Chapter Nineteen: The Daily Life of the Five Losers

“Three, two, one, I’m throwing it!” Xie Liu shouted, but he pitched the tennis ball just as he counted to two. Ye Ling was still nodding like a chick pecking at rice, and the incoming tennis ball struck her squarely on the forehead. The young lady before them, still in the pose to catch the ball, toppled stiffly to the ground—deadpan.

“Homerun! This girl’s brain doesn’t work. Diagnosis complete.” Xu Xiong kept score from the sidelines, watching Xie Liu itching to continue. “Xie Liu, you’ve destroyed seventeen tennis balls today. If you keep it up, we’ll have a budget deficit just from buying tennis balls.”

“Relax, relax, it’s just a few tennis balls.” Xie Liu grinned mischievously, watching Ye Ling, who was twisting her waist as she climbed to her feet, her pale hand pressed to her head. “Why did you throw the ball at two?” Ye Ling asked, teary-eyed and pitiful.

“It’s to train your reflexes and change your approach to combat.” Gong Hou, holding a family-sized bucket of fried chicken, spoke with his mouth smeared with grease. “Do you think your enemies on the battlefield will count ‘one, two, three’ for you?”

“Is that so?” Ye Ling’s voice was small and aggrieved, her gaze pleading as she looked at Lin Yang, the boy beside the center line whose features were prettier than most girls. Lin Yang caught her watery eyes and pondered. “I think they’re right. A few months ago, I saw an idiot who insisted on showing off in front of girls. When he encountered an enemy, he recited three cool lines and started a stylish transformation. Halfway through, he got shot dead. Now the grass on his grave is waist-high.”

Ye Ling’s face froze. Lin Yang continued, “Oh, and that girl died too. After the show-off bit the dust, she took a bullet to the head.”

“Trying to mimic TV protagonists? If you’re that eager to die, jumping off a hundred-story building is faster.” Ye Ling gritted her teeth, her white but now reddened forehead beaded with cold sweat. “Is it really so frightening? Isn’t there ever a tall, handsome hero who swoops in to save the damsel in distress, protects her, and then they fall into a love-hate romance? Aren’t you all superhumans? Shouldn’t you be amazing?”

“Hmm...” Lin Yang stroked his chin for a long time. “There was this one time, half a year ago, a bounty hunter girl said she was in danger, and a man really did descend from the sky…”

“I knew it!” Ye Ling pouted—every girl has her prince dream, and hers couldn’t possibly be shattered. “And then?”

“And then, the guy broke his leg on landing and was rescued by the girl.” Lin Yang said blandly. Ye Ling collapsed to the ground. “So there’s really no white knight in this world?”

“Oh, wait, wasn’t this guy the one who dropped in when you were in danger?” Lin Yang pointed at Xie Liu, who was grinning shamelessly. “And not even a minute later, he was like a dead dog.”

“Not everyone can be a hero. Without a protagonist’s aura, you’re just fodder. White knights only exist in fairy tales. In short, showing off is risky—enter the profession with caution.” Gong Hou picked his teeth with a tiny bone and then flicked it, watching it bounce a few times before dropping into the sewer.

“Why are you all talking so much? Are we throwing or not?” Xie Liu grumbled.

Ye Ling, fired up by Xie Liu’s words, snapped back, “Come on, I bet I can dodge—ah!” Another tennis ball crashed into her forehead. “I don’t believe it!” This time Ye Ling didn’t fall, but bit her lip, her face flushed red, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Not bad, again! Here comes Rem!” With another toss, Ye Ling, alert and quick, finally dodged the ball. “See? I—ah!” Her face suddenly turned pale as she clutched the back of her skirt, her cheeks burning crimson.

Xie Liu’s shot missed her, but was caught by Li Shizhu, who was sitting behind Ye Ling reading a comic. Li Shizhu tossed it back, hitting Ye Ling right on her shapely backside.

“I’m going to fight you all!” Ye Ling clutched her rear, her teary eyes nearly spitting fire. These days, these guys, under the guise of training, had made her suffer plenty.

“That’s enough, let’s stop here.” Seeing Ye Ling about to erupt, Xie Liu decided it was time to call it off, but Ye Ling wasn’t letting him go. Like a little tiger, she pounced, biting his arm.

“Ahhh! Attempted murder of a husband! Help!” Xie Liu shrieked, flailing his arm to shake off the ferocious creature. But the others just turned their heads away. Who’d want to rescue him? It would mean getting bitten—the next thing you know, your arm would be covered in bite marks, and Xie Liu, shameless as ever, would joke about cutting along the dotted line.

When Ye Ling finally let go, Xie Liu had stopped shouting. Seeing the blood drawn from his arm, Ye Ling felt a bit embarrassed, but she would never apologize. She glared at him, “Serves you right.”

Clutching her chest, Ye Ling turned away, her expression changing several times in quick succession. “What’s happening to me? Why do I feel this urge to bite people?” Seeing the blood on Xie Liu’s arm, she almost couldn’t resist biting him again. But she held back.

“What’s wrong with me lately?” Ye Ling pressed her hand to her heart, wondering aloud. “How did I end up actually biting someone?” The thought made her anxious—could this be a side effect of ability development? Truth be told, she’d started to like biting things, and had already ruined several pens.

“It shouldn’t be a big deal,” Ye Ling reassured herself, though unease lingered. “Should I tell them?” But seeing Xie Liu pitifully staring at the bite marks on his arm, while Gong Hou, the unscrupulous fat guy, teased him, she decided to keep it to herself.

“Ah, is it that late already?” Ye Ling looked up at the sky—the sun was setting. Time to go home. Her body trembled slightly. “That home?”

She hadn’t told anyone about her situation—not even her father, nor her only friend Jiang Ting. The fewer people who knew, the better. Yes, she’d keep it hidden. Ye Ling narrowed her large eyes, watching the group discuss dinner plans. “These people… maybe they really could help me change something.”

“Oh, Ling’er, what are you doing here?” A familiar voice rang out behind her. Ye Ling froze—this was the voice she absolutely, entirely did not want to hear at the moment. Yes, it was the other of the school’s two queens, her only friend, Jiang Ting. Surprised, Ye Ling was about to greet her—

Wait!

If Jiang Ting saw her hanging out with the “five losers,” wouldn’t that ruin everything? Absolutely not! She had even reserved the court to avoid being seen, so why did this girl show up now? No, it’ll be fine—this is a tennis court, I’ll just say I’m here to play tennis… Except it’s not fine at all. The entire court only has herself and the five losers—why did she book the whole place? Ye Ling wanted to cry.

“Ah, I’m here on patrol. These five losers have taken over the tennis court, so I’m here as a student council rep to warn them.” Ye Ling declared righteously. Jiang Ting blinked, “But the sign outside says you booked the court.”

“Damn!” Ye Ling swore, rushing to the entrance, tearing off the sign, snapping it in half, folding it, and then tossing it in the bin. “You must have misread it.” She flashed a friendly smile. “And why are you here?”

Jiang Ting’s gaze was full of intrigue, but she didn’t pursue the matter. “I’m looking for my boyfriend.”

“Oh, I see, so—huh?!” Ye Ling stared at her friend, boyfriend? What’s going on? Her best friend, the school’s other goddess, Jiang Ting—when did she get a boyfriend? “Since when? How come I didn’t know?”

“I’ve always had one—you never asked.” Jiang Ting replied innocently. Ye Ling’s expression was a kaleidoscope. “Who? Who is it?” Feeling betrayed, Ye Ling’s face darkened. Jiang Ting nervously pursed her lips, then spotted Xu Xiong sitting nearby. “Darling, there you are!” She walked over to the stone-faced Xu Xiong, attempting to take his arm.

“An illusion. It must be an illusion.” Ye Ling covered her eyes. “Clearly, I started the day wrong.” Her head spun, her worldview collapsing—her beloved friend, adored by all, had a boyfriend who was… who was…

Ye Ling couldn’t believe her eyes. What was so great about Xu Xiong? He was a lifelong otaku, rumored to have gone three months without leaving his dorm. Among the five losers, his uselessness was unrivaled. As for disgusting, Ye Ling thought, Xie Liu probably still took the crown.

“Sorry, miss, you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not your boyfriend. Please remove your hand. Don’t come any closer, or I’ll call for help.” Xu Xiong glanced at Jiang Ting, then returned to staring at his computer. Jiang Ting giggled, clinging to his arm. “Go ahead, shout!”

“Help—” Xu Xiong called out weakly, seeing his comrades ignore him. “Useless. Oh well.” He continued playing on his computer. Jiang Ting laughed, affectionately hugging his arm, then called to the others, “Brother Xie Liu, Brother Gong Hou, Brother Li Shizhu, Sister Lin Yang—hello!”

“I’m a guy,” Lin Yang protested with a cold face. Jiang Ting nodded and pointed at Ye Ling. “Ling’er, what are you doing here? Have they finally put you through initiation?”

“No, this silly girl wandered in herself.” Xie Liu rubbed his bitten arm. Jiang Ting laughed, “Don’t say that, Brother Xie Liu. Ling’er isn’t silly at all. By the way, were you the one who saved me last time? Thank you.”

“No need. Just pay my medical bills.” Xie Liu replied dryly. Jiang Ting pouted, “So heartless.”

“How about this—why not let Ling’er join you guys?” Jiang Ting smiled wickedly. Ye Ling broke out in cold sweat—she knew this “Jiang Ting smile,” usually deployed by swindlers and cheats.

“Wait, I don’t get it. What’s going on?” Ye Ling felt her world collapsing. The plot was moving too fast—she couldn’t follow.

“So Ling’er’s joining us?” Jiang Ting glanced at Ye Ling and laughed. “I was wondering how to tell you, but you’re luckier than me.”

“I’m with the Chinese branch of Fantasy City, but unfortunately, I haven’t awakened any abilities or gone through development. I really envy you, Ling’er.” She looked at Ye Ling with longing. Ye Ling was puzzled. “What’s happening?”

“I’ll explain,” Xie Liu spoke up. “Jiang Ting is Xu Xiong’s childhood friend. Later, Xu Xiong joined us in Fantasy City and founded the [Bad Luck Squad]. Jiang Ting, as his childhood friend and girlfriend, became an external member and has access to some information, but until she marries, she can’t get a Fantasy City ID card. So, Jiang Ting, your fate depends on Xu Xiong.”

“No worries, I think it’s fine. I wouldn’t have known about Fantasy City otherwise, and I’d just be a regular school queen.” She rested her head on Xu Xiong’s shoulder.

Ye Ling held up five fingers, signaling for everyone to stop talking—she understood now. “So I’m the only one left in the dark.” Xie Liu shrugged. “You overestimate yourself. If you hadn’t stumbled into it a few weeks ago, you’d never have known.”

“You!” Ye Ling found Xie Liu’s words grating, though now he seemed harmless as a puppy.

“I won’t be surprised,” Ye Ling nodded. “I’ve seen plenty of weird things lately. Fine, I’m not surprised. I’m going home.”

“Xie Liu, you take her home,” Jiang Ting ordered, pointing at Xie Liu. He protested, “Why me?”

“Because you ruin the mood most.” Xie Liu found himself speechless at the reasoning. Seeing Ye Ling’s unfriendly gaze, he inwardly screamed, “I’ll drink poison and die!”

…

“I’ll say it again—this is a hospital, not a bus station!” Tongchuan Reiko grumbled, seeing Xie Liu holding his head with a silly grin. Honestly, this guy always relied on his babyface to beg favors, and she always fell for it—why? Then she glanced at his innocent face again—being tricked wasn’t so bad. Reiko wiped her mouth. “Follow me.”

“Same rule as always—wait ten minutes. I don’t get it, do you think the teleportation device is public transport?” Reiko cursed as she left, leaving the two in the gloomy lobby.

Outside, moonlight filtered through the windows, casting slanted shadows on the floor. Ye Ling looked around in boredom, then noticed Xie Liu standing by the window, gazing quietly at the moon. His expression seemed to ripple.

“Hey…” Ye Ling started to speak, but swallowed her words, because Xie Liu, at some point, had pulled out a small toy bear, barely palm-sized. Under the moonlight, he stared at it serenely, as if he’d forgotten the world, or maybe the world had forgotten him.

For the first time, Ye Ling saw an expression she never thought could appear on Xie Liu’s face—gentleness. Yes, it was a warmth she never dared imagine. His usual lazy and mischievous look was gone, replaced by a tranquil softness like a spring.

The bear in his hand shimmered under the broken moonlight, changing color. Ye Ling was surprised, but after witnessing the technology of Fantasy City, she wasn’t too shocked—just another gadget. Xie Liu seemed unaware she was watching, and after a few minutes, carefully tucked the bear away. Then the familiar mischief returned to his eyes.

“Still not here?” Xie Liu glanced about. Ye Ling stayed silent. Reiko emerged from the darkness, “All right, ready, Ling’er, you can go.”

“Not seeing you off,” Xie Liu laughed. Ye Ling shot him a glare, then followed Reiko into the teleportation room.

Xie Liu watched them depart, his playful expression fading. He turned and walked into the darkness.