CANVAS (springtofu)

Wang Chaihong and her team didn't stop at their first victory in the first match. Riding on the momentum, they dominated the second game with a near-flawless performance, controlling the zone and racking up eliminations. Chaihong's leadership shone again and again, her strategies keeping the team one step ahead of every opponent.

By the final match, the pressure was immense. All eyes were on them as they entered the final ring. Despite the nerves, they played with precision and grit, securing a respectable finish even as other teams fell apart under the stress.

When the final scores were tallied, the arena erupted with the announcement: Chaihong's team had claimed the top spot, their consistent performance throughout the tournament earning them the highest points.

The screen lit up with their names as champions, a dazzling display of confetti raining down virtually and in the arena itself. Chaihong leaps up from her chair and hugs Yang Jinbao "Yay! Custom mouse here I come!"

Yang Jinbao laughs at her cute friend, she pats her back "I am glad that I can help you achieve it" 

Kang Dal packs up his mousepad "We are going to that BBQ restaurant right?"

Both women grin at him, they pull him in for a hug as well. Wang Chaihong pat his back as well "Of course!"

The crowd's reaction was a mix of roaring applause and murmurs of disbelief. Even as some skeptics grumbled, they couldn't deny the scoreboard: she and her team had earned their victory. Three of them lined up behind the emcees to prepare and receive their prize.

Zhang LiQiang stood from his seat, and started moving towards the exit " I am going to catch them backstage."

Lu Yufei quickly finishes up his remaining drink "Wait for me!"

___________

Backstage was a whirlwind of chaos and celebration, the air buzzing with adrenaline and excitement. Players and staff moved in every direction, some clutching energy drinks and others juggling camera equipment. Teammates reunited with hugs and high-fives, laughter and shouts of relief echoing through the narrow corridors. A few players slumped against the walls, exhausted but smiling, their gear still strapped to their backs.

Wang Chaihong and her team had just stepped off the stage, Yang Jinbao and Kang Dal grinning from ear to ear, their voices overlapping recalling moments in their last match.

"Did you see the panic in his movement when I appeared on his flank?" Yang Jinbao exclaimed, she held on to her cousin's shoulder trying to catch her breath from laughing too hard.

Kang Dal starts mimicking the panic character's movements and laughs "He was like this"

Not every one shared in the excitement. A few lingering players from other teams cast fleeting glances their way, some with respect, others with resentment. Wang Chaihong felt their stares burning from the back of their head, her palms start to sweat, and she grips the prized mouse in her hand tightly. Yang Jinbao nudges her "You okay, Xiao Hong?"

Wang Chaihong clutches her cap and lower her head "I need to use the bathroom for a bit." Before Yang Jinbao could ask more, she slips away through the chaos. The cousins looked at each other and agreed to give her some space.

The noise was deafening but she was distracted by the weight of her thoughts. 'I know I don't belong here, I should keep my head down and leave soon.'

She reached the restroom, a quiet corner away from the main bustle. She leans and locks the door behind her, she takes off her cap and pulls down her mask. She exhaled and ran her hand through her damp hair.

Walking towards the sink, she stares back at her slightly flushed face. She quickly splashed cold water onto her face, the sensation shocked her system, clearing the fog of exhaustion. 'I want to go home already.' she turns off the tap, puts her disguise back on and opens the door.

As Wang Chaihong stepped out of the restroom, the bustling noise of the backstage area greeted her once again. She kept her head low, adjusting her cap and tugging her mask into place. 

"Hey, you," a sharp voice called out, cutting through the noise. A few stop talking at look toward two tall figures trying to block her path.

Wang Chaihong bit her lips, she tried to step around them but failed as one of them shoved her to the wall. "Don't ignore us!" the other player raised his voice.

Wang Chaihong didn't respond, she grips her hand tightly.

Seeing there was no response from her, made them angrier. One of them repeatedly jabbed their finger at her shoulder "Don't act innocent. We saw how you played—there's no way you won that fair and square. Admit it. You cheated."

Wang Chaihong forced herself to calm down, "I didn't cheat," she said firmly, her voice muffled slightly by the mask.

"Yeah, right. Why don't you show your face then?" before she could react, his hand shot out, aiming to snatch her cap.