Sorry, Stuck Again [Esports] Chapter 45

Chapter 45

"Bian Yan! Are you out of your mind?!"

Lu Chang Kong's roaring voice blasted from the phone, making Bian Yan's eardrums ache.

"Keep it down."

Bian Yan covered the receiver, went back to his room, and closed the door. "Is anyone around? Be careful not to let Pei Yun Chang hear."

Ever since Sama pointed it out to him yesterday, Bian Yan had been too excited to sleep all night.

If he had to find a balance between these two things, perhaps the only way was to switch professions.

As long as he switched to mid-laner, KP wouldn't need him anymore, and he wouldn't have to compete with Pei Yun Chang for a position when he returned.

The only one he felt sorry for was Lao Miao.

But after all, Bian Yan was a newbie mage, and the road to switching professions was long and arduous.

Lao Miao was already one of the top mid-laners in the country, and whether Bian Yan could successfully switch was still uncertain. Worrying about taking Lao Miao's place was premature.

Bian Yan quickly comforted himself.

To avoid KP noticing, Bian Yan sneaked off to the internet cafe early in the morning to practice. He played all morning, and although he didn't win consecutively, he felt pretty good.

He thought he had some talent as a mage.

Bian Yan was happily immersed in his game when Lu Chang Kong's video call suddenly came through. Bian Yan accidentally answered it, and the camera, unfortunately, pointed outward, clearly capturing his computer screen.

Lu Chang Kong had sharp eyes and refused to believe Bian Yan's excuses. After some questioning, Bian Yan couldn't hold back and told the truth, leading to the scene just now.

"You…!"

Lu Chang Kong was so angry he couldn't speak. "You're the top of the marksman ladder, and you're telling me you want to switch professions? Bian Yan, are you out of your mind?!"

Bian Yan was both amused and exasperated. "No, listen to me… Wait, what did you just say? What first?"

Lu Chang Kong replied irritably, "I wanted to ask you, what did you say to Brother Pei on the phone a while back, during our two-day break?"

"You don't know, but ever since then, Brother Pei's condition has been terrible. During a practice match with VVB, he almost got blown away by the opposing marksman, and Old Shen was so worried he couldn't eat well for days." Lu Chang Kong's tone was serious. "This state has lasted for almost half a month, and naturally, his combat power dropped. I remember checking the rankings last night, and you're already first."

Bian Yan: ???

"How is that possible? Why didn't any of you tell me?" Bian Yan's tone was urgent.

He had imagined countless times about reaching the top of the marksman ladder, maybe shortly after becoming an adult, or advancing alongside Pei Yun Chang, but never like this.

He didn't want to be first because Pei Yun Chang suddenly declined and handed it over.

"Why not? Anyway, Brother Pei seems like a different person, playing marksman even worse than during youth training." Lu Chang Kong paused.

Bian Yan fell silent.

"So isn't switching lanes just causing trouble?" Lu Chang Kong advised earnestly. "Losing two geniuses at once, which club can handle that?"

Most marksmen gradually decline from their peak, but Pei Yun Chang's decline was like a bungee jump, rapidly falling in just half a month.

Bian Yan didn't believe Pei Yun Chang's peak would be so short; there must be some hidden reason!

"He'll return to his peak."

Bian Yan said confidently, "As long as our professions overlap, this problem will remain between us. I must switch professions."

Lu Chang Kong was speechless. "Bian Yan, I don't know what to say to you. Are you a saint? Can't you think about yourself? How many have you seen successfully switch professions at their peak?"

"The only successful case was that DG marksman switching to support." Lu Chang Kong scolded with his hands on his hips. "And you? You're switching from marksman to mage, from one squishy C position to another. Do you think you're the chosen one?"

Lu Chang Kong liked Bian Yan's personality from the first day they met, and now he considered him a good friend, naturally wanting to help as much as he could.

"Plus, your video of dominating in the KP training camp has been uploaded online, gaining a lot of attention. Many fans are waiting to see your performance on the professional stage, and you're switching professions?" Lu Chang Kong said a lot, feeling exasperated.

"Who are you letting down? Your fans or yourself?!"

Lu Chang Kong roared, his voice hoarse.

Bian Yan pursed his lips, sighed deeply, and remained silent.

Everything Lu Chang Kong said was reasonable, but whenever he thought about being on a different team from Pei Yun Chang, not being one of the teammates fighting alongside him, or even taking Pei Yun Chang's place, he couldn't bear it.

"Lu Ge, I want to be on the field with you guys, you understand?"

"I don't understand!"

Lu Chang Kong was so angry he was confused. "Does Pei Yun Chang know about everything you're doing? He's still happily sitting in his marksman position, letting his condition slide, making the whole team anxious!"

"Do you really have to be on the same team as him?!"

"Do you really have to do so much for him?!"

Lu Chang Kong shouted angrily.

"Yes."

Bian Yan closed his eyes and repeated, "I'm willing."

"Damn…" Lu Chang Kong cursed under his breath.

He had long noticed something was off between Bian Yan and Pei Yun Chang, but he thought Pei Yun Chang would be the one to break the ice. He didn't expect Bian Yan to fall first.

"Yeah, you can't outplay him." Lu Chang Kong mumbled.

Bian Yan didn't hear clearly, "Lu Ge, what did you say?"

"Nothing." Lu Chang Kong opened his mouth, but it only turned into a long sigh. "Bian Yan, let me ask you one thing."

"Do you like Pei Yun Chang?"

Bian Yan was hit as if struck, his heart pounding so fast it felt like it would leap out of his chest, unable to speak for a long time.

All the talk about being on the same team, not wanting to replace him, were just excuses to cover up the truth. The real reason was only one—

He liked Pei Yun Chang.

Bian Yan, exposed by Lu Chang Kong's blunt revelation, gave a bitter smile.

Liking him wasn't that hard to accept.

Bian Yan's silence gave Lu Chang Kong the answer.

On the other end of the phone, Lu Chang Kong's teasing tone was filled with deep helplessness. "I didn't expect WIN to produce a love saint. How much have you given up for him? Can you count?"

"I don't care." Bian Yan spoke each syllable with calm determination, as if he had made up his mind. "Lu Ge, promise me, don't tell anyone about this, especially Pei Yun Chang."

"Got it, got it." Lu Chang Kong replied impatiently, "I really can't do anything about you. You're just going to go all out while you're young, huh?"

Bian Yan joked amidst his troubles, "Yeah, I'm not even an adult yet."

Not being an adult meant there was still time.

The next day, Bian Yan openly apologized to Ye Li, saying he still wanted to return to WIN, wished KP success in the autumn season, and promised to train You Long to a level where he could compete before leaving.

Ye Li expressed regret but had to respect Bian Yan's decision.

It was Wang Ge who made a fuss at Bian Yan's place a few times, saying Pei Yun Chang must have brainwashed him and wanted to call and question him, but Bian Yan managed to stop him with much persuasion.

Wang Ge had been ready to team up with Bian Yan, happy for a while, but now that it was suddenly cut short, he was so angry he didn't talk to Bian Yan for days.

Two months later, Bian Yan's half-year assistant coach stint ended.

At the same time, You Long officially reached seventeenth on the ladder, and others made significant progress, marking Bian Yan's achievements at KP.

At the airport.

Except for the first team competing in the autumn season, everyone from KP came, and Ye Li even took time off to see him off.

You Long, a big guy, had red eyes, holding onto Bian Yan's suitcase for a long time without letting go. "Yan Ge, are you really leaving? Time flies. Thank you, really, thank you."

"Come on, still calling me Yan Ge?" Bian Yan laughed, patting him. "You're almost on the field, show some spirit!"

"Good luck, KP's starting marksman You Long!"

KP was always honest, valuing strength above all, and You Long knew the rumors about Bian Yan refusing to stay as a starter.

It could be said that if Bian Yan stayed, there would be no place for You Long. But not only did Bian Yan refuse, he also taught him wholeheartedly without holding grudges, and that final title made You Long cry even more.

He stepped forward, hugged Bian Yan, and cried.

To be precise, it wasn't crying, it was wailing, loud enough for the entire waiting hall to hear.

Bian Yan let go of the suitcase, awkwardly patting You Long's back, comforting him like a child.

It didn't help; he felt his shoulder getting wetter.

"Hey, hey, this is embarrassing."

Ye Li, both amused and annoyed, pulled the snot-and-tears-covered You Long away and said to Bian Yan, "Although it's a pity you couldn't stay, KP will always welcome you as a guest. Wishing you a bright future, Bian Yan."

Bei Bei also had a crying tone, "Coach Bian, have a safe journey. If we hadn't caused trouble on the first day, you could have taught us for one more day, boohoo…"

Sama's eyes were also red. To her, Bian Yan was not just a coach but a good friend. In the end, they often gathered to discuss mid-lane tactics.

Bian Yan casually put one hand in his coat pocket, a light smile on his lips, his eyes bright and determined.

"Goodbye, everyone, see you!"

His voice was clear and strong, then he turned around with a dashing and carefree back.

Over three hours later, Bian Yan landed in Guangleng on time. Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar buildings around him, he truly felt the reality of leaving for half a year.

When he left, he was just seventeen, and now, almost half a year later, he was nearly an adult.

Bian Yan was already 1.82 meters tall, his features more defined, showing a hint of heroism, no longer the chubby-cheeked boy who would gain baby fat after a few late-night snacks with his brothers.

With the passage of time, his once clear and innocent eyes now held a bit more depth and steadiness, looking more like an adult.

Bian Yan stood by the roadside with his suitcase, waiting for the base's car to pick him up.

Shen Chuan was in the driver's seat, and from a distance, he saw this scene—

Outside the car window, a young man in a black trench coat stood quietly by the roadside.

He stood tall, like a pine tree, the collar of his black trench coat slightly open, revealing a simple white shirt inside, forming a sharp contrast, his aura not at all like that of a minor.

"Bian Yan."

Shen Chuan rolled down the window, unable to hide the hint of amazement in his eyes.

"Coach Shen?" Bian Yan was a bit surprised.

This year's autumn season was held in Guangleng, and although it was close, as the head coach, Shen Chuan should be analyzing the battle situation at the base. Why would he come personally?

He always thought it would be Qin Yu Xuan picking him up.

Suppressing his doubts, Bian Yan put his luggage in the trunk and got in the car.

Shen Chuan's eyes frequently glanced at the rearview mirror, a playful and regretful look flashing across his face.

He didn't expect Bian Yan to come back.

Pei Jing, in his great mercy, had already sent him to the most suitable place, yet he still wanted to come back and be an eyesore.

This time, there wouldn't be such good luck.

"How was the half-year at KP? Did you get used to it?" Shen Chuan quickly changed his expression, asking kindly.

Bian Yan looked up, still wearing the smile he had when chatting with Pei Yun Chang, and replied, "Very well, they took good care of me."

"That's good."

Shen Chuan laughed inexplicably, stepped on the gas, and sped up.

The car fell into an eerie silence.

Suddenly, Bian Yan turned off his phone, took a deep breath, and said firmly, "Coach Shen, I want to sign a contract with the team."

Shen Chuan slammed on the brakes, turned his head in disbelief to look at Bian Yan, his eyes flickering with a secretive light.

"How many years?"

Shen Chuan's tone was filled with barely concealed excitement.