Chapter 33: The Yang Family’s Talent for Mockery

"I’m with Hongxing!" The moment Yang Hao uttered these words, not only did the people opposite freeze in astonishment, but even Zhang Tian standing beside him seemed momentarily at a loss. As for the others, their reactions varied.

After Yang Hao’s calm declaration fell, Yang Yu’s face lit up with excitement, while those nearby appeared somewhat bewildered. The most amusing reaction, of course, came from Yang Yu’s girlfriend, Su Xiaohan. Her lips parted slightly, curiosity dancing in her eyes as she gazed at Yang Hao, unable to stifle a laugh. She had thought Yang Yu’s cousin was rather serious, but hadn’t expected him to be so entertaining.

Taking in everyone’s expressions, Yang Hao cleared his throat softly. Then, using the same insufferable tone as before, he emphasized, "The big boss of Causeway Bay, Yang Haoran!"

As he spoke, Yang Hao deliberately struck a swaggering pose, his eyes drifting to the ceiling, looking down his nose at those across from him. At that moment, he seemed every bit the over-the-top gangster, as if he truly were some local kingpin.

"Yang Haoran?" The group opposite exchanged glances, then turned their eyes toward Zhang Tian, perhaps hoping for some normalcy from him.

To their surprise, Zhang Tian, feeling their stares, straightened his face and snapped, "What are you looking at? I’m with Dongxing!"

That did it—Su Xiaohan, who had barely managed to keep a straight face during Yang Hao’s performance, burst out laughing when she heard Zhang Tian echo the act.

"Sorry..." she murmured, quickly reddening as she realized her laughter was ill-timed given the already tense atmosphere. Embarrassed, she ducked behind Yang Yu. The others, unable to do anything to Su Xiaohan, instead cast odd looks at Yang Hao and Zhang Tian.

Are these two nuts?

"So, Yang Yu, these are the ‘saviors’ you brought?" A voice rang out, and Yang Hao’s attention immediately settled on a boy leading the hostile group.

Yang Hao didn’t know him, but from his behavior, he surmised this must be the main antagonist of the day—a critical player in this encounter. The boy’s tone was laced with disdain, making it clear he looked down on them.

Indeed, nothing about Yang Hao suggested he was any kind of expert. As for Zhang Tian, the other side had initially been wary, but after his antics with Yang Hao, they dismissed their concerns. These two didn’t carry an ounce of a master’s aura—probably just random people Yang Yu had dragged along for show.

"Since your backup’s here, let’s get this over with. Weren’t you the one with a problem? I’ll give you another chance," the school-uniformed youth said, impatience flickering in his eyes.

Yang Hao suddenly made a discovery. While the boy spoke, he kept sneaking glances at Su Xiaohan. But when he looked at Yang Yu, a flash of jealousy and resentment crossed his gaze. If Yang Hao guessed right, this guy was likely another of Su Xiaohan’s suitors, spurned by Yang Yu’s success, now acting out of spite.

Ah! Yang Hao sighed inwardly. Young people these days—so complicated, impossible to figure out...

While Yang Hao lamented his inability to keep pace with the times, Yang Yu, having just been mocked, refused to back down and quickly countered, "What’s the rush? In such a hurry to get yourself beaten? Xu Zihao... heh."

With that, Yang Yu raised his right hand, pointed at his adversary, splayed his fingers, traced a circle, clenched his fist, thumbed up, rotated his hand counterclockwise one hundred eighty degrees, then slammed it down.

Done!

Seeing Yang Yu’s gesture, the other boy’s expression turned thunderous, and those nearby couldn’t help but twitch. Clearly, Yang Yu had mastered the art of riling up his opponents—everyone looked ready to throw a punch then and there.

Watching Yang Yu’s triumphant face, Zhang Tian couldn’t help but twitch his lips. Glancing at Yang Hao, who was enjoying the show, Zhang Tian inwardly marveled: truly a family of provocateurs. Even the most basic taunts, in their hands, could instantly max out the enemy’s ire.

With the trash talk concluded, the actual showdown was not far off.

"Brother Tian, Brother Yang, over here!" One of Yang Yu’s classmates—a notably rotund boy—stood out as he eagerly ushered Yang Hao and Zhang Tian to their computers. Besides Yang Yu and Su Xiaohan, this chubby fellow was the one Yang Hao knew best. When Yang Hao first arrived at Tianhai High, this boy was already Yang Yu’s best friend, so Yang Hao was no stranger to him.

His name was Wang Xin, and he was quite the character, good-natured, and left a positive impression on Yang Hao.

Soon, Yang Hao and Zhang Tian each settled before a computer, joined by Yang Yu and Wang Xin. Clearly, these two would be their teammates in the upcoming game, while the others stood by to watch.

Tianyu Internet Café had its own private rooms, allowing patrons to play together—a signature feature.

"Yang Haoran, is it?" Yang Hao was fiddling with his mouse sensitivity and keyboard settings when a voice interrupted him. He paused—Yang Haoran? That vaguely familiar name was just one he’d made up on the spot earlier. Looking up, he locked eyes with one of Xu Zihao’s allies—a young man who was evidently one of their top players.

"That’s right, I’m Yang Hao... uh, Yang Haoran," Yang Hao replied after a moment’s thought, his tone as exasperating as ever.

"You don’t look like much," the newcomer said arrogantly after sizing up Yang Hao and Zhang Tian. "Let me introduce myself. I’m Gao He, a member of Tianhai University’s esports club."

At the mention of Tianhai University’s esports club, Yang Hao and Zhang Tian exchanged glances and both chuckled. Gao He frowned, clearly displeased with their reaction. This wasn’t how he’d expected things to go.

"Heh," Yang Hao chuckled again.

"What’s so funny?" Gao He demanded, confused.

"I’m saying you—" Yang Hao paused, then added, "are trash."

There wasn’t a trace of emotion in his voice.

Hearing Yang Hao’s blatant mockery, Zhang Tian nearly burst out laughing—truly a family tradition, this art of provocation.

In sharp contrast, Gao He, who’d come over to put them in their place, was so thrown by Yang Hao’s blunt insult that he nearly stumbled. Trash? Damn, so arrogant?

Gao He’s expression darkened. As a top player from Tianhai University’s esports club, few dared speak to him that way.

"I hope you can at least survive till the final round," he shot back.

How lively.

Watching Gao He’s retreating back, Yang Hao couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow.