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At 6:30 in the morning, Song Lang woke up with a stretch and a yawn. Rolling over, he planted a kiss on Qin Yuan’s cheek and blew warm air onto his face. ‘Third Brother, time to wake up!’
With a fish-like leap, he jumped out of bed, kicked off the blanket, pulled open the curtains, and pushed the window wide open. A rush of cold air poured in.
Qin Yuan sat up groggily. ‘…That stench is giving me a headache.’
‘Always so picky!’ Song Lang scoffed. ‘I brushed my teeth last night, washed my feet, even soaked in the hot spring—I just didn’t wash my hair, so I’m not as fragrant as Yao-ge. Don’t be so finicky. If you’re that delicate, go sleep with the fairies in the sky.’
Qin Yuan: ‘…Fine, it’s my fault. Please stop talking—I’m getting tinnitus.’
The men got up, folded their blankets, and tidied up. Meanwhile, Jiang Beibei was still curled up like a little burrito under her blanket, headless but sleeping soundly.
Tang Xizhou wandered over while brushing his teeth, took off his shoes, and nudged the lump of blankets with his foot. Chu Yao leaned over, lifted the edge of the blanket, and tilted his head to peek inside. He saw her burying her head in her arms, slowly curling into a ball to block the invading cold air.
Qin Yuan, propped up on one elbow, gazed over enviously. ‘Girls sure look cute when they sleep…’
Chu Yao paused for a moment, then whispered, ‘Last night, you could’ve come to experience it yourself.’
After rinsing his mouth, Tang Xizhou came over and pulled back Jiang Beibei’s blanket. Smiling, he said, ‘Cute? This girl’s a tyrant when she sleeps. For someone her size, she sleeps curled up like a cat, taking up no space at first—but somehow ends up hogging half the platform. Didn’t she land on Chu Yao last night?’
‘Pretty much,’ Chu Yao nodded.
Perhaps because she’d grown up monopolizing an entire king-sized bed for over twenty years, Jiang Beibei required at least three times the amount of space her fully stretched body would occupy—and wasn’t used to having anyone nearby.
At first, she had obediently held Chu Yao’s hand while falling asleep. But once deep in slumber, she transformed into a spinning combat top, swatting his hand away, rolling around, and claiming territory. When she hit the wall, she rolled back; when she felt someone nearby, she’d flail her hands and strike.
Last night, when Chu Yao was woken up by her punches, he felt momentarily wronged. This girl might have inherited Cao Cao’s knack for killing people in her dreams.
Chu Yao pulled Jiang Beibei up and shook her gently. She opened her eyes, saw his face, and smiled hazily, her lips spreading into an innocent grin—as if the person who had been rolling around and invading territory last night wasn’t her.
‘Yao-ge…’ Her voice was soft. ‘You’re all awake already…’
Tang Xizhou teased, ‘Did you sleep well last night?’
Jiang Beibei nodded. ‘Mm-hmm.’
Tang Xizhou mischievously added, ‘Still thinking about the slick-haired grandmother?’
Jiang Beibei froze, then burst out yelling, now fully awake. ‘Second Brother! I’m breaking up with you for three seconds!’
________________________________________
While brushing her teeth, Huang Yuanbao called in. ‘I’m bringing my dog to join you guys!’
‘What happened?’
‘I’m so mad! I got into a fight with my parents this morning over something trivial.’ Huang Yuanbao sighed. ‘Send me the address—I’m coming right now.’
‘I’ll send you the next activity location,’ Jiang Beibei replied. ‘We’re going to play real-life CS later. Interested?’
‘That sounds awesome!’ Huang Yuanbao’s excitement was palpable. ‘Send it over! I’m coming right away. Anyway, I already know all your brothers—no strangers, right?’
‘Nope, you’ll complete the reunion,’ Jiang Beibei winked at herself in the mirror, snickering. ‘I’ll have my brothers help you secure the win!’
Near the hot spring resort was a large professional real-life CS battlefield with complex terrain and high-quality equipment. Song Lang and Tang Xizhou were regulars here.
After meeting up with Huang Yuanbao, they tied Song Damiao to the control room, changed into their gear, and prepared.
Huang Yuanbao applied camo paint to her face, took selfies, and uploaded them to her social media. Turning around, she was stunned to see Jiang Beibei and her brothers.
Perhaps because they had grown up in a police family compound, these people looked like active-duty soldiers the moment they put on their uniforms. Their demeanor was completely different from the boisterous family vibe they had displayed earlier.
‘Alright, let’s assign roles and missions,’ Tang Xizhou said. ‘Eldest Brother will be the commander-in-chief, Yuan-er will assist. Second Brother and Fourth Brother will be snipers. Huang Editor will be the medic. Yao-ge and Beibei will assist and protect the medic. Clear on your tasks?’
‘Clear!’
A staff member asked, ‘Xiao Tang, what do you want to play? There are two teams in the arena right now—you can play a three-way battle.’
‘Sure!’
But before the words faded, the broadcast announced, ‘Blue Team, annihilated.’
The staff member’s walkie-talkie crackled. ‘Bro, the Red Team duo is asking if there are more players. If yes, they want to extend the match.’
With a mysterious smile, the staff member turned to Tang Xizhou’s group. ‘Want to join? The Red Team only has two members—a sniper and a medic—but they’re incredibly skilled at jungle defense. This is their second annihilation today.’
Song Lang grew excited. ‘Sure! Let’s do it!’
Tang Xizhou decided, ‘Let’s go! Tell the Red Team we’re playing a timed attack-defense match. We’re pros—let them hold back!’
Huang Yuanbao hesitated. ‘But… seven against two—isn’t that unfair?’
The staff member shrugged. ‘Earlier, a big family team of thirteen players entered the arena. They were also wiped out. Those two are pros—super strong.’
Huang Yuanbao pointed at Song Lang. ‘But… among our seven, at least two are pros…’
Song Lang laughed. ‘What ‘two pros’? All six of us are pros—you’re the only amateur here.’
Huang Yuanbao gasped. ‘What?!’
‘Let me enlighten you,’ Jiang Beibei explained. ‘My eldest brother graduated from a military academy and consistently ranks in the top three of his school in prone rifle shooting at 100 meters. As for my second and fourth brothers—I don’t need to say anything, you already know. Third Brother, Yao-ge, and I were trained by Uncle Qin. We’ve handled Type 81 rifles. Blindfolded, we could take down ten of you without breaking a sweat.’
Huang Yuanbao’s jaw dropped. ‘I don’t know what a Type 81 rifle is, but I get the message. Masters, please go easy on me!’
‘The medic wears an armband,’ Jiang Beibei said, fastening a red armband on Huang Yuanbao’s arm. ‘Your mission is to revive our team members and survive. Survival isn’t critical—we’ll cover you. If Yao-ge and I die, revive us quickly. If the enemy fire is too intense, find cover and retreat to HQ to follow Eldest Brother and Third Brother. If they also fall—and unlikely scenario—you can’t revive anyone, hide quickly and find Second Brother and Fourth Brother.’
‘How do I revive someone?’
‘If a teammate dies within thirty seconds, you can revive them by tapping the red cross on your device near their body.’
‘Oh…’ Huang Yuanbao tried to memorize everything, then asked, ‘So… I’m the enemy’s primary target?’
‘No, the goal is to attack the enemy’s fortress. You’re one of the targets. Once you’re eliminated, we lose our medic—any shot means instant death, no revival. So you’ll be their priority. But don’t worry, we outnumber them. Unless they’re ex-special forces, we’ve got this game locked down!’
Once Huang Yuanbao understood the rules, the seven of them entered the jungle battlefield and advanced toward the Red Team’s fortress.
‘Blue Team has arrived on the battlefield. Game starts now.’
Yan Qingming signaled with his hand. Tang Xizhou and Song Lang split into two directions, advancing stealthily.
‘Yao-ge, Beibei, take the medic and find cover. Medic, focus on reviving teammates,’ Yan Qingming instructed. Then, leading Qin Yuan, he charged down the main route toward the Red Team’s fortress.
Less than three minutes later, Tang Xizhou radioed in, ‘Damn! Change of plans—they’re veterans! Yao-ge, bring the medic! To Position Nine—Medic! Medic! Medic!’
After calling for the medic three times, Tang Xizhou muttered under his breath, ‘Never mind—I’ve been shot.’
‘What?!’
‘One clean headshot,’ Tang Xizhou said. ‘Be careful—their sniper is insanely good!’
The game broadcast echoed, ‘Blue Team, one casualty.’
Huang Yuanbao exclaimed, ‘Holy crap? Even SWAT can be taken down?’ And with a headshot, no less?
Chu Yao picked up the walkie-talkie. ‘Song Lang, locate the enemy medic and take them out first. Stay hidden.’
‘—Copy that.’
‘We’ll regroup with Eldest Brother.’
At that moment, the loudspeaker announced again, ‘Blue Team, two casualties.’
‘Who died?!’ Song Lang asked. ‘Everyone report in to confirm numbers! I haven’t even seen an enemy’s leg hair yet, damn it… This is some serious guerrilla warfare!’
Everyone reported their names one by one.
Jiang Beibei said, ‘Medic is safe. Zone 3 is secure. Second Brother was ambushed in Zone 9 and has been eliminated.’
‘Qin Yuan has been eliminated, hit in the left shoulder. There’s enemy activity in Zone 2,’ Yan Qingming’s voice came through, tinged with frustration. ‘Xizhou’s been eliminated too?’
Song Lang said, ‘Everyone listen up—the enemy has only two members: a sniper and a medic. Zones 9 and 2 are far apart, so the ones who took out Second Brother and Third Brother couldn’t have been the same person. They’ve split their forces, and one of them must be the medic. We’ll split into two groups and take out the Red Team’s medic first! Eldest Brother, come up with a plan!’
After a moment of thought, Chu Yao instructed, ‘Second Brother was taken out with a headshot, so the sniper must be in Zone 9. Fourth Brother, I’ll go with you to Zone 9 to take care of the sniper. Beibei, take the medic to Zone 2 and meet up with Eldest Brother to surround the Red Team’s medic.’
‘Copy that.’
Two minutes later, Song Lang arrived, and Chu Yao and Song Lang entered Zone 9.
‘Yao-ge, stay safe!’
Huang Yuanbao watched Song Lang disappear into the distance with his rifle slung over his shoulder. Getting into character, she called out, ‘Old Song, don’t disgrace Damiao’s name! We have to win!’
Song Lang replied with a grin, ‘Yes, madam!’
Jiang Beibei led Huang Yuanbao slowly toward Zone 2, explaining as they moved, ‘Today’s matchup is unexpectedly tough because of how strong the enemy is. Normally, we’d be able to win…’
Three minutes later, the broadcast sounded, and Jiang Beibei held her breath to listen.
If the medic was eliminated, the announcement would include a note stating that the remaining team members could no longer be revived.
To everyone’s surprise, the announcer calmly declared, ‘Blue Team, four casualties.’
Jiang Beibei quickly counted on her fingers and buried her face in her hands with a long sigh.
Over the walkie-talkie, Yan Qingming urgently asked, ‘Who’s still alive? Is anyone with the medic?’
‘Yes, Eldest Brother,’ Jiang Beibei replied. ‘Me.’
The fact that Yan Qingming was still alive meant that Chu Yao and Song Lang had been eliminated.
Jiang Beibei and Huang Yuanbao exchanged glances, and in that moment, they saw the word widow reflected in each other’s eyes.
‘Sigh, our husbands have fallen. This is now a revenge battle,’ Jiang Beibei declared. ‘I absolutely must take out the enemy medic!’
The broadcast sounded again: ‘Blue Team, five casualties.’
Jiang Beibei couldn’t believe it and turned to Huang Yuanbao. ‘Are we Blue Team or Red Team?’
‘Don’t let grief overwhelm you,’ Huang Yuanbao said, smacking her lips. ‘All your brothers have been wiped out, little sister. It’s up to you to avenge them.’
A paintball whizzed past Huang Yuanbao’s ammo pack, exploding into a red flower against it.
Jiang Beibei pulled Huang Yuanbao into cover, her heart pounding wildly.
Huang Yuanbao muttered, ‘Never in my wildest dreams did I think there’d come a day when I’d need your protection.’
‘…Three o’clock direction,’ Jiang Beibei murmured quietly.
She signaled for Huang Yuanbao to follow her, keeping watch on both sides as they searched for a good vantage point to return fire.
Bang! A burst of red paint exploded on Huang Yuanbao’s head.
The broadcast rang out again: ‘Blue Team medic eliminated. One Blue Team member remains.’
Jiang Beibei’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She had been guarding the three o’clock direction but hadn’t expected there to be enemies from another angle!
Damn it, these two Red Team members were insane—the medic and sniper were operating separately!
Huang Yuanbao removed her cap and mourned herself. ‘Journalist Jiang, take care of yourself.’
Jiang Beibei wailed, ‘Ah!! Screw this! How are we supposed to get revenge?! We’ve completely embarrassed Damiao’s name! I don’t care anymore—I’m throwing grenades!’
As she screamed, the bushes nearby rustled. A familiar voice soon called out, ‘Beibei, you’re the last one standing, right?’
‘…’ Jiang Beibei’s blood froze. She stood up and recognized the overwhelmingly powerful Red Team sniper. ‘Aunt Yao!!’
Huang Yuanbao looked utterly bewildered.
Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Beibei introduced, ‘Yuanbao, this is Yao-ge’s mom. Aunt Yao, this is my colleague who came to play with us.’
Huang Yuanbao couldn’t help but applaud. ‘Auntie, you’re amazing!’
Chu Mom snorted and pointed her gun at something behind Jiang Beibei. Both Huang Yuanbao and Jiang Beibei turned to see Chu Dad, wearing the medic’s red armband, leisurely carrying his rifle as he climbed out of the trench. When Huang Yuanbao caught a glimpse of his features, she immediately recognized him as Chu Yao’s father.
Huang Yuanbao: ‘…Truly formidable. They didn’t even spare their own son.’
‘They were too weak—it was unbearable. One clean headshot,’ Chu Mom commented, her sharp ears catching everything. ‘Among them, only Xiao Song and Xiao Tang put up a decent fight. They lasted two rounds before going down.’
Chu Dad removed his hat, climbed over an obstacle, and walked over to his wife. ‘One more round?’
Jiang Beibei raised her gun and fired one shot at each of them.
Chu Mom and Chu Dad froze—they had actually been eliminated like that?
‘Auntie, Uncle, I’m sorry, but I had to avenge my team,’ Jiang Beibei said, bowing deeply after firing.
Coming to her senses, Chu Mom laughed. ‘What’s the point of another round? Let the winners treat us to dinner.’
The broadcast sounded: ‘Red Team, annihilated.’
Jiang Beibei’s walkie-talkie crackled to life. It was Tang Xizhou, who was sitting in the lounge and had already seen the names of the Red Team members. He chuckled, ‘Never would’ve guessed the Red Team threw the match…’
Huang Yuanbao shook her head and remarked, ‘Impressive, Journalist Jiang. You didn’t even spare your mother-in-law and father-in-law. Truly courageous.’
Chu Mom burst out laughing. ‘Of course—we’re family. No need to hold back with our own.’
Huang Yuanbao thought to herself, This couple dared to shoot their own son with a single headshot, and Jiang Beibei dared to ambush her in-laws. Truly, birds of a feather flock together.
She clapped admiringly. ‘You people are truly remarkable.’
Jiang Beibei declared, ‘I’ll treat everyone! Lunch is on me—something fancy and expensive! I promise not to blink or feel a shred of regret when I pay the bill. Eat whatever you want!’
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