WCG Chapter 100.1

I got a job!!!! Pro: the pay is way better, and my coworkers are very nice! Cons: it’s so much busier, and I hardly got any time for anything…

As a result, I can only do any tl work on the weekend……. (cries)

Anyway, since both of my series is on the verge of ending anyways, I’ll finish these two and… probably rested until I have my work-life balance fixed. Maybe then, I’ll pick up a new series. (I actually have two candidates, but both of them are LONG and idk if I can finish them… let’s just see in the future.)

On other note… thank you Reader92345 for the donation! I’ll use it for TYAM, since you didn’t specify which series. For today, I’ll upload all the chapters that is supposed to be uploaded this week, so 2 chapters (4 uploads, since they’re long bois) for WCG, and 2 chapters for TYAM (+2 bonus chapters, so 4 total)

Inside the room, Jiang Shi grabbed his change of clothes, ready to take a shower, but noticed that Xie Xu showed no sign of leaving.  

Jiang Shi asked, “Didn’t you already take a shower?”  

Xie Xu replied in an unhurried tone, “Didn’t you say you wanted to take a bath with me?”  

Jiang Shi froze for a moment before realizing that Xie Xu had overheard his earlier conversation with North. He glanced at the not-so-spacious bathtub and stammered, “Ho-how… are we supposed to fit in there together…?”  

Besides, there was a competition tomorrow. Even though he considered himself to have decent stamina, he wasn’t sure he could handle any unknown “exertion.”  

Just then, outside the door, Jiang Lele’s loud voice rang out, and the phrase “romantic bubble bath” unexpectedly carried into the room.  

Jiang Shi looked at the rippling water in the bathtub, his ears instantly turning bright red. Gone was the arrogance he had just displayed outside when he had verbally crushed North.  

Xie Xu reached out and lightly touched Jiang Shi’s ear. Jiang Shi flinched but then, after a moment, tilted his head forward, allowing Xie Xu to continue.  

Xie Xu gently pinched his burning earlobe before stopping his teasing. “Go ahead and wash up before the water gets cold.”

“Call me if you need anything.”  

With that, he turned and walked out, considerately closing the door behind him.  

---

None of the TLG members fell for North’s schemes, and they all performed steadily.  

On the other hand, North performed poorly. In the semi-finals, during the 4-to-2 elimination match, he made a critical mistake and almost lost the game. Luckily, he managed to stabilize himself just in time, narrowly securing a spot in the finals.  

The grand finals were scheduled for May 20th at 4 PM — TLG vs. YB.  

At the entrance of the venue, the two teams ran into each other. North had his head slightly lowered, listening to someone speaking beside him in Korean.  

Jiang Lele couldn’t help but lean in, frowning as he listened for a while. “What are they jabbering about?”  

Yu Hui answered, “Korean.”  

Jiang Shi was also secretly trying to eavesdrop, but after failing to catch anything, he looked up at Xie Xu beside him.  

Xie Xu took up the role of translator. “That person is YB’s coach. He’s telling North that if he doesn’t perform well again, he should be ready to be replaced at any time.”  

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yang couldn’t hide his schadenfreude. “Must be because of the stuff online, huh? I wonder who was skilled enough to dig up all those IDs. It’s causing a huge uproar now.”  

The internet was flooded with criticism against YB, particularly North. Whether in Korea or China, he was being trashed relentlessly.  

Someone had even exposed that YB had pulled these kinds of dirty tricks more than once. Back when North had transferred to Korea, he had been portrayed as a passionate young gamer chasing his esports dreams. If anyone had brought up these issues back then, no one would have believed them. He had a legion of die-hard fans defending him.  

Now, however, once his alternate account — the one he used to slander Xie Xu — was exposed, North became the target of widespread condemnation. Many players from domestic and international teams even recognized the account, claiming it had badmouthed them too.  

With irrefutable evidence, all of North’s Chinese fan clubs were disbanded, and the insults continued to pour in.  

No wonder he had performed so poorly in the semi-finals.  

Jiang Shi had no guilt whatsoever about orchestrating this. This was just North reaping what he had sown. If Yuan Yang hadn’t already prepared TLG’s players in advance, and if Jiang Shi hadn’t exposed the opportunists muddying the waters, the ones being flamed right now would have been TLG.  

Perhaps their blatant gossiping was too obvious because the YB players noticed them.  

North glanced in their direction, then walked over.  

Just moments ago, he had been getting scolded by his coach, but now, his expression remained gentle. However, this time, he didn’t look at Xie Xu. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Jiang Shi.  

“The things you posted online nearly ruined me,” North said. “But it doesn’t matter. As long as I defeat you and YB wins the championship, all this noise will naturally disappear.”  

People admired strength above all else. If YB could demonstrate overwhelming power, these minor stains on their reputation wouldn’t matter in the slightest.  

Jiang Shi casually shoved one hand into his pocket and shrugged. “Then go ahead and try.”  

His tone carried not a shred of respect.  

North chuckled. “Time, you’re really arrogant. I was the same when I first went pro. You do have potential. If you change your mind and decide to join YB, we’d still welcome you.”  

Yuan Yang hadn’t expected the guy to have the audacity to try and poach his player right in front of him. “Time has no interest in joining a runner-up team. You guys can give up on that idea.”  

Stealing Xu wasn’t enough? Now they wanted to steal TLG’s crown jewel, Time? Did they think he was dead?  

He was about to say more when Xu interrupted, “No need to waste time on them. Let’s go.”  

He had grown tired of these petty tricks.  

Xie Xu stepped forward, Jiang Shi following right behind him. At the very end, Jiang Lele didn’t forget to shoot North a contemptuous look before trailing after his team.  

---

The grand finals began on schedule, with the players taking the stage one by one.  

The venue was packed, and unlike before, when TLG players appeared on camera, there were no more scattered, half-hearted cheers or boos. Instead, the crowd erupted into deafening applause.  

Even though the competition was being held in Korea, Chinese fans had secured nearly half the seats, their presence just as strong as YB’s supporters.  

On stage, the five TLG members couldn’t help but look down at the audience.  

Fans held up glowing signs with their in-game IDs shining brilliantly.  

The most common message among them was—  

“We are always here!”  

Back home, in the online livestream, spectators saw the sea of lights and couldn’t help but flood the chat.  

[We are always here! TLG, give it your all!]  

[The live audience can handle the cheering. If any haters show up online, we’ll deal with them!]  

[Did my fellow family members on the venue not eat or what? Shout louder! My stupid son is deaf!] 

[I’m squatting on twitter and other forums. If anyone dares to talk sht, I’ll flame them in my level 8 Korean.]  

[TLG for the win!]  

Jiang Shi and the others couldn’t see the livestream comments, but they could hear the thunderous cheers from their fans. The loneliness and grievances they had endured in a foreign land for nearly half a month were swept away. Their hands, gripping their mice, felt warm.  

They were going to bring that championship trophy home! 

The male commentator saw the state of the TLG players and said with relief, “It seems that they are all ready to face YB again in the finals. I hope they can avenge their previous defeat!”

The female commentator noticed a detail. “TLG’s coach seemed to be discussing some important tactics with the players. Look at his serious expression.” 

Even on the stage, Yuan Yang couldn’t help but mutter, “Time, did you expose that thing on the Internet? Such a big thing, why didn’t you discuss it with me!”

Jiang Shi lowered his head and pretended to check the keyboard, but didn’t say anything.

He was afraid that if he told Yuan Yang, Yuan Yang would not let him do it. Then, he heard Yuan Yang’s sighing voice come from the microphone.

“If those evidence falls into my hands, they will never able to come back!” 

Jiang Shi couldn’t help but look back at Yuan Yang.

Jiang Lele joked, “Yang-ge is our diplomat. He’s pretty much an expert about those shady Internet things. He’s very angry at them.” 

Zhao Jiu gave Jiang Shi a thumbs up. “Really, you’re awesome, Xiao Shi. I thought you were too busy with training to check the Internet. I didn’t expect that you would do such a big thing, and even manage to dig out North’s secret alt account.” 

Yu Hui nodded in agreement.

Jiang Shi was a little embarrassed by everyone’s praise. Just when he was about to say something, he heard Xie Xu say, “You have never watched my VODs so carefully.”

Before the finals, Jiang Shi was dealing with North’s videos every day after training.

Jiang Lele let out an undisguised chuckle as he put on his headset, “Captain, you are too jealous. I can’t stand it.”

The other players laughed, then teased Jiang Shi for a bit. However, it was cut short by Yuan Yang. “Alright, alright. Now finish checking your equipment. It’s about time for the BP.” 

YB had obviously done their homework. As soon it was their time for the ban, they immediately banned Snowman and Senna. 

However, Jiang Shi and Xie Xu remained unfazed. It was expected, after all. YB was not that stupid to do that. 

The lineups of both sides were selected. After a brief analysis, the male commentator sounded more excited. He definitely saw the obvious targeting. “Time and North… they looked so ready to duke it out. They both chose marksmen with strong burst damage in the early and mid-game. During the level 4 laning phase, I bet sparks will fly.” 

During the game, as the male commentator predicted, sparks fly as soon as both ADCs hit level 4. The mid-laner and jungler on both sides moved to the bottom lane, but Jiang Lele was faster. He directly gave up a last hit and supported Jiang Shi one step ahead of YB.

“Wait for me to use my second Flash to pull him!” Jiang Lele’s Nuka is no longer a mage who pulled the enemy to Jiang Shi’s face. His control skill accurately hit North.

“Hit him! Little White Hair, hurry up!”

Jiang Lele screamed, his voice more excited than if he were to win the lottery.

Even though North Flashed in time, the fatal CC stuns him long enough to take all of Jiang Shi’s damage. Finally, he was killed. 

[First Blood!]

The whole audience erupted! 

The male commentator’s voice sounds equally as excited. “TLG played this team battle so beautifully. Back and Xu occupied the enemy’s target in advance and successfully pinned down the mid-laner, jungler, and support at the opposite side of the river. Lele Flashed to start the team fight and cooperated with Time to take the first blood, then they both steadily retreated to their tower. Time also Flashed!”

The female commentator: “North is in trouble.”

After North was killed, a silly smiley emote appeared on Time’s head.

Perhaps the sarcasm behind [Thank you kindly] was too strong. In the World Championship, such quick text was banned, and Jiang Shi changed to this cute emote package.

Taking the first blood, pushing the enemy tower, stealing the enemy’s mobs… this particular emote kept appearing. 

Of course, the audience noticed. The livestream audience, in particular, felt the need to comment on this. 

[Hahaha! Time is worthy of his reputation! Even during the finals, his “uniqueness” is still so apparent~] 

[T Bao, why are you so handsome when you mock others!]

[Just now the camera “magically” gave North a look. His face turned so green hahahaha!] 

[This is so hilarious. Didn’t some idiot say that the Little White Hair is only worthy of being North’s substitute? Can that idiot come now and say it again?] 

[Kill that traitor for me!]

[Little idiot, if you fail to kill that scum again, don’t come back to see this Father of yours!] 

Jiang Shi almost suppressed North in the back line. Xu relied on his hero’s agile movement and sufficient tankiness to maintain a superb vision. As a result, YB couldn’t catch Jiang Shi at all.

Seeing that the economic gap between the ADCs on both sides gradually widened, North became riskier. He went forward to solo Jiang Shi.

The two exchanged skills, depleting each other’s HP in the process. However, Jiang Shi used his position to evade North’s fatal CC skill. After YB’s mid-laner came to gank him, Jiang Shi maintained his calm. He Flashed to distance himself, retreating to the safety of his tower. 

The male commentator was a little confused. “Huh? Why didn’t Time use Flash when fighting with North just now? He should have been able to gete a kill. Could it be that he knew that YB’s mid-laner was coming to help North?”

The female commentator looked at Time, who was leisurely returning to the city, and understood. “Mhm, that should be the case.” 

After all, the rhythm of the two sides was almost identical. Since Lele was on the way to the top-lane, it was logical to guess that YB’s mid-laner would come to the bot-lane. 

“Ouch, during that intense 2v1, Time’s health was in a precarious state. Did he deliberately trick his two opponents using his own Flash?”  The male commentator took a sharp breath, “He is really bold, sneaking to the opponent’s mid and bottom and then–”

Halfway through the commentary, the female commentator interrupted him with a cough.  

As official commentators, they had to remain neutral and not show emotional bias.  

[Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter. Let me fill in for you: Time is kiting them like walking a dog.]  

[If not for the low HP, with Time’s economy, he might have even baited out the enemy’s Flash.]  

[Such a sneaky Little White Hair.] 

[Daddy loves this arrogant attitude of yours.]  

YB failed a 2v1 gank, while their top lane got completely wrecked, resulting in both the top and support dying.  

The gold gap widened completely. In the first game, TLG finished with a blitz victory in just fifteen minutes.  

Jiang Shi’s damage was off the charts, forcing North into a humiliating 1-8-3 KDA record.  

As they left the stage, Jiang Lele covered his mouth, snickering. “If this were ranked, I’d definitely report North for feeding.”  

Yu Hui looked at his smug face. “You weren’t even the one playing. What are you so happy about?”  

Jiang Lele puffed up his chest. “Can’t I take pride in my team?”  

Hearing this, Jiang Shi subtly glanced at Xie Xu.  

The next second, a hand ruffled his hair.  

Xie Xu chuckled. “That was impressive.”  

Jiang Shi coughed lightly. “It was alright.”