Chapter 76: Announcing the Relationship

At this moment, the official announcement was simultaneously posted on Weibo.

"Official account of the film ‘Polaris Unconnected’: Directed by Yan Mei, produced by Su Chen, and adapted by Guo Guo from her novel of the same name, the esports romance film ‘Polaris Unconnected’ is currently in intense production. Turns out such things truly exist in this world—sometimes, in just a moment, your feelings for someone can reach their peak.

#PolarisUnconnected# In the next life, I will still love you, continuing our destined bond—professional esports player Qin Zexing (Lu Yuxiu) and the beautiful game commentator Mu Beibei (Lin Xi) have already set off, while the gentle and charming team leader Jiang Yuan’er (Shu Yunyi) and energetic team member Shang Zhe (Fan Mingxuan) are on board and waiting!”

Fans watching the live broadcast and those in the audience erupted in a new wave of excitement:

— Ahhhhh! God Xiu and Xixi are working together again! I’m dying, I’m dying! This is a dream-come-true series!
— Incredible! As a fan of the original novel, I’m beyond satisfied! The casting fits the characters, their looks, and personas perfectly! The director really knows how to pick actors! Can’t wait to see God Xiu’s cold and cunning side, and Xixi’s stunning beauty!
— Judging by the title, God Xiu and Xixi are in for an epic, heart-wrenching romance! But I’m still so excited, ahhhh!

The joint appearance of Lu Yuxiu and Lin Xi sent the audience into a frenzy—even before the match began, the atmosphere soared to an unprecedented high.

Yang Xier picked up her script and segued, “This is the second time God Xiu and Lin Xi are collaborating. I believe everyone here is looking forward to it. So let’s begin by focusing on today’s King’s Canyon and see what surprises they have in store for us!”

“The match is about to start. Let’s first divide into two teams, as decided by our live audience’s votes!” Jiang Jing’an addressed the crowd, “Friends, pick up the voting devices in front of you and choose the two teams you want to see. Think carefully!”

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow at this—she had assumed the LDF team would automatically form a four-person squad, which would have left them with no chance at all.

“We’re still one player short for a 5v5. I’ll fill in the spot,” Jiang Jing’an said, raising his hands in a playful salute to the audience. “Brothers, don’t forget to include me!”

His antics drew laughter from everyone.

“Will we not be on the same team?” Lin Xi quietly turned to Lu Yuxiu during the voting interlude.

Lu Yuxiu leaned down, his voice low and close, “Don’t worry. Even if we’re not on the same team, I won’t go after you.”

That made Lin Xi lower her head with a smile—what a considerate boyfriend.

Their little exchange was picked up by the eagle-eyed girls watching the stream; the bullet comments exploded: “So sweet!” “They’re talking!” “Xixi is smiling!”

Yang Xier received the results from the staff and waved the card at the camera, “Everyone, the results are in! Who do you hope ends up on the same team?”

“Lin Xi!” “God Xiu! God Xiu!” “Da Li!” “Ke Liang! Ke Liang!”

The audience was in a frenzy—faces flushed, shouting at the top of their lungs. Every penny of the ticket was worth it—to see these gods of the game play together, what an event!

“Alright! Let’s announce the teams!” Yang Xier opened the card.

Jiang Jing’an rubbed his hands, eyes bright with anticipation, “Wow, why does this feel like an award ceremony, hahaha!”

Yang Xier laughed, not keeping them in suspense, and read out, “The Red Team is: Lin Xi, Fan Haoxuan, Jiang Jing’an, Da Li, and Bai Er.”

“Oh wow! This is going to be exciting!” The audience buzzed even more—God Xiu and Xixi weren’t on the same team! Now that’s something to see!

“The Blue Team is: Shu Yunyi, God Xiu, Kele, Ke Liang, and Ge Xingwen!” Yang Xier led the applause, “Let’s hear it for both teams as they take their seats! The match is about to begin!”

Everyone made their way to the two rows of gaming chairs on stage, the lights flickering, the background music of King’s Glory swelling at just the right moment.

Lin Xi followed behind Lu Yuxiu, unable to stop herself from grinning—she had guessed right after all.

She kept her head down as she walked, when suddenly Fan Mingxuan’s voice called out from across the stage, “Sister Xi!”

Lin Xi turned, confused, to see Fan Mingxuan waving at her frantically from the opposite side of the stage, “Sister Xi, you’re going the wrong way! Our team is over here!”

A soft chuckle came from beside her, “Can’t bear to be away from me for even a step, can you?” Lu Yuxiu teased gently in her ear.

Flustered, Lin Xi snapped out of it, quickly lowering her head in embarrassment—what a blunder! She’d followed Lu Yuxiu straight to the Blue Team by mistake!

Amused by her confusion, Lu Yuxiu pulled her in front of him, shielding her from the cameras with his back, leaning down to gaze at his little scatterbrain, eyes full of laughter.

Even though the camera was blocked, everyone else on stage could see her. The boys from LDF couldn’t help but laugh—not maliciously, but Lin Xi’s face burned. This was true public humiliation! She hurriedly crossed to her team’s side on the other end.

“Looks like our little Xi really can’t stand being separated from God Xiu!” Jiang Jing’an, ever attuned to the hearts of the CP fans, joked.

Everyone’s phones had already been placed in their designated spots by the staff. Lin Xi sat down, cheeks still flushed, enduring the good-natured teasing from the audience—utterly mortified.

“Sister Xi, you need to get it together! We’re opponents with God Xiu now, wake up, this is a match!” Fan Mingxuan teased her from his seat beside her, unrestrained since he wasn’t mic’d up.

“Get lost!” Lin Xi glared at him, embarrassed. Fan Mingxuan immediately wiped the smile off his face, turned away, and got serious with his phone—the speed of his transformation was impressive.

Picking up her own phone, Lin Xi was pleasantly surprised—they were using their own accounts, not the organizer’s, which meant she’d be more comfortable and at ease.

“Alright, please put on your headsets, contestants. The match countdown begins in five minutes!” announced Yang Xier.

The ten of them were soon pulled into a game lobby. Lin Xi spotted Lu Yuxiu’s in-game name “Fish” on the enemy team. Oddly enough, even as rivals, she felt a sense of reassurance.

As the seconds ticked away, Lin Xi glanced around to see her teammates donning their headsets, and quickly put hers on, afraid of missing any information.

No sooner had she put them on than a clear voice came through, “Phew—finally a chance to play a match with our Xixi!”

It was the host, Jiang Jing’an.

Lin Xi, thinking he was just being polite, replied courteously, “Senior Jiang, please take care of me!” After all, he was a commentator, and she’d probably want to ask him for advice later.

“Let’s assign some roles. Who’s playing what?” Da Li, ever the experienced one, got straight to the point.

“You all pick first, the two of us will fill in the gaps,” Bai Er chimed in.

“Let Lin Xi play mid-lane mage, the rest of us are flexible,” Jiang Jing’an said.

“Huh?” Lin Xi blinked, puzzled, and asked, “Senior, how did you know I play mage?”

“Hahahaha,” Jiang Jing’an laughed, “You don’t know? Jiang He told me!”

Lin Xi looked to Fan Mingxuan, still confused.

Fan Mingxuan gave her a look as if to say, “You really don’t know anything, do you?” and explained, “As far as I know, Jiang Jing’an is Jiang He’s brother!”

“What?” Lin Xi was stunned—what a small world!

“That’s right!” Jiang Jing’an confirmed with a nod.

“Well, since we’re all friends here, I’ll be asking you for advice later!” Now that everyone was acquainted, Lin Xi dropped her formalities.

Jiang Jing’an laughed heartily, “No problem!”

“With all these top players, I’ll play support then!” Fan Mingxuan said, kicking back.

The hero selection countdown began, numbers flashing on the big screen. Lin Xi swallowed nervously.

“Alright,” Da Li rallied the team, “Let’s just have fun and play to enjoy ourselves—this one’s in the bag!”

“How can you be so sure?” Bai Er asked, not quite following.

Da Li raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t it obvious? Ke Liang, the goddess, is on our team—would he dare to win? Hahahaha!”

Everyone recognized it as a joke and burst out laughing, easing the tension.

“Beep—beep—beep—” The game entered the hero selection phase.

Each member of the Red Team picked their best heroes: Lin Xi took the mage “Little Qiao,” Fan Mingxuan the support “Taiyi Zhenren,” Da Li the top-laner “Lü Bu,” Bai Er the marksman “Hou Yi,” and the formidable commentator and host Jiang Jing’an the jungler “Mirror.”

The Blue Team’s in-game chat wasn’t as lively. Shu Yunyi, worried about dragging the team down, nervously said, “I haven’t played many games before, so I might be a burden. Please don’t blame me…”

“No worries, I’ll grab Yao for you. Just stick with the marksman or jungler,” Captain Kele reassured her and immediately picked “Yao.”

“Wow, Blue Team’s first pick is Yao!” Yang Xier continued her commentary.

“Who’s going jungle?” Ke Liang asked.

“I’ll do it,” replied Lu Yuxiu.

The three LDF members then filled out the positions as needed. The Blue Team’s composition left people guessing, but everyone knew the strength of the three LDF pros. However, no one had seen God Xiu and Shu Yunyi’s skills in King’s Glory before.

In the final seconds, Blue Team’s members shuffled their hero choices. “One, two, three—” All their phones vibrated as they entered the prep screen.

Now everyone’s hero picks were clear: Lu Yuxiu as the jungler “Lan,” Shu Yunyi as support “Yao,” Ke Liang as mage “Shangguan Wan’er,” Kele as top-laner “Kai,” and Ge Xingwen as marksman “Gongsun Li.”

But what captivated the online viewers wasn’t which heroes were picked—their eyes were glued to the big screen, not daring to blink.

The live barrage of bullet comments had already exploded:

“Ahhhh, what am I seeing! Am I hallucinating? Did I see that right? Such beautiful love, I’m so envious I could cry!”

“Couple badges! Fish and Little Stream! It’s God Xiu and Xixi! Oh my god, I’m overwhelmed—happiness is popping like popcorn, so wild and surprising, I can’t help but feel awestruck and jealous. I’m lost for words!”

“They’re together! They’re together! I’m going to cry—my idol and my goddess are actually dating! My ship has sailed! Another day crying over someone else’s love!”

“My mom asked me why I’m kneeling while watching my phone—ahhh, this is too sweet! Someone call the marriage office, let them get married on the spot!”