Jiang Wan handled Lin Jing's departure procedures.
Jiang Wan disliked owing favors. In Lin Jing's memory, she rarely asked for help, but this time, Jiang Wan went through connections for everything. The process was surprisingly fast; less than two weeks later, Lin Jing received the flight information from Jiang Wan.
It was clear Jiang Wan was in a hurry to send Lin Jing away, perhaps fearing delays. The flight was booked for the following Monday.
During these two weeks, Lin Jing and Sheng Kuang had remained in contact.
From Sheng Kuang's perspective, Lin Jing was no different than usual.
yLs had fallen from the winner's bracket to the loser's bracket. Although the internet was abuzz with discussions, their subsequent matches were not significantly affected. They performed exceptionally well. On the night Lin Jing received Jiang Wan's message, yLs, without any surprise, fought their way out of the loser's bracket and secured a spot in the finals.
The finals were scheduled for the weekend, three days later, with yLs facing gdt, who had remained in the winner's bracket.
This marked the third encounter between the two teams in the Autumn Split.
Their previous two matches had ended in a one-to-one tie, making this final a decisive battle.
Before the competition, yLs underwent intensive training, and Lin Jing and Sheng Kuang were almost completely out of touch during these days.
Lin Jing had promised Sheng Kuang she would be there for the finals. Sheng Kuang had also prepared a ticket for her in advance. Even though she was flying overseas the next day, on Sunday morning, she secretly booked a flight to the city where Sheng Kuang's competition was being held, all while keeping it from Jiang Wan.
As soon as Lin Jing landed, she received a call from Sheng Kuang.
He said he had arranged a car for her, which was already waiting at the airport. Upon arriving at the hotel, she was to directly find Jiang Xin to collect her ticket.
Sheng Kuang also mentioned that he might not have time to see her before the match and that they would meet at the victory celebration afterward.
His words were confident, as if their victory in this final was a foregone conclusion.
Lin Jing loved Sheng Kuang's arrogant confidence, but listening to him now, she inexplicably found herself unable to control her emotions.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, making it difficult for her to open the car door.
Lin Jing got into the car. As soon as she fastened her seatbelt, she heard Sheng Kuang's soft laughter through her Bluetooth earpiece: "After tonight's match, I'll finally have time to properly date."
He sounded very relaxed and joyful.
Lin Jing's hand jolted, and tears nearly fell.
She turned her head away, looking at the receding airport scenery outside the window, and tightened her grip on her phone. "Sheng Kuang."
"Hm?"
"Let's meet up briefly first," Lin Jing said.
Sheng Kuang paused. "...Hm?"
Before he could say anything else, Lin Jing pursed her lips and, with growing urgency, added, "I miss you, Sheng Kuang. I miss you so much."
Sheng Kuang was silent for two seconds on the other end of the call. "Then, when you get to the stadium later, have Jiang Xin bring you to the garage."
Sheng Kuang had already informed Jiang Xin in advance. The moment Lin Jing met Jiang Xin, he led her directly to the stadium.
Sheng Kuang did not get out of the bus upon arrival, remaining inside.
Seeing Lin Jing get in, the driver tactfully found an excuse to go out for a smoke.
Only Lin Jing and Sheng Kuang were left in the vehicle.
Lin Jing stood in the aisle of the bus, gazing at Sheng Kuang, who was seated in the middle row. She felt a little dazed.
The lighting in the garage was dim. Sheng Kuang's illuminated phone screen cast a soft glow, making him appear gentle.
Lin Jing stared at him for a moment before feigning nonchalance and walking towards him.
She appeared cheerful, but heaven knew how anxious and unsettled she truly felt.
She knew for certain she would come to find him, but she was unsure if, after she left, he would still want a future with her.
Lin Jing didn't want Sheng Kuang to notice her emotional state. When she reached him, she first forced a smile, then, in the next instant, cupped Sheng Kuang's face with her hands, blinked at him twice, and leaned down to gently kiss his eyelids.
Sheng Kuang was stunned.
Lin Jing quickly withdrew her hands, stood up as if nothing had happened, and took half a step back. "You can go now."
Sheng Kuang reached up to touch the warm spot on his eyelid and looked up in disbelief. "Are you messing with me?"
Lin Jing chuckled. "No, I just came to give you some encouragement."
Sheng Kuang scoffed. "Is this encouragement? It's clearly a distraction."
Lin Jing stifled a laugh, grabbed Sheng Kuang's hand, pulled him up from his seat, and walked behind him, pushing him towards the car door. "I genuinely came to cheer you on. If I were to cause trouble, I'd do it after the match."
Sheng Kuang turned and gave her a meaningful look. "After the match, how do you plan to cause trouble?"
Lin Jing had only said that casually and hadn't expected him to take it in that direction.
She faltered for a second and, without thinking, pushed him out of the car. "Hurry up and go play your match."
Sheng Kuang chuckled and waved at her. "Then I'm off."
Lin Jing watched his retreating figure intently, her lips moving. "Sheng Kuang."
Sheng Kuang turned back. "Hm?"
Lin Jing smiled, just as she had when she first met Sheng Kuang at the World Championship finals, and made a heart shape with her hands. "Good luck with the match."
Sheng Kuang looked at Lin Jing for two seconds, said "Okay," and turned to leave.
Watching his back, Lin Jing's eyes gradually welled up.
After Sheng Kuang had completely disappeared from the parking lot, Lin Jing sniffled and walked back to the seat Sheng Kuang had occupied.
His casual jacket was still in the car. She stared at it for two seconds, then placed the phone she was holding in her pocket into his.