Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas
After so long, Ailun knew quite a few as well, but to get someone on the level of Zhang Ziyan was impossible. Mu Guang’s connections were indeed impressive. In the end, Yao Ailun had not been in the scene for long, and after all he was just a student.
But this activity had a lot of promotional value, and the viewership was also very high. Therefore, Yao Ailun had sent out a few invitations to those CT celebrities who he admired, but he had only received 1 response, and they had asked for a fee.
Yao Ailun could only accept, because he had no choice. If he had gone to find Old Deer, perhaps things would be different, but he did not want to do that. He was not trash, and he would find his own way, step by step.
The celebrity invitational had already begun in the morning, and Mu Guang was indeed dominating it. With his and Sun Tianxiong’s ability, plus Zhang Ziyan’s popularity, they had earned more than 20 million CT “mecha cookies”. In second place was “High Smile” with 9 million, and Yao Ailun was in third place. Thanks to Prince’s popularity, he had about 6 million, and Mu Guang was targeting everybody.
The battles were easy. Zhang Ziyan just had to choose a support type mecha. Although she was a girl, but her handling was still good. Actually Sun Tianxiong alone could win 1v3, and Mu Guang’s ability was also top-class within the commentators.
High Smile was also a commentator that had become famous recently, named after his extremely comical style. He had invited Flight’s team captain ligo, who was well within the top 5 among professional players. As for his celebrity, he had invited Earth’s very popular comedian Xiao Deyun. The three fought and laughed at the same time, their styles in harmony. They had attracted a large number of fun-loving people.
Yao Ailun had also won two consecutive matches. After all, it was an exhibition match, and nobody would take it that seriously. And Yao Ailun’s star was Li Zhuoer, who was also rather famous on Earth. Although her CT standard was not as good as Zhang Ziyan, but her temper was great, and her reputation even greater.
“Yao Ailun what the hell is wrong with you. You’re only ranked 3rd. The two of you are really trash. Let me tell you something. I came here to take 1st place. That skank Zhang Ziyan actually dares to get ahead of me!”
In the recess room, Li Zhuoer was throwing a tantrum, and Yao Ailun and Prince could only look at each other. Neither had expected the sweet and warm Li Zhuoer to be so hard to please in person.
“Keke, Sister Li…”
“You’re the sis! Your whole family are sissies! Which part of me looks like a ‘sister’? I heard your reputation was big, and a disciple of Old Deer, which was why I came. But now I’ve suffered half a day as some prop. Besides, you’re supposed to invite a professional player. What’s a professional player? It’s someone who is popular, and top class. Not some old relic!”
Li Zhuoer stared at Prince. She held no interest at all in this guy past his time.
“Change him out, or do without me for the evening’s competition.”
“Miss Li, didn’t we agree beforehand? I’ve also paid your fee.”
“What, aren’t I here? And to have disgraced myself for the day as well.” Li Zhuoer was turning ugly now.
From the side, the manager quickly came over to support her. “Yao Ailun, it’s not that I have anything against you personally, but you didn’t handle this very fairly. We thought this was arranged by Old Deer, and we would be treated well. But look how it all turned out. We’re just setting up Zhang Ziyan for success. Our Li Zhuoer has become a prop. You’re alone for the night. Our Zhuoer is not feeling well, and needs rest.”
In the recess room only Prince and Yao Ailun were left, and the lunchbox that Li Zhuoer had overturned.
Yao Ailun was indeed feeling down. It seemed like he was nothing in others’ eyes.
Prince smiled slightly, patting Yao Ailun’s shoulder. “Don’t mind it too much. If you like CT, you must learn to endure.”
“Sorry to have dragged you into this.”
Prince shook his head. “Actually everybody thinks I should quit. Do you know why I haven’t left?”
Yao Ailun raised his head and looked at Prince. He had no idea why, and was curious. Clearly, Prince was not short on money, and was also popular. Why stay here to be snubbed by the newcomers? If he retired, he could do anything he wanted easily, and his status and position would give him face anywhere. But if he did not retire, then he had to follow the professional rules. And especially against someone like Sun Tianxiong, who loved to break the famous names.
“Actually there’s not much to it. I just like it.” Prince smiled. “A long time ago, I doubted as well. I even thought about changing fields at one point. Back then, Earth’s CT was still unpopular, and I could not earn much. But a certain person’s appearance changed everything. I found that I loved the feeling of battle. If my experience can help a newcomer just a little, then my presence is still of value.”
Yao Ailun was not sure how to respond. There was nobody who loved CT more than Prince.
“Also, sometimes, one should ask when one needs help. Friends are for such occasions.” Prince smiled. He wanted Yao Ailun to look for Old Deer. Yao Ailun was still young, and needed a boost. Friends would not begrudge such things.
Yao Ailun stared at Prince. “Thank you. I know what to do!”
“Haha, alright, then I’m going out for a walk.”
In the net café, everyone was talking about this and that, but Wang Zheng found out that Yao Ailun had spoken rightly. His competition was not trivial, and this was no longer the amateur scene.
In school, Chen Xiu was still rallying a bunch of people to support Yao Ailun. Voting happened throughout the day, and only the most popular could enter the night’s fight. Only they had no expected that Yao Ailun would encounter someone pulling out.
No wall could truly block the wind. Very quickly, the news spread on the web that Li Zhuoer had withdrawn from the match because she was not feeling well. And this was an invitational match. If somebody withdrew, a replacement was needed. But at this time, who could be found?
Surely nobody would be willing to take this up.
Ever since Yao Ailun had struck out alone, he had encountered all sorts of difficulties, but the audience did not care about these. They only cared about Zhang Ziyan.
Wang Zheng’s Skylink rang. It was from Yao Ailun.
Once through, Yao Ailun started to wail. “Wang Zheng, your brothers are getting bullied. What to do? Help me get back on my feet!”
Wang Zheng smiled slightly. “What do you have in mind?”
“F*ck, the water here is really deep…”
Yao Ailun laid out the situation for Wang Zheng, and Wang Zheng understood. He smiled. “Wait for my news. Tonight, we’ll play together.”
“Right!”
Yao Ailun wanted Wang Zheng to be the star. After all, Skeleton was the creator of CT’s glory, and also the most famous amateur player. Although it had been a while, but surely some of the audience would know him. The important thing was to overcome the immediate hurdle.
Yao Ailun also heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed like the crisis was over.
He went out to look for Prince, but as he turned the corner, he came face to face with Mu Guang and his cronies.
“Ah. Isn’t this super Ailun? I heard you ran into some trouble. Do you need my help?” Mu Guang taunted.
“No need.”
“Keke, if you do, don’t stand on ceremony. Don’t be the one who makes the entire program falter. That would be fairly unprofessional.” Mu Guang said.
“I can handle this.”
“Haha, it must be Old Deer then. Tsk tsk, our super Ailun is really something. He can’t even walk after being separated from Old Deer.”
Mu Guang had been resentful that Yao Ailun had stolen his best anchor prize the last time, and had been looking to get back at him. Finally after Old Deer had taken a step back, his opportunity had come.
“Birds of a feather flock together. It looks like he can only find those things hanging on to life, like Prince.” Sun Tianxiong was only 18, and very young. He was filled with a sense of power and the arrogance of youth. He could beat a guy like Prince with 1 hand tied behind his back.
Yao Ailun smiled slightly. “The day will come when you get old too. Some people command respect even when they grow old. Others will forever live only as a negative example.”
“Respect? From your paltry popularity? Are you joking?”
“Friend Ailun, is the likes of Li Zhuoer a bird of the same feather as well?” Zhang Ziyan simpered. A gentle enough phrase, but it hid a sharp knife that cut deep.
Yao Ailun smiled bitterly. There was nothing more to be said. This girl was not only pretty, but was dangerous as well.
At this moment, the fans surged in, and Mu Guang immediately changed to a warm and welcoming expression.
Yao Ailun knew the fans were not there for him. He had to find Prince to discuss the night’s match.
