The mood inside the restaurant was warm and lively as the members of Excellent Era gathered for their team dinner. Seated around a large table, Ye Xiu, Su Xiang, Liu Hao, Su Mucheng, and Qiu Fei exchanged smiles and stories as the night progressed. They had come a long way from the young, wide-eyed kids who had first joined the training camp, and it was hard to believe how much their lives had changed.
"I still remember the first time I stepped into the campbase," Su Mucheng said with a nostalgic smile. "I had no idea what I was doing, but everything felt so new and exciting."
Su Xiang, who was often quiet, nodded in agreement. "We were just kids back then. I was nervous, but now, it feels like a lifetime ago."
Liu Hao chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "We've grown up a lot. Not just physically, but mentally. The pressure of playing at this level, the emotional highs and lows... it's shaped us into who we are today."
Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair, listening to his teammates reflect on their journey. His calm demeanour masked the pride he felt in seeing how far each of them had come. "It's not just about the game anymore," he said thoughtfully. "We've become more than just teammates. We're a family."
There was a collective nod of agreement around the table. It was true. The bond they had built over the years wasn't just based on winning or losing matches. It was a bond forged through trust, hard work, and the shared belief in each other's abilities. They had grown from a group of strangers to a tight-knit family that was ready to face any challenge together.
As the dinner wrapped up, the team made their way back to the campbase, the conversation still buzzing with memories of how far they'd come. Once inside, they didn't waste time and immediately got back to business. Their coach, Wu-Hao, had called for a meeting that morning to prepare for their upcoming match against Blue Rain.
During the meeting, Wu Hao laid out the strengths and weaknesses of their rival team. The team had spent hours watching videos of Blue Rain's past matches, dissecting their every move. Blue Rain was a team that relied heavily on speed. Their ability to strike fast and overwhelm their opponents with quick movements made them a formidable opponent.
Huang Shaotian, Blue Rain's captain, was well-known for his lightning-fast reflexes and his unpredictable, aggressive playstyle. His quick fingers were a constant threat, and his fast-talking, jolly nature only added to his psychological warfare during matches. Watching him play in the videos, the Excellent Era team could see how effortlessly he outmanoeuvred his opponents.
"Blue Rain's key strength is their speed, without a doubt," Wu Hao had said earlier that morning. "But speed alone doesn't win battles. It's how they combine their speed with their coordination that makes them dangerous. For us, it's going to be all about teamwork. They're fast, but we can outplay them if we stay connected."
Ye Xiu had watched the videos intently during the meeting, analyzing each player's style. "Huang Shaotian will be the biggest challenge," he had said. "He's unpredictable and fast, but if we can read his movements and predict his patterns, we can counter him."
Su Mucheng, the team's main artillery, had nodded. "I'll need to stay back and focus on long-range attacks. If I try to get too close, I won't be able to keep up with his speed. But if I stay at a distance, I can create openings for the rest of you."
Su Xiang, always the strategist, had pointed out Mo Fan, Blue Rain's flanker, who had a more stealthy playstyle. "He's quiet and waits for the right moment to strike. We can't lose track of him, or he'll take out one of our key players without us even realizing it."
Liu Hao had agreed, adding, "I'll need to focus on defence and be ready to protect our backline. Blue Rain's strength is in their fast-paced offence, but if we can block their attacks and force them to slow down, we'll gain the upper hand."
The team had spent hours analyzing Blue Rain's gameplay, discussing how to counter each of their key players. Qiu Fei had studied their offensive player, Lu Yifan, noticing that while he was fast, he wasn't as adaptable when things didn't go according to plan. "If we can disrupt their rhythm," Qiu Fei had said, "we can force him into mistakes."
Now, back at the campbase after dinner, the team continued to strategize and refine their approach based on what they had seen earlier in the meeting. Ye Xiu, as always, led the discussion, providing insights and guiding his teammates on how to counter Blue Rain's speed with their teamwork.
As the night wore on, the team eventually disbanded, heading to their rooms to rest for the next day's practice. Everyone except Liu Hao, who stayed behind with Ye Xiu.
Liu Hao walked over to Ye Xiu with two cups of coffee, a smirk on his face. "One more match before we call it a night?" he asked, handing Ye Xiu a cup.
Ye Xiu took the coffee, amused by his best friend's suggestion. "Just one, huh?"
Liu Hao grinned. "Maybe two. But let's relax. No pressure, no strategies. Just a good old-fashioned game to unwind."
Ye Xiu chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "Alright, let's do it."
The two sat down, their fingers dancing across the keyboards as they loaded up a game. For a brief moment, the tension of the upcoming match against Blue Rain melted away, replaced by the pure enjoyment of the game they both loved. As the screens lit up with their characters, they let themselves relax, knowing that no matter what, they had each other's backs.