Chapter 7 Part 3

Chapter 7 – They Come from Shanghai – Part 3

 

Even as X·FILES fell into a tough struggle again, Xi Cheng remained in Hui Hui’s home. He paced around the room like a fish swimming in a fish tank. It is becoming harder and harder for him to sit still on the couch. For some reason he can’t explain, his heart is getting more and more restless. He has a vague feeling that he must do something, or he risk losing the happiness of his life from now on.

Hui Hui’s big and intelligent eyes stare at Xi Cheng, seemingly to pierce into his mind. Yet she said nothing, and turned to head into the kitchen to cook some noodles for Xi Cheng. Outside the window, Beijing’s dark nights are lit up by spots of light.

Hui Hui once asked Xi Cheng what he likes to eat during one of their walks on Chang An street. Xi Cheng replied that it would be his mother’s noodles. How bright was the light on Chang An street that night, it was unlike any other nights. That was probably the only time the two of them went on a walk together, his hands were in his pockets, and he whistled all the way.

The water is boiling. Hui Hui dropped the noodles into the water and carefully stirred it. She rarely ever cooks, and her kitchen really is just for show. Though her co-workers and friends would often jump into the kitchen when they came to visit. While this usually makes the kitchen a mess, the food they make really is tasty.

It's not that there isn’t anyone who likes Hui Hui. Hui Hui knows that there are many who like her, and they would often find reasons to come cook for her. She couldn’t hold back her smile, but that smile soon faded away. Only that person, that person would never come to her on his own initiative. There were only a few exceptional times when he came by. Yet he usually left after sitting for a while. That person, Hui Hui sighs, why does she have to like that person? Will he like the noodles she made for him?

Hui Hui came out of the kitchen with a bowl of noodles.

The room is empty. Xi Cheng, who had been wandering around the sofa like a fish is now gone.

As sudden as when he first came, he gave no words as he left. Hui Hui sat on the couch, slightly worn out. After blanking out for a while, she poured the noodles into the trash, and began to wash dishes, pots and clean the counter. She did everything neatly, everything put back in their proper place.

Yet while doing the dishes, a drop of tear dropped into the sink from the sky, making a tiny, tiny, flower-like ripple in the water.

 

 

When Xi Cheng appeared under Jing’er’s building again, most of the lights in the building were gone. Beijing is a big city, and many have to commute for one or two hours, which is why many slept early. Though the light in Jing’er’s home is still lit.

Xi Cheng wanders below the building for a while, he feels his blood boiling. Finally, he can hold it no longer, he jumps up and roars: “Jing’er! Jing’er! Jing’er! Jing’er!”

Before any response appeared in Jing’er’s home, others already peeked out of their window and yelled: “You bastard think Mt.Ba Bao (TL Note 1: A major cemetery in Beijing is located at Mt. Ba Bao) is too empty? If you want to holler at ghosts, go do it over there!”

Xi Cheng is not moved, he continued on indomitably: “Jing’er! Jing’er! Jing’er!”

Another joins the battle from the building: “You bastard want to get taught a lesson? Interrupting me in the middle of my deeds? Do you fucking know how much Viagras cost nowadays?”

Finally, Jing’er’s little face appeared on the balcony. Xi Cheng’s eye turns watery as he finally sees Jing’er. He yelled: “Jing’er!”

Jing’er gasps on the balcony: “Are you mad?”

Xi Cheng yelled: “I love you!”

Jing’er bites her lips and hesitates for a moment before speaking again: “Wait, I’ll be right down.”

Jing’er found herself in a tight hug by Xi Cheng the moment she left the front door of the building. He hugged so tightly, as though afraid that she would suddenly disappear. Then, his lips tightly touched hers, he kissed her deeply and roughly. Jing’er is terrified, but couldn’t resist.

A Jie immediately appeared behind Jing’Er. Seeing Xi Cheng kissing Jing’er forcefully, he immediately dragged Xi Cheng aside and gave Xi Cheng a solid punch.

Xi Cheng’s nose immediately starts to bleed, the startled Jing’er begins to scream. Xi Cheng drags Jing’er behind himself, and speaks to A Jie: “I know what you are thinking --- Now let me tell you what I am thinking: Jing’er is mine, it is decided! If you two are married, best get a divorce fast; if you two live together, then separate at once; If you are her boyfriend, sorry, that’s in the past. Starting today, I am officially Jing’er’s boyfriend. You can leave!”

A Jie stares at him coldly, then drags Jing’er over and turns to walk towards the building entrance.

Xi Cheng yelled: “Hey! Hey!”

A Jie ignored him. Xi Cheng darted ahead, and threw a punch right at A Jie.

This time it’s A Jie’s turn to nosebleed. Jing’er yells with her eyes in tears: “Stop fighting, calm down, you two!”

A Jie lightly wipes away the blood, and turns to Jing’er : “You go home first.” Then he turns to Xi Cheng: “ Why do you think you deserve to be Jing’er’s boyfriend? How many girlfriends have you had? Why do you deserve to disrespect Jing’er? You said you love her, have you thought about how she felt?”

Xi Cheng: “You are my friend – Even if you aren’t my friend, I’d tell you the truth. The day I met Jing’er, I swore that I will love this person my entire life. I will change myself to be someone worthy of Jing’er. I also know that Jing’er likes me as well! She would have confessed to me that time near the Unnamed Lake if she didn’t have to go to the washroom. Though it is true that a friend’s wife is not to be slighted, I can’t, live, without Jing’er. So even if this is unfair to you, Jing’er has to be together with me.

A Jie: “You are absurd!” Then he turns to take Jing’er home. Seeing A Jie grabbing Jing’er’s hands again, Xi Cheng can’t hold back his rage, he charges up to fight A Jie once more.

The two of them begin to brawl under the building.

Faces begin to peek out of every window in the building to watch the scene below. Two onlookers in the 3^rd and 4^th floor balcony even began to munch on seed snacks as they watched. The guy on the 3^rd floor asked the guy on the 4^th: “How did the fight start?”

4^th Floorer: “Heh, getting jealous over a girl.”

3^rd Floorer: “Why isn’t the community security guard coming?”

4^th Floorer: “They are having a social party with their brother company. Beside the guy at the gate, everyone else went to Karaoke.

3^rd Floorer: “Who do you think is gonna win?”

4^th Floorer: “The situation is not yet clear, to hard to judge.”

Xi Cheng and A Jie stopped together, raised their head and yelled: “Shut up!” and then continued their fight.

Jing’er doesn’t know who she should try to talk to, so she can only remind them on the side: “Don’t go left, there are flowers on the left, don’t crush them……. Hey, don’t push, don’t you see there is an open sewer behind there?”

The two men are locked in a brawl, A Jie’s fist is hard and precise, for a few times, he almost knocked Xi Cheng to the ground.

Xi Cheng is no pushover either. He is good with palm chops, and each chop sent A Jie staggering back.

Xi Cheng yelled as he fought: “I was one of the bosses of Xi Dan area, you can’t beat me. Give Jing’er up and stop your useless resistance.”

A Jie: “When did you meet Jing’er? With all your girlfriends, why do you have to go after Jing’er?”

Xi Cheng: “Aren’t you the same. What happened to that Shanghai woman you once loved? Despite suffering so much for her, you are now going after Jing’er as well!”

A Jie’s face darkens as he grabs Xi Cheng’s collar: “Don’t talk about Tian Nan in such disrespectful tones!”

Xi Cheng wrestles himself free, then leaned in towards A Jie’s face: “Fine! But Jing’er is mine!”

A Jie stares at Xi Cheng, the two of them locked in a staring battle, neither willing to back down.

Now it is the neighbors who are getting restless. The guy on the third floor yells: “Fight! Why stop fighting?”

4^th Floor: “3^rd floor, who were betting on again? 10 bucks, don’t forget!”

3^rd Floor guy yells: “Bet my ass, they aren’t even fighting anymore. These two bastards, all thunder and no rain, nothing of substance, fucking boring!”

4^th floor: “Well said, now they just reason with each other, let’s see some blood if you have the guts!”

Jing’er raises her head and yells angrily: “Fatty, Erhei! Don’t think I don’t know it was you two because it was dark! If you keep on yelling, I will tell your wives when they come back from their work trip tomorrow! We will see who sees blood then!”

The move worked. The two of them immediately quieted down. Jing’er turns around, seeing Xi Cheng and A Jie still locked in a staring contest. Jing’er stomps her feet: “What are you two doing, can’t you just talk it out? Don’t fight!”

Xi Cheng is unmoved: “Don’t worry, I am a sniper, he can’t stare me down!”

A Jie says nothing.

Jing Er: “Bro, please don’t be like this. I know Xi Cheng is going overboard, but he is my friend. Don’t be like this.”

A Jie: “You are still a child, don’t say things when you understand nothing. Do you know who he is? I know him! I know him too well! I will not let him lay a finger on you!”

Xi Cheng: “Youyouyouyouyouyouyou…..” Then Xi Cheng’s eyes rolled up and he almost fainted. Jing’er quickly ran up and helped Xi Cheng by knocking on his back, allowing Xi Cheng finally catch his breath. He grabs Jing’er’s hands, his voices trembling with excitement: “What did you just call him?”

Jing’er: “Bro, he is my brother.”

Xi Cheng looks towards the sky and sighs: “The heaven opened its eyes! He is your brother?! Truly heaven treats me well. I will not eat meat for three days to thank heaven for its kindness to me.”

Jing’er: “What are you talking about? Are you really going crazy?”

A Jie: “Jing’er, head up first. I have something to say to this man.”

Jing’er hesitates: “Bro, you really know him? ……. Please don’t fight with him anymore.”

A Jie: “Head back quickly, it will be trouble if dad and mom wakes up.”

Jing’er nods, she turns to look at Xi Cheng before turning to leave.

Xi Cheng’s gaze longingly followed Jing’er as she left. Then he turns to face A Jie’s stern face.

 

 

Though the situation between Xi Cheng and Jing’er is met with an unexpected turn, the battle in Seattle Net Café remains a struggling stalemate. Blood Flower is slightly behind X·FILES in the second half. Despite this, the girls remained extraordinarily tenacious, leaving X·FILES with no room for respite.

Sweat already dots Wang Bi De’s forehead, and even the normally easy going rabbit is having a sour look on his face. While Ah K remained in the strange and dreamy feeling, unable to free himself – during every match, his cannot help but gaze into the distance in hopes of seeing Xiao Xiao’s beautiful figure.

People in Seattle Net Café are conquered by Blood Flower’s courage and momentum. It is the first time that such a one sided scene happened in X·FILES’ home base, Seattle Net Café. Everyone’s gaze is focused on the screens of Blood Flower players – Cheering for their exceptional shots, silent for their unfortunate deaths.

Players of Blood Flowers earned widespread respect with their skill and courage. No one treats them as mere flower vases that’s only good for show, instead they now marvel at their exceptional skill together with their brilliant and coordinated teamwork. Especially their captain Tian Nan, her exceptional leadership and calm response to unexpected changes in the battle make the match seem like the reply of an international CS tournament. Exciting and great joys to watch.

After the 9^th round, Wang Bi De lets out a heavy sigh. All X·FILES players knew, with a score of 5:4, they can’t possibly win the entire match. Even if they win all three remaining rounds, they’d still lose the match with a score of 11:13. Defeat is a certainty – the first defeat of the year is finally going to happen. Not to mention this is a loss in their base, a defeat with no excuse. The same system spec, the same Ping, the same environment and the same audience. X·FILES’s second and third line players silently gathered around the players in the match, their expression worn and concerned.

The last three rounds have nothing to do with victory, only honor. Under Wang Bi De’s lead, the teams gave up on defence, and began to rush. Meanwhile, someone people begin to call A Jie and Xi Cheng’s cellphone in hopes of getting them to the scene quickly. Perhaps they may turn things around with their presence in a second match. Yet neither of them picked up their phone. This is rather baffling – as the two of them usually have their phone turned on 24 hours a day.

Of course, their teammates in the net café could not have known that A Jie and Xi Cheng are in a silent standoff. The two best friends negotiating over a girl they both care deeply about.

The building in Office once again became a bloody battlefield. Wang Bi De anxiously commanded his comrades to hold their ground. Yet Blood Flower plays did not give up on vicious firefights just because victory is in their hands. They continued on as usual, giving no quarters and making the match a living hell for X·FILES players with their spirited will to fight and exceptional skills.

Wang Bi De did not lead his teammates to protect what remained of their honor, instead, they fell into a deeper abyss. Under Tian Nan’s leadership, the seemingly soft girls shredded X·FILES’ last line of defense with a shocking offensive. The last three rounds went like a breeze to the Blood Flowers, leading to another climax near the end of the match.

Blood Flower won the second half with the score of 7:5, and thus winning the entire match with 16:8.

As the last X·FILES players fell, the entire room is silent. After a while, applause began to sound in the net café, almost as though the crowd had finally come to term with what happened. First, the applause began in the audience, then it spread to the entire net café. Even second and third line players of X·FILES began to clap, though their face dark with the performance of their first line team, Blood Flower’s performance won the heart of everyone present.

Under Tian Nan’s lead, Blood Flower players stood up and nodded to the audience in thanks. Ah Lin’s smiling, alluring eyes sprayed the crowd like a machine gun. The men quickly flooded ahead to ask for Ah Lin’s QQ number, some even asked Ah Lin for a late night snack. Ah Lin responded with a smile: “No can do, Captain says we can’t act on our own.”

Ah K dumbfoundedly sat on the side, his eyes not leaving Xiao Xiao for a moment. He really wants to ask for Xiao Xiao’s contact, but his legs seem to be filled with lead. His throat is also dry and unable to speak.

Wang Bi De stops Tian Nan as she is about to leave: “Can you wait for a bit, we are trying to contact our captain and another sniper, maybe we can have a second match here.”

Tian Nan follows Wang Bi De’s gaze, two team members are desperately making calls on their phone, hoping to reach their Captain and Xi Cheng.

Two ringtones sounded simultaneously under a residential community building in Haidian district, Beijing, for god knows how many times tonight. A Jie and Xi Cheng did not move, letting the cellphone’s ringtone pierce the dark night sky.

Xi Cheng finally speaks: “I will not give up, I will never give up. If you insist, I quit the team. Even If I have to give up CS, I will not give up Jing’er. Goodbye.” Withthat, Xi Cheng turns to leave.

Through the noise in the net café, Wang Bi De hears Tian Nan’s cold and crisp voice: “We will not wait. Please let A Jie know that we will see each other in the finals of the national tournament. Goodbye.”

With that, all Blood Flower players left the net café.

They left with the same confidence and grace as when they came. Even they couldn’t have expected the waves of change they had unleashed. There is only one thing that is certain, Blood Flower’s charisma conquered almost everyone playing games in the net café that night. People playing Legend of Mir, MU, and Cross Gate almost all begin to play CS, and begin to spread this almost legendary CS match on the internet. CS girls is no longer a funny meme, but a force to be respected.

This night in Beijing is destined to be a sleepless one.

 

TL Note 1: A major cemetery in Beijing is located at Mt. Ba Bao

Chapter 7 Part 2

Chapter 7 Part 2 – They come from Shanghai

 

At the start of round two, Wang Bi De gestured to the CTs to quickly capture advantageous terrain, but refrained from rushing to fight against the T. As they had lost the critical first round, the CT couldn't afford good guns in the second. As a result, they must still rely on pistols, but they gritted their teeth and bought plenty of grenades. Grenades can damage the opponent at a distance, and Wang Bi De still trusts his teammate’s pistol skill to carry them through in close quarter fighting.

 

Unexpectedly, the T did not use the standard strategy of defense meant for this map, instead, they did a full rush. The five of them came out like a tornado armed with AK. As the CT have positioned themselves apart, with some distance to cover before they can assist each other, they were easily defeated in detail by the group of T.

 

Wang Bi De thought angrily: “Do these girls know the rules? T shouldn’t be rushing out like this! Yet despite the fact that they didn’t play by the book at all, they didn’t leave us with any chance to fight back” After 4 rounds of struggles, CT can finally afford heavy weapons like M4 and AWP.

 

Ah K, holding his AWP, nods to Rabbit and Wang Bi De, gesturing that his sniping position will definitely hold, and they can rush ahead. Rabbit picked MP5, as he needed more money to buy equipment like grenades and smokes. Wang Bi De instead bought an M4 without hesitation. While his skill with the M4 is slightly behind A Jie, his speciality in long range bursts are still seldomly matched within the nation. CT charged into the building under Ah K’s sniper cover.

 

“We need to win this round, we have to win.” Wang Bi De thought quietly to himself: “X·FILES have never been in such a disadvantaged position. If we lose the match today, how will I have the face to stay in the team.”

 

The building is silent, the T seems to have evaporated. No one manned the usual defensive positions, even the hostage room is empty. Rabbit turned around to look at Wang Bi De, the latter’s face hard and serious. The CT carefully picked up the hostages and began to escort them out of the building.

 

Ah K is holding the sniping position across the building, focusing all his attention at the building across from him. The enemy sniper must be hiding somewhere, stalking him. Ah K knew his mere existence meant protection for his teammates and intimidation for his enemy. As long as his AWP is here, the enemy wouldn’t dare to make rash decisions.

 

Most of the time, Ah K isn’t a confident person. In real life, he is just a minor employee that no one knows about. Yet he knows it well, the moment he picks up the AWP, he is no longer himself. He is someone who can decide the life and death of others.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, in a residential community in Beijing, comrade Xi Cheng is making full use of his sniper skills to stare at the building exit. The short security guard did not show up this time, Xi Cheng thought with relief. Usually, whenever Xi Cheng waited for Jing’er to come down to dump garbage, the short security guard would appear like a ghost. He would pat Xi Cheng on the shoulder and ask: “Bro, taking a dump?” For several times, Xi Cheng nearly got a heart attack.

 

He found out eventually from the news that the community’s strata management is nationally acclaimed, having caught many thieves and ruffians. That short security guard was their outstanding employee. The paper even had a photo of that damned guy’s smiling face. Xi Cheng took care to keep that newspaper – anything having to do with the little beauty will make Xi Cheng feel particularly warm and sense of longing.

 

Meanwhile, the short security guard hadn't shown up, and Jing’Er did not come down to dump garbage at 7. Xi Cheng waited until 10 and still no one showed. Several times he almost wanted to charge up there and knock on the door of unit 204. If Jing’er father opened the door, he would say: “Please allow me to start a relationship with your daughter.” If it is Jing’er mother, he would say: “Aunt, you really are young and beautiful. I am in love with your daughter, please allow her to marry me!”. Of course, that’s just thoughts in his mind, he doesn’t have the gut to really go up.

 

When did Xi Cheng change to be like this? He thought with a bitter smile. This girl gradually forced her way into the entirety of his being – no, maybe just three quarters. A quarter of it he will leave for CS. In the not so distant future, he will be sure to teach CS to the little beauty. By that time the blade and the wielder will be one, and everything shall be in place. Thinking about the joy of playing CS together with the little beauty, he couldn’t help but smile.

 

Today is Jing’er’s birthday, Xi Cheng prepared a special gift for her, and he will deliver it to her solemnly. He is also determined to kiss her no matter what. If a romantic kiss is not permitted by the circumstances, at least a respectful one to celebrate her birthday. He did not tell her he is coming today, hoping to give her a surprise. Thinking about Jing’er look of joy, he couldn’t help but smile dumbly again.

 

While he was smiling dumbly, the target appeared. Flowers blossomed in Xi Cheng’s heart as he saw the little beauty jogging along. Just as he is about to say to her: “Why are you home so little, you really had me worried….” – He froze in place.

 

There is another man beside the little beauty.

 

It is clear the little beauty is very close to him. The man had a box of birthday cake in his hand, and his other hand held Jing’Er’s. Jing’er obediently allowed her hand to be held, and is talking to him with a smile. Xi Cheng faintly heard Jing’er speak: “…You have to put in a few good words in front of dad and mom, or they will scold me for sure for coming home this late.”

 

The man replies: “This class of yours, just had to have the class conference today. Didn’t they know today is little Wu Jing’s birthday?”

 

Jing’er pouts: “It’s always the class president. He always wants to….” The rest, Xi Cheng can’t hear clearly.

 

They went up together.

 

Xi Cheng felt his heart carved open with a knife. He punched the wall of the building, and his fist immediately bled from hitting the rough cast stone surface. Yet he felt no pain, he simply felt himself shattering with a clatter like a sheet of glass falling to the ground.

 

He has no idea how he got in the car – He went out of his way to borrow it from his boss, to take the little beauty for a ride – nor does he know how he started the car. He started the car, but had no idea where to go. He felt like one of those mob characters disabled by a single palm strike from a martial art master in those special effect movies, left no better than a prop at some corner of the scene.

 

The man beside the little beauty, Xi Cheng saw him well. It is none other than the captain he meets every day, A Jie.

 

 

 

Ah K observed movements in the building across from him without a moment of respite. According to his judgement, his teammate will soon be out with the hostage. This is the most dangerous time, as T snipers will usually ambush the CT carrying the hostage, and thus making all the CT’s effort go to waste. Ah K’s duty is to ensure that his teammate can safely make the distance between the building and their own spawn, and at the same time striking against any armed force of the enemy. In this position of eternal waiting, he has but an instant to decide between life, or death.

 

Where could she be hiding? The girl is called “Xiao Xiao”. When their captain Tian Nan introduced Xiao Xiao, Ah K took a very good look at her. He wants to know how that innocent looking girl with big eyes could become a sniper. Sniping is a dangerous and dull role, long time spent waiting is a long time spent suffering against silent dangers. Should the enemy break through, the sniper is usually facing certain death against vicious machine guns in short range. She chose the same position as him – Sniper – How many deaths have her beautiful eyes witnessed behind the sniper’s scope?

 

Ah K shook his head and forced himself to focus once more. Whether the opponent be a hulking brute or a gentle maiden, they are but target within his scope. The only person he should think about is Xi Cheng. Only Xi Cheng stood firmly in front of him, making him unable to push forward, nor back down. So Xiao Xiao, do not be afraid when you appear. Death in a game is not to be feared, let my 9mm Armor Piercing bullet (Tl Note 1) accompany you to your grave. If your skill is worthy of my respect, I will see you as a rival, Ah K thought to himself.

 

Within Ah K focused gaze, Xiao Xiao appeared.

 

Her figure briefly appeared behind the window of the building across from Ah K. Ah K knew she was trying to search for his location, and during that instant she must have found out his location. The next step is for the two to decide the matter with their rifle skills. Ah K is just about to focus his mind to take her out with a quick shot when she shows herself again when he realizes half of her body is awkwardly stuck outside the window.

 

Ah K did not know whether she was doing so on purpose, or simply did not have what it takes to realize the critical mistake. Ah K fired without hesitation.

 

Xiao Xiao’s body slowly fell, the blood slowly tainted the carpet in the building. In that moment, Ah K suddenly felt a hint of sadness in his heart. He was expecting a tough battle, and yet it ended without any of the struggles he expected.

 

He stares blankly at the glass window pierced by the bullet, behind it, is a corpse.

 

Though he rarely participated in formal matches, Ah K too has killed quite a bit of people. Yet none of those times brought the harrowing feeling he is currently experiencing. It is as though he killed a person that he is very familiar and close to. Yet that Xiao Xiao, they only just met tonight. They have not spoken before, and Xiao Xiao hasn't even looked at him. Why is he so sad after killing her? He is even faintly hoping that he should be the one that died. He quietly turned around to look at Xiao Xiao who was sitting a row behind him, the latter waving the net café owner over.

 

The two chatted a bit in shanghai dialect, and the owner returned with a new mouse. Xiao Xiao shyly thanked the owner, sat down again at her seat and restarted her computer. When Ah K returned to his own world, he felt a sharp and cold pain – Tian Nan had quietly walked behind him and killed him with her dagger. Ah K is already dead before he could react, he saw Tian Nan coldly walk over his dead body, dropped her AK and picked up his AWP.

 

Tian Nan took over the duty of sniper.

 

Tian Nan would go on to kill 4 CT before she finally died in Wang Bi De’s hand. Just like Ah K, she was killed with a dagger. CT had finally won a round.

 

 

 

Xi Cheng reeks of alcohol when he knocks open Hui Hui’s door. Of course, he has no idea what kind of difficult battle his comrades are fighting in the Seattle Net Café.

 

He told Hui Hui: “I drank too much, if I go back, my old man is gonna beat me. But he can’t beat me in a fight, I am worried that if I get excited and fight back, I might hurt the old man.”

 

Hui Hui: “Say no more, come in.”

 

Hui Hui is a white collar working for an office, she moved out on her own after graduation. From university to work, no one knew she was the daughter of the famous minister Wang. Xi Cheng and A Jie had talked about Hui Hui before, A Jie said that Hui Hui seems to be a nice girl, why don’t you care for her more? Xi Cheng replied that someone who is unpredictable like himself will just trouble Hui Hui if he is to get together with her.

 

All that said, it is still true that Xi Cheng had good feelings towards Hui Hui since their historical arranged date. Hui Hui knew Xi Cheng had many girlfriends, and even now their relationship is still nothing exciting, yet she never made things difficult for Xi Cheng.

 

Xi Cheng couldn’t quite think of a word describe this independent girl until Ah K said “Self Love and Self Respect”. That term describes Hui Hui perfectly. Hui Hui likes Xi Cheng, Xi Cheng can tell with a glance of his eye. Ye Xi Cheng had been purposely avoiding her, for he knew that a good girl like her shouldn’t be wasted on him – he know he does not love her.

 

Yet when he was at his most painful moment, he couldn’t help but came to the door where she lived, and couldn’t resist but to knock open her door. He does not know why. He just knows that being by her side, smelling the faint fragrance from her might ease his pain.

 

Xi Cheng sat down on the couch. Hui Hui poured him a cup of lemonade: “Drink it, it will help with the alcohol.” Xi Cheng received the clear glass cup from her white hand, the drink’s ripple reflected through the glass. He suddenly couldn’t hold it any longer. He hugged Hui Hui and began to cry loudly.

 

After crying for a while, he heard Hui Hui’s faint voice: “Let me go, I can’t breathe…” Xi Cheng quickly let go of Hui Hui, then turned around to hug a large stuffed dog and continued crying. Hui Hui took a deep breath before recollecting herself – Xi Cheng is already crying his hearts out on the side.

 

Hui Hui sat silently beside him, waiting as his crying grew fainter and fainter, finally showing signs of calming down. She pats his shoulder: “Since university until now, never seen you this sad.”

 

It is perhaps better that she didn’t mention it, as Xi Cheng lost himself again and began crying once more. After a while, he suddenly raises his head and asks puzzlingly: “You are two years younger than me and not the same major, how did you know me back then?

 

Hui Hui: “Who in the school wouldn’t know someone as famous as you are? You are a known poet on the school paper and the guitarist for the band, going up whenever there is a performance – It will be weird if I didn’t know you.”

 

Xi Cheng: “Then why did you pretend to meet me for the first time at that arranged date?

 

Hui Hui: “That would’ve been awkward, you don’t know me back then.”

 

Xi Cheng gave an “Oh”, and suddenly thought about the day where he and Jing’er first met – Neither of them knew each other, Jing’er kneeled on the ground, her face full of fear – His tear falling once more as sadness overtakes him again.

 

Hui Hui: “Do you want to sleep? You can have the living room, I’ll head back to my room.”

 

Xi Cheng grabs Hui Hui’s hand: “Don’t go, I’m scared to be alone. I’m scared. I miss her, but she is with some other man…… together with my best friend.

 

Hui Hui was silent for a moment, she tilts her head in thought, then she says: “Then you can change the target of your love, to someone like me. Hehe. Our parents were all sure that we are going out.”

 

Xi Cheng: “Your highness, please don’t make this messier. Didn’t I tell you we are bros?

 

Hui Hui: “You have a point – no idea why my dad thinks so highly of you. Heheh, if he knew you played CS all day his mustache will probably stick up in anger.

 

Xi Cheng: “My dad’s mustache is already like that every day.”

 

Hui Hui: “No wonder, that time when I saw your dad at the movie reception, his mustache really was sticking up.

 

Xi Cheng: “That must be a mistake, my mom said he wouldn’t let my old man out without shaving.”

 

Hui Hui: “Could it be I got the wrong person? That couldn’t be, your dad likes black suits, whenever my dad talks about your dad when he gets home, he calls him “blackie”.”

 

Xi Cheng: “So your father acts all polite and proper, but still gives people nicknames behind their backs?”

Hui Hui: “Haha, not just nicknames, how he and my mom call each other are the real cheesy part….”

 

Xi Cheng: “Your parents really have a great relationship…..”

 

Hui Hui realized things weren't going well when she heard that – At the mention of “relationship”, Xi Cheng’s eye seems to turn red again. Though he held it back this time, he let out a light cough and grabbed the stuffed dog. For some reason, He had been messing with the stuffed dog’s ear this whole time.

 

Hui Hui: “Are you hungry? Should I make you some noodles?”

 

Xi Cheng politely turned her down, he checked his watch, it was 22:49 PM.

 

Meanwhile, in Seattle Net Café, Ah K’s battle against Xiao Xiao begins in earnest. Ah K realized that he was only able to defeat Xiao Xiao in their last duel because her mouse was stuck. Xiao Xiao was like a talented hunter finally receiving a good rifle once she got her new mouse. She took out three X·FILES players in row like a tiger charging down from the mountains. Ah K held his gun tightly, anxiously observing the distant building. If the remaining teammate can’t bring the hostage back, he must do it himself.

 

That is when he saw Xiao Xiao.

 

Xiao Xiao appeared before the window of the building like a ghost. Ah K suddenly had the urge to turn around and look at Xiao Xiao right now, the real Xiao Xiao before the computers. The girl leisurely appears before the window, her beautiful eyes hidden under the skin of a terrorist.

 

But Ah K cannot turn around.

 

He knew the entire team’s honor rested upon him. For a team who wants to become no.1 in China, how can they establish themselves in the world of CS if they lost to a team coming from afar? This battle would be a shame that will stay with them for life. They had not lost once this year, this undefeated record cannot end in their hands.

 

He quickly took aim at Xiao Xiao, her beautiful and innocent face appeared squarely in the center of the scope. The next moment is the moment of Xiao Xiao’s death.

 

The gunshot sounded, a long and clear gunshot unique to the sniper rifle.

 

The observing crowd let out a collective gasp. With that, Ah K realized two things: One, he did not kill Xiao Xiao, she avoided the deadliest hit areas with incredible instinct. Though she is severely wounded, she did not sacrifice herself. Secondly, he was hit in the head by a whistling AK-47 bullet. With his body falling backward, almost in slow motion, Ah K saw his body falling from mid-air, making a deep and dull noise as it hit the floor.

 

Behind Xiao Xiao, is the cold and merciless face of Tian Nan.

 

Wang Bi De and Ah K’s expression darkens. Rabbit swears within his head: “This damned teamwork……”

 

At the end of the first half, the score is 9:3 with Blood Flower in the lead.

At 22:59 PM, Beijing Time, the second half of the match between X·FILES and Blood Flower begin.

 

X·FILES switches to the T side, Blood Flower as CT.

 

Wang Bi De and another teammate each guarded one of the two entrances to the building, Rabbit and another teammate guarded the hostage room, and Ah K remained mobile.

 

Everyone’s heart is filled with a hint of uncertainty, not knowing whether they can make up for their defeat in the first half in the second. Rabbit crouched in a corner of the hostage room vigilantly, checking the large glass window once in a while, lest the enemy decide to assault there. Wang Bi De and his teammate held their breath at the doors, waiting for the enemy to come to them.

 

After one minute, still no movements from the CT. Wang Bi De gave a signal to his teammate to stand their ground. Based on his experience, the CT will attack soon. Sure enough, after 15 seconds, the first CT cautiously appeared in his sight. Wang Bi De fired rapidly with his pistol, finally taking her out. The rest of the CT quickly came to reinforce, hearing the gunshot from Wang Bi De’s area.

 

The originally silent building immediately became a scene of bloody battle. People were hit, bled, and falling all the time… the sounds of pistol and grenade explosion threw everything into chaos. Wang Bi De continuously commanded his comrades to hold each position. Now everything will be decided by each side’s ability in a short range firefight. CT continuously charged the gate, hoping to break through the cross fire with teamwork, and the T sacrificed everything to defend their favorable terrain --- both sides suffered heavy losses.

 

The observer seems to be more worried than the CSER playing the game. Everyone’s brow angled worryingly, the crowd reacted to each message of death with a sigh. Some begin to quietly discuss the outcome of this match – As the first round of this half, it is far too important. It will decide which of the two teams will have a fund lead in the next 11 rounds. Funds means equipment, equipment means life and death. So everyone fought their hardest for the victory of this round.

 

2 minutes and 41 seconds after the round started, Wang Bi De wipes the sweat from his forehead.

 

They won round 1.

 

With the start of round two, neither side bought, so it was a pistol battle once more. T was able to win another round, the CT’s coordination seems a bit chaotic. Voices begin to appear in the crowd. Could it be that the all-girl team couldn’t hold on any longer?

 

At round three, T begin to take up defensive positions with their AKs. AH K is crouched near the glass window with his AK. This is the most dangerous position, but also the best vantage point. While he is using the AK, it is still used like a sniper rifle with long range precision fire.

 

Ah K paces around the window, and in his heart, he still longs to see Xiao Xiao. He doesn’t really know why. The only thing he can be sure of is, this night, in Seattle Net Café, Beijing, Earth, He – Ah K’s fate officially changed – For the first time in his life he felt this sour and sweet feeling. Yet the feeling is directed towards a girl he had just met tonight, and the two have not even exchanged words with each other. Ah K thought with emotion: “Maybe this is fate?”

 

He finally saw Xiao Xiao as he had wished. In fact, this guy did allow a smile to escape his lips when he did. Of course, Xiao Xiao also smiled briefly. It’s just after this brief smile, Xiao Xiao seized his gun with lightning speed, Ah K’s body lying face up on the ground, with 4, 5 pistol bullets in his body.

 

When he fell into the cold embrace of death, he suddenly realized, even if he wasn’t distracted, he is not confident in his reaction to survive Xiao Xiao’s sudden appearance and her pistol fire. Xiao Xiao was too fast.

 

Xiao Xiao was boosted up the window by her teammates, she left the AK to her captain Tian Nan. She continued on with only a pistol (losing two rounds in a row meant they have no fund for guns. Just as is sneaking towards the next exit, Wang Bi De appeared.

 

At this point, there are three paths before Xiao Xiao:

 

1. Fight back with everything she has, try to kill Wang Bi De and clear this obstacle for her team with her skill.

 

2. Give up on precision fire, focus on running and wasting Wang Bi De’s bullet, while waiting for teammates to rescue her.

 

3. Retreat immediately, preserve her life and fighting ability, attack after she regroups with her team.

 

In option 1, as Xiao Xiao’s weapon is a pistol and Wang Bi De’s is an AK, Xiao Xiao has little chance in a gunfight. In option 2, Xiao Xiao basically chose death, Tian Nan is clearing another path behind her, it is unknown when she will be able to come help. Though given the team’s coordination, Tian Nan should fill the gap sooner than later. In option 3, Xiao Xiao’s chance to escape depends on Wang Bi De’s shooting accuracy and speed. Given Wang Bi De’s skill, Xiao Xiao’s hope for survival is slim.

 

Wang Bi De and Xiao Xiao exchanged but a glance – in a second’s time, the three options have been acknowledged, weighted, calculated, and anticipated in both of their hearts.

 

Which option to choose? Wang Bi De smiles. No matter what she chooses, it is clear that she can’t escape his sight. No matter what, it is unforgivable for someone with his skill to blunder when his opponent only has a pistol. His gun is aimed at Xiao Xiao’s head, following her movement. He knows, Xiao Xiao will soon appear in the list of the dead.

 

Which option to choose? Xiao Xiao smiles. No matter what she chooses, it is clear that she can’t escape the opponent’s sight. If that is how it is, then let’s face it with peace of mind. Many things in life can’t be predicted, nor can they be changed. If that is how it is, then let's just die like a real warrior.

 

The crowd lets out a slight sigh. This brave maiden is about to die, but still she held her position like a real warrior. She continues to fight back valiantly with a pistol, and her foot did not stop, still charging towards the enemy.

 

Any observer with a slight understanding of tactics immediately realizes that Xiao Xiao hopes to reduce the enemy’s advantage in weapons with close range fighting. This came at the expense of her life – Xiao Xiao is already seriously wounded by the time she is in front of Wang Bi De. Wang Bi De adjusts his sight to aim at Xiao Xiao again. Now, one more shot will kill Xiao Xiao. What surprised Wang Bi De is that Xiao Xiao was able to take out quite a bit of his HP by firing back with a mere pistol. He smiles again, this girl, she’s quite something.

 

Yet his smile quickly froze. The crowd lets out a cry of surprise, followed by silence. This is a rare sight in the Seattle Net Café.

 

Xiao Xiao’s body fell to the ground, her blood covering her gun in stark red.

 

Yet before she died, before Wang Bi De fired the last deadly bullet, Xiao Xiao calmly tossed away her pistol, taking out the only grenade she was carrying and pulled the pin.

 

The sound of the grenade’s explosion is accompanied by cries of surprise from the crowd, Wang Bi De’s surprise and quick attempt to escape. Then, everything became silent.

 

Wang Bi De’s body fell beside Xiao Xiao.

 

Blood Flower players that arrived shortly after stopped briefly by Xiao Xiao’s body, before picking up Wang Bi De’s AK and continuing their assault.

 

They won this round. In a respectful silence, players from Blood Flower successfully rescued the hostages.

 

X·FILES lost their initial advantage and fell into tough battles once more.

 

TL Note 1: AWP did not chamber 9mm bullets so this is likely a mistake from the writer.