After realizing that Song Yi's skills were more impressive than he had imagined, Jiang Qi changed his previous dismissive attitude and sat up straight to play the game seriously.
As one of the two most important output positions, he couldn't afford to be inferior to Song Yi.
Losing a game to a girl, and being a King while losing to a Diamond, would be a laughingstock.
So Jiang Qi's expression was extremely serious; this game was no longer just a game but a silent duel between him and Song Yi.
Of course, Song Yi never paid any attention to him; it was just his one-sided perception.
But the opposing team seemed to have noticed the strength of the jungler and, after several successful interventions, switched targets to focus on Jiang Qi.
Jiang Qi's palms were sweating with tension. After accidentally dying in a double team from the opposing side, he looked at Xu Che and asked, "Why aren't you assisting me as a support?"
The opposing support and shooter were like conjoined twins, and he couldn't handle them alone!
Xu Che, however, looked at him with some surprise, "When have you ever needed a support while playing?"
Jiang Qi was instantly rendered speechless.
That's right, usually when he played the shooter role, he preferred to be alone and hated having a support near him.
He felt he could take on two opponents by himself, and winning that way felt more rewarding.
But today...
Jiang Qi realized something was wrong; his performance and state today were off.
Clearly, it was due to Song Yi's influence.
Until the end of this round, Song Yi was the MVP, with output and participation rates far surpassing his.
Jiang Qi's pride was hurt; he stared at the screen, biting his lower lip tightly.
The atmosphere in the room fell into a silent awkwardness.
It was Jiang's Father's voice that broke the silence, "Why are you kids still playing with your phones? Go wash up and eat."
Jiang Qi's two underlings looked at each other and, to ease the tension, immediately suggested going to wash their hands.
Then they saw Wang Chan coming out of the bathroom, heading towards the sink with a pale face and holding his stomach. Upon seeing Song Yi, he paused and asked, "Why are you here? What about Shen Yujing?"
Everyone was surprised that Wang Chan's first concern upon seeing Song Yi was Shen Yujing.
Especially Jiang Qi, who had just returned from abroad and was a bit confused.
Jiang Qi asked, "Have you all become good friends with Shen Yujing during my absence?"
He clearly remembered that Shen Yujing's name was almost universally despised at Saint Yu Academy.
Mentioning Shen Yujing's name, Wang Chan's face instantly regained color, and he seemed to have more energy as he continued to ask Song Yi, "Is he here?"
Song Yi: "He didn't come."
Wang Chan's face immediately showed disappointment.
Even Xu Che was puzzled and asked, "Why are you looking for him?"
Wang Chan washed his hands while answering somewhat shyly, "It's because of the school anniversary last time; he performed in the stage play with us. I think... I think..."
Jiang Qi, being impatient, couldn't stand the hesitation and directly asked, "What do you think? Why are you stuttering?"
Wang Chan continued, "I just think he has a lot of talent in stage performances and want to exchange some ideas with him."
Xu Che: "..."
Song Yi: "..."
Jiang Qi: "???"
All three of them thought simultaneously: What is this all about?
Wang Chan, obviously still regretting Shen Yujing's absence, looked like he had missed a life mentor.
In a daze, Song Yi recalled her experience at Saint Yu Academy and how Wang Chan had chased after them, threatening to make them pay.
Men, your name is absurd.
Song Yi couldn't figure it out and didn't want to think about it anymore. After washing her hands, she went to the table to eat.
Song's Father's cooking was really good; everyone who ate praised the dishes.
Song's Father, a humble man, scratched his head shyly at all the compliments, only knowing to keep giving his daughter meat, his face almost buried in his bowl.
"How good can home-cooked dishes be? It's a bit exaggerated," Jiang Qi said disdainfully, but after taking a bite of the meat, his opinion changed, and his usually sharp mouth finally quieted down.
Jiang Qi ate quickly, partly because Song's Father's cooking was indeed delicious, and partly because he was eager to finish eating and continue playing the game.
When Jiang Qi put down his chopsticks first and looked at Song Yi, he asked, "Let's go, play the game."
Song Yi wiped her mouth with a tissue and said, "I'm going home."
Who would want to play games with him? It's so strange.
Every minute and second of a high school student's time is precious, okay?
Oh, of course, although her time isn't that precious, she's already shown Jiang Qi up, so playing games with him would be a waste of her time.
Jiang Qi didn't expect Song Yi to refuse so directly, and his face couldn't help but show some embarrassment.
He lowered his voice and said, "I'll give you skins, play or not?"
"No, I'm going home," Song Yi refused even more decisively.
Skins in the game are so expensive, and it's foolish to spend money on something you can't see or touch.
And is it the skin that matters in the game? It's the skill!
If you have poor skills, you're just a noob.
But if you have poor skills and many fancy skins, you're just a flashy noob, so Song Yi remained unmoved.
When Song Yi stood up, Xu Che looked at her and said, "We can play together, without Jiang Qi."
Another boy chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, you play better than Jiang Qi."
Jiang Qi: "?"
Ah? What is Xu Che saying? Who is his good brother?
Not including him? Just leaving him behind? Isn't he the main character today?
Just as Jiang Qi was about to get angry, Song Yi also refused Xu Che.
She said, "Two games a day are enough; playing too much is no longer a pastime."
It's indulging in trivial pleasures and could become addictive.
Seeing this, Xu Che no longer tried to persuade Song Yi and just said, "Be careful on your way home."
"Okay," Song Yi nodded and headed towards the door. After a few steps, she turned back to Xu Che and said, "Thank you for the candy."
"I'm glad you like it," Xu Che said, then pursed his lips and added, "The fruit-filled candy is very good; it's my favorite. You... you can try it."
At that moment, the words Xu Che had been about to say changed direction.
He had originally wanted to say that it was his favorite candy, so she shouldn't give it to others and should eat it all herself.
The boy frowned, and the scar on his brow became more pronounced.
He was born with a fierce and cold appearance, but upon realizing he was frowning at Song Yi, he immediately smiled, though the corners of his mouth didn't rise much, it was indeed a smile, as if trying his best to convey friendly emotions to her.
Song Yi nodded in agreement and this time truly left.
In Song Yi's view—
Going home! Tired!
Since she's full and satisfied! It's time to take a nap!
But Song Yi didn't get to take a nap, because Murong Huan's call came soon after.
On the phone, Murong Huan's voice was excited, "Yi Yi! I'm calling to book you early! Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve?"
"No," Song Yi yawned and asked, "What's up?"
"My dad gave me a castle as a New Year's gift! It's said that a real noble from Country X once lived there! Why don't we go there to celebrate New Year's Eve together?"
Song Yi: "?"
A castle, a birthday gift, it sounds so exaggerated and Mary Sue.
But thinking of Murong Huan, it seems quite normal.
Song Yi replied, "That place is too far; my dad might worry."
"It's okay, Quan Le and I have already talked about it; everyone is going, and there will be many people! And tell your dad that it's a private plane from my family, safe!"
Song Yi: "..."
She once again felt what it meant to be truly rich.
That evening, when Song Yi mentioned this to her father, he agreed immediately, while secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
He had been worrying about how to explain to his daughter that he wouldn't be home during the day for the next few days. Now that his daughter was going out with her friends, it was perfect.
Song's Father simply reminded Song Yi to be careful and to call him if anything happened, and he also transferred some money to her via WeChat.
*
That night.
Before going to bed, thinking that her account was just one game away from reaching the rank of "Epic," Song Yi decided to open the game and play one more match before sleeping. However, as soon as she logged in, she noticed that she had 99 unread messages in her mailbox.
Song Yi was taken aback, but she was even more shocked when she opened them.
Gift Center:
【Xu Che】has sent you 1 skin 【Doomsday Mecha】
【Xu Che】has sent you 1 skin 【Swan Dream】
【Xu Che】has sent you 1 skin 【Sword and Shadow】
...
There were so many messages that when Song Yi clicked on "One-Click Claim," the game intimacy between her and Xu Che instantly broke through a thousand points, indicating just how many gifts he had sent.
Song Yi calmed herself down and sent a message to Xu Che via WeChat.
【Why did you send me so many skins?】
Xu Che quickly replied to her WeChat.
【A friend's father works at the company, and these skins are free for internal use. Why not take them?】
Song Yi: "!!!"
So that's how it is!
What a great deal!
