OG went into a tiebreaker match against the opposing first seed. The elimination match lasted five hours. In the end, LPL defeated LMS with a score of three wins and two losses, advancing to the finals.
When the commentator announced the end of the match, the previously somber atmosphere in the backstage rest room was lifted. OG’s team manager shouted, and everyone else spontaneously broke into applause and cheers.
Even Ying Jiajia couldn’t help but jump up in excitement.
When OG returned from their match, several media outlets came to the rest room for post-match interviews. Qi Yanan looked around for Chen Yuzheng but couldn’t find him. She asked Little Ying, “Where’s Chen Yuzheng?”
Little Ying also looked around: “Don’t know when he left.”
Qi Yanan: “Never mind, let Killer and Ultraman do the interview.”
Each team selected two players to sit in a row with their coach at the interview desk.
Before the interview began, staff members placed microphones on the long table in front of them. The coach patted Ultraman’s back and said in a low voice: “Keep your head up. If you know you messed up, just do better next time.”
….
….
After the match, at 10 PM, TG posted on Weibo.
@TG Esports Club V:
We apologize for losing today’s match and disappointing everyone. We’re very sorry to all the fans who supported us. We will definitely work hard in the upcoming finals.
After the post went up, the other three teams, including OG, all commented with words of encouragement.
Among the first few comments, besides some from commentators, there were frustrated responses from fans and observers:
[If you perform this poorly against LCK the day after tomorrow, TG remember this – talented players may be common, but your mom won’t have another kid like you.]
[Though you lost badly, at least you apologized quickly.]
[Don’t want to see apologies, just want to see you fight back.]
[Even losing to OG in spring split didn’t feel this shameful. Thanks to others helping you win the fifth game, otherwise you might as well have disbanded right there in Paris.]
[We’re not even asking you to win the day after tomorrow, just don’t lose too shamefully.]
[Sigh…. Though Conquer is skilled, isn’t his playstyle too aggressive? Feels like he tilts easily, daring in both initiating and dying. But it’s understandable – though talented, he’s a rookie without big match experience. Review the match well and play better in the upcoming games. Don’t embarrass the LPL region.]
—
Meanwhile, in the hotel, the coach, team manager and tactical analyst were reviewing the match with them. Starting from the draft phase, the temporary whiteboard was filled with mistakes and details from TG’s match against LOT. “Our team’s style favors fighting, but remember – loving to fight doesn’t mean mindlessly charging in. Plus your weaknesses are obvious – you don’t control map resources well, and when mistakes happen you don’t know how to respond, letting the opponent’s advantage grow bigger and bigger.”
The room was quiet, the atmosphere somewhat heavy, with no one speaking.
During the review of Van’s mistake where Ultraman and Chen Yuzheng were caught in bot lane resulting in a 0 for 2 trade.
The coach specifically criticized them: “I know you were anxious, but when falling behind, the worst thing is to hastily look for fights. The more you fight, the more you tilt, and the more you tilt, the further the game slips away. When other lanes have problems, you need to be extra careful and more aware, especially when you’re in an advantageous position – be cautious when you can. In competitive games, retreat when you need to retreat. Don’t always think you can outplay – winning in the end is what matters most.”
Ultraman lowered his head, “I’m sorry, I was too weak.”
Coach: “This is a team game, not an individual problem. Besides, you’re actually capable of performing better, you just need more confidence.”
Van also reflected: “I shouldn’t have forced that tower dive. I was too relaxed playing against LOT, my bad.”
Chen Yuzheng remained silent.
The coach sighed: “Losing today might not be a bad thing, take it as a lesson. I told you long ago that every opponent in international competitions is strong – you can’t underestimate them or let your guard down. Today’s loss to LOT, consider it a lesson in humility.”
After the full review, the coach checked the time: “Alright, go practice now and find your form. The finals day after tomorrow isn’t far, make good use of the time. Oh right, Conquer, stay behind for a moment.”
After everyone left the small room, the coach sat down beside Chen Yuzheng, “What’s wrong, not talking again?”
It was the coach who had originally scouted Chen Yuzheng to play professionally for TG, showing faith in his talent.
Chen Yuzheng said quietly: “Today was my fault.”
“It wasn’t just you, the whole team had problems. Conquer, I know you’re confident, and you’re indeed the most talented player I’ve ever coached, whether in terms of mechanics or style, I can see you have great potential.”
“But sometimes, too much confidence isn’t a good thing. You need to understand that LPL has talented rookies every year, but some flash by like shooting stars, eventually fading into obscurity. Others reach the peak.”
“But every successful player can carry their team forward during the most difficult times. You’re still far from reaching that standard.”
Looking at Chen Yuzheng, the coach said: “Do you know why I asked you to stay behind alone? Because you’re now TG’s default team captain. I can’t criticize you in front of others – I need your teammates to trust you completely, both in and out of games. And you need to grow quickly under this pressure, until you become someone who can carry the team forward. Only then will you not disappoint their trust in you, understand?”
The coach patted Chen Yuzheng’s shoulder: “A thousand mile journey begins with a single step. I know you’re eager to win the championship, but it’s not time yet. You won’t be inferior to others in the future, I trust my judgment.”
“Alright, that’s all.”
The coach stood up, “If you’re feeling down, go take a walk to clear your mind, then come back to practice.”
—
Back in the room with Xiang Jiajia, Yu Nuo chatted with Fu Yidong on WeChat for a while. Due to the time difference between countries, Fu Yidong asked why she hadn’t slept yet.
Yu Nuo: “Can’t sleep.”
Fu Yidong: “Because TG lost today?”
Yu Nuo: “That’s part of it, but not all…”
Fu Yidong: “How are things with that brother of yours, any progress?”
Yu Nuo thought about what had happened these past few days, and replied to Fu Yidong: “Seems like there’s been some progress”
Fu Yidong encouraged her: “Not bad, when are you planning to confess?”
Yu Nuo replied honestly: “No plans for that yet, let’s wait a bit, I’m kind of scared.”
While waiting for Fu Yidong’s reply, a “1” appeared in the upper left corner of her WeChat chat window. She swiped and saw it was a message from Chen Yuzheng.
Conquer: “Are you asleep”
Yu Nuo: “Not yet”
Conquer: “Come down, walk with me”
Yu Nuo looked at the time, typed something then deleted it, and asked him: “Right now?”
Conquer: “Waiting at the hotel entrance”
Yu Nuo got up from bed, grabbed her phone, and put on a jacket.
Xiang Jiajia, who was watching something on her iPad, noticed her and asked: “Nuo Nuo, you’re going out so late?”
Yu Nuo was putting on her shoes and looked up to answer: “Mm.”
“Ah, want me to come with you? It’s not safe alone.”
She finished putting on her shoes and stood up, “No need, I’ll be back soon, probably just walking around near the hotel.”
Xiang Jiajia walked to the window, pulled back the curtain to peek outside, then turned to Yu Nuo and said: “Looks like it’s raining a bit outside, take an umbrella.”
Yu Nuo: “Okay.”
She took the elevator to the first floor.
Yu Nuo had left in a hurry, casually throwing on a loose jacket over her white cotton dress that she wore for sleeping. It wasn’t until she reached the lobby that she realized how cold it was. She walked to the entrance, searching for Chen Yuzheng with her eyes.
She spotted him immediately among the crowd.
Chen Yuzheng was standing by the arcade next to the lobby, head slightly lowered. The hotel’s decorative lights had a French style, mainly grey and gold, bright and brilliant, illuminating his profile, making him look very handsome.
Chen Yuzheng wore a casual navy blue hoodie, dark jeans, and white sneakers. There was a tall green plant beside him, making his skin look very fair.
Outside of competitions, Yu Nuo mostly saw him in team uniforms or T-shirts.
She couldn’t help but look a few more times.
Chen Yuzheng dressed this way had quite a youthful air, similar to the boys at her school… though thinking about it, he was actually very young.
Hearing footsteps, Chen Yuzheng lifted his eyes, giving her a tired glance.
Yu Nuo walked over, “What’s wrong? No more practice?”
“Later.”
Yu Nuo nodded, following Chen Yuzheng outside, asking: “So where are we going?”
“Just walking.”
She made a sound of acknowledgment, and offered him the umbrella: “It’s raining outside, I brought an umbrella down.”
Chen Yuzheng stood on the steps, opened the umbrella, and turned around. Seeing her not moving, he said: “Come here.”
The umbrella was a temporary sun umbrella, quite small, barely enough for two people. Yu Nuo had to stay close to him, but their shoulders kept bumping. She quietly moved away a bit.
Chen Yuzheng didn’t say anything, just tilted the umbrella more towards her side.
After walking in silence for a while, Yu Nuo noticed that the arm he was using to hold the umbrella was completely soaked from sleeve to shoulder, the dark blue color spreading.
Yu Nuo couldn’t help but remind him: “Chen Yuzheng, hold the umbrella more over yourself, you have a match the day after tomorrow, don’t catch a cold.”
Chen Yuzheng: “Come closer.”
Yu Nuo hesitated for a moment, then moved her feet, obediently getting closer to him.
The temperature was quite low in the early morning, her breath forming mist in front of her. Seeing him still not speaking, Yu Nuo could only try to start a conversation: “Are you feeling better?”
Chen Yuzheng: “More or less.”
Yu Nuo also fell silent, unable to think of what to say, and saying too much wouldn’t help anyway.
At times like this, Chen Yuzheng could only adjust by himself. This was the life of a professional player – wins and losses were inevitable, things couldn’t always go smoothly, there were valleys and peaks, curses and flowers all along the way.
Gradually, the rain got heavier, and they had walked quite a distance from the hotel.
They randomly found a red awning of a roadside shop and stood under it, waiting for the rain to lighten.
A chill crept up from her calves, making Yu Nuo shiver involuntarily. She put her hands in her pockets to keep warm.
Just as she was about to ask if he wanted to go back, she heard Chen Yuzheng say: “Say that sentence to me again.”
Yu Nuo didn’t understand immediately, “What sentence?”
He prompted her: “Conquer will one day…”
Yu Nuo suddenly realized, quickly interrupting him: “You don’t need to continue, I know which one you mean.”
He stopped talking.
Yu Nuo held back for a while, still too embarrassed to say it, and asked: “Why do you want me to say it again?”
Chen Yuzheng’s expression was calm: “I want to hear it.”
Yu Nuo: “……..”
She bit her lip, “Okay, let me… let me gather my thoughts.”
Chen Yuzheng watched Yu Nuo, took out his phone with his right hand, pressed the record button, and quietly waited for her.
Under Paris’s heavy night sky, by the rainy roadside, water droplets fell from the awning top to their feet, blooming into transparent water flowers.
Yu Nuo lifted her head, speaking slowly, word by word, repeating what she had said in the afternoon to him.
After finishing, she waited a while, and seeing Chen Yuzheng not responding, Yu Nuo carefully asked: “Is that okay?”
“It’s fine.” Yu Nuo nodded.
She pondered for a moment, still feeling something was strange, and couldn’t help but ask: “Why did you want me to say this?”
Chen Yuzheng put his phone in his pocket: “Didn’t I say? I wanted to hear it.”
Yu Nuo: “……”
She felt a bit embarrassed, but couldn’t control the small waves of joy rising in her heart.
After sheltering from the rain for a while, seeing it was getting late and the rain seemed to have lightened a bit, Yu Nuo said: “Should we head back?”
Chen Yuzheng: “Let’s go.”
They walked back along the original path, Chen Yuzheng suddenly asked: “That sentence just now, you’ve said it to your brother too, right?”
“What?” Yu Nuo thought for a moment, “That… no.”
Seeing his expression, she explained: “My brother… he usually doesn’t talk about his matches in front of me, and I don’t dare bring it up. My brother has a strong personality, when he gets criticized online, or scolded by the team manager, he never says anything, and doesn’t like people comforting him.”
Chen Yuzheng made a sound of acknowledgment, “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I’m different from him.”
Yu Nuo didn’t understand: “Hm?”
“I’m quite fragile.” Chen Yuzheng said with a serious expression, raising his eyebrows, “I like being comforted.”
Yu Nuo: “…….”
“You can comfort me more often when you have the chance.”
Yu Nuo couldn’t tell if Chen Yuzheng was truly affected by the loss or if he was joking with her. But seeing his serious expression, it didn’t seem like he was teasing her….
Yu Nuo walked silently for a while, recalling some motivational phrases in her mind, arranging her words, then called out to him: “Chen Yuzheng.”
He made a sound of acknowledgment.
She put on a serious expression: “Actually, you’re still young, and you just started playing professionally, failing once isn’t a big deal. My brother was about your age back then, and he also struggled for many years before winning a championship a few years later. Anyway… success never comes easily.”
She rambled on for a while until Chen Yuzheng suddenly interrupted: “Am I very young?”
Yu Nuo paused for a moment, answering his question without thinking too deeply: “You’re younger than my brother.”
Chen Yuzheng made a thoughtful sound, narrowing his eyes: “How do you know?”
Yu Nuo didn’t understand his meaning, confused: “What else could it be, he’s already in his twenties.”
“What does age have to do with whether a man is young or not?”
Yu Nuo: “…….”
After catching his innuendo, realizing he was making a suggestive joke, Yu Nuo choked for a moment, her expression instantly changing, turning red from neck to face.
Chen Yuzheng called “sister” twice, but she kept walking forward sullenly, refusing to speak.
Chen Yuzheng coughed once, “Just joking with you.”
Yu Nuo remained silent.
He touched his nose, “If it wasn’t funny, forget it.”
“……….”
Yu Nuo glared at him angrily, puffing up her cheeks.
Chen Yuzheng half-heartedly promised: “Won’t make those jokes anymore.”
Both fell quiet. Chen Yuzheng looked at Yu Nuo’s expression and chuckled softly, calling her: “Sister.”
Yu Nuo’s anger subsided a bit, her voice muffled: “What?”
“How long did it take your brother to win a championship?”
The topic suddenly jumped to this, becoming somewhat serious and heavy. Yu Nuo couldn’t stay angry anymore, answering him: “Three years.”
Chen Yuzheng: “What championship did he win?”
Yu Nuo glanced at him, “The LPL championship, and MSI.”
Chen Yuzheng nodded, not saying anything more.
Rain splashed onto their calves, Yu Nuo lowered her head, staring at the ground beneath her feet, spacing out for a moment: “Why are you asking about this?”
Chen Yuzheng said lazily: “I won’t need three years.”
Yu Nuo’s steps faltered, “Hm?”
In this foreign city, the rain seemed to have washed away all the noise, even the wind had quieted down. Through the falling rain, Chen Yuzheng’s eyes fixed on the lights of a small restaurant at a distant street corner.
As if under a spell, Yu Nuo stared at his delicate profile.
He curved his lips, turned his eyes to meet hers, “I won’t need three years.”
“The championships your brother won, I’ll win them too.”
—
In the hotel, A Wen burst through the door in a flurry, grabbing Roy as he passed by, “It’s bad, it’s bad! Where’s Fish? Where is he! Where is he! Quick, tell me! Something huge happened!”
Roy looked at him panicking, his yellow hair almost standing on end. He was confused and pointed inside, “He’s watching today’s matches, what’s so urgent?”
A Wen clicked his tongue: “No time to explain, I’ll tell you later.”
Before even seeing the person, A Wen started shouting: “Fish!!! Something terrible happened Fish!!!!”
He caught his breath: “Will just told me something.”
Yu Ge frowned at the noise, curled up in his chair watching the post-match review, casually asking: “What?”
A Wen tugged at him: “This is really serious, pause what you’re doing for a moment.”
Yu Ge didn’t even look up: “If you’re bored, go play more ranked games, don’t fucking bother me here.”
A Wen raised his voice: “I really have something important!”
Yu Ge impatiently: “Say it.”
“Look at me.”
Yu Ge endured for a moment, raising his gaze, “What did Will tell you.”
A Wen’s expression was somewhat grave, his eyes showing a hint of sympathy: “He said he saw Yu Nuo.”
Yu Ge remained unperturbed: “And then?”
“And then…” A Wen paused, “She went out alone with a man, they were even sharing an umbrella.”
Yu Ge: “?”
He grabbed his phone from beside him, standing up abruptly from his chair, ready to call Yu Nuo, “Who was she with?”
Seeing Yu Ge’s gloomy expression like a volcano about to erupt, A Wen’s voice unconsciously weakened, “Well…. that guy.”
“Which guy?”
“How should I put this.” A Wen was silent for a moment, “Fish, you’re about to get your home stolen by Conquer.”
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