New Beginning and Future

Chapter 45: Game Planning

Summary: Even with enjoying her victory, Yao knew why her husband was concerned as well for the upcoming match and reminded everyone of why they should be concerned and on top of everything.

Overprotective: ZGDX
Overprotective/Possessive/territorial: Chessman
Chessman is literally his own warning when it concerns his girl

Chapter Forty-Three

Over lunch, the final plans for the upcoming match against YQCB were solidified. The energy around the table was still charged from the brutal match between Sicheng and Yao, but now, the focus had shifted toward what mattered most—the real match that would determine ZGDX's standing.

Sicheng sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as he listened to Ming lay out the plan. Despite his usual dominant presence, he had already come to terms with the fact that he was benched for the first round. His wrist wasn't in peak condition, and while he could push through, Yao had made sure that no one, not even him, would let that happen.

"You'll be there in case we need to sub you in. But for the first round, Yao will be stepping in as ADC, and Yue will cover Mid." Ming said, looking directly at Sicheng. The table was quiet for a moment. It was a huge shift. Yao had already proven she could go head-to-head with Sicheng in an ADC duel, but doing it on stage, in an actual match, was different. YQCB would not hold back, and Ai Jia, their Midlaner, was already highly suspicious of ZGDX's internal changes.

But Yao was unshaken. She sat with her arms folded, nodding firmly as she spoke. "That's the safest plan for now. I'll start as ADC, and Yue will play Mid for the first round. If we win the first round, then we'll keep it that way to secure the match. If we lose, then we can consider switching it up for the second round."

Sicheng, who had been listening without comment, finally leaned forward slightly, his sharp whiskey amber gaze locking onto her. "And if my wrist is fine?" he asked her with a raised eyebrow

Yao tilted her head. "Then, if necessary, you step in for the second round. I move back to Mid, and you take ADC."

The table fell silent again as everyone processed the plan.

Pang, already stuffing food into his mouth, paused, chewing slowly before swallowing. "Xiao JieJie, that's a huge risk."

Lao K nodded, serious for once. "If we take the first round and keep momentum, we might not need a second round. But if we lose the first round, then subbing mid-match could disrupt our rhythm."

Yue, ever the strategist, tapped his fingers on the table. "Or it could save us. Sǎozǐ isn't wrong, if we take the first round, we don't need to change a thing. If we drop it, we adjust, but only if Ge's wrist can actually handle it."

Sicheng let out a slow breath, his fingers lightly tapping against the table in thought. He hated sitting out, hated not being the one to carry the game, but the reality was staring him right in the face, he wasn't in top form. His mother had already threatened him over the phone about it earlier, Yao had humiliated him in their private match, and now his entire team was watching him, waiting to see if he'd push back or accept reality. He glanced at Yao, who, for once, wasn't challenging him but offering him a choice. She wasn't excluding him. She was making space for him, if he was ready. His jaw ticked for a brief second before he finally nodded. "Fine."

"Good. That's settled, then. Yao starts as ADC. If we win the first round, she stays there. If we lose, we assess Sicheng's wrist before making a final call." Ming let out a breath he had been holding.