Sheng Kuang didn't speak, and his phone rang again.
Chen Jing followed the sound and glanced over, his pupils constricting with just one look.
After about ten seconds, he slowly looked up at Sheng Kuang, the corners of his eyes reddened by anger, "Why didn't you say anything?"
Sheng Kuang glanced at his phone, likely guessing what Han Fengyan had sent. He looked rather absentminded and mumbled, "We were about to compete then."
"And after that," Chen Jing sounded like he was on the verge of an outburst, his voice growing hoarse, "After the competition, why didn't you say anything then?"
Although Chen Jing often cursed, he had a good temper and rarely got truly angry like this.
The others were momentarily stunned by him. After about a minute, Jiang Zui, standing beside him, recovered and advised, "Brother Jing, Brother Kuang might have his own plans..."
Before Jiang Zui could finish, Chen Jing turned and glared at him, "Of course he has his plans. His plan is to carry everything on his own. That day after losing the match, he locked himself in his room for hours. The next day he came to our training session and, as if nothing had happened, gave a self-criticism, saying it was his fault. He took all the blame, enduring all the online criticism, without a word of excuse for himself.
"And we, each of us, just as naturally assumed it was his fault, that he made too many mistakes, and that's why we lost that game.
"None of us asked him why he made so many mistakes. Now that I think about it, was losing the match that day really just his problem?"
Sheng Kuang raised his eyelids, "Chen Jing."
Chen Jing didn't seem to hear the warning in Sheng Kuang's voice. He looked at Qin Yu, "You—you got triggered after a few ganks and your mentality broke. And He Wang, I've told you so many times, as a mid-laner, don't be too impulsive. You're always impulsive. And Jiang Zui, you're very strong, but you always prioritize your own development. You think that once you're developed, you can save a game. But in reality, did you save it? Including me, I have problems too..."
Sheng Kuang furrowed his brow, his tone becoming much more serious, "Stop talking."
Chen Jing continued, "The problem is with us, not him. We've become too dependent on him. Once he falters, we're like a pile of loose sand, instantly in chaos. He didn't say anything because he wanted to give us enough time to hone our skills and grow. But what about us? We took his patience for granted, never once considering why his state was so off that day."
Sheng Kuang's expression turned somewhat grim.
Lan Bowen, seeing this, quickly reached out and pulled Chen Jing's arm, trying to guide him to a nearby restroom to calm down. "We have a match soon. Even if you want to argue, do it after the game..."
"What post-game? With this situation, we'll lose even if we play later," Chen Jing roared, unable to suppress his anger. "Damn it, we've all been spoiled, turned into idiots, including myself..."
Chen Jing's voice choked for a moment. With red eyes, he looked at Sheng Kuang, took a deep breath, and when he spoke again, his voice was much hoarser, and his tone had softened, like a child who had made a mistake. "I'm just really upset. I just feel like I was oblivious that day. I should have realized that Han Fengyan's appearance would bring nothing good. You guys have no idea what he's been through all these years. Do you know, Mosquito, that day Han Fengyan, in his despicable and shameless way, showed Sheng Kuang a photo of Xiao Shiyue falling from the building?"
The hand Lan Bowen used to hold Chen Jing suddenly lost its strength. He froze as if petrified for a moment before turning to look at Sheng Kuang, "Is what Chen Jing said true?"
Sheng Kuang smiled slightly, "I'm fine."
Chen Jing scoffed mockingly, "You're not fine, damn it. Stop pretending."
The others were listening with confusion. Jiang Xin couldn't help but ask, "What's going on with Xiao Shiyue?"