NOVEL WEB Chapter 29 - Rosefinch Team
H City is just over two hundred miles from Jiangnan, and by high-speed train, the journey is a mere two hours.
“How should I get in touch with you once I'm in H City?”
“I'll meet you at H City station.”
“I'll reach out after I've purchased my ticket.”
Guo Xiu, looking at the phone with a hint of suspicion, asked, “You're heading to H City?”
“I'm leaving shortly.”
“What's taking you to H City?” Ye Zhiguo inquired gently.
“I'm going to compete in a professional gaming match for a friend.”
“A professional match?” Ye Zhiguo eyed Ye Hao skeptically.
Ye Zhiguo was somewhat familiar with the professional gaming scene.
Only the elite players qualified for such competitions.
“Dad, I've been gaming for years.”
“Don't be reckless. Professional gaming is a whole different ballgame from casual play. The players are incredibly skilled.”
“I'm one of those skilled players, too.”
“I forgot to mention, if I help the Vermillion Bird Team win, they're offering me 100,000 dollars as compensation.”
“What?” Both Ye Zhiguo and Guo Xiu exclaimed in shock.
After a brief pause, Guo Xiu regained her composure and remarked, “That's a handsome reward.”
“100,000 dollars isn't a lot in the professional circuit. I've read about payouts reaching a million,” Ye Zhiguo commented, shaking his head.
“Hao, are you confident?” Guo Xiu asked, her excitement palpable.
“I wouldn't have accepted the challenge if I weren't sure of myself,” Ye Hao replied with a grin.
“I'm coming with you,” Guo Xiu decided after a moment's thought.
She didn't like the idea of Ye Hao traveling alone.
“Okay,” Ye Hao agreed with a nod.
“Mom, do you have an app for buying train tickets? If so, let's book two tickets right now,” Ye Hao suddenly remembered.
“I've got a ticketing app on my phone. I'll book them for you,” Ye Zhiguo said, pulling out his phone.
Upon arriving in H City, Ye Hao had no interest in sightseeing this time.
Stepping off the train, they spotted Taishi Xiu in the crowd, holding up a sign.
“Auntie, hello,” Taishi Xiu greeted with a smile.
“Hao's been feeling under the weather, so I decided to come along with him,” Guo Xiu explained her reason for accompanying Ye Hao.
Taishi Xiu's face showed a flicker of concern. “It won't interfere with your performance, will it?”
“I'm just slightly under the weather,” Ye Hao reassured, shaking his head. “I haven't even asked when the competition starts.”
“Tomorrow morning at ten,” Taishi Xiu responded while handling Ye Hao's luggage.
“Is it the same time for the next three days?”
“Yes, it is.”
“And where are we headed now?”
“First, we'll check into the Red Leaf Hotel. After that, Ye Hao, you'll come with me to meet our team captain,” Taishi Xiu answered.
Taishi Xiu was behind the wheel of a Land Rover.
“The Vermillion Bird Alliance must be doing quite well,” Ye Hao remarked, giving the Land Rover a pat.
“Definitely. You're welcome to join us if you're interested,” Taishi Xiu said with a grin.
“I think I'll stick to my plan of attending university.”
“University, huh? How much do you think you scored this time?”
“A little over 800.”
“Over 800? That's impressive. You could get into a top university with those marks,” Taishi Xiu mused with a hint of wistfulness. “I dropped out in my sophomore year.”
“You're earning way more than most university graduates, though.”
“Maybe, but I still feel like I've missed out on some life experiences.”
Taishi Xiu secured adjacent rooms for Guo Xiu and Ye Hao, then led Ye Hao towards room 606.
“Just a heads-up, Ye Hao, our captain has a pretty dominant personality, so be mindful of how you speak,” Taishi Xiu advised in a low tone.
“Got it.”
Ye Hao was still dependent on the Vermillion Bird Alliance for his income.
Naturally, he wouldn't dream of disrespecting his captain.
Taishi Xiu rapped on the door, which was opened by a young man with flowing locks.
“Who's this good-looking fellow?” The young man had strikingly beautiful eyes and sent a coquettish look Ye Hao's way.
Ye Hao involuntarily shuddered.
Pointing to the man, Taishi Xiu introduced, “Ye Hao, meet my teammate, Death God.”
“Death God?” Ye Hao was taken aback.
“His sniping is second to none,” Taishi Xiu continued, gesturing towards Ye Hao. “And this is the sharpshooter I've been telling you about, Ye Hao.”
“Let's get acquainted,” Death God offered, extending his hand.
Ye Hao promptly reached out and shook it.
But when Ye Hao tried to pull away, Death God held on, caressing Ye Hao's hand with his other hand. His gaze was hazy as he murmured, “Your skin is so smooth. What's your secret?”
Feeling uneasy, Ye Hao withdrew his hand quickly.
“Death God, cut it out,” came a steady voice from within the room.
Surprise flickered across Ye Hao's face—it was a woman's voice.
“Our captain,” Taishi Xiu introduced, guiding Ye Hao into the room towards the woman clad in black.
“She's quite the looker, isn't she?” Death God whispered to Ye Hao.
Ye Hao sidestepped, avoiding further contact.
Could Death God be gay? Ye Hao wondered.
“Hello,” Ye Hao greeted quietly.
The woman, sporting a short haircut, exuded a striking, commanding presence.
Her silent poise conveyed an air of authority to Ye Hao.
Indeed, she was as Death God had described—stunning, and every bit Lee Qianqian's equal.
“Taishi Xiu speaks highly of your abilities.”
“That's correct,” Ye Hao replied, knowing this was no time for false modesty.
“What's your alias in the circle?” At that moment, a bespectacled young man entered, followed by another with tattooed arms.
“I don't have one,” Ye Hao sensed the newcomer's animosity.
“No alias means you're not well-known in the circle.”
“That's your assumption.”
“Care to prove yourself in a duel?”
“And you are?” Ye Hao asked with a dismissive glance.
“Ye Hao, meet Huang Shouren, the vice-captain of the Vermillion Bird Alliance,” Taishi Xiu interjected, hoping to prevent any clash.
“Understood.”
Huang Shouren's brow creased at Ye Hao's terse response. Turning to the woman in black, he addressed her, “Xuan…”
“Call me captain,” she corrected him sharply.
“Very well, Captain,” Huang Shouren conceded. “I've brought someone along.”
The woman in black fixed her gaze on the young man for a moment. At last, she turned her attention to his arm and remarked, “You're Tattooed Dragon, aren't you?”
“Captain Vermillion Bird, you're quite perceptive,” the young man with the tattoo replied with a wry smile.
“That tattoo on your arm is a dead giveaway. You'd have to be a fool not to notice,” Taishi Xiu said bluntly, making no secret of his disdain for Tattooed Dragon.
“Tattooed Dragon gave Taishi Xiu a cursory glance and responded coolly, “You must be Taishi Xiu. If I'm not mistaken, I'm here to take your place, am I not?”
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