Meilin sat, her hands hovering over the glowing keyboard and mouse. 'The coach is making me nervous... How am I supposed to concentrate like this?'
Once the game began, she mapped out her jungle path and cleared the camps. An opposing player had set a trap near the red buff, hiding in a patch of tall grass to ambush her. She hesitated, a gut instinct urging her to reconsider her path. Instead of walking into the trap, she exposed the trap and adjusted her route, avoiding the ambush.
Ningshun's eyes moved between her and the large monitor, tracking every action she took. 'Good. She isn't as reckless here as in some of her other matches.'
Meilin observed the mini-map for threats. She coordinated with her team, setting up ambushes to turn the tables in her favor, which left the other team frustrated as their traps and tricks failed to land.
The coach leaned in, eyeing her speed and accuracy. 'With Ningshun's incredible gameplay mechanics and Meilin's strategy, this team could be... unbeatable.'
Near the end of the match, the opposing team tried one final tactic—setting an ambush near the Dragon Pit. Unease struck her; something was off. She signaled her team to hold back, choosing not to rush in. When the other team revealed their ambush, she seized the moment to push toward the enemy base, instructing her team to delay the enemies' teleportation. Her strategy paid off, leading to her team's victory.
After a few more solo sessions and matches with Solaris' team members, the coach's skepticism melted away, replaced by a genuine smile and a light clap. "Well done. I think we've seen enough. Welcome to the team, Meilin. We're glad to have you." The coach extended his hand.
Meilin, her heart still racing from the intense gameplay, shook his hand with a firm grip. "Thank you so much!" She glanced at Ningshun, who nodded back.
"Oh, and Ningshun," the coach began. "Come to my office. Help me with paperwork."
~*~
The coach's office had a modern design, featuring a large desk, a pair of comfortable chairs, and a wall adorned with photos from past tournaments.
He sat behind the desk, tapping a pen against a stack of organized papers, his mind lost in concentration. When the tapping ceased, he leaned back in his chair, studying Ningshun for a moment. "Well, I'll admit it... Meilin did a great job today—better than I expected. You were right about her."
Ningshun, seated across from him, nodded with a faint smile. "Told you she's good."
The coach leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his gaze sharp as it met Ningshun's. "Yeah, about that. When we first talked about her, I was convinced she was cheating. But after today, it's clear she's just really good at reading people in the game." He glanced at the team's large logo on the wall and then back at Ningshun, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. "I see you weren't swayed by... other things. Well, she's a beauty, after all."
Ningshun gave a light chuckle, dismissing the comment with a casual wave. "Oh, you think so? I don't know, maybe... I didn't really notice."
The coach's eyes narrowed. "You really didn't notice?" He smirked, doubting Ningshun's ignorance.
Ningshun leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and gave a deep sigh. "Beauty doesn't win games. Skill does."
The coach nodded and accepted the answer. "Good point." Satisfied, he picked up the contract from his desk and handed it to Ningshun. "Take this to Meilin. It's our offer for her to join the team. If she's okay with it, I'll sign it."
Ningshun took the contract and smiled. "No worries. I'll see if she gets it."
He stood and headed for the door after peeking at the coach's gaze following him. As he made his way down the hallway, he replayed the earlier conversation in his head.
Ningshun scoffed. 'I see what he's up to... Clever move, but not clever enough.'
~*~
The training room had quieted down. Meilin sat at her gaming setup, headphones resting around her neck, while her computer screen displayed a gentle shade of blue.
Ningshun entered the room with a document in hand, his demeanor composed. With a nod, he spoke in a low, smooth voice, "Good job today. You impressed the coach, and trust me, that's not easy to do."
"Thanks... Honestly, I, uh, some teammates almost got the best of me."
He chuckled. "Don't worry about getting tilted. It happens to all of us... Anyways, here's your offer." Stretching out his arm, he held the contract before her. "The coach will sign it as soon as you give the word. Just make sure to read through it carefully."
She took the contract and skimmed through it. "I owe this all to you," she confessed. "I know I wouldn't be here without you."
His expression softened, and he tried to find the right words. "You did the heavy lifting. I just noticed the potential," he murmured, his voice warmer now. His eyes shifted downward for a split second, then flicked back to hers before he added, "I'm glad you proved him wrong."
Meilin leaned forward and caught his scent—a mix of pine and something darker, almost musky. "Thanks for believing in me... You've changed my life for the better. I'll make you proud!"
"I'll make you proud, Father."
"By playing video games for a living?"
Ningshun blinked, shaken from a brief flashback of his father raising his voice. His eyes held hers as if he had something more to say, but he shook his head with a sigh. "I know you will."
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