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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 her other matches.'
She 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 pushed 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, come to my office. Help me with paperwork." The coach's gaze bore into him, lingering longer than necessary, hinting at suspicion.
~*~
The coach's modern office featured 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 thought 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, smirking. "You really didn't notice?"
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.' His eyes narrowed as he strode back to Meilin in the training room.
~*~
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!"
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"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."
~*~
Meilin had a spacious yet cozy dorm room. It had a king-sized bed in one corner, a desk against the wall, and a sizeable four-door closet. "All this space... is mine?" she mused, her voice trembling with excitement. She leaped onto the bed, laughing as she sank into the soft comforter.
After an hour of unpacking and adding her personal touches, the room began to reflect her style. She hung a poster of her favorite champion on the wall—an attractive, shirtless swordsman with long hair and a confident stance. He had well-defined muscles and intense eyes, standing in a vibrant, fantasy world. The bold choice of dorm decor brought life to the otherwise plain wall.
"It's good that it's near the green screen, so I can cover it when I need to pray," she mused, eyeing the swordsman's bare chest. "Can't have THAT distracting me."
A team member leaned against the doorframe, holding a colorful flyer. He took in the changes, which now resembled a girl's room. He focused on the poster she had just put up as she admired the champion. He observed her with a playful glint in his eyes, amused by her daring choice of decor.
"He seems like tough competition," a smooth, masculine voice remarked from behind her, causing her to jump.
Meilin spun around, her heart racing, to find Ningshun standing close, a teasing smile on his lips. "Oh! You scared me! What are you doing here?"
He eyed the poster. "Really? This is why you main him?" He raised an eyebrow. "I must say, I see the appeal. He's got the abs for it, I guess."
Scoffing, she rolled her eyes but could not help the smile tugging at her lips, matching his teasing tone. "It's not my fault he's got great hair and... other qualities."
He chuckled, his tone hinting at playful sarcasm. "I see. So that's your type, eh? Long hair and big swords?"
"Yup!" she crossed her arms with a grin. "If I'm going to stare at a character for hours while I play, he might as well be easy on the eyes."
"Fair enough." He flashed her a naughty smirk. "Just don't get too distracted staring at his... assets."
"No promises," she joked, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, Zayn is a great champion... What, you don't think he's cool?"
Ningshun pretended to consider it, his gaze drifting back to the poster. "Your crush definitely has a... unique style. I'll give him that."
"Crush? I don't have a crush. It's called appreciation, thank you very much." Meilin caught his smug expression. "What? Should I put up a poster of you too?"
"Only if you want the room to be unbearably handsome. You'd have to charge admission," he replied with a wink.
"Ha! Keep dreaming. Arrogant Chads like you aren't even my type!"
He gasped and clutched his heart, pretending to be wounded. "Ouch! You sure know how to hurt a man's ego, don't you?"
"I call it tough love." She chuckled, her tension melting away.
"I like the confidence." His eyes stayed on hers a moment longer, and a rush of warmth came over her from the way he held her gaze.
She averted her gaze as if trying to survive a lion's den, her eyes landing on the colorful paper in his hand. She had glimpsed it earlier but had not paid much attention. "What's that?" She pointed to the flyer, her brows drawing together with intrigue.
Ningshun glanced down at the flyer, remembering why he had come to her room in the first place. "Oh, that's right... Here, I almost forgot." He handed it to her.
Meilin's eyes lit up like a child's at the sight of the various pizzas. "We're having pizza?" her voice bubbled with excitement. "This day just keeps getting better!"
'That's all it takes? Cute.' He noted her reaction, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "So, Princess, care to tell me your favor—"
"I want them all!" Her eyes lit up like fireworks.
Rendered speechless, he blinked. "You... want all of them?" His skepticism gave way to a broader smile. "I mean, it's a lot of pizzas. How do you plan to eat all that?"
"I don't. I just want to try a slice of everything. I've never had pizza from this place before, so I need to figure out which one's my favorite."
He chuckled. "Sounds like a plan."
"By the way, did I hear you call me 'Princess' just now?" Meilin quipped, cocking an eyebrow. Her eyes dared him to deny it, lips curving into a sly smile.
Ningshun gave a sheepish grin, heat rising in his cheeks as he cleared his throat. "What's wrong with that, Princess?"
Her smirk grew, enjoying the way he appeared flustered. "That's so cheesy."
He chuckled, pretending to take notes like a waiter. "No extra cheese on your pizza. Got it. Anything else, miss?"
"Ew, stop..." She rolled her eyes with a playful expression, her smile widening. "I'll start calling you worse things if you don't stop that."
"Bring it on," he shot back, his voice smooth and full of confidence, but his gaze never left hers. He appeared to be daring her to step closer, even though his heart raced a little. "Call me whatever you want."
"You're so annoying!" Her jaw dropped at his audacity. "Are you done? Can I get the flyer now?"
"Oh, you want this?" Ningshun wiggled the flyer above her head.
Without warning, Meilin grasped his upper arms, dragging them down and taking him by surprise. He stumbled, but his reflexes took over, and in a single fluid motion, his hands slammed against the wall behind her, his body pinning her in place between his strong arms.
The sudden closeness hit like a jolt of electricity—intense and thrilling. The narrow space between them ignited as their bodies almost touched. She could sense the strength in his arms as he gave her space, but this only made the moment more charged.
She could feel his breath, hot and shallow, brushing against her neck. She caught her breath as he lifted his head and locked eyes with her, the close proximity sending tingles through her nerves. His scent had a dark, masculine quality that sent her heart into overdrive. The mint-green of his irises held a raw intensity, his gaze so focused on hers as if he could see right through her.
Ningshun's throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. His voice came out low and rough, just above a whisper. "I, uh... Is this what you do to your poster every night?"
"Mhm..." she faltered, her voice a whisper.
To them, the temperature in the room had risen several degrees. Finding it hard to focus, his arms trembled under the strain, visible veins pulsing beneath his skin as he held his position. He tried to remain composed as his eyes darted from her lips back to her eyes, but the nearness made it difficult.
"Wow..." she whispered. 'He's even more beautiful up close...'
His pulse quickened, and his shallow breaths became more uneven. The closeness unsettled him, and his cheeks grew warm as he tried to contain the rush of emotions. He did not move, his hands still pressed against the wall, enclosing her in a space too intimate for teammates and overwhelming with his restrained energy. "Meilin... you good?"
"Yeah..." she breathed, struggling to find her voice as the way he held her gaze made her heart beat faster. With their faces mere inches apart, the heat radiating off his body sent a shiver running up her spine. "Sorry, I, uh, yeah." She struggled to focus on anything but the way his eyes studied her face, as if he memorized every detail.
"Right. Well, I should get going," Ningshun's whisper strained as he took a slow step back, his eyes never leaving hers. "Enjoy unpacking, and I'll catch you later." He turned to go, but not without throwing one last glance her way, the intensity in his eyes lingering for a moment before he turned away.
Meilin followed him with her gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. Her skin retained the warmth from his body and the raw power of his presence. What had begun as playful banter had escalated into leaving her breathless. "What... did I do?" she whispered, her cheeks burning as her eyes fixed on the doorway he had just exited.
Thoughts spiraled in her mind, consumed by what he might think of her after their heated moment and the unsettling fear that she had crossed a line he could never overlook.