Returning home from Zurich was a whirlwind. The entire team was celebrated like heroes upon landing, greeted by fans, press, and the massive weight of their victory. Tang Rou found it surreal at times—only a few months ago, she had been fighting to prove herself, and now she stood among the champions of the Glory world. But despite the accolades and celebrations, her mind had already begun to drift to what lay ahead.
The dust had barely settled, but Tang Rou knew better than to get complacent. Glory wasn't a game where you could rest on your laurels. The moment you thought you were unbeatable, someone came along and knocked you off the pedestal. That someone would most likely be Shade, and she could feel the pressure of their unfinished rivalry simmering in the background.
After a few days of media interviews and public appearances, the team returned to the training center, a familiar and comforting place amidst all the chaos. Tang Rou was grateful for the return to routine. The glamour of the spotlight was exciting, but it wasn't what drove her. It was the quiet grind, the thrill of battle, and the constant pursuit of improvement that kept her coming back to Glory.
"Feels good to be back," Zhang Jiale said as he stretched, settling into his station. "All the fame and glory is great, but nothing beats sitting in front of the screen and getting to work."
"You're just afraid of losing your touch," Su Mucheng teased, setting her bag down beside her chair. "Don't worry, we won't let you slack off."
Tang Rou smiled at their banter, but she remained silent, her mind already locked onto her screen. She logged into Glory, her fingers moving automatically as she navigated through the menus. There was always something calming about the familiar hum of the game's interface, the soft glow of the monitor pulling her back into focus.
As her character loaded into the virtual world, Tang Rou felt a sense of calm settle over her. This was where she belonged—on the battlefield, facing off against opponents who would test her limits. The thrill of the finals had passed, but now came the hard part. Staying at the top was always harder than reaching it.
"Ready for some practice, Tang Rou?" Ye Xiu's voice broke through her thoughts. He stood behind her, his arms crossed, a familiar smirk on his face. "I figured you'd be the first one to jump back into training."
She looked up, smiling. "I want to stay sharp. The next challenge is always just around the corner."
Ye Xiu nodded approvingly. "Good attitude. There's a new tournament coming up soon—something smaller but with a lot of top teams. I expect Shade and Starlight will be there too."
Tang Rou's heart skipped at the mention of Shade. She hadn't heard from him since their encounter in Zurich, but the anticipation of their next battle hadn't left her mind. She had expected him to challenge her again, and hearing that he would likely compete in the upcoming tournament sent a thrill of excitement through her.
"Then we better get ready," she replied, her fingers already flying across the keyboard.
As the days passed, the team slipped back into their routine, training hard in preparation for the new tournament. Unlike the massive World Invitational, this one was more focused—smaller in scale but packed with top-tier talent. For Tang Rou, it felt like the perfect stage for a rematch with Shade.
The tournament, dubbed The Winter Clash, would take place in just a few weeks. As they reviewed the roster of participating teams, Ye Xiu confirmed that Starlight had indeed entered, along with several other notable teams. The competition would be fierce, but Tang Rou felt ready.
During practice sessions, Tang Rou found herself focusing more and more on improving her adaptability. The last time she had faced Shade, she had caught him off guard with her aggressive playstyle, but she knew he wouldn't fall for the same tricks twice. He would be coming at her with something new, and she needed to be prepared to counter whatever strategy he threw at her.
"Shade's unpredictable," Tang Rou muttered to herself during one of their late-night sessions. "He's smart enough to learn from his losses. He'll have something planned for me."
"Then you'll just have to be even more unpredictable," Ye Xiu said from across the room, overhearing her. "You can't let him dictate the flow of the match. You have to keep him guessing, just like last time."
Tang Rou nodded, internalizing his advice. Shade was good at controlling the pace of the game, at forcing his opponents into making mistakes. If she wanted to win, she'd have to play faster, smarter, and more flexible than she ever had before.
In the weeks leading up to The Winter Clash, Tang Rou dedicated herself to improving her reaction speed and her ability to switch strategies mid-match. She studied Starlight's recent games, trying to pick apart their playstyle. Shade had become even more dangerous since their last encounter—his team moving like a well-oiled machine, adapting to every opponent they faced.
Tang Rou could feel the pressure building, but she welcomed it. This was what she lived for. The thrill of the fight, the challenge of facing someone as skilled as Shade, pushed her to go beyond her limits.
The day of The Winter Clash arrived, and Tang Rou found herself standing in the lobby of the event center, surrounded by the buzz of anticipation. The venue wasn't as massive as the one in Zurich, but it was packed with energy. Fans of Glory filled the seats, eager to watch their favorite teams battle it out for supremacy.
The tournament kicked off with several preliminary matches, and as expected, the Chinese team breezed through the early rounds. Tang Rou was in top form, her play sharp and decisive, leading the team through each match with confidence. They faced strong competition, but their teamwork and preparation carried them through without a hitch.
But in the back of her mind, Tang Rou knew the real test was still ahead. Starlight had also advanced to the later rounds, and each victory brought them closer to the inevitable rematch.
Finally, the matchups for the semifinals were announced.
China National Team vs. Starlight.
Tang Rou's heart raced as she saw the brackets. It was happening again, just as she had expected. Another showdown with Shade. Another chance to prove herself.
As the team prepared backstage, the tension was palpable. Ye Xiu gathered everyone around, going over the strategy for the upcoming match.
"We know how they play," Ye Xiu said, his voice calm and collected. "They're fast and adaptable, but we've beaten them before. We just need to stay focused and execute our plan."
Tang Rou listened carefully, but her mind was already racing through the possibilities. Shade was a different player than he had been in Zurich—stronger, more refined. She couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
"They'll be expecting us to play aggressively, like last time," Su Mucheng said, her eyes scanning the match footage they had reviewed earlier. "We should switch things up, hit them with something they won't see coming."
"Exactly," Ye Xiu agreed. "Tang Rou, you'll need to keep Shade on his toes. He'll be watching you closely, trying to find an opening. Don't give him one."
Tang Rou nodded, her resolve hardening. This was it—the rematch she had been waiting for. She had grown since their last encounter, and she knew Shade had too. But she was ready.
As they walked onto the stage, the noise of the crowd washed over them. Tang Rou's heart pounded in her chest, but she welcomed the pressure. This was what she lived for—the thrill of competition, the battle between rivals.
She took her seat, her hands hovering over the keyboard as the countdown began. Across the stage, Shade sat with his team, his masked face calm and unreadable. But Tang Rou could feel the intensity in the air—the weight of their rivalry hanging over the arena.
Three seconds.
Her pulse quickened, her focus sharpening.
Two seconds.
The map loaded, and Tang Rou's hands hovered over her controls, ready for battle.
One second.
The match began.
The opening moments of the match were tense, both teams moving cautiously as they sized each other up. Starlight, led by Shade, played aggressively as expected, but Tang Rou could see the subtle shifts in their strategy. Shade wasn't overextending this time—he was playing a more measured game, testing her defenses before committing to an attack.
"He's watching me," Tang Rou muttered into the comms. "Waiting for me to make a mistake."
"Don't give him one," Ye Xiu replied, his voice steady. "Stick to the plan. We'll wear them down."
Tang Rou nodded, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she maneuvered her character with precision. Shade was good—better than she had anticipated—but she had trained for this. She knew his tendencies, his patterns, and she wasn't going to fall into his traps.
The match unfolded like a game of chess, each move countered by another, both teams refusing to give an inch. Tang Rou could feel the tension building, the weight of every decision pressing down on her. But she thrived in this pressure, her focus narrowing to the battlefield in front of her.
Finally, an opportunity presented itself. Shade had pushed too far, trying to bait her into overcommitting, but Tang Rou saw through the ploy. Her character darted forward, launching a precise counterattack that caught Shade off guard.
"They're exposed!" Tang Rou called out, her heart racing as she pressed the attack.
"Push now!" Ye Xiu ordered, his voice filled with urgency.