The big boss's words left Simon nearly breathless.
What kind of godly boss was this, leading by a million yet still guarding the lead?
He glanced down at his phone, seeing PublicEnemyofLove sending gifts from scratch again.
His jaw practically hit the floor.
Every now and then, his eyes darted to James.
Even the instant noodles brought by the attendant seemed less appetizing.
He pondered how to latch onto James's proverbial legâwhat words or actions could earn the favor of such a formidable character?
James felt uncomfortable under that kind of gaze, filled with longing, like a scantily clad woman under the streetlights.
That eager look made him think this guy was hinting for a tip.
James's eyes landed on the instant noodles on the table. After a moment of thought, he got up, went to the counter, bought a sausage, and handed it to him, saying, "Thanks, man. Here, have a sausage."
Simon was startled.
What did he mean by this?
What was he trying to do?
Could it be...
Suddenly, enlightenment struck Simon, and he felt he'd grasped a hidden message from the big boss.
He barked loudly, "Woof," and then used his mouth to pick up the sausage, crouching down with a look full of obedience.
James: "..."
James was taken aback.
This guy must be crazy.
James felt his scalp tingle under that fervent gaze and was thoroughly creeped out.
He hurriedly got up and moved to a seat further away.
Simon watched him leave, feeling more heartbroken than when his girlfriend had dumped him.
...
At this point, the PK had more than four minutes left.
The opponent giving up so soon left James feeling a bit awkward, gifting by himself.
Shirley Taylor had been in a daze for five or six minutes now.
Everything seemed frozen, and the stream was eerily silent except for the lively chat on the public screen, where many were bubbling with comments:
"I can't take it anymore, Great Sage, please stop."
"Live-streaming while zoning out, a million earned in a day?"
"Enemy Brother, I just turned eighteen. Please slide into my DMs."
"The opponent's surrendered, yet you're still gifting? Are you laundering money or what?"
"The other side's losing it; the streamer suggests feeding the boss mouth to mouth for a gift."
"Is it? Let's go check it out."
James was intrigued by the comments.
What would Cilantro think upon seeing the streamer's real face; could he still stomach it?
He paused from gifting and clicked into the opponent's stream, just in time to hear Meimei's hyped encouragements, jacked up as if on adrenaline:
"Cilantro bro, finish your drink and charge ahead. Don't let them look down on us."
"Life's about making a standâif I were you, I'd pawn everything to get that dignity back."
"If you chicken out this time, you'll never regain face."
"Hey other big guys in the stream, gift some stuff, show our boss what a real man looks like."
"Welcome, level-58 PublicEnemyofLove. Boss, come give us a hand. This PK is crucial; we can't afford to lose."
The stream had loud, energizing music blaring, and the streamer had a fierce expression, exuding intensity.
Her voice was a bit hoarse, lending a desperate quality to her tone.
Public Enemy of Love: "I'm Bunny's big brother here to see how your boss is doing."
Streamer Meimei saw the rival boss entering and immediately put on a flattering smile, screeching:
"Oh dear, boss, you hit too hard, left me all bruised. Aren't you going to cover some medical expenses?"
James sent a one-cent beer gift.
The money came from the PK red envelope the weasel-like guy claimed, not out of his own pocket.
He figured the streamer would have a rough time later, and sent a gift as a token gesture.
Public Enemy of Love: "Is your boss still around? Ask him if he can keep it up."
Streamer Meimei immediately shouted:
"He definitely can. My boss is loaded, this is nothing."
"Cilantro Boss, the rival boss is in, what're you waiting for? Show them!"
Fredy was busy rallying his friends to help and ignored the streamer.
Meimei assumed he'd given up, wailing in complaint:
"Cilantro Boss, you've screwed me over. We streamers can't turn off beauty filters. Streaming bare-faced, you may as well have me dead..."
She knew her realityâexposing her bare face would end her streaming career.
She planned to bail on this punishment no matter what.
Or just go offline.
Losing one boss was better than losing all.
LovesCilantro: "Streamer, stop whining, let's continue." @PublicEnemyofLove
Fredy not only called for friends but also emptied the hundred grand his dad gave him for this.
He'd convinced his dad it was for starting a businessâa game companyâbut James had sparked his competitive spirit.
To hell with it, he'd just ask for more later.
LovesCilantro gifted Dragon Ranger Ã1, Ã2...
Seeing Cilantro Boss back in action, Meimei suddenly felt hopeful; if she could salvage the situation, abandoning such a generous sucker would be regrettable.
These patrons, who threw money trusting without seeing, were rare treasures.
She cranked up the theme music and cheered:
"Excited heart, trembling hand, follow boss all around. Thank Heaven, thank Earth, thank boss with loyalty profound."
"Our boss, loyal and bold. May his wallet never hold but loads."
"If you don't quit, neither shall I, my boss, you're the greatest of all..."
The stream's atmosphere was electric, the streamer's voice so loud it seemed ready to blow the roof off.
Her guild's hype team also commented, wholeheartedly supporting the boss, showering him with praise.
"Let's lend the boss a hand. The score's close, we need a comeback."
"Meimei deserves our protection; rally behind the boss!"
"Smash that ditzy chick on the other side."
People indeed got swept up, egging each other on.
"This stream's got vibesâstreamer's hot and free-spirited. Here's a token 'Marry her' for you."
"Meimei, love ya, but spent my allowance already on ten carsâjust about out for the month."
James shook his head, amazed at their misplaced enthusiasm.
Back to his own stream, the atmosphere was refreshingly calm.
Despite nearly 100,000 viewers, all were collected, speaking reasonably and quietly.
No over-the-top streamersâjust a dazed bunny yet to return to her senses.
Seeing Shirley Taylor looking groggy, he playfully typed:
"Hey there, sleepy wife!"
Shirley Taylor, very attuned to James's comments, was roused by his words, responding absentmindedly, "Mm."
James, pleased she didn't mind his address, was secretly delighted.
Seeing the opponent gain momentum, he quickly opened the gift menu and clicked Carnival.
Ready for the final push.