Сhарter 24: Hе’s Sо Skillеd
Тhаt evening, Wen Yао took а bath in Xiе Zоngхun’s lаrgе bаthtub, feеling inсrеdiblу comfоrtable.
When she саme оut, hеr skin wаs still flushеd рink. Xiе Zоngхun glancеd аt her briеfly beforе returning tо his game.
Wen Yаo lingеred dоwnstаirs, hesitating tо get into bed. Хiе Zоngхun frowned, his vоiсе dеepеning.
“Cоme herе.”
Wen Yaо lifted the сovers and sliрреd inside, оbеdiently loоking at him.
Хiе Zongxun’s gаze softеned slightlу аs hе askеd, “What’s wrong? Whу are уоu dаwdling?”
Wen Yao buried her face in thе blаnket, leaving onlу hеr eyes visiblе, аnd complained, “You’re going to make me help you play the game again later, and I don’t want to.”
He knew exactly what he did last time—he was a jerk.
Xie Zongxun’s chest shook with a soft chuckle. He gently touched her face, coaxing her.
“I won’t make you play. You’re too unskilled.”
Huh?
Wen Yao was naturally competitive, and his words immediately sparked her spirit. She propped herself up on her elbows and sat up, leaning close to Xie Zongxun.
“I just haven’t learned how to play yet, that’s all! I’m not unskilled!”
Xie Zongxun glanced at her, finding her earnest expression quite adorable. He cupped the back of her head and kissed her.
Wen Yao was completely caught off guard by his action. She let out a soft, surprised gasp, her voice tinged with a hint of coquettishness. “What are you doing? You’re playing a game.”
Xie Zongxun’s lips curved upward slightly, but he remained silent, focusing intently on his gameplay.
“Does this mean you killed someone?”
Wen Yao pointed at the notification on the screen.
“Mm.”
“Is this little yellow character you? It looks so impressive. I want to play too.”
“You’re clumsy. Pick something else to learn.”
Wen Yao watched the entire match, praising Xie Zongxun every time he eliminated an opponent, her admiration evident.
Afterward, Wen Yao downloaded Honor of Kings.
She used an account Xie Zongxun gave her.
They joined a five-player team room, where Gu Yanche and two other friends were also present.
Gu Yanche: “Who’s this?”
Xie Zongxun: “Her.”
Gu Yanche: “She’s terrible at this. This is a trap. I’m leaving.”
Xie Zongxun: “Don’t expect me to carry you ever again.”
Gu Yanche: “…”
Fine, fine. Threats it is.
Wen Yao was still browsing the flashy heroes on the main page when the game started.
“Hey, I just saw a really pretty character.”
Xie Zongxun gave her slender waist a gentle squeeze and said, “It’s already there. All the skins for the characters you saw are unlocked.”
Wen Yao nodded, her eyes darting around the hero selection screen in confusion.
“What should I play?”
Xie Zongxun replied calmly, “Play whatever you like.”
Wen Yao chose the beautiful Wang Zhaojun.
While changing the character’s outfit, she listened to Xie Zongxun’s brief explanations of the skills and gameplay. Wen Yao was a quick learner and grasped the basics easily.
The match went smoothly. Her crowd control was incredibly accurate, prompting Gu Yanche, who was playing in the development lane, to turn on his microphone.
“Are you secretly playing for your wife or something? Controlling two heroes with one hand, huh?”
He simply refused to believe it was Wen Yao’s skill.
“Freezing enemies so accurately… or did you turn on hacks for her?”
Although Wen Yao didn’t understand what “hacks” meant, she knew it wasn’t a compliment. Xie Zongxun could tell she wanted to say something.
He turned on his own microphone and glanced at her. “Go ahead.”
Wen Yao was fuming. Recalling how he had scolded her last time, she vaguely remembered some of his words and let out a string of retorts.”I was playing on my own, you’re just bad and still questioning others. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten a single kill… Huh, playing with your feet? Xie Zongxun carried the whole game, while you were stuck farming in the lane forever…”
Xie Zongxun glanced up at her—what was the difference between her and a kitten puffing up its fur?
“Damn, Xie Zongxun, your woman is cursing me like this, are you going to do something about it or not?!”
Gu Yanche snapped angrily. Damn it, last time he cursed at her once, he had to beg Xie Zongxun for ages just to play with him again. He didn’t even dare curse back.
Xie Zongxun pursed his lips and chuckled softly.
“Just play your game, I can’t control her.”
Wen Yao only then realized she had gotten a bit angry just now. She was so fierce—how did she end up arguing with someone?
After that, she didn’t speak anymore, focusing seriously on the game.
Several times when she was about to die, Xie Zongxun would come to save her.
It was hard to describe that feeling—there was a slight flutter in her heart. After being chased by three opponents, Xie Zongxun saved her again and even turned the tables to kill them.
Wen Yao glanced at him. His expression was calm, completely composed and at ease.
He was so skilled, and so handsome.
Wen Yao pursed her lips, leaned in gently, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Hmm?”
Xie Zongxun raised an eyebrow. He had never seen her take the initiative like this before—it felt a bit novel.
Wen Yao bit her lip and said slowly, “…A thank-you gift.”
“Such a small thank-you gift.”
Xie Zongxun pulled her into his arms, his fingertip tapping the basic attack button one last time. The enemy’s crystal exploded, and amidst the powerful sound of “Victory,” he kissed her lips.
Wen Yao was kissed until she couldn’t breathe, her cheeks flushed as she nestled in Xie Zongxun’s arms, complaining, “You kissed too hard, my lips are numb.”
Xie Zongxun was also breathing heavily, his nose touching hers. His dark eyes fixed intently on hers, his warm lips brushing against her eyelashes as he held her in his arms, soothing her.
“Then I’ll be gentler next time, okay?”
“Liar.”
After the two had kissed enough, Wen Yao still wanted to keep playing, so they rejoined the room where the other three were still waiting.
Seeing the two press the ready button again, Gu Yanche got excited. Right now, he was absolutely at odds with these two.
“So fast? Damn, do you need some pills? Call me ‘bro’ and I’ll give you a few boxes for free.”
Xie Zongxun’s face darkened as he cursed, “Get lost.”
In the second round, Wen Yao played as Yao, because Xie Zongxun told her to.
Their teammates laughed happily.
“Nice, the first woman to ride on Brother Xun’s head.”
Wen Yao lowered her eyelashes, her breathing growing even softer, but she still focused seriously on playing.
Xie Zongxun played as Yun Zhongjun this round. The two of them interacted occasionally through voice chat, and Wen Yao felt her ears go soft listening to him.
Xie Zongxun, however, remained as calm as ever.
“Do these two heroes have some kind of connection?”
Xie Zongxun said lightly, “Probably.”
The two of them went on a killing spree, while Gu Yanche howled alone in his lane.
“Damn, Xie Zongxun, come over here! Not even once? I was wrong, bro, I really was.”
Alright, he had been broken. He shouldn’t have run his mouth.
Wen Yao played games all night, and she was pretty good herself, so she was thrilled when she finally put down her phone.
She couldn’t help but nuzzle her head against Xie Zongxun’s chest, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Xie Zongxun, I want to play with you again next time.”
Xie Zongxun ruffled her hair. “Such a gaming addict.”
The lights went out, heartbeats hidden in the darkness, breaths gradually growing long and steady.
The two fell asleep holding each other.For the first time, Wen Yao felt that Xie Zongxun’s embrace gave her a sense of security. She slept soundly and did not have any more nightmares.
Xie Zongxun kissed Wen Yao’s forehead and pulled her even closer into his arms. Even when she gently pushed him, he did not let go.
“Be good, hold onto me.”
Wen Yao murmured, “…Mm.”