The next day was a bright sunny day, with the weather warming up and brilliant sunlight shining down, as if to drive away all the gloom.
Zhai Yi stood at the door, feeling the warmth and comfort of the sunlight on her skin.
Tuantuan laughed: [I knew First Sister you would help the Female Lead.]
Zhai Yi said, “There’s no such thing as helping or not. This is more like compensation. In the original plot, the Female Lead had the Male Lead’s company and comfort, but now she likes me and rejected the Male Lead’s advances. She’s all alone, struggling to survive in the murky entertainment industry. I should take responsibility for that.”
Tuantuan thought for a moment: [But didn’t First Sister say we should avoid getting involved in the world’s main storyline as much as possible? What you’re doing now is advancing the main plot’s development.]
Zhai Yi stretched lazily: “As much as possible, not absolutely.”
Tuantuan pondered: [Only if necessary, but right now it is necessary, right?]
Zhai Yi smiled: “Smart.”
“Zhai Yi, good morning.”
Zhai Yi turned around and saw Yu Lanting with slightly swollen red eyes. She smiled faintly: “Good morning, Yu Lanting.”
Yu Lanting smiled gently: “Thanks to you, I actually had a good dream last night.”
Zhai Yi nodded: “That’s good.”
Yu Lanting handed over the milk in her hand: “Fresh milk, want some?”
Zhai Yi took it and drank a sip: “Thanks.”
“No need to thank me. If anyone’s thanking, it should be me thanking you.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Zhai Yi’s face: “Thank me for what?”
Zhou Zhu was always meticulous in his work, so Yu Lanting shouldn’t know so quickly who was behind Star Creation Entertainment’s downfall.
Warmth scattered in Yu Lanting’s eyes as she smiled softly: “Thank you for believing in me. It gave me courage.”
Zhai Yi paused slightly: “You’re not the only one who believes in you. Everyone does—you, Mu Li, and Director Luo.”
Yu Lanting shook her head, her gaze sincere and focused: “I know everyone trusts me, and I’m grateful for that. But the trust you gave me made me feel grounded and brave, allowing me to catch my breath from the swamp of collapse and hesitation—like a lifeline.”
Tuantuan said in surprise: [First Sister, is the Female Lead about to confess to you right now?]
So thrilling!
Zhai Yi saw that Tuantuan wasn’t panicked at all, instead bubbling with excitement and glee.
She tugged at the corner of her mouth, giving an awkward smile, her gaze flicking to Luo Xi: “Filming’s about to start. Director Luo is setting up the equipment. Let’s go record the show.”
Zhai Yi walked away quickly, finished the milk, and put the cup in the kitchen.
Yu Lanting watched Zhai Yi’s retreating figure, took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and gave herself a pep talk.
Director Luo urged everyone to gather in the living room on the first floor. Guardians of Glory continued with live filming.
“Yesterday, because of the bad weather, all sorts of demons and ghosts came out, making things all smoky and chaotic lately, and putting everyone in a bad mood.”
“But this old heaven is so unpredictable—one moment it’s horribly gloomy, the next it’s like it flipped a switch, giving us a scorching sunny day first thing in the morning. What do you all think?”
Everyone laughed and chimed in agreement with Director Luo’s sarcastic tone.
: Can’t blame Director Luo for roasting them. Yesterday’s drama was too much—twists every second, my brain couldn’t keep up.
: Did Yu Lanting and Mu Li ever date?
: Those photos and videos are fake. Both are single—take one each, no hooking up, thanks.
: Director Luo roasts well. Hate those bandwagoners—typical keyboard warriors stirring trouble. Eating melons at the center of the storm, hope they choke.
: Director Luo roasts well. Love his don’t-take-crap-from-anyone temper.
: Director Luo’s toned it down these years. Early days, he’d curse nonstop, three sentences in and it’s your ancestors for eighteen generations.
: Yesterday’s mess? Director Luo should’ve cursed more. Way too ruthless, pushing people to the brink.
: Cyberbullying is hateful. Slandering an innocent person without evidence—those people deserve to die, go to hell.
: My Tingting must’ve cried, her eyes are so swollen. Heartbreaking.
: Yu Lanting is truly pitiful, hit by this unfounded disaster. Star Creation Entertainment is a scam organization. Good thing Yu Lanting stood her ground and didn’t bow to that black-hearted company’s threats. Well done.
: Now that Star Creation Entertainment is collapsing, doesn’t that mean Yu Lanting’s unemployed?
: Tingting can go solo—more control, no more living in fear.
: With Yu Lanting’s fame now, tons of companies want to sign her.
: Yeah yeah, Yu Lanting has plenty of options.
: Right, isn’t today the sub match? Mu Li’s spot is short a player, so one of Yu Lanting or Fu Liang has to fill in, right?
: Send Fu Liang—he mains jungler anyway.
: Yu Lanting and Mu Li just had that drama—better avoid suspicion.
: Yeah, Fu Liang should go to Mu Li’s team.
: But can Yu Lanting beat Fu Liang? She might have to sub if Director Luo doesn’t rig it—pure skill talk. If Fu Liang wins, she’ll have to go.
: Go for it, what’s there to fear? It’s all cleared up. Both single—learning together, what’s wrong? You guys overthink with tinted glasses.
: Nothing wrong. Yu Lanting subbing as jungler is fine. They’re childhood friends, grew up together—maybe they’ve jungled before.
….
Luo Xi looked at Zhai Yi and Mu Li: “Mu Li’s spot is vacant, so your two trainees will compete to sub. Pick your strongest heroes for a 1v1—first to destroy the crystal or get 8 kills wins. Rules clear?”
Yu Lanting & Fu Liang: “Got it.”
They entered the game and created a room to pick heroes.
Mu Li walked to Zhai Yi’s side and asked, “Who do you think will win?”
Zhai Yi said, “Fu Liang.”
Based on their skills, Fu Liang’s game level was higher than Yu Lanting’s.
Mu Li pouted but said nothing.
Zhai Yi looked at him: “Shouldn’t you be happy?”
Mu Li was puzzled: “Happy about what?”
“If Fu Liang wins, Yu Lanting goes to your spot.”
Mu Li shook his head: “We’ll see.”
Zhai Yi gave Mu Li a meaningful look: “What deep act are you putting on?”
Mu Li said, “No act. You know Yu Lanting and I have known each other since childhood, right?”
Zhai Yi nodded: “Yeah.”
“Do you know what position I play best?”
“Jungle.”
Mu Li lifted his chin: “Watch for yourself.”
Zhai Yi looked at the big screen. Fu Liang and Yu Lanting had selected their heroes.
Fu Liang—Marco Polo.
Yu Lanting—Mirror.
“?” Zhai Yi raised an eyebrow. “She jungles?”
She’d been so focused on teaching the Female Lead marksman lately that she’d forgotten—in the original plot, the Female Lead’s first choice for a coach was Mu Li. Both were great at jungle.
Mu Li nodded: “Yeah. Back in high school, I played marksman more, so Lanting jungled. Later I switched to jungle, and she got busy with art exams, so she stopped gaming much.”
“She’s a beast with Mirror.”
Zhai Yi: “….”
Hidden plot here?
: Whoa, Yu Lanting on Mirror? Never seen it!
: Kinda scary good vibes. She’s played mid, top, marksman, support on this show—never jungle. Can she handle high-mechanic heroes like Mirror?
: She’s known Mu Li forever, so jungle makes sense.
: Fu Liang mains jungle too—who knows who wins.
: This’ll be a show. So excited—who takes it?
: Either way, they’ll fit Mu Li’s spot.
: Want Yu Lanting to win. Don’t want her splitting from Zhai Yi—they’re perfect together.
: Same
: Same +1
…..
The game started, and they clashed multiple times, each taking down the other’s mid T1 tower. Economies even, steady play at 6 minutes—no first blood.
Marco Polo cleared enemy minions entering his T2 under tower when suddenly, Mirror leaped from the right blue buff zone, ulting immediately, tanking tower damage and outplaying Marco Polo to death.
Even with Marco Polo’s quick reaction, he couldn’t survive Mirror’s burst, dropping first blood.
Mirror casually took mid T2, then vanished from mid. Revived Marco Polo hesitated to push high ground.
Mirror dominated jungle economy, pulling ahead in gold.
Mirror feared no Marco Polo attacks—tower-diving kills repeatedly. Several times Marco Polo could counter, but Mirror escaped on low HP, then struck back.
Game ended at 14:36. Mirror won on kills, not rushing towers.
Fu Liang set down his phone in surprise: “Didn’t expect you to have such a killer Mirror hidden.”
He often jungled and loved flashy heroes like Mirror, Lan, Zhao Huai Zhen, Yun Ying—Mirror demands insane mechanics. He’d never seen Yu Lanting jungle, assumed she couldn’t, but her Mirror was top-tier—even better than his.
Yu Lanting smiled: “All’s fair in war.”
Fu Liang sighed: “Fine fine, I lost. I’ll sub for Mu Li. Learn marksman well with Godfather.”
“Godfather’s counting on you—take good care of him for me.”
Yu Lanting nodded: “Got it.”
Zhai Yi tsked: “Do I look bedridden?”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Director Luo looked at the remaining five guests and said solemnly: “Filming is over halfway. Positions are set. This Friday is the finale—ING Guest Team vs. SV Guest Team in a BO3. Winner takes trophy and grand prize.”
“Starting tomorrow, for fairness—no leaking tactics or training—we stop live broadcasts. These three days’ footage will be edited into an Easter egg episode after the finale.”
“Thanks for your support during live filming. Guardians of Glory’s success owes to you guests and fans. I, Luo Xi, thank you all.”
Everyone applauded: “Director Luo, hard work.”
: Yeah yeah, my mealtime show ending—gonna miss it.
: Can’t wait for Friday finals! ING win!
: Friday finals hype!
: Everyone worked hard.
: Director Luo too polite. Tough on everyone—Guardians of Glory is awesome!
: Director Luo hard work.
: Director Luo hard work.
…..
Three days until the finale. Five guests locked positions and started training.
No more solo ING member coaching—hero basics down. Now: team roles, synergy, coordination.
Honor of Kings isn’t solo. Guests trained hard for Friday BO3, day and night.
“Tomorrow’s their finals day. It’s just a variety show, but I’m weirdly pumped—like my first match, that excited-nervous vibe. You feel it?” Weixing Yan asked.
Luo Weizhi nodded: “A bit.”
Ning Yao peered through the glass at the training guests and sighed: “Don’t they kinda look like youth trainees?”
Luo Weizhi agreed: “Yeah, interesting.”
Mu Li glanced at the clock: “Training is important, but the body is even more important. It’s almost 12 o’clock—tell them to stop practicing and go back to rest. We’re heading to Jining City Stadium for the match tomorrow. Don’t want everyone dragging their feet and messing up their performance.”
Weixing Yan nodded: “Makes sense. I’ll go call them.”
He walked into the training room and shouted for the guests to stop practicing and head back to their rooms to rest immediately.
The guests understood Weixing Yan’s good intentions, ended their game, and each returned to their rooms.
Zhai Yi saw them all preparing to head back upstairs. She turned to go to the second floor when Yu Lanting’s voice came from behind her.
“Zhai Yi?”
“What’s up?” Zhai Yi turned her head to look at her.
Yu Lanting pursed her lips: “The match is tomorrow—can you give me some encouragement?”
Zhai Yi clenched her fist and raised her hand: “Give it your all tomorrow. Keep a level head, play normally, and with the level you’ve practiced to, your chances of winning are really high.”
Yu Lanting nodded: “I’ll do my best. I definitely won’t let my teacher down.”
“That’s great.”
Yu Lanting looked at Zhai Yi, hesitating as if she wanted to say more: “Besides… these verbal pep talks… I’ve seen others… use other… ways to boost morale… I was thinking…”
Zhai Yi’s mind raced, and she subconsciously took a step back, feigning confusion: “What?”
Yu Lanting closed her eyes briefly, as if mustering her courage, then charged forward and abruptly hugged Zhai Yi, stammering: “I… I’ll definitely… win tomorrow.”
With that, she didn’t dare look at Zhai Yi’s expression and bolted upstairs.
Zhai Yi froze in place, a flicker of bewilderment crossing her face as she blinked.
Tuantuan exclaimed excitedly: 【Whoa, First Sister, the female lead just hugged you!】
Zhai Yi rubbed her forehead: “You’re enjoying the show, huh?”
Tuantuan immediately went offline and shut down.
Zhai Yi hadn’t expected the female lead to launch a sneak attack, but she didn’t dwell on it or make a fuss. A hug was a hug—it was just pre-match encouragement.
She turned and headed upstairs, catching a glimpse of Fu Liang standing there stunned.
Zhai Yi inwardly groaned.
Fu Liang swallowed his banana, eyes wide, fingers trembling up and down as if he’d been greatly shocked.
Zhai Yi regretted it: “I can explain.”
Fu Liang put a finger to his lips, pretending to be profound: “No need. I can see for myself.”
“You and Yu Lanting… are you…?”
Zhai Yi felt a mix of tension and guilt: “Huh?”
Fu Liang crossed his arms, looking serious: “Everyone online says…”
Zhai Yi’s heart sank. There were tons of people online shipping her and Yu Lanting, and Fu Liang, being such an internet addict, must have come across it.
“I can explain, just hear me out…”
Fu Liang tilted his chin up proudly: “They all say you’re super lucky, so did Lanting just now want to absorb some of your good luck aura from you, Godfather? That way she can beat the SV Team tomorrow?”
Zhai Yi: “…”
She’d worried for nothing—Fu Liang’s pig brain hadn’t gone there.
Seeing Zhai Yi silent, Fu Liang figured he’d nailed it and immediately spread his arms wide: “Godfather, let me absorb some of your luck too!”
Zhai Yi turned and walked away, too lazy to deal with this dimwit.
Fu Liang hurried after her: “Godfather, come on, let me have some—!”
