Since classes hadn’t officially started today, most members of the E-Sports Club were still at home. They couldn’t begin training right away, so they agreed to hold a meeting next Monday—actually the day after tomorrow—at night. That’s when Jiang Xuehan would be introduced to everyone.
Later, Wu De tried inviting Jiang Xuehan for dinner off-campus that evening, but she politely declined.
Deep down, Jiang Xuehan was still a guy. She understood Wu De’s intentions weren’t purely about the E-Sports Club. He likely had other thoughts. Keeping her distance was the wisest choice.
Back in her dorm, she found a new roommate had arrived. The girl greeted her warmly: "You must be Jiang Xuehan! Yingying told me about you. Hi, I’m Wen Jiaqi—call me Qi Qi!"
Wen Jiaqi stood about the same height as Jiang Xuehan—just over 160 cm. Her baby-faced cheeks were fair and smooth like a porcelain doll. Her hair was tied into a cute braid that swayed with every step.
After greetings, Jiang Xuehan helped her set up her bed and wardrobe while chatting casually. "You’re from out of town, right?"
"Mm, I’m from Qianyang City. Are you both locals?"
Qianyang was in the southwest, far from Eastern Sea City. No wonder her parents hadn’t come to help. Jiang Xuehan wasn’t exactly a "freshman," but she was indeed a native of Eastern Sea City. She’d only left home once—for India. She stayed silent, letting the assumption stand.
Once the room was arranged, Wen Jiaqi washed her hands in the bathroom. Returning, she joined Jiang Xuehan and Xia Ziyin’s conversation.
In her entire 18 years, Jiang Xuehan had barely one female friend her age: her high school desk-mate, Cheng Yaqin. They hadn’t spoken in ages. Now, she’d suddenly gained two cute, same-age roommates. Laughing and chatting with them felt like a dream.
Truthfully, Jiang Xuehan cared little for typical girl talk. But sharing a dorm meant daily interactions. Maintaining good relations was essential—she couldn’t let petty issues disrupt her plans. Her emotional intelligence had always been sharp. Though she’d never had female friends in school, she’d surrounded herself with a crew of rowdy buddies.
She didn’t understand much about idols or TV dramas, but she listened carefully. Picking key details, she asked questions to join the conversation. Soon, Wen Jiaqi was calling her "Xiao Han" with familiar warmth.
By 5 PM, the trio headed to the cafeteria for dinner.
Perhaps because of her petite frame, Jiang Xuehan found herself walking between them—Xia Ziyin holding her left hand, Wen Jiaqi her right. Flanked by two girls, she felt like a harem protagonist living the dream…
*If only my dick and balls were still here.*
With the semester starting soon, the cafeteria buzzed with returning students, packed shoulder to shoulder. The three girls waited at the end of a long queue. Xia Ziyin groaned, "Why’s the line so long? If it’s always like this, I’d rather eat off-campus."
"But cafeteria food is cheap and clean. Outside places might taste better, but who knows if they’re sanitary?"
"Hmm… if our dorm had a kitchen, I’d cook. My dishes aren’t bad."
"Pfft! You think this is a presidential suite?"
As they chatted, Jiang Xuehan’s ears caught snippets from two boys ahead. They were planning to hit an internet café after dinner for a *CrossFire* session.
*CrossFire*—a first-person shooter that had dominated online arenas for over a decade. Jiang Xuehan had been a hardcore gamer since elementary school. By third grade, she’d ruled her local internet café in *CF*, earning the nickname "Elementary School Gun God." Even adults gathered to watch her insane aim, sometimes rewarding her with snacks and drinks.
Hearing the game mentioned sparked nostalgia. But the boys finished ordering and turned to leave. In the crowded space, the left boy tripped. He didn’t fall, but his tray tipped—soup splattering across Xia Ziyin’s brand-new blue dress.
"Oops!" Xia Ziyin yelped, stepping back. She stared at the stain, heartbroken.
The boy hesitated, about to apologize. His friend yanked his arm. "Let’s go! We’ve got a *CF* match to stomp noobs. Don’t waste time."
After a pause, the boy hurried away.
"How rude!" Wen Jiaqi stomped her foot. "Yingying, don’t let him get away with it! At least make him pay for dry cleaning!"
Xia Ziyin sighed, still upset but shaking her head. "It’s fine… I’ll wash it myself. Wait—where’s Xiao Han?"
Jiang Xuehan had vanished from the queue. Xia Ziyin spotted her blocking the boys’ path. "Hey! You spilled soup on a girl’s dress and just walk off?"
The friend glared at the petite girl. "It was an accident. What do you want? Us to kowtow?"
"No need. Just apologize and cover the dry-cleaning fee." Though small, Jiang Xuehan stood tall. Her dark, gem-like eyes held no fear.
Seeing they were in the wrong, the friend shoved her. "Bitch, you’re annoying!"
Outmatched in strength, Jiang Xuehan stumbled back like a chick, barely keeping her footing.
Xia Ziyin rushed over, supporting her. "Let it go, Xiao Han. Don’t bother with unreasonable guys."
But Jiang Xuehan’s pride wouldn’t allow it. She stepped forward again, changing tactics. "Hey. Wanna play a game?"
Boys loved games. Their interest sparked instantly. "Oh? What game?"
"*CrossFire*. Map: Transport Ship. Two of you versus me. One round. If you lose, you apologize properly to my friend and pay 500 yuan for dry cleaning and emotional distress."
The boys burst out laughing. "Little sister, we’ve played *CF* for years. Two against one? Are you joking?"
"Dead serious. Or are you scared, *men*?" Jiang Xuehan baited them.
"Scared?!" They took the hook. "What if *we* win?"
"If you win…" Jiang Xuehan paused. Broke as she was, her body was the only stake. "You can do whatever you want with me."
The boys’ eyes lit up.
The girl before them wasn’t a dazzling star or campus queen. But her delicate frame, fair unadorned face, and fragile aura stirred something primal in men—the urge to dominate, to break.
"Deal! Let’s go!"
