As a Captain, You Must Be Cold - Chapter 116

Since the launch of Destination, there have been over a hundred million game accounts worldwide, with tens of millions of players in China alone. Among these millions of players, only a few could attend the event in person, witnessing this globally anticipated grand competition in their own city.

Many players and fans spontaneously organized offline viewing events. In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, you could find strangers but like-minded netizens gathering—whether in an internet cafe, an outdoor square, or a cinema.

Shoulder to shoulder, you sat in front of a large screen, wearing matching T-shirts; your faces and the backs of your hands adorned with the same symbols.

Looking around, there was a sea of red, a momentary unity in the DNA of China.

There was no longer a distinction between home team fans and opposing team fans. On this hot Saturday night, the players you supported, the teams you cheered for, were all unified—that group of people, that team representing the nation.

Or maybe you were a player who preferred a quiet viewing, not bothered to join the excitement.

You turned on the air conditioning, grabbed some takeout, laid down comfortably, and then opened the streaming platform. Even before the official broadcast started, the live chat was already exploding, and the barrage was so dense that your web page couldn’t function.

You tried switching servers, but it still lagged. You had no choice but to go to other live channels.

In a hot pot restaurant in Chongqing, the bubbling spicy hot pot emitted steam. Graduated men gathered, eating hot pot while watching the match, reliving their long-gone youth.

On a large screen in a commercial plaza in Guangzhou, the real-time broadcast of the Destination World Cup was displayed.

Most of the passers-by were in a hurry, and at first, there were only a few people watching the game. Gradually, more and more people are staying for the E-Sports World Cup.

The steps in front of the big screen were filled with spectators, including many people experiencing E-sports for the first time. A simple statement like “Today’s grand finals feature China against the United States” was enough to pique their interest.

In a university dormitory in Hangzhou, two girls were passionately discussing the possible lineups for the finals.

“The national team will definitely play the double-free system. Shine will most likely use AI39 for the entire match.”

“But it’s a pity if Shine doesn’t play the sniper rifle. I still want to see his Protector of the Nation sniper.”

“He can use AI39 for sniping too, provided the opponent picks the Black Swan…”

In a gaming club at a university in Shanghai, Destination players from different majors cheered for the national team in their unique ways.

Students from the Fine Arts Design Institute drew and modeled their favorite players. Shine became a beautiful white long-haired cat playing the game with its front paws.

Mechanical Engineering and Automation students created a small robotic dog with a small national flag on its back, running around on the table.

A mathematics graduate student suddenly caught sight of his professor entering, quickly stood up, and nervously said, “Professor Yu, why are you here? I’ll send you the first draft of my thesis tomorrow!”

Professor Yu, in a seemingly indifferent tone, said, “Don’t be nervous; I’m just here to take a look. Sit, all of you.” He looked at the screen and asked, “Have the players entered the arena?”

“They’ve entered, and all eight starters have taken their seats!” The graduate student gave up his seat, “The match is about to begin. Would you like to watch with us, Professor?”

Professor Yu reservedly replied, “I can watch for a few minutes, just to see the numerical models of this game.”

After the eight players took their seats, the broadcast, along with commentary, provided a one-minute close-up for each player. When Professor Yu sat down, the camera happened to focus on Shine.

Destination’s broadcast had a widely praised “excellent tradition” among face enthusiasts. When filming other players, they spent almost equal time on distant and close-up shots, showing the face and then the full body. But when it came to Shine, the broadcast spent at least two-thirds of the time, capturing both left and right sides, shooting from above and below, showcasing every eyelash meticulously, aiming to present the team captain’s appearance from all angles without any blind spots.

Commentator A: “This player surely needs no introduction. I’ve already heard the audience on-site shouting his ID!”

Commentator B: “No, no, we still need to go through the process. The captain of last season’s FP and RH champion team, now the captain of the national team, the versatile free agent—Captain Yu, Shine!”

The camera cut to the on-site audience, and many people stood up, cheering for their favorite player.

The Bird’s Nest, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people, was undeniably spectacular.

Suddenly, Professor Yu regretted it a bit. When his son and his boyfriend begged him to go to the live event, he probably shouldn’t have refused.

On the other hand, even though Father Shi didn’t explicitly reject the invitations from his children, so even if his wife forced him to watch the game, it wouldn’t be considered a slap in the face.

Putting aside the children’s invitation, Father Shi was also one of the sponsors of the Destination League. Naturally, attending the event gave him the best VIP seats. Sitting next to them happened to be the small boss of R.H and his boyfriend.

Listening to the deafening cheers, Mother Shi couldn’t help but sigh: “The fans are so enthusiastic. Husband, look at this scene. I think it is no different from the football games you took me to watch.”

Father Shi: “…Humph, they are all young people.”

“Uncle, that’s not the case,” Li Yuexi interjected, “You see, Uncle, look at the aunt sitting in front of you. She is the new boss of Guangzhou ZC. She is fifty-eight this year!”

Father Shi: “…”

Although Li Yuexi had no idea why he became Shine and Timeless’ life mentor, a life mentor ought to behave like a life mentor.

Timeless had previously consulted him on how to come out to his family, and he learned that Timeless’s father was still not optimistic about his career and did not accept his homosexuality. Given the rare opportunity to sit with Father Shi, the life mentor had to say a few words in favor of Timeless.

Li Yuexi wanted to say more, but heard Nan Xu say, “The match is about to begin.”

Li Yuexi immediately pushed aside other matters and nervously and excitedly shouted, “Team China—Go!”

This year’s national team was dubbed the “Dream Team,” dreamlike and surreal, the dream team for most players. The strength of the U.S. team was equally formidable.

In the USA team’s starting lineup, two players came from Lawman, and two came from PPZ. Every member of the coaching staff was carefully selected from prestigious clubs—they assembled the strongest lineup that American esports could offer.

The strategic game between top coaches, clashes between players with sky-high skill ceilings at each position, and the newly introduced weather system added an element of uncertainty to the matches. Compared to the one-sided dominance in the finals of international invitationals, the World Cup finals obviously had more excitement.

The current meta’s optimal solution was the Free Man double C composition, and both the Chinese and American teams adopted this lineup. Similar to Shi Du, the American team’s double C players had transitioned to Free Man in the last two months, and their proficiency in certain heroes was a cause for concern among American players.

In the first round, the map was open with ample visibility, suitable for showcasing long-range weapon skills, and the entire map was bathed in bright sunlight.

Yu Zhaohan’s Black Swan in a wedding dress and Shi Du’s Big Sister, both armed with a sniper rifle, stood vigil on both sides of the target location, making it impossible for anybody to escape their gaze.

China won the first round without any surprises, taking the lead.

In the second round, the USA team chose a map that best suited their favored lineup, and the weather randomly favored their ideal foggy conditions. With all factors considered, they won the second round.

After a 1-1 tie, the USA team felt relieved, but the Chinese team’s players were all seasoned competitors with rich tournament experience, and their mentality was stable, not to mention the comforting words from the head coach.

Alligator: “Now that it’s a tie, it’s like starting over. Don’t feel pressured; our strength is here, and strength can’t be escaped. The next round is our map pick, and Coach Lu and I already have a plan. In short, if you have any ideas, speak up anytime.”

Qi Xian smiled, “Don’t talk, I’m really not used to not hearing Coach Lu’s anxious chatter all of a sudden.”

Yu Zhaohan: “…”

It turned out Qi Xian was the one with the strange tendencies.

Alligator also laughed, “Listening to Clown’s tone, you guys seemed pretty relaxed. I can rest easy then.”

Shi Du took a sip of water and caught a glimpse of Qi Xian’s actions, saying, “Brother Xian even tied up his hair tactically; no big deal.”

Qi Xian untied his low ponytail, re-tied a high one, and said with a smile, “Once the hair is tied, there’s me and no him.”

It’s unclear if Qi Xian’s red high ponytail had any effect, but in the next two rounds, the Chinese team easily won without any pressure, quickly bringing the score to 3:1.

In the fourth round, it was the match point for the Chinese team, and both teams made substitutions. For Bi An, Qi Xian was replaced, and Yu Zhaohan brought out his nationally ranked-first AI39.

In the first transformation, AI39 became a clone of the tank, raising a shield in front of his low-health teammates, saving the team in a crisis. He swung a heavy hammer in his cumbersome body, knocking down three opponents.

In the second transformation, AI39 transformed into a ninja, coordinating with Shi Du’s ninja to flank. The two ninjas unleashed their ultimate abilities together, cutting down the entire USA team.

AI39’s third transformation was an impromptu decision by Yu Zhaohan, not within his planned range.

To keep up with the team’s focus fire for the cleanup, Yu Zhaohan had to take a slightly riskier positioning. Seizing this opportunity, the USA team’s tank Gunner charged toward Yu Zhaohan, willing to trade one for one and knock him off the cliff.

At the critical moment, Yu Zhaohan’s ultimate ability was fully charged. Without hesitation, he cloned a winged magpie, gracefully flying up the cliff, and also resurrected the fallen teammate, Other Side.

This round turned into a showcase of RH. Shine’s personal hero pool.

He demonstrated with his gameplay that he mastered any position and any hero.

“The capture progress at point B has reached 95%, and the wiped-out U.S. team has no time to respawn!” The commentator shouted hoarsely, “96, 97…”

The tens of thousands of spectators counted together: “98, 99, 100—”

With a score of 4:1, Team China defeated the U.S. team and won the championship of this World Cup!

The American flag retreated sadly, while the Five-Star Red Flag soared high. Countless people erupted at this moment, regardless of where they were, sharing the same feelings.

Cheers and sobbing, love and tears.

In a hot pot restaurant in Chongqing, men either had their arms around each other, raised their glasses for a toast, or covered their heads while crying.

In the previous Destination World Cup, the game where the Chinese team finished as runners-up, they also watched it together. In the university dormitories, during their best times.

Today, they witnessed together once again the Chinese team winning the championship at the World Cup.

—No regrets in youth, lasting friendship!

In a commercial square in Guangzhou, pedestrians no longer hurriedly passed by; they all stopped because of this expanse of Chinese red.

Seasoned players, casual players, and even pedestrians who never touched esports and games, all immersed themselves in the joy of the national team’s victory. They clapped and cheered, with many asking, “What game is this? Is it good? Does it cost money?”

In a dormitory at Hangzhou University, four girls hugged each other, and waves of screams came from the balcony. They laughed and cried simultaneously because of the national team’s effort, laughing because of the team’s success.

“Ah, Shine is amazing! China is amazing!”

“They can finally get a good night’s sleep!”

At Shanghai University’s E-sports club, Professor Yu, who initially just wanted to “casually watch,” tightly held the hands of his students, exclaiming, “They won, China won! A 4-1 victory!”

An excited graduate student spoke incoherently, “Sorry, Professor, I’m too excited right now, can I submit my thesis one day late?!”

Professor Yu readily agreed, “No problem!”

At the Beijing venue, the epicenter of celebration. The commentator had long shouted hoarse, with a choked voice saying, “China is the champion, the champion of the World Cup! Absolute strength with no suspense, they have created history in esports!”

Li Yuexi, with the five-star red flag painted on his face, suddenly pounced into Nan Xu’s arms, “Brother, we won! We won! China is amazing! I’ll forever love esports!”

Even Mother Shi, caught up in the atmosphere, her eyes reddening even though she couldn’t understand the game, said, “Little Yu is amazing, Little Du is amazing too… all the kids are so talented.”

Father Shi, watching the lively fifty-eight-year-old woman not far away, unwillingly had to admit that esports, like traditional sports, had a stirring charm.

He had watched so many matches, but none had the complex emotions he felt now.

Only because among those who raised the national flag on the field, there was his son.

Father Shi couldn’t help but say, “Indeed, he’s my son.”

The crowd’s cheers were so loud that Mother Shi didn’t hear Father Shi’s words, “What?”

Father Shi raised his voice, almost yelling, “Indeed, he’s my son!”

The substitutes and coaches below rushed onto the stage at the first moment, tightly embracing the four players on stage.

Each of them held a corner of the national flag, and in the midst of laughter and tears, under the bright Chinese red, and in front of millions of players around the world, they held up this highest honor belonging to the E-sports community.