Gods esports team base, training room.
Su Nian stared at the overly pink title of the live stream room on the screen—【Lin & Nian's Sweet Duo Queue! Tonight, we'll take you to the top of the Rift!】—and felt like her embarrassment was reaching its terminal stage.
Help... What genius came up with this title? "Reaching for the stars"? I just want to knock the head off the person who came up with this title! Her mind was racing, but she had to keep up a professional smile. Su Nian felt like her facial muscles were about to spasm.
Xie Chen, standing next to him, seemed quite calm, or rather, he hadn't even read the title. He was focused on adjusting the peripherals, but his taut jawline betrayed that he wasn't as composed as he appeared.
[Buzz... Detected... Host's... emotional fluctuations... intense... detrimental to... energy recovery...]
In my mind, that familiar, lifeless electronic voice weakly rang out again.
"088?! You're not dead asleep yet?" Su Nian exclaimed inwardly. "And which eye of yours saw me have such intense emotions? This is called professionalism! Don't you understand the self-discipline of a professional actor?!"
[Energy...slight fluctuation...detected...mission target...status...abnormal...attention...focused on the host...]
[Suggestion... Host... Go with the flow... Gain trust... Sizzle... Points... Can... Be redeemed... New flavor... Potato chips...]
The call dropped again, leaving Su Nian speechless. So, you risked your last breath to wake up just to tell me Xie Chen was watching me, and to remind me that I could exchange points for potato chips?! The foodie system is confirmed!
As soon as the live stream started, the barrage of comments flooded the screen like wild horses.
[They're here! The couple has arrived!]
【Good evening, Nianbao! You're so cute today too!】
[Lin, look at me! Husband!]
[Please put on some clothes! This is an esports livestream, not a concubine selection!]
Su Nian took a deep breath and flashed a sweet smile: "Hi everyone, I'm Su Nian. Tonight I'm duo-queuing with Lin, hope you enjoy watching~"
Xie Chen said succinctly, "Good evening." His gaze, however, seemed to casually sweep over the bullet screen assistant in front of Su Nian. When he saw a few overly enthusiastic "wife" comments, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
The game begins. In order to maintain the "sweet duo" persona, Su Nian has to take the initiative to find topics to talk about.
"Lin God, what kind of strategy are we going to use this time?" The voice was soft and sweet, and the eyes were sparkling.
Xie Chen operated the mouse without looking up: "Do as you please, I'll go with you."
Comments: [???]
"You can do whatever you want, I'll just follow along? What kind of domineering CEO statement is this?!"
I'm totally shipping them!
Su Nian's inner monologue: "Just go for it? Our chemistry isn't even that good enough yet! What if I carelessly go astray and you follow me?!"
However, the game progressed unexpectedly smoothly. Su Nian's awareness and skills, honed over several worlds (and slightly adjusted by the power of Ice Soul), were practically unmatched in this realm of esports for ordinary humans. His vision control, timing, and skill combos were virtually flawless.
What made Su Nian's skin crawl even more was Xie Chen's cooperation. He was like a mind reader, no, more like a top-tier jungler with "Su Nian's behavior prediction AI" installed. The moment she pinged a signal, he was already in position; when her health was low, his support always appeared out of nowhere; even if she just moved forward a little, he would immediately adjust his position to form an invisible protective circle.
[This coordination... I'm speechless! Is this telepathy?!]
[Lin was so proactive today! She stayed by Nianbao's side the whole time!]
[Online conjoined twins confirmed! So cute!]
Su Nian felt extremely uncomfortable under this tight "protection," internally screaming: "Dude, I know you might be a little... well, you know... but this is a game, not a game of Plants vs. Zombies! You're too close! I can hear your breathing through my headphones! This oppressive feeling is almost as intense as when I was with the Vampire Prince!"
In a crucial team fight, Su Nian's support, in an attempt to limit the enemy's key carry, positioned herself too far into the enemy territory. Although she managed to control the enemy, she herself was also surrounded by the enemy.
"Oh no, this is going to be a disaster..." Su Nian felt a chill in her heart.
However, just as the enemy's skill was about to hit her, the assassin hero (Xie Chen) on the screen flashed in like a ghost, forcefully blocking the most crucial control skill with his body. At the same time, his hand speed exploded, and with a dazzling series of operations, he killed the enemy's carry in the midst of the enemy's army. However, he himself had taken too much damage and his health was almost gone.
"Let's go." His voice was deep and unquestionable.
Su Nian was stunned for a moment, then quickly maneuvered her low-health hero to retreat.
[Holy crap! Flash to block a skill! He risked his life to carry!]
This is such a beautiful love story! I cried!
[Lin God: You can hurt me, but you can't touch her!]
After winning the team battle, the chat went absolutely wild.
Su Nian stared at the assassin on the screen, standing proudly amidst a pile of corpses, barely clinging to life. Her heart skipped a beat. Not out of感动 (moved/touched), but because… this guy was definitely testing whether I was a “cheat code” with his actions! Using this self-destructive fighting style to test my reaction and coordination limits? Are all yandere's thought processes this bizarre?!
She stole a glance at Xie Chen. He was staring intently at the screen, his profile hard and cold, but his ears... seemed a little red?
Was he too excited from playing the game? Su Nian wondered to herself.
During a break from the game, Su Nian got up to get a glass of water. Just as she stood up, her wrist was suddenly grasped by a warm hand.
Su Nian froze and looked down. Xie Chen's hand was large, easily encircling her wrist. The force wasn't strong, but it carried an air of inescapable power.
"Where to?" He looked up at her, his eyes deep, with a hint of... nervousness that was barely perceptible.
"Pour...pour water," Su Nian stammered. What's going on? Does she even need to report when she pours water? Is her clingy side loading a little too fast?
Xie stared at her silently for two seconds, then released her hand, saying in a flat tone, "Come back soon."
Su Nian: "..." Why does your tone sound like my mom nagging me to do my homework?
She practically stumbled to the water dispenser, her mind racing: Help! That look he gave me! That wrist-grabbing gesture! He was definitely checking if I'd secretly logged off or been up to something, right?! This damn possessiveness and control! Although… his hands are quite pretty… Ugh! Su Nian, wake up! This is a yandere! This is dangerous!
The live stream finally ended with Su Nian feeling utterly exhausted. Data reached a new high, CP fans celebrated, and the haters temporarily fell silent.
Su Nian slumped in the gaming chair, feeling even more exhausted than after playing a best-of-five series. Not only did she have to operate the game, command, and act, but she also had to constantly deal with the sudden "attention" and "tests" from the gaming pro beside her.
Xie Chen turned off the computer, stood up, and his gaze fell on Su Nian's still slightly red wrist—the place he had just held.
He paused for a moment, then took out a jar of exquisitely packaged imported candy from his peripheral bag and placed it on Su Nian's desk.
"Replenish your energy." His tone remained flat as he finished speaking, then turned and left the training room.
Su Nian looked at the jar of candy; the packaging was in a foreign language she couldn't understand, and it looked expensive.
My inner monologue: Here we go again! A slap followed by a candy! First, you questioned my 'cheating,' then you used Flash to block a skill, then you restricted my freedom (pouring water), and finally you give me a can of candy?! Xie Chen, can't you at least have a consistent pattern to your behavior?! Is this candy poisoned?!
She carefully picked up the sugar jar, shook it, and heard a crisp clinking sound.
...It smells pretty good?
No way! I can't let myself be corrupted by sweet talk! This is Bingjiao's candy! If I eat it, he might mark me as his own!
But...it looks really delicious...I'll just eat one? It should be okay, right? Anyway, the system said to gain more trust...
After much hesitation, Su Nian finally couldn't resist the temptation and secretly peeled one open and put it in her mouth.
The rich aroma of fruit and milk melts on the tongue, sweet but not cloying.
...Mmm, it smells delicious.
As she ate the "handouts," she silently updated her mental material:
Yandere Observation Diary: Behavior is highly contradictory, exhibiting both probing and protective instincts; enjoys feeding, seemingly using material gifts to mark ownership. Alertness: High. Danger Level: Unknown (but the candy is delicious).
Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from my manager, informing them that there was a new business meeting for a couple tomorrow.
Su Nian looked at the message, then at the jar of candy, and sighed.
The road ahead is long, but the show must continue.
But why does my heart feel a little off while eating this sweet candy?
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