DTTM – Chapter 28

Chapter 27 | 🤐 Contents 🤐 | Chapter 29

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Translator: Silvery

PR: Decadence

Team 7’s last driving force lost his motivation as a result of Duan Lei’s encouragement.

The next day at 7.30AM: The multi-purpose hall of the Recreation Centre is packed like a can of sardines.

Under the close scrutiny of nearly everyone at the Summer Camp, the PK bout proceeds on the third day as scheduled.

“Fighting! It’s for the sake of glory!”

Cen Rui thumps Liang Yifan hard on the shoulder, helping to massage and warm up his wrist:

“I’ve used 13 side accounts to put my money on us. Whether I can reap the returns is all counting on you today!”

Liang Yifan’s face is drained of all colour. Eyes hollowed out and totally blank, he recites some monotonous algorithm for the Rubik’s Cube which he copied from somewhere. It remains a question whether Cen Rui’s words have gotten through to him.

“Loosen up. It’s fine no matter what the results are.”

Team 7’s Captain breathes in deeply and does his best to calm the hearts of his troops:

“Sheng Ge is reliable, so there shouldn’t be any issues with him. And though the enemy is strong, don’t forget. We’ve still got God Kun on our side…”

It’s not an exaggeration to say that this new batch of Third-Years has grown up with the legend of Jin Linkun.

Those who participated in Provincial Tournaments were all crushed by him, whereas those who participate in National Competitions watched him trounce others. The circle of the Academic Tyrants is not wide to begin with, so every student of Team 7 has heard of and maintains that sort of blind faith in Jin Linkun.

Even now, they’re still eagerly anticipating him to “open his eyes suddenly and have the match in the bag”, like in those dramas.

Team 7’s Captain tries to have the most positive outlook. He directs everyone’s focus to the two other players in the prep area:

“See? Even now, they’re preparing still diligently as well. Just have faith—”

Team 7’s Captain: “……”

The clamorous multi-purpose hall is filled with a great number of people. Besides the students of Team 7 and 2, there are also countless others who snuck in to catch a glimpse of the match. There are those here to play the audience, those here to videotape it. Then apparently, there are also those here to broadcast it as well. Online, it seems like many have already started hurling gifts at them in a bid to encourage them.

Both teams’ students are identifying and clearing out the outsiders with tremendous difficulty. If only to make it easier to conduct the match, they’ve pushed the tables into an inconspicuous but fairly quiet corner of the room.

In that very same inconspicuous, tiny little corner, Yu Sheng who carries much of their faith is slumped over, napping on a desk.

Jin Linkun is seated right by his side, leaning back in his chair with his head tipped down, toying with his phone.

He even seems quite focused, to add. While tapping single-handedly at his screen, occasionally, as if he’s grown eyes on the side of his head, he would sternly yet courteously block off those who draw too close to them.

After carrying on this cohesive pair work for a while, perhaps it’s because the room got too noisy: In a show of great consideration, Jin Linkun goes to the far extent of sliding and hovering his left arm over Yu Sheng’s shoulders to help him cover his ear on one side.

……

Team 7’s Captain doesn’t know whether he should feel moved by this loving show of concern playing out before his eyes.

The pair’s presence is way too faint. In the crowded room buzzing with excitement, fewer than a handful of people notice them skimping out in the corner.

The Captain is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Really wanting to walk over to ask a few things of them, yet worried he might diminish Team 7’s already pathetic confidence, he wavers for a while before reluctantly stabilizing himself. He turns around and blocks off the students’ gazes.

“I guess—This is most likely their unique way of gearing up for a fight.” The Captain gulps: “We just have to watch over them quietly …”

The match has yet to begin, but due to the sheer ruckus that is in the room, the clamour can’t be blocked out even if there is a hand over his ear.

Yu Sheng knits his brows. The tiny little head buried in the crook of his arm shifts and rises.

“It’s alright.” Jin Linkun raises his arm at his movement, glancing at the clock on his phone, “There’s still 10 minutes. You can sleep a while more.”

Only then does Yu Sheng realize his hand is the thing which has been covering his ear.

Due to the cooling aircon in the room, the warmth of his palm is made especially profound. The ear that was bracketed by it was consequently left with a faint tingle of heat.

Yu Sheng captures that hand and tosses it back at him. He rubs his eyes and looks at the time:

“I’m not sleeping anymore.”

It’s 7.45AM.

The match officially begins at 8. All members are required to take their places at 7.55, and they shall commence the explanation of the rules and introduction of the players.

This is the set time both teams reluctantly compromised on only after Yu Sheng went to the washroom last night and threatened them by throwing buckets out of the windows.

It’s been a while since the two of them played the game of ‘who wakes up first’. Ever since then, neither of them has come anywhere near close to the refreshingly clean, dewy air of 7.45AM.

Jin Linkun’s routine isn’t much better off than his. But at the very least, he does sleep tonnes better than Yu Sheng. When faced with circumstances like this where he’s got no choice but to wake up early, he can at least make up for lost sleep by turning in earlier.

Now, as a result of sleeping an hour earlier than usual last night, he’s positively radiant:

“Friend, are we staying up tonight? I missed out on burning an hour of midnight oil last night, so it feels like I’ve fallen back by at least half a day’s work…”

Yu Sheng wants nothing but to go back and sleep. He yawns:

“We’re not. I’m tired.”

Jin Linkun can’t help the smile which takes over his face. He helps to clear the table of Rubik’s Cube guidebooks, so Yu Sheng wouldn’t slam his head on their edges in his daze:

“Very well then. We shall go to sleep the moment we get back.”

Yu Sheng gives a sleep-laced ‘Mn’, arms finding purchase on the table edge as he slowly wrangles his way from the tendrils of sleep.

The sleepy teen has yet to fully awaken. Shoulders curled in a little on himself, fringe tickling the edge of his lashes, inexplicably somehow, Yu Sheng seems softer around the edges than usual.

Jin Linkun looks on at him, his chest suddenly and unfathomably skipping a beat.

He can’t stop his rising hand. Yet, in consideration of how he’s got to hold a pen later to fill in his Sudoku, that hand doesn’t plaster itself to Yu Sheng’s head:

“Would you like a bottle of water?”

Yu Sheng shakes his head and pulls himself up to his feet:

“I’ll go wash my face.”

It’s hard to say if it’s because the students have finally found an outlet for their pent-up passion for studying; This entire setup seems abnormally formal.

When Yu Sheng passes by the stage, the video cameras and live broadcasts have finished setting up. There are even red carpets rolled out under the two setups onstage which are standing face to face.

The tables in the front row have already been decorated with mineral water bottles and name plates for the honoured guests. A few of the teachers in charge of the Summer Camp have been invited to play the role of the judges.

Old Wan is a special guest teacher for the Summer Camp. Initially, he was supposed to be in the guest list too, but since Team 7 is participating in this match, he decided to avoid rousing suspicion and waved his invite off with a face full of grins. Just like the other students, he is currently seated with the friends and team in charge of cheering the players on. At the moment, he is busy doing his best to extract the motivations for this competition from the tight-lipped little students.

Team 7’s Captain has his hands full with other things, so it falls upon Vice-Captain Kong Jiahe to sit by Old Wan. Staring death dead in the eyes with his mouth clamped shut, no matter what he’s asked, he just squeezes his eyes shut and whips his head side to side, stubbornly bearing this onerous responsibility for everyone from Team 7.

Yu Sheng is still half-asleep. In response to the fervent cheers and greetings that rise at the sight of him, he gives a curt nod and slips past the crowd to pull open the door and leave for the washroom.

Jin Linkun is in no haste to get onstage. He remains in his seat as he whimsically thumbs through a few pages of Sudoku to get his head back in the game.

He doesn’t know if it’s because his roommate seems especially soft today; Jin Linkun isn’t fully here in person today. A couple of squares remain blank in his head, and all that comes to mind is Yu Sheng’s luscious, drooping lashes.

When he thinks about the team begging them to win with such puppy-dog eyes, and the absolute need to win 2 out of 3 matches, he doesn’t think he should approach it with his current state of mind at all.

Jin Linkun puts down his Sudoku and pulls out his phone to scroll through. He will shift his focus.

With the match right around the corner, the forum is especially hyped up.

Since there are some passionate spectators who have snuck in and are filming up close, a couple of new posts have already struck popularity and the number of eyes on them are rising by the minute. In a blink of an eye, they’ve leapt to the top.

【Livestream】 Bringing to you from up close, the intense face-off between high-level players!

【Math】How to solve the Rubik’s Cube / Decoding Rubik’s Cube 101 / Sudoku Rules & Standard Patterns

【Math】0.6s · Tetris Line Clear without looking down · Do you really know your Tetris?

【Gossip】AAAAAAHHH MOMMA YUSHENG’S WAY TOO CUTE I WANT TO PAT HIM ON THE HEAD!!

……

Jin Linkun taps open a few posts on a whim. At long last, he manages to mostly shake off that ridiculous thought which was stalking him. Just when he’s about to back out of there, his eyes suddenly land upon that one single post which doesn’t seem like the rest.

When he taps in, it turns out to be a few HD SLR photos*.

(*Those cameras Kpop fans use)

Although they were taken in secret, the angle and technique are expectedly quite good. The camera just so happened to go off as Yu Sheng just woke up. The resolution’s so fine, one can even see the dewiness of the youth’s eyes, still moist from sleep.

Another scroll downwards takes him to the comments which have quickly spanned into the next couple of pages.

I sat way too behind during the opening ceremony! How could I have missed this?! The Boss Bro who thwacked God Kun single-handedly is actually this lovable?!!

These wispy bangs, these lashes, my god there’s even a tiger’s teeth…

I hear he’s quite strong as well! He even knows how to wall-vault!!!

It’s a pity he’s slightly shorter compared to God Kun QAQ

Hardly! He’s exactly half a head taller than me. It’s just the right height for hugging and kissing!

Wake up! They’re here for the competition! From what I heard, their team seems to be in a pinch this time. Ah, suddenly, I’m so worried…

These are the looks of one who’ll definitely burst out crying if he loses! Shouldn’t we do something??

……

Upon scrolling down further, he sees a bunch of pink pig-tailed avatars fervently discussing the plausible line of actions to deploy if Team 7 unfortunately loses.

From sending drinks and sending flowers to sending sweet little consolation cards and sending o.p.* assignment books to their dorm room at night as gifts. The ideas spring up one after another, blinding one with their assortment.

(*o.p.: out of print)

To sum it up in a line: Should Team 7 lose this match, they would most likely be swarmed by a bunch of tender-hearted young ladies who would shower them with all the kindness and care in the world.

Jin Linkun puts down his phone.

Team 7’s Captain checks the time and carefully trots over:

“God Kun…”

Jin Linkun looks up, more amicable than normal:

“I’m off.”

Jin Linkun stands up:

“Wish me luck.”

“……”

The Captain who made mental preparations to persuade him bears witness to the sight of God Kun rising decisively to his feet. Slightly shaken up, he takes a few steps back:

“G-Good luck.”

With his clothes batting behind him, Jin Linkun steps up the stage.

The Rubik’s Cube is considered the second segment. Liang Yifan has already plopped himself down in the centre seat since much earlier on. Currently, he is chanting some mantra of algorithms to offer up to the 9 sacred cubes they will be using for this match.

When Jin Linkun gets onstage, he passes by him from upfront, and he extends his finger to lightly rap on the front of his desk.

Eyes void of life, Liang Yifan looks up, surprised: “……?”

“Sudoku’s fairly easy. I’ll do both this and that, so you should head over to help your Sheng Ge win at Tetris.”

Jin Linkun angles a gentle smile at him:

“Let’s crush them with a 3:0. Good luck.”

Liang Yifan: “……”

Yu Sheng washes his face twice before his sleepiness finally recedes.

Last night, he’d tried to find a way to motivate Jin Linkun but he ended up demotivating himself instead. He’d played Tetris as per usual for the remaining half of the lesson before he caught wind of that psychotic decision to start the match at 7AM.

Faced with the very real threat of IRL PK, the two teams bickered for a fraction of the night before finally pushing it back by an hour to 8AM.

Starting the day off at 8AM. That is already the boundary of what these Academic Tyrants are willing to compromise on in their study routine.

Yu Sheng intended to sleep early from the get-go too, but his rebellious mind simply refused to listen to him. Random tetriminos rained behind his eyelids late into the night before his exhaustion overcame the tetris effect.

When he finally managed to fall asleep, it was already 2AM. Perhaps he’s too exhausted, but unexpectedly, he actually slept through his first alarm.

When he blinked awake next time, Jin Linkun was standing by his bed and trying very considerately to help him turn off his second alarm.

……

Ice-cold water splashes on his face and rejuvenates him by a tonne.

Yu Sheng takes a deep breath, wiping the water off his face before heading to the door to draw two paper towels.

Through the tiny gap in the door, the faint sounds of conversation outside can be heard drifting in.

The chosen representatives of Team 2 are out there, and they are conversing in hushed voices.

It’s actually quite unusual for Yu Sheng to be able to recognize these faces from Team 2.

When it comes to things such as competitions, for him, it has always been sufficient just to win. In the past, he had participated in countless tournaments too. He has always been in-charge of just showing up to the game; Yu Sheng has never had an interest in the profiles of and gossip surrounding his opponents.

But those guys from Team 7 just insisted on giving their 100% on every little detail.

Under the Captain, Ding Zhengjiao’s lead, everyone invested half a Night Self-Study period on analysing the three foes’ interests and hobbies, horoscopes and blood types, birth date and birth time. They even did some palmistry and talbot card readings using photos of their palms and faces.

At that point of time, Yu Sheng was bewildered by this melting pot of various superstitions.

Subsequently, he also failed to turn them down in time and simply had the detailed octagonal analysis chart on screen imprinted onto his brain.

Alas, said imprinting does have some use. At the very least, he is able to recognize these three people outside the door and even somewhat discern who is who.

Yu Sheng dumps the sopping wet paper towels into the bin. Just when he’s about to draw another, that schoolmate of Liang Yifan, Dan Zhuo, can be heard speaking. His somewhat muddled voice slips in through the door.

“…What’s there to fear about Jin Linkun?”

Yu Sheng’s hand stops.

“Do you guys know why he got suspended? It’s because there was a guy in their batch who was evenly-matched with him. He feared that other guy, so he decided to postpone it and hide for a year.”

“Even their teachers couldn’t stop him from doing it… That is just a wimp who knows how to shove the weak around. Just because of a few tournaments, he’s blown up to high heavens.”

“Who knows how he’d really won those tournaments? If he’s really that capable, would he still get suspended? Couldn’t he just secure admission to a university?”

“And Team 7 are still under the impression that he’s amazing. It’s because they have him, that’s why they can’t win. You just have to suppress him right from the start with your speed. Given how he is, it won’t take long for him to crash.”

……

Dan Zhuo spits contemptuously under his breath:

“What ‘God’ Kun? They call him that as though he’s very amazing, or something…”

Before he can finish his words, the door is suddenly slammed open behind him.

Dan Zhuo jumps, spinning around to lash out:

“Keep it down! What if you hit someone—”

Dan Zhuo falters. Upon taking a closer look at the person who came out from the washroom, his brows scrunch up:

“Yu…Sheng……?”

At their level, most will generally make an effort to remember those on equal footing as them.

Even though Dan Zhuo has already secured admission into a university, he still strives to obtain a few more national medals, so as to lend his words more weight when it’s time to negotiate conditions with the school of his choice.

A newcomer previously unheard of has suddenly appeared at the Summer Camp this time. Moreover, he is the person who got placed 2^nd just like Jin Linkun. On the day of the Opening Ceremony, he had already memorized the other’s face and name.

Still, he doesn’t know much about Yu Sheng’s background or how much the other has heard. Dan Zhuo doesn’t dare to speak up brashly. He backs up a step.

Yu Sheng stands at the door, hand closed over the paper towel. He wipes off his wet hands and he looks up.

Dan Zhuo’s pupils shrink despite himself.

……

No matter what anyone says, these are the indisputable truths: Yu Sheng and Jin Linkun lined up evenly as the 2^nd places. At the Opening Ceremony, they even fought onstage.

With such dog-eat-dog competition between them, their relationship shouldn’t be anywhere near good.

Dan Zhuo deliberates for a while before breathing easy. He trades his sneer for a smile and offers his hand to him:

“Let’s get to know each other. I am called Dan Zhuo. I’m from Province First High, I’ve already secured direct admission to the Top 1—”

Yu Sheng wasn’t even listening. Scrunching the paper towel in his hand into a ball, he easily cuts him off:

“God Kun is amazing.”

Dan Zhuo freezes.

Surprise silences him for a couple of seconds before he realizes this is Yu Sheng’s answer to his previous words. He parts his mouth but he can’t gather his words.

When he looks up, his eyes meet with the other’s. An inexplicable paranoia suddenly seizes him.

This youth before him doesn’t seem much like a good student at all.

Even though he bears quite a docile-looking appearance, his eyes have a thick and profound layer of frost over them.

He has yet to regain the edge which was lost in sleep, but even so. When that’s filled in by the sub-zero temperature around him, the guttural fear that coldness provokes is enough to choke one up.

Dan Zhuo doesn’t know his baselines, therefore, he doesn’t dare to rashly provoke him either. He subconsciously stumbles back with a hard gulp.

Yu Sheng can’t be bothered to waste his breath with him. He rubs the base of his neck as he runs his eyes over him:

“Are you playing Tetris as well?”

Dan Zhuo is still a bit cowed. With a jolting pause, he speaks up in the next second:

“Yes… We’ve already made our minds up on it. We aren’t changing it no matter what.”

“That’s fine. You don’t have to change it. Start from level 18 off the bat. Starting from 130 lines, we’ll hide half the screen.”

Yu Sheng runs his tongue over his tiger’s canine. He flashes a smirk at him:

“Hold on for a bit longer. Don’t get crushed the moment the game’s on.”

Dan Zhuo has participated in Tetris Competitions before, so he knows what he’s saying. His face unwittingly drains of all colour:

“S-Student Yu Sheng – Hold on—”

Yu Sheng hardly gives a damn. He turns around to head back to the multi-purpose room.

With that little delay they had outside, the host has already started searching for the players to get them to take their seats.

Jin Linkun is leaning back in his chair. A pile of Rubik’s Cubes is placed before him for some reason. Currently, he is rolling his wrists and flexing his fingers unhurriedly.

Upon seeing Yu Sheng return, those eyes curve gently beyond their glasses.

Yu Sheng still has words for him, but it’s undoubtedly not the time for that now. He pushes down his roiling thoughts and struts over to his own seat.

Liang Yifan has been out of sorts the entire morning. This time, however, he’s even muddled up and taken up Yu Sheng’s seat.

Yu Sheng knits his brows, pulling the chair out as he knocks on the top of the desk.

Liang Yifan, with eyes void of life: “……?”

“We must win all 3 matches. I’ll play Tetris.”

Yu Sheng takes a seat and cuts straight to the point:

“Stop wasting time. Pick up your pencil and head over to God Kun. He says you’ll help to fill in Sudoku and turn the pages for him.”

Liang Yifan: “…………”

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Silvery: 

Decadence:

Ps. silvery: This will be our last set of updates because I’m moving on with life and finding other hobbies. The links are probably going to be botchy from now on since I have to battle WordPress for half an hour every time I want to upload a chapter (it loads freaking slow) and I just don’t think it’s worth the time anymore. Might move to Google links starting tmr.

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Chapter 28 | 🤐 Contents 🤐 | Chapter 29