Rise

Reader Squeaker:

So, Bread Bowls, I just recently learnt they existed. I just don’t understand their purpose, just dip the bread in. What's the point in the extra work of eating soggy bread and dirtying your hands?-Hyacen

Lin Feng had taken the train to the Shanghai Esports Association's headquarters. Once inside, he went up the elevator and then walked down the wide hallways until he stopped in front of a large wooden door. A plaque on it told him it was Fang Hao’s office. He raised his fist to knock, but left it hanging in the air. He felt a knot in his stomach, and he eventually let his arm drop back down. Why wouldn’t BunBun come with me? And why did she laugh at me when I asked her to come with me! “It’s your mess, you clean it up.” He chewed on his lips and looked at the plaque on the door again. Below Fang Hao’s name it read ‘President’. He was the vice president four years ago. Back when he helped me, even when it could cost his career. And then I walked away. He did all of that for me and I never did anything for him…

It’s Chu Fang’s fault! He should’ve never told Fang Hao that I was back. He promised me he wouldn’t! But he did. It only took him a week to tell his boss about me! Lin Feng shook his head. He wasn’t mad at Chu Fang. He understood very well that there was nothing Chu Fang could’ve done about it. And that it was only a matter of time until Fang Hao would find out. I’m just… I don’t want to talk with Fang Hao yet. I’m not ready. I should’ve been further. I want to show him that I’m back, and that he wasn’t wrong to trust me. But I’m not that far yet. I just won a high school tournament and he wants someone who can fight against Rake. I’m nowhere near that level yet!

Lin Feng clenched his fist and raised it again. Knock. Knock. He gritted his teeth and pulled his hand back again, loathing himself. He did so much for me. I would’ve never played at Worlds if it wasn’t for him. And now I can’t even face him. I’m a coward! A spineless coward! Stop! I can’t keep doing this. It’s only going to be harder to meet him. He took a deep, long breath in an attempt to calm himself down. I made a mistake. I should’ve never walked away like I did. I let him down, just like I let my teammates down. But that was four years ago. I’m four years older. He raised his fist up again. I can do this. Apologize to him and hope that he can forgive me for walking away. He pursed his lips and closed his eyes, then let his fist fall against the hardwood door.

There was a brief moment where Lin Feng thought he hadn’t knocked loudly enough, but then Fang Hao’s voice sounded from the other side of the door. “Come in.”

Lin Feng hadn’t heard Fang Hao’s voice in four years, but he couldn’t be any more familiar with it. His knees went weak and he caught himself looking over his shoulder. The elevator is right there. I can still… He grabbed his head and shook it. No! I won’t run away again! I’ll face the consequences. It’s my mess. I have to clean it up. He grabbed the handle and then pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Fang Hao’s office was by far the biggest Lin Feng had ever seen. His mouth fell slightly open as he took it all in. This view… Wow. He walked to the giant glass windows giving a breathtaking view of downtown Shanghai. The sun stood between two other high buildings, casting a golden glow into the office. Wow… He stood there for a minute, completely forgetting about why he was even here. Then he turned to look at the desk behind which Fang Hao sat. The knot was back in his stomach, his knees felt weak again, and he had to fight back the urge to run while he still could.

Fang Hao didn’t seem to notice Lin Feng. He was intently staring at a document on his desk. He traced his fingers over the information it contained. Then he reached for a pen and made a few scribbles on the edge of the document.

---