For the next few days, Xu Cheng still couldn't find a good opportunity or opening to leave the group chat.
Luckily, ever since he'd gotten Xu Cheng's promise in person, the girls in the group had been delighted and stopped pressuring him.
Xiao Yu was especially happy. In the apartment she rented, she'd even prepared a cozy, cute little bedroom for Xu Cheng.
She waited for his long-overdue visit, though it seemed unlikely ever to happen.
For Xu Cheng, ever since he'd agreed with Factory Director to go over after school every night and play as his boosting partner, a few more people had gradually become part of his life.
It was called boosting, but in reality, it was Factory Director's "paid coaching."
What did paid coaching mean?
It meant spending a fortune, worrying like a father, and still having to humbly play the son.
Of course, putting himself in the other man's shoes—
After all, Xu Cheng was the new big daddy he'd already reserved, and the only one he had his eye on.
Considering the risk of Xu Cheng developing a back injury in the future, Factory Director could feel completely justified about all of this.
[Big bro, your game sense is great. Right, that's exactly the idea...]
[Uh, of course you're the one teaching me. I just admire how quickly you learn, Big Bro. You're amazing!]
[Macro play. I heard the Korea Team uses this kind of strategy the most. Are you familiar with it, Big Bro?]
[Big Bro, that's how team games should be played... You're incredible.]
[Big Bro...]
Every night during their duo games, Factory Director would "casually" teach Xu Cheng some basic knowledge about the Professional Arena, as well as the things a capable King Rank Player ought to know.
From the Korea Team's unbeatable team macro to something as small as a ward, or the way a single movement in lane might set off a butterfly effect.
Afraid he'd be misunderstood if he tried too hard, Factory Director could only pretend that he was doing it casually.
At the same time, he used his Protect-the-Dad Playstyle as an example, subtly bringing about changes in Xu Cheng more than once.
Later, Factory Director simply got bolder. Using extra lessons and one-on-one tutoring as an excuse, he logged on early each day to wait for Xu Cheng. The moment Xu Cheng signed in, he'd pull him into the Dark Room for "one-on-one coaching."
He even stopped streaming, despite Boss Ai De Zhu's insistence that he go live.
As if! This was all experience he, Zhuge Kaiming, had accumulated over the years. How could he let outsiders overhear it?
And so, the days passed.
Xu Cheng went from being nonchalant at first, to thoroughly enjoying it, and then to becoming completely absorbed.
Thanks to Factory Director's dedication, Xu Cheng himself hadn't even noticed what was happening.
His formerly meager High-End Game Knowledge, and even his basic understanding of the Professional Arena, were slowly building up at a visible pace.
With each passing day, he seemed to feel his abilities growing.
It wasn't real improvement in the sense of becoming stronger. It was more like his way of thinking had broadened.
To be honest, Factory Director was old now. When it came to mechanics, Xu Cheng could beat him ten times over all by himself.
All he could teach Xu Cheng was experience and a sense of the bigger picture.
But those were exactly what Xu Cheng lacked most—and what a professional player treasured most over the course of his career.
Factory Director, however, wasn't satisfied with that.
He wanted to pass on the experience Xu Cheng lacked—the kind he could make up for with hard work.
And he wanted to make sure Xu Cheng received the best, most comprehensive training, so that his talent wouldn't go to waste.
He was old now...
Those numbers from S6 had crushed the most unyielding part of his spirit, along with all the fire and energy he'd once had.
When he looked at Xu Cheng, it was like seeing his younger self. He saw hope and something worth placing his faith in.
So, after a week of paid coaching, Factory Director forcibly dragged Xi Ye over. He even tricked Uzi into coming—
In fact, Xi Ye, who knew the real story, had been extremely reluctant to come at first.
After all, he didn't have Factory Director's lofty ideals or sense of mission. Xu Cheng was just a talented newcomer, while he was an established pro. They weren't related in any way, so why should he help him?
But Factory Director's question had moved him.
"How long do you think it'll take the LPL Region to win an S Tournament?"
No matter the team or his own personal interests, as LPL001, Factory Director had spent six years chasing a dream and still had nothing to show for it. He had every right to ask that question.
Xi Ye couldn't say what had convinced him.
Anyway, he'd been talked into coming.
Then, following Factory Director's arrangements, he began "casually" sharing with Xu Cheng some of the experience and finer details that top professional players relied on in lane.
Uzi also dropped by now and then, and likewise pretended it was nothing as he talked about his own insights into laning.
There was no question about his laning ability. Compared to Xi Ye, he was a truly world-class laner, and his individual skill was second to none. That wasn't an exaggeration.
Xu Cheng learned a lot. Sometimes, he felt that playing with these people helped him pick up new things without even realizing it.
So he even lowered his fees a little out of conscience.
Finally, half a month later,
this strange but deeply meaningful period of paid coaching came to an end.
That afternoon,
Xu Cheng arrived at the Internet Cafe and sat down at the familiar Machine 4396.
He turned on the computer and logged in.
By then, it had become part of his routine.
[Big Bro's here.]
Factory Director greeted him.
[Mm.]
Xu Cheng was as aloof as ever.
[How was your studying today?]
[Not bad.]
[Haha, I wouldn't have done so well. I was terrible at studying back then...]
Factory Director chuckled awkwardly, then cautiously sounded him out...
After all this time, after spending so long together, even joking and bickering,
their relationship had indeed grown a little closer than before.
But only a little.
[Didn't you say the boosting was over? I've already paid you. What did you call me here for today?]
[Nothing much. There's just a little favor I'd like to ask of you, Big Bro.]
Factory Director was streaming today—
He had no choice but to go live.
He'd been off-air for half a month, and he couldn't explain it to the people handling his contract.
Besides, the paid coaching was over, so he wasn't worried about anyone stealing what he'd taught.
[A favor? What is it?]
Xu Cheng asked curiously.
[Here's the thing. I've got a little game I need you to play seriously. Would that be okay?]
[Sure, no problem.]
Xu Cheng agreed at once.
His response brought a fond, fatherly smile to Factory Director's face. There was relief in it, but also a touch of sadness.
He nearly teared up.
Damn it.
Paid coaching wasn't easy.
During this time, a few close friends who knew the truth had made fun of him endlessly.
He'd worried like a father while doing the work of a son. He was, without a doubt, a Big Sucker.
Luckily, all the effort had been worth it.
Sincerity was always the ultimate weapon!
[I'll send you the little game first. Go ahead and download and install it, Big Bro.]
Factory Director said eagerly, then sent Xu Cheng an installation package.
Then he glanced at the chat and viewer count in his stream—
His heart skipped a beat.
Five million viewers. A new record for War Flag.
After half a month of buzz, the news and hype around the Grandmaster and the Data Monster had only grown.
He'd been gone for half a month, and countless curious viewers had been waiting impatiently.
Now that Xu Cheng had shown up, the stream had shattered its viewer record.
Does that mean I'm riding his coattails?
Factory Director had a ridiculous thought, then laughed at himself.
[Done.]
Xu Cheng finished installing the game and opened it curiously. It turned out to be a simple reaction-time and hand-speed test where you dodged obstacles.
[Here's what we'll do. I'll connect you to it. Just go ahead and play.]
Factory Director explained, his eyes full of anticipation.
This little game was the most commonly used tool among professional clubs for testing academy players.
It was also a standard part of the process for rating and ranking players.
He'd always been curious: given the talent Xu Cheng had shown, what level would he reach?
He wouldn't dare say Xu Cheng could surpass Faker, but at the very least, he should be better than Factory Director had been back in the day.
And if he dared to dream a little bigger, surpassing Uzi at his peak wasn't impossible either.
Today's fifth update!
Thank you all so much for your support! Love you allヾ(^^) Good night~
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