Chapter 29: Becoming a Villain
The one who disliked stinginess interrupted the unreliable one, saying, “That’s related to the nature of the work. Content creation is mostly a solitary thing, not much interaction with others.”
The former heiress replied, “Sounds rather free.”
The one who disliked stinginess said, “But if you’re looking for reference, unreliable’s case doesn’t count either. He’s a gaming blogger, as free as I am. Sometimes rivals even trade insults for hype. I doubt you can draw any conclusions from that.”
The former heiress smiled, “It sounds interesting.”
The unreliable one boasted, “I get along with people. Rarely quarrel with peers. Plus, I spoil my fans. Can’t help it—talent has its burdens.”
The former heiress jabbed, “Your talent? Not as good as mine.”
The one who disliked stinginess immediately agreed.
“You traitor! But, when it comes to gaming, I have faith in you. How about this: go to work first, and if you don’t like it, follow my lead, become a game streamer. Don’t worry, I’ll have your back.” The unreliable one considered, then added, “There really aren’t many girls who play well. You should think about it.”
The former heiress replied, “Gaming isn’t a real job. I wouldn’t consider it.”
The one who disliked stinginess chimed in, “A wise choice!”
The unreliable one protested, “It’s a professional sport now! How’s that not a real job?”
The former heiress laughed, “Games are for fun and relaxation. I doubt you even enjoy it anymore.”
The unreliable one sighed, “Heiress, you really have a talent for killing the mood.”
“All right, all right. Let’s call it dedication,” the former heiress said quickly.
The one who disliked stinginess said, “Back to the point, it might help to learn a bit about your future company in advance—like the staff size, work style, those sorts of things. Don’t worry too much. As a newcomer, just work diligently. If you don’t understand, ask. Avoid major mistakes, and you’ll adapt. It’s just a matter of time.”
“Thank you. That’s a good reminder. I’ll do my homework,” said the former heiress.
The unreliable one added, “From my extensive experience with people, most are easy enough to get along with. There are always a few exceptions, but there’s no need to dwell on them. Even if you do, it won’t help.”
The former heiress thanked them sincerely once more, thinking to herself that there was no need to read boring books anymore. She really did have things to do, and no time for idle melancholy.
The three entered the game. Having not played for a while, the former heiress chose the mage Angela.
The unreliable one asked, “Why are you picking her?”
“I want to be the villain,” the former heiress replied.
“What does that mean?”
“Hiding in the bushes, striking from the shadows—isn’t that being the villain?” she said. “But it’s satisfying! A burst of spells, instant kill—that’s what I’m after.”
The one who disliked stinginess asked, “Master, what should I play?”
“Whatever you like,” the former heiress replied.
Again: “Then, can I play marksman?”
“Yes, your choice,” she repeated.
Qi Leyi thought to himself, Then I’ll stick to marksman tonight and see if Master picks support.
The unreliable one said, “I’m jungling. Stingy, play whatever, just try not to die too much.”
At the start, Angela cleared the lane, took lane priority, and went to harass the enemy jungler, Li Bai. Dancing around him, she made him nervous. He tried to chase her off, and she healed up at the blue buff, starting over.
The former heiress said, “Unreliable, Li Bai hasn’t finished blue buff yet.”
The unreliable one replied, “Clever! I’m coming.”
She said, “You go get the river spirit. I’ll see if I can steal it.”
He replied, “You don’t have smite. How will you steal it?”
Timing it perfectly, she used her skill and actually got it. “Ha! Lucky me!”
The one who disliked stinginess replied with a “666.”
The enemy jungler wasn’t having it and wanted to catch Angela.
She held onto her flash, used it to dash through a wall, slipped away behind cover, and taunted, “Blue buff is delicious.”
The unreliable one warned, “You’re drawing aggro. Careful, Li Bai might target you next.”
The former heiress replied, “As if he wouldn’t target me if I didn’t steal his blue. I’m squishy; of course Li Bai’s coming for me.”
The unreliable one conceded, “Fair point.”
Li Bai, on the other side, spoke up in chat: “Angela, just you wait!”
She replied, “Sure, I’ll wait.”
Then she began her bush-camping tactics. Li Bai could barely spot Angela; she didn’t clear the waves, just hid everywhere.
Li Bai used his ultimate on the marksman, but when his skill ended and he returned to his starting position, Angela’s fireball was waiting: skill combo, instant kill.
The former heiress taunted: “Li Bai, have you been drinking?”
Li Bai: “You just wait!”
The former heiress: “Sure, I’m waiting!”
Angela crouched in the enemy blue buff bush, perfectly still and patient. She knew Li Bai would come for blue.
Sure enough, he arrived, careless as before, and began attacking the blue buff without checking the bush.
She waited until he picked up blue, then hit her combo again, sending him back to base.
She taunted once more: “Looks like you really have been drinking.”
Li Bai was speechless.
The former heiress: “Got it. All right, I’ll keep waiting!”
After being ambushed twice, Li Bai grew cautious, checking every bush.
The former heiress switched tactics, calling out, “Unreliable, come help me kill Li Bai.”
Angela, at half health, appeared alone in front of the enemy’s second turret in the top lane to clear the wave.
Li Bai came again. Seeing her shadow, she immediately flashed, used her second skill, stunned Li Bai, and the unreliable one appeared to finish him off.
After several rounds, Li Bai was thoroughly demoralized.
The former heiress teased: “Where’s Li Bai? Haven’t seen him in ages.”
The enemy teammate answered: “He’s either dead or about to die.”
The former heiress replied: “To be or not to be, that is the question.”
In a team fight, Angela was left with a sliver of health, turning back to base while clearing a wave. Li Bai appeared, clearly having camped for a while.
Enemies met, sparks flew—Li Bai used his ultimate.
The former heiress, quick as lightning, fired off her combo. She thought she was done for, certain she’d die to Li Bai this time.
Yet, Li Bai fumbled, and Angela survived with a sliver of health, killing him instead.
She was left speechless.
The enemy teammate couldn’t take it anymore: “Li Bai’s throwing. Please report him after the game.”
The former heiress: “I can vouch, it was an accident. He’s trying to kill me, just couldn’t pull it off.”
Li Bai: “…”
The match was exhilarating, and victory soon followed.
The former heiress relaxed completely. “I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.”
The one who disliked stinginess said, “No need for much, just two rounds a day—it’s good for body and mind.”
“Agreed,” she said. “Let’s play again sometime.”
The unreliable one said, “Next time I’ll stream—will you join, heiress?”
“I’m not fit for the limelight,” she replied.
“You don’t have to show your face, just your character,” the unreliable one explained.
“I know, I’ve watched your streams.”
The one who disliked stinginess asked, “Will you pay an appearance fee?”
The former heiress said, “That’s a good question—will you, Unreliable?”
He didn’t answer.
The one who disliked stinginess chimed in, “He’s always bragging about his popularity, but he’s actually insecure.”
“Shut up! I’m thinking about how to pay. Heiress, you pick: payment per win, or based on gifts from the stream. Which do you prefer?” Unreliable asked.
The former heiress laughed, “I was only joking. Don’t take it seriously. I’ll play a game or two with you when I have time, but you have to bring my apprentice along.”
“Master, you’re the best!” The one who disliked stinginess was even more in awe.
“Ugh, enough! That’s too much—it’s nauseating. Get lost!” said the unreliable one.
They played another game. The one who disliked stinginess stuck with marksman; the former heiress filled and picked Xuehou Dun.
Next game, she picked Lan.
Finally, the one who disliked stinginess couldn’t help but ask, “Master, aren’t you playing support anymore?”
She answered decisively, “No.”
All right, he thought, the difference in attitude toward support is really stark.
The unreliable one asked, “Weren’t you practicing support? Want me to play marksman next?”
“No need. Not practicing anymore,” she replied.
“Oh? Something’s up,” Unreliable laughed. “Did you break up with your boyfriend?”
“No boyfriend,” she spat out, taking down the enemy mage. “DPS is more satisfying.”
When the match ended, the former heiress checked the time and logged off first.
The unreliable one called out to the one who disliked stinginess, “Hey, your master seems heartbroken.”
“Why do you say that?” he asked.
“Actually, more accurately, I think she never managed to get together with someone. My guess is she was practicing support for someone, but now it didn’t work out, so she gave up. Probably why she’s been offline lately—hit a rough patch.”
“Unreliable,” the one who disliked stinginess cut in sternly.
“What?”
“I think you should write novels, with such a vivid imagination!”
With that, the one who disliked stinginess also logged off, leaving the unreliable one alone in the game room.
Three seconds passed before he reacted: “Hey, I wasn’t talking about you! So stingy.” Then he thought, “Interesting, you actually got upset.”
In truth, Qi Leyi had guessed the same—it must be that ID, Chaplin’s Mustache.
But he was rather surprised; he hadn’t expected the carefree former heiress to pursue someone through gaming.
Didn’t work out? Well, that’s fine. The thought filled him with a touch of schadenfreude.
Master, your apprentice didn’t do it on purpose, but such is fate—it can’t be forced. Qi Leyi chanted inwardly, feeling inexplicably cheerful.
Yuan Zhong had no time for such thoughts. Exiting the game, yawning, she thought of Lin Hui and sent her a message.
No reply. Slightly worried, she called, but there was still no answer.
Could she be angry? Well, she had left suddenly—it was a bit… hard to justify.
It was getting late. Yuan Zhong frowned. Could something have happened?
On second thought, unlikely—with Zhang Shun there, Lin Hui would surely get back to campus.
Yes, thankfully Zhang Shun was there. With that reassurance, Yuan Zhong relaxed and drifted off to sleep.