Chapter 140: Esports?

Returning to the county town, Ming Han jumped off the bus and took a deep breath of the air.

“Ah! It’s still that familiar scent.”

“What scent?” the senior asked curiously.

“The smell of carbon compounds mixed with sulfur oxides. Feels like my very cells are being slowly corroded, haha...”

The senior was speechless; this junior certainly had a unique way of speaking.

Upon hearing that Ming Han had returned, a group of friends suggested a gathering to meet up and reminisce about their wonderful middle school days.

Da Xu was particularly excited in the chat group, sending message after message: “Ming Han, a month apart feels like a hundred years. I’ve missed you so much.”

Ming Han was somewhat touched; he appreciated Da Xu’s open-hearted camaraderie.

Da Xu then added, “I almost thought you died out in the mountains. I was ready to inherit your little Emma electric bike.”

Damn it!

While in the mountains, Ming Han felt completely cut off from the outside world. No internet, and his phone could only make brief calls.

But now it was different. As soon as he arrived in the county town, his phone kept buzzing with messages from friends welcoming him back.

Professor Su personally escorted each of them to their doorsteps. As Ming Han got off, Su Lei said, “Junior, good luck with high school!”

Yes! In less than ten days, the city’s top high school would start.

High school life—that would be an entirely new journey. Different city, different school, and different girls...

“Yeah! Senior, you must also work hard at university! Focus on your studies and don’t play around too much,” Ming Han advised earnestly.

Professor Su’s face changed instantly. “Kid, you just stole my lines. What am I supposed to say now? This professor is quite embarrassed, you know?”

Su Lei pinched her forehead. “Junior, stop worrying about me...”

“Senior, I have a gathering today, so I won’t continue chatting with you here. Farewell for now. I hope next time we meet, you’ll bring along a brother-in-law.”

Brother-in-law? Su Lei was utterly speechless. She waved her hand, signaling Ming Han to disappear.

During that month of volunteer teaching, Ming Han never complained. Although the food was modest and the living conditions plain in the mountain village, he was happy. There was only one problem: bathing was inconvenient.

The entire village had only two wells, and Ming Han had to walk two hundred meters to fetch water for a bath. Each time he returned, he felt like his bones were about to fall apart.

Now all he wanted was to go home, take a refreshing shower, style his hair, and then go out to have fun.

Yu Hang called, “Bro, I heard you went to volunteer teach? I feel so guilty. While I was touring the beautiful landscapes of our country, you were silently burning yourself out, lighting others.”

“Yeah! I find joy in giving!”

“Come over quickly! Da Xu said this event is specially prepared for you.”

Ming Han was surprised. Could it be that everyone was moved by his spirit of selflessness?

When he arrived at the KTV, Ming Han finally understood what Yu Hang meant.

As he entered the private room, Da Xu held a banner that read: “The silkworm’s thread lasts only until death; the candle’s tears dry only when burnt to ash.”

As Ming Han stepped in, Da Xu grabbed the microphone and announced, “Everyone, please welcome our outstanding teacher, Ming Han.”

Zheng Yuan, Yu Hang, and the others enthusiastically applauded...

Ming Han couldn’t take it and cursed, “What the hell are you guys doing?”

Da Xu straightened up, “The event isn’t over yet. Be serious.”

“Next, Ming Han’s closest friend, Liu Xu, will sing a song called ‘The Offering of Love’ for him.”

“I’ll spend my entire life to cherish you,
Only hoping you’ll stop your wandering gaze.”

Da Xu sang with deep feeling. Ming Han finally lost it and lunged forward to give Da Xu a good beating.

Da Xu shielded his face, shouting, “Biting the hand that feeds you, ungrateful!”

Ming Han added a couple of kicks. “Let’s see how grateful you are now!”

After roughing up Da Xu, Ming Han felt refreshed and in high spirits, downing several cans of Rio cocktails.

“Why aren’t Chen Li and Huang Ying here?”

“Chen Li won’t be back until the day after tomorrow.”

Ming Han felt a pang of pain. Chen Li still hadn’t returned from her trip? What’s so fun about Hawaii? Was she really going to wear a swimsuit and sunglasses at the airport, acting like a beach girl?

Ming Han nudged Yu Hang. “You haven’t made up with Huang Ying yet?”

Yu Hang sighed. “How could I? We have a contract. No dating allowed.”

Ming Han patted Yu Hang’s head. “So you’re only thinking about dating her! Can’t you just develop a pure friendship? You’re disgusting.”

Da Xu nodded vigorously beside them. “A beast in human skin.”

Yu Hang looked embarrassed. “Then how am I supposed to develop a pure friendship with her?”

“That’s the right attitude!”

Ming Han took out his phone and called Huang Ying directly.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting moldy... Hey, Ming Han, I heard you went to volunteer teach?”

“Yeah! I’m back now. Want to hang out? Kaleidi.”

“OK!”

Ming Han always liked making friends with straightforward girls like her.

Half an hour later, Huang Ying arrived.

Yu Hang’s eyes lit up when he saw her, but he lacked the courage to greet her first.

Huang Ying, on the other hand, was generous. They had all been classmates for three years and were very familiar. She went around toasting everyone.

Seeing Huang Ying’s friendly openness, Ming Han was impressed.

He quietly whispered in Yu Hang’s ear, “If you two get married, I bet you won’t have any status at home.”

When Huang Ying toasted Yu Hang, he looked visibly flustered. “How have you been lately?”

Huang Ying nodded, “Not bad! Just been stuck at home getting moldy.”

Ming Han gave Yu Hang a meaningful look.

Yu Hang noticed Ming Han’s strange behavior and wondered, “Ming Han, are you high?”

Ming Han nearly fainted. “High my ass! I told you to ask her out, not act crazy!”

Huang Ying seemed to understand Ming Han’s intention and smiled without a word.

At that moment, Ming Han realized: when it comes to love, girls are always the initiators, and boys are always clueless!

After singing a few songs, everyone grew tired, so they lowered the volume and chatted.

The topic was all about plans for high school life.

Da Xu announced a surprising decision. “I want to go to a vocational school and focus on e-sports.”

At that time, few understood what “e-sports” meant. Professional gaming had no established profit model.

Aside from some prize money from tournaments, there was no other source of income.

“Da Xu, what did your dad say about this great decision?”

Da Xu sighed helplessly, “He chased me down the street with a stick.”

Zheng Yuan was outraged. “Your dad went too far.”

Da Xu put a hand on Zheng Yuan’s shoulder. “Good brother, you understand me.”

“If I were your dad, I’d chase you with a knife.”

“Is there really no one who supports my decision?”

Support?

Ha! What future is there in gaming? Even if you were to haul bricks, carrying a load could earn you twenty yuan. Gaming only costs you internet fees and wastes time—what’s the point?

At that moment, almost everyone thought that way...