FOG [e-sports]

Chapter 30

Yu Sui never wanted to remember the month that followed his birthday that year.

He really hadn’t put up a good fight.

After thinking about it as he lay on the hospital bed that day, Yu Sui decided not to call his parents.

When he left home to join Team Knife Edge, he made a solemn vow. This was his own choice, no matter what happens, he wasn’t going to let his parents provide for him or clean up his own messes. If he were to go back now to ask for money, the personal humiliation was secondary, now that he’s reached this point he didn’t have any face to lose, but now even his own parents would lose theirs?

His parents were intellectuals, having such a young son dropping out of school was bad enough. Why should they pay for his team now? Why should they pay for his teammates?

Not to mention, his parents were obsessed with their studies. All these years, the couple hasn’t saved much money. Their family’s savings were actually handed down from his grandfather’s generation. This was what his grandfather left to their children. If he were to demand money now, it would be the same as robbing them of their retirement fund…It was completely immoral, worse than mooching off his parents.

This wasn’t a pot for his parents to bear. He was the one who owed a debt of gratitude and thus he needed to be the one to pay it back.

After deciding not to speak his parents, Yu Sui looked around the four people sleeping in the room. He took a deep breath. He never could hide anything from his teammates.

After a couple of days, Yu Sui had recovered enough to be able to get out of bed. He found an opportunity to discuss it alone with Old Qiao.

Yu Sui gave Old Qiao a heads-up in advance. He said helplessly, “The doctor said that with my condition I can’t be overly happy or overly sad right now. I can’t have intense mood swings or much physical activity. I will have to ask you to be mindful of the patient. We have something we need to discuss. I really want to be able to leave the hospital as soon as possible so do be careful with my emotions, okay?”

Old Qiao looked completely at a loss. “What happened? Tell me.”

Yu Sui nodded and got up to close the door of the hospital room.

Old Qiao had the best temperament on the team. He knew how to keep a cool head when something crops up. He didn’t dare give voice to his grief and indignation. He simply bit to pieces the caregiver’s bed’s sheets. He was venting so much, Yu Sui almost fell ill again.

In any case, he still managed to calm down.

The second person was Puppy.

Snipers were generally a very composed bunch, but Puppy was still more difficult to deal with than Old Qiao. Yu Sui could only continue to use the same method —

“If there is anything I haven’t thought of, tell me, if not… don’t quarrel with me. I’m sick, I have a stomachache. If you have something to say then say it, but don’t bully the patient.”

Yu Sui had dealt with every aspect of this matter. Puppy’s, like Old Qiao’s, abilities fell short of their wishes and he couldn’t think of what else to do. He was so angry he could almost lift the hospital off its foundations. But he didn’t want to stimulate Yu Sui and have him fall ill again.

But Puppy did his best to get 12.5 million through his own efforts and transferred it to Yu Sui’s account. Yu Sui didn’t try to be polite with him and accepted the money.

On the day Yu Sui had his showdown with Puppy, Old Qiao, who’d been repressing his bitterness and anger for three whole days for Yu Sui’s sake, suddenly developed a 40.5 C high fever and was also hospitalized.

Yu Sui happened to be in leaving the hospital that day and he simply gave up his room to Old Qiao.

Yu Sui looked at Old Qiao’s flushed face and decided to postpone his conversation with Chen Huo for a few days.

As for Shi Luo…

Yu Sui gave up any thought of hiding it from him the day he entered the hospital.

To be able to hide something from Shi Luo was a fluke. It’s been so many days and there’s been so many clues, Shi Luo has probably guessed most of it. Yu Sui knew that he couldn’t deceive him and he didn’t feel like pretending with him.

There was something though that Shi Luo just couldn’t understand. He asked Yu Sui, “He’s going to sell all of you. How can you still discuss the details with him so calmly? If murder weren’t a crime, you should kill him for this.”

Yu Sui asked Shi Luo in reply, “If someday I sell you and it weren’t a crime to kill someone, would you kill me?”

Shi Luo stopped talking.

On that day, Shi Luo felt like he understood Yu Sui a bit better.

It was true that Ji Yanhan was harming him now and it was also true that he used to treat him unconditionally well.

Once all these matter become entangled with feelings, they were no longer black and white.

Shi Luo accepted this point. He thought it was also good. After this, Yu Sui would no longer owe Ji Yanhan anything. The only thing was, at that time, Shi Luo never could have guessed that he would be left behind.

Even though Yu Sui had already hinted to him, “They may already have a substitute medic where I’m going.”

“That’s great.” Shi Luo was very optimistic. “I can just be a bum. Or maybe I could be your assistant? How about it? I can fold your clothes for you. Folding clothes is pretty much all I know how to do.”

Yu Sui looked at Shi Luo. At the time, Yu Sui’s physical energy couldn’t keep up. He was worried that Shi Luo’s impulsiveness would push him to sign with Ji Yanhan some contract that he couldn’t control. And so he simply massaged his temples and decided not to say anything.

Shi Luo had been a professional player for less than a month. Under the FS’ protection, he was still a baby who dared to pick fights and dared to fearlessly say that he might as well become a bum.

He was so innocent and cute, it made Yu Sui’s heart go soft.

Yu Sui thought at the time that he’ll put it off as long as he could.

Then, like that, with worries weighing on their minds, the day of the finals came. Yu Sui and Old Qiao had been hospitalized one after the other. The condition of the entire team fell to an all-time low. Unsurprisingly, FS lost in the finals, 2-3 to the DDF team. Yu Sui finally suffered his first defeat in a major competition in the local league.

There were a lot of things that couldn’t be kept concealed.

Ji Yanhan had secretly offered all five members of the team up for sale before and so, several of the domestic clubs knew what was up. Although they are all top executives, there would always be gossips and rumor of Yu Sui transferring was passed around.

After losing in the finals, the direction of public opinion started to become delicate.

Yu Sui’s fans were naturally the first to take a stand. At that time, the fighting power of Yu Sui fans was very strong, powerful and tyrannical. They immediately unearthed and flung out Yu Sui’s medical certificate, proving that Yu Sui was hospitalized on the day of the semi-finals due to gastric bleeding. For an ill person suffering from gastric bleeding to take the stage and play in the finals was already good enough. They had no idea how much suffering he must have endured to play through all five games in the finals. Winning and losing was common. Which team has never lost? Why is it that only FS isn’t allowed to lose?

Naturally, the sprayers had more to say about it. It was fine for other teams to lose but FS’ fans kept boasting about how Whisper was no. 1 in the league. He lost. Why can’t he be sprayed?

Later, Yu Sui’s video of the semi-finals and the finals was analyzed frame by frame by the players. Although Yu Sui’s stomach was in unbearable pain on the day of the semi-finals, he played aggressively and made zero mistakes. Relatively speaking, his performance in the finals was a lot rougher. Not to mention, Old Qiao many a lot of mistakes that day, which also affected Yu Sui’s play. There really were too many places where the two of them made mistakes in tandem.

These two games served as evidence for the sprayers’ conspiracy theories. Combined with the gossip of Yu Sui’s transfer that had the whole fan base abuzz, they cooked up a whole palace drama.

[He played perfectly on the day he had stomach bleeding and was completely out of shape when he was discharged from the hospital. This is logic only fans would believe. 】

[Is Whisper going to DDF? Did he deliberately throw the finals. Kind of like a gift to his new master? 】

[Old Qiao might not be the strongest striker but he’d definitely the most stable. What could have happened that got him making mistakes like that? He’s the one who collapsed the most during these five games. This is the first time this has happened all these years and no one is wondering why? 】

[Old Qiao has been with FS for so many years. He’s definitely not going to transfer. Maybe he couldn’t accept Yu Sui’s transfer and parting ways with him so it affected his play?]

[Whisper has no reason to transfer. It must still be because of his injury. 】

[Stop trying to make excuses for Yu Sui. A hospitalization certificate isn’t all that difficult to fabricate. Who hasn’t played at creating a medical certificate to get out of military training? He’s just cheating he fans.]

[I’m not trying to hit a person when he’s down but I just don’t see how Yu Sui could have a stomach problem. Someone photographed him smoking backstage on the day of the finals. Would someone with a stomach injury be smoking?】

[He didn’t play well. Now, he’s not allowed to smoke backstage to calm down?]

[The fans admitted he had stomach bleeding, right? Could a sick person who had just had stomach bleeding be smoking?]

[Stay on topic, will you? I want to know what’s happening to FS. Who’s leaving? Who’s staying? Will they still play in the World Championships? If there’s a problem with FS, what’s going to happen to the World Championship? 】

[Whisper’s too busy looking for a new club. He has no time to play in the World Championship. 】

[You call him Yu Shen when he wins the championship but you’re trampling all over him when he’s just lost a local finals. You’re all awesome. Next time he wins the World Championship, don’t try to bask in his reflected glory, alright? 】

The major forums were all in a hubbub. Yu Sui himself felt nothing, but Old Qiao and Chen Huo were almost ready to explode, especially Old Qiao. That day, he posted numerous mini-thesis on Weibo to clarify matters regarding the semifinals and the finals. He posted so much that his account was branded as Yu Sui’s puppet account.

Shi Luo was also unbearably angry. He was looking for things everywhere. He was going to beat up Ji Yanhan once again and have him clarify everything. Puppy stopped him.

Yu Sui and Puppy glanced at each other. A silent message passed between them.

At that time, Old Qiao and Shi Luo’s contracts were still with Ji Yanhan.

Although Yu Sui had a gentleman’s agreement with Ji Yanhan, was Ji Yanhan a gentleman?

Shi Luo could breach his contract and Yu Sui could pay for it. But Old Qiao couldn’t.

There were too many years left on the contract, the stipulations were harsh and the contract price was high. When it was a matter of life and death, they couldn’t afford to take any risks.

Puppy was also considered to be a hundred dollars, He stopped Shi Luo and asked him if he’ll give Yu Sui a make-up birthday party.

Shi Luo’s attention was instantly diverted.

Shi Luo looked at Yu Sui and he said they could.

Puppy said he’ll handle it then.

They didn’t know when would be the next time they could have a party with the five of them. Puppy has been very attentive. Even though Yu Sui came late because he had to take a trip home, he was still very satisfied.

That’s how Yu Sui dragged things out for another day, another day, and another day, until the night before he had to go to NSN to discuss Shi Luo’s transfer.

Yu Sui had mostly recovered by then. He thought he could handle it if Shi Luo decided to quarrel with him.

But Yu Sui overestimated himself once again.

That day, Old Qiao and Puppy thought of a way and got everyone of the base. In the big base, only Yu Sui and Shi Luo were left.

Yu Sui called Shi Luo to his room.

The base was too quiet, and the atmosphere didn’t feel right. Shi Luo entered Yu Sui’s room and the expression of his face didn’t look good.

Shi Luo was naturally perceptive. He had a feeling that something beyond his control had happened.

Yu Sui looked at Shi Luo’s wary eyes, his stomach that he’d been nursing for more than a month, suddenly hurt once again.

Yu Sui asked Shi Luo to sit down and after a few aborted words asked, “Do you remember NSN? They contacted you before and you’re met their captain, Old Gu. He’s a good guy and easy to get along with…”

Shi Luo felt a chill all over and instantly understood. He interrupted Yu Sui and said coldly, “Don’t say it.”

Yu Sui gently rubbed his stomach. For the first time, he wasn’t at all happy with Shi Luo’s clever and perceptive brain.

Shi Luo didn’t dare to let Yu Sui finish speaking. He instinctively took two steps back. His voice was hoarse. “Yu Sui, this wasn’t what you said before.”

Yu Sui took a deep breath. Yes, this wasn’t what he said before.

He said he would never sell Shi Luo, that he would sign him for life.

How long has it been since then?

The atmosphere was so oppressive that Yu Sui couldn’t stand it anymore. He smiled and stood up before Shi Luo.

Yu Sui lowered his head slightly and asked softly, “How did you beat up Ji Yanhan that day? Come on, give Ge a…”

Yu Sui said with a smile, “Punch. I won’t fight back.”

Shi Luo’s eyes instantly turned red.

Yu Sui’s lips quivered slightly. His eyes almost turned red as well.

If there was some other way, I wouldn’t do it like this.

Yu Sui tried his best to relax a little, “Luo Luo, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Don’t worry. At most it will be two years. I’ll definitely come find you. You…”

“Shut up.”

With tears in his eyes, Shi Luo looked at Yu Sui guardedly and said coldly, “Shut up, I don’t want to hear a word.”

The two looked at each other, Shi Luo was alert and resentful, and Yu Sui was calm and enduring.

After being silent for a minute, Shi Luo was the first to break.

“It was 2009…” Shi Luo tried his best to calm his tone and slowly said. “It’s also summer, around this time as well. I was nine years old…”

Shi Luo was choked with sobs. “My mom sent me to my father’s house.”

Yu Sui’s heart sank, Shi Luo was only starting, but he felt like he had stepped on a mine.

“I begged my mother. I told her I didn’t want to go. My mother said…” Shi Luo looked at Yu Sui, he choked, and then grew silent. After a moment, when he got his voice back to normal, he continued, “she said, don’t say such childish things. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Don’t worry.”

Yu Sui’s chest hurt instantly.

What did I say to Shi Luo just now?

“Sounds familiar? Is it like what you said just now?” Shi Luo raised his eyes and slowly said. “She also told me, don’t make trouble, don’t be afraid, you’ll just stay for summer vacation. As long as I bperformed well and I make my father like me, at most it would be one summer vacation… As soon as the summer vacation was over, she would take me home.”

“What does it mean to perform well?” Shi Luo laughed at himself, “I didn’t know what it meant to perform well but I really tried my best. But grandfather still didn’t like me, my father didn’t like me, my uncle, aunt and cousin didn’t like me… Every day of that summer vacation was torture. But I endured it, I scratched a tally on my headboard, counting down the day, waiting for my mother to pick me up. And then the summer vacation was over… my mother didn’t come.”

Shi Luo looked at Yu Sui.

“The new semester started but my mother still didn’t come.”

“Then winter vacation came but my mother didn’t come.”

“It was the new year but my mother didn’t come.”

“Eight years passed…”

Shi Luo bowed his head and tears finally came streaming down. He was absolutely choked with sobs finally unable to speak.

There was a bit of sweetness in his throat but he tried to hold back and nailed himself in place.

What have I done?

Did I just tell him to wait for me?

Yu Sui struggled to control himself and whispered, “The Sacred Sword Club…is a club in the European Division. It’s not good for you to follow me there. You’ve seen how the haters insult me online. Do you want to be cursed along with me?”

“I want to. I’m okay with that.”

“I don’t want you to entrust me to someone else!” Shi Luo shouted, “You yourself know that the European Division! Things there are beyond your control! You can’t guarantee when you’ll come back! What do you think you’re doing drawing me a big cake? So that I’d wait for you like a fool?!”

Shi Luo was furious. He no longer knew whether he was talking to his mother or Yu Sui, “Last time, you told me it would only be for the summer. You had me waiting until now. But you got married and had a daughter. And me?! Now you’re making me wait for two years? How will it be like in two year? With your body like it is, will you be able to play for two years?! If you retire, then who am I going to look for?!”

Yu Sui said hoarsely, “I’ll quit smoking, I’ll quit drinking, I…”

“Don’t promise me anything.” Shi Luo interrupted Yu Sui. He was at the end of his patience. “Don’t try to deceive me. Don’t promise me things you can’t do. I won’t believe a word of it!”

Shi Luo looked at Yu Sui with tears in his eyes. He suddenly slowed down his speech, “Captain… Don’t do this, take me with you. Two years later, we’ll come back together…”

Yu Sui did his best to press down against his stomach. He could no longer tell whether it was his stomach or heart that was hurting. For a second, Yu Sui wanted to go f*ck with it all and confess to Shi Luo, take him with him no matter what.

But only for one second.

Yu Sui calmed down and shook his head, “That’s impossible.”

Although Yu Sui hadn’t suffered any major hardships in his career, he has been in the circle for so many years and he’d seen a lot of things. He was a lot clearer on the situation than Shi Luo.

It wouldn’t be difficult to change his contract to two years. And it wouldn’t be difficult to take him with him to Sacred Sword. But things after that would no longer be under his control.

It would be easy to take him but it wouldn’t be easy to bring him back.

Things with Chen Huo and Puppy were simpler but it would be impossible for Old Qiao and Shi Luo.

In a purely commercial team, players without any use would be repeatedly put up for auction. Once there was a winning bid, they would then be sold to who knows where.

If it was within the local division, it didn’t matter which team he went to. He could owe them a favor and think of a way. But it wouldn’t work in a different division.

Yu Sui could accept being sold off like some commodity by Ji Yanhan, but he couldn’t accept that after the five of them joins Sacred Sword together, that he would watch helplessly as Old Qiao and Shi Luo are put up on auction. He’d have to watch as they’re put up for sale by all sorts of known and unknown clubs and sent off to some unknown place.

Europe was very big and club bases were scattered everywhere. He didn’t know where they’d go.

It may even be sold to another region, transferred to North America or to South Korea…

Watching Shi Luo being bounced around, Yu Sui would go crazy.

Yu Sui tried his best to explain it was plainly as he could. He once again assured, “I can’t give a hundred percent assurance, but as long as I haven’t retired, I won’t renew my contract with them. It will just be two years…”

“Please…Don’t say this.” Shi Luo, whose former hatred was evoked by the past, completely collapsed. “I have waited too long! I won’t wait another day. If you won’t take me with you now, then it’s no use to say that you’ll look for me in the future!”

Shi Luo burst into tears and gritted his teeth, “I don’t understand and I don’t want to listen! I’m telling you now, if you dare send me to NSN, it doesn’t matter if you return after two years, I won’t look for you and even if you contact me, I won’t ever be teammates with you ever again!”

Shi Luo thought Yu Sui’s heart would soften.

Shi Luo makes a ruckus and has him get up so that can have breakfast. Yu Sui agrees. He listens in on his phone conversations. Yu Sui agrees. He looks over his private chat records. Yu Sui agrees. How could such a gentle and soft-hearted person have the heart to throw him away again?

But there was a limit to Whisper’s gentleness and this time, he left Shi Luo behind.

—————–>>>>

Translator’s note:

1. Wooh! This chapter really drove home the point for me that at this point in time, Shi Luo still regards Yu Sui as a big brother figure. I wonder how, if any, the two year separation has changed that? Guess we’ll just have to read on. (yeah, guys, I’m actually only a few chapters ahead of y’all) We get a little break from the drama next chapter as we go back to the present timeline. 2. This chapter was so long…. 3. I hate Shi Luo’s mom.