Chapter 14

Zhou Xian was awakened by the sound of an ambulance.

"Such an early morning, disturbing my peaceful sleep..."

It was only around six thirty in the morning. Zhou Xian stretched lazily and then looked out the window.

At that moment, several automatic robots were carrying a stretcher, and a student-like person was lying on it.

With doctors present, this matter had little to do with him. Zhou Xian pulled his head back inside. He wanted to go back to sleep but found himself no longer drowsy.

"Better get up."

Zhou Xian got dressed and prepared to wash up.

Just as he opened the door and walked out, he saw Xu Tianyun, who was also holding a basin.

"Old Zhou, good morning! Up so early today!"

"Uh, just woke up from the noise," Zhou Xian replied.

"Yeah," Xu Tianyun agreed, "that ambulance again."

However, just after saying that, Xu Tianyun suddenly paused, looking puzzled. "Strange, why did I say 'again'?"

"Never mind, since you're up, Old Zhou, let's go to the activity room later. You went to help someone yesterday, so you can't miss the match today."

"Sure, okay."

Zhou Xian nodded.

The format of the Middle School Cup matches is the same as official matches, a 3-on-3 endurance battle. Of course, with substitutes, each side should have five people. For a middle school club, five players plus a manager, totaling six people, is the standard lineup. Compared to the university e-sports competition, this scale can only be described as "miniature," but for the Middle School Cup, it might be enough.

Zhou Xian's Longmu Club includes the club president Xu Tianyun, vice president Zhou Xian, strategist and battle planner Lai Yiming, strong players Zhang Taihao and Tao Shan, and the manager Li Chuyu.

"By the way, Old Zhou, why did you suddenly decide to help someone? And it was Su Xiaoyue's father, the biggest trustee of our school." Xu Tianyun's words made Zhou Xian smirk.

Should he tell him that he knew something was about to happen?

"This... is a long story."

Xu Tianyun clearly didn't care about that. At this moment, he nudged Zhou Xian with his elbow and said teasingly, "Old Zhou, you're really something. You saved Su Xiaoyue's father, who is one of the top ten beauties in our school. You've already won over the dance fairy Li Chuyu, and now you've connected with the proud princess Su Xiaoyue. Your future is looking bright. Hey, Old Zhou, wasn't there another person who helped yesterday? Who was it?"

"Just a student from another school. And don't believe the gossip magazines about the top ten beauties," Zhou Xian said, ignoring Xu Tianyun and heading straight to the washroom.

After they finished washing up, the two left the D-dormitory.

"Hey! You guys are up so early!" As they left, they saw Tao Shan walking over, who had actually woken up earlier than both of them.

"Hey, fatty, you're up early today, that's rare," Tao Shan usually liked to sleep in, so Xu Tianyun teased him.

"I'm in a good mood today, so I woke up early. It's great that you're okay, Old Zhou." Tao Shan didn't know why he was so happy today, perhaps because... something that should have happened didn't?

Tao Shan rubbed his nose. "I'll treat you guys today! Let's not go to the cafeteria, let's eat breakfast outside."

"Sounds good!"

Xu Tianyun laughed and put his arm around Tao Shan's neck.

The three walked to the school gate, but from a distance, they saw a crowd gathered outside.

"Hey, what's going on? What happened?" Tao Shan immediately looked over.

"Oh! It's Su Xiaoyue!"

Xu Tianyun had slightly better eyesight and saw the situation right away.

With such a grand scene and no signs of a fight, it was undoubtedly Su Xiaoyue's "bodyguards."

"Strange, Su Xiaoyue actually came to a street restaurant. I've never seen her do this before." Shouldn't rich people go to five-star hotels? Xu Tianyun was puzzled.

"Hey, what bad luck, that's the restaurant we often go to, and now it's all occupied by Su Xiaoyue..."

The land around the school gate belongs to Su Wenhong, so for the shop owners, Su Xiaoyue is like a landlord.

As the three were about to find another place, Su Xiaoyue seemed to notice them. She said something to the people around her, and they all dispersed.

"..."

The three looked at each other in surprise.

At this moment, Su Xiaoyue took out her communication device and dialed a number.

Then... Zhou Xian's communication device rang.

"..."

Tao Shan and Xu Tianyun's eyes immediately focused on Zhou Xian.

"Cough, this is just a coincidence, a coincidence!"

Zhou Xian picked up his communication device. The name displayed on the screen made Xu Tianyun and Tao Shan almost pop their eyes out—it was clearly "Su Xiaoyue"!

Under their gazes, Zhou Xian uncomfortably answered the call.

"Come over here."

Su Xiaoyue's voice came from the other end. After saying that, she hung up.

"Old Xu, fatty..."

Zhou Xian looked at the two, but they were looking at him with a knowing, teasing gaze. Zhou Xian shook his head, ignoring their gossip, and walked to Su Xiaoyue's table, sitting across from her.

"..."

Su Xiaoyue saw Zhou Xian come over but didn't say anything, just sipping her soy milk.

At this moment, a waiter came over and brought Zhou Xian a breakfast set, clearly ordered by Su Xiaoyue.

"..."

Zhou Xian didn't immediately eat the breakfast in front of him but looked at Su Xiaoyue with a mix of emotions.

If not for yesterday's events, Su Xiaoyue would probably be crying at home, and might have done something irreversible...

Just because of his unique ability, Su Xiaoyue's fate had changed.

"..."

After a while, Su Xiaoyue's voice slowly came through.

"Thank you for yesterday."

"Ah, it's nothing, I just happened to be there."

However, Zhou Xian hadn't expected the culprit to be Lu Zhong. No wonder in the "future," that guy was... well... you know.

Zhou Xian looked at Su Xiaoyue. Although she always seemed indifferent, Zhou Xian never thought she would do such a thing.

Well, at least the current Su Xiaoyue didn't seem to have such intentions.

"Also, about Li Zheng from yesterday, I did some research. His identity might be problematic." Su Xiaoyue suddenly said.

"Li Zheng's identity? I remember he's a member of the Tuantian Club."

"Right, the Tuantian Club was formed this year. And this club is very suspicious." Su Xiaoyue explained, "Their president is Ying Tianlong, the younger brother of the famous competitive player 'Ghost Shadow Ying Haitao.' He transferred here this semester. I checked his background at his previous school. He likes to gamble and fight, and is even more extreme than your club's rich kid, Zhang Taihao."

"Uh—" Zhang Taihao's family is wealthy, Zhou Xian knew that, but if Su Xiaoyue called Zhang Taihao a "rich kid," did that mean Zhang Taihao's family was even richer than hers?

However, Zhang Taihao's enthusiasm for gambling and fighting was true. He wouldn't participate in any school fights without equipment rated 80 or higher.

"Also, their third member is called Mo Xie. This guy seems to be a helper that Ying Haitao arranged for his brother. I couldn't find much about him, but the two reserve players also came with him. As for the third person... that's Li Zheng."

Su Xiaoyue frowned. "Li Zheng's identity is as mysterious as Mo Xie. However, I did find some information. This guy... once went to a juvenile detention center for injuring a classmate, and at his previous schools, similar group incidents like yesterday's have occurred, with him being the instigator."

At this point, Zhou Xian almost identified the culprit who had injured him.

He said earnestly, "Thank you so much, Senior Su Xiaoyue. The information you provided is a great help."

"It's not for you! I just wanted to return the favor! That's all!"

No one had ever thanked Su Xiaoyue so sincerely before, and she seemed a bit at a loss.

"However, you saved my father and also helped me deal with that troublesome Lu Zhong. I'm very grateful. The information isn't much... but if there's anything I can help you with, just let me know. I'll do my best within my capabilities." Su Xiaoyue finally said.

"Sure, there is something." Zhou Xian suddenly looked at Su Xiaoyue with a passionate gaze.

"Uh... what?!" Su Xiaoyue suddenly became flustered. "What?"

"I want to find information about the Seven Great Emperors players. The more detailed, the better."

"..." Su Xiaoyue's voice had a hint of relief and a hint of melancholy, for some reason.

"Our e-sports club is the largest in our school. If it's us, I think we should know something." Zhou Xian replied matter-of-factly.

Su Xiaoyue poked her soy milk, thought for a moment, and then said, "Alright, I'll try to get the information to you. Even if the e-sports club's channels don't work, I have my own. But, Zhou Xian, why do you want to know this?"

"Um, just out of curiosity, and I really want to understand the Great Emperors players."

"Tsk, who would have thought that Old Zhou and Senior Su Xiaoyue could chat so happily. What about Li Chuyu...?"

Tao Shan looked at Zhou Xian with envy. He and Xu Tianyun were at a nearby breakfast stall, but their attention was completely on Zhou Xian and Su Xiaoyue.

"These two seem quite familiar, like they've known each other for a long time." Xu Tianyun said.

"Can't be, I remember a few months ago when Su Xiaoyue came to find Zhang Taihao, Old Zhou didn't even know who she was." Tao Shan said suspiciously.

"At that time, Old Zhou hadn't even met Li Chuyu yet! Our Old Zhou may not be close to women, but he's not bad with them!"

Thinking about it, Xu Tianyun suddenly paused. "Could it be that Old Zhou got to know Su Xiaoyue after that? What secrets do they have...?"

Tao Shan's eyes lit up. "Right, that hospital thing makes sense... Wait, what hospital?"

"But, why does Su Xiaoyue seem so familiar with Zhou Xian?" Xu Tianyun rubbed his chin, thinking. "Look at her expression just now, she's clearly being tsundere!"

Tao Shan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, though Su Xiaoyue is called the 'Proud Princess,' she's more proud than tsundere."

"Those gossip magazines, do you really believe them?"

Just as they were talking, a voice suddenly came from the other side.

Xu Tianyun and Tao Shan broke out in cold sweat.

Because at that moment, Li Chuyu sat down at their table.

"Of course not! Li Chuyu!" Xu Tianyun almost jumped up, awkwardly continuing, "What a coincidence—Li Chuyu."

"Um, I didn't expect you guys to be here so early." Li Chuyu shook her hair and looked at Zhou Xian and Su Xiaoyue in the distance, but didn't say a word.

"Um, Li Chuyu, you're up early today too." Tao Shan, seeing Xu Tianyun's desperate signals, had to say something.

"Um, I had an appointment with Xiaoyue here, but let's wait until Zhou Xian finishes talking to her."

Hearing this, Xu Tianyun and Tao Shan understood. So Su Xiaoyue was here because of Li Chuyu?

"Hey, Tao Shan, didn't the gossip magazines say that Li Chuyu and Su Xiaoyue don't get along well?" Xu Tianyun quietly asked Tao Shan.

"Yeah, yeah, the gossip magazines also said that Su Xiaoyue calls Li Chuyu 'Little Fox'..."

"So, do you believe those gossip magazines?"

Hearing Li Chuyu's words, Xu Tianyun and Tao Shan immediately stopped talking and sat up straight.

Li Chuyu is not only the president of the Longmu Club but also a well-known "scholar" in the school, with outstanding grades. The "review materials" she prepared for the Longmu Club are part of the club's black history. In many ways, Li Chuyu is one of the most authoritative figures in the Longmu Club...

"They seem to be done talking. Go to the activity room first, Zhang Taihao and Lai Yiming are waiting for you there. And call Zhou Xian to come over."

"Lai and Zhang?"

Why are all the Longmu Club members up so early?