David Wright couldn’t help but laugh: “That’s way too harsh, I never said that about you. Don’t get mad, don’t get mad, you’re about to go on stage soon, don’t lose your temper. Just go back to sleep, I promise I won’t touch your stuff.”

Henry Clark suppressed his anger, turned up the volume, and closed his eyes again.

Half an hour later, NSN won the first half of the match, and it was IAC and Worker Bee’s turn. Worker Bee’s overall strength was at the bottom of the league, and Henry Clark and his teammates wrapped up the game cleanly in just twenty-three minutes.

There wasn’t much to interview about beating a lower-tier team. After a few bland questions, the four IAC members headed backstage toward their own lounge. Coincidentally, in the not-so-spacious corridor, they ran into the NSN team again.

This time, however, William Harris wasn’t there.

Henry Clark raised his hand to greet Edward Grant. After just a couple of steps, Edward Grant called out, “Henry Clark.”

Henry Clark stopped. The remaining three IAC members looked around, figured it had nothing to do with them, and went back to the lounge first.

With his gear bag slung over his shoulder, Henry Clark turned his head. “What is it?”

Edward Grant said, “Ethan Wood is back, just got off the plane. I’ve booked a place to welcome him. All the old friends will be there, you…”

Knowing what Henry Clark was wary of, Edward Grant gave him a heads-up: “William Harris will be there too, so… are you coming?”

Henry Clark looked at Edward Grant indifferently. “I was never that close with Ethan Wood.”

As if he’d expected this answer, Edward Grant was just being polite. Hearing this, he was about to leave when Henry Clark said, “I’ll go.”

Chapter 7

At 8 p.m., on the top floor of the club where NSN often gathered, a group of internet-addicted youths who had just finished hotpot trickled into the private room and flopped onto the sofas.

Last time William Harris returned to the country, he came back quietly by himself. Even the pro players he used to be close with only found out from the news and never got to meet up. This time, with Ethan Wood returning, everyone managed to show up, so it was a welcome party for both of them.

“Sigh…” Ethan Wood stretched out his legs in satisfaction. “I’ve been craving this hotpot for so long. Feels great. Why are you all so stiff? Sing or something…”

William Harris, Edward Grant, and the other veterans were all on their phones, ignoring Ethan Wood’s noise. Evelyn, Xinran, and a few other newcomers felt awkward being around so many legends, huddled together drinking soft drinks, too shy to pick a song. Ethan Wood got up and picked over a dozen songs himself, shoved the microphone into Evelyn’s arms, and ordered more beer and snacks from the waiter before sitting back down.

Ethan Wood looked around and sighed, “Back in the day, I was pretty popular. Now I come back and not only are there no fans at the airport, but there are barely any people here. Whatever, let’s not talk about sad stuff. Everyone who’s here today is a real brother—let’s have a drink together…”

The veterans kept playing on their phones, ignoring Ethan Wood. The newcomers hurried to drink with him, only to be scolded for drinking soft drinks, so they reluctantly switched to beer.

After chugging half a can of cold beer, Ethan Wood wobbled over and patted Evelyn on the shoulder. “What’s your name again? Wawa, right? Wawa! From now on, you’re my little brother! And… what’s the name of that short guy over there…”

“Not enough people for you?” Edward Grant glanced at Ethan Wood. “Forgot to mention, Henry Clark will be here soon.”

William Harris, who had been looking down at his phone, paused for a moment.

“Henry Clark?!” Ethan Wood froze, looked around, and said, “Didn’t notice before—does this club have security checks? If he comes in with a steel pipe, will security be able to stop him…”

Edward Grant replied calmly, “They can’t stop him. You’ve seen how he fights.”

“That’s exactly why I’m scared! Even ten of me couldn’t take that little punk!” Ethan Wood was exasperated. He glanced at William Harris, subconsciously swallowing. “Let’s be clear, if he’s got a grudge, he should go after the right person—don’t drag me into it.”

William Harris kept looking at his phone. “Coward.”

Ethan Wood rubbed his neck and couldn’t help complaining to Edward Grant: “I already try to walk around him if I can, why are you stirring things up?”

“I honestly didn’t think he’d agree, but I hope he comes. Now that you’re back, you’ll have to see him sooner or later.” Edward Grant looked at Ethan Wood, but his words were aimed at William Harris. “What’s the point of staying like this? Wouldn’t it be better to clear up the misunderstanding sooner?”

Of course William Harris understood Edward Grant’s intention. He shook his head helplessly and sighed, “The problem between us is… there’s really no misunderstanding at all.”

William Harris looked at Edward Grant: “With that brain of his, do you think I could fool him about anything? Or hide anything from him?”

Edward Grant paused and said nothing.

Someone was singing, and the noise in the private room was too loud for the kids nearby to hear the three of them talking. Evelyn put a few cans of beer on the small table in front of Edward Grant, glanced at the three who didn’t look too happy, and said blankly, “Aren’t we drinking?”

“Drink, drink, drink…” Ethan Wood suddenly had an idea. “Right! I’ll get myself drunk first, then find a place to pretend to sleep. I don’t believe he’ll drag me up to beat me…”

Even Edward Grant was getting fed up with Ethan Wood. “Can you stop being such a coward?”

“You don’t get it.” Ethan Wood popped open a can of beer and took a breath. “That little punk… tsk… don’t even mention it.”

Evelyn looked confused. “Are you talking about Brother Shi? Brother Shi is really nice.”