Meanwhile, in Sicheng Town of Baoshan District, Shanghai, a peaceful environment surrounds an E-sports gaming club. Inside the club, technology has turned imaginative thoughts—completely different from the natural world—into a new virtual reality.
Every wall is painted with countless dream characters of gamers. The club also proudly displays its medals, trophies, certificates, and many honorary awards.
Inside this beautifully decorated club, four gamers were playing on their own gaming computers. All four of them were extremely skilled. Because of their progress, many new gamers considered them their idols.
While playing, they were talking among themselves:
Jia-Hong: Captain, Nexus target! The enemy Nexus is almost destroyed. Attack before the remaining players surround us!
Following Jia-Hong's words, their captain attacked the Nexus, and they won the match.
Jing-Tian: Captain Ji-Xuan, we won this match too. Today I fought amazingly in more than twenty matches and won every single one. We're definitely going to win today's tournament.
Hao-Yu: You shouldn't be that overconfident. I've been live streaming since morning, and our rival teams are streaming as well.
Ji-Xuan: Hao-Yu is absolutely right. Besides, Director Jun-Hao is trying to remove one of our team's key players, Shi-Han.
Jia-Hong: But Sister Shi-Han is so skilled in gaming. Why is Director Jun-Hao trying to remove her from the team?
Jing-Tian: Jia-Hong, this isn't the time to talk about that. We need to get ready for today's tournament.
Hao-Yu: But Jing-Tian, Sister isn't here. How are four of us supposed to play an E-sports match?
From their conversation, it's clear that Shi-Han is one of their teammates. However, the club director wants to remove her from the team. Hao-Yu had just spoken, and Ji-Xuan was about to reply when Director Jun-Hao entered the club. But he wasn't alone—another gamer was with him.
Jun-Hao: Everyone, you all know that Shi-Han went to Beijing during her university break. And today is our tournament day. Since Shi-Han isn't here, Ji-Fan will play with the team today.
Ji-Xuan: Impossible, Director. Maybe you forgot that Novo Club is contracted to play League of Legends. And Ji-Fan is a Honor of Kings player. One more thing—if Sister Shi-Han doesn't go to the tournament with us today, none of us will participate either.
Jun-Hao: Ji-Xuan, don't be ridiculous. Shi-Han isn't in Shanghai right now. Yes, Ji-Fan is a Honor of Kings player, but he's also very skilled in LoL. Just listen to me—Ji-Fan will play in today's tournament.
Jing-Tian: Director, we all know what you did to Shi-Han. And that's exactly why you want to remove her from the team just because she's a girl.
Jun-Hao: You're all misunderstanding. Shi-Han still isn't skilled enough to play in tournaments. If we take her with us, we won't win.
Jia-Hong: Sir, if you doubt Sister Shi-Han's gaming skills, then you should remove me from the team as well. She has never played a tournament before—and neither have I. So remove me too.
Ji-Xuan: Director, I'm the captain of Team Zion. And I know very well how skilled every member of my team is. Let me make this clear on behalf of my team—
If either Sister Shi-Han or Jia-Hong is removed from the team, the remaining three of us will not play in today's tournament either.
Hearing Ji-Xuan's words, Jing-Tian and Hao-Yu nodded in agreement.
Jun-Hao suddenly found himself in a huge dilemma. Seeing the unity of Team Zion, Ji-Fan didn't even get a chance to say a single word.
★★★
Meanwhile, the flight landed in Shanghai. It takes about two hours and thirty minutes to travel from Shanghai Airport to Guolu Town. Shi-Han usually lived alone in Guolu Town, but after such a long journey today, she decided not to travel another two and a half hours and instead went to the dormitory of Dachong University.
Shi-Han used to live in that dormitory before, but now only Xiao-Tong stays there. After arriving at the dorm, Xiao-Tong and Shi-Han both spread their arms and legs and lay side by side on a bed.
Xiao-Tong: It's really exhausting traveling from Shanghai to Beijing. I'm so tired.
Shi-Han: Me too… I'm never going to Beijing again. Hmph. So, who's going to take a shower first?
Xiao-Tong: Of course me! You take some rest. I'll go for two minutes and come back in two hours. Bye-bye!
After joking around with Shi-Han, Xiao-Tong went to take a shower. A moment later, Shi-Han's phone started ringing. As soon as she answered the call, Director Jun-Hao's angry voice came from the other side.
Jun-Hao: Shi-Han! Do you have any idea how many times I've called you since morning? Where have you been all this time?
Shi-Han: Sorry, sir. My phone was turned off because of the flight.
Jun-Hao: So you've returned to Shanghai?
Shi-Han: Yes.
Jun-Hao: Then come to Zhangmiao Lynx Club immediately. You have to play in today's tournament.
Shi-Han: But sir, it's already 7 PM. I haven't played any games for days because I was at home. And after traveling for nine hours today, how can I play in a tournament without any practice? Why didn't you tell me earlier that I had to play?
Jun-Hao: A flight from Beijing to Shanghai takes at most four hours. How did your journey become nine hours? And whether I told you earlier isn't important. What matters is this— If you don't come to Lynx Club right now to play in the tournament, you'll be removed from Team Zion. Remember that.
Shi-Han: Okay, sir. I'm coming to Lynx Club right now.
Xiao-Tong usually takes a long time in the shower. As soon as Shi-Han finished the call, she started knocking on the bathroom door. Hearing the noise, Xiao-Tong shouted from inside.
Shi-Han: Xiao-Tong! Xiao-Tong! Xiao-Tong, you daddy's little kid! Hurry up and come out. I don't even have time to die right now!
Xiao-Tong opened the door and stepped outside.
Xiao-Tong: What's wrong with you? You're acting like you suddenly got an emergency bathroom call.
Shi-Han: That devil Jun-Hao just called me. Hurry up, get ready and book a cab. We need to go to Lynx Club right now. I'll explain everything on the way.
Xiao-Tong: Alright. You go take a shower. I'll handle it.
★★★
When Shi-Han and Xiao-Tong came down from their room and reached the hostel gate, the dorm supervisor, Su-Miao, stopped them.
Su-Miao: Hey! Who's there? Stop! Guard, don't open the gate yet!
Su-Miao came out of her room and walked toward the gate, blocking their way. Then she said—
Su-Miao: Oh, it's you two. It's already 7:30 PM. Don't you know that no one is allowed to leave the hostel after 6:30?
Xiao-Tong: Sorry, Auntie. I just returned to Shanghai today. I didn't get the chance to inform you that we have to go to the club at 7:30.
Su-Miao: Xiao-Tong, it's good that you're back. But your friend Shi-Han goes to clubs late at night whenever she wants, dances with drunken boys, and returns to the hostel in the middle of the night. You may tolerate such shameless behavior, but I certainly will not.
Shi-Han: Auntie, why are you accusing me like this for no reason? Have you ever seen me come back to the hostel drunk? I was so tired of your attitude that I moved to Guolu Town and left this hostel. I don't have any personal grudge against you, so why do you keep making such hurtful remarks about me?
Xiao-Tong: Shi-Han, be quiet. This isn't the time to talk about old things. Let me explain.
Auntie, Shi-Han only came to stay in the hostel tonight. Suddenly her gaming club called her. Please, Auntie, just open the gate when we return tonight. I promise you that after today, you'll never have to stay awake guarding the hostel gate because of us again.
Su-Miao: I don't understand anything about these gaming clubs. And how long are you going to keep repeating the same excuses? After so long you return to the hostel, and the moment you arrive you start the same business again. Listen, if you're leaving, then go—but don't come back tonight.
Xiao-Tong: Fine, you stubborn old woman. Since you refuse to understand us, there's no point arguing. I'll report you to the higher authorities.
Shi-Han, let's go. There's no time to argue right now. You're already getting late. The cab is waiting outside.
Su-Miao: Shameless girls! You go to discos every night to drink and then dare to threaten me! If you file a complaint, I won't stay silent either!
★★★
Holding Shi-Han's hand, Xiao-Tong led her outside the hostel. After getting into the cab, Shi-Han hugged Xiao-Tong and said—
Shi-Han: I haven't forgotten everything you've done for me before. And today, just because I asked, you agreed to go to Zhangmiao without asking a single question. And just now you even argued with Auntie because of me.
I really don't think I'll ever be able to repay what I owe you.
I'm so lucky, Xiao-Tong. Having a friend like you feels like I've found all the peace in the world.
While saying this, Shi-Han became very emotional. Tears rolled down from her eyes. Seeing this, Xiao-Tong smiled softly and said—
Xiao-Tong: There's no such thing as debt in friendship, you silly girl.
But if you really want to repay me, then stop crying right now and smile.
She placed a hand on Shi-Han's shoulder.
Xiao-Tong: And focus on the tournament. Before a tournament match, I absolutely cannot tolerate seeing tears in the eyes of my cute bestie.
While encouraging Shi-Han, Xiao-Tong handed her laptop over to her and said again—
Xiao-Tong: Here, take the laptop. You need to warm up your hands a little. You've been away from the game for several days. Use whatever time you have and try your best.
After that… I'll deal with your Director Jun-Hao myself.
★★★
Meanwhile, when Jun-Yu and Lin-Boshi's car entered the border of Zhangmiao, suddenly—
Lin-Boshi: Jun-Yu, stop here.
Jun-Yu stopped driving and pressed the brake.
Jun-Yu: What happened, sir? Why did you ask me to stop?
Lin-Boshi: Most people here know me. I've come to the lab several times before. From now on, I have to hide my identity and move separately.
Wan-Qing, you follow me.
Jun-Yu, park the car and then follow Wan-Qing.
Wan-Qing: Alright, sir. But how are we going to hide our identities?
Jun-Yu: Senior, there's a cap in my bag at the back, and you already have sunglasses. Sir can wear a mask.
And I already have a mask on my face and a cap on my head.
Wan-Qing: Alright, junior.
my discord link:- https://discord.gg/HPBRNXkSK
Please forgive any mistakes today. I'm posting this chapter while being very busy, so there might be some minor wording or spelling errors. Readers, please manage with today's episode for now—I'll correct and edit everything later.