Song Xianyang put on his jacket.
The esports venue had gradually darkened.
After the final match ended, the crowd dispersed, leaving only a few staff members tidying up the venue, adjusting the lights, and shutting down the projection equipment.
Song Xianyang unwrapped a lollipop and popped it into his mouth, the white stick resting casually on his lips, giving off an air of nonchalance.
He still hadn’t gotten used to quitting smoking.
Not having something in his mouth felt like something was missing, but the candy clearly couldn’t fill the void, leaving him inexplicably restless.
Now that he was alone, perhaps he could take this opportunity to quickly smoke a cigarette, but the thought of meeting MianMian later made him hesitate—he knew the other would definitely smell it.
Song Xianyang bit down on the lollipop stick, forcing himself to endure.
He left the venue but didn’t head straight back to the hotel. Instead, he stopped by a nearby convenience store to buy some snacks and fruit.
His bag was filled with blueberries, sweet oranges, milk mochi, oden, and a box of ice cream… none of which he particularly liked.
But according to the WeChat message he’d received, MianMian loved them.
So Song Xianyang bought a whole bagful.
For the convenience of the players, the hotel was located not far from the esports venue, about a ten-minute walk. Since it was close to the commercial street, even if the hotel food wasn’t to their liking, ordering takeout or dining out was still convenient.
Today was their second day in M City. Tomorrow night would be the final match, and Xuan Cheng planned to go out for a meal after it ended, return to the hotel to sleep, and then leave the day after.
Song Xianyang took out his phone, lowered his gaze, and called Jing Mian.
“Beep—”
“Beep—”
After a few slow waiting tones, as expected, the call connected. Song Xianyang’s lips curved into a smile as he called out, “MianMian.”
But before he could ask, “Have you returned to the hotel yet?” the call was abruptly disconnected.
Song Xianyang: “?”
He looked at his phone, his gaze falling on the call log, confirming that it wasn’t his imagination. The call had indeed connected, and the duration showed four seconds.
Huh?
What was going on?
Did MianMian accidentally hang up after answering?
Song Xianyang set the oden aside, swiped his thumb, and called Jing Mian again.
This time, Jing Mian’s phone was turned off.
Song Xianyang frowned slightly.
MianMian had answered and then turned off his phone. It must have run out of battery, right?
Song Xianyang grabbed the oden and jogged toward the hotel. A gust of wind swept through, carrying fallen leaves and a chill that seeped into his neck and sleeves. The boy shivered, an inexplicable sense of unease and irritation rising in his chest, prompting him to quicken his pace.
The ten-minute walk took him only five minutes.
However, when he returned to the hotel and swiped his card to enter, he found the room pitch dark. There was no sign of anyone having returned, and even the hallway light was off.
Song Xianyang’s Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously.
He called out “MianMian” a few times but received no response. He took a step back, exited the room, and knocked on the doors of his teammates next door.
Some of the Me. members had returned to the hotel early, while others had gone out to eat together and hadn’t come back yet. Song Xianyang suspected that MianMian might have run into some teammates on the way and been dragged out to eat.
But after asking around, no one had seen Jing Mian.
Song Xianyang returned to the hotel lobby, his steps growing increasingly hurried. He grabbed a few members from other Teams, but still couldn’t get any information.
Where could Jing Mian have gone at this time?
…
Song Xianyang had almost searched everywhere within a one-kilometer radius centered around himself.
At first, he thought MianMian had gone somewhere and got delayed on the way, coincidentally running out of battery.
But later, when Song Xianyang entered the hotel room, he noticed the charger was plugged into the socket by the bedside table, with the other end hanging by the bed. He suddenly remembered that MianMian’s phone had been fully charged when he left.
And today, there had been no opportunity to drain the battery, especially since Jing Mian had participated in a match in the evening and hadn’t had time to use his phone. So the chance of the battery dying and the phone shutting down was extremely slim.
It was at this moment that the unease in Song Xianyang’s heart reached its peak.
After much hesitation,
He dialed that person’s number.
The long waiting tone made Song Xianyang feel an overwhelming sense of tension and pressure.
Finally, the call connected.
Song Xianyang swallowed and said, “…President Ren.”
8:30 PM.
Greek sat in the driver’s seat, the man turned slightly, pulled the seatbelt from the passenger side, and fastened it on the left.
Then, his gaze fell on the boy in the passenger seat.
Perhaps because he was wearing a mask, the other person seemed to be having trouble breathing, the rise and fall of his chest restrained by the seatbelt, but slightly more noticeable than usual.
His eyelashes were long, so when they drooped, the shadow they cast on his eyelids trembled uncontrollably.
A faint itch spread from the depths of his heart.
Greek turned back, fastened his own seatbelt, and the car slowly started moving. But not long after, the ringtone from his phone connected to the car’s screen suddenly rang out.
The sound was loud, startling the person in the passenger seat.
He raised his hand, but it seemed like the strength from his feet to his fingertips was slowly draining away. Before he could touch the seatbelt, his palm slid down to his thigh.
Greek glanced over, silently smiled, and whispered, “…Looks like he’s completely limp now.”
At this moment, the caller on the screen was Li Shengwen.
Greek frowned slightly, not even hesitating, he reached out and ended the call.
A few seconds later, the ringtone annoyingly rang again. Greek, feeling irritated, stepped on the brake, waiting for the red light while answering the call.
Li Shengwen’s anxious voice came through, “Why aren’t you answering my calls?!”
Greek replied indifferently, “I know what you want.”
Li Shengwen swallowed, his voice hoarse, “Did you really do it? Where is Jing Mian? Did you really go through with it?”
Greek’s voice was lazy, “Yes.”
“He’s in my car right now, sleeping soundly.”
Li Shengwen’s voice through the phone was clearly filled with urgency, he gritted his teeth, “…No matter where you are now, bring him back immediately! Greek, Jing Mian’s background might not be as simple as you think. There’s someone behind him you absolutely cannot mess with!”
Greek was taken aback.
At that moment, the red light turned green, and the man started the car, as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous, “Tell me, who is this person I absolutely cannot mess with?”
Li Shengwen: “The new member named Song Xianyang is definitely not as simple as he appears… Not to mention the lavish live-streaming rewards he gave Jing Mian, both his strength and motives for joining the Team are highly suspicious.”
“Eighteen years old, and he defeated mobo in his very first PK.”
“He claims to be a high school student who just finished the college entrance exam, and his personal information in the esports archives states he graduated from Xiangyang High School. But I checked that school, and there’s no record of him in the past three years!”
Li Shengwen said, “All of Song Xianyang’s information is fake!!”
Greek turned the steering wheel: “So, what are you trying to say?”
“Greek, there are too many unexplained doubts and gaps in the investigation. Have you thought about it? If something really goes wrong, not only your career but your life and everything you’ve achieved will be ruined. And all this just for Jing Mian? Damn it, are you even sane?!”
“Before, my dad might have been able to help you settle things, but this time…”
Greek rubbed his temple, gradually losing patience: “Song Xianyang’s identity is fake, but what does that have to do with sheep?”
Li Shengwen said urgently, “Song Xianyang’s purpose for joining the Team is Jing Mian, and it’s far more than just being a fan. He takes care of Jing Mian, helps him out of trouble, and keeps tabs on Jing Mian’s whereabouts. This kind of behavior, hiding information, is not something a freshly graduated student would do.”
Li Shengwen asserted, “Someone must have sent him to do this!”
“Song Xianyang is only eighteen and has no relation to Jing Mian. Are you telling me to be wary of a kid and some imaginary person you’ve conjured up?” Greek suddenly laughed, finding it utterly absurd: “Li Shengwen, I’ve never seen you talk so much nonsense before.”
“I don’t have time to indulge your jealousy and tantrums. Your fits were amusing once or twice, but now they’re just annoying.”
Greek said coldly, “Don’t get in my way before tonight.”
“Like before, I’ll handle the fun, and your dad will clean up the mess. Isn’t that great?” Greek chuckled, “But this time, I’ll give you a heads-up—it might cost a bit more to settle things.”
“Jing Mian suits my taste.” Greek’s reflection in the rearview mirror showed him licking his lips, “I’m not sure how far I’ll go.”
Before Li Shengwen could finish, the call was already disconnected.
Inside the car, silence returned instantly.
Only the flowing lights of the traffic remained as Greek stepped on the gas, and the car swiftly merged into the main road.
In the passenger seat, Jing Mian’s discarded phone faintly glowed.
Li Shengwen, having been hung up on, cursed in frustration.
He stood in front of a coffee shop, where he had just discovered a thumb-sized glass bottle on the ground. The liquid inside was already empty.
Familiar with such drugs, he knew what it contained and guessed it was likely left by Greek.
Li Shengwen entered the coffee shop and asked the server if they had seen a tall guy with blue eyes and earrings, who left with a guy wearing a black mask and hoodie.
The server thought for a moment and nodded.
She said the guy wearing the black mask was drinking coffee, but later he seemed to feel a bit unwell. Coincidentally, another tall and handsome guy came in, claiming to be his friend, and carried him away.
The more Li Shengwen listened, the colder his heart grew.
He walked out of the coffee shop and leaned against the glass window, biting his finger as he grew increasingly anxious.
Why did it feel so wrong?
Just as he was pondering, suddenly, a pair of hands tightly gripped his collar. The fists were clenched so firmly that they exuded immense strength.
In an instant, he was dragged off his feet, half-walking and half-stumbling, until he was pulled behind the building. His back was roughly pressed against the coarse wall, causing the skin on his neck to sting from the friction.
Li Shengwen gasped, “…Who is it?!”
Song Xianyang’s face appeared before him, half illuminated by the flowing streetlights and the other half hidden in the shadows of the night, making it unsettling to look at.
Song Xianyang was practically seething with anger, veins bulging on his forehead. “What the hell did you and Greek do?”
“Where is MianMian now?!”
The car slowly came to a stop.
Not far away was a relatively secluded homestay.
The reason they hadn’t chosen a hotel near the esports arena was because it was too crowded and the identity checks at hotels were stricter. Instead, they opted for this pre-booked homestay, which offered more freedom and a better environment. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked a forest, and each room even had its own private hot spring.
Greek carried the person inside.
The homestay’s floor wasn’t made of smooth tiles but rather deep red wooden planks. As they passed the front desk, Greek gestured and said, “This is my younger brother.”
The person inside was watching TV and didn’t even look up.
Greek walked down the nearby corridor, occasionally catching the scent from the person’s neck. He adjusted his grip, his throat inexplicably dry, and whispered, “How can a guy smell so good…”
At the end of the corridor was the room they were staying in.
Greek stopped, took out the key, and with one hand free, bent down to unlock the door.
He placed Jing Mian on the bed first.
The prey he had coveted for so long was now right in front of him. To say he was calm would be a lie. So many unexpected things had happened recently, and not only had he failed to lower Jing Mian’s guard, but he had also made the other person constantly wary of him. It had been a headache for Greek, as he couldn’t find the right opportunity.
But now, Jing Mian was alone, obediently returning to the homestay with him, seemingly completely unguarded. Greek couldn’t contain his excitement; his heart felt like it was about to burst.
Especially when he saw the gleaming ring on Jing Mian’s left ring finger.
There were many things about Sheep that intrigued him—his identity as a partner, his skill in the game, and the reason he joined the Team. But what intrigued him the most was the face hidden beneath that mask.
Greek reached out his hand.
Perhaps it was because the temperature was too hot, but even the breath beneath the mask had warmed the fabric with an indescribable heat. Greek hooked his finger around the edge of the mask and pulled it down.
In the next second, his breath caught.
He had anticipated that it would be beautiful, but he hadn’t expected it to be this level of beauty.
That red-eyed little bastard Li Shengwen, out of jealousy for Sheep, had spread such outrageous rumors.
He had almost believed them.
Greek suppressed the rising palpitations in his chest, wishing he could take action right then and there. But after all, there was still plenty of time—they had the whole night ahead.
Greek got up and headed into the bathroom to take a shower.
After changing into his pajamas, Greek dried the moisture from his hair and sat down on the edge of the bed.
By now, the effects of the drug had fully taken hold.
Unlike the earlier drowsiness that left him weak and limp, Jing Mian had somehow managed to turn over on his own, seemingly attempting to escape.
However, due to his lack of strength, the distance of his escape only reached about two meters from the bed.
And now, his consciousness seemed to be slipping again.
“Do you realize where you are now?” the man asked softly. “Do you know who I am?”
“…”
There was no response.
Greek chuckled helplessly, then leaned down and carried Jing Mian back to the bed.
This time, Greek didn’t leave. Instead, he maintained his leaning posture and reached for the zipper of Jing Mian’s jacket.
But the next second, Greek’s movements froze.
Because the person beneath him had, at some point, raised his hand and grasped his wrist.
The palm was slightly warm, the grip soft, yet firm enough to prevent any further approach.
Greek silently curled the corner of his lips and asked, “What’s wrong, MianMian?”
The man didn’t pull away but instead asked, “Do you have something to say?”
Greek patiently waited for a moment until he saw Jing Mian’s lips part slightly, as if a sound was about to escape. Greek leaned in closer and heard the voice of sheep:
It seemed to be a sound similar to “ren.”
Greek: “?”
The man was certain he hadn’t misheard.
A few seconds later, Greek finally understood that what Jing Mian was saying seemed to be—
“Mr. Ren…”
Greek fell silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
“Mr. Ren?” Greek’s voice was soft as he asked, “Is that your husband’s name?”
…
“Well, I’m truly sorry to Mr. Ren then.”
Although his tone sounded apologetic, there wasn’t a trace of guilt in the observer’s demeanor. Greek continued slowly, “Though I don’t know where he works as a small-time employee.”
The man’s voice was light, but it carried a hint of barely detectable disdain: “Someone he treasures so much is about to be taken by me.”
“I’ll give him a large sum of money afterward.” Greek pried open the hand gripping his wrist and fully unzipped the jacket. “…Maybe your husband will even be happy. After all, it’s an amount he might not earn in decades, even if he worked tirelessly.”
Just as Greek was about to remove sheep’s next layer of clothing, he suddenly heard a sound coming from the door not far away.
Bang.
It didn’t sound like a knock. Instead, it was more like a dull, intimidating thud that sent a brief shiver through one’s body.
Greek: “?”
The man frowned slightly.
It was unlikely to be room service, as no one would come to clean this late at night. Besides, he had already informed the doorman when he entered, so it couldn’t be someone confirming his identity.
Moreover, he had a feeling that whoever it was didn’t come with good intentions.
At this hour, it was most likely Li Shengwen.
Greek stood up, his expression turning cold, a mix of mockery and irritation at being interrupted rising in his heart.
Li Shengwen’s audacity had been growing lately.
In the past, when they were competing for attention, he at least had the decency to consider Greek’s feelings. But now, he even dared to kick the door in front of him.
The man gritted his teeth and stood up, walking toward the door.
But in the next second.
A heavy and violent thud suddenly came from the wooden door!
The solid wood, already not light in weight, was kicked so hard that it tilted. The lock beside it was shattered, protruding from the once smooth wooden surface. Thick, swirling dust burst out from the gaps around the door.
The sight was so shocking that Greek, for a moment, even forgot to react.
After the third kick,
The door came crashing down.
More terrifying than the previous two kicks, the sound of the door hitting the ground was almost deafening, sending a shiver through everyone’s hearts.
“…”
Greek’s pupils constricted.
That was definitely not Li Shengwen.
The swirling white dust, mixed with scraped-off wall plaster, seemed to plunge the scene into chaos in an instant. The boundary between light and shadow blurred as the corridor light shone from behind, outlining the figure of a tall and handsome man.
His silhouette was backlit.
But the expression beneath the brim of his hat was chilling.