TCWSITD – Chapter 29.1

Chapter 29 has 3 parts and will be uploaded with 30 minutes interval each.

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Chapter 29.1 – A Heart-to-Heart Talk

Song Zhixu arrived at the rooftop to find Lin Jiang already waiting for him.

He was sitting on the steps, his hair lightly lifted by the breeze. He looked up and gave him a friendly smile.

“Come and sit down.”

In his white shirt, Lin Jiang seemed to shimmer under the lights, as if even the air around him had turned poetic.

Song Zhixu suddenly felt a little shy. It was his first time being alone with Lin Jiang.

He sat down with a hint of hesitation and only then noticed the two cans of beer resting on the steps.

“You called me up here just to drink?”

“Yeah,” Lin Jiang said, opening one and handing it to him, “and to chat a bit.”

Since Lin Jiang had opened it himself, Song Zhixu didn’t dare refuse. With his low alcohol tolerance, he was already a little dizzy after just a few sips. Holding the can in his hand, he only dared to take two mouthfuls before stopping

So, why had the captain called him up here? To talk about the fight? Or maybe to persuade him to make up with Shen Ju…

Song Zhixu tightened his grip on the can. He could almost predict what Lin Jiang would say.

Just like what Duren and the others had told him: to endure, to be forgiving, to not take Shen Ju’s childishness to heart.

He knew his skills and background couldn’t compare to Shen Ju’s, and he had always been content playing a supporting role on the team. None of that had ever bothered him before.

But ever since Lin Jiang arrived, everything had changed.

He no longer wanted to be just someone who faded into the background—he wanted to stand on his own, to be seen.

His fingernails nervously tapped against the can, leaving slight dents.

A sudden wave of fear washed over Song Zhixu—

He was scared.

Scared that Lin Jiang would say the exact same things as all the others.

The wind had grown sharper, cooler as it swept around them. Lin Jiang cracked open a can for himself.

He tilted his head back and gulped down two mouthfuls before turning to look at Song Zhixu. “I fined you 500-yuan today. You’re not upset, are you?”

Song Zhixu wasn’t angry. He was just a little sad that Lin Jiang’s heart didn’t seem to be on his side.

In this seemingly fair punishment, he was the only one who truly bore the consequences. Shen Ju, on the other hand, wouldn’t feel a thing.

He kept his head low and shook it in silence.

Lin Jiang looked down at him—and then, unexpectedly, smiled.

“You really are mad?” Lin Jiang’s palm naturally came to rest on top of his head, like comforting a puppy. “I’m the captain, after all. Punishments have to be fair and just. I can’t fine you 500-yuan and him 20,000-yuan, right? Or should I have increased your training load? Shen Ju is a training maniac. You can’t outlast him in endurance. Physical punishment isn’t allowed either, so I really couldn’t think of what else to do.”

After hearing that, Song Zhixu suddenly felt that everything Lin Jiang had done was actually for his sake.

The 500-yuan was within his means, and it would teach him a lesson. Clearly, the captain had thought it through before making the decision.

And he had caused a scene with Shen Ju at the wrong time and place… the captain must have been put in a difficult spot, too.

Song Zhixu was someone who could be easily comforted. Even if Lin Jiang hadn’t said anything, he would’ve convinced himself that the captain’s decision was justified.

Moreover, Lin Jiang had taken the time to explain it to him personally—and that made Song Zhixu genuinely happy.

Crossing his long legs, he stole a glance at Lin Jiang. Then he smiled, took a deep swig from his can, and before he knew it, more than half was gone.

Seeing that Song Zhixu’s mood had lifted, Lin Jiang shared a story from his past.

“When I was captain at KUG, a new top laner refused to follow orders and got into an argument with the jungler.”

“Back then, I had a good relationship with the jungler, and since the top laner threw the first punch, I thought he should be the one punished. So I made him handwrite a 1,000-word self-reflection and fined him 500-yuan.”

“I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I later found out the top laner was a minor. His family controlled his salary card, and the 500-yuan was his living expenses for the week.”

Lin Jiang took a long drink, head tilted back. Although his tone was calm, the fact that he remembered it so clearly after all these years showed how deeply it had affected him.

Song Zhixu could hear the regret in his voice.

Was it because of that mistake that, after coming to OT, he had been so careful with everyone’s feelings?

A pang of sympathy hit Song Zhixu out of nowhere.

Clearly, he had only done what he was supposed to do—yet still couldn’t satisfy everyone. Is this the burden of being a captain?

“After that incident, the top laner held a grudge against me, and it continues to this day.”

Lin Jiang sighed. “I tried to reconcile with him many times afterward. But some things, once you miss the right moment, there won’t ever have a chance to be fixed.”

“So ever since then, no matter what decision I make, I think it through carefully—afraid of making another mistake.”

As he spoke, Lin Jiang looked at Song Zhixu, his gaze carrying a hint of uncertainty. “That first time I punished you… when I saw you eating cup noodles afterward, I honestly regretted it. A lot.”

He even felt that he had hurt Song Zhixu—and he wasn’t sure if his attempts to make amends had been effective.

Song Zhixu finally understood why Lin Jiang paid such close attention to his small emotions. It turned out something like that had happened back then.

He straightened up, lifted his hand with quiet resolve, and made a heartfelt promise: “Captain, I swear I don’t hold any grudge against you. I’m an adult now, managing my own salary card, and capable of taking responsibility for my mistakes. You don’t need to feel guilty.”

“This time, I was also at fault to begin with. I didn’t handle things well. It wasn’t your mistake, Captain.”

“You were fair, and you even considered my financial situation. I’m really not angry with you.”

“At most, I felt just a little aggrieved, but that’s because I’m too sensitive. It’s not your fault, Captain.”

Worried Lin Jiang might doubt him, he reached out, grabbing his hand and holding it firmly.

“Captain, I don’t have any grievances with you. It’s just that I feel like you care more about Shen Ju, and that makes me feel a little sad.”

“But now I think I’ve come to understand. Shen Ju is naturally more skilled than me and contributes more to the team, so it’s only right that you favor him more. It’s because I haven’t done enough…”

The alcohol was taking effect, and Song Zhixu’s thoughts grew hazy.

He clung pitifully to Lin Jiang’s hand. “I swear, I won’t hold a grudge against you like that other person did. You’re really a good, good captain. If someday I do end up resenting you, then it’ll be my own fault, not yours…”

Song Zhixu possessed a rare, heartfelt sincerity. He could accept everyone’s imperfections and empathize with their struggles.

When conflicts arose, his first instinct was to reflect on himself.

Lin Jiang propped his head up and looked at him, realizing he had probably overthought everything.

Song Zhixu was like a silly golden retriever—simple and innocent. Even if someone really sold him out, he’d probably help count the money.

Lin Jiang couldn’t help but laugh and ruffled his hair.

This big, pure-hearted kid… Lin Jiang couldn’t help but worry the bad guys out there might take advantage of him.

“You and Shen Ju are the same in my heart. If there’s even the slightest difference, it’s because he is genuinely stronger and can help me solve a lot of problems.”

“Song Zhixu, keep working hard. The day you grow into someone like that, you two will be completely equal in my eyes.”

Those words bloomed inside Song Zhixu’s heart.

Shen Ju had always been a towering peak he thought he’d never reach or even compare himself to. But after hearing Lin Jiang, suddenly, he saw a path forward.

No matter how vast the gap between their backgrounds was—even if it was thousands of miles apart—on the path of esports, as long as he worked twice as hard, there was hope of catching up.

He nodded eagerly, and in a burst of excitement, downed the rest of his drink.

Maybe it was the alcohol giving him courage, but he seized the moment and hugged Lin Jiang tightly. “Captain, you’re way too good to me!”

Lin Jiang chuckled. “Maybe I can be even better?”

He took out his phone and pulled up a transfer record of 500-yuan. The recipient’s account belonged to the club, and in the memo, he had written: “Song Zhixu’s fine.”

“I already paid your fine long ago. How could I bear to watch you eat instant noodles?”

Song Zhixu froze.

He let go of Lin Jiang and was suddenly so moved that he wanted to cry.

His own family never cared if he survived on instant noodles, but Lin Jiang… Lin Jiang actually cared.

Lin Jiang steadied his head. “Don’t move.”

He took out a bottle of antiseptic, sprayed it on a cotton swab, and gently dabbed it on Song Zhixu’s forehead. “The wound isn’t deep. It’ll scab over by tomorrow.”

At that moment, Song Zhixu couldn’t hold back anymore. He threw himself into Lin Jiang’s arms, hugging him tight. “Captain, if you have any problems in the future, I will go through fire and water for you, even if it means my death!”

Lin Jiang patted his back. “Alright, alright. You can let go now.”

Song Zhixu went on to say many more things, and Lin Jiang listened patiently. He suddenly realized that Song Zhixu wasn’t as carefree as he appeared on the surface.

This 1.8-meter Northeast boy was actually sensitive and delicate, prone to tears at the drop of a hat.

Lin Jiang couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Song Zhixu protested, “Captain, you can’t tell anyone about this…”

“Alright, alright.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Jiang said to him, “You should head back first. Get some rest.”

“Okay. You rest early too, Captain.”

After seeing Song Zhixu off, Lin Jiang tidied up the empty cans and retrieved another four cans hidden under the steps, arranging them neatly.

Then he sent Shen Ju a message: [Come to the rooftop.]

When the message was sent, Shen Ju was taking a shower and didn’t see it.

The shower water rushed down, and it burned fiercely on the wound on Shen Ju’s neck.

Shen Ju looked in the mirror and saw the wound was quite deep. He had no idea where Song Zhixu had gotten such ferocity, clawing at him until the skin broke without letting go.

He’d called him “trash” before, but Song Zhixu had never reacted this violently.

Shen Ju briefly wondered if he’d gone too far this time.

But the next second, he heard Song Zhixu return, flopping onto the couch outside and humming a horribly off-key tune, clearly in high spirits.

Suddenly, Shen Ju realized he was just overthinking it.

Song Zhixu was just a brainless, carefree idiot.

After finishing his shower, Shen Ju threw on some clothes and was drying his hair when he noticed Lin Jiang’s message.

Without bothering to grab his jacket, he tossed his towel aside and headed upstairs right away.

Song Zhixu called out, “Where are you going?”

“Then bring me a bottle of Coke when you come back.”

Shen Ju—who had just fought with him earlier—was left speechless.

“Nope.”

“Fine, forget it.”

Song Zhixu resumed his terrible humming, clearly having completely forgotten about the fight they had earlier that day.

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