Chapter 29 – Rules
The air was filled with a hint of bitterness, and if I had to describe it, it would be the taste of sadness.
Lin Xingling: My poor father…
Liu Ying stood up and quickly escaped the awkward scene. “If Captain’s hand is not comfortable, then don’t go to the kitchen. I’ll make braised chicken with potatoes for you today.”
Brother Feng, who had been competing with that popular search topic, was now relieved. “I’ll go help Liu Ying in the kitchen.”
This time, Liu Ying didn’t refuse.
Wu You: “Ah… Let’s skip the movie for now. Xiao Pei, let’s go for a walk and play some games together.”
After saying that, Wu You grabbed Phantom without waiting for a response and headed towards the training room.
The group of people instantly left, leaving the place clean and empty.
Cheng Che lowered his head, not looking at Lin Xingling. He clenched his fist with some annoyance.
“It was impolite of me, I’m sorry, Clear.”
Lin Xingling sincerely apologized.
No matter what, apologizing is always the right thing to do.
“Ah…”
Unexpectedly, Cheng Che took the initiative to hold Lin Xingling’s hand. He looked at him with surprise, but Cheng Che’s face remained expressionless.
If it weren’t for fearing that he might think he disliked him, Cheng Che wouldn’t bother explaining, “It’s just… um… that… it’s my mom… well… it’s okay, you can call me that if you want.”
As he spoke, he suddenly realized that it wasn’t a big deal after all.
Lin Xingling tilted his head. “Huh?”
“That’s… my nickname, only my mom… she calls me that every day.” Cheng Che lowered his gaze, suppressing the tears welling up in his eyes. “If Captain likes it, you can call me that too.”
He didn’t resist.
Because Lin Xingling was a good person, he knew.
Lin Xingling, who had been labeled as a “good person” and had received numerous “good person cards,” said casually, “Ah, right, right, right.”
Let’s just brush it off.
“Then… Good cub?” Lin Xingling tentatively called.
Cheng Che smiled and responded.
Mom, listen, that idol I particularly admire, he called me Goos cub…
“In the team… you can call me… um… not outside, don’t call me that, okay?”
As he spoke, his stomach grumbled uncooperatively, making Cheng Che feel somewhat embarrassed.
Lin Xingling chuckled and stuffed the bread he had placed on the table back into his hand. “Okay, Clear, right?”
“Yeah.”
“This is our little secret. I won’t mention it again. (Xing)”
Actually, it’s not necessary… well, whatever you say.
“Yeah. (Che)”
…
The issue of “Good cub” was resolved, but the issue with the WNRLM still needed to be resolved.
After lunch, Brother Feng called everyone together for a serious meeting in the training room.
“The results of the report have come out. It says that both parties’ actions were in violation of the rules. Each person will be fined ten thousand, and we are required to repost the punishment results from the official KPL account and apologize to the public.”
Brother Feng put down his phone and looked at Cheng Che, who was sitting on the marksman chair, raising an eyebrow. “Do you accept it?”
Wu You and the others remained silent.
Sitting on the support chair, Lin Xingling sneered, “I haven’t seen them handle other matters
this quickly.”
He felt indignant on behalf of the child.
Cheng Che nodded and answered a question that wasn’t asked, “I’ll pay the fine myself.”
The person I scolded, the trouble I caused, I’ll handle this matter myself.
Brother Feng frowned, “It’s not about the money… Although money is indeed important, what we’re talking about now is managing our own speech.”
“You can say whatever you want in private, but don’t engage in online arguments with others. If it’s really necessary, create a separate account… You understand, right?”
In essence, it’s not about blaming him; it’s just that they are worried that he, at such a young age, might get into trouble with his arrogance.
When one’s edge is too sharp, it’s easy to break against a rookie.
“Yeah.”
Apart from not knowing what was going on in his little mind, Cheng Che was a child who gave people reassurance.
Cheng Che willingly transferred the fine amount and checked his bank balance, which was still over 120,000.
When he signed with DCT, it was agreed that their salary would be 30,000 yuan per month, and they would receive a share of the winnings. Typically, if they won a tournament, they would distribute one-eighth of the prize money to each team member, while the remaining one-fourth would be kept as team funds.
Last night, they won the temporary seat qualification match and received a prize of 200,000 yuan from the KPL organizing committee. However, they had just received 25,000 yuan, and almost half of it was returned as a fine before they even had a chance to warm it in their pockets.
“Repost the Weibo,” Lin Xingling reminded him.
Wu You patted his head and laughed, “Brother Che, a man standing at the peak of popularity.”
Ever since Clear appeared in the public eye, all the hot topics in the esports community were about him.
Except for the incident when Stars transitioned to the support role.
Cheng Che obediently reposted the Weibo.
【DCT-Clear】:
Did I offend you?
The words I said were ambiguous and caused misunderstandings. I sincerely apologize to everyone.
“Repost Weibo – KPL King Glory Professional League: ‘Punishment Result Notice'”
Did I offend you?
[Damn it,666]
[@KPL King Glory Professional League come and take a look]
[Hahaha, did I offend you?]
[I knew our Clear is not that kind of person, hahaha [emoticon]]
[Take off the emoticon before speaking]
[I’m impressed, shamelessly defending oneself with strong words, lacking manners is lacking manners, heh heh]
[The master has appeared, quick, throw out the Pokéball]
[The one lacking manners, are you a troll?]
Lin Xingling was inundated with countless notifications.
[DCT-Stars: [hug]]
In an instant, Cheng Che’s comment section exploded.
Tens of thousands of comments and thousands of reposts overwhelmed the backstage system.
It was rare to see so many “living” people in the King Glory community.
“My… my repost… got stuck.”
Cheng Che put his phone in his pocket and shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s fine, it’s all resolved now. If they dare to come after you again, we’ll deal with them.” Lin Xingling habitually raised her hand to touch his hair, but Cheng Che still resisted and pushed his hand away.
Brother Feng, who had read Cheng Che’s Weibo:…
“Ancestors, if you had told me earlier, I would have contacted the officials!”
“Yeah, if you had said it earlier, the first Weibo wouldn’t have been the punishment result notice, hahaha. Did I offend you… You’re quite talented.” Wu You put down his phone and teased him with a smile.
Cheng Che remained silent.
“Regardless of what you all say, this matter is resolved.”
“…But it’s not resolved in Brother Feng’s mind.”
Brother Feng thought to himself: “As a genius coach, coming from the top three teams in the KPL to this rookie team in K Division, I’m taking care of everything as a coach and manager. Are you all just trying to provoke me?”
First, Lin Xingling injured his wrist, then Hua Xin was taken away by love, and now Cheng Che angrily cursed his former teammates…
Brother Feng: I’m tired.
“After this lesson, I think the team needs to establish some rules,” Brother Feng cleared his throat and continued, “Otherwise, you all are too disorganized. How can we compete in the KPL?”
“How about three rules?”
Seeing that no one objected, he raised a finger and said, “The first rule is to listen to the coach, maintain a regular schedule, take care of your health, and avoid getting sick.”
Two fingers.
“The second rule is no dating within the team.”
Cheng Ce and Lin Xingling remained indifferent.
Wu You: ???
Liu Ying: ???
Phantom: …
Wu You raised his hand and said, “It’s the 21st century now, and we have the freedom to date. You can’t act like a feudal patriarch and deprive the kids of their right to freely fall in love… of course, I’m speaking on behalf of Ying Mei.”
Liu Ying nodded in agreement, “Exactly… Hey, wait, don’t you always want to find a pretty girl to be your girlfriend?!”
Suddenly realizing he was putting the blame on himself.
Brother Feng sighed, “Well, when you all find someone and they agree, we can talk about it.”
Wu You & Liu Ying: It hurts, Old Liang.
Seeing them silent, Brother Feng added, “At least during our competitive season, no dating allowed.”
Cut off all distractions and focus on the matches.
Fortunately, I’m not interested in dating, and the person I admire is right beside me… Cheng Che sneaked a glance at Lin Xingling and remained silent.
Lin Xingling asked, “What if we really meet someone we want to be with?”
Huh? Stars has someone they like?
Cheng Che’s curiosity was immediately piqued.
Brother Feng replied firmly, “Either the person you like leaves, or I leave.”
Lin Xingling smiled and said, “Okay.”
Brother Feng said, “Enough talking. The third and final rule… no publicly insulting others online or offline. Violators will have their salaries deducted. Understood?”
Everyone: Understood.
That’s the agreement.
Brother Feng breathed a sigh of relief, saying he had to go back to the office to handle matters related to the World Championship qualifiers. He waved his hand and left.
The five team members obediently waved goodbye to him.
Liu Ying turned his head to look at Cheng Che, “Hey… Brother Che, your hairpin is so cute.”
“Huh? What hair… hairpin?”
Cheng Che didn’t understand and scratched his head, then felt something cold. He took it off—it was the hairpin that Lin Xingling had put on him when he touched his hair.
It was a hairpin consisting of a large yellow pentagon with two smaller pentagons hanging down. Behind the large pentagon was a small clip. It was very cute.
Lin Xingling took it from his hand and put it on his head again, jokingly saying, “Last night, you got drunk and kept clamoring for stars. Here, I’ll put it on for you.”
Cheng Che listened with slightly embarrassed eyes.
“It was nothing, really.”
Wu You stretched and yawned, “Even Dad Star has never been this good to me.”
Liu Ying added, “Me neither…”
Lin Xingling smiled at the two of them and started counting: “Does it count if I buy Ah Rong for you? What about helping you get autographs?”
Watching Phantom, no words needed.
Phantom said, “The captain is very good to me.”
“…”
Cheng Che poked Lin Xingling’s arm and waited for him to look at him.
Lin Xingling looked over.
Cheng Che’s eyes and eyebrows curved, and he smiled sweetly.
If I had known that I could meet you in this lifetime, I would probably have died in my previous life.
Lin Xingling looked deeply into his eyes and said, “I never noticed before, but you have monolids, my dear.”
Cheng Che: ???
Did I smile so brightly for you to see my monolids? No, I clearly have double eyelids!
The sentimental atmosphere was swept away, and Cheng Che held Liu Ying’s small mirror and examined himself for a long time, still convinced that he had double eyelids.
“I have… well, double eyelids.”
Lin Xingling supported his chin and looked at him, “Hmm, double eyelids.”
“Yeah, that’s about right.”
…On the other side, Wu You and Phantom had already started practicing their coordination in pairs, while Liu Ying was practicing her adaptability alone. Only the two of them were idle with nothing to do.
Lin Xingling’s hand injury relapsed, so he put on a plaster and couldn’t engage in intense training for a few days. He just sat on the side and watched Cheng Che start the livestream.
During the premiere, tens of thousands of people showed up initially, and then it kept increasing to hundreds of thousands and even over a million. Later, thanks to Lin Xingling’s occasional off-screen commentary, the livestream room’s popularity skyrocketed, becoming the number one on the website.
13 million viewers.
Cheng Che just casually played games, only playing marksman and nothing else.
At the beginning, the comments were like: [“Clear is amazing”] and similar ones.
[“Hahaha, Clear, I’m here. Catch me quickly!”]
[“Watching Clear makes me confident: Hi, husband! Hello, husband! Pay attention to me, husband!”]
[“Why pay attention to your husband? You should pay attention to me.”]
[“Stars’ merchandise is so cute.”]
There were fans of girlfriends and wives, but the livestream room was filled mostly with silly and humorous chatters.
[“Clear: wrnlm.”]
[“Hahaha, Clear, I want to hear you say this out loud.”]
[“How did you come up with that, you clever little devil?”]
[“Clear is awesome.”]
Cheng Che wasn’t interested in these chat messages. When he played games and started the livestream, he would mostly focus on the gameplay and say very few words, except for a “thank you” when receiving gifts.
Lin Xingling was even more silent like a true gentleman observing a chess game.
Occasionally, a few people would ask him where his dad (Stars) was, but they would be instantly drowned in the sea of barrage, and Cheng Che couldn’t see them.
Everything was harmonious.
Until someone suddenly appeared.
“Welcome TG-lava to the livestream room.”