The same shock hit Zhou Wu.
At the same place as last time, Zhou Wu had come to pick up Li Xu.
Li Xu curled her fingers to tap the car window. The moment the window rolled down, she tossed her bag onto the passenger seat and said, “Let’s eat first, I’m hungry.”
Zhou Wu was puzzled, wondering if this girl had mistaken him for someone else. But hearing Li Xu’s cool voice and naturally commanding tone, it took him a long moment to regain his senses. “You are… Li Xu?”
Li Xu: “Yeah.”
Her tone was indifferent, yet it startled Zhou Wu more than he expected.
“You… how did you get so thin??”
His voice trembled. Looking closely at Li Xu’s face, she had become delicate and pretty.
Especially her eyebrows and eyes.
“Military training.”
“I’m dieting, didn’t I tell you?”
“How long has it been? How much weight have you lost?”
Li Xu opened the car door and got in. She carried the clean scent of Shufujia soap, which made her smell very fresh.
“Not much, about thirty jin. I even grew taller.”
“Are you sure you’re just dieting and not having liposuction?”
Li Xu was too lazy to explain and said, “Yeah, liposuction.”
Feeling brushed off, Zhou Wu stared at Li Xu through the rearview mirror. He thought that although she hadn’t slimmed down to Li Fan’s extent yet, her beautiful contours were already emerging.
At this pace, she could finish her weight loss goal in less than two months.
Moreover, when Li Xu spoke in that lightly commanding, matter-of-fact tone this time, Zhou Wu no longer felt anything odd.
Instead, seeing Li Xu’s cool, deep face, it seemed only natural for her to speak that way—maybe even a bit more forcefully.
After all, when Li Xu was round and chubby, she had talked to him like that too, and he accepted it.
When Li Xu sat across from him and they made eye contact, Zhou Wu even felt a bit like running away.
It was because her eyes shone so brightly, with an incredible radiance that made a corporate drone like him feel utterly embarrassed.
So whatever Li Xu said, Zhou Wu just went “Mm hm, mm hm” obediently.
“This is where I live, not far from your school. If you have an 8 AM class, you’ll need to take the subway. It’s pretty close.”
Zhou Wu took Li Xu into his residential complex and began introducing the surrounding amenities. Li Xu scanned the neighborhood, guessing the price was not cheap.
In Haishi, this was a place only the wealthy could afford.
“The code for the front door is 78693.”
“Put your stuff inside first, then come back to register your fingerprint. It’ll be more convenient.”
“This is your room.”
“The lighting is good. It used to be where my friends stayed when they came over, but since you’re moving in, I had the cleaning crew come through and do a thorough job. The sheets are all new. If you need anything, just let me know.”
Zhou Wu’s home was a spacious flat with a minimalist living room. Though simple, Li Xu could tell the furniture was expensive.
Her room had an en-suite bathroom, a desk, a chair, a wardrobe, and a bed. There weren’t many pieces, but everything was sufficient.
Li Xu wasn’t picky about her living space.
Seeing no displeasure in her eyes, Zhou Wu relaxed.
“Is there a study room? I want to set up a streaming rig here.”
“Of course.”
Zhou Wu led Li Xu to the study. She noticed a laptop and asked, “Does that roommate you mentioned often use the study?”
“My friend? Yeah, but he’s been on a business trip lately… He’s only staying temporarily because he doesn’t get along well with his parents…”
“So can I use the study freely?”
“He can’t just walk in when you’re streaming.”
Li Xu looked up, her dark eyes locking onto Zhou Wu’s.
Wiping sweat off his forehead, Zhou Wu bit his lip and said, “Sure, you use it. I’ll handle things with my friend.”
Li Xu finally smiled.
Her smile had a certain enchanting quality.
Her lips curled, revealing sharp little tiger teeth that gleamed, giving her a youthful yet bold air.
“Thanks, Zhou Ge.”
It was the first time Li Xu called Zhou Wu “Zhou Ge,” her tone still cool and distant. Zhou Wu’s heart softened instantly. Compared to her previously stiff attitude, she was much more endearing now.
“Ah, it’s nothing. You’re making money streaming now, don’t slack off.”
“If you need anything, just ask. I’m not busy these days, I’ll help with whatever I can.”
He smiled brightly, boasting, but before he finished, Li Xu tilted her head and asked, “Really?”
Zhou Wu: “Of course it’s true.”
Li Xu said, “Then help me get a set of streaming equipment. I’ll tell you the brands and models. If it’s ready by tomorrow daytime, I can stream normally at night.”
Her tone was very natural. Zhou Wu went, “Ah, that soon?”
Li Xu: “Of course. I want to make money. I’ve been off-stream for half a month already. If I stop longer, my popularity will drop.”
Actually, making money was secondary. Earning lifespan was the real priority.
Facing Li Xu’s “innocent” eyes, Zhou Wu nodded resolutely, “Alright, leave it to me.”
He might as well be her errand boy for the day.
Also, Zhou Wu’s place had a small gym with a treadmill and some basic equipment. Li Xu was quite satisfied.
***
After touring the whole place and registering her fingerprint for the lock, Li Xu returned to her room, closed the door, sat at the desk, and messaged vidong, who had been pestering her: 【Back home, can play a couple of games now】
At that moment, vidong had just lost a round of Werewolf Kill, looking completely dejected on stream.
With his standard black-framed glasses, he looked utterly down.
The fans in his Livestream Room started their usual comforting routine.
【Baby, don’t be mad, they’re all idiots】
【Didn’t you say Mao Xu would come? When she comes, she’ll wipe the floor with those fools】
【Is Mao Xu already our comfort? Mao Xu, our white moonlight guest, sob】
【Weren’t we just trying out Werewolf Kill casually? Why is the streamer getting so worked up?】
【Maybe it’s because Mao Xu’s getting worked up hahaha. This kid added Mao Xu on Wechat half a month ago and even bragged about it on stream】
【Boys and their damn competitive spirit】
Seeing the flood of comforting comments only made vidong feel worse.
Was he really that bad that all his fans had to cheer him up?
It was ridiculous.
Then his phone vibrated.
Not knowing what he saw, the previously dejected vidong suddenly lifted his head, bright-eyed and with a voice free of gloom: “Friends, help has arrived, Mao Xu really came.”
He flashed a big smile at the camera, like a puppy with a bone.
Many of Li Xu’s fans were also in vidong’s Livestream Room, and hearing this, they all perked up.
【What? Mao Xu is streaming now?】
As the words fell, two thousand people left the Livestream Room.
But soon, over two thousand returned.
【Went to check, Mao Xu isn’t streaming】
【Ahhh, I thought she started!】
【So how did Mao Xu come? To play games? Direct Werewolf Kill match?】
【Is Mao Xu done with military training?】
Li Xu soon went online and invited vidong to start a game.
Vidong’s voice was excited as he unmuted: “Long time no see, Mao Xu.”
【You were a zombie just now, now you’re full of energy, streamer】
【I thought you were in love, getting this excited to see the pro】
Compared to vidong’s excitement, Li Xu’s voice was calm and distant.
“Long time no see.”
Still that cool, detached tone.
Hearing her voice, vidong felt victory descend on him once more.
But the next second, Li Xu’s words froze his smile. She asked with doubt, “Why is your win rate so low? Did you get sniped?”
【vw: How do I explain that I’m just a pure newbie, my friend】
Actually, vidong hadn’t been sniped. He had been squeezing in streams these days, still eager to play Werewolf Kill.
But the quality of his teammates was uneven, and vidong had a bad temper. When he got a good guy role and was accused unfairly, he’d lose his temper.
When he was the Werewolf and spoke poorly or got sold out by a wolf teammate, he’d get angry. His mood worsened, and playing became more frustrating.
By vidong’s old habits, reaching this level of self-torment, he would probably quit.
But ever since playing a game with Li Xu and adding her on Wechat with a promise to “play together next time,” vidong’s fighting spirit was reignited.
Next time he played, he wouldn’t let Li Xu down.
Next time, he wanted to show some pro-level skill.
—Next time, he even wanted to claim the highest role, the False Gold Water.
This passion for the game was almost entirely thanks to Li Xu.
There was no way around it. Li Xu’s command of the game, her total control, was something vidong admired deeply.
This “becoming a pro” spirit was exactly what kept many players going—and was the reason Werewolf Kill held the Master Tournament.
Most game streams were just idol promotion, after all.
“Not been playing well lately.”
Li Xu responded with a soft “Mm,” then said, “It’s fine. Play with me, I’ll teach you.”
【That damn charm of Mao Xu】
【Wuwu Mao teacher, save w please】
Perhaps suppressed by too many losses, hearing Li Xu’s cool yet firm voice in his ear made vidong’s whole body tremble, as if about to cry.
Even the audience noticed. After hearing that, vidong’s frown eased, his gaze cleared like a dog seeing its owner.
—Finally, a backup.
—Finally, a team.
Yet as Li Xu said this, after the familiar house rules were announced and the game began, seeing two big “Werewolf” cards and no vidong opening his eyes at night, Li Xu’s face remained calm.
After coordinating with her teammates on the jump, she spoke first during the speaking phase:
“Prophet, three Gold Water.”
Her tone was calm and confident, convincing everyone.
Three was vidong. At this moment, as a genuine good guy and the Witch among the good guys, Li Xu had given him the good guy identity.
His pupils dilated and he smiled excitedly: “I knew Mao Xu would check me. This round is a guaranteed win.”