hapter 61
Alice ignored Luke. The dungeon began, and she fought alongside her teammates. Luke, however, stayed close, repeatedly asking, “What do you mean? Are you unhappy with our offer? What do you want?” He was anxious. What if they couldn’t find a replacement before the finals? Alice frowned. Did Luke realize there were other people in the party? Wasn’t he worried about being overheard?
A man’s voice echoed in the party chat.“Hey, isn’t that Landing Team’s captain? You’re recruiting? Be polite!”
Yeah, that attitude is terrible. People think you’re burying someone, not recruiting!”
“Sweet Lemon, consider Blitzkrieg Team! Good pay and reputation!”
Luke exploded at the mention of Blitzkrieg Team. She can’t go there!” She couldn’t go to Blitzkrieg Team! He’d been polite until discovering that “Sweet Lemon” might be Alice. His composure crumbled.
“Captain Luke, that’s a bit much. Sweet Lemon can choose her team.”
“Yeah, do you live by the beach? Mind
your own business!”
Luke was furious. “What’s it to you?!” This streamer might be his sister; he could say whatever he wanted.
Alice sighed. “Stop arguing. The boss is coming.”
“Okay, sis. We’ll give you L break. We’re not afraid of those rich kids.”
Alice, silently, led her team to fight the boss. Luke, angry, tried to solo the boss and team made snarky comments.
got
killed. The
Luke glared at the grayed–out screen. “Damn it!”
His assistant approached. “Boss,” what’s
wrong? The
streamer
won’t
agree?”
Luke rubbed his temples. It’s not about her agreeing anymore.” If this streamer was Alice… he didn’t know what to do.
He thought about Alice’s livestream–her skill, her game knowledge. She seemed professionally trained. He remembered she hadn’t had any professional training! This was strange. This streamer couldn’t be Alice!
If she was Alice, his words would be a joke. He couldn’t face that truth:
He told his secretary, Find someone else.”
“You’re giving up on this streamer?”
*Just
do it! I don’t believe there’s no one else.”
He was seething. Alice’s skill made him even more conflicted. If this was Alice, was she mocking him?
Alice, after finishing the dungeon, saw Luke had logged off. Maybe he felt humiliated? She knew him; he cared about appearances. Was this a slap to his pride? She didn’t care. She felt tired, leaving the study for water. Jack was sitting on the sofa. “When did you get back?” Jack, dozing, opened his eyes at her footsteps.“Just now. You went to school today?” He saw the
1433
college application materials on the table.
Alice nodded. “To get
the forms.”
Garrett emerged from the bathroom, hair wet, in a bathrobe. “Alice, you’re up? Your livestream is blowing up! Tonight will be huge. Nervous?”
Alice glanced towards the balcony, Jack leaned on the railing, his silhouette tall and imposing.
Jack turned
meet her gaze. His eyes were dark. He finished his call.
Alice quickly looked away, noticing his return.
Jack said. “I have to go out. I might not be back tonight.”
Alice said instinctively, “Isn’t school over?”
Garrett coughed.“I need Jack’s help with some business matters.”
Alice didn’t pry. At lunch, she received a call from Shrimp Live. They wanted to discuss a contract. She told Jack.
Garrett said, “Don’t agree yet! Negotiate after tonight’s stream! Don’t let them take advantage!”
Jack said, “We’ll discuss it when I get back.”
After Jack and Garrett left, Alice examined the contract. It was good, but she had to livestream. for hours daily. She needed the money, but her goal wasn’t to be a streamer. She wanted to join the national team!
She logged in to upgrade her equipment. She had hundreds of friend requests! She ignored them all.
A message arrived: [Sweet Lemon, you are amazing! But signing with Shrimp Live is a bad deal! Green Fruit Live is backed by Eclipse Entertainment! You can be a streamer and get into. entertainment!]
Alice replied coldly: [No thanks.]
She checked the top 100 list. Ten had qualified. Tonight, she would battle them. She saw familiar names, guild members, but not “If Time Could Turn Back.” Last time, she’d met that player, and he’d helped her make the top ten. She suspected it was Jack. The timing was off; she wasn’t sure. Had her rebirth changed things?
She felt despondent.
That night, Alice started her livestream; thousands were watching.
[She’s cheating! Tonight, she’ll get caught.]
[Some guys are trash, attacking female players!]
[If she’s not cheating, why doesn’t she show her face? She’s afraid of being exposed as a proxy. player!]
Alice saw
message–three rockets. The top fan. was [Landing Team]-Luke.
Luke wrote: [Sweet Lemon is skilled. I want to sign her!]
The chat blew up. Luke’s account was verified.
Alice smirked.“Let the battles begin!”
Hearing that familiar voice, Luke almost fell out of his chair! Was this Alice?
