Wei Xiao would never tell anyone about Lu Feng’s shoulder.

He understood the gravity of the matter and knew how serious it was.

The more he knew, the more he understood, and the more clearly he could see the burden that was on Close’s shoulders.

The responsibility of a top player, the pressure of a club manager, the unwillingness of a captain who’d failed to get any achievements in the global competition for three years…

There was too much there, it was too heavy.

Even someone as strong as Lu Feng would still be hurt by this.

When Wei Xiao thought of this, his eyes grew red.

He’d held back his tears all day, and he could no longer hold back his tears now, when nobody else was there.

He felt heartache for the captain and felt sorry for himself.

The sense of powerlessness hit him in the face, covering Wei Xiao’s eyes like a thick fog.

What to do?

After playing in this year’s competition, would the captain be able to continue?

After winning the championship, would the captain have to retire?

He was only 21 years old, so young. To just…

Wei Xiao thought of himself from two years ago, and an even stronger wave of negative emotions swept over his entire person.

If he’d joined the team earlier, the captain wouldn’t have ended up like this.

If he hadn’t run away, he and the captain could’ve taken on this responsibility together.

If…

But there was no ‘if’.

Infinite regret couldn’t be traded in to reverse time.

What’s more, even if they went back to two years ago, would Wei Xiao be able to get rid of the haze left by his grandmother’s death? Would he have been able to open his mind up to the game? Would he have been able to play his part?

Nothing was certain.

Wei Xiao’s chest felt blocked, and he just felt that fate was constantly joking with him.

Why did he have that kind of parents?

Why did fate have to take away his grandmother?

Why couldn’t they even let off the captain who’d been so good to him?

Wei Xiao had lived for so many years, and he tried his best to be worthy of everyone, striving to do everything well. Why did he always have to encounter such unforgiving disasters?

“Captain…” Wei Xiao called out softly, his heart feeling like it was being stabbed by countless knives.

The sweetest form of address, the warmest low murmur, the name that had given him infinite power…

Now, it had all turned to fear.

Fear of losing.

Fear of being alone.

Fear of the happiness that hadn’t been easy to obtain slipping right through his fingers.

Wei Xiao trembled slightly, hugging his knees and curling up in the e-sports chair.

He would become Close for the captain’s sake.

He would do the things that Close could do.

But…

He missed Close, he missed him so much.

Tears blurred his line of sight, and Wei Xiao couldn’t see what Yuan Ze had typed out on the screen clearly.

Until his phone rang…

The strange number stunned him for a moment.

Wei Xiao wiped away his tears, then picked it up politely, “Hello.”

There was a pause on the other side, followed by the sound of a man whose voice had traces of careless laziness, “Crying?”

Wei Xiao: “……”

From the other side of the phone Yuan Ze seemed to know what he wanted to do, “If you hang up the phone, it means that you really are crying.”

Wei Xiao blanked out his voice, “How did Captain Yuan get my phone number?”

Yuan Ze’s ears were very sharp. While he might be very dog-like when he normally teased this little child, when he really sensed that his mood might not be right, he was also extremely perceptive, “I got it from Old G.”

During the winter training camp, Wei Xiao and Gary had gotten more and more familiar with each other, especially after playing several training matches together. So, they’d ended up exchanging contact information.

At the time, Wei Xiao had told Old G, “Don’t give my phone number to your captain.”

Gary: “Mmkay!”

Old Dog Yuan really wasn’t a human being. He’d even taught a big grown man who was 1.86 meters tall to use ‘mmkay’ – didn’t his conscience hurt?!

Now, it seemed that one would really be influenced by the company they kept; Old G had said ‘mmkay’, but he’d also been equally quick to sell him out.

Wei Xiao breathed lightly, then said, “Is there something you need, Captain Yuan? If not, I’m going to sleep.”

Yuan Ze tsked, “I said a whole pile of things to you in our private messages, didn’t you read them?”

Only then did Wei Xiao look at his computer screen. Sure enough, when he opened up the private chat channel, it was packed densely with words from Yuan Ze––

“Hold on, don’t get seduced by your captain. He actually wants to play in the singles competition more than anyone else.”

“I tricked Old Xie, and he’ll definitely sign up this year. If Close doesn’t come, then us big brothers will be one short.”

“Be good, little friend, let your captain have the opportunity this time.”

It was alright when Wei Xiao didn’t read it, but after he saw it, the sourness in his heart couldn’t be suppressed anymore.

He wanted to play more than anyone else.

Xie He would sign up.

Short one person.

Wei Xiao closed his eyes briefly, “I know.”

The psychology books that Yuan Ze had read weren’t read for nothing. Although it wasn’t useful for dealing with Close, it could still be used to fool little children at this time.

“What, did you have a fight with your captain?”

Wei Xiao: “……”

Yuan Ze laughed, “If you can fight with him, it means that he attaches importance to you.”

Wei Xiao couldn’t pick up the thread of the conversation, but he also didn’t hang up the phone. He wanted to hear more about the captain, and he was eager to learn more about the captain.

And Yuan Ze was undoubtedly a good candidate for this information.

Yuan Ze’s voice was careless, and his choice of words weren’t serious, but he was actually speaking the human language for once.

“You, hey, don’t get fooled by your captain, don’t believe everything he says.”

“No matter how strong Close is, he’s not absolutely perfect.”

“Since you want to stay by his side, you should learn how to fill in the gaps.”

“That Crazy Guy and Old Soup can’t do it. Those two used to idolize Close blindly.”

“No matter which club it is, it’s not a good thing to have one person deciding everything.”

“Everyone’s human, and we all make mistakes.”

Wei Xiao was stunned and dazed when he read all this. The dense haze that was gathered in his chest started to show signs of loosening up.

He couldn’t tell which sentence from Yuan Ze had touched him, but he’d really helped pry out the huge stone weighing down on his heart.

The captain was human, too.

The captain could make mistakes, too.

The captain’s decisions weren’t always right.

Wei Xiao felt a shock in his heart, and something seemed to explode in his brain.

He couldn’t quite catch it, but he could see the light.

It was a ray of hot sunshine that broke through the dark clouds.

Yuan Ze’s words became less and less serious, “If you guys really can’t get along, there’s no need to force it. How about leaving Close and running into my embrace?”

Wei Xiao came back to his senses.

Yuan Ze was still yakking on, “Look at how he made you cry. Come to big brother, I promise to make you smile every day.”

Wei Xiao opened his mouth, “Captain Yuan.”

Yuan Ze could tell that his tone had evened out, “Hm?”

Wei Xiao: “Let me tell you something.”

Yuan Ze’s eyes brightened, “Yeah?”

Wei Xiao: “Don’t love me, it’s useless unless you’re Close.”

Yuan Ze: “…………………” F*ck!

After hanging up the phone, Wei Xiao felt a little grateful to Yuan Ze in his heart.

But to say thank you?

Sorry, but that old beast didn’t deserve it!

Yeah, he only deserved to be beaten by the captain until his head was bleeding in the competition arena!

Wei Xiao wiped his tears and jumped down from the e-sports chair.

To hell was being dazed.

Crying could also go to hell!

How would that solve anything!

God loved to play around with him, right?

Then, he would tell God that he was no longer the three year old sitting at the door waiting for his parents. He was no longer the one who had been afraid and in despair when his grandmother died!

He was the Quiet who had a promising future, FTW’s miracle soldier, and the man who was a match made in heaven with Close!

This time, he wasn’t going to wait, he wasn’t going to leave any regrets, and he wasn’t going to avoid it.

This time, he was going to control his own destiny!

Wei Xiao refused to accept it!

He wanted to know more, he wanted to understand more, and he wanted to find solutions.

The captain didn’t want to give up the game, the captain wanted to take part in the solo competition, and the captain also wanted to fight against his true opponents.

Since that was the case, he would help him find a way!

Wei Xiao looked at the time.

It was half past six in the morning. Too early.

Doctor Chen definitely hadn’t started work yet.

Wait a bit… he’d just wait a bit longer. These two hours didn’t make any difference.

It was impossible for Wei Xiao to sleep. He sat in the training room, and every second felt like a year.

Wei Xiao logged into the game and continued to solo queue and rank up in points.

Under this extremely urgent mood, his game play level was also a little abnormal and far less ruthless than he’d been over the previous day and night.

When it was almost eight o’clock, he suddenly got up. He clearly hadn’t heard anything, nor did he see anything, but he seemed to have sensed something.

Wei Xiao tossed aside the mouse and went to the window.

The training room faced south, and it just so happened to overlook the base’s canyon garden.

Wei Xiao saw Soybean’s black and white figure, and he also saw the captain dressed in his black running clothes.

He was too far away and could only see a vague figure of the captain’s back.

The sun came up very late in winter mornings. The thin sunlight that seemed unable to press back the cold winter landed lightly on Lu Feng’s shoulder.

Gentle, but cruel.

Wei Xiao’s heart clenched and he closed the curtains.

It was definitely possible.

There had to be a way.

The captain’s body was so strong, his work and rest schedule was so regular, and he adhered to exercise so strenuously. How could he lose to this damned injury!

Waiting seemed to take forever.

Over these two hours, Wei Xiao had basically checked the time every time he died, checked the time after every game, and finally, he couldn’t bear it anymore and simply closed the game to stare at the clock.

The clock pointer finally landed on 29, and Wei Xiao really couldn’t wait that last minute. He picked up the phone and dialed through to Doctor Chen.

Wei Xiao didn’t dare to say it directly, but he asked vaguely about cures for occupational diseases.

Doctor Chen understood what he was asking as soon as she heard it. She knew about Lu Feng’s shoulder injury.

As FTW’s ‘imperial’ physiotherapist, she was also Lu Feng’s physiotherapist.

“Did your captain tell you?”

Wei Xiao paused when he heard these words.

Doctor Chen liked Wei Xiao a lot. A lively and lovely young man like him easily stimulated her maternal instincts.

Wei Xiao didn’t try to dodge it and asked her bluntly, “Doctor Chen, is it possible to cure the captain’s shoulder?”

His heart jumped up to his throat when he said these words.

He’d never been so nervous in his life. He hadn’t been this nervous even when his college entrance examination results had been announced.

A long time later.

Or maybe it was just half a second.

But this was already so long that Wei Xiao couldn’t tell the time clearly.

Doctor Chen’s gentle voice rang out in his ear, “Lu Feng’s shoulder situation is very special. It’s not a simple strain, but rather, it was… in short, this situation can be cured, but it requires systematic rehabilitation and treatment. Optimistically speaking, it can be completely cured in two or three months.”

Wei Xiao was stunned.

He could hear every word and understood every word, but he didn’t dare to believe it. He was afraid that he was just dreaming!

Wei Xiao found his own voice again and asked anxiously, “Really? Doctor Chen, don’t lie to me, the captain’s shoulder can really be cured, right?!”

He couldn’t control his voice, and his pitch grew higher as he spoke.

Doctor Chen could feel his excitement and just felt that this child was really warm. It was no wonder that Lu Feng valued him so much, “I’m not sure about the specifics. I’ll have to do a detailed examination before making a plan…”

Wei Xiao bit down on his lower lip, “Thank you.”

He repeated these words from the bottom of his heart, “Thank you!”

After hanging up the phone, Wei Xiao couldn’t even wait another second. He dialed Lu Feng’s cell phone, “Captain…” There was a trace of crying that he couldn’t keep from his voice.

Lu Feng had just come out of the bathroom. His eyebrows furrowed, “What’s the matter?”

Wei Xiao: “Where are you?”

Lu Feng hadn’t yet opened his mouth when Wei Xiao asked again, “In your room?”

Lu Feng: “Yes.”

Wei Xiao didn’t even hang up the phone. He was too impatient to wait for the elevator, and directly climbed up from the second floor to the fifth floor.

He was out of breath by the time he opened up the door to Lu Feng’s room.

Lu Feng had gotten dressed. He came over to support him, “What’s the matter?”

Wei Xiao’s forehead was covered in sweat. The hand holding Lu Feng’s arm trembled slightly, and his speech was interrupted with intermittent gasping, “Doctor Chen… she….”

Lu Feng understood.

Wei Xiao looked up. His pair of eyes were brighter than the sun outside, “She told me that your shoulder can be cured!”

Lu Feng: “…….”

Wei Xiao stared straight at him, “It’ll only take two to three months. You can recover completely in two to three months!”

Lu Feng raised his hand and gently brushed aside the sweaty hair over his forehead, “But for these two to three months, I would have to stay at the hospital.”

Wei Xiao froze.

Lu Feng continued, “I won’t be able to play a single game in these two to three months.”

This was a difficult problem for Lu Feng

Recovering from his shoulder injury would only take two to three months.

But he didn’t have that long.

Lu Feng had known about this half a year ago, but he couldn’t leave.

He was FTW’s captain, the core of the team, and the head of the entire club.

If he left for two months, there would be no FTW by the time he came back.

His shoulder would be healed, but he would have nothing.

Lu Feng spoke gently to Wei Xiao, “So, you don’t need to worry. My shoulder injury really isn’t that serious.”

He continued, “It’s just giving up the singles competition. I’ve already won three titles. It’s enough.”

Wei Xiao stared at him without blinking, “One regular season.”

Lu Feng stilled.

Wei Xiao clenched his fists, “It’s only one regular season, and you’ll be able to recover completely!”

“The registration time for the singles and doubles competition is in the playoffs.”

Glory’s competition system went like this. The competitions in each competition zone were divided into the regular season, the playoffs, and the divisional finals.

The regular season only had 5v5 games.

The singles and doubles competitions didn’t require a cycle for gaining points. It was a BO1 elimination game right off the bat, so the lead up time was very short and the top eight could be determined in just a few days.

So, the real registration time for the singles and doubles competition took place after the regular season!

Wei Xiao looked at him and repeated in a voice that was almost pleading, “Captain, it’s only one regular season!”

If he missed out on one regular season, the recovered Close could take part in the singles, the doubles, and 5v5!

In the 2021 global finals, Close could reunite with his old teammates, fight to the bitter end, and leave no regrets behind!

Lu Feng’s heart beat very fast. With Wei Xiao looking at him like this, he was almost about to agree.

But…

“What if FTW fails in the regular season?” Lu Feng’s voice was hoarse.

With Close not there, what if FTW toppled in the regular season?

This year’s China competition zone couldn’t be underestimated. Regardless of whether it was RR, TPT, or 3U, they were all extremely fierce.

The number of teams who could make it to the global competition were limited.

The regular season points were crucial, and if FTW lost, they might lose the chance to compete globally.

How could Close give up the long-awaited team competition for the sake of the singles competition?

It was impossible.

FTW needed the team competition championship too much.

Wei Xiao had already calmed down.

He knew all of the captain’s concerns.

The captain’s shoulder could be healed, but he had no time.

At least, during this season, he didn’t have time.

The domestic regular season lasted for nearly three months. If Close left the team to treat his shoulder, then came back, it really didn’t appear to affect anything.

But the premise was that FTW had to obtain good results during the regular season first!

Not just top four in their group, but number one in their group!

Only when they were first in their group could they enter the winners bracket in the playoffs.

Only the winners would have enough points.

The division champion would definitely be selected for the global competition, and the rest of the quota would be allocated based on the point rankings during the entire season.

The regular season, the playoffs, the finals…

It was all linked up. If FTW failed in the regular season, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Lu Feng couldn’t take this risk.

He didn’t want to win another single person championship.

Wei Xiao bowed his head, his voice calmer than ever. “I want to watch you play the singles competition, I want to play the doubles with you, and I want to accompany you to win a third championship!”

Lu Feng’s scalp was turning numb with his words. He lowered his voice, “Wei Xiao…”

Wei Xiao suddenly raised up his head and looked straight into his eyes.

“Don’t you want to? Yuan Ze, Kim Sung-hyun, and Xie He will all sign up for the singles competition. Don’t you want to fight against them?!”

“Don’t you want to play in the doubles? Don’t you want to tell the whole world that Quiet can cooperate with you?!”

“Don’t you want FTW to win a triple championship? Don’t you want us to make history and become legends?!”

Lu Feng couldn’t say a word.

Wei Xiao leaned into him, closed his eyes, and kissed him on the shoulder, “Believe in me.”

For this regular season, I’ll support FTW.

xiin: Old Dog Yuan is useful for once… there’ll be daily releases for Glory from today onwards!

happy new year, everyone! hope 2021 is much better for everyone than 2020 was~