A/N: To all who have favourited and followed my story, thank you, thank you so much! It delights me that there's a group of readers out there who like my story, and think that it is good enough to merit a favourite/follow or even both! To all who've spent time reviewing my story, thank you! I really love to read your comments, and shout out to Alsheon for your regular reviews!
Apart from all that, I would like to announce that I'm taking a break from this story. I'm NOT abandoning the story, it's just that my muse has left me and now I'm struggling with my next chapter. I've no idea when my muse will return, so I'd like to let y'all know that I may not update for awhile. I'm so, so sorry to all who've followed/favourited this story, please don't throw bad eggs at me T.T
Lots of love, Green Fish.
Disclaimer: Quan Zhi Gao Shou/The King's Avatar does not belong to me, except for my own OCs. If it was mine, Su Mu Qiu would have never died.
As the days passed, Wang Jie Xi continued chatting with Tang Rou and Cai Lin, hoping that either would change her mind. Tang Rou maintained that she was happy with her current lifestyle, while Cai Lin rebuffed all his words with a demand: fight Green Fish.
Initially, Wang Jie Xi ignored Cai Lin's request, choosing to focus his efforts on recruiting Tang Rou. In his opinion, Cai Lin's words were that of a childish teenager, one who has yet to give serious thoughts about her future, and thus, not as appealing as the dedicated Tang Rou. Despite all his attempts, Tang Rou remained indifferent, satisfied with the status quo.
Sighing, Wang Jie Xi could only turn his attention to Cai Lin, and gave in to her demand. He spoke to Herb Garden, asking them to keep an eye out for a player named Green Fish, who is currently attempting the Heavenly Domain Challenge. Luckily for Wang Jie Xi, he did not have to wait long. The very next evening, he received news from Herb Garden's Guild Leader.
"Captain Wang! We've found Green Fish!" Arisaema reported.
Nodding calmly, Wang Jie Xi followed Arisaema made his way over to the club's in-game guild department. Along the way, Arisaema explained that Green Fish is a level 54 Sharpshooter, and despite a 16 level suppression, her mechanics are good enough to give veteran players a lot of trouble. She would even win a match or two if her opponent did not take her seriously. Mildly intrigued, Wang Jie Xi made up his mind to fight Green Fish. Wang Jie Xi was led to one of the paid players in the corner of the room, who quickly passed his seat over.
Lemongrass? A Witch? Wang Jie Xi mused. Behind Wang Jie Xi, the paid player looked on nervously, starry eyed that Wang Jie Xi was using his character, even if it was just to chat with another player in game.
"Hello Ms Cai, I am Wang Jie Xi, captain of Team Tiny Herb. I believe Ms Cai Lin have mentioned me before."
"Wang Jie Xi?" Jing Jing sputtered. She turned her head to glare accusingly at Cai Lin, who gave her a confused look. Cai Lin craned her neck, peeking at Jing Jing's screen, before flashing the latter a cheeky smile.
Swiftly composing herself, Jing Jing said, "ahem. I'm afraid she neglected to tell me about your conversations. Can you please fill me in?" She silently stared at Cai Lin. I'll settle this with you later.
"Of course, Ms Cai…"
"Err, my surname is Huang, not Cai…" Jing Jing interrupted.
"... ...My apologies, Ms Huang. Ms Cai Lin did not mention your name in our conversation, so I assumed that you have the same surname as her. Could I have your name please?"
"Jing Jing. Huang Jing Jing."
"Ms Huang, I played against Ms Cai Lin in the Arena awhile ago and saw that she has a lot of potential. Thus, I invited her to come Tiny Herb for a trial. She refused, and insisted that I fight a match with you." Wang Jie Xi briefly explained.
Huh. Jing Jing raised her eyebrow. Well, since Cai Lin has given me such a wonderful opportunity, I'd better make good use of it.
"Alright then, let's fight."
"?"
"Didn't you come for a match? Let's fight first, and talk later."
"Alright. Fixed Field?" Wang Jie Xi cooly agreed, rearranging some of the skills.
"Sure." Jing Jing changed the settings, and prepared for the countdown.
"Ready?" Jing Jing asked.
"Yes."
The countdown began.
Oh my gosh Captain Wang is using my character to PK! I feel so honored! Argh if I only I'd brought my notebook along! The owner of Lemongrass bemoaned.
Once the match started, Lemongrass shot forward, sending out a Magic Missile. Green Fish dodged it, and opened fire, shooting a rain of bullets. Lemongrass easily avoided the bullets, all the while closing in on Green Fish.
32 seconds later, Green Fish fell. Immediately, she clicked the 'again' option.
"Again?" Jing Jing asked.
"...Ok."
Two rounds later, Wang Jie Xi asked for a break. Jing Jing agreed, saving up the recordings of the latest match. She leaned back, massaging her fingers gently.
"Ms Huang, now that we have fought a few rounds, I'd like to continue our previous discussion."
"Mm-hmm. You mean giving Cai Lin my consent to go Tiny Herb for a trial?"
"Yes. To be honest, I'm also quite curious about you, Ms Huang."
"Me?"
"How long have you been playing Glory for?"
"Err… ..." Jing Jing paused, opening her calendar to check.
I came on the 4th, started playing on 5th…. Jing Jing quickly made an estimation. "Over two weeks?"
"Over two weeks?" Wang Jie Xi immediately understood that Green Fish was power leveled by a friend. She has a lot of potential too.
"Ms Huang, I'd like to extend an invitation to you as well. An invitation to come Tiny Herb for a trial."
Me too? I know I'm not too bad, but doesn't Tiny Herb already have two Sharpshooters? Oh wait, they will most probably make me change my class, like Qiao Yi Fan.
"Hmmm...may I know the reasons?"
"You are a fast learner, and have good accuracy for a beginner. Plus, you have an aptitude for tactics, and are still young."
Young? When I'm already 19? Jing Jing chuckled, but replied with a polite "thank you".
Wang Jie Xi made a noncommittal sound, and for a short while, both parties stayed silent. Jing Jing wanted to outright refuse Wang Jie Xi, but paused, knowing that she and Cai Lin will benefit from entering Tiny Herb's training camp.
Jing Jing quickly thought the situation over. If we go Tiny Herb, we'd get professional training. However, that means we'd have to leave Ye Xiu, Chen Guo and Tang Rou. I'm sure Cai Lin doesn't want that. As for me? Do I really want to give up one year of playing Sharpshooter just to be trained in my fundamentals? She stared blankly at Green Fish.
"...Jing Jie, Jing Jing Jie, you dropped your wallet."
Eh? Jing Jing turned to look at Cai Lin, who was holding out Jing Jing's wallet. "You should be more careful Jing Jing Jie, it will cause us a lot of trouble if you lose it. Why not keep it in Guo Guo Jie's apartment?"
Oh yea! I totally forgot, we don't know if our IDs are legal here! Well, I guess I have my answer. Smiling wryly, Jing Jing took her wallet from Cai Lin's outstretched hand, softly thanking the younger girl for her alertness.
Wang Jie Xi was about to suggest that he give Jing Jing some time to consider his offer when she spoke up.
"Thank you very much for your invitation, but I would like to decline your offer." Pausing, Jing Jing added, "not just for myself, but on Cai Lin's behalf as well."
"Care to elaborate?" Another refusal? Since when did an invitation from a champion team become so worthless?
"...Personal reasons." I can't tell him that we came from another world, and don't know if our IDs exist.
"... …" I can't pry even if I wanted to. "Alright. Thank you for your time." Wang Jie Xi said, wrapping up the conversation.
"Likewise. Thank you for sparing some time to fight me."
Wang Jie Xi stood up, and returned his seat to its original owner.
"Ummm...Captain Wang, can you please take a picture with me?!" The excited fan squeaked, hands trembling slightly.
Wang Jie Xi nodded, and the overjoyed fan took a selfie with him.
"Thank you! Thank you so much Captain Wang! Tiny Herb will be this year's champions!"
"We will." Wang Jie Xi smiled and nodded politely, before making his way out of the room.
Hmpf! So what even if I forgot my notebook! A picture is just as good! Die of jealousy, mortals! Mwahahaha!
...
Seeing Lemongrass stand motionlessly, Jing Jing exited the Arena. She settled Green Fish in a nearby town, before turning to face Cai Lin.
Catching Jing Jing's stare, Cai Lin paused her game, and smiled sheepishly at Jing Jing.
"Sorry Jing Jing Jie. I wanted to give you a surprise."
"You mean a shock." Jing Jing corrected.
"Ehehe. You know, I learnt a lot from the pro players over the past few days, and I felt that it was a pity you didn't join us in these lessons. So, I decided to try and give you a chance to fight against Wang Jie Xi."
"Yes, but it would have been better if you had given me a heads up. What if I was eating or drinking during then? I might have choked." Jing Jing chided, and jokingly threatened, "as punishment, I shall eat all your snacks for the next two weeks, especially your potato chips."
"Nooooo! Anything but my chips!" Cai Lin dramatically wailed. "You are so mean Jing Jing Jie!"
"You reap what you sow." Jing Jing said, forcefully suppressing her urge to laugh.
"Then, I shall hide all my chips so that you can't find them." Cai Lin cheekily stuck out her tongue.
"Don't be so cheeky." Jing Jing lightly flicked her forehead, putting on a serious expression, but was betrayed by her eyes full of mirth.
Seeing that Jing Jing was just teasing her, Cai Lin relaxed, happy that Jing Jing was not upset by her 'surprise'. Of course, she planned on stashing her chips in a corner of Chen Guo's room, in case Jing Jing decides to take away all her chips in the cupboard.