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.