After Kissing the Esports God, He Keeps Flirting With Me Chapter 48

【48】The Seeding Match, The Enemy’s Cool Jungler Blushes at Ran Ran

The opponent for the Seeding Match was Team Feiyu.

Team Feiyu had been on a downward trend this season due to their Jungler transferring away during the last season. Although their rookie Jungler, Nan Xi, was very talented, the team’s synergy hadn’t quite gelled in the short term. Because of the points system, they were forced into this Seeding Match.

However, no one dared to underestimate this team. In the later stages of the round-robin, Team Feiyu’s coordination had visibly improved. Most people still favored Feiyu to win this Seeding Match.

The SPL commentators and many well-known streamers mostly sided with Feiyu.

[Although Feiyu’s performance at the start of the season was indeed a bit lackluster, now that they’ve gelled, Nan Xi will be their sharpest blade. My prediction: Feiyu vs. DS, 4:0.]

[I have high hopes for Nan Xi. He’s the Rookie King Jungler of the season. In an arena where skill does the talking, the Little Jungle King will shine! My prediction: Feiyu vs. DS, 4:1.]

[Feiyu’s captain, Bai Yu, is also a very strong Mid-laner. His assassin mages are excellent. I believe that with Nan Xi’s cooperation, they can take this Seeding Match!]

[While Feiyu’s coordination in recent games has been good, I think the strength of DS’s new Mid-laner cannot be underestimated. Plus, from what we’ve seen, Dawn has a deep hero pool. I don’t think Feiyu will have an easy win. DS has strong momentum right now and is more likely to win. My prediction: DS vs. Feiyu, 4:2.]

To generate buzz, the League organized several small segments where pro players were invited each episode to predict the winner. This Seeding Match had quite a lineup: July from WK and Bu Mie from HG.

“I feel that Dawn has a very strong personal style, but it’s obvious he’s been changing his aggressive playstyle recently to better adapt to the team. I think this is very rare to see in such a short time.” July smiled slightly at the camera. “So, I think DS will take this match.”

July handled these situations with ease. However, when it came to Xiao Huang’s turn, the scene became a bit bizarre. Everyone knew he had conflicted with Dawn on Weibo, and now he had to make a prediction on camera.

Although he really wanted that idiot/dumbass to fail, Xiao Huang watched plenty of other people’s matches. He hadn’t become a famous, top-tier ADC in the league at seventeen for nothing; his ability to judge opponents and his tactical awareness were very strong.

Both teams were improving.

In terms of arena experience, Nan Xi and Dawn were both rookies. Dawn was a pure rookie who had almost zero exposure to formal matches. However, Dawn adapted incredibly fast. If at the beginning he relied purely on mechanics, later on, he consciously coordinated with his teammates. Having played two scrims against Dawn, Xiao Huang knew in his heart that he hadn’t used his full strength—his captain had told him not to expose his true ability to an opponent prematurely—otherwise, he wouldn’t have died so many times.

And Dawn probably hadn’t either.

This was something all the teams tacitly assumed. However, Xiao Huang was certain of one thing: Dawn was stronger than Bai Yu, at least in a direct lane matchup.

Xiao Huang finally spoke his true prediction, though he did so through gritted teeth: “I think… DS will win.”

The host quickly stirred the pot: “Predicting DS… is it because of the friction with Dawn last time? Are you feeling guilty?”

Xiao Huang’s face distorted. Why don’t you ask Brother July over there? Why ask me?!

Mentioning this reminded him of the figurine he had mailed to that little sprayer. That was the first Ultraman he had ever bought, his absolute favorite!

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Although later, that little sprayer sent him a box of specialties from City D—enough to eat for a month—Xiao Huang had been touched and was about to make peace. Then, the sprayer’s WeChat message arrived:

[Received it?]

[You’re welcome. From Daddy to son.]

Damn it!

“What guilt? I just hope to meet him in a match.” Xiao Huang frowned. “After all, he took my very precious ‘first time’ and still wants to take advantage of me.”

The host almost cracked. Can we air this? You’re only seventeen, Xiao Huang!

Her voice trembled slightly: “What precious first time?”

Xiao Huang looked innocent: “My first Ultraman figurine.”

Host: “…”

Tonight was the finals. They had arrived in the city of Feiyu’s home court a day early.

Upon refreshing their feeds, they saw a Weibo post from the opponent’s operations team:

[Shut the door to beat the dog; slicing melons and chopping vegetables.]

They even specifically posted a picture of a pink rose cut into two pieces.

“Holy crap! What do they mean by this?”

Four Leaf Clover was the first to shout. He had a bit of a temper and was very protective of his teammates. Even if he wasn’t familiar with Wen Ran before, after fighting side-by-side for so many matches and living in the adjacent room, Four Leaf Clover long ago considered Wen Ran a good brother.

Although this good brother’s orientation might be different from the masses, Four Leaf Clover felt he had the ability to navigate that risk. He was straight; he feared nothing.

“Who is the dog? And who is the vegetable?”

He slammed the table. “Isn’t Feiyu’s pre-match poster a bit deliberately disgusting?”

He glanced in Wen Ran’s direction. “Isn’t the rose in this picture referring to Dawn?”

The simple-minded Jungler scratched his head. ” Shouldn’t it be a tumor then?”

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Four Leaf Clover: “…”

Wen Ran: “…”

“Bai Yu is a fan of Night Heart, so it’s normal for him to dislike Dawn,” Ivan quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Dawn, you might not know, but Feiyu’s captain, Bai Yu, is a superfan of Night Heart.”

“So he feels you don’t fit Night Heart’s position,” Ivan narrated as tactfully as possible. “Even though we think both you and Night Heart are excellent Mid-laners.”

“He thinks I’m unworthy, right?” Wen Ran didn’t seem affected by the emotion at all. He gently rubbed his wrist. “It’s just a poster. If he thinks I’m unworthy, then I’ll beat him until he’s convinced.”

Four Leaf Clover gave a thumbs up. “Badass!”

“Dawn, you really are the greatest ‘King of Posturing’ I’ve ever seen.” Four Leaf Clover accidentally let it slip. “No wonder your partner is so devoted to you.”

Look at him, a height of 1.72 meters giving off the aura of 7.12 meters. Plus, he knows how to use all sorts of toys, denial play, control, and what-not. He must have the other guy wrapped around his little finger.

Wen Ran: “?”

“I mean, having a boyfriend like you, your partner must be very sex—uh, happy.”

Back home, Jiang Yan, who was sleeping in a separate room to avoid affecting the match (seeing but not able to eat), sneezed violently.

Ivan noticed that Wen Ran took out his phone and typed a few words before entering the arena. Maybe he was telling his partner? Since the two were so sweet and loving, Ivan didn’t think much of it.

The match began.

In the first game’s BP (Ban/Pick), Feiyu let DS’s system through. DS was not polite at all and immediately picked Renling for Wen Ran, the hero he had the highest win rate with.

Hiding strategies and saving trump cards were for facing strong teams. Right now, this was a Seeding Match; naturally, they would grab every point they could get.

Feiyu’s new Jungler, Nan Xi, was truly strong. They picked scoring heroes for him two games in a row. Nan Xi knew how to seize opportunities, and his skill chaining was executed beautifully. Feiyu vs. DS stood at 2:1.

In the fourth game, Wen Ran took the utility mage Aji, while Bai Yu picked a Mid-laner that countered him.

Bai Yu was a veteran player, and his love for Night Heart only fueled his dislike for Wen Ran. After giving a fake vision cue, he hid in the outer river bush to ambush Wen Ran.

“Enemy Mid just showed vision and entered the Blue Zone.”

“Jungler, after you clear the top jungle, come down to the bottom lane with me,” Wen Ran said. “With his current economy, he has the ability to one-shot combo someone. Since he hasn’t appeared in the bot lane yet, there’s a high probability he’s camping me.”

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“I’ll throw a skill to check the brush, you follow me directly.”

Bai Yu, squatting in the grass, waited for Wen Ran’s arrival. But unexpectedly, just as the opponent walked into range—exactly one Flash distance away—he suddenly stood still.

Bai Yu: ?

He didn’t think much of it and immediately Flashed and used his skill to control, planning to burst him down. But Wen Ran seemed to have predicted his attack method. The moment Bai Yu rushed over, Wen Ran also Flashed. Meanwhile, the DS Jungler flanked from behind the Dragon Pit and took Bai Yu out!

So, he had guessed Bai Yu was there all along and deliberately baited his summoner spell?

Bai Yu suddenly realized that this Dawn might really not be as simple as he imagined. Not only that, but playing a utility Mid, he managed to maximize his effectiveness and land full crowd control even while being countered.

When they lost that match, Bai Yu knew in his heart it was a doomed game. Even if they dragged it out, there was no chance for a comeback.

In the following two games, DS maximized this momentum, fighting more fiercely as they went. In the final game, they gave Wen Ran Guiwa (The Ghost Wa). Utilizing an early game advantage, they ended the match in nine minutes and eighteen seconds.

“DS ended the game in such a formidable way in their own match point game! And did you see? Dawn used Guiwa!”

“The last person to use Guiwa this well was DS’s Night Heart. Both DS’s new and old Mid-laners used the same hero to end the game. This is inheritance! This is the esports spirit!”

The commentators were speaking excitedly, but Bai Yu knew clearly in his heart: this Dawn wasn’t showing any “inheritance.” He was demonstrating his power to him.

Bai Yu was a fan of Night Heart, so Dawn used Night Heart’s best hero and the most disgusting method—suppressing the economy—to crush him, just to prove he was stronger than Night Heart.

After the match ended, the team members had to hug to show goodwill.

Wen Ran hugged Bai Yu expressionlessly. Only then did Bai Yu realize this person was so short that he had to bend down.

How was he so ferocious in the game?

Unhappy, Bai Yu quickly ended the hug to move to the next person. At this moment, Wen Ran walked forward and met a very handsome boy.

The opponent’s Jungler, Nan Xi.

He was the cool, aloof type of handsome. He seemed a bit reserved, constantly clenching his hands.

Wen Ran proactively opened his arms, hoping to get this obligatory scene over with quickly.

Then, he felt himself being hugged very gently.

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Nan Xi was tall. He bent down to hug him, making it look like he was enveloping Wen Ran entirely in his embrace. And he seemed reluctant to let go.

Wen Ran was held by him for a full six or seven seconds. The two teammates behind them were petrified with waiting before Nan Xi finally released him.

Wen Ran saw it—he was actually blushing.

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