After that day, Shen Kuangye changed his blank WeChat profile picture to a photo he had taken of the little plush toy that Lu Xiangyang had given him.
Li Shu and the others kept pestering him about it—after all, to them, the youngest guy on the team suddenly switching to a suspicious-looking toy avatar definitely meant something was going on.
In the end, Shen Kuangye said it was a gift from Lu Xiangyang, and they finally dropped it. Li Shu even sighed dramatically, "You guys are really close. Xinxin, would you use the little frog keychain I gave you as your profile picture?"
He was rewarded with a blank stare from Jiang Chixin.
—
Lu Ning's condition had improved far more than in the previous life. She was discharged from the hospital and could go home, only needing regular follow-up checkups.
Following Shen Kuangye's suggestion, she no longer took on exhausting assembly-line work. With Lu Xiangyang's support, she bravely pursued something she actually liked.
She started apprenticing at a cake shop, making small desserts. She was skilled, eager to learn, and loved experimenting with new ideas. The cakes she made turned out well, and she lived happily—working during the day and going to the hospital at night to take care of Xu Wen.
Xu Wen's condition, however, wasn't good. The illness had worsened severely. She underwent chemotherapy daily, drifting in and out of consciousness, growing thinner and weaker. Still, her life had been preserved for now—what would happen next, no one could say.
Xia Zhan seemed to be in the middle of her college entrance exam preparation, but she had stopped going to school and chose to study on her own so she could take care of Xu Wen.
Shen Kuangye understood her reasoning—perhaps she was afraid that one day, she might never see Xu Wen again.
When faced with life and death, everything else becomes secondary.
Because sometimes, someone might disappear in the very next moment.
—
On the competition side, EAR continued to improve steadily, now consistently ranking around 6th–7th place.
As expected, other teams began taking this rising underdog seriously. Their ban-pick strategies clearly showed that they had studied EAR's playstyle in depth.
Not only opponents, even commentators and fans had changed their attitude. From being labeled as a bottom-tier "trash team" that no one except diehard fans believed in, they had now reached a point where about a quarter of commentators predicted they could win the championship.
Lu Xiangyang was no longer the underestimated rookie. In just three months, his Hunter stats had become well-rounded—almost like a "six-dimensional warrior." Whenever he played, the opposing Survivors treated him with caution.
As for Shen Kuangye, he had become the core of the team. Time and again, he stepped up in desperate situations, even bringing unconventional characters onto the competitive stage and pushing them to their limits. He rightfully became EAR's captain.
In one crucial match for the final playoff spot, EAR needed a three-man escape to win. At the time, one teammate was downed, two were low HP, and one was about to be eliminated on the chair. Just when Li Shu and the others had nearly lost hope, Shen Kuangye's half-health Seer, using Flywheel, forced a rescue against a second-stage Disciple and they secured the three-man escape.
That play was clipped and widely shared online, and it was through that moment that many people came to know EAR's pro player—WILD.
During the Autumn Finals promotional shoot, both Lu Xiangyang and Shen Kuangye also gained a bit of popularity thanks to their striking looks, bringing in a wave of new fans for the event.
—
With playoffs approaching, EAR intensified their training.
After all, what pro player doesn't want to win a championship?
When you finally get close to the trophy, everyone wants to grab that chance with everything they have.
Aside from ranked sessions at 2 PM and 7 PM, they trained until 1 AM—and most of them voluntarily continued until 2 or even 3 AM.
Yishui and Xing Xing's goals had evolved—from avoiding last place, to top 10, to top 8—and now, to securing a playoff spot and winning the championship.
By the time Shen Kuangye snapped out of his busy routine, winter was already approaching and they had just made it into the playoffs.
—
Beside him, Lu Xiangyang was wrapped in a teddy bear blanket and sneezed lightly. He didn't pay it much attention and continued studying other teams' strategies.
The club had the air conditioning on, so most of them still wore short sleeves.
Lu Xiangyang had caught a cold because he ignored Shen Kuangye's advice and went out to throw trash without wearing a jacket. The wind chilled him to the bone, and by that night, he was coughing.
Shen Kuangye sat by the bed watching match replays while taking care of him. Hearing him cough so painfully, he quietly got up late at night to make pear soup for him.
For a few days, Lu Xiangyang refused to be hugged, saying he might pass the cold on. He curled up alone in the corner of the bed, suppressing his coughs—it made Shen Kuangye's heart ache.
Fortunately, after being looked after so carefully for so long, Lu Xiangyang's health wasn't as weak as before. He recovered within a couple of days.
The result? Every time they went out for matches, Shen Kuangye wrapped him up in layers.
Lu Xiangyang tried to protest, "This isn't stylish anymore."
As a rising IVL star, he had a bit of an idol image to maintain.
Shen Kuangye looked at him seriously. "You are stylish."
Lu Xiangyang: "..."
Well, if his brother said so, then he'd accept it.
—
Life went on peacefully like this.
The night before leaving for Hangzhou, they went to visit Xu Wen.
She had just finished vomiting. Her body was so thin it was almost unrecognizable. Her hands were covered in needle marks, bruised in patches. Her face was pale as paper.
Looking at them, she forced a smile. "You're going to Hangzhou tomorrow?"
Lu Xiangyang frowned slightly and nodded. "Make sure to watch on time. Don't miss it when I win the championship."
Xu Wen smiled. "Of course."
Then she broke into a violent cough. Xia Zhan quickly set aside her practice papers and brought her water.
At that moment, Shen Kuangye noticed the fading handprint on Xia Zhan's face—large, clearly from a man.
"Yangyang, Xiaoye, you're here."
Lu Ning had just returned, bringing thick winter shoes for Xu Wen.
They chatted for a while. Lu Xiangyang helped her download the app to watch the matches and showed her how to find the livestream.
"Got it," she said with a smile. "Mom's learned."
In the past, she would never have spoken so calmly about this, but everything that had happened recently had changed her perspective.
They stayed until 11 PM before leaving.
—
Outside the hospital, Shen Kuangye noticed Lu Xiangyang looked a little down. He didn't say anything—just gently ruffled his hair.
He knew why he was sad.
"Don't worry," he said. "Everything will get better."
Since they had another chance at life, things would be different.
Lu Ning's illness had already improved much faster than before. Xu Wen lasting this long had already exceeded his worst expectations.
"I know, gege," Lu Xiangyang said softly.
They walked back instead of taking a taxi.
It was cold. People hurried past them, but Lu Xiangyang, bundled up in layers with a scarf, felt warm. As they walked, he quietly held out his hand.
Shen Kuangye glanced down and naturally took it, tucking it into his coat pocket.
Passing a street stall, Shen Kuangye noticed his gaze linger on roasted sweet potatoes.
A minute later, Lu Xiangyang was holding one.
It was hot and fragrant.
He peeled the top layer, scooped a bite, and held it up to Shen Kuangye's lips. "Gege, you first."
It had become his little habit, no matter what delicious food he had, the first bite was always for Shen Kuangye.
At first, Shen Kuangye tried to refuse. Eventually, under Lu Xiangyang's pleading gaze, he gave in.
It was indeed sweet—so sweet it filled his entire mouth.
"Is it sweet?" Lu Xiangyang asked with a smile.
"Mm. Very sweet."
They finished it together as they walked.
Shen Kuangye suddenly thought—if they could just keep walking like this forever, it wouldn't be so bad.
He wished this road had no end.
—
Their flight was at noon the next day.
It was Lu Xiangyang's first time on a plane, and his first time leaving the province, so he was excited—taking lots of photos.
After that, they leaned together and reviewed match analysis, going over their opponent's strategies for the next day.
At some point, Shen Kuangye realized Lu Xiangyang had fallen asleep.
The boy's head tilted slightly, eyes closed, long lashes casting soft shadows like tiny fans.
Across the aisle, Yishui and Xing Xing were quietly discussing tactics, until Xing Xing nudged Yishui.
They looked over.
The usually cold Shen Kuangye had softened. He lifted the armrest between them, adjusted the seat so Lu Xiangyang could lie more comfortably.
Lu Xiangyang leaned against his shoulder, unconsciously nuzzling him.
Worried he might get cold, Shen Kuangye gently covered him with a blanket, his movements so careful, as if handling something precious.
After that, he leaned back and quietly watched Lu Xiangyang sleep.
Xing Xing felt something strange stir in his chest.
There was something unusual about the way Shen Kuangye looked at him.
He frowned slightly.
Then Yishui sighed, "These two are really close."
Xing Xing suppressed the thought and nodded. "Yeah, you can tell."
"I just wonder how the playoffs will turn out," Yishui added with a smile. "Honestly, whatever the result, they've already given it their all."
Sometimes, winning a championship requires not just effort—
—but a bit of luck, too.
And no one knew whether EAR would encounter theirs this time.