Ye Shaoyang and Cheng Xing went together to the league headquarters to submit their documents and materials. Over the next few days, the two began preparing for the trip abroad. The World Invitational Tournament schedule lasted a week, so they needed to pack quite a lot.
Omegas usually bring suppressants when going out, but Ye Shaoyang was allergic to suppressants; Chi Shuo was his "human suppressant." This time, Chi Shuo was accompanying him abroad. Though Ye Shaoyang didn't say it out loud, he felt relieved deep down. In case of an emergency abroad, if his pheromones fluctuated, having Chi Shuo there meant he wouldn't lose control.
Besides a change of clothes and toiletries, Cheng Xing stuffed a large pile of snacks into his suitcase, all bought by Old Qin and given to him. Old Qin said, "In case you can't get used to Korean kimchi, you can fill up with these self-brought snacks."
Qu Jiang thoughtfully prepared common medications for them—everything from pills for headaches, colds, diarrhea, to fever. Once they got their luggage packed, Ye Shaoyang patiently waited for league notifications.
Since the World Invitational sent electronic invitations, the group visa was easily approved. The group going abroad together included league Chairman Qiu Heng, team leader Liu Xiao, official commentators Mu Mu (Yao Mu) and Brother Dong (Qi Dongyu), accompanying journalists and photographers, and participating players Ye Shaoyang, Zhou Jiawen, Xie Weiyu, and Cheng Xing.
From the China region, besides the three league-recommended players, only Cheng Xing, who signed up for the Wild Card region, successfully advanced. Other teams also had many newcomers sign up, but most were reportedly eliminated in the first or second rounds.
For Cheng Xing to make it into the Invitational was already an outstanding performance.
When the Tianhuan official Weibo announced the good news, fans were ecstatic. No one expected that besides Lieyang being recommended to participate, Xiao Xing had also fought his way out of the Wild Card region.
[Our Xingxing has grown up!]
[A marksman making it into the top 32 is enough for Xiao Xing to boast about for a year.]
[Seeing our child finally grow up, Little Xingxing, go with your Brother Yang to defeat our international friends!]
[Lieyang and Starlight are going together to compete? Even though Yangyang is also a rookie debuting this season, I always feel like in front of Xiao Xing, Yangyang is the senior, he must take good care of Little Xingxing.]
[No one taking care of Yangyang? He's a rookie too [dog head.jpg]]
[A rookie who never gets nervous in matches?]
Ye Shaoyang didn't seem like a rookie. His explanation to reporters was that he was "thick-skinned," never knowing nervousness since childhood. Only he himself knew he already had a full five years of esports competition experience.
He had even participated in events like the World Invitational before. So, for this trip abroad, while Xiao Xing was so excited he couldn't sleep for days, extremely thrilled, Ye Shaoyang remained as calm and composed as always.
On July 23rd, the China region Gods War delegation gathered at the Imperial City airport.
Chairman Qiu personally led the team, showing his emphasis on this invitational. The person in charge of team leadership and handling the players' daily logistics was a meticulous Beta girl, Liu Xiao, a very efficient and straightforward young woman. The accompanying journalist, Mo, was often seen at interview desks, and both commentators were also familiar faces.
Everyone knew each other, so they weren't reserved when gathering. As everyone chatted, they saw Tianhuan's Chi Shuo, Ye Shaoyang, and Cheng Xing arrive at the airport's waiting hall. Team leader Liu Xiao had sent the gathering location in the group chat earlier. The three quickly arrived at the meeting point with their luggage.
Chairman Qiu looked at Chi Shuo, smiling: "Captain Chi personally came to see them off?"
Everyone thought Chi Shuo came to the airport to see Ye Shaoyang and Cheng Xing off. However, Chi Shuo said, "I'm not here to see them off. I'm also going to Korea with you."
Everyone was stunned for a moment.
Chi Shuo couldn't participate this year and wasn't on the travel list. His trip to Korea must be self-funded. It seemed he wasn't at ease with his teammate and disciple going abroad for competition, so he was accompanying them personally?
Xie Weiyu joked: "Captain Chi is accompanying Yangyang and Xiao Xing to the competition?"
Chi Shuo said: "Mm. Anyway, after Yangyang and Xiao Xing leave the team, we can't train. Staying in China would be idle, so I might as well go out and relax."
Zhou Jiawen asked with concern: "Then how will Captain Chi arrange accommodation? We're all staying at the officially designated hotel, and dormitories are already arranged."
Chi Shuo said: "I booked a hotel myself, staying at the same one as you." Since Ye Shaoyang and Cheng Xing received notifications, they naturally knew the flight number and address. Chi Shuo booked accordingly so he could travel with everyone.
Chairman Qiu smiled: "That's great. You're the individual match champion; you can share some experience with everyone."
Chi Shuo nodded: "No problem. If everyone needs any help, feel free to ask."
Hearing this, journalist Mo immediately handed the microphone over: "Captain Chi, did you originally plan to accompany Yangyang abroad, or did you decide last minute after Xiao Xing got the qualification?"
Chi Shuo said: "I planned to go from the start." He glanced at Ye Shaoyang: "Yangyang is a rookie, it's his first time abroad. Our coach is busy with matters and can't leave. As the captain, accompanying him is also my duty."
In reality, besides wanting to be Ye Shaoyang's practice partner, help him analyze opponents, and achieve good results, there was another crucial reason Chi Shuo accompanied Ye Shaoyang abroad—Ye Shaoyang's pheromone issue.
Although they had been stable since the last marking, what if?
What if Ye Shaoyang, in a foreign country, suddenly lost control of his pheromones and was allergic to suppressants? What then? Couldn't just find another Alpha to overwrite the previous marking, right?
That was an outcome Chi Shuo absolutely could not accept, and Ye Shaoyang himself would probably find it very difficult to endure the pain of having his mark replaced.
As a "suppressant tool person," Chi Shuo was very self-aware. With him by Yangyang's side, any situation could be resolved promptly, preventing Yangyang from being in an awkward, helpless predicament.
This was the secret between them.
No need to say it out loud; they understood tacitly.
After interviewing Chi Shuo, the journalist promptly interviewed the other four players.
Xie Weiyu smiled shyly: "I'm honored to participate in the individual matches. For me, this is a rare opportunity to temper myself; I'll grasp it well."
Zhou Jiawen said: "It's my first time participating in individual matches. Whether I win an award or not isn't important; the key is competing against international masters and gaining experience."
Cheng Xing said excitedly: "I'm already very happy just to qualify! I'll treat it as going abroad to broaden my horizons!"
Ye Shaoyang smiled: "I hope to gain something from this individual match tournament and improve myself."
The journalist said to the camera: "Our players are about to go through security. For this trip abroad, I hope everyone goes smoothly and achieves good results!"
The video footage shot by the journalist was quickly processed and posted online.
Seeing Chi Shuo in the footage, netizens were greatly surprised. Tianhuan fans excitedly rushed to leave comments under Chi Shuo's Weibo, while CP fans celebrated like it was the New Year with firecrackers.
[Captain Chi actually accompanied Yangyang abroad for the competition? Another day sweetened by the Sun-Moon CP!]
[The league has a dedicated team leader, yet Shuo Yue still isn't at ease, personally accompanying. If this isn't true love, what is?]
[I've been moving the Civil Affairs Bureau here for a long time; when will these two get married?]
[The Sun, Moon, and Star family going abroad for a family trip~]
While waiting in the departure hall, Cheng Xing, bored, opened his phone to browse the CP supertopic. Using a side account, he gave likes to each of these comments in the supertopic area.
Ever since learning about the #SunMoonShineTogether# supertopic, he created a side account and checked in daily. The joy of close-range CP shipping—netizens definitely couldn't understand.
The boarding announcement came over the speakers. Everyone lined up to board.
Ye Shaoyang and the others had tickets booked uniformly by the league—business class. Their seats were together. Since Chi Shuo booked separately later, his seat was farther away.
After boarding, Cheng Xing found he was sitting in 3A and 3B with Brother Yang, while his mentor was in 6D in the back, seated with a stranger in the same row. Glancing at the seat distribution, Cheng Xing cleverly found Chi Shuo and said, "Master, let's swap. I'll take the window seat in the back; I want to sleep."
Chi Shuo raised an eyebrow at his disciple.
Cheng Xing smiled, scratching his head, lowering his voice: "You sit with Brother Yang, okay?"
Of course, okay.
Chi Shuo lifted the corners of his mouth: "Alright, then you go to row six."
Thus, mentor and disciple swapped seats. Chi Shuo sat in the third row. When Ye Shaoyang arrived at his seat and saw Chi Shuo sitting next to him, he was momentarily stunned, puzzled: "Isn't this Xiao Xing's seat? You swapped with Xiao Xing?"
Chi Shuo: "Mm, he said he wanted a window seat to sleep."
Ye Shaoyang looked at Cheng Xing, meeting the little guy's smiling face. He didn't say much, placed his laptop bag in the overhead luggage compartment, stepped past Chi Shuo to the window seat, and sat down.
The plane soon took off. Business class had curtains for more privacy. Chi Shuo casually drew the curtain closed, then turned to look at Ye Shaoyang, just meeting Ye Shaoyang's gaze as he looked over.
Their eyes met, hearts skipping a beat. Ye Shaoyang quickly averted his eyes to look out the window.
The plane gradually pierced through the clouds, reaching high altitude. The clouds below looked like fluffy, white cotton. Ye Shaoyang watched until gradually feeling drowsy. It was a noon flight, exactly his usual nap time. The plane flew smoothly, the cabin quiet. Unconsciously, Ye Shaoyang fell asleep.
Perhaps because his head dangling in mid-air was too uncomfortable, he wanted a pillow to lean on. So, first, his head tilted left, resting against the cabin wall—too hard, uncomfortable. Frowning, he tilted right, ending up leaning on Chi Shuo's shoulder.
Chi Shuo looked at the Omega sleeping on his shoulder, softly chuckled, adjusted his posture to let him lean more comfortably. Ye Shaoyang contentedly curved his lips, sleeping quite soundly.
He slept groggily for about two hours, his dreams filled with the cool, clean scent of Chi Shuo's pheromones. Ye Shaoyang felt as if he were in a fragrant bamboo forest; that scent made him feel at ease.
Only when the cabin announcement "The plane has arrived in Seoul" sounded did Ye Shaoyang jolt awake. Lifting his head, he met Chi Shuo's gaze and realized he had been leaning on Chi Shuo the entire flight?
Ye Shaoyang: "..."
What is this called? A moment of social death?!
This was too awkward; he wished he could jump off the plane.
Why did he lean on Chi Shuo to sleep? Did his head have a mind of its own, not listening to its owner's commands?
Ye Shaoyang, as if electrocuted, quickly pulled away, coughing: "I, I fell asleep."
Chi Shuo said gently: "You usually nap at this time; it's normal to feel sleepy."
Ye Shaoyang: "Ahem, we arrived so quickly."
He quickly changed the topic but couldn't ignore the sudden acceleration of his heartbeat the moment he woke up and realized he'd been leaning on Chi Shuo.
Before, when traveling abroad with teammates, especially to Europe or America, with flights lasting ten hours, it was normal to borrow a brother's shoulder to lean on when sleepy. Straight guys never considered such physical contact problematic; straight guys slinging arms over shoulders was like straight girls hugging or linking arms while shopping with close friends—not seen as an issue.
But today, pillow-sleeping on Chi Shuo—that strange sense of intimacy—made Ye Shaoyang's heart suddenly race out of control.
His dreams were also filled with Chi Shuo's pleasant pheromone scent, a smell that made him feel at ease; he had slept especially soundly.
According to the informational pamphlet the hospital sent him, Omegas develop a sense of dependence on the Alpha who marked them. They feel at ease near the marking Alpha and want to be close to them.
Was it because of this that he couldn't help but want to get close to Chi Shuo?
Admittedly, being near Chi Shuo did give him a strange sense of security.
Ye Shaoyang couldn't distinguish whether his recent abnormalities were due to pheromone influence or if he was slightly bending, developing feelings for Chi Shuo? Continuing to be this close to Chi Shuo, he suspected he might bend into a full-on spiral.