"Little Gui's stream is a different matter—she can't be used as a reference."
Liu Bai pulled Guinaifen behind him.
"Normally... no, rather than explain, let's just take a look."
Liu Bai tapped his wristband a few times, and a massive screen projection appeared in the air behind the house.
"A wristband..."
"My sister gave it to me," Liu Bai explained casually.
This thing was fairly high-tech. Only Schicksal and Anti-Entropy sold them.
With Liu Bai's operation, the screen quickly entered someone else's livestream.
A melodious song drifted from the screen.
"Her fundamentals are quite good, but is this... a cover?" Eden pondered after commenting, then pointed at the screen. "And what is this... two-dimensional paper doll supposed to be?"
What did we two-dimensional paper dolls ever do to you?!
"This is called a virtual avatar. It's very friendly for people who don't want to show their faces."
Liu Bai patiently explained.
"Strictly speaking, their profession is that of a cover singer... Put simply, they're amateur singers who upload their work to video websites."
While Liu Bai explained, the singing in the stream stopped, and the "two-dimensional paper doll" began chatting casually with the viewers.
"Mm-hm, next comes asking for tips." Guinaifen looked like an old hand at this.
"Shut up." Liu Bai knocked Guinaifen on the head. "What do you think, Eden? This stage is decent enough, right? No matter how unhappy those industry veterans are with you, they wouldn't personally attack a 'two-dimensional paper doll,' would they?"
If they did, they would have already lost from the start.
The "amateur" identity of a cover singer was the best shield.
Besides, amateurs could always become professionals, while professionals remained "former professionals" no matter how long they stopped singing.
"...I have to admit, I'm tempted." Understanding what he meant, Eden showed interest. "But do I have to livestream? I still don't really like that format."
Eden was not socially anxious, but she disliked meaningless social interaction, especially this kind of overly ingratiating social interaction.
"Begging for food on your knees isn't shameful!"
"If you interrupt again, you won't get any food today." Liu Bai issued Guinaifen a final warning.
"Mm, aside from livestreaming, uploading videos is also fine—but there has to be something in the video, right? I don't think anyone would enjoy listening to singing over a black screen."
Liu Bai's main purpose was to recruit Eden, so he was not strict in any regard.
Even if it didn't work out, at worst he would just have one more person to feed. It wasn't like Eden could eat him into poverty.
Besides, Eden had the capital to eat while standing.
"First, use a virtual avatar and videos to build popularity. Then, at the right time, do a face reveal stream and become an overnight sensation—how does that plan sound?"
"It sounds overly simple—but for me, there aren't really any other paths left." Eden nodded. "However, I can't guarantee that your investment will pay off."
Eden knew very well what her own problem was.
She was proud and arrogant.
She did not like singing pop songs and remained stubbornly fixated on "outdated" classical music.
Because of that, she had often been told during auditions that she lacked the ability to make money through music.
She also understood that plans that looked simple often required even more investment and management. In fact, after becoming an "overnight sensation" was when the real investment in promotion and packaging would begin.
"I definitely won't lose money—just as you will definitely become a star in the future." Liu Bai said something Eden had heard countless times before.
"...That was something I used to encourage myself, not something for you to use to pressure me, Mr. Liu Bai."
Eden Favorability: 2025
Yelan and Raven Exchange Information
"However, regarding the apartment rental, I still need to inspect it personally."
After they reached an agreement, Eden changed the subject.
Although this would not be her permanent residence, if Liu Bai's apartment was also unsuitable, Eden would rather find somewhere else herself.
She might not have money, but it wasn't as though she had no parents.
She had been unable to ask before, but now that she needed to, Eden would not hesitate.
"Of course. Shall we leave now?"
"Wait a moment. I'll bring some pepper spray." Eden pulled open a drawer with a half-joking smile.
Liu Bai: "..."
Well, it was quite good for girls to have some sense of caution.
"Three, low. Pay up."
"...You bastard, are you cheating? How are you winning every time?"
In the room, Natasha and Yelan were sitting on the sofa playing dice.
"...This is gambling, isn't it?" Liu Bai, who had just entered, stiffened at the sight of the two of them.
They were already sitting together playing dice. Was this what they called a so-so relationship?
"Someone who only bets fifty cents a round is saying that?" Yelan stretched lazily. "Nine out of ten gamblers lose, you know—though that probably has nothing to do with you."
Yelan wore an expression that clearly said, "I am cheating. What are you going to do, prove it?"
Still, this was the first time Yelan had seen someone who only bet fifty cents per round.
"Oh, isn't this Mr. Liu Bai? You're back? I've assembled and set up all the equipment for you. Shall I take you to see it? Or would you like to play a few rounds and test your luck?"
"Uh, no need. Ms. Yelan, please continue playing."
Liu Bai decided not to get involved in these two women's business.
Come on, Yelan had plainly said that nine out of ten gamblers lost. Why would he stubbornly charge in anyway?
In any case, Liu Bai did not gamble.
"Your little brother has a much clearer head than you do." Yelan complained to Natasha.
"If you ask me, that kid's the real gambling addict." Natasha still remembered how Liu Bai had volunteered to become Mobius's guinea pig.
If Mobius had Jackal's personality, Liu Bai would already be living a fate worse than death.
"Ahem, I prefer to call it a spirit of adventure."
Yelan knew what Natasha meant, but she did not care. If anything, she was even more expectant.
That was exactly why she thought so highly of Liu Bai.
"Want to exchange intelligence?"
Yelan pushed the stack of fifty-cent coins in front of her toward Natasha.
"Tell me what you've got. Make it useful." Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Keep your voice down. That kid brought back a stranger."
"She went downstairs." Yelan glanced at the door. "There's a rumor that the head of the Inazuma Group is seriously ill."
"Would it kill you to call her the leader or the 'General'?" Natasha merely complained about the title. "When did this happen? I remember that just a few days ago, that General cut down a group of Honkai Beasts with a single strike, didn't she?"
"Who knows? But the rumor exists. And Anti-Entropy has also been looking for doctors lately. They've even pulled strings through our chamber of commerce. Anti-Entropy and the Inazuma Group have always been close, and they have business dealings in manga and novels too. Their recent movements are unusual."
Yelan shook the dice in her hand.
"The strongest doctor in the world right now should be your Serpent's Master."
"My Highlord stopped being a doctor long ago."
"That doesn't mean he can't still do it." Yelan listened to the crisp clatter of the dice as she spoke. "Your turn."
"You dare bring out such vague intelligence... Is this about Liu Bai?"
Natasha was not the one in World Serpent responsible for intelligence.
World Serpent's division of labor was very clear. Gray Serpent handled intelligence and diplomacy.
Natasha handled diplomacy and combat.
Jackal handled all kinds of research and development—though she had a habit of acting like a military strategist.
There was also Night Owl outside, who specialized in combat.
If this were a normal intelligence exchange, Yelan should not have come to her.
As for an abnormal intelligence exchange... then it could only be about Liu Bai.
"That's right. Ningguang seems to be very interested in someone like an alien—or perhaps the whole world is interested in aliens. They're just too far away right now, or their interest hasn't reached the point where they're willing to act."
"He's someone my Highlord values."
Natasha showed an unhappy expression.
"...Fine, in that case, I'll tell you something."
"I'm all ears."
"Don't be fooled by how Liu Bai looks..."
"Mm."
"He's actually..."
"If you keep dragging this out, I'm going to beat you up."
"Fine, fine—he's actually a man."
A trace of mockery appeared on Natasha's face.
"...Hey, Raven, are you deliberately trying to start a fight?" Even Yelan, who had maintained a carefree demeanor all this time, darkened after being toyed with like that.
"Wouldn't it be more accurate to say you insist on asking questions that put me in a difficult position?" Natasha showed no fear.
Sell out Liu Bai?
Impossible.
Putting aside her duties, Natasha was not the kind of person who betrayed friends.
"...I see."
Yelan's face was still dark, but as she looked at Natasha's expression, she suddenly laughed.
As if her earlier displeasure had only been an illusion.
"So your Serpent's Master really values Mr. Liu Bai... yet he does not restrain him at all."
"...What are you trying to do?" Natasha immediately became wary.
"I'm not trying to do anything. That intelligence alone was worth the price." Yelan's expression brightened. "As expected, exchanging intelligence with you was the right choice. Gray Serpent wouldn't say nearly this much."
Damn it...
For a moment, Natasha genuinely felt the urge to kill—this bitch really needed a beating.
But this was not a good place to make a move.
If she had the intention to suddenly attack, did Yelan really have no guard up?
"All right, I won't disturb you any longer." Yelan also knew she should not stay here too long, so she immediately stood up and prepared to slip away. "Oh, right. That may have been a rumor—but sometimes, rumors are more reliable than actual intelligence."
What the hell was that woman up to...?
And Liu Bai too. Letting him run wild was bound to cause problems, wasn't it?
Natasha watched Yelan leave, her brows knitting tightly together.
"Are you satisfied with the layout?"
"Very satisfied."
Before you continue