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

While TyLoo was preparing for the Budapest Major, Tang was also busy, continuing his daily training.

Every day, Tang learns new items, tactics, and endgame strategies. Combined with map running training and practice matches with other teams, he can feel his strength increasing day by day.

However, watching the major matches on TV every night wasn't as enjoyable.

TyLoo defeated PV and got off to a good start, and at that time everyone thought this was just the beginning.

However, the ending was that it was over before it even began.

TyLoo then lost three consecutive games, ending their Budapest Major journey with a score of 1:3. At the same time, LVG and RA were also eliminated.

With this, all three of the top teams were eliminated, bidding a regretful farewell to the Budapest Major stage.

When the entire Tianlu team returned, they didn't look too good, and they weren't relaxed either.

The atmosphere in the training room was as somber as the calm before a storm. Even JEE, who was usually the most active, just sat silently in front of the computer, staring blankly at the screen without saying a word.

Tang didn't know what to say. He just sat quietly in the corner, watching his teammates who had just experienced a defeat.

He understands that feeling.

He had lost in table tennis tournaments before, and tasted the bitterness of defeat. He understood the helplessness of giving everything but receiving nothing in return, and the resentment of standing on the podium looking up at others.

But he knew even more clearly that he couldn't break the silence at this moment.

It wasn't until the afternoon of the following day that Zhong Weijie sent a message.

"Tang Ye, come to my office."

Tang also looked at the message and had a vague premonition in his heart.

He put down the mouse and got up to walk towards the coach's office.

Pushing open the door, I saw Zhong Weijie sitting behind his desk, a document in his hand. His face was expressionless, but his eyes betrayed an undeniable weariness.

Zhong Weijie pointed to the chair opposite him: "Sit."

Tang sat down as instructed, but his mind was racing with calculations.

Zhong Weijie called him over alone, definitely not just for casual conversation. The Major had just ended, and the team was in a period of flux; for him to seek him out at this time...

"Cabbage has retired." Zhong Weijie got straight to the point without any preamble.

Tang was stunned.

The news came so suddenly that he was completely unprepared.

"Retire?" he repeated subconsciously, "Transition to coaching?"

Chung Wei-chieh nodded: "He talked to me and felt that he was getting old and his performance was declining, so he didn't want to drag the team down. Transitioning to coaching is also a way for him to continue contributing to the team in a different way."

Tang remained silent for a few seconds.

Bai Cai, a veteran of TyLoo, is one of the evergreen players in CNCS. His role in the team is more than just a breacher; he's a pillar of strength. Whether the team is winning or losing, he remains calm, using his experience and marksmanship to stabilize the situation.

Someone like that, suddenly he's going to retire?

"Surprised, aren't you?" Zhong Weijie looked at Tang Ye's expression and gave a bitter smile. "To be honest, I was surprised too. But you know Bai Cai, once he makes a decision, nothing can change his mind."

Tang nodded without saying anything.

He knew that Zhong Weijie had called him over not just to tell him this news.

Sure enough, Zhong Weijie got straight to the point in his next sentence: "Tang Ye, I'm planning to have you replace Jee and join the first team. Also, Ling Feng has been performing well lately, and his injury has almost fully recovered, so he will replace Bai Cai."

Although he had a premonition, Tang Ye's heart still skipped a beat when he heard those words from Zhong Weijie's mouth.

He looked up and met Zhong Weijie's eyes.

In those eyes, there was no probing, no hesitation, only a resolute seriousness.

"Are you sure?" Tang asked.

"I'm sure," Zhong Weijie replied without the slightest hesitation.

Tang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Brother Jie, can I ask why? I've only been in the youth training program for two weeks, and I've been playing CS for less than three months. Aren't you afraid of public criticism if you let someone like this into the first team?"

Tang was well aware that his rapid promotion was bound to attract criticism.

After all, his trial process had been greatly shortened thanks to 259's help, but he's only been here for two weeks, and he's already been promoted to the first team so quickly.

Ling Feng, on the other hand, did not have this concern. He had previously trained at Tianlu's youth academy, and his experience was much richer than that of Tang Ye, who had only recently entered the field.

Zhong Weijie smiled.

That smile carried a complex mix of emotions: relief, helplessness, and a hint of resolute determination.

"You think I don't know?" He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the window. "According to the club's normal procedures, you have to stay in the youth training camp for at least three months, participate in the youth league, put up impressive statistics, and then undergo multiple evaluations by the coaching staff before you can be considered for the first team. This is the rule, and it's also a way to protect the players."

He paused, then turned back to look at Tang Ye.

"But now, there's no time."

Tang listened quietly.

"The Major is over, and as you know, the result is 1-3." Zhong Weijie's voice lowered. "Do you know what this means? It means that the gap between us and the world's top teams has not only not narrowed, but has actually widened. It means that we may not have enough RMR points at the beginning of next year, and we may not even be able to qualify for the Major."

"Our goal has never been the round of 32 or the round of 16; our goal has always been the championship!"

He stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Tang Ye.

"Bai Cai's retirement is just the beginning. If the team's performance doesn't improve, more people may leave. Players will leave, sponsors will withdraw, and fans will be disappointed."

Zhong Weijie turned around and stared intently at Tang Ye.

"I need someone who can change all of this."

Tang met his gaze calmly, without flinching.

"I know this is unreasonable." Zhong Weijie walked back to his desk, placing his hands on the surface. "Letting a newbie who has only been playing CS for three months join the first team and start is something we'll all say. What will the media say? What will the fans write? I know all about it."

"However, as things stand, I really can't find a player with more talent and skill than you." He stared into Tang Ye's eyes and said, word by word, "Some people are just born for this. Tang Ye, you are one of those people."

"Don't waste your talent."

Tang was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "Brother Jie, I understand what you mean."

He stood up and looked calmly at Zhong Weijie.

"I'm not afraid of criticism or pressure. Since you dare to put me in charge, I dare to fight."

Zhong Weijie looked at the young man in front of him, and a genuine smile finally appeared on his lips.

"Okay." Zhong Weijie nodded. "However, matches are completely different from ranked games, so you need to be prepared. I'll have you participate in a match to prove yourself. If you perform well, it will naturally answer the doubts from the outside world, and I can keep you on the first team..."

"But you also need to understand that if you can't handle the pressure and perform terribly, then even the King of Heaven can't save you. We will select another more experienced youth trainee to replace you."

Zhong Weijie stared into Tang Ye's eyes, his expression stern.

"I understand," Tang nodded.

Tang remained calm and composed, without the slightest sign of panic.

Crisis and opportunity coexist; high returns also mean high risks.

Zhong Weijie looked at the young man in front of him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

This mindset, this composure, is precisely the most precious quality of professional players. So many are exceptionally talented, yet crumble under pressure and lose their way amidst doubt. Tang Ye, however, seems to have been born with an incredibly strong heart.

"Okay." Zhong Weijie nodded and sat back down in his chair. "A month from now, we'll be participating in the ZEM Elite Challenge. This isn't a regular training match; it's a real competition. We'll be participating in this competition to give you some tournament experience."

He paused, then looked directly at Tang Ye.

"I will start you in this match."

Tang raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded.

Zhong Weijie looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and then smiled.

"Okay, go ahead."

Tang turned and walked towards the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, Zhong Weijie's voice came from behind him again.

"Oh, right."

Tang also turned around.

Zhong Weijie leaned back in his chair, the fatigue on his face seemingly fading, replaced by anticipation.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're only eighteen, you have a long future ahead of you. Even if you don't play well in this game, it doesn't mean anything. We have plenty of time."

Tang paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Thank you, Brother Jie."

After Tang left, the office returned to calm.

Zhong Weijie sighed, unsure whether his decision was right.

He violated the club's rules in the previous trial process and training match with the Mongolian team, but the fact is that Tang Ye's appearance on the field did produce unexpected results.

Sometimes, the addition of a single person can revitalize a team. The team gains more tactical options and stronger individual skills.

These kinds of people are born to be the core.

Tang Ye, a temporary youth training player, was promoted to the first team abruptly, which put him under a lot of pressure from within the club and from the public.

But Zhong Weijie recalled Tang Ye's calm demeanor just now, and a vague premonition arose in his heart.

"This child will not let me down."

(P.S.: To include more of the team clashes and tournaments that everyone enjoys, the plot has been sped up a bit... I hope you'll understand.)