The Price of a Signature

After settling into a seemingly unoccupied spot, Qing Zixi overheard the hushed whispers of two girls nearby.

“Alright, forget that brat. Come, look at the poster I just snatched!”

“Wow, where did you get Master Ai’s concert poster from yesterday afternoon?”

“Hehe, I secretly snuck out during training yesterday. Too bad I couldn’t get an autograph.”

“Oh, don’t even dream about Master Ai’s autograph. They only sign a few at each concert, and outside, they’re being resold for tens of thousands each.”

‘Pfft, Zi Yun’ai’s autograph? Who would want such rubbish? And that ugly, scribbled handwriting, like a dog’s claw

— people actually like that?’

Just as Qing Zixi was secretly laughing and complaining in her mind, she noticed two dark figures approaching her.

‘Oh no, I said my thoughts out loud!’

“What did you say?!”

The two girls flanked Qing Zixi, their voices laced with anger.

“Say that again?!”

“Ah, haha, I-I said Zi Yun’ai’s handwriting… it’s truly unique. A pure work of art, I’d say!”

Qing Zixi tried to laugh it off and brush them aside, but the two girls pressed closer.

“What ‘Zi Yun’ai’? Are you close with her?! You snot-nosed brat, you should call her Her Highness Ai, Master Ai!”

“Uh, no, not at all…”

‘Just a passing acquaintance, at best…’

“Hmph, what do you know, kid? Calling Her Highness Ai’s autograph ‘art’ is an understatement; it’s already a cultural treasure!”

“Exactly! If I had Her Highness Ai’s autograph, I’d definitely enshrine it, to be passed down through generations!”

Watching the two girls grow increasingly fanatical, Qing Zixi felt a profound sense of exasperation.

Were it not for the fear of being labeled a pervert, she would have truly wanted to lift her skirt and reveal Zi Yun’ai’s signature.

A wave of shame, stronger than any desire for revenge, held her back.

Truly, Qing Zixi longed to see these two individuals kneeling at her feet, prostrating themselves before her backside.

“Alright, everyone back to training. What’s all this noise? Have you finished your tasks?”

“Oh, Teacher Lan is here too…”

Mei Ying and Lan Zhi stopped the noisy girls. They reluctantly dispersed, and then, the two women gestured to Qing Zixi, leading her into a private room.

“I’ve learned about your situation from Mengyao. Now, we will assess your test performance and arrange one-on-one coaching for you…”

****

As the moon set and stars faded, Qing Zixi, having finished half a day of training, lay upon her soft bed.

The youth training camp dormitories typically housed four or six individuals.

However, due to the almost explosive possessiveness of Lan Mengyao and her two companions, Qing Zixi was now cautiously enjoying a private room.

It was a room nestled in the furthest corner of the second floor, noticeably quieter than those in the central area.

She slowly pulled on her bathrobe and stepped into the bathroom.

‘She had to wash off that detestable purple-haired person’s signature first!’

‘But I heard this thing was very expensive?’

‘Ugh, no matter how expensive, I can’t sell it myself anyway.’

Water streamed down, dripping onto the floor, much like raindrops falling and scattering without a trace.

Humans were no different; if she hadn’t seized this opportunity, she too would have dispersed like a water droplet, unable to leave any mark of her existence in the world.

Qing Zixi leaned against the wall, slowly closing her eyes.

Scenes from her past flashed before her.

‘I want to leave my mark on this world…’

****

—Ding-a-ling.

Early in the morning, Qing Zixi was roused by the alarm she had set.

She rarely woke up so early, but today was different. With a goal to strive for, Qing Zixi mustered her resolve, washed up, and headed into the training room.

From a distance, Qing Zixi spotted Lan Mengyao, graceful as a mermaid, seated in an esports chair.

She was casually propping up a pair of enviably long, pale legs while chatting with Mei Ying and Lan Zhi.

“Oh, up so early, are we~?”

Lan Mengyao waved to Qing Zixi.

She knew her younger sister’s habits well: Qing Zixi would never get out of bed before noon, even during high school.

Yet, she could effortlessly master three days’ worth of material in just half a day.

Originally, it would have been fine for her to live life simply as a genius.

However, seemingly influenced by her family, she had spent her days secluded indoors, making it difficult for Lan Mengyao to even speak to her, fearing she might cause harm, yet simultaneously wanting to capture her attention.

She had believed this little secret would remain buried in her heart forever.

She never expected it to be discovered and mocked by Qing Zixi.

If not for the numerous people in the training room, Lan Mengyao would have already been ready to unleash a chilling retaliation.

“Of course. But Sister Mengyao, why are you here?”

Qing Zixi walked over, plopped down beside Lan Mengyao, and leaned in with a smile to ask.

“Are you curious about my abilities? Let me tell you, I’m incredibly formidable. My observation skills and memory are top-notch~”

Watching the conceited Qing Zixi, Lan Mengyao narrowed her eyes and smiled back.

“Oh my, I never knew my little sister Xi was so formidable! In that case, your reaction time and hand speed

— the most crucial aspects for a professional player

— must also be top-tier, right~?”

“Uh, that’s not important, not important at all. I-I’m a support. What hand speed does a support need, anyway…”

Qing Zixi mumbled evasively, prompting a burst of laughter from all three.

“Hahaha, alright, alright, stop teasing your sister. As a professional support, her abilities are barely adequate, but she sorely lacks game experience.”

“However, with her learning capability, she’ll probably grasp most of it within a month.”

Mei Ying and Lan Zhi offered their fair assessment, and Lan Mengyao nodded, acknowledging their efforts.

“By the way, Mengyao, I’ve already inquired. There’s indeed a relatively strong team currently lacking a support player.”

“You’ve seen that meme, right? Netizens photoshopped all the skilled supports into that team, not even sparing anime characters.”

“Ah, haha, yes, I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it. I even sent it to her to tease her with.”

Lan Mengyao chuckled, then her brow suddenly furrowed.

“Wait, what do you mean? Are you saying little sister Xi has a chance to join *her* team?!”

Lan Mengyao knew this person; more than just knowing her, she had even been her partner for two years.

She had burst onto the scene in her very first year, clinching the ultimate championship.

Her strength was beyond doubt. With her on a team, the bot lane was always a reliable anchor, a ‘sea-stabilizing needle.’

Lan Mengyao had initially thought that Qing Zixi would at best only drift around in lower-ranked teams.

She imagined Qing Zixi would either retire due to an inability to adapt, or perhaps play well enough to be scouted by a better team.

After countless considerations, she had not once thought of her former friend.

‘That’s right…’

Her luck with support players had always been poor. Moreover, there weren’t any truly outstanding support players available on the market.

‘Perhaps she really could contend for that spot!’

Lan Mengyao finally understood what it meant to ‘hope one’s daughter becomes a phoenix’ [a wish for a daughter to achieve great success].

She looked at Qing Zixi with a serious expression and spoke.

“Work hard! This year is truly a heaven-sent opportunity. There’s a top-tier team still in need of a support player.”

“If you diligently hone your skills, you might just have a chance to directly compete for that spot. She and I are on good terms, so once you’ve learned everything your coach teaches you, I’ll arrange for you to pair up with her.”

“Yes! Understood, understood!”

Qing Zixi snapped her fingers together and placed them on her forehead, looking as if she had just been called out by an instructor.