Chapter 4, The Best Friend

After a pause, Xiao Ping looked at Ding Li and said seriously, "Why didn't you tell me you were Ding Jian's brother when you first came to find me? If you had told me earlier that you were Ding Jian's brother, you wouldn't have needed to participate in today's team entry competition at all"

Upon hearing Xiao Ping's words, Ding Li merely smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, Young Master Xiao. In fact, I know that you will eventually find out that I am Ding Jian's younger brother. The reason I did not want to tell you from the beginning is that ever since my brother taught me how to play StarCraft, he has always told me that, just like in StarCraft competitions, everything has its own rules. Therefore, I do not wish to disrupt the rules of the entrance examination. Moreover, I believe I have sufficient strength to pass such an examination"

If at that moment the young man had shown an unnatural expression, MaGic would have been quite confident in defeating this student named Ding Li. However, to MaGic's disappointment, not only was Ding Li, who was sitting, showing no signs of tension, but even a young man standing behind Ding Li, who also appeared to be a student, wore a faint smile on his face, displaying no signs of nervousness.

When the people in the internet café gathered around, MaGic merely stole glances at the young man across from him

In the past, the fastest player in Changsha, who among the interstellar players could forget? Xiao Ping gazed deeply at Ding Li and let out a long sigh, "Moreover, you, hetushu.com, are still my teammate, my best friend during my time in XJ"

* * *

"Not bad, every time he comes home, he talks to me about you all." Ding Li looked into Xiao Ping's eyes, as if trying to see into Xiao Ping's heart through his eyes. "But he is not here now"

In fact, life is the same; everyone experiences periods of tranquility. However, some individuals are content with this tranquility, while others are always dissatisfied during such times

MaGic is a young man who takes great pride in cleanliness. Even when not wearing competition attire, he is always dressed in a spotless white cotton shirt, and his long, strong hands bear not a trace of dirt. MaGic sports a neatly styled short haircut, which gives him an air of aloofness akin to the Protoss from his beloved StarCraft universe.

Although he is merely a player from a Class A club, MaGic is currently in the spotlight. In the recently concluded CPL Cup, he showcased his prowess by defeating several top players from super clubs, making it into the final sixteen. MaGic's Protoss gameplay is exceptionally robust, adept at utilizing low-tier Protoss units, and many commentators regard him as the successor to the veteran Protoss expert Upzealot. He has already become a star in Changsha. Looking across Hunan, there are definitely no more than five individuals who can defeat MaGic.

Ding Li thought it seemed quite good. Just as Fang Yu whispered this to Ding Li's ear, Luo Rou had already walked up to Ding Li and said, "Come with me, Young Master Xiao wants to see you"

It seems that I won't have to compete in the upcoming matches. After seeing Luo Rou, Ding Li immediately smiled secretly at Fang Yu, who was standing behind him.

Indeed. Xiao Ping did not avoid Ding Li's gaze, but instead sighed with regret, saying, "If it weren't for that car accident, he might have already become a superstar like Gao Ming and the others."

MaGic could not help but lift his head and glance at Ding Li, attempting to discern something from Ding Li's expression. However, when MaGic raised his head, he could only see a faint, elusive smile at the corner of Ding Li's mouth

In thirteen minutes, MaGic, who is hailed as the successor to Upzealot and the number one player of the New Power Club, was unexpectedly defeated by an unknown young man. Moreover, this unknown young man only used a dog and a thorned snake throughout the match. Who exactly is this young man? The onlookers gazed in disbelief at Ding Li, who was quietly sitting there.

In the past, like the other members of MaGic and New Power, training and online matches were held on the third floor of the New Power Club. However, Xiao Ping mentioned that Ding Li is not yet considered a formal member of the New Power Club, so, similar to the last time Ding Li came to play, their match was arranged on the second floor of the New Power Club, in the New Power Internet Café. However, Xiao Ping mentioned that Ding Li is not yet considered a formal member of the New Power Club, so, similar to the last time Ding Li came to play, their match was arranged on the second floor of the New Power Club, in the New Power Internet Café

Due to the sudden appearance of MaGic and other members of the New Power and - Picture - Book Club, the few dozen people in the internet café quickly gathered around. The spacious New Power internet café appeared even more desolate.

This question was asked very abruptly and seemed to have no connection to the recent match. However, Ding Li did not appear surprised at all; he merely raised his head slightly and looked directly at Xiao Ping, saying淡淡地, "So, does Young Master Xiao still remember my brother?"

MaGic was also deeply shocked. Although he felt that Ding Li was somewhat different from the average amateur player, Ding Li was merely a student. However, how could a student have such quick reflexes and such excellent skills? Moreover, he was actually using low-level units to engage in a direct confrontation, and he even managed to exhaust himself to death.

When Luo Rou's surprised voice drew Xiao Ping's attention from the paper in his hand back to the screen in front of him, the New Power Internet Cafe was already filled with dropped jaws.

Xiao Ping did not speak immediately; he simply watched Ding Li drink tea in silence. It was not until Ding Li had slowly consumed two-thirds of a cup of tea that Xiao Ping turned to him and asked, "Are you Ding Jian's younger brother?"

Ding Liduan lifted the teacup and took a sip, then glanced at Xiao Ping without speaking. Ding Li knew that even if he remained silent, Xiao Ping would take the initiative to talk to him.

The second match between Ding Li and MaGic was significantly longer than the first. The two players battled for nearly half an hour before a winner was determined

It seems I have to leave first. Fang Yu also smiled and gently said in Ding Li's ear, "Young Master Xiao's taste seems to be quite good"

In theory, Ding Li should continue to compete against MaGic. This is because the new power's entry match is a best-of-seven series. However, just after the second match concluded, and as Ding Li had just put down his mouse and stretched, he saw Luo Rou walking towards him

Although there was only a single sheet of paper, Xiao Ping examined it more carefully than ever before. He did not even notice the display screen showing Ding Li's dog and the thorn snake charging into the MaGic base.

Although it is unclear who Ding Li is, the emergence of MaGic, along with Ding Li's dazzling mouse click speed and screen switching speed during the warm-up, has left every onlooker feeling exceptionally excited

At 9:00 AM, it is the quietest time for the New Power Internet Café. In fact, this is not only true for the New Power Internet Café, but also for other internet cafés in Changsha, which experience similar low business levels at this hour. The reason is simple: the vast majority of overnight patrons have already left, while many daytime users have yet to wake up. Therefore, for an average internet café, having one-third of the seats filled at this time is already considered quite good

Luo Rou is still gentle and beautiful, and the milk is rich and fragrant. On the large LCD screen, the first match between Ding Li and MaGic has already begun. However, what captured Xiao Ping's attention was not these, but a thin piece of paper in his hand

When MaGic saw everyone in the internet café gathering around, he remained silent. As a professional player who had participated in countless live competitions with numerous - illustrations - , MaGic had experienced scenes far more chaotic than this. Such small gatherings were already commonplace for him. MaGic also understood that sometimes the greatest difference between an amateur player and a professional player lies not in skill, but in psychological resilience. At times, a chaotic environment and the feeling of being watched can easily cause an amateur player with inadequate psychological fortitude to perform poorly. MaGic was well aware that the most significant distinction between an amateur and a professional player often resides in psychological quality, as a disordered environment and the sensation of scrutiny can lead to subpar performance from those lacking in mental strength.

* * *

"You are quite right. You indeed possess sufficient strength, and you are very talented. I watched the video of your last match and felt that your skills were still somewhat lacking compared to MaGic. However, I did not expect that you would actually win against him in two consecutive games today." Xiao Ping smiled, but then turned serious and looked at Ding Li, asking, "However, with your abilities, even if you were to participate in the entrance examination for the Super Club, you would likely pass with ease. Why do you want to join my New Power Club?"

A cup of green tea was quickly placed in front of Ding Li. The fragrance wafted gently, the tea was a vibrant green, and it was high-quality pan-fried green tea.

Xiao Ping was watching the match in his office, with a cup of rich milk placed beside him by Luo Rou

"Because my brother told me that you are his best friend in the team," Ding Li said slowly while looking at Xiao Ping, "and also because of the Lion's Wine Invitation Tournament"

At this moment, Ding Li was sitting in front of a computer at the New Power Internet Café, seemingly quite content with this simplicity. Opposite him sat MaGic, the number one player of New Power.