Chapter 20: I Really Don't Envy Him for Being Able to Play Professionally!
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When the invitation to the youth training program from 259 truly appeared, viewers in the livestream chat were left puzzled. Although they had been somewhat prepared after the earlier show, seeing the concrete news still felt surreal. To rise from C+ rank to youth training in just over a month seemed downright unbelievable!
Even though CNCS’s results weren’t stellar, these were professional players— the ultimate goal for every gamer!
[Suddenly I understand what talent gap really means...]
[What kind of elixir did the streamer take to have this sudden enlightenment? I want one for my friend too!]
[I get it now, the streamer must have had some mentor figure absorbing talent, and now that mentor has awakened, the progress is so rapid!]
[Wow, let’s just burn up CSGO! Just need a fiancée to break off her engagement and join me.]
[Keep it up! Fight to become a starter in youth training! CNCS is counting on you! (crying)]
[Though I only watched a few hours of the stream, I’m really going to miss it! The three of you had such great chemistry. Going pro might be a waste, but still, good luck!]
Upon seeing the invitation to youth training, Su Zhe immediately clicked on 259’s profile. When he saw the words “Professional Certification,” a surge of excitement overwhelmed him. Happiness had arrived too suddenly!
His original plan was to steadily build his foundation, accumulate game experience, and after about a month, reach Diamond S rank before asking Leon Kai for a recommendation. But after encountering a pro player from NIP a few days ago, the gears of fate began to turn!
He eagerly typed back “Okay!” and they agreed on a trial session the day after tomorrow.
“YES!” Closing the chat window, Su Zhe clenched his fist and shouted to release his excitement.
Beside him, Xiao Guang, who had been stunned the entire time, finally reacted: “I still can’t believe it. Zhe, you’re really going pro!”
Just over a month ago, the two had been duo-queuing as good brothers, both struggling to climb into B rank. Now, while he was still struggling at C+, Su Zhe had already received an invitation to youth training.
At first, Fat Brother also found it hard to accept, but reflecting on Su Zhe’s relentless effort over the past month, he felt understanding. Even if he himself had pro talent, without supervision, he couldn’t be as disciplined as Su Zhe. Deep down, he still treated CSGO as just a game.
He placed a heavy hand on Su Zhe’s shoulder and encouraged, “Keep it up! Aim to pass the trial!”
Su Zhe nodded seriously in reply.
After this little interlude, the three resumed their livestream. Although this one-day streaming career was about to end, Fat Brother and Xiao Guang remained curious about the industry and were determined to finish the stream responsibly.
Su Zhe, as always, immersed himself in the game. After his recent match with Danking, he realized he still had many areas to improve.
10 p.m., the stream continued...
11 p.m., still streaming...
Midnight.
Xiao Guang: I’m going to sleep first, you two keep going. Don’t worry about me, once I’m down, I’m out...
1 a.m.
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Fat Brother: I can’t hold on either, you stream alone. As long as it’s not too loud, it won’t bother me...
1:30 a.m.
Su Zhe stretched and yawned.
Viewers: Holy crap! Are you finally ending the stream? Such a workaholic! You haven’t rested except for eating and bathroom breaks, right?
Su Zhe quietly replied after seeing the question barrage: “Not yet. I haven’t finished today’s training tasks.”
Viewers: ?????
Since reaching S rank, Su Zhe scheduled his daily training—such as pre-aiming and deathmatches—after his ranked matches, because S-rank games were too mentally exhausting.
If he finished training early, he would struggle to focus during ladder matches later. Energy is limited, so he chose to play ranked matches first, then complete training.
After all, these were mechanical motions aimed at building muscle memory.
By 2 a.m., most viewers had left, leaving only about two hundred scattered watchers. Many had fallen asleep, while some stubborn ones insisted on seeing when the streamer would finally stop.
3 a.m...
[Ding~ Rise point +115]
Su Zhe stretched again.
Viewers: Holy crap! Finally stopping? I’m the night owl champion!
Su Zhe: Not yet, still have 500 bot kills in deathmatch to finish.
Viewers: ?????
3:20 a.m.
After hearing the system prompt, Su Zhe exited the game and quietly told the chat he was ending the stream. The long-silent chat room finally stirred.
[Now I know why you improved so fast]
[Man! I’m honestly not jealous you’re going pro! So hardworking!]
[I calculated the time from noon until now, excluding breaks and meals, the streamer has been playing for 14 hours straight]
[That’s no longer “playing,” it’s like going to work!]
[To be honest, it’s way more exhausting than work. At work, you can slack off, but ladder matches demand full attention!]
[If you keep this kind of training in youth training, CNCS will definitely have a place for you!]
[...]
Su Zhe didn’t say much, just waved quietly to bid farewell and clicked to end the stream.
Usually, he would sleep as soon as he shut down his computer, but tonight insomnia gripped him. His mind was full of chaotic thoughts.
He reflected on his life so far, over a decade of aimless wandering, never having a true life goal.
He had done well in elementary school and entered a decent middle school.
In middle school, he was influenced by classmates, started going astray, and ended up in an average high school.
In high school, he hit rock bottom—planning to drop out and start working after graduation, but his parents persuaded him to attend a mediocre university for four years.
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Nothing had truly been his own idea; he had drifted under others’ influence until now.
Though comfortable, it was also suffocating.
If it were only dreams and the system’s positive feedback, he wouldn’t have been able to push himself this hard.
This was the first time he had a life goal—he wanted to give everything he had to see how far he could go.
The night remained dense, drowsiness creeping in...
...
The next day, Su Zhe went to the office to request leave from his counselor.
His counselor was a recent graduate with only two years of experience. Upon hearing Su Zhe wanted a week off, she frowned.
“You can’t get this leave approved. It’s only been a few months since school started, and you want such a long break. Besides, you just had National Day off last month.”
Su Zhe: ...
He hadn’t expected his trial plan would be blocked by the leave request. Although he had plans for the future, what if...?
Missing five days of classes was serious business. If his parents found out, they’d surely punish him fiercely.
Until everything was arranged, he wouldn’t tell them about his pro aspirations.
He feared their opposition and also their worry and disappointment.
After more than ten minutes of back-and-forth, with the counselor still refusing, Su Zhe played his trump card.
“Teacher... I think I’ve been depressed lately... I sometimes have thoughts of jumping off the school rooftop...”
“I planned to see a doctor, but didn’t want to take leave. Teacher, can you help me? I really don’t want to live anymore!”
“Please, help me! I’m in so much pain!”
He grabbed the counselor’s hand tightly, recalling all his sorrows with tears streaming down.
The young counselor, unaccustomed to such a scene, panicked and immediately approved the leave, even saying she could extend it if needed.
Walking out, Su Zhe wiped away the tears he’d forced out.
Hehe! It worked!
...
That night, Fat Brother tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Looking up, he saw Xiao Guang’s phone screen glowing—he hadn’t slept either.
Xiao Guang noticed the movement and asked, “You can’t sleep either?”
Fat Brother sighed, “Something feels off, like something’s missing... that weird feeling, you know?”
Xiao Guang: ... “Why don’t we fire up our computers and run a game in the background?”
Fat Brother: Good idea!
In the silent dorm, the hum of computer fans filled the air. Within ten minutes, both had fallen soundly asleep.