Talents Gather

Wednesday, noon.

A row of modest houses by the River Dam, far from the bustle.

Golden sunlight fell before the door, forming a warm, brilliant patch of light and shadow. Uncle Zhang sat at the entrance cracking pumpkin seeds, chatting with Uncle Tang and Teacher Qian. Beside them, the Overlord Dog lay on the ground, pretending to nap. It was a picture of earthly bliss.

Amid this comfort, Jiang Ning's titanium-gray Electric Bike broke the silence of the houses. The Overlord Dog immediately sprang up from the ground to welcome the true master of this land.

Uncle Zhang cursed, "Damn dog!"

Uncle Tang's cat also ran over to pay its respects. By comparison, Uncle Tang himself remained much calmer.

Uncle Zhang deliberately stirred things up. "Old Tang, you can stand seeing that?"

Uncle Tang said, "I've learned to take it in stride."

Following the scent, Xue Yuantong ran into the kitchen and saw her mother cooking at the stove.

She called out, "Mom."

Aunt Gu said, "There are two more dishes to finish. Wait a little longer."

Xue Yuantong had wanted to sneak a bite, but her mother was worried the food would grow cold in the winter weather, so she kept the dishes warm in a covered wok. Her plan failed.

She had no choice but to slip next door to Jiang Ning's house. While she was there, she touched this and fiddled with that, and somehow the computer turned on. So Xue Yuantong had no choice but to reluctantly sit down before it.

A few minutes later, Xue Yuantong held the mouse in CF's Biohazard Mode, inside Silent Village. Carrying a Silver Killer she had gotten from opening crates, she traded with someone for a Cannon Sniper.

After getting the Cannon Sniper, Xue Yuantong used a crouch-jump technique