“Since that’s the case, I’ll take the lead to share my view. Regardless of how the others may feel, I personally do not think Qin Mo is suited to participate in the Asian Cup. He didn’t just lose his memory, he also has a wrist injury, which can lead to errors during the competition. There are many unforeseen circumstances in the competition and the current Qin Mo isn’t as capable as before. He won’t be able to create miracles. Even though it may be a pity, especially towards a player like Qin Mo, whom I personally admire, we have to think about the bigger picture. I oppose him participating.” He glanced up with a firm gaze.The people beside him seemed to be in discussion, taking his remarks into consideration.

At this moment, Xiao Jing added, “Committee Member Li is right, Qin Mo may not be as good as before but his progress is far more superior than anyone else. After just one match, he evolved from someone clueless of the game to a player that has never lost. Moreover, he has been using different heroes each time and every time he seemed to be learning and understanding the individual character’s skills. After just three minutes of familiarizing, he has fully mastered their abilities and could retaliate with a counter kill. He chose the sorcerer hero in the middle lane, which seems to be a causal choice but every move seemed within his control. If not, he would have been caught by the assassin. Moreover, if you had paid attention to the statistics, you would realize that even though his score isn’t high, his participation is 100%. The assassin seems to be carrying the tempo but in reality, regardless of which hero he used, he had always been the one leading. The other four members couldn’t take control. To win, that was a crucial element since that would indirectly mean he was carrying the tempo. He doesn’t just know the members’ strengths and weaknesses, he has also to predict the opponent’s positions. I wouldn’t delve into the game maneuvering since there are members who don’t play the game. But if we base it purely on his achievements, is there anyone else who can achieve it?” He spoke indifferently but it managed to shake their firm resolve.

Xiong Jing glanced up. “In this game, there isn’t anyone else more gifted than Qin Mo. This has been a fact I have been unwilling to acknowledge even after all these years but it is true. He may have forgotten about some things but his body still possesses the reflexes. There is a point by Committee Member Li I’m not in favor of. He is my rival and objectively, Xiangnan is stronger than the Supreme Alliance but those people are always able to destroy my belief. Supreme Alliance can never be judged based on their performance the past minute as they are constantly improving and their captain is the same. Committee Member Li said he cannot create miracles but I beg to differ because of that year, when no one believed he could stop me, Sanpang, and Luoluo. In the end, he managed to counter the three of us and destroyed the crystal city, setting the entire Chinese esports industry in flames. Back then, he wasn’t looked upon favorably and now, it’s the same.”

Committee Member Li swallowed the counter he had prepared. He caressed his brows and put down his pen, seemingly in deep thought.

As the meeting room sunk into silence, the man seated in the middle scanned the room once. “Now that you have your views, let’s take a vote. Those who support his participation, please raise your hand.”

As Xiao Jing was the first to raise his hand, Zhao Sanpang and Luoluo would definitely follow suit. However, despite Xiao Jing’s words, the others believed it was best to remain conservative. Hence, they maintained their opinion, choosing to stay safe.

They would have to take responsibility if anything went wrong during the competition after all. At the very least, if Qin Mo didn’t participate, there wouldn’t be any mishaps.

Sanpang watched them. For the first time, even breathing seemed painful. He didn’t understand the reason they were brought over if only the three of them were showing their support. They didn’t seem to have considered giving him a chance at all.

Xiao Jing was about to put down his hand and leave when Committee Member Li seemed to have made a decision: He raised his hand. The two others at his side reacted the next second.

Sanpang faltered slightly, caught off guard by their actions. “You…”

“I was present at the match Xiao Jing mentioned.” Committee Member Li smiled. “At that time, everyone stood up and applauded as if they wanted to exhaust all their emotions. It would be a pity if a player like Qin Mo is disqualified.”

Xiao Jing glanced over and thanked him. With them, they made up the majority. Qin Mo was safe.

Right before they left, someone stopped Xiao Jing. “Captain Xiao, with your intelligence, don’t you understand the intention behind the meeting? Why would you help Qin Mo? If you hadn’t said anything, someone would suggest for you to temporarily join Supreme Alliance for the Asian Cup. That would have been for the bigger picture.”

“Committee Member Zhang, you misunderstood,” Xiao Jing replied indifferently. “I was just speaking from a technical point of view. If Qin Mo weren’t doing well, I would have opposed his participation. Besides, a good team is one where the members respect their captain and a team like Supreme Alliance would never allow anyone to replace Qin Mo. Likewise, Xiangnan wouldn’t allow me to leave as well. So to speak, it is best to leave the participating rights to the competing team. If they are emotionally affected before the competition, it might affect their performance.” Having said these words, Xiao Jing entered the elevator with Zhao Sanpang and Luoluo.

Committee Member Zhang was left fuming. “What’s wrong with all these gamers? Just because esports is gaining traction, do they sincerely believe they are like the other sports out there? At the end, it’s just a game. Their fans are the reason they behave in such a cocky manner. It won’t be long before they fall from glory!” His hurtful words swept into the elevator.

Zhao Sanpang wanted to open the elevator doors and argue with him but Xiao Jing held him down. “Is it necessary?”

Zhao Sanpang was infuriated. “That bast*rd, he…”

“Many others have said it before, they also said that winning isn’t important since we are just gaming.” Xiao Jing glanced over. “In such a moment, we just have to win.”

They didn’t have to say anything. They just had to win and bring the nation glory as this was the only way to be acknowledged. That was probably how Supreme Alliance thought as well.

Xiao Jing’s gaze landed on a poster of Supreme Alliance. He believed that there would be a day when people realized they weren’t just playing games. The competitions they fought, the industry they were in, was called esports.

Outside the building, Feng Yi was still waiting for the news. When his phone rang, he answered the call without hesitation. Once he knew the result, he immediately called Bo Jiu.

Bo Jiu smiled. But there was an issue. The main lead wasn’t in the computer room although the other members were all there.

Lin Feng leapt up from his chair and pulled Bo Jiu into a big hug. His joy was palpable. “Are you serious? Little Spade, are you telling us the truth?”

“You can check your phone. Old Fox released the news on WeChat.” Indeed, he had sent out a group message.

Lin Feng was overjoyed. Just then, he stiffened, seemingly reminded of something. He subconsciously glanced over at Qin Mo’s seat, exhaling deeply when he realized Qin Mo wasn’t there. Fortunately, his captain hadn’t seen his actions. Everyone was happy although they were expressing their joy differently.

Bo Jiu turned towards the most reliable Rao Rong and asked, “Where’s Brother Mo?”

“He should be in the washroom.” Rao Rong wasn’t sure either.

Washroom? There hadn’t been anyone when she had come over.

Feng Shang spoke, “Cap-tain we-nt to bu-y candy.”

Candy?

Everyone was in disbelief. Captain wouldn’t have gone to buy candy.

Bo Jiu stiffened, heading downstairs.

Three minutes ago, at the 24-hour minimart outside the apartment building, Fan Jia had never expected to be so lucky. She wanted to take action at night but she would never have thought he would be here.

Fan Jia’s eyes widened. She watched as the man stuffed a hand in his pockets, while he held onto the rack. He seemed to be choosing something. His face was just as she had imagined; but now, there was a strong malice that lingered around him even when he smiled.

Soon, Fan Jia realized it was an exceptional chance as he was the only one there. Moreover, they were standing near each other, which wouldn’t cause suspicion.

Once she had made her decision, Fan Jia suppressed her emotions and headed towards the tall figure when she heard a voice.

“This should be the brand she likes.” His fingers landed on a candy.

Fan Jia knew exactly who he was buying it for. A tight cloud of jealousy came over her, she tightened her grip, her nails biting into her palms.

Just as she was about to start speaking, a poker card flew towards her face.

Fan Jia dodged, the poker car slashing into the bread behind her. She paled, looking frightened and shaken. “Brother Mo, don’t you recognize me?”

Brother Mo? When he heard the two words, he realized there was an issue: He didn’t like it.

Fan Jia wanted to make use of his amnesia to get closer to him but before she had a chance to speak, he took a packet of candy and headed straight for the cashier, ignoring her.

Fan Jia narrowed her eyes, using her body to block Qin Mo’s path. “Brother Mo, do you really think that person likes you? She just wants you to participate in the Asian Cup, which is why she has been so obedient. If you don’t believe me, I have a photo of her and Hoshino, they don’t just admire each other, they have always been intimate partners. Back then, she had deceived you in order to rid him off suspicion. Have you forgotten everything?”

Fan Jia assumed he would be affected. Instead, he only had two words to say in a lazy and cold tone. “Get lost.”

Fan Jia froze because the gaze he directed at her was without a hint of warmth. It was as though he would kill her if she said another word. It seemed like that wasn’t the right tactic. Since she couldn’t get him, no one else could!

Fan Jia’s eyes sunk. “Qin Mo, stop lying to yourself. Your most important person has died because you didn’t catch her. You must still remember the deep waters…”

Qin Mo didn’t intend to listen to another word but the words seemed to seep into his brain. He realized it was a hypnosis and tried to avoid it but when he heard that sentence, he felt a splitting headache pierce his brain, forcing him to hold his head.

Fan Jia was still speaking, walking towards him as she continued her hypnosis. “She is trapped deeper and deeper. It was too late when you realized because you were saving someone else when she needed you.”

Something snapped in his mind. Qin Mo’s eyes lost the sharpness from before, turning more and more faint. Gradually, he started to lose focus. He reached out and tried to grab hold of something but there was nothing.

Fan Jia dodged, watching him from the side. She continued, “You should know better than anyone else; you are the one who is wrong. If you hadn’t listened to her, if you hadn’t cared about anyone else, and had destroyed your responsibility, she wouldn’t have died. Poor Z, no one in the world accepted her. She would always be deep in the water. You have seen her struggle. When you were kids, you promised her that when you grew up, she would always be your priority. You were the one who broke the promise. You killed her.”

With her last sentence, his eyes changed entirely. The next time he lifted his hand, it was stronger than before, his fists turning white from the pressure. It was weak but firm.

His brother had failed multiple times because of his resolve. Fan Jia tightened her hands and this time, she didn’t dodge. Instead, she reached out and held him. When he finally felt something, he gripped tightly…