TCWSITD – Chapter 33.2

Chapter 33 has 3 parts; 33.3 will be uploaded tonight at 21:00 EST.

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Chapter 33.2 – Whether It’s You or KUG

Defeating SNG secured OT’s third-place ranking.

In that final showdown, they claimed boundless glory.

Fans flooded the team with blessings, while the haters vanished into silence. Old Mao was so thrilled he threw nearly ten thousand yuan in red envelopes during the livestream, and poor Ah Cai got roasted so badly he had to cut his stream short.

As the final match concluded, some rejoiced while others worried.

OT fans are happy, but all of OT’s opponents are worried. They are starting to fear that OT might truly transform into the ultimate dark horse.

The public opinion was overwhelming—

[Is being in the same bracket as OT really a good thing?]

[Why do I feel like OT is even scarier than SNG?]

[Are you all really ignoring the win-rate? Lin Jiang still holds the league’s highest mid lane win-rate to this day.]

[Every team that underestimated OT lost. You can judge for yourself.]

Both TG and YIG held emergency meetings after the match, agreeing that OT was a team without limits—likely their biggest hurdle on the road to promotion.

“I think we should schedule more training matches with OT and treat them as equals. We can’t afford to underestimate them.”

With the final match concluded, the playoff rankings were now clear at a glance.

TG firmly held first place, YIG was a strong second, OT surged to third, SNG regretfully took fourth, KUG barely managed fifth, and the remaining sixth to eighth places went to WG, XIG, and FOU, respectively.

According to the tournament rules, the 1st, 4th, 5th and 8th places were grouped in the upper bracket, while the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th places were in the lower bracket.

In other words, OT’s next opponent would be either WG or XIG.

After confirming OT’s playoff spot, Duren was practically over the moon.

Neither WG nor XIG were a match for OT, which meant OT was guaranteed at least a top-four finish. With a bit of luck, they might even clinch second place!

His phone was flooded with congratulatory messages. Friends who had teased him were now going wild, celebrating his sudden rise and demanding he treat them to a meal.

But Duren couldn’t be bothered with them right now.

“Cheers, everyone! To finally getting what we worked so hard for!”

After the first toast, Duren personally refilled Lin Jiang’s glass. “The second toast goes to our captain! Thank you for leading OT into the playoffs!”

Lin Jiang was about to say he didn’t deserve it, but seven or eight glasses clinked against his glass before he could speak, drowning out his words.

“This next toast, I think we should honor our Shen Ju,” Duren said, filling his glass again. “Shen Ju, you played exceptionally well this season—not only did you bring glory to yourself, but you also brought honor to our club. And more than that, I want to thank you for sticking with us. For staying with OT and waiting for a moment like this.”

Shen Ju was never the sentimental type, but Duren’s words still managed to stir something in him.

Back then, if OT hadn’t taken him in, he’d have been done for.

If anything, he was the one who should be saying thank you.

Duren poured another round. “And now, to our top laner, Song Zhixu!”

Song Zhixu looked genuinely flustered. “Come on, no, no, this can’t be for me…”

Duren slung an arm around his neck and insisted on filling his glass. “You have to drink this one. Thank you, Song Zhixu, for stepping up at the critical moment today!”

How could Song Zhixu dare to accept such high praise? He quickly lowered his glass, but Duren mirrored him—and the two kept lowering their cups until their glasses were practically touching the ground before finally clinking.

The rest of the team were howling with laughter.

After downing his third glass, Song Zhixu was properly dizzy.

He’d already had plenty to drink before arriving at the KTV, and these three rounds pushed him to his limit.

Though he always acted cheerful and boasted about how great he was, deep down, he knew his own level.

It was his teammates—Shen Ju and Lin Jiang—who had never given up on him, always pulling him forward.

He swayed to his feet and gave the group a clumsy, heartfelt gesture of thanks.

Then, emboldened by the alcohol, he spoke from the heart: “I’m really grateful to all of you, especially our captain. Before he came, I was ready to give up and go home to grow sweet potatoes. I thought my career was over. I never imagined you guys could pull me back up…”

“About what happened last time… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t hate you. Actually, I really admire you. I wish I could be like you. But I know I’ll never be, so—so—”

Before he could finish, his legs gave out.

Duren rushed to steady him. Amid the laughter and noise, no one could quite make out what Song Zhixu mumbled next. Then Duren dropped him unceremoniously onto the couch, where he passed out in a blissful, drunken sprawl.

Tsk. Two drinks and he’s already down.

While grumbling that Song Zhixu was being melodramatic, Duren still looked after him without a second thought. Then, as if on a mission, he went around toasting Zhou Wen, Ah Deng—every single person in the room.

In Lin Jiang’s opinion, the one who most deserved a toast was Duren himself.

The guy was juggling multiple roles with unwavering enthusiasm. No one on the team loved OT more than Duren did.

Lin Jiang leaned back on the sofa, watching their antics with quiet amusement.

Shen Ju wasn’t one for crowds. He sat down beside Lin Jiang, and though neither spoke, they simply observed Duren and the others getting rowdy. Under the haze of colored lights and alcohol, even their guarded minds began to relax.

The KTV was too loud. Lin Jiang had to lean close to Shen Ju’s ear to be heard. “Can you sing?”

Shen Ju shook his head like a spinning top. After a pause, he also leaned in and asked, “Captain, can you sing?”

He had expected Lin Jiang to say no, but instead, Lin Jiang nodded. “I can. I could teach you.”

Something hot bloomed in Shen Ju’s chest. His eyes dropped, unconsciously drawn to the curve of Lin Jiang’s lips—then to his eyes.

The music suddenly stopped, and Duren’s voice crackled through the microphone. “A’Jiang! Shen Ju! Don’t just sit there! I picked a song for you—come and sing.”

On the screen flashed Eason Chan’s Red Rose.

Back when Lin Jiang was still with KUG, he’d once appeared in a behind-the-scenes vlog during a team-building event. He’d lost a game and, as a penalty, casually sang a few lines of this exact song.

He hadn’t expected Duren to dig up even that.

The room erupted in applause. But Lin Jiang wasn’t the type to get awkward.

He reached for the mic, easy and natural. Just sitting there under the shifting lights, his presence alone felt like something out of a dream—so effortlessly captivating, it made people forget to breathe.

Amidst the dazzling lights and the hum of the room, Lin Jiang glanced at Shen Ju and asked softly, “Can you sing?”

A gentle warmth spread through Shen Ju’s chest, but he simply shook his head.

With a quiet smile, Lin Jiang took the microphone firmly, “No worries, I’ll sing it with you.”

As the music swelled, Lin Jiang’s voice floated out—clear, tender, and sincere—transforming Red Rose into something entirely his own, like a pristine white rose blooming pure and untouched.

The song felt like a heartfelt confession.

Shen Ju’s heart pounded faster than ever before.

Under the hazy lights, a wild thought suddenly crossed his mind—could there be a one-in-ten-thousand chance that Lin Jiang liked him, even just a little?

When the song ended, Lin Jiang rose and stepped outside for a smoke.

Shen Ju followed silently behind.

He was smoking when he noticed this little dog that kept following him. “What’s up?”

Fueled by the lingering buzz of alcohol, Shen Ju carefully closed the distance.

Perhaps truly drunk, he found himself asking, “Captain… do you like me?”

The hand holding the cigarette paused mid-air.

Standing in front of him was the grown-up Shen Ju, looking like a wolfdog under the night’s backdrop—fierce, yet obedient.

Of course Lin Jiang liked him.

He had liked him two years ago. And now, reunited, the fondness remained just as strong.

On the field, they shared an uncanny synergy. Every time they fought side by side, it felt like an exhilarating feast.

He patted his shoulder, “Of course I like you. You’re one of those rare prodigies, one in ten thousand—truly a treasure.”

Shen Ju’s steps faltered slightly, like rampant vines that had briefly touched sunlight only to shrink back into the shadows.

Leaning casually against the railing with a cigarette in hand, Lin Jiang looked like a scene straight out of a painting.

Unaware of how dangerously alluring he looked, he even dared to turn back and smile at Shen Ju. “What about you? Do you like having me as your captain?”

Shen Ju met his gaze, “I do.”

In that moment, he felt that even if this was a leap into an abyss, he was willing to jump.

One hand found its way to Lin Jiang’s shoulder while the other took the cigarette, placing it between his own lips without hesitation.

Lin Jiang made a sound of protest, “Hey, I’ve already smoked that.”

Shen Ju just smiled and looked into the distance. “Captain, you should smoke less. It’s bad for your health.”

Lin Jiang laughed, “Since when did you start using my own words against me?”

He turned sideways to look at Shen Ju. The more he looked, the more he realized this kid had grown up—and acted in ways he never expected. “Honestly, did you really dislike me back then? When I first arrived, you didn’t even come to greet me.”

How did Lin Jiang still remember that?

Shen Ju found himself at a loss for words.

How could he say it was because he was terrified it was all just a dream, that he didn’t dare to face him?

Lin Jiang lowered his head to scrutinize Shen Ju’s expression. “No way—did you really hate me back then? Why? I think I’m a pretty decent guy.”

Shen Ju quickly averted his eyes. “No.”

“See, you won’t even look me in the eye. You’re lying…”

“Fine, Puppy Shen. I guess I wasted my affection on you.”

With a grin, Lin Jiang hooked his arm around Shen Ju’s neck, snatched back the cigarette, and teasingly held it between his lips.

Shen Ju covered his mouth, not daring to meet his gaze. Lin Jiang tugged open Shen Ju’s collar, exposing his collarbone.

Keeping him gently trapped, Lin Jiang demanded an answer.

Flushed from his ears down to his neck, Shen Ju whispered, “I don’t hate you—I like you.”

Lin Jiang finally let him go, the hand holding the cigarette gently pinching his cheek with a mischievous smile. “I didn’t force you, Puppy Shen—you said it yourself.”

Yes, he did say it.

Even if he had to say it ten thousand more times, he’d say it all over again.

Both a little drunk, they leaned against the railing after their playful scuffle.

Feeling warm, Lin Jiang slipped off his jacket, standing there in just a thin shirt, his silhouette under the lights fluttering like a delicate butterfly.

Shen Ju was thoroughly drunk.

Suddenly, he felt that whether Lin Jiang had a girlfriend or not didn’t matter—so long as they could talk like this, he was quite satisfied.

“Captain, if OT doesn’t win the championship, will you leave?”

OT’s contract with Lin Jiang was only for one year. This was the single chance he was giving them. If OT couldn’t help him achieve his dream, next season he would find another team.

Lin Jiang thought it too harsh to say it aloud right now. Instead, he gently patted Shen Ju’s head, smiled quietly, and walked away without another word.

Suddenly, Shen Ju understood exactly what he meant.

His body stiffened for a moment.

Standing beneath the night sky, surrounded by the glow of the city lights, a coldness settled deep inside him.

Back at the KTV, Lin Jiang was singing with A’Deng and the others, warmly inviting Shen Ju to join in.

But Shen Ju had no mood for it—he slipped out alone.

Walking through the chilly streets, every thought only made the ache inside him grow heavier.

OT had poured every ounce of their strength into reaching Worlds; to dream of winning the championship now felt like a foolish fantasy.

But still…

Shen Ju kicked a pebble down the empty road.

He didn’t want Lin Jiang to leave.

At 2 AM, Duren and the others finally returned. Song Zhixu, now sobered up, had taken a shower and crawled back into bed to rest peacefully.

Shen Ju asked quietly, “Do you know Lin Jiang’s planning to leave?”

Song Zhixu chuckled, “Huh? Leave where?”

“Leave OT.”

Song Zhixu burst out laughing, like he’d just heard the best joke of the year. “Man, you’re joking, right? Lin Jiang’s going to leave sooner or later. You really think OT can hold onto him?”

Shen Ju was unconvinced. He didn’t understand how he could have been so naive. “Don’t you want to try to keep him?”

Song Zhixu rolled over, drunk as a dog but with a mind startlingly clear. “Shen Ju, I advise you to stop thinking about it. Some people are destined to leave. It may be KUG, it may be other teams, but it definitely won’t be our OT…”

He finished speaking and fell into a deep sleep.

Shen Ju envied Song Zhixu.

He knew nothing, worried about nothing, and lived every day so happily.

The sound of a door opening and closing came from next door. Shen Ju perked up his ears.

It was so late. Where was Lin Jiang going?

He got up, opened a crack in the door, and saw Lin Jiang walking out of the building, lazily pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and putting one in his mouth.

Lin Jiang…

Is he going out to smoke again?

Shen Ju closed the door behind him, his mind racing. Should he follow?

But what would he say if he did?

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