Chapter 18  

Pei Jiyin arrived home a little past seven. She sent a message to Zhi Zhi, who was still on the subway and estimated to reach the airport in about half an hour.  

After taking a shower, she started her livestream around eight.  

She played a few rounds of Peak Match, saying nothing beyond her usual greeting at the beginning.  

[Why aren’t you talking today?]  

[Are you in a bad mood? Didn’t you meet up with someone today?]  

…  

“Originally, I was in a good mood, but then I ran into this really annoying guy on the subway, and it ruined my day. I kept thinking about what I said to him and felt like I didn’t go hard enough,” Pei Jiyin sighed. “Guess my eloquence still needs work.”  

Perhaps because of her mood, Pei Jiyin played particularly aggressively today.  

“I think I’ll check if the little sister on my Smurf Account is online. I really need her to heal my wounded heart,” Pei Jiyin said.  

[Just say you want to play with her, no need for excuses, geez.]  

[Wow, at this rate, you won’t even keep your National Rank Two next month.]  

[Is this the legendary ‘beauty leads men astray’?]  

…  

Pei Jiyin decisively ignored the comments and opened her Smurf Account. Sure enough, the other person was online. She sent a match invite and rested her chin on her hand, waiting for the game to end.  

“Little sister, you’re finally done,” Pei Jiyin remarked.  

“Finally? That match only lasted seven minutes,” Song Zhen replied before sighing.  

“Did you drop back to Diamond?”  

“Not this time,” Song Zhen said.  

“That’s good. Otherwise, I’d have to switch accounts again,” Pei Jiyin said, relieved. “Most of my accounts are already in Kings of Glory.”  

Song Zhen: “…”  

“Are you bored? Why play so many?”  

“How did you know?” Pei Jiyin sounded genuinely surprised.  

Song Zhen: “…”  

“By the way, if it were you, how would you handle someone who tries to hit on you and won’t take no for an answer?” Pei Jiyin asked.  

“Won’t take no for an answer?” Song Zhen thought for a moment. “Did you run into that today?”  

“Yeah.”  

“For me…” Song Zhen pursed her lips. “Once, someone actually grabbed me. I don’t remember how I reacted, but since there were people around, someone helped me. After I got away, I called the police.”  

“That’s just creepy.”  

“Anyone who keeps pestering you after rejection is creepy,” Song Zhen said. “And forcing someone to give their contact info in public—do you think normal people do that?”  

“Definitely not,” Pei Jiyin agreed.  

“Are you in a bad mood?”  

“Yeah,” Pei Jiyin admitted.  

“Don’t let trash ruin your day,” Song Zhen said, though she couldn’t think of anything more comforting to add.  

“Little sister, how about this—every time I get a kill, you praise me once. Okay?” Pei Jiyin suggested.  

Song Zhen: “…”  

“Fine,” Song Zhen reluctantly agreed, considering Pei Jiyin’s mood.  

“Can you make sure the compliments aren’t repetitive?”  

“Big sister, I suggest you don’t push your luck,” Song Zhen narrowed her eyes.  

“Oh.” Pei Jiyin sighed.  

This match, Pei Jiyin played Sun Shangxiang while Song Zhen played Zhang Fei.  

“Little sister, having you by my side makes me feel so safe,” Pei Jiyin said.  

“Thanks for the compliment.”

The enemy marksman was Gongsun Li, who didn’t seem very skilled—she directly jumped under Pei Jiyin’s turret while trying to escape.  

“If she had just run on foot, she might’ve gotten away faster,” Pei Jiyin remarked. “Also, little sister, where’s the praise you promised?”  

“Wasn’t she killed by the turret?”  

“But the kill is mine,” Pei Jiyin said matter-of-factly.  

“You’re so amazing, sis,” Song Zhen replied, her voice dripping with exaggerated sweetness.  

“Thank you, little sister.” Pei Jiyin was satisfied.  

Over the next ten minutes, Song Zhen’s compliments grew increasingly half-hearted.  

From “Sis, you’re seriously so amazing,” “Sis, you’re too cool,” and “Sis, you’re the best,” they devolved into “Amazing,” “Cool,” and “Nice.”  

Song Zhen was clearly over it.  

“The love is gone, huh? Little Cutie, you’re not so cute anymore,” Pei Jiyin whined.  

“Sis, I’m tired of talking. Don’t you feel bad for me?” Song Zhen countered, sounding even more aggrieved than Pei Jiyin.  

[She’s met her match.]  

[I’m dying of laughter.]  

[This little sister has potential.]  

Pei Jiyin couldn’t help but twitch her lips. “Who says I don’t? I feel terrible for you, little sister. My heart already hurts, and now it hurts even more—that’s why I need you to cheer me up.”  

Song Zhen: “…”  

Trapped in a logical loop, Song Zhen suddenly didn’t know how to respond. After pushing to the enemy base, she frantically attacked the Nexus, putting in extra effort. The moment it exploded, she sighed in relief.  

“Little sister, wanna queue up again?”  

“I’m on the rooftop, so I can’t drink water,” Song Zhen said. “So… maybe you should just keep hurting. Endure it—you’ll get used to it.”  

Pei Jiyin: ???  

“Are those human words?”  

“Yep,” Song Zhen affirmed without hesitation.  

“You weren’t like this before.”  

“Maybe you just didn’t know me well enough,” Song Zhen replied.  

Pei Jiyin: “…”  

Now it was Pei Jiyin’s turn to be at a loss for words. Seeing the chat flood with comments about her meeting her match, she had to admit—it was true.  

Pei Jiyin was in first pick and preselected Lan.  

“You can play him?” Song Zhen asked.  

“Yeah, but I don’t have a national ranking yet,” Pei Jiyin answered.  

“By the way, what’s your main account?” Song Zhen sounded curious.  

[She still doesn’t know who your main is? Has no one added this little sister?]  

[This little sister rejects all friend requests—can’t add her.]  

[LOL, wonder when she’ll figure it out.]  

…  

“Guess,” Pei Jiyin teased.  

After the ban phase ended, Pei Jiyin locked in Lan. Third pick sent a question mark.  

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight: A girl? Jungler? You sure you can play? Or is it your boyfriend on the account?]  

[Little Cutie Don’t Run: Got a problem with that?]  

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight: Girls can jungle?]  

[Little Cutie Don’t Run: Why wouldn’t they?]  

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight: Hah, so you played Training Mode twice and now you’re ready, huh?]  

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight: Ugh, sick of running into noobs every day.]  

[Little Cutie Don’t Run: Yeah, today’s unlucky—ran into you.]  

Pei Jiyin rolled her eyes. Her Lan was still green—she hadn’t played him much on this account.  

Once the game started, the guy only got more worked up.  

Pei Jiyin ignored him and played at her own pace. The rest of the team stayed quiet, but this guy wouldn’t shut up.  

[Mengmeng Little Cutie (Xiao Qiao): She really can play, and she’s really good.]

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight (Tyrant): Come on, getting kills in AI Mode isn’t impressive. I can’t stand these sister duos, double the dead weight.]

Right after this person spoke, Pei Jiyin scored a double kill.

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight (Tyrant): Hah, still stealing kills.]

[Coming in Wind and Rain (Minotaur): No?]  

[Going in the Rain (Marcos Polo): Really didn’t.]  

Pei Jiyin chuckled, leaving the other momentarily speechless.  

After Tyrant gave up two kills to the enemy team, they spoke up again.  

[Can’t Sleep at Midnight (Tyrant): Do you even know how to play? Why aren’t you ganking?]  

“You’re so amazing yet so hostile—how could I dare come near you?” Pei Jiyin turned on her mic. Typing during laning phase was truly annoying.