Right after getting dumped, He suddenly learned that his best buddy was the legendary cold-as-ice school beauty. - Chapter 55

Chu Chu and Ji Qingqian had landed in the same building.
“You search the second floor, I’ll take the first,” Chu Chu said, showing the calm efficiency of a veteran.
Ji Qingqian followed like a rookie, obedient and precise.
After Chu Chu had scoped the first floor, she realized Ji Qingqian only picked up a small pistol and two health drinks.
A twinge of panic hit her.
They weren’t the only squad in this area.
Without proper weapons, they’d be sitting ducks.
As a competent squad leader, Chu Chu couldn’t allow such a slip in what little advantage Ji Qingqian had. It would be a blow to her pride.
Ji Qingqian darted down the stairs in a blur.
“I told you to go to the second floor and collect gear…” Chu Chu called, incredulous. Even a rookie should know how to do this basic task, right?
Moments later, Ji Qingqian clattered a level-two vest, an M4, and ammo right in front of Chu Chu.
Chu Chu: “…Well, lucky, I guess.”
Ji Qingqian nodded.
“Second floor that good…?” Chu Chu muttered. She was fully equipped, yet Ji Qingqian was still essentially unarmed. “I’ll check upstairs myself.”
“Already searched,” Ji Qingqian replied.
“What if you missed something?”
Ji Qingqian: …
She wanted to argue that splitting up was pointless if Chu Chu’s approach wasted time, but she decided to let it slide—this was entertainment mode; no need to be overly harsh on teammates.
Chu Chu went upstairs.
Found nothing.
From the other side, Ma Jiaojiao’s panicked voice rang out: “Wang Jue, save me!”
Wang Jue, utterly flustered: “Where? Where are they?!”
Before she could finish, a burst of bullets sent her packing.
Chu Chu couldn’t resist commenting: “Already boxed on landing? You guys are hopeless.”
Wang Jue mumbled in embarrassment: “All my fault…”
Ma Jiaojiao added: “Don’t blame us. That squad moved toward your side—two of them. Your teammate should be nearby.”
Chu Chu gasped:
“What!? Ji Qingqian, get upstairs—”
Before she could finish, footsteps sounded. She readied her gun.
“Go rescue Ji Qingqian!” Ma Jiaojiao yelled, switching from her death perspective to Chu Chu’s view.
“I-I’m about to…” Chu Chu started.
Gunfire echoed from downstairs.
Ji Qingqian, surprisingly calm, didn’t panic.
Chu Chu couldn’t tell if she was alive or dead. She peeked at Ji Qingqian’s screen cautiously, wary of getting flanked.
Blindly rushing down would be suicidal.
“She’s alive,” Ji Qingqian said.
“What? Everyone else boxed? The whole squad gone, just me left?!” Chu Chu nearly panicked.
“…No,” Ma Jiaojiao corrected, already observing from Ji Qingqian’s perspective.
“The enemies are down. Two of them. Come down,” Ji Qingqian instructed.
“?”
Chu Chu was bewildered. She had cleared the downstairs herself, even pocketing the small pistol—how…?
A quick glance at Ji Qingqian’s screen revealed her looting the enemies’ packs, elegantly displaying a sense of efficiency despite lacking guns or grenades.
“How’d you kill them?”
“You missed a frying pan?”
“…Just a pan?”
Chu Chu’s jaw nearly dropped. Is this even plausible? Was Ji Qingqian really that ruthless?
She blinked—and immediately got sniped in the head.
“Ji Qingqian, save me—” she screamed.
Bad positioning got her spotted and double-sniped, instantly boxed.
“Hmm…” Ma Jiaojiao nodded. “Now it’s literally just you left, Ji Qingqian. How are you so strong? A frying pan can take out two people?”
Ji Qingqian thought for a moment:
“They were noobs.”
Ma Jiaojiao knew Ji Qingqian didn’t mean it literally, but still… it stung. If those enemies were weak, what chance did she and Wang Jue have?
“Which direction?” Ji Qingqian asked, checking where the sniper was positioned.
Chu Chu gave a rough location.
“Qingqian, loot my box,” Chu Chu reminded.
“Later,” Ji Qingqian said, darting out the door.
As Chu Chu predicted, several other squads had landed, but none could withstand Ji Qingqian’s test.
She moved like a wolf among sheep, AK blazing, using cover and nimble steps. Seven kills later, she circled behind to take out the sniper.
Ma Jiaojiao and the others gaped in disbelief. She was like a superhuman.
Then Ji Qingqian leisurely returned to the initial building, looting Chu Chu’s box.
“Magnificent! This box is still warm!” Ma Jiaojiao couldn’t help but praise. “You said you hardly play, yet you’re amazing!”
Ji Qingqian wanted to say “rarely play ≠ weak,” but decided on humility:
“They were noobs.”
The three girls were left teary-eyed.
Ji Qingqian intended to head for the shrinking zone. After a few steps, she encountered another lone player.
“Face-to-face battle, the brave prevail!” Ma Jiaojiao cheered.
“Ji Qingqian, show him your sword!” Chu Chu encouraged.
Ji Qingqian raised her gun to take the shot—but paused, noticing all three—including Wang Jue—were watching her screen.
The enemy’s bullets flew, and with no teammates left, death was imminent.
“Hmm? Ji Qingqian?” Chu Chu didn’t understand the superhero’s last move.
“Too slow,” Ji Qingqian’s expression remained calm. “Let them respawn…”
It wasn’t slow—her reaction was faster, and they had spotted each other first…
Ma Jiaojiao and Chu Chu exchanged looks.
Ji Qingqian must have done it intentionally… not wanting them to wait too long.
So considerate?
They teared up.
“Alright,” Ji Qingqian planned the next tactic: “Wang Jue, you’re with me. Ma Jiaojiao, you’re with Chu Chu…”
“Got it,” Ma Jiaojiao said, hoping for balance… though Ji Qingqian’s skill clearly outmatched the three of them combined.
Chu Chu groaned. Her squad leader experience had expired.
“I’m really bad…” Wang Jue whispered, worried she’d hinder the Northeastern superhero.
“No worries, I’ve carried worse,” Ji Qingqian said. Her tone carried a delicate, gentle humor beneath the words.
“…Ah Qiu.”
Suddenly, Ji Qingqian sneezed, touching her high nose bridge.
“Don’t catch a cold, southern girl,” Wang Jue reminded.
“I won’t,” Ji Qingqian said.
…
“Achoo.”
Somewhere far away, Lu Yibei, typing in the dorm, sneezed inexplicably. He touched his nose—surely not a cold. Had someone been thinking of him?
Twenty minutes had passed; he’d typed eighteen words. Exhausting.
He opened his phone, tapping on the video Ji Qingqian had sent.
Played it once. Then again.
The heroine blinked playfully, expressionless, over and over.
Lu Yibei watched, thoroughly enthralled.