Chapter 103: A Surprise Trio for Ranked

Having just concluded a game, Zhong Jing leaned back in her chair, a sigh escaping her lips.

The new season’s ranked matches were proving to be exceptionally challenging.

Without proper coordination in solo queue, climbing the ranks felt like an insurmountable task.

She picked up her phone, remaining silent for a long moment.

Earlier that day, Zhong Tian had joined the QQ group chat created by Lin Chu.

Zhong Jing, however, felt no particular way about it; for her, the group chat was primarily a convenient hub for recruiting players for games, so Zhong Tian’s presence had absolutely no bearing on her.

If anything, Zhong Tian’s arrival had subtly tempered the more fervent members, which, in her estimation, was a welcome development.

‘Perhaps there’s someone in the group willing to squad up,’ she mused.

[Anyone playing Apex?]

[Nope.]

[If you’d asked earlier, I could have.]

[I can play. Just finished up with school stuff.]

The one who chimed in bore an ID prefixed with the three characters for ‘Admin’.

[Oh! It’s the Photo Submitting Young Man!]

[Hello, Photo Submitting Young Man!]

[Photo Submitting Young Man, Teacher Kezhong has joined the group.]

[Teacher Kezhong joined the group?!]

The Photo Submitting Young Man seemed utterly taken aback.

[I only skipped checking the group for a day, how did such a major event happen?] The administrator, known as the Photo Submitting Young Man, continued to type, [ @BELL Teacher Kezhong, I am truly sorry for secretly taking your photos!]

[Haha, the Photo Submitting Young Man’s survival instincts.]

[It’s over, Teacher Kezhong isn’t replying. They’re mad, they’re mad.]

[Oh, oh, let the fight begin! I want to see rivers of blood!]

[The Photo Submitting Young Man should hurry and join Teacher Kezhong’s fan club; perhaps that will earn them Teacher Kezhong’s forgiveness.]

As Zhong Jing watched the group members’ lively discussion, she sent another message.

[ @Unknown Amateur Photographer in the Group, still playing Apex?]

[Yeah, hold on, firing up my computer.]

[Huh? Playing Apex? Count me in!]

Another individual, also bearing an ‘Admin’ title, popped up in the group chat, their ID reading “The Wise See Wisdom, The Benevolent See Benevolence.”

[Is playing ranked okay?]

[No problem at all.]

[Alright.]

[Then let’s open a separate small group.]

Zhong Jing created a small group and invited the two administrators into it.

[Unknown Amateur Photographer in the Group]: [Voice chat?]

[The Wise See Wisdom, The Benevolent See Benevolence]: [How can we communicate, coordinate, and climb ranks without voice chat?]

[Shizuka]: [I’m fine either way.]

[Unknown Amateur Photographer in the Group]: [I’m logging in.]

[Shizuka]: [ID.]

[Unknown Amateur Photographer in the Group]: [Natalie Puckett]

[The Wise See Wisdom, The Benevolent See Benevolence]: [Grandpa Niu, First Assault of Fandou Street, Fandou Garden]

[Unknown Amateur Photographer in the Group]: [Damn.]

[Shizuka]: […You two just add me.]

[My ID is my QQ name.]

Moments after she sent the message, Zhong Jing received a friend request in-game from the Photo Submitting Young Man.

[The Wise See Wisdom, The Benevolent See Benevolence]: [I can’t find you.]

[Shizuka]: [?]

[The Wise See Wisdom, The Benevolent See Benevolence]: [It says there’s no player named “My ID is my QQ name” here.]

[Shizuka]: […]

[Unknown Amateur Photographer in the Group]: [Damn.]

[That’s some top-tier comprehension.]

[I’ll just invite you.]

[The Wise See Wisdom, The Benevolent See Benevolence]: [Okay, okay.]

Once all three were in the party, Zhong Jing initiated the voice call.

“Hello, hello? Can you hear me, can you hear me?”

“Loud and clear.”

“…”

The voice of the first administrator to speak sounded quite young, suggesting he was a high school student, while the Photo Submitting Young Man who replied had a more mature tone, likely that of a university student.

“I’m currently playing secretly in my school dorm, in the dark with a hotspot. I plan to only play for about two hours before logging off.”

“Your school turns off the lights this early?”

“Well, it’s a high school, you know.”

“A high school student can use a computer in the dorm?”

The Photo Submitting Young Man sounded genuinely surprised.

“That’s right, my gaming laptop just arrived today,” the high school student said with a lighthearted tone. “I got bored with mobile games, so I managed to sneak a gaming laptop into my school dorm. Now, whenever I’m bored, I can play to my heart’s content!”

“What year are you in high school?”

“Second year.”

“You should really focus on your studies in your second year; it’s better to play fewer games.”

“Oh, come on, my grades are excellent, don’t worry about it.”

“So, you’re a genius, then.”

“Indeed.”

“Even so, for your health’s sake, it’s best not to stay up late playing games.”

“Damn, why do you like to lecture me like my own brother?”

“Haha.”

“Wait, aren’t you also staying up late to play? How can you lecture me?”

“I’m an adult, you see.”

“Adults need to take even better care of their health! With all that life pressure, you could drop dead from playing games, couldn’t you?”

“Haha, I don’t really have much life pressure; I’m still a university student.”

“Oh? You’re playing from your dorm too?”

“That’s right.”

“What about your roommates?”

“My roommates are all still engaged in the ‘involution’ phenomenon; I doubt anyone will be sleeping before one or two in the morning, so I won’t be disturbing them.”

“Wow, what a competitive dorm.”

“That’s just how university life is.”

The two chatted for a long time in the game’s waiting lobby without clicking “ready,” and Zhong Jing simply watched her screen, listening to their prolonged conversation.

“Hmm, why isn’t our other good friend saying anything?”

“Waiting for you two to click ready.”

“Oh, I forgot to click ready… wait a minute?”

“Holy moly, a girl?” The high school student’s voice abruptly rose two octaves. “This game actually has female players who grind ranks intensely??”

“Ahem… buddy, keep your voice down.”

“Oh, damn, overreacted. My bad.”

“…”

The game matched swiftly, and the three entered the match, immediately diving into the scramble for resources.

The character the high school student played perfectly matched his personality; his avatar was constantly sprinting at high speed, leaping and jumping, all while pinging various locations for Zhong Jing.

“Sis, big battery here!”

“Sis, purple armor here!”

“Sis, gold weapon here!”

“Sis! There are enemies here!! I’m down and severely injured!”

“…”

Amidst the high school student’s excited shouts, Zhong Jing and the Photo Submitting Young Man silently and swiftly dispatched the enemies before them, then revived the fallen high school student.

“Wow, that’s some brutal gunplay. Sis, what rank were you last season?”

“Solo queue Master.”

“Holy cow! Dad!!”

“Buddy, control your voice…”

“What right does a mere Gold player like me have to be in ranked with a god like that?”

“…”

“And what about you, ‘Photo Submitting Young Man’?”

“Diamond.”

“Oh man, I’ve got two strong players to carry me! This is going to be a sweet climb!”

“Voice…”

“…Time to move from the zone.”

“Oh, right, right. I’ll listen to Dad.”

“…”

Soon, the game concluded, and they secured first place with relative ease.

The Photo Submitting Young Man displayed excellent game sense and provided precise commands, and combined with Zhong Jing’s formidable gunplay and movement, they essentially carved their way straight into the final circle.

As for the high school student…

At the very least, he followed commands and shared loot.

All in all, they formed a surprisingly competent trio.

“Let’s keep going.”

“Mm.”

“Alright, alright, alright.”