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Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: The Super Rookie 

Chapter 14: The Super Rookie 

 

"Name?" 

"Mu Xiaoyao." 

"School?" 

"Beitian No. 3 High, Class 4, Grade 1." 

"Address?" 

"Sun Garden Estate, Xinyuan Road." 

 

Wu Yifan lounged in his chair, legs propped on the desk, eyeing the teenage girl across from him. Mu Xiaoyao sat straight-backed, her posture rigid, but there was a fire in her eyes—determination, not fear. Gone was the tearful act from earlier; this was a girl with a mission. 

 

Wu knew why she was here. The "pregnancy lie" had been a desperate bid to get his attention, to convince him to teach her how to fight. And now that the truth was out—her father owed gangsters 50,000 yuan—she was back to square one: begging. 

 

He clicked his tongue, spinning in his chair to face his computer. "Sun Garden? That's a fancy place. Apartments there cost ten times what I pay. You don't look like you're hurting for cash." 

 

Mu Xiaoyao's jaw tightened. "Money's not the issue. It's… revenge." 

 

Wu scoffed, but he didn't push. Everyone had secrets. He logged into his gaming account, the familiar hum of *Warcraft III* filling the silence. He'd picked up the game a year ago, bored out of his mind at work, but progress had been glacial. His username—"吴三桂三代 (Wu Sangui III)"—a nod to a controversial historical figure (famous for switching loyalties, though Wu Yifan just liked the ring to it)—had become a running joke on the platform. 

 

"Ugh!" He yelped, slamming a fist on the desk. His avatar, a knight in tattered armor, crumpled to the ground, felled by a rogue archer. "Cheating bastard!" 

 

Mu Xiaoyao leaned over, stifling a laugh. On the screen, a player named "小妖狐 (Little Fox Sprite)" was typing: "Wu Sangui III, still stuck in Bronze? When are you gonna level up?" 

 

Wu's fingers flew over the keyboard: "I'm letting you win. Mercy, y'know?" 

 

"Mercy? Please. I've crushed you 36 times. You've lasted 15 minutes *three* times. The rest? Over in 10. When do I get to see *your* 'mercy'?" 

 

Wu's face flushed. "Shut up. Rematch. Now." 

 

Mu Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You were sweating bullets last time." 

 

"Perspiration, not sweat," he muttered, lighting a cigarette. "Part of my *method acting*. I'm a *thespian*." 

 

She giggled, but stepped back to watch. 

 

Wu took a deep breath, fingers hovering over the mouse. This time, he'd be careful—no rushing in, no stupid mistakes. He built a wall, trained soldiers, scouts patrolling the perimeter. For five whole minutes, he held his own. 

 

Then—*boom*. 

 

Little Fox Sprite's army breached his defenses, her mages raining fire on his base. Wu's soldiers fell like wheat, his towers crumbling. 

 

"NO!" He howled, slamming the desk again. "Cheater! I know you're using hacks! I'll report you! I'll—" 

 

"Calm down, Grandpa," Little Fox Sprite typed. "Skill issue, not hacks. Want another round? I'm enjoying this." 

 

"Enjoying *bullying* a rookie? Real classy." 

 

"Rookie? You've been at this a year. Even toddlers learn faster. Admit it: you're bad. Like, *legendarily* bad." 

 

Wu's fingers trembled. He was about to unleash a tirade when Mu Xiaoyao leaned in, her voice soft but confident: "Let me try." 

 

He blinked. "You? You play?" 

 

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I used to. A lot. Let me take over." 

 

Wu hesitated, then grunted, sliding out of the chair. "Be my guest. Just… don't cry when she crushes you too." 

 

Mu Xiaoyao ignored him, her fingers flying over the keyboard. She changed his username to "Little Demon" and typed: "Little Fox? Let's dance." 

 

Little Fox Sprite replied instantly: "Who's this? Another victim?" 

 

Wu watched, skeptical, as Mu Xiaoyao built her base—faster, smarter, her scouts darting out to map the terrain. She didn't waste resources on useless towers; instead, she trained hit-and-run raiders, picking off Little Fox's workers before vanishing into the forest. 

 

"Hey! That's cheating!" Little Fox Sprite typed, but there was a hint of panic in her words. 

 

"Nope. Just strategy," Mu Xiaoyao replied, her eyes never leaving the screen. 

 

Minutes later, it was over—not with a bang, but a whimper. Mu Xiaoyao's army surrounded Little Fox's base, her mages ready to strike. 

 

"Surrender?" she typed. 

 

Silence. Then: "Fine. Who *are* you?" 

 

"Someone who doesn't like bullies. Catch you later." 

 

She logged out, turning to Wu with a grin. "See?" 

 

Wu stared at the screen, dumbfounded. "How… how did you do that?" 

 

"I told you. I used to play a lot." She shrugged, but there was a flicker of pride in her eyes. "My dad taught me. Before… before things went bad." 

 

Wu nodded, suddenly understanding. This game—for her—wasn't just fun. It was a memory, a link to better times. 

 

He leaned back, impressed despite himself. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all." 

 

Mu Xiaoyao's smile widened. "Does this mean… you'll teach me now? Please, Brother Fan. I'll do anything." 

 

Wu sighed. He'd been avoiding this, but… she'd just saved his dignity. Sort of. 

 

"Fine," he said. "But no more lies. Deal?" 

 

"Deal!" She pumped her fist, her eyes shining. 

 

Outside, the sun began to set, painting the KTV windows in hues of orange and pink. Wu glanced at his watch—1 enhancement point left, muscle strength still a distant memory. 

 

But for once, he didn't mind. Maybe this day hadn't been so bad after all. 

 

A rookie, a prodigy, and a debt to pay. 

 

Life, Wu decided, was never boring. 

 

And honestly? He was starting to like it that way.

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