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Fang Shiqian was not in a good mood. His beloved captain Lin Jie was giving up the position of ace player to a training camp member. No matter how outstanding this rookie proved himself to be, Fang Shiqian still harboured thoughts of dissent. Who cares about some new junior? He doesn't understand how nice our captain is... I would rather Captain Lin stay with us... Fang Shiqian directed dirty looks at the rookie seated in the same room.
Wang Jiexi could feel that he was not particularly liked by the other party. As a person sensitive to others' needs and emotions, Wang Jiexi knew exactly why Fang Shiqian acted this way. However, since he was entrusted with the captaincy of Team Tiny Herb, Wang Jiexi could only accept it and do his best to prove his worth.
During the next few training sessions, Fang Shiqian deliberately interrupted and questioned Wang Jiexi's judgment on numerous occasions. The ever studious Wang Jiexi accepted these arguments, as despite the intentions behind them, the logic behind them were actually sound. What Fang Shiqian thought of as a 'challenge of authority', Wang Jiexi came to think of as a 'kind senior's advice'. Wang Jiexi knew that he still had a lot to learn, and spent his free time conducting in-depth research to ensure that he would not repeat the same mistakes.
It became customary for Wang Jiexi to spend his off-training hours delving into documents, research records and match recordings. Wang Jiexi tried to hold off asking Fang Shiqian for everything, as he would be promptly be given that 'look', instead only choosing to clarify and seek opinions on important matters.
After weeks of pushing past his limits, Wang Jiexi was close to burnout. However, he could not afford to slack off. Time was precious. Every minute spent relaxing could be spent improving his knowledge and mechanics to better guide the team. Waking up at pre-dawn everyday to fit some individual training in before planning and supervising the team training sessions became routine for Wang Jiexi. After training, he also set aside some time for extra practice and review sessions for each member's weaknesses. When he had pockets of free time, Wang Jiexi would fit in some time for self-study or discuss team matters with Fang Shiqian.Due to this, Wang Jiexi's schedule was packed and fluid, which meant that mealtimes and bedtimes were often delayed or forgotten. From an outsider's point of view, Wang Jiexi seemed to be adjusting well to the duties required of a team captain, but ultimately he was running himself ragged. Such unhealthy practices were unsustainable in the long run.
After the away game with Team Blue Rain during the regular season, Wang Jiexi had spotted Yu Wenzhou and Huang Shaotian in the audience and wondered what they thought of the match. Although Wang Jiexi had successfully anchored the team arena, the group arena that followed was a disaster. Was my personal style too much for his teammates to follow? What is the point if even my teammates cannot synchronize with the plays? Wang Jiexi sat at his desk, pondering over the issue amidst a table full of notes.
A cool chill from the air conditioning resulted in an involuntary shudder. Despite already wearing a thick coat and scarf, Wang Jiexi still felt very cold. Sighing, Wang Jiexi put a hand to his forehead and frowned when he felt that it was a little hot to the touch. Please, not now. I cannot afford to be sick now. There is still a match against Team Excellent Era tomorrow night. Wang Jiexi's silently pleaded for his body to be strong and hold out at least until after the match. Then, he could rest until the next day. Strengthening his resolve, Wang Jiexi stood up and proceeded to brief his teammates on the next match. Afterwards, instead of going to bed early, Wang Jiexi rewatched match recordings, thought about possible strategies and tactical manoeuvres for the upcoming match.
The next day, Wang Jiexi was disappointed to find that he had caught a cold. His head was muddled, his vision blurry and his controls frigid. Yet, he could not afford to bench himself as there was no viable replacement.
Relying on his willpower, Wang Jiexi managed to get through the match. Ye Xiu and Wu Xuefeng were not a duo that Wang Jiexi could beat easily, but Wang Jiexi made a few surprising plays that match. Attacks that came from blind spots were mysteriously and accurately deflected. It turned out that luck was with Wang Jiexi on a few occasions. The match still ended with Team Excellent Era's win, but the margin was not as large as expected given his less than stellar physical condition.
During the post-match conference, the reporters were quite interested in Wang Jiexi despite Team Tiny Herb's loss, because there was still buzz on Vaccaria's new account holder and Team Tiny Herb's rookie captain. Also, Team Excellent Era's captain was not present at the press conference anyway, so the reporters had to settle for other content.
As such, the press conference took longer than usual. When reporters kept asking about Wang Jiexi's and Team Tiny Herb's plays, he replied with a customary answer in a stoic tone, all while mentally encouraging himself to hold on for a little longer until the press conference ended.
After half an hour, Team Tiny Herb was free to return to the preparation room. Wang Jiexi made up an excuse of having matters to settle after the match and entrusted Fang Shiqian to accompany the rest of the team back to the club. Finally, his duties were over. Wang Jiexi leaned back into the chair. Now, he couldn't exactly have admit to Fang Shiqian that he was feeling sick and too tired to move, could he? As the team captain, he ought not to display weakness in front of his team members.
Meanwhile, some voices could be heard coming from the hallway.
'Brother Wu, that rookie captain almost gave you a run for your money, didn't he?' Ye Xiu teased Wu Xuefeng as they walked back to the prep room.
Wu Xuefeng had somehow forgotten to take his smartphone, so Ye Xiu accompanied him as he went back to retrieve it. The rest of Team Excellent Era had already left the match venue. On the way, they passed by Tiny Herb's preparation room and noticed that the lights were still on and that the door was slightly ajar.
'Didn't the Tiny Herb people leave already? I saw their bus turning out a while ago.' Ye Xiu was very sure of this, as he'd accidentally locked eyes with Fang Shiqian who was looking out of the bus window.
'Ehh, looks like there is someone there! Excuse us...' Wu Xuefeng ventured inside the room.
They saw Wang Jiexi with his head down, bangs covering his face.
Ye Xiu, ever the mood maker, proceeded to disturb Wang Jiexi. 'Say, Big-Eyed Wang, were you sad that your team lost? Is that why you are moping around in a corner by yourself?' Only after poking Wang Jiexi's cheek, Ye Xiu felt a lingering heat.
'Hey, don't you think... Is he ill? Wait, did he play against us in this condition?' Wu Xuefeng parted Wang Jiexi's bangs to reveal a flushed face.
Wang Jiexi was still awake, but his consciousness kept drifting in and out of focus. He wanted to reply, but his head felt fuzzy and his muscles stubbornly refused to cooperate. In the end, Wang Jiexi gave up on responding and closed his eyes to rest.
Ye Xiu had an uncharacteristically serious look as he quietly took off his team jacket and covered Wang Jiexi with it. Afterwards, a slender hand beckoned Wu Xuefeng to pass his phone over so that Ye Xiu could hail a taxi. Wu Xuefeng, on the other hand, took on the heavy lifting to carry the surprisingly light Wang Jiexi. Wang Jiexi was brought to the hospital, where he was promptly given an IV drip for his fever.
Back at Tiny Herb, Fang Shiqian was settling down in his room after dinner when he received a call from Wu Xuefeng. Fang Shiqian was puzzled as he couldn't think of any particular reason. As he listened on, Fang Shiqian's countenance shifted from surprise to worry. Wang Jiexi was at the hospital? He was sick since before today's match? Fang Shiqian mentally cursed at missing these signs. Some Vice-Captain he was, to have missed out all that. Furthermore, a part of him was dissatisfied that it was Excellent Era, of all people, to have found and taken care of Wang Jiexi.
Although Fang Shiqian frequently showed signs of displeasure at Wang Jiexi, the opinions and remarks he made were valid; he wasn't purposely stirring up trouble when there was none. Also, Fang Shiqian secretly enjoyed observing Wang Jiexi's reactions, to see if anything could break that stoic expression, but Wang Jiexi was steady and infallible. Besides, with how fast Wang Jiexi had adapted to being Tiny Herb'a Captain, Fang Shiqian had a high evaluation Wang Jiexi's capabilities. Him giving Wang Jiexi 'the look' was just a way to release his pent-up displeasure at Lin Jie's premature retirement.
After ending the call, Fang Shiqian did not dare to delay and hurried downstairs to flag a taxi.
He arrived in record time to find Ye Xiu and Wu Xuefeng snacking on some fried mantous besides a sleeping Wang Jiexi. The nurse had already checked that Wang Jiexi's temperature had dropped to a more manageable 37.8 degrees celsius from the high of 39.4 degrees celsius it was before. Fang Shiqian still confirmed it himself by pressing his hand against Wang Jiexi's forehead. After checking that Wang Jiexi's temperature had dropped, he sincerely thanked the duo (who were still in the midst of eating) before hoisting up Wang Jiexi in his arms and heading back to the taxi stand.
And yes, Fang Shiqian remembered to return the Excellent Era team jacket to Ye Xiu; in its place, he had given Wang Jiexi his own jacket. Somehow, it bothered Fang Shiqian slightly to see Wang Jiexi in red; green suited him much better.
Back at Team Tiny Herb, Fang Shiqian briefly considered bringing Wang Jiexi back to his own room, but worried that his captain would entertain thoughts of overworking again soon after waking up. It was also more convenient to take care of Wang Jiexi if they were both in the same room. After a moment of deliberation, Fang Shiqian decided that the best course of action was for the both of them to stay in Fang Shiqian's room.
'This junior of mine really is quite troublesome...' Fang Shiqian set Wang Jiexi down onto his own bed and tucked him under the covers, all while muttering to nobody in particular. Afterwards, Fang Shiqian had made himself comfortable and changed into his favourite green-striped pyjamas. Fang Shiqian loved it so much that he bought enough sets for daily wear.
Fang Shiqian checked on Wang Jiexi again. Luckily, his fever had receded. However, he looked uncomfortable sleeping in the team jersey. And so, like the magnanimous senior he was, Fang Shiqian picked a out a matching set of green-striped pyjamas from his closet. It would definitely fit Wang Jiexi's frame. After all, as Fang Shiqian absently thought, Wang Jiexi was just a little bit shorter than him.
When removing Wang Jiexi's team jacket and unbuttoning the shirt buttons, distractions arose in the form of unfairly pale skin and exposed collarbones which were usually hidden by the shawl Wang Jiexi wore. Fang Shiqian also couldn't help but remember how light Wang Jiexi felt, and how skinny his overall stature felt underneath the layers. Those pale pink lips and slight flush were really distracting as well.
Heavens above, why does my junior have to tempt me like this? I most certainly don't swing that way! At least Fang Shiqian thought he didn't... All Fang Shiqian just wanted to be a kind senior looking out for his junior, but who knew that it would turn out to be so challenging?
Worse still, Fang Shiqian couldn't just put the blame on Wang Jiexi. It wasn't as if he could just tell his junior to turn off his charms at the swtich of a button. And if Fang Shiqian complained about it to the others, they would just laugh at him and mock his aesthetic sense. He could already imagine the teasing remarks from Ye Xiu (You seriously fancy Big-Eyed Wang? What a surprise... Are you sure you don't need to get your eyes checked?)
After the exhausting ordeal of changing Wang Jiexi's clothes which had drained Fang Shiqian thoroughly, all he wanted to do was to lie down and have a good night's sleep. However, as there was only one bed in the room, Fang Shiqian squeezed in with Wang Jiexi to share a bed for the night. Yet, the presence of his junior right beside him resulted in Fang Shiqian being unable to get a good night's sleep. It did not help even when Fang Shiqian turned his back to face the door, counted to 10000 sheep in his mind and attempted meditation to clear him head of offending thoughts and desires.
The next morning, Wang Jiexi woke up refreshed, only to find himself in the same bed with Fang Shiqian. Wang Jiexi had somehow shifted in his sleep and unknowingly hugged Fang Shiqian's waist, much like how he was used to do so with his bolster. Still, Wang Jiexi was very calm, a stark contrast to Fang Shiqian who sported dark eye circles from a sleepless night. After dutifully thanking Fang Shiqian and sincerely apologising for the trouble he had caused, Fang Shiqian still decided to let his junior have a piece of his mind.
'Silly junior, how did you let it get so bad. I'm also around, so depend on me more, Captain.' Fang Shiqian couldn't help speaking up, interrupting Wang Jiexi's apologies. He proceeded to pat Wang Jiexi's shoulders in encouragement like a kind senior would and nonchalantly made his exit. However, Fang Shiqian's face was flushed with embarrassment as he remembered last night's events. Ugh, I think I'm down bad for my junior. What should I do?
Right after this incident, Lin Jie received some urgent QQ messages from Fang Shiqian blaming him for retiring early and leaving him with a capable but troublesome captain. Lin Jie smiled. Although he had some lingering regret at not being able to contribute further to the team, he very much looked forward to see the new Team Tiny Herb under the leadership of Wang Jiexi and Fang Shiqian.
Afterwards, Wu Xuefeng was chatting with Ye Xiu on the day's events. The duo had bet on how many days Fang Shiqian took to fall in love with his captain. From the screenshot of the conversation which Lin Jie sent over, Ye Xiu cheered and demanded Wu Xuefeng to pay up. Wu Xuefeng just smiled and placed some mantous into Ye Xiu's outstretched hands, ignoring the surprise and subsequent indignation from Ye Xiu on being denied his winnings.