A Spilled Cake, Streamer Shenanigans, and a New Encounter

“What’s wrong, oh my, is this…?”

Zi Yun’ai, who had just finished her phone call, jogged over. She spotted the small cake, now scattered and quietly resting amidst a pile of broken porcelain shards.

“Did it fall on the ground? What a pity~ As long as you’re alright.”

Zi Yun’ai pulled Qing Zixi aside, watching the assistant and cleaner clear the floor. A slight twitch appeared at the corner of her eye.

‘Sigh, I really wanted to eat it! My little sister Xier’s handmade, heart-shaped cake! Why did it have to fall on the ground?!’

‘Little sister Xier, though she appears delicate, isn’t careless at all…’

‘I really want to lick it clean!’

‘Forget it… there’ll be plenty of opportunities in the future, and besides, no one else got to eat it either.’

Zi Yun’ai consoled herself internally. At least, on the surface, no unusual expression could be discerned on her face.

“It’s nothing…”

Qing Zixi sounded a little glum.

“Good, it’s good that nothing’s wrong. If my fans were to get hurt because of a show I arranged, I’d be so sad I wouldn’t eat or sleep for a week.”

Zi Yun’ai reached out, cupping Qing Zixi’s small face.

“Ai has to go to her next event…” Then, she turned, waving to the audience. “If you get the chance, remember to come to Ai’s concert~”

“We will!”

Watching the passionate crowd enthusiastically wave back, Ai placed her hands over her chest, blinking as she formed a heart shape.

****

The event concluded with a final, roaring climax of cheers. Zi Yun’ai, her face shadowed with a dark expression, then entered her car.

“Sakuya, the video.”

“Master, the end of the event was just before you received the call. This means that what happened afterward was not filmed.”

The silver-haired girl driving in front spoke expressionlessly, as if she could see into Zi Yun’ai’s thoughts.

The car window was open a crack, her short hair fluttering in the airflow.

“Tsk.”

Zi Yun’ai leaned back in the rear seat, her expression fluctuating between gloom and irritation. After drafting and sending a comforting text message, she closed her eyes.

‘Ugh, why am I, why am I getting angry? Being glum just because Zi Yun’ai didn’t get to eat the cake would make me seem so petty!’

Lying in bed, Qing Zixi received Zi Yun’ai’s comforting text message and immediately cheered herself up again.

‘Exactly, *she* should be the one who’s upset.’

‘Me… me…’

Qing Zixi bit her lip, then quickly drafted a message.

[I’m not sad at all. On the contrary, don’t you, you ‘loser’ older sister, secretly cry by yourself just because you couldn’t eat the adorable little sister’s heart-shaped cake.]

Upon receiving an angry emoji from Zi Yun’ai, Qing Zixi’s mood instantly brightened.

‘Ha! That’ll teach you for teasing me behind my back earlier.’

Qing Zixi shed her beautiful purple pleated skirt, washed away the day’s traces, and enjoyed a wonderful sleep.

Of course, the grudge-holding little one would not forget the person who had wasted food.

****

Three more days passed.

It was the day of selections at the training camp, aimed at observing potential candidates in a practical combat setting. Everyone present would be randomly assigned to different pools based on their usual training performance.

Players could form teams themselves from different pools according to the rules. If there weren’t enough players, teams would be formed by drawing lots, ensuring that the overall strength of the resulting teams was as balanced as possible.

Only when overall strengths were similar would battles become engaging to watch. One-sided fights could never truly reveal each player’s potential.

Qing Zixi knew no one here. These past few days, she had either been live-streaming her training or receiving instruction from Mei Ying and Lan Zhi. Thus, she quietly awaited the results, continuing her training.

What troubled her was that when Zi Yun’ai came to the training camp for her show, Qing Zixi was immediately recognized by sharp-eyed viewers.

Having once appeared in Lan Mengyao’s live stream, referred to as ‘little sister,’ combined with the intense online activity from other training camp participants, Qing Zixi didn’t even have time to exclaim, ‘Oh my god, I’m doxxed!’

The secret was revealed smoothly and naturally.

[Ah, every time I enter the live stream, I have to marvel at the streamer’s good luck.]

[I heard there’s going to be a selection match for the streamer’s side, and apparently, professional players and coaches will be attending?]

[Can you help a brother get an autograph from a pro player?]

[Even if not, you can definitely get Mengyao’s autograph, right? Can it be a monthly subscription gift?]

[Teacher Da Xi’s support play with Hui this round isn’t bad.]

After a swift stroke of her brush instantly pulled two enemies together, Qing Zixi made another flourish and a tap. Blue waterways immediately appeared beneath the enemies’ feet, while feelings of fear and despair surged within their bodies.

Her teammates behind her glided forward on Qing Zixi’s created waterway, unleashing all their firepower upon the five enemies gripped by fear.

“Isn’t this young lady cool?”

Qing Zixi tossed her hair, happily seeking praise. However, the virtual model couldn’t replicate such a delicate action.

[Didn’t watch, too busy looking at the avatar.]

[When are you going to turn on your camera? That video from the other day has already been worn out from rewatching.]

She watched the scrolling comments in the live stream, a dark line forming on her face.

“How many times do I have to say it? I’m not a beauty streamer; I’m a skill streamer!”

It was useless. Even after shouting this, the replies were only mocking comments, making Qing Zixi’s face flush crimson with anger.

[You’re right, but when are you going to turn on your camera?]

[Who comes to your live stream to learn skills? Why wouldn’t I go to a champion support’s live stream to learn?]

[Exactly, does the streamer sing? Song request: Haruno Sakura.]

[Song request: Never Give Up.]

[Song request: See You Again!]

Watching message after message flash across the screen, each costing thirty yuan, and listening to the emotionless mechanical broadcast, Qing Zixi covered her face with her hands and leaned back.

Having been ‘tortured’ by the comments, Qing Zixi had grown accustomed to it.

After all, she received money for every message read aloud, and her income over the past few days had been quite substantial.

These three songs had been forcibly added to her playlist.

Naturally, Qing Zixi couldn’t sing them. She wondered what was wrong with these viewers, paying money to listen to songs in someone else’s live stream.

Just a little tacky, but she didn’t mind.

Just as Qing Zixi was about to start the next round, a knock sounded from nearby. Suspicious, Qing Zixi stood up and walked to the door.

“Who is it?”

For matters like training, Mei Ying and Lan Zhi would always notify her in advance via phone, so it wouldn’t be them. Yet, Qing Zixi hadn’t been in contact with anyone else.

“Hello, may I ask if this is Miss Xi? It seems we’ve been drawn together by lot, so I thought we might want to discuss our game styles first.”

A soft female voice came from outside. Upon understanding the visitor’s intention, Qing Zixi lowered her guard and opened the door.

Standing before her was a chestnut-haired girl, half a head taller than herself, a gentle smile gracing her face.

“Is this a good time?”

“Yes!”