Chapter 46

The scene fell silent for two seconds.
In the next moment, the cheers from the fans surged even louder.

The female host quickly regained her composure, thanks to her professionalism. “It seems that LING has a high opinion of Sleeping. If I remember correctly, Captain Sun also praised Sleeping’s skills in an interview before. Fans are saying that GI’s overall strength has significantly improved since Sleeping joined. What are your thoughts on that?”

This time, Zhou Lingxing didn’t hesitate, and his expression showed no signs of discomfort.
“After a few matches, it’s clear that Sleeping’s abilities are exceptional,” he said, pausing briefly before adding, “It’s hard to imagine someone achieving this level after playing the game for less than three months.”

The host exclaimed in surprise, “Three months?! Are you saying that Sleeping only started playing LOL three months ago?”

Zhou Lingxing nodded. “Although she’s now stronger than many professional players, you can still see signs of inexperience in her occasional missteps and decision-making.”

A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes as he continued.
“So, if Sleeping makes any mistakes during matches, I hope everyone will understand.”

The host’s hand trembled slightly as she held the microphone, sensing an ambiguous undertone in his words. She wanted to ask further, but the director behind the camera gestured that time was up.

Reluctantly, she smiled at the camera. “Alright, that concludes today’s MVP interview. Please continue supporting GI. You can vote for them by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the screen!”

Watching the interview from backstage, Su Heng blushed slightly.

Shen Jianian leaned in quietly from the side. “Come to my office after we get back. There are some things I want to ask you.”

The girl was startled by the sudden deep voice and froze for a moment before snapping back to her senses.
Su Heng nodded. “Alright. I also have something to discuss with you.”

Shen Jianian raised an eyebrow, nodded, and left the lounge first.

As soon as Shen Jianian left, Xiaoban jumped forward eagerly, a mischievous grin on his face. “Sister, do you think the coach called you because he found out about you and Brother Ling?”

Su Heng shot Xiaoban a glance. “What about me and him?”

“What else could it be? You two—” Xiaoban’s teasing trailed off as Su Heng’s amused gaze made him falter. His voice weakened, and he eventually gave up mid-sentence.

After waiting a moment and hearing no further comment, Su Heng shrugged, smiled, and headed out.

Xiaoban watched her retreating figure and muttered under his breath.
How come she and Brother Ling are getting more and more alike?

Even their teasing expressions are identical now.

Before Xiaoban could finish his inner rant, Zhou Lingxing suddenly appeared, taking a few quick strides to catch up with Su Heng, who was about to leave the venue.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Su Heng looked up, just in time to meet Zhou Lingxing’s gaze as he walked beside her.

For a moment, Zhou Lingxing’s hand twitched, tempted to run his fingers through her soft hair. But remembering where they were, he restrained himself.

Su Heng smiled knowingly and looked away.

Without saying a word, the two walked side by side toward the team bus.

Though they didn’t exchange a single sentence, every step they took was perfectly synchronized, as if anything more would feel redundant—like this was exactly how it was meant to be.

Xiaoban stared after them, dumbfounded.
These two… have only known each other for a little over two months??

—

Su Heng had something on her mind. As soon as they arrived back at the base, she dropped off her luggage and headed straight to Shen Jianian’s office.

Shen Jianian was on the phone when she entered. He gestured casually toward the sofa, indicating she could sit and wait.

His phone call dragged on for a while, and after about ten minutes, it didn’t seem like he was wrapping up anytime soon.

Feeling bored, Su Heng pulled out her phone and sent a message to Zhou Lingxing on WeChat.
**[The coach is always so busy.]**

He responded instantly: **[Aside from the team, he also has to manage several branch companies.]**

Su Heng: **[You’re not playing ranked?]**
Zhou Lingxing: **[No.]**
Su Heng: **[?]**
Zhou Lingxing: **[I don’t want to solo queue.]**

Su Heng: **[?????]**
Why doesn’t he want to solo queue anymore?
Hadn’t he been playing solo for years before she arrived?

As if sensing her confusion, another message came through.

**“After all, it’s easy to slip from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury back to frugality.”**

Su Heng raised her eyebrows, hearing that Shen Jianian seemed to have finished his call. She put away her phone. Shen Jianian keenly caught the smile on the girl’s face that she hadn’t yet managed to hide and asked with a smirk, “What’s got you so happy?”

Su Heng touched her nose and replied, “Nothing,” as if trying to cover it up. She then got straight to the point, “I need to go to the hospital for a follow-up next Friday. Can you inform Xiao Ban about the match that day?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Jianian walked back to his desk and took out a few sheets of paper with the schedule written on them. After confirming that their opponent was a mid-tier team from LSPL, he nodded lightly. “Alright. Have you told Xiao Ban yet?”

Su Heng shook her head. “Not yet.”

“Then make sure to tell him when you get back,” Shen Jianian said, putting the papers back in the drawer before returning to sit on the sofa. He slowly took out a cigarette box from his pocket and waved it in front of the girl. “Is this okay?”

Su Heng silently nodded.

Shen Jianian always gave her a feeling of being cultured and refined, and his gold-rimmed glasses added to his scholarly appearance. There was an inexplicable sense of trust, as if nothing in the world could challenge him.

He lit a cigarette and asked, “Do you know why I called you here?”

The girl was about to shake her head when she met Shen Jianian’s sharp gaze, which seemed to see right through her. It made her stop the movement of her head. She thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “Is it about the match?”

“Kind of. Can you tell me why you always wear a mask when you play?” Shen Jianian flicked the ash off his cigarette. “Is it because you don’t want fans to recognize you on the street?”

“No.” Su Heng hesitated, not knowing how to begin.

But Shen Jianian was patient and didn’t rush her, just watching her quietly. After a while, when he thought she wouldn’t speak, Su Heng finally opened her mouth.

“My mom’s current husband is also in this industry, so I wear a mask to avoid being seen by her.”

Shen Jianian processed this statement in his mind twice before grasping its significance. “You don’t have a good relationship with your mom?”

“Not exactly,” the girl shook her head. “We just haven’t been in touch for a long time. I don’t want her to think I came here to find her.”

As she spoke, a hint of light sarcasm appeared at the corner of her mouth. “After all, she doesn’t really want to see me either.”

Shen Jianian, who knew he couldn’t play the role of a caring older sister, chose to steer the conversation gently. “Why would she think you came here to look for her?”

Once certain topics are broached, it becomes easier to discuss further. Su Heng pursed her lips. “A few years ago, right after the divorce, my dad had to go out of town for work. Worried that I might have an episode, he sent me to my mom’s place for her to take care of me for a few days.”

Shen Jianian’s heart stirred, as if he had already guessed the story’s ending.

“My mom almost immediately refused my dad’s proposal,” the girl smiled, “probably afraid I’d get attached to her.”

“Having not been in touch for so many years, I suddenly appeared in her current husband’s circle from an opposing standpoint. It’s not strange for her to think I’m trying to get attention.”

“It’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble, so that’s why I wear the mask.”

After saying this, Su Heng fell silent, gazing at the curling smoke rising in the room, seemingly lost in thought.

Shen Jianian extinguished the nearly burnt cigarette in the ashtray, a knowing look passing through his eyes.

Although Su Heng didn’t spell everything out, he had been in this industry for so long that he had a good understanding of the happenings within the circle. Given the recent stir over second marriages and the fact that there was a daughter with the same surname Su, it wasn’t hard to guess the identity of the current husband Su Heng referred to.

“I can understand why you didn’t mention these circumstances when you joined the team. However,” Shen Jianian looked at the girl, “if anything happens from now on, you must notify me immediately.”

Su Heng was startled from her thoughts by his sudden words, looking confused as she met his gaze.

“Since you’re now a member of GI, we will unconditionally accept everything about you and provide assistance to a certain extent,” Shen Jianian continued. “No matter what others say, we will definitely stand by you.”

“Just keep wearing the mask, and be cautious during live broadcasts or when you’re with the team. If you need anything, feel free to let me know.”

After a long while, Su Heng finally found her voice. “Thank you.”

Shen Jianian chuckled, “You never have to thank me. Winning me an S Championship trophy would be the best gratitude you could give me. You can head back now, and remember to inform me if anything comes up.”

Hearing this, Su Heng couldn’t help but smile. Before leaving, she turned back once more. “Next year’s S Championship trophy, I’ll present it to you with both hands.”

Shen Jianian laughed and waved his hand toward the person at the door in response.

Next year? Such a bold statement.

The indoor atmosphere fell silent again, and Shen Jianian couldn’t help but pull out a cigarette.

To be honest, he was somewhat surprised. Before Su Heng spoke, he had thought of many reasons, but he never expected it to be this one.

After learning the reason, he agreed with her decision. If what she said was true, it wouldn’t be surprising if her mother or Du Qifeng found out and took some action.

It’s better to avoid trouble than to invite it—quite a clever choice.

Then he recalled the words Su Heng said before leaving, and Shen Jianian lightly set down the unlit cigarette. If he could really win the S tournament championship trophy next year, then he would quit smoking.

*

As soon as Su Heng entered the room, she bumped into Old Fish, who was coming toward her with a bowl of instant noodles.

Before Old Fish could even gasp, the entire bowl of noodles spilled all over Su Heng.

Soaked by the sudden hot soup, Su Heng was momentarily speechless from the intense heat and stinging sensation.

Old Fish glanced at the mess he had caused and hurriedly tried to scrape the remaining noodles off Su Heng’s clothes.

“Ah, I’m so sorry, sorry! Miss, why didn’t you knock? Are you okay, miss?”

Before he could finish speaking, a large hand suddenly appeared, lifting Old Fish and tossing him aside.

Old Fish felt as if he was being controlled by some dark force, losing his balance and falling onto the sofa.

When he looked up again, all he could see was Zhou Lingxing carrying Su Heng and swiftly heading upstairs.