Chapter 48: I like games, but I like you more

It wasn’t just Valorant.

Almost every game with an international server had similar issues.

For some people, games were just a way to vent emotions. They didn’t think the virtual world required any morals or manners—just a place to unleash their darkest sides.

Meng Zhi had encountered this kind of thing more than once or twice. Especially when grinding ranks in Hong Kong or Southeast Asia servers, she’d often see people spot her Chinese ID and immediately start flaming in public chat.

Most of the time, Meng Zhi couldn’t be bothered to argue. She’d mute, report, and hunt them down in-game. Done.

But she hadn’t expected to run into this kind of trash talk in a casual match today.

“…Hey, they’re fcking cursing us out in chat.”

Finally, Zhao Meng and the others noticed the public chat. As gamers, they knew exactly what those common insults meant.

“What the hell? Acting all high and mighty in a game?”

“Fck, being cheap, huh? Guys, enough messing around—get serious—”

[ace]

Before he could finish, a five-kill icon flashed on the screen.

“…Huh?”

Zhao Meng and the other two stared at Meng Zhi, dumbfounded.

Meng Zhi didn’t say a word, her eyes locked on the screen. As the next round began, she bought full utility, activated Jett’s ultimate throwing knives, and soared toward the enemy’s bombsite.

Those unfamiliar with the game might not know, but the old version of Jett was a terrifying beast of a hero, with unmatched mobility and killing power in a short TTK game.

In the hands of a skilled player, she was a dimension-crushing nightmare.

Soon, the enemies, still cautiously inching toward the bombsite, saw another [ace] icon flash on their screens.

…Along with a Jett chasing them down to their spawn, disrespectfully spraying their corpses.

Zhao Meng: “…”

Now, even an idiot could tell.

Meng Zhi had been playing with them like they were kids. Her real skill level was likely far beyond what they’d imagined.

“Uh, Meng Zhi.”

Zhao Meng cautiously leaned over and asked: “What rank is your main account in Valorant?”

“Radiant,” Meng Zhi said offhandedly.

Zhao Meng’s eye twitched.

At that moment, Chen Xinya seemed to sense the shift in mood. Not daring to disturb Meng Zhi’s intense focus, she quietly asked Zhao Meng:

“Does that mean Meng Zhi’s really good at this game?”

“…Calling her ‘really good’ is an understatement.”

Zhao Meng gave a wry smile: “She’s basically among the best players in this game.”

Chen Xinya blinked, half-understanding.

She might not fully get it.

But seeing Zhao Meng and the others gaping behind Meng Zhi, mouths open in shock, she roughly understood—Meng Zhi was even better at gaming than she’d thought.

Meanwhile, the enemy team also realized something was off. Public chat lit up again with “f*k hacker” and “cn cheater dog” messages.

But soon, they were muted for reporting.

With Meng Zhi going all out, the score closed rapidly—from 3-11, to 5-11, then 9-11.

As Meng Zhi got serious, Zhao Meng and the others stopped fooling around, starting to call out positions properly.

Chen Xinya could tell everyone was focused now. Unable to keep up with their pace, she clumsily trailed behind, healing teammates.

What started as a casual match turned into a brutal meat grinder.

But in the end, just as Meng Zhi predicted, the enemy didn’t score a single point after their trash talk.

When the match finally ended in victory, Zhao Meng and the others let out ecstatic cheers.

“Hell yeah! That was too damn good, bro!”

“Trash like that deserves a face-smacking! Thank god for Meng Zhi.”

Meng Zhi casually took off her headset, stretched lazily, and glanced at Chen Xinya.

Chen Xinya was quietly watching her too.

“…What are you looking at?”

“I was wondering if you’ll become a pro gamer someday.”

“Nope.” Meng Zhi shook her head. “I don’t want to go pro. Too exhausting.”

“But don’t you love gaming?”

“Once a hobby becomes a job, it starts losing its fun.”

After a pause, Meng Zhi added slowly: “Gaming’s one of the few things I enjoy. I don’t want to lose the last bit of fun I have.”

“…I see.” Chen Xinya’s eyes dropped suddenly.

For a moment, watching Meng Zhi’s focused profile, Chen Xinya had seriously imagined it.

If Meng Zhi became a pro gamer, standing in the spotlight, basking in the crowd’s cheers after a dazzling play.

That radiant image seemed to suit her.

…But she didn’t.

Not in this life. Not in the last one either.

Maybe she was right—she just didn’t want to go pro. But seeing how absorbed Meng Zhi was while gaming, Chen Xinya wasn’t so sure.

Didn’t every gamer dream of that at some point?

Had she really never imagined that scene?

Could it be… in her last life, when she chose an ordinary office job, blending into the daily grind.

Was part of it because of me?

Chen Xinya always felt she hadn’t seen the real Meng Zhi. Maybe she was meant to soar freely in games, but instead, she folded her wings to stay by my side.

Did my presence hold her back?

Maybe in this life, if she doesn’t fall for me, she’ll have a chance to do what she truly wants.

Chen Xinya suddenly felt lost.

She began to wonder if clinging to Meng Zhi in this life was really the right thing to do.

“What’s wrong?”

Meng Zhi’s voice was as gentle as ever: “Was that match too intense? Feeling dizzy?”

“…No.”

Chen Xinya shook her head, then smiled faintly, as if realizing something.

“Meng Zhi.”

“Hm?”

“I love watching you game.”

Meng Zhi froze, then coughed awkwardly and turned away: “…What’s with the sudden weirdness?”

Zhao Meng and the others snickered nearby.

“I’m serious.”

Chen Xinya turned to her, suddenly brimming with enthusiasm: “This game’s way more fun than I expected. Come on, let’s play another round!”

“Hell yeah!”

Seeing Chen Xinya’s excitement, Zhao Meng and the others instantly got hyped.

Only Meng Zhi, before putting her headset back on, gave Chen Xinya a thoughtful glance.

…This is fine.

Maybe I don’t need to hold on so tightly.

I just love seeing her happy.

Quietly watching her do what she loves.

Even if she doesn’t like me, it’s okay.

At least in this life, let me see more of her.

With that thought, Chen Xinya put on her headset.

Joining Meng Zhi, she dove into another match.