Accompany You Ch 8.1

Chapter 8: The Soul of the Team (Part 1)

The CPL season playoffs were held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in the Shanghai World Expo grounds. It could seat nearly 20,000 people and the analysis and commentating desks were placed in the most prominent position to catch the audience’s eyes. During intermissions, the hosts would invite experts and professional players to the analysis desk to summarize and review the previous game and look back on the highlights. After the next game started, they would then turn the camera to the commentating desk.

There were a total of ten people, working in shifts, on the commentating team. On the second day, Qiu Ying was assigned to Polaris vs Legend in the morning and Newland vs VPG in the afternoon. When she found out she would finally be able to commentate on Ji Xiangkong’s game to Conquer players across the entire country, Qiu Ying was so excited that even the countless dust particles floating in the air seemed to be whispering joyfully.

Unexpectedly, in the morning game, the star commentator Luo Tian, was told to carry the two newcomers, Qiu Ying and Qiao Xin, by himself. While they called it “a girl on both arms,” Luo Tian was slightly worried. It was their first time working as a group and no matter how you looked at them, these two seemed very much like vases.

“The next game will have Newland, who’s just been promoted into the ranks of the strong teams, fighting against VPG, who’s recently been very brave.” For the sake of giving newcomers the opportunity to speak, he began with a simple question. “Qiao Xin, what do you think about the ‘Jungler-Support’ tactic that VPG has recently been using?”

Qiao Xin was wearing a checkered off-the-shoulder top and was busy looking for her best camera angle. When she heard Luo Tian ask her a question, she looked at him and said, “Oh, this tactic is real~ly good. Support Poker and jungler Scar’s cooperation, they don’t even need words.”

Though he waited, she didn’t say anything more, so Luo Tian attempted to continue the conversation: “Well, they’ve been teammates for a long time. Still, before, support Poker was inseparable from ADC Yue. After they reorganized, VPG’s style has changed quite a lot.”

He paused, waiting for Qiao Xin to have some response, but Qiao Xing only smiled slightly at him and nodded.

Luo Tian’s temple jumped as he dared imagine the one-man show he’d be singing today.

“Jungler-Support is a risky move,” Qiu Ying calmly said from the side. “The support will usually follow the ADC around and has the basic EXP and gold, but in a Duo, the support leaves the ADC and waits for opportunities to launch a sneak attack. If the attack he launches doesn’t completely finish off the enemy, not only is he left with a low level and low EXP, but it’s easy for the big brother ADC to be endangered because he doesn’t have any protection.”

Luo Tian was shocked. He’d already heard about Qiu Ying’s reputation of “doesn’t know how to play games, just relies on the Conquer niche, unscrupulously sings and dances to get popular” during her time at Youxing. Even if she turned over a new leaf later as a Tanuki game commentator, he subconsciously still treated her as someone who relied on her beautiful body.

At least Qiao Xin still had her game operating, but what did Qiu Ying have? From the beginning, he had no plans to take care of her.

But listening to Qiu Ying’s words just now, Luo Tian nodded his head in surprise. “You’re not wrong, but that’s also where the charm lies in Jungler-Support as a highly aggressive tactic.”

“Everyone thinks of VPG’s support Shen Yue as a babysitter, but Poker originally began as a mid who was an aggressive laner, an offensive player who released bloodlust.”

regarding “laners”

Laners are players who can single-handedly defend a lane, such as top or mid players, as opposed to those who wander around like jungler or those who stick together like ADC and support.

On the large monitor, the blond-haired Shen Yue spoke closely into Qi Yue’s ear. The “Double-Moon Duo” immediately attracted a group of girls’ screams.

Qiu Ying continued: “The highlights often show ADC Qi Yue receiving protection, but he isn’t a little princess at all. His pressure resistance and escape skills are both strong; he can thrive wherever he is. After VPG reorganized, each of its players’ specialties are all drawn out to the fullest.”

Luo Tian looked at the charming girl next to him with eyes full of unconcealed admiration. A new female commentator who knew the players’ backgrounds so well — she had most certainly prepared beforehand.

An overwhelming cheer suddenly arose within the stadium — the players were entering the field, amidst arousing and dynamic background music. Before they ascended to the stage, Ji Xiangkong seemed to unintentionally turn his head to look at the commentating desk.

When their eyes met, Qiu Ying’s back tightened. Underneath the desk, both of her hands clenched into fists. She said in her heart: “Go!”

The war horn blew and the fight officially began.

VPG began the game smoothly, quickly opening with the “Jungler-Support Duo” to snatch First Blood.

Ten minutes later.

“Aiya, VPG’s top lane…” Luo Tian was about to sigh when he suddenly laughed, “What happened over there?”

“Alright, I was about to say that the VPG player at the top died a bit miserably, but when I looked, it was Ji Xiangkong.” Luo Tian smiled. “Then that’s normal.”

After he spoke, the audience in the official livestream room shot in their comments.

“Great, that’s Ji Xiangkong, alright.”

“The social flower is increasing the game difficulty for his teammates again!”

“VPG fans: Xiangkong, this difficulty is good enough, don’t keep giving them kills!”

Qiao Xin was finally able to put in a word. “Oh, if Ji Xiangkong dies again, he’ll just end up returning the economic advantage his teammates worked so hard to get.”

Qiu Ying glanced at Qiao Xin and lightly said, “He won’t return the economic advantage. Ji Xiangkong has died so many times at this point that his opponents will no longer get enough money from killing him.”

In Conquer, every time a hero died, their “worth” would decrease so that the amount of money other people got from killing them would be reduced.

Knocked back, Qiao Xin opened and closed her mouth like she wasn’t sure whether to argue.

Qiu Ying said seriously, “His stats aren’t that good, but it’s different on the field. Although his hero, the Mad Chemist, has died many times, I don’t think any of his troops have been brought down. When he brings them to push the tower, he’ll immediately get enough gold to buy his core equipment.”

Her words accurately explained the current situation enough so that Luo Tian nodded. “Right now, Newland is very passive. There’s no benefit to killing Ji Xiangkong, but if they don’t kill him, it’ll become extremely difficult to deal with his troops on this lane. This playing style is really pretty sinister.”

Qiu Ying looked at the data that was sent by the analysis desk. “Up until now, Ji Xiangkong has caught all of the ganks up to top that Newland’s launched. Everyone aims at him because they consider him a weak spot, but in fact, that gives his teammates a lot of freedom.”

regarding “ganking”

Ganking is essentially launching a surprise attack on the enemy in order to secure more resources for your own team.

“That’s right, ADC Qiu Yue has hardly been disturbed while at bot, so he’s been able to develop very quickly.”

Luo Tian and Qiu Ying sang their duet at the commentating desk. Although Qiao Xin had also prepared in advance, at this moment it was like a hobbyist had suddenly broken into a technology summit where senior engineers were discussing cutting-edge technical details. Unable to even add three sentences, she could do nothing but smile awkwardly.

This game was still a stage for the “Jungler-Support Duo.” While the other side’s support diligently guarded his big brother and served him tea and water like a nanny, VPG’s support and jungler snuck around the map together, launching sneak attacks, stealing resources, killing people, and destroying towers. They soon freed up the situation to allow their big brother ADC and the second brother mid to build up their advantage.

After less than two hours, VPG defeated Newland 2:0 with incredible ease!

Luo Tian summarized the game: “Brilliant! This tactic is extremely difficult to carry out and relies much on teamwork, VPG’s support and ADC have really worked hard!”

“Moreover, the requirements for this ‘script’ are quite high. When to gank to which lane, when to assist, when to start teamfights — these are all decided in advance.” Qiu Ying’s whole body quivered in excitement, but she still did her best to conceal the pride that nearly overflowed from her face. “VPG’s commander is truly talented!”

“Yes!” At this point, Luo Tian remembered that there was a director behind the scenes of the strategy. “Although everyone laughs at Ji Xiangkong for being handicapped, his strategic arrangements are truly good!”

Qiao Xin, who had been left in the cold on the side, followed the flow and gave Ji Xiangkong several words of praise.

After the game concluded, Luo Tian looked at Qiu Ying with an expression full of approval. When he found out that she was professionally trained as a broadcaster and host, he pounded on the table. “No wonder your wording and on-the-spot adaptability are so excellent. Your skill is so professional, I look forward to seeing you become a full-time worker!”

After saying goodbye to Luo Tian, Qiu Ying bumped into Qiao Xin in the bathroom. As she thought of their competition at the same desk, she sighed within her heart.

“Not only are Ji Xiangkong’s tactics good,” Qiao Xin was looking into the mirror and applying lipstick; when she finished, she casually pursed her lips and smiled at Qiu Ying, “his kissing skills are also good.”

Qiu Ying froze and turned to see Qiao Xin walk away gracefully. Her scalp prickled.

After she ate dinner with Lu Yiyi, Qiu Ying helped the staff members handle the backstage chores without stopping to rest. All of the players’s peripherals, collecting feedback from the audience on the livestream platform, editing videos…

After snatching a break with great difficulty, she went to the rest area to get something to eat. As she ate and walked without paying attention to her surroundings, and she hit a solid chest.

She looked up. It was Ji Xiangkong.

He abducted her into a small room where there weren’t any people and the two of them sat on the windowsill, side by side. Qiu Ying’s cheeks were flushed with unconcealable joy. Obviously she’d seen him a few hours earlier, but she felt like it had been as long as a few months. She tugged at the hem of his clothes in excitement, eyes starry: “Did you see the video from this morning? How’s my commentary?”

“It’s really good.” Ji Xiangkong cocked his head to the side. “But you’re protecting me so much, it’s a little embarrassing to listen to.”

“I’m just telling the truth. After all, a lot of people think that Jungler-Support is just the support helping out the ADC the entire game.”

Ji Xiangkong applauded in sincerity. “You’re right. Commentator Qiu, thank you very much for spreading knowledge to the general masses.”

They took this opportunity to chat and laugh together with each other. As they were going back, Qiu Ying suddenly thought of something. “Are you close to Qiao Xin?”

Although she’d noticed from their previous interactions that he wasn’t a casual person, she still quite minded…

“What?”

Qiu Ying coughed lightly and looked up at the ceiling. “It’s nothing, she said your kissing skills aren’t bad.”

“Oh.” Ji Xiangkong raised his eyebrows. “So when you were looking at my lips just now, you were thinking about this?”

Immediately embarrassed, Qiu Ying drew back. “You’re overthinking it!”

Ji Xiangkong stopped walking, the smile within his eyes deepening. He suddenly bent over and whispered in her ear, “Won’t you find out if my kissing skills are good by trying it out?”

The blood from Qiu Ying’s entire body seemed to instantly surge up to her head in both anger and annoyance, like a cat with its fur raised.

Who’d say this to a girl they’d already rejected!

As she looked at him leaning over, nearly leaning on herself with eyes full of mischief, Qiu Ying covered his mouth with her hand and gathered up the courage to ask, “That day, when we were in the Dream Traveler box, and you suddenly leaned over, if Pei Xi didn’t interrupt us, were you going to…”

“Ji Xiangkong.”

A voice interrupted Qiu Ying, forcing her to swallow back the two words “kiss me.”

Without either of them realizing, Pei Xi was already standing next to them. He used his chin to gesture backwards. “Your teammates are looking for you.”

“Got it.” Ji Xiangkong straightened up, like nothing had happened. After going forward a few steps, he turned back to pat Qiu Ying on the head. “Keep on working hard.”

Qiu Ying nodded dazedly, unable to keep her cheeks from burning. Then it was dispelled by a cold breeze. She turned her head to look at Pei Xi, who was still standing there with both hands in his pockets and looking at her condescendingly.

Why is it you again?

Qiu Ying couldn’t help but glare at him — your family’s Qiao Xin is already kissing and rubbing against other people, if you don’t watch her well, your relationship is definitely going to get destroyed in one hit. As she thought of it, her anger rose back up: “Hey, I have something to say to you, but I can’t do it right here.”

In fact, she didn’t really know how to hint the tragic fact of “you’ve already been turned green” to him, either. According to Lu Yiyi, Qiao Xin and Qi Yue’s flirting was becoming more and more obvious, so it would be exposed sooner or later. After speaking out on impulse, Qiu Ying waited for him to shake his head and leave, or arrogantly return with “I don’t have time.” But he only placidly looked at her for a while. “Okay. After the next game is over, wait for me in the A10 lounge.”

……

Qiu Ying blinked, wondering if she’d just seen a hallucination. She squeezed her own face hard, then grimaced in pain.

Whether back then or just now, she felt like she was dreaming.

With the competition part of the day over, VPG’s members walked out of the third-floor private viewing room and prepared to call a taxi to return to the hotel.

When they approached the entrance, they happened to bump into several of Legend’s members; such as Ji Xiangkong’s former teammates, Lu Sheng and Huo Yao, who suddenly hooked him around the neck and dragged him over to the side.

“Hey, Xiangkong, Pei Xi is poaching off you!” Lu Feng nervously said. “He said he had something to do so he wouldn’t come with us, but I just spotted him going into a small room and Qiu meinu is inside there, too! When he saw us passing by, Pei Xi closed the door in our faces!”

“This guy’s a scumbag in disguise!” Huo Yao hurriedly added. “The day we’d just gotten to the hotel, when you pulled her into the corner and we didn’t know what you were doing, he was staring at you! His face was so cloudy!”

Then Lu Feng seemed to realize something: “No, Xiangkong said before that he already got dumped.”

Huo Yao followed him in the epiphany. “Oh, he wants to get back together, but she’s still choosing Pei Xi?”

The two of them immediately looked at Ji Xiangkong with pity.

“What poaching? How come I can’t understand what you’re saying?” Ji Xiangkong casually tossed the nametag in his hand. “I need to go, see you at the hotel?”

“Hey, are you really not going to go see?”

Their response was an indifferent and carefree back.

More than ten minutes later, as Qiu Ying was expounding on the topics of “if you love right, that’s love, if you love wrong, that’s youth;” “I have also been hurt by scum men before;” “professional players should have a diamond-hard heart” and other such related themes to create a psychological support for Pei Xi’s heart, the door suddenly opened with a click.

Ji Xiangkong’s gaze swept over Pei Xi and to Qiu Ying, inside the room. “The competition is already over, how come you’re here?”

His appearance was too sudden; Qiu Ying felt inexplicably guilty. “Pei Xi and I have to…”

Ji Xiangkong leaned against the doorframe with his arms folded, revealing a mocking smile. “A single man and single woman in one room, is this a confession?”

Qiu Ying wanted to explain, but Pei Xi suddenly stood up and took a step. His tall body blocked her eyesight. He went forward to put his hand on the doorknob and slowly lifted his eyes. “Yes.”

Seeing Ji Xiangkong’s smile disappear from his face, his jaw tightening, Pei Xi denied him an opportunity to speak and slammed the door closed.

“What the hell are you saying?”

Pei Xi turned his head and coldly said, “In the end, what do you want to say to me?”

“You’re seriously impossible!” Qiu Ying’s eyes were red with anger, so angry she was thinking about smacking his head into the computer monitor. In spite of the possible shadow it could cast on his competition mindset, she stomped her foot: “I just worried and wanted to warn you! Qiao Xin isn’t a good person, she’s already gotten with your old teammate, Qi Yue, for a long time!”

“Oh.”

It was like punching a sponge.

Pei Xi’s tone was flat, his expression unchanging. “I don’t have any relationship with her.”

Absolutely dumbfounded, Qiu Ying’s finger circled the air in a fluster. “But… but the news all said that you two were together, and you didn’t deny the rumors…”

Pei Xi looked straight at her. “Stupid, isn’t it?”

**

As Ji Xiangkong was anxious about Lin Yixuan’s situation, he bid farewell to his teammates after they returned to the hotel and went to eat with Huo Yao and Lu Feng in the cafeteria.

“Is A’xuan doing alright?”

“No, he’s not. He can’t play in any competitions while in the secondary team and the season’ll probably be wasted like this…”

Before he finished speaking, Huo Yao suddenly waved. “Qiu Ying! Here, here, here!”

Lu Feng looked down his line of sight and went to assist the moment he understood what was going on. He pointed to the seat next to Ji Xiangkong. “Sit here, sit here!”

Ji Xiangkong looked at them in amusement but didn’t stop them, instead watching Qiu Ying walk over to them. However, then another person popped up from who-knew-where to sit by Ji Xiangkong’s side, one step ahead.

The fork in Ji Xiangkong’s head plunged into the medium-rare steak. Blood splattered across the plate. He tilted his head and raised one eyebrow.

Pei Xi glanced at Lu Feng and Huo Yao across from him and said straightforwardly, “My teammates.”

Ji Xiangkong smiled coldly and shrugged. “It’s really weird, hearing those words come out of your mouth.”

Lu Feng and Huo Yao exchanged looks at each other. Ji shao was an open-minded person who’d never been this strange when speaking to people — there was something wrong.

Seeing that her position had been robbed away, Qiu Ying could only sit at the place that was furthest from Ji Xiangkong. The entire table’s atmosphere immediately became extremely odd.

As Ji Xiangkong casually ate, he put down his tableware and then nudged Pei Xi with his elbow. “Move over a little, I don’t like getting too close to men, it gives me a rash.”

There was an obvious distance in between the two of them, but Ji Xiangkong’s expression was unfriendly, as if completely serious.

Qiu Ying remembered Pei Xi’s reaction when she bumped into him before and couldn’t help but say, “What a coincidence, Pei Xi doesn’t like to get too close to other people either.” When she saw him remain still, unmoving, she squinted and then smiled slyly. “Hey, maybe you only get a rash when it’s with women?”

There was too much information in these words. Lu Sheng and Huo Yao snickered, as if partly from schadenfreude, and like they were in fact laughing even more on the inside.

“No.” Pei Xi was intently wiping his hands with a wet tissue and looked at Qiu Ying when he heard those words. “Not for you.”

Now it was Qiu Ying’s turn for her face to turn gray. Lu Sheng and Huo Yao looked at Pei Xi, looked at Ji Xiangkong, then looked at her. The expressions of their faces were quite vivid, like there was a chat barrage scrolling on it: “As it turns out, it’s this way,” “Sure enough, it’s really like that”…

Ji Xiangkong also stopped moving to look at her. He leaned his head on his hand, lips curving up, smiling in such a way that her back chilled.

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I’m back for a little bit but midterms still aren’t quite over yet. Tried a new thing where contextual information is put in little drop-down notes within the text, which mean that they’re more important for understanding than the footnotes.

_{let me know if you also laughed at qiu ying doing her darnedest to build a psychological support for pei xi xx}