Chapter 122: An Unexpected Turn in the Competition

At the commentary desk, Xiao Qi watched Lin Zijin take the driver's seat of the motorcycle and chuckled. "It looks like your 'Master of Bluffs' is feeling playful! Although, it seems like the playfulness might be fading."

After that lighthearted quip, Xiao Qi continued, "The blue zone is closing in, so they should be preparing to move into the safe zone. I think—"

He cut himself off. His eyes were fixed on the game footage, but his expression had gone blank. The analysis he had prepared to deliver seemed stuck in his throat, impossible to utter.

He had watched as Lin Zijin, after starting the motorcycle, did something entirely contrary to his expectations. The poison was already creeping closer, yet instead of making any move toward the safe zone, Lin Zijin—following Yang Hao’s lead—began racing across the hillside.

The viewers watching the stream were left stunned. They had never expected, nor had they ever seen, this side of Lin Zijin. It felt as if she had suddenly transformed into a completely different person.

Meanwhile, at the commentary desk, Xiao Qi’s face burned with embarrassment. He had just confidently predicted her next move, only to be immediately proven wrong. She was out there doing stunts on a motorcycle. He had been slapped in the face by her actions—a literal instant, on-air face-slap in front of countless viewers. How could it be this humiliating?

For some reason, watching Yang Hao and Lin Zijin on screen filled Xiao Qi with a sense of inexplicable frustration. Back in K-City, his analysis of Yang Hao’s battles had been repeatedly debunked. Now, he had merely offered a prediction most people would agree with, only to be shut down by Lin Zijin before he could even finish his sentence. Are these two cursed?

As a renowned commentator, he had never experienced such awkwardness. And yet, this wasn't the first time it had happened in this match—and both of them were on the same team! He had a reputation to uphold, didn't he? Xiao Qi felt like he had no face left to show anyone. He was supposed to be the analyst with unique insights!

*Can’t you two just follow the script?* he thought. He felt like bowing to them both and pleading: *Please, just play along; I have a living to make here!*

Watching Lin Zijin having the time of her life in the game, Xiao Qi’s face twitched. *The poison is almost on top of you, and you still have the heart to mess around?*

He was at a total loss for words. The Lin Zijin in today’s match seemed a far cry from the cold, aloof goddess he had in mind. Watching the motorcycle soar into the air once more, the humiliated commentator decided he had to do something. He cleared his throat and spoke:

"Ahem... it appears that the Goddess is already well-prepared for today’s qualifiers. According to my analysis, their actions might be deliberate..."

He paused intentionally, and the viewers in the chat were clearly hooked. Could there really be some hidden strategy? Relying on his professional reputation, many leaned in, waiting for his explanation.

"Perhaps they have detected enemies lurking nearby and are intentionally racing to draw them out."

Hearing this, many viewers looked at the screen, only to see that apart from Yang Hao and Lin Zijin, there wasn't another soul in sight. They were confused.

Xiao Qi’s voice rang out again. "Or, perhaps they are doing this because their upcoming tactics require mastery of motorcycle stunts, so they are practicing in advance."

"Or maybe, they are—"

After hearing three consecutive theories starting with "perhaps," the audience finally realized what was happening. Xiao Qi was spouting nonsense. He was just making things up with a straight face, and they had actually wasted time thinking about it.

"Wow, the greatest bullshitter in history!"
"Just take the L, it’s not the first time you’ve been wrong. Why be so stubborn?"
"Pfft, damn, Xiao Qi is just trying to save face."
"Scheming commentator, reported."
"I have to hand it to you for bullshitting so confidently!"

The viewers were speechless. This commentator was truly something else. Still, they knew Xiao Qi had his moments of madness, especially when he made a blunder during a broadcast, so his regulars were used to it. The nickname "Comedic Commentator" wasn't earned for nothing.

In the game, Lin Zijin was truly enjoying herself. It had been a long, long time since she felt this relaxed.

Over the years, Lin Zijin had spent countless hours in training and competition. Though she had always been playing games, the feeling had never been like this. Every time she logged in before, it was with a specific purpose—to win glory or to surpass herself. It was her desire for victory and her pursuit of the esports spirit. She had always enjoyed the thrill of competition, but this was different.

She wasn't thinking about championships or personal growth. As she launched the motorcycle into the sky under Yang Hao’s guidance, her mind was completely free. She was just enjoying the ride, the rush of speed, and the unrestrained freedom of the game.

In just a few short moments, Yang Hao had opened a new door for her. Perhaps her shifting mindset allowed for this change; in the past, she would never have let herself go like this. It could only be said that Yang Hao’s influence on her was growing, and the changes she made for him were increasing.

The toxic fog had already engulfed their area. Yang Hao realized Lin Zijin was so caught up in the moment that she had forgotten everything else.

"Cough, the poison is here! We need to move into the circle!"

Left with no choice, Yang Hao had to remind her. Lin Zijin blinked, suddenly snapped out of it, and her cheeks flushed when she realized their situation. Under the erosion of the toxic fog, their health was rapidly dropping. If they didn't move now, they might just die right here.

Just then, Lin Zijin’s expression shifted to one of shock.

A sudden change occurred in the game. A few seconds later, as a notification flashed across the screen, the viewers who had been busy roasting the commentator were left in utter bewilderment.

WTF? What just happened?