Three days later, in the evening, Lin Yan carried his backpack on one shoulder and took out the key from his pocket. He opened the door to his house and was greeted by the smell of meat.
A middle-aged man with a dignified appearance was busy in the kitchen with an apron draped over his shoulders. From his appearance, he looked quite similar to Lin Ran, but his temperament was more reserved and mature. It was Lin Ran's father, Lin Mingdong.
There were several exquisite dishes on the table, steaming hot and fragrant.
"You're back?" Lin Mingdong glanced at Lin Yan who had just entered the door. "Hurry up and change your clothes so we can eat."
Lin Yan took off his school uniform, washed his hands, and returned to the kitchen. "Didn't I tell you before? Don't put the dishes you bought from the restaurant on the plate, and wash the dishes again."
Lin Yan knew very well that his father didn't know how to cook. These exquisite dishes were obviously not made by him.
Lin Mingdong smiled awkwardly and handed the chopsticks in his hand to Lin Yan.
"How have you been at school recently?" Lin Mingdong took the initiative to ask.
Lin Yan picked up some shrimp with his chopsticks. The color of the shrimp was as white as jade, and it tasted fresh and tender with a hint of the fragrance of tea leaves. He usually couldn't eat this kind of dish.
"It's okay …" Lin Yan stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth. "I have something to discuss with you. I want to play professionally."
"Play professionally?"
Lin Mingdong stared at his son. He had worked in an internet company for many years and knew that e-sports had been in full swing recently.
"That's right. There are already teams looking for me," Lin Yan said. "I plan to give it a try."
"Let's eat first. We'll talk later." Lin Mingdong was expressionless and didn't make a clear statement.
This caused Lin Ran to feel uneasy. Although the dishes that Lin Mingdong brought back from the restaurant were delicious enough, they tasted like wax when they entered his mouth. Even his favorite prawns were not as fragrant.
Both of them had their own thoughts and didn't have much of an appetite. They hurriedly washed the dishes.
"Lin Yan." His father sat on the sofa in the living room. He looked a little tired. He took off his glasses and gently rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What are you thinking?"
"You wanted to do live streaming in the heat of the moment, and I agreed. As long as you survive the third year of high school, I won't stop you if you want to do something even more outrageous in university." Lin Mingdong looked at the lifeless house, and an inexplicable emotion flashed in his eyes. "But not now."
"You think I'm just playing around?" Lin Yan asked.
"Isn't it?" Lin Mingdong asked.
Lin Yan pursed his lips. The results of the live broadcast made him lose the confidence to talk back. "You know, I don't like studying …"
"What if you don't make a name for yourself as a professional?" Lin Mingdong's tone was a little angry. "Do you want to retire in your twenties and make a name for yourself with a high school diploma?"
Seeing that Lin Yan was no longer speaking, he slowly calmed his tone. "I don't deny that there are e-sports geniuses. They are born to do this, but are you one?"
"I think I am." Lin Yan raised his head. His eyes were firm as he looked into Lin Mingdong's eyes.
"Give me a year. If I don't make a name for myself, I'll come back and repeat the third year of high school and take the university entrance exam," Lin Yan promised. "If I make a name for myself in this year, don't stop me."
Lin Mingdong looked at his son sitting across from him. For as long as Lin Yan could remember, he had spent very little time with him. He had been running around and working hard to make a living. Now he looked at Lin Yan's handsome face, which was both familiar and unfamiliar.
Lin Yan's facial features were a combination of the strengths of Lin Mingdong and his wife, especially his eyes. They were clear with a hint of perseverance. Every time Lin Mingdong looked into Lin Yan's eyes, he would always think of his lover, who was by his side back then.
But in the blink of an eye, they were separated by life and death.
Lin Mingdong was in a trance for a moment.
"A year." Lin Mingdong's voice was hoarse. It was the same as two months ago when Lin Yan insisted on doing a live broadcast. He compromised again. "If you don't succeed, then come back and study in university."
"Lin Yan, remember this. Think carefully before you do anything. Think carefully before you make a decision." Lin Mingdong dragged his suitcase into the bedroom. "You're young now. I'm behind you. What if I pass away like your mother?"
Lin Yan did not say anything.
With his father's approval, all the procedures were carried out very quickly.
Chubby had already rented a base and booked a high-speed train ticket for him. As soon as he completed the procedures for his suspension of school, he could go directly to Shanghai.
On the morning of October 25th, Team KOO defeated FNC with a score of 3: 0. They met SKT, another team from the LCK division, in the finals. This was the first time that an internal battle had occurred in the LCK division since the League of Legends S-Series.
Lin Yan stayed up all night to watch the competition. Even he could not help but sigh at the strength of the LCK division. They had completely dominated the global finals. In comparison, the LPL division, which had brought in a large number of Korean players, had only made it to the top eight.
The next day, he woke up early to deliver the documents for his suspension of school.
Lin Yan wore a loose black sweater and got off his bicycle. He walked through the school gate with the other students. This was an old school with a long history. The architectural style was antique and had Suzhou characteristics. There was also an old temple next door. It was said that it was built by Fan Zhongyan.
"Lin Yan!" A clear female voice called out from behind him.
Lin Yan turned around. A beautiful girl in a white long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans was greeting him.
Su Cheng, Lin Yan's old acquaintance. They had been in the same class from elementary school to high school. They had even been deskmates for two years in middle school. They knew each other very well.
"Are you really going to quit school?"
Su Cheng looked worried. The two walked into the school together. "What kind of esports are you going to play?"
Unlike Lin Ran, Su Cheng's grades had always been excellent. If she hadn't tutored Lin Ran before the middle school entrance exam, he wouldn't have been able to get into this school's top class and be at the bottom of the class.
It was also thanks to Su Cheng's supervision that Lin Yan managed to maintain his grades and did not fall out of the top class.
"That's right." Lin Yan nodded. He took Su Cheng's heavy bag and placed it on his bicycle. "We're going to Shanghai the day after tomorrow."
"Is this reliable?"
Su Cheng frowned. She looked like an old mother who was worried about her son going on a trip. "I mean … your grades aren't bad. You can get into a top university with normal college entrance exams."
It was only 2015. League of Legends was not as eye-catching as it was in the future. Su Cheng had only seen Lin Yan play a few rounds. She knew nothing about it.
"Don't worry." Lin Yan comforted her. "If I can't get good grades, I'll just come back and repeat a year. With my intelligence, I might even be able to become your junior."
"Your words make me unsure if I should continue to give you my blessings." Su Cheng smiled.
The two arrived at the front of the school building. Several students on duty were sweeping the fallen leaves under a tree. The sound of laughter and laughter drifted into their ears.
"Let's keep in touch." Su Cheng took her bag from Lin Yan's bicycle. She pursed her lips, revealing a pair of sweet dimples. She waved goodbye. "I wish you a smooth journey and a bright future … Make a name for yourself at a young age."
Lin Yan watched as Su Cheng's ponytail swayed as she flashed into the school building. Only then did he push his bicycle to the office building.