Chapter 28 – Poor Choice in Friends
by Salted FishAfter the guild was established, everyone’s online time became relatively stable. Fang Zheng and Meng Chudong, being freelancers, were basically online all day—though their “all day” meant from afternoon until the early hours of the morning. Sister Blood Bull and 438 were both students. The former had finished her graduate thesis and was now in a combined master’s-doctoral program, so this period was essentially a vacation for her. The latter was a junior in college and still had classes during the day, but judging by his online frequency, he’d clearly skipped quite a few. Your Uncle and Jiang Yang had the most unstable schedules. The former had just started working less than a year ago, and his company only gave one day off per week, with occasional overtime. The latter worked in mining during the day and had social engagements at night, squeezing in gaming whenever he could—though recently, he’d been trending toward becoming more of a shut-in, leading his buddies to speculate whether he had some beauty stashed away in a golden house.
But for players, the significance of a comrade’s in-game avatar far outweighed their real-life self. A jobless drifter who hadn’t even finished middle school might be an operation god worshipped by players, while an elite with wealth and influence might be a noob scorned by the same players. Why did so many people love gaming? Because it could completely sever ties with the real world, where only IDs mattered, not the people behind them. So for the members of the Ghost Server Legion, they only knew the bare minimum about each other—oh, this one’s still in school, that one’s working, these two are freelancers so they can be online all the time. Could they dig deeper? Of course. But there was no need. Rather than memorizing a comrade’s height, zodiac sign, job, or blood type, it was far more useful to remember the enhancement levels of their gear—at least then, during dungeons or guild wars, they could accurately gauge their own strength.
The passion of gaming belonged in the game.
A week after the registration deadline, the matchups were announced.
Twenty-four teams, split between the Netcom and Telecom divisions. Comparatively, Fang Zheng’s division was more competitive, with a total of fourteen teams. Aside from the five teams from Huaxia Summit and the Ghost Server Legion, there were eight other teams from different servers. The tournament followed a knockout format—two teams would face off, the winner advancing, until the division champion was crowned, who would then compete against the other division’s champion for the overall title.
At 9 p.m., the entire Ghost Server Legion was present, all gathered on YY while browsing the match schedule thread on the forums.
“So we’ll have to fight five matches,” 2B Fighter Jet said, always the excitable one. “Tsk, that’s exciting.”
Was this guy calculating based on the path to becoming the overall champion? =_=
“Return of the King server, The Gods?” Sister Blood Bull muttered to herself while reading the name of their first opponent. “I wonder what they’re like.”
(T/N: Note for future reference: The Gods is the name of a guild who clashes with Milk Mom’s guild from time to time. There’s also another guild on the Flame of the Gods server called Outer Flame whose members use names that follow an “X of the Gods” pattern. Because of that, other players sometimes refer to them as “The Gods” too, which confused me for a while.)
Polly: “No idea about their PVP skills, but their confidence is certainly high.”
2B grew curious: “How so?”
Polly: “Check the 178th floor1Floor=post in a forum.”
By then, the match schedule thread had already become a hot topic. Players, whether participating or not, had come to join the fun—some cheering, some provoking, some shouting encouragement, and of course, PVP contestants like them who’d come to spectate.
Fang Zheng had to scroll through many pages to reach the 178th floor and thought to himself, Birdy sure had patience.
#178
Reply by: Red Lotus Cult Leader
Content: Doesn’t matter if it’s a god-tier server or a ghost server, a big guild or a small one—even gods will turn to dust when they face The Gods!!
438: “Is this a contestant?”
Fang Zheng: “Could be their Legion Commander.”
Your Uncle: “The name sounds like a drag queen.”
Sister Blood Bull: “Is it appropriate for you to say that with your current ID?”
It was just forum chatter, nothing too deep to analyze, so Fang Zheng naturally scrolled down—only to be immediately provoked by what he saw next.
#181
Reply by: Princess Duoduo
Content: Is Mirage Server still around? I thought the publisher would’ve shut it down by now, it’s practically a ghost town.
#182
Reply by: Love Fiercely
Content: What the hell is Ghost Server Legion? Here to make up the numbers?
#183
Reply by: Surging Seas
Content: Just filler. Wait till match day—our Cult Leader will 1v7 them.
Whether they were here to make up the numbers or not, Fang Zheng wasn’t sure, but these guys were definitely here to pull aggro.
Gritting his teeth, Fang Zheng started typing a reply—each keystroke practically smashing the keyboard.
#324
Reply by: Milk is Mom
Content: Holy shit, don’t talk so big, or I’ll make you cry so hard you won’t even have tears left!!
After posting, Fang Zheng realized—oops, he’d forgotten to identify himself. =_=
He quickly tried to scroll to the bottom to add another reply, but his eyes caught the second-to-last post right above his.
#323
Reply by: Polly
Content: Pig Gods?
Fang Zheng’s burning desire to retaliate dissolved into a stream of soap bubbles, drifting away in the wind, further and further…
Damn, the gap in wit was like comparing Your Uncle’s skills to Grandpa Wang’s—or Grandpa Wang’s bad luck to Your Uncle’s!
Before Fang Zheng could recover from Polly’s god-tier reply, his gaze wandered further up—to the posts above Polly’s.
#321
Reply by: 2B Fighter Jet
Content: Ghost Server Legion! Charge forward! Worth supporting! Worth fans!
#320
Reply by: 2B Fighter Jet
Content: Ghost Server Legion! Brave and resourceful! Worth supporting! Worth fans!
#319
Reply by: 2B Fighter Jet
Content: Ghost Server Legion! Paradise of beauties! Worth supporting! Support fans!
By the end, Fang Zheng didn’t even want to complain anymore—even if that “Paradise of beauties” sounded like an ad for a shady establishment.
After about an hour in the forums, the Ghost Server crew returned to business. Recently, Polly had been coaching Your Uncle and 438, while Sister Blood Bull was constantly dragged into PVP by 2B. With no opponent, Mad went to Huaxia Summit to find free sparring partners. As a healer, Fang Zheng didn’t participate in solo PVP—after all, two healers grinding against each other could last until the end of the world without a clear winner, while a healer versus any other class in pure PVP (not ambushes) usually ended predictably due to the vast disparity in DPS.
Since the PVP tournament offered multiple map choices, Polly’s training took place in open-world maps, usually with him fighting two opponents—438 and Your Uncle teaming up against him.
With nothing else to do, Fang Zheng went to spectate.
The picturesque Mount Huang.
438’s Bell Maiden pet, now named 502, gracefully floated around, slapping Polly with her sleeves. The Demon Refiner had naming rights for his pets, so the once-named Bell Maiden was now simply a number.
438 liked naming his pets numerically—for example, his Fire Sprite was 1192Fire department, and his Ghostly Claws was 1103Police. When asked about the meaning behind 5024502 superglue, his answer was: Don’t you think she sticks to her target like glue?
“438, you can’t just summon your pet and then go AFK,” Polly lectured. “You need to observe your opponent’s attack patterns and choose the right pet for the situation. And you have to monitor your pet’s status—don’t wait until it’s almost dead before swapping. Since the system lets you bring three pets into battle, you need to know how to mix and match them. For example, if the opponent is charging a big move, swap to a tankier pet. If they’re trying to outspeed you, swap accordingly—wait, are you gathering materials mid-battle?!”
Fang Zheng, who had been zoning out, looked up just in time to see 438 crouched in a corner, ass in the air, plucking herbs.
Only an expert like Polly could remain so calm in this situation. ╮(╯_╰)╭
“My pet is still fighting…” The Demon Refiner tried to justify himself.
Polly delivered a fatal blow: “If it catches a glimpse of you picking herbs in all your glory, it’ll slack off too.”
Your Uncle, ever diligent, saw Polly pause to lecture 438 and seized the moment to land a Blade of Blessings. Polly, already whittled down by 502’s attacks, collapsed.
The expert, now sitting on the ground to regen HP, gave objective praise: “Good, you’ve learned to seize opportunities.”
Translation: You’ve mastered playing dirty. =_=
Admiring Polly’s diplomatic phrasing, Fang Zheng was about to light a cigarette to perk himself up when his front door was suddenly hammered—the noise jarring in the quiet night, relentless and seemingly endless.
Fang Zheng quickly took off his headset and went to answer. “Who is it—?”
These days, you never opened the door without asking first.
“Me—” The voice outside was slurred, but Fang Zheng vaguely recognized it as Xu Di’s.
The timing was odd—Xu Di showing up at this hour wasn’t normal.
Opening the door, the man practically collapsed into Fang Zheng’s arms, reeking of alcohol.
“Damn, did you take a bath in booze?” Fang Zheng helped him inside and onto the bed, then went to fetch a warm towel to wipe Xu Di’s face.
Thanks to Xu Di and Gou Xiaonian, Fang Zheng had plenty of experience dealing with drunks.
Because of this, whenever those two got wasted, they’d head straight to his place like it was second nature—much to Fang Zheng’s exasperation. But if he had to choose between the two, he’d still pick the drunken Xu Di. Sure, Xu Di could get rowdy, but he never went too far, and once he wore himself out, he’d sleep like a log. Gou Xiaonian, on the other hand, was unpredictable—sometimes he’d sing softly, sometimes he’d go berserk and break things, and other times he’d just sit there silently, staring at you with heavy eyes as if completely sober… only to remember nothing the next day.
After the warm towel treatment, Xu Di seemed slightly more lucid—and immediately started cursing.
“Fuck your mom, Gou Xiaonian! May your future son be born without an asshole! May your son grow up to be a gigolo just like you! @#￥%&￥#…”
Fang Zheng sighed. Again with this.
Xu Di had feelings for Gou Xiaonian. Whether the object of his affections knew was unclear, since Xu Di never showed the slightest hint in daily life. But as someone with similar feelings, Fang Zheng could sense it all too clearly. Sometimes, he wondered—what would he do if Xu Di and Gou Xiaonian actually got together? After much thought, he realized he probably wouldn’t do anything. He’d just keep eating, sleeping, and gaming as usual. Someone like Gou Xiaonian was destined to be with someone like Xu Di. These two were his friends, but they didn’t necessarily belong in his world.
Xu Di was still cursing, each word filthier than the last. Fang Zheng felt like his ears’ HP was about to hit zero, so he quickly cut in: “What happened between you two this time…?”
Xu Di paused, dazedly tilting his head to look at Fang Zheng. After a long moment, he suddenly slapped his thigh. “Oh, it’s you, Kite—!”
So he hadn’t even recognized him earlier? =_=
The drunkard rambled on: “Why’d I come here again? Your place has no AC, no heating, it’s cold, hot, and damp all at once…”
“Do you want me to kick you out right now?”
“Heh, you wouldn’t dare.”
“……”
Xu Di grinned, smug as a peacock, then suddenly leaned in until his face was almost touching Fang Zheng’s. “You like that guy, don’t you?”
Fang Zheng froze, his grip on Xu Di loosening unconsciously. The next second, Xu Di, now unsupported, slumped into his arms but still managed to lift his head and grin at him.
“Let me tell you, Gou Xiaonian isn’t capable of liking anyone. He only loves himself. So, Kite… you should give up now…”
Fang Zheng had never imagined his unrequited feelings would ever come to light—but right now, he was more concerned about Xu Di knowing.
If Xu Di had noticed, did that mean Gou Xiaonian had too?
Fuck, I thought I was hiding it pretty well.
By the time the second round of knocking came, Xu Di had already quieted down, lying there half-asleep, occasionally humming a tune.
Lost in his thoughts, Fang Zheng took a while to notice the noise.
“Who is it—?”
“Me—”
Seriously, did no one respect boundaries anymore?
Checking the time, barely ten minutes had passed since Xu Di arrived.
Fang Zheng took a deep breath, steadied himself, and went to open the door.
Gou Xiaonian seemed slightly tipsy but mostly sober, so he still had the presence of mind to joke when he saw Fang Zheng: “I thought you’d be scowling when you opened the door.”
Fang Zheng jerked a thumb behind him. “If you act like that, I won’t even let you in.”
Gou Xiaonian strode in without hesitation. “He cursed me out again, didn’t he?”
“You’re the one who keeps bullying him,” Fang Zheng said, forcing a smile at Gou Xiaonian’s back. “Did you two go drinking together?”
Gou Xiaonian’s attention was entirely on Xu Di. “Yeah,” he answered absently.
With that, he hauled Xu Di upright. The latter squinted for a long moment before recognizing him—and promptly launched into another round of colorful insults.
“You’re taking him with you?” Fang Zheng guessed.
Gou Xiaonian had already slung Xu Di over his shoulder. Despite the verbal abuse, Xu Di didn’t resist physically.
“Might as well see it through. I was the one who invited him out—if I don’t take him home, he’ll never let me hear the end of it.”
It was always Gou Xiaonian dragging Xu Di around, they never invited him. Fang Zheng’s heart clenched involuntarily, his voice tight: “Are you two… together now?”
“No way!” Gou Xiaonian looked at him like he’d just heard the most ridiculous thing. “If I wanted someone, I’d rather pick you!”
Fang Zheng’s face darkened. “Thanks.”
That said, his traitorous heart still skipped a beat at Gou Xiaonian’s offhand remark.
Watching the man he liked carry another man away wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience—but since that other man was also his friend, there was nothing to fuss over.
It wasn’t until Gou Xiaonian’s footsteps had almost faded down the hallway that Fang Zheng reluctantly closed the door.
He felt like his apartment was turning into a public restroom—people came and went in a flash.
Lighting a cigarette and taking a few puffs, Fang Zheng felt slightly calmer. Even if he couldn’t help wondering why Gou Xiaonian had invited Xu Di out to drink, what was the point of figuring it out? Might as well focus on the game—at least that was something tangible.
Returning to his computer, Fang Zheng put on his headset and noticed the YY channel was eerily silent.
“Someone came over just now,” he explained casually.
Only after speaking did he realize—his YY wasn’t set to push-to-talk. He’d been on open mic the whole time…
“Uh… still there?” Fang Zheng asked cautiously, clinging to a sliver of hope.
His teammates’ replies were equally cautious—
“…Yeah.”
“…Yeah.”
“…Yeah.”
AUUUGH! Just let me die!!!!!!!
“You all just hallucinated! Hallucinated! It was a hallucination! Hallucination! LUCINATION—!”
Fang Zheng’s wail bordered on inhuman, but some remained unshaken.
Sister Blood Bull: “Healer, are you gay?”
Not just unshaken—straight to the point. TAT
Fang Zheng wept: “I told you, it was a hallucination…”
2B offered comforting words: “Don’t worry, healer, relax. Leaked nudes are meant to be leaked, privacy is meant to be exposed.”
438 quickly chimed in to show solidarity: “Yeah, we’ll just download, not spread it!”
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