Chapter 16

Xiao Yin finally let go, handing the document to Rong Yi. It might have been Rong Yi’s imagination, but it seemed there was a hint of an elusive smile in Xiao Yin’s usually stoic eyes.

“Then I’ll tell them this from now on.”

“Okay.” Rong Yi’s ears were burning, but he kept his head down, maintaining the calm he had honed through many storms. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out first.”

Without saying a word, Xiao Yin watched as Rong Yi grabbed the document and quickly left the room.

All the way to the Training Room, Rong Yi’s ears stayed red.

Xiao Yin also changed clothes and came to the Training Room that afternoon. Sitting at the table, he noticed that Rong Yi was still in his usual spot, back facing him, occasionally reaching up to pinch his ears. The tips of his ears were very white, and a thin layer of red, almost translucent, spread when they were flushed.

In the past, Rong Yi wasn’t as reserved and shy as he is now.

Five years ago, when Rong Yi was with RS, he was the most lively and outgoing Captain in the entire League.

At seventeen or eighteen, his eyes had a mischievous glint, reminiscent of a little fox. He would drag Xiao Yin around, exploring every nook and cranny of the city, sitting with his legs crossed at street stalls eating skewers.

At that time, Xiao Yin was very quiet, unfamiliar with the domestic Youth Training environment, and spoke little. But he would silently accompany Rong Yi, wandering around all day. When night fell, and it was time to take him home, Rong Yi wouldn’t look at him but would stride towards the hotel.

Their hands, pressed together, allowed Rong Yi’s fingertips to gently tease Xiao Yin’s palm.

In five years, Rong Yi had grown taller, matured a bit, his eyes carrying a hint of mature and serene charm. His aura had transformed from radiant to like water, becoming more composed and gentle, yet also more rational.

There wasn’t one version of him that was better than the other; every version of him was captivating.

Within two weeks, they swiftly formulated a trial plan for the New Season. Now, all they needed was to adapt and test it.

The first public Scrim against Lu Feng’s CH Team was also the only public Scrim VIT Team would play before the Regular Season began. The rest of their time was devoted to offline training.

During the remaining time, they focused on extra team practices. As their group dynamics improved, they began to observe more domestic teams’ situations.

Last year, CH ranked fourth in the Regular Season standings. Lu Feng was training a new system, usually scrimming against the second team in Group B.

Because they were in Group B, they didn’t have many opportunities to face strong teams. Getting to scrim with VIT was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.

However, according to Lu Feng’s prediction: this opportunity had to be seized quickly—because once VIT got tired of playing against them, they wouldn’t get another chance.

His prediction was accurate. Before the Regular Season began, CH switched back to their Main Team lineup and played one last non-public scrim against VIT.

This time, both sides played for real.

There were no cameras, no millions of viewers gathered in a live stream, no referees or staff, but both sides reached a silent consensus: tonight would be the first true test of strength for both teams this Season.

It was still a BO3 series. From Lu Feng’s perspective as a Jungler, his first impression was—

In just a few days, VIT’s synergy had already improved significantly.

In the first game, CH took the lead with one point, but VIT came back to win the next three points.

It wasn’t because they intentionally gave away Champions or went easy; they genuinely couldn’t win.

Rong Yi’s strength as a Mid laner still exceeded everyone’s expectations, especially with Xiao Yin, who was always difficult to stop, on the team.

After four games, Lu Feng took his hands off the keyboard and let out a long breath: “This Season, we have another strong opponent. Whether we can stay in Group A next Season is still unknown.”

“Are all the players on VIT new?”

Their Support, Silvergrey, sighed softly—like most Pro Players, he hadn’t been keeping up with external news, focusing solely on training, and hadn’t heard much about the recent VIT rumors.

He only shared his impression: “It feels like playing against RS in the Spring Split. Like hitting a wall.”

RS was incredibly strong in the Spring Split. When they faced Lang Bai and his team, they were almost completely overpowered. It wasn’t just them; even the team that took second place was beaten 4-0.

“This isn’t RS; their former Captain is on their team.”

Lu Feng meticulously explained some Team knowledge but didn’t deny Silvergrey’s feeling.

In fact, RS played like a wall, while VIT felt more like a finely honed cold blade not impossible to penetrate, but at a very high and painful cost.

Rumors circulated that RS’s Captain, Rong Yi, was the only one in the team whose playstyle didn’t fit and was the only one dragging the team down.

But was that really the case?

CH’s Main Team and VIT weren’t in the same city, but the two teams quickly established a friendly relationship through these few days of Scrims.

Before the Regular Season, Lu Feng, along with his Team member Silver Wing, came to their city to register the Summer Split Regular Season and Youth Training details with the League Organizer.

Rong Yi and his team didn’t know about this in advance; they only remembered it when League staff posted some behind-the-scenes photos.

VIT decided to treat Lu Feng and his team to a meal.

Unlike other Esports Clubs, VIT had strict vacation policies. Every Sunday, professionals would come to give Players massages and muscle conditioning. However, most of their base was abroad, so during breaks, they stayed in their villa and had hot pot together.

On Sunday morning, their operations manager knocked on Xiao Yin’s door: “Boss, there’s some registration information that needs to be updated with the League. This time it’s about the Summer Regular Season.”

At that moment, Rong Yi was still buried under the covers, just beginning to wake up. Xiao Yin, who was right across from him, responded in his usual calm and clear voice: “Alright, I’ll go with Captain Rong in a bit.”

Rong Yi woke up fully, got up, and opened the door: “Is something going on?”

He slept in an extremely loose tank top that had “Labor Worker of Honor” printed on it, his black hair messily sticking up from sleep.

Xiao Yin glanced at him, paused for a moment, and said: “Come with me to the League Building for some paperwork. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

The hallway was cold from the air conditioning, and as Rong Yi rubbed his bare arms, thinking of going back for a shirt, a warm jacket was suddenly draped over his head.

Rong Yi grabbed the jacket that nearly slipped off his shoulders. Xiao Yin retracted his hand and continued without missing a beat: “I want to transfer the captaincy of VIT to you.”

Rong Yi thought for a moment: “Transfer it to me?”

“In-team affairs won’t change much; I’ll still handle the overall strategy, but I’m not suited to be the Captain,” Xiao Yin said succinctly.

Rong Yi understood what he meant. Due to his aloof and indifferent personality, Xiao Yin never had the patience to be the team’s heart and soul.

And VIT, up until now, indeed seemed to lack a true core…

While the other four players were cooperative, their individualistic tendencies were evident. Hydralisk constantly clamored about overthrowing Xiao Yin to seize power, Grey Cat appeared obedient but was quite scheming, and Wu Daogu was solely focused on honing his skills.

“Alright.”

Rong Yi knew he was indeed better suited for this role than Xiao Yin. He was willing to handle these responsibilities for Xiao Yin, as this was what he had aimed for when he joined.

Xiao Yin watched him and suddenly smiled.

Rong Yi tilted his head: “What are you smiling at?”

“I was just thinking, compared to me, they actually respect you more,” Xiao Yin said without further explanation. He then added, “Go change your clothes. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

Rong Yi returned to his room and took off Xiao Yin’s jacket.

Xiao Yin had a bit of a cleanliness obsession; his clothes were always spotless, carrying the faint scent of disinfectant and a light mint-lemon fragrance.

Rong Yi hugged the jacket for a moment, folded it into a small cushion, and placed it by his pillow, intending to throw it in the washing machine later.

He changed his clothes and went downstairs with Xiao Yin.

It was the rainy season, and every outing was met with overcast skies, light drizzle, and a slightly darkened sky.

Rong Yi was more familiar with the New Season’s team registration processes than Xiao Yin, who had just taken over.

The New Season generally required a reconfirmation of the team roster, as well as the schedule and rules for the current season.

Wearing a hat and mask, Rong Yi completed the registration process with Xiao Yin and then went to the restroom.

Xiao Yin waited downstairs for him, as VIT was scheduled to have a meal with Lu Feng and his team soon.

Above the 17th floor of the League Building was the area reserved for tournament staff, off-limits to the public, making it feel quite deserted.

The sound of running water filled the sink as Rong Yi washed his hands. Suddenly, he heard several familiar voices coming from a distant corner.

“I don’t care who’s Captain, but if I take it and something goes wrong, I’m not owning up to it. Whoever wants the job can have it. We just lost a match; do they think I’m an idiot?”

A voice full of defiance and indifference.

“I just need to play my game well.”

RS’s Lang Bai, a team member he had trained himself.

Rong Yi glanced up and saw several RS team members gathered at a corner, the atmosphere tense and stifling. Everyone stood with their arms crossed against the walls, saying nothing.

The RS Manager stepped in to mediate: “How about Xiao Yun as Captain? You’re the starting Support now; no one will blame you.”

Still no response Xiāo Yun seemed to have tacitly agreed.

Rong Yi smiled, dried his hands, and walked away from the other side.

He was someone who could let go as easily as he picked things up. He had stayed with RS for five years, once considering the team his life. But after layers of disappointment, breaking away became simple.

What he once treasured, he now regarded as worthless.

The RS Manager continued trying to persuade them when Lang Bai suddenly froze, his gaze shifting towards the safety exit. He clenched his fingers tightly.

Someone had just passed by.

“Who?”

“It looked like Easy.”

Lang Bai spoke, his voice strangely strained and difficult, opting to use the ID “Easy” instead of the familiar “Captain Rong,” signaling a sense of estrangement.

“I saw it too. It wasn’t just ‘looked like.'”

Another teammate, Yao Cao, also appeared pale and spoke up in the silence, “He saw us, didn’t he?”

Although they had anticipated this day, it undoubtedly came too soon.

Rong Yi, who used to smile warmly and brightly at them, now couldn’t even be bothered to say hello.