Chapter 23

The taste of wife cake?

Maybe Yu Lanting felt a bit guilty, or maybe she really wanted to try the sushi. Either way, Zhai Yi noticed that the sushi Yu Lanting picked was exactly the same type as hers.

Zhai Yi’s lips curved slightly as she lowered her head to eat her noodles.

After finishing the last bite of noodles, a glass of pale yellow cold drink suddenly appeared beside her bowl.

Zhai Yi looked up. “What’s this?”

Yu Lanting blinked. “Special drink made by the head chef. I got one for you while I was at it.”

Zhai Yi glanced back at the kitchen blackboard, which listed the head chef’s special drinks, all made with fresh fruits in a wide variety of flavors.

Yet Yu Lanting had picked out the original host’s favorite flavor from over a dozen options.

Pineapple.

Zhai Yi herself wasn’t picky about food—the original host had similar tastes, and as for fruits, back when reporters interviewed the ING Team, the original host had said she liked pineapple.

Zhai Yi took a sip. It was refreshingly cool, perfectly sour-sweet, with a faint hint of mint fragrance.

“Not bad. Thanks.”

Seeing her satisfied, Yu Lanting’s lips curved up. “Glad you like it.”

“I’m done eating. Take your time. I’m heading out.”

Yu Lanting pressed her lips together. “Okay.”

Zhai Yi returned her dishes to the kitchen and took the special drink back upstairs.

Yu Lanting silently watched Zhai Yi’s retreating back as she went upstairs. Her hunger vanished in an instant, and the three pieces of sushi in her hand suddenly seemed hard to swallow.

She bit into the sushi that Zhai Yi had said tasted like wife cake and muttered to herself, “Doesn’t taste like it at all.”

“Shouldn’t have grabbed so many.”

“If only I’d come down earlier to eat.”

The next day was overcast. Maybe because they were announcing the second eliminated guest today, the sky looked grim, like it was holding back a massive downpour.

The Program Group set up their cameras and started filming.

Tens of thousands of viewers flooded into the live stream instantly.

: The weather’s bad today. Probably a storm coming.

: Jining issued a heavy rain warning.

: It’s already pouring in Xinsan District. Huge raindrops.

: Are they announcing the second eliminated guest today?

: Saw the online scores. Probably Bian Tang or Qi Yaoyao.

: Jiang Qingyan’s in danger too. Depends on today’s BO3 matches.

: I don’t want Bian Tang eliminated. He’s seriously studying, practicing Yaomei and Ming Shiyin lately. Super dedicated.

: Bian Tang’s support play is pretty good. Ning Yao gave him high praise.

: Qi Yaoyao’s doing well too. Weixing Yan said she played great.

: Come on, Qi Yaoyao’s mid lane isn’t as good as Yu Lanting’s. Back then, Yu Lanting’s Angela was played for half a day, and all her other mid lane heroes got banned by the Program Group, leaving her with just the Angela she’d barely learned—talk about being thrown in over her head.

: Tingting’s Angela even got called out by Mu Li back then. She felt so guilty. After the match, even though she picked Zhai Yi, she kept practicing Angela whenever she had free time.

: Hard workers shine everywhere. Lately, she’s been learning from Zhai Yi and her marksman play is getting really good.

….

Director Luo said, “Half a month has passed, and I’m sure everyone has learned some new things. Today is the time to test your progress.”

A staff member brought out the draw box and placed it in front of everyone.

Director Luo continued, “The rules are the same as last time’s BO3. Draw lots to pick players. You’ll face off against players from the Youth Training Class, sponsored by the Glory Club. Best of three, first to two wins. Heroes already picked can’t be picked again. Guests who win get bonus points and tomorrow’s feast. Losers affect their scores and lose the feast. After the games, we’ll announce the second eliminated guest.”

“Everyone, do your best.”

Fu Liang said in horror, “Director Luo, what did you just say? Youth Training Class?”

Bian Tang said incredulously, “You don’t mean the seed players from the Glory Club’s youth training camp where the ING Team trains?”

Director Luo clapped. “Bian Tang explained that perfectly.”

Qi Yaoyao said in shock, “We’re playing against proper youth trainees? How are we supposed to beat them?”

Director Luo disagreed. “What are you saying? You’ve had proper training too, guided by ING Team starters. Don’t tell me you’re not confident?”

Everyone: “….”

Not confident at all.

Jiang Qingyan said helplessly, “Aren’t we playing against Program Group staff?”

Director Luo said, “Your skills have improved a lot now. The Program Group knows you inside out. In BP, you’d be at a huge disadvantage against us.”

The Program Group filmed their training every day and knew their strong heroes. In a match, targeted bans in BP would be devastating for the guests.

Everyone understood Director Luo’s reasoning, but facing real players filled the guests with immense pressure.

Zeng Ranran asked curiously, “So are they coming to the Glory Club to play us directly?”

Director Luo stood up and gestured toward the door. “Come, let’s give a warm welcome to the Glory Club Youth Training Class players and ING Team head coach Lin Ranjiao.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned to look.

Lin Ranjiao walked in with seven Youth Training Class players—five boys and two girls—wearing the Glory Club’s signature blue-and-white uniforms. They stood tall with dashing poise, stunning the guests.

The trainees were all young, the oldest just twenty, the youngest only seventeen.

: These little rookies are all so good-looking. Does Glory Club scout for looks?

: Gotta say, out of all KPL clubs, Glory Club players are the best-looking.

: ING Team’s head coach is hot too. Total big sis vibe. Even in uniform, you can tell she has a killer figure.

: Back when Lin Ranjiao dominated KPL, she was called the “Sexy Jungler.”

: Lin Ranjiao’s KPL’s top beauty. She could win on looks alone but insists on strength.

: Lin Ranjiao, I love you! I love you!

: Cool, sexy big sis. I’m in love.

: Then go love Lin Ranjiao. Zhai Yi’s mine, haha.

: Dream on. I want Zhai Yi too, and Lin Ranjiao.

: How are these half-baked guests supposed to beat youth trainees? They’re gonna get crushed.

: Miracles happen. If they draw ING Team members, they might stand a chance.

….

Lin Ranjiao flashed a brilliant smile at the camera. “Hello everyone, I’m ING Team head coach Lin Ranjiao.”

The Youth Training Class players introduced themselves one by one (the author was too lazy to name them, so they’re numbered 1 through 7 for now).

All the ING members stared blankly at Lin Ranjiao’s appearance on site, including Zhai Yi—they had no idea she’d come to Guardians of Glory to compete.

Zhai Yi recalled the group chat and asked, “So this is what you meant by ‘coming to see us’?”

To kick their asses!?

The other four instantly got it. Weixing Yan chuckled wryly. “Coach, we’re family. Why come crash the party?”

Lin Ranjiao said, “The pay Director Luo offered was too good to pass up.”

Mu Li pursed his lips. “Sold us out for a little cash?”

Lin Ranjiao shot back, “Nah, you guys aren’t worth that much.”

Mu Li: “….”

Luo Weizhi looked at the Youth Training Class, face stern. “You’re here to play us?”

Youth Training Class: “…”

Luo Weizhi is scary.

Lin Ranjiao blocked Luo Weizhi’s glare. “No intimidating the kids. We’ll let skill do the talking. Perfect chance for me to check if your game levels have slipped lately.”

Luo Weizhi pouted.

Ning Yao smiled. “Coach, these are your Youth Training Class seeds. You planning to rub us into the dirt?”

Lin Ranjiao said calmly, “Esports is about skill. No talent? Don’t hog starter spots.”

She glanced at the ING Team, then the Youth Training Class. Her lips curved up, eyes cold. “Whichever team loses, I’m taking your life. Figure it out.”

Everyone: “….”

So scary.

Blatant threat.

: She’s back. The classic Lin Ranjiao.

: Don’t let her looks fool you—she’s got a fiery temper, knows Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo. Even KPL pros can’t beat her.

: I remember some exec tried to hit on her once. She beat him senseless, broke his nose.

: So spicy. I love it. Sis, hit me.

: Weirdo upstairs. I’m scared.

: Lin-jie, my revered Lin-jie, you’re my one and only sis.

: ING Team needs a coach like this. Iron fist. Don’t like it? Fight me. Their old playstyle was too passive, got them pushed around, but built great resilience.

: That scum Zou Kai didn’t deserve such good players. My Lin-jie is the best!

….

Zhai Yi burst out laughing at those words.

Everyone looked over. Zhai Yi composed herself and said calmly, “Sorry, just remembered something funny.”

Fu Liang said in horror, “Godfather, you can still laugh at a time like this?”

Zhai Yi shrugged. “What’s to fear?”

Fu Liang asked curiously, “Got any ace up your sleeve, Godfather?”

Zhai Yi said calmly, “Pray I don’t get drawn.”

Fu Liang: “….”

Everyone: You know, that’s not a bad point.

Yu Lanting whispered, “What funny thing?”

She didn’t really expect an answer—she just wanted more interaction with Zhai Yi.

At her question, Zhai Yi couldn’t help laughing again, her lips curving up involuntarily.

“Huh?” Yu Lanting said, surprised. “Did I say something wrong?”

Zhai Yi shook her head, tears of laughter in her eyes, and whispered, “Doesn’t this feel familiar?”

“Familiar?” Yu Lanting glanced at Lin Ranjiao. “I’m not that familiar with Coach Lin, actually.”

She knew of Lin Ranjiao but didn’t know her well.

“Her words remind me of an old acquaintance.”

Yu Lanting looked at Zhai Yi blankly.

Zhai Yi nodded toward Mu Li, unable to hold back her amusement. “Brother Takes-Life and Sister Demands-Life. Don’t they make a perfect pair?”

Yu Lanting got it instantly and burst out laughing.

Everyone looked over again at the sound.

Fu Liang said in horror once more, “Lan Ting, why’d you suddenly start laughing?”

What’s wrong with these people?

Yu Lanting held her forehead to stifle her laughter. “Just remembered something funny.”

Fu Liang was going crazy. “What funny thing?”

How come everyone else on the team could laugh but not him?

Yu Lanting said, still amused, “I’m praying I don’t get drawn. Feels like heaven heard me.”

Suddenly, a clap of thunder boomed outside.

Everyone: “….”

Maybe I should pray too?

Mu Li looked at Zhai Yi and Yu Lanting seriously. For some reason, he had a premonition that their laughter had something to do with him.