[FLOTG] Chapter 29: Contract

After the afternoon training, Song Xue-Yang led Shen Huai to the dormitory. Shen Huai had been here before last time, but he hadn't expected to move in himself one day and couldn't help feeling a little emotional about it.

The layout of the dormitory was two bedrooms with a shared living room. Shen Huai's room was right across from Song Xue-Yang's room, door facing door, with a spacious living room in the middle.

Since they had known Song Xue-Yang would be returning, the room had already been cleaned. Song Xue-Yang pushed the door open. The floor was piled with Shen Huai's previous purchases which had been delivered.

"There wasn't much time so the room is a little empty. Just settle in for now and you can go buy some things to decorate later."

Shen Huai examined the small bedroom. "It's fine. It's better than living alone."

Song Xue-Yang felt a flash of heat in his heart. He squatted down to sort through the packages on the floor. "I'll help you clean up."

With Song Xue-Yang's help, the two of them quickly straightened out the room. And then Hai Xing and the others came by.

"Shen Huai, let's go eat together at the cafeteria!"

Shen Huai hesitated. The cafeteria would definitely be packed with people, and going was sure to be troublesome considering his identity.

Picking up on his concern, Zhou Ning said gently, "You'll be a member of the team from now on, so you'll have to move around in the club anyway. Everyone will have to become familiar with you sooner or later."

That made sense, and the rest of the team was here too, so there should be nothing to worry about.

Fan Jing-Ming slung an overly familiar arm around Shen Huai's shoulder. "Shen Huai, let me tell you. You shouldn't worry so much. Those uncles and aunties in the cafeteria may not even know you."

Song Xue-Yang brushed Fan Jing-Ming's arm away and explained, "They're older and don't usually watch movies, so they don't really know that many movie stars."

Shen Huai wasn't very convinced. "I've been on variety TV shows too."

Fan Jing-Ming guffawed and said, "Trust me, Shen Huai. Unless you've been on 'If You Are the One'{《非常勿扰》: A Chinese dating game show, which, from context, should be popular with the older generation.}, otherwise they won't recognise you no matter how many other variety shows you've been on."

Shen Huai: "......"

As a wealthy club whose primary aim was to build a team of idols, the Maple Moon Club wasn't stingy with their money and had put in considerable effort into ensuring the quality of the living environment of the players. The cafeteria was very spacious, and the tables were all long tables which could seat seven to eight people in order to foster good relationships among the players. There was even a television hanging from the ceiling.

Shen Huai and the others went there rather late, so the cafeteria was empty. Still though, the auntie at the dish counter was very warm and friendly. When she heard that Shen Huai was a new team member, she not only gave him an extra helping of food, but also kept praising him for his handsome looks.

Just like Fan Jing-Ming predicted, no one recognised him.

Even though Shen Huai knew that this would only be temporary, he still felt much more relaxed. At the very least, he hoped that he wouldn't have to sneak around the club grounds in future, attracting attention like he was a bioluminescent creature.

Fan Jing-Ming grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "Do you feel a little disappointed? Maybe consider going on 'If You Are the One'?"

Song Xue-Yang smacked Fan Jing-Ming's hand away once more. "Do you want me to send your details over?"

Fan Jing-Ming sheepishly picked up his chopsticks. "Forget it, I'm afraid I'll steal away all the female guests of the 14th season."

Zhou Ning raised a glass to Shen Huai. "Shen Huai, welcome to Maple Moon."

The others raised their glasses as well in celebration. Shen Huai thought about how he would be fighting alongside these people in future, and his heart warmed. "Thank you."

Hai Xing was still sighing in amazement. "I can't believe that Shen Huai is Ash Wing. You're so busy filming, Shen Huai, so why are your skills so good?"

His question echoed what everyone was wondering.

Every one of the top professional players today, without exception, had to work to maintain their optimum performance through vigorous training. As for talent... Sorry, someone without talent to begin with would never have become a top player at all.

Shen Huai had never really thought about it. Whenever he had been filming for a long time, he would occasionally find himself unused to the keyboard, but the feeling soon passed. Playing games came naturally to him, like an innate skill — he had only ever thought about how to refine the skill but never wondered why he had it.

He contemplated for a moment. "It may be because, usually, besides when I'm filming, all I'm thinking about are the skill combinations in the game, and sometimes I'll even simulate match-ups between the various occupations in my head."

The group: "..."

What to do? They felt like they knew why Shen Huai was so bad at acting now. Would it be too much of a shock if they told him?

A popular law program was being broadcast on the TV. After an academic expert explained some law concepts, the host invited a psychology expert to comment.

Hai Xing asked, "Hey, Captain, isn't that Professor Jiang your mum?"

"Mhm," answered Song Xue-Yang, stopping his chopsticks to look at the TV.

Shen Huai looked up. The woman on TV was wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and was dressed in a short suit with her hair pulled up in a bun. She appeared professional and capable. Her eyes shone with intelligence, her words were pointed, and her voice was loud and clear. Her aura of "woman power" could even be sensed through the screen.

There was a short introduction at the bottom of the screen. Graduated from S-University of Political Science and Law, Doctor of Criminal Psychology, Professor Jiang Shu-Yun. 

The group listened to Professor Jiang's incisive analysis in silence. Fan Jing-Ming couldn't help commenting, "Captain, your childhood must have been very difficult."

Song Xue-Yang grinned and said, "It was all right. My parents would often discuss psychology and I was also very interested in it."

Shen Huai was curious. "Your father understands psychology too?"

"He's a psychiatrist."

Shen Huai: "......"

For an instant, it crossed Shen Huai's mind that Song Xue-Yang's parents must have contributed significantly to Song Xue-Yang's accomplishments today.

"They agreed to let you play esports?"

Judging by their current age, Song Xue-Yang's parents would definitely have been intellectuals cultivated by the nation in their youth. People like them would obviously have higher expectations for their son, and in the eyes of the older generation, esports was not a proper career.

Song Xue-Yang tone was unconcerned as he replied, "I know what I want to do, and they trust my decisions."

Shen Huai looked at him with some admiration, and Song Xue-Yang smiled at him, saying, "Isn't it the same with you?"

Shen Huai paused, thinking of his own father. Even though his father had forced him to act for so many years, isn't his willingness to let go now proof that he believes in Shen Huai?

After eating, they returned to the training room. As the team members weren't fully gathered yet, they all trained on their own, occasionally partnering up with the others in the arena, but there was really no way to practice for 6v6 mode.

Song Xue-Yang had prepared a special training plan for Shen Huai. He had clearly worked on it in advance — every item on the training plan was extremely detailed, including the profiles of all professional players, as well as the attributes and terrain features of all the maps in "City of Despair".

To Shen Huai's surprise, there was also a training plan specifically for the 1v1 arena, and its regiment was so strict that one had to admire Song Xue-Yang's imagination!

Shen Huai studied it from beginning to end and concluded that he had never seen such an inhuman training plan. If he really managed to complete every item listed in the plan, he could probably become a god.

But instead of being afraid, he felt excitement stir within him. In the past, he had always worked hard all alone as he explored and tried to make progress in the game. Now, he truly felt like he had the support of a whole club behind him, and this awareness filled him with confidence for the future.

Training that night ended early. Although Song Xue-Yang didn't say anything, everyone knew that it was so that Shen Huai, who had just arrived from a flight, could rest.

By the time Shen Huai finished taking a shower, it was only 9:30pm. He had already unpacked and settled into his room, so with nothing else to do, Shen Huai stared at the unfamiliar room feeling a little lost.

When Song Xue-Yang came out for some hot water, he found Shen Huai sitting at a table, zoned out, and asked, "Want to watch a movie?"

"A movie?"

Song Xue-Yang beckoned him over, picking up a remote control and pointing it at the living room wall as he pressed a button. A white projection cloth unfurled slowly, and Song Xue-Yang turned off the lights. The living room was instantly transformed into a private cinema.

Shen Huai was a little taken aback. Even as an actor himself he did not have a projection system set up at home. "Well, you sure know how to enjoy yourself."

"I like watching movies. You get to see different lifestyles, so it's very interesting." Song Xue-Yang passed him a bag of popcorn and then took out two cans of coke. "What kind of movies do you like to watch?"

"Action movies."

Song Xue-Yang picked out an American sci-fi action movie which had been released recently. As they watched it, Shen Huai eventually ended up curled up on the sofa hugging a pillow.

He was used to staying up late, unwilling to go to sleep if it was too early since it somehow just didn't feel right. However, he was just too tired today, and so he fell asleep halfway through the movie.

He was in one corner of the sofa, head resting on the pillow, arms wrapped around his legs, a human ball.

Song Xue-Yang heard his even breathing and lowered the volume. He slowly leaned towards Shen Huai.

Shen Huai's short hair fanned out softly over the pillow and his eyes were shadowed by his long and dense eyelashes. The light from the movie flashed across his delicate face, illuminating the fairness of his smooth skin.

As Song Xue-Yang drew closer, he could smell the fresh scent of shampoo on him. He placed one hand on Shen Huai's shoulder while the other went under Shen Huai's knees as he attempted to carry Shen Huai to his room.

But though Shen Huai looked thin, he wasn't light. Unprepared for his weight, Song Xue-Yang stumbled and fell back onto the sofa.

Shen Huai woke up and opened his eyes, only to see Song Xue-Yang lying on top of him. Their faces were only a few centimeters apart and Song Xue-Yang's arm was still around his shoulders.

He blinked, his eyes still hazy with sleep. Song Xue-Yang felt his throat constrict at Shen Huai's drowsy and unguarded appearance.

"What are you doing?" Shen Huai asked.

Song Xue-Yang didn't show any sign of embarrassment at being caught. He said softly, "I saw that you were asleep and wanted to carry you to your room."

Shen Huai paused and looked at Song Xue-Yang's handsome face so close to his own. Song Xue-Yang was against the light, the mole below the corner of his eye peeking through the shadows under the flickering illumination of the screen. His eyes were smiling, curved like two lovely crescent moons, and there was a faint smile on his lips.

It was bad enough that he had great playing skills, but he was also so good-looking and had such poise and elegance. It was no wonder that so many female fans went around calling themselves "Mrs. Song".

At this thought, Shen Huai asked drowsily, "What type of girl do you like?"

Song Xue-Yang's breath hitched, throat bobbing. From his perspective, Shen Huai's question came like a bolt out of the blue, like a sudden fit of whimsy, but also like some true curiosity emerging from the blurred boundary between sleep and waking. It made him nervous.

He looked into the other's beautiful eyes and said softly, "I like what I like."

Song Xue-Yang had never thought about what type he liked, but after meeting Shen Huai, Shen Huai's figure had started becoming imposed over his visions of an ideal future partner.

********

Shen Huai received a signing contract by Maple Moon the very next day. The despondence on the manager's face when he sought Shen Huai out with the contract was a stark contrast to his elation yesterday when meeting Ash Wing.

Shen Huai flipped open the contract and browsed through it. Everything was as he expected.

The manager looked embarrassed. "Uh, Shen Huai, all our new recruits are paid three million a year."

When he had first seen the annual salary of three million printed on Shen Huai's contract, he had almost come to blows with his boss. This was Ash Wing they were talking about! How could he be compared with other newcomers? All the ace players in the top eight teams had salaries starting from five million! He was almost too embarrassed to even open his mouth with this offer of three million!

But the boss asked him why it even mattered if it was three million or five. Even if they offered Shen Huai ten million, did Shen Huai care about the money?

The manager was left speechless.

It was true — Shen Huai did not lack money. Putting his family background aside, even the remuneration he received from the movies he had starred in would have exceeded this amount.

The boss laughed heartily and said, "Shen Huai isn't joining the team for money to begin with. So what difference does it make if you give him three million or five million?" 

The manager could see the logic in that, but he still cursed upper management in his heart when he presented the contract to Shen Huai.

And indeed, Shen Huai did not care about the salary. He merely skimmed through the contract to confirm that there were no clauses stipulating mandatory live-stream hours or number of endorsements, and then he picked up a pen.

The manager relaxed when he saw this. "Don't worry, Shen Huai. Although three million is a little low, Maple Moon provides plenty of opportunities for live-streams and endorsements. You should have no problem getting three or four endorsements a year."

Shen Huai put down the pen, gaze cool as he stared at the manager.

The manager's mind spun rapidly. He suddenly realised Shen Huai's concern and almost wanted to slap himself.

Didn't Shen Huai quit the entertainment industry precisely because he hated those things? All he wanted was surroundings where he could train in peace and a stage where he could prove his strength.

The manager hurriedly backtracked. "But don't worry, Mr. Jiang said that if you don't want to, he will never force you."

"Mr. Jiang?"

"Yes, the owner of our club..." The manager began introducing the club owner.

Shen Huai didn't really care about the boss, but he suddenly recalled that Song Xue-Yang's mother's surname was Jiang too.

But it was just a passing thought. Shen Huai bent his head and signed the contract.

Seeing that beautifully artistic signature appear on the contract, the manager breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Song Xue-Yang had put so much effort into bringing Shen Huai back here. If something were to go wrong right at the very end here, he would surely be toyed to death by that old fox.

ryuxenji: Apologies for the longer than usual delay. Thank you, as always, for your patience and kind comments. ❤️

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