Chapter 89

Epilogue: After Winning the Championship

The others exchanged glances, then stood up, their expressions somewhat surreal.

Everyone maintained a certain level of composure, except for Potato Chip, the only one who hadn’t played in the match. He jumped up and shouted, “Hell yeah!” His yell shattered the silence in the room. Potato Chip leapt over, tears streaming down his face, hugging Hydralisk and Grey Cat one by one.

Even though he hadn’t played, the honor belonged to the entire team. He had joined VIT a month and a half ago and had individual training sessions every day, along with team matches. The intensity of his training was no less than anyone else’s.

The referee opened the door to the Training Room for them, and in an instant, the cheers and screams from outside flooded in like a tide, drowning out the Host’s words.

But it was all in a string of English that Rong Yi didn’t understand.

The players from both teams filed out, walking down from different sides, heading towards the stage.

Hydralisk, Grey Cat, Potato Chip, and Wu Daogu were already crazed with excitement but were trying to restrain themselves. This was their first time standing as World Champions. No matter how many rewards they had won in Intercontinental Tournaments, Championships, or individual round-robin matches, the championship was irreplaceable.

This was the moment that proved all their efforts and ultimate strength, acknowledging the glory and recognition of their risks.

They quickened their pace towards the stage.

On the other side, QILIN, after years of competing, had once again missed out on the championship. The new Jungler suppressed his disappointment, yet they still showed respect to VIT. Everyone came over politely to hug and congratulate them. The mixed English commentary from the commentator booth and the endless shouts and celebration from the audience filled the venue.

Only Rong Yi and Xiao Yin lagged a few steps behind, with Xiao Yin providing simultaneous translation.

“This year, the global Finals champion is VIT Team from China.”

“This year, they will receive the World Champion Honor Trophy and Commemorative Trophy modeled after the goddess Bastet. Additionally, they will earn the Championship Lineup commemorative skins this season. Bastet symbolizes warmth, protection, and the fight against evil.”

“Today, they are led by Li, with an average synergy rate of over 50%. He is the bridge of the team, the ghost of the enemy, the hurdle that must be overcome. He is destined to become a milestone in the Arena, a milestone for Mid Lane cores. Perhaps from now on, Mid Lane core teams will replace the previous peak and stand on the historical stage.”

Rong Yi chuckled softly and said, “It’s even more exaggerated than during the Domestic Competition.”

“Yeah.”

Xiao Yin smiled at him.

The others moved forward. The entire QILIN team hugged Rong Yi, followed by everyone from VIT. Several team members rushed in, surrounding Rong Yi in a big group hug, cheering.

“Long live the Captain!”

“Long live Captain Rong!”

“Li is the best! Long live the Mid core! Our world’s number one Mid laner!”

They collectively lifted Rong Yi up, tossing him into the air. Suspended and dizzy, Rong Yi instinctively grabbed Xiao Yin’s hand to avoid falling.

After tossing him a few times, they finally put him down amid cheers, applause, and joyful laughter. Just as Rong Yi touched the ground, still dizzy, Xiao Yin picked him up again.

This time, he held him by the waist.

Xiao Yin effortlessly lifted him off the ground, spinning him around a few times. The screams from the Audience Area turned into a huge uproar. Even the Host was clapping with a crazed smile.

“Easy, Yin!”

Everyone was shouting their names, echoing through the arena.

When Rong Yi was finally put down, his legs were weak, and he fell into Xiao Yin’s arms. He rested his head on Xiao Yin’s shoulder for a moment, then looked up and smiled at him, giving him a proper hug.

After the hug, they held each other’s hands.

The diamond rings on their ring fingers sparkled brightly.

The reason they never openly displayed their relationship within the team was the concern that if they lost, people would blame it on their romantic involvement. That one time they held hands at the airport was the most intimate gesture they had shown on camera.

Now, they no longer had to worry about such things. Their relationship could be openly displayed in front of everyone. The stage was dazzling with starlight, and although it was an autumn night, the heat of excitement surged.

VIT stood on the highest podium.

After the match, VIT, as a domestic team, did not return home immediately.

They wanted to avoid the spotlight for a while. If they went back at this time, the airport would be packed. Conveniently, the location of the Finals was a major hub for many people, and a short break followed.

Everyone decided to take a vacation on the spot.

On the night of their championship win, none of them slept. Partly due to excitement and partly because they were dragged into interviews by various Media outlets.

After the match, they recorded some additional footage. By the time they finished, it was already dawn.

A group of them fell asleep in the car from exhaustion.

Rong Yi, barely conscious from fatigue, sat in the back seat, hugging Hydralisk on one side and Grey Cat on the other, sleeping with the two youngsters.

Their hotel near the Arena had its booking end that day. No one asked where they’d stay the next day, and Rong Yi didn’t think to ask either.

In his drowsiness, he only felt the Driver driving for a long time. It was almost dawn when they finally arrived at a Villa with a yard full of fallen leaves.

Rong Yi thought it was just an ordinary guest house. Not understanding anything abroad, he relied entirely on Xiao Yin and didn’t ask any questions. When Xiao Yin carried him out of the car, he heard clearly, “Sleep until you wake up naturally tomorrow. We’ll plan activities after that.”

He then nestled comfortably in Xiao Yin’s arms, who carried him into an unfamiliar room and placed him into a soft bed.

The Villa was somewhat old but very elegant and clean, with a refreshing scent of pinewood in the air. The bedding smelled of freshly laundered fabric softener.

It felt homely and comfortable.

Rong Yi woke up after a deep sleep, not knowing what time it was.

His phone was placed far away on the room’s desk, charging. His suitcase was open, clothes neatly hung in the closet by Xiao Yin, with new toiletries set out for him.

The bed beneath him was exceptionally soft, like a cloud, moving slightly with his every shift.

For someone like Rong Yi, who had back issues and hadn’t slept on a soft bed in ages, it felt almost meltingly comfortable.

It took him a while to get up. He went to the bathroom to freshen up and took a bath.

The fatigue, tension, and excitement of yesterday were still vivid in Rong Yi’s mind. Now, it was a new day. After VIT won the championship, a huge weight was lifted off Rong Yi’s shoulders. He felt significantly more relaxed, even a bit lazy.

He lazily freshened up, lazily took a bath, and lazily came out to get his clothes.

Opening the bathroom door, he saw someone sitting on his bed. The person paused upon seeing him, then smiled.

“Good thing it was me who came in.”

Rong Yi raised an eyebrow. “Never seen it before?”

“I have.” Xiao Yin leaned back a bit. “Who would’ve thought our little Captain would come out without any clothes on?”

Rong Yi pouted.

“Come here.”

Xiao Yin’s voice was steady. He patted his own thigh, and Rong Yi smoothly sat down. Xiao Yin held him in his arms, letting him sit on his lap while he personally dressed him, putting on his clothes, shoes, and socks. This was one of Xiao Yin’s newly developed hobbies.

He particularly enjoyed dressing Rong Yi.

After a while, Xiao Yin said, “Captain Rong, we need to go downstairs and meet people soon.”

Rong Yi shrugged. “Then you can go down an hour later.”

Xiao Yin raised his sharp, phoenix-like eyes and glanced at him.

Rong Yi stuck out his tongue.

After winning the championship, Rong Yi became a bit more arrogant.

A bit like he used to be.

Especially cute.

Xiao Yin whispered, “Makes sense.”

Rong Yi: “…”

Rong Yi was just talking nonsense. He said, “I haven’t eaten yet. I still need to drink water. I want to order fried chicken and lemonade.”

Xiao Yin, very rarely, paused as if he was seriously considering it.

Usually, at this time, he would ignore everything and push him down first, calling for takeout in the middle. But today, he hesitated for once.

Xiao Yin softly said, “How about we go and rent a room outside? It’s not convenient here, too many people. Rong Yi: “…”

As Xiao Yin spoke, although his tone was calm and steady, his speech was getting faster.

“Or a private cinema.”

“Or somewhere no one goes, I’ll drive, even the car is fine.”

Seeing Xiao Yin’s suggestions getting more and more absurd, Rong Yi caught a key word: “home.”

Xiao Yin nodded.

“This is my home.”

Seeing Rong Yi’s stunned look, Xiao Yin hesitated for a moment and added, “One of my homes.”