Warm Water Spirits

Aunt Song opened the door.

One big person, one small person; the looks on both of them weren’t good.

Aunt Song went to stroke the little one’s head. “What’s wrong, Yunqi?”

Jiang Yunqi didn’t speak.

Pei Zhe took off his coat and hanged it up, then without turning his head, he directly went to his study, closing the door behind.

“Pei ge is angry. I said I won’t go to college. He got angry.” Yunqi said and looked at the closed door, also feeling a little angry.

Aunt Song couldn’t help but smile and led him to the dining area.

“Your gege is doing it for your own good. How can you not go to college? Otherwise, what are you doing in senior high?”

Jiang Yunqi thought that senior high wasn’t what he wanted to pursue either. Neither did the first and second years of high school. Everyone told him to study, but he didn’t want to at all.

But this was something Jiang Yunqi wouldn’t say out loud. Because the last time he said it, he also got a “Jiang Yunqi”.

There were fresh fruits on the dining table. Aunt Song told Jiang Yunqi to sit down and eat while she went to the kitchen to bring out the freshly made snacks. “What did you have for a dinner? Eat some fruits then go, do your homework. Or you can do it later since it’s friday. Go and apologize to your Pei ge.”

“He won’t talk to me.”

The congee he had earlier was a little salty. The red pomelo was sweet and sour. Jiang Yunqi ate more than half in on breath.

“Leave two for your Pei ge. This,” Aunt Song filled the plate with 5 or 6 glutinous rice pumpkin snacks and continued, “bring them too. See if your Pei ge isn’t busy, then have them together with him.”

Jiang Yunqi took one. It was fragrant and soft. He said with a smile. “Then I won’t do homework today.”

“Don’t do it, don’t do it. Come on, go in.”

When Jiang Yunqi knocked at the door, Pei Zhe was sitting on the sofa beside the desk. He was handling the data sent by Yu Chengan through email. For two days, he had not gone to the Department and needed to complete the report by Monday.

The spacious desk in front of him had been occupied by Jiang Yunqi.

There were 7 or 8 exercise books; biology, physics, geography and physics books, as well as the old books of first and second year’s language, English and mathematics piled high into dangerous building than seemed like with one touch they’d all collapse.

At one side, there were a few stacks of randomly folded monthly test papers. Each drawer when opened was a sight too horrible to endure*. The most recent Chinese essay topic was: Dreams and the Present. In the 800 characters/words essay, Jiang Yunqi wrote 45 characters/words including the copied title and instructions written at the bottom.

(*spectacle too horrible to endure 惨不忍睹: tragic sight)

Pei Zhe stood in front of the desk for a moment, undid his cuff links, folded them up and helped Jiang Yunqi put away the test papers. The books that were about to fall were properly divided into three neat stacks according to the year/grade. Then, as usual, he took out his laptop from a drawer and went to the side to deal with business matters.

A few minutes later, the city’s criminal investigation team’s deputy head, You Kuang, send over the surveillance data of three months –from September to November — through internal email.

“…following the first sighting of Jiang Zhenghe at the border on December 23 last year, the number of appearances in the mainland China was twice this year. The recent one was on August 13. Guangan district, Xicheng Middle Road, at the electronic repair camp, surveillance caught 4 seconds of appearance. As of 16:00 today, there were no abnormalities.”

“No contact with Jiang Yunqi.”

“No unusual military ‘firearms’ transaction channels.”

“Should we continue to follow/track Jiang Yunqi?”

Pei Zhe finished checking the data, replied with a confirmation.

In the encrypted email, there were also three months of surveillance and tracking photos.

The photos showed that Jiang Yunqi had been going to and from school alone. His face was expressionless. The classmates in front were also ignored. He wore headphones, his head lowered and playing on his phone.

Pei Zhe thought, from next week, Jiang Yunqi would be prohibited from taking his mobile phone to school.

“Pei ge?”

Jiang Yunqi stood at the door, holding some red pomelo and pumpkin snacks. Seeing Pei Zhe look up at him he said, “Aunt Song said to give you something to eat.”

Pei Zhe stared at him, Jiang Yunqi looked away, eyes falling on the desk. He thought for a moment then said, “My…friend and I made an appointment to play game at 8:30…”

“Not going to do homework?”

“Today is Friday.”

“You don’t have to do homework on Friday?”

Jiang Yunqi didn’t say anything. What could he say. He walked over and placed fruit and snacks in front of Pei Zhe, sincerely saying, “I’m sorry.” Then, reluctantly, he quickly added, “Aunt Song told me to apologize to you.”

“Pei Zhe almost smiled, but he still kept his face very serious. “Aunt Song told you to apologize for what?”

“After attending senior high, I’ll go to college. She said you mean well for me.”

Pei Zhe saw through him but didn’t lay him bare. He lowered his pressuring gaze which was no longer fixed on Jiang Yunqi, and continued to check email. “En.”

“What do you think?”

Jiang Yunqi sat beside Pei Zhe. Like a small animal, he extended his neck to look at the screen, but he couldn’t make any sense. The screen was filled with densely packed data and stamped documents.

Jiang Yunqi’s gaze turned back again on Pei Zhe who was working. His eyes fell on his steady and calm face. The light from the computer screen reflected in his eyes which were sharp and clear. Even in the warm comfort of home, Pei Zhe still conveyed an overly alertness and prudence while handling work.

The room was quiet. The snacks and fruits sweet smell faintly permeated the air.

Jiang Yunqi for no reason felt frustrated. He hugged his knees and looked at the carpet and sullenly said, “I’ve no idea.” He paused, racked his brain to remedy the situation and continued in a low voice, “Pei ge, don’t be angry every day.” If paid close attention, one could detect little grievance from his tone.

Pei Zhe immediately laughed in anger*. His laughter was low. But he didn’t look away from the screen.

(*气笑 qi xiao: to be angry about something but also find it laughable)

“Angry every day? Am I that short-tempered?” After thinking about it, he acted as if taking things seriously and said, “Yes, luckily you’re not in front of me every day. Gege is only angry once a week. It’s okay. Anger won’t kill.”

Jiang Yunqi: “…”

Jiang Yunqi became even more sullen. Pei Zhe stroked his head twice then got up to go to the opposite bookshelf to get documents.

A few seconds later, the computer screen went black, going into standby mode.

Jiang Yunqi stretched his hand and pressed; the screen lit up again.

While Pei Zhe stood in front of the bookshelf, rummaging, Jiang Yunqi helped him keep the screen on by touching it several times.

When he came back, Pei Zhe was amused and laughed lowly. “Didn’t you say you have an appointment to play game at 8:30?”

“Jiang Yunqi looked up. “You said you won’t allow me to play games.”

“Well, today is the last day. Starting tomorrow, the phone will be disconnected from the internet.”

Jiang Yunqi: “…”

“Go ahead.”

Jiang Yunqi felt very bitter. Very young.

A few minutes later than the scheduled time, Jiang Yunqi opened ‘Battle Sniper’ US server, LK didn’t send a team invitation. Even the avatar was gray indicating that the person wasn’t online.

Jiang Yunqi waited for a while.

He rarely came to the US server, so he only played solo. His hand slipped and immediately, he was matched and put into a 4-player squad which had a German, Russian, and an American player. In the middle of tittle-tattle of Three Kingdoms’ languages, Jiang Yunqi completely gave up the team spirit and in a 4-player team played as a single player. Although he finally won the championship, but he didn’t want to do it again.

But the ID ‘Yun Qi” was too noticeable. Just as he had gone online, people continuously pestered him about forming a team. Just like LK earlier had continued to call him out, “Yun Shen”.

In Asia server, Yunqi was ranked in the top 10. In US server, he was also in the top 20. The 4-squad team match Jiang Yunqi didn’t want to do again, he also caused a stir right away.

The most commendable was Jiang Yunqi’s hand speed. It could be said as terrifying.

The fastest time, including side-shots, 16 rounds per second.

In the blink of an eye, the opposite side would become sieve.

Jiang Yunqi waited for a while but LK still wasn’t online.

At some point, Pei Zhe had brought in a cup of tea. As he passed by the tidied-up desk and Jiang Yunqi in front of the computer, he looked at the screen. “US server?”

Jiang Yunqi nodded. “The appointment is in US server. But the person hasn’t come yet.”

Pei Zhe nodded, expressionlessly reminded, “Cherish this last one. Go to bed at ten o’clock sharp.”

Jiang Yunqi: “…”

People kept bombarding him on the screen-interface to form a team.

Pei Zhe suggested, “Then play while waiting. When the other person comes, properly explain to them that you’ve to prepare for the college entrance examination and is not allowed to play.”

Jiang Yunqi stared at Pei Zhe’s reflection on the screen and didn’t dare to look back at the person directly.

“Do you want to play in the US server?”

Jiang Yunqi turned back.

“I can translate for you.”

Pei Zhe looked as usual, “After all, it is Yun shen’s battle of retirement for college entrance examination. I will participate in this historical moment.”

Jiang Yunqi seethed. After the moment, he nodded angrily.

Pei Zhe couldn’t help but smile. He sat down on the sofa, lowered his head and turned the page, “Let’s begin.”

Jiang yunqi randomly accepted the 4-players squad tournament invitation.

Yunqi was number one. The next three players: number two and three were Americans; number four was German but was able to speak English with heavy accent. Pei Zhe noticed that, when communicated by himself, he switched to German.

The onlookers said: It is worthy of being Yun Shen(Cloud God). Even bring his own simultaneous interpreter.

Out of twenty-five teams, in first round, seven were eliminated.

In the first round, Jiang Yinqi’s team was lucky to be in the center of the circle. In the second round, the circle began to shrank in the upper left corner. Jiang Yunqi didn’t choose to leave immediately and asked No. 2 to drive the car to the first floor of the garage in order to prepare for to eliminate, then left. No. 3 squatted on the roof, counting people’s heads and their location. He and No. 4 sniped at the other teams.

The original plan was flawless, waiting for the opportune time to earn the headcount points. Just as Jiang Yunqi went around to the edge of the circle behind the three-story building, a sudden successive three-rounds of shots directly hit him, making him lose more than half of blood.

Instant kill information update: [Pilu hit Yun Qi with M24]

Jiang Yunqi remembered that LK mentioned that P11, the strongest team in Asian Server, would be training today in the US server.

“There’s someone on the third floor.”

Jiang Yunqi opened the first aid kit, put on bandages and took painkillers, “It should be M24, 4X scope.”

Pei Zhe bowed his head to turn the page while he also followed up.

A second later, No. 3 sent the exact location, “330.”

“Smoke in the direction 105.”

Jiang Yunqi took two steps backward, smoke spread. He continued to retreat, all the way back to the original starting position, crouched down and listened for the movements. The other side thought Jiang Yunqi would use the smoke to hide and take advantage of the opportunity to sneak upstairs, but instead Jiang Yunqi went down the stairs, passing the second-floor window –

Boom!

[Yunqi used S763 to eliminate Pliu]

His teammates exploded. Who didn’t know that Pliu was the vice-captain of P11, and ranked 6th in the Asian server.

“Your teammates are praising you.” Pei Zhe briefly translated.

“Thank you.” Jiang Yunqi smiled and quickly looked back at Pei Zhe with bright eyes.

Pei Zhe curved the corner of his mouth. “I saw, not bad.” Then they both heard the sound of footsteps, “What instructions does Yun Shen have?”

The third round started and good luck came to an end. Jiang Yunqi’s team was thrown out of the circle.

“Withdraw.”

Pei Zhe smiled and translated accordingly.

P11’s three remaining members got into a battle with Jiang Yunqi. They drove all the way, tailing behind, and blew one of their tires also shot No. 2 American player who showed his head in anger.

Just as cursing came to his mouth, Jiang Yunqi felt Pei Zhe’s chilling voice.

Jiang Yunqi bit his tongue and shut up, shrank back and obediently directed the drive.

The remaining three players in P11 were also hit by several scattered teams on the hillside and their tire was hit too.

Jiang Yunqi took three head from the scattered teams.

By the end of the third round, there were four teams left.

P11 was really unlucky in this round. They got ambushed on the highland and a hand grenade directly eliminated one of their members. There were only two of them left.

The No. 4 German player of Jiang Yunqi’s team was also eliminated.

The last circle was either the highland or the mine not far from the high land.

Jiang Yunqi led the No. 3 American player down the back slope.

The rest of P11 followed them.

Jiang Yunqi didn’t attack them.

There were still people on the high grounds with unknown gun types. And if their scope was good enough, and if he leaned his body to snipe at P11, he’d be taken out by the others.

Besides, there were only two of them left.

The last circle was at the mine.

Jiang Yunqi easily took care of the highland team that was eager to go downhill.

Only P11, No.1 in Asian server, was left.

“Go around the circle. Enter 105 direction. Smoke at 345 first—”

Bang!

[Pyan eliminated Amaz with AKM]

Amaz was Jiang Yunqi’s No.3 American teammate.

Only last three people remained.

Jiang Yunqi knew he was surrounded.

Solving one is one.

The whole mine was a well-shaped depression.

Jiang Yunqi was very familiar with the best ambush position, once up, at the high position and snipe towards the bottom. One doesn’t have to hit. As long as one disrupted the formation, one can directly take the head from the high place.

If he guessed right, as long as his hand was fast and comes out for a second…

Jiang Yunqi planned to give it a try.

He guessed wrong.

P11 is deserved to be the No.1 in Asian server and was far more skilled than the amateur players like Jiang Yunqi in tactics.

Although Jian Yunqi was also outstanding, but four-player game was about a teamwork.

If Amaz weren’t dead, there was still a chance to turn things around.

[Pxue hit Yunqi with A74]

A74 didn’t have a silencer.

[Yunqi eliminated Pxue with S763]

There was one left.

Jiang Yunqi didn’t immediately use first aid to replenish. The sound of footsteps was very close—

A second later.

Who knew how Jiang Yunqi was able to identify and snipe—

[Yunqi used S763 to eliminate Pyan]

Tournament result update: [Yunqi has won]

Immediately after, the championship trophy appeared on the screen, zooming.

Jiang Yunqi turned around, “I won!”

“Yes,” Pei Zhe smiled. “It was wonderful.”

Yunqi was very happy.

Pei Zhe put down the documents in his hand, approached, and stroked Jinag Yunqi’s head. “Go brush your teeth, wash your face and go to bed early.”

“…”

Yunqi blinked. After confirming that Pei Zhe wasn’t joking, he sighed, and got up to leave.

Suddenly, there were constant beeping sounds.

The No. 3 American player who was in Jiang Yunqi’s team earlier, sent a friend request and also sent a long message full of exclamations marks and emoticons.

Jiang Yunqi understood ‘make*’ and ‘friend*’.

This level of English wasn’t a problem, he thought.

Followed by a word ‘boyfriend*’…boyfriend?

(*** these words were originally written in English)

Jiang Yunqi looked up at Pei Zhe who was looking at the screen with a slight frown.

“What did he say?”

Pei Zhe walked around Jiang Yunqi, closed the interface and deleted the application. And the screen completely went black after two seconds. One hand pushed Jiang Yunqi to walk out, he indifferently said, “Nothing.”

“Make friends?”

Jiang Yunqi remembered what Pei Zhe said earlier about making more friends. He looked up and said, “I have not made foreign friends. Could also practice spoken English—”

“You don’t need to make this friend.” Pei Zhe looked down at him, saying seriously, “Don’t pay attention to him when you go online. You can practice spoken English with me. I’m better than him.”

“…oh.”

The Author has something to say:

Jiang Yunqi’s diary:

I played game with Pei ge today! Pei gege was so handsome!

T/N: I have not played pubg or any such games. So translating that game-play section was hard. Not sure if I did it well. Anyway, the game thing is only the side thing in the story, so forgive me if I got things wrong. If I had an editor who had played pubg, that’d have been helpful.