LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

The night in Hangzhou is filled with a gentle, intoxicating breeze.

The aroma of fresh hairy crabs filled the private room of a fairly upscale private restaurant.

"Wow, this is so delicious! Brother Mozi, you're like my second father!" Jiejie grabbed crab legs with both hands, eating with his mouth full of oil, completely abandoning his image as a champion jungler. "It's a million times better than that vinegar fish!"

Su Mo slowly and methodically dissected the crab meat, with a cup of warm Shaoxing wine beside her. Her phone screen was lit up with messages from a WeChat group.

【A loving family (5)】

Rita: [Image] (A selfie of herself in pajamas with a face mask on) Mozi, that pentakill was awesome! I'll give you a reward when I get back! [heart]
Luo Xin: [Image] (hugging a life-size Su Mo body pillow) We're watching the replay, the Blade Girl is so smooth!
Yu Shuang: Remember to drink less alcohol, we have to catch the high-speed train back to Shanghai tomorrow.

Xiaoyu: I want to eat crab roe buns... [sad face]
Su Mo smiled slightly and replied, "[It's packed up. I'll take it back tomorrow.]"

Putting down his phone, Su Mo looked at his teammates who were stuffing themselves and asked, "Has the schedule for the next match been released yet?"

The factory manager, who was picking his teeth with a toothpick, paused upon hearing this, his expression turning somewhat strange, even a little excited.

"He's out." The factory manager put down his toothpick and looked intently at Su Mo. "This might be a tough battle."

"Oh?" Su Mo raised an eyebrow. "Who? JD Gaming? Or Top Esports' rematch?"

“No,” the factory manager uttered three words, “WBG.”

Saint Gun looked at Su Mo with a mischievous grin: "Brother Mo, this is a high-level game. Although TheShy's performance has been fluctuating lately, he is still the strongest laner besides you in terms of pressure. Don't accidentally cause a loss."

The factory manager ignored Holy Gun's teasing and just stared at Su Mo: "So? Do you want to rest later or go up and have some fun?"

Su Mo wiped his hands, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained calm.

"Rest?" Su Mo chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "I was planning to rest, since playing these easy games is pretty boring."

Upon hearing the words "noob-stomping game," the surrounding teammates' lips twitched.

“However…” Su Mo changed the subject, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, “Since the opponent is TheShy, then we can stretch our muscles a bit. And see if he’s improved recently.”

The factory manager immediately slapped his thigh: "Great! That's exactly what I was waiting for!"

……

Half an hour later, at West Lake in Hangzhou.

Although it was already past 9 p.m., the West Lake area was still teeming with people.

Su Mo and his group made a point of wearing masks and hats, trying to blend into the night.

"Brother Mozi, I heard the scenery over there at night is quite nice, do you want to go check it out?" Meiko said, pointing to the lights in the distance.

"Let's go, it'll help us digest our food." Su Mo walked leisurely ahead, hands in his pockets.

These internet-addicted teenagers, who usually spend most of their time in front of computers at the base, were unusually out for a break, and they were all as excited as huskies released from their cages. Jiejie and Viper were examining the fluorescent balloons being sold on the roadside, while Holy Gun was frantically taking pictures with his phone and posting them on his WeChat Moments.

However, they underestimated Su Mo's current influence.

Just as they passed a popular photo spot, a night breeze blew by. Su Mo subconsciously pressed down his baseball cap, which had become slightly loose in the wind, and casually tidied up the stray hairs that were showing on his forehead.

This action stunned several girls who were taking selfies nearby.

One of the girls stared blankly at that iconic profile, her pupils dilating in shock.

"That's... Brother Mozi!"

This exclamation was like a depth charge dropped onto a calm lake.

The surrounding crowd froze for a second, and then countless eyes focused on them like searchlights.

"Holy crap! It really is Brother Mozi!!"

"Aaaaaah! Husband!!"

"Su Mo is alive!! The entire EDG team is here!!"

In an instant, the tourists who were admiring the night view transformed into a group of enthusiastic fans.

Especially the young female fans, who usually shout "Su Mo is my husband" online, erupted in incredibly loud screams when they saw him in person.

"Run!" Jiejie's expression changed, and she grabbed Viper, trying to escape.

But it was too late.

In the blink of an eye, they were completely surrounded.

Hundreds of fans completely blocked the road, and countless mobile phone flashlights lit up a sea of ​​stars.

But 90% of the firepower was focused on Su Mo.

"Brother Mozi! I'm a huge fan of your looks! Can I get your autograph?"

"Honey, look at me! I want to have your babies!"

"Waaaaah, he's even more handsome in person than on live stream! Oh my god, those legs, that waist..."

Su Mo was surrounded by a group of excited young ladies, their faces flushed.

Someone handed him a notebook, someone else handed him a phone case, and someone even tried to touch his abs in the chaos.

Although Saint Gun Bro and Jiejie were also surrounded, compared to the grand scene on Su Mo's side, it was nothing.

Saint Gun looked at Su Mo with a sour expression: "Is this what top-tier players are like? Why are all the girls surrounding Brother Mo pretty, while all the guys surrounding me are asking me how to play top lane well?"

"You should be grateful, at least you have people around you." Jiejie said, both amused and exasperated. "I was almost pushed into West Lake by a female fan of Brother Mozi, and she even complained that I was blocking her way!"

Despite being at the center of the storm, Su Mo remained remarkably calm in the face of this situation.

He did not show any signs of agitation or panic.

He slightly raised his hand and made a "shh" gesture.

Miraculously, the previously noisy crowd gradually quieted down, and everyone held their breath and watched him.

Su Mo removed one ear of her mask, revealing a face that was still impeccably beautiful even in the night, with her signature lazy smile on her lips.

"Everyone, please keep your voices down." Su Mo's voice had a touch of magnetism, particularly alluring in the night breeze. "This is a public place, don't disturb other people's view. Besides..."

He pointed to the bewildered security guard not far away and joked, "If we keep making this noise, the security guard will arrest us for an illegal assembly."

A suppressed laugh erupted from the crowd, instantly lightening the atmosphere.

"Alright, you can sign autographs, but don't push, line up properly. Everyone has a chance, don't hurt my teammates, especially Jiejie, he's fragile, if he gets hurt you guys will have to play for him."

As Su Mo spoke, he took the pen from the first fan and signed his ID smoothly.

That composed demeanor didn't resemble that of an esports player; it was more like that of a superstar hosting a meet-and-greet. For the next half hour, a peculiar scene unfolded by West Lake.

The EDG players became a temporary tourist attraction, and a long queue formed in front of Su Mo.

Su Mo only stopped writing when the factory manager called to urge him to return to the team. He clasped his hands together and smiled apologetically at the fans who hadn't yet signed in.
"Sorry everyone, the coach is checking up on us. If we don't get back soon, our wages will be docked. See you next time."

After saying that, he waved to the fans, turned around and left with his teammates under the escort of security guards.

Behind them, there were countless girls' reluctant screams and the sound of camera shutters clicking.

Back in the van, Jiejie slumped in her seat, looking utterly dejected: "I'm never going shopping with Brother Mozi again. This isn't shopping; it's like a fan meeting plus version."

Viper added in broken Chinese, "In China, this is called... a heartthrob."

Su Mo leaned against the window, watching the Hangzhou night view flash by outside, but her mood was unusually calm.

My phone vibrated; it was a WeChat message from Yu Shuang: "I saw someone post on Weibo about a chance encounter at West Lake. That person really attracts attention wherever they go! [jealous]"
Su Mo smiled and replied: "There's nothing I can do; being too charming is also a kind of trouble."

Su Mo turned off her phone and closed her eyes.

After the noise subsided, the next ID appeared in his mind.

TheShy.

"I hope you won't disappoint me..." Su Mo whispered to himself.

I arrived back in Shanghai the following evening.

During the two-hour high-speed train journey, the entire EDG team slept like logs, except for Su Mo, who was energetically scrolling through his phone, occasionally replying to a few messages.

As soon as they got back to the base, Jiejie and Flandre couldn't wait to rush into the training room, ostensibly to prepare for battle, but actually to go and unleash their confidence in Korean Ranked games.

Su Mo didn't rush to turn on the computer. He looked at the insulated box he was carrying—it contained a premium crab roe bun and several exquisite Suzhou-style pastries that he had specially ordered to be packed in Hangzhou.

He had already arranged a place with Luo Xin and needed to go there to bring her some food.

"I'm going out for a bit," Su Mo said to the factory manager who was queuing up.

The factory manager didn't even turn his head. He was studying WBG's video. He waved his hand and said, "Go on, go on. Remember to come back and have some fun before ten o'clock."

Su Mo chuckled, changed into casual clothes, pulled his hat down low, and walked out of the base.

At this moment, outside a coffee shop near the Shanghai Hongqiao Performing Arts Center.

Luo Xin frowned, looking helplessly at the man blocking her way.

The man was wearing a slightly ostentatious designer suit, holding a huge bouquet of red roses, and wearing what he thought was a handsome, greasy smile.

"Miss Luo Xin, I'm really sincere. I just want to invite you to dinner at a Michelin three-star restaurant on the Bund. I've already made a reservation. Would you do me the honor?"

“Mr. Wang, I really have something to do, and we’re not close.” Luo Xin took a half step back, clutching her phone tightly in her hand. “And my boyfriend is coming to pick me up soon.”

"Boyfriend?" The rich second-generation Wang scoffed. "Come on, do you think I don't know your circle? You mean that gamer Su Mo? It's just a publicity stunt to gain fans through a couple pairing. You think you can fool me? Besides, he and Rita are a couple, I know that. You come with me, and your resources will be..."

Luo Xin's face darkened, and she was about to lash out when she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder.

A warm, strong hand wrapped around her shoulder, followed by a cool, languid voice from behind the rich kid:

"It's true that internet-addicted teenagers who play computer games are useless, but they're still better than some good-for-nothings who just rely on their family's money to act like big shots, right?"

Luo Xin trembled, turned around abruptly, and the anger in her eyes turned into surprise: "Brother Mozi!!"

The rich kid's face stiffened, and he turned his head away.

Su Mo was wearing a simple black hoodie, one hand in his pocket, and the other holding a thermos that seemed out of place with his aloof demeanor.

Even with a mask on, the coldness emanating from those exposed eyes sent a chill down the spine of the rich kid.

"You...you are Brother Mozi?" The rich second-generation changed his tune immediately. When he saw the real person, he felt the oppressive aura that could only be cultivated through fighting on the top stage, and his momentum instantly diminished.

Su Mo ignored him and looked down at Luo Xin: "Didn't I tell you to wait inside? It's so windy outside, aren't you afraid of getting chilled?"

"I... I only got out because this annoying guy was bothering me." Luo Xin grabbed Su Mo's arm and then looked at the man. "Did you hear that? This is my real boyfriend, alive and well!"

The rich kid was completely dumbfounded: "Then... what about Rita?"

"Hehe." Chen Lie chuckled, offering no explanation.

"I understand, the rumors online are true. You're with several people at the same time..." The rich kid stopped abruptly.

After a while, he walked up to Chen Lie with an embarrassed smile and said, "Brother, teach me."

"You only need my looks," Chen Lie said mercilessly.

"Fine... I'm not playing anymore! You win!" The rich kid threw down a weak remark, shoved the roses into Chen Lie's hand, and then slunk away into the sports car next to him.

His move left Chen Lie completely bewildered.

Luo Xin burst out laughing: "Hahaha, Brother Mozi wouldn't have fallen for you so easily, would he?!"

"Lie is talking nonsense, I'm straight!" Chen Lie said, then placed the flowers on top of the trash can.

Luo Xin looked at Su Mo with sparkling eyes: "Brother Mo, you were so manly just now! My heart was racing!"

Su Mo reached out and lightly flicked her forehead: "Stop with that. Here, the crab roe bun you wanted, it's still warm. Also, please give some to Sister Ta and Sister Wan'er."

Luo Xin took the insulated box, feeling warm inside, but she scoffed, "Hmph, at least you have a conscience. But Sister Shuang and the others are still working overtime in the studio. Do you want to come in with me and bring them some warmth?"

"I won't go in, it's too conspicuous." Su Mo helped her tidy her bangs that were messed up by the wind. "I still have to rush back to review the situation."

"Oh...playing WBG, huh?" Luo Xin nodded. "Good luck, go ahead and get busy!"

"Well, let's go."

……

Back in the training room at the base, Su Mo heard Jiejie shouting and yelling.

"Wow! What is that? Top lane Ashe? Top lane Kalista? Holy crap, TheShy's been playing pretty aggressively on the Korean server these past few days?"

On the big screen at that moment, WBG's top laner TheShy's recent Korean server ranked game records were being displayed.

Amidst a sea of ​​red and green battle records, the hero selection stands out starkly.

Besides the usual Gwen and Kennen, there are a lot of ranged champions mixed in: Kalista, Lucian, Vayne, and even a top lane Ahri.

"Is this what they call the 'Don't eat, don't eat' playstyle?" Meiko laughed. "It would be interesting to use this in a match, since Brother Mozi also likes to play these weird and wonderful things." (End of Chapter)