look at Rollfire, annoyed. Shut up! She breathed out loudly and then leaned back towards her microphone. She said, “Enough about that! Let’s see how the other lanes are doing! We’re starting with the top lane where we have a Dr. Mundo versus Irelia matchup!”

✹

Zhang Hao was completely focused on his monitor. I can’t beat him in a 1vs1. He’s the better player. But I don’t have to fight him! I just need to farm and not give anything away. No one beats Mundo in the late game! I’ll throw cleavers at them all day and all night! He grinned and activated Infected Cleaver! His Dr. Mundo hurled his cleaver at Irelia! The attack didn’t just deal damage, but also slowed Irelia. It slowed her enough that she missed a last hit on a minion! Hehe! That’s the way! I’ll make her miss last hits and win this lane!

Dr. Mundo was a purple monster who took great pleasure in watching his victims suffer. It was to such an extent that when he hit a target with his Infected Cleaver, he healed himself a little bit. Zhang Hao used this to keep his health up while interrupting Irelia. I just gotta play it safe. Throw cleavers and get CS! And then I just need to look for opportunities to make a Teleport Gank! He nodded at himself and smiled. I’m not going to drag the team down this game, no matter what!

✹

“Huh?” Sun Ruinian mumbled. He scrunched his nose and turned his head to look at his Support. He asked, “You seeing that?”

“Yeah,” Zhejiang’s Support replied. He shook his head and added, “I’ve tried to hit her with my Howling Gale twice now, but both missed. She’s suddenly dodging my skills!”

“Hmm…” Sun Ruinian responded. Something has changed. That Vayne is playing far better than in the previous two games. It isn’t even just dodging the Howling Gales. Those things take time to charge up. It’s not so hard to dodge. But she’s also cancelling my Jinx’s auto attack animations! Every time I try to go in for some poke, she knows exactly how much range I need and makes sure I don’t get that. He chewed on his lips and glanced at the soundproof booth across the stage. It’s like I’m playing a different player. She’s actually good this game…

In Team Shanghai’s soundproof booth, Tang Bingyao sat on the edge of her gaming chair. She was leaning forward, close to her monitor, and was clicking rapidly on her mouse. Mhm! I can do this! WinWinWin! The Lin Feng way! My mechanics and reflexes are the best! Go full on them! Auto attack! Range! Dodge! Mhm! I got this! She kept making the smallest adjustments to her positioning, just enough to stop an auto attack from Jinx while still getting the last hit on a minion. She played it perfectly, her complete focus on her Vayne.

Zeng Rui glanced at Tang Bingyao and smiled. That’s more like it! You’re great! He then looked back at his monitor, at the minimap in the bottom right corner of his screen. BunBun is coming down for a gank. He said over the team’s voice chat, “Tang Tang, get ready.”

An Xin pinged on the Janna and added, “Kill Janna first.”

“Mhm!” Tang Bingyao replied. She glanced at the minimap and judged how long it would take An Xin’s Rengar to arrive in lane. Then, just at the right moment, she pushed forward.

Zhejiang’s Janna saw the change in Tang Bingyao’s Vayne right away and cast Howling Gale! A storm started brewing on the Rift, slowly gaining in power until it erupted into a powerful tornado! It carved a path straight ahead!

Tang Bingyao’s Vayne Tumbled to the side and the Howling Gale blasted past her. Another dodge! She looked at Janna and Vayne who were already running away, and knew she had time. Zeng Rui’s Leona had flashed through the Howling Gale and arrived right in front of Janna. He’d followed up by smashing his Shield of Daybreak into her! Janna was stunned!

Tang Bingyao had her Vayne walk towards Janna and fired an empowered auto attack! She then ran past Janna, firing a second silver bolt! And finally, when the angle was just right, she activated Condemn! Vayne pulled the large crossbow from her back and squeezed the trigger! A thick, massive bolt shot at Janna and pierced through her! Janna got knocked off her feet and pinned to the wall behind her! A third silver ring appeared beneath her and exploded for massive true damage!

“Almost there!” An Xin said over Team Shanghai’s voice chat. 

Zuo Cheng stood in front of Zhejiang University’s esports club members, leading the chants like a conductor. “Zhejiang!” he screamed at them. And they replied, “Champions!” The rest of the audience had stopped celebrating Zhejiang University’s second win over Team Shanghai and were now waiting for the third game, but Zuo Cheng wasn’t ready to stop yet. He glanced over his shoulder a couple of times and just smiled, proud. That’s the cap for you! Best player in the world! Such a shame he quit pro League… If he starts again, hell yeah! He’d win the LPL no problem! 

Zuo Cheng leaned back against the railing that separated the normal stands from the player seating area and sighed loudly. He shook his head and said, “Guys, guys. What did I tell you guys? With Cap on the team, we’re invincible! Team Shanghai? Team Guangzhou? Any of those other potential champions? Screw them all! We’ve got the Captain!”

“Heck yeah! Shi Hang is gonna carry us to a win!”
“We’re gonna have an invincibles run!”
“If Sun Ruinian is the tiger, Shi Hang is the wings! He’ll lift us up and send us flying to victory!”
“AyDeeCee gonna wreck Goalie! Hahaha!”
“They might as well give us the trophy already! This is our competition!”
“The return of the KING!”
“Shi ‘AyDeeCee’ Hang carrying the shit out of these games!”

The section of the audience occupied by Zhejiang University students was loud and proud. Everyone else could clearly hear them blasting over all other conversations. Heads turned and whispers and murmurs rang out through the stands. Everyone agreed that Zhejiang University was putting on a great performance and that with the way they were playing, winning the championship seemed incredibly likely. Then they turned their heads to look at the section with Team Shanghai fans, who were slumped back in their seats and staring at their feet.

“It must suck to be them right about now.”
“I just feel bad for them… Imagine getting this far and getting all hyped, and then having to play a pro player! It’s still stupid I think!”
“Maybe the Shanghai Esports Association can give them a trophy for most effort, or something like that! They really deserve something with the show they’re putting on for us here!”
“Here’s to hoping they take at least one game from Zhejiang!”
“Fat chance with AyDeeCee playing…”

✹

Chu Fang sat in his private room backstage watching the large tv screen that showed the audience. He was biting on his lips and furrowing his brows. How did this happen…? Did I push Lin Feng too hard? He scratched the side of his head and looked at a different screen that showed a replay of Game 1. I knew Zhejiang was a strong team and was going to be a lot better with Shi Hang, but I also thought I knew how good Team Shanghai was! Did I make a mistake? They’re 2-0 behind after only an hour of playing. One more game and they’re out! Maple isn’t going to learn much from this! He won’t be back…

Chu Fang breathed out loudly and shook his head. Was I too impatient? Is that it? Am I pushing him too hard? Is Zhejiang going to kick him out early because I pushed him too hard? I thought he could still carry, that the added pressure from playing against Shi Hang would bring the best out of him! We need him better! We need him back to his old self! We need Maple! I only told Shi Hang that the Maple was back so that Lin Feng could get a real challenge! Why did I do that? He clenched his fist and hit himself on the knee. No! This isn’t too much! Is it…?

A staff member knocked on the door and another tried to reach Chu Fang through the walkie talkie, but he didn’t notice them. His full attention was locked on the screen that was now showing a replay of Lin Feng picking up a solo kill on Shi Hang. He’s good! He’s picking up solo kills on Shi Hang! But that’s… that’s not enough! It’s not enough. Team Shanghai is going to get knocked out and there’s nothing I can do about it! It’s already far too late to do something about it! I should’ve never allowed Shi Hang to play! He bit on his lips and stared at the playercam at the bottom of the screen. I need you to make a comeback! Turn this around! Please! We can’t have you dropping out now! We need you to win this and then quickly move on to the professional scene!

✹

The players from Zhejiang University were relaxing in their soundproof booth, waiting for the third game to start. There wasn’t a single trace of worry to be found, with even the usual cautious Sun Ruinian leaning back in his gaming chair. He turned to look at Shi Hang and said, “It’s a good thing you jumped in here. These games are going so smoothly with you on the team!”

“Yeah!” the Jungler added, laughing. “It’s all thanks to you, Shi Hang!”

The Toplaner nodded and chimed in, “Your Ezreal dude, like holy shit! That was in-fucking-sane!”

“It was! You kept the Fizz down early and made him completely useless after the laning phase!” the Support said.

Shi Hang took a deep breath and replied, “Careful, guys. This isn’t over.” He then turned his head to look across the stage at Team Shanghai’s soundproof booth. I’m only playing here because of you, Maple. You’re still good. Even after your four year break, you’re matching me in lane! That’s damn impressive! He knitted his brows and curled his lips. But it’s not enough. It just isn’t. Your team is worse, simple as that. Your top and ad-carry are way worse and your Jungler isn’t doing all that hot either. They’re costing you these games. Still, the real Maple, the one from four years ago, the one that kicked the everloving shit out of me? He would’ve carried these games! That Maple would’ve found a way to help his teammates win their lanes and carry the game!

“Maple, Maple, Maple…” Shi Hang mumbled. His teammates glanced at him, but he ignored them. He was still staring across the stage at Lin Feng. You’re the successor to One, you were the best Midlaner in China, you made it all the way to the World Finals! This is a kiddy tournament! So what if it’s me you’re playing against? You can kick my ass any day of the week! I know you can! I felt it four years ago! He breathed in deeply and narrowed his eyes. You’re Maple! You’re better than this! So much better! If this is really all you got? Then it’s for the best you lose. With just this skill, you’re not going to get very far. You won’t even get close to where you got before! Come on, man! Give me a real show! Give me a good asskicking!

✹

There was a 15 minute break between each game. Team Shanghai used the first few minutes just sitting behind their computers, staring at the post game lobby that explained exactly how badly they’d lost the second game. Zeng Rui finally got up from his gaming chair and said to the others, “Come. We’re going to the backstage room.”

“Yeah, let’s do that. Nothing good is going to come from sitting here,” An Xin replied, nodding.

The five from Team Shanghai left the soundproof booth, the cheers for Zhejiang University slamming into them, and quickly made their way off the stage to the small break room backstage. There was a table with a couple of chairs. The only real difference with the soundproof booth was that they couldn’t look at the post game lobby. But Zeng Rui, Tang Bingyao and Zhang Hao still sat down and stared into the space in front of them, lost.

“It’s over, isn’t it?” Zhang Hao mumbled.

“Mhm,” Tang Bingyao replied, nodding.

Zeng Rui looked at his two teammates and gritted his teeth. It’s not over until… He breathed in and then sighed loudly. Are we really going to get knocked out of the Collegiate Cup here? After all of our hard work? We were so close to the main tournament! This isn’t how it’s supposed to end! He glanced at Lin Feng from the corner of his eyes. What’s he thinking anyway? Since when has he ever shut up? Stupid thundering dumbass!

Lin Feng stood off to the side, leaning with his shoulder against the wall and staring at his feet. It’s not their fault we’re losing this game, it’s mine! It’s all my fault! I am better than this! What’s stopping me? Why can’t I play like I did four years ago? What’s missing!? I was good enough to beat Shi Hang and still help my teammates! And now, I’m struggling to beat Shi Hang in lane! I basically went even last game! One for one. One for one. One for fucking one! He shook his head, frustrated. What do I do? What can I do to beat Shi Hang and help my teammates? They need me if we want to win this! But what can I do? What can I possibly do to make this work…? He grimaced, tapping his fingers on his forehead. I don’t know… I don’t fucking know!

An Xin stood at the door of the backstage room. She looked from Lin Feng at the other three and then back at Lin Feng again. He doesn’t look like he’s given up yet… He hasn’t given up yet! But he’s struggling. I can see he’s struggling! I know that look better than anyone! He needs me! She took a long, deep breath and then walked up to Lin Feng. She forced her lips to curl upwards and her eyes to start shining. She then straightened her back and said, “We’re still in it, right?”

Lin Feng raised his head to look at An Xin, then slowly nodded. He looked back down at his shoes and moved his head around, chewing on his lips. He finally opened his mouth, hesitating briefly, and replied, “It’s all my fault. I’m not good enough yet. If it was the me from four years ago, we’d be 2-0 up right now…”

An Xin raised an eyebrow, surprised. That idiot! She narrowed her eyes and felt anger and annoyance intertwine and burst forward. Why does he always have to throw everything at himself!? This is a team game! How many times do I need to remind him!? She bit on her lips and then focused on her breath. He’s putting all that pressure on himself again. Why can’t he see that he has us? We’re all here, together! She looked up at Lin Feng and said, “You’ve already done more than enough. Stop putting all that pressure on yourself. How many times do I need to remind you? Lin Feng? Look at me. You’ve got me here. There, see those three sitting over there sulking? You have them. We’re all here, together, as a team!”

Lin Feng rubbed his eyes before looking at his teammates. I know you guys are all trying! I do know that! He closed his eyes and said, “I know, but—”

“No. No buts,” An Xin interrupted. She looked him straight in the eyes and continued, “You need to stop doing this. You’re not Superman. You’re Lin Feng. You’re Maple. You’re human. If you keep putting all this pressure on yourself, it’s going to be like four years ago all over again! You’re going to burn yourself out and you’ll leave the team with one more thing to worry about!” She placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled before adding, “You’re not alone. You’re really not! You have us. Let us in.”

Lin Feng looked back into An Xin’s eyes, a knot twisting tightly in his stomach. I know. I know! I know all of that! And I want to! But…

An Xin stared intently into Lin Feng’s eyes and said, “League of Legends is a team game. You’re never going to win it all by yourself. Remember how you picked us, all four of us, as your teammates? The least you can do is to actually view us as your teammates. Trust us!” She stopped for a brief moment before concluding, “You remember how you trusted Fatty? Eleven? Silent and Autumn? You remember the way you guys played together? We’re the same. We’re your teammates. Trust us like how you trusted them!”

The knot uncurled in Lin Feng’s stomach. The pent up breath escaped and the frown disappeared from his face. He blankly looked at An Xin and nodded. She’s right. She’s right… I did it again. Just like back then, just like against Shanghai International, just like… I keep doing this! When I heard Shi Hang was playing, I lost trust in my teammates. I knew they aren’t at that level, so I wrote them off. And then I decided that I have to do it all myself! But I don’t. That’s not how to win at this game! Solo carrying is just stupid! I’m only making it harder on myself by doing that! He balled his hand into a fist and curled his lips upwards. It’s not my responsibility, it’s ours! All of us! And if we play together, use each others’ strengths, we can win this! We can! 

An Xin let go of Lin Feng’s shoulder and smiled. That’s what I wanted to see. She then turned to look at the other three and said, “You guys don’t wanna go out like this, right? Right?” She waited for the lost and dazed expressions from Tang Bingyao, Zhang Hao and Zeng Rui to focus on her before continuing, “We’re two games down. So what? This is a best of five. As far as I’m concerned, we played two warm-up matches and are now going in for the real deal!”

“You want to reverse sweep this…?” Zhang Hao asked.

An Xin raised an eyebrow. Guess that wasn’t enough… She placed her hand before her mouth and giggled, then said, “Oh, another thing. You see this idiot over here? He thinks we lost those two games because of him. You know, because he couldn’t carry you guys hard enough. He’s seeing us as dead weight!”

“What the fuck?” Zeng Rui blurted out. He narrowed his eyes and said, “Don’t get ahead of yourself, thundering dumbass! You’re not some kind of messiah! Arrogant shithead!”

Zhang Hao shot up to his feet and slammed his fist on the table. He turned to look at Lin Feng and shouted, “Yeah! What Zeng Rui says! What do you take us for? Jesus Christ, you arrogant dick!”

Tang Bingyao bit on her lips and glanced at Lin Feng. He played with Fatty, he— Mnh-mnh! I want to play with him, not get carried by him! She narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Mhm! What they say!”

Lin Feng scratched the back of his head and bit on his tongue. It’s not like that at all! Or maybe, just a little bit… He grimaced. They’re right.

An Xin suddenly clapped her hands, grabbing everyone’s attention again, and said, “Alright! I say a punishment is in order for him! We’ll have to think of something fitting. But let’s worry about that after we win this series!”

Zeng Rui snorted and replied, “Yes. We’re going to win the next three.”

Zhang Hao added through gritted teeth, “I’ll be damned if we don’t pull a reverse sweep here! I’m going to fucking carry your sad ass, Lin Feng!”

“Mhm!” Tang Bingyao hummed. She clenched her fist and nodded. I’m going to show him that I can face an A grade! I’m going to beat Sun Ruinian and show him!

Lin Feng was completely caught off guard by the intense reaction from his teammates. He looked at them in turn, finding a fire blazing in their eyes. Maybe I was wrong… He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs. His eyes suddenly shot open, blazing with that same determination! He breathed out and said, “That’s the spirit! I’m loving this! You guys are right! I’m the ass! It’s all of us together! Let’s win this!”

An Xin nodded and smiled. Good. Morale is back. That just leaves me… She looked at her teammates and said, “We’ve still got a few minutes before the next game starts. You guys head back to the soundproof booth, I’ll be there in a bit. I just need to go to the ladies’ room. Be right back!”

✹

An Xin walked into the washroom with her purse strapped around her shoulder. She checked the stalls to make sure no one else was there before she walked up to a faucet and turned the water on. She then reached into her purse and retrieved a cup and several vials with medication, which she placed down in front of her. Just a bit. It’ll help, the doctor said. I shouldn’t, though… It’s too early. She looked up into the mirror, her reflection staring right back at her. But I promised Lin Feng. I made a promise! I’m not going to give up now!

An Xin filled the glass with water, then took the medicine her doctor had prescribed her and swallowed it all. A few minutes and I should feel better. This should be enough to get me through three more games! Why didn’t I do this at the start? Maybe we wouldn’t have had to… She bit on her lips and shook her head. I shouldn’t at all, but… But I made a promise and I’m keeping it!

The sounds of people talking came from the entrance to the washroom. An Xin’s eyes went wide and she quickly stuffed her medication back into her purse. She then turned her head and smiled at the two women who walked into the washroom before turning back to look at her reflection in the mirror. Why can’t it just all work out for once? Why does it always have to go like this? I know what the doctor said! I KNOW! BUT I JUST WANT— She closed her eyes and forced herself to take long, calming breaths. All I want is to play with him, just for a little longer. That’s all I’m asking. She shook her head and then walked out of the washroom, the whispers from the two girls reaching her ears.

“That’s the girl from Team Shanghai, right?”
“Yeah, I think it’s their Jungler.”
“Did you see all that medication she stuffed away?”
“Are you thinking drugs?”
“Maybe something to help her focus? Some Adderall…”
“I wonder if they do drug tests…”

✹

An Xin pushed the door to the soundproof booth open and walked in. She flexed her right hand a bit and smiled. This should work. It will! She then looked at the others and said, “Let’s give it our best! We’re going to win this one! Starting with Champion Select!”

Zhang Hao grinned and shouted, “Heck yeah!”

Zeng Rui glanced at An Xin and then at Lin Feng. I’ll show them how good we can be! Fuck the thundering dumbass! He’s the dead weight! He put on his headphones and said over the team’s voice chat, “Get ready. We’re going to be banning Fizz, Yasuo and Ahri!”

Lin Feng looked up from his screen and raised an eyebrow. Is he really mad? Ah, whatever, maybe it’ll help his play! He grinned and said, “Sounds good! I’ll play LeBlanc then!”

“We’re going to play a late game team composition that has some early game potential,” Zeng Rui continued, ignoring Lin Feng. He turned to look at Zhang Hao and said, “Mundo for you.” He then turned to Tang Bingyao and continued, “Something like Vayne for you.” He nodded at An Xin and said, “Something strong for you, Rengar maybe?”

An Xin nodded and replied, “That’ll work!”

“And as for you?” Zeng Rui said, glaring at Lin Feng. Thundering dumbass picking what I wanted him to pick, dammit! He glowered and concluded, “Yeah, LeBlanc.”

Both teams locked their Champions in and it didn’t take long before they moved to the loading screen. The large LCD screen above the soundproof booths shot to life and showed the audience the lineup for Game 3 in the best of five series between Team Shanghai and Zhejiang University!

Game 3 of the East China Regional Quarterfinals
Team Shanghai (Blue) vs. Zhejiang University (Red)

Top: Dr. Mundo vs. Irelia
Jungle: Rengar vs. Maokai
Mid: LeBlanc vs. Orianna
Ad-Carry: Vayne vs. Jinx
Support: Leona vs. Janna