Noticing someone sitting beside him, Xingxing quietly turned his head to the other side, not letting her see his face.
Ji Siyue reached out and stroked Xingxing's head.
"What's wrong with my little Xingxing?"
In the past, this kid Xingxing might have directly acted coquettishly, but this time he quietly slapped her hand away.
"Actually, I don't want you guys to comfort me every time something goes wrong. If it's like this, I'll never be able to grow up."
Ji Siyue's hand froze in mid - air, looking a bit embarrassed. After a while, she withdrew her hand and asked, "What do you think a strong person is?"
"Maybe someone like the captain."
"In my mind, there are many definitions of a strong person. Some are strong in skills, and they are strong people. Some have good awareness, and they are also strong people. And you are a strong person."
Hearing this, Xingxing turned his head in disbelief and looked at Ji Siyue.
"Me?"
His eyes were red and slightly swollen from crying. If his group of mother - fans and girlfriend - fans saw him like this, they would probably laugh at him.
Ji Siyue took out a tissue from her pocket and handed it to him, motioning for him to wipe his tears first.
While Xingxing was wiping his tears, Ji Siyue continued as if in thought, "Do you still remember when you first came to the team? At that time, you were just a senior in high school. You wanted to beat your brother, so you joined our team. At that time, you had no experience and no skills. Apart from having a bit higher awareness than ordinary players, you had no other advantages."
Hearing Ji Siyue's evaluation of himself back then, Xingxing couldn't help but lower his head, feeling extremely ashamed.
Ji Siyue slightly curved her lips and continued, "Look back at yourself back then. Don't you think you were really silly? But I think the courage you had back then already made you a strong person. You were called to action in a critical moment. At that time, you were like our last straw."
Xingxing lowered his head shyly.
"I was just reckless back then."
"Look at your captain and your brother. I don't know what their initial game - playing was like, but I think they must have put in a lot of effort. Their prime time may have passed. Now, their game - playing may not be as good as in their prime, but they still keep working hard to become better versions of themselves.
You're still young and have a lot of room for improvement. You're far from being your best self. You still have room to grow, whether it's in terms of mentality, skills, or awareness. This is a very fortunate thing.
Gaining experience and life insights through practice in the competition is a stage that others can only dream of. So I think you should be grateful and play every game well. Even if you lose, look back and see why you lost, and try to avoid making the same mistake next time. Don't just sit here crying like a baby."
Ji Siyue's profound words made Xingxing blush deeply, feeling extremely ashamed.
Ji Siyue then said, "Just now, Lao Qin wanted to talk to you, but you walked away without saying a word. Do you think he wanted to comfort you and you felt it was an insult to your pride?"
"Yeah."
The last thing Xingxing wanted in his life was to be comforted in front of the captain and his brother. It was as if he could never grow up.
"But I think his expression seemed very serious. He probably wanted to discuss the just - played tactics with you. You're afraid that you're still seen as a child in their eyes, but I think in their eyes, you're already a real man. So you don't have to worry about this at all."
"Do you mean that he just wanted to discuss tactics with me instead of comforting me?" There was a glimmer of light gradually lighting up in Xingxing's eyes.
Ji Siyue nodded. "At least that's what I think. Now come back with me. The halftime break is forty - five minutes. You've already wasted all of it. Don't hold everyone back anymore!"
Hearing this, Xingxing looked a bit dazed for a moment, but then he suddenly stood up.
"Time's running out. I have to go back quickly! Team leader, your leg is still not healed. Walk slowly. I'll go first!"
Ji Siyue nodded and then watched with a smiling face as this impetuous young man bounded up the stairs, wiping his tears as he walked towards the room.
Xingxing was extremely nervous all the way. He wondered what if they still wanted to comfort him and didn't know if his face was still red.
When he pushed open the door, he saw his other six teammates sitting in the room, gathered around Qin Chengyao, seemingly discussing tactics.
Xingxing's eyes involuntarily turned red again.
He had delayed his teammates' time once again.
Just then, Bai He walked towards him. With a tender look in his eyes, he expressionlessly gave Xingxing a hard slap on the head.
Xingxing was a bit confused and looked at him.
Bai He said, "Where the hell did you go just now, you idiot? Don't you know we're reviewing the tactics?"
Lando also shouted from behind, "Hurry up and get over here!"
The other teammates also said more or less the same thing. Only Qin Chengyao's tone was relatively gentle.
Qin Chengyao: "Hurry up. We don't have much time. Let's think about how to play the next game."
This time, Xingxing couldn't hold back his tears and cried in front of everyone.
Bai He ruffled his hair.
"Come on, you're such a big boy and still crying. Hurry up and come here!"
Everyone understood Xingxing's feelings, so they all carefully pretended as if nothing had happened, carefully protecting this child's feelings.
Ji Siyue slowly walked back from the stairwell. Seeing them gathered together, seriously discussing the tactics, she finally smiled with relief.
These people may not be perfect, and each of them has their own little flaws. But the most precious thing is that they can all see the shining points and vulnerable points of their friends, praise them without hesitation, and protect them carefully.
They may not be the strongest team in the current league, but without a doubt, they are the most united team.
Ji Siyue walked over and opened each of their phones, uninstalling Weibo and all the news - pushing clients.
Before the end of the competition, Ji Siyue didn't allow any of them to read the news.
Twenty - five minutes passed in a flash. In the blink of an eye, the decisive fifth game was finally about to start.