1: glory

As eight o'clock in the evening approached, the sun in the west hung precariously on the horizon. The hot air blanketing the city gradually cooled, and the sweltering day was coming to an end.

A night breeze picked up, bringing a touch of coolness as it brushed past the tall trees lining the streets, announcing the arrival of night.

In contrast to the quiet and refreshing scene on the streets, the massive sports stadium in the north-central part of the city was a scene of jubilant clamor.

Cheers and shouts filled the interior of the building. Raised, waving arms and fluttering flags pushed the atmosphere inside the stadium to an even more intense climax; the 13th Overwatch League Global Grand Finals had just determined this year's strongest team.

The five players of FLG walked toward the center of the stage, surrounded by cameras. Red ribbons representing Huaxia exploded in mid-air, fluttering down onto the stage in a dazzling reflection of crimson light.

As the passionate voices of the commentators echoed from all directions, the five players standing at the center of the stage together lifted the trophy that belonged to them.

The stadium was filled with cries of "We are the champions!" The Huaxia fans cheered and leaped for joy, sharing this moment of happiness with one another, while the names of the five players rang through the air from time to time.

On the other side, the Western players sat dejectedly in their seats, their gazes also fixed on the trophy being held high.

Sensing something, FLG's support player, Wang Yi, looked back at the losing side and whispered to the top laner next to him, Liu Qi, "They look so sad."

"If they weren't sad, then we'd be the ones who are sad," Han Wenhao, the bot laner, chimed in before Liu Qi could respond.

"True, true. I think it's better that they're the ones who are sad," Liu Qi finally managed to cut in, saying with a proud expression, "There can only be one winner!"

"That's right. Our happiness has to be built on our opponents'... lack of happiness..." Yan Zhuohua joined in the banter.

Seeing the four teammates' conversation gradually heading in a strange direction, An Rongxuan—the team captain, who was actually more like an old father figure—briefly stopped fixing his hair to reach out and turn the head of the culprit, Wang Yi, back around. "Stop looking. The host is coming over!"

The host had indeed walked over; the post-match interview was ready.

The interview content consisted of the usual clichés, and since the players were all battle-hardened "old pros," they picked suitable words to answer each round. It wasn't until the final question that the microphone was once again handed to Yan Zhuohua.

"I'd like to ask the same question to Zhuohua. What is your next plan? You've already won three world championships in the five years since your debut. Do you have any bigger goals?"

Yan Zhuohua, who had been answering with standard scripts, suddenly gave a different answer.

"I do indeed have a new goal I want to achieve."

The host immediately showed a curious smile. "Oh? Then I wonder if Zhuohua can tell us specifically about your new goal?"

Yan Zhuohua smiled and raised the microphone. "I can't for now. When I'm fully prepared, I'll tell everyone."

"Zhuohua is keeping us in suspense! Well, we'll be waiting for your news then!" Although the host was a bit disappointed at not digging up a scoop, she didn't push further.

"Okay," Yan Zhuohua said, handing over the microphone, looking like he didn't intend to say anything more.

Hearing the conversation between Yan Zhuohua and the host, the other four teammates looked stunned for a moment but quickly adjusted. Fortunately, the cameras didn't catch their expressions, so no one else noticed the change.

This would likely be the last time the five of them stood on the podium together. Everyone hoped for a perfect ending.

The interview drew to a close. Under the guidance of the staff, the five of them completed the other post-championship procedures and left the stadium with the trophy they had worked hard for all year.

The grand event, which had lasted over eight hours, finally came to an end. The spectators and fans from both sides gradually departed, and the air in the stadium cooled down accordingly. After the staff checked the area and left, only the red ribbons on the stage remained, waiting for the next day's cleaning.

Leaving the bustling stadium, the FLG team bus drove toward their nearby hotel.

It was July, the height of summer. Although it was already night and a cool breeze was blowing, they had been in the stadium since noon, so they still felt sticky. The players and staff all planned to take a shower in their rooms first before attending the victory banquet together.

The bus stopped at the hotel entrance, where many enthusiastic fans were still waiting to see their favorite players. When Yan Zhuohua got off the bus carrying his peripheral bag, the fans let out gasps of excitement, yet they remained orderly on the side, not attempting to approach the players.

FLG fans had always been polite and sensible, following the club's arrangements and not overly disturbing the players. But to everyone's surprise, Yan Zhuohua uncharacteristically walked toward the area where the fans were standing.

The fans in the front were stunned for a moment, only snapping out of it when Yan Zhuohua reached them.

"God Yan, can I have an autograph?"

"Sure. Today, photos and autographs are all okay."

"Wow!" Exclamations rose from the crowd one after another.

"Is God Yan in such a good mood because of the championship? You're spoiling the fans so much!"

"That's right, just for today, so you better cherish it!" Han Wenhao jumped out from behind, laughing as he also started chatting with the fans.

Despite wanting to interact with the players, the fans still lined up in order to take turns getting autographs and photos.

Yan Zhuohua was in a very good mood as he chatted with some familiar big fans. He looked up and saw someone across the street who looked somewhat familiar.

That person stood between two streetlights, his face obscured by the thick shade of the trees. The distance was a bit far, so it wasn't very clear.

As Yan Zhuohua was watching, his thoughts were suddenly pulled back by a fan beside him. When he looked over again, the person was gone.

It probably wasn't him, right? How could he be here? It must just be someone who looks similar. Yan Zhuohua thought to himself as he threw himself back into the grand task of interacting with fans, putting the matter out of his mind.

By the time the two of them finally made it into the hotel, it was already ten-thirty.

Seeing their captain, An Rongxuan, waiting at their door, the two couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. They nudged each other, but neither would speak first.

"Alright," An Rongxuan said, seeing that time was indeed running short. He mercifully let them off. "Hurry up and take a shower. If you don't go now, your ice cream cake is going to melt!"

After rushing, all the FLG members were finally present at eleven o'clock at night.

The victory banquet officially began, and everyone cut the cake together.

On the stage, the club manager was still excitedly delivering his speech, while below the stage, Han Wenhao—who hadn't touched a drop of alcohol for months to prepare for the competition—couldn't wait to start pouring wine into his glass.

Seeing this, the "nagging mother" team leader quickly confiscated his glass. "Eat some food first, or eat the cake. Don't drink on an empty stomach. If you feel sick tonight, I'm not saving you!"

"I know, I know, mom~" Han Wenhao picked up his chopsticks and shoved several large mouthfuls of food into his mouth. After swallowing in a hurry, he snatched back his wine glass. After taking a joyful sip, he suddenly smiled mischievously. "Hey, on such a great day, don't let me drink alone. The five of us players have never really drunk together. Winning the championship this time is a rare opportunity. Shouldn't we drink until we're drunk to commemorate our brotherhood?"

With that, he began pouring wine into the other four players' glasses.

"Heh, I think you just want to get us drunk so you can take photos of our embarrassing moments!" Liu Qi sneered, having already seen through Han Wenhao's "ugly" intentions. He signaled to the others with his eyes, preparing to team up and get Han Wenhao drunk instead.

Han Wenhao felt a strong killing intent. Before he could defend himself after putting down the bottle, Yan Zhuohua—having received the signal—teamed up with Wang Yi to pin Han Wenhao down and started pouring wine down his throat.

An Rongxuan looked at his "lively and cute" teammates, ignored Han Wenhao's pleading eyes, and silently moved away from the battlefield to avoid collateral damage.

Bursts of laughter and cheers erupted in the hall, occasionally mixed with tragic pleas for mercy, filling the air with a happy atmosphere.

Halfway through the banquet, Yan Zhuohua walked out of the hall while rubbing his forehead. Although everyone had teamed up to get Han Wenhao drunk, in such a setting, everyone had ended up drinking quite a bit. Although Yan Zhuohua could hold his liquor, he hadn't drunk this much in a long time, so he inevitably felt a bit dazed and dizzy. He walked out to the hallway outside the hall to catch some air.

"Zhuohua? Are you okay?" An Rongxuan saw Yan Zhuohua leave and followed him out, looking at him with concern.

"I'm fine, I just came out for some fresh air."

The hallway was open, facing a huge outdoor swimming pool of the hotel. The space was vast, and looking up, the night sky was dotted with stars. The late-night breeze blew from the woods opposite, carrying moisture and the fragrance of plants, making one feel much more sober instantly.

"Have you really decided to retire and leave? No changes?" An Rongxuan was silent for a while before he finally asked.

"No changes, Captain. I've been playing for nearly five years. My original goals were achieved long ago. There's no need to stay."

An Rongxuan sighed. "I know that although you seem like others your age—loving to mess around and joke with everyone—you're more rational and decisive than any of us." He looked up at the distant scenery. "I understand your decision and your heart, but I just couldn't help but want to ask again."

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit heavy.

"Captain, I'm retiring, not dying. Why do you look so utterly despondent?" Yan Zhuohua slung an arm around An Rongxuan's shoulder and spoke to him with a grin.

"Stop being cheeky! What are you talking about?" An Rongxuan finally laughed and patted Yan Zhuohua's shoulder. "Let's go back. I must be out of my mind, coming out here with you to feed a bunch of mosquitoes."

"Sure, sure, whatever you say, Captain."