Alright, well have our second team play them, Luo Yu said to his teammates. They were sitting in the room next to the universitys esports clubroom, discussing what to do about the scrim against Team Shanghai. Qiu Li, Xie Qing and Huang Yang were already feeling apprehensive about playing a high school team. But after learning that the team had two girls on its roster, they outright refused to play them.

Huang Yang said, Fine. Then he looked at his watch and snorted. Weve made them wait half an hour. If were lucky, theyve already left. Haha! Oh, Ill send the guys from the second team a text.

Luo Yu stood up and walked past his teammates out into the hallway. Lets go. He didnt wait for them to follow as he strode to the next door over and placed his hand on the door handle. Only then did he glance over his shoulder to make sure his teammates were there. They were. He pushed the door open and stepped inside. And as he did his entire demeanor changed. He straightened his back, becoming the tallest person in the room, and an air of confidence appeared around him. This was his arena. This was where he belonged.

Just as fast as the confidence appeared on Luo Yu, it lapsed. Han Ying had told them that there were two girls on Team Shanghais roster, but it was only now that he really believed her. He had to take a second take and then searched for Han Ying to get confirmation. She nodded at his questioning gaze. So she was right. They do have two girls on their team. And, theyre pretty! He felt his heart skip a beat. Theyre high schoolers. Control yourself! He scrunched his eyes and forced his surprise down. Then he scrutinized the two girls. Why do they have two girls on the team? Isnt this supposed to be the team representing the Shanghai Esports Association? Was this really the best roster they could form? Its good were having the second roster play them. He forced himself to stop this line of thought. Dont think like this. Just because theyre girls, doesnt mean theyre bad. Maybe theyre really good. Its just You rarely ever see a high elo female player. Let alone two of them. And theyre both high schoolers! It just It doesnt make any sense. They cant be that good. Can they?

Luo Yu shook his head ever so lightly and straightened his back again. This is my place. He nodded at Zeng Rui with an apologetic smile and extended his hand. Were a little late. My apologies. Something came up at the last minute that kept us busy.

Zeng Rui accepted Luo Yus handshake and calmly replied, Its fine. But next time, give us a heads up. Messages on Wechat are free. I dont like wasting my time.

Luo Yu nodded, smiling wryly. I know. I shouldve sent you a message. But I didnt expect that discussion to take so long... Hed played with Zeng Rui on the Rift before and theyd met in person on occasion too. They were acquainted at the least, maybe even friends, and he was being anything but a friend. He wanted to say something about it, but his teammates beat him to the punch.

Qiu Le narrowed his eyes. He looked over at Huang Yang and said loudly enough so that everyone could hear him, Can you believe these high schoolers, Huang Yang? I swear. Luo Yu told them we were busy. He even apologized! What more do they want? We should just tell them to piss off!

Huang Yang nodded at Qiu Le. Then he turned to look at Zeng Rui and said, If you dont like waiting, you can walk right outta here. Were not forcing you to stay. And also quit the tournament while youre at it. I cant believe the esports association invited high school teams...

Luo Yu coughed and glanced over his shoulder, signalling his teammates to tone it down. Then he looked back at Zeng Rui and said, It was just an unfortunate combination of events. We screwed up, okay? And for that, I do apologize. Please dont take it personally.

Zeng Rui nodded and said, Ok. It happens. He wasnt happy about it, but he also understood that there was nothing hed gain from pushing this matter any further. So he changed the conversation to the main topic. Since were both here, lets scrim.

About that, Luo Yu said. He hesitated briefly, glancing past Zeng Rui at the two girls. Well, there is a slight change of plans. We were talking about the scrim and felt it might be better if you guys play against our second roster first. He hesitated for a brief moment, then added, We Since you guys only just formed your team, it seemed unfair to pit you against us right away. Our second roster is pretty good too and probably more at your level.

Zeng Rui puffed out his chest and stared at Luo Yu. Hed had enough of the way they were being treated. He said, Thats not what we agreed to. I very specifically asked to play against your main roster. And you agreed to that.

Luo Yu smiled wryly and explained, Er I know. I agreed to that. But the guys and I talked about it and we realized you guys were a new team. You dont have much experience playing with each other yet. We think youll learn more from playing a game against our second roster. I think its unfair to make you play u

Qiu Le interrupted Luo Yu with a loud snort. He glared at Zeng Rui and said, What? Got a problem with it? Dont get ahead of yourselves because you won some silly high school tournament. Oh, wait, you didnt. You lost. Ha! Show some respect. Just be happy were even here. Now stop wasting our time and play against our second team.

Zhang Hao had been holding himself back for more than 30 minutes now. But now hed finally had enough. He shouted, Dont screw with us! He then took a short breath before continuing, We dont want your faked pity. We came here to play your main team and you agreed! Stop making these weak excuses! This is all bullshit and you know it! If you dont want to play against us, just say it so we dont have to waste our time here!

Huang Yang shrugged and said, So what if its bullshit? What are you going to do about it? He paused and nodded at An Xin and Tang Bingyao standing behind Zeng Rui. We initially planned to play against you ourselves, since Luo Yu had already agreed to. But then we heard you guys dont even have a serious team. Im not going to waste my time on playing around with a bunch of kids. He snorted and added, You know you guys are crap. Just look at your lineup. Our second team will kick your ass, and you might learn something from that. So are you going to play, or what?

It was clear to everyone that Huang Yang wasnt impressed with Team Shanghai having two girls on their roster. The way he looked at them and then snorted in derision was telling enough. This was a common theme in League of Legends. There were many girls who played the game, but very few of them reached a competitive level. The LPL didnt have a single team with a female player on it. And it hadnt been any different in the Shanghai 16 School Tournament, with the exception of High School 13. It was with this knowledge that it became very hard for Huang Yang to even consider the possibility of a woman being good at League of Legends. I wont entertain some fucking high school kids. We should be practicing against a good team and get ready for the Collegiate Cup!

Tang Bingyao pursed her lips and frowned. This is just like the Shanghai 16 School Tournament. They always talk and make fun about me being on the team, just because Im a girl. Its always, Oh, shes a girl. She cant be good. This will be easy. She glared at Huang Yang. They just called him Huang Yang. Asshole. All people like him are assholes. Mhm! Im going to show him just how wrong he is!

An Xin took a completely different approach from Tang Bingyao. She smiled, warm and friendly, and pretended as if it didnt bother her. But her hands tensed up and she grit her teeth. Every single time. Oh, shes a girl! They must only have her around because shes a pretty face! Im tired of it. Why cant a girl be good at League? Its this stupid mentality that makes girls not want to play. Or when they do play, pretend theyre a guy. We always get singled out. Its never, Oh that dude looks like a buffoon, he must be bad at the game. Ill make this stupid buffoon eat his words!

Thanks for your consideration, Zeng Rui said. He looked at Huang Yang and Qiu Le before turning back to Luo Yu. But we didnt ask for your consideration. We came to scrim against your main team. And thats the only team well be playing against.

Luo Yu was about to look over his shoulders at his teammates, but stopped himself at the last second. Ive been a terrible friend and host for long enough. Its time to start fixing that. He took a long, calming breath and said, Youre right, Zeng Rui. You asked for a scrimmage against our main team and I agreed. So thats what well be doing. Weve wasted enough time talking. Lets play a best of three.

To recreate the environment in which the Winter Collegiate Cup was being held, Luo Yu decided to use the soundproof booths for the scrim against Team Shanghai. He showed Zeng Rui and his teammates to their booth and explained how it worked before joining his teammates in their booth. They all turned to him and he could see in their eyes that they were about to complain. He sighed and said, Come on, guys. Its just a best of three. And after we stomp them in the first game, well tell them to play against the second roster in the second game.

Qiu Le glanced over at Team Shanghai and chuckled. I cant believe how rude high schoolers are these days. I wouldnt have dared to talk like that. They really deserve a good beating.

Huang Yang laughed and added, This is going to be so easy. Theyve got girls on their team! But whatever, we gave them a way out, they shouldve taken it. Now Im itching to see their faces after the game.

Luo Yu sat down behind the middle computer, shaking his head. Zeng Rui shouldve told me there are two girls on his team. I know hes good. Weve played together plenty of times. But there just arent many strong female players. He cant have found two of them. It just doesnt make sense. And the other two didnt look all that impressive either, though I suppose looks say nothing about skill. Just look at God Roundy... Right, I need to focus. Itd be really embarrassing if we lost here because we got careless. He looked at his teammates who were still making fun of Team Shanghais line up. We have to focus, if only to keep Zeng Rui down. Guys, focus up. Were going to play against them like we would in a normal scrim.

Huang Yang snorted a laugh and said, You must be joking. Theyve got two girls on their team! If we need to play seriously to beat them, we might as well drop out of the Collegiate Cup

Xie Qing grinned and asked, Zeng Rui is the Support, right? So what are the girls going to be? Ad-carry and mid? Thatd be hilarious! Imagine, two girls being the carries!

There was no laughter or joking around going on in Team Shanghais soundproof booth. Zhang Hao and Tang Bingyao were both glaring through the glass windows at Shanghai University of Finances team, while Zeng Rui and An Xin frowned, staring at their monitors.

Assholes, Zhang Hao said. He looked at his teammates and continued, Talking shit like we werent even there. Who do they think they are?

Tang Bingyao nodded and said, Mhm. I dont like them.

Lin Feng scratched the back of his head, confused. He said, I dont get what the problem is. We couldve played against their second team too. He shrugged and continued, We wouldve beaten them and then the main team too. Same result but double the games!

Zeng Rui turned to look at Lin Feng, stunned. Did he just say something sensible? He shook his head. No, that cant be. But it does make sense. He opened his mouth to say something. The words came slowly and were incredibly hard for him to say. But he did. Youre not wrong, Lin Feng. He felt a cold shiver rush up his spine. What did I just say!? He shook his head and continued, Lets crush them and see if they want us to play their second roster next.

An Xin smiled warmly at Lin Feng for perhaps the first time. Then she looked at the rest of the team and said, So we all agree, lets play our absolute best. She then turned to Tang Bingyao and added, And you and I are going to make them pay for looking down on us. Screw them and every other guy who thinks girls cant play video games!