Chapter 641
Intimacy
……
Inside a private room at a top-tier seafood restaurant called "Scott's" in London's West End.
The long dining table was laden with oysters, lobster, king crab, and expensive champagne. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the vibrant night view of London stretched out, with the Thames flowing quietly under the lights.
The seating arrangement is quite particular.
Abu and the factory manager sat in the main seats, in charge of overseeing the overall situation. The team members sat on either side.
Su Mo, without a doubt, became the "target of public criticism".
He was seated in the center of one side of the long table, with Yu Shuang and Rita sitting to his left, and Xi Ran, Xiao Yu, and Luo Xin to his right. This "surrounded by beauties, the moon revolved around" arrangement made the guy opposite him, Holy Gun, shake his head and whisper to Jiejie:
"See? This is what happens when you play top lane well. I want to practice Riven too."
"Brother Gun, are you practicing Riven for the sake of mechanics? You're practicing for..." Jiejie chuckled, not daring to finish his sentence.
"Come on! Everyone, raise your glasses!"
Abu stood up, raised his champagne glass, and looked more relaxed than ever before. "This glass is for our champions! For the LPL spirit we displayed in a foreign land! And for Mozi's godlike Riven!"
"cheers!!"
The crisp sound of glasses clinking rang out.
After a few sips of wine, the atmosphere immediately became lively.
"Brother Mo, eat this. This oyster is very nutritious." Rita smiled and picked up a plump oyster, dipped it in lemon juice, and handed it directly to Su Mo's mouth.
"Supplements?" Su Mo raised an eyebrow and swallowed the food in one gulp. "Do I need supplements? Are you questioning the FMVP's stamina?"
"Oh, who knows~" Rita said seductively, "After all, fighting three people at once is exhausting."
This double entendre made Xiran and Xiaoyu blush instantly, and they lowered their heads to eat crabs.
Yu Shuang, adopting the air of a "first wife," gently peeled crayfish for Su Mo, saying as she did so, "Don't listen to Rita's nonsense. But Mo Zi, what you said on stage today, 'kneeling on a washboard,' has been turned into a meme by netizens. How are you going to explain that?"
"Explain what?" Su Mo said vaguely, enjoying Yu Shuang's feeding. "It's a reflection of family status. Besides, I did it for the sake of the show."
"Oh? Really?" Luo Xin suddenly leaned over from the side, holding up her phone camera towards Su Mo. "Then I'll have to record it! Contestant Su Mo says that kneeling on the washboard is purely for the show; he absolutely refuses to kneel in real life!"
Before Su Mo could retort, Xiao Yu stuffed a piece of crab meat into his mouth: "Eat more, to shut you up. So you won't say anything outrageous again."
Watching Su Mo being "served" by five beautiful women in turn, Viper across from him asked Meiko next to him with a bewildered look, "Tianye, in China, do all champions receive this kind of treatment?"
Meiko rolled her eyes and picked up a piece of beef with her chopsticks: "No, Park Do-hyun, remember this, it's just Su Mo's privilege. If we ordinary people win the championship, we'll only get one meal at Haidilao at most."
Viper nodded as if he understood: "I see. Looks like I still need to practice Riven."
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually shifted from the competition to the future.
The factory manager put down his wine glass, looking at Su Mo surrounded by everyone, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes. Once upon a time, he too dreamed of standing at the top of the world. Now, although he was in the coaching staff, seeing these young people achieve it warmed his heart.
"Mozi," the factory manager suddenly spoke up, "We're going back to China soon, and the training roster for the Asian Games will be released soon. You're absolutely the core player in the top lane. Do you have confidence?"
The private room quieted down for a moment.
Su Mo put down his fork and took the wet wipe hope Ran handed him to wipe his hands. He dropped his playful grin, and his eyes became exceptionally sharp.
"You know the factory," Su Mo said calmly. "I never fight a battle I'm not sure I can win. The S-series Grand Slam is my goal, but the Asian Games gold medal is my responsibility."
He glanced at the girls beside him, then at his teammates opposite him:
"Since everyone calls me the world's best top laner, then I have to make sure that five-star red flag is raised to the highest point in Hangzhou."
"Great!" Abu slammed his hand on the table excitedly. "With you saying that, this meal wasn't a waste! Boss, the bill's on, and two more bottles of that '82 vintage... whatever, the most expensive wine!"
"Abu is so generous!"
The crowd cheered.
The meal lasted until 2 a.m.
When we left the restaurant, everyone was slightly tipsy. A light rain began to fall on the streets of London, and the damp air carried a hint of coolness.
Su Mo took off his team jacket and draped it over hope Ran, who was dressed rather lightly.
Are you cold?
"I'm not cold." hope Ran tightened her coat, which still carried Su Mo's body heat and a faint tobacco scent, making her feel incredibly at ease.
"Let's go back to the hotel."
The bus slowly drove toward the Langham Hotel.
Inside the carriage, everyone was drowsy due to the effects of alcohol.
Su Mo sat in the last row, watching the London street scene recede outside the window.
Rita was asleep with her head on his left shoulder, while Luo Xin leaned on his right shoulder, still clutching the FMVP trophy model tightly in her hand. Yu Shuang and Xiao Yu sat in the front row, quietly discussing their flight back home tomorrow and their duty-free shopping list.
Su Mo sighed softly, but a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
We won the game, we got the trophy, and the most important people are all by our side.
This is probably what it means to be a winner in life.
only……
He glanced down at his phone; Abu had sent a message in the WeChat group:
[Abu: Our flight is at 2 PM tomorrow, everyone don't oversleep. Also, Mozi, you have an interview with CCTV after you get back to China, so get ready.]
Su Mo replied with an "OK" emoji.
He closed his eyes, his mind filled with the challenges he was about to face.
Summer Split, Asian Games, S13 World Championship.
The road ahead is still long.
But as long as these brothers are here, and they are here.
He then became fearless.
"go home."
Back to the residence.
The elevator stopped on the 6th floor with a "ding".
Jiejie and Meiko stood arm in arm at the elevator entrance, grinning mischievously.
"Hey, Brother Mo, our room is downstairs, so we won't disturb your rest." Meiko winked and pointed to the group of beautiful women behind Su Mo. "Although you don't have to train tonight, your 'extra training' tasks look pretty heavy. Take care of yourself."
"Get lost." Su Mo chuckled and cursed, raising his leg to give a feint kick. The elevator doors slowly closed, shutting out the laughter and jeers of his teammates. The corridor instantly fell silent, with only the dull, ambiguous sound of high heels on the carpet remaining.
Su Mo swiped the door open, the heavy carpet swallowing his footsteps. He casually inserted the room card into the slot, and warm yellow light instantly filled the entire entryway. Before he could even loosen his tie, a pair of slightly cool arms had already wrapped around him from behind like water snakes.
“FMVP, you said on stage that you would kneel on a washboard…” Rita’s voice was a little hoarse and languid from being drunk, her warm breath brushing against Su Mo’s ear. “There’s no washboard, but… I have other ways to punish you. Do you want to try them?”
Su Mo closed the door behind him, then took the restless hand in his, a playful smile curving his lips: "Punishment? In my dictionary, there is only reward."
He turned around, and Rita's exquisite and alluring face was inches away from his. The alcohol had flushed her cheeks, and her eyes held a hint of provocation in their hazy light.
"Don't rush."
At this moment, Yu Shuang and Xi Ran also walked in. Compared to Rita's boldness, hope Ran seemed a little shy. Holding a bottle of mineral water, she stood awkwardly in the entryway, her eyes darting around: "Um... Brother Mo, would you like some water? I drank quite a bit of alcohol earlier..."
"Want some water?" Su Mo chuckled, loosened his tie, tossed it onto the sofa, and strode towards hope Ran.
hope Ran instinctively tried to back away, but Su Mo grabbed her slender waist.
"I'd rather try something else than water right now."
Su Mo lowered his head, not kissing her directly, but instead taking a deep breath aggressively into her slender neck. It was a scent mixed with a faint perfume and the fragrance of a young girl's body, more intoxicating than any alcohol.
"Ah..." hope Ran's body went limp, and she almost dropped the mineral water bottle in her hand. She leaned against Su Mo's chest like a startled deer, her ears turning bright red.
"Alright, stop teasing Xiran." Yu Shuang, as the "big sister," although her cheeks were slightly flushed, still came over and gently helped Su Mo take off the coat that smelled of alcohol. "Go take a shower first, you smell all sweaty. Xiaoyu and Luo Xin went next door to get makeup remover, they'll be back in a bit."
Su Mo let Yu Shuang help him tidy his clothes like a virtuous little wife, but his gaze roamed over the others without restraint.
They were truly breathtakingly beautiful tonight.
Rita wore a black spaghetti strap dress that accentuated her graceful S-curve, with her long, fair legs faintly visible through the slit in the skirt; Yu Shuang wore an intellectual beige suit, her mature and gentle temperament making one want to explore the contrast beneath her dignified demeanor; while hope Ran wore a simple white shirt and pleated skirt, exuding youthful vitality and innocent allure.
"Take a shower?" Su Mo glanced back at the people who were about to help him make his bed before entering the bathroom, his eyes deep. "Take a shower by myself, it'll take a while. Or... could someone help me scrub my back?"
Upon hearing this, Rita's eyes flickered. She kicked off her high heels, stepped barefoot onto the carpet, and walked towards the bathroom, her fingertips lightly tracing Su Mo's chest: "Since the FMVP has made a request, then this humble woman can only... risk her life to accompany you."
The frosted glass door to the bathroom slowly closed.
Water vapor rises.
The rushing water drowned out the whispers and occasional gasps from inside.
……
The next day at noon, London Heathrow Airport.
The entire EDG team has assembled and is preparing to fly back to Shanghai.
Compared to the energetic and cool-looking Su Mo wearing sunglasses, the demeanor of the female hosts and commentators following behind him was rather "intriguing".
Rita wore huge sunglasses that covered most of her face, and she walked unsteadily, as if all her strength had been drained, leaning limply against the suitcase handle. Xiran was even more bundled up, wearing a mask, and rubbing her sore shoulders every now and then.
"Hey, what's wrong, ladies?" Jiejie leaned over, a mischievous grin on her face, feigning ignorance. "Didn't you sleep well last night? Is the bed in London too soft for you?"
Rita glared at him fiercely from behind her sunglasses, her voice still a little hoarse: "Shut up! I'll knock your head off if you say another word!"
Su Mo walked at the front, looking refreshed as he accepted the hot coffee Yu Shuang handed him, a faint smile on his lips.
"Last night we reviewed the match and also gave them some pointers on...commentary techniques," Su Mo said with a straight face, "mainly focusing on 'clear articulation' and 'lung capacity' training."
"Special training..."
The girls behind him blushed instantly, their faces turning bright red to the roots of their necks.
Luo Xin muttered under her breath, "What the hell is that lung capacity... I almost couldn't catch my breath..."
After passing through security, the group boarded a flight to Shanghai.
Abu specially arranged first class for Su Mo, after all, as the biggest contributor to this victory, he deserved this treatment. Yu Shuang's seat was right next to Su Mo.
As the plane entered the stratosphere, the cabin lights were dimmed.
Su Mo adjusted his seat, covered himself with a blanket, and prepared to catch up on some sleep.
A warm hand quietly reached out from under the partition next to him, slipped into his blanket, and gently took his hand.
Su Mo turned his head and, by the dim light of the reading lamp, saw Yu Shuang looking at him sideways. She had taken off her glasses, and her eyes, which always held a smile, were now filled with tenderness.
"Are you tired?" Yu Shuang asked in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"I'm not tired." Su Mo held her ten fingers together with his hand, his fingertips gently stroking the back of her delicate hand. "As long as I'm looking at you, I'm not tired."
Yu Shuang blushed, pinched him playfully, and then tucked the blanket around him with a touch of tenderness: "You'll have to do an interview with CCTV and training for the Asian Games when you get back, so you'll definitely be even busier. Get a good night's sleep on the plane."
"Mm," Su Mo responded, leaning slightly in that direction.
Yu Shuang naturally rested her head on his shoulder, her hair brushing against Su Mo's cheek, tickling him.
Ten thousand meters above the ground, in a small and private first-class cabin, their breathing seemed to intertwine.
“Su Mo…” Yu Shuang murmured softly with her eyes closed.
"Ok?"
"Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for showing us that golden rain, and thank you for... becoming our pride."
Su Mo's heart stirred, and he turned his head to gently kiss her forehead.
"fool."
He gently squeezed her slightly cool hand under the blanket, enveloping it in his palm, and a sense of security welled up within him.
……
After a flight of more than ten hours, the plane landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
As soon as we stepped out of the passage, the enormous sound almost blew the roof off.
"EDG!! Champions!!"
"Brother Mozi!! I'm your dog!!"
Thousands of fans packed the exit, turning the airport into daylight with their flashes.
Su Mo walked at the front of the group, still wearing that khaki trench coat, one hand in his pocket, exuding an aura of authority.
Facing the enthusiastic fans, he smiled and waved, but his body subconsciously shifted to the side, subtly shielding the girls behind him from the rush of the crowd, preventing them from being jostled by the excited throng. (End of Chapter)