Haishi New District center. Because of a large-scale competition, traffic was heavy, but among the cars, a luxury sedan was moving smoothly.
The current road conditions made driving difficult. Lin Yiren gripped the steering wheel cautiously; if something happened to Miss Chen’s car, she’d probably have to pay for it with her own life.
Chen Zhaoyue watched the girl in the driver’s seat. Today, Lin Yiren was dressed in a shirt and long pants; the slightly loose clothes concealed her good figure, and her long hair was tied in a ponytail, making her look fresh and capable.
She looked nothing like the shy girl yesterday, clutching her skirt.
Chen Zhaoyue let out a soft chuckle from the back seat.
The laughter reached Lin Yiren’s ears, making it almost impossible for her to maintain her focus.
Yesterday, when she had been walking down the street, shyly tugging at her short skirt, the young miss had laughed beside her in exactly the same way.
That laugh brought back memories of the airy skirt and the silky sensation wrapped around her legs.
Fortunately, she had changed back into pants as soon as they got home, regaining that sense of comfort.
She pulled the lever and parked the car, then got out with a flourish.
***
They walked through the VIP Passage into the venue. Lin Xingyao was also dressed handsomely today, refusing to take off her little sunglasses.
The Audience seats inside were arranged in a circle around the center, and were already packed with people.
Lin Yiren and the others found their seats, which had a good view and were spaced apart from the neighboring ones.
Dropping herself into the seat, Lin Yiren felt a surge of excitement.
She wasn’t a rabid fan, but this Game had accompanied her through almost her entire University life, and she’d always kept an eye on the ups and downs of the Champion Team that was about to take the stage.
Xingyao sat quietly in the unfamiliar indoor environment, but her mother kept fidgeting restlessly in her chair.
“You sit so much more primly when you wear a skirt,” Chen Zhaoyue teased.
Lin Yiren’s face grew hot, and she forced herself to calm down.
Music started, and the Champion Team entered.
The black sea of people around them lit up with red light bands—fans waving glowsticks.
This was a showcase match meant for publicity, so the atmosphere was lively, and even as the competition began, the crowd was still buzzing.
The crisp-voiced female Host on stage stoked the Audience’s excitement, leading cheers whenever the players pulled off spectacular moves.
Lin Yiren’s clear eyes reflected the blue flicker of the big screen. Immersed in the moment, she couldn’t help but cheer when a player took down the final enemy, waving her hand along with those around her.
Chen Zhaoyue wasn’t very interested in these things; her attention was on the girl beside her, seeing a lively glow in her expression that she’d never shown before.
She suddenly found herself wanting to know about Lin Yiren’s past life.
She’d been to Lin Yiren’s Dormitory before. The desk, unlike those of most guys, was neat—apart from the computer keyboard, there was only a row of books with curled corners, and under the desk, there seemed to be a basketball.
It looked pleasant, but a bit bland.
But digging deeper would surely be interesting. Chen Zhaoyue smiled quietly.
By now, the venue had become a sea of joy. Confetti fell from above, and Xingyao excitedly caught the sparkling bits in her seat.
The player who had pulled off a spectacular endgame stood and bowed to those around—he was the captain of the Champion Team Lin Yiren followed, already at the end of his esports career.
Both players and Audience responded with thunderous applause.
It was both moving and bittersweet. Lin Yiren’s emotions made her nose prickle; she wasn’t sure if she was just sentimental or if it was because this team had truly accompanied her for so long.
Suddenly, the Host flashed a smile and said, “Next, we’ll invite a few members of the Audience to face off one-on-one with our players!”
The director cut the cameras to the Audience as the Host selected people on the screen.
They drew several times—some people shyly declined, some leapt up excitedly to the central stage.
The interactions livened the mood, and laughter echoed throughout the venue.
***
“Last chance now!” The camera spun and landed on the VIP seats.
The Host’s eyes lit up. “That girl in the blue shirt, would you come up and spar with our player?”
Lin Yiren was still looking around when she suddenly saw her own face appear on the big screen.
She hadn’t expected to be picked. Her eyes blinked twice, and the girl on the screen looked as pure and innocent as a fawn.
“So cute.”
“What a beautiful girl!”
“Is that a little kid beside her?”
The fresh-faced girl set off a wave of soft gasps at the venue.
Ever since becoming a girl, Lin Yiren had never been stared at by so many people before. Her earlobes burned red beneath her hair.
She used to quietly compliment pretty girls with her friends, but she never imagined she’d be the one being called “cute” by a crowd one day.
But being too embarrassed to go up wouldn’t fit her “tough guy” image.
Lin Yiren whispered to Xingyao, “Mama will be back soon.”
Enduring the scorching gazes all the way, she did her best to walk on stage without showing any nerves.
The Host, seeing Lin Yiren up close, was even more amazed. Noticing how the girl’s hands twisted together in awkwardness, she reached out to hold her hand and calm her nerves.
“Isn’t this little sister pretty?”
“Pretty!”
The Host was trying to boost the girl’s confidence.
That worked for most girls, but unfortunately Lin Yiren was hardly “most”—she just felt more embarrassed being described that way, the flush at the tips of her ears spreading wider.
“Tsk.” Lin Xingyao, watching her mother on stage, heard a slightly annoyed sound beside her.
Her other mother was frowning prettily, lips pressed into a thin line.
Miss Chen was displeased. Even though she knew Lin Yiren was just blushing from the attention, it felt like her own exclusive right to tease her was being stolen.
And to be holding hands with that female Host?
She’d have to step up her teasing from now on.
Lin Yiren had no idea she’d become someone’s target. She calmed herself, sat at the computer under the Host’s instruction.
Her opponent in the one-on-one was the captain of the Champion Team. He joked along with the Host, then nodded to Lin Yiren and took his seat.
They weren’t just trading shots; the Audience’s chosen side had a terrain advantage.
Lin Yiren put on her headset, gripped the mouse, and the excitement of facing a pro washed away any unease about being on stage.
Her clear pupils narrowed, focus sharpening on the screen, hands deftly moving the mouse.
There was no way she could win, she just wanted to enjoy the moment.
As the Game went on, her serious attitude made the crowd gradually quiet down.
On stage, the girl was like a bamboo stalk, her gaze sharp, her movements seasoned.
Even the captain hadn’t expected such skill from such a pretty girl; a hint of surprise flashed on his face, and he started playing more seriously.
The match ended. As expected, Lin Yiren was crushed, winning only in the rounds where her opponent had obviously gone easy.
She took off her headset, tossed her slightly messy hair, and was about to leave the stage when enthusiastic applause broke out.
Lin Yiren was at a loss amid the heated atmosphere.
The captain came down to shake her hand. “Didn’t expect a girl like you to play so well.”
“Don’t be prejudiced,” Lin Yiren replied, giving his hand a shake and letting go.
Though, she wasn’t a “girl” to begin with.
The captain realized his wording was off and apologized.
The Hostess, seeing that the little sister had already captured the Audience with her beauty and skill, quickly came up to bring her back into the spotlight.
“Is this little sister strong or what?”
“Strong—!”
The cheers in the venue surged like a wave.
***
In a corner, a small hand thumped the girl’s thigh. “Mom!”
Chen Zhaoyue snapped back to herself. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Xingyao, not sure why her mother was staring blankly at the stage, said, “When is Mama coming back?”
“Soon.” Chen Zhaoyue scooped Xingyao into her lap, her mind still on Lin Yiren on stage.
“…And who did you come here with today, little sister?”
The Host’s voice rang out.
Chen Zhaoyue saw the girl get a little nervous, and quietly heard her reply: “With… my sister, and my daughter.”
It wasn’t loud, but the sound system carried it through the whole venue.
Calling her “sister,” huh?
Chen Zhaoyue’s lips curled up. Hearing herself called “sister” in that cool, slightly sweet voice felt pretty nice.
But the rest of the Audience wasn’t focused on the “sister” part.
The Host and the players on stage all looked shocked—a girl this cute already has a daughter?!