8. Training Match
This was the first time Lin Jiang had organized a training match for them.
Duren took it very seriously and immediately called Song Zhixu back, instructing him: "I have something to do this afternoon and won't be able to come back. Could you keep an eye on things for me?"
"Old Wen doesn't like playing practice matches, so you need to help him mentally prepare. Lin Jiang just joined our team, so he should be patient with any things he's not used to and pay attention to team harmony."
"And tell Ah Deng not to be nervous and to play normally."
"The most important thing is Shen Ju. Absolutely, absolutely do not let him argue with Lin Jiang, or it'll be all over..."
The reason why the previous mid-laner ran away overnight was largely due to Shen Ju.
Neither of them would back down, and they would fight at the drop of a hat, while other people's trending topics were "e-sports dark horse" and "promising future".
When it came to Shen Ju, it was basically always the same thing: "Shen Ju got into a fight with the captain" or "Shen Ju got into a fight with the captain again".
"Don't worry, Lao Du," Song Zhixu's gaze was even more determined than when he joined the Party, "I'll go and do some ideological work with them right now!"
Song Zhixu gave Zhou Wen, A Deng, and Zheng Yu some psychological support, then turned to look for Shen Ju, only to find him already in the training room.
At this time, Lin Jiang had finished his work and had nothing to do, so he came up behind Shen Ju to watch him play ranked games.
You should know that Shen Ju's temper is as explosive as a powder keg when playing ranked matches. As soon as something doesn't go his way, he'll immediately pick up his keyboard and start ranting.
The authorities have punished him countless times for this, with the most serious ones resulting in suspensions and warnings, but he still went his own way, infuriating the officials.
If Lin Jiang saw this, he would definitely criticize him!
But Shen Ju would most likely have to jump up and fight head-on!
In a short moment, Song Zhixu had already imagined countless bad consequences. He rushed downstairs in a hurry, but he was still a step too late.
After being killed again while desperately needing to develop, Chenju picked up his keyboard once more: What is the jungler doing? Is the mid laner out of their mind? Is the support playing rubbish? What kind of top laner dares to gank me?
Unable to stop it in time, Song Zhixu covered her face in despair.
It's all over, it's all over.
He had even figured out how to slide on his knees in his mind, but then he heard Lin Jiang chuckle softly.
Lin Jiang was genuinely smiling, not in a mocking way, but in a gentle, indulgent way.
Shen Ju recognized his voice.
He didn't know when Lin Jiang had stood behind him, and subconsciously felt a little uncomfortable thinking about how he had just been yelling at someone.
Will Lin Jiang hate him?
Just like those who once said they wanted to be his friends, but in the end they all distanced themselves from him and betrayed him.
They said they didn't care on the surface, but they all hated him behind his back.
Chen Ju gripped the mouse tightly.
The black and white screen reflected his figure. Lin Jiang leaned over and said, "It's no wonder you get banned for spewing insults like that. Give me the keyboard, I'll teach you."
Lin Jiang's slender fingers swept across the gaming chair, and his typing speed was no slower than Lin Jiang's:
[Don't go shopping, jungler. If you want to go shopping, call your best friend next time.]
[Stop showing off in the mid lane, your skills aren't impressive.]
[Support, are you in such a hurry to get a divorce at the Civil Affairs Bureau? Wait for me to be okay, understand?]
[It's been 25 minutes already, and the top laner is still talking about what happened 7 minutes ago. Why don't you start from the beginning of time, from the creation of the world by Pangu?]
After his powerful statement, his teammates miraculously fell silent. No one typed anymore, and they focused on playing their own game.
Shen Ju felt his breathing falter.
Lin Jiang's sleeve touched the back of his hand, cool and slightly brushing against it, leaving a faint trace of his breath.
Shen Ju smelled a very faint fragrance on him, cool and a bit like mint, and a bit like rosemary.
The keyboard was back in his hands.
Shenju found himself unable to breathe.
He held his breath, watching the figure rise on the screen, when a voice behind him carried a faint smile:
"The last time we played against each other was in a friendly match in the league, right? I thought you had great talent and a strong ability to find your own way to deal damage. It's been two years since we last met, and you've become so good at it."
Shen Ju's fingers tightened.
He didn't expect Lin Jiang to still remember that friendly match from two years ago.
The hero in his hand was resurrected, and the brightened screen could no longer reveal Lin Jiang's expression. Shen Ju's mind was in turmoil. He didn't know what to say, so he just replied with an "Mm".
When Song Zhixu arrived at the scene, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to break up the fight. However, Shen Ju, who was usually rebellious and acted like a mad dog, actually behaved himself and did not cause any trouble this time.
Song Zhixu looked completely bewildered.
Lin Jiang turned to look at him, "Did you notify them?"
"They've been notified; they'll be down soon."
Song Zhixu fawned over him, "Captain, who are we playing a practice match against this afternoon? Have you made arrangements yet?"
Lin Jiang took a cup to get some water. "It's a secret."
"Captain," Song Zhixu began to whine, "can you give me a hint so I can be mentally prepared? I'm afraid I'll embarrass you if I go up there..."
After getting the water, Lin Jiang leaned against the cabinet and looked at him, saying, "Go and beat up Mao."
Song Zhixu: !!!
"Wait, Captain! Me, fighting Lao Mao? He was a top laner before he retired, I definitely can't beat him... Captain, please, please find someone else for me, I'm sure I'll suffer a terrible defeat..."
Lin Jiang smiled very gently.
However, he still ruthlessly rejected Song Zhixu's request.
He stopped smiling and looked at him seriously. "Old Mao was one of the first players to receive traditional training. His playing style is very orthodox. I think you can learn a lot from him."
Song Zhixu realized that Lao Mao might have been invited by Lin Jiang specifically for him, and awkwardly withdrew his hand, "Then...then thank you, Captain."
"There's nothing to thank me for, we're all teammates."
Song Zhixu immediately smiled like a flower again, "Captain, let me make you a cup of coffee. Don't let its old-fashioned design fool you, this coffee machine makes a really fragrant cup..."
On the screen, Shen Ju pursed his lips tightly, maneuvering his hero to charge into the enemy's rear, and with a perfect jump, wiped out the enemy team.
After winning the game, Shen Ju turned around, but Lin Jiang was no longer behind him. He caught a glimpse of Song Zhixu squatting in front of the coffee machine, showing off in a very obsequious manner, while Lin Jiang leaned against the cabinet, looking at him with a smile in his eyes.
...Lin Jiang seems to look at everyone like that. Even when he looks at a tree or a telephone pole, his eyes are so gentle they seem to drip with water.
Shenju: ...
The cook prepared a sumptuous lunch for them at noon. After lunch, they would officially begin the training phase.
Before the start of the summer season, all clubs will arrange practice matches for their players to familiarize themselves with their opponents and maintain their form.
However, because OT's ranking was so low, many teams were unwilling to scrim with them, so Duren could only get matches with teams like VT.
This results in OT always being stuck fighting with weaker opponents, never improving their skills.
Since he couldn't find a team, Lin Jiang figured he might as well form one himself. Fortunately, he was well-liked, and Lao Mao had a lot of influence in the community. Soon, he formed a five-person team consisting of retired players, popular streamers, and streetball legends.
As soon as Lao Mao entered the room, he started showing off: "How's the guy I found for you? I didn't lie to you, did I? His matchup dominance is at least WS or higher, enough for you guys to train with."
The witty guy who was pulled into the room said, "What do you mean you pulled me in? I only came because of Ah Jiang. Stop flattering yourself."
Hearing their commotion, Lin Jiang smiled helplessly: "You guys aren't broadcasting live, are you? Remember to keep the training match a secret for me."
Mao: "Don't worry, it will absolutely not be leaked."
Mao: "Have you brought everyone in?"
Song Zhixu, already inside the room: (sliding to his knees) Brother, be gentle with me...
Anxious A-Deng: Hello everyone.
Zhou Wen looked at those well-known IDs, secretly itching to get started.
Shen Ju was the last one to come in, and he ended up in Lao Mao's team, unable to switch.
So Lao Mao fell silent when he saw that the ID that had been arguing with him last week was now on the same team as him. Not only him, but almost all the teammates he had brought in had also argued with Chen Ju.
The scene became somewhat awkward at one point.
Just as Song Zhixu was about to suggest that he step back and let Shen Ju take his place, Lin Jiang kicked him away with a "thud," saying, "Shen Ju, come here."
The "Come here" was strong and forceful, giving the illusion that it was helping him. Chen Ju switched sides with a "thud".
Mao muttered a few words, but didn't say anything more.
Shen Ju was moved over, the extra people were moved back, and there was just enough room for Song Zhixu to enter the room again.
With both sides ready, proceed to the hero selection screen.
Lin Jiang disconnected from Lao Mao and the others and entered the team voice chat. "We won't ban the enemy heroes this game. You guys get a feel for their laning phase."
His voice became calm and serious, creating the tension of a formal match even though it was just a training game.
A Deng sat upright, and even Zheng Yu, who was watching the game from behind, felt nervous to varying degrees. Is this the pressure from a top player?
Since no one was banned on this side, Lao Mao and his team all got their signature heroes. Song Zhixu looked at the enemy's Renekton and his vision went black. "Captain, Lao Mao's Renekton will definitely kill me."
Lin Jiang laughed coldly, "Then try your best not to get killed by him, or at least try not to die such a terrible death."
Song Zhixu logged on with a crying face. His current thoughts were the same as his current alternate account ID: This road is bound to collapse.
Old Mao on the other side burst out laughing when he saw his ID, "He's supposed to be an LPL top laner, how could he choose such an embarrassing name..."
As expected, after the game started, Lao Mao completely dominated Song Zhixu, who was playing Ornn and was no match for him.
When the enemy jungler came to gank at level 6, Lao Mao flashed and stunned him instantly. He then used a red-rage Q to bring the enemy down to half health, and with the help of the jungler, they easily secured the kill.
Song Zhixu was devastated. After buying his equipment and teleporting back online, he missed half a wave of minions and hadn't even reached level 6 yet. As soon as he showed his face, the jungler who had been ganking him tower-dived him again, sending him to his death once more.
When the enemy's crocodile reached level 7, he was still only a level 5 Ornn, trembling under the tower...
If it were the usual Song Zhixu, he would be used to losing face and wouldn't feel anything special no matter how much he lost face.
But I don't know why today.
He cared a lot about Lin Jiang's opinion.
He glanced furtively at Lin Jiang, who was in the same lane. He figured Lin Jiang hadn't seen his stupid move, right? Song Zhixu had just breathed a sigh of relief and was buying equipment when Lin Jiang's voice suddenly came through his earpiece: "Song Zhixu."
Song Zhixu's hand trembled: "Here!"
Lin Jiang suppressed a laugh, "No more deaths are allowed."
Song Zhixu blushed instantly from her neck to her ears, "Yes!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
