Chapter Text
A bit more than a week had passed since the conclusion of the world championships, and ZGDX had been given two weeks off to “rest and recuperate” as Xiao Rui said. Despite that, the reigning world champions could still be found at their computer table, albeit with a twist – none of them were playing their usual positions. Tong Yao was on Lu Sicheng’s lap playing ADC with his guidance, Lu Yue was playing Support while sitting in his favourite seat (Tong Yao’s), Xiao Pang was the Jungler, Lao K the Topsolo, and Lao Mao the Midsolo. They really were a bunch of internet addicts. League of Legends was not just their work, but their fun too.
“Wah, Xiaojiejie maybe you should change to ADC next season” exclaimed Xiao Pang as the enemy nexus exploded, causing Lu Sicheng to raise an eyebrow.
“Hmmm…maybe” giggled Tong Yao mischievously.
“Win in a solo against my Kalista first” came the cold reply from her beloved.
“Never mind then” choked out Tong Yao. She got chills from the thought of playing one-on-one with her captain using the champion he rose to fame with, knowing what an absolute beast Lu Sicheng was with that champion. “Besides Little Dubhe is next in line after Cheng-ge” she continued, looking up at the second floor, where the B team was currently training.
While the season was practically over for the major league teams, it hadn’t officially ended yet, and the minor league still had a few ongoing competitions. The B team was playing in one that very weekend, in order to give their mid more competition experience. As such, while their seniors messed around, the B team were training as hard as ever.
“Another match?” asked Lao Mao
“Sure, but I don’t want to play Support anymore. Shorty can play Support.” replied Lu Yue
“No thanks, I still have trauma from playing Support at the world championships” complained Tong Yao, shivering at the memories
“I’ll play Support” sighed Lao K, as they loaded up another match.
Xiao Rui chose to appear at this moment. “You guys know you’re on holiday right?” he exclaimed, touched by their sudden desire to ‘train’.
“Which is why we’re not playing our usual positions” replied Xiao Pang
“Eh, Cheng-ge, since everyone else is so busy, and you’re not, why don’t you go upstairs and help train the B team” started Xiao Rui
“Oh. But I’m very busy.” said Lu Sicheng, smiling lazily while indicating at the girl sitting in his lap.
“……that’s not busy” came Xiao Rui’s response.
“If I move now, I’ll disrupt the match.” Lu Sicheng countered.
“Then you can both come up after this match finishes” said Xiao Rui, with a triumphant smile. “The B team mid could use a few pointers from the world champion mid after all”
“Hey, I’m a world champion mid too!” exclaimed Lu Yue
“Are you volunteering to work?” said Xiao Rui with a smile.
“Never mind. Shorty won more matches anyways” Lu Yue quickly added, not wanting the extra work
Tong Yao wasn’t sure whether to be happy about Lu Yue conceding to her, or whether to be angry at how quickly he threw her under the bus. Nevertheless, the match ended and both her and Lu Sicheng were pushed up to the second floor to assist with the youngsters.
“Hi everyone” said Tong Yao sheepishly as her and Lu Sicheng shuffled over to where Ming-shen was standing. The 5 teens looked up briefly in acknowledgement, before returning to their match.
Despite the supposed holiday, Tong Yao ended up spending the next 4 hours standing behind the B team mid, giving instructions, comments, and pointers, as the teen looked half in awe that the Smiling was talking to him. Really, although she acknowledged that she had barely said a word to the B team mid prior to this, the teen was acting as though they hadn't been living under the same roof for the past few months. Lu Sicheng on the other hand, lingered behind Dubhe, with Ming-shen by his side. He would whisper to Ming-shen throughout the games, leaning forward every once in a while to comment on the ever so annoyed Dubhe’s performance. This teen was definitely not enamoured of the legendary Chessman.
At the end of the 4 hours, Ming-shen shut the folder he was holding, and declared “I think that’s enough for now. Let’s go get some dinner”. With his declaration, the 5 tired and hungry teens cast aside their headphones and made headway for the stairs, while the couple turned to look at each other, Tong Yao with a look of exasperation, and Lu Sicheng with the smile reserved specifically for her.
“You’ve worked hard” he said, patting her head.
“The new mid…has potential but he lacks confidence, so he tends to hesitate, which can often mean he misses his chance, or makes a mistake” she sighed.
“A work in progress. Not everyone is as good as you as soon as they come onto the professional scene” said Lu Sicheng, causing her to blush slightly. “He definitely has potential, if not we wouldn’t have recruited him. But there’s no doubt that he needs a lot of work.” he added, taking hold of Tong Yao’s hand and pulling her towards the stairs, in the direction of dinner.
The lovebirds arrived at the table, to find almost everyone already seated.
“Where’s Rui ge?” questioned Tong Yao, noting the A team manager's absence as she sat down in the chair that her captain had pulled out for her.
“There.” came Lu Yue’s reply, flicking his chin in the direction of the window, where Xiao Rui was currently standing, engrossed in a phone call.
“Glad to know that he’s working too, and not just making us work” said Tong Yao, in a joking manner.
"What working?" asked Lao Mao "I had a particularly leisurely afternoon."
Tong Yao gave Lao Mao a look that said 'do you want me to go over there and strangle you', causing Lao K to laugh.
"Don't tease her. She's turning into a pufferfish" said Lu Sicheng, patting Tong Yao's head, and causing her to shift the target of her glare to him.
"Lu Sicheng." she huffed
He pushed the bowl of food that he'd just dished out towards her and handed her a pair of chopsticks. "Stop glaring or you'll get wrinkles. There. Eat."
With another huff, she took the chopsticks and tucked in.
Then, Xiao Rui’s call ended, and he walked up to the table, with a particular glimmer in his eyes.
“Wah Rui ge, did the company just offer you a pay raise? You’re look like you're in a good mood” said Lao K
“I wish…” sighed Xiao Rui, dreaming of the extra cash. He really doesn’t get paid enough to put up with the antics of the members of ZGDX. Snapping out of it, he put his announcer's voice on and called “Everybody, listen up”
At that, everybody present perked up, turning to listen.
“I just got a call about the All-Star Championships”