After chatting with Grandpa Xia for a while longer, Qin Tian bid farewell and left.
He called Zhang Peng and learned that he was about to head out to find Xu Hao to play online. Qin Tian thought it would be good to join them for some games and arranged to meet him at the entrance of the internet cafe.
When Qin Tian arrived at the internet cafe, he saw Zhang Peng and Xu Hao standing outside smoking from a distance.
“Zhang Peng, when did you learn to smoke, you brat?” Qin Tian called out.
The two looked towards him, smiles on their faces.
“A buddy from the dorm taught me. Does this even need learning? Aren't guys born knowing how to do it?” Zhang Peng replied with a chuckle.
“Dare you say that to Uncle Zhang like that?” Qin Tian teased.
“Heh heh… maybe not for now!” Zhang Peng grinned.
Qin Tian had only said it in passing and didn't actually intend to micromanage such things. After all, when he was under a lot of pressure from work and life in his previous life, he also had a cigarette in his hand.
“Tian Ge, didn't Xia Nuannuan come with you?” Zhang Peng asked, looking puzzled as he flicked his cigarette butt onto the ground and stomped it out.
“No, she went shopping with Su Yan and Tian Jiajia.”
“Huh… you’re not going with them?”
“What business do I have tagging along when it’s just the three girls?”
“Aren’t you two inseparable?”
“Who told you that?” Qin Tian shot him an annoyed glance and looked at Xu Hao beside him.
“Master, let’s go. We can play and chat inside. My skills have improved a lot recently, give me some pointers,” Xu Hao said with a smile.
“Alright, let’s go!” Qin Tian nodded.
The three of them entered the internet cafe together. Xu Hao had already gotten the computers ready for them, and they were free of charge. Qin Tian, as a partner of Zhao Mingyuan, always got this treatment when he visited his internet cafe.
It had only been a little over a month since Qin Tian last came to this internet cafe. There were some new faces, but most of them were still the familiar internet addicts.
Someone exclaimed that the God had arrived, and the internet cafe immediately became lively. Old friends who knew Qin Tian greeted him loudly. Some even put down their ongoing matches and got up to surround him.
In the blink of an eye, quite a few people were gathered behind the seats of Qin Tian and the other two, causing a commotion.
“God, long time no see, let’s play together today!”
“Get lost, what’s your skill level? How can you play with God?”
“Damn, you’re no different. Wanna duel? My Master Yi will crush you.”
“Go to hell, your skill level? You sure can brag!”
“…”
“Alright, stop arguing here. If you keep making noise, get out!” Xu Hao frowned and berated them. The group of young men immediately quieted down, chuckling sheepishly.
“Holy crap, Hao Ge, you’ve become the king of this internet cafe in just a month!” Zhang Peng joked in surprise.
“Scram!” Xu Hao cursed back with a laugh.
The boosting business that Qin Tian partnered with was doing even better now. Combined with his constant presence at this internet cafe, he had gradually become an idol admired and looked up to by these internet addicts. Playing games and becoming a big boss was the dream of many of them. Many of the skilled players in this internet cafe now relied on him for a living, earning money for internet fees and even instant noodles and drinks from Xu Hao. Furthermore, the boosting business had expanded beyond just League of Legends to other popular games.
“Master, should we duo queue or what?” Xu Hao looked at Qin Tian with anticipation.
“Didn’t you say your skills improved? Play by yourself. Tian Ge, Tian Ge, it’s been a while since we duo queued. Carry me a few rounds,” Zhang Peng immediately chimed in.
“Zhang Peng, don’t steal him from me. Be careful, I won’t give you any more boosting orders.”
“Damn, you damn capitalist, that’s all the leverage you have.”
“If it works, it works!” Xu Hao grinned smugly.
Qin Tian smiled and said, “We won’t duo queue. How about this, let’s set up a 5v5 custom match and play together.”
As soon as he said this, the internet addicts behind them erupted in cheers, scrambling to sign up, all wanting to be on Qin Tian’s team.
“Stop shouting, everyone. I’ll create the room. First come, first served. The fastest two will be on our team, slower ones go to the opponent. The rest can only spectate. If you lose, you get replaced,” Xu Hao announced loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd dispersed, rushing back to their seats at full speed.
…
…
With Qin Tian’s skill level, which would have been perfectly fine for professional play, the matches were naturally without suspense. However, it was still a lot of fun to play games together after such a long time. The atmosphere of the entire internet cafe was ignited. Whether they were new faces or old acquaintances, everyone was either spectating in the observation area or gathered behind the players, acting as armchair strategists, spouting nonsense and giving commands.
When Qin Tian started to feel hungry, Hao Ge, the king of the internet cafe, gave an order, and someone immediately went to a nearby eatery to pack some rice and dishes that go well with it. After eating, they continued to battle, having a blast. No matter how much a man dotes on his wife, he still needs his own hobbies and happiness. Playing a few games when you have free time is perhaps the simplest joy.
Around 3:30 PM, as Qin Tian was dominating in the Rift, his phone, placed beside him, suddenly rang. He glanced over and saw that it was Su Yan calling. He had her contact information, but this was the first time she had called him. Feeling that something was amiss, Qin Tian immediately took off his headphones, picked up his phone, and answered.
“Hello? Su Yan.”
“Qin Tian, where are you? Can you come over? We’ve run into some trouble.”
“What’s wrong?” Qin Tian’s expression darkened, and he asked urgently.
“We were just shopping, and Jiajia’s bag was suddenly snatched. There were too many people shopping, and we got separated while chasing the thief. I can’t find them now, and Nuannuan’s phone isn’t going through. I’m a bit worried about them,” Su Yan explained concisely.
“Okay, I understand. Tell me where you are, and I’ll be right there.” Qin Tian got up directly.
“I’m on the south side of the mall, in front of an Adidas store,” Su Yan provided her location.
“Alright, I know where that is. I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay, then I’ll hang up now. I need to report it to the police just in case.”
“Okay!”
After hanging up, Qin Tian hurried towards the internet cafe entrance, trying to call Xia Nuannuan.
“Tian Ge, what’s up?” Zhang Peng shouted.
“Tian Jiajia’s bag was snatched, and they got separated while chasing the thief. I have to go quickly,” Qin Tian replied swiftly.
“What? I’m coming too. Where are they?” Zhang Peng immediately got anxious.
“South side of the mall!” Qin Tian responded.
“I’m going too!” Xu Hao also stood up to say. Quite a few people around them also stood up, offering to help find them.
“Alright, many hands make light work. Everyone spread out and search near the mall. Call me immediately if you see anyone,” Xu Hao shouted.
Qin Tian didn't have time to deal with them. Hearing the “phone is switched off” message, he had already rushed out of the internet cafe.