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VLG achieved a good record of 4-12 in the regular season, securing a playoff spot in advance as the top seed of the season. ASG also did well, ranking sixth.
The playoffs were incredibly intense. According to the format, VLG only had to play two matches, allowing them ample rest time, resulting in high spirits and excellent form. Ultimately, they lifted the championship trophy. FLG, CE, and ASG secured second, third, and fourth place respectively, all qualifying for the World Championship.
The forum's popularity soared to its annual peak.
Following the recent surge in popularity of the two, some people dug back and unexpectedly uncovered something quite funny. Someone found the "past lives" accounts of Shen He and Chen Yuchuan. It all started with a blogger's fifth-anniversary commemorative video, and the two IDs were dug up from accounts that had been deactivated for many years.
The blogger lost his first ranked match in the ladder by two terrible teammates. The blogger cursed and swore, while the two bad teammates laughed happily.
[A river that is unaware of its own pitfalls]
[Cai and Gouba Chuan]
The forum erupted in laughter:
"??? Wait a minute, this ID... is this some kind of elementary school kid's online dating couple name, hahaha?"
"When I encounter an ID like this, I usually treat it like a primary school student on vacation and immediately queue up."
"So they really were brothers all along, and it wasn't just a deliberate attempt to create a bromance?"
"A family really needs to hire a master to come up with an ID like this!"
"I can't believe it! These two are so good at putting on an act, how come they're like this in private?"
"They probably regretted having such a stupid ID and that's why they deleted the account, right?"
"I'm speechless. Aren't they supposed to be the two most handsome and coolest guys in the Rift? Where did their swagger go?"
"I feel like it was Trump who forced Styx to make the changes, since this guy looks like a complete idiot."
Digging deeper, you'll find high-ranking spectator videos from a few years ago, as well as live stream recordings and game screenshots. Those two accounts were used to duo queue almost every day back then, and they were among the first accounts in the entire server to reach the top ten in the ranked ladder.
After the operation video was leaked, technical posts also increased:
Why does Styx only play AD carries now? He used to seem so versatile.
[The way Trump acted back then was disgusting, just like he does now, always acting like a jerk.]
[As expected, talent is something... Could I share some of the extras?]
However, it's clear that the two often cover each other's roles, usually switching between mid-jungle and marksman/support.
I'm shipping them again; they're such a good match.
[A four-time champion jungler and a newly emerging god-like marksman? That's interesting.]
Shen He chuckled. Actually, he was the one who changed his ID first. Back then, Chen Yuchuan liked to yell at his teammates while playing games, and Shen He thought he was too hot-tempered, so he impulsively changed it. Chen Yuchuan was very unhappy when he saw it and changed his ID too. Moreover, the role selection wasn't complementary; Chen Yuchuan was more accommodating him. When the game first came out, the matchmaking system was very arbitrary. He usually acted on his own whims, and he was very self-centered, never asking Chen Yuchuan if he was happy or considering whether Chen Yuchuan was having fun.
He looked at Chen Yuchuan, wanting to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything.
Netizens are really hooked this time:
I miss the days when I played games with my buddies. Sigh, my youth is gone forever.
[Holy crap, is this the legendary couple who grew up playing games together, became professional players together, and won league championships together?]
The thought of them probably being two pretentious fifteen or sixteen-year-old kids arguing and trash-talking in a game makes me laugh.
[Oh, youth... but the ID is just too funny.]
[It's actually quite poignant. My own ID back then was really stupid, but the people I used to play with have all gone their separate ways long ago.]
Yeah, my friend and I were so close back then, we could practically share a pair of pants. Now we're all living our own lives, it's really great that we could hang out together for so long.
When Shen He saw this passage, he fell silent.
That period was indeed quite awkward, but also quite interesting. Back then, he truly felt he could stay young forever. He depended on his parents, but he also couldn't live without Chen Yuchuan. On one hand, he complained that Chen Yuchuan was too clingy, but on the other hand, he tacitly accepted that Chen Yuchuan was always by his side.
Even in thoughts he was unwilling to admit, he took that companionship for granted as an integral part of his life.
Shen He smiled, head bowed. An overprotected child could be so willful, feeling he didn't have to shoulder any responsibility, didn't have to associate with people he disliked, and didn't have to do things he hated. He could eat and drink his fill every day, play around with Chen Yuchuan, and then come home and lie on the sofa pretending to be tired. His parents wouldn't demand he study hard, as long as he was happy. When faced with troublesome things he didn't want to deal with, Chen Yuchuan would be there for him. They spent each day lightly and happily, unable to distinguish whether the so-called future or what to eat and do today was more important.
Even when he saw the character with Peter Pan Syndrome in the game, he seriously worried that he might be like that too, and that when he was twenty or thirty years old, he would still be a child who couldn't do anything.
It wasn't until he left home that he realized he could actually do everything himself, and that he really didn't need to rely on anyone.
He simply couldn't bear to leave the feeling of being surrounded by people he needed and the special affection he felt.
Chen Yuchuan couldn't stop laughing. Seeing Shen He's blank expression, he leaned over to comfort him: "Baby, you were only sixteen back then. It's normal to be a little childish. It's quite cute."
Shen He glanced at him. Chen Yuchuan immediately admitted his mistake, saying he shouldn't have complained so much while playing the game, as it not only affected Shen He's mood but also caused Shen He to be ridiculed. Shen He smiled; this guy was quite self-aware now.
The departure ceremony is scheduled for one week later.
Chen Yuchuan had a complete suit made for the two of them: dark, slim-fitting suits, patterned ties, and even hand-carved cufflinks. He also specially found a stylist for the entire VLG team, arranging everything from hairstyles to makeup. Shen He felt that the whole team didn't look like they were going to participate in a game event, but rather like they were going to some kind of professional event.
He stood in front of the mirror, looking at his hair held in place by the hairspray, and frowned.
"How was it?" Chen Yuchuan asked with a smile.
"...Not bad," Shen He replied perfunctorily.
He disliked this deliberate attempt at maturity; his hair was meticulously combed, making him seem like he was being forced into an inappropriate age. But when the unedited photos of the departure ceremony were released, the comment section was filled with screams.
"Holy crap, is Styx's face for real?!"
"Chuan Gou really has that domineering CEO vibe when he wears a suit."
"These two are undeniably good-looking."
"Speaking of which, aren't junglers supposed to be standing next to the mid and top laners in the entry queue? Why are they running over to the AD carry's side?"
"Two deadbeat guys standing together, with that same deadpan expression, damn it, my blood pressure is rising."
Back home, Shen He glanced at the exaggerated comments, turned off his phone, and tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa. He collapsed onto the living room carpet, ruffled his hair, and slumped down. The occasion and atmosphere of the day had left him utterly exhausted.
Chen Yuchuan looked at him like this, a smile playing on his lips, and walked over to lie down next to him.
“Baby.” Chen Yuchuan propped himself up on his arms and looked down at him. “You look especially handsome and good-looking like this.”
Shen He turned his head, frowning as he sized up Chen Yuchuan. In his memory, the two of them still wore their school uniforms in a messy way: "I feel like we look really awkward like this."
Chen Yuchuan didn't say anything, but directly lowered his head and kissed him.
The kiss was deep, carrying a long-suppressed aggressiveness. Chen Yuchuan's hands gripped the back of Shen He's neck, his fingertips tracing the skin behind his ear, his breathing growing heavier.
Shenhe raised her hand and pushed him away.
Chen Yuchuan looked up, his eyes filled with longing: "What's wrong? Can't I be your boyfriend today?"
Shen He smiled and said, "No, I'm tired. Today we're brothers."
Chen Yuchuan lowered his head, bit his neck, then moved to his earlobe, his voice low and husky: "It's been so long since I've been your boyfriend, how can you be so patient?"
Shen He reached out and pushed his head away, his tone still calm: "You really can't convince yourself without having a drink."
Chen Yuchuan stopped what he was doing, straightened up, stared at Shen He for a few seconds, and finally let go. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
“Okay,” Chen Yuchuan said, his voice still a little hoarse. “Then I’ll wait until you’ve drunk it before we talk.”
Shen He noticed the restraint in his voice and couldn't help but ask, "How come you're so addicted?"
Chen Yuchuan opened his eyes and looked at him, a smile playing on his lips: "Because of you."
He paused, then said, "If it were anyone else, I wouldn't even bother to glance at them."
Shen He didn't reply, but just looked at him. The desire in Chen Yuchuan's eyes slowly faded, replaced by something profound. He reached out and touched Shen He's cheek, his thumb gently stroking his jawline.
Shen He noticed that he had grown up a lot since they first met. His features were well-defined and sharp, but he still had that kind of aggressive look. Especially today, dressed in a suit and tie, his eyes and brows held a mature sharpness, quite different from the gloomy, aloof, and prickly boy he used to be.
In the past, Chen Yuchuan always had a gloomy look in his eyes, as if he was about to hit someone at any moment. He didn't like to talk or smile, and his whole person exuded an aura that kept strangers at a distance.
The current Chen Yuchuan is even more domineering and unreasonable when dealing with others, and his aura is even more unapproachable than before.
Shen He was shocked to realize that no matter how Chen Yuchuan changed, no matter how strong or sharp he became, he was always restrained in front of him.
That aggressiveness transformed into a restrained gentleness when facing Shen He.
Shen He's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't tell if it was emotion or something else. He simply reached out and grabbed Chen Yuchuan's shoulder, pulling him closer before kissing him.
Chen Yuchuan paused for a second, then rolled over and pinned him down, his hands digging into his hair, kissing him even deeper. Their breaths mingled, and only their rapid panting filled the living room.
After a long while, Chen Yuchuan released him, his forehead pressed against his, his voice low and hoarse: "What is this? A reward?"
"You did a good job," Shen He said.
"So, I can be your boyfriend again?"
Shen He reached out and grabbed Chen Yuchuan by the collar, pulling him down and telling him, "Serve for one hour."
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