Chapter 4

Silence filled the other end of the phone line, so quiet that Rong Yi could hear the sound of breathing and the rain outside.

Rong Yi sat up on the couch, his voice a bit hoarse: “Yes.”

“I apologize for disturbing you at this time. Lin Yi gave me your contact information, and I hope you can forgive me,” the other person said, still in a cold, calm tone, with a slight accent. “Do you have time in the next few days?”

Rong Yi replied softly, “What is it about?”

“It’s about the team. I think it would be clearer to discuss this matter in person. I hope you can give our team a chance,” Xiao Yin said directly. “The team has just been established and is in urgent need of help. We hope you can assist us.”

Rong Yi remained silent.

A few seconds later, Xiao Yin added, “Lin Yi mentioned that you are currently job hunting.”

Rong Yi took a deep breath. “Okay, I understand.”

“How about tomorrow morning at 9:30? We can send a car to pick you up,” Xiao Yin said.

Rong Yi responded with a simple “Hmm” and then hung up the phone.

Immediately, he pulled up his message log and found Lin Yi’s chat. Before he could finish typing, a message from Lin Yi popped up: “I’m sorry, Easy Baby. I was the one who contacted Yin-God! I selfishly think it’s a waste for you not to continue your career. No matter what, please do me a favor and meet with them tomorrow!”

Lin Yi continued typing: “I also met with Xiao Yin and talked about the past. He said it doesn’t matter anymore, and he’s over it.”

Rong Yi grabbed his phone and sent a voice message: “I didn’t ask about that! You’re just overstepping.”

He was a bit annoyed and embarrassed.

Lin Yi replied, “Listen to me. Do me this favor.”

Rong Yi stared at his phone. After a moment, he let out a sigh, pulled the blanket over himself, and buried his head to sleep.

He rarely had trouble sleeping, but it wasn’t until dawn that he finally fell asleep.

The next day, he didn’t wake up until there was a knock on the door. He quickly called out, “Coming, coming!”

He glanced at his phone. It was already 9:30 AM, and there were several missed calls.

Rong Yi said, “Just a moment,” as he hurriedly opened the door. Both he and the person outside the door were stunned.

He had expected the club’s manager or a driver to pick him up. To his surprise, it was Xiao Yin himself standing outside.

Xiao Yin stood there in a crisp suit, every button meticulously fastened. His eyes were as dark and calm as his hair.

His gaze fell on Rong Yi.

Rong Yi was dressed casually, wearing a loose white tank top and a pair of random athletic shorts. His exposed skin was fair and smooth.

Still half-asleep, Rong Yi’s eyes were slightly red at the corners.

Seeing Xiao Yin, Rong Yi almost panicked. After regaining his composure, he apologized, “Sorry, I just woke up. Please wait outside for a moment.”

Xiao Yin’s eyes briefly flicked to Rong Yi’s messy hair. He responded calmly, “Alright.”

Rong Yi closed the door.

He splashed his face with cold water, then calmed down and began to wash up.

Xiao Yin was waiting outside.

It felt like a dream, not at all real.

His phone vibrated again. Rong Yi glanced at it鈥”it was the landlord calling. He put it on speaker: “Hello?”

“Ah Yi, you have a courier package that was delivered to me. Are you awake? I can bring it up to you,” the landlord said.

The landlord, Li Meng, was a young man with a dozen apartments to his name. He lived downstairs and, being a gamer himself, often interacted with Rong Yi. They occasionally went out to eat together.

Remembering that Xiao Yin was still outside, Rong Yi quickly said, “Wait a moment…”

“I’m on my way up.”

The call ended.

With a toothbrush still in his mouth, Rong Yi dashed to the door and, as he opened it, heard voices outside.

Li Meng, sounding puzzled, asked, “Are you Ah Yi’s guest? Why don’t you go inside?”

Xiao Yin seemed to pause before replying, “I can wait outside.”

“Oh… okay.”

The door unlocked, and Li Meng, wearing pajamas, entered. He placed a courier package and a jianbing (Chinese pancake) on the living room table. Hesitantly, he asked, “Do you know the person outside?”

Rong Yi realized it would be rude not to invite Xiao Yin in. He nodded, then smiled at Xiao Yin, “Please come in and wait. I’ll make you some tea.”

Xiao Yin’s gaze shifted between Rong Yi and Li Meng before he lowered his eyes and said, “Sorry for the intrusion.”

He walked in.

Li Meng said to Rong Yi, “Go finish washing up. I’ll make tea for your guest.”

Rong Yi whispered, “No need, you should go.”

Li Meng glanced at him, then at Xiao Yin sitting in the living room, and whispered, “That guy outside is really handsome. He looks kind of familiar.”

Rong Yi turned on the faucet to rinse a cup and replied softly, “I told you I’d move out next month. Did you see that?”

“I saw it. Don’t worry, just stay until I find a new long-term tenant,” Li Meng said. “It’s the off-season, and finding new tenants isn’t easy. New tenants might not be as easy to deal with as you. If someone who doesn’t take care of the place moves in, it could be a big hassle. Just stay for now. When I find someone new, I’ll let you know right away.”

Rong Yi felt reassured. “I won’t pay for the extra rent.”

“No problem.”

Li Meng gave him an OK sign and then looked around. “Is the freezer still jammed like you mentioned last time? I can fix it for you.”

“Sure.”

Rong Yi washed up as quickly as he could and changed into proper clothes.

When he came out, Li Meng had already made tea for Xiao Yin, but Xiao Yin hadn’t touched it. He was still sitting on the couch, looking at his phone.

Rong Yi remembered that Xiao Yin had a serious cleanliness obsession.

“I’m ready, let’s go.” Rong Yi walked up to him, avoiding eye contact. “I’m really sorry. My alarm didn’t go off, and I lost track of time.”

“It’s alright. I arrived early.”

Li Meng was still in the kitchen, tinkering with the freezer. As Rong Yi changed his shoes and headed out with Xiao Yin, he called back, “I’m heading out!”

Li Meng’s voice came from inside, “Got it.”

Rong Yi stepped out and saw that Xiao Yin had already pressed the elevator button.

They stood side by side in silence, the atmosphere slightly awkward.

Rong Yi avoided looking directly at Xiao Yin. The elevator doors reflected their blurred faces.

Compared to a few years ago, Xiao Yin’s demeanor had become more mature and cold. If he had retained a hint of youthful energy back then, he had now transformed into a figure as stoic as stone, exuding an aura of authority without needing to express anger.

This aura made him seem somewhat unfamiliar.

The elevator doors opened, and the two walked in. Xiao Yin suddenly asked, “Are you living with a relative now?”

Rong Yi pressed the button for the first floor, momentarily stunned before realizing Xiao Yin was referring to Li Meng. “He’s… a friend.”

Xiao Yin said nothing more.

The driver parked the car in the underground garage. It was a weekday, so there weren’t many people around, and they didn’t have to worry about being photographed. Xiao Yin sat in the front passenger seat while Rong Yi quietly took the back seat.

Before long, they arrived at the Club.

Rong Yi looked outside.

The location was excellent—a villa in a prime area with convenient transportation, good privacy, and close proximity to the League’s tournament headquarters. Xiao Yin indeed spared no expense.

Upon arrival, Xiao Yin led Rong Yi inside.

Hearing the noise, a group of people inside stopped their conversation and stood up to greet them.

“Former Captain Easy of RS,” Xiao Yin introduced, then said to Rong Yi, “This is our AD and support. Our top laner is out.”

AD Hydralisk, who had just turned eighteen and had a baby face, gave Rong Yi a crisp military salute. “Hello, Yi-God! You’re amazing! RS couldn’t keep up with you this year—they’re so bad. Is there some conflict in your team?”

Beside him, the support Grey Cat elbowed him and then smiled broadly. “Hello, Yi-God! Yin isn’t great at talking, so let me do it. Yi-God, please consider joining us. We’re short of members!”

Hydralisk chimed in, “We need good-looking players!”

Grey Cat echoed, “We need good-looking players like you!”

Xiao Yin remained expressionless and said to Rong Yi, “Let’s talk in the lounge. It’s quieter there.”

Rong Yi followed him in and sat down opposite him in the lounge.

Up close, Xiao Yin’s oppressive aura was unmistakable.

He slightly lowered his head and handed Rong Yi a folder, his expression as calm as ever. “These are our team’s details and the resumes of each member. Take a look.”

Rong Yi took the folder and skimmed through it briefly. Just as he was about to flip through it hastily, Xiao Yin seemed to sense his intentions. “I hope you take a serious look. I’m genuinely asking for your help.”

Rong Yi paused.

He lowered his eyes and began to read carefully.

The team had a complete lineup. Hydralisk and Grey Cat were players Xiao Yin had brought back from the NA Region’s youth training camp. Their playstyle was very aggressive, and paired with Xiao Yin’s Yin, their margin for error was quite high.

From the lineup, it was clear they were missing a mid laner.

Rong Yi thought for a moment and returned the folder to Xiao Yin.

His slender, fair fingers lightly pressed against the paper.

“I can’t help you. You might not be very familiar with the current state of our domestic professional scene, but my role is more akin to a support and shotcaller, which doesn’t fit your team’s style.”

“This happened after you joined RS.”

Xiao Yin didn’t take the folder. Instead, he got up, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Rong Yi. He said calmly, “When you were with me, you played the carry role.”

Rong Yi: “…”

The cup was placed by his side, and the aroma of milk wafted up. Rong Yi lowered his eyes and saw that Xiao Yin had poured him hot milk.

Xiao Yin seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation about the past. He said, “The champion Li is the best fit for our team’s needs. In the entire League, only you meet my standards.”

Rong Yi held the cup and took a small sip, listening quietly.

“I hope you can join us.” Xiao Yin’s expression remained calm and rational, his eyes clear and devoid of any other distractions—only logical consideration. “You know my character. I’m not good at persuading people, so you can name your price.”

Rong Yi looked into his eyes, stunned for a moment.

The offer was tempting.

VIT’s team style was distinctly clear—Xiao Yin’s style: action-oriented, highly efficient, and cool-headed in their advances. The team operated with the highest benefits and lowest risks as their priorities.

He had once dreamed of developing his team with this kind of style. Such a pursuit could give a team the enduring strength to continue winning, ultimately aiming for the championship.

But at RS, he had personally ended that dream.

Now, a team like that was right in front of him.

“It’s not about the money. I’ll be honest with you; there are reasons I’m still hesitant to join your team.”

Rong Yi felt a surge of frustration. He took a sip of milk, realizing he didn’t have the patience to dance around the issue with Xiao Yin. He decided to lay it out plainly, “You and I had a past relationship, and emotional issues within the team could affect the players’ performance.”

Xiao Yin looked up.

Rong Yi continued bluntly, “You might not mind, but I do. After all, I don’t think you’d want to be reminded that your teammate once betrayed you during a critical moment in your career.”

“You explained that situation to me before.”

Xiao Yin spoke calmly, “Do you have camera phobia?”

Rong Yi: “…”

“You never told me about it back then.” Xiao Yin stood up, walked around the table, and approached him slowly. Rong Yi had to tilt his head up to look at him.

Xiao Yin’s voice remained calm, “So now, I believe the misunderstanding has been resolved. We can resume our previous relationship, as lovers, and you can join my team.”

Rong Yi hadn’t fully processed Xiao Yin’s words.

In the next moment, Xiao Yin lowered his head slightly, gauging his reaction. Then, his fingertips gently held Rong Yi’s chin, and he leaned in to leave a soft kiss at the corner of his lips.