Tick!

Tick!

Tick!

There are very few people in the coffee shop and it is very quiet.

Only the sound of the wall turning in seconds can be heard.

Yan Cheng hugged his chest with his hands, raised his head slightly, and stared at the ceiling in the distance.

My head is very messy because I recall a lot of things.

A teenager who is addicted to the Internet has nothing to do except games.

In order to pursue his own e-sports career, he walked out of a remote county town alone.

At that time, a penniless poor boy came to a strange big city. Standing in the middle of a prosperous city, he felt like a local bun.

In that era when the e-sports industry was not yet mature, I joined a well-known club in China at that time.

At that time, League of Legends was not as popular as it is now, so the salary was not high.

However, there were also several other poor boys who were almost exactly in the same situation as him.

The pockets of clothes and pants are cleaner than their faces.

However, the ideal in my heart is higher than the sky.

The five people gathered together, fought for a common goal, moved forward all the way, and finally won the final of the WCG China Division and got a ticket to the World Championship.

It is conceivable that the excitement was at that time!

It seems to be only one step away from the world champion they dream of.

However, in the quarterfinals knockout round, the ME team was defeated by a team from the European division and regretfully left the game.

After that, for three consecutive years, he advanced to the S match with the team, but it seemed as if he had hit a curse. Without exception, he ended up in the quarterfinals.

That gap is like a natural chasm, and it cannot be crossed no matter what.

Time flies, year after year.

The old teammates who worked together chose to retreat one by one.

There are always new people who change old people.

The companions sitting around the contestants' seats were replaced one after another.

He is the only one who stays in the original club and persists, never leaving, just like a remnant party in the old era, struggling to support it.

At the World Championship in the last year of Yancheng's career, there was a professional player from North America who was the same period as him.

After the last game of the group stage, the top laner chose to retire on the spot.

In the subsequent interview, what he said made Yan Cheng still remember it vividly.

"I really really like the cheers of the audience under the court."

“I enjoy this atmosphere no matter who they cheer for”

"But unfortunately, I can no longer have as high competitive level as other professional players."

“I’m really sorry for all the fans who support me”

"I'm sorry, I can only be here and let you down."

At the end of the day, the contestant was already in tears

And these heartfelt words, the true feelings were revealed, touching audiences all over the world.

At that time, watching the game in the hotel, Yan Cheng was so jealous that he heard these words.

Yes, the North American player spoke in English.

Yancheng has a low level of education and his English is not good.

But for some reason, he could understand that day.

The World Championship ended, and shortly after returning to China, Yan Cheng posted the news of his retirement on Weibo.

At this point, ME's meritorious captain, the oldest generation of top mid lane in LPL, and the former star player, came to an end.

"Are you unwilling to give up?"

Ning Yuan saw that he didn't say anything for a long time, so he spoke.

Yan Cheng shook his head slightly and still chose to remain silent.

Perhaps in the eyes of others, being able to enter the World Championship and break through the group stage to advance to the quarterfinals is already one in a million.

However, in his eyes, he is just a prideful person like Yan Cheng.

What is the difference between the top 16, the top 8, the top 4, and the runner-up?

What's the point of ranking losers, comparing who is ahead and who is behind?

The world champion belongs to the only chosen protagonists.

And the vast majority of people just cooperate with their performances in their stories.

Life is always full of all kinds of regrets, which is helpless because you can't make a decision either.

I have not been able to put a perfect end to my youth. For this, it is hard for everyone to feel relieved.

Ning Yuan grabbed the cup and drank the already cold coffee in one sip. He continued.

"Brother Cheng, stop lying to yourself, you can't live without it."

He can be seen by an outsider.

Originally, Yan Cheng was also a popular contestant at that time, with many fans. He started live broadcasts after retirement and was very popular.

The live broadcast industry has just developed for a while. If we could seize the opportunity and continue to work on a certain platform, we might be able to become those big anchors now.

However, he chose to go back to ME as a coach.

What is for is self-evident.

Isn’t that what the North American top laner said, what Yan Cheng is thinking?

The gorgeous lights shining on the ceiling are dazzling

The enthusiastic cheers of the audience below echoed in their ears

The contestants' seat in the center of the stage had a fierce confrontation with other contestants.

Fight side by side with your teammates, fight for victory, sweat and tears

This is the e-sports they love!

Isn't it nonsense?

Of course, I can't live without it!

"As a coach, it's still a little bit bad? Isn't it?"

Ning Yuan grinned and looked at him: "It's no taste!"

"If possible, of course I want to."

Yan Cheng said in a quiet voice: "But after all, my age is at the peak of my previous state, so it is impossible for me to go back."

There is actually only one reason that makes him confused.

This is also the biggest psychological barrier for retired players who want to make a comeback.

He didn't want to be the one who was dragging himself down on the team.

"I think it's a bit redundant for you to worry about this."

Ning Yuan said to him seriously: "How do you know where your peak is? If you don't play, you will never know whether it's better to score 600 points in RANK, I think it's enough."

"It's useless to just look at the score." Yan Cheng shook his head, "What's the matter with operation, can't I feel it's regressing?"

"If this game can win the game by just looking at the operation, wouldn't the champion's skin be ruined long ago?"

Ning Yuan laughed and said, "League of Legends is a team game. You have been playing for so many years, don't you not know?"

Yan Cheng didn't say anything.

While speaking, the waiter brought another cup of coffee over, which Ning Yuan had just ordered.

This time it is the same American coffee as Yan Cheng.

This time he also plans to not add sugar and try a different taste.

"Brother Cheng, I know very well that you just lack the courage to take this step now."

Ning Yuan paused and said, "You pulled me back then, but this time, it's my turn to pull you."

Only those who share the same situation will empathize with each other and understand each other.

Yan Cheng is the same as that North American player.
To be continued...