Chapter 29: MVP Of The Night

Zhao Yingyue felt much more relaxed after changing out of her dress into comfort clothes and settling downstairs. She had never felt so comfortable than she did in that moment. Never been surrounded by people who didn't care about upholding status or garnering favor before. This feeling was one that she could get used to.

"I had no idea that you would be our newest member! I mean, I had my suspicions after hearing your voice and recognizing it from some interview somewhere but I thought there was no way that would be the case!"

From the second she had gotten downstairs, Li Dongyang had excitedly started talking with her. It made it almost impossible for anyone else to get to know their new team member but she couldn't help to be amused. She'd never been around someone so rambunctious.

She replied to his statement, not sure if he was asking her anything, "Yes, most people wouldn't really expect it with my reputation. It played to my advantage, in the end."

Li Dongyang nodded excitedly at her and asked, "By the way, how did you manage to pull that thing off during our first game? That thing you did with Ruo Xuan. I've never seen anyone try to pull a play like that."

Zhao Yingyue got really excited at this question. She always got excited when talking about the game and her own play style. After all, she'd put so much effort into honing her gameplay.

"Well actually... it's quite interesting! I once had someone that I had met online and it was something we had one day come up with. If I'm honest, I missed a lot at first. As is, Weimin has a really nice range but it's hard to master his kit, especially since aiming is harder the further you are from the target."

"So, I actually started playing a whole bunch of FPS games along with 'Honor' to get used to different targeting systems! Typically they were those that actually had a harder one so that Honor's would feel like it's easy in comparison. While doing that, this friend and I practiced like crazy every single night!"

"It took us a really long time but we finally hit it once. Of course, it took a very long time before I could actually hit it almost every time."

By this point, the entire team had surrounded her. All of them had wanted to ask the same question as they hadn't seen anything like it. Zhao Yingyue, however, hadn't noticed, as she continued.

"As we played, we also started to pick out all the flaws but we couldn't adjust on our own as that would require more than just us two. Especially seeing as 'Honor' requires a team of five!"

"Because it was random games that we did this, no one really had time to anticipate or come up with a counter attack."

"Though, I suppose now people know since people clipped it from that game we played together..."

Zhao Yingyue tried not to frown. It meant that people would try to perfect her favorite move and try to come up with counterattacks. She'd have to continue developing it further so that no one could keep up.

The entire team were both shocked and impressed at how much work went into creating that combo attack. None of them had thought of playing a different game to develop their skills in the game that they already play. Most people, in fact, assumed that splitting attention like that could make you go backwards in the game you originally started with.

Li Dongyang asked, "So you played other games so that you could get yourself accustomed to shooting mechanisms along with throwing in probably months of practicing just for that one combo?"

Zhao Yingyue nodded her head. It had been one of her most prized achievements. It had started as a crazy idea between two friends but they made it a reality and she was proud of it.

Yang Ruoxuan said, "That actually makes sense. You made sure to cover all your bases. There's a degree of respect in that. When we start training again, we should try some more combos that most won't think of and catch people by surprise."

Yang Ruoxuan had previously not ben convinced. He had to admit that he originally though that move was arrogant, reckless, and lucky. Now, he realized that while it was reckless, it wasn't arrogant or lucky. It had actually been the result of more hard work than he'd imagined.

Now that he knew how much work went into it, he was satisfied and approved of Zhao Yingyue. No one could truthfully say that she wasn't a hard worker or skilled. And the passion that she spoke about 'Honor' with resonated with him as he, too, also had deep feelings for the game.

Zhao Yingyue nodded.

"Of course! I can't wait until we all start working together! I'll work even harder."

Liu Haoyu, who had been distracted by watching Zhao Yingyue's excitement, then spoke.

"Alright guys. There's time to talk about the game later. For now, how about we celebrate. Otherwise, why else are you guys here?"

Li Dongyang smirked and said, "Hey, Zhao Yingyue, did you know that Captain flew us in from our respective homes because he wanted to surprise you? He'd actually planned it for days."

Zhao Yingyue was shocked and turned to look curiously at Liu Haoyu, who had already went to start cooking meat on the grill. He had been planning this surprise for her for that long? She had thought that she'd gotten lucky that the members were gathered together in town.

"Really?"

Li Dongyang nodded excitedly before turning toward the table and eyeing the food. He would surely make sure to eat until he was satisfied.

Zhao Yingyue watched curiously as everyone started placing their meat and vegetables on the grill. She wasn't sure what she should do so she reached over and started scooping rice from the big bowl in the center into everyone's bowls.

Looking at how awkward she was, Gu Leyang asked, "Have you never eaten barbecue before?"

Zhao Yingyue nervously shook her head. Her mother and Gu Yan always said that it was too messy or something. But she also didn't really have friends to share it with.

"There isn't much that I was really able to do aside from what you've seen about me prior to meeting me. It's the reason why I covered my face as 'Luna'."

Gu Leyang nodded in understanding at her revelation.

Liu Haoyu quietly stacked her bowl with meat and vegetables as it came off the grill to make sure she would have enough food.

"We eat a lot of barbecue and hotpot during the season when we celebrate so eat up. We'll teach you how to grill it all later."

Zhao Yingyue smiled and nodded in gratitude.

Li Dongyang started opening bottles of beer and placing one in front of each of them.

Zhao Yingyue stared curiously at the bottle. She had never had beer before—only different wines and champagne while accompanying her parents to certain events. She had always been told that beer would be too improper or something.

Li Dongyang, who caught her curious expression, said, "Beer and barbecue go together really nice. Just trust me on this."

Zhao Yingyue nodded slowly before picking up her chopsticks. She gazed at the bowl with curiosity. She had never done this before and she hadn't expected Liu Haoyu to have done something like this either.

It made sense though. He had a lot more freedom and had established himself in the world of esports years ago.

She looked up around her and saw the four guys in front of her joking around with each other as if they had been best friends their entire lives. It made her feel strange inside.

Did she deserve this type of family? Because to her, that's what they really were. A family. She wasn't even sure that she knew how to be apart of a properly functioning one.

Li Dongyang picked up his beer and ran from Liu Haoyu after making a really bad joke.

"How about we make a toast to the newest member of our family!"

Everyone picked up their bottles and excitedly lifted them before turning to look at Zhao Yingyue. She looked at them with complicated expression before lifting her bottle, too.

The genuine excitement and anticipation in each of the men's faces made her feel especially warm. She had wanted to be accepted so bad and it seemed it didn't take much. Everyone in the team seemed to already like her a lot.

"Why don't we have our MVP of the night make the speech!"

Everyone pointed their gazes at Zhao Yingyue. It was obvious that they were talking about her. She had to come up with something quick and hope that it sounded alright.

Zhao Yingyue was nervous but said, "It's everyone's dream to meet Q5 and not many dare to dream of joining. I never thought I would have this opportunity in my lifetime—especially when my entire life was micromanaged."

"But now, I'm joining TBQ5 as an official member and I couldn't be happier. I will work my very hardest to not let you guys down and try to be a good friend to all, even if I have no experience in that. I'll be in your care from now on!"

Everyone than clanked their glasses together in the most inelegant way Zhao Yingyue had ever seen. The sound that resounded was also not very pleasant yet it was strangely comforting.

The second that the taste of beer hit her, she wasn't sure if she liked it or hated it but quickly put it down to start eating. She was still really hungry after not having eaten much for the entire day. The hors d'oeuvres had been good but they were still much too small.

She quickly started eating everything in her bowl—feeling hyperaware of everyone around her's movements. All of the boys were eating their food rather quickly and placing more on the grill.

When she saw how quickly they were eating, she started to feel less self conscious. Instead, she noticed how quickly they were running out of ingredients and joined them. There was no way she would go hungry tonight because there is no food left.

Caution was out the window. After all, they'd all learn eventually how much she could eat so she might as well start at the first meeting. And there was really no reason for her to limit how much she ate anymore.

Li Dongyang, who was on his third bowl, looked at Zhao Yingyue as she started refilling her bowl with rice.

"It seems our new sister will have no trouble fitting right in. She even understands the biggest rule of eating together as a team is first come, first served. Or should we say every man for themself?"

Zhao Yingyue awkwardly laughed as Liu Haoyu filled her bowl with more meat and vegetables again.

For the rest of the night, the five of them played games, shared stories, and had funny conversations.

Zhao Yingyue found herself forgetting about everything and instead indulging in the excitement of the moment. She was having a lot of fun and didn't want it to ever end. She hoped that they'd have more nights like this in the future.

She even noticed how Liu Haoyu interacted with the team. While sometimes he was cold, it was always in a playful way. He even took part in the games and jokes that they had running.

The teams environment was just more than she had expected.

With them living together, she knew they were close, but she had still assumed it was more of a colleague relationship rather than this familial bond. She was glad to be wrong about that. She hoped that living together, she would also have strong bonds with the other members someday.

As the night drew to a close, everyone had been completely partied out. There wasn't a single beer bottle or grain of rice left. Everyone had eaten and drank themselves full.

Liu Haoyu stood by the door, holding Zhao Yingyue's hand. She hadn't drank enough to be drunk but he had a feeling she was at least a little tipsy.

"Alright guys, I need to take my wife home now. We'll see you in February."

Zhao Yingyue bowed. "It was nice meeting you all."

The other members of the team drunkenly muttered their goodbyes before everyone went their separate ways.