Chapter 30: The Round of 24 to 12 Is About to Begin

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The news that Wang Changsheng had helped Surrender Your Thoughts defy fate and change his destiny began spreading wildly across the news feeds before anyone knew it.

Every major trending headline was flooded with stories about Surrender Your Thoughts.

Even video platforms were filled with countless edited clips, pouring forth like falling snow.

And there were more every moment.

Werewolf was, after all, the most popular game in this world. Nearly everyone knew how to play it.

Its popularity was so immense that the media willingly camped out at every tournament, waiting for the latest news.

So when Wang Changsheng’s score was revealed, the internet erupted in shock.

Changsheng, Player Seven of Surrender Your Thoughts.

That name was etched deeply into everyone’s memory.

Inside the grand tournament venue, Wang Changsheng returned to the team room.

He was suddenly surrounded by everyone.

“Are you really our Brother Wang? You were incredible! I almost don’t recognize you anymore!” Curly rushed forward first.

Wang Changsheng was taken aback, then smiled modestly. “It was nothing special. I was just a little luckier this round.”

Huang Miaoman approached at that moment. Her nose was straight and elegant, her lips touched with crimson, and a faintly cool severity seemed to cling to her entire bearing.

Yet when she looked at Wang Changsheng, she revealed a gentle smile.

The players behind her all drew in sharp breaths.

“Sister Huang actually smiled at someone! She actually smiled! She’s the Witch Coach! I’ve never seen her smile like that, not even at our former ace!”

A ponytailed young man stared in disbelief.

“Is her smile really that gentle? How have I never noticed how beautiful Sister Huang looks when she smiles?”

The crew-cut player beside him was equally astonished.

“Heh. With the three or five points you usually scrape together, you still expect Sister Huang to smile at you like that? Break a record like he did and bring back a perfect ten. Then we’ll see whether she smiles at you!” another teammate said with a roll of his eyes.

The crew-cut player shrank his neck. “I’ll pass. I only ask that she not tear me apart during regular practice.”

At the thought of the usual Huang Miaoman—the one who would roar at them whenever she spotted even the slightest mistake during the review session—many of the players silently lowered their heads.

“You’ve worked hard, Little Wang. How do you feel? Tired? Would you like some water, or perhaps something to eat? I’ll have them go buy it right away.” Huang Miaoman leaned toward Wang Changsheng with a bright smile, her full figure pressing close as she spoke.

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The players behind her exchanged glances, their faces bitter.

“N-no, thank you.” With Huang Miaoman suddenly so close, Wang Changsheng found himself a little embarrassed.

He touched his nose and discreetly took half a step back.

“I’m neither thirsty nor hungry. It’s just that in a little while… don’t we still have to play the twenty-four-to-twelve round? Coach Huang, have you decided who will be playing?”

Although Wang Changsheng possessed the memories of his predecessor, the man had hardly interacted with Huang Miaoman before.

He had only heard the others say that the coach was terrifyingly strict, like a witch who might devour them alive.

Yet now that he had seen her for himself…

She was clearly a kind and approachable person!

In the end, Wang Changsheng could only conclude that the relationship between the players and their coach was much like that between students and a teacher.

After being scolded by Huang Miaoman for so long, it was natural for them to fear her.

But his predecessor had barely interacted with her and had only met her a few times, so he had never developed that sort of fear.

“As for that, I’ve decided to send you out again. Are you willing?” Huang Miaoman made no attempt to be tactful and simply announced her decision.

As her voice fell, her lashes trembled. Her eyes shifted, and her gaze fixed directly on Wang Changsheng.

She was only five feet seven, while Wang Changsheng stood well over six feet. She had to lift her head and tilt up her fair, delicate face in order to meet his eyes.

“Ah? You still want me to play?” Wang Changsheng paused, then blinked.

He understood Huang Miaoman’s intentions.

After all, he had just scored a remarkable ten points in the previous match.

His popularity was at its peak, and if she sent someone else out now, the audience probably would not be pleased.

“I saw that our official account gained several thousand followers in an instant.”

“That’s right. The comments are all asking Brother Changsheng to start livestreaming.”

“A big part of the reason Sister Huang is sending Brother Wang out again must be because of those fans’ demands, right?”

The crew-cut player, the long-haired player, and several others began whispering among themselves again.

“Since you want me to play, Coach, I have no objections. And even if I can’t earn any faction points next round, I’m confident I can still score enough individual points to satisfy everyone! At the very least, we won’t drop too far in the rankings.” Wang Changsheng smiled.

His tone was calm, but the confidence in his words left Huang Miaoman stunned.

Then she burst out laughing. “Ha! Now that’s ambition! How did I fail to notice you when you were on the substitute squad?”

After laughing for a while, she reached out as if to pat him on the shoulder.

But when she raised her hand, she nearly brought it down on Wang Changsheng’s head out of habit.

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“Ahem!”

Huang Miaoman gave a light cough and finally patted his arm instead.

“You’ve got the spirit I had in my younger days! Once today is over, I’ll throw you a celebratory banquet tonight. And we’ll revise your contract while we’re at it. We can change it right now if you want!”

“Whatever demands you have, just tell me. Anything I can provide, I certainly will. And even if it’s difficult, I’ll do my best to make it happen!”

Huang Miaoman was genuinely frightened.

She had offended someone years ago and had been forced to withdraw from competition, becoming a coach instead.

Even then, the targeting had not stopped.

The ace player she had painstakingly trained was poached.

Then, one after another, the team’s veteran members either chose to leave on their own or transferred to other teams.

She was truly afraid that someone else would set their sights on a promising talent like Wang Changsheng, so she was desperate to amend his contract before it was too late.

Wang Changsheng understood what she meant.

He smiled, his handsome, clean-cut face sharply defined.

“Don’t worry, Sister Huang. If I have any demands, I’ll tell you. And there’s no need to rush the contract. We can discuss it after the match, or tonight. Aren’t you throwing me a celebratory banquet anyway? Are you worried I’ll run away?”

There was a teasing note in Wang Changsheng’s voice.

Huang Miaoman did not take offense. Instead, she laughed and nodded.

“All right, all right. We’ll discuss it tonight. Do you need to prepare now? The match is about to begin.”

“No, there’s nothing to prepare. Just relax, Sister Huang.” Wang Changsheng shook his head.

At that moment, an announcement came over the loudspeaker above them.

A staff member was reminding them to send their player to the battle room.

After hearing it, Wang Changsheng turned back toward Curly, Huang Miaoman, and the others.

“Wait for good news. I won’t let our team be eliminated from this national tournament!”

“Good! We’ll be right here waiting for you!” Moved by Wang Changsheng’s promise, Huang Miaoman nodded vigorously.

Before Wang Changsheng stepped outside, she was silent for a moment.

Then she called after him, “Changsheng, good luck!”

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