Chapter Nineteen: The Image of a Good Disciple
Another WeChat message came through. Lin Hui glanced at it—still Zhang Shun, checking on her health. Frowning, she simply switched her phone to Do Not Disturb and climbed into bed to sleep.
When Yuan Zhong finished her shower, she had intended to chat with Lin Hui, but finding her already asleep, she quietly tiptoed back to her own bed.
She felt happy—she had met her idol and even spent time alone with him. Yet disappointment weighed on her; her clumsy tongue had squandered the chance to truly speak to him. Would there be another encounter? The thoughts whirled, keeping her awake.
When Feng Duoduo returned, she was a little surprised. “Everyone asleep so early?” she muttered.
Yuan Zhong poked her head out and whispered, “I’m still awake.”
Feng Duoduo turned to look at Yuan Zhong. “Something good happened?”
Yuan Zhong’s face was puzzled.
While removing her makeup, Feng Duoduo remarked, “Your eyes are sparkling with excitement.”
“It’s that obvious?”
“Go on, spit it out. You look like you’re bursting.”
Yuan Zhong glanced at Lin Hui, then lowered her voice. “I went to the library today and bumped into him.”
“Zhang Shun. And?”
Yuan Zhong pouted. “How do you all guess so quickly? Takes the fun out.”
Feng Duoduo rolled her eyes. “Miss, besides him, do you like anyone else?”
The mention of “liking” made Yuan Zhong’s heart race. She couldn’t help but share with Feng Duoduo.
When she finished her story, Feng Duoduo frowned. “So you two just picked books, bought medicine, then came back?”
Yuan Zhong nodded.
“What’s so exciting about that?”
“It’s rare to even meet him. I wanted to say something, maybe invite him to eat, but I didn’t know how to begin,” Yuan Zhong confessed.
Feng Duoduo studied her, making Yuan Zhong uncomfortable. “Why are you staring?”
“Just looking. You really haven’t dated, is this your first crush?” Feng Duoduo clicked her tongue. “You’re in for a tough time.”
“I don’t feel it’s hard.”
Feng Duoduo thought for a moment, then asked, “Hey, if you never tell him, when will you? He doesn’t know how you feel—aren’t you worried?”
“Worried about what?” Yuan Zhong couldn’t follow.
“What if he likes someone else?”
Yuan Zhong blinked and nodded honestly. “He’s always been popular. Others liking him is normal. As for him liking someone else… I haven’t heard anything.”
“You haven’t heard doesn’t mean it isn’t true,” Feng Duoduo raised an eyebrow.
Yuan Zhong looked at her, silent.
“Oh, your little face fell fast. I said what if. That’s why you should tell him early, just in case.”
Yuan Zhong lowered her head, a little envious of Feng Duoduo. She herself didn’t dare speak, fearing rejection.
“Besides confessing, you have to be persistent. Even if you’re turned down the first time, there’s a second, a third. Chasing boys is easy,” Feng Duoduo said.
Yuan Zhong gave her an odd look, saying nothing.
Feng Duoduo snorted, then added, “Most of the time, anyway. Of course there are exceptions. You’re not allowed to argue.”
Yuan Zhong spread her hands, as if to say, “I didn’t say anything.”
“Boring, let’s drop it.” Feng Duoduo grabbed her clothes and went to the bathroom.
Yuan Zhong curled back under her covers. That boy was Feng Duoduo’s forbidden topic; she wouldn’t poke at wounds. Sigh—even beauties have emotional troubles. With that thought, Yuan Zhong decided to give herself a break, secretly cheering herself on: next time, keep trying.
Lin Hui wasn’t asleep. Hearing Feng Duoduo’s tone just now, she worried she might say something, but thankfully, nothing was revealed. Yuan Zhong was wholly focused on Zhang Shun and hadn’t noticed anything amiss. If it continued, who knew what might happen? Yuan Zhong was not inherently slow. It seemed she needed to make her rejection clearer.
The next morning, Lin Hui left early. Feng Duoduo went out at noon, leaving Yuan Zhong alone in the dorm. Feeling bored, she logged into a game and found a message from “No Love for Penny-Pinchers.”
A game streamer? Yuan Zhong thought of someone—she had learned from their videos before and found it interesting to know such a person. She replied: “Sure, when?”
Qi Leyu was delighted to receive her response and promptly messaged “Unreliable”: “It’s set. You’ll meet my master, the gaming god.”
Unreliable didn’t care: “Great, I’m always online, ready anytime.”
They set the meeting for Saturday night. Yuan Zhong grew more interested after learning the other’s name.
That evening, all three logged in as scheduled. No Love for Penny-Pinchers made a grand introduction: “Unreliable, this is my master, a top-tier player.”
Original Heavy Gold: “Hello, Unreliable, I suppose I’m your fan.”
“Wait, a female player?” Unreliable was surprised.
No Love for Penny-Pinchers immediately chimed in: “What’s wrong with female players? Don’t be sexist—you’ll be dazzled soon. Hey, Master, do you know him? He says he’s a fan.”
Unreliable said, “Hey, hello, nice to meet a fan. But, Gold, did Penny-Pinchers really get to King rank by himself? Did you carry him?”
Original Heavy Gold confirmed, “Yes. To clarify, I consider myself your fan, though not a true devotee.”
Unreliable: “Then I trust your skill a bit more. Penny-Pinchers’ gameplay is eye-searing. By the way, what do you mean by ‘consider yourself a fan’?”
Original Heavy Gold: “I’ve watched your videos. Learned to play several heroes from you, like Lan and Zhuge Liang. That’s about it.”
Unreliable: “Really? That’s fate. Not surprised you play mages—most female players do. But you play assassins too?”
No Love for Penny-Pinchers added, “My master uses Zhuge Liang as a jungler.”
Unreliable’s interest was piqued. “Let’s queue up then.”
He invited Penny-Pinchers first. Once Penny-Pinchers pulled in Original Heavy Gold, Unreliable hesitated to start.
Penny-Pinchers asked, “What are you waiting for?” He was itching to play, having avoided ranked for days.
Unreliable replied, “I’m considering something important.”
Penny-Pinchers: “What, choosing roles?”
Unreliable’s voice was serious. “No, I’m considering whether to kick you, the ultimate liability.”
“You…” Penny-Pinchers restrained himself, reminding himself: master’s here, keep up appearances.
Original Heavy Gold’s quiet laughter came through, then she said, “No need to kick him. The two of us can carry.”
Unreliable: “Oh, confident, aren’t you?”
Penny-Pinchers quickly said, “Of course, my master is solid. Unlike you!” He sent a private WeChat: “Watch it!”
Original Heavy Gold: “Absolutely.”
At the start, Unreliable said, “I’ll fill; you two pick first.”
Penny-Pinchers: “I’ll take marksman.”
Unreliable groaned, “Spare me—better pick support for safety.”
Original Heavy Gold: “Penny-Pinchers, play mage. Unreliable, you take marksman. I’ll try support.” Yuan Zhong recalled her original goal—supporting her idol. With Unreliable present, it was a good chance to practice.
Unreliable: “Alright. If jungle’s open, I’ll take marksman.”
Second pick took Dian Wei for jungle, so Unreliable chose Sun Shangxiang. Yuan Zhong thought a moment and picked Taiyi Master.
Unreliable gave a thumbs up: “You know the True Fragrance combo?”
Original Heavy Gold: “Of course. I’ve watched your streams and pro matches.”
Game began. Taiyi Master first helped mid lane push, then returned to the growth lane, following Sun Shangxiang.
At first, Unreliable was skeptical of Original Heavy Gold’s skill. But after playing a while, he was forced to reassess. Her Taiyi was precise, decisive with explosions, always maximizing damage. She’d fake vision in the bush, then return to bomb again, retreating without hesitation. Whenever the chance arose, she’d flash in and start team fights with a bomb—three times, she used her ultimate at the limit, letting Sun Shangxiang secure four kills with ease.
Unreliable couldn’t help but praise, “Impressive—this is top-tier Taiyi play.”
Penny-Pinchers immediately chimed in: “Of course, who else? My master!”
“Cut it out. Do you even know what top-tier Taiyi means?” Unreliable teased Penny-Pinchers.
Penny-Pinchers answered without hesitation, “It means very, very skilled.”
Original Heavy Gold laughed, explaining to Penny-Pinchers, “Taiyi is actually a strong support, but he’s very reliant on mechanics. Take his ultimate—for most, it only creates a few seconds of output for the carry. But used well, it can change the course of a team fight.”
Unreliable added, “Exactly. A top-tier Taiyi’s ult can turn the tide of battle, understand?”
“Amazing!” Penny-Pinchers said. “Unreliable, you convinced now?”
Unreliable laughed, “I’m not the one convinced—why are you so happy?”
“She’s my master, of course I’m happy.”
Unreliable thought: You’re just putting on a show, flatterer!
Penny-Pinchers had told him before not to ruin his image. As for what image, he’d vaguely claimed it was “the model disciple.” Apparently, that meant: expert flatterer.
Well, this master’s skills really weren’t bad. At least her support play was excellent. Her Taiyi showed she had a clear grasp of support strategy.
The match went smoothly. Sun Shangxiang carried, support was strong, and the team cruised to victory.
Second game, Yuan Zhong wanted to pick Yao, but she was banned.
Unreliable picked marksman Gongsun Li. “Gold, why don’t you try Da Qiao?”
“The Qiao-Li combo? Sure,” Yuan Zhong said, selecting Da Qiao.
But third pick took Da Qiao first. Yuan Zhong asked, “Hey, third pick, can I take Da Qiao?”
Third pick replied with a single word: No. After a moment, another: Yes.
Yuan Zhong couldn’t pick Yao, now Da Qiao was gone too. It felt like a wasted practice opportunity. She pressed on: “Your typing speed isn’t great—yes or no? Third pick, show me your stats.”
Third pick obliged and displayed their records.
Yuan Zhong reviewed the data. “You’ve played a lot, but the quality’s average. Let me take Da Qiao?”
Third pick said nothing, continued to show off achievements.
“Hmm, you seem quite self-assured,” Yuan Zhong said. After fourth pick, only jungle remained. “No choice, I’ll jungle this round. Da Qiao, I’m watching you—don’t mess up.”
Unreliable was intrigued, eager to see how Gold played jungle.