WG - 38

Chi Zhiyu never expected that, at age seventeen, the first time a guy told her to take something off, he was referring to the Level 3 vest she had just looted.

“......”

Chi Zhiyu stared at the screen. “I just put this on. Why take it off?”

Xie Ye glanced at it. “Didn’t you see it’s damaged?”

She checked the stats—the vest was 60% damaged, probably discarded by someone else.

But her auto-pickup system had equipped it anyway.

Chi Zhiyu thought for a second. “It should still be okay, right? Better than nothing.”

“Oh?” Xie Ye asked slowly. “Better for what? Blocking wind?”

“......”

“Fine, I’ll switch it,” she grumbled and clicked to swap it out for the Level 2 vest she had just taken off.

The remaining teammates were left confused by the exchange.

She took it off. Then put it back on? For wind protection?

Were they… not even trying to be subtle anymore?

Lin Jie also thought it all sounded kinda weird, but he figured it wasn’t that kind of thing. He cleared his throat and asked, “Chi-meimei, everything alright?”

When she caught his lazy glance under her sharp stare, Xie Ye asked nonchalantly, “What are you looking at?”

Chi Zhiyu: “……”

He probably didn’t realize there was anything wrong with what he’d just said.

That kind of attitude—“Well, that’s just how it is, think whatever you like.”

Chi Zhiyu was briefly speechless. She turned her head back to the screen, saying nothing.

“Hmm?” Xie Ye’s tone lifted a little, as if he didn’t understand. “You just looked at me and then turned away?”

Not wanting to bring it up again, Chi Zhiyu casually replied, “It’s nothing. I had something to tell you earlier, but I forgot.”

Xie Ye’s gaze settled on her, asking slowly, “Just looked at me once and forgot?”

Chi Zhiyu continued playing the game and absentmindedly responded, “It wasn’t anything important. Just something I thought of and wanted to say, but then I saw you and forgot.”

“Oh, so you were so mesmerized by my face,” Xie Ye said unhurriedly, dragging out the words, “that you were completely dazzled?”

“……”

Before Chi Zhiyu could reply, Yang Bin, drinking water on the other side of the voice chat, choked and exclaimed, “What the hell was that?!”

Lin Jie, hearing this, wasn’t surprised in the least.

After all, he sat in front of Chi Zhiyu in class and was used to hearing stuff like this every day.

Just another regular moment.

Chi Zhiyu couldn’t understand why this person had such a big misconception about her. She stared at his arrogant face for a moment, then nodded, “Sure, if that’s what you think, go ahead.”

Unlike the others, Xie Ye was completely calm and unapologetic. He drawled lazily, “What I think? Oh, I think lots of things. You—”

Sensing something was off, Chi Zhiyu immediately cut him off, “Forget it. You don’t need to think.”

It was definitely not going to be anything good.

Seeing her reaction, Xie Ye raised an eyebrow, then looked back at the screen and directed, “Just focus on playing the game.”

“……”

That attitude shift was way too quick.

“Hahaha,” Yang Bin laughed. “Ye-ge, you’re actually pretty funny. Lin Jie said you weren’t cold—now I believe it.”

Suddenly dragged in, Lin Jie was stunned. “Wait… did I say that?”

Ding Hui quickly chimed in, “You did, I remember it.”

Chi Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. “Are the four of you regular teammates?”

Ding Hui explained, “Not exactly. We’re just training together for now.”

“Training?” Chi Zhiyu didn’t quite get it.

Ding Hui replied, “Yeah, practicing aim, hand speed, that kind of stuff.”

Chi Zhiyu blinked. “Why are you training those things? Aren’t you just playing games?”

Has casual gaming become this professional now?

Maybe understanding her confusion, Yang Bin let out an “ah” and said, “We’re not just playing—this is regular training for pro players. Ye-ge and Xiao Jie are still in school, so only the two of us train occasionally with them. After the college entrance exam, they’ll officially join our club base for full training.”

Chi Zhiyu was stunned. “You’re going to their base after exams?”

Yang Bin: “Yeah, the contract’s already signed.”

At that, Chi Zhiyu turned to the person beside her, still a little dazed. “You’re becoming a pro player?”

Xie Ye didn’t hide anything and responded with a simple “Yeah. Signed the contract a few days ago. I’ll head to the base after the exam.”

Chi Zhiyu still looked dazed, trying to process it.

Xie Ye wasn’t surprised. He bent slightly, took the mouse from her hand, exited the game, then turned her chair around to face him. Sitting in front of her and seeing her expression, he chuckled, “Ask away. What do you want to know?”

“You…”

She paused—she didn’t even know where to begin.

At first, she was just confused. How did something so recreational turn into a professional commitment?

Becoming a pro gamer?

Of course, Chi Zhiyu understood what being a pro meant. It wasn’t just playing games for fun—it was systematic training, selection, and eventually representing a team in competitions.

Potentially even representing the country.

But not just anyone could be a pro player. Not everyone gets to compete on that level.

Just like Olympic athletes—they train hard for a chance to qualify.

The more she thought about it, the more unrealistic it all seemed—but when she looked at Xie Ye, it somehow didn’t feel that surprising.

He usually didn’t show much ambition and seemed laid-back, but whenever he set his mind on something, it never seemed out of reach for him.

Chi Zhiyu came back to herself and blinked, looking at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Xie Ye raised his eyebrows, “Didn’t I just tell you?”

“I mean before. Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Xie Ye answered casually, “It wasn’t confirmed yet. I signed the contract two days ago.”

“……” Chi Zhiyu was speechless. “So I should thank you for only being two days late in telling me?”

“What?” Xie Ye asked in an even tone. “You don’t approve?”

“......”

Chi Zhiyu lowered her gaze slightly upon hearing that, and closed the door with one hand.

•

Wu Xuan’s examination room wasn’t far. While Chi Zhiyu was waiting outside, feeling bored, she started texting Xie Ye.

However, after just a few messages, Xie Ye—perhaps too lazy to type—directly called her.

She picked up just as Jiang Jinxu came out earlier than Wu Xuan.

Jiang Jinxu looked around and quickly spotted Chi Zhiyu sitting on a bench.

As he approached and saw she was on the phone, he overheard her saying something like, “You’re not even here, why do you care?”

Chi Zhiyu noticed him coming and nodded at him in greeting.

Jiang Jinxu nodded back and sat down on the empty seat next to her.

He quietly listened to her conversation and heard her say, “He’s right next to me.”

Only then did Jiang Jinxu ask, “Is that Xie Ye?”

Chi Zhiyu turned and nodded, then held up her phone, offering, “Do you want to say hi?”

Jiang Jinxu smiled lightly. “No need, you two keep talking.”

Chi Zhiyu responded with an “Ah,” finally realizing she had left him sitting there alone. She turned back to her phone and said, “I’m hanging up. Go enjoy your game.”

Jiang Jinxu was slightly surprised. “You’re not continuing the call?”

“No,” Chi Zhiyu replied. “I only called him because I was bored. He even complained I was interrupting his game.”

Jiang Jinxu nodded. “I see. I thought maybe he was concerned about you and called to check in.”

Chi Zhiyu recalled how Xie Ye had answered the call with a lazy, one-word “Speak.”

Didn’t seem very concerned at all.

So, she simply gave a faint smile and didn’t comment.

Jiang Jinxu watched her smile, his gaze deepening slightly.

“Oh, Wu Xuan’s out,” Chi Zhiyu said as she spotted someone at the exit. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Jinxu nodded. “Okay.”

The two stood up and walked forward together. As they passed the queue in front, a girl suddenly stepped in front of them and explained, “Hello, I’m from Ruowu’s student council. We’re here to interview students about the school entrance exam process. May I ask, are you both exam candidates?”

Jiang Jinxu nodded. “Yes.”

“Ah, then can I take a photo of you two?”

Chi Zhiyu glanced at the camera in her hand and was about to refuse when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone approaching behind the girl.

She instinctively turned her head.

And met Xie Ye’s dark eyes.

Today, he was dressed in all black—a jacket and long pants. He was tall and lean, standing out easily among the crowd.

His features were striking yet carried a cold expression. His aura was impressive, with a hint of arrogance and defiance.

When Chi Zhiyu saw him clearly, she looked a bit surprised. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak—

Xie Ye’s gaze briefly swept past the camera, then he raised his eyes to look at them. With a faint, indifferent smile at the corner of his lips, he said lazily, “Go ahead and take it. I can even help you pick a good one.”