Chapter 28 Part 1

Pei Ran had been called “Teacher” many times. Some people online who liked his art would call him “Teacher Fei,” and when he previously participated in an art exhibition, the staff would also call him “Teacher Pei.”

At first, he was a little embarrassed, but he got used to it after hearing it so often.

Pei Ran walked into the lounge in silence. After the Coach adjusted the spectator view, he stood up and said, “You can press this key to switch perspectives. I have to go over there to watch. You… why is your face red?”

Pei Ran’s skin was fair, so it was especially obvious when his face flushed.

He was used to hearing “Teacher,” but when Yan Zhun said it, it seemed a little different from when others did.

Pei Ran lowered his eyes, his fingers tracing the spot on his palm that had just been brushed against, and said, “I’m fine, I had a little to drink.”

The Coach thought about it. At the table, it seemed Pei Ran… had only had one or two sips? Later, Yan Zhun had covered his glass, so no one could pour anything into it.

The Coach said, “Then I’ll open a window for you to get some air and sober up. Or should I have the auntie heat up a cup of milk for you?”

“No trouble, I’ll be fine in a bit,” Pei Ran said. “Thank you.”

After the Coach left the lounge, Pei Ran followed his instructions and locked the spectator view onto the ID Yan Zhun was using.

Yan Zhun’s playstyle in training matches was completely different from when he usually played with him. Because his teammates were all very strong, he had no worries about his rear, allowing Yan Zhun to push every action to its absolute limit. It was a clean and beautiful performance that could be felt even through the screen.

Today, Yan Zhun was playing as the number two Assaulter for the main team. Although they didn’t usually train together, they had known each other long enough to have great synergy. They quickly wiped out two teams and went to a small house in a wild area to recover.

Yan Zhun was drinking Painkillers and had the map open, considering where to go next, when he heard a “ding” in his headset.

Closing the map, he saw Lin Xuhuan crouching next to him, with a freshly dropped SCAR-L on the ground.

“Bro~ I want to give you a buff too~~” Lin Xuhuan said in a pinched voice.

He wanted to trade for the fully-kitted M4 in Yan Zhun’s hands.

Yan Zhun said lazily, “Take your crappy little gun and get away. You’re blocking the view out the window here.”

Lin Xuhuan cursed, “Just treat me like Baby Ran and let me enjoy his treatment, can’t you?! At worst, I’ll pay you a companion fee after this! I’ll book you for five hundred hours!”

Yan Zhun said, “Can’t.”

Lin Xuhuan was unconvinced, “Why not?”

Yan Zhun said, “You’re not as cute as him.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the comms went silent.

Not just Lin Xuhuan; the other two couldn’t help but turn to look at him with confusion and astonishment.

In terms of looks or talent, Pei Ran was indeed a cut above the average person. He didn’t talk much but had a good personality; everyone acknowledged that.

But, cute???

“Bro, I’m not kidding, if Baby Ran’s personality is called cute, then I, Lin, am the world’s number one sweetheart.” Lin Xuhuan said without a hint of a blush. “The kind where you can squeeze honey out of my cheeks.”

The other two burst out laughing. Yan Zhun also smiled, a faint smile, and said mockingly, “Then tell the guy next to you to stop donating to female streamers and just donate to you.”

The person beside him sneered, “I’d rather throw my money into the water. At least I’d hear a splash.”

Lin Xuhuan reached out to choke his neck, “You motherfucker, apologize to me.”

The Coach, taking notes in the back, laughed. It felt a bit like returning to a few years ago. Back then, they were all Youth Trainees, and he was a new coach. The few of them would bicker in a cramped practice room. At that time, Yan Zhun wasn’t as quiet as he was now; he’d occasionally drop a curse word or two, his hair was cut very short, and he was brimming with youthful energy.

Yan Zhun didn’t actually play training matches with the first team usually. Today, another Assaulter had a wrist problem, and team management had taken him for acupuncture, saying it would be one or two hours before he returned.

Two hours later, Yan Zhun’s focus was clearly wandering. After another training match ended, he glanced at the time, “He’s still not back?”

“Still getting needled, it’s almost over.” The Coach glanced at the date. “Don’t you have no classes today? What’s the rush? Just finish today’s training matches before you go. The doctor told me that even if he comes back, his hand will be temporarily unusable, he needs to rest for a day.”

“No,” Yan Zhun said. “Someone’s waiting.”

Only then did the Coach remember there was a guest sitting outside. He thought for a moment, “Then how about I have someone send him back first?”

Yan Zhun pressed the ready button, “Last match.”

The refusal was clear in his words. The Coach pondered for a bit; making a guest sit alone outside for two hours was indeed not good. He compromised, “Alright, then I’ll get an Assaulter from the Second Team to fill in. When are you packing up to move in?”

Yan Zhun didn’t plan to live at the school anymore. Firstly, the dorm environment was bad, and secondly, his roommate was an eyesore.

He had originally wanted to rent an apartment, but after the Coach found out, he used a mix of persuasion and pestering to finally trick him into moving into the Base dormitory.

Yan Zhun said, “Tomorrow.”

After the training match, Yan Zhun stretched his limbs and walked towards the lounge. Hearing the door, Pei Ran subconsciously looked over.

“Done playing?” Pei Ran was a bit surprised.

Yan Zhun grunted an “Mhm,” “Were you bored waiting?”

“Not at all,” Pei Ran said. “It was great to watch.”

Yan Zhun walked closer and glanced at the screen, saw his own stats on the results screen, and raised an eyebrow, “You were watching my perspective the whole time?”

Pei Ran nodded honestly.

The Coach’s assistant came in with a phone, “They’re clamoring for a midnight snack, from that seafood barbecue place by the road. What do you two want?”

“We’re not eating,” Yan Zhun said. “He has to sleep when he gets back. He won’t be able to sleep if he’s full.”

The two left the Base shoulder to shoulder. The little assistant saw them out and remained standing in the entryway, still holding her phone in both hands.

Lin Xuhuan came out after using the restroom and looked at her, puzzled, “What are you doing? Did you order the takeout? I’m starving to death.”

“Ordered,” the little assistant came back to her senses and followed Lin Xuhuan towards the training room. As they walked, she suddenly asked, “Little God Huan, don’t you think Brother Zhun and Baby Ran are a bit strange?”

“How are they strange?”

“I can’t quite put my finger on it, I just feel like… Brother Zhun is a bit doting.”

Lin Xuhuan looked at her with a complicated expression.

After a long moment, he patted the little assistant’s shoulder, “You’re overthinking it. I’ve known my brother for so many years, the only thing he’s ever doted on is his precious keyboard.”

The supposedly undoting Yan Zhun drove the person to the academy entrance, “Go on back, Teacher Pei.”

The sleepiness that had settled on Pei Ran from the car ride instantly vanished. He hummed an “Mhm” and handed the paper bag in his hands to Yan Zhun.

It was a massager, exactly the same as the one he gave Lin Xuhuan today.

No wonder the bag was so bulky; it had two inside.

Yan Zhun asked, “Picked one up for me on the side?”

“No,” Pei Ran said, his eyes lowered. “I picked it out for you before.”

The implication was that Lin Xuhuan’s was the one picked up on the side.

The night breeze brushed past, making one’s heart itch. A smile filled Yan Zhun’s eyes. He hummed in agreement, “Teacher Pei is so nice.”

Being called “Teacher Pei” over and over made Pei Ran dream that he had become an art teacher that very night.

Fortunately, he hadn’t been having a headache over his students for long before he was woken up by the ringing of his phone.

The caller ID showed Lin Kang. Pei Ran squinted at the time: two in the morning. He had only been asleep for less than half an hour.