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Matian Meilin got off the bus, clutching her suitcase. As the bus drove away, she left her past behind and began her journey into the world of Esports. Her silky, dark-brown hair flowed down to her lower back, swaying with each excited step she took. Her long eyelashes delicately framed her big, almond-shaped eyes, and she wore black winged eyeliner, adding to her striking beauty.
"I can't believe it, Yuming! I'm finally here!" Meilin's eyes widened in excitement as she spoke with her best friend, Yuming, through her lilac-colored headphones that she carried everywhere. 'I prayed to God for so many nights for this,' she thought as she made her way to her destination.
Yuming was an eighteen-year-old girl, the same age as Meilin, and the first friend she had ever made. They had spent most of their childhood together before Yuming's parents decided to move away when her father received a job offer in another town. Despite the distance, they tried to stay in contact, occasionally calling each other but unable to meet in person.
"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, just give me a call, okay?" Yuming's tone carried warmth.
"Thank you so much! You know I'm going to miss you too. I wish you could see all of this!" Meilin observed the tall buildings piercing through the clouds in awe as she followed the smell of brewing coffee from nearby coffee shops. She occasionally stopped to admire the mouthwatering street food she longed to try. "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 hesitated and sighed, her concern breaking through. "I know I said this before, but can you handle being in a field that's mostly men? And living with them too!"
Meilin tried her hardest to hide her worries. "Living in a dorm with guys won't be much different than living with the kids back at the orphanage. It's just that there will only be guys. I'll handle it, don't worry."
Yuming remained silent.
As Meilin made her way through the busy city streets, the sounds of people walking by and the distant traffic hummed around her. Despite the city's noise, Yuming's silence spoke louder, causing panic to stir within her. She was determined not to change her mind after committing to the path she had taken. "Plus, 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."
"I'm happy to hear you so positive," Yuming tried to conceal her worry.
"I know that you care about me, and I appreciate it. I really do. But I have to do this... Besides, you have to work hard at any job; I'll just have to work a bit harder than others."
Yuming sighed, her mind dwelling on Meilin's past. The Meilin she remembers preferred comfort over hard work and always had her head in the clouds. However, she had always known her potential and constantly worried about her future. Despite Meilin's change of heart, Yuming still had a lingering concern that she might fall back into her old habits of slacking off.
Yuming truly wished she could convey her concerns without upsetting Meilin. The worry weighed on her, adding an underlying tension to her supportive words. "I don't want to burst your bubble, but... Before you go, can I ask you one last thing?"
'Oh no... Please don't,' Meilin thought as her nerves crawled under her skin. "Sure..."
"Is this sustainable? What if things don't work out? I mean, where will you work if this fails?"
Meilin stopped in her tracks as insecurities surfaced, her face showing a mix of sadness and determination. "I have to make this work, Yuming. I can't go back to that life... I have literally nothing to go back to. There's no Plan B... Please understand... I have to do something."
Understanding Meilin's struggle for acknowledgment, Yuming sighed. "Maybe I worry too much over nothing. I should trust you more."
"Please do," Meilin urged, desperate for understanding.
"Then make sure you do it right!"
"I'll make you proud." Yet, despite her vow, Meilin felt all sorts of emotions as she finally arrived at her destination—the Ignis headquarters, a widely famous Esports company known for its remarkable players.
Meilin entered the company building wearing a pastel blue hoodie, battling the cold that stung her cheeks. 'I hate winter. Luckily, it'll end soon,' she thought, yearning for summer.
The bright lights in the entrance hall shone overhead as she took off her headphones and walked to the information desk, tension in her steps. Finding it empty, she turned to the two guys sitting in the lobby and greeted them with a smile. They curiously observed her, startled by her sudden approach.
"Hello, can I ask you a question?"
The shorter guy nervously replied, "Yeah?" while the taller guy thought, 'Wow... she's hot.' They could not help but stare at her, finding her gorgeous and assuming she was their fan.
"I'm looking for the team Solaris. What floor are they on? If it's possible, could you tell me..."
The mere mention of another team pulled them out of their fantasy. "Hey, are you a fan of theirs or something? You do realize you can't just barge in like this," the taller guy interrupted, upset and disappointed, as his assumption about her intentions had shattered.
"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..."
The tall guy raised an eyebrow. "Solaris, huh? THE Solaris?"
The short guy sneered. "I can't believe this company is trying to hire women now."
Meilin put on a fake smile. "I'm sure there will be plenty of us soon."
The taller one chuckled in a condescending way, his arrogance and jealousy making her uneasy. "I guess this will be the last time we hear of them."
She refused to let their prejudice get to her. 'Calm down, Meilin. You knew this would happen at some point. Stay calm.'
The short guy scoffed. "Esports isn't for girls. You should be at home doing something more suitable for your kind."
Meilin clenched her jaw and fists, taking a deep breath to steady herself against the unfair remarks. The Esports world had been a battleground for acceptance, and she had dealt with plenty of doubters. Yet, she stood firm and calmly but assertively shot back, "I don't remember you competing in last championship to be talking like this."
Taken aback by her answer, the tall guy stepped forward, looking down at her with a superior attitude. "Watch what you're saying, rookie."
Meilin knew that if she turned the other cheek, it not only did not align with her beliefs, but she would also never earn any respect in this field. So, she held her head high and firmly declared, "You should take your own advice!" Her foxy eyes sparked with mischief as she gave them an intimidating smirk, her voice low and threatening, "You know what? I wonder how the company would feel about its players discriminating against girls. I mean, it would be a shame for someone to go and speak to them about this."
The two guys looked at each other and stepped back. Their cocky attitudes instantly vanished as they realized their careers could end right then and there.
"Alright, princesses, less talking, more practicing," another man with a deep voice made sure to be heard.
"Ningshun!" their voices conveyed shock and worry.
Meilin spun around, her breath catching in her throat as she met the man's gaze. 'Wow, he looks gorgeous.' Her cheeks heated up as Ningshun stood before her, a figure very familiar to her and even more captivating in person than on camera.
The pleasant scent of his musky cologne added to the twenty-year-old man's allure. His luscious lips complemented his jet-black hair, slicked back to medium length, giving off a charming and seductive aura. His pale green eyes hinted at kindness, and his tall stature added to his confident presence.
"I see you've met Meilin."
The two guys looked at Ningshun in surprise, nodded in agreement, and nervously laughed, hoping he had not overheard them. "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?"
After hearing Ningshun's answer, they exchanged doubtful glances, realizing they needed to leave quickly before the situation got out of hand.
'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?' she wondered, her dark-brown eyes unwilling to look away, praying, 'Thank you, God, thank you!' She did not try to hide her awe of Ningshun; every word he uttered was like honey to her ears.
Ningshun, Solaris' Mid Laner, was a well-known Esports figure and his team's best player. With his sharp accuracy and confident yet calm demeanor in matches, he had earned the respect of many of his fellow opponents.
As Ningshun waved goodbye to the two young men, he could not help but pause. "By the way..." With a naughty grin, he quipped, "The 'I didn't see you compete in this championship' comment was a bit harsh, Meilin."
"You heard that? I'm really sorry," she lowered her head in shame, worried that she might have ruined her only chance at something better in her life.
"You did well. I'm glad you stood up for yourself," he gave her a gentle smile. "But 'telling the company'? That was terrifying. That was really something," he burst out laughing.
"Stop teasing me!" she quickly picked up on his humor, fighting back with the same spirit she had tried to suppress.
Ningshun chuckled at her comeback, amused by her feisty demeanor. "Now that we've sorted that out, are you finally ready to meet the rest of the team?" he beckoned toward their team's office.
Meilin sighed in relief as his playfulness quickly broke the tension of the incident. "I'm ready. Lead the way."
As they walked to the office, she remained quiet, as if something deeply troubled her. Her soft smile seemed to conceal her anxiety as she reflected on the words she had used during the argument with the two players. Despite being sure that she had done the right thing, she still felt uneasy.
At one point, she could no longer remain silent and asked, "Ningshun, were the words I said really that bad?"
Ningshun stopped in his tracks and took a step back. "Yes, they were, but don't worry," he slowly looked into her eyes with a sleazy smile. "I like bad girls."
Meilin's cheeks flushed deep crimson. To her, he did not have to try much to comfort her, as his every word put her at ease. She giggled. He could erase any worry in her heart with a single joke, even for a moment.
Deciding to play along, she playfully leaned into his ear, whispering, "I'm very bad..."
His attention turned to her fully, and he raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her words.
"At everything..." she continued, grinning wide.
'Oh...' Ningshun thought as his laughter grew louder with each passing second. He realized he would never get bored with her on the team and admired her boldness, grinning at everything she said.
When they reached the office door, she could not help but notice his muscular physique, with his well-built arms and a perfect shoulder-to-hip ratio.
Ningshun noticed where her eyes had been a moment before, and his curiosity piqued as he gave her a daring smirk. "Were you checking out my butt?"
"Yes, and?" Meilin retorted, a mischievous look in her eyes.
Struck by her audacity, he realized he had underestimated her. "You have no shame, do you?" Yet, he felt impressed and pleased by her answer. "You learn fast."
Meilin cracked another smile as she walked into the office. There, she noticed the team's amused facial expressions, hinting that they had overheard their playful banter.
Ningshun followed her into the room. Noticing his teammates' smirks, he cleared his throat and boomed, "Everyone, brace yourselves! We've got a new Jungler in town—Meilin!"
Focusing on their game, Kaili, the Support, gave a friendly 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.
Ningshun gestured toward the chairs, trying not to disturb the match. "Take a seat, Meilin. Let's have a chat before the coach comes." Excited, he pulled the white gaming chair away from the desk, gesturing for her to sit down.
Meilin responded with a brief, "Sure," as she sat down, still looking at their screens.
"Are you comfortable? After all, this is your chair."
"My chair?" she whispered, excitement taking over her body. "Thank you. I'm more than comfortable. I think I could even sleep here," she joked and reclined the chair, lying in it like on a bed. Her eyes followed the RGB lights stretching across the entire ceiling, causing her to get lost in thought.
"Thirsty?" Ningshun's warm breath brushed against her cheek, a gentle whisper that sent a shiver down her spine. His deep, husky voice drew her in like a moth to a flame as he leaned over her head, his proximity catching her off guard and eliciting a flutter in her chest.
Meilin grew tense, stuttering, "Yes... please."
"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 after him, "Hey, Ningshun."
Turning back, he raised his eyebrows in curiosity and a hint of intrigue. "Yes?"
Meilin, her cheeks a delicate blush, spoke with sincerity, "Thanks for standing up for me back there."
Ningshun's minty eyes softened, and a subtle smile appeared on his lips as he briefly looked away to reflect on her words. When his gaze met hers again, his eyes showed a gentle warmth. "No problem, Meilin," he tenderly reassured her before leaving the room and heading to the kitchen.
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 help her feel comfortable. Hooman, who had 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."
Meilin blinked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise at the new nickname he had just given her. No one had ever called her that 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 sound 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 place resembled a tech lover's dream, with rows of colorful LED lights, oversized monitors, and walls plastered with posters of famous Esports tournaments.
Meilin felt very nervous, but she kept her chin up. Today represented her only chance to prove herself for a better future, and she could not afford to let her fear get in the way.
The coach, a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard and a buttoned-up shirt, walked up to her with a smile that did not seem very genuine. 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 firmly, keeping her voice calm. "Thank you for having me."
"So, tell me, what makes you think you're a good fit for our team?" the coach asked, his tone polite but with a hint of skepticism that she caught onto.
She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "I can... see through what my opponents will do next." The truth was, she could not explain her skills and strategies easily—it felt more like an intuition, a gut feeling that helped her make the right moves.
The coach raised an eyebrow. "Seeing through, huh? That's quite the claim. We'll see if it holds up under pressure."
'I think he just wants to know if I cheat or hack. Why else would he test me if he can see all my matches online?' she pondered, smiling nervously at the coach.
"We have high standards, and we don't take risks with new players unless they really impress us," the coach stated.
Meilin anxiously nodded, taking it all in. She had heard of gaming teams with questionable reputations, but this one was known for being a place with integrity. 'I can't mess this up. This is my one shot to make it. I can't go back to my old life... if I can even call it life.'
The coach glanced at the team leader, who stood with his arms crossed. "Ningshun speaks highly of you, so I hope you're as good as he says."
Ningshun gave her a slight nod and a faint smile. He leaned closer, resting his arms on the desk, and whispered, "I know he looks scary, but trust me, he'll love your game. Just play like you always do." As the company's best player, his support meant a lot to her, and it calmed her nerves.
Inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, she met the coach's gaze. "I'm ready for whatever test you have. Let's do this."
The coach nodded and pointed to her white gaming chair, where she would start the test. As they walked over to the computers, she felt her heart pounding. This was her moment, and she refused to let it slip away.
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