It was absolutely impossible for Ye Shaoyang to sleep in Chi Shuo's arms while sober.
He must have had a high fever last night, burning until his consciousness blurred, unaware of what he had done.
He remembered the booklet "Scientific Marking" once mentioned that an Alpha would develop possessiveness towards the Omega they marked, and the Omega would develop a sense of dependency towards the Alpha who marked them.
These were all normal reactions induced by pheromones.
In the ABO world, the effects of pheromones were very powerful.
During special times like the estrus period or susceptible period, they could even make people lose their reason.
Ye Shaoyang was marked by Chi Shuo yesterday, then took a cold shower and developed a fever. In his semi-conscious state, due to the so-called "dependency" caused by pheromones, he fell asleep in Chi Shuo's arms.
All of this was the pheromones' fault!
But regardless of the reason, he indeed slept with Chi Shuo.
If word got out, it would be impossible to explain clearly. An Omega and an Alpha sleeping together in each other's arms, and you tell people you two did nothing? Who would believe it?
Ye Shaoyang moved his body carefully, wanting to sneak out of bed without waking Chi Shuo. However, as soon as he moved, a gentle voice came from above his head: "Awake?"
Ye Shaoyang froze instantly.
He sat up as if electrocuted, scratching his hair awkwardly: "Why did I fall asleep?"
Chi Shuo touched his forehead with the back of his hand to check his temperature, asking with concern: "The fever is gone. Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable? Do you want to go to the hospital?"
Ye Shaoyang shook his head hurriedly: "I'm fine, no need to go to the hospital." He carefully considered his wording before asking in a low voice: "I had a fever last night and was delirious. I didn't say anything strange, did I?"
Chi Shuo said: "No. You were semi-conscious. I asked you questions, but you didn't respond."
Only then did Ye Shaoyang breathe a sigh of relief and get out of bed to wash up.
It was now 10 a.m., past the breakfast time in the cafeteria.
Chi Shuo rummaged through the refrigerator in the dormitory, fried a few poached eggs in the pan, served two in each bowl, took out the buns brought back yesterday, heated them in the microwave, brought them to the dining room, and said, "Shaoyang, come eat."
Ye Shaoyang washed his face with cold water, and his mood finally calmed down.
Yesterday, the marking was successfully completed, which meant that for the next few months, his pheromones would not be a problem, and he could play matches normally.
A moment of embarrassment in exchange for several months of stability was worth it!
Ye Shaoyang came to the dining room, looked at the tender yellow poached eggs in the bowl. Maybe because he was hungry, he felt the poached eggs were delicious and the soup was particularly tasty.
Ye Shaoyang gobbled up his breakfast quickly, and Chi Shuo took the initiative to clear the dishes.
When he came out of the kitchen, he found Ye Shaoyang sitting on the living room sofa, hugging Xiao Bai and staring blankly.
Xiao Bai seemed to sense its owner's mood was wrong, lying obediently in Ye Shaoyang's arms, its head facing Chi Shuo's direction, eyes wide open and motionless, seemingly also staring blankly, contemplating cat life.
The owner and the cat staring blankly at the same time, this scene looked somewhat funny no matter how you looked at it.
Chi Shuo curved the corners of his lips, walked over and gently stroked the kitten's head, asking: "What are you thinking about?"
Ye Shaoyang came back to his senses and said apprehensively: "Captain Chi, I was thinking, asking you to supplement the marking all the time is very troublesome for you, right? I'm very sorry to drag you into this…"
Chi Shuo's gaze was gentle: "It doesn't matter. Being allergic to suppressants isn't something you wanted."
Ye Shaoyang nodded hurriedly: "That's right, I really didn't mean to! That time in the hospital, the doctor told me the ingredients of common suppressants had no effect on me. If I didn't find an Alpha for a temporary marking, I would lose control directly, enter the estrus period, and it would be impossible to end well. At that time, the only Alpha I could trust around me was you, so I asked you for help."
He paused, his ears turning red as he said: "But I'm still very sorry for causing you so much trouble."
Chi Shuo's heart softened slightly: "No need to apologize, I don't find it troublesome."
To me, you are never trouble, but the person I want to protect.
So, no matter what problems you encounter, I have the obligation to help you and am willing to help you.
Ye Shaoyang looked up at him doubtfully: "You don't mind?"
Chi Shuo said, "I don't mind."
Ye Shaoyang breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile finally returned to his face. He asked seriously: "Captain Chi, for you, the most important thing is to lead Tianhuan to win the championship, right?"
Chi Shuo didn't hesitate: "Of course."
Ye Shaoyang said, "If, within our team, someone's personal relationship issues affected the team's performance, you would definitely be very angry, right?"
Chi Shuo was stunned for a moment.
What did this mean? Was he subtly telling him not to fall in love during the competition period?
A person's energy is limited, and love is indeed easy to distract. Sometimes, when feelings get the better of someone, they lose their cool, affecting their judgment during matches.
Chi Shuo understood Ye Shaoyang's meaning and nodded: "During the competition, of course, the competition comes first."
Ye Shaoyang thought to himself, Captain Chi is indeed a good captain, putting the team's performance first.
Telling the truth now would make future meetings very awkward for both of them. So, by not clarifying temporarily, it wouldn't affect their relationship. They were still good buddies, good teammates, and a tacit mid-jungle duo.
Let's apologize properly after the competition!
Thinking of this, the stone in Ye Shaoyang's heart finally fell to the ground, and he said calmly, "I know what to do. Let's prioritize the competition. Other things… we'll talk about them later, right!"
Chi Shuo nodded: "Mn, I think so too."
Ye Shaoyang thought: Competition comes first. I'll kneel and apologize after the competition.
Chi Shuo thought: Competition comes first. After the competition, we'll discuss the issue of love and marriage.
The two captains were talking past each other, engaging in cross-server chat.
But they chatted happily and quickly reached a consensus.
Ye Shaoyang changed the topic and asked: "It's a holiday today. Do you have any plans, Captain Chi? Go out for a walk, or stay in the team base to continue playing games?"
Chi Shuo said, "Master came to the Imperial Capital. He wants to invite us to dinner and asked you to come along."
Ye Shaoyang was a little surprised: "Did God Ming look for you?"
Chi Shuo said, "Just sent a message asking if we have time."
Ye Shaoyang thought for a while and said, "Okay. Since I'm free anyway, I'll go with you."
At 5 p.m., Chi Shuo drove Ye Shaoyang out to the place Ming Sheng had booked in advance.
This was a private kitchen with a very good environment. The buildings inside were very elegant, and there was a small artificial lake with many red and golden koi fish.
Ye Shaoyang followed Chi Shuo into the private room. Pushing open the door, he saw Ming Sheng sitting there leisurely brewing tea. The man had slender fingers, gently fiddling with the tea set, and the room was filled with the fragrance of tea.
Chi Shuo said respectfully: "Master."
Ye Shaoyang also greeted politely: "God Ming, long time no see."
Ming Sheng smiled slightly and pointed to the seat opposite: "Sit. Just the three of us today, no need to be formal."
The two sat down in the seats in front of him, and Ming Sheng asked the waiter to serve the dishes.
He was the former captain of Tianhuan and became a major shareholder of Tianhuan Club after retiring. It wasn't appropriate for Ye Shaoyang to talk nonsense in front of him, so he lowered his head and drank tea silently.
Chi Shuo took the initiative to break the silence: "Why did Master come to the Imperial Capital suddenly?"
The Ming family's business was in Star City, and Ming Sheng usually stayed in Star City. Coming to the Imperial Capital suddenly and asking to meet Chi Shuo and Ye Shaoyang, Chi Shuo always felt things weren't that simple.
Sure enough, Ming Sheng said with a faint smile, "Came to deal with some matters, and chat with you guys by the way."
Chi Shuo was puzzled: "What matters?"
Ming Sheng said, "Matters regarding Yaoguang Club."
Ye Shaoyang was slightly stunned and looked up at Ming Sheng: "What, Yaoguang wants to blacken me again?"
Ming Sheng said, "Their boss creates hype for stars in the entertainment circle and suppresses opponents. Their means have never been very honorable. Last time, Tianhuan played against Yaoguang. You used the Goddess of Destiny in the first round and suppressed them with operations in the second round, making them lose face completely. It's impossible for them to let you enter Group S comfortably."
Chi Shuo frowned tightly: "Are they going to find water armies to blacken Shaoyang for not respecting opponents?"
Ming Sheng smiled: "You think too simply. What is the common method to destroy a star?"
Ye Shaoyang felt a chill down his spine: "Scandal?"
Ming Sheng nodded: "That's right. Scandals in private life can also destroy an e-sports player."
As he spoke, he turned on his phone, turned it around, and pushed it in front of Ye Shaoyang.
Ye Shaoyang looked down at the photo on Ming Sheng's phone—the morning before yesterday, he went to the hospital with Chi Shuo. They sat together in the waiting room, and after the consultation, they walked out of the Pheromone Specialist Department together. The whole process was photographed clearly.
Although the two wore masks, the other party must have used a high-definition camera, capturing their eyes.
Chi Shuo suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice: "Did they hire professional paparazzi?"
Ming Sheng said, "Yes, long-distance tracking and shooting, very skilled technique."
He paused, looked up at the two: "What did you go to the Pheromone Specialist Department for?"
Ye Shaoyang looked embarrassed, not knowing how to explain.
Chi Shuo took the initiative to help him out: "Shaoyang has mixed-blood genes and a special constitution. The doctor called him to go to the hospital to recheck his pheromones. I drove him there."
"Just like that?" Ming Sheng looked at them. "You two have some little secret hiding from me, right?"
"No." The two said in unison.
Ming Sheng looked at Chi Shuo, then at Ye Shaoyang, chuckled lightly, and continued: "The photos haven't been posted online yet, I intercepted them. Don't worry, I will handle this matter."
Ye Shaoyang asked curiously: "How do you plan to handle it?"
Ming Sheng said, "I've been investigating Yaoguang Club recently and discovered some secrets."
He opened the evidence on his phone for the two to see. The more Ye Shaoyang looked, the more alarmed he became: "Yaoguang bribed the opponents in Group A to make them act along?!"
Chi Shuo understood: "No wonder Yu'mao could get a Penta Kill in his debut match. For a Sharpshooter to get a Penta Kill, teammates need to cripple all five opponents. That team fight, the opponent's initiation error was actually staged?"
Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shuo looked at each other, speechless.
To create a god, they really stopped at nothing. It was disgusting.
Ye Shaoyang looked up at Ming Sheng: "This is match-fixing, right? If the Alliance knows, they will definitely be punished."
"Mn, so we strike first. Then they won't have the energy to blacken you." Ming Sheng paused and instructed again: "Also, you two pay attention. After all, one of you is an Alpha and the other an Omega. Getting too close inevitably makes people think too much. Places like the Pheromone Specialist Department, try to avoid appearing together in the future."
The Pheromone Specialist Department in the ABO world was probably similar to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department or Andrology Department in reality? A boy accompanying a girl to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, or a girl accompanying a boy to the Andrology Hospital…
It was indeed hard to explain clearly.
Ye Shaoyang had realized now that strictly speaking, he and Chi Shuo were not of the same gender.
A and O were actually opposite sexes, right?
Ye Shaoyang lowered his head in shame: "It's my fault, I will pay attention."
Ming Sheng said with a smile, "If you want to develop a romantic relationship, the club won't prohibit it, but pay attention during the competition period. It won't be good if it blows up."
Ye Shaoyang explained hurriedly: "No, we are not the kind of relationship you think. Captain Chi just drove me to the hospital, nothing else."
Chi Shuo cooperated and said, "Master, rest assured, we know what we are doing."
Ming Sheng said gently, "That's good. With your popularity in this year's All-Star voting, there is a high probability you can go to the World All-Star Game. I hope you go to the World Championship in your best state. An e-sports player's peak period is only a few years. Put other things aside for now. I believe you can distinguish the priorities."
Chi Shuo: "I know."
Ye Shaoyang echoed, "I understand."
Although their "understanding" wasn't on the same channel…
But the ultimate goal was consistent.
Nothing could affect Tianhuan's performance. If they missed this year, who could guarantee what would happen next year? So, taking advantage of Tianhuan's improved performance this year, they must fight for it.
The two looked at each other and reached a tacit agreement.
Chi Shuo said, "Rumors and scandals, leave them to Master. We will concentrate on playing matches."
Ye Shaoyang also said: "Thank you, God Ming, for reminding us. We will definitely pay attention in the future."
Ming Sheng said with a smile: "Don't worry. I won't let Tianhuan's players be bullied and smeared. If they dare to touch Tianhuan's reverse scale, they will have to pay a price."
That evening, the Professional Alliance's official website suddenly announced a piece of news—
"The official Disciplinary Committee of Gods' War received a real-name report today regarding the improper conduct of suspected private transactions by Yaoguang Club player YG-Yu'mao and Langzu Club player LZ-Tian Tian. The Alliance has established a special investigation team to enter the clubs to launch a comprehensive investigation. During the investigation period, YG-Yu'mao and LZ-Tian Tian are temporarily prohibited from participating in any competition activities.
Hope all players respect the spirit of fair and just e-sports.
The Alliance Disciplinary Committee strictly prohibits any illegal or irregular behavior. Once verified, no tolerance will be shown!"
This news caused a huge uproar, and the entire Gods' War e-sports circle exploded.
The Alliance directly sent an investigation team, indicating that the reporter had submitted important evidence. It could be said to be a solid hammer. YG Yu'mao got a Penta Kill on debut, and LZ Tian Tian was the Langzu team support who made a mistake initiating that team fight.
It was actually staged? Match-fixing?!
E-sports fans on Weibo were instantly enraged—
[Is the Penta Kill a fake Penta Kill? To create a god, they really have no shame?]
[I've long been disgusted by Yaoguang's practice of stepping on the former captain to rise to the top. Really disgusting enough.]
[Feeling sorry for Xiao Yu. He was scolded so badly before. Now it seems Xiao Yu is ten streets ahead of that Yu'mao!]
[No wonder Yaoguang performed so poorly in Group S, losing 5 consecutive games and getting eliminated!]
[So, Yu'mao still wants to compete with Lieyang for Best Newcomer? Look in the mirror. Lieyang got the Penta Kill by strength. You got the Penta Kill by spending money. What is there to be proud of?]
[After Xie Weiyu left, Yaoguang has long ceased to be the Yaoguang that played matches seriously last season. The whole team exudes a sense of impetuousness. Don't play e-sports, go to variety shows and talent shows quickly.]
[Deserved to be eliminated from Group S, you are not worthy.]
Ye Shaoyang looked at the overwhelming scolding online, surprised in his heart. He sent a message to Chi Shuo privately: "Your master has good means. Now Yaoguang can hardly protect itself and won't have the energy to bother with us."
Chi Shuo said, "Mn, don't think too much, just play matches with peace of mind."