CH 53

Holding the throne of the top player on the national server for a long time, a legendary figure highly respected by WPL players, is a retired professional player named Yan Junying.

Even though he has been absent from the competitive scene for two years and hasn’t made a public appearance through live streaming, his ID, Chaos, is still well-known and legendary.

Esports never lacks for talent.

Chaos is precisely such a player.

Like Xiao Nan, Chaos also switched from other MOBA games to WOC.

Before becoming a professional player in WPL, he had been active in the competitive scene as a professional player for three years.

Once regarded as the top mid-laner player in WPL and a top-tier C player domestically.

Since his debut, he has fought countless times in world tournaments with his team.

Their team has won championships in numerous domestic and global point-based tournaments.

They have also come close to that supreme trophy several times.

For Chaos, all he needed was a world championship to achieve a grand slam.

However, esports often brings unfulfilled aspirations.

Even though Chaos was a genius and outstanding, he couldn’t lead his team to a world championship.

Later, due to injuries and age issues, after reaching the semi-finals in his final world championship, Chaos announced his retirement.

During Chaos’s retirement period, many WPL fans expressed their reluctance to see him go on his Weibo.

Everyone believed that Chaos could still play and hated to see such a genius disappear from the professional gaming scene.

But Chaos’s retirement decision was firm. After ending his contract with the club, he resolutely chose not to renew or sign with any other clubs, but instead, he directly retired.

Various live streams played highlights of his splendid matches. In the esports industry, whether it’s streamers, commentators, players, or staff, they all expressed their regret and blessings for Chaos in their own ways.

Chaos’s retirement truly marked his disappearance from the esports scene.

Except for the occasional encounter in ranked games, he hardly communicates with anyone in the industry. Only a few people with whom he had good relationships during his professional career can still contact him.

In an ordinary apartment in City D.

A man under thirty sits in front of the computer, smoking, with a scruffy beard, staring at the computer screen displaying the results of the recent game.

The man seems to have neglected himself for quite some time. His long fringe is almost covering his eyes, and he casually wears dark home clothes. Sitting with one leg crossed over the other, he emits a ring of smoke as he moves the mouse to the results page on the opposite mid-lane player’s information screen.

The person who replaced him in reaching the top of the national server is unknown to him, as he has not delved into the esports scene for a long time. Many people with a general understanding of WPL are unaware of players’ private accounts because some players use match accounts for ranked games, while others, like Jiang Min, use their personal accounts.

Having been away from WPL for a long time, it’s normal for the man not to recognize the ranked game ID of current professional players. Although he is not yet 30 years old, in other fields, he might still be considered a backbone force. However, in the world of esports, he is already in the sunset of his career.

Moreover, having retired for a long time, he has probably descended so much that even the sun itself cannot be seen. Only a faint glow of the past brilliance remains.

“‘Mid-lane veteran’… Good mechanics, good awareness, formidable.”

This man is none other than Chaos, who retired two years ago.

After retiring, he returned to his hometown in City D, using the savings from his professional career to open a bar, leading a relatively affluent life and essentially returning to an ordinary person’s lifestyle.

There is a scar on his right wrist. Although it has faded considerably, one can still vaguely see traces of a surgical procedure.

When Chaos retired, it was partly due to age, but more because his hand injury had reached a point where surgery was necessary. The recovery period for the surgery was long, and given his age, he couldn’t guarantee that he would still be in top form when he recovered and returned to the professional scene.

Rather than continuing to struggle with a low-profile existence, he chose to leave at the peak of his career.

So, despite the regrets, he chose retirement.

Later, the surgery went smoothly, and his hand recovered well. However, to avoid a relapse, he couldn’t spend too much time playing games every day.

Therefore, Chaos gave up the path that most retired players choose—becoming a streamer. Instead, he returned to a small city, opened a bar, and made some other small investments for a living.

However, as a game that accompanied him for so many years, he couldn’t bear to completely give up.

So, he allocates some time each day to play a few ranked games and watch some matches.

Occasionally, he might even make a comment or two, despite not having any listeners.

Even though he has been away from the competitive scene for so long, his skills are still in good shape, gradually climbing to the top position on the national server.

Here, he plays matches every day with some of the best players on the national server. He knows that a significant portion of these players are current professional players. However, except for those using match accounts, he doesn’t know who is who.

Nevertheless, playing with these young players, he can sense that the atmosphere of WPL is even more harmonious than when he was part of it. This is a good sign, indicating that the entire gaming region is thriving and progressing together.

Chaos once again looks at the account of the “mid-lane veteran,” still unsure if this is a professional player. If it is, they should have a decent performance on the competitive stage.

Taking another drag of his cigarette, within the smoke, he feels as though he has returned to that era surrounded by lights, passionate audiences, and the exuberance of blood being shed on the arena.

———-

The day has come for Jiang Min’s debut live stream on the JJ streaming platform.

After completing today’s training, manager Shen Qi, humming a tune, set up the camera in front of Jiang Min.

Jiang Min: “…Manager, can I not turn on the camera?”

Like many professional players, Jiang Min actually doesn’t enjoy face-revealing live streams. Turning on the camera gives him an uncomfortable feeling of being watched all the time.

Shen Qi set up the camera, adjusted the angle, looked at the perfect view displayed on the computer screen, and nodded in satisfaction: “No way, Sugar God, how can you debut without turning on the camera?”

“….Fine,” Jiang Min compromised.

At exactly 9 PM, JJ Live broadcast promptly featured Jiang Min’s live stream on the homepage.

“Top WPL mid laner, Grand Debut!” read the advertisement.

The cover image displayed Jiang Min’s freshly released profile picture with JW’s team logo and the text “JW.Lollipop.”

Jiang Min, upon seeing his live stream cover, felt relieved that they didn’t choose that epic-level awkward photo.

【Sugar Sugar, Mommy is here~~】

【Husband! I’ve been waiting so long, my flowers have withered, wuwuwu】

【Sugar God, good luck in the new season!】

Even before starting the stream, the barrage in the live chat exploded, and some viewers had already begun sending gifts.

The live stream’s popularity skyrocketed, rocketing it to the homepage.

Having not live-streamed for a long time, Jiang Min did some mental preparation, took a deep breath, and clicked to start the stream.

The live stream’s visual appeared.

Jiang Min’s camera feed was in the bottom right corner, and the screen displayed WOC’s gaming interface.

【Awoo~ I’m licking!】

【Sugar Sugar, long time no see!】

【Today is another day I’m enchanted by my husband~】

【Congratulations to Sugar God for topping the national server!】

【Sugar God, are you still using this account? Are you afraid of losing points and not playing?】

The audience was exceptionally enthusiastic.

“Hello, everyone, long time no see,” Jiang Min responded to a few familiar fans.

These were the ones who had been lurking in his live stream for years, sending him countless gifts, and their fan levels in the live chat were quite high.

【Sugar God, hello~】

【Sugar Sugar, hi】

【Husband, hi】

“…Is it just me, or does calling me ‘husband’ feel a bit awkward?” Jiang Min looked at the countless ‘husbands’ and felt speechless.

It seemed that his fans hadn’t addressed him like this before?

He didn’t notice that when he uttered the word “husband,” Yu Hao glanced over in his direction.

【Sugar God, your profile picture is so handsome; I’ve unilaterally decided that you’re my husband】

【The one in front, Sugar God is mine. Want to fight?】

【Thumbs up to the photographer, especially the photo editor. I feel like Sugar God’s visual appeal has reached a new height】

【Tsk, I don’t need photo editing for Sugar Sugar. Haven’t you guys seen Sugar God play live? He’s handsome in person!】

“…” Jiang Min watched his live chat argue over the issue of photo editing.

“Alright, alright, stop arguing. Let’s just say it’s edited a little, okay?” Jiang Min mediated, “Don’t you enjoy watching my live game?”

【Sugar God is telling the truth, just a little bit. What Hozi said might be a billion times】

【Don’t bully Little Hozi like that, hahaha】

【Is Sugar God solo queuing today?】

“Yeah, solo queue. Didn’t I win a few days ago? I feel like my skills are good,” but before he could finish his sentence, Yu Hao turned his head and blinked at him.

“Sugar Sugar, duo queue?”

“….Okay.”

Jiang Min agreed in a flash.

It was another day where he couldn’t refuse Yu Hao.

【Ah, duo queue ride~】

【Yu and Sugar God have such a good relationship. When I watch other streamers’ duo queues, they’re pretty much always together】

【Can we expect a 24-linkage on the battlefield?】

【Did no one notice Yu calling him “Sugar Sugar”? Damn, I did! Is a new couple born?】

【The person in front is so out of date. Haven’t you seen the team-building photos the official account posted? Yu and Sugar God building sand dunes on the beach are so loving!】

“Wait a moment, Sugar Sugar.” Yu Hao remembered something and took out his phone.

Jiang Min was waiting patiently when suddenly, his live chat was flooded with numerous deep-sea submarines.

This was JJ Live’s most expensive gift.

Jiang Min was dumbfounded.

He hadn’t done anything yet, so why were people suddenly sending so many gifts?

It wasn’t until he saw the ID of the fan sending gifts.

【Fish Pond Overlord Little Fish】.

“…..” Jiang Min turned his head to look at Yu Hao. This ID made people suspect that it was Yu Hao.

Yu Hao smiled but didn’t say anything.

However, this was equivalent to confirming it.

Considering that he was still live, Jiang Min didn’t want to expose Yu Hao as “Little Fish.” He chose to continue not to reveal it.

Let Yu Hao maintain his high and mighty captain image in front of the fans.

He just picked up his phone and sent a WeChat message to Yu Hao: 【Thank you, but you don’t have to spend money on this. I’ll refund you later.】

Yu Hao replied instantly: 【No way. This is a gift for your debut live stream. If you refund, I’ll keep sending.】

Jiang Min: 【…】

“The game is starting.” Yu Hao refused to discuss this matter further.

Jiang Min was stunned for a moment, then realized he was still live. Without exposing Little Fish’s identity, he could only say, “Thanks, boss. Boss is generous!”

———-

Jiang Min’s debut stream ended smoothly.

Since the league was about to begin, JJ didn’t force players to stream every day; as long as they met the monthly streaming requirements, it was acceptable.

With less than three days left until the start of the domestic spring season, Jiang Min naturally had no intention of continuing with the livestreams.

The rest of JW felt the same way, filled with hope and a bit of nervousness for the upcoming season.

This was Jiang Min’s first season with JW, and everyone hoped for satisfactory results.

Finally, the highly anticipated WPL Spring Season began as scheduled.

On the opening day, the JW team boarded the bus heading to the venue.

On this day of the grand opening, each team would make an appearance during the opening ceremony, followed by this year’s opening match.

WPL had a total of twelve teams, and the Spring Season consisted of two stages: the regular season and the playoffs.

In the regular season, the twelve teams would play in a single round-robin format with no divisions, using a BO3 format. In other words, during the regular season, each team would play 11 matches.

After the regular season, the top five teams in points would advance to the playoffs.

In case of tiebreakers, net point differentials would be compared, and if they were the same, a tiebreaker match would be played.

The playoffs followed a knockout format, with the fifth-place team facing the fourth-place team first, the winner playing against the third-place team, and so on. The team that emerged victorious in the finals against the first-place team would be crowned the season’s champion.

The priority of side selection was determined by a draw, and the league officials ensured that each team had an equal number of opportunities to choose sides.

This was crucial because side selection could influence both the draft phase (BP) and in-game map resources.

JW’s first match of the new season, also the first match of the entire WPL this year, was the opening game of the Spring Season against BBG Esports.

Both online and offline viewers were eagerly anticipating this match, having waited for too long during the offseason for competitive games.

JW’s team bus arrived at the Storm Esports Arena, the venue dedicated to hosting esports competitions in S City.

As the all-black bus arrived, it immediately drew the attention of surrounding fans.

Upon seeing the bus with the JW team logo, fans rushed towards its location.

Fortunately, there were barricades and security maintaining order, preventing overenthusiastic fans from getting too close to the players.

The first to disembark were Wei Yabo and Wei Yafeng, the two brothers. Before the match, they took the opportunity to touch up their hair, as the roots had grown out, and the color had faded.

It seemed they had grown fond of the “gold and silver buns” look.

As soon as the highly attractive twins appeared, some female fans couldn’t help but scream.

Ha Qianyi followed closely behind, muttering, “Che, they’re not idols or celebrities. Why are these girls screaming so loudly?”

Following him, the team leader Fan Dadi casually remarked, “If no one cheers and screams for you, you would definitely secretly feel hurt.”

“No way, I wouldn’t. I disdain such things,” Ha Qianyi said with his mouth, but when he jumped off the car and people cheered and held banners to support him, he still proudly responded with joy.

This guy’s double standards are just too obvious.

Fan Dadi got off the car and stood at the door, waiting for the rest of the team to disembark.

As the team leader, he was responsible for confirming the headcount and taking care of everyone.

Yu Hao got off the car, holding his own keyboard. However, unlike other team members who walked directly through the passage to the venue after getting off the car, he turned around and waited for someone.

Jiang Min, who had taken a nap in the car, was still a bit groggy.

As soon as he appeared at the car door, he saw an exaggerated number of fans gathered around the car.

He couldn’t help but sigh. The number of people getting into WPL seems to be increasing. He didn’t feel this many fans when he used to play matches. Or is it that JW, as a strong team in the league, naturally has more fans than the CC he used to be in?

“Sugar, let’s go,” Yu Hao called him outside the car.

“Yeah.”

Jiang Min got off the car and obediently followed behind Yu Hao.

“Sugar, fighting!”

“Yu Team, fighting!”

“Go JW!”

The voices of the surrounding fans were continuous. Among them, two female fans were whispering in the crowd.

“It’s so sweet. Yu Team got off the car and specifically waited for Sugar before walking together.”

“Yeah, sister, I feel like this pair is so sweet!”

—

In the backstage of the venue, the doors of each team’s resting rooms were adorned with the team logos.

Today was the opening ceremony of the spring season, and regardless of whether their team had a match, every team had to be present.

JW’s resting room was between AFK and OVO. Before Jiang Min and Yu Hao entered the resting room, they encountered members of OVO in the corridor.

“Hello, Sugar~” Cen Yu greeted Jiang Min first.

“Yeah, hello, Yu God.” Although Jiang Min was friendly, he responded with a poker face.

“Sugar~~” OVO’s position 3, the chubby HOTPOT, stuck to him. “Since you topped the national server, no, since you transferred to JW, you rarely duo queue with us. Are you giving up your fishpond?”

“Well… the fishpond…” The term “fishpond” was not something he said but rather something water friends used every day in the live stream. Over time, his friends who often duo queued with him gradually admitted to being fish in the pond, and they even spread it around.

“Sugar God, Sugar God, please duo with me! You’re already number one in the national server, and I’m still outside the top thirty!” HOTPOT begged.

“…” Jiang Min was helpless.

The fish in this fishpond have become more and more spoiled recently.

However, when it comes to being spoiled and acting cute, the most proficient one is…

Jiang Min glanced at Yu Hao.

When it came to being spoiled, acting cute, and pretending to be pitiful, it seemed that Yu Team was a step ahead.

“OVO doesn’t have a match today, right? You guys should prepare well for the ‘catwalk’ later. After it’s done, hurry back to the base to rest. Look at those dark circles under your eyes; they’re almost reaching your chin. Didn’t you sleep last night?” Yu Hao suddenly said.

The so-called “catwalk” was actually a brief appearance time for each team.

This was a traditional program for every opening ceremony.

However, each time, there were always players who became the target of ridicule in the live stream’s barrage during the catwalk, and they even got various screenshots posted online for public “roasting.”

HOTPOT: “Esports doesn’t need sleep! Besides, after the opening ceremony, I want to stay at the venue to watch my Sugar God’s match!”

Yu Shen nodded, “Yeah, I also really want to see JW’s match.”

Yu Hao with a cold face said, “Watching is fine. After the match starts, go to the front to watch, don’t randomly run backstage when there’s nothing to do.”

These two from OVO always liked to cling to Sugar, it’s better to drive them away.

“As for the opening ceremony, the front seats were sold out long ago. I heard the front row tickets even got resold at sky-high prices. We can just watch the broadcast in the backstage lounge.” Cen Yu seemed not to understand Yu Hao’s intention of ushering them away.

“….” Yu Hao’s mind was still pondering on how to make these two leave the venue after the opening ceremony, the farther, the better.

At this moment, the door to JW’s resting room opened.

“Why are you standing there? Come in, take a break, and get ready to go on stage.” Fan Dadi’s head peeked out.

“Oh, it’s Jade and Hotpot.” Fan Dadi naturally recognized the ones talking with Yu Hao. “Long time no see, how was your holiday?”

“It’s okay. If Sugar God could add me as a friend, it would be even more comfortable.” Cen Yu looked at Jiang Min and said.

Jiang Min was about to respond, but Yu Hao quickly pulled him into the JW resting room without even greeting the OVO people.

Fan Dadi turned and looked at the two rushing into the room, then glanced at the OVO members still standing there, and awkwardly smiled.

Cen Yu, for the Nth time, failed in asking Jiang Min to be friends.

———-

After each team was ready, the WPL Spring Season officially kicked off on time.

The opening ceremony and the debut match were commentated by three senior WPL commentators, led by Uncle Yuan.

In addition to Uncle Yuan, there was another veteran commentator, Lack, who was highly professional, and Ruby, the most well-received female commentator in the league.

“Welcome everyone to the opening ceremony and debut match of the WPL Spring Season. I am the official commentator, Uncle Yuan.” Uncle Yuan was dressed in a neat black suit with a red tie featuring the WPL logo.

“I am the official commentator, Lack.” Lack wore a navy blue vest over a white shirt, also with a tie featuring the WPL logo, but in yellow.

“I am the official commentator, Ruby.” Ruby, the most popular female commentator in WPL, had good professional skills, clear articulation, and precise analysis. What’s more, she was beautiful with a good figure.

She was dressed in a pink cheongsam, giving her a soft and tender look.

“Firstly, as is customary internationally, let’s thank the sponsors of WPL this season.” Uncle Yuan took out the official cue cards, listing a long string of sponsor advertisements and names.

From the few sponsors in the first year to this long list this year, Uncle Yuan, as the unquestionable “elder” of WPL, witnessed the rise of the league.

Feeling happy about it was inevitable. However, being someone who did not come from a professional hosting background, like most commentators, he could never get used to live commentary sponsors.

Uncle Yuan read the sponsor list very carefully, afraid of misspeaking.

To avoid wasting time, after quickly reading through it, Uncle Yuan took a deep breath.

“Uncle Yuan’s live commentary skills have improved.” Lack teased.

The interaction between commentators is also a great pleasure for viewers of live broadcasts.

“Not bad, not bad. How about taking the next time slot?” Uncle Yuan symbolically handed the cue cards to Lack.

“No, no. I’m afraid of making a mistake and getting a pay cut. Haha.” Lack played the role of someone refusing with his whole body.

“Okay, enough joking. Let’s focus on today’s opening ceremony and debut match. Ruby, what are your thoughts on this season?” Uncle Yuan cued the only female commentator.

“After a holiday break, I believe each team must have prepared for this season. Everyone knows that many teams experienced some personnel changes during the transfer period. Like everyone else, I am very curious to see if the new player configurations can spark some dazzling moments for us this season.” Ruby said.

“Speaking of transfers, the most eye-catching transfer of the entire transfer window should be the record-breaking transfer of Sugar God, right?” Uncle Yuan continued, “After leaving CC to join JW, we don’t know the current status of Sugar God. Coincidentally, today’s debut match is between JW and BBG. Let’s look forward to what kind of performance JW will have with the new mid laner.”

——

Author’s note: Today, we have a two-in-one fat chapter for OVO, la la la.

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 ️”