This kind of exposé, no matter who it's about, would normally stir up some controversy. But when it concerned Sheng Kuang, the netizens' reactions were surprisingly harmonious.
The video had only been out for a short while, but it was already trending. The screen was filled with a constant stream of bullet comments, flowing one after another as if they were free.
"Ahhh, my Kuang's voice is so good."
"Kuang, Mom loves you."
"When kids grow up, they can't be kept at home. He's already in such a hurry to marry himself off."
"Kuang, Mom has just one request: dating is fine, but any further steps require being an adult. We absolutely must hold on, only one month left."
"Crazy for Kuang, wild for Kuang, I'd bang my head against the wall for Kuang Kuang."
It wasn't that Sheng Kuang's fans were being hypocritical or blindly protective. Compared to two years ago when Sheng Kuang "announced he was coming out" in front of someone's phone screen, this time their Kuang hadn't grabbed a megaphone and shouted "Coincidentally, I'm also a 0" in a livestream. This was already considered quite low-key.
The many "mom fans" were quite satisfied. Even Lin Jing herself felt that her Kuang had matured and wasn't impulsive anymore. Feeling relieved, she even gave this Weibo post a "like."
Compared to this Weibo post, Sheng Kuang's super topic was even more lively. Someone had quickly started a thread, pairing Sheng Kuang with other KPL professional players.
"HJC's mid-laner Li Sinian!! Refined and cunning top x wild and rebellious bottom!"
"GDT's support Chen Jing!!! Charming top x beautiful and strong bottom! Most importantly, they're on the same team, so the water won't flow to outsiders!"
"CEC's jungler!! King of the jungle x King of the jungle, lock it down for me!"
Amidst these dazzling, eye-catching replies, some were already starting to spin little stories. Lin Jing watched, and suddenly felt inspired. On a whim, she picked up her iPad and opened her drawing app.
Time always flies when you're drawing. By the time Lin Jing finished her masterpiece, it was already four in the afternoon.
She did a final color adjustment, and once she was sure there were no issues, uploaded the image to Sheng Kuang's super topic.
"SweetSweetSweetSweet Student: First day digging for ore for Kuang."
"P.S. This image is purely for entertainment, please do not take it as reality."
Although Lin Jing hadn't specified who it was, the clothing style in the picture made everyone instantly recognize that she had drawn Sheng Kuang and Chen Jing.
In the drawing, Chen Jing was holding Sheng Kuang's wrist, biting open the neckline of Sheng Kuang's white t-shirt. On Sheng Kuang's exposed slender neck was a faint mark.
Sheng Kuang's super topic was always very popular. Lin Jing's art style was unique and striking, her brushstrokes alluring yet refined. It quickly attracted many fans in the super topic.
"Maestro, you're amazing."
"Producing for love, yyds."
"Ahhhhh, I'm shipping it!"
Lin Jing, who had been drawing for half the day and hadn't eaten, ordered takeout. After filling her stomach, she picked up her phone, interacted with some comments under her own Weibo, and then entered Sheng Kuang's super topic.
The first thing that caught her eye was a video. It had only been posted a few hours ago, but it already had tens of thousands of likes.
The video was a compilation of Sheng Kuang's championship-winning gaming moments over the years.
The video was long, showcasing all the beautiful shots from the 16-year-old boy to the soon-to-be 18-year-old youth.
Sheng Kuang raised his trophy and made a gun gesture to the audience. Sheng Kuang gave the trophy a deep kiss. Sheng Kuang yawned sleepily, hugging the trophy.
In addition to the award ceremony footage, it was interspersed with some of his classic in-game moments, his expressions on the field, and some of the arrogant words he had spoken.
"I am the champion."
"They can't beat me."
"I want to experience what second place feels like, but I probably won't have the chance in this lifetime."
"Your Kuang God is your Kuang God."
The video was edited with great passion, making Lin Jing's skin crawl with excitement. By the end, her palms were slightly sweaty.
Being a fan, in this society, wasn't exactly a positive term.
She didn't know how others defined being a fan. In her opinion, being a fan was about chasing the person you most wanted to become.
Lin Jing pursed her lips. After her emotions had calmed down, she watched the video again.
The youth in the lens, clad in shining armor, was unrestrained and dazzling.
He was exactly as a youth should be.
A year ago, upon entering her final year of high school, she had written down two wishes.
One was for the university she wanted to attend.
The other was for the person she admired to shine brightly, so that she too could go and watch his game, shining brightly.
And now, she had failed her college entrance exams, couldn't go to her desired university, and couldn't shine her own light.
The video ended, and her phone fell silent. Lin Jing lowered her eyelids, lost in thought for a long time. It wasn't until the sky outside began to darken that she picked up her phone again and found Jiang Wan's WeChat.
She stared at the screen, contemplating for a while. As if she had made some decision, she raised her fingertip and quickly tapped the screen a few times. Without hesitation, she sent the message she had typed.
"Mom, I want to repeat the year."
...
Two years later.