SMS CHAPTER 24

In truth, Yan Chengfeng wasn’t someone who enjoyed celebrating his birthday.

In his youth, especially during the two or three years when Zhen Ning was around, he would sometimes look forward to that day. Back then, being young, it felt like there was an endless amount of time to waste.

Ever since Zhen Ning left, or perhaps since Yan Chengfeng became an adult, he hadn’t felt like celebrating his birthday anymore.

At eighteen or nineteen, they were inexperienced, reckless, and immature. By twenty-four or twenty-five, their reflexes and skills would gradually decline. A player’s golden age lasted only a few years. Yan Chengfeng was at the peak of his performance, and he just wished time could slow down a little more.

Each year he aged meant there was less time to reach the pinnacle.

Last year, KYM made it to the semifinals of the World Championship. Everyone remarked that it was the closest a Chinese team had come to winning the title. But Yan Chengfeng didn’t see it that way.

He knew that even if they played again, they would only lose again.

He recognized the gap between them and the American teams, not just in decision-making, but more so in teamwork and awareness.

The cooperation between the opposing team’s support and AD was a product of years of accumulated understanding and experience—something he and Lei Tao couldn’t match, no matter how much they practiced.

At that time, Yan Chengfeng thought the highest point he could ever reach was just this.

Until Zhen Ning returned.

Despite their current awkward and subtle relationship, despite how much Yan Chengfeng didn’t want to admit it, the truth was that with Zhen Ning by his side, the idea of “winning the championship” didn’t seem so out of reach anymore.

Playing together, going to the US together, winning the World Championship—that had been their shared dream.

Initially, during his youth training days, Yan Chengfeng hadn’t set such ambitious goals for himself. He simply liked playing games and thought that being able to compete on stage was already incredibly cool and impressive.

Goals like “making it to the World Championship” and “winning the cup” were actually proposed by Zhen Ning, who at the time appeared indifferent to fame and trophies.

Back then, in the youth training team, both of them were growing teens. Sometimes, when the cafeteria food didn’t suit their tastes, Yan Chengfeng would sneak out with Zhen Ning to eat outside the base.

Yan Chengfeng especially loved Ah-Jiang’s stir-fry place, particularly the double combo of twice-cooked pork and tomato tofu over rice. The pork was especially delicious—crispy and flavorful, perfect with rice. However, they only sold it as part of a double combo, never as a single dish.

One serving of twice-cooked pork wasn’t enough for Yan Chengfeng, but ordering two servings was a bit too extravagant for youth trainees with limited pay.

Coincidentally, Zhen Ning mentioned that he didn’t like twice-cooked pork but enjoyed the tofu in the combo.

Yan Chengfeng was overjoyed, thinking this guy was truly his kindred spirit. So every week, they would go eat together, always ordering the same double combo.

While holding his bowl, Yan Chengfeng couldn’t help but ask, “The twice-cooked pork isn’t even that spicy, and I remember you don’t avoid pork. Why won’t you even try a bite? Come on, at least taste it…”

Zhen Ning’s response was simple. “Too greasy. Doesn’t suit my taste, so I don’t want it.”

Yan Chengfeng clicked his tongue and muttered, “Picky as ever.”

Zhen Ning lifted his gaze, quietly watching Yan Chengfeng’s face.

Yan Chengfeng coughed. “Alright, just pass your bowl over.”

Taking the bowl Zhen Ning handed him, Yan Chengfeng grinned as he transferred the tofu from his own bowl into Zhen Ning’s, then patiently moved the slices of twice-cooked pork from Zhen Ning’s bowl into his own, piece by piece.

It was winter, during the World Championship season. While Zhen Ning ate his tofu and Yan Chengfeng enjoyed his pork, they watched the live broadcast of the championship together.

It was the S7 season of Forest of the Full Moon. Though it was called the World Championship, by the semifinals, only a few American teams remained, battling it out amongst themselves.

Yan Chengfeng, munching on his meat, mumbled his analysis of the game. “I have to admit, this PKO support is really impressive. His hooks are so precise, and his vision control is cunning. Every time the opposing jungler goes for the dragon, they’re completely exposed. It’s terrifying…”

Zhen Ning continued eating his tofu in silence.

Their dynamic was like this—most of the time, Yan Chengfeng did the talking while Zhen Ning quietly listened.

After watching a bit more, Yan Chengfeng sighed wistfully. “I wonder when I’ll get to play on stage. I really want to compete against players like these.”

Zhen Ning still said nothing, but after a moment, he carefully picked another piece of twice-cooked pork from his bowl and placed it into Yan Chengfeng’s.

After a pause, he quietly said, “You play just as well as he does.”

Yan Chengfeng paused, chopsticks in hand, staring at Zhen Ning’s face for a long while.

When he finally processed what was said, he felt an overwhelming joy but tried to keep his composure, pretending nonchalance. “Oh… come on. I’m nowhere near that level.”

Zhen Ning didn’t respond, just continued eating with his head down.

Yan Chengfeng mulled it over for a moment, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.

His tail was practically sticking up into the sky, and he stopped pretending. He leaned in a bit closer. “But since you’ve already praised me, why not be more specific? Is it my warding? My initiation? Or maybe some laning phase details? Go on, tell me more…”

He was so excited that the distance between them closed significantly. He noticed Zhen Ning stiffen slightly.

Zhen Ning was silent for a while, then quietly turned his face away, subtly increasing the space between them. Softly, he repeated, “In every way, you’re just as good.”

Yan Chengfeng was thoroughly pleased with this answer.

He felt overjoyed. “Well, maybe not entirely. I still have a long way to go. Like that baiting tactic in the lane just now—I couldn’t pull it off that well. You’ll need to help me practice more when we get back.”

Zhen Ning didn’t reply.

Yan Chengfeng continued eating happily, occasionally glancing at the match. When one of the American teams secured the match point, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Ugh, another final with Americans playing against Americans. When will we see teams from other countries? Even if it’s the Koreans, I’d accept it.”

Zhen Ning was silent for a moment before saying, “We can do it.”

Yan Chengfeng, thinking he had misheard, looked up blankly. “What?”

He saw Zhen Ning lift his eyes.

Yan Chengfeng had to admit that Zhen Ning’s appearance was truly striking. When he looked at someone quietly, his dark eyes were so pure and beautiful that anyone who met his gaze would feel a tremor in their heart.

“I said, we can do it.”

This time, Zhen Ning didn’t avoid the question. He spoke calmly. “In the future, you and I, we can achieve it.”

Yan Chengfeng stared at Zhen Ning’s face, then suddenly laughed.

“Alright.”

He pointed at the tournament venue on the TV screen. “We’ll go to America together, play in this venue, and lift the trophy together.”

Going to the US and competing in the tournament weren’t out of reach. But “lifting the trophy together” was an audacious and unrealistic dream for them as trainees at the time.

Yet Zhen Ning simply blinked and, after a moment, softly said, “Okay. Together.”

In the cold of winter, the warm little shop, the steaming bowl of fried pork, and the promise between two teenagers.

Yan Chengfeng watched Zhen Ning’s face for a while, feeling warmth in his chest.

He suddenly chuckled. “I don’t know why, but my appetite has improved. How about we order another combo meal?”

Zhen Ning: “…”

“How about we change the flavor? Half and half as usual?” Yan Chengfeng casually flipped through the menu. “It’s on me today. Maybe we can try something new. I want the sweet and sour pork, and for you… how about cabbage and tofu?”

Seeing Zhen Ning stay silent for a while, Yan Chengfeng scratched his head. After a pause, he asked, “You do like tofu, right?”

Zhen Ning lowered his eyes, the tip of his chopsticks resting on the pile of tofu in his bowl. He blinked, and a faint smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

“Mm.” Yan Chengfeng heard him say, “I like it.”

In the past three years, there were nights when Yan Chengfeng woke up from a dream, wondering if Zhen Ning had been just a figment of his imagination, conjured up to comfort himself during the grueling training.

When Zhen Ning left, he had left almost no trace. He had always been a quiet person, and his departure had been just as silent.

After he was gone, Yan Chengfeng forced himself not to dwell on the past, focusing solely on training.

But ever since Zhen Ning returned, those memories surged back uncontrollably.

The more Yan Chengfeng recalled their youth and compared it to their current strained relationship, the more complicated his feelings became.

They had already gone through a cold war over Zhen Ning’s frequent use of suppressants.

Yan Chengfeng was deeply troubled.

He knew that now Zhen Ning was an omega and he was an alpha. They could no longer return to the close relationship they had back then, and for biological reasons, he was supposed to keep his distance.

But whenever Zhen Ning put on that “leave me alone” attitude, Yan Chengfeng’s rebellious streak flared up instantly. He had told himself countless times not to meddle, yet no matter what, he just couldn’t stop.

After that night of Truth or Dare, what made it even harder for Yan Chengfeng to ignore was Zhen Ning’s mention of the person who “makes his heart skip a beat.”

After their confrontation in the bathroom, where Zhen Ning explicitly said he wouldn’t get into a relationship, Yan Chengfeng had felt a slight sense of relief.

However, the more he thought about it afterward, the more uneasy he became. He couldn’t understand how someone like Zhen Ning, who never revealed even the slightest hint of likes or dislikes, who seemed to have a heart of stone, could suddenly return from America in love.

What kind of person… could Zhen Ning possibly have feelings for?

Yan Chengfeng was in turmoil.

He tried hard to convince himself not to dwell on it, but whenever his mind wandered after training, he couldn’t help but attempt to picture this mysterious person.

Soon, it was Yan Chengfeng’s birthday.

The bus bounced along the road, but Tao Luo was still brimming with excitement, announcing to everyone, “Alright, fam, give me 1000% energy today! Let’s finish this 2-0! Today’s strategy is five words: kill, kill, kill, kill, kill!”

Xu Hao looked puzzled. “Sure, we should take ZC seriously, but you weren’t this pumped the last time we faced them.”

Tao Luo: “Because after today’s game, we get to celebrate our dear captain’s birthday! I’m so excited that I want to finish the match quickly!”

“Yeah, right.” Yan Chengfeng exposed her mercilessly. “You just want to win fast so we can go eat hot pot. Don’t use me as an excuse.”

Tao Luo: “Well, it’s not just because of the hot pot, hehe.”

At the back of the bus, Zhen Ning and Xu Minghe sat quietly. When Yan Chengfeng casually glanced back, he saw Zhen Ning resting with his eyes closed.

He quickly shifted his gaze forward again.

The past few days, KYM had a packed schedule of practice matches. Zhen Ning’s performance in every game had far surpassed Lei Tao’s, earning him the starting spot for today’s match.

The relationship between them remained lukewarm and awkward. They barely spoke outside of the necessary in-game communication.

Yan Chengfeng felt unsettled. He knew this situation couldn’t continue, and he resolved to have a proper talk with Zhen Ning after tonight’s match and the hot pot meal.

Today’s opponent, ZC, was a rising star among the country’s top three teams. After their last match against Big Watermelon (DXG), KYM was finally up against Fried Skewers (ZC).

This was the same ZC connected to the trash-talking player Yan Chengfeng and Zhen Ning had encountered while duo queuing during a livestream. The player’s in-game ID was: “I won’t change my username unless ZC wins the championship in America this year.”

Though Yan Chengfeng had a fiery temper and a sharp tongue, he wasn’t entirely without restraint. When he typed, “Your favorite team is easy to beat,” at the end of that match, there was a reason behind it.

ZC had been a rising star over the past two years, performing impressively on the competitive scene and reaching the top eight at last year’s World Championship, earning a loyal fan base.

However, there was a lot of tension and unresolved history between KYM and ZC.

A few years ago, ZC’s boss lured many of KYM’s key personnel away with lucrative offers, including the then-manager and the head coach, whose contract was nearing expiration. Though this was within legal bounds, it was an underhanded and distasteful move that could have been catastrophic for any smaller team.

Fortunately, KYM had strong financial backing. The newly appointed manager, Li Feng, who was honest and reliable, along with Joe, a highly talented coach, helped the team quickly adapt. In the following two years, KYM achieved results that had never been seen before. In the end, it could only be described as a blessing in disguise.

The rivalry between the two clubs had been thoroughly scrutinized by netizens. Since both were strong teams, their fanbases were just as combative, practically incompatible—like water and fire.

Last year, ZC was eliminated in the quarterfinals, while KYM fell in the semifinals. ZC fans mocked KYM for never being able to win a championship, while KYM fans ridiculed ZC for not even making it to the finals.

As fate would have it, rivals would meet once again.

As KYM’s team disembarked from the bus and headed to the arena’s lounge, they coincidentally ran into ZC’s players and staff.

The atmosphere became tense for a moment. ZC’s players pretended not to see them and entered the lounge first.

Tao Luo was visibly irritated but was quickly held back by Xu Minghe, leaving her to roll her eyes dramatically.

At the end of ZC’s line was their manager, Xiong Hao—a middle-aged alpha in a suit and glasses, exuding an air of shrewdness.

Xiong Hao greeted Li Feng before noticing Yan Chengfeng behind him. He stopped and smiled, calling out, “Xiao Yan.”

Yan Chengfeng frowned slightly. “Xiong-ge.”

Xiong Hao was KYM’s former manager—the one who had been poached by ZC.

He had spent many years at KYM, excelling in scouting young talent. He was the one who had interviewed both Yan Chengfeng and Zhen Ning.

Xiong Hao was also skilled at manipulating public opinion and maximizing each player’s popularity. He had a firm grip on their business opportunities as well.

During the youth training program, Yan Chengfeng had spent some time around Xiong Hao. Although they didn’t interact much, he always felt that Xiong Hao was quite scheming. The way he managed players like products with fixed price tags made Yan Chengfeng uneasy.

So when Xiong Hao left for ZC, it hadn’t come as a surprise.

At this point, a blank-faced greeting was the best Yan Chengfeng could offer. He had no intention of making small talk and simply kept walking.

However, as they passed each other, Yan Chengfeng caught Xiong Hao’s gaze shifting toward Zhen Ning, who was walking just behind him to the left.

Xiong Hao’s expression changed abruptly.

Yan Chengfeng noticed it immediately. His brows furrowed, and a gut feeling told him that something was off.

He turned just in time to see Xiong Hao pause slightly in front of Zhen Ning, looking at him thoughtfully, a strange expression on his face.

Zhen Ning had noticed Xiong Hao as well. He stood tall, his demeanor cool, his face devoid of any visible emotion.

Yet, perhaps it was just Yan Chengfeng’s imagination, but in the moment Zhen Ning saw Xiong Hao’s face, his body seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

The silence stretched on for an unknown amount of time.

“It’s Xiao Ning,” Xiong Hao finally said with a smile. “It’s been… a long time.”