After the punishment round ended, the host Yao Mu walked to the front of the stage and announced loudly: "Next is the gift-giving segment. Please ask the 5 winners of the Red Team to come to our lucky draw wheel and draw prizes for the audience on site!"
Ye Shaoyang ignored his accelerated heartbeat and quickly went to the front of the big wheel with Xie Weiyu and the others.
The lucky draw was an indispensable part of every All-Star event. This year, the Professional League was very generous. Not only did they prepare a large amount of limited-edition merchandise for the live audience, but they also prepared thousands of legendary skin vouchers for the netizens following the All-Star and watching the livestream.
This was the League's feedback to the fans who supported e-sports competitions.
Hearing about the lucky draw segment, the audience also sat up straight in excitement.
Brother Dong said: "Each person draws 5 lucky viewers. Captain Lieyang first?"
Yao Mu said: "The wheel is full of limited-edition merchandise. Whatever is drawn will be given to the live audience accordingly. Let's see how Lieyang's luck is?"
Ye Shaoyang stepped forward and spun the wheel vigorously.
The pointer finally stopped on "Smart Speaker".
Yao Mu smiled: "Lieyang's luck is very good! He drew the [Frost Goddess] smart speaker. Next, please ask Tianhuan's Captain Shuoyue to draw 5 lucky viewers!"
Chi Shuo walked next to Ye Shaoyang, took the remote control handed by Yao Mu, and pressed it. Audience seat numbers jumped rapidly on the big screen. Chi Shuo pressed stop, and 5 numbers froze on the screen.
Yao Mu said: "Congratulations to C-611, B-331… Please invite the five lucky viewers to the big stage!"
The drawn viewers were 3 men and 2 women, who excitedly came to the stage and stood in a row.
Brother Dong briefly interviewed: "Who is your favorite professional player?"
The boy on the far left blushed and said: "I like Sister Xinping the most; Sister Xinping is my goddess."
The girl next to him said generously: "I like Sean; his blue eyes are very beautiful."
When asked about the last young girl, she took the microphone and said excitedly: "I like Shuoyue and Lieyang the most! I think the two players have a special tacit understanding. When playing matches, their hearts are connected, as if sharing one brain."
A burst of laughter erupted at the scene. The director cut the camera to Chi Shuo and Ye Shaoyang. Chi Shuo looked calm, while Ye Shaoyang's smile was slightly awkward as he politely said: "Thank you."
The girl made a cheering gesture to them: "Looking forward to you going to the World Tournament together, fighting!"
Ye Shaoyang handed the prize to her. He stood with Chi Shuo, but they maintained a friendly distance of half an arm's length between them, without any eye contact. Ye Shaoyang was somewhat afraid to look into Chi Shuo's eyes.
The lucky viewers left the stage. Next, each player came forward to draw prizes. The Red Team drew prizes, while the Blue and Yellow teams drew viewers or skin vouchers. It was already 10 PM when the 15 players finished drawing.
Yao Mu and Brother Dong walked side by side to the front of the stage and said: "The first day of the All-Star event ends successfully here. The Treasure Chest Battle mode will be launched simultaneously on the online game client after the update at midnight tonight. Viewers who like this mode can go to the game entertainment area to experience it personally!"
Brother Donge said: "Thank you to the audience friends who came to the scene, and thank you to the netizens on major livestream platforms for supporting the All-Star. See you tomorrow!"
The lights on the stage dimmed, and the players exited in an orderly manner.
Ye Shaoyang didn't speak to Chi Shuo; he followed Xie Weiyu and walked quickly at the very front.
The hotel was not far from the Imperial Capital E-sports Center. Under the escort of the security team, the 15 people quickly arrived at the hotel lobby. Ye Shaoyang said goodbye to Xie Weiyu, Chen Qianhua, and others, and took the elevator back to his room.
After entering the room and closing the door, he leaned against the wall and let out a long breath.
His heartbeat had gradually calmed down, but his mind was still a bit chaotic. That look Chi Shuo gave him on stage seemed to be engraved in the bottom of his heart, unforgettable.
He picked up his phone, wanting to search for online comments, when a message from Qu Jiang suddenly popped up on the screen: "Yangyang, sending you a video."
Ye Shaoyang was puzzled: "What video?"
Qu Jiang said: "Video of Captain Chi singing. I recorded it from the stage."
The video he sent was in high definition, several hundred MB in size, currently transferring.
Ye Shaoyang watched the 20% progress bar, hesitated for a moment, and then sent a message asking Qu Jiang: "Has Captain Chi sung the song «Irreplaceable» before?"
Qu Jiang replied: "Haven't heard him sing it. At the last birthday party, everyone egged him on to sing, and he sang «Promise of Friends», which was also quite nice."
So, there were actually many songs Chi Shuo could sing. For today's punishment round, he could have totally sung another song, but he chose «Irreplaceable».
Was it a coincidence or intentional?
Just then, the video transfer completed, and Ye Shaoyang casually clicked it open—
Qu Jiang's position on the big stage happened to be to the side and rear of Chi Shuo. The video recorded from a bystander's perspective was very clear. As Ye Shaoyang pressed the play button, Chi Shuo's deep and pleasant voice sounded again in the quiet room.
Even if time flows away and looks fade
In the bottom of my heart
You are forever irreplaceable
Chi Shuo's expression when singing was serious, and his look was gentle. When singing the chorus part "You are forever irreplaceable," he suddenly looked towards a certain corner of the stage—
Ye Shaoyang's breath suddenly hitched.
He knew that the person standing in that corner was himself.
Qu Jiang's angle happened to capture this scene. The close-up video was very clear. Chi Shuo didn't look at anyone throughout the process, only looked at Ye Shaoyang once. It was hard to explain clearly with "coincidence."
The singing looping in his ears made Ye Shaoyang's heart beat violently again. He didn't know what to say, but Qu Jiang chatted with him casually as if nothing had happened: "Captain Chi sings very nicely; I didn't lie to you, right?"
Ye Shaoyang: "…Mn."
Qu Jiang said: "Actually, Captain Chi's mother was a singer when she was young. Now she has withdrawn from the music scene and become a behind-the-scenes music producer. I heard his mother wanted him to take the exam for the music conservatory, but he refused. His favorite is still playing games and being an e-sports player."
Ye Shaoyang replied casually: "He's quite suited to be an e-sports player. If he developed in the entertainment industry, with his personality, he might struggle instead, right?"
Qu Jiang said: "Yes. He's quite stubborn and has always been persistent about things he's decided on. After Ming God retired back then, Yueying Team offered him a transfer fee of tens of millions. Any other player would have left long ago. But Captain Chi was set on Tianhuan. Even when Tianhuan's results plummeted to the bottom, he never thought of leaving us."
Ye Shaoyang said: "Having such a captain is Tianhuan's fortune. I know everyone respects him very much; actually, I also admire him very much. It hasn't been easy for him these years."
Qu Jiang smiled and asked: "Fortunately, you came to his side. This season, he really changed a lot. He's gentler than before and looks happier than before."
Ye Shaoyang's heart skipped a beat, not knowing how to reply.
Qu Jiang asked: "Don't you have any other thoughts about Captain Chi?"
Ye Shaoyang hurriedly said: "What other thoughts could I have? He and I are just good teammates, good partners. My feelings for him are about the same as for you, Old Qin, and Xiao Xing."
Ye Shaoyang said this sentence without confidence, even somewhat guiltily.
How can it be about the same? Far from it, okay!
After all, Qu Jiang, Old Qin, and Cheng Xing were purely "teammates" to him. Even if Ye Shaoyang hugged them, he wouldn't overthink it at all.
But Chi Shuo was different. Where exactly was the difference? Ye Shaoyang couldn't describe it either.
To put it in an analogy, among the 4 teammates, the other 3 had a pure brotherly relationship with him, but one of them, due to various mix-ups, had jacked off with him and had intimate physical contact?
Therefore, the two couldn't get along like simple friends, and he always couldn't help but think too much.
If his teammates knew the inside story, it would be even harder to explain.
Fortunately, Qu Jiang didn't ask further and said: "Rest early."
After closing the chat window with Ye Shaoyang, he sent the recorded video to Chi Shuo.
Chi Shuo replied with a question mark: "?"
Qu Jiang said: "I recorded it. different angle from the cameraman, close-up is clearer."
Chi Shuo knew that Qu Jiang, as a "handy editing expert," usually liked recording videos.
After all, the All-Star was not a regular competition, and phones could be brought on stage. It was quite normal for Qu Jiang to record a segment while Chi Shuo was performing on stage just now.
Data transfer was fast. Chi Shuo clicked open the video after receiving it and took a look—Qu Jiang's filming technique was indeed good, no shaking throughout, recorded very clearly.
He found that the glance he couldn't help casting at Ye Shaoyang was captured perfectly by Qu Jiang.
Chi Shuo closed the video and pretended nothing happened: "Recorded nicely. Considering becoming a reporter in the future?"
Qu Jiang sent a row of smiley faces: "I plan to be a video blogger after retiring, specifically editing fun videos."
Chi Shuo said: "That's also a way out."
Qu Jiang suddenly sent a sentence inexplicably: "Captain Chi, what do you think of Yangyang?"
Chi Shuo was stunned: "Which aspect?"
Qu Jiang: "Not talking about professional level, just him as a person?"
Chi Shuo was silent for a moment before replying: "Quite good."
Qu Jiang said: "I also think quite good. Yangyang has a lively personality. Having him around makes every day feel joyful. Since he joined our Tianhuan, our team's atmosphere has become more active and lively than before."
Thinking of Ye Shaoyang's smile, Chi Shuo couldn't help feeling warm inside and said: "Indeed. After he came, Tianhuan Team changed a lot. The kids in Team 2 all became his die-hard fans, and even Cheng Xing became his number one fanboy."
In the past Tianhuan Team, the atmosphere during training was too serious and oppressive, and the members were always tense. But now, the club was full of laughter every day. Sometimes Chi Shuo even felt that Yangyang was actually more suited for the captain position than him.
Qu Jiang changed the subject and said: "With Yangyang's personality, many people should like him, right?"
Chi Shuo frowned slightly: "What do you mean?"
Qu Jiang said: "Captain Chi, do you think if I pursue Yangyang, is the probability of success high?"
Chi Shuo: "...?"
Are you looking for death?
Qu Jiang was still discussing seriously there: "Yangyang is single and has no boyfriend or girlfriend. He also seems to not understand relationship issues much. I was thinking, should I strike first? My relationship with him is usually quite good. If I go confess to him, will he agree?"
Chi Shuo's face sank. Suppressing the displeasure surging in his heart, he tried to stay calm: "Qu Jiang, you better get this clear. The playoffs haven't started yet. Although our Tianhuan entered the winner's bracket as the second seed in Group S, whether we can win the championship is still unknown. There is still the fiercer competition of the World Tournament later!"
"Reclaiming the world championship is the greatest wish of several generations of Tianhuan. If you dare mess around and affect Shaoyang's match state, causing us to lose the trophy, the entire Tianhuan team won't forgive you!"
Chi Shuo was usually very calm. The exclamation marks in these two paragraphs already expressed his intense emotions.
Qu Jiang held back his laughter and sent an "I'm so scared" emoji, saying: "This is Captain Chi's heartfelt voice, right?"
Chi Shuo: "??"
Qu Jiang analyzed: "Worried about affecting the team's results, so you don't dare mess around, constantly suppressing the desire in your heart. For you, the world championship is always the most important. You are the captain; what you shoulder is not just our members' wishes, but also the efforts of several generations of Tianhuan."
Qu Jiang sent an "I understand" emoji: "So, you only dared to sing «Irreplaceable» at the All-Star to implicitly express your admiration, but didn't dare to truly tell him you like him."
Chi Shuo: "..."
Wait a minute, Qu Jiang is deliberately testing him?
Realizing he fell for Qu Jiang's trap, the tips of Chi Shuo's ears turned slightly red.
Almost forgot, Qu Jiang appeared simple, gentle, and aloof from worldly strife on the surface, but his mind was actually as clear as a mirror, seeing many things more clearly than others. This was also the key reason why Master chose Qu Jiang as the mid laner successor when he retired back then.
Why did he perform stably on the field and rarely make mistakes? It was because of his keen sense and excellent judgment. He obviously guessed that Chi Shuo liked Yangyang, so he deliberately said those words to test him…
Chi Shuo, having been seen through, felt somewhat awkward and immediately replied: "Don't talk nonsense to him."
Qu Jiang replied: "Don't worry, I won't interfere in your affairs. Just saw that you like him and wanted to confirm with you. Just joking earlier; I have no thoughts about Yangyang beyond friendship. Thank you Captain Chi for sparing my life."
Chi Shuo: "…"
After a moment of silence, Chi Shuo chuckled lightly and said: "You guessed right. I do like him very much."
Qu Jiang was a trustworthy friend. Since Master left, they had played together for more than three years. Chi Shuo hadn't told anyone about liking Ye Shaoyang, but since Qu Jiang saw it, there was no need for him to hide it anymore.
Chi Shuo typed a line: "At first I thought my attention to Yangyang was because Alpha and Omega pheromones attract each other. Later I realized that even if he wasn't an Omega, I would still like him. He is the person who understands me the most. I never thought about what kind of person I would be with before, but after meeting him, I knew the answer."
"If I am willing to spend my life with someone, that person can only be him, and must be him. Besides Yangyang, I won't accept anyone else. He is the irreplaceable only one in my heart."
Watching the text typed by Chi Shuo, Qu Jiang finally understood the excitement of CP fans getting sugar.
Alpha is so deeply affectionate; has he already decided to spend his life together?
Pity your Omega is still a blockhead, treating you as a brother.
Qu Jiang wanted to laugh a little. Chi Shuo was actually very simple in terms of relationships. The e-sports homebody had never been in love. After meeting Ye Shaoyang, he fell completely. But Yangyang was carefree and didn't think that much at all.
As a friend, he naturally hoped the two could achieve a happy ending. However, interfering too much in others' relationship issues would cause aversion. Let them solve their own matters.
These two's brainwaves could always synchronize when playing matches. But feelings were never on the same channel.
When feelings synchronized one day, it wouldn't be just CP fans getting sugar, but getting wedding candy!
Qu Jiang logged into his alt account, smiled and checked in at the #SunAndMoonShineTogether# Super Topic, and left a comment under the latest post: [Family, I'm exploding from sugar; Captain Chi sang this song so sweetly!]
At this time, Ye Shaoyang was guiltily browsing the Super Topic.
As expected, after Captain Chi finished singing at the All-Star, someone in the #SunAndMoonShineTogether# CP Super Topic wrote a long analytical essay on the background of the song's creation and the deep meaning of the lyrics.
[«Irreplaceable» is a new song released by music goddess Chen Yijun this winter break. It tells the process of the protagonist meeting a boy with a brilliant smile, heart throbbing, liking, and identifying the other as the love of this life.]
[This song only hit the charts in March. In other words, Captain Chi didn't learn this song before, nor is it that he "only knows how to sing this one," but rather he "specially learned this song."]
[When my classmate got married last week, this song was also played at the wedding. Isn't this a confession song? Although not a single "I love you" was said throughout, every word and sentence expresses the meaning "I love you."]
[Captain Chi sings too nicely; I've already looped it 10 times!]
[Yangyang's status in Captain Chi's heart cannot be replaced by anyone. Isn't this sweet?]
[Wuwuwu I'm going to move the Civil Affairs Bureau here for them.]
Ye Shaoyang: "..."
Ye Shaoyang guiltily closed the Super Topic and went back online to search for reviews of the song «Irreplaceable».
This song was the top of the Little Bear Music Chart in March this year. He met Chi Shuo last September. In other words, Chi Shuo learned this song after knowing him, and the regular season had already started in March.
Chi Shuo happened to hear this song and happened to learn it?
Or was it because this song voiced his heartfelt wishes, so he learned it specially?
Ye Shaoyang heard the sound of his heart thumping.
Done for, done for. Any way you look at it, the possibility of "learning it specially" is higher!
Understanding by the rules of the ABO world, Ye Shaoyang as an Omega took the initiative to let Chi Shuo mark him, and marked him three times consecutively. In Chi Shuo's concept, they were not same-sex and could get married and have children.
Having done such intimate things, doesn't he have to be responsible for the Omega?
How to explain: I don't want you to be responsible; I am a straight man?
Ye Shaoyang had a splitting headache. He opened the help post he posted in the emotional section earlier. The post had been bumped to over 1000 floors. Ye Shaoyang logged into his alt account and replied—
[Alien: My unit had team building recently. Everyone went out for a meal together. My buddy was egged on by everyone to sing a song. When singing relatively ambiguous lyrics, he inexplicably glanced at me. Does he like me? Am I overthinking?]
The OP suddenly resurrected, and a pile of replies appeared below immediately.
[Floor 1077: Alien OP is back again? Thought you were kidnapped by aliens.]
[Floor 1078: OP actually hasn't been marked yet? Your Alpha buddy lacks initiative.]
[Floor 1099: If I remember correctly, this scummy Omega OP let his buddy mark him, and not just once, right? Then isn't it normal for your buddy to fall for you?]
[Floor 1111: An Alpha remaining indifferent to an Omega marked several times, only two possibilities; first, he is frigid and can't get interested in Omegas; second, he is a scummy sea king who doesn't care about marking Omegas casually. Which kind do you think your buddy is?]
[Floor 1132: Curious asking OP, what song did he sing?]
[OP Reply: The kind suitable for confession. Although didn't say 'I like you' directly, the lyrics mentioned something like 'In the bottom of my heart, you are the only one'.] Ye Shaoyang deliberately blurred the lyrics content to avoid being exposed.
[Floor 1145: …Isn't this called a confession? This is almost saying it explicitly, right?]
[OP Reply: But, it was our company team building, many people were present, and he also said it was a song sung casually. Could it be I'm overthinking?]
[Floor 1156: OP open your head and see what's inside? You must be missing a nerve.]
[Floor 1168: Brothers and sisters don't persuade anymore. This OP is a blockhead. Probably only when he gets pressed on the bed by the Alpha and thoroughly marked will he react that his buddy doesn't treat him as a buddy.]
Ye Shaoyang: "…"
What nonsense is this netizen talking about? What pressed on the bed and thoroughly marked?!
The «Safety Marking Promotion Manual» he received at the hospital suddenly appeared in Ye Shaoyang's mind. It talked about how an Alpha thoroughly marks an Omega. Although it was a Q-version popular science promotional image, the process was very clear.
Putting himself and Chi Shuo into it, it would be him lying on the bed being ruthlessly violated by Chi Shuo…
Ye Shaoyang's scalp went numb and his whole body stiffened just thinking of that scene!
Although he transmigrated into an Omega in the ABO world, he was still a straight man psychologically. He couldn't accept being pressed by a man no matter what; just thinking about it was creepy.
Ye Shaoyang rubbed his hot face vigorously and left a reply: "Stop talking. He and I are just friends. My buddy is a very upright and calm person; he won't lose control and mark me. When the project ends, I will definitely apologize to him. I really don't like men."
Netizens replied one after another: "So OP likes female Alphas? Want to be marked by a sister!"
Ye Shaoyang: "I don't like being marked by women either!"
Netizens: "Then you want to ascend to heaven?"
Ye Shaoyang: "…"
I want to go back to Earth.
Forget it, it's impossible to explain clearly to the natives of the ABO world. He also couldn't explain how much of a headache it was for a straight man to become an Omega. He had lived for more than twenty years and never thought about being XXed by a man.
Even if it was Chi Shuo…
It was also hard for him to imagine the scene of XXing with a man; too scary.
Ye Shaoyang buried himself in the blanket with a headache.
Is it bad to just be simple brothers? Why did it turn out like this?
He really just wanted to play matches well, win an award, and fulfill the wish he didn't realize in his previous life.
Chi Shuo was the best teammate he had met. He didn't want to ruin the relationship with Chi Shuo. What to do? Chi Shuo, absolutely don't make things explicit, otherwise we can't even be teammates!
Ye Shaoyang closed his eyes gloomily and forced himself to sleep.
He had a very strange dream.
Maybe Chi Shuo's eyes when singing were too gentle, or maybe the netizens were making a fuss, saying he would be forcibly marked by his good buddy. In this dream, he actually dreamed of…
The scene of Chi Shuo marking him.
Not a temporary mark, but the thorough mark in the popular science manual.
The dream scene was the team's dorm. Chi Shuo sang «Irreplaceable» again, looked at him gently, and said: "Yangyang, actually, this song at the All-Star was for you. In my heart, you are someone no one can replace. I want to mark you, want to possess you completely. Can I?"
In the dream, Ye Shaoyang widened his eyes. Before he could react, he was pressed onto the bed by Chi Shuo.
Ye Shaoyang: "..."
During the indescribable marking process, Ye Shaoyang heard himself make very strange noises. He hugged Chi Shuo and panted while saying: "We are so tacit when playing matches, why are our bodies not very tacit? Is it because I am a straight man and not bent enough?"
He heard Chi Shuo answer in a low voice: "Sorry, I have no experience."
Ye Shaoyang said: "No, no problem, we'll slowly grind in."
Then the two of them ground in all night in the dream.
Waking up in the morning, Ye Shaoyang's whole body was scorching hot. He ran to the bathroom to take a cold shower in a breakdown. Looking at his flushed cheeks in the mirror, Ye Shaoyang felt both angry and ashamed.
Fck, why would I have this kind of dream!
I am a straight man! Why would I dream of being pressed by someone? And eaten clean?
Ye Shaoyang washed his face with cold water, complaining in a low voice while washing: "Could it be, I'm a fucking closeted gay?"
He froze for a moment, then denied himself: "No. Back in the GD team, our team also had several handsome guys. I never had thoughts about them. Physical contact and such never had reactions either."
"So, I shouldn't be closeted. Instead, one thinks by day and dreams by night. Yesterday, reading the Super Topic and forums messed up my brain, so I dreamed Chi Shuo did that to me? But straight men shouldn't have this kind of dream just by reading forums, right?"
"Maybe, I'm not that straight?"
"Bent a tiny bit for Chi Shuo?"
Thinking of the scenes in the dream, Ye Shaoyang's cheeks couldn't help but turn red.
Having this kind of dream, how am I going to face Chi Shuo next? Help! He wanted to carry a train overnight and escape back to his Earth. But this world didn't seem to have a train connection to his Earth…
Crossing time and space, he couldn't go back.
Ye Shaoyang buried his hot face in the cold water, looking like he had nothing to live for.