Matian Meilin got off the bus, clutching her suitcase. Her smooth and lustrous dark-brown hair flowed down to her lower back, swaying with each step she took with a smile. Her long eyelashes framed her big, almond-shaped eyes, and her black winged eyeliner accentuated the hypnotic darkness of her eyes.
"I can't believe it, Yuming! I'm finally here!" Meilin's eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke into her lilac-colored headphones. 'I prayed to God for so many nights for this.'
"I'm so happy for you! I'm going to miss you, bestie. I know you won't have as much time to chat with me as before, but remember, you're not alone in this. If anything happens, give me a call, okay?" Yuming's warm and reassuring voice cracked through the connection.
"Thank you so much! You know I'm going to miss you too. I wish you could see all of this!" Meilin's eyes roamed the towering buildings that scraped the sky, their shadows slicing through the morning light. The aroma of fresh coffee wafted from nearby cafés, and she lingered by the street vendors offering mouthwatering delicacies. "You know, Yuming, it's a bit overwhelming to be alone in such a big city, but I'm so lucky to be here. This is my dream job, and just imagining being on that stage is so exciting!"
"I wish I could be there too." Yuming's tone shifted, worry creeping in. "I know I've said this before, but can you really handle being in a field that's mostly men? And living with them too?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm used to living with a lot of people, remember? The orphanage?"
"Oh, right! I, uh... You know, besides this, I'm glad you're finally happy and away from that jerk—"
"Please don't mention him. He's not why I'm here." Meilin's fingers trembled, her heart twisting and tightening like a vice. 'I just want to forget the pain he caused me, even if it was all one-sided.'
"Sorry... for bringing him up."
"Hey, don't worry about it. You know, today is the best day of my life! I won't have to sneak out to the internet cafe anymore. I'll have my own computer, my own room, everything, and maybe one day I'll have my own home!"
Yuming turned silent, contrasting with the bustling city. The noise of the crowd and the distant roar of traffic faded as the silence on the other end of the line grew heavier. "I'm happy to hear you so positive, and I don't want to burst your bubble, but..."
'Oh no. It's that judgy tone of hers. Please don't...'
"Is Esports sustainable? I mean, where will you work if this fails? It just seems like there might be some things you haven't fully considered."
Meilin stopped dead in her tracks, the bustling city fading into the background. She swallowed hard, fists clenching around the suitcase handle. "I have to make this work, Yuming. I can't go back to that life..." Her eyes dropped to the ground, haunted by memories she could not escape. "I have literally nothing to go back to. There's no Plan B... Please understand... I have to do something."
"I... I'm sorry... Maybe I worry too much over nothing. I should trust you more."
Meilin's grip tightened on the suitcase. "Please do."
"Then make sure you do it right!"
"I'll make you proud." Meilin forced out the words, determined to keep each promise. Yet, as she approached the gleaming doors of Ignis headquarters, a famous Esports company known for its remarkable players, a storm of emotions churned inside her. This was her chance, her moment—but the shadows of doubt never stayed far behind.
Meilin entered the company building, her beige trenchcoat shielding her from the biting cold that stung her cheeks. 'I can't wait for summer!'
Bright lights shone overhead as she took off her headphones and crossed the entrance hall to the information desk but found it empty.
She turned to the two guys lounging in the lobby and greeted them with a smile. "Hello, can I ask you a question?"
They turned their heads, eyes widening and mouths open while she approached. Both men could not help but stare at her, their eyes following her outlines from head to toe.
The shorter guy stuttered, "Y-Yeah?"
"Hello yourself, gorgeous." The taller one winked. "You a fan?"
Blinking, Meilin took a step back. "What?"
"Don't be shy. What's your name?"
"I, uh... I'm just looking for the team Solaris. What floor are they on? Could you please tell me?"
The mere mention of Solaris yanked them out of their fantasies like a wrecking ball smashing through fragile glass.
"Wait, so you're not... You're here for them!? Are you their fan or something? You do realize you can't just barge in like this!"
"Oh no, it's a misunderstanding. I'm here to join the team! It's my first time here, so I'm a bit lost..."
"Solaris, huh? THE Solaris?" The taller one chuckled in a condescending way. "I guess this will be the last time we hear of them."
Her smile remained unflinching as she caught the sideways smirks. 'Calm down, Meilin. You knew this would happen at some point. Stay calm.'
"Esports isn't for girls. You should be at home doing something more suitable for your kind."
She clenched her jaw and fists, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Standing firm, she shot back, "I don't remember you competing in last championship to be talking like this."
"Watch what you're saying, rookie." The tall guy stepped forward, peering down at her with a haughty expression. "If you weren't flirting with me a minute ago, I would've—"
"Excuse me? Do you think every girl who talks to you is hitting on you? YOU were the one flirting with me!"
"Don't get any ideas. You're way too loud and aggressive. I prefer girls who are modest and know how to behave."
Her lips trembled, her heart sinking as if weighed down by heavy stones, a memory surfacing:
"Why haven't I confessed to Meilin yet? Knowing her, she'd probably be all over me before I even got the words out!" A young man chuckled, his laughter growing louder. "Yeah, she's fun, but she's also... aggressive... vulgar... I like proper girls, and she's not... the kind of girl I'd want to introduce to my parents or even consider marrying."
She grounded herself in the present, swallowing the lump in her throat. 'If only I were perfect. If only I weren't the way I am, Yichen wouldn't think of me like that and embarrass me... But I'll never show my true self again. I've locked away that part of myself and tossed the key. It's better than chasing a fantasy.'
She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. The image of a swordsman flashed before her mind’s eye, and a smile graced her lips.
'I take it back. Fictional men are my ONLY comfort! I'll gladly chase those fantasies if it means those hot—'
"I can't believe this company is trying to hire women now," the shorter guy muttered.
'That does it. Just as I was thinking about... NO MORE! If I turn the other cheek, I'll never earn respect!' Meilin lifted her chin, her foxy eyes sparking with mischief as she gave them an intimidating smirk, her voice dropping to a low, threatening growl. "You know what? How would the company feel about its players discriminating against girls? It'd be a shame if someone were to speak to them about this... And not just that. You'd be canceled, and no other company would want to work with you two."
The two guys exchanged glances and took a step back, their cocky attitudes deflating as the notion of their careers ending sank in.
"Alright, princesses, less talking, more practicing," a deep voice boomed through the lobby.
"Ningshun!" their voices trembled.
Meilin spun around, breath catching in her throat as she met the man's gaze. 'Wow, he looks gorgeous.' Her cheeks heated up as the tall, twenty-year-old man stood before her.
The air carried the lingering scent of his musky cologne. His luscious lips curved into a smile that made eyes linger. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair, now slicked back to where his neck met his broad shoulders, revealing pale green eyes hinting at warmth.
"I see you've met Meilin."
Their eyes widened, and they nodded, forcing nervous laughter. "Is she really joining Solaris? But she's... a girl—"
"Yes, and?" Ningshun retorted without any hesitation. "Besides, I was the one who chose her for the team. She's my concern, not yours. You have a problem with that?"
They exchanged doubtful glances, understanding they needed to leave before the situation escalated.
'He was the one who chose me? I'm on the same team as this breathtaking man, and HE was the one who picked me?' Unwilling to avert her gaze, she openly displayed her admiration. Each word he spoke resonated like a melody in her ears. 'Thank you, God, thank you!'
Ningshun, Solaris' Mid Laner, was a well-known Esports figure and his team's best player. With sharp accuracy and a confident yet calm demeanor in matches, he earned the respect of many opponents.
As Ningshun waved goodbye to the two young men, he paused and cocked his head toward Meilin, his eyes following the tremble in her jaw and the twitching of her brows and fingers. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them with a softened gaze and a long sigh.
With a playful grin, he quipped, "By the way... the 'I didn't see you compete in last championship' was... a bit harsh, Meilin."
"You heard that? I'm really sorry." She lowered her head.
"You did well. I'm glad you stood up for yourself... But 'telling the company'? That was terrifying. That was really something!" He burst out laughing.
She crossed her arms and frowned, his laughter crawling under her skin like a snake. "Stop teasing me!"
'Wow, feisty.' His chuckles faded into a grin. "Now that we've sorted that out, are you ready to meet the rest of the team?"
She sighed, allowing calm to envelop her. "I'm ready. Lead the way."
As he beckoned her toward their office, the silence in the hallway tensed her like a live wire. Each echoing step of his that her ears picked up on beat a drum in her chest as heat flowed up her neck. "Ningshun?"
"Yeah?"
Unease twisted in Meilin's gut like a knot. "Were the words I said really that bad?"
"Yes, they were." He stopped in his tracks, took a step back, and met her gaze at a slow pace. "But don't worry."
Relief washed over her, the tightness in her chest easing like a breath of fresh air, and a smile tugged at her lips. "Why?"
Ningshun leaned against the wall, a sleazy smile curling his lips as he murmured, "I like bad girls."
Heat rushed to her cheeks, spreading like wildfire. 'Is he serious? It can't be...' She swallowed hard and released a breath she had not realized she had been holding.
His gaze lingered on her, making it impossible to ignore the tension between them.
She took a deep breath, trying to quell the wildfire in her veins. But as she broke his spell, a mischievous grin curved her full lips. "Oh, you like bad girls?" Her tone held a dangerous sweetness.
His naughty smile faltered for a split second as her fire tore through his defenses like a blazing inferno breaching a crumbling wall, but he recovered. He opened his mouth to respond, but her assertive gaze caught him off guard.
'So, he wants to play like that?' She stepped forward, shrinking the distance until she stood close to his shoulder.
With his fingers trailing along the wall, he found himself caught between curiosity and something else. "Meilin?"
She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, "I'm very bad."
Ningshun's eyebrows shot up as he pivoted toward her, staring in close proximity. 'Did she just...?'
"At everything." She pulled back, her eyes daring him to react.
'Oh...' His soft chuckle escaped, growing louder each second.
With one last smirk, she turned on her heel, her steps echoing as she strutted down the hallway, leaving him standing there.
At the end of the hallway, she stopped. 'Wait... why did I leave when I don't even know my way around here?' She turned around to find Ningshun standing near the beginning of another corridor on her right. His grin spotlighted her blunder, and her heart sank like a stone into an ocean of embarrassment as she neared him.
"Lost your way?"
Her laugh stumbled. "I, uh... I meant to go that way!" She waved in a vague direction, her cheeks flushing.
His grin stretched, and he tilted his head as his eyes sparkled like stars caught in mischief. "Suuure." He turned on his on his heel, leaving her to follow.
"H-Hey! Wait up!"
He glanced back, catching Meilin sprinting toward him. A warm, amused smile touched his lips before he focused on the path ahead. He slowed his pace as she caught up, her breath coming in quick bursts. "You good?"
"Yeah, let's go!" she puffed, catching her breath with a cheerful grin.
Ningshun's gaze lingered on her, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "You're pretty quick." He adjusted his stride, so they moved in sync.
But as they strode down the corridor, her gaze followed the way his jet-black hair swayed with each step, drawn to his navy shirt clinging to his muscular physique. The fabric stretched tight, accentuating the contours rippling beneath it under the hallway lights. Her pulse quickened, a flush of heat rising to her cheeks as her eyes lowered, tracing the well-defined lines of his arms and the perfect shoulder-to-hip ratio.
Stopping at a door, he turned toward her, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he tracked where her gaze had wandered. With a daring smirk, he teased, "Were you checking out my butt?"
Meilin flinched, her eyes snapping up to meet his and clearing her throat. "Yes, and?"
He raised an eyebrow. "I see what you did there. You learn fast."
With a cheeky grin, she folded her arms and tilted her head. "You're clearly loving this way more than you should, so I don't see the problem."
Ningshun's smile flickered and died like a flame in a draft. He blinked, his shoulders tensing as he swallowed, fingers drumming on the door handle. "You have no shame, do you?"
A sheepish smile curved her lips as she placed a hand behind her head. "I, uh..."
"Never mind." A sharp breath escaped him. He twisted the handle and pushed the door open. "Ready to meet the rest of the team?"
'I just... ugh, whatever.' Meilin shook her head and stepped into the office. The team, clustered around a central table, glanced up from their match. A series of stifled snickers and exchanged glances met her entrance. 'Did they hear everything?'
The place resembled a tech lover's dream, with rows of colorful LED lights and walls plastered with posters of famous Esports tournaments. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sleek, oversized monitors and the array of gaming equipment.
Ningshun followed her into the office, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of his teammates' brief smirks and stifled chuckles. His shoulders squared, drawing in a deep breath before clearing his throat. "Everyone, brace yourselves! We've got a new Jungler in town—Meilin!"
Focusing on their game, Kaili, the Support, gave a kind nod; Hooman, the ADC, offered a wave; and Han, the Top Laner, met her with a warm smile.
"Hi, guys!" She emanated a cheerful vibe as she observed their screens in awe.
Trying not to disturb the match, Ningshun pulled the white gaming chair away from the desk, gesturing for her to sit. "Take a seat, Meilin. Let's have a chat before the coach comes."
"Sure." She sat down, her gaze riveted to their screens.
"Are you comfortable? After all, this is your chair."
"My chair?" she whispered, excitement overtaking her. "Thank you. I'm more than comfortable. I think I could sleep here," she joked, reclining the chair and lying in it like a bed. Her gaze followed the RGB lights stretching across the ceiling, her mind drifting away.
"Thirsty?" Ningshun's warm breath fanned across her cheek, a gentle whisper stirring a shiver that raced down her spine. His deep, husky voice drew her in like a moth to a flame. Her pulse quickened as he leaned closer, his face so near she could see the pattern of his irises.
"Yes... please," she stuttered, growing tense.
"Good, because we've got all the best drinks in the galaxy—tea, coffee, soda, water..."
"Soda's perfect, thanks," she managed with a faint smile.
As Ningshun straightened and moved away, an unexpected flush of warmth spread through Meilin. Summoning her courage, she called out, "Hey, Ningshun."
He turned back, raising his eyebrows with curiosity and a hint of intrigue. "Yes?"
Her cheeks bloomed with a soft pink hue. "Thanks for standing up for me back there."
Ningshun's eyes softened. A tender smile touched his lips as he turned his gaze away for a moment, reflecting on her words. When his gaze met hers again, a tender warmth shimmered in the depths of his eyes. "No problem, Meilin."
After the team's match, everyone focused on the newcomer. Kaili, who liked to talk the most, shared funny stories about their previous matches to make her comfortable. Hooman, with a stubbled face and a laid-back vibe, joined in with his own over-the-top stories, and Han, the quiet one, added a silent but expressive touch to the conversation.
Ningshun returned with the soda, grinning as he handed it over like a royal gift. "Here you go, milady."
She blinked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. 'No one had ever called me this before.'
"Milady? Isn't that a bit outdated, Ningshun?" Hooman teased.
Laughter echoed off the walls, filling the gaming room with warmth as they bonded while chatting about strategies, their favorite champions, and shared gaming experiences.
The room hummed with the whir of high-end computers and the excited chatter of team members until they all left, leaving only Ningshun there alone with Meilin, waiting for the coach.
The coach, a tall man with a trimmed beard and a buttoned-up shirt, approached her with a smile that lacked sincerity. He reached out to shake her hand. "Meilin, welcome. Glad you could make it. We've heard great things about you."
She shook his hand, keeping her voice calm. "Thank you for having me."
"So, do you think you can work well with our boys?" He had a polite tone but with a hint of skepticism that she caught.
"Yes, without a doubt."
"Really?"
"After all, I can... see through what my opponents will do next." She paused for a moment, her mind collecting itself. 'But how can I even explain it? I don't fully understand it myself. It's just... instinct, this gut feeling that somehow guides me.'
"Watching you play, I almost believed you," he joked. "Okay, now that you're finally here, let's see you play in person..."
Meilin's fingers squirmed, but she forced herself to push away the flutter of anxiety tightening in her chest. 'I can't mess this up. This is my one shot.'
"Ningshun speaks highly of you, so I hope you're as good as he says."
Ningshun nodded. He leaned closer, resting his arms on the desk, and whispered, "I know he looks scary, but that's all. Just play like you always do."
She took a steadying breath, lifted her chin, and met the coach's gaze. "I'm ready. Let's do this."
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