LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

"We won! We won!" On the EDG players' bench, Jiejie was the first to jump up from his seat, hugging Su Mo tightly, so excited that he was incoherent.

"Brother Mo is awesome!!!" Viper rushed up behind Su Mo and gave him a big bear hug with all his might, shouting in his still not-so-fluent Chinese.

Scout and Meiko also came over, and the five of them hugged tightly in the center of the stage.

Spotlights shone down from above the venue, bathing them in a golden glow, against the backdrop of the huge, still-present "VICTORY" lettering.

On the other side, the JDG players were still sitting blankly in their chairs, their expressions frozen.

Zoom stared at his gray screen, the image of the recall animation being interrupted at the last moment still vivid in his mind.

Kanavi took off his headphones, rubbed his face vigorously, his eyes filled with resentment and confusion. They won almost all the head-on team battles, but lost the entire game.

This feeling is even harder to accept than being swept 3-0.

In the commentary booth, Miller and the doll had completely lost control.

"This will go down in history! This is definitely one of the most classic backdoor plays in LPL history!" Miller's voice was already a little hoarse. "What did we witness? We witnessed the birth of a master strategist! From the moment Su Mo didn't teleport during that dragon pit team fight, he had already laid out a magnificent picture for us. He's not a chess player, he is the chessboard itself! Every move JDG made was within his calculations!"

“My hands are still shaking,” Wawa boasted. “In all my years of commentating, I’ve rarely seen such a pure and extreme 4-1 split push. Mozi showed us that League of Legends is not just about fighting and killing, but also about the art of minion wave management and the philosophy of maneuvering! His Fiora today is not the ‘Grand Slam Dunk,’ she is the ‘Mini-Wave Master’! She is the ‘Tower Destroyer’!”

The live stream and the chat room were already flooded with comments like "Brother Mozi is so awesome" and "66666".

"This game can be played like this??? I'm dumbfounded!"

Su Mo: What team fight? My eyes are only on the turrets.

"JDG players' inner monologue: I had such a huge advantage, how could I have lost?"

"From this day forward, I declare Su Mo to be the world's number one!"

"Textbook-level involvement and decision-making; it's enough to give you a heart attack!"

After a brief celebration, the EDG team members composed themselves, walked to the center of the stage, and bowed deeply to the audience in all directions.

The thunderous shouts of "EDG" and "Brother Mozi" were the best reward for their amazing comeback.

As per procedure, they lined up and walked towards JDG's players' bench for a post-match handshake.

Zoom stood up and shook hands with Su Mo, shaking his head with a wry smile. His eyes were complex, showing both frustration at being defeated and a hint of respect for the strong.

Su Mo smiled at him amicably, saying nothing more, but everything was understood without being said.

Back in the locker room, Coach Abu and Mingkai were already waiting at the door, their faces beaming with undisguised smiles.

"Well played! Absolutely fantastic!" Abu excitedly hugged each of his players. "Especially Mozi, those last two decisions were simply divine!"

Mingkai remained strict as always, but a smile played on his lips: "The final base raid was a bit risky, but the result was good. Let's go back and review the game carefully, and prepare for the finals. Everyone deserves credit today, so my treat is for tonight!"

"Brother Factory is so generous!" the team members cheered.

Amid the noise, a staff member walked in and said to Su Mo with a smile, "Brother Mo, please get ready, the post-match interview is about to begin."

Su Mo nodded, straightened his team uniform, and walked back onto the stage amidst the cheers and encouragement from his teammates.

On the other side of the stage, today's interview host is already in place.

She was a girl wearing a white dress, whose eyes were as sweet as crescent moons when she smiled—Luo Xin.

An old acquaintance.

Seeing Su Mo walk over, Luo Xin's smile became even brighter: "Alright, let's give a warm round of applause to the player who won today's MVP, the top laner from EDG—Mo!"

Another thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

"Hello, Mo, please say hello to the audience first." Luo Xin handed over the microphone.

"Hello everyone, I'm Mo, EDG's substitute top laner. It's an honor to represent EDG in this post-match interview." Su Mo's voice was as calm and composed as ever.

"First of all, congratulations to EDG for winning this very, very crucial BO5!" Luo Xin's tone was also a little excited. "To be honest, my heart is still pounding. Especially in the last wave, I want to ask on behalf of all the viewers, when you were split pushing in the top lane and saw your teammates being routed in the dragon pit, with Scout even being instantly killed, weren't you panicked at all? Did you even think for a moment, 'It's over, we're going to lose'?"

Upon hearing this, Su Mo thought about it seriously for a moment, then smiled slightly and replied, "I was definitely a little panicked, but in that situation, there wasn't much time to think. My mission was clear from the beginning: to push the tower. My teammates were risking their lives to create time for me, and all I could do was to destroy their base as quickly as possible to live up to their sacrifice."

He paused, then added, "And I trusted my teammates. Even when I wasn't there, they could handle it. And they did, successfully buying me enough time."

These words, humble yet impeccable, instantly won thunderous applause.

Luo Xin smiled and nodded, continuing to press on the question everyone was curious about: "Let's go back a bit further, to that dragon pit team fight that decided the course of the battle. Everyone thought you should teleport down to fight, but you chose to continue split pushing in the bottom lane. That was a very bold decision, even a gamble. Can you share your thoughts at the time? Did you really anticipate that JDG wouldn't be able to handle your split pushing?"

"Well..." Su Mo scratched his head, his expression somewhat straightforward, "Actually, the main reason is that my TP position wasn't good. I glanced at it and their formation was very deep. If I TP'd down, I would just get controlled to death by Volibear and Riel, probably in a fraction of a second, no different from a super minion."

He explained seriously, "So I thought, rather than going down there and getting pulled around, I might as well be a 'demolition crew' in the bottom lane, at least that would pose a greater threat to the turret. As for calculations... I wouldn't call it that, it was mainly about trusting my teammates. I told them to hold them off, and they really did hold them off with their lives. So the credit belongs to everyone, I just did the job of attacking the turret."

These honest words drew laughter from the audience.

What was clearly a brilliant decision came out of his mouth so plainly and even a little funny.

"Haha, I see. You, the 'demolition team leader,' have really done a great job today." Luo Xin was amused, and the atmosphere became incredibly relaxed. She blinked and adopted a more familiar tone, teasingly asking, "So, after winning such a crucial match, what kind of celebration is planned when we get back?"

Su Mo immediately put on a troubled expression and sighed seriously, "Of course, I'll definitely have to treat everyone to a good meal then, but..."

He changed the subject, looking at Luo Xin with a sly smile in his eyes: "But I'm a little short on cash lately, you see... Sister Xin, could you lend me some money first? I'll pay you back next time I get paid."

"Huh?" Luo Xin was clearly not expected to do such a thing. She was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and was amused and annoyed by his sudden "borrowing money" move.

"You're a big shot, and you're still complaining about being poor in front of us!" She playfully tapped Su Mo with her cue card, feigning anger. The audience, seeing this amusing scene, erupted in good-natured laughter and cheers once again.

"Alright, alright, enough joking around." Luo Xin composed herself and steered the conversation back on track. "So, at the end of the interview, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans who have always supported you?"

Su Mo's smile faded slightly, and his expression became serious.

He bowed slightly to the camera.

"Thank you all so much for your continued support and encouragement. Whether we're in a winning or losing situation, your cheers are always there for us, and that's our biggest motivation. We'll give it our all in the upcoming matches and hope to bring you more exciting games. Thank you."

After the interview, Su Mo walked off the stage amidst applause from the audience.

He was met with teasing from his teammates.

"Wow, Mozi, you've even learned to flirt with the host on stage?"

"What do you mean by 'tight on cash'? Aren't you the highest paid?"

"Don't run away! You're buying me this meal!"

The laughter of the teenagers echoed in the corridors of the stadium, melting into the joy of victory and the dazzling lights.

Viper chimed in with his distinctive accent, "Yeah! Mo's treating! I want Korean beef!"

"Korean beef is too expensive, let's have hot pot instead, hot pot is good." Scout is still the practical and thrifty expert he always is.

Surrounded by several people, Su Mo was both amused and exasperated: "Stop it, stop it! The factory manager just said he's treating! I'm just strategically playing the poor card, understand? Give our factory manager a chance to show off."

"You little rascal..." Mingkai's voice came from not far away, a helpless smile on his face, "You've got a whole bunch of twisted logic. Alright, hurry up and pack your things. Abu has booked a place for dinner, so don't be late and there won't be any seats left."

Upon hearing the word "eat," the team members' attention was immediately drawn, and the lounge was filled with laughter.

Everyone quickly packed up their equipment and followed the coaching staff out of the venue in a grand procession.

EDG's victory celebration was held at a Sichuan hot pot restaurant known for its spicy and flavorful dishes.

The boiling red oil broth bubbled and steamed, reflecting the excited faces of everyone present.

"Come on, don't be shy. You're all heroes today. Order whatever you want!" Abu waved his hand and handed the menu to the team members.

"This first toast today has to be to Brother Mozi." Abu picked up his drink, looking quite emotional. "To be honest, even I, as the coach, was on my nerves watching that last wave backstage. Your decision not to teleport was truly audacious and skillful. You not only won the game, but you also taught all the top laners in the LPL a lesson. I toast you!"

Su Mo quickly stood up, picked up his Coke, and said, "Bu Guo, you're too kind. This is the result of everyone's hard work. Without Meiko and Jiejie's sacrifices, without the brothers' support, I could have stayed up all night attacking the tower and still not won. This toast should be to our EDG team!"

"Well said!" Mingkai led the applause. "Teamwork! That's the key to our victory! Come on, everyone, let's have a toast!"

"cheers!"

The crisp clinking of glasses was mixed with the carefree laughter of the teenagers.

The tension and pressure during the competition were transformed into piping hot food and hearty conversation at this moment.

They enjoyed a hearty hot pot meal until late at night before finally leaving the restaurant, completely satisfied. The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, dispelling the heat and leaving everyone feeling incredibly refreshed.

"The car's over there, everyone follow," Abu called out from the front.

Su Mo was walking at the back of the group, just about to catch up, when a familiar yet slightly teasing female voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Hey, isn't this the poorest top player in LPL history? What a coincidence."

Su Mo was taken aback and turned around, only to see Luo Xin standing under a street lamp not far away, smiling at him.

She changed out of her dress and into a simple T-shirt and jeans, losing some of her stage presence and gaining a more playful, girl-next-door charm.

She was standing next to two female LPL staff members, who also appeared to have just finished a work dinner.

"What a coincidence." Su Mo smiled. His teammates noticed this as well and cast gossipy glances at him, but wisely they didn't linger. They crowded around the coach and got into the van first, leaving Su Mo with only a "get on quickly" look.

“It’s quite a coincidence,” Luo Xin said, walking up to him with her hands behind her back, tilting her head to look him up and down. “This meal didn’t bankrupt you, did it? How about I sponsor our champion?”

"No, because our coach is generous and bought the sponsorship first." Su Mo shrugged. "Honey, your sponsorship opportunity will have to wait until next time."

"Who's your darling? Go away!" Luo Xin rolled her eyes at Su Mo. "But I can still treat you to a meal. Remember to come to me next time, or I'll have to bring you food."

“No problem,” Su Mo nodded. “Then I’ll head out first, they’re still waiting for me. Be careful on your way back.”

"Alright, alright, I got it. I won't keep you from going back any longer." Luo Xin pointed to the EDG van not far away. "Go back and get some rest to prepare for the next match."

“Okay,” Su Mo nodded. “You too, go back and rest early. Be careful on the road.”

"OK Bye Bye."

"Bye-Bye."

Su Mo turned around and walked towards the car. After taking a couple of steps, he seemed to remember something, turned back, and called out to Luo Xin, who was still standing there, "By the way, you can't back out of sponsoring my meal!"

Luo Xin was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. She waved her fist at Su Mo's back and said with a laugh, "Go on, you!"

Su Mo smiled, opened the car door, and got in. The moment the door closed, it shut out the night and lights outside.

Inside the car, Jiejie immediately leaned over and said, "Brother Mozi, am I going to have another sister-in-law?"

"Get out of here!" Su Mo rolled her eyes at him, annoyed. (End of Chapter)