Chi Yu only took a two-day vacation. He watched a day of the competition with Jiang Mo and spent another day at Jiang Mo’s home. On the second evening, he set off back to H City to continue filming.
SVP won the championship of the spring season. In another week, they would depart for overseas to participate in the MSI
The transfer window hasn’t opened yet, and Jiang Mo hasn’t made an official announcement. This time, he couldn’t go with the SVP team to the Mid-Season Invitational. There’s a gap of about half a month, so Jiang Mo didn’t accompany Chi Yu to H City this time. He had to move into the team’s base early. Besides getting along with the first-team players, he also needed to build chemistry with others and adapt to the team life in advance.
On the night they won the championship, the atmosphere during dinner was very strange. Eating with teammates he had just met was indeed a bit awkward. Jiang Mo didn’t know if it was his imagination, but he felt that this awkwardness stemmed from Chi Yu, who was sitting next to him. His teammates looked at him with friendly eyes, but they seemed somewhat afraid of Chi Yu.
Perhaps it was because Chi Yu had a cold demeanor and the aura of a movie star around him, they couldn’t help but have some reverence?
Jiang Mo didn’t think too much about it. He was worried that if he stayed with Chi Yu, his teammates might feel uncomfortable. After taking a few bites with Chi Yu, he pulled Chi Yu to leave early.
During that meal, he had zero interaction with his future teammates. Jiang Mo felt a bit down when he went back, but he quickly cheered up. There would be plenty of time for better communication in the future, no rush.
After Chi Yu left, Jiang Mo rested at home for two days and told his family about signing with the professional team. His parents didn’t know what a professional team did, and after Lu Yu explained it to them, they finally relaxed, making sure Jiang Mo wasn’t being deceived.
Lu Yu was the happiest. He was a gaming enthusiast himself and never missed the annual competitions. Now, his younger brother had joined a professional team, and it was even his favorite SVP team. He couldn’t help but want to shout it to everyone he met on the street, “My little brother is amazing!”
The team base is an hour’s drive from Jiang Mo’s home. On the day Jiang Mo moved to the base, Lu Yu put aside his work and personally drove Jiang Mo there.
Manager Da Tian received the message that Jiang Mo was coming, calculated the timing, and had been eagerly looking out the window. He hurriedly descended when he saw a yellow Volkswagen Beetle stopping outside the base.
Chi Yu was not around, but Manager Da Tian didn’t dare to neglect this young prodigy.
LPL players have their own communication groups, and coaches and managers have their own as well. These days, the FG manager was complaining in the group, regretting that he missed out on a good talent.
His words caused quite a stir.
The transfer period had not yet arrived, and personnel changes were kept confidential. Perhaps feeling remorseful, the FG manager directly sighed in the group. He wasn’t very smart, and with just a few words, he got trapped.
It turns out that recently, the widely discussed Moo in the esports circle had sent a self-recommendation letter to the FG team. Unfortunately, the FG manager had rejected him in the past.
Upon hearing this, the group’s tone changed to:
[“What? Moo actually sent a self-recommendation letter to your team? He sent one to my team too. That little Sea King…sigh, forget it. After all, I rejected him. It’s not right to say this about him. Oh man, was my brain not working at that time? Why did I reject him!”]
[“…He sent one to my team too, and I regret it greatly. Why did I reject him back then?”]
[“There’s nothing sadder than having had something and then losing it. The higher-ups fined me three months’ salary. Brothers, don’t invite me to dinners recently; I’m out of money.”]
[“Our team is in need of an excellent jungler. My gut is turning green. If we hadn’t rejected him and had Moo join us, our team would definitely have been the champions of this year’s summer split.”]
[“Bullshit, what are you daydreaming about?”]
[“Although Moo is outstanding, whether his joining can bring benefits to the team is still unknown. There’s no need to romanticize him. Regretting rejecting someone back then is unnecessary.”]
Then, Big Pao, the manager of the RAG team, spoke up.
Upon hearing this, Big Pao couldn’t hold it anymore:
[“He sent one, and I…rejected him too…”] He said it quite harshly.
In the end, Big Pao couldn’t hold back and exclaimed: [“Damn QAQ!”]
[SVP·Da Tian: Hahaha…]
[“Laughing for nothing, get lost!”]
[“Don’t think I don’t know, you definitely received that little Sea King’s self-recommendation letter too. Were you also rejected, @SVP·Da Tian!”]
[“SVP·Da Tian: Yes ^-^”]
[“You’re laughing so happily even after being rejected. You’re probably genuinely crazy.”]
The scene of heartache and regret didn’t last for more than five minutes before they started arguing again.
Da Tian stood on his tiptoes, thoroughly enjoying the sight.
Yes, he was genuinely crazy, crazy with laughter.
Sorry, but Moo is now part of our SVP team. The championship of this year’s summer split will also belong to our SVP team.
He resisted saying this for a long time. It had to be kept a secret, to give everyone a big surprise.
On the day Jiang Mo officially announced it, he wondered what those guys’ expressions would be. Just thinking about it made him happy.
…
“Manager, this is my brother, Lu Yu,” Jiang Mo said as he was getting out of the car.
Manager Da Tian rushed over and opened the car door for him. Jiang Mo was surprised by the special treatment and quickly greeted Manager Da Tian, pointing to Lu Yu beside him.
“Hello, I am Manager Da Tian,” Da Tian said warmly, extending his hand for a handshake with Lu Yu.
“I know you. I often watch your team’s matches. I’ll trouble you to take care of my brother in the future. Apart from a slight stutter, he has no other shortcomings, very obedient, and sensible…”
Lu Yu listed a long string of Jiang Mo’s strengths, making Jiang Mo’s face turn red. Jiang Mo tugged at Lu Yu’s sleeve to make him stop.
Manager Da Tian didn’t show impatience and responded to Lu Yu with a smile, “I know, we will definitely take good care of Jiang Mo. You can rest assured.
“The team of players was in the training room preparing for MSI, with the coach giving them tactical analysis. Xie Ning, sitting by the window, noticed the people standing downstairs and instantly became spirited.
“Xie Ning, what are you looking at? Did you hear what I just said?” Coach A’kang threw his pen at Xie Ning’s head.
Xie Ning screamed and held his head, retracting his gaze.The coach continued his talk, and Xie Ning couldn’t resist, looking out of the window again. Jiang Mo was no longer by the car; he must have come inside.
His legs began to tremble; he couldn’t sit still.Ah, why is this taking so long? He wanted to meet his brother.
…
SVP might not be a powerhouse team, but the facilities at the base could rival those of a powerhouse team. The ground floor housed the training rooms for the youth team and the second team, with a kitchen and a gym. The first floor had the training rooms for the first-team players, meeting rooms, a pantry, and a counseling room.
The second team and the youth team lived on the ground floor, two people in each room. The third floor was for the first-team players, all in individual bedrooms, although there were also double rooms. During training sessions, the coach would have the players share rooms to increase their bonding and develop mutual understanding.
“This is your room,” Manager Da Tian led Jiang Mo and Lu Yu to the third floor.
Jiang Mo’s room was in the middle of the corridor. To showcase how well they had prepared the room for Jiang Mo, the manager deliberately didn’t pull up the curtains. When the door was opened, warm yellow sunlight flooded the entire room.
Manager Da Tian pulled the sheer curtain on the French window, reducing the sunlight in the room.
The room’s walls were painted in the pastel yellow that Jiang Mo liked.
Before coming, Manager Da Tian had specifically told Jiang Mo that he didn’t need to bring bedsheets or covers; everything was provided in the base.
The bedsheets were also in the yellow color scheme Jiang Mo liked, and there was even a Bob the Minion plush toy by the pillow, which Jiang Mo adored.
Jiang Mo blinked in disbelief and asked, “Um, is this for me?”
Manager Da Tian followed his pointing gaze. This plush toy was a gift from Chi Yu for Jiang Mo, to be placed in Jiang Mo’s room.
Chi Yu didn’t explicitly mention it, and Da Tian didn’t want to explain, but he found it strange.
Weren’t they a couple?
Why was Chi Yu still being secretive?
“Yes, it’s for you,” Da Tian said.
“Thank you, I really like it,” Jiang Mo blushed.
Da Tian: “…”
Did he just use someone else’s effort for his benefit?
The room had already been cleaned, so there was no need for further cleaning. Jiang Mo’s suitcase contained clothes, shoes, toiletries, and his laptop, so he only needed to tidy up later.
After touring the room, Da Tian took them around the base. One reason was to introduce Jiang Mo to the surroundings and help him get acquainted, and the other was to reassure Jiang Mo’s brother.
Jiang Mo and Lu Yu came after finishing their lunch. Lu Yu had explored the base and knew that the first-team players were having a meeting. He didn’t want to disturb them for a group photo, knowing there would be other opportunities. He said goodbye to Jiang Mo and drove away.
Jiang Mo stood at the base entrance and waved to Lu Yu. He walked into the base reluctantly, not wanting to part with his brother.
Manager Da Tian found it hard to put into words. The kids in the base were quite young; the youngest had just turned 17. He had never felt like a caring father figure towards any of them.
When Chi Yu was with Jiang Mo, Da Tian couldn’t really feel Jiang Mo’s age. It was only now that he realized Jiang Mo was only 19 years old, while Mr. Chi was already 27, 8 years older. It was… quite outrageous.
“Don’t worry, it’s normal not to adjust on the first day. You’ll get used to it gradually,” Da Tian chose his words carefully and comforted Jiang Mo in a warm tone.
Seeing Jiang Mo like this made him feel like a kindergarten teacher. The parents had left, and the child stood near the door, pitifully looking at their parents…
Jiang Mo: “I’m… I’m fine. I will try to adapt. Manager, thank you for your concern.”
Jiang Mo was slender with not much height, and his face was very cute, especially his eyes. When he spoke, he would look at you, his jet-black pupils without any impurities, shining brightly. They were filled with gratitude.
Da Tian’s heart skipped several beats, and his face turned inexplicably red. “Ah, alright.”
When Jiang Mo entered, the group of people in the training room on the ground floor were restless. They were distracted from their training, leaning against the glass door, peering outside. When Da Tian led Jiang Mo past the entrance of the training room, a stern look from him made them hastily return to their positions.
“Who is he?”
“He looks so cute; I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”
“Manager Da Tian is being so polite to him, and he even took him to the second floor. Could he be joining the first team?”
The transfer window is open, and the coach and manager started scouting for new talent a long time ago. It’s not a secret that there will be changes in the first team.
In these past few days, they’ve been training like crazy, hoping the coach will notice them. Even if they don’t make it to the first team, joining the second team would still be a good thing.
“I know all the LPL players, and I’ve never seen anyone so good-looking.”
The group discussed, and their questions were answered during the meeting.
Jiang Mo, jungle position, substitute for the first team.
Da Tian and A’kang didn’t hide Jiang Mo’s identity, revealing to everyone that Jiang Mo had previously been in the entertainment industry.
Both players and youth trainees had signed confidentiality agreements, so they weren’t worried about leaks.
The reason for making Jiang Mo’s situation public was to clarify things in advance.
Some of the kids weren’t mentally mature. Even they, as adults, might misunderstand Jiang Mo over baseless things, not to mention these kids.
They didn’t want the players to misunderstand Jiang Mo because of his past. By making it clear now, they hoped to avoid people discovering it later and gossiping about Jiang Mo behind his back.
Da Tian looked at the stunned people in the room. “Until the official announcement, this matter must remain confidential. If anyone has any objections, speak up now.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the quiet crowd transformed into a chorus of screams—
“Wow, is he a celebrity? Oh, I remember now, I saw his photos trending before, but I didn’t pay much attention back then!”
“Wow, Mom, I’m actually in the same team as a big star. Sob, sob, Jiang Mo, can I take a photo with you? I want to show it to my mom!”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Da Tian: “…”
“Manager, I have a question.” A somewhat fierce-looking young man raised his hand. He was Qingfeng, the jungle player from the second team. He had been with the second team for half a year, substituting for Xia Zeyu in several major tournaments. He always thought that when Xia Zeyu retired, he could take over. Finally, when this opportunity came, he didn’t expect it to be snatched by someone of uncertain origin.
Jiang Mo?
Who even knows him, a celebrity or whatever?
Why come to their esports scene and snatch their rice bowls?
Da Tian had anticipated this situation long ago. His expression remained calm, and he gestured for Qingfeng to speak.
Qingfeng: “Has Jiang Mo been in any team before? Did he go through any trials? He’s not a trainee, so why can he directly join the first team?”
Technical issues didn’t need the manager to explain. Coach A’kang stepped forward and said, “He did undergo testing. These are his results.”
As A’kang spoke, he pressed a button on the remote, and several images appeared on the screen behind him.
Jiang Mo’s match results against various professional players, including Lull, San, and Wo Wo from the PG team, Xu Li from the NG team, Gao Ze and Xu Ta from the RAG team, Ha Ha from the UN team, and 55 from the OS team
…
When Jiang Mo reached the top of the Korean server, he encountered active players from other teams. One match doesn’t prove much, but Jiang Mo clashed with them multiple times, achieving high scores independently without relying on teammates and even defeating these professional players.
Did he still need a trial?
Coach A’kang stayed up several nights analyzing Jiang Mo’s rank videos, and these were his conclusions.In the loser’s name list, the last name was prominently displayed—Park Eun-kyung.
Qingfeng: “…”
Qingfeng was left speechless, his arrogance instantly diminished, and all his grievances vanished.
With such an excellent record in front of them, he couldn’t even utter a word about challenging the other in a solo match. It would just be seeking punishment.
Now, who doesn’t know about Moo?
A person that every major team is eager to snatch. Unexpectedly, he chose their team.
Qingfeng shut his mouth and cast a sympathetic glance at Xia Zeyu, a senior sitting in the front row.
Being pursued by such an outstanding person, how much pressure would Xia Zeyu be under?
If it were him, he would definitely go crazy.
“I know you may have objections, but the team has always been fair to everyone. As long as you have the ability, you can join the first team,” Manager Da Tian timely spoke, patting Jiang Mo’s shoulder, encouraging him.
In such times, Jiang Mo saying something is the best.
“I-I will do my best,” Jiang Mo steadied his breath, still nervous when he spoke. “I have undergone psychological testing and passed. I know you may question my direct entry into the first team. If you doubt me, I don’t mind you challenging me. I will defeat you.”
Everyone: “…”
Do we dare to challenge you to a solo match?
Jiang Mo was very glad he declined Manager Da Tian before. Only after reaching the top of the Korean server did he truly stabilize his position in the SVP team. If he had blindly agreed with Manager Da Tian earlier, standing here, being observed by everyone, he would definitely not have had the confidence to say such things.
Achievements give you the right to speak, and a convincing reason.
What Jiang Mo said wasn’t meant to provoke anyone. After speaking, he lowered his head, his face and ears turning red, as if he wasn’t the one who had just issued such strong words.
The crowd instantly softened. Any complaints they had were gone.
At the same time, they had a doubt. Was the guy in front of them, who had defeated so many professional players, really that good?
Why doesn’t he have the aura of a master?
Da Tian: “Jiang Mo is still a newcomer. I hope you can take care of him.”
“Understood.”
“We will.”
After the meeting, Xie Ning, who had been holding back, rushed to Jiang Mo first. He was too nervous to hug Jiang Mo, so he opted for a handshake as a way to express his welcome.
“Brother, I got you the best-configured computer. The keyboard and mouse are sponsored by a brand. Come on, let me show you…”
Xie Ning pulled Jiang Mo forcefully, dragging him into the training room.
The first-team training room was spacious, with ten computer desks and chairs. Five of them were arranged side by side for the first-team starting players, and opposite them were the second-team substitute players. During matches, the second-team players would come to this training room to practice with the first-team players. Normally, this side was empty, except for the substitute players.
During official matches, in addition to the five main players, each team could also have two substitute players. During the grand finals, the second-team players who were temporarily brought in to bolster the lineup returned to their positions, and the substitute bench had an additional big boss.
Jiang Mo’s appearance made the main players, except for Xie Ning, extremely nervous.
Dmn, such a skilled person sitting across from us. What if we don’t perform well? Will he mock us?
He’s sitting there alone, and it feels like we’ve become warriors challenging the demon king.
Can the several of us together defeat him?
“How is it?” Xie Ning, completely unaware of what his teammates were thinking, sat beside Jiang Mo and tapped on Jiang Mo’s keyboard.
Jiang Mo liked using black switches, and the keyboard Xie Ning gave him was even better than his own. Jiang Mo used the mouse and smiled in satisfaction. “I like it.”
“Great.” Xie Ning smiled with Jiang Mo. “We’re not playing practice matches until tonight. Do you want to play duo queue with me now?”
Jiang Mo, unlike his online persona, didn’t hesitate this time. “Sure.”
“Um, well…” Xia Zeyu, who had been silent since the meeting, raised his hand. When Jiang Mo looked over, Xia Zeyu forgot the words he had prepared and hesitated, “C-Can I have a one-on-one match with you?”
“What?” Xie Ning was taken aback.
Xia Zeyu looked at Jiang Mo and said, “You just said you don’t mind if others challenge you. I want to have a solo match with you.”
Everyone except Jiang Mo: “…”
“Sure.” Jiang Mo didn’t hesitate and agreed readily.
He had suddenly joined the first team as a substitute, and it was normal for Xia Zeyu to have some hostility towards him. However, what pleased Jiang Mo was that Xia Zeyu’s hostility was very slight, almost non-existent. He found a familiar feeling in Xia Zeyu, who was different from his online persona and seemed somewhat timid.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and held their breath, not daring to make a sound to disturb the duel between the two.
When the coach learned of this, he enthusiastically called over a few members of the second team.In a jungle solo, unlike other lanes where you can just pick a champion for the mid lane, it’s a different ballgame. It becomes a one-on-one lane battle.
The original five members of the first team formed a team against a temporary team composed of second team players in a 5v5 custom match.
The coach intentionally didn’t split up the first team members and assigned Jiang Mo to them. It was indeed stressful, but this way, Jiang Mo’s true skill level could be seen. Even if Jiang Mo lost, the other players wouldn’t blame him. After all, the opponents were the five main players, so losing was normal. If Jiang Mo won, no one would dare to question Jiang Mo’s skills in the future.
Jiang Mo sat opposite Xia Zeyu, and the screen blocked their line of sight to each other. Xia Zeyu’s pressure suddenly eased. He had glanced at Jiang Mo just now, and the Jiang Mo sitting in front of the screen seemed like a different person. That gaze was terrifying.
Was it his imagination?
In the hero selection phase, it wasn’t as formal as in official matches. Perhaps because Jiang Mo was there, these guys were not relaxed at all, each picking their signature champions.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Mo chose Lee Sin
Jiang Mo was on the blue side and didn’t choose to start at the red buff. Instead, he chose the blue buff and, at level 2, circled around the top-side tri-brush, placing a ward in the enemy red buff bush. He was currently clearing the enemy Krugs. Elise came into his vision range. Without any haste, he finished off the Krugs, reached level 3, and used Lee Sin’s W to dash to his own allied minion and the ward, leaping across the wall, followed by a Q thrown at Elise.
Without the Smite summoner spell, Jiang Mo didn’t have absolute confidence that he could steal the monster from Elise’s hands. The Q ability in spider form could deal additional damage to monsters. Without certainty, he wouldn’t attempt it. His Q skill was aimed at Elise in spider form. As he expected, Elise used her Q skill to consume the Red Buff. His second Q landed beside the spider, as if anticipating her next move. Just before Elise transformed back into human form and cast her control skill E, he twisted his body to dodge the spider’s control skill.
The spider transformation was on cooldown, so he immediately used his E skill to apply a slow. The spider lost two-thirds of her health, disadvantaged from being the first to attack. At this point, she couldn’t fight Lee Sin and had to use Flash to escape. However, Lee Sin once again predicted her Flash position, closely following her and dealing damage.
First Blood
Xia Zeyu’s hand shook slightly. In that last engagement, he couldn’t tell whether it was his own mistakes or the opponent’s superior skills. He couldn’t discern it anymore.
He had never felt such immense pressure. After respawning, he encountered Lee Sin in the jungle again.
While it was a solo match, Jiang Mo was taking it very seriously, engaging with him only in the jungle. He couldn’t defend against Lee Sin’s constant prediction of his movements and actions.
He was caught off guard and hindered in his early game development.In this match, Xia Zeyu’s four teammates were strong. Despite his own struggles, they overwhelmed the enemy in all three lanes and pushed to the high ground.
Lee Sin was weak in the late game, and with his teammates faltering, even Jiang Mo couldn’t turn the tide.
“I lost. You guys are really good.” Jiang Mo took off his headphones and let out a sigh, genuinely admiring.
He had never played a match against the complete SVP first-team players. This match was intense, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Not really, you did your best,” Tang Zi said.
The second-team players looked guilty; it was their poor performance that led to the loss, not Jiang Mo being inadequate.
Xie Ning said, “Wah, to hear this from you, I have no regrets in this lifetime.”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Xia Zeyu took off his headphones, suddenly stood up with excessive force, causing a loud friction sound between the chair and the floor. The people in the room stopped talking.
Xia Zeyu extended his hand towards Jiang Mo. “Jiang Mo, welcome to join SVP team.”
Jiang Mo was startled. He remembered that earlier backstage, when Xia Zeyu shook hands with him, Xia Zeyu only introduced himself and then fell into silence.
At that time, Jiang Mo didn’t pay much attention to it. But now, Xia Zeyu was saying this – was he genuinely welcoming Jiang Mo to join?
“Th-thank you,” Jiang Mo said, blushing, quickly standing up and shaking hands with Xia Zeyu.
They held the handshake for quite some time, and Xia Zeyu didn’t let go.
Jiang Mo pulled a few times, but Xia Zeyu’s grip remained firm. He looked at Xia Zeyu with confusion.
“What are you doing?” Xie Ning kicked Xia Zeyu.
How could he dare to act like this with the big boss?
Was he asking for trouble?
Xia Zeyu blushed and stammered, “I… Can I be your disciple?”
Jiang Mo: “…”
Jiang Mo’s cuteness is infectious