The old-style buildings with red walls and white tiles are covered with lush green vines.

The office building of the School of Computer Science is quite old. Despite several renovations, it still retains a sense of historical wear and tear.

The white banner light of the Academic Affairs Office is bright, and upon entering, one can smell the distinctive scent of old paper that is characteristic of offices.

A senior student on duty helped Lu Manman with her enrollment and related procedures, then asked her, “You arrived late yesterday, right? Where did you stay?”

“I stayed at a friend’s house for the night.”

“Did Cheng Yu come to pick you up?”

Lu Manman shook her head honestly, “She said there was a traffic jam.”

The senior handed the registration form to Lu Manman and snorted coldly, “She volunteered to be the exchange student’s host just for the school’s taxi fare subsidy. I thought she would be stingy and make you take the bus, but I didn’t expect her to stand you up. That’s too much. Don’t worry, I will report this to the school.”

After completing the procedures, Lu Manman returned to her dormitory.

Since it is the beginning of the school term, parents can often be seen helping students move their luggage in the hallways. Even in the girls’ dormitory, you can see boys around.

At the dormitory door, Lu Manman was about to unlock it with her key when a boy with a carefree demeanor walked over from the wall. He whistled, “You live here?”

“Yes.”

Lu Manman looked up to size him up. He had a somewhat youthful face, looking no older than sixteen or seventeen. He wasn’t very tall, about 1.7 meters, and he had a stud in his ear, giving him a bit of a wild appearance.

He said, “You’re my sister’s roommate.”

“Oh,” Lu Manman replied, “Hello.”

“Can you lend me some money?”

“…”

The boy said ingratiatingly, “Lend me 200 yuan. When my sister gets back, she’ll repay you.”

Lu Manman refused, “Sorry, I haven’t met your sister yet, so I can’t lend you money.”

The boy snorted, “My sister’s name is Cheng Yu. Aren’t you two roommates? You’ll get to know each other soon enough, and she’ll repay you.”

Cheng Yu?

Lu Manman remembered—she was the unreliable host.

So, she was the roommate.

“Cheng Tian, what are you doing?!”

A sharp voice came from the staircase corner, followed by the sound of high heels clacking rapidly.

A slim and tall girl, like a gust of wind, walked over and kicked the boy on his butt, “Get lost!”

Lu Manman caught a whiff of strong perfume.

The girl in front of her had thick, dense false eyelashes and a slender trendy face. Lu Manman’s first impression was….

A fawn.

She pushed the boy far away, her voice sharp, “Who told you to come over here?!”

“I’m out of money.”

The boy named Cheng Tian said confidently, “I’m here to borrow some money from you.”

“I don’t have any. Ask Mom for it.”

“You have plenty of money from drinking and dining with those bosses.”

“Are you itching for a beating?” Cheng Yu grabbed her bag, ready to hit him again.

The boy struggled with her, shouting, “Don’t think I won’t fight back.”

“Come on, fight me,” Cheng Yu shouted angrily. “Best if you beat me into the hospital so I can take a break.”

Lu Manman quickly stepped forward to separate them, “There’s surveillance in the dormitory.”

Cheng Yu snorted, “The surveillance has been broken for ages.”

The boy, still unwilling to give up, threatened, “If you don’t give me money, I’ll go ask your ‘clients’ for it.”

Cheng Yu sneered, “Go ahead, see if they’ll even bother with you.”

Knowing he wouldn’t get anywhere by arguing, the boy left in frustration.

Cheng Yu opened the dormitory door and asked Lu Manman, “Did you give him any money?”

Lu Manman shook her head. “No.”

Cheng Yu threw her backpack onto her bed. “In the future, keep your distance from him. Don’t lend him any money. Even if you do, I won’t pay you back. Just so you know.”

“…”

As Cheng Yu was getting her things ready to take a shower, Lu Manman suddenly spoke up, “By the way, you didn’t come to pick me up yesterday.”

Cheng Yu casually picked up her basin, “There was really bad traffic. I had a part-time job in the evening and couldn’t make it. Sorry.”

Lu Manman understood, but then she said, “Shouldn’t you return the travel expenses to the school?”

Cheng Yu paused with the shampoo in her hand.

Looking for trouble, huh?

“The school asked you to pick me up and reimbursed you for the travel expenses,” Lu Manman emphasized, “and it was taxi fare. Since you didn’t show up, that money should be returned.”

Cheng Yu glanced at Lu Manman. This little girl, thin and small, looked as harmless as a rabbit, but she was quite particular.

Taking off her false eyelashes, Cheng Yu wiped her face with a cotton pad and said, “First, I did come to pick you up, but I couldn’t reach you because of the traffic.”

“Second, during the traffic jam, I spent my time, and time is money. So, this money is my compensation and won’t be returned.”

“Finally, it seems we will be roommates for a while, so it’s best to get along. Otherwise, it won’t be good for either of us. Got it?”

Half a threat and completely self-righteous.

Lu Manman stood up straight, “First, you didn’t pick me up. Even if you spent time, that time was wasted.”

“Second, picking me up was your responsibility. Considering the rush hour, you should have left early to avoid the peak traffic and arrive at the airport in advance. It was the right choice, instead of bailing on me because you had an evening part-time job. If you were really that busy, you shouldn’t have taken on this task and should have let someone else do it.”

“Lastly, I hope we can get along harmoniously this year and be reasonable with each other.”

Cheng Yu, impatient, threw away the cotton pad in her hand and walked up to Lu Manman. She was a head taller, with a refined and commanding presence that exuded authority.

“Even if I return the money, you won’t get it. Why do you insist on making things difficult for me?”

Lu Manman immediately responded, “There are accidents on the road every day, yet I still wait at red lights. Why?”

Cheng Yu stared at her for a long time and then said coldly, “You’re really annoying.”

Lu Manman met her icy gaze, “I find you unpleasant too.”

Cheng Yu stated firmly, “I’m not returning the money. If you’re unhappy, report me to the Academic Affairs Office.”

“I already did when I registered today.”

“…”

“Do you even know how to deal with people?” Cheng Yu was genuinely angry.

Lu Manman, equally annoyed, retorted, “This is exactly how I deal with people.”

Just as the tension between the two was about to erupt, a faint yawn was heard. Only then did Lu Manman realize there was someone else in the room.

By the desk near the balcony, a girl with straight bangs wearing a white shirt and thick-framed glasses was quietly engrossed in her studies. She was silent, like a little white rabbit.

The intense argument between the two had not affected her at all. She had such a low presence that she seemed to blend in with the rows of books on the shelf, making Lu Manman overlook her entirely.

The girl continued studying, paying no attention to the escalating confrontation between Lu Manman and Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu said, “There’s nothing a good fight can’t solve.”

“You want to fight?” Lu Manman asked, surprised.

Cheng Yu replied, “Do you dare?”

Lu Manman’s lips curved slightly.

Over the years with the professional team, her daily training included not only jungle drills and shooting practice but also extensive physical training. After all, real-life jungle combat involved not just long-range gunfights but also close-quarter ambush tactics.

She put down her backpack and asked, “Here?”

“Of course, unless you want to get in trouble,” Cheng Yu said, closing the dormitory door.

The girl by the balcony continued writing, her pen scratching on the paper as she made notes. Even as Lu Manman and Cheng Yu engaged in a fierce physical struggle, she remained completely unfazed.

She was exceptionally calm and composed, like a sniper hidden in the jungle who remains unmoved even as bullets land nearby, focusing solely on her “target”: an IELTS reference book.

Lu Manman pinned Cheng Yu beneath her, twisting her arms behind her back and panting, “Do you submit?”

“Submit your ass!”

Lu Manman realized that Cheng Yu had incredible physical strength and quick reflexes, always managing to counter her moves just in time.

Despite their skills, the fight between them was more like a scuffle—pulling hair and scratching, almost spitting at each other.

In the end, Lu Manman emerged victorious, thanks to her long-term training and superior physical conditioning.

“Do you submit?”

Cheng Yu, pinned to the cold floor with her makeup smeared, gritted her teeth and choked out a single word, “Submit.”

Lu Manman released her and helped her up. Cheng Yu swatted her hand away, quickly standing up to fix her disheveled hair and clothes.

“A bet is a bet. I’ll repay the money,” Cheng Yu glared at her, “but you just wait. Next time, I won’t lose to you.”

Quite competitive.

Lu Manman said calmly, “There won’t be a next time. I don’t have time to wait for you to improve your skills and come find me for another fight. Let’s resolve this and move on. I hope we can get along well from now on.”

Get along well?

After a fight on the first day?

Cheng Yu found it hard to understand Lu Manman’s logic.

At this moment, the girl who had been calmly reading finally looked up. She glanced at Lu Manman and said slowly, “My name is Xia Tian. Welcome, American.”

“I’m Lu Manman.”

“The dorm currently has just the three of us. Another one rents a place outside,” she said softly and slowly, “I might stay up late studying. I hope you don’t mind.”

“How late?” Lu Manman asked.

Xia Tian replied, “Until about one o’clock.”

“Um, are you playing games?”

Cheng Yu said coldly, “She’s studying.”

Lu Manman had heard that Chinese students were particularly diligent. Now, she had the chance to see a real-life top student.

“Doesn’t she mind?” Lu Manman asked, pointing at Cheng Yu.

Xia Tian calmly replied, “She usually doesn’t come back at night.”

“…”

Lu Manman said, “I go to bed at ten and fall asleep by eleven. As long as you stay as inconspicuous as you are now, it won’t be a problem.”

Xia Tian nodded, “That’s fine.”

***

Lu Manman received statistical data from her Dad Louis about Chinese esports teams.

There are over ten professional clubs for the live-action competition of “Battle Royale” in China, each club having numerous teams. Altogether, there are dozens of teams.

Despite the large number of teams, only a few have achieved notable results. X is the only Chinese team to qualify for this year’s S Series Global Summer Championship, solidifying their position as number one domestically.

X faces strong competition from teams like KT, Grey Wolf, Pi, and several recently emerging teams that have shown outstanding performances in recent times, rising quickly.

Live-action esports is similar to traditional sports, testing both physical endurance and strategic tactics, with teamwork being crucial.

The competitions are thrilling and exciting, broadcasted on online streaming platforms akin to Hollywood action films, thus enjoying widespread popularity among internet users. Consequently, many investors are eager to participate in these lively esports events.

Louis concluded to Lu Manman that the Chinese live-action esports market is broad in appeal, with a large fan base and promising prospects.

He recommended X team to Lu Manman, considering their dominant position domestically and her husband Yuan Xiu as the team captain. Together, they could rise to greater heights.

Lu Manman remarked that X team wasn’t interested in recruiting her, as she was just an ordinary newcomer without any achievements.

Alex took the phone and said to Lu Manman, “My dear daughter, we crossed the vast Pacific not to show off, but to expand our territory across the ocean.”

Lu Manman: …

“You… With such impressive past achievements, why do you insist on hiding and pretending to be a rookie? Are you testing whether your husband truly loves you?”

Lu Manman exclaimed angrily, “If you keep joking about that, I won’t video chat with you anymore!”

Louis pushed Alex aside and took the phone, “You’ve given up all your past glory to start anew, Dad supports your decision, but…”

“But what?” Lu Manman had a bad feeling.

“Your gaming mask is currently being auctioned on eBay, and the bidding has already reached $50,000.”

Lu Manman: …

That jerk Akko! She gave him the gaming mask as a keepsake, not for him to sell!

Louis said in a serious tone, “Starting over isn’t easy.”

Of course, she knew starting over wasn’t easy. Just like the reason she refused Yuan Xiu: her gaming career carried the weight of fans’ heavy expectations. She couldn’t join any team as a substitute; that would never change.

But what will never change is not just the game, but the everlasting myth of America.

Yet Lu Manman is not part of that myth.

Nowadays, Lu Manman is nothing.

Having nothing, she fears nothing.

She searched online for several reputable team websites and found their contact emails on the recruitment pages for new members.

She sent her resume and physical examination reports to these major teams, along with insights into strategies and tactics for both solo and team competitions—accumulated from her years of gaming experience.

Of course, she also sent her resume to X team’s email.

Whether as a novice or a substitute, she’ll join an advanced team first.

Yuan Xiu once said a proverb, which she remembered:

“To lie on the bed of hardship.”

With a smile, Lu Manman believes there will be a day when she rises again.

….

X Team Club: Yuan Xiu sat on the sofa with his notebook, while Ah Heng and Ren Xiang stood over a three-dimensional sand map of a simulated forest, maneuvering figurines to plan next Friday’s exhibition match against π Team.

“In the duo setup, the roles will be divided into long-range and mid-close combat. They should coordinate to flank strategically from the high ground in the final circle to avoid exposing themselves simultaneously.”

“The vanguard members should ideally provide cover for the snipers, drawing enemy fire.”

…

“Captain, come take a look,” Ah Heng called out. “Stop browsing Taobao.”

Gu Zhefeng murmured as he played a mobile game, “He’s not browsing Taobao; he’s using my VPN account to access eBay.”

Ah Heng asked, “What’s that? You need to use VPN to access it?”

Gu Zhefeng explained, “It’s like the old American version of Taobao.”

“Why are you browsing American Taobao? Isn’t our domestic stuff good enough for you?”

Yuan Xiu stared at the screen, ignoring their banter.

Gu Zhefeng continued, “His wife’s gaming mask is on auction on eBay now, bidding has shot up to 100,000. If he doesn’t act soon, he might have to sell everything to buy it back.”

“Wow,” Ren Xiang lifted his head, grinning mischievously. “Trying to buy it back to please the lady? Win her heart again?”

Yuan Xiu replied calmly, “Are you blind? What part of a smile that kills and beauty fits her?”

Ren Xiang said, “I think her eyes are beautiful, even though they’re covered by the mask. With such beautiful eyes, her attractiveness must be high. Trust my intuition after so many years of chasing girls.”

Ah Heng remarked, “That’s not necessarily true. Look at the girls in the gaming circle; those with a bit of beauty can’t wait to post selfies online every day, afraid that people won’t notice their beautiful eyes. And as for w, even during matches she wears a mask that covers half her face. According to reliable online sources, rumor has it she has buck teeth.”

Gu Zhefeng spurted out the lemon juice he had just drunk.

Ren Xiang exclaimed in surprise, “Buck teeth? Can you not criticize my smile goddess, okay?”

“Mask on, she’s a goddess; mask off, who knows?” Ah Heng smirked. “If it weren’t for her looks, with so many accolades over the years, she wouldn’t persist in wearing a mask. Most young girls wouldn’t have the discipline not to get dizzy.”

Ren Xiang pondered, “I haven’t heard any news about w lately. Now even her mask is up for sale. Is she really retiring?”

“Most likely,” Ah Heng sighed. He looked at Yuan Xiu. “Captain, count me in for a share. Let’s buy it together as a memento.”

Yuan Xiu replied firmly, “No.”

Ren Xiang chuckled, “Can you share your wife’s personal items with others?”

Yuan Xiu remained composed, “There’s still profit to be made if it stays within 170,000. Buying it back and selling it on Taobao for our domestic fans to push up the price, that’s a surefire business I won’t share with you.”

Ah Heng and Ren Xiang exchanged looks, while Gu Zhefeng exclaimed, “Oh, the bidding has started!”