Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Introduction
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Almost all of the classmates who were familiar with Li Yao’s character looked at him in surprise. They had even been ready to step in and mediate, yet they hadn’t expected Li Yao to react so nonchalantly.
On the contrary, it was Li Haitao who was taken aback and slightly embarrassed. It wasn’t until Zhang Ming nudged him that Li Haitao snapped back to reality and downed his drink in one go.
His prepared speech was forgotten, and he silently took his seat.
The large hall was divided into two parts; one was a leisure area similar to the layout of a bar, and the dining area was in a private room on the other side.
Wang Xiaolei laughed and suggested, “It’s not even ten o’clock yet, it’s too early to order food. Besides, since this is our first reunion after more than a year since graduating, why don’t we find a game to play?”
“That’s a good idea; we should have some fun,” Li Haitao quickly chimed in. “I wonder if any of our classmates have played ‘The Ancient God World’?”
When ‘The Ancient God World’ was mentioned, the atmosphere immediately heated up, as nearly all the classmates played this game.
After allowing the classmates’ enthusiastic discussion to go on for a while, Li Haitao felt it was the right moment. He loudly proposed, “Just talking about it isn’t interesting. There are connectors behind the bar. With these connectors, we can extract characters from the game to duel, and we can watch it here like a small-scale competition. Since we all play this game, how about we hold a mini-competition?”
Li Haitao’s men roared in approval. Grinning, Li Haitao asked, “Vice Monitor Wang, what do you think?”
“Sounds good, so let’s do it. I’ll be the referee,” said Wang Xiaolei cheerfully.
“Okay, I have no objections,” Li Haitao replied, smiling. “In addition, I will personally offer 150,000 credit points as a prize. The winner gets 100,000, the runner-up 30,000, and the third-place finisher 20,000.”
The small bar instantly erupted into noise. Despite a few rich second generations in the class, most were ordinary people. For them, a month’s work was only worth a few thousand credit points; 100,000 credit points were considered a significant sum.
Li Haitao was satisfied with this effect. As the crowd quieted down, he said, “If you want to join, sign up with Vice Monitor Wang. We’ll start right away.”
Zhao Lei noticed that everyone was signing up, and whispered, “Yaozi, are you going to sign up?”
Li Yao sipped his wine, swirled his glass casually, and replied indifferently, “Not interested.”
“How can you not be interested? Li Haitao is clearly trying to win people over. I’m signing up to teach him a lesson,” Zhao Lei declared, eager to compete.
“Then I’ll cheer for you,” Li Yao replied.
“Watch how I take down Li Haitao, that bastard. When I win the money, we’ll have a good time,” Zhao Lei said and ran off to sign up.
Li Yao, however, flashed an inexplicable smile. In his past life, Li Haitao had used this method to showcase his impressive abilities, which, of course, were just powered by his superior equipment.
With fully enhanced Green Equip, he didn’t have to exert himself much. He would then tempt others by promising to help them get good equipment if they joined his guild, thus attracting a group of people to his guild.
Of course, he would also provoke Li Yao along the way and embarrass him through one-on-one fights.
Just like in the past life, when the high-spirited Li Yao, with his level 3 rogue, duked it out with Li Haitao, only to be unable to even breach his defenses and ended up making a fool of himself.
Now in this new life, even if things were slightly different, Li Yao knew that Li Haitao would surely find a way to make him join the competition. So, why should he bother signing up?
He was now more inclined to toy with them. This feeling was strange, but Li Yao found it enjoyable.
In his past life, Li Yao had developed a fondness for drinking. However, being new to this rebirth life, money was limited. But now, with others footing the bill, he would naturally not hold back. He knew that in his past life, riled up and angry, he had dismissed these fine wines.
Li Yao wandered over to the bar and selected a few bottles of wine. While sipping his drink alone, he watched his old classmates compete against each other on the large screen. It was quite lively.
However, for Li Yao, who had been there and done that, it was akin to children fighting.
Just like in his past life, Li Haitao and his two minions dominated the matches. None of the classmates were able to defeat the three of them.
Seeing the admiring and envious classmates gathered around to watch the competition and compliment Li Haitao and his group, the corners of Li Yao’s mouth curved slightly upwards.
“You’ve changed a lot,” a familiar and pleasing voice reached Li Yao’s ears.
Feng Yi casually took a seat next to Li Yao and continued, “I see mockery and disdain in your eyes.”
“That must be your imagination,” Li Yao lightly tapped her wine glass in response and continued to sip his wine slowly.
Feng Yi’s alluring face turned serious, and her eyes showed confusion, “I trust my own eyes. What have you been through this past year?”
Li Yao only shook his head, thinking to himself, ‘I have experienced a whole lifetime’s reincarnation.’ He hadn’t figured out how to deal with this ex-girlfriend. Forgetting her was impossible, but the passionate love was no longer there. It felt like reminiscing an old lover he hadn’t seen in over a decade; hazy and beautiful, distant and unreal.
“I heard you spent a year writing game guides and acting as a host?” Feng Yi asked softly.
“I have done it for a year, but not anymore.” Li Yao responded casually. It could be said that half the reason Li Yao wanted to be a commentator and host was because of Qin Fengyi.
Now, Li Yao doesn’t value being a commentator and host as much. What he wants is to gradually establish his own guild, set up a club, own a world-class team that can go to battle with him. Reborn once, this goal is not an unachievable dream. As for revenge, he will definitely take it, but it’s just a side job. Living in hatred is not his goal.
“Why are you doing this? It’s clear to both of us, I wouldn’t be where I am now without your help.” Qin Fengyi earnestly said.
As a top commentator in China, Qin Fengyi is the most mysterious. In this world, only a few people know that Qin Fengyi is Xiayao, also known as the ever-changing enchantress, a top commentator who has never shown her face, yet has conquered countless gamers with only her voice and impeccable skills.
This is also her second conflict with her family, who would rather not see her in this profession.
However, Li Yao shook his head and said, “I dare not take credit for this, your current achievements are due to your personal charm and efforts, and I am not indispensable. You don’t lack material, and you also have a professional team for post-production.”
“Damn, Zhang Ming’s equipment is too good, I can’t break his defense, damn it, he’s provoking me, it’s killing me.” Zhao Lei cursed as he walked over. He only noticed Qin Fengyi sitting in the dark after he arrived, hastily coughed and said, “Ah, I walked into the wrong place.”
Qin Fengyi simply smiled and turned back, speaking earnestly again, “I have already cut off ties with my family, they can no longer control my decisions.”
“Congratulations then.” Li Yao picked up the wine bottle to pour a drink, hiding the surprise in his eyes.
A hint of disappointment flashed across Qin Fengyi’s eyes, she stood up, walked a few steps, and with her back to Li Yao said, “I will only use half the money I’ve earned these two years.”
Li Yao was deep in thought, drinking glass after glass of wine. How could he not understand what Qin Fengyi meant? With her pride, this was a proposal for reconciliation.
However, he was now in a dilemma, with a beautiful image rolling in his mind. When he was most helpless and lost in his previous life, it was that woman who kept encouraging and comforting him.
And it was under the encouragement of that girl that he had deleted his rogue account and retrained as a hunter. Since then, he had taken strength and was on the verge of Divine Enthronement success.
Her years of constant encouragement and care had given him new hope, and taught him what it was to give and what gentleness was.
Without her, a reborn Li Yao would undoubtedly have gotten back together with Qin Fengyi without hesitation, but now, Li Yao was somewhat reluctant.
“So what’s the result, did you reconcile with Goddess Fengyi?” Zhao Lei asked with a smile.
Li Yao shook his head; he didn’t want to pursue the topic and asked instead, “Who did you lose to earlier?”
Zhao Lei looked even more unhappy and said grumpily, “I won the first round, only to meet this damned Zhang Ming in the second. This ass has such good equipment, I simply stood no chance.
While sorrowfully drinking his beer, Zhao Lei continued, seeing Li Yao start to watch the game, “Fortunately you didn’t participate, otherwise you would definitely be hit hard by this little bugger Li Haitao. Not only does he have full Green Equip, he also ****** enhanced it, damn nouveau riche.”
Li Yao comforted him for a bit, while Li Haitao was happily leading, after a few rounds of competition, he became the first, his two lackeys took second and third places.
All the old classmates had no choice but to admit his prowess, pouring out compliments like they cost nothing, tinged with envy and jealousy.
Li Haitao enjoyed their praises, having spent a fortune on top-quality gear for this effect. He suddenly noticed Li Yao drinking in the corner, and gave his lackeys a signal.
Zhang Ming loudly said, “Everyone, we have been having fun till now, but isn’t someone missing? Li Yao, it’s not really good to be hiding in the corner while everyone else is having fun.”
The old classmates, still in high spirits, immediately joined in when they heard Zhang Ming’s words.
Li Yao strolled up, looked around the room, and holding his drink said, “Sorry, but my skills are just average, so I’d better not embarrass myself.”
Quick to respond, Zhang Ming replied, “You’re wrong there, we’re classmates, skill doesn’t matter. Winning or losing isn’t important, it’s all about having fun, right guys?”
“Yes, we’re just playing.”
“Exactly, I heard that Li Yao has been a commentator, his skills must be excellent, you should not be so modest.”
“Come on, PK with me, I will be gentle.” A female classmate teasingly chipped in.
Wang Xiaolei also joined in, “Why don’t I have a game with Li Yao?”
“Our monitor has been refereeing for so long, he must be tired. I’ll take up the task.” Wang Qiang turned to Li Yao and said, “What do you say? Do me a favor and join in.”
Li Yao walked into the crowd, ignored Wang Qiang, and with a half-smile looked at Li Haitao. Casually, he asked, “Haitao, are you sure you want me to play?”
“It’s all in good fun, we’re just trying to have a good time. I’m sure Yaozi wouldn’t want to ruin everyone’s good mood.” Li Haitao said with a sincere smile, like they were close friends.
“Alright then, let’s play.” Li Yao handed his drink to Zhao Lei, turned around and with the same sincere tone said, “However, I want to play a round with you. Let’s forget about the others, how about it?”…