Regular season finale and playoff preparations
Chapter 27: Regular Season Finale and Playoff Preparation
The away victory over Team WC was a powerful shot in the arm, allowing Team AY to regain its winning streak. In the following regular season, they continued their unstoppable momentum, defeating several strong teams in the Eastern Conference and winning all remaining regular season games without a single loss, ultimately securing first place in the regular season and advancing to the playoffs. At the conclusion of the final regular season game, the training base erupted in cheers long overdue. The players high-fived each other in celebration, and the coach, with a rare, relaxed smile, said, "Everyone played well, but don't let up. The real challenge lies ahead."
According to the league's schedule, the team was given a week of rest after the regular season. While most players chose to return home to spend time with their families, Lin Yu and Su Ran remained at the base—they wanted to use this time to prepare for the playoffs. On the last day of the rest period, the coach gathered everyone in the training room. A projector played profiles of the top playoff teams, and the atmosphere instantly shifted from the relaxed atmosphere of rest to the intensity of preparation.
"In the first round of the playoffs, our opponent is the eighth-ranked FT team." The coach pointed to the FT team's game footage on the screen and spoke in a serious tone. "Although this team is ranked low, they are very resilient and are particularly good at finding opportunities to steal dragons and turn the tables in the late game. Their jungler, Lao K, steals dragons quickly and always asks the support to clear vision ahead of time. We must focus on guarding against him. Mid laner Xiao Xia likes to hide in the grass, often ambushing in the river or on the edge of the jungle. Su Ran, you need to pay more attention to the vision layout in the middle lane."
As Lin Yu and Su Ran listened, they quickly wrote down key points in their notebooks. Lin Yu's notebook was filled with vision points near the dragon pit, while Su Ran marked the brush locations where the FT team's mid laner often lurked. During breaks, the two of them stayed in the practice room, instead huddling together to study the FT team's game replays.
"FT's dragon stealing rhythm usually lasts around 10 minutes, which is exactly when the first Overlord spawns." Lin Yu pointed to the timeline on the screen. "Next time in the training match, let's try to set up vision in the bushes on both sides of the dragon pit in advance. I'll use Pangu to guard the dragon, and you pick Sima Yi to go to the middle lane to contain Xiao Xia and prevent him from supporting the dragon pit."
Su Ran nodded, his finger swiping across the screen. "Sure. Sima Yi clears lanes quickly. As long as Xiao Xia dares to leave the middle lane, I can catch up immediately, either forcing him to return to defense or cooperating with the side lanes to take the tower. Sima Yi's ultimate skill also provides quick support. Even if a fight really breaks out in the dragon pit, I can still get there in time."
For the next few days, the lights at the training base stayed on late into the night. They practiced different strategies for different opponents—against a team that excelled at pushing lanes, they practiced the "Da Qiao + Gongsun Li" elevator system; against a team that excelled at teamfighting, they practiced the "Lan + Wang Zhaojun" control and damage combination; against a team that excelled at stealing dragons, they focused on refining their coordination between dragon pit defense and mid lane containment.
Sometimes when training reaches the afternoon, Su Ran would feel his eyes sore from staring at the screen for too long and couldn't help rubbing them. When Lin Yu saw this, he would immediately stop training and drag him to the rooftop of the training base to get some fresh air. The wind was very strong on the rooftop, and the wind blowing on the face could instantly sober people up. Lin Yu would take off his coat and put it on Su Ran, and help him tidy up his hair that was messed up by the wind: "Don't be too tired. Proper rest will help you get into better shape. The playoffs are a long-term battle, and we have to conserve our energy."
Su Ran leaned in Lin Yu's arms, feeling the warmth from his body, and whispered, "I just want to practice a little longer, I want to win more championships with you, and I don't want to disappoint those who support us."
Lin Yu hugged him tightly, resting his chin on the top of his head, and said in a gentle but firm voice: "Yes, we can do it. But you have to promise me that you won't force yourself. Your health is the most important thing."
During their preparations, fans also showed tremendous support. The training base's communication room was flooded with gifts daily—handwritten letters of encouragement, each filled with sincere blessings; custom-made team merchandise emblazoned with the AY team logo and the words "Defending Champions"; and even cute little dolls of Lin Yu and Su Ran, the two characters holding hands and holding the trophy, a heartwarming sight.
After training, Lin Yu and Su Ran would go to the reception desk together to open their presents. Every time they saw the fans' well wishes, they were deeply moved. One letter from a middle school student read: "Captain Lin and Captain Su, I watch your games every day. Your teamwork is so seamless! I also want to work hard for my dreams with my good friends. I hope you can keep winning and win the championship!"
Su Ran took the letter and read it carefully to Lin Yu, tears in her eyes: "We must win and not let our fans down."
Lin Yu nodded and reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes: "Don't worry, we will."
The day before the playoffs began, the team held its final tactical meeting. In the training room, everyone sat at attention, their eyes fixed on the tactical board held by the coach. The coach circled "FT Team" on the board and said firmly, "Every playoff game is crucial. One mistake could lead to elimination. Everyone, stay calm and perform at your usual practice level. Don't be nervous, and don't underestimate the enemy."
His gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on Lin Yu and Su Ran. "Lin Yu, Su Ran, you are the core of the team. You must lead everyone to withstand the pressure and control the rhythm of the game. I believe in you, and I believe in our entire team."
Lin Yu and Su Ran stood up at the same time, their voices loud and firm: "We will definitely go all out!"
After the meeting, the teammates left the training room one after another to prepare for tomorrow's game. Lin Yu and Su Ran stayed behind to watch the FT team's game replay one last time. On the screen, FT was engaged in a fierce teamfight at the Dragon Pit. Lao K's jungler successfully stole the Dragon King, helping the team pull off a comeback.
"Don't be nervous about tomorrow's game." Lin Yu turned off the projector and turned to look at Su Ran. "Just like in normal training, we are well prepared. There will be no problem."
Su Ran nodded and reached out to hold Lin Yu's hand. The warmth from his fingertips made him feel at ease instantly: "With you here, I'm not nervous. No matter what happens, we will face it together."
The two exchanged a smile, their eyes devoid of fear, only a desire for victory and trust in each other. As the night deepened outside the window, the training base fell silent. Only their clasped hands seemed to silently declare—they were ready to face the challenges of the playoffs and to sprint toward their goal of defending their championship.
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