Straight Man Gets Reincarnated into an ABO Novel and Ends Up with His Rival - Chapter 17

The finals were in full swing when a quiet drizzle began outside.

Fans who had come to watch the offline event hurried for cover, gathering in the outer hall. The place remained calm and orderly until the match ended.

As soon as the players exited, chaos broke loose.
Reporters rushed forward to grab interviews, fans crowded around, and the security staff struggled to maintain control.

Eventually, the organizers stepped in, escorting the contestants out through a private passage and postponing interviews to backstage one-on-ones. Only then did things finally settle down.

Wang Bupo’s performance that night was outstanding. He’d climbed from tenth place on the scoreboard to fifth.

Though the media spotlight focused mostly on the top three, he drew no less attention after all, he was the only Omega among the top ten. In a field dominated by Alphas, that alone made him stand out as brightly as the two celebrity players who had once made their names on the popular streaming platform “Moya.”

TimeGod International’s GK Club had always been the dream destination for countless Gun God players. Many skilled gamers refused to sign with other clubs, waiting instead for a chance to join GK.

TimeGod rarely extended invitations so the National Tournament was everyone’s best shot at getting noticed.

Wang Bupo, however, had no patience for on-camera small talk. He politely turned down the interview meant to boost his popularity and slipped out with Fu Jing through the back exit.

Outside, the drizzle hadn’t stopped. Autumn’s chill was palpable the light rain, the wind brushing fallen leaves along the pavement, and the faint rumble of empty stomachs combined into a quiet, lonely kind of night.

Fu Jing held a borrowed umbrella, the two of them walking side by side through the misty rain unaware that someone was watching them from above.

“Brother, what are you looking at?”

Shi Yi walked over to Shi Li, who stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of Starlight Tower. Outside, neon lights shimmered against the wet streets below.

“Nothing,” Shi Li replied, turning from the window. “Is everything downstairs under control now?”

“Already taken care of.”

Shi Yi gave his older brother a sidelong glance and silently smirked. No wonder Brother Shen had left back then who wouldn’t, with a workaholic gamer like him?

Later that evening, Wang Bupo found a noodle shop. He and Fu Jing sat down to eat.

“Feels like taking first place is still a bit out of reach,” Wang Bupo admitted, frowning. Close combat wasn’t his strength if he ran into a powerhouse up close, it’d be a tough fight.

“Then just take second,” Fu Jing said flatly.

He sounded so calm that anyone listening might think he had total confidence in Wang Bupo. In truth, he was just agreeing absentmindedly.

“Second place and third place get the same prize money,” Wang Bupo muttered. “Might as well take third at least I won’t be mad about missing first by an inch.”

“Fine,” Fu Jing said, still sounding indifferent.

Wang Bupo rolled his eyes dramatically.

“You done eating?” he asked, eyeing Fu Jing’s bowl.

“Mm.”

Since he hated wasting food, and Fu Jing had left half his noodles untouched, Wang Bupo dutifully finished them off.

He’d already noticed Fu Jing was a picky eater no matter where they went, he always left something behind. Which, naturally, Wang Bupo always ended up eating.

As they passed a familiar cake shop Jellycat Cake, the same chain he’d visited before he stopped.

“Wanna go in?” he asked.

“What?” Fu Jing’s tone was guarded.

“Don’t play dumb,” Wang Bupo said, catching the way Fu Jing’s eyelashes fluttered as he sneaked a glance toward the display window.

“If you want to eat, I’ll… reluctantly join you,” Fu Jing muttered stiffly.

“Then we won’t eat,” Wang Bupo said with mock seriousness, watching the faint crack form on Fu Jing’s face.

He burst out laughing. “Come on, what’s there to be embarrassed about? Liking cake doesn’t make you any less of a man.”

Fu Jing’s expression darkened, and he subtly tilted the umbrella away from Wang Bupo. The rain had nearly stopped, but Wang Bupo yelped anyway, covering his head.

“Hey! Don’t ruin my hair I just washed it last night!”

The shop clerk smiled politely. “Hello! Would you like to try our new red velvet cupcakes?”

“Sure,” Wang Bupo said, pointing through the glass. “We’ll take one each of vanilla, orange, grapefruit, and that new one.”

Four dainty cupcakes fist-sized, perfectly frosted cost him a hundred yuan.

Fu Jing really did have expensive taste. Still, considering all the trouble he’d gone through because of Wang Bupo’s “condition,” a few cakes were worth it.

The rain lingered throughout the finals. By the last day, anticipation was electric both commentators and the live chat were on fire. Tonight would mark a historic moment.

Wang Bupo was unusually high-spirited. Maybe it was because of how deeply Fu Jing had bitten during the last temporary mark, but he felt warm all over relaxed, sharp, completely in the zone.

He got lucky early in the match, snagging an AWM sniper rifle from airdrop loot. Wearing a ghillie suit, he hid in an unexpected spot perched high up in a tree.

The final circle landed on a hillside. Most players lay prone in the grass or hid behind boulders. Within minutes, only three remained: Gu Chengyu, Ji Xiao, and Wang Bupo. The tension was electric.

The camera panned to Gu Chengyu kill leader, first in points. Ji Xiao and Wang Bupo were tied in kills, but Wang Bupo had slightly higher damage.

[Player #33 used a 98K to knock down Player #09!]

Commentator: “Gu Chengyu takes out Ji Xiao! That puts him firmly in first place for kills—”

[Player #77 used an AWM to eliminate Player #09!]

Commentator: “Wait Wang Bupo snatched the kill! He’s tied with Gu Chengyu in kills, but his damage is half a point lower. Only ten seconds left both have each other in their sights!”

Ten… nine… eight…

Three, two, one.

[Player #33 used a 98K to knock down Player #77!]
[Player #77 used an AWM to eliminate Player #33!]

Commentator: “Gu Chengyu didn’t land a headshot! Wang Bupo’s AWM hit home he’s the new national champion!”

At that very moment, major gaming sites crashed under the flood of viewers. The broadcast froze on Wang Bupo’s victory screen.

“President Shi, the award ceremony is ready to begin.”

“Alright.” Shi Li turned from the massive LED screen and headed for the stage.

To prevent another overcrowding incident, only authorized personnel and top media outlets were allowed into the venue.

After leaving the stage area, Wang Bupo looked around for Fu Jing but was quickly stopped by staff. They said the awards would start soon and led him to the front hall.

He texted Fu Jing to wait for him in the lounge it’d only take ten minutes, tops.

He didn’t expect it to drag past half an hour. The system had crashed, delaying the broadcast.

Maybe it was the repeated temporary marks, or maybe the last one had gone too deep, but Wang Bupo’s senses were unusually sharp tonight.

Every scent in the crowd Alpha pheromones, Beta sweat hit him at once, making him lightheaded.

Should’ve stolen Fu Jing’s jacket, he thought sourly.

Then came the announcement:
“Please welcome President Shi to deliver the closing speech and present the awards! Winners, please come onstage!”

[It’s time! TimeGod’s finally here!]

[Crying! It’s been half a year since we last saw him at the international championship!]

A tall man in a perfectly tailored white suit stepped onstage. His slender fingers held the microphone gracefully. His side profile was sharp as a blade, gold-rimmed glasses softening the edges of his calm, refined aura.

“Congratulations,” he said, handing over the trophy.

“Thank you,” Wang Bupo replied brightly, unaware that the man’s hand had paused ever so slightly at the sound of his voice.

“Now let’s invite our champion, Wang Bupo, to say a few words!” the host announced.

Wang Bupo took the mic, his grin bright and boyish.

“I really want to thank my good brother, Fu Jing. Without the 500 yuan he lent me, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Half this award belongs to him!”

The comment section immediately exploded:

[Wife!! She’s so cool!! Aaaaah!!]
[Wait, 500 yuan?? Our poor wife had it so rough before?? My heart hurts!!]
[Wife!! Come home with me, I’ll make money for you!!]

Wang Bupo had no idea that his fans all called him “Wife.”

The nickname had started because “Bupo” sounded close to “婆” (wife), but it stuck because he was an Omega who had shattered the stereotype that “there are no Omegas in esports.”

After the ceremony, he hurried backstage and found Fu Jing sitting in the lounge, frowning at his phone.

“What’s with that face?” Wang Bupo leaned over his shoulder. “Did the world end while I was gone?”

“They’re calling you ‘wife.’”

“…What?”

Snatching the phone, he saw the barrage of comments still flooding the stream:

[Where’s my wife? (Confused)]
[Where did my wife go? (Angry)]
[Why was my wife’s interview so short?! (Furious)]

Wang Bupo’s face darkened instantly.

Wife? He was a man! If anything, he should be the husband!

Then he noticed another detail Fu Jing’s phone was old and cracked, the corners worn smooth, screen covered with scratches. His own wasn’t much better.

He decided then and there it was time to buy them both new phones.

When they finally got home, Wang Bupo received an email from GK Club—an official invitation to sign a contract three days later at Starlight Tower.

Winning a championship, prize money, and now a job offer all in one week—he was thrilled.

To celebrate, he treated Fu Jing to a fancy dinner, then bought beer and barbecue for a second round at home. Since it was Friday and Fu Jing didn’t have class the next day, he insisted on celebrating properly.

“Your face is red. You drunk?”

“No.” Fu Jing’s voice was steady, though his skin felt oddly warm. He hadn’t drunk much wine earlier, and this beer was mild but something in him felt… off.

Across the table, Wang Bupo had already finished three or four bottles without even flinching, his lips flushed and glossy under the light soft-looking, distractingly so.

What the hell was he thinking?

Fu Jing shook his head, deciding he must be tipsy after all, and excused himself to shower.

But once under the water, the warmth only grew stronger. His head began to spin, and his body felt strangely out of control…