WCG Chapter 77

Jiang Shi stared intently at Xie Xu. “What position does he play? I’ll PK[mfn]player kill; it’s originally a MMORPG term (literally killing a player), but in China’s gaming scene, it’s more like “picking a fight”, and not only in-game fight too.[/mfn] him.”  

He will definitely beat that kid until they surrender. 

Jiang Shi took off his headset and proactively pulled out his phone. “I’ll add them. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can spectate.”  

By then, he didn’t believe Xie Xu would still be able to say something outrageous like ‘It’s the same.’  

Xie Xu glanced at Jiang Shi’s WeChat interface, his gaze flickering slightly. “I don’t contact him through WeChat.”  

Jiang Shi frowned. “QQ number? That works too.”  

Although Jiang Shi didn’t use QQ often, he could still dig out an account if needed.  

He immediately displayed his QQ number to Xie Xu. “Should I add them, or will they add me?”  

Xie Xu glanced at the number. It wasn’t the one he remembered.  

“I don’t have his contact info anymore,” Xie Xu retracted his gaze. “He unilaterally deleted me for no reason.”  

As he said this, Xie Xu kept observing Jiang Shi’s reaction.  

Jiang Shi was stunned for a moment. After processing what Xie Xu said, his eyes widened.  

“That kid is way too much!”  

But then, a question came to his mind. “Did you two only use one QQ account to keep in touch?”  

“Mm.” Xie Xu replied. “He said, ‘Distance creates beauty.’”  

Back then, Jiang Shi was only interested in his hands. 

Jiang Shi: “?!”  

“How can there be such a scumbag in this world!” 

Jiang Shi’s expression became even angrier than when he found out Xie Xu had a late-night duo queue partner. He clenched his fist and swung it, as if mentally punching the guy.  

“Someone who toys with feelings like that better not cross my path.”  

In Jiang Shi’s mind, Xie Xu was flawless in every aspect, easily scoring a perfect ten. Someone so perfect, and yet someone dumped him?  

Just thinking about it annoyed him.  

Xie Xu saw Jiang Shi’s flushed face from anger and lowered his gaze, hiding a faint smile. “You probably won’t have a chance to meet him.”  

Jiang Shi misunderstood Xie Xu’s intention. “You’re still defending him at a time like this? Captain, he must have a new love!”  

Xie Xu: “…”  

“Don’t let someone like that bother you. Not only does he have bad taste, but he’s probably messed up in the head too.” While badmouthing the guy, Jiang Shi moved his chair closer to Xie Xu and patted his shoulder in a comforting manner. “You’ll definitely meet someone better!”  

Like him!  

Jiang Shi looked sincere. “Captain, I would never treat you like that. I always reply to your messages right away. I’d never leave you hanging.”  

Xie Xu lazily raised his gaze. “What about last night?”  

Jiang Shi instantly fell silent and quickly changed the topic. “That was an accident! Besides, what I mean is, we wouldn’t rely on just one contact method. All my social media accounts have you as a friend!”  

He started counting on his fingers. “WeChat, Weibo, phone, live-streaming accounts, all my game accounts—you can find me on any of them.”  

“Oh, and you also know Bamboo’s contact. He’s my only friend.”  

Jiang Shi spoke with such conviction that it felt like he was ready to hand over his ID card to Xie Xu for safekeeping if he didn’t believe him.  

“Captain, I’m not like him. I’ve got nothing to hide from you.”  

Jiang Shi was full of heartfelt sincerity, but in the next second, Xie Xu’s words left him frozen in place.  

“All your social accounts have me as a friend?” Xie Xu’s tone carried a hint of amusement. “What about Weibo?”  

Jiang Shi’s expression instantly showed a trace of panic.  

Did Xie Xu know about his Weibo alt account?  

But he quickly dismissed the thought.  

He hadn’t even told Bamboo about this alt account—it was something he used to entertain himself under the covers at night. There was no way Xie Xu could know.  

“Captain, I don’t have a Weibo alt account?” Jiang Shi blinked innocently, suppressing his earlier panic and speaking earnestly. “The registration process for Weibo is such a hassle. I only have my main account, Time.”  

Jiang Shi already looked pure and innocent, and when he put on a pitiful act, it was even more convincing. Even Jiang Lele, who was playing games nearby, couldn’t help but glance over.  

“Captain, are you talking about T Bao?” Jiang Lele, a seasoned fan, chimed in. “When he makes this face, he’s usually done something wrong and is pretending. Press him a bit more, and he’ll spill.”  

Jiang Shi: “?”  

He immediately started a game to end the conversation with Xie Xu.  

Thanks to Jiang Lele, Jiang Shi’s attempt to suck up failed, and he nearly got exposed for his secret alt account. During their duo queue later that night, he didn’t dare make a single flirtatious comment. After the games, he slinked back to his room in embarrassment.  

When Bamboo received a message from Jiang Shi, he was a bit surprised.  

[Bamboo: I haven’t slept yet. Tell me if you have something to say.] 

Jiang Shi hesitated for three seconds.  

Could a lifelong single dog like Bamboo really be of any help? But he didn’t have anyone else to turn to.  

So, Jiang Shi briefly explained everything that had happened over the past few days.  

[Bamboo: Hahaha! Lele really knows you too well. It’s honestly a miracle you two have managed to coexist peacefully these past months.]

[Bamboo: But seriously, Xu has a duo queue partner? And it’s some young guy? That’s unexpected. Doesn’t that bother you?]

Jiang Shi hadn’t mentioned much about that guy earlier.  

[Obedient Jiangjiang: Of course it bothers me!]

Bamboo thought about Jiang Shi’s current obsession with Xie Xu and was about to console him, but Jiang Shi quickly followed up.  

[Obedient Jiangjiang: But since he’s gone now, this is the perfect opportunity for me to step in and send some warmth~]

But halfway through his plan, Jiang Lele had ruined it.  

For some reason, Bamboo felt Jiang Shi’s words sounded strangely familiar. Before he could figure it out, Jiang Shi interrupted his thoughts.  

[Obedient Jiangjiang: Stop talking nonsense and focus. Xie Xu is so hard to pursue QAQ]

[Bamboo: I told you that ages ago. Did you really think Xie Xu was as easy to fool as your ex-online boyfriend?]

[Bamboo: Honestly, it doesn’t even feel like you’re trying that hard. You’re not even half as passionate as you were with your ex.]

Bamboo had been in the internet café with Jiang Shi once and remembered how Jiang Shi wouldn’t stop calling his ex “gege” during a match.  

Jiang Shi reflected for a moment. Bamboo had a point.  

But in real life, he couldn’t naturally call Xie Xu “gege.” It was too embarrassing.  

[Obedient Jiangjiang: I’ll work harder.]

Before bed, Jiang Shi revisited his Weibo alt account but didn’t find any useful tips. Instead, he ended up staring at a pixelated hand close-up for ten minutes, appreciating its beauty.  

To be fair, his ex-boyfriend’s hands were stunning.  

But now, he purely admired them without longing or sadness.  

Besides, Xie Xu’s hands were just as beautiful. They even had a tiny mole, which gave him an excuse to touch them occasionally — something he found much more satisfying.  

Jiang Shi couldn’t resist revisiting some of the posts on his alt account, reminiscing about certain scenarios. Some posts even seemed to connect with his own tweets in a clever way.  

Eventually, blushing, he posted a new tweet on his alt account and went to sleep with a grin.  

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xie Xu opened that alt account and noticed the new post.  

[Gege is amazing. Kiss kiss, hug hug, cuddle cuddle, sleep sleep~]  

The old posts, which had been ignored, now had a like—clearly from the account owner.  

[His hands are so big, he should be able to hold my entire neck, right? Will he like to grab me?]

[His fingers are so long, and he can help me do many, many things.]

[I don’t know if my Gege prefers doing it from the front or behind…]

Xie Xu stared at the posts for a long time before finally putting down his phone.  

Which “gege” was Jiang Shi referring to?  

---

With Bamboo’s guidance, Jiang Shi tried to muster the same passion and clinginess he’d shown toward his ex.  

After waking up 30 minutes early the next morning, he didn’t forget to message Xie Xu.  

[Obedient Jiangjiang: Good morning, Captain!]

[Obedient Jiangjiang: I’m going downstairs to make you wontons! This is a love-filled breakfast for the captain!]

But when he got to the kitchen, the cook wouldn’t let him do anything. Jiang Shi could only stand by awkwardly, helping serve the wontons.  

After Xie Xu finished eating, Jiang Shi didn’t miss the chance to ask for validation. “Was it good? It’s my first time cooking.”  

[Gege, this is my first time making instant noodles with this flavor. Try it first next time.]  

Xie Xu swallowed the last wonton before speaking. “The wonton skin was a bit tough—it wasn’t fully cooked.”  

Jiang Shi: “?!”  

He had secretly scooped out the first batch for Xie Xu too quickly!  

Panicking, Jiang Shi wanted to replace it for him, but when he looked down, the bowl was already empty.  

Resigned, he handed Xie Xu the tissue box.  

Xie Xu: “?”  

Jiang Shi: “For when you get diarrhea.”  

Xie Xu: “…”  

---

At exactly 6 PM, the keyboard endorsed by Xie Xu and Jiang Shi officially launched, with a first-day limited release of 3,000 units, each accompanied by their handwritten signatures.  

Half an hour before the launch, Xie Xu and Jiang Shi started a livestream to build anticipation.  

With Xie Xu involved, those 3,000 keyboards were going to be a battle to secure.  

Three minutes before the countdown ended, Jiang Shi’s livestream was flooded with fans’ prayer-filled comments.  

[Please, let me grab one!]  

[This silver-pink design is made for Little White Hair! Missing out would haunt me forever!]  

[By the way, does anyone know what Little White Hair’s handwritten signature says?]  

[No clue, I’m too focused on the keyboard itself.]  

[T Bao, give us a hint!]  

Jiang Shi spotted the comment and turned to Xie Xu for permission.  

Xie Xu nodded, “You can reveal part of it.”  

Only then did Jiang Shi respond to the fans, “I don’t remember all of it, but I do remember one line.”  

“I hope this keyboard helps you dominate the canyon.”  

Just as fans were getting hyped about the inspiring message, Jiang Shi added with a smirk:  

“If you lose a flaming war, don’t tell people you’re using the keyboard I endorsed.”  

He couldn’t stand weaklings embarrassing his name.  

[How did that signature even pass review?]  

[Bet the TLG and TKI teams never expected Little White Hair to interpret it like this…]  

[I wasn’t into the signature before, but now I’m hooked!]  

[Whoever gets it should decode it for us, hahaha…]  

With a minute left on the clock, Jiang Shi pulled out his phone.  

[?Wait, what is this kid doing?]  

[I swear I saw a familiar red shopping app screen.]  

[Fck, you already have the keyboard, what are you even trying fight for it!]  

[Little idiot, get lost! Don’t take someone else’s spot!]  

Ignoring the accusations in the chat, Jiang Shi quickly added the keyboard to his cart and, the moment the countdown ended, clicked “buy” and completed the payment with lightning-fast reflexes.  

When it came to hand speed, he had yet to meet his match.  

After successfully securing the purchase, Jiang Shi messaged the customer service team:  

[Obedient Jiangjiang: I want Xu’s signature.]

[Customer Service Xiaoxiao: Hello dear, we don’t allow signature requests~]

[Obedient Jiangjiang: If not, I’ll return it.]

[Customer Service Xiao Yun: Noted! We’ll make a note for you!]

Fans with sharp eyes caught sight of Jiang Shi’s success and were fuming.  

[Little White Hair, I urge you to show some decency. People like you are why I couldn’t get one!]  

[Refund it now so I can grab the leftovers!]  

[Who fights their own fans for merch?!]  

[You already own the keyboard, why are you even in the queue?!]  

Jiang Shi slid his phone into his pocket, clearly in a good mood after his victory.  “Who said I was after the keyboard?” he leisurely said.  

What he really wanted was Xie Xu’s signature.  

The chat froze for a moment.  

[Got it. @TLG-Xu, Little White Hair is actually trying to grab you.]  

[T Bao said if he gets the keyboard, Xu has to kiss him. @TLG-Xu.]  

[@TLG-Xu, Time said the keyboard is his betrothal gift for you, get ready to lift his veil~]  

[Little White Hair’s intentions couldn’t be clearer. Xu, isn’t it time you gave him an answer?]  

Perhaps due to the overwhelming enthusiasm of the fans, Xie Xu actually responded.  

“I bought one too,” Xie Xu said, showing his order confirmation to the camera. “I hope I’ll have a chance to decode Time’s signature.”  

Jiang Shi: “…”  

Flustered, he rubbed his face and muttered under his breath, “Captain, if you want it, I can write it out for you a hundred times.”  

There was no need to fight for it.  

What if Xu hurt his finger tapping too much?  

[Little White Hair, do you think we can’t hear you just because you’re speaking softly?]  

[Why is your face red? Are you blushing over a keyboard? If I show my receipt, will you kowtow to me?]  

[Wait, does Xu mean he’s on the same page as T Bao?]  

[What? Xu plans to use the keyboard to marry T Bao? T Bao’s probably already preparing to present himself tonight in bed.]  

[As much as I wish Xu’s hint was real, I think he just buys his own merch as a private giveaway for fans. It’s not for T Bao!]  

Jiang Shi saw that last comment, and the pink bubble in his chest popped.  

Just as he was about to withdraw the glance he had been sneaking at Xie Xu, the latter reached out and adjusted Jiang Shi’s slightly askew headset.  

“So, when will you sign it for me?” Xie Xu asked.  

He straightened Jiang Shi’s headset and added, “Otherwise, I won’t be able to complete my collection of your signatures.”  

Jiang Shi’s chat exploded with shrieks.  

[Fck, I know I was right! My ship was never wrong!]  

[TLG’s bot-lane duo is 100% real!]  

[Little White Hair’s four-month crush is finally paying off!]  

[T Bao’s been collecting Xu’s merch for ages. Is Xu now giving him an equal response?]  

[I’m getting fed so much dog food!]  

[They’re definitely dating!]  

Compared to the chaos in Jiang Shi’s chat, Xie Xu’s livestream remained calm.  

[My husband is just following a marketing script.] 

[Why couldn’t they release two separate keyboard versions? I only wanted Xu’s model.]  

[TLG’s just using Xu to boost the rookie. They did the same thing with An before.]  

[Squeezing my husband dry to sell CP fanservice. TLG’s gonna go bankrupt sooner or later.] 

But as soon as Xie Xu turned his head toward the chat, those comments quickly disappeared, buried under waves of new messages.  

After the keyboards sold out, Jiang Shi mimicked Xie Xu’s thank-you speech to his audience and ended his livestream.  

They had to resume training afterward.  

Though the stream was off, Jiang Shi’s smile lingered.  

He adored Xie Xu’s subtle public displays of affection. Nothing made him happier than the thought of everyone knowing Xu was his.  

In comparison, Jiang Shi decided he needed to be bolder.  

Later, he duo queue with Xu.

Xie Xu went around and made an unexpected play, flashing into a bush behind the enemy team and initiating a perfect engage.  

[Perfect Crowd Control x4]  

The game’s mechanical voice announced the highlight, and Jiang Shi blurted out something he had rehearsed in his head countless times:  

“Gege, you’re amazing!”  

Once the hardest phrase was out, the rest came easily.  

“Gege, you’re incredible. Without you, I’d be dead in this fight.”  

“Help! Gege, they’re going to kill me!”  

“Gege, give me a heal, wuwuwu…”  

Jiang Shi’s voice was soft, almost shy, and no one else on the team heard his whispered “gege.”  

Except Xie Xu.  

The new microphone picked up Jiang Shi’s every word clearly, from his initially bashful tone to his later playful sweetness.  

After provoking opponents and getting chased, Jiang Shi would steer his character back to Xie Xu, circling around him.  

“Gege, help me, please.”

His whine was so soft. 

It was exactly the same as a year ago.  

Xie Xu thought about Jiang Shi’s recent posts, his likes, and the way his little ADC was now circling him in-game. His gaze darkened slightly.  

Was Jiang Shi replicating the same tricks he had used on his previous “gege”?  

When Jiang Shi had liked those old tweets, who had he been thinking about—him or someone else?  

Despite the myriad thoughts running through his mind, Xie Xu still played along, shielding Jiang Shi, healing him, and leading him to victory after victory in the canyon.  

That night, Jiang Shi realized the power of acting cute.  

After an evening of playful antics, Jiang Shi stretched in satisfaction and prepared to leave with the rest of the team when Xie Xu called out to him.  

“Time, stay behind.”  

“Extra practice.”