The S10 World Tournament finally came to a close. The entire Tianhuan team flew back to China the following afternoon.
At the Imperial Capital International Airport, a sea of fans came to pick them up. They held up huge banners reading "Welcome Home World Champions," and many girls bought fresh flowers to give to the players.
Listening to the deafening screams from the crowd, Ye Shaoyang personally felt the enthusiasm of Tianhuan's fans.
Coach Lin said "thank you" while helping clear a path for the team members. Everyone got onto the bus sent by the club and returned to the Tianhuan base together.
Tianhuan's staff had long been waiting at the entrance, and even the big boss of the club came in person. Everyone applauded enthusiastically for the players. Chi Shu took the golden championship trophy out of his suitcase, and by tacit agreement, everyone went to the trophy showroom on the first floor of Tianhuan's base, looking up at the highest spot.
In the trophy showroom, various awards won by Team Tianhuan since its establishment ten years ago were displayed, including three domestic championships, a World Tournament runner-up trophy, the Silver Dragon Cup, the Goddess Cup, and the two World Individual Championship trophies won by Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang.
Every trophy recorded a wonderful piece of history.
But the highest spot had always been empty.
Everyone knew what that meant, and everyone knew that only the World Championship trophy was qualified to be placed there. That was the obsession of generation after generation of Tianhuan players.
Coach Lin looked up at the display cabinet and smiled. "This empty spot can finally be filled. You guys put it up there yourselves!"
Chi Shu looked at Ye Shaoyang. "Together?"
Ye Shaoyang nodded. "Okay."
Chi Shu opened the glass cabinet. Ye Shaoyang held the golden World Championship trophy with both hands and carefully placed it inside.
A round of applause rang out around them.
Watching this scene, many team members were moved to tears.
Ten years later, the dream was finally realized.
From now on, everyone could say with righteous confidence: We, Tianhuan, are World Champions!
A-Ning looked at Old Nie, whose eyes were filled with tears, and couldn't help teasing, "Old Nie, did you buy your women's clothing?"
Old Nie touched his nose and went all out. "I bought it! I'll livestream tonight and fulfill my promise."
When Old Nie said he would "wear women's clothing" after drinking, he never expected Tianhuan to win the championship. When he retired, it was Tianhuan's lowest period; they couldn't even make it to the second round of the domestic playoffs, let alone talk about a World Championship.
Unexpectedly, Yangyang's joining completely changed Tianhuan.
Tianhuan became the biggest dark horse of S10!
As an old member of Tianhuan, he was happy for everyone. What was wearing women's clothing in comparison?
That evening, on the Whale Streaming platform, a streamer with the ID "Old Nie" suddenly went live. Netizens knew he was Tianhuan's former marksman, Nie Cheng, and upon hearing the news, they flocked to the livestream room to watch.
The moment they entered, they laughed like crazy—
They saw a tall, burly man wearing a colorful dress, a bow on his head, and a strange blush smeared on his face, sitting in front of the computer, smiling foolishly and greeting the viewers.
[What's the situation? Old Nie, are you taking things this hard?]
[Nice dress, don't wear it again next time!]
[This village-girl style is simply blinding my eyes.]
[Do you have some misunderstanding about girls' blush? Who painted monkey butts on your face?]
[This colorful dress… did Xiao Xing buy it for you?]
[Tianhuan's aesthetics are doomed.]
Just then, several notifications flashed across the livestream room—
[Tianhuan Lieyang sent streamer [Old Nie] a Deep Sea Torpedo!]
[Tianhuan Shuoyue sent streamer [Old Nie] a Deep Sea Torpedo!]
…
With the appearance of the Sun-Moon duo, other Tianhuan members also started sending torpedoes.
Old Nie laughed. "Thanks for the torpedoes, brothers! Actually, it's like this. When I retired, at the farewell party, I got drunk and said that if Tianhuan ever won the World Championship, I would livestream in women's clothing! I am fulfilling my promise today. Congratulations to Tianhuan for winning the World Championship!"
Netizens finally came to their senses, taking screenshots and screen recordings one after another to preserve this "dark history of cross-dressing" for Old Nie.
A netizen asked: [Brother Nie, who picked this outfit?]
Old Nie said, "I bought it online myself. Does it look good?"
Netizens plastered the screen with ellipses.
[So Tianhuan's marksmen's strange aesthetics are hereditary?]
[Xiao Xing's rainbow crystal ball and rainbow keyboard, and Old Nie's red and green dress.]
[Tianhuan's marksman position is hopeless; they just like flashy colors.]
[Old Nie, never buy clothes for your wife in the future, I beg you.]
[Hope Captain Chi and Yangyang's aesthetics don't get led astray!]
At this time, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu were also streaming.
They started a stream on the day they returned to China simply to thank the fans who had supported them all along. Seeing the comments, Ye Shaoyang couldn't help laughing. "Don't worry, I've always liked white."
In front of the livestream camera was the long-unseen ragdoll cat.
Having not seen it for a while, the little white cat had grown a size fatter. Its face was still cute and sweet as it sat on a stool, seriously playing with a ball of yarn. Many viewers felt like they were transported back to last year when Xiao Bai was still a rookie streamer.
Every day, he would stream with his cat and joke, "My cat is playing the game."
In just one short year, the cute rookie streamer they followed had actually become a World Champion!
Many old fans sent gifts to congratulate Xiao Bai.
A fan asked with concern: [Is Xiao Bai on vacation? What are your plans next?]
Ye Shaoyang said, "The club officially gave us a holiday starting tomorrow. I should be taking the kitten back to Star City to rest for a while. This year was indeed too tiring."
Everyone agreed: [From Group B counterattacking to Group S in the regular season in the first half of the year, participating in the World Individual Tournament in the middle of the year, and immediately preparing for the playoffs and World Tournament after that… you really were busy for a whole year!] [Exactly, you should rest well!] [Stream more when you have time; we want to buy canned food for your cat!]
Ye Shaoyang said, "I will. If I have time during the holiday, I'll stream with Xiao Bai."
Next door, netizens were also asking: [Is Captain Chi going home too?]
Chi Shu said, "Mn, I'm going back with Yangyang. The flight tickets are already booked."
People familiar with Tianhuan knew that both Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang's hometowns were in Star City, so it was reasonable for the club to book their tickets together in advance.
But what netizens didn't know was that Chi Shu's return to Star City this time was also to fulfill a promise to his old friends.
——Treating them to a meal.
Early the next morning, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu took their luggage to the airport. Xiao Bai went through the air transport procedures. After arriving in Star City, Chi Shu personally drove Ye Shaoyang and Xiao Bai home. The two settled the kitten down together, filled its bowl with food, and then turned to leave for a famous sky restaurant in Star City.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Fang Zhengqing, Xie Yuan, Chen Qianhua, and Xu Zhuo—Chi Shu's four old friends from the Youth Training Camp era—had already arrived. Coach Xu from the Youth Training Camp was also there, and Xie Weiyu had been invited by Ye Shaoyang. The eight of them met in the restaurant and hugged each other.
Coach Xu sighed, lamenting, "Six years! When you left the Star City Youth Training Camp back then, you were all kids. In the blink of an eye, you're so big."
Xie Yuan roasted softly, "Coach, we're actually still quite young now."
Coach Xu hurriedly corrected himself. "Hehe, true, true. You're only in your early twenties, just much more mature than back then. In the future, I can also proudly say that I trained a World Champion!"
Chi Shu smiled slightly. "It's my treat today. Everyone eat to your heart's content."
To avoid being disturbed by outsiders, Chi Shu rented out the VIP top floor of the Starry Sky Restaurant. The eight of them ate and chatted in the revolving restaurant. Xie Weiyu sat with Ye Shaoyang, leaning over to whisper, "Yangyang, have you and Captain Chi considered when you will retire?"
Chi Shu was now 24, and Ye Shaoyang was 23 and a half.
At this age, retirement was indeed something to consider. However, Ye Shaoyang's hand speed and condition weren't bad, perhaps because he presented as an Omega relatively late, so his peak period could be maintained longer?
Some time ago, Ye Shaoyang had done a stress test on himself. Approaching 24, his condition was similar to when he was 20 in his previous life. He felt he could play for another two years.
He loved this arena. Even after winning the championship, he didn't want to leave in a hurry.
Besides, if he left the e-sports stage, he didn't seem to have anything else to do?
Ye Shaoyang looked at Chi Shu, meeting the latter's gaze.
Chi Shu didn't know why Yangyang was looking at him, so he consciously peeled a shrimp and placed it in Ye Shaoyang's bowl.
Ye Shaoyang smiled gently and whispered to Xie Weiyu, "I should retire together with Chi Shu. Whenever he leaves, I'll leave."
Xie Weiyu asked curiously, "Are you two dating?"
Ye Shaoyang nodded. "You are my best friend; I don't want to lie to you. We are indeed together."
Xie Weiyu put on an "I knew it" expression and whispered to Ye Shaoyang, "Blessings to you. If you get married in the future, I will definitely attend the wedding."
Seeing the Omega and Beta whispering, Chi Shu asked in confusion, "What are you guys chatting about?"
Both spoke at the same time: "Nothing."
Chi Shu: "??"
Xu Zhuo actively raised his glass beside them, saying boldly, "Come, come! A toast to everyone's friendship over so many years, and to Tianhuan's championship!"
Everyone stood up and clinked glasses.
Although they fought tooth and nail in the arena, they were still the best of friends in private.
There was only one champion.
But on the road to the championship, powerful opponents would spur one to constantly move forward.
In the S10 season, Tianhuan was undoubtedly the final winner. But teams like Jingzhe, Yueying, Binghun, Beimu, and others also showed their style. Those players who didn't win the championship were equally worthy of respect.
After the meal, everyone went home.
Chi Shu drove Ye Shaoyang home but was reluctant to part ways. They parked the car, came out of the residential complex, and went for a walk in the nearby park to digest their food.
It was already dark, and there were few pedestrians in the park. Chi Shu gently held Ye Shaoyang's hand on the tree-lined path. Ye Shaoyang didn't struggle and held back, interlocking their fingers.
Although it was winter in late December, holding hands, they didn't feel cold at all.
After walking for a while, Ye Shaoyang suddenly asked, "Chi Shu, have you thought about retirement?"
Chi Shu stopped and looked at him. "I have. Tianhuan's next generation of players isn't mature enough yet. If I leave right after winning the championship, I'm afraid Tianhuan will have a gap again. So I thought, I'll wait for Yan Bin, Xie Xiaotian, and the others from the 2nd Team to grow up and be able to take over our shifts. Then I can leave with more peace of mind."
The reason Tianhuan fell from the peak to the bottom was that back in S6, Ming Sheng retired too hastily, throwing the captaincy directly to his 18-year-old apprentice, leading to a lack of successors and a gap in players.
Of course, Ming Sheng had his difficulties and immense pressure from his family. His choice to retire and invest in Tianhuan's management had minimized the losses.
Chi Shu never blamed his master.
He just didn't want to repeat the same mistakes. He wanted to ensure a smooth transition for the team before leaving.
Ye Shaoyang smiled and said, "I guessed you would be like this."
Because Chi Shu was the most responsible captain Ye Shaoyang had ever seen.
Ye Shaoyang continued walking while holding Chi Shu's hand, saying, "What do you think of Xie Xiaotian from the 2nd Team? His talent is not bad, right?"
Chi Shu nodded. "Mn, good talent. When you first joined the team, he was very unconvinced and challenged you to a 1v1, only to be crushed into becoming your ironclad fan."
Ye Shaoyang chuckled. "Young age, inevitably arrogant. But fortunately, his learning ability is very strong. He learns everything I teach him immediately. So, I want to officially accept him as an apprentice and let him be the successor for Tianhuan's next generation Mid-laner. What do you think?"
Chi Shu looked at Ye Shaoyang in surprise. "Why the sudden thought of taking an apprentice?"
Ye Shaoyang said, "It's not sudden. Because I want to retire with you, the handover must be done well before retiring. The Mid-laner is still very important. Once I train Xiaotian up, in the future, with Xiaotian Mid and Xiao Xing Marksman, both carries being strong, Tianhuan won't be afraid of declining results."
Chi Shu's heart moved. He didn't expect Yangyang to always be considering Tianhuan, just like another captain of Tianhuan. He turned around, gently hugged Ye Shaoyang, and whispered, "Thank you. You really want to train an apprentice and then retire with me?"
Ye Shaoyang admitted frankly, "Mn. If you're not there, it's meaningless for me to stay in Tianhuan. So, when the next generation of players can hold up the scene, we'll leave together."
Hearing this answer, a warm current surged in Chi Shu's heart.
While he cared about Yangyang, Yangyang was also caring about his feelings and was willing to bring up the next generation of players with him before retiring together.
With such a lover, what more could a husband ask for?
Such a good Yangyang, he must tie to his side and never let anyone else have him!
Ye Shaoyang didn't think much of it. Transmigrating to this world, his biggest goal, "World Champion," had been achieved. When he retired didn't matter.
It was just that Chi Shu was so good to him, and Tianhuan's members were also very cute. He wanted to fulfill some responsibility, take an apprentice, cultivate the next generation Mid-laner, and then retire with Chi Shu.
Perhaps because he had been a captain for many years in his previous life, he knew how damaging a lack of successors could be to a team. Coaches could decide lineups and tactics, but game sense, choices during matches, and reactions at critical moments were still clearer to professional players.
As the S10 Individual Champion, he was confident in his strength and wanted to teach his understanding to Tianhuan's next generation Mid-laner.
Even if he retired, his Mid-lane playstyle wouldn't be lost.
The next day, Ye Shaoyang suddenly received a message from Chi Shu: "Are you free today?"
Ye Shaoyang replied: "Free. Resting at home, apart from feeding the cat, just sleeping and playing games."
Chi Shu said: "7 PM tonight, come to the Star City E-sports Center. I'll wait for you there. I sent the ticket QR code to your phone; scan it to enter."
Ye Shaoyang replied: "Okay."
He thought Chi Shu asked him to go to the E-sports Center to watch a match together. Besides the professional league, there were many large and small cup competitions in the country. Since he was idle at home anyway, going there would be a way to relax.
Ye Shaoyang packed his things and took the subway to the Star City E-sports Center.
To his surprise, there were no spectators queuing outside the venue. Thinking he was late, he immediately went to the ticket check and scanned to enter.
The entire venue was pitch black and silent.
Only the warm yellow indicator lights on the corridor floor were on.
Ye Shaoyang looked down at his phone and found his seat number was VIP Section, Row 3, A3-51.
A3-51?
Countless memories suddenly flooded his mind—
A year ago, when he was still a rookie streamer, the first time he came to the Star City E-sports Center to watch a match, the VIP ticket Chi Shu gave him was seat A3-51.
Coincidence? Or something else?
Ye Shaoyang looked around in confusion. The entire E-sports Center audience seating was actually empty!
What was Chi Shu doing? Did he come too early? Why were there no spectators in the entire venue?
Ye Shaoyang quickly sent a message to Chi Shu: "Are you playing Truth or Dare? Why are the seats empty?"
His phone quickly received a message: "Go sit in your seat."
Ye Shaoyang walked forward with doubts. He walked to seat A3-51 and sat down. The screen directly in front of him suddenly lit up. A video appeared on the big screen usually used to broadcast matches.
First Blood!
The exciting system sound effect and familiar scene—Ye Shaoyang understood immediately.
This was the wonderful scene of his debut match, getting a Penta Kill with [Abyssal Lord]!
Next, scenes flashed by constantly, like a movie on fast-forward.
In countless matches of Tianhuan's regular season, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu's Mid-Jungle synergy, sometimes ending the opponent in a smooth game, sometimes turning the tide in a difficult one…
This video was edited entirely from match footage of Chi Shu and Ye Shaoyang.
Judging from the exciting soundtrack and editing style, it should be Qu Jiang's handiwork?
It looked quite hot-blooded.
Watching these familiar scenes, a smile involuntarily surfaced in Ye Shaoyang's eyes.
This video was like a summary review of S10. Unknowingly, he and Chi Shu had walked all this way, played so many matches, and had so many wonderful coordinations.
Now, watching these highlights from a god's-eye view, Ye Shaoyang couldn't help but sigh with emotion—
Every coordination between them was so tacit, definitely worthy of being called world-class Mid-Jungle synergy.
To meet a teammate like Chi Shu, he was truly fortunate in three lifetimes!
The video ended at the moment in the World Tournament where Chi Shu's [Bloodstained Assassin] got a Penta Kill and Ye Shaoyang used [Blood Lord] to flash and force a fight to take the high ground. The familiar golden "Victory" characters appeared on the screen!
Ye Shaoyang applauded excitedly.
He thought Chi Shu called him here to watch this video montage just to reminisce about the brilliance of S10.
Unexpectedly, halfway through clapping, countless moon-shaped fluorescent lights suddenly appeared on the main stage. Those moons were arranged into a huge [Heart] shape, with a blooming, sun-shaped disk in the very center.
The meaning seemed to represent—The Moon surrounding the Sun with heart.
Ye Shaoyang's hands froze in place, staring blankly at the dreamlike scene before him.
Just then, Chi Shu's gentle voice, amplified by the microphone, slowly sounded in his ears.
"Yangyang, we have known each other for one year, four months, and seven days, walking through the S10 season side by side. On the field, we had countless wonderful coordinations. I am very grateful to the heavens for letting you come to my side and become my teammate."
"At first, I thought my heart beat for you because of pheromones and the temporary mark. But later I knew, I like you, regardless of whether you are an Omega or not."
"I like your personality, admire your character. Every time we are together in private, my heart beats faster. Before, I never thought about dating, nor did I think about what kind of person I would spend my life with…"
"Until I met you."
"Only then did I know, you are the person I was looking for."
Listening to his deep confession, Ye Shaoyang's heart beat faster and faster.
Although it was quite cheesy for Chi Shu to say these words to his face, Ye Shaoyang could feel his sincerity.
Chi Shu paused and continued, "Before 24, my biggest dream was to win the Professional League World Championship. After 24, my biggest dream is to be with you and spend the rest of my life with you."
"So, today, I chose the Star City E-sports Center, where we first me,t to formally propose to you."
"I love you, Ye Shaoyang. Let's get married."
Chi Shu stood on the round disk in the middle of the stage, wearing a formal suit, holding a bouquet of sunflowers in his hands, his expression serious and gentle.
Ye Shaoyang sat off-stage, his scalp tingling, at a loss for what to do.
Holy crap!
Proposed by a man?
He never dreamed he would have such an experience!
Chi Shu, why did you organize such a romantic and formal proposal ceremony?
Ye Shaoyang's eyes were a bit wet; he wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
He had never been treated so gently and attentively by anyone.
Before meeting Chi Shu, he hadn't thought about romance, nor had he experienced what it felt like to like someone. But after meeting Chi Shu, he knew for the first time what a heartbeat was.
When with Chi Shu, his heartbeat would accelerate uncontrollably.
He clearly didn't want to like men, but he enjoyed being kissed by Chi Shu.
He bent into a mosquito coil for Chi Shu.
He liked Chi Shu.
Ye Shaoyang had always been straightforward. Not wanting to lie to himself, he agreed to date Chi Shu. He just didn't expect Chi Shu to propose to him so soon.
Ye Shaoyang stood up in panic, not knowing how to respond.
Never dreamed of being proposed to by a man; it was too stimulating!
Chi Shu walked towards him step by step, knelt on one knee in front of the stiff Ye Shaoyang, looked up at his beloved, his gaze gentle: "Yangyang, say yes, okay? I want to be your Alpha and protect you for a lifetime."
Ye Shaoyang said awkwardly, "Is… is this necessary? Aren't we dating just fine now?"
Chi Shu said seriously, "Dating and marriage aren't the same thing, just like the difference between a Temporary Mark and a Complete Mark. A Temporary Mark can be changed, and dating can break up at any time. But after an Alpha and Omega marry and give each other a Lifetime Mark, that represents a lifelong commitment."
Ye Shaoyang thought, Temporary Marks can be changed, Lifetime Marks can't?
Chi Shu wants to marry me just to "lock" me down?
Thinking about it this way, it seemed understandable.
The tips of Chi Shu's ears turned slightly red, seeming a bit shy. He lowered his eyelashes and said softly, "An Alpha's Lifetime Mark can only be given to one person in a lifetime, and I only want to give it to you."
Ye Shaoyang originally had a straight-guy mindset, thinking that if the feelings were there, a proposal was nothing. But hearing Chi Shu say this and thinking of the "Lifetime Mark" scene in the brochures, he couldn't help blushing deeply and stammered, "Life… Lifetime Mark?"
Chi Shu looked up at him and said, "If you're not mentally prepared, I can wait slowly for you to be ready. I proposed today just to show my attitude—I love you, and I want to marry you and stay together for a lifetime."
Ye Shaoyang's heart trembled slightly.
Stay together for a lifetime?
He had also dreamed of having a considerate and understanding lover to spend a lifetime happily with. In his previous life, he never experienced dating. In this life, apart from Chi Shu, he had no interest in anyone else.
Anyway, being together, apart from not doing the final step, kissing and such had long become habitual. He couldn't imagine being so intimate with another Alpha. If he had to be with an Alpha, the only person his heart could accept was Chi Shu.
In this world, it was normal for Alphas and Omegas to be together.
He liked Chi Shu too, so why refuse and break the heart of the person he liked?
Meeting the serious eyes of the Alpha kneeling before him, Ye Shaoyang's brain heated up. He quickly took the bouquet from Chi Shu's hand and said, "I accept. Lock down if you want to lock down. I never thought about breaking up with you anyway."
Chi Shu: "…"
This Omega was indeed straightforward!
Chi Shu stood up excitedly, took a box out of his pocket, opened it, and put one of the rings on Ye Shaoyang's hand. "I asked a designer friend to customize this specially. Our names are engraved on the inner ring."
Ye Shaoyang let him hold his hand and put the ring on.
His cheeks suddenly felt a bit hot.
Cough cough, his rebirth this time could be considered a rich experience.
Played matches, won championships, found a boyfriend along the way, and now actually proposed to by a man. He even accepted and let Chi Shu put a ring on him.
Now it was truly locked down!
Ye Shaoyang looked at the ring on his finger and coughed lightly. "We are only considered engaged now, right? Marriage, Lifetime Mark and such, no rush, right? I need to do some more mental preparation."
Chi Shu hugged him into his arms. "No rush. I just wanted to express my feelings."
Ye Shaoyang breathed a sigh of relief. "Mn. Playing matches as a married couple would be too weird. Let's talk about marriage after retirement. We're still young anyway, what do you think?"
Chi Shu nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
The two looked at each other. Chi Shu couldn't help lifting Ye Shaoyang's chin and kissing him deeply.
On the grand stage of the Star City E-sports Center, there were only the two of them.
Beneath their feet were the moon and sun-shaped fluorescent lights prepared by Chi Shu. Although silly, they represented Chi Shu's intention that "Sun and Moon will never separate."
This was where they first met, the beginning of their fate.
Now, Chi Shu proposed earnestly here, only wanting this fate to continue forever.
Ye Shaoyang hugged Chi Shu back and responded enthusiastically to Chi Shu's kiss.
He was using the kiss to express: Be decisive. In this life, I've chosen you too!
Before 24, their shared dream was to win the World Championship.
After 24, they had a new dream.
——To walk the rest of their lives together with the person they loved.
Sun and Moon shining together, never to be separated.