It wasn't until I reached the end of Shi Road that I realized there wasn't a single soul around. It was only 5 AM, and no store would be open this early...
Murong Shanshan sighed, thinking, "I didn't expect this, I didn't expect this," but since she was already there, she insisted I stroll the streets with her.
So, we walked all the way from Shi Road to Guanqian Street. The sky began to brighten, and checking the time, it was already past 7 AM.
Murong Shanshan's exam was at 9 o'clock, so the two of them had breakfast at a small shop by the roadside.
As we were eating, heavy metal music suddenly blared from across the street. Murong Shanshan looked at me hesitantly and said, "Does Suning have an event today too? They're open so early! Come on, let's go check it out after we finish!"
I stuffed the last soup dumpling into my mouth. The calories lost from waking up so early were finally somewhat replenished, but looking at the enthusiastic expression of the beauty beside me, I wondered how long these calories would last.
They even set up a stall in such heavy snow; I had no idea what Suning Appliances was up to, but it still attracted a large crowd of early risers.
The red carpet was quickly covered by snowflakes, and staff had to come over and sweep it every few minutes.
The large backdrop was rolled out, and the theme of the event was revealed. Murong Shanshan looked ahead in surprise, pointing a finger: "Isn't that moons constant's promotional image? How come there seems to be a player in it too?"
I followed her gaze and, indeed, the promotional image was of moons constant, and in the middle of the image was a Thief holding a dagger.
The deep blue dagger gleamed with a captivating sharpness, and above this player's head were the four large characters: "Power Hotpot"!
"The number one ranked Chinese player?!"
Murong Shanshan and I said this almost in unison. Several young people around us were also pointing at the promotional image and talking:
"I heard they invited the current top-ranked player to promote their new gaming motherboard equipment. It seems Suning Appliances wants to make a fortune with this host. Just inviting this player reportedly cost nearly a million, and they also want him to endorse this equipment brand."
I looked at the young woman beside me in surprise and said, "Power Hotpot isn't in the Jiangsu area, is he? Why would he spend so much time coming here for promotion."
Murong Shanshan immediately rolled her eyes at me and said impatiently, "Several million yuan! Anyone would go for that. Besides, a flight is only half a day, and sleeping on the plane won't delay much leveling time at all."
"That's true, but endorsement ads will definitely take a lot of time to rehearse. Power Hotpot's number one spot might not be kept."
"Heh heh, even if he can't keep it, it still won't be your turn. Oh, by the way, I've found out some information about Power Hotpot. Are you interested in hearing it?"
Murong Shanshan blinked, revealing a charming smile like an elf, making the few guys nearby look a bit dazed.
Could it be that she was interested in Power Hotpot and even collected his personal information?
In my surprise, I reached out and fastened Murong Shanshan's milky-white scarf. I probably only did it out of friendship, but a blush appeared on Murong Shanshan's beautiful cheeks, which made me feel a little sweet.
For a moment, I couldn't figure out why I was feeling this way. In my impression, she was just my customer.
"Tell me, what information does he have?" I calmed myself down and asked.
"Hmm, let me think ~" Murong Shanshan also helped me brush the snow off my collar, puckering her lips and smiling as she said, "Power Hotpot, original name Liu Xu, was once a professional WAR3 player, ID: FIRE, CEG champion in 2014, WCG China Region champion in 2015.
He is known for his excellent control and very good mental fortitude. His win rate in the league has continuously set new world records. Currently, in "moons constant," he is a formally recognized Thief and holds high prestige in the Southeast region."
Hearing Murong Shanshan rattle off so much as if listing family treasures, I was somewhat surprised: "How do you remember so clearly? Is there any point in investigating him?"
"It's not an investigation; it's just what someone compiled on the forum. There's information on all the top ten players globally."
I was greatly alarmed: "Does that mean there's information about me?"
Murong Shanshan laughed: "Don't worry, you weren't even in the top ten when they compiled that data."
I breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking about Power Hotpot's information just now, I hadn't expected him to be FIRE, who was famous two years ago.
This guy is incredibly abnormal; his control is abnormal, and his dedication is even more abnormal. It's said that to train his mental fortitude, he once played nearly 50 consecutive games against a group of European madmen in the world Battle.net's 高手區 (expert zone) and didn't lose a single game.
Most people would eventually succumb to fatigue and lose a few games in such a continuous battle, but he could persist, which shows his extraordinary diligence.
No wonder his level climbed to the number one position. I wonder if he has had a good night's sleep in the ten-plus days since the game launched.
Power Hotpot himself wouldn't appear at the venue until 9 AM. I looked at my watch; it was almost 8 AM.
Any later, and Murong Shanshan would probably not make it to her exam, and I wasn't particularly interested in seeing his esteemed face.
The snow hadn't stopped, but buses and taxis were already filling the streets, which was convenient for me. I wouldn't have to be dragged back through the snow by the overly energetic Murong Shanshan.
In the taxi, Murong Shanshan said with some regret, "It's a pity I can't see what Power Hotpot looks like. I heard he's a handsome guy ~"
I blurted out, "What's there to see? His face looks like Wu Mengda's. When we ate together before, he scared away all the girls..."
"What? You know him?!"
"No, no!" I hurriedly denied, adding seriously, "I just saw him once in a restaurant. I know him, but he doesn't know me..."
"Tsk~~~ By the way, Lin Fan, I'm treating you to dinner tonight!"
"Treating me to dinner? Give me a reason!" I had a premonition that Murong Shanshan definitely had an ulterior motive.
"Tonight, take me to farm reputation. I've already arranged for Ke Ke to come along." Murong Shanshan smiled sweetly, her delicate face immediately making the driver mesmerized, drooling all over the steering wheel.
I thought about it and replied, "Helping you farm reputation is definitely no problem, but dinner isn't necessary. I can eat at home; no need to go out again. It's troublesome and wastes time."
If Xin Yu and Lu Xuehan knew I was having dinner with another young woman on Christmas Eve, I'd be in for it...
Murong Shanshan was a little disappointed: "Alright then, I'll treat you to dinner another time."
The car stopped in front of XX University. After I paid, Murong Shanshan waved at me and lightly ran into the campus, leaving the two gatekeepers watching in a daze.
"Christmas Eve, I should still spend it with Xue Han and Xin Yu..." I murmured to myself, then turned and headed back to my residence.