Glory [e-sports] - Chapter 257

Translated by 🎏 Edited by apricot, @babyybluebear

Xie He turned around with a dark expression. “This is my hotel room.”

Any male who witnessed this would be hit with the impulse to beat someone up.

This was solid proof that God Xie had the brashness of a straight male dialled up to the maximum.

When greeted late in the evening by the sight of a blonde bombshell with a slender waist in a form-fitting halter dress that accentuated her sexy shoulders, the sole person who could still pull such a dour expression was God Xie.

Not only was his expression dark; his tongue was just as cutting. “Get out.”

He went straight for driving her out.

It was fortunate that EVE’s players were not around, or else fanboys of Coach Echo would have ripped God Xie from limb to limb!

Echo’s red lips curved minutely as she dismissed his words. “Do you have a cigarette?”

Xie He’s eyelids twitched and glared at her fiercely. “Get out!”

Echo moved, however, it wasn’t to leave the room but rather, to join him at the window.

Her dainty, pale elbows rested on the railing. The evening wind breezed through the hair tucked behind her ear, sending a burst of sweet fragrance wafting into other people’s nostrils.

Xie He frowned.

Although he didn’t open his mouth again, Echo was able to supply a live translation: “Be a bit more self-aware, woman.”

God Xie had just had his secret thoughts spoken aloud, however, instead of getting embarrassed, God Xie’s glare only became fiercer.

Echo laughed and leaned slightly to the side, tapping a manicured fingernail to the furrow between his brows. Her voice was mellow. “I’m seven years older than you.”

Xie He raised his brows. “So what.”

Echo smiled merrily. “I have no interest in little boys.”

Xie He: “…………”

The two words ‘little boy’ were taboo. If it hadn’t been Echo who had said that, anyone else would have disappeared from the balcony of the 22nd floor by now.

Despite all the years that they’d known each other, Xie He still didn’t have any means to deal with Echo.

Since he couldn’t win this battle of words, he simply pursed his lips.

He couldn’t drive her out, anyway. As EVE’s coach and manager, Echo had a room card for all the players’ hotel rooms and could come and go as she pleased.

Xie He ignored her existence and continued gazing out the window into the night.

Echo also fell silent for a while, accompanying him as they looked over a city that seemed both old and unfamiliar to her.

“This is your home.”

It had been a long while, when the air was already filled with the intoxicating scent of her perfume, that she suddenly spoke.

It was not a question but a statement.

“Mm.”

It was a very light and low hum that neither confirmed nor denied anything. Xie He was still wearing a poker face, as though that sound hadn’t come from him.

Echo turned around, leaning back against the railing. The wind on the upper floors was stronger; it carried with it the humidity of the summer night as it curled through her loose long hair, and it even lent a certain softness to her voice. “Are you homesick?”

Xie He’s tone was glacial. “No.”

Echo stared at him, as if she was staring past his chilly mask and deep into his heart.

Irritation surged within Xie He, and he departed from the balcony. His voice was gruff. “The champion will be EVE this year.”

After tossing out these words, he left the hotel room and went to the training room downstairs.

Echo didn’t stop him, sighing very softly instead.

Champion?

It was EVE’s championship, yet it didn’t seem to be Xie He’s?

Echo couldn’t help but think of the little wildcat with sharp claws and a grumpy personality that she used to care for in her distant hometown. It left proudly after the injury to its hind leg had healed, leaving only an occasional dead mouse at her door.

She had considered keeping it, but it didn’t consider her place its home.

⬩

It was eleven by the time they finished reviewing the Pro vs Y1 match. They were competing tomorrow, so under Lu Feng’s command, everyone abandoned thoughts of training further and obediently returned to their rooms to sleep.

While every last bit of practice could help, getting sufficient rest was also another way to prepare.

He spoke on and on about all the things he had learnt tonight and about his fresh idea for the Soul Warlock comp.

Lu Feng: “……”

He didn’t even have to look over to know what the other was thinking.

Wei Xiao cleared his throat. “I’m talking serious business with you!” The tone was accusatory and yet this dripping wet person only kept approaching Lu Feng.

Lu Feng watched him with hooded eyes.

Wei Xiao lifted his chin and bit the corner of his lip.

After that… what Soul Warlock, Storm Hunter, or Y1’s weaknesses…

It all vanished into thin fucking air.

When the deed was done, the wolf cried wolf. “Who asked you to tease me!”

Lu Feng applied a firm pressure to his hip.

Wei Xiao’s legs weakened. He grumbled, “We still have a match tomorrow.”

Lu Feng: “Then behave.”

Wei Xiao crinkled his eyes. “Who is the one misbehaving, huh?”

Actually, they hadn’t made out properly in a long time; it was harder for Lu Feng to restrain himself than Wei Xiao.

Unfortunately, when it came to this, one of them was fearless whereas the other was mindful and it became a situation where zero self-control was paired with extreme self-restraint… in a sense, they were rather compatible.

It was just hard to say if Wei Xiaoxiao would regret it during the off-season, leading to the type of regret where he would end up sprawled on his belly in tears and unable to get out of bed.

After lunch the next day, everyone was feeling pumped as they went through their warmups.

The match was scheduled to start at 6 p.m., so heading to the venue at 3 p.m. would give them just enough time to do make-up, take photos, and record a short trash-talk segment.

Warm-up would be a random 5v5 against strangers to get rid of any remaining nerves.

Wei Xiao was excitedly talking about his new tactic. After hearing it, Brother Cai yelled, “Yes, I can do that!”

He finally didn’t have to jungle! Anything else was cool with him!

Yue Wenle was stunned.

Wei Xiao tilted his head at him.

President Le was stirred up. “I-I-I can handle it!”

Wei Xiao laughed. “Just one you is fine, we don’t need y-y-you.”

“……”

The stammering Yue Lele could only chomp on a potato chip to calm himself down.

Chen Feng gave them a reality check. “Get the semifinals in the bag before you practise the new tactic.”

Wei Xiao rubbed his hands together. “We can practise it now.”

Chen Feng glared at him.

Lu Feng: “We can.”

Chen Feng: “…………”

It was tough, too tough being FTW’s coach!

In the end, they did end up practising the new tactic. They contacted a fellow team, and when 3U heard about it, they were ready to help in minutes, no longer in a rush to get to the venue and watch the match.

After a quick game, Cong Yi was pensive.

Asleep remarked, “Strong.”

It was evident how much potential Wei Xiao’s tactic had for Brother Sleep to say that!

Wei Xiao was practically cocking his tail. “I think that for the match today… oof…”

Chen Feng cuffed him on the head. “You are not allowed to use it today!”

Wei Xiao was petulant. “But it works.”

Chen Feng: “Slow and steady. Save the trump card for when you’re playing Y1.”

It did make sense to Wei Xiao when he considered it, so he nodded.  “‘Kay.”

Let Y1 lower their guard and when it was time, they could blindside them.

Soon, they packed up and moved to the venue.

As usual, they went by the player passageway, and as usual, there were fans waiting there for them. When Wei Xiao got off the bus, he affably greeted everyone.

Since the season started, Wei Xiao’s fanclub had been growing exponentially. The number of LED signs displaying his name was only second to those for Close, and there were even some CP fans who had put their names together. Wei Xiao liked seeing those the most. If it weren’t for Chen Feng keeping an eye on him and Brother Liu looking pitifully at him, he would have gone over to give them autographs.

Both of them could sign then add a heart to let them understand that this CP will be forever sweet!

He was happily daydreaming when he suddenly caught sight of a familiar silhouette out of the corner of his eye.

Startled, the smile on Wei Xiao’s face instantly disappeared.

Lu Feng, who had been paying attention to him, naturally noticed. “What’s wrong?”

Wei Xiao recovered, and by then, the smile on his face was gone. He shook his head and said, “It’s nothing.”

Lu Feng followed his line of sight and looked over but didn’t find anything amiss.

Wei Xiao was visibly perturbed, but it would be tricky to manage if this was photographed in front of so many fans, so Lu Feng subtly shielded him and walked with him to the backstage lounge.

Chen Feng had also noticed this. He had looked over but when he was about to open his mouth, he saw that Wei Xiao had already returned to normal, without a hint of a shadow left clouding his eyes.

There was no way for him to broach the topic now.

All Chen Feng could do was take out today’s tournament poster, encouraging the cubs under his wing. “You got this!”

He stuck the poster to the wall of the lounge, and the four little ones jumped up. That was a serious morale booster!

Who would dare lose?

What if they lost and on the off-chance got sucked into this soul-sucking poster!

What was inside it?

Clearly, the deep abyss of hell!

As they arrived on the early side, Wei Xiao was harassed by the make-up artist once again.

However, given how photogenic his face was, seeing that he was getting restless, the make-up artist didn’t make things difficult for him and let him off.

Lu Feng glanced at him out of his peripheral vision, and Wei Xiao gestured at him.

Xiang Liu was currently discussing some work-related matters with Lu Feng, so he was unable to get away at the moment.

Wei Xiao mouthed at him, “Going to the bathroom, really.”

Bathroom was a codeword. Adding a ‘really’ behind it meant that he was actually going to the bathroom.

Lu Feng tipped his head down and let him slip off.

Exhaling softly, Wei Xiao went to the bathroom backstage.

He washed his face, trying to settle his emotions.

It was probably a trick of the eye, right… Why would he be here?

Wei Xiao cupped some water again, splashing it over his face in order to calm himself down completely.

This match was too important for him to get distracted now.

Wei Xiao inhaled lightly, adjusting his mental state –

“Who are you!”

He abruptly whipped his head around but only glimpsed the grey corner of a jacket.

Wei Xiao gave chase without even bothering to wipe his hands, but when he managed to get outside, it was deserted without a single figure in sight.

Who was following him? Was it…

No, not him.

Wei Xiao frowned, deep in thought as uneasiness niggled at his mind.

He dried his face and hands, then returned to the lounge. The make-up artist, seeing his clean face, panicked. “Why did you have to wash your face?”

Wei Xiao: “……” Right. The make-up artist had done a light touchup to his eyebrows earlier.

Luckily, there wasn’t much else that he needed corrected, so the make-up artist hurriedly fixed it for him, finishing in three seconds flat.

Lu Feng swept his gaze over again, and Wei Xiao gave him a toothy grin.

Only then did Lu Feng look away, continuing his discussion with Xiang Liu about partnerships issues.

Wei Xiao breathed out lightly, shaking all the wild thoughts from his head.

It should be nothing. He was an open book; there was no reason for anyone to stalk him.

As for that familiar silhouette… Wei Xiao shut his eyes, unwilling to think in that direction.

Whether it was or wasn’t didn’t matter. It wasn’t something he had ever concerned himself with anyway.

Anyway, forget all that, the most important thing now was the Worlds tournament!

It was the playoffs for the semifinals and finals so he couldn’t afford to make any mistakes!

While the players were preparing backstage, the atmosphere in the stadium was already heating up.

The audience members today were a veritable collection of big names.

Needless to say, L&P had scored good seats early on. Pro was seated to their left, and despite having lost the semifinals, Kim Sung-hyun was still faring well and didn’t seem excessively depressed over the fact.

Yuan Ze secretly gave a sigh of relief, but his words remained ruthless. “You’re getting sloppy.”

Kim Sung-hyun huffed a laugh. “Zip it, eighth place.”

Having been stabbed in a sore spot, Yuan Ze returned the blow. “When Little Lunatic Wei becomes the champion, laozi will be the runner-up!”

Kim Sung-hyun’s eyelids flicked up. “Stop dreaming, Old Shit Yuan.”

Have you checked with Captain Yan if he will let Little Lunatic Wei become the champion?

Yuan Ze wasn’t really optimistic either but stubbornly stayed his ground. “Not my problem. FTW must win.”

Kim Sung-hyun paused.

Yuan Ze peeked at him out of the corner of his eye.

Proud Flower Kim’s brain circuits were just as unique. “When the tourney ends, I’m going to make an appointment for a practice match with FTW!”

Even Teacher Yuan couldn’t keep up with his thought processes.

Kim Sung-hyun lifted his chin. The corners of his eyes were narrowed and the tear-shaped mole seemed to heighten the arrogance in his expression. “If FTW wins then Pro will be the champion of the champions!”

Then, he tagged on one last line, “Unlike you, doomed to remain in the runner-up position.”

Yuan Ze: “……………………”

Fucking hell, can you get any more shameless!

This was the kind of logic that could be fed to the dogs along with Little Lunatic Wei!

It made sense that Yuan Ze and Kim Sung-hyun would come to watch the game, but Yan Jiang turning up to sit next to them came as a bolt from the blue.

Yuan Ze: “……”

Kim Sung-hyun: “……”

Yan Jiang greeted them. “Morning.”

Teacher Yuan and Proud Flower Kim: “…Morning.”

Old G, watching from the sideline: “?”

VIVI, who understood his words: “??”

Old Pu, who only understood half of what he said: “???”

Do people from the Team of Gods consider 6 p.m. to be morning?!

The work and rest schedule of the Team of Gods was indeed complicated.

Close was the staunch king of morning jogs, and Yuan Ze, Kim Sung-hyun, and Xie He were normal people who got up at noon. On the other hand, Yan Jiang’s body clock followed the US timezone.

Captain Yan would get out of bed at 5 p.m. with an excessively sweet, sugary latte, and the first thing he said to anyone he saw was: “Morning.”

It was after everyone returned the greeting that he would actually start to wake up a bit.

It had been three years.

Everyone had changed, yet it also seemed as if nothing had changed at all.

@babyybluebear: hello y’all glory fans, I made luckykoi pick this up so you’re very welcome :DD