Chapter 1213: AH JIN'S LITTLE EMBARRASSMENT
Chapter 1213: AH JIN'S LITTLE EMBARRASSMENT
THEY took a separate entrance at the side of the dome. As soon as they entered, Luo Wei Tian and Luo Ren had to split off from the group with Yu Jiao, heading toward the VIP seating area reserved for players' families and friends. Meanwhile, a tournament official led the rest of team Yunyue down a quiet hallway, eventually stopping at a door marked 'Team Yunyue - Waiting Room'. The space inside was simple but comfortable, with couches, a water dispenser, a basket of snacks, and a screen showing the current activity in the main arena.
The screen displayed the currently empty main stage. Below it, the tiered seating sections stretched outward like a giant bowl, nearly filled to capacity. With the dome's 15,000 seats, the sheer number of spectators created a sea of movement and color—only scattered single seats remained vacant in the vast crowd.
Luo Yan stared at this and felt both excited and nervous at the same time. Seeing so many people here for their match made his stomach twist, but he also couldn't wait to get started.
"So this is really happening," Luo Jin murmured, his eyes also fixed on the screen.
"Xiao Jin, are you still worried about showing your face?" Bai Ze asked. "I hate agreeing with Su Yuqi, but remember what she said—you're handsome and a real-life amazing young master. The public will love you."
"I don't care about the public's opinion," Luo Jin muttered, his face flushing. "It's just... embarrassing, alright?"
"Our Ah Jin's actually thin-skinned," Luo Yan teased. "He's got this tough-guy reputation at school, so he's worried his cute avatar and... unique game name might affect it."
"Hey Yan, it's not just that! I'm just... okay, fine! It's mostly because of that," Luo Jin huffed, his lower lip jutting out.
His embarrassment came down to one thing: his schoolmates seeing the disconnect. The same people who knew him as the silent, scowling heir would now see his AmazingYoungMasterJin game persona—the cutesy avatar, the ridiculous name. It was the sheer humiliation of people who'd only ever seen him glare through class suddenly realizing he had… this side.
But could he be blamed for feeling this way? He had been rough at school—getting into fights, only avoiding expulsion because his grades stayed good. Back then, he was just anger and aggression. Some of that faded after Luo Yan woke from the coma, but it was too late. His reputation was already fixed: the unapproachable Luo heir. Only people wanting favors from his family bothered with him.
Now those same schoolmates would see his small avatar with the silly name. After years of being known one way, the idea of them seeing this contrast was what made his ears burn.
Su Yuqi nudged Luo Jin's shoulder with her own, her gaze fixed ahead on the bustling arena. "Those schoolmates of yours," she said, voice flat. "Even if they think your avatar's ridiculous, none of them would dare say it to your face."
She finally glanced at him, her dark eyes steady. "And if they do, they're stupider than I thought. Mocking the Luo family's young master?" A faint smirk tugged at her lips. "I'd almost respect the bravery, if it wasn't so suicidal."
Her hand brushed against his as she turned, just for a second—long enough to feel the warmth before she pulled away. "Either way," she tossed over her shoulder, "you're worrying over nothing."
Luo Jin stood frozen for a moment, the spot where Su Yuqi's hand had brushed against his still tingling. Her words echoed in his mind—not the sharpness of them, but the certainty. That unshakable of course in her voice, like the idea of anyone mocking him was laughable.
And the strangest part? He believed her.
The tightness in his chest loosened, just a fraction. Maybe it was the way she'd said it—no empty reassurance, just cold, hard fact. Or maybe it was the fleeting warmth of her touch, there and gone before he could overthink it. Either way, for the first time since stepping into the arena, the weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter.
He exhaled, long and slow, and realized his fists had unclenched.
Luo Yan watched their interaction, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. Apparently, his brother's feelings weren't so one-sided after all.
Bai Ze, on the other hand, rolled his eyes. His cousin wouldn't listen to him, yet a few words from Su Yuqi had him looking relieved. With a sigh, he conceded—Luo Jin was utterly gone for that woman. His cousin was now truly hopeless.
A knock sounded at the door. Shen Ji Yun opened it to reveal five unfamiliar people standing outside. The one at the front, a woman carrying a large case, smiled cheerfully.
"Hello," she said. "We're from the styling team - we'll be doing your makeup before the match."
"Makeup, seriously?" Bai Ze said, obviously not liking the idea.
Luo Jin also frowned.
"No one is touching my makeup," Su Yuqi grumbled.
The makeup artists ignored their complaints entirely, moving into the room with practiced ease. One immediately dabbed foundation onto Bai Ze's protesting face while another approached Luo Jin, who sat stiffly with a deep frown.
The artist assigned to Su Yuqi paused, studying her face for a moment before simply dusting a light powder over her already flawless makeup—just a quick retouch.
Shen Ji Yun remained silent throughout, sitting perfectly still as his artist worked.
Luo Yan smiled politely at the artist hovering near him. "Just keep it light, please."
Meanwhile, Bai Ze was still grumbling as his artist blended concealer under his eyes. "This is unnecessary—I already look perfect!"
The artists continued unfazed, their brushes moving with quiet efficiency.
Soon after the makeup artists finished, another staff member appeared at the door.
"That's it—you're all set," the lead makeup artist said, packing up her supplies.
The new staff member gave a quick nod. "It's time. Follow me to the backstage, please."
Bai Ze rubbed at his cheeks, still scowling. "Finally."