League of Legends: League of Unknowns

“Sounds good. So, how about it? Wanna join our Team Scarlet?” Commander Qin jumped on Yang Qianqian’s words.

“No, I shouldn’t.” Yu Luocheng frantically waved off the suggestion. “I can’t actually take part in this kind of thing anymore. If my dad finds out, I’m dead meat.”

“Just keep it quiet, then. No big deal. How’s your dad gonna find out? Don’t be a child, always doing what daddy says. Come on, join Team Scarlet. Our people might not be as good as what you’re used to, but we won’t hold you back.” Qin was burbling enthusiastically.

Lin Xu couldn’t believe his ears.

Only a few days ago, Team Scarlet had wiped the floor with every other team in the Dragon Rising, many of the games ending before the twenty-minute mark. They were a class above the rest of the competition here.

And yet, ‘not as good as what you’re used to,’ he’d said?

Even more unbelievable, what sort of man was this descendant of the Yu family, to have a team of such prowess be worried about holding him back?

“Really, Commander, you’re too much,” Yu Luocheng replied. “I’ve only just started playing LoL recently, and schoolwork has left me little time for gaming. I’m nothing special, I’m afraid… it would be me holding you guys back. I just came by to see an old friend.”

Yin Qin could see Yu Luocheng really wasn’t interested in joining up, and he himself wasn’t actually that confident his team would be able to keep up with a player of his caliber, so he let the matter drop.

“Eh, what’s there to see. I’m just a tired old man, struggling to feed a wife and kids, not to mention my old folks. There’s a bunch of young men counting on me for their livelihood. They’re still free from the sort of attachments I have to deal with at my age, worrying about money all the time…” Yin Qin lamented.

“There’s good money in LoL, and that’s why you’ve taken an interest in MOBA gaming now?” Yu Luocheng inquired.

“Exactly. There’s really no helping it. I hope these kids can put up a good showing, at least, or it’ll all be for naught.”

Yu Luocheng hadn’t seen Yin Qin in two years, give or take. He’d been a more spirited man, back then. Even now, he couldn’t be older than twenty-eight, but the hardships of life had really beaten down this once-proud figure.

Worse, he’d chosen to go down the treacherous path of professional gaming. No one else could truly understand the miseries that paved the way.

It was only because he was an old friend, that was why Yin Qin had gotten so talkative, but he digressed, and brought Yu Luocheng in to introduce him to the members of Team Scarlet.

Lin Xu had always remained in Section B, and could only meet advanced players like Wan Tong via an introduction from Michael. All of a sudden, he was about to stand before the elite players in the VIP area. He was beside himself with anticipation.

Team Scarlet was expected to place within the Top 3 of Lecheng. If he could pick up some pointers from them, it could contribute to the next breakthrough in his own gaming skills.

When it came to things like MOBA games, it was good to know more advanced players than yourself, not merely because they could carry you to victory in your games, but also because spending time in their company could greatly accelerate the development of your own skills and tactical expertise.

Lin Xu was genuinely in love with League of Legends, and was always looking for ways to improve his gameplay. That was the reason why, although he had a computer at home, he nevertheless spent a lot of time at the cyber café, hoping to make the acquaintance of various elite players.

Of course, at first he’d been showing off these contacts of his to Yu Luocheng and Yang Qianqian—but suddenly, it was now Yu Luocheng leading him around to meet the very best players in Lecheng.

It was a turn of events that left him dumbfounded.

Could Yu Luocheng himself be one of the elite?

How else could he have become so friendly with these illustrious figures, so far beyond Lin Xu’s own reach?

***

After taking his leave of Commander Qin, Yu Luocheng walked a full circle around the whole cyber café, but he just couldn’t find a team that suited his tastes.

Following along beside him, Yang Qianqian pouted with her cute little mouth, in a bit of a huff.

The reason she was upset was because Yu Luocheng had turned down Yin Qin’s invitation. It was obvious that they were his best hope for getting first place, and yet he’d passed on them. Couldn’t he see how eagerly Commander Qin had been to welcome him in?

What’s more, seeing the way those two renowned players had treated Yu Luocheng, it was obvious his true abilities were far beyond what she usually saw.

And yet, he was just so frustratingly indifferent!

“Yu Luocheng, did you use to spend a lot of time at the Dragon Rising?” Having abandoned his usual disdain for Yu Luocheng, Lin Xu was now giving him his warmest, most amiable smile.

“Not really.” Yu Luocheng had no intention of revealing his dark past, especially with Yang Qianqian right here. Turning to look at her, he realized she was brooding over something, so he gave her some attention.

“Yu Luocheng Yu, I’m not in the mood for your usual playfulness,” Yang Qianqian snapped. “That man made you a sincere offer, and you could have gotten into a top-seeded team.”

Was he really that disinterested in going on a trip alone with her?

Victory was within his grasp, but he wouldn’t even reach out for it?

He was always leering at her with undisguised lust, but give him a real opportunity and here he was, dragging his feet and making excuses. It was insufferable!

Ding ding, ding! Ding, ding, ding, ding…

A piano melody began to play from within Yu Luocheng’s pants pocket. He gave her an apologetic smile, fished out his handphone, and found that it was his mother calling.

She probably just wanted to nag him to come home earlier. He answered the call.

“Yu Luocheng, where are you? Get to the hospital right now!” Li Yun’s voice was shrill with panic.

“I’m out right now. What’s happened?” Something was wrong.

“Your dad’s been admitted into the hospital,” his mother whispered.

Yu Luocheng stared at nothing. The half-hearted, absent-minded smile he usually wore had vanished completely.

“How serious is it?” Yu Luocheng asked frantically.

“I don’t know yet, but he went there in an ambulance.”

“I’ll be there right away. Which hospital is it?”

“Central Hospital.”

***

As Yu Luocheng ended the call, Yang Qianqian could see that his expression had totally changed.

“What is it?” she asked with concern.

“I’m going to the hospital.” That was all he said, before hurrying outside.

She chased after him. “I’ll come with you.”

“Never mind. You can go home, or hang out with Jin and his crew.” Without waiting for her reply, Yu Luocheng ran downstairs.

When he reached the street, there just happened to be a taxi passing by. Yu Luocheng hailed it down and got in.

Yang Qianqian came out the door, only to see him already speeding off in the car, headed toward Central Hospital.