A red and blue health bar appeared in the middle of their split screens, with the score at 0:0. Shirley Taylor's livestream, on the left, had the red health bar, while the opponent was blue. Fans' gifts converted into soundwave points, boosting their respective streamers' health bars.
Fredy struck first, sending a $3,000 Dragon Ranger gift. A massive blue dragon appeared in Meimei's stream, instantly bringing her score over 30,000, pushing the health bar into Shirley Taylor's side.
Shirley Taylor snapped back to attention. The PK bar being overwhelmed brought a flash of concern to her eyes.
She wasn't worried about losing, just about her enemy brother impulsively ruining himself financially. What if he sold his house just to send her gifts?
She didn't know what to do. If he ended up broke and without food, should she return the money?
No, she couldn't return it.
With his impulsive nature, he'd likely waste it again. She should just take care of his basic needs, making sure he had a safety net.
But by doing that...
Wouldn't she effectively be supporting him?
Lost in her thoughts, Shirley Taylor's gaze turned dreamy again, staring absently at a fixed spot with the slightest hint of shyness passing through her eyes.
James didn't notice Shirley Taylor's expression. He was warming up his fingers, ready to go all out.
[Public Enemy of Love] gifted Carnival Ã1, Ã2, Ã3...
Points soared by 30k at a time, rapidly overtaking the opponent and surpassing them.
...
A few minutes later.
In the adjacent seat, Burkitt scored a weapon worth $200 in his game, cheerfully asking the attendant for some instant noodles.
As he got up and stretched, he noticed James still sending Carnivals on TikTok.
Peering over, he chuckledâstill on the "Lucky Bunny" stream. It seemed like there weren't many streamers on their app after all.
He no longer envied James.
The $200 he'd just earned had him in high spirits, humming as he nonchalantly leaned in to watch the girl streamer.
"Hey man, aren't you tired? Sending nonstop giftsâare you doing a task or something?"
"Oh, just in the middle of a PK," James replied casually.
"Fighting hard, huh? Looks like the other guy's got similar speed to you."
Simon saw the PK score: 3.6 million soundwaves for his side, against 3.4 million for the other.
Very close.
If it were real TikTok, 3.6 million soundwaves would equal $360,000.
"Yeah, the other guy insisted on PKing with me. My thumbs are getting sore," James complained.
Simon noticed James's thumbs indeed seemed stiff, his gifting speed slowing, as if the opponent were about to overtake.
So he said with a grin, "How about I help you? When my right hand gets in a rhythm, I can break light-speed."
James's eyes brightened.
He was indeed getting tiredâlifting gifts felt like a workout, and holding it all in while talking to Shirley Taylor left him with a full bladder.
Seeing a good samaritan, he handed over his phone, saying, "Thanks, I'll just run to the restroom."
James wasn't worried about him running off with his phone. Internet cafes were sophisticated now, requiring ID and facial scans. Plus, with so many cameras, anyone stealing a pricey phone would get caught immediately.
The authorities in China were trustworthy.
Simon took the sleek metallic iPhone, admiring it as he swiped and started gifting Carnivals, enjoying the buttery smooth experience.
"This phone is awesome. When I have money, I'll buy one too."
He was impressed.
[Public Enemy of Love] gifted Carnival Ã169, Ã170, Ã171...
His right hand was indeed fast, stretching the score gap further.
Yet he still had time to enjoy watching the two streamers.
Their streamer, looking a bit vacant.
The opponent, fiery with energyâeven without sound, her fervent gestures showed her reaching a peak.
Seeing the interface, identical to real TikTok, Simon chuckledâit indeed felt genuine.
But reading the viewers' comments, something seemed off.
"Boss is amazing (voice cracks)"
"Streamer hasn't said a word; do you know you're almost topping the TikTok charts?"
"Damn, the boss is mad PKing, sent over 200 Carnivals nonstop. Headline news for sure."
"Check the other side, hear her calling him daddyâmore endearing than her real dad."
"Big Boss, when will you adopt me as your son?"
With over 5,000 viewers online, comments poured in, some buttering up the boss, some asking to be sponsored, and others joking about having his kids...
Comment after flattering comment, hinting it might actually be a real TikTok stream.
And his adjacent companion might actually be a big deal.
A bead of sweat formed on Simon's forehead.
If those gifts he was clicking were real money, then his 2 million soundwaves meant a staggering $200,000?
Since when were his fingers so valuable?
Simon was astonished.
Verifying TikTok livestream legitimacy was simpleâ
Just search for this stream on his phone.
He picked up his phone, multitasking while typing the stream name, clicking search, and found "Lucky Bunny."
It was the most popular stream in the area, ranking in TikTok's top twenty globally.
Simon nervously entered the stream, nearly blinded by the dazzling Carnival effect.
The streamer above was indeed the girl with the somewhat blank look.
Another glance confirmed the prominent big spender's name.
[Public Enemy of Love] gifted Carnival Ã302, Ã303, Ã304...
And here he was, holding Public Enemy's phone, continuously clicking to send more.
What theâ
This was real!
Simon shot to his feet, worried he might soil James's spot.
Realizing he was seated next to a mogul, he was completely dumbfounded.
Three deeply philosophical questions swirled in his mind.
Who is he?
What's his goal?
Does he need a son?
...
James returned casually from the restroom to his seat.
Seeing that Simon had boosted his score to 6 million soundwaves, while the opponent was stuck at 5 million, he thanked him with a smile, "Thanks, man."
Simon stammered, "N-no problem, thank you, big brother."
?
James was puzzledâwho was thanking whom?
He didn't think much of it, exchanged pleasantries, and resumed gift-giving on his phone.
"Bro, they're not gifting anymore. No need to waste money, right?" Simon advised, seeing James's seamless actions.
Although dazed, Simon's fingers never stopped.
Seeing the opponent pause, he did so too.
If he kept gifting with his speed, they'd be at 9 million soundwaves by now.
"Oh, just holding the lead," James replied calmly.