CHAPTER 111

Ji Zhiyao, hugging the tokens, went on to play something that wasn’t as idiotic in his eyes.

Basketball.

He had long arms and legs, and was also good at aiming, so the basketballs dropped into the net as if magnets had been fixed to them. His posture was natural and smooth.

Both his outerwear and sweater were a little short, so each time he jumped forward to shoot, a small part of his waist would show.

Ji Zhiyao shot seven or eight times, when he grabbed a basketball and was about to jump forward once more, a large force suddenly pulled him back to his original spot.

Ji Zhiyao holding the basketball, turning back with a surprised expression.

Mo Huaifeng pulled back the hand that he used to tug on the corner of his clothes, saying with a nonchalant look, “Jumping to shoot, that’s considered cheating.”

“How am I supposed to shoot if I don’t jump?”

Mo Huaifeng kept silent but took the ball from Ji Zhiyao’s arms, standing exactly where he had been. He took several looks at the position of the net opposite then easily threw the ball into the net.

After that, he looked towards Ji Zhiyao, his gaze peaceful.

In Ji Zhiyao’s eyes, that was slight provocation.

“… Damn it.”

After a few hours, both of them left the arcade.

Ji Zhiyao glanced longingly at the colorful signboard of the arcade, asking, “Captain, was it fun? Do you feel better now?”

Mo Huaifeng’s look couldn’t be described in a few words. “… Who was the one who kept playing?”

Ji Zhiyao ignored the blame from his Captain, yawning as he looked up to the sky at 45 degrees. “Today really is a wonderful day.”

He was a little tired and didn’t really felt like eating out. Thus after asking Mo Huaifeng, both of them drove back to the base.

The moment he stepped into the house, Ji Zhiyao fed himself two tablets of cold medicine, setting aside another two for Mo Huaifeng while he was at it. It was too cold outside and they had perspired while playing at the arcade. It was really easy to catch a cold in this weather.

The auntie had just delivered fresh groceries to the base yesterday, Ji Zhiyao walked into the dining room and had a look and decided there and then to have hotpot together with Mo Huaifeng.

The hot soup was bubbling, and though there were only two people left at the base, the atmosphere didn’t feel desolate at all.

Ji Zhiyao had just put a plate of mutton into the pot, when he was suddenly hit with an idea. “Captain, do you mind if I make up for my livestream hours?”

Mo Huaifeng understood his question instantly, then nodded his head once.

Hence Ji Zhiyao happily launched the livestream app on his phone and turned on livestream.

He went to his room to get a stand and set his phone at a spot not too far from the pot, at an angle that happened to be able to get both himself and Mo Huaifeng in the frame, then waved to the camera. “Hello everyone!”

[Fi-god! Fi-god!]

[Damn, the return of MelonRind’s eating livestream series in my lifetime.]

[What the f*ck, what did I see? ?]

[The base is so big and only two of you are having hotpot? I don’t believe there’s nothing gay going on between you two! !]

[Why why why he even brought “family”!]

Ji Zhiyao had a bite of meat, swallowed then said, “Everyone else at the base has gone home for the new year, stop making wild guesses, both Captain and I are innocent. I’m just making up for my livestream hours, and sending my new year blessings in advance to you guys while I’m at it.”

[LOL I believe you, I believe you.]

[Of course I choose to forgive you.]

[Here for attention again, damn I’ve really seen through you, this influencer, you play with whoever is popular, you disgust me thoroughly, heh heh.]

Ji Zhiyao saw the last comment, but he had long gotten used to things and ignored it. He placed his phone there, then returned to his original seat, continuing to dig in.

Instead, it was Mo Huaifeng who ate two mouthfuls and asked in a low voice with a frown, “How long are you going to have it on for?”

Ji Zhiyao had a piece of spinach in his mouth and replied incoherently, “I’m still left with half of the 40 hours for this month, just leave it on, I don’t want to have to make up for livestream hours during new year celebrations.

“What have you been doing usually?”

“Damn it Captain have some conscience, when do I have time? Am I not the one who’s as tired as a dog from training everyday?”

“It’s me.”

“You can drop it, you start eating the moment you come downstairs in the afternoon, I don’t bother nagging you… fine fine fine, you’re the Captain, whatever you say is right. You put that fish ball down!”

“I was the one who put this into the pot.”

“It was obviously me! The one you threw in just now hasn’t been cooked!”

“Do you have to bounce up and down over a fish ball? Is your zodiac sign the monkey?”

“Have to, absolutely have to, so quickly give it to me.”

While they were engaged in their heated argument over a fish ball, the number of viewers in the livestream room had exceeded thirty thousand people, the comments were also coming in crazily fast.

[That MelonRind was able to stay alive till today… other than love what else could it be? Seeing Fi-god’s god, even my heart aches LOL isn’t it just a fish ball!]

[Why do you want fish ball! I’ll give you my life!]

[Fi-god which flavor do you want to eat I’ll send you more boxes of it to the base, don’t fight with your teammate! So pitiful LOL]

These two people went onto the trending searches once more because of a fish ball, but this time round the title of the trending search was very interesting, it was “Fi-god IndefiniteFuture, want fish ball, don’t want a beauty”.

But neither of them went to take a look.

…

S City suburbs, Lan Yue Building.

Ji Zhiyao walked towards the entrance with his phone in hand, slowly pulling out a crumpled dark blue invitation with gold edges and passed it to the security guard at the entrance. Then in the face of the security guard’s slightly odd look, entered the building through the front door.

Perhaps, it was the security guard’s first time seeing a person who treated an invitation like he did.

This was where the “Most Influential Celebrity Gathering” was held, only slightly more than ten minutes journey from Mix base.

A few minutes ago, Mo Huaifeng had driven Ji Zhiyao over.

After walking down a long corridor, Ji Zhiyao continued along the only route to turn in a hall.

Under the glamorous lights, he saw groups of twos and threes raising their glasses and pooling together to chat. This was the venue that he was looking for. Although it looked more like an end-of-year party for some company.

Ji Zhiyao silently complained in his heart, then walked in. In a split second, almost half of all the eyes in the hall were focused on him as he took a step in.

Ji Zhiyao was originally already delicate and good looking, in addition he wore clothes that would bring out even extreme handsomeness, at this gathering where males were rarely seen, he attracted even more attention.

Yet Ji Zhiyao pretended as if he had noticed all the looks, his gaze swept around and did not find the figure of his idol YiMao. Thus, he went right to the juicer next to the food table, took a glass of fruit juice and began drinking slowly.

But very quickly there was someone who recognized him and began coming towards him.

“Hi, are you IndefiniteFuture?” A girl in a red dress was the first to walk over, there were two other girls following behind her. Her eye bags that were brushed with gold powder looked very obviously unnatural, her smile was a little stiff. “Hi, I’m your fan, beauty blogger kakajima.”

Ji Zhiyao looked at her calmly, his smile neither intimate nor distancing. “Hello.”

kakajima asked, “Um, aren’t you a reserve of an eSports team? Why are you at this gathering?”

CHAPTER 112 

Ji Zhiyao’s eyes squinted with a small smile. “I’m here to meet my idol YiMao”

“Oh.” kakajima made a few sounds in reply, not even sure if she had taken in his words, she stared right at Ji Zhiyao. “Indefinite, can I have your autograph?”

Ji Zhiyao on hearing her form of address, forcefully suppressed his laugh in his throat.

Upon hearing that, he knew that the girl before him wasn’t his fan at all. His fans called him either MelonRind or NoHomo, it was indeed his first time meeting one who called him Indefinite.

Yet he didn’t say anything, only replying, “Sure, but I didn’t bring a marker.”

“I have one, I have one.” kakajima hastily brought out a marker, then flipped her own phone around, pointing to the matte phone casing and saying, “You can just sign here.”

Ji Zhiyao scrawled an “IndefiniteFuture” on it, and not his other identity, “Mix.Yao”.

After signing, Ji Zhiyao looked up and his vision accidentally swept across the distance, as if he had seen a familiar person, he said, “Sorry, excuse me.”

He stood up and walked towards the distance, leaving the several girls behind stomping their feet in displeasure.

Ji Zhiyao was originally just looking for an excuse, however he didn’t expect that as he took a mere few steps out, he spotted his objective of his coming here today, gaming broadcaster “one more”.

one more was a big boy who was around his age, he looked ordinary but was very friendly. That Ji Zhiyao was able to recognize him, was purely because he often showed his whole face in his videos.

YiMao had also unintentionally seen Ji Zhiyao who was currently heading in his direction, after confirming that the smile on his face was directed at himself, he paused for a moment and moved forward to meet him.

Ji Zhiyao reached out his hand. “Nice to meet you YiMao. You are my idol, may I ask for an autograph?”

YiMao was dazed, after a few seconds, he smiled. “That was what I wanted to ask earlier, nice to meet you MelonRind, I am your fan, can I have an autograph?”

The eye bags beneath Ji Zhiyao’s eyes curved prettily. “Then both of us can exchange autographs.”

“It seems so. Have you brought a marker?”

“I didn’t, do you not have one?”

“I didn’t bring one either.”

Both of them stared speechlessly at each other.

YiMao suddenly laughed out loud. “You are as interesting as I had imagined you to be. Let’s find a place for a chat?”

“Sure, I’m most willing.” If he chatted with YiMao, there shouldn’t be anyone coming over trying to strike a conversation with him. He looked around, then pointed to an empty sofa not too far away. “There’s no one there, let’s go sit over there.”

Both of them walked over, Ji Zhiyao took a glass of fruit juice along the way.

When YiMao turned back and saw that he was drinking juice, he asked in surprise, “You don’t drink beer?”

Boys who did not drink beer at this occasion were extremely rare.

Ji Zhiyao replied, “The juice is not bad, freshly squeezed, I’ll get a glass for you?”

YiMao shook his head. “It’s okay.”

Sitting on the sofa, YiMao could vaguely feel numerous looks from their surroundings. He turned and found that Ji Zhiyao was seated there, as if he hadn’t sensed anything, drinking his juice with his head bowed.

YiMao mocked himself deep down, then questioned, “Why did you suddenly become a professional player? When I saw the news from Mix’s official account, I thought that I had seen wrong.”

Hearing the question coming from his side, Ji Zhiyao finally reluctantly parted with the straw in the glass of fruit juice, replying, “Purely accidentally, I didn’t expect it back then either.”

Yet YiMao became interested. “What happened, tell me about it?”

“Just I got to know Captain previously when I was gaming, he dragged me into the pit.”

After his last line, he was suddenly reminded of the day when he had just woken up and Wen Heng was staring with a dumbfounded expression at him, saying that Mix official account had just announced him as the jungler reserve… Thinking back, it seemed like a long time had passed since then.

Ji Zhiyao could not help but laugh a little.

YiMao continued, “I heard the atmosphere of Mix battleteam is superb, things should be very interesting.”

Ji Zhiyao nodded. “If the members of our team don’t spout obscenities for a day they will feel terrible all over, if they stopped being professional players, someday they will end up as comedians.”

YiMao was speechless. This was quite different from what he had imagined.

Both of them chatted for some time, Ji Zhiyao notified YiMao then stood up to go look for the washroom.

When he came out from the cubicle, washed his hands and just stepped out of the washroom, he found two girls in lolita skirts, intercepting him with almost crying expressions.

Ji Zhiyao lifted his head to glance at the sign in surprise and bewilderment.

It was the male toilet, he had not entered the wrong place.

Both of the lolita girls were holding wine, between them, the one that was leaning against the wall was even holding two glasses. She looked pitifully towards Ji Zhiyao, saying, “Older brother, are you IndefiniteFuture?”

Goosebumps sprouted all over Ji Zhiyao’s body from her address, but in the corridor beside, people walking to and fro were all looking at them. It wasn’t very convenient for him to just take his leave. He could only nod his head replying, “May I help you?”

The lolita leaning against the wall said miserably, “I am NanNan-chan, do you still remember me?”

Ji Zhiyao remained silent. Who was this? Upon seeing Ji Zhiyao’s baffled expression, the lolita’s eyes turned even redder, almost crying as she said, “Do you really not remember me anymore?”

Ji Zhiyao continued to be dumbfounded.

The two lolitas exchanged eye contact, the other bit her lip and said to Ji Zhiyao, “Do you recall, previously you posted a Weibo status, which was a screenshot of your match with Fi-god and dissed NanNan-chan for a bit…”

This girl was too euphemistic with her words, Ji Zhiyao thought for a really long time before he understood what they were on about.

So she was the dreamer blogger who was trying to use Fi-god to gain attention.

Ji Zhiyao’s eyes turned slightly colder as he leaned on the wall and smiled. “Then what do you guys mean by doing this right now?”

NanNan-chan said softly, “I’m here to apologize. I was indeed at fault with the screenshot incident, I caused you to be misunderstood by others.”

Ji Zhiyao totally did not expect that this girl would apologize right there, he coughed lightly and replied, “It’s all in the past, no need to bring it up anymore.”

NanNan-chan continued to pursue hotly. “Does this mean you forgive me?”

Ji Zhiyao frowned slightly. “Actually I can understand why you did that, there’s no forgiving or not that can be said about it.”

It was nothing more than an influencer’s way of gaining attention, some influencers had even gone further than this.

What’s more, at the bottom of this incident, even if it did, it would’ve affected Fi-god’s reputation, he was at most a passerby who spoke out the unfairness that he had chanced upon, what was there to apologize to him about?

Nan Nan Jing did not seemed to have understood Ji Zhiyao’s impatience, raising the glass in her hand, looking woefully at Ji Zhiyao. “I toast to you with a glass of wine, if you’ve forgiven me, can you finish it? From now on, everything between us will be considered written off, I won’t try to use Fi-god or you for attention, you… you can also stop dissing me.”

Ji Zhiyao’s face had almost turned blue. “… Drinking wine in front of the washroom door, do you not mind that there is a smell.”

NanNan-chan and the girl were silent

Ji Zhiyao seemed to have understood, if he did not drink this glass of wine, perhaps these two girls still had more waiting for him. They might trap him and talk about reasons while shopping, just thinking about it already made him feel like he was going bald.

CHAPTER 113

Hence he made a prompt decision. Holding the glass, he lifted it courteously in their direction. “I can’t hold my liquor, let’s not talk about a glass and all, I’ll take two sips at most, both of you do as you please.”

Ji Zhiyao took the glass of wine, the fermented grape taste of the red wine was so sour for him that he frowned right away. He did not take even one extra sip; after drinking the two sips that he had promised, he pushed the glass back into NanNan-chan’s hands, saying, “I’ve drunk the wine as well, if there’s nothing else I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, he did not bother looking at the girls’ expressions, nor did he listen to anything else they had to say, Ji Zhiyao entered the hall without turning back.

YiMao was still seated at the spot earlier, seeing Ji Zhiyao return, he mocked, “Took so long for a trip to the washroom, did you go pick up girls instead?”

Ji Zhiyao replied bitterly, “Met two people that I didn’t know just now, they talked to me for a bit.”

Finishing off his words, he was suddenly reminded of a thought. “Oh yes, if you don’t mind, let’s add each other on WeChat and we can frequently play together in the future?”

YiMao happily dug out his phone. “Sure sure, I’ll wait for you to carry me.”

Both of them exchanged their contact details, Ji Zhiyao then moved to the side and grabbed a bunch of nuts, eating as he peeled them.

Not long after, his head suddenly turned dizzy, his mind also became not as clear.

The nut in his hands dropped onto the plate with a rattle. There wasn’t much noise around them, YiMao heard this little stir extremely clearly. His large hand went on Ji Zhiyao’s shoulders as he asked worriedly, “NoHomo, are you okay?”

Ji Zhiyao also did not know what was happening to himself. He kept his unfocused eyes open, immediately feeling for his phone and passing it to YiMao, in the course of doing so, his phone almost fell to the ground as he had no strength to hold on to it.

YiMao quickly took it and realized that Ji Zhiyao’s voice had become very soft, he leaned his ear over by Ji Zhiyao’s mouth and heard him say, “… Help me make a call to Captain, get him to come fetch me.”

…

Ji Zhiyao slept for a very long time.

He dreamed that he was forcefully fed with two glasses of red wine in the washroom by Avatar, when he opened his eyes and looked down, he realized that he had become the delicate little sister Lin, with a big and round stomach. Looking up in surprise and fear, he found his Captain standing not too far away, asking him with a tone so gentle, “Does the Child-and-Mother water taste good?”

Then he had woken with a fright.

Ji Zhiyao stared dully at the ceiling, it was after a long time that he realized he was in his own room at the base.

Inhaling several deep breaths, he then found that the inside of his head felt like several strings of firecrackers had exploded in it.

What had happened?

Ji Zhiyao propped himself on his arms against the bed, preparing to sit up, yet midway through, he suddenly heard from somewhere not too far, a voice exactly the same as the one that had asked him “Does the Child-and-Mother water taste good” in his dream. The only difference was that it now seemed to be coated with ice, asking, “You’re awake?”

Ji Zhiyao suddenly shivered, looking with a grief-stricken expression in the direction of the voice. “Captain.”

Mo Huaifeng dropped the magazine in his hands, stood up and walked to the side of the bed, towering over him as he asked, “Should I be glad that you still kept that little bit of brains, that you still knew to call me?”

He was done for, the Captain was angry.

But he wasn’t to blame, who could have known that that girl had spiked the wine?

Ji Zhiyao stretched his fingers, defeated, and rubbed his temples. “I also didn’t know that I would encounter such an incident. I’d have to call to thank YiMao later, if I hadn’t gotten to know him at that shabby gathering, Captain, what you would be seeing now would’ve been my corpse.”

“More like dead without a complete corpse.”

Mo Huaifeng poured a glass of water and handed it over. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

Ji Zhiyao gulped down a good half of the water, before his chaotic mind finally sobered up. Hearing Mo Huaifeng’s question, he answered, “Do you remember the blogger that tried to use you to gain attention? That time where I posted on Weibo later on to help you clear up things, and you even specially thanked me.”

Mo Huaifeng did not speak, evidently in deep thought. After a while, he then said, “I have some impression. It was her?”

Ji Zhiyao nodded, “Most probably. I just went to the washroom, when I came out I was stopped by her, she had to badger me to drink a glass of wine to take it that I’d forgiven her. I really had no choice, so I took two sips.”

He’d only drank two sips and had ended up like this, if he had drunk the whole glass, would he have passed out there and then?

A question that Ji Zhiyao could have thought of, naturally Mo Huaifeng had thought of it as well. Making a connection with what could have happened next, Mo Huaifeng’s face instantly turned expressionless, his eyes slightly narrowed. “I got it.”

Ji Zhiyao looked like he was still in a state of shock. “Thank god I’m smart.”

Smart and he could still get himself into this pathetic state? Mo Huaifeng suppressed his anger deep down and could hardly contain himself to not scold him.

Ji Zhiyao thought of something and asked with a frown, “Captain, how did you put it when you came to fetch me? There were too many people at the place yesterday, if something spreads out, it would have a negative impact on our team.”

“It’s fine. Yesterday you were out like a dead pig, someone went over to ask questions, that gaming blogger said you were drunk and fell asleep.”

Ji Zhiyao felt very pleased once more. “Wow, my idol sure is great.”

Mo Huaifeng squinted at him with a cold expression.

Ji Zhiyao quickly corrected himself after sensing his mistake. “Of course, the Captain who carried me back is even better.”

Mo Huaifeng’s gaze then became warmer, taking quite some time before he said coldly, “Next time don’t trust others so easily.”

Ji Zhiyao nodded.

“Especially women.”

Ji Zhiyao nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

After giving Ji Zhiyao some more advice, Mo Huaifeng left the room.

He went downstairs, pulled out a cigarette from the case on the table, lit it and made a call.

The call got through very quickly, Mo Huaifeng’s voice was a little cold. “Hello? Yuan Wei.”

“Pal, I’m already on leave. Are you trying to exploit me again?”

Mo Huaifeng ignored him as he said, “Help me notify the club’s public relations department, let them help to seal the news that Ji Zhiyao went to the celebrity gathering yesterday.”

“Only you would use the club’s things as your own all day long. Hold on,” Yuan Wei figured out that there was something wrong. “Where did NoHomo go? Celebrity gathering? The Weibo one?”

“Mm, got spiked by someone. Almost lost his innocence out there.”

“… What the f*ck? It seems this rascal is asking for a beating. Already an adult and he could still get calculated, is he stupid? Is it okay to inform the club directly? Will they disregard it?”

“Don’t worry, if this incident spreads, it won’t be good for the club’s reputation too, they’re better at making decisions than you.” Mo Huaifeng laughed coldly. “If they really dare to not do anything, get them to approach me.”

“Okay, got it. I’ll get it done in a while. How about the person who spiked him? Who was it? Need to give him some trouble?”

“The influencer who tried to use me for attention previously.” Mo Huaifeng replied. “If you need my help, let me know.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll take at most two days, I’ll definitely let her know why flowers are so brightly red. You advise NoHomo more frequently too.”

CHAPTER 114 

“Thank god nothing happened, if something really did it would’ve been too late. All of you professional players are most afraid of having some scandals and still wouldn’t be more careful! Mo Huaifeng! Damn it you hung up on me again!”

…

Recuperating at the base for several days, Ji Zhiyao ate and slept when he should, and even played ranked games with Mo Huaifeng at a set time everyday. Some days they would even invite YiMao and play as three, those days were really pleasant.

These few days when he’d been going on Weibo, there wasn’t even a single word about him in posts about the Weibo Celebrity Gathering. The Weibo account with username “NanNan-chan” had for some reason, gotten reported and could not be found anymore.

Ji Zhiyao knew that this was probably the doing of his Captain. Hence on that day itself, he even saluted Mo Huaifeng with his glances of utmost worship, leading to Mo Huaifeng almost dropping a slap on his face.

Several days passed just like this and the 20th of the lunar twelfth month arrived.

On this day, Ji Zhiyao woke up really early, packed his luggage and carried his luggage case downstairs. With a sweeping glance, he realized that his Captain who should still be in bed at this time, was actually up and was seated on the sofa, looking at him with keen eyes.

Ji Zhiyao was surprised. “Captain, why are you up so early?”

Mo Huaifeng rubbed his eyes and pushed the little luggage bag by his feet, replying succinctly, “I’m going home, I’ll give you a ride too.”

Ji Zhiyao made a “huh” sound and went forward. “Why did I not hear you mention it earlier?”

“What could be done if I had mentioned it earlier? You’ll send me?”

“… I can send you with my eyes.”

“Save it.”

Ji Zhiyao smacked his lips a little regretfully, then followed behind Mo Huaifeng to change his shoes and leave the house.

The car was already in front of the door, Mo Huaifeng placed both their luggage bags into the boot, then said, “Get in.”

“Okay.” Ji Zhiyao sat himself into the car, just as he had buckled on his seat belt, he suddenly remembered. “Captain, is my home and yours in the same direction?”

Mo Huaifeng had also gotten on. He reached out to close the door, his tone neutral as he replied, “It’s not, get out.”

Yet Ji Zhiyao upon his words, silently tightened his arms around his seatbelt and looked outside, pretending like nothing had happened as he said, “Central Section, First Ring Road, Ling Shan Apartment. Thanks Captain.”

Mo Huaifeng glanced at him, the corner of lips curving up.

The weather was too cold and the traffic conditions weren’t the best, the car drove for a whole two hours before arriving at Ling Shan Apartment.

Ji Zhiyao unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, realizing that Mo Huaifeng also gotten off with him and helped him to bring his luggage bag down from the car.

Ji Zhiyao looked at his Captain, instantly so touched that tears welled in his eyes. “Thanks Captain, you’re really sweet. Are the eyes of those girls out there all spoiled? His Captain was so great, yet no one is going after him?”

Mo Huaifeng snorted. “They would need to have the guts to do so.”

Ji Zhiyao then realized that he had accidentally let the thoughts in his heart slip out, and gave a small apologetic smile. “Then I shall go, Captain.”

“Mm.”

Ji Zhiyao dragged his own little luggage bag and entered the estate.

Ten minutes later, he pulled out his keys and opened the door of his house.

The door had just been pushed open by a small crack yet Ji Zhiyao already saw half a face quietly appearing in the crack and was shocked. “Ji Qingge, are you trying to scare me to death?”

Ji Qingge took two steps back to give Ji Zhiyao space to enter, while taking a bite of the apple in her hand, her cheeks bulging. “A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder my friend, what good things have you done behind my back this time?”

“Move aside.”

Ji Zhiyao dragged his luggage bag to a side, asking, “Where’s mum and dad?”

Ji Qingge continued crunching on her apple and replied, “Went to work, have to return, I heard mum and dad say, it seemed to be their turn to be on shift again during the new year celebrations.”

Basically every year was like this, Ji Zhiyao was already used to it. He walked into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water, the moment he turned back he realized that Ji Qingge was like a little tail following behind his butt, thus could not help but ask with a raised eyebrow, “Are you done with your winter vacation homework? Why are you following me?”

It would’ve been fine if he hadn’t mentioned it, the moment he mentioned winter vacation homework, Ji Qingge’s eyes almost rolled towards the sky. She said, looking like she barely wanted to live, “You should really take a look at that pile of papers, it’s thicker than your arm. I suspect the only reason our school was able to spot the correct questions was because they give us a lot of papers to do.”

“Ji Qingge are you asking for a beating? Thicker than whose arm?”

“Yours, it’s yours.”

Ji Zhiyao lifted his hand, pretending as if he wanted to hit her, Ji Qingge dodged grinningly, asking,”How are you back so early, the comment section of your Weibo account was a land of wailing of despair, claiming that Mix battleteam was abusing you, I thought you would be at the base training till New Year’s Eve.”

“Don’t listen to their nonsense. The internal part of our battleteam goes on leave really only, it was only because I wasn’t in a hurry to come back.”

“Everyone else has gone home, why are you staying there?”

Ji Zhiyao pushed her forehead. “Slow sparrow makes an early start, train for a few more days, in case your brother takes the blame for making mistakes the moment he goes on.”

Hearing that, Ji Qingge asked softly, “Then are you happy at the battleteam?”

Ji Zhiyao realized that although this foolish girl’s expression was fierce, the worry in her eyes could not be concealed. He was delighted. “Don’t you worry, just focus on preparing for your college entrance exams. Your brother is Mix’s new team dictator, I stand on top of the giant’s head, no one dares to bully me, don’t believe those rumors out there.”

Ji Qingge became displeased, pulling on a long face. “Who was worried? Get lost.”

Ji Zhiyao stretched out his hand, two fingers pinching her cheeks. “Heh, you’re rather unreasonable.”

Ji Qingge slapped his fingers away with an eye roll and prepared to return to her room to continue battling for three hundred round with her papers. Before she went upstairs, she ordered Ji Zhiyao, “I want to eat the fruit salad from the fourth level of Silver Throne and also the grilled oysters from Ah Xiang House. Since you’re back, help me buy them later.”

Ji Zhiyao was speechless, not understanding why every time he was home Ji Qingge would take him for a deliveryman. But in this boundless world, year 3 high school students had the most say. He couldn’t do anything with her, and could only nod cowardly, while adding tenderly, “I got it you pig.”

Ji Zhiyao tidied all the clothes that he had brought home, then sat by his bed and played with his phone for a while. When it was almost noon, he looked at the warm sunshine outside the window and figured that his parents probably wouldn’t be coming back again. Hence, he went to knock Ji Qingge’s door, leaning on the door frame as he asked, “Other than those you listed earlier, what else do you want to eat?”

Ji Qingge thought with her back against him for a moment, then replied very seriously, “You can just buy as you deem fit, get more, if not there isn’t enough to eat when I do my papers.”

What kind of habit was eating while doing papers? Could knowledge be swallowed together with food into the stomach?

He put on his jacket with a speechless expression, picked up his phone and left the house.

It was really too cold to be walking the whole way, Ji Zhiyao walked to the bus stop to wait, preparing to take a bus over, A few minutes later, the bus arrived.

CHAPTER 115

Ji Zhiyao boarded, dropped his coins for the ride and casually sat down at a seat closer to the back door, before he saw his unread messages on WeChat.

[DB.MHF: I’m home. Ranked match together in the afternoon?]

Ji Zhiyao smiled and replied: [Sure, I don’t mind. But I’m currently going out to get food for my little sister.]

[DB.MHF: You have a little sister?]

[MelonRind: Yeah, a year younger than me, a tragic high school Year 3 student.]

[MelonRind: By the way Captain, some time later can I bring my sister to the base for a visit? She has unnecessary worries, afraid that I’m being bullied. I have to show her my actual living condition.]

[DB.MHF: Let her see your solo stand-up comedy acts?]

[MelonRind: Screw you!]

[DB.MHF: She can come, the rest should be fine with it too.]

[MelonRind: Captain you’re a really good person!]

[DB.MHF: …]

Ji Zhiyao was not in the least aware that he had turned nice too quickly, hearing the mechanical female voice announced the stop, he stuffed his phone into his pocket, pressed the bell and alighted.

It was a little cold outside, the cold wind blowing on one’s face felt like slaps. Ji Zhiyao buried half his face into his scarf and hurried entered the shopping center.

The fruit salad that Ji Qingge liked to eat was also from the fruit shaved ice store that she liked in the summer. Ji Zhiyao walked in and ordered a bowl of fruit salad.

Before long, his order was ready. He turned and left the store with a bag in hand.

Then it was the grilled oysters on the same level, the waiting time for this was slightly longer.

With two bags, Ji Zhiyao strolled into the supermarket on the first level and grabbed one of each flavor of chips from the shelf filled with snacks.

He had never understood what was so delicious about these little snacks, they were all junk food. Yet each time Ji Qingge ate them she would be over the moon, he couldn’t do anything with her.

After making payments with his card, Ji Zhiyao looked at the big and small bags in his hands, instantly feeling like he was going bald.

He still didn’t know what he was having for lunch…

Exiting the supermarket, there was a pizza store right beside it. Ji Zhiyao decided to just walk in and ordered a pizza for takeaway.

After he had made payment, Ji Zhiyao watched as the server helped him to pack the pizza and handed it over, and said a soft word of thanks. He did not expect that as he lifted the plastic bag, he did not manage to do so. Glancing down, the waiter who had done the packing was holding onto the plastic bag, his stance looking like he wasn’t going to let him leave.

Ji Zhiyao looked up, confused, and saw the waiter’s excited gaze.

He asked, “Um, are you from Mix battleteam? The jungler reserve that just joined the team?”

Ji Zhiyao did not think that he would actually be recognized.

Was this… a fan of their battleteam?

Ji Zhiyao instinctively checked left and right, suddenly having the strange feeling of having a rendezvous as spies… He was struck quite hard by his own analogy, coughing once, he said lowly, “It’s me, hello.”

“I especially like Mix battleteam! I’ve watched almost every competition that you all were in! Can you help me get Fi-god’s autograph? Of course, it’ll work if you could give me an autograph too.”

Damn it!

Even if he could, he didn’t want to get it for this person.

Ji Zhiyao had a troubled expression. “Our team has all gone on vacation and went home, I came by myself. I won’t be able to get an autograph for you, sorry about that.”

The waiter was a little down. “Huh, it’s fine, I’d already guessed that you aren’t that close to Fi-god.”

Ji Zhiyao looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“But is it really purely friendship between you and Fi-god?”

“? ? ?”

“You celebrities, only know how to act confused. Never mind never mind, give me an autograph before you go then.”

Ji Zhiyao was at a loss.

He bewilderedly signed for the waiter, then walked out of the doors of the pizza store carrying his bags. The moment he stepped out, he even saw that waiter waving at him.

Ji Zhiyao instinctively waved back.

When he reached home and told this incident as a joke to Ji Qingge, Ji Qingge even stopped eating the oysters, a pair of big eyes staring right at Ji Zhiyao. “Brother, you and Fi-god…”

Ji Zhiyao did not understand her. “Captain is quite caring towards me. What’s wrong?”

Ji Qingge glanced at her biological brother before her who was so naive, exasperated that he couldn’t live up to expectations, then waved her hand tiredly, “I am tired, bow and take your leave.”

Ji Zhiyao reached out and flicked her forehead, Ji Qingge instantly flew into a rage, chasing Ji Zhiyao around the whole house to hit him.

…

This chaotic atmosphere continued up until New Year’s Eve.

Ji Qingge sat on the sofa watching the New Year’s Gala Show whereas Ji Zhiyao was huddled on the other end of the sofa, looking at the WeChat group chat on his screen.

[MelonRind: Brothers, do you guys not watch the gala show?]

[ManagerYuanWei: Brother, think of all those usual comedy acts at the base, do you instantly feel that those programs on the gala show are dull?]

[DB.MHF: This rubbish makes sense.]

[Xiao: This rubbish makes sense +1.]

[LittlePrinceDominatingTheNorth-East: This rubbish makes sense +2.]

[XiaoFeiCannotFly: This rubbish makes sense +3.]

[Heng: This rubbish makes sense +4.]

[KisExtremelyHandsome: The team is checking in the chat, this rubbish makes sense +6.]

[Xiao: We’re missing someone, where’s NoHomo?]

[MelonRind: I’m considering if I should leave some face for Yuan Wei.]

[ManagerYuanWei: [smile] [smile] Do you think that with you saying it out like this I would !!!! friend? Good f*cking bye!]

[DB.MHF: [WeChat red packet] ]

[DB.MHF: Silly son, stop crying. This is daddy’s consolation for you.]

[“ManagerYuanWei” has collected the red packet]

[ManagerYuanWei: Thank you daddy.]

Ji Zhiyao was in stitches as he typed: [Brother Wei, where are your principles?]

[ManagerYuanWei: My principles definitely aren’t as valuable as Captain’s red packet [smile]. ]

Ji Zhiyao was a little curious about exactly how big a red packet had Mo Huaifeng sent. Hence he followed and snatched one too. His Wi-Fi was a little lag, before the amount appeared, he first saw a line of words that appeared in the group chat.]

[DB.MHF: @MelonRind Now that you’ve received a red packet, obediently call me daddy.]

[MelonRind: …]

Damn it, why was his hand so cheap!

The few of them chatted for a while, Yuan Wei sent in the group: [Brothers, today is New Year’s Eve, isn’t it time for all your zombie-like Weibo accounts to get moving? Even if you don’t post selfies you should at least let your fans know that you’re good. Don’t make it look like you were kidnapped and sold cheaply by the team. The club is still counting on our large amount of fans to help us get more sponsors for the national qualifiers.]

[Heng: If we need money look for Captain! Why leave a tyrant alone when you can exploit him?]

[ManagerYuanWei: Exploiting Captain is equivalent to exploiting your salary, this brother who’s on paid leave for winter vacation, have you thought it through?]

[Heng: … Take it that I haven’t said anything.]

[Heng: In the face of money, I am very cowardly.]

After the reminder from Yuan Wei, Ji Zhiyao then remembered Weibo that he had forgotten at the back of his head. He immediately logged in, finding some photos that Ji Qingge had taken for him from his gallery and also the Mix team photo and logo and posted a new status on Weibo.

CHAPTER 116

[IndefiniteFutureV: Here’s wishing everyone a Happy New Year. In the coming year, may everyone and Mix battleteam be ever flourishing and prosperous! I will continue to work even harder in the future and not disappoint everyone.]

When his status was updated, it was already two minutes later.

Ji Zhiyao scrolled Weibo for a while, before preparing to return to the WeChat group chat to see what everyone was chatting about. He did not think that he had only left for a few minutes and the group chat had already exploded.

[ManagerYuanWei: @DB.MHF Captain you get out here!]

[DB.MHF: ? ]

[ManagerYuanWei: What the f*ck! I told you to go post a Weibo status, not repost a status! You actually directly reposted NoHomo’s status? Are you finding the hate NoHomo has been getting too little? If you’re so close shall I wire your salary together onto NoHomo’s card! Huh?]

[DB.MHF: Sure, I have no objections.]

[DB.MHF: What has it got to do with him, I was the one who reposted it.]

[KisExtremelyHandsome: I posted too. Captain, why didn’t you repost my status?]

[DB.MHF: You didn’t bless our team, it was too conventional.]

[LittlePrinceDominatingTheNorth-East: ? ? ? I did!]

[DB.MHF: You’re ugly.]

[ManagerYuanWei: I submit!]

[ManagerYuanWei: You continue being so gay with NoHomo, I reckon a few days later there’s going to be gay fanart about the both of you appearing on the internet.]

[DB.MHF: Remember to ask for copyright royalties.]

Watching Captain’s formidable stance of “if one comes, he shoots one down, if two comes, he shoots a pair down”, Ji Zhiyao was almost dying of laughter.

He actually didn’t have many opinions regarding what Yuan Wei had said, although Mo Huaifeng directly reposting his status did make him a little surprised, but thinking of his Captain’s cold face that wasn’t the least bit zealous about such things… He then thought, reposting is also an update, there’s nothing that couldn’t be accepted.

That’s right, he was this lenient.

Hence Ji Zhiyao selectively ignored all the so-called couple fans who were jumping around telling him and Mo Huaifeng to get together quickly, at the same time he also ignored the haters who were criticizing him for wanting attention and very peacefully played with his phone.

When the television channel punctually reported the time as 12 midnight, Ji Zhiyao turned slightly and as expected saw Ji Qingge cheerfully walking over with outstretched hands. “Brother, Happy New Year! May prosperity be with you, my red packet please.”

This address of “Brother” was especially sweet, Ji Zhiyao could not hold back his laugh. He brought out two brand new red packets from behind his back, passing them to Ji Qingge. “Happy New Year. This is lucky money, one from mum and dad, one from me.”

Thus Ji Qingge’s smile became even brighter. She took the red packets and opened them right away. When she was done with the thicker one and then emptied out a bank card from the thinner one, Ji Zhiyao touched her hair, nagging with a rare gentle tone. “To prevent you from being only focused on spending money and not studying properly, there is only ten thousand in it now. After you graduate I will wire some allowance for you each month, just buy whatever you’ve taken a fancy to. Make sure you’re not unwilling to spend money, then get stolen by some little rascal. No early relationship before your national exams, if you want to date after your exams, you don’t have to consider boys who give you less money than me to spend. If they can’t even bear to give you money to spend, how’s that liking you! Do you hear me?”

Ji Qingge’s eyes were originally red-rimmed, but after listening to him, she snorted out loud. Her brother had really made it sound so simple. Other than her parents and him, or those foolish tyrants who wished to throw money on the streets, who else would be so doting on her?

After Ji Zhiyao had instructed Ji Qingge, he even very seriously recalled if there was any part that he had forgotten. When he was sure that he had advised her on all aspects that he was worried about, he flicked her forehead and told her to go aside to play.

…

With the passing of New Year’s Eve, the new year celebrations went pass very quickly.

Ji Zhiyao stayed at home for several more days, then sent Ji Qingge who had to attend extra lessons in advance back to school, before he returned to the base with his luggage.

Except for him, everyone else had returned.

Ji Zhiyao put down his belongings and walked into the training room. Nuo’s first words upon seeing him was, “I thought our little sister was coming to the base? Where’s she?”

Ji Zhiyao glared at Nuo, making Nuo very baffled before he said, “She went to school for extra lessons. When she has a break next weekend, then I’ll fetch her here.”

He dropped into his seat, saying to Mo Huaifeng who was currently in a match beside him, “Captain, Happy New Year.”

“You’re late, I’m deducting your salary.”

“Captain, I feel that in the new year you’ve become slightly more handsome.”

“Slightly?”

“A lot. But because in my mind you’re already very handsome, so it isn’t obvious.”

“Mm.”

“When my match ends, come play together.”

“Sure, sure. No problem.”

Ji Zhiyao secretly peeked at Mo Huaifeng, feeling that Captain seemingly wouldn’t bring up the matter of deducting his salary before he turned back to ask Xiao, “Brother Xiao, how’s your checkup for this month?”

Xiao replied, “Not too bad. The doctor said, if nothing crops up, after another one or two months of recuperating I would be able to touch a mouse.”

Ji Zhiyao clapped like a seal. “Brother Xiao I beg you to hurry back and save me, I’m about to die from Heng’s mid-laner and jungler team up.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA you actually dared to do a mid-laner jungler team up with him you idiot!!!”

Ji Zhiyao was speechless for a moment.

Ji Zhiyao silently turned back with a depressed expression. Watching Mo Huaifeng who was still in a match, he suddenly thought of the waiter and retold the incident again like he was telling a joke. Then he said, “Captain, does that person have some kind of misunderstanding about our relationship?”

Mo Huaifeng immediately used a look that was difficult to describe to look at him. It was especially like a landlord looking at his own silly son. After a while, he said, “Why don’t I give you a few autographs, you can bring them with you when you go out?”

“What the f*ck, it’s not an amulet! Why would I carry them with me? To ward off evil?”

“How would you know it won’t work if you don’t try? What if it does?”

“It won’t unless your handwriting is especially ugly!”

“…”

Ji Zhiyao having regained victory of a set, instantly felt very pleased. He used tissue paper to clean the computer that had not been used for two whole weeks, then turned it on and logged onto the Heroes client.

Satisfaction arose spontaneously in an instant.

During the few days that he was on vacation he did practice at home daily, but the touch of his computer at home and the one at the base was different. The speed of the internet also differed greatly, the gaming experience wasn’t as pleasant as that at the base.

Now that he was touching the base’s computer, Ji Zhiyao was almost bubbling with happiness.

He first played a match against computer bots, to practice his touch. When Mo Huaifeng’s match ended, Ji Zhiyao quit the single room and promptly boarded his Captain’s rank up team.

After a match of 45 minutes, Mo Huaifeng looked a little surprised at Ji Zhiyao.

Mo Huaifeng thought for a moment and called for the stats analyzer and Xiao. “I’ll start another match, you guys come over and watch NoHomo properly.”

Ji Zhiyao was utterly confused, then under such a state, was dragged by Mo Huaifeng into the match once more.

CHAPTER 117

It was another 40 minute match.

After the match ended, Mo Huaifeng asked, “What do you guys think?”

The stats analyzer spoke up. “It’s so obvious. Not bad, it’s really not bad. According to this current state, with training for another period of time, he won’t be far off Xiao’s peak condition.”

Xiao exclaimed, “What the f*ck, what’s up with NoHomo? Did you secretly eat spinach when you were home?”

The three of them stared at each other in speechless dismay, and after that, uniformly turned to look at Ji Zhiyao. Ji Zhiyao was shivering from being frightened by them. “No, what is wrong? Can you guys speak properly?”

The stats analyzer looked completely serious. “You’ve made a huge improvement, do you not feel it yourself?”

“Really?”

Seeing the speechless expression appearing on the faces of the three people surrounding him at the same time, Ji Zhiyao restrained his expression as he said, “I can feel that I am slightly different when I’m gaming, calculated moments are more precise, my playing is also smoother than before, but I don’t have such a huge reaction like you guys.”

Xiao said, “Here’s an example, if we say that your previous standard was being locked in a room, now it’s like the door of the room has been opened, the space that you can come into contact with has become larger. An improvement that’s similar to this level, NoHomo, you’ve crossed a barrier, can you understand that?”

Ji Zhiyao nodded.

The stats analyzer added on. “This is a good thing. Tell you what, NoHomo, why don’t you and Captain play a few more matches, let me and Xiao spectate properly, then consider the current consolidated strength of our team.”

Not waiting for Ji Zhiyao’s reply, Mo Huaifeng nodded from beside him. “Okay.”

Then he invited Ji Zhiyao into the team once more.

Both of them played five to six matches, a good consecutive three to four hours. Ji Zhiyao’s wrists were starting to hurt, but the stats analyzer then let them stop. He held his small notebook, looking extremely excited. “This is the feeling, seems like it’s not wrong.”

Xiao “tsk-ed” twice, sounding slightly envious. “I’ve only heard of people becoming dense after the new year celebrations, I’ve yet to hear of anyone celebrating the new year by his standard advancing by leaps and bounds.”

The stats analyzer glanced at him, his gaze similarly filled with envy. “… I’ve never heard of it too, yet I’ve seen it for myself today.”

“Are you guys praising me? ”

Xiao was speechless. “Damn idiot. Old Ning, let’s go go go.”

Xiao and the stats analyzer hugged their little notebooks and went to a side, muttering between themselves, the remaining teammates had heard their conversation earlier and animatedly leaned over.

Nuo said, “How long has it been since we played as five, let’s go for one match? Let’s get some idea of how extraordinary NoHomo has become.”

Heng: “Come come, let’s have a match with the few of us. We’ll let Xiaofei try in the next one.”

Mo Huaifeng: “Sure, let’s go.”

They did not give Ji Zhiyao a chance to refuse and directly dragged him onto the five-man “hearse”.

Another hour passed.

K: “Eh!”

Heng: “Miraculous!”

Nuo: “It’s the same nine years of compulsory education, why are you so good?”

Mo Huaifeng: “Switch to Xiaofei, another one.”

Ji Zhiyao was speechless for a moment.

Thus, it was another hour.

K: “Not bad not bad, the title of the top Chinese eSports team is ours!”

Xiaofei: “Brother, exactly what elixir have you eaten? Give me two as well, I’m still so lousy as of now!”

Nuo: “If someone were to ask me how it feels to be in Mix battleteam, only two words can express it, ‘Carried’, ‘comfortable’!”

Mo Huaifeng: “Finally, you do not need me to carry anymore.”

Ji Zhiyao was speechless for a moment. “…”

When he realized that these five people were still eager to drag him into another match, Ji Zhiyao begged directly. “Brothers, can you guys consider that I’ve just returned, don’t be so brutal towards me please!”

Mo Huaifeng: “Your physical fitness is too weak, little rookie.”

Ji Zhiyao aggrievedly feigned ignorance, finding a video from the previous national qualifiers to watch.

He thought to himself, I’m not here, not listening, don’t know anything!

…

After a few days, when the stats analyzer and Xiao realized that Ji Zhiyao’s standards had basically stabilized, they approached the coach and drafted a newer training plan for Ji Zhiyao through the night.

Ji Zhiyao was different from the other members of Mix, in comparison, his training duration was still little, his playing style and understanding of himself had yet to form. He had reached a new level in terms of technique under such condition, so he needed more enhanced training.

At the same time, the coach also sent a little gaming software to train hand speed and vision, telling him that when he was tired from training everyday, he could play this more, it would be very beneficial for his reaction.

Ji Zhiyao heeded their advice.

He was working even harder, so hard that during this period of time as long as they saw the physiotherapist appearing at the base, everyone would naturally assume that he was here for Ji Zhiyao.

They all knew that such a method was a short-run overdraft and might cause some bad effects on the wrist. Yet no one urged him, instead they silently supported him.

They all understood this feeling. If some day, a professional player’s skill level could reach the stage where it could contribute to the battleteam and not be a burden, he would put in the greatest effort, wanting to maximize this contribution.

This way would he not let down this eSports career that he loved, and his battleteam.

…

Saturday morning, S University’s affiliated high school.

Ji Qingge hugged a huge pile of papers and was laughing and talking while walking with her desk mate to the front gates of the school. Her peripherals suddenly caught a familiar person leaning beside the sign at the gates, lazily watching her.

Ji Qingge slapped her forehead.

Ji Zhiyao said that he would take her to Mix base to play today, and she had almost forgotten about it.

Ji Zhiyao who abruptly appeared at the school attracted the looks of too many girls, Ji Qingge even sensed that the gaze of her desk mate was consciously or not darting towards that side.

Ji Qingge quickly apologized to her desk mate and under the gazes of everyone, dashed towards Ji Zhiyao.

Ji Zhiyao took the big bag on her back, weighting it in his hands, then revealed a surprised look. “Heh, it’s pretty heavy. What did you put inside?”

Ji Qingge stuffed the papers into his arms as well, exhaling deeply. “Guide book, textbook, and the set of 5-3 papers that you gifted me.”

Ji Zhiyao coughed.

This set of 5 years series of Year 3 mock papers was from Ji Qingge’s birthday last year when he didn’t know what to buy and stuffed this directly to her. Seems like she was still bearing the grudge in her heart…

His conscience suddenly hurt.

Ji Zhiyao opened the back door of the taxi for Ji Qingge, then sat into the passenger seat himself, saying to the driver, “The same way back, thank you.”

Ji Qingge sat in the back seat, asking out of sudden curiosity, “Brother, didn’t you say that you all internet-addicted youths don’t wake up till the afternoon? Me going directly to your base like this doesn’t seem very appropriate.”

“It’s fine, I want to let you see how their solemn and serious manners are all pretended. Society is filled with evil, make sure you don’t get fooled later on.”

CHAPTER 118

“… You’re really a clever little child.”

Ji Zhiyao swung his leg back and forth, finding no fault with his own logic.

S University’s Affiliated High School was quite a distance from Mix base. There was traffic in the area of the school, and the driver drove for almost three hours before they arrived.

Ji Zhiyao carried Ji Qingge’s belongings and alighted.

The base was very quiet, so quiet that it was as if no one had lived in it before.

Ji Zhiyao knew that such a situation was mostly because all his teammates were still asleep. He left Ji Qingge’s bag on the sofa, saying, “You sit here for a while, I’ll go find get you something to drink.”

Ji Qingge nodded. “Okay.”

Ji Qingge obediently sat on the sofa, her gaze curious as she examined the decor of the base all around. When she had done a whole circle, she happened to meet eyes with K who was walking down the stairs looking confused with his bird’s nest hair.

The moment K saw Ji Qingge, his eyes that were narrowed into slits widened.

Both of them shared eye contact for two seconds, K shrieked and went up the stairs, stumbling and crawling.

Ji Qingge was speechless.

Ji Zhiyao returned holding a glass of juice, passing it to Ji Qingge, he asked, slightly curious. “What sound was that just now?”

Ji Qingge kept a straight face, replying, “It seemed like your teammate came downstairs, forgot something and went up again.

Ji Zhiyao made a sound of understanding, unsuspecting that the truth was another matter.

Last night he has told his teammates that he was going to bring his sister to the base for a visit, they all expressed that they warmly welcome her. Hence, he did not think that there had been some accident.

After a while, Ji Qingge took a sip of juice, saying emotionally, “Brother, your teammates… are all quite energetic huh.”

“Huh?”

Ji Zhiyao wanted to show Ji Qingge his room, but considering that they were six big boys upstairs and he’d never know if someone might suddenly walk out. It wasn’t too proper; thus he could only drop the idea.

There were no televisions at the base and there weren’t any other games other than Heroes on his computer. Therefore, Ji Zhiyao glanced slightly dazedly at Ji Qingge, asking, “What do you want to play?”

Ji Qingge had no reply. Did he want her to be direct that she wanted to see if the few other people were bullying her brother?

“It’s noon, I’ll order a takeaway for you first, what do you feel like having? … Oh yes, it just came to my mind, Captain’s Ludo set is over there, I’ll play a game of Ludo with you?”

“Captain? You’re referring to Fi-god? His Ludo set?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong? You don’t want to play?

Ji Qingge’s gaze instantly became difficult to express in a few words.

Hence the next time K came downstairs, the sight that met him was that of Ji Zhiyao with his butt stuck out playing Ludo with his sister, Ji Qingge. Only Ji Qingge’s expression was extremely subtle, looking at her own brother like she was looking at a stranger.

Ji Zhiyao turned his head, seeing K, he instantly became excited. “K, help me to go collect the takeaway please. Why are you dressed so neatly? You knew you were going to go out to help me collect my takeaway? And why are your ears red, are you feeling hot?”

K smiled gently. “NoHomo, are you the book of ten thousand questions? If you wish to get beaten up, feel free to continue with your questions.”

Ji Zhiyao felt very aggrieved, but seeing K’s gentlemanly manner with no sideways glances after greeting Ji Qingge, he became happy at once. “I’ll stop talking, please help me to collect my takeaway.”

“Got it. Will waiting two minutes starve you or what?”

“It won’t starve me, but it will starve my sister.”

K was helpless and left the house to collect the takeaway.

Ji Qingge watched on silently at the side, feeling that it was a total miracle that her brother had not been beaten to death.

When Ji Zhiyao was done serving his little sister lunch, all his little companions upstairs had all came down. However, except Mo Huaifeng, the rest of them seemed to have completely forgotten that Ji Qingge was coming to the base. Fortunately, it was winter now, everyone’s pajamas were all very thick, instead of those oversized pants and short singlets kind of clothes. Otherwise, Ji Zhiyao, this invisible sis-con did not know what irrational things he might have done.

Mo Huaifeng on the other hand, had changed into daily wear, sweater and long pants. He’d even tidied his hair simply, looking extremely handsome.

Nuo tugged Mo Huaifeng’s hair, making the “tsk” sound twice. “Captain, it can’t be that you tidied yourself up so nicely because Xiaoqing sister was coming right, simply too conniving, scheming b*tch.”

Ji Zhiyao on hearing that, his gaze like a pair of sharp blades turned right on Mo Huaifeng. Yet Mo Huaifeng only calmly replied “don’t spout nonsense”, then very naturally handed the glass with a straw in it that he was holding to Ji Zhiyao.

Ji Zhiyao took the glass with a habitual manner, smacking his mouth as he took two sips.

Ji Qingge looked carefully at the glass, it was as if she could vaguely catch the smell of soda mixed with refreshing lemon, her heart couldn’t help but sink—

Her brother liked to pour his 7Up into a glass to drink, with a straw, and ice must be added, no matter the season. But because it was too troublesome, the overly lazy him only drank it like this a few times in the entire year.

Whereas looking at everyone in Mix, they either didn’t see, or those who saw did not say anything, obviously already used to Mo Huaifeng preparing drinks for her brother.

Ji Qingge suddenly had an ill feeling.

Having stayed at Mix base for a good half of the afternoon, Ji Qingge brought up leaving.

Ji Zhiyao was very worried about as he asked, “How are you going back?”

“I saw that there are public buses outside the base, I’ll just take the bus back.”

Ji Zhiyao thought of the time, the bus would take about three hours to reach his house, by then, the sky would’ve been dark, Ji Qingge was a girl, it wasn’t safe at all.

Hence he said, “Give me a moment, I’ll take you home.”

Mo Huaifeng who had heard the whole conversation suddenly spoke up. “I’ll take her.”

The remaining members could not help but froze and stared at him, Mo Huaifeng acted as if he had not seen them.

Ji Zhiyao examined his Captain from top to bottom and heard him speak leisurely, “With a to and fro for you, it’ll be night time when you return? Are you not going to train in the evening? Also it’s too cold outside, if I drive, it’ll be warm and fast.”

That sounded like it was very reasonable.

Ji Qingge suddenly spoke up, “Brother, if Fi-god doesn’t find it troublesome, then let Fi-god take me. I’ll call you when I get home.”

Ji Zhiyao was a little hesitant. “Captain…”

“Hm?”

“I only have this one sister, please don’t steal her.”

“…”

Mo Huaifeng thought calmly that the one he wanted to steal, was obviously Ji Zhiyao.

Mo Huaifeng picked up his car keys, stood up and like Ji Zhiyao, carried her bag for Ji Qingge, then said, “I’ll drive you, let’s go.”

“Thank you Fi-god.” Ji Qingge said her thanks and waved to Ji Zhiyao. “Brother, I’m going.”

Ji Zhiyao walked her all the way out of the villa, then watched as Mo Huaifeng’s sports car went further and further.

The moment he could not see the car anymore, Ji Zhiyao suddenly felt astutely…

The posture that he was leaning on the door with, was especially like a block of Amah rock [1. named after the faithful wife of a fisherman who climbed the hills everyday with her son to watch for the return of her husband, not knowing that he had drowned at sea.]

CHAPTER 119

He didn’t know who he was gazing at.

That was too strange.

The car had not driven too far, when Ji Qingge suddenly opened her mouth and called, “Fi-god.”

Mo Huaifeng glanced at her through the rear-view mirror and didn’t find anything amiss.

Ji Qingge’s reply was as if she wouldn’t give up if she didn’t shock someone. “You like my brother?”

“…”

If this matter was discovered by Ji Zhiyao himself, Ji Zhiyao definitely wouldn’t be this straightforward in questioning. Yet Ji Qingge wasn’t familiar with Mo Huaifeng, and who knows there might not be any chance for them to meet again. She would ask directly, and even if it was a wrong guess, Mo Huaifeng wouldn’t feel too awkward.

She desperately wanted an answer right now.

Mo Huaifeng seemed to have been taken by surprise, after a while, he said, “Mm.”

Admitting it?

Ji Qingge suddenly felt like she should become a sorceress, whatever guess she made was accurate.

Although she already had a sense of foreboding, but having the party involved admit it so directly made it a little difficult for her to accept it. After relaxing for a while, she then spurted out, “Do you feel tired liking a unicellular organism?”

“… Still alright.”

Ji Qingge patted her chest, muttering to herself, “No, I need to calm down for a bit.”

Another few minutes passed, not sure what she had thought of, Ji Qingge suddenly smiled, her tone was filled with pride. “Though you’re curved, I must admit, your taste is not too bad.”

“Thank you.”

Ji Qingge looked at the rearview mirror and realized that though Mo Huaifeng had been exposed as gay by her, his expression remained unchanged. No matter what, this calmness made her rather impressed. Hence she thought for a minute and suddenly asked curiously, “Does my brother know? Have you confessed to him?”

Mo Huaifeng shook his head.

“Then you’re not very efficient. My brother hangs around you everyday, don’t you feel bad just watching him?” She added, “Be careful that he then gets stolen by someone else someday.”

Mo Huaifeng shook his head, not answering her question, only asking, “You don’t object?”

Normally speaking, people coming out of the closet would be most afraid of their family’s disapproval. But as it seems right now, not only was Ji Qingge not objecting, she was even in high spirits.

“What’s there for me to object to? As long as my brother is happy, why does it matter if it’s a guy or girl?”

Because of this sentence, Mo Huaifeng glanced deeply at her, with all seriousness.

Then he heard Ji Qingge babble that was stemming from slightly groundless worries. “Actually what you should be more worried about are my parents… but they’re doctors, they should be more open-minded than other people, then again maybe not… they might break my brother’s legs, together with his third one…”

“You know quite a lot.”

“Thanks, I just know my general knowledge.”

Ji Qingge then sighed, sounding like a little old grandma. “I’ve long expected that Ji Zhiyao would go down this path! Which boy at his age wouldn’t have any interest in girls? One look would tell that he was a damn gay!”

Towards the end, her emotions suddenly became agitated, shocking Mo Huaifeng so that he almost slammed on the brakes.

“But you liking him, there would be enough suffering for you.”

Yet Mo Huaifeng became interested. He had been troubled over being unable to find a chance to make his move on Ji Zhiyao. It wasn’t easy to meet an inside man, of course he had to get his answers. “Why do you say that?”

“He’s slow, but especially clear-cut when he rejects other people. If not, why would I say he is unicellular?”

Without waiting for Mo Huaifeng to ask more questions, Ji Qingge continued on. “Actually my brother is quite good-looking. Ever since he started going to school, the number of little girls who chased after him was uncountable. But no matter how they looked, as long as they confessed, most of them would be rejected by my brother right away. I still remember an especially interesting incident, at that time my brother had just started middle school, his teacher gave him a female desk mate. During Christmas, the girl gifted my brother a box of heart-shaped chocolates, that brand was one that my brother quite liked, he thanked her and ate the chocolates, until the end, did he realized that there was a confession note at the bottom of the box. My brother’s face almost turned blue, he didn’t finish his lessons, directly asked for leave, returned home to take money and went off to buy chocolates. After buying he hurried back to school and returned the chocolates and note to his desk mate.

Imagining little Ji Zhiyao being so anxious, the corner of Mo Huaifeng’s lips could not help but lift.

Simply too cute.

Ji Qingge took a few glances at him, asking, “Fi-god, you liking my brother, what kind of liking is it?”

Mo Huaifeng thought very seriously, even his expression became much gentler. After a while, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “Finding that no matter when, he is always very cute.”

Ji Qingge also turned slightly blue. “What kind of description was that?”

Shouldn’t he say something like “he’s my little darling”, “he’s the only one l will love in this life” or promises like “I want to spend my whole life with him”?

Mo Huaifeng smiled and did not speak.

Finding no matter when, he is always very cute, wanting to give him the whole, yet also could not help but want to see him stomping angrily; wanting to hide him away, wanting to let him call out his name with red eyes…

If he had said all these, he was afraid Ji Qingge would think that he was a pervert.

Mo Huaifeng spun the steering wheel and stopped the car, calling out, “We’re here.”

Ji Qingge looked out through the window, Ling Shan Apartment stood outside the window.

She touched her own school bag, right after, as if being determined about something, pulled out a phone and found her WeChat QR code, saying with a smile, “Fi-god, let’s exchange contact details.”

Ji Zhiyao finished a match, his phone that was on the table suddenly sounded with a notification for text message. He quickly dropped his mouse and checked his phone.

[Qingge: Brother, I’m home. Train hard, I’ll come visit you again next time.]

Ji Zhiyao was then put at ease, replying a [mm].

Heng who was the closest to him had the clearest view, he snorted, “NoHomo, don’t be so uneasy about Captain. Though Captain bullies you all the time, he wouldn’t kidnap your sister.”

Ji Zhiyao was embarrassed as he touched his hair, explaining, “I know, but I just can’t be too at ease, Ji Qingge is too mischievous.”

Xiao made a “hmm” sound from the back, his fingers touching his jaw, looking like he was thinking. “Actually I think it’s pretty weird, why did Captain wake up so early today and even put in effort to dress up. Now that we think about it, does Captain have some ideas about Xiaoqing sister?”

Nuo agreed. “Now that you’ve said it, it is very suspicious. NoHomo, what do you think?”

Ji Zhiyao was startled. “I think it shouldn’t be…”

Nuo added on, “But our Captain is indeed a good single male, he’s handsome, rich, good personality, doesn’t mess with fans, and has a bright future. He’s not bad.”

Xiao teased. “Comrade NoHomo who has a big chance of becoming Captain’s future brother-in-law, would you like to consider it carefully?”

Ji Zhiyao was speechless.

CHAPTER 120

Although he knew that these few teammates were the type to mess around and tease from time to time, Ji Zhiyao still couldn’t control himself and allowed his mind to freely wonder about what he should do if Mo Huaifeng really had ideas about his sister.

Then he realized, this was rather difficult, he felt especially uncomfortable deep down, and did not want to continue mulling it over at all.

Could it be his sis-con mentality at mischief?

But Captain was an exceptionally eligible man, what was there for him to be worried about?

Ji Zhiyao played several matches alone with his soul out of his body, an unknown period of time later, he heard a voice coming from behind him. “If you have such results for the national qualifiers, I will definitely beat you till you can’t walk out the door.”

Ji Zhiyao turned back and as expected saw Mo Huaifeng with a blank and long face. Then he looked towards the computer screen like he had awakened from a dream, realizing that he had been losing the whole afternoon, his worst result was 1/9/2.

The worst result he had gotten ever since he became a professional player.

Even Ji Zhiyao himself frowned in disdain. “What is this?”

Mo Huaifeng lifted his hand and gave him a knock on the head with his knuckles. “You were the one to produce these results, who should I ask if you’re asking me?”

Mo Huaifeng sat down beside him, Ji Zhiyao could not hold back and leaned over, suppressing it for a long time before he managed to blurt out a one-liner question. “Captain, you’ve sent Ji Qingge home safely?”

Mo Huaifeng glanced at him weirdly after hearing that. “She’s home. Did your sister not inform you?”

“She did, she did.”

“Then what was the point of your question?”

“Probing on the edge of conscience.”

“What?”

Ji Zhiyao was tongue-tied, he also wanted to know what. Was he supposed to directly ask his Captain do you have designs on my sister?

Then he wouldn’t be standing on the edge of conscience but continuously probing on the edge of getting beaten up.

Ji Zhiyao shook his head.

Never mind, let him observe for a while more before acting.

Mo Huaifeng was seated beside him, through his peripherals, he saw Ji Zhiyao with a mournful countenance one moment, then shaking his head the next, a smile unbearably tugging at the corner of his lips.

Virtually a drama queen.

His phone suddenly indicated that he had received a message, Mo Huaifeng took two glances at it then spoke up, “The club’s side is asking about the style of our team uniform for the national qualifiers this year, what do you guys think?”

Yuan Wei happened to walk in, saying, “Captain, you saw the text too? I came here to talk to you guys about this matter. The national qualifiers officially begin in September, all of you can start to think about how you want the team uniform to be and when it’s made you can try it on and alter wherever is not suitable. Oh yes, there’s also the publicity stills, that will be taken in June, not urgent as of now. So how do you want your team uniform to be? Same as the current one?”

K: “Reject.”

Heng: “Reject.”

Xiao: “Reject.”

Nuo: “Reject.”

Xiaofei lifted his head and looked at the four people before him who had already expressed their opinion, then swiftly glanced at the expressionless Mo Huaifeng, at last deciding to follow his heart. “I’ll reject too.”

Mo Huaifeng spoke then, “Are you guys rebelling?”

Yuan Wei laughed, “The banner of revolt should have been raised long ago, well done.”

Ji Zhiyao was confused, he had joined Mix battleteam in autumn and did not have the summer team uniform, he also wondered about the kind of team uniform that Mo Huaifeng made last summer that made these people so resentful.

K was of no help. “It’s difficult to put it all in a few words.”

Nuo explained then. “Our Captain chose real silk for the material last year, —actually this material is not too bad, looks very classy and it’s cooling. However, summer came and we perspire more, when our uniform becomes wet, it’s a entire patch of wetness, on top of that, the sizes were slightly tight…”

Xiao continued. “But Captain was different from us bunch of ordinary coy b*tches, he doesn’t perspire much and he’s tall, so he stood out nicely, that disposition, was as b*tchy as it could be.”

Heng butted in. “So I always thought that this was the reason why I don’t have a fan club.”

Ji Zhiyao was speechless for a moment. “…”

“Brother, are you guys thinking a little too much? Even if Captain’s uniform was all wet, he would still be more sophisticated than you guys.”

K covered his ears. “Stop talking I’m not listening. Also, the fans’ filters are really scary.”

Ji Zhiyao was very speechless.

These few people seemed to be living in a dream.

Mo Huaifeng shrugged. “Since this is the case, you guys decide the team uniform for this year, I have no opinion at all.”

Hence the others very happily took on this task.

Hence, when Ji Zhiyao was having dinner, he could still hear those few people gathering together murmuring, continuously engaged in the discussion.

He glanced speechless at Mo Huaifeng who was eating quietly, baffled as to why his teammates were extremely enthusiastic about discussing their team uniform.

It was undoubtedly an awfully troublesome matter.

Yet Mo Huaifeng had misunderstood him. “You can go over and join in the discussion.”

Ji Zhiyao resolutely rejected him, his head shaking till it almost looked like a rattle drum. “Forget it, I’m too lazy. I’ll wear whatever they make.”

“You’re really easy-going.”

“Seeing how they look like they’re itching to go out and fight it out… It’s better to be more easy-going, at the very least it’s not tiring.”

“You make sense.”

Everyone in Mix battleteam with the exception of Mo Huaifeng and Ji Zhiyao debated over the summer season team uniform all the way till the afternoon of the third day, Nuo then, while yawning, conveyed their requests to Yuan Wei.

“White cotton t-shirt and red and white jacket, team logo at the front, embroidered minimized version of the red flag with five stars on the shoulder… That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

“For requirements that make up just this one sentence, you guys could discuss for two whole days?”

“Simplify things, this is the fundamental thinking of Taoism, do you know it or not?”

“Which taoist school is ‘simplify things’ from, the one you guys just established yesterday?”

“Ah! It’s about the same meaning, as long as you understand it.”

“I actually don’t quite understand. What red flag with five stars are you stitching for the national qualifiers, shouldn’t that be done only at the international league? Aren’t you afraid of people calling you arrogant if you do it now.”

“Anyhow, we will definitely make it. It’s fine, go ahead boldly.”

Thus Yuan Wei brought their requests and went to the club.

…

End of February, the bandages on Xiao’s wrist were completely removed.

The skin underneath the bandages become extremely fair due to not seeing light for more than two months. Even under light, no signs of stitches could be seen.

Xiao moved his own wrist, looking slightly excited.

Ji Zhiyao was full of smiles behind him. “Brother Xiao, don’t be anxious about looking at it. Try playing a match first.”

Xiao nodded, then threw several glances at his other teammates in the training room who looked like they were gaming, but were actually listening to the happenings at this side with their ears perked, and grinned widely. “Okay.”

Xiao gripped the mouse and opened the Heroes client.

He started a normal level game against bots.

Ji Zhiyao could see very clearly behind him, Xiao’s professional standards were not in the least bit worn out, his awareness was also still present, but his hand speed was average. The movement of his left wrists was evidently slower, and quite a few times he could not keep up with his abilities and allowed his opponent to get away.

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