Chapter 35

Chapter 35

When Yan Zhun returned to the base, the others were still training. Earlier that morning, the PUBG organizers had announced that the matches would resume next Wednesday.

Initially, Yan Zhun hadn't planned on staying here. One, he didn't want to disrupt their training, and two, although the base was near the school, it still took time to travel back and forth. It would be more convenient to rent a place close to the university.

After the coach had suggested it several times, he finally agreed.

"Brother," Lin Xuhuan caught sight of him through the glass and, taking a break from his practice, waved energetically, "Come here!"

Yan Zhun set his luggage bag on the sofa and entered the training room.

It was almost ten o'clock in the evening, and the practice match had long ended. The others were still at the training ground practicing their marksmanship. Lin Xuhuan and the assault player were duo queueing, and they had already made it to the final circle.

He sat down on the chair behind Lin Xuhuan, typing messages with his head lowered.

Lin Xuhuan dispatched the final foe, exiting the battle royale interface with an arrogantly disdainful sniff: "I told you, my fourfold AK is unstoppable."

Saying that, he took out his phone and snapped a picture of the computer screen.

The marksman asked disdainfully, "Where did you come from, hick? Taking photos to commemorate eating chicken?"

Lin Xuhuan replied, "I'm showing it to my new apprentice."

"Who's so unfortunate to become your new apprentice?"

"It's my darling Ranzhu."

No sooner had Lin Xuhuan finished speaking than he received a light tap on the head.

He was taken aback and turned his head in confusion. "Brother, what are you doing?"

"He has a name," Yan Zhun said, glancing at the screen and scoffing. "Four kills. Is this your so-called four times AK?"

While Lin Xuhuan was trying to justify himself, the coach entered with some midnight snacks.

"Eat something before you continue practicing," he said, gesturing towards Yan Zhun. "I've had yours packed separately without any chili."

Yan Zhun replied, "I've already eaten."

The aroma of the barbecue was irresistible, and upon entering the room, the others couldn't resist, abandoning their games to gather around the table.

"Bro, did you two have a late-night snack with your girlfriend?" the marksman asked. "What did you eat?"

Yan Zhun replied, "Noodles."

"At a restaurant?"

Without looking up from his phone, Yan Zhun tapped out a rhythm and asked, "Considering a career as a paparazzi?"

The marksman chuckled and focused on his skewers.

As they waited for news, Yan Zhun licked his lips.

They had had scallion oil noodles for their midnight snack, from a decade-old shop near campus. Tonight, they had been fortunate enough not to have to wait in line. But now, all he could taste was the sweetness of candy, a taste he had experienced with Pei Ran.

The conversation at the table turned to the topic of the competition. After a period of rest, many teams' strategies would change, and the coach was speculating on the landing spots of a few strong contenders.

Mid-discussion, someone suddenly stood up from the table, drawing the attention of everyone else.

As the team's sniper and commander, he also served as the elder brother figure. Picking up the lighter on the table, he said, "I'm going out for a smoke."

Lin Xuhuan glanced at the table in front of him, which only had two toothpicks. "Brother Wei, that's all you're having?"

"Mm, I had a filling dinner," Brother Wei replied. "Take your time eating."

When he passed by Yan Zhun, Yan Zhun lifted his gaze upon hearing the sound. He caught sight of Brother Wei's trembling hand as he reached for his cigarettes.

Yan Zhun's heart sank, and he called out to him. Brother Wei instinctively stuffed his hands into his pockets. "What's wrong?"

Yan Zhun held his gaze for two seconds before speaking. "Cut down on smoking."

On Wednesday, the official PUBG tournament resumed, attracting an array of strong teams and a packed audience. The official streaming channel climbed to the top of the popularity rankings.

That day, Pei Ran was just leaving school when his teacher stopped him for a few words of advice. He wasn't allowed to leave until all the other students had gone.

With his backpack slung over his shoulder, Pei Ran stepped out. Yan Zhun stood with his back to the classroom door, wearing one earphone and watching a live stream of the competition on his phone.

Noticing someone approach, Yan Zhun glanced over, relaxing his expression slightly. "Detention?"

"Mm-hmm." Pei Ran lowered his gaze. "Is it TZG's match? Is the situation not favorable?"

Unfavorable was an understatement.

It was their third round, and TZG hadn't placed within the top five in any of them.

Yan Zhun picked up the other earphone. "Do you want to listen?"

"Sure."

No sooner had Pei Ran spoken than Yan Zhun put the earphone on for him, adjusting its position a few times out of concern for his comfort, his fingers grazing lightly against Pei Ran's earlobe.

Yan Zhun had been standing outside for a while, and his hands were a little cold.

In the earphone, the commentator was speaking.

"TZG doesn't seem to be in their prime. Were they too relaxed during their recent training sessions?"

"They haven't taken a single shot at the opponents. What's wrong with TZG's sniper? It seems like there have been mishaps in the last few rounds... He's being finished off."

"TZG is engaging in a 3v4 battle. Oh no, a team from the right has heard the gunshots; they're about to get surrounded!"

"TZG has been wiped out, securing... sixth place."

Yan Zhun removed his headphones.

Just as he was about to speak, his hand was taken by the person beside him.

Pei Ran had spent the entire afternoon in the art studio, so his hand was warm. Yan Zhun held his hand back, ready to say something, when he heard the sound of a door opening behind them.

The teacher, on the phone, exited the studio. Upon seeing the person standing outside, she froze for a moment. Lowering her gaze, she noticed their intertwined hands and paused mid-sentence.

Yan Zhun released his grip.

Yet, Pei Ran held on.

"Goodbye, Teacher," Pei Ran said.

The teacher regained her composure and nodded at them. "Mm, yes, do head back early."

After the teacher left, Pei Ran asked, "Have you been waiting long?"

Yan Zhun had arrived early. There was a pane of glass at the back door of the art studio that allowed him to see both Pei Ran and his painting.

However, he hadn't spied for long before he leaned against the railing to watch the match.

What he had seen a few days ago left a nagging feeling in his heart. The uncertainty made him uneasy.

"I haven't been here that long," he said.

Pei Ran looked down at the phone in his hand, which was still streaming the game. "Not watching anymore?"

"It's halftime. Want to grab something to eat first?"

Pei Ran agreed and descended two steps before adding, "Their overall ranking has always been high. If they play well in the next round, they can still make it back into the top three."

Yan Zhun fell silent for a moment. "They won't be able to play anymore."

Pei Ran: "What do you mean?"

"Brother Wei has an issue with his hand; he can't play anymore," Yan Zhun stated.

Yan Zhun had already noticed subtle signs during the practice matches in the past few days, and these became even more apparent on the competitive stage.

His aim was sluggish, he rarely hit moving targets, and even his item collection was slightly slower than usual... All these factors turned this sniper into the most evident weak link in the team.

Pei Ran was speechless.

True to Yan Zhun's words, TZG didn't field Brother Wei for their final match, instead opting for a substitute. Lin Xuhuan performed exceptionally well, managing to secure third place all by himself despite three of his teammates falling in combat.

Having just finished their dinner, Yan Zhun's phone rang.

The coach's tone was stern, urging him to return to the training base.

"Go ahead then, I can manage going back to the dormitory on my own," Pei Ran said.

Before Pei Ran could turn away, Yan Zhun reached out and grabbed the strap hanging from his backpack.

"Are you busy with classes tomorrow?" Yan Zhun asked, feigning ignorance.

Pei Ran replied, "No."

Yan Zhun hummed in response and asked, "Do you want to take a look at your boyfriend's room?"

-

Despite losing the match, Team TZG maintained their composure. Those who could continue training remained in the training room, while those who couldn't went back to their rooms to shower and rest.

After such a long competition, their mindset wasn't too affected negatively.

However, there was a difference. Lin Xuhuan and the marksman kept glancing at Brother Wei's closed door whenever they played together.

When Yan Zhun arrived, the two were taking a break in the living room, sprawled out on the sofa. Upon seeing Yan Zhun enter, Lin Xuhuan sprang up. "Bro... Ran darling!"

Yan Zhun placed the box on the table. "Desserts from Pei Ran. Where's the coach?"

"In the review room, he's been there for two hours." Lin Xuhuan opened the dessert box, his words as sweet as the cream puffs inside. "They look delicious. Ran darling is so thoughtful."

Yan Zhun didn't bother correcting his nickname anymore. He turned around. "Do you want to go up first? The room is on the third floor, left turn, first one on the left. Feel free to use anything inside."

Pei Ran shook his head. "I'll wait for you."

When Yan Zhun pushed open the door to the review room, the large screen was illuminated, displaying the final match of the day.

He closed the door and sat down beside the coach, watching together.

"The reaction time is too slow," the coach commented as the camera focused on the substitute who had played that day. "They often appear in the wrong positions."

Yan Zhun lazily hummed in agreement. "They must have practiced sniping privately for a long time. Their weakness in close combat is too obvious."

Coach: "They can't keep up with the team's tempo."

Yan Zhun replied, "Their instant sniping skills are decent, though... took out one in a second."

"But there are four members on a team. Taking down one and not finishing them off is pointless."

As the substitute was eliminated, the coach raised his hand to pause the footage.

"Not watching anymore?"

"Let's resume the game then."

Both spoke at the same time, and upon finishing, the room fell quiet.

Yan Zhun scoffed. "Are you insane?"

The coach sipped his tea and replied, "Not at all."

"Wei's hand has been bothering him for some time. He had an injection to numb it recently so he could push through this tournament, but it seems... it's not going to work out that way. In the meantime, I've reached out to many people and have tirelessly trained three batches of rookies this year, yet none of them are ready to be deployed. The assaulters from the second team are decent... but I don't lack an assault specialist right now."

Yan Zhun's smile faded. "I'm an assault specialist too."

"You're different," the coach said. "You can play as a flex."

A flex player, the team's fourth position, was the ultimate test of a gamer's comprehensive skills. They needed solid techniques and the ability to strategize while eliminating opponents, shifting team positions, and guarding against ambushes. They were expected to do everything and find ways to do what couldn't be done. In most teams, the flex player also served as the commander.

Over the past few years, TZG was the only strong team without a designated flex player.

Yan Zhun fell silent for a moment before surrendering. "How long has it been since I last played competitively? There are so many talented rookies out there; you don't need to recruit someone old, weak, or injured..."

The coach interrupted him. "As your coach, I know better than you whether you're capable or not."

"I understand that it's difficult for you to give up your studies, and your uncle and aunt might not approve." The coach clearly came prepared as he flipped open the document on the table. "But I have to at least try."

"The annual salary might not be as high as Lin Xuhuan's initially, but it's the best offer among all the esports teams for rookies. We provide five insurances and one housing fund, two free vacations annually, additional income from advertisements and streaming, plus we cover all living expenses. If you're willing, we can even arrange your marriage."

"We have physiotherapists, masseurs, and nutritionists in the team... A doctor will accompany you for every match. Wrist wear and tear is inevitable, but the team will do its utmost to protect you. As for other issues, like your gastric problem, we won't let it bother you again."

"As for your studies... Training will still be required, but the training base is close to your school. If you can manage, I won't force you to drop out."

"Yan Zhun," the coach closed the file and slid it across the table to him. "I now extend a solemn invitation for you to join TZG. I hope you'll consider it seriously."

Yan Zhun lowered his gaze onto the document, pressing his fingers against it until they turned white.

In the end, he nudged the file slightly closer to himself.

"I need some time to think."

The coach secretly exhaled in relief. He said, "If there are any other requirements... we can discuss them further."

Before leaving, Yan Zhun turned back to ask, "What are Brother Wei's plans for the future?"

"Step back and assume the role of an assistant coach."

Yan Zhun nodded, then closed the door to the review room.