YPHC Chapter 23.1

Jiang Nan’an looked at the mischievous smile on Yan Jie’s face, expressionlessly took a bite of pasta, chewed and swallowed it methodically before commenting:

“You’re so boring.”

“Yes, I am boring. After blowing up fish in the canyon for ten years, my heart has become as cold as the gems on top of the defense tower. In this world, nothing and no one can touch my heart except hearing Mr. Hang speak.” Yan Jie sighed deeply, gazing wistfully at the ceiling.

“Impossible,” Jiang Nan’an coldly exposed his lie:

“There’s also strawberry milk candy and chocolate balls.”

“What’s he going on about now? Xiao Shan, just ignore him.” As the two were chatting, inBlue finished his call and came over, grabbing a corn sausage:

“Coming back so late, I thought you’d climbed over the wall and run away. I was about to notify the production team to put out an APB on you… This sausage is delicious! You’ve been hiding such good stuff for half a month before bringing it out???”

“Come on, you still remember me? You could step over my cold corpse beside your bed to take your partner’s call, saying your roommate is out messing around somewhere, neither alive nor dead.”

Yan Jie glanced at him, nodding toward his snack box:

“You never asked me for any! Learn from Mr. Hang, understand? If you want to eat something, say it out loud! Enough sausages? There’s more pasta here. Help yourself if you want some. Don’t say later that I, as your big brother, bullied you by not feeding you.”

“No need, I ate dinner. Just trying a taste.” inBlue asked while unwrapping the corn sausage:

“What were you talking about? Starting to act again without provocation?”

“Well, of course we were having a heart-to-heart,” Yan Jie patted inBlue’s shoulder, mysteriously saying:

“Mr. Hang is curious about my past, my experiences, some unknown secrets behind the legendary name Spring. Tsk, teacher, are you secretly in love with me? It warms my heart.”

“…” Jiang Nan’an nodded. For the sake of the delicious corn sausage, he endured the humiliation and transformed into a cold straight man:

“Yes, I’m so in love, hopelessly in love. How many nights have I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, just because Spring’s radiance is too dazzling in the void. I wondered then, Spring, this dazzling golden man, how could I touch his soul? Perhaps I could only gaze at him from across the river of life. But heaven favored me, letting me meet him by chance. And now, sitting here, I just want to ask: Have you heard enough? If not, I’m leaving.”

“Awesome!!” Yan Jie applauded Jiang Nan’an.

inBlue listened with his mouth agape.

“So sincere, Mr. Hang, you’ve moved me to tears.” Yan Jie dramatically wiped his eyes and sniffled, then quickly finished his noodles, threw the packaging in the trash, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and formally began to tell Jiang Nan’an his story.

But this story was far too brief:

“When I wanted to play, I went to play. Later, when I didn’t want to play anymore, I retired. It’s that simple.”

“?” These mere 23 words made Jiang Nan’an feel like all his previous eloquence had been wasted.

Is this how exchanges work? What a swindler!

He tugged at the corner of his lips:

“What a roller-coaster story with twists and turns everywhere, so touching and memorable.”

Yan Jie laughed, no longer teasing him:

“Alright, alright. Actually, before I entered the industry, I was a chuunibyou internet-addicted teenager. My old man-a successful, traditional, rigid middle-aged man-didn’t like seeing me play games. He thought teenagers should have their noses buried in books 24 hours a day. So, when I once again started an intense, exciting ranked match of Blazing Holy Grail in my free time, his soul ignited with anger. That flame was so scorching, so dazzling, that he pointed at my nose and raged, ‘You little brat, what’s the use of playing this game all day? Even if you’re good at it, what’s the use? National server, Korean server rankings-they’re just numbers. Can you put them on your resume? Can they become your capital in the future?’ He also said, ‘I think you’ve been spoiled by your mother. Your life is too easy. If the family wasn’t indulging you, let’s see what you could achieve out there.’ Heh, my temper flared up, and I said, ‘Well, let’s see what I can achieve then!'”

As he told the story, he didn’t forget to act it out, playing multiple roles, imitating his father’s tone vividly.

“At that time, my rankings on both the Chinese and Korean servers were quite high. A team contacted me for a tryout, and I immediately packed my small bag and set sail that very night. I chose the team that looked the best to me, and after that, as you know, player Spring, with his superb skills and exceptional personal charm, climbed to the top of the world with SG team. Understand? Applause!”

No one applauded, but Yan Jie wasn’t embarrassed and continued picking up the topic:

“So the question arises, why did I play for a year and then stop? Actually, life is like a huge game, and esports was just a side quest I opened up. I spent a year collecting all the honors I could get. My FMVP skin is hanging in the store catalog for both new and old players to see, so everyone knows there was once a person called Spring in this game. So I completed this quest, with no regrets. It was time to leave. Life is still long, and there are other quests waiting for me on the road ahead. I can’t stay in one place forever, right?”

Jiang Nan’an was a bit surprised: “It’s that simple?”

“Yes, what did you expect? In your imagination, was there some external pressure, continuous injuries, reluctant tearful goodbyes in the plot?”

“…Not really.”

Jiang Nan’an just felt that what Yan Jie said sounded so easy and simple, so free-spirited.

Just as Yan Jie himself said, in Spring’s world, everything was just a game. He came when he wanted to come, left when he wanted to leave, did what he wanted to do. He didn’t have many attachments or things he couldn’t let go of. His motivation for doing something wasn’t about benefits or outcomes, but his mood.

This mindset was so foreign to Jiang Nan’an that he couldn’t understand it for a moment, and could only marvel inwardly: I didn’t know people like this existed in the world.

“But if I had to say, there was actually another reason. I was too young and too chuunibyou back then, seeing everything through a filter, so it was only after I entered the industry that I realized professional esports wasn’t what I had imagined.”

Yan Jie stretched lazily and explained:

“Compared to a free player, a professional player has to bear so much more. At least when I was there, I had to stay up late every day with a messed-up sleep schedule, and as soon as I opened my eyes, it was training. If we lost a match, we’d get scolded; if we won, we couldn’t relax because the matches never end. Every year, so many people fight to become professionals, but a team only has five starting positions. Many people practice to death in substitute positions, second teams, or youth training without ever making it. How much passion and time can withstand that kind of consumption? Honestly, I think there are only two types of people who can stick with esports all the way: either those who truly have no other path to take, or those who genuinely aspire to it, truly love it, and are willing to dedicate their youth to their dreams. Unfortunately, I was neither. Rather than staying for so-called glory and halos, it was better to vacate the spot early and give the position closest to the dream to another carrot.”

Remembering something, Yan Jie chuckled:

“I really miss it. The last time I talked about these things must have been ten years ago, right, Blue?”

Jiang Nan’an didn’t understand what he meant, looking between Yan Jie and inBlue.

inBlue voluntarily explained:

“When I was in middle school, I also wanted to go pro, but he talked me out of it. He said these same things back then. He told me to think carefully about what I really wanted. If I truly liked it, he wouldn’t stop me, but if it was for other reasons, I should give up early, otherwise I’d regret it and have plenty to cry about later.”

Jiang Nan’an nodded. He had to admit, after hearing all this, his opinion of Yan Jie had improved slightly:

“I thought the plot would be a chuunibyou teenager encouraging, singing, and dancing to lure someone else’s good kid to join him in his madness.”

“Mr. Hang, what kind of image do I have in your mind? Do you know this is stereotyping? What about now? Have you changed your opinion of me? Ah, Spring is really a mature man, a charming youth, everyone’s solid and reliable life mentor. Don’t be shy, entrust all your trust to me!” Yan Jie opened his arms to him.

“That would be too tragic for me.”

The story was over, and Jiang Nan’an lowered his head to clean up the trash and stood up:

“Thanks for the hospitality, I’m leaving.”

“So heartless? Listening to the story and then leaving?” Yan Jie looked at him with a smile.

“Do you need me to passionately sing an OST for this story as an ending?”

“That’s not entirely out of the question.”

“…” Jiang Nan’an looked at him, and after a moment, couldn’t help but curve his lips into a slight smile.

“Oh?” Yan Jie tilted his head slightly:

“You smiled?”

Jiang Nan’an didn’t respond. He turned toward the door, and before leaving, he heard Yan Jie call out behind him:

“Good luck in tomorrow’s match, Mr. Hang!”

Jiang Nan’an didn’t look back, just raised his hand and waved, meaning roughly “I got it.”

–

Early Sunday morning, thirty contestants gathered backstage at the venue, with opponents and match order determined by drawing lots. Jiang Nan’an’s Team Four drew Team One, led by inBlue, as their first opponent. This team was unanimously recognized as the strongest in the points competition. Against Team Four’s flawed coordination and lineup, they quickly ended the battle in just 25 minutes.

This was actually expected, as it was too much to ask Fire and Fangfang, this “golden bottom lane duo,” to face a top-tier canyon ADC like inBlue. The bottom lane was quickly destroyed, creating a huge economic gap between the two sides, ultimately delivering a brilliant, one-sided steamroll for the spectating contestants.

After this match, combined with the already known paper strength, the captains and teaching assistants of the other four teams understood which lane to target when facing Team Four. Thus, Fire’s nightmare began. In each match, he was either banned or intensely targeted. After three matches, he was sighing and groaning, with frustration written all over him.

In the regular points competition, each player’s individual points were updated in real-time on screens prepared by the production team, making the rankings clear at a glance. After three consecutive losses, the five members of Team Four were hovering in the middle to lower ranks, especially Fire, who, due to being repeatedly targeted, had terrible stats and ratings, firmly securing the last place.

“The next match is against Team Five. Looking at their paper strength, they’re about equal to us. For us, they’re the most beatable team. Bottom lane… bottom lane, continue to endure pressure. Their ADC isn’t weak, so mid and jungle should help bottom more. Their top laner is their weakest, Teacher Qin, be bold and aggressive, try to dominate the top lane. Also…”

Yan Jie held a folder arranging tactics for his team. After a while, the staff notified them to get ready, as the final battle of the first round of the regular points competition was about to begin.

Both teams entered their battle stations. After adjusting their equipment, the Ban & Pick phase began. Surprisingly, Team Five didn’t target their bottom lane like the previous teams had, but instead banned three junglers, clearly targeting Jiang Nan’an.

Commentator A at the commentary desk analyzed both teams’ BP choices:

“Team Five’s first three bans are Nana B, Black Widow, and Little Whirlwind, all heroes that Team Four’s new jungler Jiang Nan’an used in the previous three matches? It seems Team Four is planning to ban Jiang Nan’an directly?”

Commentator B nodded: “I remember the previous three teams facing Team Five all chose to target their weakest bottom lane. What’s Team Four’s intention? Is it like, ‘I’m confident enough to let your bottom lane through, but I’ll ban your jungler directly’? We all know Jiang Nan’an was originally a mid laner who sacrificed his position for the team. In just one short week, he’s been able to play three jungle champions, which is honestly very impressive. Now with all three junglers banned, let’s see if he can pull out a fourth.”

Commentator A laughed: “Did you hear that, Teacher Jiang? Quickly check your pockets to see if you have any heroes left to use. The opponents are coming in strong!”

“Damn, is this for real? Fangfei’s move is really underhanded.” Yan Jie looked at the ban list, then glanced across at the opposing assistant Fangfei, meeting her provocative and gloating gaze. Yan Jie directly patted the back of Jiang Nan’an’s chair:

“Let’s pick Maya for ADC, Rock Giant for support. If they pick Eggsy and Kafka, lock in Siren at third pick.”

Hearing this arrangement, mid laner Monica was stunned and instinctively said: “Coach Spring, I’m only average with Siren.”

“It’s fine, just pick it.” As he spoke, Yan Jie gave Fangfei a mysterious smile.

Just as Yan Jie predicted, Team Five picked Eggsy and Kafka in their first and second slots, as these were their mid laner’s and ADC’s signature heroes.

Seeing this, although Monica wasn’t confident, she trusted Spring and directly locked in Siren.

“Siren? Does Monica play Siren? Wait, could it be that Jiang Nan’an is going mid and Monica is jungling? After all, Siren is Jiang Nan’an’s signature hero! But to train two positions for team rotation in just one week… is it that exciting?” Commentator A could hardly believe his eyes, staring at the big screen and beginning a storm of reasoning.

Commentator B was much calmer: “Have you considered another possibility?”

“You mean… Siren jungle?” Commentator A nearly stood up from his seat: “Is it really Siren jungle?”

This Siren pick not only confused the commentators but also left Team Five bewildered. Perhaps still believing Yan Jie wouldn’t put a jungle Siren on the competitive stage, Fangfei chose to use the last two ban slots to remove Qin Hua’s signature hero, the Heart General, and the versatile top-jungle pick, Tarzan.

Yan Jie scanned the screen and directly closed his folder:

“Alright, Teacher Qin, pick whatever you’re confident with. This game is your chance to shine. Mid, take Snow Maiden. The enemy has picked immobile carries that are very clunky. They’ll definitely focus on protecting their bottom lane. When the time comes, coordinate with the jungler to gank bottom, control them, and let Siren deal the damage. Good luck!”

“Snow Maiden is locked in! Siren is now in Jiang Nan’an’s hands-Jiang Nan’an has switched to Smite! It really is Siren jungle… Although theoretically this champion can jungle, such an unconventional choice is still very rare in the game, let alone in an official match. After all, her weaknesses are obvious-she’s too weak in the early game. Can she really hold the jungle?” Commentator A incredulously confirmed several times that Siren’s summoner spell was indeed “Smite,” and after composing himself a bit, he said:

“Alright, the coaches from both sides shake hands and leave the stage. The match officially begins: Blue side Team Four, Red side Team Five. Let’s look forward to an exciting performance from both teams.”

This week, Jiang Nan’an not only practiced heroes but also learned a lot about jungle awareness and thought processes from Yan Jie. Although he hadn’t practiced jungle Siren much, he had absolute confidence once he got this champion in his hands.

Team Five’s strategy was clearly “protect-the-one.” Their ADC Kafka deals high damage but has obvious recovery animations and no mobility. To compensate for this, their support, mid laner, and even top laner all picked champions with high tankiness and strong protective abilities, all to strictly guard against enemy assassins and create a good output environment for Kafka.

“ADC, come over at six minutes to take the Octopus. Siren jungle isn’t working well, I can invade his jungle freely. He won’t dare fight us this time. If he dares to come, we’ll just fight him directly. Killing one is a profit.”

As the game approached the six-minute rhythm point, Team Five’s jungler moved toward the neutral resource point first. Their ADC and support cleared the minion wave and prepared to rotate to the bug hole. The support walked in front to place vision, saying:

“Their ADC has gone back. Where’s the mid laner?”

Suave immediately replied: “Mid is missing, be careful.”

“It’s fine, Snow Maiden is so weak early game…”

Before he could finish, Team Five’s ADC suddenly saw an ability land on him-Snow Maiden’s forced displacement and ice control.

He was startled and immediately used Cleanse to break the control, preparing to counter-attack. But the next second, the mermaid mark lit up above his head, and Siren jumped directly onto his face and started outputting damage!

“Damn, look at me, look at me! Their mid and jungle are both here!”

“It’s fine, I’m coming. Early game Siren and Snow Maiden dare to get in our faces? Let’s fight them.” Team Five’s jungler didn’t take this seriously at all. In his eyes, the enemy Siren and Snow Maiden had already transformed into glittering first blood and double kill.

“Fight!” Kafka, being such a clunky hero, couldn’t escape and had to stand his ground and fight back.

But Siren was incredibly agile, constantly shifting positions and toying with the poor Kafka. Kafka’s two immobilizing skills were completely dodged by Siren’s movements, and soon he had lost most of his health:

“Where’s Snow Maiden? Why is Snow Maiden out of position?”

“Oh? Snow Maiden retreated after using her skills? What does this mean, she’s not planning to fight? Now there’s only Siren constantly moving through the sea wave vortices. How does that saying go? Although we may not deal much damage early game, we deal it quickly! This round is both quick and effective. Kafka is too clumsy to touch Siren and has no way to fight back. The support can only shield Kafka. Hmm… I feel like this could be a kill!”

Commentator A’s tone grew increasingly excited, but soon he spotted Team Five’s jungler quickly approaching at the edge of the screen:

“The jungler is here. This probably won’t result in a kill now. Whether Siren can escape is still a question… Hey! He escaped!”

Siren’s core gameplay revolves around using her abilities to leave mermaid marks, then creating sea wave vortices near enemies or teammates using these marks, constantly shifting positions through phantom vortices to kite enemies while dealing continuous damage. Enemies find it difficult to predict her landing spot, so without area-of-effect control abilities, only forced targeting or divine prediction can catch Siren.

That’s why Team Five’s jungler specifically chose a hero with area restriction abilities to counter Jiang Nan’an’s Siren. But just as he arrived at the battlefield and used his ability to trap her, the mermaid mark flashed, the phantom vortex opened, and Siren suddenly left the red team’s encirclement!

“Where did he go?” The jungler couldn’t believe it. “Siren’s mark can only be placed on allied or enemy heroes. There were only you two in his skill range. Where did he run to?!”