Volume One, Chapter 126: The Aftermath of the All-Star Game

The ghost of the Imperial Dragon team had his arm stabbed backstage at the All-Star Tournament. While this caused a stir in public opinion at the time, it did not have a significant impact.

The situation truly escalated over the past few days when one of the Imperial Dragon players went live on a broadcast, claiming that Ghost’s arm was so severely injured that he might suffer permanent damage.

It was like throwing a firecracker into an oil drum; public opinion exploded.

As the most popular player in the entire league, Ghost’s fans were hysterical, and in their grief, they began attacking everyone indiscriminately. They first suspected that the culprit was one of Imperial Dragon’s rivals, casting suspicion on every player who had been backstage at the time. Then, they lashed out at the league for its inaction and accused it of shielding the perpetrator.

Among the suspects, the Saint Light team, where Xiao Rui belonged, was the primary target, as they were the runners-up last season, while the championship title went to the Imperial Dragon team.

Xiao Rui cried, “The whole internet is saying the culprit is from our team. They say we couldn’t handle losing, so we destroyed Ghost’s arm to increase our chances of winning the new season.”

“That…”

“I swear the culprit is absolutely not one of us!” Xiao Rui interrupted before Chi Xingwan could finish her sentence.

Zhang Shaodan also spoke up: “Although the perpetrator hasn’t been caught yet, I believe it isn’t a member of any other team. Our league’s management of players is very strict. If there were someone with such a malicious intent, they wouldn’t have been able to pass our background checks.”

Xiao Rui nodded repeatedly: “Exactly, and the police have even proven our innocence, but the netizens don’t believe it. They think we’re colluding…”

His voice trailed off as he spoke. He realized he was partly to blame, as his background had been dug up. As the young master of the Xiao family and someone with close ties to the Zhang family—the owners of the league—various conspiracy theories emerged, claiming the league was protecting the Saint Light team because of him.

Xiao Rui felt deeply aggrieved. Even though he and his team were being pushed into the spotlight, none of them blamed him; instead, they comforted him, which only made him feel more guilty.

Chi Xingwan pulled out her phone to scroll through the comments online. The abuse was hideous, and she couldn’t help but feel pity for Xiao Rui.

“Is there anything I can do?” she asked Xiao Rui, her tone uncharacteristically gentle.

Zhang Shaodan noted, “In truth, the reason public opinion has fermented so intensely is largely because Ghost’s hand has developed permanent damage.”

Chi Xingwan understood. “If his hand could be completely healed, would that appease the fans?”

Zhang Shaodan and Xiao Rui nodded in unison.

Chi Xingwan intentionally asked Xiao Rui, “But isn’t he a very strong player? If he recovers, your team’s chances of winning will decrease. Are you really okay with that?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Xiao Rui replied without a second thought. “The way things are now, even if we win the championship, no one will be convinced. A victory without honor is worse than losing fairly. It’s not just me; the members of our team feel the same way.”

Chi Xingwan looked at him with newfound respect. “I didn’t expect you to have such integrity.”

“Ah? Sis, was my image in your heart really that bad before?” Xiao Rui’s eyes widened.

Chi Xingwan immediately changed the subject: “Let’s go tomorrow. I’ll go with you to take a look.”

It was getting late, so Chi Xingwan didn’t return to school and stayed at the Xiao residence. The next morning, she was awakened by Xiao Rui’s relentless, life-or-death phone calls.

Chi Xingwan walked out of the villa with a look of pure morning grumpiness, only to find Xiao Rui squatting by the entrance waiting for her.

“Sis, let’s go! Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

Chi Xingwan shook her head with a dark expression.

Xiao Rui immediately pulled out two sandwich boxes and two bottles of milk: “Neither have I. Luckily, I had the housekeeper prepare these last night. We can eat on the way.”

Chi Xingwan was rendered speechless and, in a state of resignation, allowed herself to be pulled into the car by Xiao Rui.

Zhang Shaodan had arrived even earlier. By the time they reached the Imperial Dragon Club, she was already waiting in the parking lot.

The manager of the Imperial Dragon Club received a call and hurried over. He greeted Zhang Shaodan respectfully, but when his peripheral vision caught Xiao Rui standing nearby, his expression stiffened.

“Isn’t this the new player from the Saint Light team? What brings you to visit our Imperial Dragon team?”

The remark was dripping with sarcasm, but Xiao Rui ignored it. After all, the people at Imperial Dragon had suffered a tragedy, and with the culprit still unknown, their suspicion and resentment were only natural.

Zhang Shaodan said, “Xiao Rui is here today because he wants to see if there’s any way to help Ghost.”

The manager’s mouth twitched, but he eventually swallowed his harsh words. “Everyone, follow me upstairs.”

In the training room of the Imperial Dragon Club, Ghost was sitting in front of his computer, repeating the same basic drills over and over.

The team captain saw the cold sweat on his forehead and couldn’t help but stop him: “Ghost, that’s enough. The doctor said your hand needs more rest.”

Ghost slumped back into his chair, his eyes dull. “Captain, there’s no time. The new season is about to start. I have to recover as soon as possible.”

The captain recalled what the doctor had said, and his heart felt heavy. When Ghost was discharged, the doctor mentioned that while the wound on his arm wouldn’t affect his daily life, it was nearly impossible for him to return to his former state as an esports athlete.

He was only twenty-one—so young and in his prime. To fall from the clouds so suddenly was something even his teammates couldn’t accept, let alone Ghost himself.

“You haven’t slept all night. Go and get some rest,” the captain urged.

Ghost looked at the concerned faces of his teammates and eventually stood up. “I’ll go sleep for a few hours and come back to train at noon.”

The manager led the three visitors upstairs just as Ghost was leaving, so the Imperial Dragon captain went to the meeting room in his stead.

“Manager, why did you call for Ghost? He just went back to the dormitory to rest.”

The manager introduced the visitors, and the Imperial Dragon captain immediately furrowed his brows. He looked at Xiao Rui with hostility. “May I ask if Mr. Xiao has brought a doctor with him?”

Xiao Rui was taken aback by the formal address. He said reservedly, “No, but although my sister isn’t a doctor, she has a way to heal Ghost’s hand.”

The captain looked at Xiao Rui coldly. “What is your motive?”

“Huh?” Xiao Rui was stunned. “I just want to heal Ghost’s hand…”

“Are you really that kind?” The captain didn’t believe it for a second. “It would be a miracle if you weren’t trying to sabotage us.”

Seeing Zhang Shaodan’s expression grow increasingly cold, the manager immediately interrupted, “Enough. Go and call Ghost over first.”

The captain left angrily to call Ghost, summoning him to the meeting room.

Ghost arrived quickly. He hadn’t been able to sleep at all, so he got up the moment he received the captain’s call.

Upon entering the room, he asked, “Manager, Captain, what’s the matter?”

He wasn’t as agitated as the captain; he simply sat down quietly. The manager explained the situation.

“Ghost, you decide whether you want to try this… folk remedy. If you don’t want to, we won’t force you.”

As he spoke, he cast a subtle glance at Zhang Shaodan, but her face remained impassive, revealing nothing.

“What kind of folk remedy is it?” Ghost asked.

Chi Xingwan spoke up: “Don’t listen to him. It’s not a folk remedy, just some medicinal ointment.”