【24】 The Double-Standard Little Scoundrel
Wen Ran stiffly maneuvered his character over and took the Blue Buff that Wind had reduced to low health with Smite.
His tone was also a bit constrained: “…Thank you.”
How can an idol be this gentle? Being this nice to a male fan.
Wind was too low-key. The only place Wen Ran could hear him speak was in post-match voice comms. But those comms were usually short clips of ten seconds or so, with five people talking over each other. It was impossible to hear clearly what each person said. Plus, Team WK deliberately covered for Wind, so recordings of decisive commands were never released.
Wen Ran felt a little intoxicated listening to him. How can Wind’s voice be so nice? Low, sexy, and gentle.
However, he inexplicably felt it was somewhat familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he had heard it.
This thought only existed for a fleeting moment before being occupied by joy.
He was very likely the first fan to hear Wind’s voice and be given a Blue Buff by him. And he had Wind as a friend! If possible, he really wanted to record that voice just now and make it his alarm tone.
Wind switched the voice chat to the party channel, intending to smooth the ruffled feathers of the little friend: “Don’t listen to her nonsense. You played very well.”
After all, last time he didn’t praise the kid for being amazing, and the kid pouted and threw a tantrum. Meeting such a support now must be frustrating.
But then he heard Wen Ran speak in a very obedient, practically soft and waxy tone: “I’m fine. My temper has always been pretty good; I don’t really haggle with teammates.”
“If I encounter unpleasant words, I just mute them.”
After Wen Ran finished telling this lie, his heart was pounding. After all, in this lifetime, they might only have this one interaction. He wanted to leave a good impression on his idol.
Separated by a wall, Jiang Yan stroked his chin. He thought to himself, If I hadn’t heard him slam the keyboard and curse just now, I might have actually believed him.
How is this little scoundrel so soft towards Wind but sharp-tongued towards me? He has two faces, serving different dishes to different guests, huh?
Pretending to be good in front of Wind… he’s actually quite skilled at it.
finding this little scoundrel increasingly interesting, he gave a light “Mn” and said, “Then you’re quite obedient.”
Wen Ran: ?
Why does this sentence sound a bit weird? But I can’t put my finger on it.
Bell originally hadn’t expected Wind to give the Blue to this Ah Ji. Watching helplessly as Wen Ran came over and took the Blue, she immediately jumped off Wind, saying angrily:
“Jungler Brother is so biased! She has full mana, and I don’t have a mana bar anymore. Why didn’t you give this Blue to Little Bell?”
“You can recall to restore your state,” Wind said lazily. “Or you can buy a Blue Chalice.”
“As for being biased…” He gave a very light laugh. “Ling is supposed to be biased towards Ah Ji, isn’t he?”
Embraced By Brother: […]
Hearing this sentence, Wen Ran knocked over the cup by his hand with a clatter. The remaining half cup of water spilled out, flooding the table.
“Holy sh*t!”
He immediately sat up straight to find tissues to wipe it up. Remembering his mic was still on, he frantically clicked mute.
Wind: “What happened?”
My Mechanics Are Better Than Yours: [Nothing, give me a minute!]
Wen Ran’s water was all over the table; tissues couldn’t wipe it clean. He hurriedly ran out to find a towel and crashed headfirst into Jiang Yan’s chest at the bathroom door.
Jiang Yan reached out and rubbed his forehead. “Yo, here to touch porcelain (fake an accident) with Brother again?”
“Who’s touching porcelain?” Wen Ran was busy duo-queueing with Wind and dodged to the side. “I’m busy, don’t disturb me!”
Jiang Yan hadn’t expected that coming out to intercept him would result in zero good looks from the other party.
Busy playing games with Wind, right? What a little scoundrel.
He deliberately asked, “Is the AC not on at home today? Why is your face so red?”
Face red?!
Wen Ran flusteredly touched his face. Sure enough, it was burning hot. In an instant, he felt like he had been caught doing something guilty.
Stiffening his neck, he said, “I drank too much hot water.”
“Tsk, what kind of hot water makes it go to your face?”
Wen Ran: “…”
He grabbed the towel and headed straight back to his room. “Believe it or not. None of your business!”
After Wen Ran returned, he realized a minute and a half had passed. His Ah Ji was standing motionless in the jungle, and Wind had actually been guarding his side the whole time. Seeing him return, Wind finally moved his character away.
“Afraid the enemy would come and catch you,” Wind said. “Didn’t delay much. I just farmed the jungle on this side.”
“Sorry, I had something to do just now.” Wen Ran felt Wind was even more gentle. Since he started playing games, he had never been treated like this by anyone.
Except for the Support, the other players knew how to play. The situation during that minute and a half didn’t affect the game much. After one team fight, they quickly secured the victory.
After the two returned to the lobby, Wind took the initiative to speak: “Regarding the matter a couple of days ago, thank you.”
Wen Ran felt overwhelmed by the favor. “I should be the one saying sorry. I was the one who caused it, causing you to be talked about by them.”
Wen Ran felt angry just mentioning those baseless accusations, but Wind maintained that cloudless, breezy attitude: “It’s all in the past now.”
Wind went offline after saying he had something to do. Wen Ran actually had many things he wanted to ask him. He wanted to ask why he retired; clearly, he was so excellent, yet he didn’t continue his legend. He wanted to ask even more if he would return.
But in the end, he said nothing.
He was Wind’s fan, and just a fan. Having the chance to interact like this once, he should be satisfied. He should respect Wind’s choice even more.
Wen Ran secretly clicked on wrsxhd’s profile. He just didn’t know if there would be another chance to duo with Wind in the future.
Good skills, gave me the Blue, and defended me. Does this count as… spoiling fans?
Wen Ran had already saved the recording of this game and exported it to his computer.
It was just a pity that the match recording couldn’t capture the voice. So pleasant to hear, what a shame.
Wait? Voice?!
Suddenly, Wen Ran realized where that sense of familiarity came from.
It had appeared one other time today!
Jiang Yan!
Wind’s voice was very similar to Jiang Yan’s voice!
But, how could Jiang Yan be Wind?
Song Zixuan had told him that when Jiang Yan went to play games before, he didn’t even play in regular tournaments. He just messed around in wild teams for over a year. Who was Wind? A genius Jungler, Captain of Team WK, a champion, FMVP. The two weren’t even on the same level.
And thinking about it carefully, there were still big differences. Although both were pleasant to hear, his idol’s voice was so gentle and sexy, while that Jiang Yan’s was extremely punchable.
【25】 Don’t Be Afraid, Brother Is Here
Wen Ran’s hundred thousand yuan prize money, after platform processing and tax deductions, was transferred to him. It totaled eighty thousand yuan, enough for him to live on for quite a long time.
He had been looking for a suitable apartment these past few days. Living with a one-night stand partner he didn’t get along with felt awkward no matter how he looked at it.
And the guy was his landlord. There was no logic in taking advantage of cheap rent while cursing the owner. But Jiang Yan kept teasing him, and he couldn’t control his mouth.
Once or twice, Jiang Yan might not get angry, but over time, he would definitely be swept out the door.
After all, Jiang Yan was the first person to say he was a good kid. Wen Ran didn’t want them to end up parting on bad terms.
A strange number suddenly called. Wen Ran thought it was spam and didn’t answer, but after a while, the other party called again, relentlessly ringing three times.
On the fourth time, Wen Ran finally picked up.
“You are…”
Li Fenlan’s voice came through instantly: “Ran Ran, it’s me, it’s Mom!”
Wen Ran frowned. He had blocked Li Fenlan’s contact information last time. He didn’t think she was calling to return his ID card.
If she wanted money, she would definitely think of every way to contact him.
Sure enough.
“Ran Ran, Mom called you so many times and you didn’t answer. I had to borrow a phone to find you.” Li Fenlan changed her previous attitude completely. “Mom is willing to return the ID card to you.”
“I just beg you to save your sister.”
Li Fenlan had seen the video about Wen Ran online. The Wind incident had grown so big recently, feeding quite a few marketing accounts. Li Fenlan saw the news while scrolling through QQ feeds and learned he had won ten thousand yuan in prize money.
“Ran Ran, Mom knows you got the prize money. Your sister suddenly couldn’t breathe at home a couple of days ago. I took her to the hospital, and she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease.” Li Fenlan began to cry. “Ran Ran, Mom was wrong about everything in the past, but Moon (Yueyue) is innocent. For the sake of you two being blood-related, please save her!”
Wen Ran had never met this sister, let alone had any feelings for her.
And he didn’t believe Li Fenlan’s words.
“Mom has borrowed money from everyone possible. I really have no other way, that’s why I’m shamelessly coming to beg you,” Li Fenlan’s voice was heart-wrenching. “Ran Ran, Mom gave birth to you after all. I’m an unfit mother, I don’t dare ask for your forgiveness, but Mom really doesn’t want to give up on Moon.”
“She is your relative after all. Do you have the heart to watch her leave when she’s so young?”
Wen Ran’s feelings toward Li Fenlan were complicated. When he was very young, Li Fenlan truly did hold his certificates and say, “Our Ran Ran is so amazing, you’ll definitely have a future when you grow up,” and would hold his hand to buy him cotton candy.
Later, his biological father cheated and died in a widow’s bed. From then on, Li Fenlan seemed to change into a different person overnight. After getting together with his stepfather, beating and scolding him became the norm.
“Ran Ran, Mom only needs sixty thousand. I promise you, this is the last time.” Li Fenlan sobbed. “This is your sister’s life-saving money. If it still doesn’t work, Mom will kowtow to you!”
With that, sounds of a head banging against the ground came from the other side. Thud, thud.
“Enough!” Wen Ran felt agitated listening to it. He shouted at the phone, gritting his teeth. “You better not be lying to me.”
“Thank you, Ran Ran! Thank you, Ran Ran! It was Mom’s fault. If there’s a chance, Mom will definitely make it up…”
Wen Ran hung up the phone directly.
He didn’t want to listen.
He didn’t know what a happy family in this world was really like, but in this lifetime, he probably wouldn’t experience it.
Li Fenlan treated him poorly, but now she could admit her mistakes and even kowtow for her daughter.
Wen Ran couldn’t describe the taste in his heart. If she would truly treat this child well and not let her repeat his own mistakes, then fine.
He unblocked Li Fenlan and the other party immediately asked where he lived, saying she would ask someone to deliver the ID card to him.
Wen Ran gave the name of the residential area. Then he put on his clothes and went to the ATM.
With a movement of his finger, he wired sixty thousand yuan over.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know he might be scammed, but he was willing to give Li Fenlan one last chance. He didn’t believe there was someone who would use their own daughter’s life to deceive their biological son.
About five days later, also in the evening, Wen Ran received a text message. The person said they had arrived outside the community and asked him to come out to pick up the item.
It should be his ID card!
He had just put on his jacket when he ran into Jiang Yan face-to-face. “So late, where are you going?”
“I’m going downstairs to get something.” Anxious to retrieve his ID, Wen Ran said, “I’ll be right back.”
He walked outside the residential area only to find no one around.
Just as he looked down to message the person asking where they were, he was suddenly hugged from behind.
“So you were here!” The man laughed lecherously. “Hehe, that stinky woman didn’t lie to me. Haven’t seen you in four years, you really grew even prettier!”
After speaking, he buried his face in Wen Ran’s neck and took a deep sniff. Wen Ran could even feel his disgusting tongue touching him.
He stomped hard on the man’s foot. Taking advantage of the other party’s pain, he threw an elbow backward and finally broke free from the restraint.
When he saw that face clearly, Wen Ran’s heart trembled. Terrifying memories from four years ago instantly flooded back.
How could it be… How could it be Zhao Biao!
“Stinky bitch, don’t recognize your old man (me)?”
Zhao Biao grimaced in pain. “Still dare to step on me? Wait till I get you home and tie you to the bed, let’s see how you resist me then!”
Although Zhao Biao was short, he weighed a hundred and eighty jin (90kg). Seeing Wen Ran’s shocked and fearful eyes, he sneered and pulled an ID card out of his pocket, holding it up. “Look at what this is?”
“Li Fenlan already sold your ID card to me. Four years ago you should have been my wife. Now, your ID is with me. Don’t even think about running!”
Saying this, Zhao Biao lunged at Wen Ran. “Bought for fifty thousand. Daddy is taking you back today!”
His own ID card was sold to Zhao Biao by Li Fenlan.
She lied to him again.
The massive blow left Wen Ran stunned on the spot for a moment. For a split second, he even thought about just closing his eyes like this, forgetting to dodge.
But just as Zhao Biao was about twenty centimeters away from him, he suddenly stopped moving.
Jiang Yan had grabbed his collar from behind. He was much taller than Zhao Biao. He hadn’t changed out of the suit he wore today; the white shirt was tucked casually into his suit pants, two buttons at the collar undone—handsome and alpha.
Jiang Yan was wearing leather shoes, but one kick down still sent Zhao Biao sprawling onto the ground.
He came over and pulled the dumbstruck Wen Ran into his arms, holding him gently and rubbing the back of his head. “Don’t be afraid, Brother is here.”
“No one dares to bully you.”
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