Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: When a Boy Begins to Admire Someone

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Shen Xiaokun was stunned, staring blankly at the phone screen on the coffee table. Victory! The announcer’s voice sounded almost mocking. How could a game that seemed destined to be lost end in a win? The only time he had killed anyone in this match was a quintuple kill? This was Shen Xiaokun’s first-ever quintuple kill since he started playing Honor of Kings.

Seeing Shen Qi and Shen Xiaokun’s expressions, Li Huange couldn’t help but ask, “Did they win... or lose?” Zhuo Yiyi exclaimed excitedly, “They won! They won!”

“Huh? They won?” Li Huange found herself unexpectedly happy as well.

Bai Qinghe and Lin Xiaolu seemed a bit taken aback. “Well... if they won, they won. It’s just a game. Besides, is this game even worth playing?”

“Exactly, the real question is why Shen Qi would even let Xiaokun play games, and help him play at that...”

Still excited, Zhuo Yiyi added, “But this actually helps build their relationship. When Xiaokun was in trouble, Shen Qi fought back from the brink and won. Xiaokun must admire him now.”

On the live stream’s comment section, many viewers cheered. Often, even a small event could stir up strong emotions.

[“I really didn’t expect this! As an eight-year veteran, I can say Shen Qi’s Yu Ji’s movements were so slick.”]

[“Every time he used the second skill was perfectly timed! That big flash was beautiful too.”]

[“Looks like when the Queen of Huange isn’t home, Shen Qi has plenty of time to practice and improve.”]

[“This guy really saved face in front of Xiaokun.”]

Shen Xiaokun soon snapped out of it, regret creeping over his face. Had he overreacted just now? Had he accidentally revealed another of Shen Qi’s talents? But this talent... seemed useless when it came to his mother.

“Tch... it’s just a quintuple kill. I get those all the time...” His words carried a hint of insecurity.

Shen Qi didn’t mind and chuckled, “Sure, sure, you’re the best gamer here.”

Shen Xiaokun heard the sarcasm again.

“Let’s play another round! I’ll pick a hero for you, and if you win with a great record, I’ll admire you.”

“Whatever!”

Seeing Shen Qi’s casual attitude made Shen Xiaokun a little angry.

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But soon, Shen Xiaokun realized that Shen Qi’s calmness wasn’t empty boasting—it was real skill.

Shen Xiaokun assigned Shen Qi to play support Liu Chan, but he had to jungle. In response, Shen Qi turned Liu Chan into a whirlwind, spinning around and taking down the enemy’s turrets, finishing with 13 kills and winning decisively.

This utterly stunned Shen Xiaokun, far beyond his understanding of the game.

Unlike the other three observers, Li Huange was somewhat confused but could sense something from everyone’s reactions and the live comments.

[“This breaks my understanding of the game—support can jungle?”]

[“His Liu Chan is a whirlwind, mine’s just a punching bag.”]

[“Every time someone tries to catch him, it’s like he already knows. They can’t catch him, and he’s stealing turrets, totally breaking their defense.”]

[“With this awareness, I feel I don’t even compare to his fifty-star rank.”]

...

Shen Qi laughed lightly and put down his phone, glancing at the shattered confidence on Shen Xiaokun’s face with a smile.

“Trash! Just practice more!”

If this had been said earlier, Shen Xiaokun would have argued back. But now, he had no words. The harsh reality was clear: Shen Xiaokun was just worse than Shen Qi.

Suddenly, Shen Xiaokun lost interest in the game. He sulked and exited the game.

“Tch... what’s the big deal?”

“Nothing special.” Shen Qi replied indifferently.

“You...” Shen Xiaokun’s pale face was full of anger. “Play one more round. I’ll pick another hero for you. If you...”

Shen Qi waved his hand and got up.

“No, no, no. I’ve already proven myself. I don’t need to prove it anymore.”

He left the room.

On the screen, Shen Xiaokun clenched his fists and slammed them hard on the sofa cushion twice.

Li Huange found it both amusing and frustrating.

Li Lei smiled and said, “I’m a guy. When I was five or six, I was just like this—angry, but deep down probably admiring the other person.”

“Maybe I understand Shen Qi’s approach better. When a child admires an adult, it means their relationship is moving toward a positive development.”

Li Huange immediately felt encouraged. Li Lei was right, and she truly believed Shen Qi was that intelligent. Now she was certain of Shen Qi’s intentions, feeling a bit reassured.

“No, no, no, I have a different opinion!” Bai Qinghe shook her head. “I think Shen Qi’s way of handling Xiaokun is a blow to him! It will only make the kid more insecure.”

“I agree with Actress Qinghe!” Lin Xiaolu chimed in. “The mistake started when Shen Qi didn’t stop Xiaokun from playing games.”

Zhuo Yiyi couldn’t stand it any longer.

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“I actually think Shen Qi did the right thing. It lets Xiaokun admire him. Maybe that’s how boys see the world.”

“Besides, a little setback might make Xiaokun lose interest in gaming. That might be more effective than forcing him not to play.”

Sure enough, Shen Xiaokun didn’t continue playing afterward.

He came downstairs and saw Shen Qi holding the key to a mini motorcycle, ready to go out.

“Xiaokun, can you ask your mom if she’s coming home for dinner tonight?”

“Oh...”

Everyone in the studio turned to look at Li Huange. She took out her phone and soon received a call from Shen Xiaokun.

Then their conversation played over the studio speakers.

“Mom, are you coming home for dinner tonight?”

“Xiaokun, Mom’s got work tonight. I probably won’t be home until midnight. If you want anything, tell Dad, and he’ll make it for you.”

“Oh...” Shen Xiaokun’s tone dropped.

You could tell he relied on Li Huange a little.

Li Huange’s heart softened. “Xiaokun, what did you and Dad do today at home?”

Shen Xiaokun’s eyes lit up at first. He thought of the secret he shared with Shen Qi, the secret that could help Li Huange. But then his gaze drifted away.

Many viewers understood this was Shen Xiaokun struggling. Because of his pact with Shen Qi, he wanted to tell Li Huange something but felt conflicted.

“Nothing... nothing much...”

“Really?” Li Huange smiled and asked again on purpose.

Finally, Shen Xiaokun spoke with a hint of anger, “Mom, I’m telling you, Shen Qi is so mean! I didn’t wash the dishes this morning, and at lunch, he wouldn’t let me eat!”

“I had to wash his socks before I got to eat breakfast! I’m so miserable.”

Li Huange laughed, “I’ll get him when I get home! I’ll get revenge for you!”

“Ah? N-no need...” Shen Xiaokun quickly said, “Actually, Shen Qi... is pretty good...”

Li Huange was surprised.

It was the first time she’d heard Shen Xiaokun somewhat defend Shen Qi.

“Oh, by the way, Shen Qi scammed me out of 500 yuan this morning...”

“...”