Zeng Rui turned back to his computer and browsed through the Winter Collegiate Cup subpage on the China Esports Association’s website. He stopped on the list of qualified teams and said, “See how there’re 34 teams here? And then, when I scroll down a bit further, you see what it says here?”

Lin Feng leaned in and read the words out loud, “Wildcard teams.”

“Exactly,” Zeng Rui replied. He turned back to the others and continued, “The China Esports Association kept two wildcards for the teams with the most impressive performances that didn’t manage to qualify for the main tournament. And after Zhejiang University’s series against us, they were technically knocked out while also basically being sure of getting one of the two wildcard tickets.”

“So it’s like a second life!” Lin Feng exclaimed. He clenched his fist and pumped it up into the air. He said, “Maybe we’ll get to play against Shi Hang again! That’d be awesome!”

An Xin pushed Lin Feng aside and looked at the list open on the webpage. She said, “Looks like the other wildcard was given to Beijing International Studies University. Didn’t they get knocked out by Team Beijing?”

“They did,” Zeng Rui confirmed.

Lin Feng grinned and said, “The high school teams are too good! The China Esports Association needs wildcards to get their uni teams to move on!”

Tang Bingyao nodded and added, “Mhm! We’re good!”

✹

Shi Hang walked into the esports clubroom at Zhejiang University. The other players from the team had already gathered there and were waiting for him. He smiled at them and said, “Got some good news for you guys! I just spoke with Chu Fang and he said he secured a wildcard for us! You guys will get a chance at redemption in the main tournament!”

“Yeah, I just saw it on the website,” Sun Ruinian said. He then shrugged and mumbled, “Screw that.”

Shi Hang looked at Sun Ruinian, surprised. This kid isn’t happy? What’s gotten into him…? He looked at the other members from Zhejiang University’s team, each of them slumped back in their gaming chairs and sulking. What’s gotten into all of them? He raised an eyebrow and asked, “What? You guys not happy with this? It’s supposed to be good news! Cheer up a bit!”

“Cheer up for what, cap?” Zuo Cheng asked. He chewed on his lips for a bit and eventually added, “It’s just a pity spot. Why should we be happy about that? We lost. We got eliminated. We don’t deserve to go to the main tournament.”

Shi Hang looked at the team members, surprised. Then he grinned and said, “Oh, we’ve got a prideful bunch over here!” He turned around to the other people in the clubroom and loudly said, “Look guys, we’ve got a bunch of sulking divas over here! Watch them in all their glory! Woo!” He looked back at the team members and added, “Getting a bit lucky to even out the bad luck of drawing Ma– Team Shanghai is too much for your fragile egos, huh?”

Zuo Cheng stared at his fingers, Sun Ruinian looked at a poster up on the wall, and the others were looking at each other.

The happy expression disappeared from Shi Hang’s face. He narrowed his eyes a bit and said, “You are thinking far too highly of yourselves! This is what you call pride? What bullshit! What’s your pride worth? I’ll tell you. It’s worth jackshit! You’re being offered a second chance and you’re bitching that you haven’t earned it? Piss off!”

Zuo Cheng chewed on his fingers, Sun Ruinian slumped deeper into his chair and found another poster to look at, and the others tried to push their gaming chairs slightly behind their team’s Midlaner and ad-carry.

Shi Hang watched them, one by one, and then asked, “Do you think it’s always sunshine and rainbows? Do you really believe it’ll always go your way? No fucking way! It never does! You’ll face setbacks again and again! And then, once in a blue moon, there’ll be a second chance. You fucking grab onto that with all your might and hold on!” He briefly paused to search for a reaction, one that didn’t come. He continued, “I’ll tell you a little something. The first professional team I signed with? They had me sitting on the bench for the first month! You know what I was thinking? What I was hoping for every fucking week? That they’d give me a chance! Just once! I didn’t care if it was out of pity or whatever! Just let me get up on that stage and prove myself! Show them that I am good enough to be on the main roster and not just some substitute!”

Shi Hang looked at the players before stopping at Sun Ruinian. He shook his head and said, “I’ve pampered you guys too much, as has the university with all this fancy equipment! Back in Season 1, any pro player would kill for a chance to play! Pride be damned! You hope for that opportunity! That chance or whatever you wanna call it! And when it comes? You better damn well hold onto it! Pull with all your fucking might and play! Because that’s what we want! To play!” He briefly paused to gather his thoughts and then continued, “Do you guys have any idea what things we like back in Season 1? We created the foundation for what is now the Chinese League scene! Through our hard work, through our never giving up mentality, through everything we did, you now have a nice gaming room and sponsors throwing money at you! You guys have no clue what it means to fight! You’re expecting people to just give you everything! And when it doesn’t go exactly your way? You become these fucking diva-bitches! Get some grip on yourselves! You’re not the next best talent! You barely even qualify to make it professional, if at all! You want to act all big and special? Fucking win Worlds first! Until then, I better not see this behaviour again or you’re out of here. I won’t have this diva-shit in my club!”

The players from Zhejiang University didn’t say anything. They sat in their expensive gaming chairs and looked at the expensive computers around them. Behind them were two soundproof booths, another expensive investment made by the university. Their analyst was coming by later to talk them through a game he’d watched so they didn’t have to. All they had to do was play the game to practice and get better.

Shi Hang breathed deeply. Looks like they got the message. Time to throw them a lifeline. His lips curved up just a bit as he said, “I know you guys. I’ve taught you everything I could! You’re better than this. Does it suck that we got knocked out? It better! I’d be furious if this loss didn’t mean anything to you guys! But this wildcard? It’s an opportunity. And you grab onto opportunities with both hands!” He sighed loudly before adding, “And if you really feel that humiliated? Just play your damndest and win! Prove to yourself and everyone else that you belong at the main tournament! Win games and beat the teams that did qualify the normal way! You’re more than good enough to do that.”

Shi Hang nodded at the team members and concluded, “Your move now.” He then turned around and walked to the door of the esports clubroom. When he got there and put his hand on the handle, the team members finally talked. They shouted after him,

“You’re right! We’ll do our best!”
“We won’t let you down!”
“We’re going to show everyone that we’re still a contender for the title!”
“We’ll make you proud!”
“Come and watch us play! You’ll be proud of us!”

Shi Hang paused for a brief moment and smiled. Stupid kids. I already know. You guys are far too talented to let me down. He glanced over his shoulder and gave them a thumbs up. Then he pulled the door open and walked out. Now it’s time for me to stop babysitting them. I’ve got my own things going on… He grabbed his phone and read the email he’d just received from Team Rapids’ management. Guess I’m back. Season 6 is starting soon and I’ve got myself a spot on an LPL team’s main roster. That was easy. Now the hard part. I need to train and get back into form and also form some synergy with those guys! He grinned and mumbled, “Don’t make me wait too long, Maple. I’m only back for you.”

✹

Su Xue was streaming like she did every day, yet she also wasn’t. The stream was on and there were tens of thousands of people watching her play a game of League of Legends. It was just that she was missing last hits on minions and getting caught out far more often than she usually did. She gritted her teeth and tried to focus, but her eyes kept getting drawn away to a message she had open on her other screen.

CatFish (Huya Admin):「If you’re interested, let me know. We’ll get it moving asap.」

I’m really interested! And it is such a big opportunity! But… Su Xue bit on her lips as she missed another last hit on a minion. I’d also have to give up so much. Everything would change! I… I don’t know… What should I do…?

「I can’t wait for the new season to start! AYDEECEE IS BACK BABBEEEHEHHH!!」
「I HEARD TOO! OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOGM!!!!」
「hes my idol! maybe i can be good like him soon!!!!!1!」
「stream so boring we chatting bout aydeecee’s return… anyones got some webpage I can read more about it??」
「Yeah… What the fuck’s up with this streamer girl? Thought she said she was here to provide quality gameplay…」
「THAT”S WHAT THEY ALL SAY BEFORE SHOWING SOME DEEP CLEAVAGE!!!!」
「do they look bigger than usual??!?!/1/?」

Su Xue didn’t see the messages. Her focus was on the conversation she’d had with the administrator from HuyaTV. They’d offered her a great deal. One she really couldn’t turn down. Yet at the same time, it meant change and it meant having to give up on certain things. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. She bit her lips and turned her head back to look at the game she was playing. Huh? Dead again? What… I’m playing like I’m in Silver again! Dammit, Su Xue! Get a grip of yourself! You’re streaming, focus on that! The thing with Huya can wait for later! I’ll go chat with Zuo You tomorrow! Until then, no more distracting thoughts!

「she kinda looks heartbroken if ya ask me….」
「Lawl. Maybe Lil bro broke up with Her.」
「Shit! That could be it! I’ve always told you guys those two looks to close together! OMG IS THAT THE BED!??!?!?!??」
「….. wow….. wtf are you horny fuckers thinking…….. Damn stream chat, always those damn horny trolls…..」
「suresure… lotsa trolls. but she does really look outta it. Maybe it really is lovesickness?」

Team Shanghai met up at the NetCow Cafe the day after the lost Finals to Fudan University to continue their training schedule for the Winter Collegiate Cup main tournament. But there wasn’t a whole lot of playing going on. Everyone looked at Lin Feng, who was loudly sneezing. His nose was red and his eyes were watering. He muttered, “Damn colds! Uch, I hate them!”

An Xin glared at him and said, “It’s your own fault for not wearing a coat! I told you…” She shook her head and gave Lin Feng a glass of water and some cold medicine. She offered, “Here, take this. It’ll help you feel a bit better. But how about you listen to me the next time when I tell you it’s too cold outside to walk around in a t-shirt? It’s almost freezing! You need to wear a coat or you get… well, sick.”

Lin Feng shook his head and coughed a bit. He then blew his nose in his sleeve and argued, “The weather was kind of warm last week! It only got cold the last few days, and that came out of nowhere! Plus, when was the last time I got sick? Like years ago!–” He lurched forward and sneezed again.

“Take the medicine already! God, how did you survive this long?” An Xin complained. She rubbed her forehead and continued, “If I wasn’t here…–”

“Do you have any other meds with you?” Lin Feng interrupted. He held the white tablet up and added, “This one tastes terrible!”

An Xin narrowed her eyes and said, “Swallow it!”

Lin Feng pouted and complained, “Nurses are supposed to be nice to their patients…”

An Xin’s lips curved up while her eyes narrowed to two small slits. She said, “HMM? Are you going to drink it or are you going to make me force it down your throat?”

“I’ll drink it, I’ll drink it! Jeesh…” Lin Feng replied. He then threw the tablet into his mouth and gulped it down with the water.

Zeng Rui watched the well-rehearsed exchange between Lin Feng and An Xin, shaking his head the entire time. When he judged they were finally done, he said, “It’s unfortunate Lin Feng got sick. He really wasn’t on his game yesterday. And the same holds true for Tang Tang. Both our carries were out sick. They played well below their usual skill level.”

“Yeah!” Lin Feng exclaimed. He grinned and continued, “I wasn’t the only one who played shit, Tang Tang also played shit! She was even worse than I was! Hey, Tang Tang! You also need to take this medicine! It’ll help you get well again!”

Tang Bingyao looked down at her shoes, hiding the dark shade of red on her face. I-I was on my period! It’s not my fault it hurt so bad! It was just a bad month! And I already apologized for it! What more… I-I…

An Xin glared at Lin Feng and shouted, “Show some consideration for her! You’re not a woman! You don’t know how hard it is to focus when you’re on your period! Really! There is blood everywhere and it hurts so much! The fact she could play at all while on her period was impressive enough! You should be grateful she even came out of bed yesterday! God! I wish guys could feel how bad a period hurts! And we have to deal with it every month again!” Her chest went up and down in frustration, her breathing raggard. She clenched her fists until her knuckles were white and yelled, “You should thank her that she played all five games as well as she did! I bet if you had a period, you would lay in bed and cry like a little baby!”

Lin Feng ruffled his hair and mumbled, “Okay, okay. Sorry…”

An Xin shouted out in frustration and then said, “Seriously! Whoever said that idiots can’t get colds hasn’t met you! And you better hope this won’t happen again for you! If I catch you doing something stupid to the detriment of the team again, I’ll punch some sense into you!”

✹

After playing a couple of games, Zeng Rui stopped the team from playing any more. He gathered everyone around him and opened a webpage. He then pointed at it and said, “Look. Most of the teams who are going through to the main tournament have been announced. There’ll be 36 teams in total. Some of the big names from the previous edition are there, like Fudan University, Beijing U-Tech, China University of Political Science and Law and Nanjing University.” He briefly paused to scroll down the list to the very bottom and then continued, “As you guys can see, the high school teams from Beijing and Guangzhou also qualified for the main tournament. Chu Fang already warned us about this, but it seems he was right. We need to be careful about them.”

Zeng Rui browsed to a different page on the China Esports Organization’s website and said, “We don’t know which team we’re up against in the first round, but we do know where we’ll be playing. The organizers just announced that the venue for the main tournament is in Guangzhou. They’ve also said that they’re covering the costs for flying all the teams that have qualified in. So we’ll be going to Guangzhou soon.”

“Guangzhou?” Lin Feng asked. His eyes lit up and he exclaimed, “That sounds awesome! I’ve always wanted to go there!”

An Xin shook her head and said, “That’s what you said last time you went…”

“I never went to Guangzhou!” Lin Feng argued.

An Xin rolled her eyes and explained, “Yes you did. Back in Season 1. You had a tournament there.”

“Shit, you’re right!” Lin Feng exclaimed. He smacked his forehead and continued, “I remember now! We were going all around the country searching for tournaments to play in!” He shook his head and laughed before adding, “We actually took the train to Guangzhou because we couldn’t afford plane tickets! And that hostel we stayed in was so bad! Even Silent complained about it, and he never talks! OhOh! And that internet cafe! It took Autumn and Eleven like an hour of haggling for the owner to let us practice for free! And then he got so pissed when Fatty and I ordered food!”

“And rightfully so,” An Xin butted in. She said, “You didn’t have money to practice but you did have money to buy large piles of food…”

Lin Feng ignored An Xin’s comments and continued, “But it was so much fun! It was a real journey! We lived on the little tournament money we made! We rented tiny apartments, ate rice gruel and cup noodles… those were the days! We had to put in so much effort just to get to play that everyone tried so much harder to be good! The pros from Season 1 are the best of all Seasons!”

Zeng Rui listened to Lin Feng recounting the events with complete attention. He’d read up about the life of a Season 1 League of Legends professional player. But hearing it from someone who’d experienced it was still different somehow. It gave life to the words he’d read. Only the best and most motivated players would go to those lengths! The average skill level must’ve been so high in those days! Now we need coaches and fancy gaming rooms and, and… He shook his head, impressed. The best players from Season 1 are still the best today. I wonder if Lin Feng will get back there too… He actually played Rake! That series was so cool! If he can get that good again… Even Hermes isn’t that good!

Lin Feng laughed and said, “Everything is so different these days! Free plane tickets, hotel rooms, food… The China Esports Association is paying for everything! This is great! I can eat all I want!”

Zeng Rui’s eyelid twitched. He bit on his lips and closed his eyes. Right. Still the thundering dumbass.

“Alright, enough reminiscing,” An Xin interrupted. She looked around the private room at the other players from Team Shanghai and said, “We can’t be careless like we were against Fudan. The teams at the main tournament are all the best of the best. We need to be ready for that.”

Zeng Rui nodded and chimed in, “Agreed. And from the data I’ve been able to gather, it looks like the average skill level of the 36 remaining teams is substantially higher than it was in the previous edition of the tournament. I already named a few of the big names before. If we have to play against any of them, it’ll be just as hard as our series against Zhejiang! Maybe even harder.” He briefly paused before adding, “And beyond everything else, we absolutely cannot underestimate Team Beijing and Team Guangzhou.”

An Xin nodded and said, “There’s almost no information on Team Beijing. Someone is pulling some strings to make sure that their recent games aren’t uploaded online. Really a petty move.”

“Correct,” Zeng Rui said. He massaged his temples and explained, “They’ve also been playing mostly with their second roster. So we really don’t have a clue about how good they are. They made it to the main tournament, though. That says something. Again, their road to the main tournament was easier than ours. East China is simply the most competitive region. But that doesn’t make the other regions weak. Long story short, we absolutely cannot underestimate them!”

Zhang Hao listened carefully and when he found a lull, he asked, “Then what about Team Guangzhou? Do we have any information on them?”

Zeng Rui smiled and replied, “We actually do. They don’t care about hiding their games. Seems like they’re pretty confident in themselves.”

An Xin nodded and chimed in, “I saw the results of their Finals in the South China Regionals. They won 3-0. Quite a convincing win too from what I read.”

“Yeah, they’re strong,” Zeng Rui agreed. He continued, “Their starplayer is Goalie. We all know that he’s good. He made it all the way to the Top 7 on the Korean Challenger ladder! His latest rating was A+, but who knows how good he exactly is! Though I’m not too worried about him…” He pointed at Lin Feng. “… We’ve got him.”

Lin Feng patted his chest and said, “Exactly right! You guys can leave mid to me! I’ll score some goals against Goalie!”

Zeng Rui turned to Tang Bingyao and continued, “A bigger concern is their bot lane. They decided to bring in another Korean import. I don’t know too much about this one, but from what I did manage to gather it looks like he’s an A grade ad-carry. So Tang Tang and I are going to have to figure out a way to beat them. Only positive point from that is that Team Guangzhou doesn’t have a lot of time to practice with him.”

Tang Bingyao nodded and said, “Mhm! I’ll do my best!”

“When did Chu Fang say that? Why didn’t he tell me? Why is this the first I hear of this!?” Lin Feng complained.

“Remember last night when he called to see if we were okay after our loss?” Zeng Rui asked. He then chuckled and continued, “You know, when you were hungry and tossed your phone to me before walking away in search of a food place? Yeah, that’s when he told us.”

Lin Feng scratched the back of his head and asked, “I did that…? Sounds like me…”

Zeng Rui breathed in deeply, gathering up all his bubbling frustrations, and exhaled. He then asked, “So I’m guessing you also don’t remember what happened to Zhejiang University? Chu Fang told you about that while he still had you on the phone!” He waited for a brief moment to see Lin Feng shaking his head. He then said, “You’re really something… Your head has more holes in it than Swiss cheese!”

Zeng Rui stared at his computer monitor. Lin Feng still sat next to him, going on and on about his time as Maple, but he didn’t listen. He was caught in a different quagmire. Sure, I felt some pressure when Shi Hang said you’re Maple. But that was just the first hour, day… Maybe a week, I don’t know. But come on! What did you expect? You almost won it all! Every Midlaner in China wants to be half the player you were! Of course I felt pressure! That’s only natural! He shook his head and sighed. That was when I realized you are on our team. You and me? We’re playing together. I’ve got the best Midlaner in all of China on my team! You think I feel pressure? Piss off! I’m happy, because with you I can see us actually winning this Winter Collegiate Cup! He chuckled. I thought Zhejiang was going to win the tournament because they had AyDeeCee sub in for them. I was calling them cheaters for doing that! Turns out, we’re the cheaters because we’ve got you!

“I’m good, I’m good…” Zeng Rui mumbled. He nodded at Lin Feng and added, “You can go tell BunBun that we’re all okay. All okay.”

Lin Feng jumped to his feet and said, “I knew we were okay! Okay, I’ll go tell BunBun!”

Zeng Rui watched Lin Feng run away and shook his head again. What a thundering dumbass. He gets happy about the strangest things and he looks like a damn kid half the time! But he’s Maple. Fucking Maple! We’ve got the best former professional player ever on our team! We’re going to win the Winter Collegiate Cup! And we’ll be the first high school team to do it! He clenched his fist and smiled. That’ll look great on my resumé if I ever do go pro!

Zeng Rui glanced at An Xin who was chatting with Lin Feng. I’m actually more upset with you, BunBun, than I am with that moron. You knew. You always knew. That’s where your confidence in him came from. You knew from the very beginning that he was Maple, and you didn’t tell me. Telling me not to worry is not the same! I get you were keeping his secret for him, but I really should’ve known… And we both know how the thundering dumbass is! He would never think of saying it himself! He’s too stupid for that! And you knew that! You knew! Yet you didn’t say anything… What else aren’t you saying…?

Zeng Rui shook his head in frustration. Whatever. I’m not going to guess the truth anyway. He turned back to his screen and continued watching the replay of the semi finals series against the Shanghai University of Finance. His screen was focused on the Leona he played that game. Maybe it’s the pressure that I’m feeling. But it isn’t pressure because I’m playing with Maple, but more like pressure because I don’t want to be carried by him! I want to be an equal member on this team! He grimaced. But when I look at these replays, when I see how I play and compare it to what he’s doing… I’m just not anywhere near him! I need to do more for the team! I have to!

A couple computers over, Zhang Hao stared at his own monitor. He’d listened to the exchange between Lin Feng and Zeng Rui. He’d watched the expressions on Zeng Rui’s face. And he’d recognized them as his own. I need to get better! I’m playing with goddamn Maple! I can’t let him down! I won’t be a deadweight on this team! He won’t carry me! I’ll help him to carry harder! This is going to be a team effort! He grinned and balled his hand into a fist. HECK YEAH! I’M PLAYING WITH MAPLE!

Zhang Hao clicked on the ‘Play’ button on his client and went into another game of solo queue. It only took a couple of seconds to find a match. He moved to Champion Select and called the top lane right away. Hmm… What do I practice? My Irelia? Something aggressive, that’s what he likes! Yeah, Irelia it is! I’ll practice with her! He locked in Irelia when it was his turn and muttered to himself, “I’ll get better, climb higher, and make Maple proud! He’ll want me on the team– Oh shit! I’m freaking Maple’s teammate!”

✹

Aurous was a student at Fudan University. He was also the Jungler for Light Dynasty, a team that played in the LPL. He dialed Shi Hang’s number and waited for the call to connect. When Shi Hang answered, he shouted, “Hey, you! What the hell is going on? First you decide to play in that damn kiddy tournament and then you lose to a bunch of high schoolers? The hell you thinking?”

“That it was a good game,” Shi Hang replied, chuckling.

“A good game? A GOOD GAME?” Aurous exclaimed. He clutched his phone, nearly breaking it, and continued, “Seriously, what the fuck!? I got a text saying you guys got reverse swept? And that wasn’t even the most surprising text I got! You know people are saying you got stomped by a high school kid? That… Team Shanghai, I think? Their Midlaner actually beat you?”

Shi Hang laughed and replied, “Yeah, guess he did. But the first two games I was definitely the better Midlaner in the mid and late game! Eh, don’t think too much about it. I already told you, didn’t I? I’m helping a good friend of mine keep a little secret, so there really isn’t anything I can tell you. Sorry. You’ll have to find someone else to tell you who he is.” He briefly hesitated before adding, “And why I’m not upset.”

Aurous gnashed his teeth and cursed, “Goddammit you shameless bastard! I always tell you every secret I’ve got! And didn’t I treat you to dinner just the other day? From what I recall, you pinky-promised me that you’d pay me back! Well, I’m collecting! Give me the juicy details! Who is this kid? Why are you not mad? Or tell me that you lost to him on purpose, and if you did why! What the fuck! This just doesn’t… What the fuck!”

“Not happening,” Shi Hang replied, laughing. “Ah, come on, bud. We’ve known each other for so long already! Are you really going to play this card on me? Give me a break! Actually, you know what? I’ll offer you another secret, how about that? Sound good?”

“Another secret?” Aurous blurted. He briefly hesitated but then asked, “What secret?”

Shi Hang said, “You’re still playing for Light Dynasty, right?”

Aurous rolled his eyes and replied, “You know I am. I’m not you. I don’t randomly retire. Now stop changing the topic and tell me that secret! Either of them, or both! I don’t care anymore, I just wanna know a secret!”

Shi Hang chuckled and explained, “Wasn’t really changing the topic, just giving you some hints. But I’ll spell it out a little clearer. I’m thinking about coming back to the professional scene.”

Aurous’ hand trembled. He stared at the wall on the other side of the room with his eyes wide open and stuttered, “Wait, what? You? Really? When? On my team? But we have a Midlaner! What…–”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself! I said I was thinking about it! Still just thinking. But it’s been three years and my old bones are itching. That game against Team Shanghai… against that kid? Yeah, I wanna play again,” Shi Hang answered. I’ll get to the LPL before Maple does, and I’ll wait for him there! He grinned and said, “Kinda have to make a comeback to give an old friend a welcome home party.”

✹

There was no League of Legends competition during the holidays in the second half of December. The East China Regionals picked back up in the first week of January. It was time for the Finals between Team Shanghai and Fudan University! The Shanghai Esports Organization had rented a larger venue for this game and sold out all 2,000 seats in a matter of minutes! Everyone wanted to witness the high schoolers from Shanghai beat their last opponent to claim the title of best from East China!

“This series is gonna be so good! I’ve put all of my savings on Team Shanghai! They’re gonna stomp Fudan so hard!”
“Idiot… You know that’s illegal, right? You better make sure no one finds out, and that you get your money back! Someone just scammed you probably!”
“But Team Shanghai is gonna win! Trust me! I’ve watched all the games from both teams! I’ve examined them and considered all possible outcomes! Team Shanghai is winning this series. I’m 100% sure!”
“Sure. Your plan sounds 100% foolproof. Idiot.”

The Finals of the East China Regionals got off to an exciting start. Team Shanghai lost the top lane and went even in the bot lane. But after a gank from An Xin in the mid lane, Lin Feng pulled ahead. His Yasuo snowballed. Soon he roamed around the map and picked up kills everywhere. The game moved to an early mid game in which Team Shanghai took full control of the game. They destroyed Fudan University’s nexus after 21 minutes.

“Told you! See? Team Shanghai is the best! They’re gonna win!”
“WOOOOOOOO!”
“TEAM SHANGHAI ARE THE BEST!”

The second game was almost an exact copy of the first one. The Blue team lost top and went even in the bot lane. But they camped the mid lane as much as they could until they grabbed the advantage. They forced the game into the mid game and from there worked hard to finish it. In this game, Fudan University was the Blue team. They beat Team Shanghai in 23 minutes.

“What? Fudan won that game? And Team Shanghai looked kinda… Kinda shit!”
“The fuck was their Midlaner doing? I’ve never seen him play so poorly!”
“What about their ad-carry? She was just lucky that her Support hard-carried her lane to stay even!”

Team Shanghai regained some form in the third game. They came out with a team composition that heavily relied on An Xin and Zeng Rui to roam around the map and pick the players from Fudan University off. This worked far better than anyone expected. Team Shanghai was up 7 kills by the 7th minute, and they won the game in the 20th minute.

“WOOOOOO!”
“That’s more like it! LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOO!”
“That Lee and Blitz combo was so strong! Crazy dude! Fudan has to ban those Champions!”
“I’m gonna be a rich man! WOOOOOO!”

Game 4 was another short game. Team Shanghai looked completely out of it. They lost all three lanes and An Xin even lost control of her Jungle to Fudan University’s Shaco. The first tower fell 6 minutes in, and the first inner tower followed 3 minutes later. Fudan University kept pushing all three lanes. Team Shanghai was forced back until they were standing on the fountain and watching Fudan University destroy their Nexus.

“HOLY HOT DAMN! A GAME 5! WE’RE GETTING ANOTHER GAME 5!”
“THIS SHIT IS SO FUCKING TENSE! DAYUM!”
“Come on Team Shanghai! Win this! I NEED YOU TO WIN THIS! MY MONEY!”
“Fudan really stepping up their game here! They’re actually looking stronger than Team Shanghai!”
“I’ll eat my shoe if Fudan loses the fifth game!”

The fifth and final game of the East China Regionals Finals was by far the most exciting game. Both teams pulled everything out of the closet to win. There were constant skirmishes in every lane! Through the back and forths, the game stayed relatively even. The first tower fell 15 minutes in and from that point onwards everyone started to gather up as a team. They fought 5vs5. Team Shanghai scored the first ace, which was countered a few minutes later by an ace from Fudan University. Team Shanghai destroyed an inhibitor and Fudan University followed up with destroying two inhibitors.

The game was 35 minutes in. All 10 Champions were Level 18, and the carries had the maximum amount of six items. One mistake by any of them meant the end of the game. Both teams had gathered up around Baron Nashor’s pit. They were firing skillshots at each other, until Fudan University found the engage. They jumped on Tang Bingyao’s Jinx who’d walked too far forward, and killed her.

Lin Feng as the only other remaining carry on Team Shanghai tried to turn the fight around, but he got caught by a stun. He was the second player from Team Shanghai to die. And it also meant a lost teamfight for Team Shanghai. An Xin, Zeng Rui and Zhang Hao ran away. Fudan University let them and instead killed Baron Nashor, claiming its buff. And with that buff, they charged down the mid lane, destroyed Team Shanghai’s inhibitor and finally also destroyed Team Shanghai’s Nexus. Fudan University beat Team Shanghai 3-2 in the Finals of the East China Regionals!

“WOOOOOO! I KNEW FUDAN WAS BETTER!”
“My money! MY MONEY!”
“HOLY SWEET DAMN! SICK PLAYS!”
“Team Shanghai collapsed under the pressure! That’s the only explanation for that display at the end…”
“That was so crazy bad by them! But well fucking played by Fudan University!”

“ACHOOO!”

“Boom!” Lin Feng shouted, laughing. He relaxed back in his chair and breathed out. It’s almost morning already! I feel like I’ve run a marathon… But shit! Those games were great! Finally some strong opponents, especially in that third game! That was fucking awesome! He took the glass of water Su Xue had filled for him from the desk and drank it empty. “Haaaah!” he exclaimed. “So good!”

Su Xue sat next to Lin Feng, scrolling through the Korean Challenger Ladder. She hit the refresh button several times, waiting for the results from the previous game Lin Feng played to be added. It finally did. She pushed the phone in front of Lin Feng’s face and shouted, “Look! Look! You’re almost in the Top 100! If you hadn’t lost that one game…”

“Eh, losses are part of the game,” Lin Feng replied. He grinned and continued, “Can’t win everything! That’d be silly! And those two I was playing against? The Mid and Top? Those two were really good!”

Su Xue looked at Lin Feng and shook her head. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Of course they were good! You’re in Korean Challenger! You’re playing against the best players in Korea! And those two specifically… She breathed out and opened her eyes again. She lectured, “Of course they were good! Those two play in the OGN! That’s the highest competition in Korea! They play against Rake!”

Lin Feng laughed awkwardly and mumbled, “I guess…”

“You guess?” Su Xue asked. I wanna punch him! She breathed in deeply and said, “You were playing against Seo! He’s a really famous Midlaner! Yet you beat him! You beat him in lane! If it wasn’t for the Lissandra, who by the way is also an insanely strong player…” She shook her head and sighed before continuing, “FAC•Ason is one of the best Toplaners in the entire world right now! He carried really hard on his Lissandra! But somehow… somehow you actually put up a fight against him! You made him tryhard!”

Lin Feng ruffled his hair and said, “Yeah, he was pretty good. But we could’ve won it! If only I got to the backline in that teamfight at the end! But Lissandra locked me down with her ultimate before I could kill them.” He stared at his screen and mumbled, “The OGN really has a lot of strong players, huh?” Just like Rake in Season 1… All these Koreans are so good! You can never underestimate them! But that’s exactly what I need right now! This is perfect! They’ll help me get good again so much faster! And all I have to do is keep queuing up for more games! Right, enough time wasting! He clenched his fist and shouted, “Again!”

✹

The Shanghai Esports Organization announced the semi finals matchups for the East China Regionals early the next day. This game wasn’t technically part of the Winter Collegiate Cup. All four remaining teams had already qualified for the main tournament. The semi finals and finals for the East China Regionals were played purely for pride and bragging rights. And more importantly, to get some extra practice in before the main tournament.

Team Shanghai got matched up against the Shanghai University of Finance. This was the same team they’d played their first scrim match against all those weeks ago. This was the team who tried to get out of the scrimmage when they learned Team Shanghai was a team of high schoolers and girls. This was the team that got stomped in that particular scrimmage. And it was the memory of that scrimmage that lingered with the players from both teams. Team Shanghai looked forward to the semi finals, ready to repeat their earlier feats against the Shanghai University of Finance. And the Shanghai University of Finance dreaded this upcoming semi finals series.

The Shanghai University of Finance had reached the quarter finals of the main tournament in the previous edition of the Collegiate Cup. This time around, they’d qualified for Nationals again. They were one of the strongest teams competing. But the differences at the top were big. They held little hope of beating a team like Fudan University or Zhejiang University.

Luo Yu was the Midlaner and team captain of Shanghai University of Finance. He gathered his teammates and looked at them. They’re all thinking the same. We’ve lost. There’s no way we’re beating those damn steroid kids! He lightly shook his head and said, “It’s okay, guys. We’ve all seen their series against Zhejiang University. Those kids are good. Really good! But we’ve qualified for Nationals. The outcome of this series doesn’t matter. So let’s go in without any pressure and just have fun.”

✹

The semi finals was a best of five series. Three games were all it took. Team Shanghai came in calm and relaxed. They played far below their capabilities, but it was still more than enough to deal with the Shanghai University of Finance. They qualified for the Finals, in which they would face Fudan University.

The university students who came to spectate the series between Team Shanghai and the Shanghai University of Finance were rather disappointed. There was never any real tension, nor were there phenomenal plays. It was quick and clean.

“Team Shanghai is looking unstoppable after their series against Zhejiang University. I don’t see anyone beating them right now. Fudan is going to get slam-dunked!”

“Yeah. I guess. Fucking mental how good those kids are! I couldn’t spot a single mistake in these three games against Luo Yu’s team! They made the Shanghai University of Finance look like the high school kids! Man, who would’ve thought three weeks ago…”

“Haha! If you’d asked me a few weeks ago who to bet on, I would’ve said Luo Yu had a good chance to win in East China! I really thought they improved a lot! But shit! Team Shanghai is so much better! This ain’t even funny!”

“I’m feeling for Fudan. This can’t be fun for them, knowing you have to play against a bunch of high schoolers, and knowing they’re going to kick your asses!”

✹

Team Shanghai had won the quarterfinals to qualify for the main tournament of the Winter Collegiate Cup. They’d won the semi finals of the East China Regionals and were going to play Fudan University in the Finals! These were both things to celebrate, but Team Shanghai wasn’t celebrating. They practiced in silence at the internet cafe. The discomfort was palpable. And Lin Feng, the culprit of all this, was the only one who didn’t notice it. An Xin let it go on for a few days until she’d had enough of it. She pulled Lin Feng aside and said, “Your stupid ass screwed with our team dynamic! You’re ruining our chances of winning!”

“Huh? Me? What?” Lin Feng asked, confused. “What did I do?”

An Xin raised an eyebrow and said, “What do you think? My god you’re stupid! Think! For once in your life, use that brain of yours! You’re the one who wanted to keep his identity hidden! You didn’t even tell Zeng Rui and Zhang Hao! How do you think they feel after learning about it from Shi Hang? It didn’t even come from you! And when they were looking at you for an explanation, you brushed them off! Some friend you are.” She sighed loudly and asked, “How do you think they’re feeling?”

“How they’re feeling?” Lin Feng mumbled, rubbing his chin. He replied, “Excited to get to play with me? I would be!”

“Oh my god!” An Xin exclaimed. She punched Lin Feng against his shoulder and shouted, “Get over yourself! No! That’s not how they’re feeling!”

“No? Then what?” Lin Feng asked, scratching the back of his head.

An Xin breathed in deeply and explained, “They’re at a loss! They don’t know what to do or say to you! Before, you were just someone who was good at League to them, and a friend. Now you’re neither! You’re not just good at League, you’re Maple! And you’re not their friend, because you lied to them about who you are!”

Lin Feng raised his hand and protested, “I never lied about who I am!–”

“You kept it hidden from them. It’s the same,” An Xin cut him off. She glared and continued, “These two suddenly learn that they’re playing with not just any former professional player, they’re playing with the best one– WIPE THAT STUPID SMIRK FROM YOUR FACE! Oh my god… Ok. They don’t know how to act, okay? They don’t know what to say or what to think! It’s a combination of trying to digest the information while also trying to find their place in the team and their place as your friends! And while they’re trying to figure this all out, you’re acting like everything is normal!”

“But every—” Lin Feng started.

“NO! Not everything is normal!” An Xin interrupted. She punched him for a second time, ignoring how Lin Feng painfully rubbed his shoulder, and continued, “It’s anything but normal! You’re going to act how you should! Show some consideration to them! Let them know that you’re still just you, a raging fucking idiot goldfish! My god!” She threw her hands up in the air and walked away.

✹

Zeng Rui sat behind a computer in the internet cafe going over the footage from Team Shanghai’s semi finals series against the Shanghai University of Finance. He played certain bits again and again, all the while scribbling down things in his notebook. Something is just off about this series. We won cleanly. And it looks clean. But there was something missing… 

“ZengZeng!” Lin Feng shouted through the internet cafe.

Zeng Rui closed his eyes. Not him. Not now. Please go away. Please go awa—

“ZengZeng!” Lin Feng shouted again, running across the hall to the computer Zeng Rui sat at. He pulled up a chair and sat down next to Zeng Rui. Then he said again, “ZengZeng!”

Zeng Rui turned his head abruptly to look at Lin Feng and said, “What?”

Lin Feng scratched the back of his head and replied, “Oh, uh, nothing really. I just wanted to ask if you’re okay.”

If I’m okay…? Zeng Rui looked at Lin Feng, confused. He then turned his head further and saw An Xin standing near the entrance of the internet cafe. Oh. BunBun talked to him. Should’ve seen this coming… So he wants to know if I’m okay? Maple…– No! He’s still just the thundering dumbass! The one who deserves a good punch and… He chewed on the inside of his cheek. He’s fucking Maple! I watched his game against Phoenix at the Season 1 Worlds again… They really play the same! And it’s so good! I don’t get how… How… He shook his head.

Lin Feng looked at Zeng Rui, occasionally glancing at An Xin. Why is he so quiet? Did I say something wrong? I don’t know… He ruffled his hair and said, “Uh, are you angry with me? You know, that I didn’t tell you that I’m Maple and all.”

Zeng Rui breathed in deeply and replied, “No.”

Lin Feng grinned. He put his hand on Zeng Rui’s shoulder and said, “Good! I knew you’d understand! See, I didn’t think it was important! I mean, it was so long ago and I’m not nearly that good anymore! What’s the point in getting hung up on the past? It’s pointless! So anyway, what I’m trying to say is that I’d like it if we can be like before! Best friends and teammates!”

Best friends…? Zeng Rui stared at Lin Feng, incredulous. He opened his mouth, a million things to say coming to mind, but eventually only said, “Sure.”

“That was so easy!” Lin Feng exclaimed. He patted Zeng Rui on the back and said, “I knew you’d understand!– Wait, this is too easy. Is it?”

Zeng Rui looked Lin Feng in the eyes and asked, “What do you want me to say? What is there I can possibly say here? You tell me.”

Lin Feng rubbed his chin for a while and then said, “You could tell me how you’re actually feeling! I don’t know, tell me about how you were a big fan of mine and that since finding out that I’m Maple you suddenly feel this big pressure because you’re playing on the same team as your idol!”

Zeng Rui’s eyes grew wider and wider the more Lin Feng spoke. He finally snorted and said, “You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Really?” Lin Feng asked, confused. He added, “I thought you would! I was really famous before, you know? Like really, really famous!”

“Just shut up you thundering dumbass!” Zeng Rui exclaimed.