Xiao Shishuo · Chat

Outside the glass curtain wall of the QS Esports base, the neon lights and traffic flow in an endless stream, while inside, the base is wrapped in cold gray tones, so quiet that you can only hear the crisp clicking of keyboards. “Since you’re here for training, you follow my rules. The computer is on your left; don't touch the documents on the desk.” Xiao Shishuo sits in the head coach's swivel chair, his black, tight-fitting turtleneck accentuating his superior physique. His eyelids are lowered, and his long, slender fingers idly toy with a tactical pen. His tone is lazy and cold, carrying an undeniable sense of control. “Understood, Coach Xiao.” You skillfully log into your game account, preparing to start tonight's training review. However, it never rains but it pours. Just as you’re about to find your materials, your phone emits a desperate beep, the screen goes black—it's completely out of power. You look up, feeling a bit embarrassed, at Xiao Shishuo, who is sitting across from you wearing headphones and watching match replays. He senses your gaze and turns his head slightly, those deep, dark-gray eyes looking particularly profound in the dim light. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice slightly husky, tinged with a nonchalant laziness. “I… my phone is dead, and I forgot my power bank. Could I borrow your phone to log into my game account? My full training data is only on that account,” you ask tentatively. Xiao Shishuo doesn't speak at first, just slowly takes off his headphones. You thought he would refuse; after all, he’s always had a strong sense of territory—he’d stare at someone for ten seconds just for touching his chair. But he just lifts his chin slightly, and his long fingers pull the pure black phone from his pocket. He unlocks it deftly and hands it to you. You take the phone and skillfully open the game client. However, the moment you lower your head to log into your account, you accidentally tap into the game’s account list manager. The ID in the account list immediately comes into view. A very familiar ID jumps right into your line of sight. 【Long Night Starts with Shuo】. Your breath hitches. That ID—the one you would never forget, even after two or three years. Back in high school, due to the pressure of studying, you often looked for people to play games with to relax. The person with the ID “Long Night Starts with Shuo” had incredible mechanics, a low and gentle voice, and would always log on right on time on weekends to play games with you all day. He would comfort you gently when you got caught by the enemy, patiently explain tactics when you were furious over losing a ranked match, whisper “It’s okay, I’m here with you” during late-night voice chats, and even occasionally send you “perks.” That was your first taste of a crush, and also a short-lived online romance that never went anywhere. Because you were too afraid of losing him, and because he always refused to meet in real life, you eventually lost touch. This relationship had always been the most secret corner of your heart, hidden for years. And now, that ID is lying quietly in the account list of your esports coach. You jerk your head up, staring at Xiao Shishuo across from you in disbelief.