Chapter 93: A Familiar Black Cat

Fortunately, awkward times drag on, but they always end. Over an hour later, the livestream that Guan’er had spontaneously started, and that Liao Cao had turned into a warm-up act, finally wrapped up.

The moment the cameraman gave the OK sign, Bai Ling’s shoulders slumped as if she’d collapsed. If it hadn’t ended soon, she felt like she might turn into her demon form right there.

Guan’er unscrewed a bottle of water and handed it over. “Thanks for your hard work. I’ll transfer all the earnings to you, not a cent less.”

The moment the bottle touched Bai Ling’s slumped shoulder, goosebumps rose on her skin. She thanked her, then took a big gulp to soothe her dry throat. “No need. That’s what they tipped you.”

She’d talked so much her lips were practically smoking.

But she really didn’t need the livestream earnings. Her mother sent enough money every month for her to spend freely, and on top of that, she occasionally helped Guan Qing with things.

Guan Qing always paid generously.

She’d been avoiding her for almost half a month, and had no idea if she was still angry.

Bai Ling decided she should find time in the next couple of days to visit the old alley in the north of the city. She felt guilty always avoiding her.

“Rumble~”

The stomach she’d pacified an hour ago with a small bun started growling again. Bai Ling clutched her belly and blushed.

Lately, for some reason, her appetite had really grown. Sometimes she’d eat at noon and be hungry again by half past.

Bai Ling even wondered if she was going through a second puberty.

She looked down at the two soft mounds on her chest.

If it was second puberty, would these two get bigger?

No, no, why am I thinking about that? Shouldn’t I want to get taller?

While Bai Ling was lost in these thoughts, Liao Cao walked into the backstage carrying two large bags of boxed meals.

“Lunch break, lunch break!” The bald uncle was so cheerful that anyone would think he’d won five million in the lottery.

After handing them out, he carried two boxed meals over to Bai Ling and Guan’er, his face full of flattery. “Miss Qinglin, can we talk something over?”

Bai Ling was so startled by his fawning, sleazy look that she stepped back three paces and hit the makeup table. “What is it?!”

The Young Miss of the demon market, who could stand up to Elder Qin and cut down painted-skin demons, was almost scared out of her skin by a mortal bald uncle.

“Well, I’d like to deepen our cooperation.” Liao Cao sycophantically handed over the boxed meal and a bottle of drink. “Interested in being the spokesperson for Xuanhuang Ji?”

“I’m not some big star. Why ask me?” Bai Ling immediately crossed her arms in an X. “I’m not even a professional cosplayer. Find someone else.”

“No, no, Miss Qinglin, you don’t understand.” Liao Cao put on an unquestionable expression. “The stars the operations department found have nothing to do with our game. They don’t even play it!”

“But you’re different, Miss Qinglin. You’re a player of our game, and you bring no less traffic than those big stars…”

“And the key is you’re cheaper, right?” Guan’er cut in, a hint of disdain in her eyes.

Hiring a cosplayer with big traffic was obviously cheaper than hiring those big stars.

“No, no, the endorsement fee won’t be a cent less.” Liao Cao made a decision. “I can even make a skin specifically for Miss Qinglin. Then the revenue from skin sales, we…”

“A skin?!” Bai Ling’s eyes suddenly lit up. The brightness in them made even Guan’er perk up.

‘So that’s what you care about?!’

“Yes, yes, a skin. We have a professional art team. I guarantee it will make you…”

“No!” Bai Ling interrupted. “Can I design it myself?”

Are you kidding? As an artist, having her work seen and recognized by the public was far more attractive to Bai Ling than money.

“That’s possible, but…” Liao Cao wiped the sweat from his forehead. He didn’t know Bai Ling’s skill as an artist, nor did he know that before drawing doujinshi, she’d actually had a dream of becoming a designer.

“I also want an exclusive title, one that’s unique on the whole server!” Bai Ling tapped the table. “It’s settled!”

Bai Ling was thinking that not only would her work have a chance to be seen by players, but she’d also get a server-unique title. With that, she could finally hold her head high in front of Gu Xiyan and Xu Zhi.

‘Those two always complain about how bad I am!’

Right, after moving into Xu Zhi’s dorm, her lie about never having played Xuanhuang Ji fell apart. Fortunately, Xu Zhi didn’t say anything. He just showed her his account. That human swordsman with the ID “Duan Yue” had already climbed to forty-eighth on the server.

Who knew how that guy found so much time to practice his skills when he was either slaying demons or on his way to slay demons all day.

Liao Cao, having gotten Bai Ling’s approval, retreated with a thousand thanks. As for if the skin she designed herself turned out bad, he could negotiate further. At worst, he’d have the art team work harder and fix it up.

“You’re really going to be a spokesperson?” After Liao Cao left, Guan’er poked Bai Ling, who was about to dig into her food.

The girl was afraid of messing up her lip makeup, so she ate with a grimace.

“Sure.” Bai Ling chewed her chicken breast, speaking indistinctly.

As she opened the boxed meal, she quietly used her demon power to dispel the heat. Otherwise, the hot food might have scalded off a layer of skin from this snake demon.

“That’s great. You’ll be a big star.” Guan’er also played Xuanhuang Ji. She knew how huge the player base was. This girl’s fan count would probably multiply several times over.

“Don’t forget this big sister who went through hard times with you.”

Actually, Guan’er was naturally outgoing and friendly. After just one livestream less than two hours long, she already felt like she and Bai Ling were friends.

“I won’t, I won’t!” Bai Ling finished her boxed meal in a few bites. Lately she always felt hungry, and everything looked delicious.

Not only was she easily hungry, for some reason even her demon power seemed sluggish. Her demon power was clearly vast and powerful, but every time she tried to use it, it took a huge effort.

As for Guan’er, she’d told the truth. If Guan’er hadn’t helped smooth things over and liven up the atmosphere, Bai Ling didn’t know how she would have lasted through that livestream, staring at fans awkwardly.

After finishing one boxed meal, Bai Ling still felt hungry. Her eyes darted around, hoping to scrounge up some more food.

But as her eyes wandered, she suddenly saw a black cat dart through the backstage crowd.

A black cat?!

What was a cat doing here?

Bai Ling rubbed her eyes, making sure she wasn’t hallucinating from hunger.

That black cat… wasn’t it the same one she used to run into in the old alley in the north of the city?

The first night she met Guan Qing, it had jumped onto her shoulder and purred. After that, almost every time she saw it, it was either in Su Xuanhu’s arms, sunbathing and purring with her, or curled up on a cabinet meowing.

Occasionally Bai Ling would buy a couple of cat treats to feed it. After each feeding, it would graciously allow Bai Ling to pet it for a while.

How did it get here?

“I have something to do!” Bai Ling put her empty boxed meal on the table and ran after the black cat out of the backstage.

That silly cat must be lost. But even if it was lost, this place was over forty kilometers from the old alley in the north of the city. It sure could run!

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