While the game was loading, Jiang Xu and Gu Li chatted casually.

Jiang Xu thought for a moment and sent a message: Zhao Rangwen didn't see that you came to scold me. Why is he like this?

Gu Li: The world goes into chaos just because I went to the restroom?

Upon seeing the message, Jiang Xu thought, "He went to the restroom. It's just bad luck that he didn't see Zhao Rangwen; it's not meant to be. He should probably go chase after thin air instead."

Gu Li's message came next: Classmate, please return the phone to Jiang Xu, and take the tea from his hand. You can bring it to me.

Upon seeing this message, Jiang Xu couldn't help but smile: So Brother Li is just going to let it go like this about me being scolded? I won't stand for it!

Gu Li: In that case, all I can say is...

Gu Li: Wait for me to help you find a place to settle things. Send me your location, and I'll come right away.

Jiang Xu: Heartless. You wouldn't come if I didn't send it.

Gu Li: Come on, I need to see what you drank.

Jiang Xu: No need, classmate. I'll bring you tea in a bit. I'm sure it will make a better impression.

Gu Li: Okay, thank you.

Jiang Xu: You're welcome, there's plenty for you.

Once inside the game, players selected a faction and began planning their lineup. The two players were in duo mode, cooperating with each other.

They were having a good time when some annoying guys came back.

Zhao Rangwen stood in front of Jiang Xu's table, blocking the light, and the shadow he cast fell on the phone screen.

He saw Jiang Xu look up and immediately spoke up, "Jiang Xu, you're not capable and you don't even try. The competition is almost here and you're still playing games. Do you really think you can rely on luck for everything?"

As if that wasn't enough, he added, "You think they'll give way to you just because you were chatting with them? I think you're still as naive as ever."

Jiang Xu glanced at it and then continued to focus on the game. "If I didn't know you, I would have thought you were kindly reminding me."

Zhao Rangwen said, "I'm just reminding you! Don't be so arrogant."

Jiang Xu: "All I can tell is that you're not very kind."

Zhao Rangwen chuckled, "How about we make a bet?"

Jiang Xu sent Gu Li a two-star, five-cost unit using a rune. "Not very good?"

Zhao Rangwen, "Are you afraid?"

Jiang Xu responded indifferently, "Oh," he said, "I just think you're not good enough for me."

Zhao Rangwen's expression darkened. "You..."

Jiang Xu pressed his index finger to his lips, looking down at his phone. "Shh, wait." His voice was gentle and soft, drifting lightly into Zhao Rangwen's ears.

Zhao Rangwen fell silent. The young man was handsome and looked very quiet with his eyes lowered. His voice was soft and magnetic, which made Zhao Rangwen lose his composure.

He was watching Gu Li draw cards; she was just one card away from three stars, but unfortunately, the rune for transferring cards was gone, so Gu Li had to draw cards herself.

They were incredibly lucky together; both teams were down to their last point, but they managed to pull it off—a three-star five-cost unit!

When the victory sign appeared, Jiang Xu remained relatively calm, but Gu Li sent him a voice message.

Coincidentally, Jiang Xu was wearing headphones, and he clicked on the voice message.

It started with a low laugh, tickling Jiang Xu's ear. Jiang Xu could hear a lot of noise in his earphones, but when Gu Li spoke, the noise all faded away.

"Brother, you won." Gu Li said in a low, slightly hoarse voice, yet with a sweet smile.

Jiang Xu's expression softened further as he pressed the microphone, "I'll let you win the next round."

While Jiang Xu was speaking, Zhao Rangwen couldn't help but speak up, "Jiang Xu."

Jiang Xu sent a voice message with this sound in between. He frowned and looked up, "Did you tell me you couldn't understand?" His eyes turned dangerous.

Zhao Rangwen immediately dropped his previous positive impression and took a step back as he looked at Jiang Xu. "I'm still talking to you."

Jiang Xu looked at the person and said, "I couldn't tell I didn't want to talk to you."

Zhao Rangwen said, "You, you just wait, your arrogance won't last long."

Jiang Xu casually pointed in a direction, "Go cool off somewhere else. I've been too nice to you, haven't I? If you're too idle, I don't mind sending you to the hospital to stay there properly."

Zhao Rangwen took another step back to increase the distance between them, saying, "This is a public place."

Jiang Xu nodded. "You should be grateful this is a public place, that's why I'm talking so much nonsense with you." He finished with a playful smile. "I think Gu Li doesn't like people who talk nonsense, so you..." He shook his head with a smile, sighing, looking as if he felt sorry for someone.

Zhao Rangwen suddenly straightened his back as if he had thought of something. "Of course I know," he turned around and repeated, "Of course I know." His smile suddenly became somewhat morbid, somewhat obsessive and struggling, and finally turned into boundless greed.

Jiang Xu frowned. If he didn't know what his attitude towards Gu Li was, he would have suspected that Gu Li had some grudge against him.

At that moment, Gu Li's message came through.

Gu Li: It must be because I'm not good enough that Jiang Xu is still talking to other people while talking to me.

Gu Li: Is he really that good? Is he really, really that good?

Jiang Xu looked at the message from Gu Li and really thought about how Gu Li would say those words. He imagined Gu Li's expression as she said them, which must have been a little mischievous, but mostly bright and cheerful. He replied to the message as he thought about it.

Jiang Xu: It seems the aroma of tea has traveled far and wide, and some people are already intoxicated before they've even tasted it. Luckily, I haven't had a chance to serve it to you yet.

Jiang Xu: I'm pretty sure you are Gu Li.

Gu Li looked at the message on her phone and chuckled: No, I'm not, I'm Gu Niu Gulu Limited Time Limited Edition Li.

Jiang Xu: It's a limited-time offer! That sounds great, I definitely have to grab it.

Gu Li: We only accept appointments.

Jiang Xu: How do I make an appointment?

Gu Li: Make an appointment in person.

The time was almost up, and the large screen in the contestants' area lit up, showing the order in which the contestants would appear on stage, only the order of the initial five people.

This is the same stage format mentioned before, which allows for more flexibility and adaptability. Zhao Rangwen was among the initial group of people.

Zhao Rangwen was ranked third.

Having someone appear first has its advantages and disadvantages. Being outstanding makes it easier for the judges to make an impression, but being mediocre can easily result in a poor score.

Third, being in the middle position, if done properly, is a very good position.

Jiang Xu leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. Zhao Rangwen passed by Jiang Xu and said, "Just watch, some things money can't buy." He held his head high, his frailty gone, replaced by a rare confidence.

Jiang Xu glanced at his back indifferently, his only thought being, "Poor thing, he looks a bit malnourished."

If Zhao Rangwen knew that Jiang Xu was thinking this way, he might stagger and shout: "I'm just trying to make ends meet, it's not like I'm starving!"

Jiang Xu thought for a moment but didn't get up. There was a small window on the big screen showing the competition, and he planned to watch this group's performance before going to the front.