5: Trial by Fire

INT. ZHOU YI'S TEAM HQ – EARLY MORNING

(Han Shen arrives at the training center early, determined to make a good impression. The facility is mostly empty, but a few of Zhou Yi’s teammates, including LIANG, are already warming up at their stations.)

HAN SHEN

(to himself, nervously)

First day with the team… I can’t screw this up.

(Liang notices him and waves.)

LIANG

(smiling)

You’re here early. Ready for your first real day of training?

HAN SHEN

(nods)

Yeah. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work hard.

LIANG

(grinning)

That’s the spirit. Don’t worry, Zhou Yi doesn’t bite. Well… not much, anyway.

(Han Shen chuckles nervously, but before he can respond, Zhou Yi enters the room, serious as ever.)

ZHOU YI

(looking at Han Shen)

You’re early. That’s a good start.

(Zhou Yi gestures for Han Shen to join him at one of the gaming setups.)

ZHOU YI

(seriously)

We’re not going easy on you. Today, you’ll be playing with the team. Let’s see if you can handle the pressure.

(Han Shen’s heart pounds as he sits down and adjusts his headset. The rest of the team gathers around him, including LIANG, ZHANG WEI, and LING.)

HAN SHEN

(quietly to himself)

Don’t choke. You’ve got this.

INT. ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – DURING THE TRAINING MATCH

(The training session begins, and Han Shen immediately feels the difference. Playing with Zhou Yi’s team is a whole new level. The speed, coordination, and intensity are unlike anything he’s experienced.)

ZHANG WEI

(over the headset)

Han, cover the left flank! They’re pushing hard!

(Han Shen moves quickly to follow the instructions, but the opposing team is fast. His reflexes are good, but his decision-making isn’t as sharp as the others.)

LIANG

(firmly)

Focus, Han! Stay sharp!

(Despite his efforts, Han Shen makes a few mistakes. His positioning is slightly off, and he hesitates at critical moments, causing the team to lose key engagements.)

ZHOU YI

(serious, but calm)

You’re hesitating again. You can’t afford that in real matches. Make the call, and stick with it.

(Han Shen’s hands are sweating as he tries to keep up. He feels the weight of Zhou Yi’s expectations pressing down on him.)

HAN SHEN

(thoughts racing)

They’re too fast… I’m not thinking quickly enough…

(Suddenly, Han Shen makes a bold move, breaking away from the group’s standard formation. It’s risky, but he manages to surprise the opposing team and win an engagement.)

LING

(surprised)

Nice play, Han!

ZHANG WEI

(grinning)

Didn’t see that coming, huh?

(But the momentary victory is short-lived. As the match continues, Han Shen struggles to maintain consistency. The team loses the round, and Han Shen feels the weight of responsibility.)

INT. ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – POST-MATCH

(After the match, the team gathers around for a debrief. Zhou Yi stands in front of them, arms crossed.)

ZHOU YI

(coolly)

Not bad, but not good enough. We need to be faster, more coordinated. Han, you did well in parts, but you’re still hesitating too much. That’s costing us time.

(Han Shen looks down, feeling the sting of the critique. He knows Zhou Yi’s right.)

HAN SHEN

(quietly)

I’ll do better. I need to work on my timing.

ZHOU YI

(nods)

Good. Because there’s no room for hesitation in competitions. You either make the move or you don’t. There’s no in-between.

(The team disperses, heading back to their stations for individual practice. Liang pats Han Shen on the back.)

LIANG

(comfortingly)

Don’t beat yourself up. You held your own for your first day. We all went through it.

HAN SHEN

(half-smiling)

Thanks, but I know I’ve got a lot to catch up on.

LIANG

(grinning)

That’s the point. You’ll get there.

(As Liang walks off, Zhou Yi approaches Han Shen. His expression is serious but not unkind.)

ZHOU YI

(quietly)

Don’t let one bad match get in your head. You’ve got potential, but you need to sharpen it. If you want to stay on this team, you’ll have to push yourself harder than you’ve ever done before.

(Han Shen nods, determined.)

HAN SHEN

(seriously)

I’m ready. I’ll do whatever it takes.

ZHOU YI

(nods)

Good. Keep that mindset. I’ll see you tomorrow.

(Han Shen watches as Zhou Yi walks away, his words ringing in his ears. He knows this is only the beginning of his journey, but it’s already more challenging than he anticipated.)

INT. INTERNET CAFÉ – NIGHT

(Later that night, Han Shen meets CHEN at their usual spot in the internet café. Han Shen is visibly exhausted, both mentally and physically.)

CHEN

(noticing Han Shen’s expression)

Rough day?

HAN SHEN

(sighing)

You could say that. Zhou Yi’s team… they’re on a completely different level. I felt like I was slowing them down.

CHEN

(seriously)

Dude, it’s your first day. Cut yourself some slack. You’re going up against pros. Of course it’s gonna be hard.

HAN SHEN

(frowning)

I just don’t want to mess this up. I finally have a shot at something big, and I don’t want to blow it.

CHEN

(grinning)

You won’t. You’re a quick learner, and you’ve already got the skills. Just keep at it. And if you need help with strategies, you know I’ve got your back.

(Han Shen smiles, grateful for Chen’s support. He pulls out his laptop and starts reviewing footage from the day’s match, determined to improve.)

HAN SHEN

(nods)

Yeah. I can’t afford to fall behind.

(The two cousins spend the rest of the evening working together, going over Han Shen’s plays and discussing ways to refine his strategy.)

INT. ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – NEXT DAY

(The next day, Han Shen returns to the training center with renewed focus. He’s determined to prove that he can keep up with Zhou Yi’s team.)

(Zhou Yi notices Han Shen’s intensity as they prepare for another session.)

ZHOU YI

(observing Han Shen)

You’re focused. That’s good. Let’s see if it pays off today.

INT. ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – TRAINING MATCH

(The team dives into another intense training session. This time, Han Shen is more focused, more deliberate in his moves. He’s still not perfect, but his decision-making is faster, and his coordination with the team improves.)

ZHANG WEI

(over the headset)

Han, I’m with you. Let’s take them from the side.

(Han Shen follows Zhang Wei’s lead, executing a clean flank that catches the other team off guard.)

LIANG

(excited)

Nice work, Han! You’re getting the hang of it.

(The team wins the round, and for the first time, Han Shen feels like he’s really contributing.)

INT. ZHOU YI’S TEAM HQ – POST-MATCH

(After the match, Zhou Yi gathers the team for another debrief. He glances at Han Shen.)

ZHOU YI

(coolly)