Chapter 8

Boys often have an inexplicable sense of patriotism

At the Ming side, they are currently checking in. The leader is not present, and apart from Deputy Team Leader Meng Chen leisurely chewing gum, everyone else is in a state of chaos. Without the leader to keep everyone grounded during the competition, there is a sense of unease among the team members

Daming suddenly thought of something and curiously asked: If you do not choose the path of e-sports, what would you choose to do instead

It really is effective, this time I won't move around anymore, sigh—she somewhat dejectedly applied the fever-reducing patch, not giving any chance for a kiss.

He pushed her away with one hand, his tone impatient: "Don't make noise."

I apologize, but I will not be participating

He smiled without saying a word; in fact, which man does not want to be a soldier? Every man must have thought about becoming a soldier at some point

He disdainfully said, "I will still compete even with a stomach bleed"

Meng Chen and Da Ming in the audience were even more excited than he was, as the two brothers embraced and wept bitterly

Finally, after applying the fever-reducing patch, I sat by the bed to rest and casually surveyed his bedroom

Although Xu Jiayan has never mentioned it, the Ming Dynasty has always known how much the leader values this competition. The CPL announced its suspension in 2005 due to financial issues, was acquired by a certain American gaming giant in 2010, and returned in 2011. This year marks the first competition held since its return, and it is also the last official public match of Pot's professional career

"Marigold, are you looking for death?"

Because of that heart

Daming solemnly said to Su Zhan on the other end of the phone: "Sister Su, I entrust the big brother to you, we will compete well."

Cheng Xue increasingly felt that something was off, "What on earth are you doing? Aren't you someone who never steps into the kitchen?"

Xu Jiayan: "Why are you doing this? Do I have a grudge against you?"

As soon as he pushed open the door, Xu Jiayan found that he could not drag the suitcase at all. Turning around, he saw Su Zhan clinging to his suitcase. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You're still running a fever! How are you going to get on the plane like this?"

Meng Chen said that he might become a teacher. Da Ming mocked him, saying with his character, he shouldn't become a teacher, lest he mislead the students.

It truly stirs one's emotions

After speaking, he turned around and left gracefully. The briskness of his departure tonight made Xu Jiayan unable to help but watch for quite a while. It was not until the door across from him slammed shut with a "bang" that he gently pressed his tongue against his cheek and slowly closed the door.

He was asked why he wanted to be a teacher. Meng Chen took a puff of his cigarette and seriously told them, "Students are pure!"

Su Zhan held it in her hand and flipped through it for a while, then discreetly put it back, calmly continuing to search through the refrigerator

His decade of glory will eventually come to an end

Later on, he stopped scolding him. When they met, neither of them paid any attention to the other. Eventually, Xu Jiayan also did not return.

He will probably never forget that scene for the rest of his life

If you don't show your head soon, I will take a bite!

Boss, how are you?

There are WG, the World Championship, ESWC (Electronic Sports World Cup)... In this short period, Su Zhan has watched quite a few videos related to esports, including competitions and some honors. Since esports has only recently been included in national sports events, the Chinese government does not invest much funding in this area, which is far less than that of South Korea and Japan. These two countries allocate a significant portion of their private enterprises' funds each year to invest in the esports industry, yielding substantial returns and placing greater emphasis on it than China. Supporting a team is indeed not easy, especially in the early stages, as it involves player salaries, living expenses, and competition-related costs. However, in the early esports scene, people were not concerned about how much money they could make; they were driven solely by passion to compete. In recent years, competitions have become increasingly commercialized, and teams that do not generate profits are easily eliminated from the market and disbanded. Yet, in the early esports scene, people were not concerned about how much money they could make; they were driven solely by passion to compete. In recent years, competitions have become increasingly commercialized, and teams that do not generate profits are easily eliminated from the market and disbanded.

At that moment, a phone call came in. Su Zhan picked up the phone and glanced at it, saying to Cheng Xue: "I can't talk to you right now, I have a call."

Wait a moment

In the apartment

"I warn you one last time, let go," he said sternly

Hello, have I become your nanny?

She whispered a roar

When Su Zhan knocked on his door, he was in a deep sleep, and no matter how many times Ming called him, he could not be reached, so he called Su Zhan instead. She had an interview at 4 PM and was reviewing her notes. As soon as she answered the phone, Ming said that his boss was missing

In fact, during his senior year, Xu Jiayan secretly enlisted in the military without informing Xu Guozhang. Later, it was somehow conveyed to Xu Guozhang, who immediately brought him back home that very day and confined him for a month, until he abandoned that idea.

Su Zhan held the phone, collected the change, and walked outside: "I have a fever"

She patted him heavily again, "Xu Jiayan, get up, you have a fever"

She retrieved a small square blue bag wrapped in aluminum foil from the narrow gap of the refrigerator

Do not loosen

... ...

Su Zhan ignored her and continued rummaging through the refrigerator, sighing.

... ...

Su Zhan sat by the bed, softly coaxing him to show his face. He ignored her, so Su Zhan forcibly turned his head, only for him to push her hand away with one hand. This back and forth happened several times, and Su Zhan's hand was nearly swollen from the struggle, yet she still had not managed to apply the cooling patch on him

It is a matter that has not even begun to take shape

He is about to retire next year

Not only him, but many people in the team admire him. However, he does not like to communicate with others in private and is not fond of talking. Usually, when he encounters someone on a good day, he might nod at them. Over time, some people began to think he was pretentious. At that time, it was just him and Meng Chen who stuck to him all day. The leader, who initially ignored them, gradually became less resistant and eventually started talking to them. When they came to ask him if he wanted to join, Da Ming was so excited that he almost bit his own tongue. At that time, it was just him and Meng Chen who stuck to him all day. The leader, who initially ignored them, gradually became less resistant and eventually started talking to them. When they came to ask him if he wanted to join, Da Ming was so excited that he almost bit his own tongue.

That night, it was just the three of them, discussing life, the present, the future, and women

The color scheme is consistent with the living room, neither chaotic nor particularly tidy. A few coats are thrown on the sofa, along with a keyboard and mouse. There are several headphones on the desk, and game controllers are piled together. One wall towards the inside is adorned with a full display of medals, while the display case is filled with trophies of various shapes and sizes. The top center of the display case is left empty, with nothing placed there.

She held the thermometer and looked at the person on the bed

Su Zhan helped Xu Jiayan measure his body temperature, which was 40 degrees

Your whole family is made of marigolds

Su Zhan held the pot, turned around to take a glance, and nodded blankly.

Both individuals curiously looked at the pot, who was silently smoking on the side

Xu Jiayan sat on the grass wearing camouflage attire, with a gun placed beside him. One leg was straightened while the other was bent, and his hand rested on his knee. He set aside his usual nonchalance and said earnestly, "Being a soldier"

Su Zhan stood up, placed her hands on her hips, and glared at him for a while. Only then did she go downstairs to buy a thermometer, purchase medicine, and also buy a few boxes of fever-reducing patches. While checking out, she received a call from Da Ming, "Su Xiaomei, have you found the boss?!"

Indeed, Xu Jiayan is now able to support the entire family. The prize money he earns from each match is substantial enough to cover his medical expenses, his salary, and to repay his mortgage. But what does it matter? The father and son are drifting further apart, and their relationship is becoming increasingly strained

He put away the phone and placed it in his pocket, walked to the door to change his shoes, and without turning back said: "San Francisco, please lock the door for me when you go out"

She turned her head to glance at the person sleeping soundly on the bed, feeling a slight warmth in her heart

In just a brief sentence, ten years of glory ignites the passion of the brothers, instantly uplifting their spirits as they raise their arms and shout: "Absolutely!"

Precisely speaking, this wall is likely to bear the dreams of all esports enthusiasts

Su Zhan wanted to throw the pot in her hand over, splashing him with porridge, and shouted at him, "Are you blind?! Can't you see that I am preparing a meal for you?!"

Daming sighed, "What about the competition?"

Is the world of men always so passionate?

... ...

Then, I heard Meng Chen impatiently say from over there, "Why waste so many words with her? Just let her take good care of the boss."

Hoping that one day, he will be able to support the entire family

Xu Guozhang initially scolded him for being worthless, and later criticized him by saying, "What is so great about having a little bit of money?"

Daming hung up the phone, called all the brothers over, and explained: "The boss has a fever and cannot come."

Cheng Xue was anxious, "How could you have a partner and not tell me?"

In the evening, she called Cheng Xue and asked how to cook porridge. Cheng Xue taught her from a distance, wondering why this young lady had started to learn how to cook. Su Zhan did not elaborate much, following her instructions to rinse the rice clean and put it into the rice cooker. She then opened the refrigerator and let Cheng Xue guide her in preparing a light dish to accompany the rice.

Everyone is looking forward to his glorious victory, to clinch this final world championship and complete his "Grand Slam"

... ...

The kitchen is in complete disarray, with pots, bowls, and utensils haphazardly thrown into the sink. On the floor lie several broken eggs, a few vegetable leaves, and some bread crumbs.

At the age of 18, during the winter competition, he secured the first championship of his life, standing calmly on the podium in San Francisco, draped in the national flag and holding the trophy.

At that time, he truly idolized him

After speaking, he turned and returned to the room. When he came out again, he had already changed into a white team uniform, the zipper undone, revealing a black T-shirt underneath. He was holding a down jacket in one hand and dragging a completely black suitcase with the other. Although he appeared to be in much better shape than before, he still looked somewhat unenergetic, with his hair unkempt. He was speaking to someone on the phone, saying, "Help me change my flight to the early morning."

She patted his face and called out to him: "Xu Jiayan."

Without that broken competition, you all cannot survive, can you

He raised his eyebrows and looked at the pot of dark substance, incredulously saying, "Is this thing called porridge?"

Others may not know about Daming, but for pot, being ranked first in the competition is paramount, while everything else takes a backseat

Meng Chen: "I said that if he keeps tormenting himself like this, something will eventually happen."

Su Zhan followed behind him, calling out to him, but he did not respond. It was only then that she realized something was amiss. She reached out to check, and his forehead was so hot it could fry a pancake!

Xu Jiayan's refrigerator is quite empty, containing only a few slices of bread, a couple of eggs, and several cans of milk, yet it is very clean. She stared at the eggs and pondered quietly, "I shouldn't eat eggs if I have a fever, right?"

The space he deliberately left vacant must hold some significant meaning

... ...

Su Zhan slammed the door with a thunderous sound, and Xu Jiayan really came to open the door. With disheveled hair and flushed cheeks from sleep, he didn't care who the visitor was. He opened the door and turned back to the bedroom, diving back into bed and falling into a deep sleep, his tall and slender figure curled up in bed like a large shrimp

It is just that one more, and then it will be complete

Although the boss is not here, we must still help him win this match, right? Ten years of glory is not something everyone can achieve

No one mentions dreams

He felt uncomfortable all over from the cold, and he liked to bury his face in the pillow. Su Zhan was torn between the fear of waking him up and the fear of not being able to wake him up.

She leaned in to observe for a few moments, and almost all she saw were champions, gold medals, and trophies

Meng Chen asked him why he wanted to join the army

Su Zhan called out to him, "Where are you going?"

Xu Jiayan patted her head with both pity and sympathy, saying, "You have grown this big head for nothing."

At the subsequent victory banquet, the team got drunk at a bar in the United States. Pot took him and Meng Chen to a Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, where there was a real-life CS camping base nearby. The owner of the base, James, was a retired professional CS player. During the training period in the United States, the team members often went there to play real-life CS.

Su Zhan threw the clothes to him, saying, "Here are your clothes."

At that time, the Ming Dynasty truly felt a bit closer to the leader, and it was also then that he came to understand the fervor in the leader's heart

Cheng Xue'er pointed at her and immediately asked: "Who has a fever, who has a fever! Are you hiding something from me? It wouldn't be that you're cooking for a man, would it?"

He ignores it, holding the blanket, with his head buried in the pillow

On Friday afternoon, Xu Jiayan developed a high fever

Su Zhan happily rummaged through the refrigerator, "You don't need to worry about it."

That heart which wishes to dedicate its blood and tears to the mountains and rivers, to scatter a handful of earth on Dongshan

Seeing that face, I forcibly suppressed my anger, "You have a fever, and I am helping you make congee"

May I ask if this is Miss Su Zhan? Will you still be coming for your interview this afternoon

He met the boss at the age of fifteen and followed him around closely. Whenever anyone spoke ill of the boss, he would immediately roll up his sleeves and fight. At that time, pot was completely focused on the competition, never taking his own body seriously, training to the point of gastric bleeding, and the next day he would still fly abroad for competitions

Daming said: "Our flight to San Francisco for the competition is tonight. We agreed to meet at the airport at 2 o'clock, but it's almost 3 now, and the boss still hasn't arrived! I've been calling him, but no one is answering. Su Xiaomei, could you please go next door and check if he overslept again after staying up late last night?"

When Xu Jiayan woke up, it was already 6 PM. His head felt heavy, and he was drenched in sweat, his body sticky. He propped himself up to sit up, rubbed his hair, and was about to go take a shower when he heard a clattering sound coming from the kitchen. He followed the sound and walked over.

Ignoring Cheng Xue's shouting on the other end, he switched the call by himself

Although it is only the 14th semifinals, this match has indeed attracted significant attention. The first reason is the glorious return of CPL, and the second is POT, who is said to be playing his last official match of his career. The topic of #POT's ten years of glory# has been trending on Weibo for several days.

Su Zhan clung tightly to the suitcase, refusing to let him drag it away, "No, what if you faint on the plane!"

Xu Guozhang has placed all his hopes on him since childhood, looking forward to his growth, hoping for his success, and wishing for him to become "the pillar of the nation"

Cheng Xue detected a hint, "It seems there is indeed a target now, what kind is it? What kind is it?"

How could it be a broken competition? This competition is very important to the boss

What is this

She tossed the manuscript aside and calmly asked Daming, "Where has it gone?"

Two people kicked him with their feet, filthy

He said that he wants the five-star red flag to fly all over the world

Indeed, for those who already have a bad temper, when they get angry, they truly act as if they are the emperor of the day

When Su Zhan brought out the second pot of porridge, Xu Jiayan was leaning against the refrigerator with his arms crossed, raising an eyebrow and asking her: "Is this all your damn masterpiece?"