【Yaya is so heartless. We just kissed a moment ago and now you’re pretending you don’t know us.】
【Two Villain Meows: So what’s the deal between the three of us now?】
【Those two guys were actually really nice! They kept their word and really didn’t come to catch Yaya. But the way they walked away in lockstep was so funny, hahahaha.】
【Two Villain Meows: Sorry, really sorry! We weren’t trying to walk by on purpose, we’re leaving now!】
Little Yang was genuinely much better at finding things than those two. Too embarrassed to steal other people’s orbs, they specifically looked in secluded spots where cameras happened to be. Sure enough, it didn’t take long for them to find a huge stash of Bubble Balls.
With the help of Qiao Yu and Little Yang, Lin Linya finally gathered 15 orbs. The three of them went downstairs and headed to the quest point, only to be told that two other streamers had already handed in 15 bubbles ahead of them. Only the third-place spot was left.
Little Yang and Qiao Yu were discussing it, wanting Lin Linya to take the third-place spot.
But Lin Linya, with his sharp eyes, spotted a cardboard box at the feet of the staff member, Carp King, filled with backup certificates and small plushies. He asked, “Can’t we tie for third place?”
The staff member in the Carp costume smiled and refused, “No can do. Those are the rules.”
He pointed at their cardboard box. “But I can see it clearly, you have a ton of prizes left.”
Carp King, “…”
Oh no, how did he notice that?
After a brief discussion amongst themselves, they helplessly agreed to Lin Linya’s suggestion of tying for third.
Even Little Yang couldn’t help but ruffle his hair and praise him. “Not bad, how come you’re so quick-witted today?”
Lin Linya frowned. “What do you mean? I’m clever every day.”
Qiao Yu immediately chimed in, “Exactly, when has Little Doll not been sharp? Do you even know how to talk? If it weren’t for Yaya, you wouldn’t even get a little plushie.”
Little Yang, “…”
He was really annoyed by some brainless simps sometimes.
There were two types of plushies the winners could get: one was a Bubble Fish, the other was a Villain Meow. The winners could choose whichever they wanted.
The moment Lin Linya saw the Villain Cat Plush Toy, he thought of the two guys who had let him off the hook. He picked a little Villain Meow wearing a red scarf and hung it on his messenger bag.
After attaching it, he gave it a pat, feeling content.
【I thought the prizes were just “meh” and Wolf Fang was being too stingy. I didn’t expect Yaya not to be picky at all—he really likes it.】
【Honestly, these little plushies are made quite exquisitely. Wolf Fang commissioned an original Artist specifically for this game. They’re really cute and also available for sale at the venue! So jealous! I want to get the Yaya lookalike, ahh.】
【Hahaha, when is Wolf Fang releasing official merch? Get Yaya to be the spokesperson, I’ll definitely buy it!】
【This feeling of wanting to spend money on my wife but not being able to is so painful. Baby, go live soon, I want to send gifts again.】
【Wow! A wild Top Fan Sister appears! Frontline group photo!】
After the morning session’s team-building activities at the Wolf Fang Offline Meetup ended, the afternoon was scheduled for the annual awards announcements, including the Best Newcomer of the Year and Most Popular Streamer awards.
Events like this didn’t really concern an Invisible Person like Lin Linya.
Honestly, Lin Linya wasn’t even a new streamer anymore. He’d been streaming on the Wolf Fang Platform for three years. The first two years, he mostly sang songs and played Minigames without making much of a splash. The fact that he hadn’t received an invite to the offline meetup the previous two years spoke for itself.
Thankfully, his fanbase was quite loyal, keeping watch over his Livestream Room every day.
In past years, some fans even mocked themselves, saying they were always on edge, terrified that their happy homeland, that shabby little stream, would go bankrupt.
It was only in the last year, when he started learning to stream Glory, that his popularity rose a bit. However, he had already missed the platform’s newcomer push perks, so he still didn’t stand out much among the more popular streamers.
He sat peacefully in the audience as a spectator, comforted at least by Ji Wensheng, who had already retired from the scene, accompanying him.
Little Sweet Joy was still the host. She had changed into a pink fishtail dress, both Sweet and sexy. “Next, we’re announcing the Game Section’s ‘Glory’ Annual New Star Award! Can anyone guess who it is?”
“That’s right! It’s the handsome guy who’s been streaming for less than three months but already has over a hundred thousand fans and incredible popularity, Needy! Let’s welcome Needy to the stage to receive his award!”
Amidst a round of applause, a handsome and refined young man stood up. He didn’t look very happy; instead, his expression was rather cold. Even when he took the Trophy and said “thank you,” his tone was icy.
Lin Linya clapped along, baffled. “Why does he look like he’s in a bad mood?”
Ji Wensheng chuckled softly. “That’s just his usual temperament, quite Silent and reserved. His fans call him the ‘Handsome Mute’.”
Qiao Yu leaned in to gossip with them. “Oh right, you guys probably know he’s D.K.’s starting Clash Laner now. I heard from a friend he was placed there by higher-ups. Although his skills are decent, he doesn’t get along well with the team.”
“Especially with D.K.’s former Captain, Chu Fengyi. Those two really don’t see eye to eye.”
Qiao Yu was an 18G surfer who knew everything. “Chu Fengyi’s fans are terrifying. Both his male and female fans have insane fighting power. Every day on Weibo, they sarcastically call him ‘Boss,’ ‘parachutist’.”
“He got dragged through the mud pretty badly a while back too. But his ID is really ironic, hahaha. He’s kind of an amusing guy, I guess.”
The moment Lin Linya heard a familiar name, his ears perked up. He listened very intently, but unfortunately, it was no use. After sorting through it for a while without making sense of it, he just quietly stayed a melon eater.
With the support of a popular team and professional branding, winning the newcomer award was expected. Needy took his Trophy and returned to his seat.
He just happened to be sitting right in front of Lin Linya. Hearing others gossip about him didn’t faze him in the slightest.
He only paused when he met Lin Linya’s envious gaze.
He looked down at the crudely made metal Trophy in his hand, unable to understand why the pretty Little Streamer would desire such a thing. He asked, puzzled, “You want it?”
Lin Linya, “…?”
He didn’t even know Needy and had no idea why he would ask that. He almost thought Needy was taunting him, but he wasn’t the type to start conflicts with strangers.
So he replied politely, “Congratulations to you.”
The Young Master, whose single suit jacket cost six figures, became even more puzzled. “Congratulate what? This thing isn’t even worth anything.”
Lin Linya, “…”
Not knowing how to respond, he simply closed his mouth.
Seeing that Lin Linya wasn’t going to engage with him, Needy turned back around, disappointed.
Qiao Yu beside him looked astonished. “Did you two know each other before? That’s the first time I’ve ever seen him initiate a conversation with anyone. A fan once did a tally—he streamed for three hours one night and didn’t say more than five sentences in total.”
He was even quieter during Matches. You basically couldn’t hear his voice in the team channel. He was the type of lone-wolf player whose attitude was: “The Nexus is exploding, what does that have to do with my lane?”
Lin Linya had no clue what happened either. He shook his head. “I don’t know him.”
The only connection he could think of with this popular rising star was that he and Chu Fengyi were supposedly on good terms. Could it be that because he was close with Bro Chu, this Boss hated him?
Lin Linya racked his brains but couldn’t figure it out. He could only attribute this “provocation” to that.
Next, the other awards were announced. Surprisingly, Qiao Yu actually won the Full Attendance Award, setting a record for streaming 365 consecutive days.
Lin Linya was stunned. “You’re amazing too! You’ve really never taken a single day off?”
Qiao Yu scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed. “Well, I’m a full-time streamer, so I have more time. Relying on this for a living, I definitely have to grind the hours.”
“…That’s too dedicated.”
Lin Linya, who had to take leave every few days and got scolded by his fans for it, suddenly felt a Guilty conscience.
Watching them all receive their Trophies, while Lin Linya was genuinely happy for them, he was also deeply envious. He followed every person holding a Trophy as they walked past him with his gaze, his hands never stopping their applause.
Although a smile remained on his face, the longing in his eyes was impossible to hide.
It was hard for him to describe the feeling either. Originally, he just treated streaming as a hobby. After making a little money, it slowly became a part-time gig. Now, it was probably a matter of ‘everyone else has one, so I want one too’.
Once all the Game Section awards were handed out, his shoulders, which had been tense this whole time, slumped. When he lowered his eyes, his lashes drooped, and his reddened lips were lightly pressed together. He rubbed his palms, which were flushed from the constant clapping.
Fans who inadvertently caught this scene on camera felt a pang in their hearts.
【It’s okay, Yaya. This is only your first year at the offline meetup. Next year, we’ll definitely win an award that belongs to us.】
【Honestly, he’d be so much more popular if he went to the Beauty Section. His face is genuinely amazing. Even under this kind of camera lens, he looks unrealistically Pretty. He really stays in the Game Section just for his fans.】
【Ooh, don’t say any more, my eyes are gonna pee. (crying)】
【What the heck, we agreed to just be here for the memes! Why are you all suddenly getting so emotionally invested? Now you’re making me want to cry too. He really does love it, otherwise he wouldn’t keep staring like that…..】
【Baby just needs to stay a happy Little Kitten forever. Honestly, his current stream style is quite unique. Believe that our shabby little stream will get better and better!】
Beside him, Qiao Yu keenly sensed the shift in his Emotion. He leaned his head over, lowered his voice, and asked, “You have to go back to school tomorrow, right?”
Lin Linya nodded. “Yeah, I have a major-specific class tomorrow morning. Bro Ji has to go back to work too, right?”
Although Qiao Yu felt regretful, he understood. “Then let me treat tonight. Let’s go eat hotpot, consider it a farewell dinner for you guys.”
He was staying one more night himself, to participate in Wolf Fang’s streamer sports day tomorrow.
Lin Linya, who lived in the city, had very convenient transportation, but Ji Wensheng’s schedule wasn’t so flexible. “Let’s meet up next time. I still have to catch my flight after the event.”
Lin Linya, who had been feeling a bit down, instantly perked up at the mention of hotpot, all his emo feelings gone. “Me, me, me! I’m starving to death! The lunch buffet was so not delicious.”
Qiao Yu laughed, using his fingers to brush Lin Linya’s hair, which was messed up from the Wolf Ears headband. “I thought so too. Let’s get some piggy, lamb, beef… seven-eight.”
Lin Linya, “Awesome! Let’s get some piggy, lamb, beef… seven-eight!”
