The quiet hum of Café Azure surrounded Ye Xiu as he sat at the small round table, tapping his finger absently against his phone. Across from him, Liu Hao mirrored his thoughts, his eyes occasionally darting to the entrance. The boy they were about to meet—someone who had piqued their interest with his unorthodox but refined gameplay—was already late.
Ye Xiu's phone vibrated softly. He glanced down at the screen, seeing a new message from an unknown number: "Hello, Ye Xiu..."
His brow furrowed, the words oddly unsettling. He didn't recognize the number, and something about it felt... off. Shrugging it off for now, Ye Xiu pocketed the phone, deciding to focus on the upcoming interview. There was more than enough on his plate already.
The bell above the café door jingled, and Ye Xiu and Liu Hao straightened up. A young boy walked in, a confident stride in his step, but with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of someone who had just stepped into their dream. He Ming, a name that was fresh to them, approached their table.
As He Ming sat down, Ye Xiu and Liu Hao couldn't help but examine his face, trying to place him. There was something familiar about the boy's expressions, but it clicked when he began speaking.
"I'm a huge fan of Excellent Era," He Ming began, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "I've been following you guys for years, watching every match, every strategy. It's because of you, Ye Xiu, that I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a professional player."
Ye Xiu's expression softened slightly as He Ming spoke. His words were sincere, the kind of pure passion that reminded him of his younger self.
Liu Hao, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "Your playstyle... it's reckless but controlled. It's familiar. It reminds me of someone." He paused, realization dawning on him. "You play like Ye Xiu did in the early days."
He Ming's eyes lit up, his excitement barely contained. "That's exactly who I've modelled my gameplay after! I've studied your old matches, your tactics. You've always been my inspiration."
Ye Xiu exchanged a glance with Liu Hao, both impressed. It wasn't every day they found someone who not only admired them but had successfully adopted such a complex playstyle. They continued the interview, asking more about He Ming's experience and how he had refined his skills. The boy's answers were sharp, his knowledge of the game deep, and both Ye Xiu and Liu Hao found themselves intrigued.
As the interview went on, Ye Xiu couldn't shake a creeping feeling in the back of his mind. His eyes wandered across the café, and for a moment, they settled on Huang Shaotian seated in the far corner. His opponent from Blue Rain was sitting across from a well-dressed man—one Ye Xiu didn't recognize. The air around them seemed tense.
His gaze flickered back to his phone, thinking about the strange message. But for now, he pushed it aside, refocusing on He Ming.
On the other side of the café, Huang Shaotian sat stiffly across from the man who had given him his card weeks ago. The man's demeanour was calm, almost unnervingly so, as he sipped from a small cup of coffee. His suit was crisp, and tailored perfectly, and there was an air of quiet confidence about him.
"I have to ask," Huang Shaotian said, leaning forward, his eyes sharp. "Why approach me? What do you want?"
The man smiled slightly, setting his cup down gently on the table. "Straight to the point. I like that." His voice was smooth, and calculated. "I approached you because I see potential in you. You're one of the most skilled players in Glory, and I admire that. But skill alone isn't enough, is it?"
Huang Shaotian narrowed his eyes but didn't speak, letting the man continue.
"You want success," the man said, his tone firm. "I can offer you that. Short-term success, long-term success—whichever you prefer. But I'm not talking about just winning matches. I'm talking about real influence, power within the gaming industry."
There was a brief silence as the man studied Huang's face. "Tell me," he continued. "What do you want to achieve in Glory? How do you plan on doing it? Winning championships year after year? Is that enough for you?"
Huang Shaotian paused, unsure how to respond. He knew what he wanted—he had always wanted to be the best, to be known as the greatest player in Glory—but something was unsettling about the man's directness. He could feel the pressure in the air like a trap being set.
"I need time to think about this," Huang Shaotian finally said, pushing back his chair slightly. "I don't make decisions without considering all the angles."
"Of course," the man said, his smile never wavering. "Take all the time you need. But remember, opportunities like this don't come around often."
Huang nodded, excusing himself from the table. His mind was racing, his thoughts conflicted. He didn't know what to make of the offer, but one thing was clear—this man wasn't playing around.
Back at the Excellent Era camp, Ye Xiu, Liu Hao, and He Ming entered the building, the mood lighter than it had been in days. Su Mucheng greeted them warmly, her usual smile returning as she was introduced to He Ming.
"So, you're the recruit?" Su Mucheng teased lightly, shaking He Ming's hand.
He Ming laughed nervously. "I guess so! If Ye Xiu and Liu Hao think I'm good enough."
"Trust me," Liu Hao said, clapping him on the back. "You've got the skills. Now we just need to see how well you fit with the team."
They all sat down together, discussing new strategies and plans for the upcoming matches. Ideas were tossed around, with Ye Xiu and Liu Hao leading the conversation, but even He Ming chimed in occasionally, surprising them with his insight.
As they strategized, Ye Xiu's mind wandered back to Huang Shaotian and the man he had seen him with. Something about the entire situation felt off. His phone buzzed again, and this time, he checked it immediately. Another message from the same unknown number:
"Be careful of the people around you. Not everyone can be trusted."
Ye Xiu's eyes narrowed. His instincts told him something big was coming, but for now, he had to focus on rebuilding his team.