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After Yu Zhaohan protested, Shi Du quieted down and didn’t call him “wife” again. In the darkness, with only a nightstand separating their beds, he couldn’t see Shi Du’s expression but could hear the uneven sound of his breathing.
Could it be possible that it wasn’t just him whose heart was beating faster and ears were getting hot? If only he could see Shi Du’s heart rate through his smartwatch, but unfortunately, at some point, Shi Du had hidden the heart rate information, and he couldn’t see it anymore.
After an unknown period of time, long enough for Yu Zhaohan to think that Shi Du had already fallen asleep, he heard him speak again, “I only called you ‘wife’ twice, and you couldn’t even let me call you again. How many times have those clay fans called you ‘wife,’ did I complain?”
The boy’s tone didn’t sound much different from usual, relaxed and half-joking, with a touch of profanity, it didn’t look like he was blushing and his heart raced.
“You did complain,” Yu Zhaohan whispered, “Besides, you are different from clay sculpture fans.”
He couldn’t pinpoint exactly how they were different. Being called “wife” by the clay fans wasn’t limited to online interactions; he had been called “wife” face-to-face at competitions as well, but he didn’t feel particularly moved at the time.
Perhaps it was because the “wife” of the clay fans was for someone like Shine, who was high and mighty, calm and composed, and chose his words wisely. And Shi Du’s “wife” was for Yuyu who liked to cuddle with teammates, loved drinking sweet milk, and was a die-hard fan of plush toys.
Shi Du let out a satisfied low laugh: “Yes, I’m different from them.”
After this night, Shi Du was no longer bothered by Shine’s clay sculpture fans. Let them call him “wife” if they wanted. After all, Shine was drinking the sweet milk he bought, the one sharing the same room with him, the one cuddling and acting cute in his arms.
He wasn’t afraid of them.
If anyone was going to be jealous, it should be Shine’s clay sculpture fans, not him being jealous of them. A true husband should have the magnanimity of a true husband.
In the past two days, the sisters in the “Shanghai Division Fans of Shine” group made a new discovery. Even though the newly joined 9c didn’t talk much, only occasionally popping up with a message, whenever he spoke, there was an indescribable sense of superiority that seemed to pity them. kind of indescribable The ones who came up seemed to be pitying their sense of superiority.
[Timeless, stay away from my wife: I’ve been editing videos of my wife until now, and I can’t resist it anymore. Goodnight, wife~ [kiss emoji]]
[9c: Actually, if you say “goodnight, wife,” the wife will also reply with “goodnight.”]
[Shine’s collarbone is so beautiful: My wife seems to have lost weight recently, and his collarbone has become more obvious again]
[9c: Yeah, he’s quite thin. I can easily run a kilometer while carrying him.]
[Shine’s Husky: When is my wife going to live broadcast? Do I have to wait until the next match to see him again? QAQ]
[9c: Fuck, that’s so miserable for you. I can’t go a day without seeing my wife.]
[9c has been banned from the group for ten days.]
Back in Shanghai, Yu Zhaohan informed Old Tan of Qi Xian’s wrist injury. Without further hesitation, Old Tan scheduled a meeting with an expert for Qi Xian. He praised the expert and even claimed that the FMVP from the neighboring game, who had nearly retired due to a hand injury, had been healed by this expert.
Yu Zhaohan, Shi Du, and Old Tan accompanied Qi Xian to his appointment. The others weren’t aware of it yet, and Cheese even assumed they were going out to play without him, so he complained in the group chat. As a result, Yu Zhaohan kicked him out of the group, and he was only allowed back after he promised to behave.
Qi Xian underwent examinations, X-rays, and several hours of procedures at the hospital. The expressions on Yu Zhaohan, Old Tan, and Shi Du’s faces didn’t appear good at the time, but Qi Xian himself was still smiling, seemingly not worried at all.
The doctor looked at it for a long time after getting the test results. Old Tan couldn’t wait any longer and asked: “Doctor, is the situation serious?”
The doctor looked at Qi Xian through the lens: “When did your hand discomfort start?”
Qi Xian replied truthfully: “A year ago, but at that time it was only uncomfortable after practicing for a long time, and it was enough to rest for two days. It started to occur frequently three months ago.”
Yu Zhaohan’s heart sank.
Three months… Qi Xian has been enduring discomfort to accompany them to practice more.
The doctor asked: “How long do you train every day now?”
Yu Zhaohan helped Qi Xian answer: “We start around one or two in the afternoon and go until one or two in the early morning, approximately twelve hours.”
The doctor shook his head.
A normal person would die of fright when seeing a doctor shaking his head, and Old Tan was indeed frightened: “Please don’t just shake your head, say something.”
“Given this situation, there are generally two treatment options: surgical treatment and conservative therapy. If the treatment is effective, it may prolong his professional career,” the doctor said. “But regardless of which option you choose, the first priority is to ensure that the patient reduces the current high-intensity training.”
Yu Zhaohan asked, “To what extent should the training be reduced?”
The doctor replied solemnly, “No more than four hours per day. Otherwise, not only professional gaming but even daily life may be affected.”
Qi Xian immediately said: “Impossible.”
Four hours of training time is far from enough for active professional players. Even youth trainees spend more time than that. He is playing professionally, not just playing a game.
Yu Zhaohan assumed the role of the stern guardian and said firmly, “Listen to the doctor.”
Whether to proceed with surgery or conservative therapy needed careful consideration. The doctor suggested that Qi Xian undergo a round of therapy first, which could alleviate his current discomfort to some extent.
Old Tan hurriedly followed the nurse to pay the fee and almost tripped when he went downstairs. Qi Xian felt a little helpless: “Don’t rush, my hand won’t break if we’re a few minutes late.”
The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was too strong, so the three of them went to the balcony to get some fresh air. Qi Xian took out a pack of cigarettes and asked, “Captain, do you mind?”
Yu Zhaohan shook his head. He doesn’t like second-hand smoke, and Qi Xian rarely smokes in front of him. But now that Qi Xian wanted to smoke, he didn’t mind.
Yu Zhaohan watched as Qi Xian skillfully lit the cigarette and asked, “You’ve seen doctors on your own before, right?”
His concubine Qi had always been calm and had a good sense of the bigger picture. When they heard the doctor’s serious diagnosis earlier, Qi Xian’s reaction was very calm. A professional player wouldn’t remain calm in such a situation unless they had known about it beforehand.
Qi Xian exhaled a puff of smoke slowly: “Yes, I have seen a few doctors.” He had also undergone therapy before, but it only provided temporary relief. The symptoms would recur after a few days.
Shi Du asked, “What did those doctors say?”
Qi Xian said: “It was similar to what this expert said.”
No one spoke for a while. The cigarette held between Qi Xian’s fingertips quietly burned, with smoke swirling around. Finally, it was the youngest brother who broke the silence.
“To be honest, four hours is quite long,” Shi Du shrugged. “When I wasn’t of legal age, I was subjected to anti-addiction restrictions, and I could only practice for a few hours a week.”
Qi Xian smiled: “You’re different, brother; you’re a genius. In E-sports novels, someone as handsome and skilled as you would be the protagonist.”
Shi Du said: “In many competitive sports novels, the protagonist also suffers from injuries.”
“Indeed, they are like me, prohibited by doctors from intense training. But they always manage to fulfill their dreams and have the last laugh after enduring countless hardships,” Qi Xian flicked away the cigarette ash. At that moment, even his red long hair seemed dim. “Unfortunately, I’ve never been the protagonist of a novel.”
He had talent, but looking at the entire league, who didn’t have talent? He wasn’t even the best tank. DSD’s tank, IPL. Bi An, ranked higher than him in statistics. There were people more impressive than him who were still striving. What right did he have to slack off?
He was already twenty-two years old, which was not considered young in the E-sports industry. He wanted to give his utmost effort within the limited time he had. He couldn’t leave any regrets for himself.
And the protagonist should be as dazzling and radiant as Yu Zhaohan and Shi Du.
When the smoke was about to burn out, he heard Yu Zhaohan say, “Why aren’t you?”
Qi Xian was taken aback.
“From your perspective, you can’t see yourself, so you think Shi Du is the protagonist,” Yu Zhaohan looked into Qi Xian’s eyes and said, “But, in my perspective, you and he are the main characters on the competitive stage. So, as long as you follow the doctor’s advice and maintain your condition, I won’t let you go.”
A slight burning pain spread from his fingertips, and Qi Xian slowly opened his eyes hidden beneath his wine-red hair. “Captain, can you hug me?” Qi Xian extinguished the cigarette and looked up at him. “You’ve carried me on your back, but you’ve never hugged me.”
Yu Zhaohan smiled: “Of course.” After speaking, he instinctively glanced at Shi Du.
Shi Du said generously: “Hug normally, don’t hug his waist.”
Yu Zhaohan frowned and coldly said, “Did I ask you?”
Qi Xian chuckled, his eyes squinting as he returned to his usual demeanor.
Thus, the aloof captain walked up to Qi Xian, opened his arms, and hugged his tank for the first time.
Yu Zhaohan said: “This matter must be told to the coach.”
Qi Xian’s training plan would have to be revised; they couldn’t hide it from Lu Youshan.
Qi Xian also understood this and said, “You can tell the coach, but don’t tell Cheese. I’m afraid he won’t be able to handle it.”
Yu Zhaohan nodded, “Okay.”
After the nurse prepared the therapy equipment, she asked Qi Xian to go in.
Qi Xian responded, and as he passed by Shi Du, he whispered, “Make the captain happy.”
Shi Du raised an eyebrow, “Do I need you to tell me that?”
Qi Xian smiled as he patted Shi Du on the shoulder, and followed the nurse into the physical therapy room.
Yu Zhaohan sat and waited outside, feeling uneasy in his heart. He didn’t take good care of his team members, and he didn’t know how to help Qi Xian other than offering words of encouragement. He can only promote Concubine Qi to Imperial Concubine Qi, just to comfort him.
Shi Du sat down beside him, and wrapped his arms around his waist: “Brother Xian will get through this, don’t worry, wife.”
Yu Zhaohan’s body stiffened, and his ears perked up. “Shi Du, you…”
“What’s wrong with me?” Shi Du’s smile carried a hint of playfulness. “I’m your clay sculpture fan, and don’t all clay sculpture fans call you like this?”
Yu Zhaohan looked around, making sure Old Tan hadn’t returned yet, and raised his hand to rub his ear. “Please, not now. I’m begging you.”
Once the title “wife” was uttered, it would be followed by countless repetitions.
Shi Du said, “But wife…”
Yu Zhaohan shifted to the side, nervously looking at Shi Du. “You can call me that when we’re back, but not now. I’m thinking about Qi Xian, and if you call me wife, it’ll distract me—I’ll end up with ears burning.”
“Okay, okay,” Shi Du seemed to compromise, and moved aside after Yu Zhaohan, “I won’t bark anymore.”
Qi Xian’s physical therapy will take an hour, and Shi Du leans on Yu Zhaohan to play with his mobile phone. Yu Zhaohan was still a little distracted by his little brother, glanced at his screen, and saw that he was…doing a question?
Yu Zhaohan asked: “Shi Du, what are you looking at?”
Shi Du said casually, “I’m studying for my driver’s license. I’m reviewing the written test questions.”
Yu Zhaohan said: “Then you can ask me if you don’t understand.”
Old Tan couldn’t stay idle and, even at a time like this, didn’t forget to showcase his diplomatic skills. He engaged in a lively conversation with the head nurse of the hospital, taking the opportunity to inquire about the condition of the professional E-sports player who had previously received treatment here for occupational diseases.
“Oh, I remember the boy you mentioned. After the operation, he went back to play professionally. He won the championship and gave our doctor a pennant. By the way, the boys who play professionally are so young,” the head nurse said, “It’s about the same age as middle schoolers and high schoolers in school.”
Old Tan boasted, “Don’t be fooled by the young age of our captain and younger brother. They are much more mature than those students, especially our captain. His psychological age is closer to thirty-five than thirty.”
The head nurse was skeptical, “Is that true?”
“I have no reason to deceive you about this, let me tell you…” Old Tan continued.
As they walked out of the elevator, they saw two boys standing together near the entrance of the therapy room. One of them was holding a phone and showing something to the other. “Captain, what does the white dashed area on the far left side of the road mean?”
Yu Zhaohan answered, “It refers to the special lane for vehicles carrying multiple passengers.”
Shi Du boasted casually: praised casually, “Captain is really amazing.”
Yu Zhaohan nodded, “I also think I’m amazing. I scored a perfect 100 on that exam.”
Old Tan: “…”