IROAWTMTFL Extra 6

Orange 1

“Cheng Cheng, player ID-CORA, MVP of the second season finals of the ‘Banners’ Professional League, and recipient of the Most Valuable Player award. He is currently serving in the NTC team’s ‘Flags’ division. He is a well-known professional player, having joined NTC team’s Miracle division four years ago. At that time, the then 18-year-old CORA started as a substitute, later becoming a starter after a season, playing as an assault and contributing significantly to NTC’s back-to-back championships.”

“The year before last, ‘Flags’ gained popularity after its launch. Last year, CORA transferred to the Flags division under the team’s arrangement, playing in the jungle position. CORA’s transition was very successful; he won the MVP of the finals that year. Unfortunately, despite having the league’s strongest jungler, it couldn’t stop other NTC players from mindlessly feeding, resulting in a disastrous finals. After the match, our Esports Home’s reporters captured him crying outside the venue, bringing tears to countless fans.”

“Since the second-season finals, rumors of discord between CORA and the team surfaced. In the past six months, with NTC repeatedly revealing internal friction, rumors of CORA leaving NTC have become rampant. After four years with the old team, continuous defeats in the spring season…”

A young man in a hoodie and a mask took off his headphones and looked up to confirm the floor number next to the company directory that read “Guangheng Law Firm.” He hadn’t walked the wrong way; this floor had only one company.

He approached the front desk and asked, “Is Lawyer Yan available?”

“Are you a client or… Lawyer Yan isn’t taking cases this morning.”

“A friend. My name is Cheng, like the road.”

“Please wait a minute, I’ll check for you.”

The front desk receptionist was gentle and kind. She dialed the internal line to inquire with Yan Yan, and in less than a minute, Yan Yan came quickly. As soon as he arrived, he slung his arm around someone’s shoulder, saying, “Why didn’t you call me when you arrived? I could have come down to pick you up.”

“It’s the same if I cane up on my own.”

“That’s not the same. You could have been blocked…”

Yan Yan led the person inside, their voices fading at the front desk. The front desk receptionist became curious. Lawyer Yan was a criminal defense attorney, and his visitor was wearing a hat and a mask. Yan Yan mentioned the risk of being blocked. Blocked by loan sharks? So miserable at such a young age?

They were ushered into a small meeting room designated for receptions, and Yan Yan closed the blinds behind the glass partition. The young man then lowered his hat and removed his mask; it was Cheng Cheng. He was unaware that he had been misunderstood by the gentle receptionist. He was the hottest esports player in the ‘Flags’ Professional League, how could he get blocked by loan sharks?

Yan Yan poured water for him and went straight to the point. “I’ve found someone for you. He’s a lawyer at our firm, specialized in contract disputes and economic lawsuits. He’s very responsible and my senior. Wait here, I’ll get him.”

“Thank you, Brother Yan.”

“There’s no need for formalities between us. Make yourself comfortable.”

Yan Yan stood up, intending to leave, but he hesitated and added, “My senior has quite a number of ongoing cases. After I explained your situation, he deliberately cleared his schedule for the whole day. Knowing you’re in a hurry, he squeezed you in today. We should be able to establish a preliminary direction by the end of the day. Don’t worry, just follow his lead.”

With that, Yan Yan finally left and returned shortly with another person.

Hearing the sound of the door open, Cheng Cheng looked up. First came Yan Yan, followed by a man with gold-rimmed glasses. The man had a straight posture and clear brows, giving an impression of maturity and stability. He stood at an impressive height of 1.85 meters, exuding a powerful presence. When he lifted his gaze toward Cheng Cheng, there was an initial scrutiny, but as their eyes met, the man’s gaze softened.

Yan Yan introduced the two. “Orange, this is my senior, Qi Rong. Senior, meet my good friend Cheng Cheng.”

“Hello, Mr. Cheng.” Qi Rong shook hands with Cheng Cheng, his palm dry and warm.

On hearing his voice in the confined space, Cheng Cheng felt like scratching his ears. He fell for Yan Yan starting with his voice, he was a strong voice con. This Lawyer Qi was had a deep-voice, and just a few words had already struck his heart.

“Hello, Lawyer Qi.” Cheng Cheng responded, shaking hands but quickly retracting his hand. He came seeking help, so appreciating the voice was enough; he couldn’t deviate. Just like the reporters he was listening to on the way here said, those were not rumors. He really wanted to terminate his contract with the team, so he asked Yan Yan to help him find a lawyer.

“Senior, I’ll leave Orange in your hands. Make sure to give your best effort.” Yan Yan didn’t want to eavesdrop on the specific conversation inside, he could separate his personal and professional life, and he trusted Qi Rong’s character.

After agreeing to have lunch together later, Yan Yan left, leaving the two strangers alone. Cheng Cheng couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous, Qi Rong had a compelling presence just sitting there. His neat four-piece suit made him, the client who was in a sweatshirt and jeans, look like a minor.

In fact, Qi Rong’s first reaction upon seeing Cheng Cheng was, ‘Is he an adult?’ Cheng Cheng looked young, with round deer-like eyes that appeared innocent. Although the baby fat had mostly disappeared, his face was still soft, giving the impression of a minor. Otherwise, his photographs with red eyes wouldn’t have made fans cry.

His good looks combined with his fierce playing style as the jungler, created a contrast that won him countless fans. Qi Rong didn’t know Cheng Cheng’s personality wasn’t exactly soft, and he was quite decisive. Seeing him immediately triggered a protective instinct.

“Yan Yan briefly explained the situation to me, but we need to discuss it in detail face-to-face. Mr. Cheng, could you please share your side of the story first?” Qi Rong opened a notebook, preparing to take notes with a pen.

Without realizing it, Cheng Cheng straightened up. “My contract with the team doesn’t expire until next year, but I want to terminate it early. I can’t stay with NTC anymore. Last year, the club forced me to transfer to the Flags division. I didn’t want to, but the manager was very forceful. If I disagreed, he would announce it officially. After transitioning to Flags, although I performed well, my teammates were too… too terrible.”

Cheng Cheng paused, and Qi Rong noticed he seemed a bit embarrassed, perhaps because of his negative remarks about his teammates. What a kind and well-behaved child.

“Terrible in what way? Lack of cooperation in matches?”

“It’s not that they directly refuse to cooperate, but their minds are never on training and matches. Is it soundproof here?”

Qi Rong nodded. “Don’t worry, feel free to speak.”

“Out of the four teammates, two are love brains, the shooter and support are secretly dating, and they even stick together when they’re on the field, affecting our tactical performance. Then there’s a scumbag who constantly dates various anchors and fans whenever he’s free. He stays out all night and asks for people to cover for him. His gameplay is extremely unappetizing.” Cheng Cheng explained, “Unappetizing means lousy.”

“The captain is relatively normal, but unfortunately, he’s too kind. He tolerates this and that, he is too easygoing. I’m 22 years old, and an esports player’s professional career is only so long. I will have to retire after playing for a few more years. I don’t want to waste another year with teammates like this.”

Qi Rong’s expression remained calm, but inside, he was somewhat surprised. Cheng Cheng was 22, so he wasn’t underage after all.

“Without complete evidence supporting a logical chain, it’s challenging to convince a judge. Let’s talk more about the situation where you didn’t agree to the transition. Did you sign any consent documents at that time?”

“No.”

“Did you give any affirmative replies during verbal communication?”

“No.”

“But in practice, you did follow the club manager’s decision.” While asking for details, Qi Rong wrote in his notebook. His handwriting was elegant and powerful, captivating Cheng Cheng.

“Do you have the contract with you? Let me take a look.”

Cheng Cheng took out the prepared contract, handing both the original and a copy to Qi Rong. Qi Rong accepted it, noting Cheng Cheng’s thoughtfulness for bringing a copy—he looks tender but is considerate.

Qi Rong carefully reviewed the contract, marking the important and relevant clauses. Silence filled the room, and Cheng Cheng, who was bored, couldn’t help but focus on him.

Even just sitting there, Qi Rong examining the contract exuded a stylish and upright aura. There was a thin callus on his right middle finger, a result of years of holding pens. It was as a distinctive mark of a top student. Cheng Cheng glanced at his own hand, he didn’t have that…

“The contract is for five years. Has the salary been increased in accordance with the agreed terms?”

“Salary increase? Is there such a clause?” Cheng Cheng was surprised.

“Here.” Qi Rong flipped the contract, pointing to the stipulation with his pen.

The clause was quite lengthy, with the salary agreement Qi Rong mentioned embedded within. Cheng Cheng looked but didn’t find it, and since Qi Rong was viewing it upside down, the small print made marking the specific lines challenging. He was about to take it back to mark the clause when Cheng Cheng suddenly stood up and sat beside him.

Cheng Cheng placed the copy of the contract in front of Qi Rong again, pointed at it and asked, “This paragraph? It’s so long, I didn’t read it carefully at all.”

Qi Rong subconsciously held his breath. Cheng Cheng was too close and his fresh fragrance lingered around his nose. It was not a perfume but rather the faint scent of laundry detergent on clothes. Merging with his body temperature, it became pleasant.

“Um, here.” Qi Rong marked it for him, “This is a standard contract. It protects the rights of professional players, but from what you said earlier, it seems your club might not have fulfilled its contractual obligations truthfully.”

“So…” Cheng Cheng’s voice trailed off, now it was his turn to feel awkward. Qi Rong’s voice was too close, almost like he was whispering in his ear, making him uncomfortable. Uncomfortable to the point where all his senses heightened, he even caught a whiff of Qi Rong’s faint masculine fragrance.

His heartbeat skipped a beat, and he quickly moved back, stammering, “H-how does this salary increase work? What does the contract say?”

“You signed a five-year contract. According to the terms, the club needs to reassess your commercial value annually, determining your salary and the percentage of commercial activity income for the following year to ensure it aligns with the market. It seems you aren’t familiar with the details of this contract.”

Cheng Cheng nodded and smiled with embarrassment, “I was just 18 when I signed it. I never went to college so I was less aware of these things… I dozed off just looking at a few pages of it.”

Qi Rong didn’t blame him. Instead, he praised, “You became economically independent at 18, and are now successful, you’re more impressive than those of us who went to college.”

Cheng Cheng blushed at the compliment, and when he turned to look at Qi Rong, his eyes sparkled like a small animal—pure and soft.

Qi Rong felt as if something had scratched at his heart. The boy’s cheeks resembled soft tofu with a hint of flower juice, tempting someone to give them a gentle pinch.