Chapter 35 Part 1

When Yan Zhun returned to the Base, the others were still training. This morning, the PUBG tournament organizers released an announcement: the tournament schedule would resume next Wednesday.

At first, Yan Zhun hadn't actually planned on living here. Firstly, he didn't want to disturb their training. Secondly, although the Base and the school were close, commuting still took time, making it less convenient than renting a place near the school.

He only agreed after the Coach asked him several times.

"Brother," Lin Xuhuan saw him through the glass and took a moment to wave vigorously at him. "Over here!"

Yan Zhun put his duffel bag on the sofa and entered the training room.

It was almost ten at night. The training scrims had ended long ago. The others were practicing their aim in the training grounds, while Lin Xuhuan and the Assaulter were playing duos and had just entered the final circle.

He sat on the chair behind Lin Xuhuan and lowered his head to send a message.

Lin Xuhuan killed the last enemy, and the "Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner" screen popped up. He let out a smug, cold snort. "I told you, my 4x AK is unstoppable."

After speaking, he took out his phone to take a picture of the computer screen.

The Assaulter asked in disgust, "What kind of country bumpkin are you, taking a picture as a souvenir every time you win a game?"

Lin Xuhuan said, "I'm taking it for my new disciple."

"Who's so unlucky to become your new disciple?"

"My Baby Ran, of course."

The moment Lin Xuhuan finished speaking, his head was lightly smacked.

He froze for a moment, then turned his head in confusion. "Brother, what was that for?"

"He has a name." Yan Zhun finished speaking and glanced at the screen, scoffing. "Four kills. This is your 4x AK?"

While Lin Xuhuan was trying to argue his case, the Coach walked in carrying a late-night snack.

"Eat something before you continue practicing." He gestured with his chin and said to Yan Zhun, "I had them pack yours separately, without anything spicy."

Yan Zhun said, "I've already eaten."

The rich aroma of barbecue filled the room, and the others couldn't stand it. They all exited their games and gathered around the table.

"Brother, did you have a late-night snack with your girlfriend before coming back?" the Assaulter asked. "What did you eat?"

Yan Zhun said, "Noodles."

"You ate out?"

Tapping on his phone, Yan Zhun asked without looking up, "Switched careers to become paparazzi?"

The Assaulter chuckled and lowered his head, focusing on his skewers.

While waiting for a reply, Yan Zhun licked his lips.

For his late-night snack, he had scallion oil noodles from a ten-year-old shop at the school gate. It was rare not to have to queue tonight. But now, the only taste left in his mouth was that of creamy candy, the one he had tasted from Pei Ran.

The conversation at the table was about the tournament. After a period of hiatus, many teams' playstyles would change. The Coach was predicting the drop locations of several strong teams.

As they were chatting, someone at the table suddenly stood up. The others couldn't help but look over.

It was the team's Sniper and Commander, and also the team's big brother figure. He picked up the lighter on the table and said, "I'm going out for a smoke."

Lin Xuhuan glanced at the table in front of him, where there were only two bamboo skewers. "Brother Wei, is that all you're eating?"

"Yeah, I had a big dinner," Brother Wei said. "You guys take your time."

As he walked past Yan Zhun, Yan Zhun heard him and looked up, just in time to see his hand trembling as he took out a cigarette.

Yan Zhun's heart sank. He called out to him. Brother Wei subconsciously shoved his hand into his pocket. "What's up?"

Yan Zhun met his gaze for two seconds, then said, "Smoke less."

On Wednesday, the official PUBG tournament resumed. The competition was packed with strong teams, the live audience seats were full, and the official tournament stream had also climbed to number one on the popularity charts.

That day, Pei Ran was stopped by his teacher right after school ended. She gave him a few instructions and only waved him off after all the other students had left.

Pei Ran went out with his backpack on. Yan Zhun was standing with his back to the classroom door, wearing one earphone, his head lowered as he watched the live tournament on his phone.

Sensing someone next to him, Yan Zhun glanced over, his expression relaxing a little. "Got held back?"

"Yeah." Pei Ran lowered his eyes. "Is it TZG's match? Is it not going well?"

It was more than just 'not going well.'

This was the third round, and TZG hadn't placed in the top five in a single one.

Yan Zhun picked up the other earphone. "Want to listen?"

"Okay."

Just as Pei Ran finished speaking, Yan Zhun helped him put the earphone on. Worried it might be uncomfortable, he even adjusted its position a few times, his fingers lightly brushing against the shell of Pei Ran's ear.

Yan Zhun had been standing outside for a while, and his hands were a bit cold.

Inside the earphone, the commentators were talking.

"TZG's form is not looking good. Did they relax too much during the recent training period?"

"He failed to out-snipe the opponent again. What's wrong with TZG's Sniper? He seems to have been making mistakes all these rounds... and he's been finished off."

"TZG is now in a three-versus-four. Oh no, a team to their right heard the gunshots and is coming over. TZG is about to be pincered!"

"TZG is wiped out, taking... sixth place."

Yan Zhun took off the earphones.

Just as he was about to say something, his hand was taken by the person beside him.

Pei Ran had been in the art studio all afternoon, so his hand was warm. Yan Zhun squeezed his hand back, and just as he was about to speak, he heard the sound of a door opening behind him.

The teacher walked out of the art studio while on the phone. Seeing the people standing outside the door, she first froze for a moment. After her eyes fell on their held hands, she even stopped mid-sentence.

Yan Zhun let go.

But Pei Ran held on.

"Goodbye, teacher," Pei Ran said.

The teacher snapped back to her senses and nodded at them. "...Right, head back early."

After the teacher left, Pei Ran asked, "Have you been waiting long?"

Yan Zhun had arrived very early. There was a glass pane on the back door of the art studio, through which he could see Pei Ran and his painting.

But he didn't peek for long before leaning against the railing to watch the tournament.

What he had seen a few days ago had left a knot in his heart. The uncertainty made him uneasy.

"Not long," he said.

Pei Ran looked down at the phone in his hand, which was still playing the match. "Not watching anymore?"

"It's halftime. Want to get something to eat first?"

Pei Ran agreed. After walking down two steps, he couldn't help but add, "Their overall ranking has always been very high. If they play the next round well, they can still get back into the top three."

Yan Zhun was silent for a moment. "They can't."

Pei Ran: "What?"

"There's something wrong with Brother Wei's hand. He can't play anymore," Yan Zhun said.

Yan Zhun had already noticed signs of this during the training scrims these past few days, and it became even more obvious on the tournament stage.