TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 30

Back at the P-Team base, the group sat around a table full of cold, untouched food, exchanging glances. Even Zhou Yanjun, usually a big eater, looked glum.

“Why aren’t they back yet?” he complained, tapping his bowl with his chopsticks. “We should’ve all gone out after them together—it’d show that we really care! Xia Xiaotong would have been so touched, he’d have come back in no time!”

“And if he doesn’t come back?” Bo Yu asked quietly.

Zhou Yanjun snapped his chopsticks in two. “Don’t jinx it!” he said, his chubby cheeks quivering as if he were trying to hold back a hint of sadness. “He just got that rare weapon! He hasn’t even had a chance to show it off yet. Why would he leave in a rush?”

“He could play the game at any cybercafe,” Bo Yu mumbled, undermining him.

Zhou Yanjun was about to burst when Shi Ya squeezed his soda bottle, crinkling it.

“He should come back,” Shi Ya said, calm but reflective. “Xia Tong doesn’t really have anywhere else to go.”

Zhou Yanjun paused. “Now that you mention it, I never asked where he’s from.”

“I met him at the cybercafe. He seemed like he’d run away from home,” Shi Ya explained. “But Zero knew him first and would probably know more.”

“No wonder he always sticks close to the captain,” Zhou Yanjun said, understanding dawning.

“Why does Zero seem to attract runaways?” He Youjin muttered randomly.

The rest of the P-Team stared at him. “?”

Realizing his slip, He Youjin coughed awkwardly. “Just a thought.”

“What have you been working on this whole time?” Shi Ya asked, raising an eyebrow as he moved to sit beside He Youjin on the sofa, peering at his laptop screen.

“Drafting a statement,” He Youjin replied. “For that smear campaign against Zero.”

“You’re a pro!” Shi Ya exclaimed, looking over the draft in surprise.

“I don’t let grudges go. I’m a professional,” He Youjin said proudly.

“Zero’s mentioned you before. Top of the class, right?” Shi Ya said, studying him. “So, why did you switch to us?”

“Because I got my last boss’s entire group reported,” He Youjin replied. “And then I lost my job.”

Shi Ya blinked. “…Are you a Virgo?”

“How did you know?”

Shi Ya slid away a little, keeping his distance.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yanjun and Bo Yu leaned in to check out He Youjin’s draft. Zhou Yanjun, spoon in hand, commented, “Isn’t it a bit too brief? Just a denial without an explanation might not seem very convincing.”

“What do you know?” He Youjin retorted. “The more you explain, the happier the trolls get. The more you argue, the messier it gets—it just wastes time and energy.”

“Good point,” Bo Yu agreed. “Playing the game matters most.”

With a click, He Youjin posted the statement on Weibo.

“Should I buy a trending tag while I’m at it for you guys? All of you ‘has-beens’—” He Youjin trailed off as notifications started popping up.

“Oh wow, the official account finally said something!”

“Finally denying it—I’m crying!”

“I knew my idol would never do that!”

“Seriously? After all this time, that’s all they wrote? Isn’t Zero supposed to be P-Team’s star player?”

“Sounds suspicious, doesn’t it? Just a denial without an explanation?”

“Isn’t that obvious? They can’t let it go.”

“Holographic Cannon King fans trying to clean his name? Arguing with me means you’re brain-dead.”

“Instead of focusing on games, they’re always pulling stunts like this. You’re players, not influencers! Is there no end to this?”

“The season’s approaching, and there’s no real preparation news. Rotting Team confirmed.”

“Don’t ask. Just assume the P Team is done for.”

“Is this really the player I’ve supported all these years? Disappointed—fan-turned-critic.”

“Stop pretending to be a Zero fan. Real fans know how he operates.”

“My husband’s always been chill, okay? He never bothers with baseless gossip or stooping to argue with haters.”

“Zero’s motto is: Dominate first, question later, right?”

“Zero fans really are experts at self-brainwashing, huh? Just flaunt your loyalty to Cannon King, sure.”

“Please focus on the players’ games and keep out of their personal lives, okay? Not everyone’s as immature as your ‘D Fans’ who obsess over that pimple-faced guy.”

“I think the official statement’s fine, honestly. It denies the rumors, and that’s enough. His personal life isn’t your business to demand explanations about.”

“Take it or leave it; this is just how the P Team operates.”

In no time, unread messages exceeded a thousand. Fans and critics clashed fiercely, creating a chaotic scene.

He Youjin stared blankly for a moment before Shi Ya nudged him. “What did you just call us?”

“Nothing.” He Youjin replied, expressionless. “And with all this noise already, sharing more details would just blow things up even more.”

“Hold on, we’ll repost it now!” Zhou Yanjun fired up his Weibo with renewed determination. “People always say we’re falling apart, but we’re actually super united!”

Just then, the base door swung open.

“We’re back.” Two voices rang out in unison.

Zhou Yanjun’s eyes lit up, and he darted over excitedly. “Xia Xiaotong!!”

“Ah, Fatty!” Xia Tong was instantly engulfed in a bear hug, his face turning bright red. “I-I-I can’t breathe!”

“I thought I wouldn’t get to play with you anymore!” Zhou Yanjun said, overcome with emotion.

Lin Mingfei reached over and pulled Zhou Yanjun away. “You’ll have plenty of time to play later. Let go for now.”

“Huh?” Zhou Yanjun stumbled back a few steps, grinning wildly. “So, does that mean you agreed?”

Lin Mingfei gave a soft snort, didn’t respond, and walked over to the table to get a glass of water.

“Zero’s okay with it now!” Xia Tong stood there scratching his head, grinning foolishly. “Oh, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have thrown a fit like that. It’s embarrassing, heh.”

“Hah, you ran so fast just now that I barely got a look at you.” He Youjin looked up. “You’re Xia Tong, right?”

“Manager He.” Xia Tong greeted him politely, moving closer to the table, his gaze landing on a plate of soufflé. He smacked his lips. “Can I have this?”

“It’s all yours,” He Youjin said, leaning over to whisper, “Hey, would you be interested in being a model? I’ve got connections.”

“What’s a model?” Xia Tong’s cheeks were stuffed with soufflé.

“It’s when good-looking people wear cool clothes and take cool photos—”

“Oh, I’ll ask Zero about it first.” Xia Tong said sweetly, “Zero—”

“No, no, don’t ask him!” He Youjin quickly covered Xia Tong’s mouth, terrified that Lin Mingfei would find out he was stirring up trouble. “It’s just a little side gig, something you could earn a bit from, on your own.”

“But Zero’s not ‘just anyone’ to me!” Xia Tong said firmly, “He’s my… partner!”

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