kennedydaphne900

Xiao Ting is China’s reigning queen of esports, a goddess both on the battlefield and in beauty, with millions of fans worshipping her every move. But behind her flawless avatar is a thirty-year-old heiress who hasn’t stepped outside her room in years. She doesn’t need the real world, gaming is her empire.

Her parents, however, have other plans. Desperate to see her step away from her screen and into their corporate empire, they hire a professional boyfriend to pull Xiao Ting out of her shell.

Chase Chen is the best in the business, smooth, charming, and dangerously handsome. With his Cha Eun-woo-level looks and a flawless track record, this job should be a breeze. But Xiao Ting is unlike anyone he’s ever met. Unimpressed by his charm and utterly immune to his games, she throws Chase into a world he never expected: hers.

Now, with his contract running out and Xiao Ting proving impossible to win over, Chase must do the unthinkable, beat her at her own game and, maybe, lose his heart in the process.

The Gamer and the game

The stadium roared as thousands of fans waved LED boards emblazoned with their favorite gamer tags.

Xiao Ting sat in the center of it all, her face partially hidden behind her signature facemask and baseball cap, her focus glued to the screen.

The pressure was palpable, but her calm demeanor remained unshaken.

This wasn't just any match. It was the League of Legends International Grand Finals.

Her team, Shadow Fang, was up against the reigning champions, Crimson Blade. The score was tied. This last match would decide it all.

"Xiao Ting, ward the jungle near Baron!" Zhao Han, their team captain, barked into the mic.

His voice was steady, but the tension in his tone betrayed his nerves.

"Already on it," Xiao Ting replied, her voice cool and composed.

Her champion darted across the screen, placing a ward that revealed the enemy team's ambush attempt.

With the enemy's strategy exposed, the team adjusted their formation.

Xiao Ting's sharp decision-making was unmatched.

Her fingers danced over the keyboard and mouse, executing split-second plays that left the commentators and audience stunned.

"She's unstoppable!" one commentator yelled as her champion unleashed a devastating ultimate, wiping out three opponents in a single combo.

"Phantom Queen strikes again!" the other commentator chimed in.

The crowd erupted, but Xiao Ting barely noticed. Her focus was razor-sharp.

She called out commands to her teammates, guiding them through the chaos of the final push toward the enemy's Nexus.

Her hands were steady, her breath controlled.

Then, as the enemy Nexus exploded in flames, the words "Victory" flashed across her screen.

The arena fell into a momentary silence before erupting in cheers. Fans chanted her name, holding banners that read, "Phantom Queen, Goddess of LoL!"

She leaned back in her chair, finally exhaling. Around her, her teammates celebrated, jumping out of their seats and hugging each other.

Zhao Han reached out to give her a high five, which she returned with a small smile.

But as the fans surged forward, shouting her name and holding out merchandise for her to sign, Xiao Ting froze.

Anxiety clawed at her chest. The noise grew louder, and her breathing quickened. She needed to get out.

Grabbing her bag, she bolted toward the backstage area, ignoring the calls from her teammates.

Her heart pounded in her chest as her vision blurred. The wave of fans felt like a tidal wave closing in on her.

She stumbled into the dressing room, gasping for air.

Her hands shook as she fumbled through her bag for her inhaler, only to realize she'd left it in her room.

"Damn it," she muttered, leaning against the wall as the panic attack consumed her.

Suddenly, firm yet gentle hands steadied her. A soothing voice broke through the chaos in her mind. "It's okay. Breathe."

A brown paper bag was pressed into her hands, and she inhaled shakily, following the rhythmic instructions. Slowly, her breathing steadied.

Looking up, her sharp dark eyes met the calmest brown ones she had ever seen.

The man before her smiled softly. His chiseled features and striking gaze made her blink twice.

"Are you okay now?" he asked, his voice steady and reassuring.

She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who are you?"

Chapter 3: Intense