Full-time master: I have a spirit behind me.

Happy Family Restaurant
"Why are you so quiet today?" Fang Shijing asked with a smile, placing a piece of food on Bai Shu's plate. "I'm just retiring, not leaving our Ember team."

Bai Shu nodded silently.

In the eleventh season, Ember Team won the championship. Ember Team Priest and Vice Captain Fang Shijing announced their retirement, as did Ember Team Rogue Lin Jingyan.

Today is a celebration banquet, and also a retirement party for Fang Shijing and Lin Jingyan.

“I knew…” Bai Shu sighed, “This day has finally come…”

"Hiss, there's no need to be so downcast." Fang Shijing patted Bai Shu with some relief, secretly sighing to himself.

Bai Shu was also a member of the team when it was first established. He joined the Ember team even earlier than I did, no, he should have announced his joining earlier than I did.

Back then, Bai Shu was a sunny and cheerful young man... well, I guess he still is now?
Although he learned some unorthodox things from Lao Wei, Lü Liang, and later Xiao Rui, deep down, this kid is still a good kid...

“…Xiao Qiu”.

"Yes... um?" Fang Shijing was taken aback. Huh? He called me Xiao Qiu, shouldn't he have called me?
Qiu Fei placed some food on Li Wen's plate and glanced at Bai Shu.

Bai Shu's eyes widened instantly, and he immediately gave Xiao Wen another bite. Qiu Fei poured a drink without making a sound, while Bai Shu frowned and placed a napkin next to Xiao Wen, and then ladled out a bowl of soup...

Li Wen stopped and looked at the plate in front of him with some difficulty. Then he looked at the older and younger brothers who kept putting food on his plate and then just stared at the other person's older and younger brothers. Helplessly, he lowered his head and ate faster.

The battle for the crown prince begins now!
The veterans and newcomers watched silently, while Chu Xue's face gradually darkened: "You two, eat your food properly!"

"Cough cough, oh..." Bai Shu scratched his head awkwardly.

Qiu Feimo stopped silently.

Fang Shijing smiled helplessly. These two little ones...

During the time when veterans of the Ember team were passing on the torch, Li Wen, Bai Shu, and Qiu Fei were known as the three little ones of the Ember team. The others were all veterans, and everyone treated these three little guys like younger brothers.

Although new members joined later, the depth of their bond still varies.

"What's wrong with you today? Why are you arguing with Xiao Qiu?" On the way back, Lao Wei put his arm around Bai Shu's shoulder.

"With Fang Ge retiring, the position of vice-captain of the team is now vacant!" Bai Shu's eyes were filled with fighting spirit.

Sun Zheping and Zhang Jiale both expressed their unwillingness to be vice-captains and would give the opportunity to others. Fang Rui said he had had enough of being vice-captain, and Chu Yunxiu was not interested either. She said she would rather find a couple more good novels than be vice-captain.

Those who were interested were Bai Shu and Qiu Fei.

"Good! It's good to have ambition! Your only opponent now is... uh, Xiao Qiu?" A drunken Lu Liang slapped his thigh, then after a moment's thought, he realized, "Well, we can't help you with that..."

"I know, so I will compete fairly!" Bai Shu said with high spirits.

……

“Boss lady, this is Xiao Wen’s observation diary for this period. It covers Xiao Wen’s recent taste preferences, the songs she likes to listen to, and the books she likes to read. Moreover, Xiao Wen recently booked tickets to the amusement park, aquarium, and movie theater…” Bai Shu carefully handed over the notebook.

"Well done." Chu Xue took it and nodded.

Bai Shule rubbed his hands together and said, "Um, boss lady, what about the position of vice captain of our team? Ah, actually I don't really want to be the vice captain. I just want to help Xiao Wen with some of the miscellaneous tasks in the team so that Xiao Wen has more free time."

A flicker of interest crossed Chu Xue's eyes: "Yes, this matter will be announced at the next team meeting. You'll be given priority consideration, don't worry..."

"Alright, boss lady, I'll go and find out more!" Bai Shu left the boss's office with his head held high and chest puffed out.

Before long, Qiu Fei arrived: "Boss lady, this is..."

Yes, yes, the struggle for the crown prince position has always been like this.

Looking at the two books showing the changes in Xiao Wen's habits, Chu Xue smiled with satisfaction. Tonight, when she got home, she could surprise Xiao Wen by playing his favorite songs… Hmm, she also needed to sign him up for a cooking class…

……

"Hiss!" Bai Shu clicked his tongue as he watched Qiu Fei emerge from the boss's office. The boss's wife really knows how to handle things! No wonder she's the boss; her management skills are amazing…

Hmm, but then I think about how Xiao Qiu has gone bad too. Bai Shu's eyes darted around a couple of times. Maybe he should think of another way? Boss Wei and the others said, winning hearts and minds is the best strategy, winning hearts and minds is the best strategy…

"Winning hearts and minds... I've got it!" Bai Shu's eyes lit up.

……

When Fang Shijing was still the vice-captain, he would actively and quickly complete all tasks of the Ember Team, regardless of their size, which made it very easy for Xiao Wen, the captain, to do his job.

However, Xiao Qiu's performance was also very good, and he was supported and respected by the newcomers to the league.

"What should we do, Brother Muqiu?" Li Wen slumped onto his desk, looking troubled. "Brother Jiale, Brother Zheping, and the others don't want to be the team's vice-captain. The most suitable candidates right now are Brother Baishu and Xiao Qiu, but..."

"It's a difficult decision..." Su Muqiu sighed, somewhat troubled. "How about we ask other people for their opinions?"

"Hmm!" Li Wen's eyes lit up, and he quickly picked up his notebook and left the room.

"Who should the vice-captain recommend? Well, I'll vote for the one who can lead us to the moon." Old Wei, who had just finished get off work, yawned and waved his hand: "I'm going back to get some sleep. Xiao Wen, just let us know when you've made your decision."

“Wait, but…” Li Wen scratched his head. “Shoot to the moon”, is that some new code?

"Asking me, a retired vice-captain, about this isn't really meaningful, Xiao Wen." Fang Shijing, who was choosing which department to join after retirement, shrugged. "After all, I've already retired, and both departments are my flesh and blood... By the way, which do you think I'm best suited for, the live streaming department or the Silver Weapon Research Lab, Xiao Wen?"

“If it were me, I would recommend the Silver Weapon Research Lab.” Li Wen thought for a moment and said seriously, “I remember that Brother Fang also participated in the research and development of Ice Rain and the Curse of Annihilation. Apart from confidential business, Brother Fang is still able to do this job well.”

"Okay." Fang Shijing smiled and continued to bury himself in his work.

Li Wen smiled and said, "Then I won't bother you any longer, Brother Fang..."

Brother Fang was right; both sides are my flesh and blood.

Li Wen sighed. Perhaps he should seek outside help?

"Brother Jiale! If all else fails, why don't you become the vice-captain of our Ember team?"

"Um..." Zhang Jiale scratched his head: "I'm afraid that won't work, Xiao Wen. Although we have a new playing style, my performance has been declining. I'll probably have to retire next season. I'm not very good at the vice-captain's job either..."

Li Wen opened his mouth, looking pitifully at Sun Zheping on the other side: "Brother Zheping..."

“Don’t look at me.” Sun Zheping shook his head. “I’m the least suitable person.” Li Wen looked away in disappointment.

Sun Zheping is right. The vice captain's responsibility within the team tends to be to connect the entire team, maintain good relationships with everyone, and assist the captain in managing the team.

Sun Zheping has never been interested in these things. He is not very willing to deal with interpersonal relationships. He is either a follower or a leader. Sun Zheping can never be a mediator for a team.

Li Wen was somewhat disappointed, so in the end, the vice-captain still had to choose between Bai Shuge and Xiao Qiu?
[Sun Zheping was right. Thinking about it carefully, aside from the Void Team, the vice-captain of each team plays a crucial role in connecting the entire team.] Su Muqiu nodded thoughtfully: [If that's the case, Bai Shu is actually more suitable for the vice-captain position than Qiu Fei…]

But if that's the case... all that work for nothing!
……

"Wow, you're really something!" Bai Shu exclaimed. Qiu Fei's fast-paced switching and attacking style just now vaguely resembled Dominic's style. "If I hadn't been so shameless, I really wouldn't have been able to beat you."

"You know that too..." Qiu Fei was speechless. "Your playing style used to be just like the knights of the England national team..."

"That's all in the past..." Bai Shu waved his hand dismissively, feigning a sense of melancholy. "For the sake of our team, someone has to hold up the sky that no one wants to touch..."

Qiu Fei fell silent, not because he was moved by Bai Shu's words, but because he was carefully considering the situation within the team.

First it was Wei Laoda and Lü Dage, then Rui Ge and Jia Le Ge... It seems like the Ember team never lacks players with a sneaky or shady style, right?
And everyone seems eager to take on this responsibility? Where does the idea of ​​being willing to do something others don't want to do come from?
"Speaking of which, it seems like it's been quite a while since we've had a chat like this, hasn't it?" Bai Shu asked with a smile.

Qiu Fei hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"It's time for a break, let's chat for a bit." Bai Shu stretched.

"Brother Bai Shu, can you tell me why you're so determined to become the vice-captain of our team?" Qiu Fei looked at Bai Shu. Under the guidance of his senior brothers, Brother Bai Shu's personality had become a bit too unconventional, which was not suitable for a position that bridged the gap between the senior and junior members of the team.

Qiu Fei did not deny Bai Shu's abilities, but...

If Bai Shuge gives me a proper reason, I will definitely withdraw from the competition for vice captain.

"Ah, because I was a little bored, and I also wanted to tease you a bit. Of course, the main thing was... to let Xiao Qiu understand that doing what you want and what makes you happy is enough." Bai Shu chuckled. "Xiao Qiu, you're still under a lot of pressure. Sometimes you can't bring yourself to say anything, and you take things too seriously. Although Xiao Qiu is cute like this, it's too tiring..."

Qiu Fei was stunned for a moment. Now, the only offensive force left in the Ember team was himself and Brother Zheping. Qiu Fei had always known why he couldn't take a big step forward quickly.

Even if everything has completely calmed down now, the title of the former successor of the God of War still binds Qiu Fei himself.

No, that won't do, that would be...

They were like shackles, restricting the tree canopy from growing in one direction. Although such a neat canopy was nice, it also restricted Qiu Fei, preventing him from growing as he pleased. His goal seemed to be the same one from beginning to end.

Even if Ye Xiu were to completely retire now, Sun Xiang would still have inherited everything from the God of War.

He wanted to force himself to follow Ye Xiu's path as a battle mage and go even further, but it was difficult and arduous... Such shackles would only tighten step by step until Qiu Fei took the initiative to break free, or was completely crushed by this pressure.

So, all of Bai Shuge's purpose in doing this was to let me occasionally act silly and relax a bit?

Qiu Fei's expression was somewhat complicated: "So it was because of this that you..."

"Hahaha." Bai Shu scratched his head sheepishly, not giving a direct answer: "How can an older brother take his younger brother's things, right? Xiao Qiu, you've done very well lately. You don't need to force anyone's pressure onto yourself, nor do you have any obligation to be anyone's shadow."

You are you, Qiu Fei, the battle mage of the Ember Team. That's all that matters.

Be the simplest version of ourselves, do what we want to do, without worrying about anyone else.

"After all that arguing and fighting with me lately, do you feel a bit more relaxed now?"

Is that so? Qiu Fei looked at Bai Shu, who was smiling.

So everything before was an effort towards this goal. The first thing I wanted to do was to tear away my last remaining concerns and mold myself into my true self...

No need to worry about anyone else, just be yourself...

Qiu Fei looked at the earnest Bai Shu and nodded deeply: "Thank you, Bai Shu... brother."

Bai Shu nodded with satisfaction and patted Qiu Fei on the shoulder: "Keep it up, the future belongs to us..."

Ember Team's routine meeting

Li Wen stood at the head of the conference table, looking at the team members and the retired but still influential veterans of the Ember team: "Today, we need to decide on the second vice-captain of the Ember team. After careful consideration, the choice will be between Bai Shu and Qiu Fei..."

However, I still haven't been able to make a decision, so today we will hold an anonymous vote..."

"Wait, sorry, Captain, I choose to withdraw and recommend Bai Shu to be the vice-captain of our Ember Team," Qiu Fei said seriously.

"Huh?" Li Wen was taken aback, looking at the slip of paper in his hand. So all of this was useless? "If that's the case, and no one else has any objections, then Bai Shu will be the second vice-captain of our Ember Team..."

"OK, OK, OK, let's move on to the next item..."

……

After the meeting, in Bai Shu's own room, Bai Shu was humming a cheerful song and turned on his small speaker.

It worked!

Bai Shu laughed heartily.

What I said to Xiao Qiu before... was all from the bottom of my heart, and that's really what I thought. But I never said that I wanted to give up the position of vice captain, did I?

Bai Shu started dancing to the music. As long as he honestly told Xiao Qiu his thoughts and hopes, Xiao Qiu would withdraw on his own... Everything was within his calculations.

Incidentally, it also allows me to assess whether I've truly helped Xiao Wen secure the team's qualification...

Fortunately, I succeeded.

Xiao Qiu needs to talk to himself, and he also needs to secure the position of vice captain!

Win-win! A win-win situation!

Bai Shu stopped, satisfied.

Ah, Xiao Qiu, don't blame your brother. The struggle for the title of "Crown Prince" has always been so ruthless!

Hehe, I've been promoted to vice-captain!
(End of this chapter)