Jiang Cheng had planned to take Xiao Xia back to the company, but to his surprise she said she didn't want to return.
She wanted to go back to her rented place and pack her luggage.
Jiang Cheng was a little surprised at how quickly Xiao Xia's personality had changed.
Given her previous temperament she would definitely have been afraid of being discovered and having her pay docked.
Now she was skipping work to move house; why did she look even more anxious than him?
When Jiang Cheng raised the question, Xiao Xia covered her mouth in embarrassment and said, "The agency's working hours aren't that strict in the first place, and I came out alone today, not with my colleagues. I'll just clock out later and tell them I went to look at apartments with you."
After saying that she even playfully stuck out her tongue.
Jiang Cheng looked at Xiao Xia and smiled.
He finally saw the ordinary Girl in Xiao Xia; slacking off at work is the norm for most people.
Jiang Cheng stroked Xiao Xia's smooth hair and praised her, "That's the way. Then shall I drive you back?"
Before taking Xiao Xia home, the two of them stopped at the property-management office under the complex to ask whether there were any domestic-cleaning services available.
After arranging the cleaner, Jiang Cheng drove Xiao Xia to the building where she rented her apartment.
He didn't involve himself in what happened after that.
Jiang Cheng drove to an internet café near their university.
By now Zhou Zhiyun and the others had already secured their computers inside.
When Jiang Cheng went up he saw the three of them already seated in a row, queuing up for League of Legends.
"You three actually started without me!" Jiang Cheng walked over and slapped each of them on the shoulder.
The guys all jumped in fright.
Putting down his mouse, Zhou Zhiyun threw an arm around Jiang Cheng's shoulder and complained, "Old Jiang, you're so slow; you're finally here."
"Yeah, we've waited so long my butt's sweating." Huang Cheng tugged at his pants wedged between his cheeks and spoke theatrically.
Wang Xiaochui adjusted his thick glasses and added with a grin, "Huang Cheng's waiting for you to wipe his butt."
"Thanks, but no thanks—you two are close; maybe you're the one who got his butt wet."
Huang Cheng immediately stretched out his hands and said, "No, no, my hands are dry—proof enough. Maybe he poked it himself."
The moment Jiang Cheng said that, Huang Cheng shoved Wang Xiaochui: "Screw you two; I don't have that hobby. These pants don't absorb sweat and the AC sucks, okay?"
The gang was still bantering and laughing as usual.
But once the game started they couldn't laugh for long.
After forming a four-man squad they promptly lost two matches in a row.
Back in high school the workload was heavy and there was little time for gaming.
They were the type who sucked but loved to play.
Furious at the trash talk, Zhou Zhiyun and Huang Cheng were now angrily hammering the keyboard, typing back-and-forth with the enemy laner.
They even threatened to 1-v-1 the guy again next round.
But Jiang Cheng, watching their skills, could only admit that he alone couldn't carry them.
Recently he'd been playing Honor of Kings with Little Crispy and had improved fast.
Still, these guys remained stuck at the Unyielding Silver skill level.
"Shoot, shoot, shoot! Blast him dead, hurry!" Zhou Zhiyun roared excitedly.
Wang Xiaochui said gloomily, "Coming, coming—I'll shoot him! I'll definitely splatter it all over his face."
"Jiang Cheng, you get over here too—hurry up and shove that big gun of yours into Lux's butt. Damn woman—kill her for me now!"
Jiang Cheng waved at Zhou Zhiyun and Huang Cheng, "Calm down, guys; next game. The high ground is gone, we can't win. Let me call someone."
"Call who? Someone pro? Can he carry us?" Wang Xiaochui asked irritably.
Jiang Cheng nodded, "Definitely pro—1-v-4 is no problem."
He still remembered his top-laner's highlight: Aatrox descending like a god and smashing four enemies.
Back then Jiang Cheng had sat in front of the computer and watched the whole match, blood pumping the entire time.
"Who is it, really? I struggle to 1-v-1," Zhou Zhiyun asked curiously.
While clacking at the keyboard to flame the enemy laner, Huang Cheng said, "That awesome? Hurry and call him; log in and avenge us—1-v-4 and wipe them out."
Jiang Cheng picked up his phone and dialed Wang Congcong.
After hearing him out, Wang Congcong naturally said no problem.
He immediately had TheShy add Jiang Cheng as a friend.
With TheShy joining, the situation on the Rift changed fast.
A pro player against casuals was like slicing vegetables; a game that normally took thirty minutes now ended in ten-plus.
Best of all, he kindly kept feeding kills to Jiang Cheng and the others.
After several rounds they all agreed it felt amazing.
That was what gaming should be—getting stomped offered zero fun and only liver damage.
After several hours of team gaming they headed, as usual, to the barbecue stall near campus for skewers.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's bentley continental, the three couldn't resist touching it enviously.
"Old Jiang, I'm so jealous—you can just lie flat for life."
"Yeah, shameless question: does your dad need another son?"
"+1!"
"+1!"
Jiang Cheng shook his head, "Whether my dad lacks a son I don't know, but I definitely don't lack brothers."
Hearing that boast, the three exchanged glances and unceremoniously pounced on Jiang Cheng, giving him a playful beating.
"Take my Milk-Grabbing Dragon-Claw!"
"Monkey steals the peach!"
"Vanishing staff technique…"
"Damn, you guys are seriously weird!"
Jiang Cheng dodged while complaining—true brothers stay this simple.
They don't envy your success, only admire it.
And they won't grow self-conscious and keep their distance.
They partied until almost ten before heading home.
Before splitting up Jiang Cheng told Zhou Zhiyun, "I might not go home tonight; if my mom asks, say we played too late and I'm sleeping at your place."
The three looked stunned when they heard that.
"Tell us first—where are you going if not home?"
"Old Jiang, not another pair of gorgeous legs like on your Moments, right?"
Zhou Zhiyun draped an arm around Jiang Cheng, jealous, "Confess, or I won't take the blame—who is it?"
"Yeah, where exactly are you going for a foot-wash?"
"Do I look like someone who goes to those places?" Jiang Cheng said speechlessly.
"You do—totally. Don't forget your bros; I've never had a foot-wash in my life."
"Scram—there's a Girl I met before; I'm staying at her place tonight."
"Damn, you beast!"
"Old Jiang, you're getting greedy—hope you can't get it in tonight."
"Hell, no way I can't get it in—who do you think I am…"
…