Lu Sheng was noticeably different after coming back from outside.
His eyes swept over Lin Kun with a look that was both arrogant and slightly provocative, as if challenging him to prove his worth.
Lin Kun glanced at him but said nothing. With his hands behind his back, he spoke in a calm, steady voice. “This week’s training plan has been shared in the group chat. I’ll be updating it in real time based on your performance. Each of you has a personalized version. Review your plan now and ask me if anything is unclear.”
It had only been half a day, but the team already showed a high level of discipline.
Everyone immediately logged in to check the group chat. Lin Kun had just joined, but he already had the authority to assign individual training plans.
Fang Zhixu quickly found his own section.
At the top of the document was a comprehensive rating. Below that was a list of weekly objectives, each one demanding and almost impossible to complete. At the bottom was a target score that needed to be reached by the end of the week. Every objective had a corresponding point value. This meant it was not necessary to complete them all. As long as the total score matched the target, the weekly goal would be considered complete.
The scoring system got Fang Zhixu excited. He instantly started strategizing.
He could aim for the easier points first, then take on the harder tasks once he had built up a rhythm. If he wanted to earn points, there was always a way to do it.
Lu Sheng’s document was the longest. One glance confirmed he had the most objectives. The spreadsheet seemed endless. He scrolled to the bottom, skimmed through it, then scoffed and closed the file. If this workload was meant to humble him, it was laughable.
Chen Shi’an checked his plan next. When he saw his target score, he got curious and looked at the others.
As expected, Lu Sheng had the highest target, followed by himself, then Fang Zhixu. Xu Bo and Qi Yi were at the bottom. Bai Yu had a perfect score, but he was not assigned much training. Instead, he was integrated into the others' plans as a benchmark. The scoring system clearly used Bai Yu as the standard.
Chen Shi’an couldn’t help but respect the fact that after three years, the only players recognized by both Bai Yu and Lin Kun were still each other.
While everyone was still digesting the information, Qi Yi quietly raised his hand and asked, “Coach, is there something wrong with my document? There’s nothing in it.”
Everyone looked at him. Lin Kun also glanced over and responded in a serious tone. “Your training is not under my supervision. Ask Bai Yu when he returns.”
Qi Yi blinked in surprise. “So I’m under Bai Yu?”
Lin Kun nodded. “I only manage the team’s overall strategy. Bai Yu handles your specific training.”
The others were visibly surprised. Qi Yi was not under Lin Kun’s command but reported to Bai Yu instead?
Xu Bo quickly reopened his own plan and asked, “What about me? Am I also under Bai Yu?”
Lin Kun replied without looking up. “You’re under me.”
Fang Zhixu laughed. Xu Bo clenched his jaw but dared not say anything in front of Lin Kun.
The room remained calm as Bai Yu finally walked in and handed Lin Kun a sheet of paper. “This is Song Bo’s draft prediction. FFT has been experimenting with some unconventional picks lately. Senna is likely, and Bard is another one to watch. Song Bo also wrote down some late-game counters.”
Bai Yu had already edited the contents before submitting it. Lin Kun reviewed it briefly and gave a nod of approval. “Looks good. Let’s practice with this composition.”
Song Bo, who had followed Bai Yu in, clenched his fist and quietly muttered, “Yes.”
He had been worried that Coach Lin would reject it. Getting approval so easily gave him fresh confidence in his future.
Evening training was intense, especially with Lin Kun overseeing everything.
Xu Bo felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. Normally, he could find ways to slack off, but with Lin Kun right behind him, he did not dare stop and kept moving nonstop.
Qi Yi had it a little easier. Since he was not under Lin Kun, he spent most of his time duo queuing with Bai Yu.
After being trained by Lin Kun before, Qi Yi much preferred Bai Yu’s approach. He was more motivated than ever and even began contributing to tactical discussions.
Chen Shi’an remained consistent as always. Calm, steady, and unaffected by who was in charge.
At first, Lu Sheng played with extra intensity, trying to show he was better than Lin Kun. But no one could maintain that level of play for long. Eventually, he gave up and focused on finishing his daily tasks, ignoring everything else.
Only Fang Zhixu stayed energetic. He thrived under pressure and still felt unsatisfied even after practice ended.
After everyone else had left, he stayed behind and asked Lin Kun, “Coach, I’m curious. Why was this part of my play rated that way? I know my style is unpredictable, but I think that’s a strength, especially when we’re behind. Why was it marked down?”
Lin Kun looked at him and answered plainly, “What about when you're ahead?”
Fang Zhixu froze. He had never thought about that. “When we’re ahead, it doesn’t really affect the game, right?”
Lin Kun kept writing in his notebook. “You’re better at playing from behind, so you naturally fall back on that comfort zone. You take unnecessary risks because you want to create moments where only you can carry the game. That’s not a strength. It’s a flaw in human nature.”
Fang Zhixu stood still. A chill spread from the back of his neck to the soles of his feet.
Bai Yu had said similar things before, but never in terms of human nature.
Now that Lin Kun had laid it out so directly, even Fang Zhixu was startled. He really did enjoy those moments when only he could turn things around, especially when the rest of the team had no answers.
He looked at Lin Kun and felt a sudden unease. Only someone like him could see through something like that.
Only a monster would understand what another monster was thinking.
Bai Yu would never describe it that way. He would just treat it as a tactical flaw in a favorable situation, not something rooted in a person’s instincts.
Fang Zhixu no longer felt like staying. He quickly packed up and left.
He acknowledged that Lin Kun was a brilliant coach and respected him. But he could not imagine anyone wanting to spend time with someone like that.
Lin Kun was like a mirror that stripped away all illusions. Too real. Too unsettling.
Everyone else had left. Only Qi Yi remained, listening as Bai Yu quietly explained a few things. He sat there nodding earnestly, completely focused.
Since Lin Kun’s arrival, it seemed like everyone had started clinging to Bai Yu, worried that he might stop watching over them.
Lu Sheng had the most demanding training, but he was not the last to finish. When he was done, he lingered, waiting for Bai Yu.
But even after a long wait, Bai Yu was still focused on Qi Yi and never even looked at him. Lu Sheng suddenly felt ridiculous. Trying to act indifferent, he stood up and left first.
Downstairs at the vending machine, he tapped his phone to pay and knocked on the machine with practiced ease.
He bent down to grab a soda. Just as he opened it, Chen Shi’an showed up, smiling and waving like nothing had happened.
Lu Sheng used to think Fang Zhixu was the most cunning on the team. Now not anymore.
Chen Shi’an was worse.
He always seemed kind and easygoing, like a trusted friend. But he had caught someone completely off guard and struck without hesitation.
He bought a bottle of water, his usual brand and lightly tapped it against Lu Sheng’s soda like they were close friends, then sat beside him.
Lu Sheng paused mid-sip, already wary of what was coming. He glanced at him out of the corner of his eye.
Chen Shi’an still wore that gentle smile, as if there was nothing wrong. “About yesterday. Sorry about that. Bai Yu said he couldn’t do it himself, so I had to be the bad guy. Honestly, it wasn’t so bad. I kind of liked it. Just wanted to say, don’t take it personally. I don’t have anything against you. I just didn’t want to put Bai Yu in a difficult position. If I had to do it again, I probably would. We’re not that close anyway. And someone like Bai Yu, with that level of talent, letting personal feelings get in the way of the team would have been a mistake.”
After what had happened yesterday, Lu Sheng no longer trusted his words.
He stayed quiet and thought about it.
The more he thought, the more he realized that Chen Shi’an had known exactly what he was doing, and had done it without any guilt.
That was the dangerous part.
He looked as kind as Bai Yu, but he was nothing like him.
Chen Shi’an was the kind of person who struck when others were completely unguarded. Just like in the game.
Lu Sheng looked at his smiling face and suddenly felt a chill. Now he understood how Jiang Yuan must have felt after being crushed so badly that he started doubting himself.
No one knew what that guy had gone through.
Lu Sheng quickly finished his soda, ready to leave.
Chen Shi’an looked at him with a touch of regret. “Not staying a little longer? I still have a lot I want to say.”
Lu Sheng shook his head. “No. Got things to do.”
He tossed the empty can into the trash, picked up his jacket, and walked away without looking back.
Chen Shi’an smiled as he watched him go. His voice was low, filled with quiet envy. “Looks like Bai Yu has really been good to him.”