Two boys swept the map three times but found no one. They grew impatient. "Girl, where the hell are you hiding? Is this sneaking fun?"

Jiang Xuehan shot back instantly, "Oh, this map’s all about positioning. Are you banning that too?"

"Damn, she’s tricky. Bro, stay calm. Keep searching. Let’s see how long she hides!"

Two minutes passed. They’d turned the map upside down but still saw no trace. Jiang Xuehan wasn’t static. She kept updating her position based on their movements.

Finally, one couldn’t hold back. He broke formation and ran off. "Bro, split up. You take Zone A. I’ll take Zone C."

"Fine. She can’t hide forever!"

This was the chance!

Jiang Xuehan shifted position, quietly trailing one boy. She used cover to stay unseen.

Ten seconds later, through sharp hearing, she pinpointed him thirty meters ahead, moving north. He was facing away.

Jiang Xuehan popped out from cover and fired three shots.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Headshots every time. He dropped instantly.

"Holy shit!" One boy slammed his headset down in reality. "Damn it, where’d she come from!?"

The other stayed calm. "Bro, your aim sucks. Wait. Watch me get her first blood!"

His confidence made sense. His skill far surpassed his teammate’s.

For example, he didn’t walk normally. He kept jumping and turning to stay alert against ambushes.

Honestly, this was god-tier among casual players.

Sadly, he faced Jiang Xuehan—the rising Meng Han, who once topped streamer charts with solid skills.

Now it was one-on-one. Jiang Xuehan stopped hiding. She sprinted behind cover to create noise.

Sound localization was basic in shooters. He had it, but his hearing wasn’t as sharp as hers. He could only vaguely sense her position.

Rat-tat-tat! He fired a burst at a crate to his right. It became Swiss cheese. No blood splatter.

Seconds later, footsteps sounded left. He spun and fired another burst. Still nothing.

After repeats, his nerves frayed. Footsteps confirmed the enemy was near.

Yet every shot missed. As if...

As if the footsteps weren’t human. But ghostly.

A ghost?

He scanned around and shivered. The map was small. He’d never seen her. What else could it be?

The confident boy’s fingers trembled. He accidentally clicked the left mouse button, firing into air.

His magazine was empty. Reloading took 0.5 seconds in-game.

For her, that was ample time.

Jiang Xuehan flashed from the wall ahead, unleashing rapid fire. Two headshots. Two body shots. He collapsed. A message popped up:

"Victory for the Terrorists!"

"Yay! Xiao Han, you’re amazing! Awesome job!"

The two girls behind Jiang Xuehan cheered. They’d never played but grasped the simple rules.

The boys stared at their screens, stunned. They’d played for years. Spent nearly ten grand on gear. Why lose to a girl with free weapons?

Jiang Xuehan stood and walked over. She extended her clean hand. "A bet’s a bet. Pay up. Then apologize to my friend."

The boys were dazed, muttering, "Why... We spent so much. Why didn’t we get stronger... Lose to free weapons... Why..."

This loss crushed their confidence. It might make them question life forever.

Jiang Xuehan wasn’t cruel. A dirty skirt wasn’t unforgivable. Seeing them broken, she offered advice. "Hey, don’t you know why you lost?"

"No... I really don’t..."

"You lost something vital. Right here—" She patted her chest. "Your gaming passion is gone."

"Gaming passion?" Both boys looked confused.

"Exactly. Remember your first time playing this game?"

"The first time... I recall..." The taller boy lowered his head. "Third grade. At my uncle’s, my cousin let me play. My first shooter. I died endlessly. Finally killed someone. I was so happy I knocked over his water cup. Ruined his keyboard."

"And now? Do you feel that when you kill?"

"No... Only winning. Climbing ranks."

Jiang Xuehan sighed. "Spending isn’t wrong. But vanity filled your heart. No room for that boy who just enjoyed the game."

His gaze drifted. He saw a clumsy, smiling kid at a computer—himself ten years ago. Then his golden in-game inventory—his present self.

Did I lose my passion...

Both boys bowed their heads in deep thought. Jiang Xuehan grew impatient. "I’ve said my piece. Honor our agreement now."

They exchanged glances. Handed her 500 yuan. Stood and bowed to Xia Ziying. "Sorry for dirtying your skirt."

Xia Ziying flustered, waving hands. "No need! You’re my seniors. Don’t be formal."

The matter settled. Jiang Xuehan gave the cash to Xia Ziying. "Yingying, keep it. Your skirt’s expensive."

Xia Ziying hesitated. "You take it. They apologized. You won the game."

Cash-strapped Jiang Xuehan stuffed the money into her pocket without shame.

But trouble wasn’t over. The boys stood and bowed respectfully. "Boss, teach us CrossFire!"

Jiang Xuehan facepalmed. "No, no. I can’t be your boss."

"Boss, please!" Another bow.

Winning brought new hassle. Jiang Xuehan dodged. "Know the e-sports club? I’m a member. Join us after recruitment starts."

They beamed. "Does the Boss see our potential? Train us as pros? We’ve always felt talented enough for pro play or streaming."

"Uh, let’s discuss that later..."