Shi Feng followed her back to the sixth floor of the office building.
The hallway was still completely silent.
Shi Feng stood outside the office door. He leaned against a nearby wall, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Lin Jingjing.
"Do you think he's going to chew us out?" Shi Feng asked.
Lin Jingjing, however, stood before the office door. Without replying, she raised her hand and knocked.
After she knocked, an irritable voice came from inside. "Who is it? Does this never end?"
Then, Captain Li added impatiently, "Come in!"
With permission granted, Lin Jingjing pushed the door open and entered. Shi Feng followed close behind.
'With Sister Lin here, I won't be scared even if we get yelled at.'
When Captain Li looked up and saw it was those two Grade D good-for-nothings, the impatience on his face grew even more pronounced.
His hand on the Controller tightened.
"If this is about adding someone to the team, forget it," Captain Li said, cutting them off before they could speak.
Instead of answering, Lin Jingjing's gaze shifted to the blue screen in front of Captain Li.
But he had a privacy screen enabled, so from Lin Jingjing's angle, it was just a solid blue.
The Controller in his hands was connected to his temples, with the other end linked to the Star Ring on his wrist.
'Judging by the way he's mashing the Controller and his furious expression, he must be having a frustrating time with this game.'
Her gaze fell to the desk in front of him. A crack had appeared on its surface, likely from just a moment ago.
Although Captain Li was in logistics, his spiritual power was high. He had likely been on the battlefield and killed mutant beasts before.
'She didn't know why he'd been transferred to logistics, but it was typical for men to enjoy intense, action-packed games.'
'Captain Li must be playing the combat game, Star Soul.'
'To be this frustrated, he probably failed to defend his base from an enemy attack, or maybe he got ambushed.'
Captain Li continued to pilot his character's warship on the screen, locked in a bloody battle with his opponent.
'He'd stationed a massive force to defend the base. There was no way the enemy could sneak in and destroy it now.'
'I have to win today!'
Seeing that his attention was completely fixed on the screen, Lin Jingjing activated the Star Ring on her wrist.
She opened Star Soul as well, then tapped the 'Nearby' function and found Captain Li.
'Is Sister Lin really this bold?' Shi Feng's eyes widened as he watched her.
'To spectate his match right in front of him!'
"Sister Lin, what are you doing?" Shi Feng whispered, cupping a hand to his mouth and leaning close to her ear.
Lin Jingjing shot him a look. She didn't say anything, merely pursing her lips and pointing a finger at her screen.
The meaning was clear: she was spectating.
The two of them stood there watching Captain Li control his character, charging in for a rampage. He was in a one-on-one match, a type of game that came down to a battle of strategy and mechanical skill.
Unfortunately, Captain Li was a step behind his opponent. While he defended his base well, he forgot that the game is also lost if your character dies.
The few units he brought with him were no match for his opponent's.
Seeing the word 'Defeat' flash across the screen, a furious Captain Li slammed his fist on the desk again.
The crack on the desk grew much larger.
Startled by the outburst, Shi Feng quickly ducked behind Lin Jingjing.
'It wasn't his fault. Captain Li was a mountain of muscle with a face full of stubble, and his anger made him look absolutely murderous.'
'Captain Li was the kind of guy who could send a person flying with a single punch!'
'My own small frame couldn't take a hit like that.'
Having watched the whole thing, Lin Jingjing finally spoke. "Captain Li, would you like me to help you win that match?"
At the sound of her voice, Captain Li looked up. He sized her up from head to toe before scoffing, "You?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"All brawn and no brains, and you got yourself kicked half to death." His tone dripped with contempt and disgust.
"A commander isn't a role some good-for-nothing like you can just step into."
Despite Captain Li's tirade, Lin Jingjing didn't get angry. A polite smile remained on her face.
Shi Feng, on the other hand, got angry. He was clearly terrified, but upon hearing the man slander Sister Lin, he immediately stepped out from behind her.
"It's just battlefield command! Our Sister Lin knows way more than you do! With garbage tactics like the ones you just used, even *I* could beat you!" Shi Feng yelled, standing protectively in front of Lin Jingjing.
The one thing Captain Li hated most was having his tactics criticized, and Shi Feng was currently stomping all over that sore spot.
This made Captain Li's expression darken. He shot a piercing glare in their direction, unleashing the full force of his oppressive aura.
Shi Feng felt as if he couldn't breathe. His legs went weak, and he began to tremble uncontrollably.
He clutched at his throat with one hand while pounding his chest with the other, trying to force air into his lungs.
His face flushed a deep red, but he still couldn't draw a breath.
Seeing this, Lin Jingjing quickly stepped forward, wrapped an arm around his waist, and pulled him back several steps.
Out of the range of the oppressive aura, Shi Feng could finally breathe again, taking in huge, desperate gulps of air.
At the same time, he ranted inwardly, 'You can use spiritual power like that?!'
"Next time, I'll kill you outright," Captain Li said coldly.
Hearing Captain Li's threat, Lin Jingjing just patted Shi Feng's back and smiled at the captain. "Don't be so angry. I have a way for you to win. Do you believe me?"
Captain Li let out a derisive snort, the disdain in his eyes unconcealed.
Knowing Captain Li wouldn't be easily convinced, Lin Jingjing added, "Then let's make a wager, Captain Li."
"If I win, you'll approve my friend's transfer. If you win, we'll both leave voluntarily."
After hearing her proposal, Captain Li hesitated for a few seconds before agreeing.
'He'd been playing this game for years. Beating a greenhorn like her would be a piece of cake.'
"Alright. What are the terms?" Captain Li asked.
Lin Jingjing stroked her chin in thought for a moment. "How about a 1v1 match?"
At this, Captain Li burst out laughing.
"You little good-for-nothing, you've really got some nerve."
Lin Jingjing simply smiled, unbothered by his remark.
"What's the fun without a little thrill?"
"Fine!" Captain Li was amused and immediately agreed. "I'll give you a thrill, alright. Just don't come crying to me when I'm wiping the floor with you."
Lin Jingjing didn't respond, simply holding her hand out to him. "In that case, I'll need to borrow a Controller from you, Captain Li."
Captain Li yanked open a drawer, pulled out an unused set, and tossed it to her. "Here."
He added, "Poor wretch."
Lin Jingjing hadn't gotten angry at any of his other insults, but this one struck a nerve.
'Damn it all, I really am a poor wretch!'
"Haha..." Lin Jingjing let out an awkward laugh.
They both sat down on the sofa. After a quick look at the manual to connect her Controller, she immediately sent a friend request to Captain Li.
He accepted almost instantly and sent her a match invitation.
Upon entering the game, Lin Jingjing looked at the dilapidated buildings and ruined landscape around her and felt a profound sense of immersion.
'It didn't feel like I was playing a game, but like I was actually there.'
'So this is what a game made with spiritual power is like?'