"Damn, he looks like a decent guy, but he's actually trash!"
"Everyone, take pictures and post them on your social media. This kind of person deserves to be exposed; it's only right."
"Yeah, hurry and take pictures. We need to prevent other women from being scammed!"
Ren Yuanhao shielded Lan Jie'er from the crowd and they got into the Ferrari. Without a word, he drove her to a river dam.
"Phew, looking at this stuff just makes me feel better."
The river breeze carried a hint of industry, but it was much better than the faint smell of decay in the city alleyways. Lan Jie'er, who lived in a rented room, knew this all too well.
The dew on the shallow grass was not yet dry, sparkling and clear. A gust of wind sent it sliding down the fine fuzz like a beauty's tears. Willow catkins lining the banks danced and fluttered, scattering aimlessly into the river, creating a vast expanse of white.
Lan Jie'er collected herself and realized she hadn't thanked her 'custom boyfriend' yet. She lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong and said softly, "Young Master Ren, thank you. If it weren't for you, I probably would have..."
"No need. I would have taught that scumbag a lesson no matter what. As for you, why aren't you more careful? So many streamers get exploited these days. You..."
Before Ren Yuanhao could finish, Lan Jie'er started to cry.
"Hey, young lady, my apologies if I spoke too harshly. I'll make it up to you, alright?" Ren Yuanhao couldn't stand seeing women cry. It had always been like this, and it was even more so now.
Hearing this, Lan Jie'er immediately stopped crying and smiled through her tears. "You, you're so glib. You must have fooled a lot of girls, haven't you?"
—Damn, I'm glib now? I fooled girls? I'm still a virgin! Oh heavens!
Ren Yuanhao looked utterly defeated, letting the willow catkins drift onto his head.
"You're right, I've fooled tons and tons of girls. Are you scared?"
"Not scared."
"You're not scared even after just getting hurt? Ever heard of learning from your mistakes?" Ren Yuanhao felt it was necessary to give this streamer girl an extraordinary, free social strategy lesson.
Lan Jie'er didn't reply. Instead, she quietly watched the river water flowing downstream. The scattered willow catkins were like her now, without support. Those so-called dreams were merely a joke in the eyes of the wealthy. Streamers who couldn't break through, once their youth faded, could only return to dim, lusterless places with damaged bodies.
"Hey, girl, are you an entertainment streamer or a gaming streamer?" Ren Yuanhao didn't quite understand these modern trends that young people liked.
"Entertainment streamer. Honestly, there's nothing substantial to it. I have to act like a cheerful Buddha all day, and sometimes I even hate myself. Especially when I'm someone who can't let things go, I don't earn money but have to plaster on a smile and listen to those idiots spew all sorts of vulgarity. It's truly unbearable."
Ren Yuanhao suddenly thought of Ye Lan. Her situation was somewhat similar to this woman's. However, Ye Lan had high talent and the company promoted her well, so her popularity remained high. This was an extremely rare phenomenon.
Those female streamers chasing frivolous dreams locked themselves in dark rooms, resting in tiny 20-square-meter rooms when tired, perhaps eating instant noodles when hungry. They worked over 12 hours a day, trying to catch the eyes of countless male fans, even resorting to high-interest loans and online loans for plastic surgery. In the end, they were pushed to desperate measures, taking out nude loans, and even eventually becoming prostitutes. This cruel reality was perhaps the true portrayal of most streamers.
"Do you have a cigarette?"
"Of course."
Ren Yuanhao took out a cigarette and handed it to her, then very gentlemanly lit it.
Lan Jie'er exhaled smoke rings skillfully, her eyes distant. She suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly, "How do I look now? Is there a big difference compared to how I was before?"
"Indeed. But it also shows you have no defenses against me. I'm flattered." Ren Yuanhao also lit a cigarette and let the smoke billow.
"Thank you. Really. Not just because you saved me from that scumbag, but because you let me be myself in front of others again. This feeling is amazing."
Lan Jie'er exhaled her accumulated frustration. Ren Yuanhao stood up and asked, "After letting it all out, are you still planning to go back to being a streamer?"
"I don't know what else I can do now. Streaming at least satisfies my vanity, keeps those otaku fantasizing, and gives me at least a little sense of existence."
Lan Jie'er fully revealed her inner darkness. Having a handsome, considerate, and patient 'temporary boyfriend' made her feel incredibly unburdened.
"Have you ever thought about becoming an esports streamer? I have a friend who does that. I can introduce you."
—Pah, when did I become so saintly? Ren Yuanhao, oh Ren Yuanhao, if you had even half the cunning of a system, you'd probably be cruising on a yacht in the Maldives or Hawaii right now, wouldn't you?
Ren Yuanhao's mind raced.
"I only know how to play 'Jing Nü Online.' I really don't know anything else."
"You play 'Jing Nü Online' too? That's a coincidence. My friend is also a professional esports player for 'Jing Nü Online'."
"Hmph, hearing you say that, do you possibly even know someone like the goddess Ye Lan?" Lan Jie'er looked adoringly and said slowly, "Goddess Ye Lan is popular with everyone, regardless of gender. If I ever get a chance to see her in person, my life will have been worth it."
Ren Yuanhao laughed heartily, "Is that all you aspire to in life?"
"Of course not. I just really admire her. She's so beautiful, and yet her hand speed is so monstrously fast—"
"So, what if I told you I could arrange for you to meet Ye Lan? Would you be willing to consider a transition?"
When Ren Yuanhao said this, it was as if he were stating a trivial matter.
"Hey, you're not tricking me, are you? I'm very easily fooled. If I believe you, you'll have to take responsibility, or I'll give you a bad review!"
"If you're willing, I can take you to see her right now. But you have to give me a good review. I desperately need good reviews right now!"
Ren Yuanhao finally understood how to leverage his resources. This way, he might even get another order in the afternoon!
The allure of money was infinite. Some people would go mad for it, while others would abandon their conscience.
"Hey, hey, hey, you're saying it like it's real. Are you sure you're not messing with me?"
Lan Jie'er felt her heart pounding like a drum.
"Let's go. If you want to meet someone, get in the car."
Ren Yuanhao put out his cigarette and was the first to get into the Ferrari. Lan Jie'er looked into his eyes again and found a light as brilliant as the sun shimmering within them!