The dormitory was unusually quiet that night. Ye Xiu sat on his bed, leaning back against the wall, his legs stretched out and arms folded over his chest. His mind kept replaying the inter-team battle from earlier, the adrenaline from his victory still coursing through him. He had done it—he had finally proven himself worthy of his spot on Excellent Era, and more than that, he had secured the role of second in command.
Yet, despite the victory, a part of him remained uneasy. The silence in the dorm wasn't typical, and the way some of the senior players had been glancing at him since the battle unsettled him. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. He lifted his head just in time to see the senior members of Excellent Era—the same ones who had looked down on him, taunted him, bullied him—walking towards his bed.
Chang Wenxian led the group, followed by Zhang Jiale, Wang Jiexi, and a few others. Their expressions were unreadable, their steps deliberate. Ye Xiu's heart quickened slightly, but he kept his face calm, his body relaxed. He wasn't about to let them see any sign of nerves.
The group stopped just a few feet from his bed, their presence filling the small space. For a long, tense moment, no one spoke. Ye Xiu held their gaze, waiting for what would come next. The weight of the silence pressed down on him, but he didn't flinch.
Finally, Wenxian stepped forward, his eyes locking onto Ye Xiu's. For years, Wenxian had been the loudest critic, always quick to belittle Ye Xiu's abilities, dismiss his strategies, and make his life difficult. But tonight, there was something different in his posture—something almost...respectful.
"Congratulations," Wenxian said, his voice steady, though a trace of hesitation lingered. "You earned that spot as second-in-command."
Ye Xiu blinked, surprised by the unexpected tone. He had been prepared for mockery, for some new challenge, but not for this. He tilted his head slightly, watching as the rest of the senior players nodded in agreement.
Zhang Jiale, who had always been aloof toward him, stepped forward next. "You surprised us today. Your strategies... they were sharp, and your execution was flawless. None of us expected you to pull off what you did."
Wang Jiexi added with a small smile, "You fought well. We might not have said it before, but we've been watching you. You've got the skills to be here. You proved that today."
The tension that had been weighing on Ye Xiu's shoulders began to lift, but he kept his expression neutral. He was still waiting for the catch, for the punchline, for the usual dismissive remarks that followed whenever they complimented him.
But instead, Wenxian took a step closer, his voice softer now, almost apologetic. "We've... been unfair to you. I know we've given you a hard time, and for that, I apologize. We judged you before we got to know you before we saw what you were capable of. You came from a different background than most of us, and we let that cloud our judgment."
Ye Xiu's gaze remained steady, though inside, he felt something stir. He had endured so much since joining Excellent Era—the sneers, the cold shoulders, the whispers behind his back. He had never once shown that it bothered him, but hearing Wenxian say those words now, something inside him shifted.
Wenxian continued, "We thought you were just a kid from a middle-class family who got lucky. We assumed the owner was letting you stay out of sympathy. We didn't realize how wrong we were until today."
There was a pause, and Ye Xiu could see the sincerity in their eyes. These were the same players who had once seen him as an outsider, as someone who didn't belong. And now, they were standing in front of him, offering something he had never expected—respect.
Zhang Jiale spoke up again. "You've earned your place here, Ye Xiu. More than that, you've earned our respect. You've got the skills, the mindset, and the heart of a true player. We should've seen that sooner."
Ye Xiu remained quiet, his mind processing everything. He had fought for years to earn their respect, and now that it was being offered, it felt almost surreal. But the sincerity in their voices was undeniable. This wasn't just an empty apology—they were acknowledging him, finally, as one of them.
Wenxian took a deep breath before speaking again. "From now on, you're a full part of this team. We'll involve you in every strategy meeting, and every game discussion. No more holding back, no more exclusion. You're one of us."
The weight of those words settled over Ye Xiu like a warm blanket, and for the first time since joining Excellent Era, he felt something he had longed for—acceptance.
He allowed himself a small smile, nodding toward them. "Thank you," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "I've only ever wanted to contribute to the team, to be a part of something great."
Wenxian returned the nod, his expression softening. "And you will. We've seen what you can do, and we're lucky to have you."
The group shared a few more words before dispersing, each player offering Ye Xiu a congratulatory pat on the back or a nod of approval. As they left his dorm, Ye Xiu sat back on his bed, his mind still reeling from what had just happened.
For so long, he had been the outsider, the one who didn't fit in. He had been the subject of ridicule, the target of bullying, and the recipient of cold stares. But now, in this moment, all of that had changed.
For the first time in forever, Ye Xiu felt like he truly belonged.
And as he lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, a sense of calm washed over him. He was no longer fighting to prove himself. He had earned his place, and now, he was part of the heart of Excellent Era.
The journey had been long and difficult, but now that he had reached this point, he knew it was only the beginning. The team would face many more challenges ahead, but now, they would face them together. And Ye Xiu, with his newfound acceptance, would be there every step of the way.