CS2: My reaction speed is the limit of human capability.

Tang stared at the familiar ID on the screen for a long while until his phone vibrated.

It was a message from Ling Feng.

"We don't have classes tomorrow afternoon, let's go to the bench behind the gym and talk about the Superman Cup."

"Okay," Tang replied.

The next afternoon, the setting sun cast its last rays upon the playground. Each of them held a cup of cola, gazing at the crowds running back and forth in the distance.

On the lawn, several boys were passing and catching the ball, having a great time. In contrast, further away under the basketball hoop, one person was practicing three-pointers alone, again and again.

Ling Feng's eyes were somewhat vacant, as if he were looking at these people, or perhaps at something much farther away.

Tang sat down next to him and handed him a bottle of Coke.

"Thanks." Ling Feng took it, rubbed his fingertips on the cool bottle a couple of times, and didn't open it immediately.

Tang cut to the chase: "I saw the list in the group chat. What's the deal with this Superman Cup? Why did they contact us?"

Ling Feng turned his head, a complex smile playing on his lips: "You're here because you're currently riding high, with both strength and buzz. And you're here to talk about me..."

He paused, his voice lowering slightly.

"It's probably because of the championships I've won. Also, I used to be a youth player for Tianlu, and I know Ninth Master."

"Tianlu Youth Training?" Tang was somewhat surprised.

He knew Ling Feng was very strong, but he didn't expect him to be a youth training player for Tianlu.

"Hmm." Ling Feng nodded, opened the can of cola, and gas gushed out.

He tilted his head back, took a sip of cola, and slowly began to tell his story.

"I started playing CS a long time ago, when I was still very young and CS was still version 1.6." Ling Feng said slowly, looking at the sunset. "I was still young then. When I entered junior high school, I would play CS in my spare time, and that's how I developed my shooting skills."

"After joining GO, I was already the king of random players in the Chinese server, but many people questioned whether I was cheating, so I chose to ask Brother Kai to help me prove myself."

Tang nodded. No wonder Ling Feng could recommend him to Leon Kai to prove himself; it turned out the two had this connection.

"After proving myself, I struck while the iron was hot and played in a lot of competitions during winter and summer vacations. Since my family is relatively well-off and my parents are very open-minded, I told them I wanted to try playing professionally. My dad was silent for a long time, and finally only asked one question: 'Are you sure?'"

Ling Feng lowered his eyes.

I said, "I'm sure."

"So after the college entrance exam, I decided to give Tianlu a try."

Ling Feng spoke calmly, as if he were telling someone else's story.

"Back then, I really thought I could do it. My stats in the youth training camp were great, I scored a lot of points, and the coach said I was very disciplined. I was just a little short of making it into the second team, and I even saw a glimpse of the first team." Ling Feng raised his right hand, flexed his fingers, and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes. "Then, problems arose."

"One day, while I was riding my bike across the road, a car saw me but didn't slow down at all and almost hit me. As a result, I lost my balance and fell to the ground."

"To avoid injuring my head, I instinctively braced myself with my hands... and then, this is what happened."

Tang held his breath, looking at Ling Feng's slender hand, which was now slightly curled up.

"Can it be restored?" Tang Ye frowned, his voice trembling slightly.

"The doctor said it's TFCC, triangular sclerosis." Ling Feng shook his head with a wry smile. "My cartilage is completely torn. I'll have to wait at least a year, and there's no guarantee of a full recovery. This is a serious injury, not something that can be cured with cold medicine. Even if it does heal, it may never regain its previous strength."

"The doctor said I must rest and not use the mouse intensively for extended periods. But you know, professional players train for at least eight hours a day, and if I continue to stay in TyLoo's youth training program, my normal life might be affected in the future."

"Although Ninth Master said that a position in the youth training program would always be reserved for me. He said young people shouldn't rush things, should focus on recovering from their injuries, and that I'd be welcome back anytime. But I think it's unlikely that day will come."

Ling Feng's voice carried a hint of relief: "I know that professional players train for at least eight hours a day, and some even train for ten or twelve hours. My hand can't handle that intensity."

The air was quiet for a moment, with only the faint shouts coming from the stadium in the distance.

The reality is incredibly harsh; behind the glamorous esports dream lies countless hardships and tears.

Esports is not a game; it's a job.

Work means monotony day after day, and even things you love can be worn away by the monotony of daily life.

Tang Ye's heart was in turmoil. He had always thought that Ling Feng was a rich guy with a privileged background and a smooth-sailing life, but he never expected that behind this seemingly relaxed demeanor lay such a heavy past of pursuing his dreams.

The feeling of helplessness—watching your dream within reach only to be forced to give it up—is enough to make your chest tighten just thinking about it.

His previous hesitation about his career path stemmed more from fear of the unknown future and pressure from his family. Ling Feng, on the other hand, was someone who had truly been dealt a heavy blow by reality.

"Well..." Tang hesitated for a moment, then softened his voice, "How's your hand now? It should be fine for the competition, right?"

"Playing ranked games occasionally, and managing the time is fine. But the kind of high-intensity training like the youth training we used to do, 10+ hours a day, is definitely not going to work." Ling Feng put down his cola and looked at Tang Ye. "However, I don't have any intention of giving up yet. I'm not completely unable to play yet. I just need to wait for my injury to heal slowly."

"Can..."

"This is my dream, Tang Ye." Ling Feng's tone was firm, which made Tang Ye slightly startled.

"So, what are your plans next?"

Ling Feng gazed into the distance: "Playing professionally is definitely out of the question right now, but that doesn't mean I can't play CS. Amateur tournaments like the Super Cup aren't very competitive and are more for entertainment, which suits me perfectly right now. I want to participate in these kinds of competitions to maintain my form and skills, while..."

He turned to Tang Ye and smiled, "Like you, try creating a CS account. Do live streams, help others watch demos or something."

Tang nodded, saying that this was indeed an option.

Even if you can't play professionally, as long as you're doing what you love, you'll never lose your motivation.

Seeing Tang Ye hesitate, Ling Feng smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "This year's Superman Cup has a 'special guest,' and the opposing C+ group has practiced their teamwork a lot, so they won't be easy to beat. We need to work on our teamwork these next few days."

Ling Feng stood up, stretched, and looked at the distant sunset with a faint smile.

"Your reaction speed is indeed very fast, but if you don't refine the details, you'll still be a glass cannon and won't be able to unleash your full firepower." Ling Feng turned around and stared intently into Tang Ye's eyes. "Today I'll create a group chat and invite Ninth Master in as well, to teach you professional thinking and tips."