Chapter 40

The second round was much faster now that Qiao Yu wasn’t teasing Lin Linya; it went by like a speedrun version.

Qiao Yu drew a card from Little Yang’s hand. Little Yang then silently drew a card from Lin Linya’s hand. While Lin Linya was still pondering which card to take from Ji Wensheng, the man had already stuffed one into his hand.

Lin Linya bit his straw in bewilderment. He looked at Little Yang, then at Ji Wensheng, and before he could even toss his matching pairs into the discard pile, it was Little Yang’s turn to draw from his hand again.

After a few rounds, he couldn’t take it anymore and interrupted them. “Wait, why isn’t anyone talking? Do you even know where the Joker is?”

Little Yang looked confused. “Isn’t it in your hand?”

Lin Linya stared blankly.

He offered sincerely, “How about I just show you my cards, huh?”

Little Yang was so amused his shoulders shook with laughter. “No need. Wouldn’t want you to have zero fun playing the game.”

He casually drew the card on the far left of Lin Linya’s hand. His expression didn’t even change when he saw it was the Joker. He simply placed it into his own hand and, when presenting his cards to Qiao Yu, made a deliberate point of tapping that specific card.

“This one’s the Joker. I got it from him. Just take it.”

Qiao Yu took the card with calm assurance.

Lin Linya looked completely baffled. ??? Seriously, when you play like this, it makes me look like an idiot.

【Yaya, don’t play with them. They’re so mean. Society is full of hidden dangers.】

【Baby, you’re a little kitten. Outside, there are only bad men who want to wrap you up in a kitten burrito and eat you in one bite. Only us female fans truly love you.】

【LOL, you female fans sure know how to use emotional manipulation.】

In the end, the Joker was left in Qiao Yu’s hand. The penalty the fans chose for him was weighted push-ups, but they searched the room and couldn’t find a suitable weight.

A glance at the Danmaku showed everyone stirring the pot. 【Can Yaya sit on his back?】

【Supporting this! I’d love to see it!】

【You scheming Qiao Yu fans, wuwuwu. I won’t allow it! Isn’t this supposed to be a punishment? Why are you giving Yaya as a reward?】

Lin Linya had seen fitness videos of people doing push-ups with someone sitting on their back before. He wasn’t sure Qiao Yu could do it. “I don’t think I’m that heavy. Can you manage?”

Qiao Yu immediately replied, “Let’s try. Come on up.”

Lin Linya carefully sat on his lower back. Afraid Qiao Yu would let him fall, he could only hold onto his shoulders. “Just do 10. Tell me if it hurts. Don’t hurt your back.”

Little Yang adjusted the camera angle slightly. From the fans’ perspective, they could see Qiao Yu’s strong chest hidden beneath his loose black short-sleeved shirt. Lin Linya sat on his lower back, his two slender, fair calves hanging quietly off the side of the bed.

Qiao Yu dipped down into a push-up and came back up without any warning, laughing. “So light. Do you not eat normally?”

Startled by the movement, Lin Linya stiffened and started to fall straight backward. Luckily, Ji Wensheng reached out from behind him and caught his shoulder. Steadying him, he said warmly, “Be careful.”

Qiao Yu had only meant to tease him. Seeing him almost fall, he apologized quickly. “Sorry, sorry. Hold on tight.”

To keep his balance, Lin Linya’s legs flailed in the air for a moment before settling to one side. Both hands now pressed against Qiao Yu’s shoulders, he grabbed a tuft of his hair in protest. “Can you count down before you do the next one? I almost fell backwards.”

Qiao Yu winced at the pull on his hair and said, a little helplessly, “Then you do the counting.”

Qiao Yu’s expression was so relaxed that Lin Linya began to doubt his own weight. He was bounced up and down by the movement of Qiao Yu’s lower back, his slender, fair calves swaying along. The firm flesh of his calves rubbed repeatedly against the edge of the bed.

【Jokes aside, Little Yu’s stamina is seriously impressive. Didn’t realize it when he usually goes for the funny guy routine.】

【Just the right amount of fitness without being greasy—the best cosmetic procedure for men.】

【Why is everyone watching the baby’s ‘mount’? Am I the only one who noticed how suggestive Yaya Baby’s legs look right now? It’s like something unspeakable is happening.】

【After seeing these legs, this beautiful lady has decided to cancel tonight’s late-night snack. My wrist is about the same size as his ankle. I’m about to cry.】

Once the count reached ten, Lin Linya immediately hopped off. He pulled Qiao Yu up, his worried gaze scanning the man’s waist. “Are you okay? A back injury is no small thing. Absolutely do not push yourself too hard.”

Qiao Yu stood up and stretched his limbs, completely unconcerned. “That amount of exercise? Barely an appetizer. I bet I could do ten squats holding you right now.”

Lin Linya looked skeptical. “Really? Are you that strong?”

Qiao Yu rolled up his non-existent sleeves, looking ready to scoop him up there and then.

It was Ji Wensheng who suddenly spoke up to interrupt them, a reminder in his voice. “We still have to get up early tomorrow. Let’s rest early tonight.”

【Too short, too short. I haven’t seen enough yet.】

【Noooo (wailing). My BBQ skewers and beer just arrived, how can the stream end? I’ve only taken one bite of my sausage, wuwuwu.】

Lin Linya had planned to end the stream right away, but their cries sounded so pitiful. “I didn’t bring my guitar. Let me sing a short acapella piece for you. After you listen, the stream ends. Rest early, Sisters.”

The hotel room was incredibly bare, with nothing in it. He asked Qiao Yu to play the accompaniment on his phone. “Singing completely dry is a bit too plain.”

The previously noisy room fell silent, leaving only the accompaniment and the sound of Lin Linya’s singing. He chose a relatively quiet song, perfect for helping someone sleep.

“Alright, tonight’s surprise broadcast ends here. Good night, everyone. See you at the offline fan meeting tomorrow.”

He waved at the Danmaku and turned off the stream. He finished the rest of his drink, and the four of them chatted for a while longer before the other two returned to their own rooms to rest.

This year’s second event designed by Wolf Fang was a large-scale immersive indoor experience held at the Haicheng Gymnasium, called Bubble Fish Battle.

All participating streamers were transformed into Bubble Fish, starting with three bubbles each at the beginning of the game. Within ten minutes, they could obtain other streamers’ bubbles by stealing them or search for Bubble Balls scattered throughout the gymnasium. Any Bubble Fish that lost all its bubbles would be eliminated. After ten minutes, Villain Meow would appear. Any Bubble Fish caught by Villain Meow would also be eliminated.

Villain Meow’s activity period lasted for ten minutes. During that time, streamers were not allowed to steal bubbles from each other.

The top three who collected fifteen bubbles would be the winners, receiving a Wolf Fang Bubble Fish Tournament Certificate and a Souvenir Plushie.

The gymnasium had many fixed camera positions scattered around. Additionally, each streamer was equipped with a self-recording camera. Lin Linya secured his microphone pack and received his three “bubbles” from the staff.

Inside the small cross-body basket hung three little colored balls. At first glance, he looked a bit like a primary school student on a field trip.

Lin Linya was about to crash from exhaustion. The second day’s activity was arranged for 7:30 AM, and he had gotten up past six to eat breakfast.

Everyone was randomly placed within the ten-story gymnasium. Lin Linya wandered around a whole level without spotting anyone he knew. Finally, he found a spot to sit on a bench on the second floor.

【For a moment, I can’t tell if Wolf Fang is treating us like special forces or treating the streamers like special forces. At this hour, even dogs haven’t woken up yet.】

【So sleepy, so sleepy. Went to bed at 3 last night. Waking up to the alarm this morning was brutal. Still forced myself to get up early to see Yaya.】

【Feel like my wife is a bit dazed, hasn’t woken up yet. His hair is a mess, and the bedhead is poking up. So cute it’s killing me.】

The other streamers didn’t immediately start stealing bubbles from each other either. Several times, people passed by Lin Linya, smiling kindly or waving at him.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was an official mascot arranged here by the platform.

Before long, the sound of collisions erupted from downstairs as people started fighting over the balls. Lin Linya, hugging his three little balls, was watching the excitement from upstairs when a man jogged over. Spotting him, the man walked straight toward him.

The man was from another game zone. His entire arm was covered in tattoos, creating an immense sense of intimidation.

Lin Linya didn’t know him. As the man, who was taller than him, approached, Lin Linya immediately felt a bit nervous, afraid he was coming to steal his balls.

Just as he had stood up, hesitating whether to run, the man suddenly extended a hand from several meters away and shook his firmly, smiling warmly. “Hey there, let’s get acquainted. I’m from the neighboring ‘Heroes War’ zone.”

Forced into a handshake that pumped up and down vigorously, Lin Linya hadn’t quite processed what was happening. “…Hey there.”

The man, Big Brother Flower Arm, was very straightforward. Seeing Lin Linya’s slow reaction, he took the initiative himself, rummaging through his little bag and clicking his tongue in dissatisfaction. “How come you only have three balls still? Let me help you steal some from the others.”

Though very confused, Lin Linya politely declined the big brother’s invitation. “No thanks, I want to rest here for a bit. I’m afraid that when Villain Meow comes, I won’t be able to run away.”

Rejected by the adorably pretty and cute little streamer, the Big Bro felt a bit disappointed. “Alright then, let me give you one of my balls. If you get caught later, come find me. I’ll help block them for you.”

With that, ignoring Lin Linya’s protests, he pulled a colored ball from his own pocket and stuffed it into Lin Linya’s little bag.

He was exactly like one of those overly enthusiastic relatives during the holidays who force red envelopes on you even when you refuse to accept.

Having acquired a ball for doing absolutely nothing, Lin Linya sat back down after the tattooed Big Brother left.

Not even a minute later, Little Sweet Joy, dressed in sportswear with her hair in a high ponytail, happened to pass by. Compared to her evening gown from yesterday, her outfit today made her look like a friendly, approachable little sister next door, bursting with energy.

Seeing Lin Linya, she greeted him enthusiastically. “You played well in the match yesterday. I was the caster for that morning session.”

“Hello, Miss,” Lin Linya looked up and said obediently.

The more Little Sweet Joy looked at him, the more she liked him. If it weren’t for the cameras and the fact that Lin Linya himself was quite shy, she really wanted to reach out and ruffle his hair.

Little Sweet Joy asked, “How many balls do you have?”

When she saw the four balls in his bag, she smiled and praised him again. “So impressive! You already have four balls, and the game just started.”

Lin Linya was embarrassed by the praise from such a beautiful woman. “No, someone else insisted on giving me this one.”

“Is that so?” Little Sweet Joy generously flipped one of her own balls out and stuffed it into his bag. “Then let me give you one too.”

How could Lin Linya accept something from a girl? He hurriedly tried to return it, but Little Sweet Joy quickly jogged off. “I’m off to grab other people’s balls now! See you later.”

“Thank you, Miss,” Lin Linya silently withdrew his outstretched hand of futile protest.

After Little Sweet Joy also left, he hugged his little bag now containing five balls, turned his head, and asked the staff member nearby, “Is this really how the game is played?”

【Big Bro and Little Sweet Joy are so nice. Yaya Baby is too shy to steal, and they just give him balls.】

【I can’t take it anymore. A perfectly good competitive game turned into this. Didn’t I say that anyone who meets Little Streamer turns into a foolish king?】

【Even the staff member can’t watch anymore, LOL. Cuteness really can be used as currency, indeed!】