Chapter Twenty-Seven: Far Too Unremarkable

It was truly no easy feat to give Zhang Shun a proper assist. Yuan Zhong knew her teammates weren’t deliberately making things difficult, yet the reality was that she struggled; whenever she tried to support someone, it never quite worked out.

Still, Yuan Zhong persisted. She played this game for Zhang Shun, and so she kept encouraging him: “I can’t wait to see your Zhuge Liang—show us what you’ve got!”

Lin Hui chimed in, “Looking forward to it +1.”

Gao Jianli spoke up, “Dare to compete? If not, just say so.”

Sun Shangxiang declared, “Of course, I’m ready!”

As they selected their heroes at the start of the match, it was fortunate that they were on the blue side this time and could pick first. Yuan Zhong hurried to pre-select Yao. She remembered Zhang Shun played Gongsun Li, and Gongsun Li was the perfect match for Yao.

This time, things went smoothly—the other side hadn’t banned Yao—so Yuan Zhong had the first pick lock her in.

Zhang Shun seemed a bit hesitant about which marksman to use.

Yuan Zhong said, “Gongsun Li.”

Zhang Shun didn’t move; the jungler locked in Zhuge Liang, then commented, “That’s a good suggestion.”

Afraid Zhang Shun might not understand, Yuan Zhong explained, “Gongsun Li is agile, but fragile. Yao can make up for that with double shields, which is crucial. Plus, if Yao attaches herself to Gongsun Li, she can help scout the map and keep her safe.”

Zhuge Liang responded, “Exactly. With that protection, you’re free to dazzle everyone with your plays—assuming you know how to play. Honestly, you’re making me want to try Gongsun Li myself.”

Zhang Shun relented, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

The mid-laner followed Yuan Zhong’s previous advice and picked Zhou Yu.

Lin Hui chose Liu Bang, prompting Zhang Shun to laugh, “I guess I won’t die easily this game.”

Zhuge Liang said, “Liu Bang’s ultimate could be given to me too, right, Lin Hui?”

Lin Hui replied, “I could give it to Yao as well.”

Yuan Zhong quickly said, “Thank you, though it feels a bit wasted.”

Lin Hui assured her, “Not at all. The safer you are, the better your support.”

Yuan Zhong turned to look; Lin Hui flashed her a smile.

At the start, Yuan Zhong changed tactics, going straight with Gongsun Li to the development lane.

Zhou Yu called out, “Hey, aren’t you coming to help me clear the lane?”

Zhuge Liang said, “You need help against Nuwa? How thoughtful! But Yao, could you lend me a hand in the jungle?”

Lin Hui said, “With your skill, you don’t need it.”

Zhuge Liang sighed, “Fine, I have no rebuttal.”

Yuan Zhong explained, “Their marksman is Di Renjie, with Lian Po as support. Lian Po is strong early game, so since he’s still in the mid lane, Gongsun Li and I can pressure Di Renjie.”

Zhuge Liang said, “Sounds good. Don’t worry, once I hit level four, I’ll ambush him.”

Yao, as a hero, had a low skill floor—almost anyone could play her. Once her ultimate was activated and she attached to another hero, she could do nothing and still contribute, but playing her well was challenging. Yuan Zhong had practiced with unreliable teammates before and even sought advice, which she could now put to use.

In the early lane phase, it was two against one. Di Renjie was pressured down to half health and retreated beneath the tower to clear minions.

Yuan Zhong used her second ability for area damage, stepped into the tower to tank, while Zhang Shun, exploiting Gongsun Li’s mechanics, attacked Di Renjie twice more, nearly finishing him off.

Yuan Zhong said, “Di Renjie’s gone back to base to recover. Let’s check their jungle. Zhou Yu, have you seen their jungler Kai anywhere?”

Zhuge Liang laughed, “Already calling him ‘Kai Daddy’ before getting beaten?”

Yuan Zhong chuckled, “It’s a habit.”

Zhou Yu replied, “He started at red, no sign in mid.”

Lin Hui added, “Nothing in my bush.”

Zhuge Liang concluded, “He must be heading for the development lane. I’ll be there soon.”

Yao and Gongsun Li entered the enemy jungle and saw Kai fighting for blue.

Yuan Zhong said, “Let’s try to steal it.”

Zhang Shun maneuvered Gongsun Li, leaving her umbrella on the ground, jumping ahead to hit blue, attacking a few times, then jumping back.

Yao fired her first skill, the stun orb bouncing between blue buff and Kai, then her second skill, grazing the edge for damage, trying to steal the blue.

Zhou Yu announced, “Mid is heading your way; I’m following behind—ah, she’s blocking me with bricks!”

“Then go burn the tower. We’re getting ready to withdraw,” Yuan Zhong said.

Zhuge Liang appeared, “Wait, I’m here. Three versus two, we’ll get blue for sure—and some kills.” He used his second skill to dash forward, then smited the blue buff.

Kai and Nuwa were both half-health. With Gongsun Li and Zhuge Liang’s combo and Yao’s control, both were sent back to base.

“Beautiful!” Yuan Zhong exclaimed.

“You can tell right away, the expert is me!” Zhuge Liang boasted, not noticing Lian Po arriving. He was caught and killed while his skills were on cooldown and his health was low.

Zhou Yu mocked, “Well, you just fed them.”

Yuan Zhong comforted, “It’s fine, we’ll keep at it.”

Soon, Yao gained her third skill, allowing her to attach to heroes and boost their stats. Yuan Zhong activated her ultimate and checked Gongsun Li’s stats panel.

Lin Hui laughed beside her.

“What are you laughing at?” Yuan Zhong asked.

She forgot to mute her mic, and Zhou Yu nosily asked, “What are you two doing? Who’s laughing?”

Yuan Zhong ignored him, quickly turned off her mic, then asked Lin Hui again, “What are you laughing at?”

Lin Hui cleared her throat, “You’ve waited for this moment for a long time, haven’t you? I can see you were looking forward to it.”

Yuan Zhong squinted, “What’s going on in your head?”

“Nothing much. Whatever you’re thinking, I’m thinking too,” Lin Hui replied.

“I’m just thinking about how to play well,” Yuan Zhong said seriously.

Lin Hui mirrored her seriousness, “Me too.” Her hand slipped and she was killed by Kai.

Zhou Yu persisted, “What exactly were you laughing at?”

Zhang Shun switched topics, “How’s the top lane? Should we swap?”

Lin Hui didn’t answer.

Yuan Zhong checked the stats panel, “It’s fine, she just misclicked.”

Zhuge Liang took down Nuwa and asked, “How’s that? Am I impressive?”

Yuan Zhong ignored him, focusing on controlling Yao to assist Gongsun Li. Soon, they pushed the first turret on the development lane, but were blocked in the river by the enemy marksman, support, and jungler.

Seeing Gongsun Li about to be killed by Di Renjie, Yuan Zhong controlled Yao, detaching to block the fatal blow. Yao transformed into a translucent fawn, bouncing about, untargetable.

Seizing the moment, Gongsun Li escaped, putting some distance between herself and the pursuers. Yao moved in, gave her a shield, then used her second skill to add damage and prevent low-health chases.

Zhang Shun said, “Thanks for saving me.”

Zhuge Liang arrived, finishing off the low-health enemies. The system announced a double kill, with Gongsun Li collecting another kill.

Zhuge Liang remarked, “Seems you’re quite satisfied with Yao’s protection, princess.”

Zhou Yu teased, “Shouldn’t you repay your savior with something more?”

Lin Hui glanced at Yuan Zhong, who felt her ears grow warm.

In the next team fight on the confrontation lane, Yao again did everything possible to protect Gongsun Li, who was on the brink of death, but Liu Bang gave her an ultimate, keeping her alive.

Zhuge Liang watched from the side, clicking his tongue in admiration. “Yao’s skill is so delicate, and Liu Bang’s really generous. First time I’ve seen an ultimate given to a support.”

Lin Hui said, “I’m willing.”

Yuan Zhong replied, “Thank you for saving me.”

Zhou Yu joked, “Oh, then don’t repay kindness with kindness—when will it ever end?”

Zhuge Liang said, “Shunzi should repay Yuan Zhong, Yuan Zhong should repay Lin Hui. Might as well make it simple—let Shunzi repay Lin Hui, make it big.”

Lin Hui protested, “Stop talking nonsense.”

Zhou Yu countered, “No nonsense, there’s logic—no problem there.”

Lin Hui retorted, “You’re the one with the problem!”

Zhuge Liang observed, “Hmm, sounds like someone’s embarrassed and angry.”

Yuan Zhong changed the subject, “You’re definitely better suited to jungle. Your Zhuge Liang is really smooth.”

Zhuge Liang took the bait immediately, “That’s true.”

Zhou Yu teased, “Shunzi, your jungle position is being rejected.”

Always eager for drama, Zhou Yu never missed a chance. Yuan Zhong and Lin Hui looked at each other, mouthing “annoying.”

Zhuge Liang said, “You’d better mind your own business; your mage isn’t much better.”

Zhang Shun just smiled.

Marksman Gongsun Li grew rapidly, soon fully equipped, taking the lead as the carry.

Zhang Shun admitted, “Good support really is important.”

Zhou Yu complained, “So you’re saying my support isn’t good enough. Fine, from now on I’ll play mid-mage. Keep practicing, maybe I’ll become the Mage King.”

Zhuge Liang said, “I don’t know about Mage King, but Ghost King is definitely possible—look at your deaths. If you were a random player, I’d report you.”

Zhou Yu said, “It’s not like I wanted to play mage—someone else grabbed support.”

Exposed, Yuan Zhong felt embarrassed again.

They won the match as expected. Next, Yuan Zhong played Lian Po, using his skill combo to protect the marksman several times, making key initiations to secure victory.

Her teammates praised her, “Amazing! You’re the best female gamer I’ve ever seen.”

Lin Hui laughed, “Better than you, and your Zhuge Liang matches hers.”

“If we’re equally matched, then she’s not better than me. Yuan Zhong, let’s play together again next time. With teammates like you, ranking up is easy.”

Yuan Zhong felt a bit embarrassed at the compliments, but noticed Zhang Shun hadn’t said anything. Outside of in-game communication and thanks, he barely spoke.

She didn’t think much of it at the time—perhaps that was just his personality.

After the match, Yuan Zhong received two friend requests, but none from Zhang Shun. Her excitement plummeted; all her careful preparation felt wasted, and disappointment washed over her.

Lin Hui noticed Yuan Zhong’s mood swing and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yuan Zhong handed over her phone; Lin Hui glanced at it, unable to find words.

Seeing Yuan Zhong was truly upset, she tried to comfort her, “Maybe he’s just like that. Besides, maybe he already knows you, so there’s no need to add you as a game friend.”

Yuan Zhong sighed, “He and I have at least met a few times, talked, and been to the library together. But he’s never added me on WeChat either.”

Lin Hui couldn’t think of any comforting words.

Yuan Zhong’s eyes reddened, “Am I… just too insignificant? No matter how well I play, I’m still unnoticed…”