11

When Han Wenqing arrived at work the next day, he saw that Shen Ning was still maintaining her habit of arriving early and was focused on studying and taking notes on her iPad.

Just as Xu Xinnuan said, she was wearing sporty and casual clothes, and there was a suit jacket hanging on the rack next to her.

Han Wenqing remembers that on her first day at Tyranny, she wore a business suit, which was very eye-catching. This was a formal style that many people in the company would wear, such as those in the sales department and public relations department.

On the contrary, sporty styles are rarely seen.

In the workplace, unless someone has a special profession like theirs, clothing generally represents a person's job status, economic strength, aesthetic sense, and personal charm.

Shen Ning has a good family background and outstanding looks and figure. As an office assistant, she could easily wear more sophisticated business attire or more distinctive and stylish bright clothes, just like everyone else.

She is indeed very meticulous, striving to integrate herself as a member of the team in every little detail.

Han Wenqing walked to her office door and knocked: "Is this a convenient time?"

"convenient."

"Come to the main conference room."

Are there only two of them going to the conference?

Shen Ning had some doubts, but she still picked up her pen and notebook without hesitation.

Then Han Wenqing said, "No need to take the book."

Shen Ning was slightly surprised.

"We were just chatting casually."

"……good."

After putting down his things, Shen Ning followed Han Wenqing to the main conference room empty-handed, feeling somewhat uneasy.

In her previous workplace, even the so-called "casual chat" was anything but casual.

For example, job transfer, demotion, or salary reduction.

Even dismissal.

Did something happen yesterday?

It's gotten this serious.

The two sat facing each other, one on each side, with a chair between them. The conference room had a bright, transparent glass wall, but it was so quiet that even the light felt oppressive.

Han Wenqing thought for a moment, then slowly and deliberately began, "Are you aware that people in the company are talking about you?"

Shen Ning looked at Han Wenqing quietly, her hand clenching the hem of her clothes before letting go.

It turns out their discussion has reached Han Wenqing's ears; it seems things have gotten out of hand.

"You know a little bit about it, like backdoor deals, power struggles, and even speculation about relationships."

Shen Ning spoke frankly and didn't feel embarrassed at all, even when talking to Han Wenqing, her supposed romantic partner, she remained very composed.

Shen Ning asked, "Did someone report this to you?"

“It’s not someone from the company. Xu Xinnuan said that. She overheard it by chance when she came yesterday.”

She hadn't expected that.

It's no wonder that the team leader looked for her as soon as he arrived at the office that morning.

"Do I need to explain anything to her? I will fully cooperate."

"It's not what you think." Han Wenqing leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, his tone not very stern. "She hopes the team can take care of you and not let those rumors affect you."

Shen Ning was quite surprised: "She doesn't care about those rumors?"

"I don't care. She told me she likes you a lot."

Having lived for twenty-five years, Chen Ning had never encountered such a wonderful state of mind.

It's like walking on a snowy street wrapped in a very warm and thick down jacket—cool but not freezing.

She was neither in a hurry nor did she need anyone to give her warmth, because she knew that the environment was like this, and everyone living in this environment was like this; there are gains and losses.

She'll get used to it; it won't freeze her to death. And this snowy road will eventually end; she'll reach her warm home sooner or later.

But then, someone on the street insisted on giving her a cup of hot cocoa and even smiled at her.

A concern that's not really needed, a smile that's not really needed, a kindness that's not really needed.

It could even be said to be unnecessary.

The person who receives this kindness may not even feel grateful.

They might even think she's mentally ill.

Whether in disbelief or anticipation, Shen Ning looked directly at Han Wenqing and asked, "What else did she say?"

Han Wenqing didn't hide anything: "As a leader, I'm not going to neglect my subordinates. I'll prepare uniforms for you and have lunch with you when you're alone, so you'll feel a sense of belonging to the team."

Shen Ning smiled after hearing this.

She had met so many people and encountered so many things, but this was the first time she had ever met such a "helpless" pushover.

She remembered that before leaving yesterday, Xu Xinnuan had specially returned to give her two White Rabbit candies.

It was the cheapest candy she could ever want; she wouldn't normally buy it, and even if she did, she'd probably just throw it in a corner and forget about it until it expired.

Xu Xin Nuan could tell that her bag was expensive, so she should know that she wouldn't care much about the candy, and might even be disdainful of it.

But she still gave it to her, with a smile.

Who could do that?

What an amazing girl!

"Han Wenqing, I really envy you." Shen Ning called Han Wenqing by his name for the first time, saying something that made him unsure whether to be wary or proud: "If I were a man, I would do anything to snatch her away."

Han Wenqing replied as if he had heard a joke: "You don't have that chance."

"Yes, it's a pity that I'm heterosexual."

Han Wenqing felt that he and his subordinate, who was about to become his love rival, never thought about anything other than work.

He absolutely didn't want to discuss the boring topic of whether he preferred men or women anymore and desperately wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible.

"The team uniforms have been submitted and will arrive this month along with the new second team members who will be joining the team this season. Just wait a little longer."

"good."

"Also, we'll have lunch together during the summer break."

Shen Ning thought for a moment and said, "I don't care, but aren't you afraid that doing this will only make people think more and cause trouble for your relationship with Xu Xin Nuan?"

"She said it's normal for colleagues in the same department to have lunch together, and things that don't exist can't be made true no matter what you say."

Shen Ning gave a slight smile: "Alright then."

"Also, do you have any ideas on how to deal with the rumors?"

“It’s true that I got in through connections, so it’s only natural that they would say a few words. So far, no one has been trying to trip me up in the coordination work, so it doesn’t matter. As for the rest, just like Xu Xinnuan said, things that don’t exist can’t become true no matter how you talk about them. Captain, you don’t need to do anything. Intervening might just escalate the conflict. Just ignore it, and it will naturally be fine in a while.”

"Then you need to adjust your mindset."

"Don't worry, I've seen it all since I was a child. If you can't even handle these little storms, how will you ever climb the ladder in the future?"

He remained calm and confident, not taking the gossip to heart at all.

Seeing this, Han Wenqing naturally stopped worrying, and the topic returned to the team.

"By the way, Xin Jie said you should start collecting Glory tactics and strategies from other countries now."

"What about the other teams participating in this World Invitational Tournament?"

"It's not necessarily limited to the national team; domestic leagues are also included in the search. Although Glory originated in China, this competition clearly revealed that other countries, especially those in Europe and America, are very strong, and there are many unexpected playing styles, many of which are worth learning from."

"Okay, I'll get started when I get back."

"Don't rush. The online video materials are incomplete and involve external network issues. It's a long-term process, so let's take it slowly."

"good."

It's already early August, and the semi-finals are in a couple of days. If we advance smoothly, the finals will be in mid-August.

Of the remaining four teams, the national team is the strongest, especially since they defeated the potential favorites, Switzerland, and their morale is high.

Domestic sports media and major e-sports clubs are ready to celebrate.

Even related industries couldn't sit still. Before the competition was even over, many sports brands, e-sports equipment companies, and sports and health apps came to discuss cooperation.

Especially with players Zhang Xinjie and Zhang Jiale on the team, Tyranny rose to fame after their quarterfinal match against Switzerland, and contracts of all kinds came pouring in like snowflakes.

Team sponsorship contracts, event and league sponsorship contracts, personal endorsements...

There were even car companies they had never dealt with before.

If most of the contracts weren't exclusive, Wu Meng and his sales team would have loved to take them all.

"With these sponsorships, this year's performance is pretty much guaranteed." In the general manager's office, Wu Meng chatted with Han Wenqing about business. "Who would have thought that the World Invitational Tournament would come out halfway through and set esports on fire?"

"Then be careful next year." Han Wenqing analyzed the situation calmly. "According to the group's past practices, business segments that achieve their performance targets this year and have a good industry environment are likely to double their targets next year."

“Let’s talk about next year. This year, everyone can have a good New Year.” Wu Meng said, handing a plan on the table to Han Wenqing. “These are the brands that the sales department has reported as potential signing partners. Take a look first, don’t rush to decide.”

Han Wenqing glanced through it and asked, "Do you want to wait until we win the championship before you watch it?"

"Well, if we really win the championship, we might be able to work with more brands than just these. If we also have someone selected for the All-Star team, then the endorsement price will be even higher."

"Okay, we'll look at it when Xinjie gets back," Han Wenqing said, closing the clipboard.

Wu Meng added, "Let Shen Ning see it too, after all, there's that connection."

"Okay. I'll head back now if there's nothing else."

Han Wenqing got up to leave, but as he reached the door, Wu Meng suddenly called out to him.

“Old Han, you…” Wu Meng paused, then said softly, “It’s a pity.”

"It doesn't matter." Han Wenqing didn't even turn his head and went straight out the door.

Just as everyone expected, the game proceeded without any surprises, twists, or unexpected events.

On August 15th, China won the first Glory World Invitational Tournament.

Zhou Zekai won the MVP award at the World Invitational Tournament, and Zhang Xinjie was also selected for the All-Star Team.

This is a crazy moment in the entire history of esports and the history of Honor of Kings.

Just like last time, Chen Ning stayed up all night to watch the game.

Seeing the wings of glory spread out, and hearing the national anthem being sung on stage, I tried to control myself, but tears still flowed uncontrollably.

Her joy was indescribable. She went crazy with her teammates in the group chat, called her parents in the middle of the night, crying and laughing, and opened a bottle of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

After calming down, he buried himself under the covers and reminisced about the game that had already ended.

My calm and collected thoughts seemed to be repeating the same old story.

In the warm yellow light of the bedroom, Chen Ning thought back to the phone call with Zhang Xinjie that night.

She asked him what it felt like to cry after winning a match, and he said he didn't remember and would tell her next time they met.

I didn't expect to win the world championship so quickly.

Chen Ning took out her phone and started sending him messages.

Chen Ning: Did you cry?

After that, she just stared at the chat window with Zhang Xinjie, turning it back on whenever it went black.

No matter how lively the group chat was or how many congratulatory messages she received from her friends, she ignored them all.

A few minutes later, Zhang Xinjie replied.

"You cried, didn't you?"

He smiled calmly.

What does "did you cry?" mean? Whether you cried or not is left to guess.

Without mincing words, she made a call, and the person on the other end immediately asked, "What does it feel like to cry?"

As if caught off guard, Zhang Xinjie remained silent for a long time.

The cheers in the stadium were still deafening, and the trophy still felt cold on his hands. His mind was still replaying the moment when Zhou Zekai was down to his last breath and he delivered the final blow to the opponent in 0.1 seconds.

Everything has reached its peak, yet it seems to be the starting point for the next step.

Climbing upwards continuously, ever upwards.

What does it feel like to have a good cry...?

Zhang Xinjie looked up at the lights above him, and slowly spoke in the dazzling light, his answer ambiguous: "The feeling of greed... I guess."