LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

For young people today, going home for the Chinese New Year is indeed a sweet burden, especially when they have to face pressure to get married.

In comparison, spending the New Year freely in a mansion with loved ones and best friends is obviously more appealing.

“I think…maybe it’s possible.” Luo Xin was the first to waver. “Anyway, if I tell my mom I have to work overtime, she should believe me.”

“Me too.” hope Ran nodded, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes. “I wasn’t planning on going back anyway. If I could go with you guys, it would definitely be much better than ordering takeout alone.”

Yu Shuang thought for a moment and then smiled: "Okay, then I'll video call my mom to wish her a Happy New Year."

"I'm staying too!" Xiaoyu excitedly raised her hand. "Then I'll be in charge of buying fireworks! We're going to set off those super big fireworks in the yard!"

Seeing that everyone agreed, Su Mo breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that his back was completely soaked.

Let's delay this kind of "public son-in-law" arrangement for as long as possible.

"Then it's decided!" Su Mo waved his hand and pulled out his black card with an air of grandeur. "Starting tomorrow, we'll split into two groups. One group will be responsible for decorating the villa to create a festive atmosphere for the New Year, and the other group will be responsible for purchasing New Year's goods! King crab, Wagyu beef, Moutai—anything edible and drinkable, we'll bring it all back! This Spring Festival, we're going to live more comfortably than an emperor!"

"Long live Brother Mozi!"

"I want to buy that two-meter-tall plush rabbit!"

"I want to buy a whole box of cherries!"

Looking at the group of cheering female friends in front of him, Su Mo slumped on the sofa with a satisfied smile on his lips.

Although the dangers of the chaotic scene are ever-present, it must be said that such a lively and bustling life, surrounded by beautiful women, is something even a god wouldn't trade.

However, what Su Mo didn't know was that in their private chat group (the one without Su Mo), a message was being quietly transmitted:
Rita: "Let him off the hook this time. But ladies, we need to figure out a way to make him work next year! Even if it's just one day a family!"

Yu Shuang: "Agreed. We can't let him get away with this forever."

Xiaoyu: "Then I'll line up for Chinese New Year's Day!"

hope Ran: "Um... can I be in line for the fifth day of the lunar new year?"

Su Mo sneezed and rubbed his nose.

"Who's thinking about me? They must be captivated by my good looks."

Outside the window, snowflakes fell, and the winter night in Shanghai was made especially warm by the laughter and joy inside this villa.

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, although the sky over Shanghai was overcast, Su Mo's villa was bustling with activity.

Having decided to stay in Shanghai for a "reunion year," these five female commentators and hosts, who are usually glamorous in front of the camera, have all transformed into "housekeeping queens" and "shopping maniacs."

The villa's living room has been divided into several battle zones.

"Oh dear! This lantern is hanging crooked! Move it a little to the left, a little more to the left!"

Luo Xin was standing at the bottom of the escalator, directing Su Mo to hang the huge red lantern.

Su Mo, wearing a gray hoodie and flip-flops, stood on a three-meter-high stepladder, holding a lantern wider than himself, looking helpless: "Sister Hunchback, how far to the left is your 'a little to the left'? I'm almost touching the corner of the wall!"

“That’s your left! I’m talking about my left!” Luo Xin said confidently, hands on her hips.

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you." Su Mo sighed, adjusted the position, and hung the lantern up with a "snap".

Before Su Mo could even catch his breath after jumping down the ladder, Yu Shuang came over carrying a pile of red paper.

"Mozi, I heard you practiced calligraphy when you were a child?" Yu Shuang smiled gently, placing the brush and ink on the coffee table. "Come on, show us your skills. This year's Spring Festival couplets are yours. Don't try to fool us with those printed ones you buy outside; we want them custom-made."

"Calligraphy?" Su Mo's lips twitched. "Sister Shuang, I practiced calligraphy for two weeks when I was in second grade. Does that count?"

"Wow, the FMVP's handwriting must be ethereal!" Xiaoyu teased from the side, pouring some ink into the inkstone. "Hurry up and write! I've already thought of the words!"

Stared at by several expectant eyes, Su Mo had no choice but to steel himself and pick up the brush. He took a deep breath, focused his energy, and made a sweeping stroke.

Several large characters suddenly appeared on the red paper... how should I put it, they were in a very "wild cursive" style.

First line: I punch T1 and kick GG, I'm the most invincible in LPL.
The second line: Holding Yu Shuang and embracing Rita, who wouldn't be captivated by this life?
Horizontal scroll: Head of the family

"puff--"

hope Ran, who was drinking water, spat it out. She pointed at the couplet and laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "This...this is too straightforward, isn't it? And the calligraphy...it really has a personal style, like chicken feet scratching."

"Get lost!" Rita spat, her face flushed, but carefully put away the paper with the second line of the couplet written on it. "The handwriting is a bit ugly, but the content... well, it's honest enough. Post it! It has to be posted at the front door! Let everyone who passes by see how shameless this person is!"

"No, no, no!" Su Mo quickly stopped him. "How can I face anyone if I put it on the front door? Just put it on the door of the living room on the second floor!"

After some haggling, this "masterpiece of calligraphy" was finally pasted on the door of the home theater on the second floor of the villa, becoming the most unique sight this Spring Festival.

……

New Year’s Eve.

Early in the morning, the villa's kitchen became a battlefield.

Su Mo, the "head chef," specially changed into a red apron today, looking very cheerful.

"Rita, don't splash water everywhere when washing the vegetables!"

"Xiaoyu! That's light soy sauce, not dark soy sauce! Don't pour in too much!"

"Xiran, you've rolled out the dumpling wrappers really well! You're talented!"

While quickly stir-frying the spicy crab in the large pot at the stove, Su Mo directed the four "helpers" to cook.

Although the scene was chaotic at times—for example, Luo Xin tried to put a large piece of chocolate into a dumpling and said it was a "sweet surprise," but Yu Shuang stopped her in time; and Rita chopped scallions into uneven sizes, as if she were cutting building blocks.

But this lively atmosphere filled the once somewhat empty mansion with the feeling of home.

7 p.m.

A huge round table was laden with a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

In the very center was Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, which Su Mo had been stewing all afternoon. Next to it were braised pork, steamed grouper, and braised prawns. Of course, there was also a plate of dumplings of various shapes, some of which had their filling spilled out.

"Come on, come on! Pour the wine!"

The case of Moutai that Edward Zhu gave us finally came in handy.

Su Mo filled everyone's glasses with red wine, then picked up his glass and stood up.

Looking at the five beautiful women sitting around him, Su Mo was filled with emotion.

With so many close friends by my side, what more could I ask for?

"The first toast." Su Mo put away his usual playful smile, his eyes sincere. "To the past year. Thank you all for your company."

"cheers!"

Five slender, fair hands held up wine glasses, which clinked together with Su Mo's glass, producing a crisp sound.

"The second cup." Su Mo refilled the glass, looked at Yu Shuang, Rita, Xiao Yu, and Luo Xin, and finally his gaze fell on Xi Ran. "To fate. Although we can't go back to our hometown, this is our home in Shanghai. Every year from now on, no matter what happens, as long as you are willing, the door here will always be open for you."

hope Ran's eyes were slightly red. She took a sip of juice to hide her emotions.

For her, a "latecomer," being accepted so unreservedly was the warmest thing this winter.

"The third toast!" Rita interrupted, standing up with one foot on the chair, and shouted with great enthusiasm, "To S13! May Mozi continue to dominate! To our ever-growing beauty! To the ever-lasting EDG dynasty!!"

"it is good!!!"

The atmosphere instantly reached a climax.

After a few rounds of drinks, the background music from the Spring Festival Gala became the background music.

The most exciting part of the dumpling-making process was "eating coins".

Su Mo put three clean coins in the dumplings. Whoever finds one will have good luck this year. Although it's a cliché, everyone enjoys it.

"Ouch!" Xiaoyu cried out, clutching her teeth, then excitedly spat out a coin: "I got it! I got it! I'm going to be rich this year!"

"I got to eat some too!" Yu Shuang smiled and showed off the coins in her hand.

With fewer and fewer dumplings left, Su Mo, Rita, Luo Xin, and hope Ran were all eating frantically, trying to find the last one.

hope Ran picked up a dumpling and took a small bite.

“Geddon”.

She paused for a moment, then her eyes widened in surprise: "I...it seems to be me!"

"Wow! Xiran is so lucky!" Luo Xin looked at her with envy.

……

The clock is about to strike midnight.

Su Mo led everyone to the courtyard of the villa.

The fireworks he had bought at a "huge sum" were already set up there—the kind of big machines that could light up half the night sky once lit.

"Are you ready? Countdown!"

Su Mo stood next to the fuse, holding a lighter.

“10、9、8……3、2、1！新年快乐！！”

"Swoosh—Boom!!"

The first firework shot into the sky, exploding into a magnificent golden peony in the dark night.

Immediately afterwards, a series of colorful lights burst forth, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime.

Five girls screamed excitedly, waving their sparklers, spinning around and taking pictures under the fireworks.

Su Mo stood aside, looking at their smiling faces, feeling even more satisfied than holding the Summoner's Cup.

Just then, Rita suddenly rushed over, grabbed Su Mo's neck, and kissed him hard on the cheek.

Happy New Year, you rascal!

This action was like flipping a switch.

Yu Shuang also walked over with a smile and gently hugged Su Mo: "Happy New Year, head of the family."

Xiaoyu and Luoxin weren't to be outdone, each clinging to one of Su Mo's arms: "Red envelopes! Red envelopes! We want red envelopes!"

hope Ran stood a little further away, holding a sparkler in her hand. The firelight illuminated her face, making her look exceptionally gentle. She looked at Su Mo, who was surrounded by the crowd, and hesitated whether to step forward.

Su Mo broke free from the crowd's "siege" and strode up to hope Ran.

"What are you spacing out for? Aren't you going to give me a hug?" Su Mo opened his arms and grinned mischievously.

hope Ran looked at him, took a deep breath, threw away the fairy wand in her hand, and rushed into that warm embrace.

Happy New Year, Brother Mozi.

"Happy New Year." Su Mo tightened his arms around her and whispered in her ear amidst the fireworks, "Welcome to this crazy family."

……

New Year's Day.

A photo went viral on Weibo.

The background of the photo is a dazzling display of fireworks and a luxurious villa.

Su Mo, wearing a red hoodie, stood in the center, smiling brightly yet infuriatingly.

Beside him, Yu Shuang, Rita, Xiao Yu, Luo Xin, and Xi Ran, five leading ladies of the LPL, dressed in various festive outfits, made heart shapes with their hands or acted silly, surrounding him.

The accompanying text was just a simple sentence:

[EDG.Mo: Happy New Year! We're staying home this year to prepare for S13 instead of going home for the holiday! We'll also be looking after a few homeless colleagues. Please continue to support us in the new year!]

The comment section crashed instantly after this Weibo post was published.

【? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 】

What an amazing life!

[A homeless colleague? You call this a colleague? This is clearly a harem team building activity!]

[Knife in hand, kill that dog Su!]

[Su Mo! You stole our championship, and now you want to steal our wives too?!]

[You think all five of the most beautiful female hosts in the entire LPL are here? You're being too greedy!]

I thought he went for special training, but it turns out he went to enjoy the pleasures of having multiple women! Unfollowed (not really)!

Who wrote that horizontal inscription that reads "Head of the Household"? Come out and take your punishment! That's outrageous!

Meanwhile, Su Mo had already turned off his phone notifications.

He was lying on the sofa, enjoying Rita and Xiaoyu's "massage service," eating cherries fed to him by Xiran, and watching a replay on TV.

"Brother Mozi, everyone online is cursing you." Luo Xin said gloatingly while scrolling through her phone.

"Go ahead and curse," Su Mo said, closing his eyes contentedly. "A person who isn't envied is mediocre. They're just being envious and jealous."

He rolled over and found a more comfortable position.

"The S13 Spring Split still has two weeks to go. Shouldn't we use these few days to plan... where to go for the Lantern Festival?"

"I want to go skiing!"

"I want to go to a hot spring!"

"I want to go to Disneyland!"

Hearing the chattering arguments around him, Su Mo smiled.

This is life.

“Skiing? Forget it.” Yu Shuang shook her head while peeling an orange. “Going to Chongli or Changbai Mountain is too far, and it’s crowded during the Spring Festival. I don’t want to queue up and fall down.”

"How about going to Sanya?" Xiaoyu suggested. "Let me think about sunbathing."

“Nothing new,” Rita said, crossing her legs. “Besides, our faces are too easily recognized. It’s not good for Mozi if people keep taking pictures of us online.”

"So where do you guys want to go?" Su Mo shrugged. "We want something that's not crowded, exciting, and fun. That's harder than winning the S-series championship."

Luo Xin, who had been lying on the carpet scrolling through her phone, suddenly exclaimed and sat up abruptly, her eyes gleaming with mischievous intent: "Hey! Girls! Look at this!"

She held her phone up to the crowd; the screen displayed a sinister and terrifying propaganda video.

"A super-large immersive escape room has just opened in the suburbs of Shanghai! It's themed around an abandoned mental hospital! It's said to cover several thousand square meters, with dozens of NPCs chasing you, and you even have to stay overnight! The success rate is less than 5%!"

Luo Xin became more and more excited as she spoke: "I read online that it's super exciting. Not only do you have to solve puzzles, but you also have to evade the 'butcher' who is chasing you. It's a real test of courage and physical strength! We're under a lot of pressure these days, so we need this kind of screaming therapy!"

"Huh? A haunted house..." hope Ran shrank her neck, somewhat resistant. "I...I'm most afraid of that."

Yu Shuang's expression also changed: "I... am not very good at it either."

"What's there to be afraid of!" Rita became interested. She looked at Su Mo and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips. "Don't we have a 'head of the family'? He's a force to be reckoned with in the canyon. A few mere NPCs can't scare Brother Mo, can they?"

Su Mo was drinking tea when he heard this and almost choked. (End of Chapter)