TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 11

Xia Tong squatted at the respawn point, resentfully watching the two show-offs outside the boundary.

Jin Gang was no longer concerned about the report or the possibility of being banned. After all, he had changed his character name; no one knew who he was. If needed, he could pull some strings to get his account unbanned—an advantage of being on a pro team. Sure, it’d be a hassle, and he’d probably get a scolding from his manager, but nothing too serious.

Rather than withdrawing the report, he found it far more entertaining to toy with the little mage who claimed to have Zero Lin Mingfei on his side.

“So, you really know Zero Lin Mingfei?” He paced outside the respawn point’s protective barrier with an exaggeratedly serious expression. “The guy who ‘disappeared’ for two years—the one who was actually hiding because of a scandal, the so-called playboy of esports?”

There were so many accusations in that statement that Xia Tong didn’t quite follow, looking left and right in confusion without replying. But Zhou Yanjun caught the implication and angrily shouted, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Talking nonsense? This is all over the internet, you know? Don’t believe me? Check the forums.” Jin Gang sneered.

“What’s a playboy?” Xia Tong asked, his eyes wide with confusion.

“Playboy, huh? Someone who just goes around screwing others,” Jin Gang sneered. “You know what I mean by ‘screwing,’ right?”

Xia Tong stayed silent, but Zhou Yanjun’s face twitched in anger. Unable to hold back, he roared, “Watch your filthy mouth! Zero isn’t like that! He would never do something like that!”

Jin Gang sneered, “You think he wouldn’t? Haha, there’s solid proof! It’s all out there, if you want me to spell it out for you. Lin Mingfei hooked up with a fan, ended up with an Omega who had a serious illness, and it cost a life.”

Zhou Yanjun clenched his fists, the joints cracking from the pressure. Jin Gang continued, his voice laced with scorn, “He’s been hiding overseas for two years, staying silent to keep up his mysterious allure. Real patience there! Of course, the moment he’s back, all his crazy fans have already lifted him up like he’s some saintly idol. I bet soon he’ll claim he’s been sick with some occupational disease to explain his absence. He’s an expert at stringing his fans along. Compared to him, my messing around with NPCs looks downright virtuous.”

By now, Zhou Yanjun had opened the official forum in the game. As expected, the discussion boards were flooded with posts like “Zero’s Dark History with Fans Exposed” and “Retired to Redeem a Life.” In each post, there was a series of blurry side or back-angle photos, most taken in public places or outside hotels. Despite the vague quality, it wasn’t hard to make out Lin Mingfei’s figure and profile, and there was a shorter young man in some shots beside him.

Zhou Yanjun’s breath grew heavy. Jin Gang gave him a sideways glance. “What’s the matter? Didn’t you just swear he wasn’t like that? Where’s all that conviction now?”

Though Xia Tong didn’t fully understand what was happening, hearing them slander Lin Mingfei still hurt. Gathering his courage, he said loudly, “But Zero really isn’t well! Why are you saying he mistreats fans? I saw him at the eye clinic that day! He was there to see a specialist. He even wore sunglasses—obviously because his eyes hurt!”

As Xia Tong made his claim, Jin Gang rolled his eyes in disdain. Zhou Yanjun, however, turned to Xia Tong with sudden urgency. “What did you say? Zero went to the eye clinic?”

“Yes, he went alone. I guess he didn’t want to tell you all!” Xia Tong huffed, turning away. “Anyway, no matter what you say, I believe Zero’s a good person. You’re just jealous, slandering him out of spite.”

“Jealous, me?” Jin Gang scoffed, pointing to himself with a mocking grin.

“I didn’t name names! Why are you so quick to take it personally?” Xia Tong shot back, getting increasingly riled up. “You’re really insufferable! I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m logging off—bye!”

“Wait!” Zhou Yanjun blurted. “Do you really know Zero? How are you connected? Where are you staying? Could we meet in person? I have some questions.”

“No way! Zero told me never to meet strangers in person. It’s dangerous!” Xia Tong rejected immediately.

“I’m not dangerous! Do I look like a bad guy?” Zhou Yanjun pointed at himself.

“You’re fat, mean, inconsiderate, and naggy! Totally suspicious!” Xia Tong replied, pouting.

Zhou Yanjun: “??? Say that again!”

Ignoring him, Xia Tong stuck out his tongue and logged out, disappearing from the map.

Meanwhile, Lin Mingfei was driving to pick up Shi Ya.

On the ride, Shi Ya reviewed some paperwork related to the club’s transfer and property rights. As he idly opened his phone, he gasped. “Hey.”

“What is it?” Lin Mingfei asked, focused on the road.

“You’re being dragged through the mud,” Shi Ya replied, staring at the flood of notifications.

“Oh? Mind summarizing?” Lin Mingfei’s tone was calm.

Shi Ya clicked his tongue. “Basically, they’re saying you got a fan killed two years ago, and that’s why you ‘disappeared.’ They even have photos. Here, look.”

He handed over his phone, and Lin Mingfei glanced at it briefly before turning his attention back to the road. “Fake.”

“Of course it’s fake,” Shi Ya replied. “But it’s detailed enough to look real, and the push is pretty widespread. Looks like someone’s fueling it.”

“Mm.”

“‘Mm’? That’s it?” Shi Ya rolled his eyes. “Come up with a plan!”

“I’m driving. We’ll deal with it later,” Lin Mingfei replied calmly.

Shi Ya couldn’t help but admire his friend’s composure and settled back in his seat, eventually dozing off.

They drove across half the city to the Polaris base. Yawning, Shi Ya climbed out, looking up at the gleaming logo. “Feels just the same… still bright, still beautiful,” he sighed. “It’s like home—our Polaris.”

“Alright, enough with the drama. Let’s go,” Lin Mingfei nudged him with a grin. They shared a laugh and headed to the door.

Suddenly, a large, round figure burst out of a thick grove of golden laurel trees, charging straight at them. Shi Ya tripped over his rolling suitcase and fell sideways, but the figure didn’t notice, barreling toward Lin Mingfei.

“Zero, damn you!” came the roar.

“Zhou Yanjun, damn you!” Shi Ya yelled back from the ground.

Lin Mingfei, keeping his cool, sidestepped at the last second, letting the large man hurtle past him, face-planting into the ground with a resounding thud.

The world was utterly silent.

Lin Mingfei waved away the faint dust that had risen, walked over casually, squatted down, and pointed to the artfully paved granite path.

“If that fall of yours disrupted our club’s feng shui, I won’t let you off,” he said slowly.

“Bah!” Zhou Yanjun turned over, rubbing his bruised nose, and growled fiercely, “Did you mess around with fans or not?”

“What answer do you want?” Lin Mingfei raised an eyebrow.

“I want to hear it from you!” Zhou Yanjun shouted. “Whatever you say, I’ll believe it—as long as it’s from you!”

“Didn’t mess around. Still single,” Lin Mingfei replied.

Zhou Yanjun paused, exhaling a long sigh, then lay on his back on the ground, like a flattened toad.

“This trip wasn’t for nothing…”

“What is this?” Shi Ya had managed to get up, supporting his waist and fiddling with his large suitcase. “Did you run away from home?”

“I broke off with KUQ,” Zhou Yanjun said bitterly. “I’ve had enough.”

“I think they probably kicked you out, right?” Shi Ya taunted, hand on his chin.

“What’s the difference?” Zhou Yanjun’s ears turned slightly red. “Anyway, I’m not gonna deal with those jerks anymore. I’ll go sign the termination contract in a few days… You have no idea. Watching people pack up one by one, leaving, and then you, Shi Ya—you left too. I felt utterly hopeless!” He clutched his head, overwhelmed with sadness.

“There wasn’t much I could do, either,” Shi Ya sighed. “It’s not like the two of us could form a team alone.”

“I held out for over a year, waiting for the captain to come back, but then I got sold off to KUQ. That Zhao guy from KUQ didn’t even want me, thought I was barely worth the price.” Zhou Yanjun grew more and more frustrated, wiping his nose. “Zero, I’m this close to just cursing you.”

“If I had any relatives, I’d let you curse them too,” Lin Mingfei said, pulling Zhou Yanjun up from the ground.

“Anyway, I really did have one foot in and one foot out. I just knew you’d come back,” Zhou Yanjun said, his voice catching. “Captain, is your eye better?”

Lin Mingfei paused.

“Your eye?” Shi Ya looked over, puzzled. “What happened to it?”

Lin Mingfei looked away. “It’s a long story. Let’s go inside and talk.”

“Look at this—he’s still not giving a straight answer!” Zhou Yanjun sighed as he followed them inside. “What a player.”

“I swear I never lied to any of you,” Lin Mingfei said wearily. “Just keep that in mind.”

“No lies? I don’t believe that. Earlier, I ran into this little Omega who got so worked up over people spreading rumors that you’d messed with fans. They were ready to fight someone. So I’m pretty sure your ‘single’ claim is a lie, too.” Zhou Yanjun muttered, “Player.”

Tired of the “player” accusation, Lin Mingfei grumbled, “If I ever get involved with an Omega, I’ll take your last name, alright?” He flicked on the living room lights.

All three of them froze.

On the long sofa lay a young boy, sound asleep, his chestnut hair covering his smooth forehead and delicate eyebrows. His skin was fair, and his lips soft. He was hugging a small pink robot.

Debon’s LED eyes suddenly lit up, and with its round arms moving stiffly, it recited, “Alpha, please stay away from the sleeping Omega, or I will begin reciting the Omega Protection Act as a warning.”

“…”

Shi Ya raised a hand in innocence, clearly indicating he was not involved.

“Keeping an Omega hidden in a gilded house,” Zhou Yanjun said, one word at a time. “You really are a player, Lin Mingfei.”

Shi Ya added, “Perhaps we should start calling you ‘Old Zhou’ now?”

“…”

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