Chapter 59.2

“Your delay doesn’t just affect your own time. It includes five minutes for each of your five teammates. If we had a scheduled practice match with another team, your delay would impact the time of ten individuals…”

Duan Wenzheng interrupted him. “So I’m an hour late?”

Wen Yen didn’t speak. Duan Wenzheng continued, “Don’t you know why I’m late?”

The tension between the two was palpable, resembling daggers drawn. On the sidelines, Xue Lan pondered whether he should steer the conversation in a different direction. However, his keen ears caught the contents of their exchange, prompting him to perk up his ears.

Yet, neither of them seemed inclined to prolong the conversation. They both logged into the game, gearing up for the impending training session.

Typically, Zhou Kanqing would be the one to speak up at this juncture, but given his subdued mood today, Xue Lan had no choice but to seek out Qi Siyu on the side.

Qi Siyu explained in a low voice, “I heard them arguing last night. It seems Reset returned to the room very late, and the Captain didn’t open the door. He only let him in after he made a fuss for a long time.”

Xue Lan nodded earnestly.

He glanced back at Wen Yan and Duan Wenzheng, both wearing somber expressions, before withdrawing his gaze, lost in contemplation.

It looked like they had not reconciled with each other, but today was Meng Qi’s departure, and Duan Wenzheng would move out of Wen Yan’s room. So wouldn’t their… cold war be prolonged?

Xue Lan discreetly stored this incident in his heart. When the day’s training concluded, seizing the opportunity while Wen Yan escorted Meng Qi and Duan Wenzheng remained in the training room, Xue Lan stealthily slipped into Wen Yan’s room. He left a bottle of drink on Wen Yan’s desk that he had bought along with other snacks.

“Honorable Captain, thank you for looking after me. Please give me your advice in the future. —Reset.”

With care, he retrieved the written message in his arms and cautiously slid it under the beverage.

“Honorable Captain” was Duan Wenzheng’s pet name for Wen Yan in the original work. Xue Lan, gratified, looked at the beverage on the desk.

Although not a grand gesture, Wen Yan paid little heed to formalities. If he discovered that Duan Wenzheng, who often engaged in arguments with him, had secretly purchased a beverage to express gratitude upon his moving out… Wen Yan’s perception of Duan Wenzheng would certainly shift!

Given Wen Yan’s personality, he wouldn’t bring this up with Duan Wenzheng. Instead, he would silently keep a close eye on Duan Wenzheng, offering subtle care and support!

Xue Lan stealthily exited Wen Yan’s room, appearing as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

After the group training, it was time for solo training.

As Xue Lan was pulled into playing a ranked match with Qi Siyu, the training room door suddenly swung open during their third round. Wen Yan, having just seen Meng Qi off, had returned.

Initially, Xue Lan had presumed that Wen Yan wouldn’t return to training immediately after seeing Meng Qi off. After all, dealing with a teammate’s retirement was not something that left anyone with a calm heart. Yet, when Xue Lan caught sight of Wen Yan entering the training room, clutching the beverage Xue Lan had left in his room, his eyes lit up with instant brightness.

True to Xue Lan’s observation, Wen Yan passed by Duan Wenzheng and silently made his way to his seat. He casually placed the beverage beside his computer.

Zhou Kanqing noticed Wen Yan’s entrance, and his gaze fixed on the beverage placed beside the computer. He said, doubtful, “A-Yan, I thought you didn’t like beverages?”

Xue Lan was perplexed. The original work didn’t specify whether Wen Yan liked beverages or not. If Wen Yan truly had a dislike for beverages, could it be that he didn’t appreciate this gift from Duan Wenzheng?

Wen Yan turned on the computer and casually answered, “I started drinking them recently.”

Xue Lan breathed a silent sigh of relief, feeling a surge of unbidden elation wash over him.

But at this moment, Wen Yan suddenly called out, “Reset.”

Xue Lan tensed up.

Duan Wenzheng was engrossed in a solo match. Nonchalantly removing part of his headphones to respond, Wen Yan’s gaze fixated on him. After a prolonged silence that left Xue Lan in suspense, Wen Yan finally spoke. “Practice a lot of solo matches. Nian-ge wants both you and me to play together in the new season.”

“Mn.”

“Your rapid sniper shot was impressive last time, but this skill isn’t easily mastered. You need to practice a lot.”

By discreetly eavesdropping with heightened attention, Xue Lan felt a wave of relief. It seemed Wen Yan had indeed started to look out for Duan Wenzheng! However, Duan Wenzheng, engrossed in his game, seemed oblivious to Wen Yan’s guidance and reminders. Perplexed, he turned to glance at Wen Yan seated nearby, before offering a response.

“Understood.”

Everything appeared to be heading toward a positive development. As Xue Lan’s game finished loading, he swiftly configured his game setup when he suddenly heard Wen Yan speak —

“Exist.”

“Here!” Upon hearing his name called out, Xue Lan swiftly responded, turning to face Wen Yan with a touch of nervousness. “What is it, Captain?”

“You have more solo practice time to play ranked matches. The chip level can only rise through those matches. In the initial phases of professional competitions, the slight disparities in chip levels might not seem significant. However, they hold particular importance, especially in the finals.”

“I understand.” Xue Lan internally breathed a sigh of relief.

Wen Yan unscrewed the bottle cap, taking a sip before setting it back on the table. Raising his gaze, he fixed his eyes on Xue Lan.

“Also —”

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