After Five Crowns, Please Leave the Stage

A reporter called out, “So retirement was her decision?” Lin Zhou glanced at the termination agreement under the table. Penalties, a gag clause, surrender of her account—every page used the word voluntary. After yesterday’s playoff loss, Gu Chen had offered two choices: sign and leave gracefully, or be accused of leaking strategy. She looked into the cameras. “The club informed me I was retiring.” Silence struck the room. Gu Chen’s smile froze. Lin Zhou removed the Obsidian badge from her chest and placed it on the table. “I earned five championships cleanly. The command logs will show who changed yesterday’s strategy at the last moment.” Her voice remained calm. “And an age curve does not get to decide whether my peak is over.”