A/N: To all my dear readers, here's a half chappie for y'all to chew on before 2018! May y'all have a Happy New Year, and good luck with your goals for 2018!

Hi ashlynx, glad to read that you found my story funny :D I hope to make my readers laugh, since our world is pretty fcked up, so why not let loose and laugh here?

Hey Cai Lin mei, thanks for the Christmas greetings :D As for YX's and WJX's reactions, obviously YX accidentally breathed in too much cigarette smoke and choked, so the cigarette dropped onto his pants and burnt a hole. WJX, yes, he choked too, but what was more obvious was his eyes. (O.O) since one is bigger than the other, so when he heard CL's 'true love' comment he got so shocked that his eyes went O.O XDDD

The next day, all eleven players from Tiny Herb gathered for the training with Ye Xiu. Unlike the previous day, when all were busy fighting, the pro players were a lot more polite and added Tang Rou, Cai Lin and Ye Xiu to their friend list. Cai Lin wanted to speak to Qiao Yi Fan, but had no idea how to start conversing with him without making it suspicious. While cooking up possible scenarios to talk, she received a message from Fallen Angel: "Sister, watching these matches all the time can get boring. What do you say we go play for a few rounds?"

Cai Lin wanted to refuse, but upon remembering how Wang Jie Xi tried to use Liu Fei to sway Tang Rou over, she happily agreed, and the three girls left the room together. Sure enough, Fiery Blaze followed them.

"Rou Rou Jie, you go first." Cai Lin offered.

"Thank you." Tang Rou smiled, and accepted the match.

While Tang Rou and Liu Fei were fighting, Fiery Blaze quietly observed the match. After winning Tang Rou, Liu Fei fought with Cai Lin. In one and a half minute, she easily defeated Alsheon.

Liu Fei consoled, "don't be disheartened, the both of you play pretty well."

Tang Rou felt helpless, as she disliked others pitying her. Cai Lin gently patted Tang Rou's hand, aware of her emotions.

"It's my turn now. I'll be going first." Liu Fei said, and left the room.

Leaving us alone with your captain. Great work, Liu Fei. Cai Lin thought.

"The both of you really play pretty well." Wang Jie Xi reaffirmed Liu Fei's words.

Both Soft Mist and Alsheon turned their cameras to face Fiery Blaze.

"Could I ask what your names are? I'm talking about your real names." Wang Jiexi said.

"Tang Rou."

"Cai Lin."

"How about we go for a round?"

"Sure!" Tang Rou and Cai Lin agreed, the latter exiting the field to let Tang Rou fight first.

After the countdown, both began fighting. Wang Jie Xi went all out, using his Magician playstyle to crush Tang Rou in 27 seconds. Cai Lin went up next, and was handedly defeated as well. Having given her all for the match, Cai Lin's hands were throbbing painfully. She massaged her sore hands, waiting for Wang Jie Xi to speak up.

"Do the either of you want to go again?" Wang Jie Xi asked.

"No." Cai Lin quickly replied. "The gap's too wide."

"The gap is only temporary. The both of you have a lot of potential!"

"Thank you." Tang Rou and Cai Lin chorused.

"Do you have any interest in playing in the Pro Alliance?" Wang Jiexi suddenly said.

"So you guys are pro players." Cai Lin confirmed.

"Correct. We're Team Tiny Herb. If either of you are interested, then right now I want to give you a serious invite. An invite for you to come to our Club for a trial."

An idea flashed in Cai Lin's head. "Thank you, but I don't wanna be separated from my jie jie. Unless she can join Tiny Herb, I won't come."

Wang Jie Xi was surprised by Cai Lin's reply, and tried to convince her otherwise. "Not all pro players live in the dorms provided, some go home every day if they are in the same city. You can choose to do that too."

"But I live in City H."

"It's pretty normal for pro players to work in different cities, and they get to go home during Lunar New Year and the holidays."

"Why can't I just get my jie jie to come along?" Cai Lin decided to whine a little.

Wang Jie Xi showed an exasperated expression. Giving up on Cai Lin, he asked Tang Rou, "what about you?"

"Thank you, but I don't think there's a need to."

"What?" Wang Jiexi stared blankly, shocked at Tang Rou's calm refusal.

"I'm very happy with the way things are right now, so I don't want that to change." Tang Rou explained.

"What ….. type of life are you living?"

"A little sister at the Internet Cafe." Tang Rou laughed.

"Internet Cafe waitress….." Wang Jiexi was even more speechless. How could this type of life compare to a pro-player?

"...Captain Wang," Cai Lin spoke up. "Why don't you test my jie jie? I'm sure she's good enough to be on the training team with me."

Training team?! I thought we might get her to be one of Herb Garden's paid players (1) if she's decent, but this girl just assumes we are going to put her in the training team?!

Wang Jie Xi cleared his throat. "Why not give me your parents' contact number and let me speak to them?"

"... …" Cai Lin unconsciously clenched her fist, eyes distraught. We are in different worlds right now, how can I contact them? I don't know how they're doing right now, is Dad fine? Am I considered missing? ...

Seeing Cai Lin's reaction, Tang Rou quietly explained, "they are orphans, her jie jie is her guardian."

"My apologies, I didn't mean to…"

"...No. It's not your fault." Cai Lin shook her head, slapping her face to come back to her senses.

"...Still, it was inconsiderate of me. I apologise."

"If you want to make it up to me, contact my jie jie via Glory. Her account name is Green Fish, and she's attempting the Heavenly Domain Challenge." Cai Lin quickly demanded. Hey! I've got to milk it for all that it's worth! Don't judge!

"..."

"...Ehehe...oops, I've got to go to the washroom. Be right back!" Cai Lin hastily made up an excuse, and escaped from her seat.

Tang Rou chuckled softly. "If you'll excuse me, I think it's time for my next match." Soft Mist left the room, leaving Fiery Blaze to stare at Alsheon. Sighing, Wang Jie Xi left the room as well, keen on observing Tang Rou's match.

(1) Paid players - they are people hired by the different clubs to play the game, usually running the in-game guild or are core players i.e. people like Ariesama, Plantago Seed, Blue River etc. They have pretty decent skills, but don't play matches as they are not good enough. Not sure if I translated it correctly, if anyone knows a better term do let me know!