LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

Yu Shuang put down the magazine in her hand, gently patted Rita's hand, and said softly, "Don't get so angry. We're all in the same industry, and we'll run into each other all the time. Xiaoyu is an official host after all, and her character and professional skills speak for themselves. If we refuse directly, it won't look good on us, and people will say we're petty."

Su Mo found it somewhat amusing to see the three women's three completely different reactions.

He naturally understood their little scheme; it was a typical case of "territoriality."

He ignored Rita's jealousy, picked up his phone, and made a voice call to Xiaoyu.

The call was quickly answered, and Xiaoyu's clear, slightly surprised voice came through: "Brother Mozi? You saw my message?"

"Hmm," Su Mo said, "You want to do an interview?"

“Yes, yes,” Xiaoyu said quickly, “It’s just a simple interview, talking about your life off the field, showing your fans a different side of you. There will be very little equipment and staff, so it definitely won’t bother you! If… if it’s inconvenient for you, that’s fine too!”

Su Mo listened to her cautious tone, glanced at the three people around him who were eavesdropping, and a smile appeared on his lips.

“Sure,” he said readily. “Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll be home then. I’ll send you the address via WeChat.”

"Oh? Really? That's great!" Xiaoyu's voice was full of joy on the other end of the phone.

"Well, hung up."

After Su Mo finished speaking, he ended the call and threw his phone back on the table.

"You're really letting her come?!" Rita immediately protested, sitting up from the recliner, her full breasts heaving slightly with the movement.

"Come on, come on, what's there to be afraid of?" Su Mo glanced at her and said lazily, "It's a good opportunity for outsiders to see who the mistress of this house is."

These words were like a reassuring pill, instantly striking the hearts of the three women.

Rita's jealousy vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of pride in being acknowledged and a hint of competitiveness. She puffed out her chest and snorted, "You said it yourself! Tomorrow I'll show her what a mistress of the house looks like!"

A smile returned to Luo Xin's face, and she nodded vigorously.

Yu Shuang smiled helplessly: "Alright, since our guests are coming, we should do our best to be hospitable. I'll go prepare some snacks and tea."

The following afternoon, a white Porsche Panamera pulled up in front of the villa's estate.

Xiaoyu and a female assistant carrying a camera got out of the car.

She was dressed very appropriately today, in a light blue dress that made her look both professional and approachable. She wore light makeup, and her whole appearance was refreshing and gentle.

More importantly, she was also carrying an exquisite gift box containing limited-edition pastries from a famous dessert shop in the city.

When the villa's gate slowly opened, and Xiaoyu saw Rita, Luo Xin, and Yu Shuang standing side by side to greet her, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and put on a sincere and warm smile.

"Sister Shuang, Sister Rita, Luo Xin!" Instead of going to Su Mo first, she took the initiative to greet the three women and handed them the gift box in her hand. "I apologize for the intrusion and brought you some snacks. I hope you like them."

She was very humble and addressed people in a very friendly manner, showing no airs whatsoever.

One cannot hit a smiling face. The three women's original plan was rendered useless in the face of Xiaoyu's impeccable manners.

"Oh, you've come all this way, no need to bring a gift, you're too kind." Yu Shuang was the first to react, generously accepting the gift box and welcoming her in with a smile, "Come in and sit down, it's hot outside."

Rita and Luo Xin exchanged a glance. Although they were still a little wary, they couldn't keep their faces serious.

"Xiaoyu, you look really beautiful today." Rita forced a smile.

"Thank you, Rita! You look absolutely gorgeous today!" Xiaoyu exclaimed sincerely.

In the living room, Su Mo, dressed in a loose T-shirt and shorts, was leaning back on the sofa playing games.

Seeing Xiaoyu come in, he greeted her, "You're here? Please have a seat."

"Hello, Brother Mozi." Xiaoyu greeted him politely, then turned her attention to the surrounding environment, her eyes full of amazement. "Wow, this place is so beautiful, it's like an art gallery."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the interview officially began.

Yu Shuang set out the tea and snacks she had prepared, and then sat down with Rita and Luo Xin on another sofa not far away. They seemed to be chatting, but in reality, they were listening intently and acting as supervisors.

The interview process was very relaxed.

Xiaoyu's questions were all very standard and did not involve any sensitive topics.

"Brother Mozi, we all know you are an invincible war god on the field. What do you usually like to do to relax during your holidays?"

"Sleep, play games, eat." Su Mo's answer was concise and to the point.

"So... fans are very curious, what keeps you in such good competitive form? Do you have any unique secrets to share?"

Su Mo thought for a moment, glanced at the three women not far away, and said calmly, "There's no secret. The main thing is that I have someone at home who takes good care of me, so I don't have to worry about anything and can concentrate on doing what I want to do."

These words, though simple, made the three women on the supervisor's seat unable to help but smile slightly.

Xiaoyu's gaze lingered on them for a moment, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes, before she professionally steered the conversation back on track: "We noticed that the furnishings in your home are very tasteful. Did you hire a designer? Or... do you have your own ideas?"

"They did it," Su Mo said, pointing to the three women. "I'm just responsible for providing accommodation."

Throughout the interview, Su Mo's answers emphasized the word "lazy," but between the lines, he constantly highlighted the importance of the three women in the family.

An hour later, the interview footage was completed.

Yu Shuang stepped forward at the opportune moment, smiling as she said, "Xiao Yu, you've worked hard. Have a cup of tea and take a rest."

"Thank you, Sister Shuang." Xiaoyu smiled gratefully.

The camera assistant left first, leaving only Su Mo, Xiao Yu, and the three "hostesses" who appeared to be playing on their phones but were actually observing from the shadows in the living room.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Xiaoyu held her teacup and looked at the man in front of her.

In front of the camera, he appears languid yet powerful; in private, he is meticulously cared for by three stunning women, yet he seems to take it all for granted.

She watched as Luo Xin naturally picked up a peeled grape and offered it to Su Mo's lips, watched Rita lean in and argue with him about a certain item in the game, and watched Yu Shuang's gentle gaze as she poured him more hot tea...

A feeling of envy quietly grew in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

She knew that there was almost no way she could squeeze into this impregnable castle.

She liked this god-like man; that admiration had quietly sprouted from the moment he first created a miracle on the field.

But she knew even better that this affection could only be buried deep in her heart.

She dared not speak, nor could she speak, because there was no longer a place for her beside him.

“Um… Brother Mozi,” Xiaoyu put down her teacup, mustered her courage, and said in a joking tone, “If there’s a chance in the future, could you take me to play ranked matches? I’m really good at playing support.”

This probing remark immediately made Rita and Luo Xin's eyes turn wary.

Su Mo, however, seemed oblivious to the implied meaning. He looked up and joked, "You're no good; your hands are too thin for finishing off someone." "Pfft..."

Rita was the first to burst out laughing.

Xiaoyu's cheeks flushed instantly, both annoyed and amused. This man, he's truly single by choice... no, he's single by choice, having three girlfriends by choice.

After sitting for a while, Xiaoyu got up to say goodbye.

The three women escorted her to the door, their smiles now much more genuine.

"Xiaoyu, come visit often when you have time," Yu Shuang said politely.

"Okay, Sister Shuang, then I won't bother you any longer." Xiaoyu waved and got into her car.

As the Porsche slowly drove away from the manor, Rita immediately moved closer to Su Mo and said, as if seeking praise, "How was it? Did I behave like a proper hostess today?"

Su Mo pinched her cheek and laughed, "Not bad, you didn't get jealous, that's commendable."

Inside the car, Xiaoyu looked through the rearview mirror at the luxurious villa that was gradually disappearing into the distance and sighed softly.

She came today for work, but she may also have had a little selfish motive.

But now, she understands.

The world that man possessed was far more complete and happier than she had imagined.

She turned on the car stereo, and a soothing melody flowed out.

She rolled down the car window, letting the evening breeze caress her face.

Perhaps, being able to watch him from afar, and see him continue to create legends on the field, is a good ending.

……

Then, the trip to Northern Europe was just as Su Mo had predicted—pleasant and peaceful.

They cruised through the fjords of Norway, experiencing the magnificence of the mountains and rivers;
Gazing up at the ever-changing, magnificent aurora borealis from Iceland's Blue Lagoon.

Without being surrounded by fans or disturbed by flashing lights, the four of them thoroughly enjoyed their own world of two... no, four.

The holiday is over, and life returns to normal.

However, he received a call from Abu as soon as he returned from his trip.

"Hey, Sister Bu, what's up?" Su Mo asked.
"The LPL Annual Ceremony! It's a huge fan appreciation event organized by the official team, right next weekend. Normally, a player of your caliber would just need to go and collect an award at the end. But... but this year they changed the format and created a 'God King Partner' fun challenge, and they specifically requested your participation! They said it was chosen by fan vote, and you're in first place by a landslide, so you have no choice but to go!"

"I don't have time!" Su Mo replied.

"No, please, my ancestor!" Abu was almost in tears. "This event is co-hosted by Tencent Esports and Riot Games China, it's a very high-level event! If you don't go, I won't be able to explain it to the organizers! And... and they said the prize is a custom-made pure gold mouse, there's only one in the world!"

A pure gold mouse?

Su Mo pursed his lips.

Just as she was about to refuse again, Rita, who was applying a face mask nearby, took off a cucumber slice and leaned over: "Annual gala? Is it the kind where a lot of celebrities and industry figures attend?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Abu exclaimed on the other end of the phone as if grasping at a lifeline, "The lineup is amazing, comparable to the Spring Festival Gala of e-sports!"

Rita glanced at Su Mo, then at Luo Xin and Yu Shuang, who were also casting curious glances at her, and cleared her throat before saying, "I think you should go. You're the face of the LPL now, and it's your responsibility and obligation to show your face at these official events."

Su Mo sighed helplessly as he looked at the identical "the more the merrier" gleam in the eyes of the three women.

He knew that these women just wanted to see him on television.

"Okay," he said into the phone, "I'll go."

"Okay! Thank you, Brother Mozi! Thank you, three beautiful ladies!" Abu, afraid of backing out, quickly hung up the phone.

……

A week later, the LPL Annual Ceremony was held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

The event was star-studded, with not only all the star players from LPL teams in attendance, but also many celebrities from other fields, making it a lively and extraordinary occasion.

Su Mo sat in the first row of the guest seats, so bored that he was almost falling asleep.

Finally, just before his patience ran out, the host announced the "God King Partners" fun challenge segment.

"Now, let's give a warm round of applause to our first 'God King' of this segment—Mo, the legendary player from the EDG team!"

Amidst thunderous cheers, Su Mo walked onto the stage.

The host continued in a suspenseful tone, "So, who will be the 'lucky goddess' partnering with our God King Mo? It's none other than—our LPL host, Xiaoyu!"

Accompanied by some light music, Xiaoyu, dressed in a silver evening gown, walked out from the other side of the stage with a charming smile.

When she saw that her partner was Su Mo, a perfectly timed look of surprise flashed in her eyes. She then walked gracefully to Su Mo's side and jokingly said with a smile, "Brother Mo, you have to go easy on me today and help me win the championship!"

This scene was precisely transmitted to the giant screen projection at Sheshan Villa through the live broadcast camera.

"Vixen!" Rita crushed the potato chips in her hand, gritting her teeth.

“This segment… she must have asked the director for it herself!” Luo Xin pouted.

Only Yu Shuang remained relatively calm, though her brows furrowed slightly: "It's an official arrangement, for the sake of the show, which is normal. It's just... isn't this distance a bit too close?"

On stage, the first event of the fun challenge – “Galloping Horse Trivia Quiz” – officially began.

The prop is a tandem vehicle designed to resemble a two-person horse, requiring two people to sit in front of and behind each other. One person is responsible for pedaling to control the direction, while the other person is responsible for answering questions on signs along the way.

"According to the rules, our gentlemen are required to demonstrate chivalry and take on the physical tasks," the host said with a smile. "So, please have Brother Mozi sit in the back and Xiaoyu sit in the front."

Xiaoyu blushed slightly, glanced at Su Mo somewhat shyly, and obediently sat down in the seat in front.

Su Mo didn't seem to mind at all. He took a long stride and sat down directly behind her.

This design instantly brought the two of them close together.

Xiao Yu's petite body was almost completely enveloped in Su Mo's embrace.

She could clearly feel the masculine warmth and firm chest emanating from behind her, and a refreshing and pleasant scent lingered around her nose.

Her heart began to pound uncontrollably.

"Ready? Three, two, one, go!" (End of Chapter)