Chapter 84
Whenever this topic came up in the past, an argument was inevitable. Now that they were discussing it so calmly, and Father Shen even showed a bit of understanding of the esports circle, Shen Yanjin felt somewhat flattered.
He involuntarily sat up straight and nodded. “I have. After retiring, I want to stay with the team as a coach.”
Shen Yanjin had pondered this question many times. After joining KW, his frequent discussions with Mao Qiude about tactics and character synergy had helped him find a bit of direction.
In the eyes of the older generation, the esports circle was just another synonym for not doing an honest job.
“Esports coach” sounded a bit more legitimate, but to the elderly, it probably sounded like the ringleader nurturing a new generation of internet-addicted teenagers.
But Father Shen pondered for a while, then nodded heavily. “Good. Since youâve decided, then work hard at it. You don’t need to worry about family matters.”
He had actually approved of Shen Yanjin’s choice.
Shen Yanjin hadn’t expected such an answer. It was a complete turnaround. He couldn’t control his look of surprise. “Dad?”
Mother Shen added from the side, “Your dad and I went to watch your match today.”
Shen Yanjin found this even more incredible. His parents were people who didn’t even go online. Today they suddenly came to watch his match? After the shock passed, the more he thought about it, the more he felt this wasn’t something his parents would do.
So, Shen Yanjin asked hesitantly, “Dad, Mom, did… someone ask you to come?”
What he didn’t see was the trace of guilt that flashed through his parents’ eyes after he asked this question.
After meeting Duan Mingyue that day and getting the tickets, they realized that for other esports players, it was common for family and friends to attend matches. Not everyone was like themârefusing to see their child for five years because of disapproval.
Family had never attended. As for friendsâMother Shen had some contact with Lu Hui, so she naturally knew that those friends Shen Yanjin once got along with so well and cherished deeply had also lost contact with him for five years.
When he was little, they constantly arranged everything for Shen Yanjinâs future, thinking this was protection, thinking it was for his own good. And the result?
A child who lived in a greenhouse since childhood suddenly entered society with no protection, completely blind to the world. And so, five years later, out of heartache, they made the same mistake again. They felt that what Shen Yanjin was doing out there was all messy, dishonest work. Without considering Shen Yanjinâs thoughts at all, they insisted on their own way, believing that having him return home under their protection was better.
It wasn’t until they came to watch in person today that they realized how ridiculously wrong that idea was.
Mother Shen quickly raised her hand to wipe the corner of her eye and didn’t hide it. “I contacted your captain once. He gave me the tickets.”
Captain?
Duan Mingyue?
Shen Yanjinâs pupils constricted slightly, and his heart skipped a beat. His spine stiffened. In his panic, he wanted to stand up, but quickly sat back down. For no reason, he felt a wave of agitation. How did Duan Mingyue know about this? When did this happen?
He subconsciously wanted to seek the help of nicotine, but touching his pocket, he remembered he had promised Duan Mingyue to quit smoking. He hadn’t touched it for a long time, so naturally, he didn’t carry cigarettes.
Rubbing his brow, Shen Yanjin said, “He… did he contact you proactively?”
Mother Shen said, “We contacted him first.”
Shen Yanjin opened his mouth but couldn’t speak, instead burying his face deeply in his palms.
This was terrible.
Every time he tried to hide something from Duan Mingyue, he always ended up making it worse.
And Duan Mingyue had learned bad habits too. From being open at the start, he had shifted to secretly handling everything behind Shen Yanjinâs back, waiting for him to discover it himself.
He calmed down for a moment and lifted his face. “And then? You met?”
Mother Shen knew what she did wasn’t quite right. Seeing Shen Yanjin looking like he took a heavy blow, she said, “En, he said he wanted to talk in person. He came to Bincheng, gave us the tickets, and asked us to watch your match before making a decision.” At this point, she smiled bitterly. “After coming today, we finally understood one thing: you have your own life and dreams. We should let go.”
These words were too reasonable. Logically speaking, it was almost impossible to hear them from his old-fashioned parents.
Shen Yanjin felt like he was in a dream.
Duan Mingyue flew from Cloud City to Bincheng and met his parents. Such a huge thing, yet he managed to do it without leaving a trace, keeping Shen Yanjin completely in the dark.
He abruptly stood up from his chair.
“I…” Shen Yanjin clutched his phone. “I want to go back.”
He wanted to see Duan Mingyue right now, more than anything.
Father Shen and Mother Shen didn’t stop him and stood up as well.
Just as they were about to leave the private room, Father Shen suddenly said, “Is that the man you once said you liked to death?”
Shen Yanjinâs hand trembled, and he failed to pull the door open on the first try.
Mother Shen walked over, opened the door, and said, “Your dad and I couldn’t accept it at first, but later we slowly understood… Is it him?”
Shen Yanjinâs emotions were stirred repeatedly. He nodded silently, the tips of his ears turning red.
Father Shen said, “Bring him home someday. Let’s meet formally.”
After speaking, he put on his coat and strode out the restaurant’s front door.
Mother Shen paid the bill, saw Father Shen had already left, and stomped her foot. “Sigh, this old man, walking off by himself again.” She turned her head and smiled at Shen Yanjin. “About the past, Mom was wrong. Don’t be angry anymore. In the future… come home and visit more often.”
Shen Yanjin said, “Okay.”
He stood there, watching his parents’ retreating figures. Countless emotions ran wild in his chest, urgently needing an outlet.
Reaching out to hail a taxi, Shen Yanjin gave the name of the hotel where the team was staying.
Even though his heart was so urgent he couldn’t wait a moment longer, he didn’t think to call first.
What he wanted wasn’t a voice. Or rather, not just a voice.
Shen Yanjin bit his lip and urged, “Driver, please drive faster.”
Seeing his anxious face and the destination being a hotel, the driver couldn’t help but tease, “Going to see your girlfriend?”
Shen Yanjin smiled. “It’s a boyfriend.”
The driverâs scrutinizing gaze was strange. Such a look used to make Shen Yanjin uneasy and afraid, but now, he didn’t care at all. He only wanted to see the person in his heart as soon as possible.
The hotel room was on the sixteenth floor. From this height, one could easily trample the city’s neon lights underfoot.
Duan Mingyue was reviewing matches of other teams. Hearing the doorbell, he paused the video and looked through the peephole.
Outside, the young man was panting slightly, as if he had run all the way.
Shen Yanjin had indeed run.
The door opened, and warm light spilled from the crack onto the corridor. The room was very warm. Duan Mingyue wasn’t wearing a jacket, only a thin shirt buttoned all the way to just below his Adam’s apple. The outline of his muscles was faintly visibleâan alluring hook hidden within the abstinence.
Their eyes met, and everything was understood without words.
Shen Yanjin threw himself forward, kissing the man’s lips urgently, with unprecedented passion.
The door closed behind him and locked.
Duan Mingyueâs hand pressed on the young man’s waist, gently indulging his wild behavior.
The originally neat shirt was rumpled, and a few buttons came undone.
From the doorway to the bed, until their breathing gradually calmed, Duan Mingyue pulled out a few tissues and wiped his fingers unhurriedly. “Have you eaten? Want to order a late-night snack?”
Shen Yanjin buried himself in the blanket, revealing only his flushed cheeks. “No need.” He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Thank you.”
Duan Mingyue didn’t respond, only leaning down to kiss his face. “It’s good that things are cleared up.”
Shen Yanjin said shyly, “My mom and dad also asked you to come home with me to sit when you have time.”
This surprised Duan Mingyue. He paused and said, “Your parents figured out our relationship?” He recalled for a moment; he shouldn’t have revealed any clues.
Shen Yanjin was a bit embarrassed. “I came out to them before.”
Duan Mingyueâs mind worked quickly. “…That time?”
Shen Yanjin smiled, propping himself up on the bed to kiss Duan Mingyue. “It’s all in the past.”
Duan Mingyue was silent for a moment, finally smiling with relief. “En.”
It was very late, and they had messed around again. Having not rested well this morning due to catching the flight, after a simple wash-up, Shen Yanjin sank drowsily into the soft pillows and blankets. Half-asleep, he heard Duan Mingyue say, “Goodnight.”
He mumbled a goodnight back and immediately fell into a dream.
Back at the base the next day, after the routine review meeting, Mao Qiude put the schedule on the screen.
The preseason had entered its second half. KW had played against powerhouses in the first half; the second half would be more relaxed and pleasantâeither free wins or mediocre teams with no achievements.
And now, KW remained undefeated, far ahead on the leaderboard. This meant that as long as nothing went wrong, not only was their playoff spot secure, but they would also take the first top-four spot directly as the number one seed.
The closer to success, the more careful one must be. Mao Qiude repeatedly warned them not to relax and let the cooked duck fly away.
On the way back to the training room, Kai looked quite happy, grabbing Tans and chatting non-stop. The general idea was that playing one less match allowed them to keep more trump cards hiddenâa huge profit.
And because of the format, even if KW slipped up and got eliminated in the top four, there was still the resurrection bracket to play.
Faced with such great benefits, spirits were naturally high. Kai was full of heroic spirit, declaring he would add two hours of extra training daily to show his resolve.
Tans looked at his phone expressionlessly, pressing “Snatch Landlord” and “Super Double.”
Getting no response, Kai felt bored and fell back a step to talk to Shen Yanjin. “Sliver, a piece of TWG gossip concerning your son.”
Shen Yanjinâs mouth twitched. Shi Fengâs “Daddy” back then had shocked the heavens and moved the earth; now everyone knew Shen Yanjin had a good son about his age. He said, “What?”
Kai said, “TWG played FTKâs third game today and swapped their Mid Laner.”
Shen Yanjinâs eyelid jumped. Remembering the ranked match last time, a guess popped up in his heart.
As if to confirm his guess, Kai continued, “The Mid Laner was Aiai.”
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