CH 51

Jiang Min still feels a sense of unfamiliarity seeing his name on the team uniform until now.

He is still accustomed to seeing his ID on CC’s blue and white alternating uniform.

The “Lolllipop” printed on the back of the black and gold uniform is not the image he remembers.

After trying on the uniform, Shen Qi praised the effect of the uniform.

The black base with gold embroidery gives off a mysterious and noble feeling, making Jiang Min look even more tall and handsome.

Although Jiang Min has a regret, which is his height stopping at 179, just a step away from 180.

Thinking about this, Jiang Min glanced at Yu Hao.

Yu Hao’s height of 186 is truly enviable.

Although the club is wealthy, Manager Shen, the penny-pinching madman, rubbing his hands, said, “It seems we don’t need to find models for this season’s uniforms! When Sugar God takes the official portrait, take more photos, and we’ll select some as model pictures for the official store!”

Saving a sum of money is indeed a good thing, and Shen Qi, who saved on model fees, really wants to give himself a thumbs up.

However, after the players nearby heard this proposal, the three troublemakers led by Hao Qianyi rose up in rebellion.

“What do you mean, Brother Qi? Although I admit that Sugar God looks handsome, you can’t discriminate against our looks, right!?” Hao Qianyi even flipped the bangs in front of her forehead, showing off her charm.

Of course, it’s a self-proclaimed charm.

“You’re cute, not handsome. Haven’t you noticed that you’re the one with the most mommy fans in the team? Don’t you have a bit of self-awareness?” Every day, the twin brothers can’t help but mock Hao Qianyi, Wei Yabo said.

Hao Qianyi exploded, “What? Are you two on my side or not? Isn’t the focus of our discussion the difference in treatment?!”

The three troublemakers engage in their daily internal conflicts.

“Oh, right, Manager, we also want to take model photos. Such a good-looking uniform, we want to personally advertise it to our fans.” The twin brothers said in unison.

Shen Qi sighed.

To be honest, the players of JW do indeed have high looks.

There’s no problem using them as models for the official store.

However, the problem lies in their lack of cooperation.

Awkward poses, stiff bodies, and uncomfortable expressions. How can they serve as good models to showcase the uniforms?

Sugar God is different.

Based on Shen Qi’s observation of Jiang Min’s previous portraits, he found that Sugar God’s portraits are quite good.

Elegant, graceful, and natural, pleasing to the eye.

Therefore, selecting a few photos as model pictures for the official store probably won’t be a problem.

“I don’t care! Manager, I also want to be a model! I want to take photos with Sugar God!” Hao Qianyi continued to protest.

The twin brothers also echoed, “That’s right, we also want to take photos with Sugar God.”

“You guys are taking portraits with Sugar God, isn’t that what you’re doing for the official team photoshoot?” Shen Qi was speechless.

“Different!” Hao Qianyi didn’t give up, “A group photo with five people is different from a duo photo! Just fulfill my little fan’s wish!”

Shen Qi: “Aren’t you guys together every day for training? Why didn’t you take a group photo earlier?”

“That’s different. The team photo is when I’m at my most handsome, and when I take a photo with my idol, it should be when I look the best! Otherwise, my idol is so handsome, it will make me look ugly.”

“You were already quite ugly.” Wei Yabo retorted.

Hao Qianyi twitched at the corner of his mouth, telling himself to endure it, strive to get the chance to take model pictures, and temporarily not argue with these foolish twin brothers.

For the team’s official portraits, usually each player is photographed individually, and then a group photo is taken of the five players in the team.

Some teams don’t even take group photos, and during competitions, they combine individual photos.

It’s rare to have duo photos.

So, it’s no wonder Hao Qianyi is desperately fighting for the opportunity to take model pictures.

This is a rare chance to take a photo with his idol in a serious manner!

Shen Qi sneered, thinking about how to dissuade Hao Qianyi and the twin brothers from wanting to take model pictures.

With the posing skills of these three, they might not create promotional and attractive model advertisement pictures, but rather classic awkward photos that would make fans laugh and comment.

He might even end up with the title of “Club Forces Underperforming Players into Business.”

Damn it, clearly, it was these three who strongly requested to take the photos. If they end up looking stiff, who’s to blame?

At this moment, Yu Hao walked over.

“Hello, Captain!” The three troublemakers immediately behaved.

Yu Hao always had a magical charm in front of them. He stood there without saying anything, without a serious expression, and he could make these three shut up obediently.

“Well, what are you discussing?” Yu Hao just saw these three arguing with the manager.

“Oh, the manager said he wants Sugar God to take model photos for this season’s uniform. Our brothers suggested that instead of just individual photos, why not have all the team members take them together, a friendly interaction photo or something would be nice.” Hao Qianyi attempted to pull Yu Hao onto their side.

Yu Hao raised an eyebrow.

Model pictures?

Friendly interaction?

He recalled the past photos hanging in JW’s official store.

Models did have some interactive photos, such as linking arms, very normal.

In almost an instant, Yu Hao decided. How could he miss such a good opportunity to have professional photographers shoot a duo photo of him and Sugar God?

So, Yu Hao spoke up, “Well, I also think that if we’re having team members take model pictures, it’s better to have everyone take them together. Otherwise, there will be arguments about the club treating players differently.”

Hao Qianyi nodded as if pounding garlic, “Right, right, Captain is right!”

Yu Hao glanced at Hao Qianyi.

Humph, taking model pictures is fine. But if they want to take interactive pictures with Sugar God, sorry, not happening!

—

About two weeks before the start of the WPL Spring Season, the JW team was brought to a dedicated studio for their portrait photoshoot.

Inside the studio with a white backdrop and strong lighting, they felt a bit uncomfortable when they first entered.

Hao Qianyi rubbed his eyes, “My eyes are going to be blinded.”

The team leader Fan Dadi, who led the players here, said, “You’ll get used to it.”

Before the formal shooting began, the players were arranged in the dressing room, and makeup artists applied makeup to the steel-straight guys.

“Sister, I don’t need eyeliner, right? I’m not an idol star.” Hao Qianyi looked at the makeup artist taking out an eyeliner, recalling that eyeliner poking the eyelids wasn’t very comfortable, and he wanted to refuse.

Who knew the makeup artist didn’t listen to his opinion at all, “Your eyes are a bit small; adding some eyeliner will make them look bigger.”

“… Don’t do this personal attack, sister!” Hao Qianyi surrendered.

Jiang Min looked at himself in the mirror, feeling somewhat unfamiliar.

“Oh, this looks, you could definitely debut, little brother!” The makeup artist in charge of his makeup and styling couldn’t stop praising.

The makeup artist was temporarily hired for the portrait shoot and might not be familiar with the esports industry.

For example, this young lady knew nothing about the top mid-laner Jiang Min in the WPL region and didn’t even know the name of this handsome young man.

Jiang Min: “…”

Compared to others complimenting his looks, he still preferred to gain recognition through his skills.

Jiang Min’s skin was originally fair. With a bit of foundation and concealer, slightly darker eyebrows, and a styled hairstyle, he looked much more spirited.

After the styling was done, Jiang Min stood up from the makeup chair.

The makeup artist noticed the ID on the back of his jersey.

“Oh, based on my shallow understanding of esports, ‘Lollipop’ is your professional ID, right, little brother?” the makeup artist asked with her head tilted.

“Yeah,” Jiang Min nodded.

“Then I’ll be your fan from now on, Candy Brother! I’ll cheer for you!” The makeup artist smiled.

WPL’s representative of good looks, Jiang Min, gained a new fan.

“Let’s go, Sugar.” Jiang Min, still not fully aware, grabbed his wrist, and they left the dressing room.

Yu Hao had just finished his styling as well. His fluffy hair had been tidied up, styled into a large undercut, completely different from his usual demeanor. Furthermore, with his current grim expression, a hint of a boss’s aura unexpectedly radiated from him.

Leading Jiang Min, Yu Hao arrived at the shooting scene ahead of others.

Seeing that the players were ready, the photographer prepared to start working.

Jiang Min was the first to be photographed.

With four years of professional gaming experience, Jiang Min had done numerous photoshoots, making him appear calm and confident.

He posed with his hands in his pockets, facing the camera, or placing his right index finger in front of his lips—these were all common poses used by professional players.

“Can you try a slightly playful pose, Sugar God?” the photographer requested.

Having cooperated with various clubs many times and being a WPL fan himself, the photographer was familiar with the players. His request wasn’t meant to criticize the previous poses but rather to seek something more distinctive.

“Playful?” Jiang Min cracked a smile.

Anything playful had absolutely no relation to him, right!?

“Give it a try,” the photographer had already set up his equipment.

Jiang Min: “…”

After much thought, Jiang Min, feeling extremely embarrassed, reluctantly raised both hands, poking his own cheek with his index fingers, managing to squeeze out a forced smile.

“Click—” The camera captured this moment.

“Very good, this shot feels nice!” praised the photographer.

Jiang Min was close to breaking into a sweat.

This pose was making him feel awkward to the point of developing embarrassment syndrome.

Casting a sidelong glance at Yu Hao, who was waiting for his turn on the side, Jiang Min noticed that he was smiling like an auntie, seemingly amused by his predicament.

Yu Hao seemed to realize that Jiang Min was looking at him and laughed even more joyfully.

Next, each member of the JW team took their turn to be photographed.

In addition to the usual cool and stylish poses, each person was asked by the photographer to strike a unique pose.

Hao Qianyi, for example, placed both hands behind his head, with a relaxed expression on his face.

Wei Yabo moved forward, forming a fist, indicating a powerful punch.

Wei Yafeng struck a thoughtful pose in a standing version.

As for Yu Hao, he lifted his chin, covered half of his face with one hand, and wore a look of disdain.

When Hao Qianyi saw this photo, he couldn’t stay calm: “Why does everyone else’s pictures feel a bit silly, but the captain’s is so domineering?”

Regarding this, the photographer shrugged, choosing to remain silent.

He wouldn’t say that it was due to the “death threat” from Captain Yu, preventing him from having Yu Hao pose in a “silly” manner.

He found it challenging. The league officials had instructed, as per Shen Manager’s directive, that this time they wanted something lively as the players’ past profile pictures were considered too serious. The result was Yu Hao not only refusing to cooperate but also threatening to deduct his salary.

It was too much! How could JW grant such extensive power to the team captain, who even controlled the wages of others!

As for why Yu Hao did this, he simply didn’t want to make a fool of himself in front of Jiang Min.

—–

Author’s Note: Hahaha, a silly and playful style for the profile pictures~

1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ️”