The moment their worlds collided in a single match, neither Shi-Han nor Jun-Yu realized that this was not just a game—it was the beginning of a connection that would slowly unravel every hidden truth, every suppressed emotion, and every wound they had been carrying all along.
★★★
After finishing a brief conversation with the old woman, Shi-Han's uncle and aunt left the room. As soon as they stepped out, Shi-Han went closer to the old woman—
"Grandma…"
The moment the old woman heard Shi-Han call her "Grandma," her eyes filled with tears. At seventy-five, her vision was no longer like that of a normal person. With age, her eyesight had gradually weakened. Overwhelmed with emotion by Shi-Han's voice, she stretched out both her hands, trying to find her granddaughter by touch.
Shi-Han gently held the old woman's trembling, restless hands and knelt down in front of her. Then she rested her head on the lap of the old woman, who was sitting on the bed with her legs hanging down. After so long, feeling her granddaughter's touch again, the old woman began to cry, stroking Shi-Han's head with affection.
Xiao-Lin: Shi-Han, my dear child… you've come.
As she spoke, the old woman touched Shi-Han's face and suddenly felt something warm on her hand. In an instant, she realized that the warmth was none other than the salty tears flowing from Shi-Han's eyes.
Xiao-Lin: Why are you crying, my dear?
Shi-Han: Grandma, even in the luxurious environment of the city, why does my life still not feel normal? No matter what, when we have our own house in Beijing, why are you spending the last days of your life in a small shabby hut in Shanghai, Grandma?
Xiao-Lin: My dear, every person has their own story in life. And every story has a reason behind it. There is also a reason why I live in this worn-out hut. But let's leave those things for now—I'll tell you everything someday. Now tell me, how are things with you?
Shi-Han lifted her head from the old woman's lap—
Shi-Han: Relationships, Grandma… are they really that easy to build? When I couldn't even form a good relationship with my own mother despite carrying her blood, how can I build a home with someone like Chen-Yu?
At Shi-Han's serious question, the smile on the old woman's face faded. With a voice filled with concern, she asked—
Xiao-Lin: My dear, didn't you once tell me that you liked a boy named Chen-Yu? That you wanted to take your relationship from friendship to love? I'm curious to know what happened between you and
Chen-Yu. But before that, let me say—no matter what a mother does, she never wishes harm upon her child.
Shi-Han: Grandma, I said that I love Chen-Yu, but Chen-Yu is a liar. He always seeks attention from girls. Does he not understand my feelings? Or does he pretend not to understand just to gain my attention? In reality, even though I love him, he only sees me as a friend. A few days ago, after breaking up with his ex-girlfriend, he tried to use me as his girlfriend just to make her jealous. But when Chen-Yu proposed to me, I thought maybe he truly loved me. In truth, Chen-Yu is a playboy and is never serious about any girl.
Xiao-Lin: My dear, hearing your words truly shakes my heart. Will I not live long enough to see you build a good relationship with someone in your life?
Your parents, your uncle and aunt, your club director, and Chen-Yu… who knows how many more—none of them seem to have a good opinion of you.
Shi-Han: Grandma, don't say that. Whenever I think about these things, it feels like I can't breathe. I feel like I'm a demon, Bai Gu Jing. Living like this feels worse than death; death seems more peaceful. But my mother never understood me, nor did Chen-Yu.
Xiao-Lin: Don't say such things, my dear. One day, everything will be alright. But I also don't feel at ease about your uncle and aunt. Surely, they have some hidden intention.
★★★
After returning home from the Shanghai Tianma Circuit, that is, the racing pit-spot, Jun-Yu sat at his study table, resting his head on his hand. Although his gentle eyes were fixed on the book, what echoed in his ears was—
Shu-Yang: Jun-Yu, you've been riding on the racing track even before I came here. And after I arrived, I've raced with you too. But after just 10 minutes of riding, you feel dizzy. Physically, you're not strong enough to participate in racing. Forget this dream, my friend.
Lin-Boshi: Jun-Yu, the brain is a very sensitive organ. You should take this matter seriously and see a doctor.
Jun-Yu: Nothing is above health. Now stop studying and go to sleep.
In fact, Shu-Yang had said these things to Jun-Yu at the racing pit-spot. Besides that, the words of his sister and professor echoed in his ears. At that moment, Jun-Yu noticed that his phone, placed beside the table, was ringing. The call was from a saved contact named Mei-Xue.
Jun-Yu: Hello, Mom.
Mei-Xue: How are you, my son?
Jun-Yu: Mom, I've been thinking a lot about Dad today. How is Dad?
Mei-Xue: Jun-Kai is physically well. As for how he is mentally, only Jun-Kai knows. But you didn't even ask how I am.
Jun-Yu: Mom, why are you upset? I talk to you all the time, but Dad… Dad hasn't even talked to me, let alone seen me, for the past four years.
Mei-Xue: Son, don't be sad. Your father suffers just like you do. Anyway, leave that aside. How is your study going?
Jun-Yu: There's a lot of pressure in studies, Mom. Things got more complicated after going to my sister's place. She didn't let me study at all.
Anyway, forget that—I'll finish the syllabus. How's the company doing? Has the issue with Rui-Xue been resolved?
Mei-Xue: Yes, it's resolved. Alright, son, you focus on studying. Someone just arrived, I'll hang up now. We'll talk later.
Jun-Yu: Okay, Mom. Love you and miss you. Miss you so much, my Dad.
Mei-Xue: We miss you so much, my son.
Jun-Yu, being a very well-mannered boy, said he would study while talking to his mother. But as soon as the call ended, he went and sat at his personal computer. However, he didn't open his assignment documents. Instead, he set up League of Legends (LoL) and started a random squad match.
Meanwhile, Shi-Han also returned from her grandmother's house and started a random match at night. As both of them started the match at the same time, Shi-Han and Jun-Yu ended up in the same game. However, in this match, they would be fighting on opposing sides.
When Jun-Yu started the match with his random team, Shi-Han's team couldn't understand their strategy and ended up losing. Immediately, Shi-Han tried to connect with Jun-Yu. On the other hand, Jun-Yu was browsing through the Gaming Queen's profile. While looking at Shi-Han's gaming profile, a request from Gaming Queen appeared on his screen.
Since Jun-Yu had just played a random match with Gaming Queen, he accepted the request with a slight smile. Lost in the joy of winning, he casually said—
Jun-Yu: Hmm… doesn't even know how to play, yet calls herself Gaming Queen.
Shi-Han: Hey, Mr. RiderKing, after breaking the Nexus by cheating, where are you running off to?
Although Gaming Queen heard RiderKing's mocking remark, she didn't get emotional. Instead, she spoke calmly. It seemed she was used to such comments, but she preferred to respond in the language of gaming.
Jun-Yu: Miss Gaming Queen, I'm not a cheater. And I didn't even know cheating existed in League of Legends.
Shi-Han: If you're not cheating, then let's have a 1 vs 1.
At Gaming Queen's words, RiderKing was momentarily taken aback. Luckily, Jun-Yu had been matched with skilled players in the random game, which helped him destroy Shi-Han's Nexus earlier. But hearing "1 vs 1," his throat went dry. Moistening his lips with his tongue—
Jun-Yu: Y-yeah… sure, let's do it. I-I'm not a cheater.
Shi-Han could tell that the person behind the ID "RiderKing" was actually stuttering out of fear. But without any hesitation, she started the match. Jun-Yu was usually immersed in his studies. Whenever he felt bored, he would go to Shu-Yang and ride on the track. And if he felt bored at night, he would play a few matches to refresh his mind. It was clear that Jun-Yu played games because he loved them, but in reality, he wasn't very skilled.
On the other hand, Shi-Han's game ID was "Gaming Queen," while Jun-Yu's ID was "RiderKing." Even after playing a 1 vs 1 match, neither of them knew each other's real identity. Since he wasn't very skilled in gaming, RiderKing lost to Gaming Queen after some time.
Shi-Han: Cheater… can't even play properly without item buffs, yet calls himself RiderKing.
Whether Jun-Yu heard Shi-Han's words or not was uncertain. But by then, Shi-Han noticed that RiderKing had gone offline. That meant Jun-Yu had exited the game and returned to his study table. However, due to that one 1 vs 1 match, their IDs got connected to each other's profiles.