The game itself was flat. Jiang Xuehan played the clueless newbie, running around the map like a headless chicken, then dying for no reason.

If she were a guy, the other three would’ve roasted her to shreds by now.

But girls do get some perks in games. Jiang Xuehan looked pretty, and her voice was soft. So the three guys would rather roast each other if it made her laugh.

They claimed to be from Donghai University’s e-sports club, but their level was shaky. Even in mid-tier lobbies they looked bad. Their aim was basic net-café level.

Worse, they had no shot-caller. Every crisis turned into three different takes. They’d still be arguing when someone wiped them.

They’d been at the internet café for almost two hours. Jiang Xuehan covered her mouth and quietly stifled a yawn. Well, she’d taken the pay-to-play fee. One more hour, then she could go.

Another round ended in a wipe. Internal bickering again. A stronger squad steamrolled them. Out of 23 squads, they placed only 15th.

No one was more frustrated than Wu De. He’d hoped to show off his “pro” skills, win the girl’s favor, then get her contact.

Yeah, right. She probably already wrote him off.

Right then, a cocky voice came from behind. “Yo, you three are this trash and still think you can carry a girl?”

Jiang Xuehan turned on instinct. A yellow-haired punk with a sleazy vibe stood behind her. His eyes lit up when he saw her face. He grinned, greasy. “Girl, don’t play with these losers. Stick with me. I’ll carry you to a chicken dinner every match.”

“Yeah, yeah, let’s happily grab that chicken dinner~~!” the green-haired one chimed in. He even stressed the last two words.

At that, Wu De shot up from his chair and glared at Yellow Hair. “We’re playing our game. What’s it to you?”

“Heh. I just can’t stand trash like you. You’re dragging down a cute girl’s rating.”

“Who the hell are you calling trash?”

“Oh? You think you’re not?”

Wu De’s trio quickly got into a shouting match with Yellow Hair’s four-man group. They traded insults and even shoved a bit. Meanwhile, the so-called root of it all, Jiang Xuehan, browsed gaming news like nothing was happening.

If they scrap, they scrap. Hot-blooded guys. Just don’t drag me in.

Surprisingly, the fight ended fast. Feeling insulted, Wu De threw down a line. “I wasn’t even trying. If I play serious next round, I’ll get the chicken!”

Yellow Hair pounced. “Oh? You said it. Be a man, put something on it.”

Smack. Wu De yanked out ten hundred-yuan notes and slapped them on the table. “Enough?”

“Nice. I’m in.” Yellow Hair tossed another 1,000 yuan onto the table. “Deal. If you don’t get the chicken this round, it’s all mine.”

Wu De had only meant to scare them with cash. He didn’t expect the guy to have money too. The instant call left him awkward.

But a man can’t take back his words. Not with a cute girl sitting right there.

He forced it and barked, “Brothers, we play serious this round. Show them our real skill!”

“Uh…”

“Oh…”

The other two answered weakly. Their confidence was shot.

Soon, the three scrubs plus Jiang Xuehan queued into a new match. Standard jump and parachute. Luck smiled on them for once. They dropped at R City, which was rich in loot and empty this round. One big sweep later, they were geared to the teeth. They gunned a jeep toward the safe zone.

Riding high, Wu De bragged, “Jiang Xuehan, don’t be nervous. Play however you like. We’ll win this.”

She didn’t answer. She had spotted a tiny silhouette on a distant ridge, aiming their way.

Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat. Gunfire rattled. The jeep’s tires popped. It lurched and skewed to a stop in the grass.

They were e-sports club members after all. Trash, sure, but they had hours in the game. On instinct, the three guys bailed and went prone behind the jeep for cover. Only Jiang Xuehan sprinted to a nearby rock and crouched behind it.

“Bros, he dared to ambush us. Kill him!” Wu De roared.

The other two answered fast. They traded fire with the guy on the ridge from behind the jeep.

Jiang Xuehan didn’t shoot. Something felt off. In squads, you face squads. Why was there only one on the ridge? Where were his three teammates?

The answer came at once. Gunfire erupted from two other directions. Wu De’s trio tunneled on the ridge and ignored the flanks. They got wiped in seconds.

Behind them, Yellow Hair burst into gloating laughter. “Hahaha, a bunch of scrubs. With that level you think you’re getting a chicken dinner? I’m dying here!”

Wu De went ashen. He was about to admit defeat. Then he noticed the girl still safe behind the rock. A flicker of hope lit up. “Jiang Xuehan, go for it. If you win, the whole pot is yours!”

The moment he said it, he felt ridiculous. Three so-called veterans just died. And he was pinning hope on a girl’s first time with this game? Damn it. Lost money and face today…

But Jiang Xuehan sat up like she’d just taken a shot of adrenaline. She locked onto the screen, fully focused.

One thousand yuan—that was almost ten days’ pay at the supermarket.

She’d just bought a new PC, and her wallet was drained dry. She’d been fretting about telling the landlord she’d be late with rent. With that 1,000 yuan, she wouldn’t have to swallow her pride and grovel to the old landlord.

So what if I’m alone? I’ll win this one. Watch me.