Reincarnation: Trying to pretend to be ordinary, but it turns out it's really impossible.

Fu Jingyan said in a low voice, "Twenty thousand."

Su Ningning sighed heavily, her whole demeanor drooping.

"Then what's the point of us fighting so hard for so long...?"

Old Han then spoke up and patiently explained to her:

"For exposure."

Ningning, you don't quite understand the path of a professional gamer yet.

Youth training is just the lowest level.

We need to showcase our abilities through matches, demonstrate our skills, and let the higher-ups see them so we can move up in the rankings.

"You earn 4,000 a month in youth training now. If you make it into the second team, you can earn 8,000. If you can make it into the first team, you can earn tens of thousands a month."

This is just the fixed salary, not including competition prizes, commercial revenue sharing, and star power.

In reality, professional players, in the end, are pretty much the same as celebrities.

Su Ningning nodded, seemingly understanding, "Okay, I see."

She quickly added:

"But I don't want to be a celebrity. I'm fine with playing video games, but I won't do anything else unrelated to gaming."

Old Han immediately smiled and nodded: "Of course. With your skills, you'll be in charge of everything."

Even though she understood, Su Ningning was still a little sullen.

She really didn't expect that after all the hard work and winning so many matches, the prize money would be so little, and it would be split among the whole team.

During the meal, Shen Xingbai immediately noticed that Su Ningning was unhappy, so he put down his chopsticks and asked softly:

"What's wrong? Still not happy after the match?"

Su Ningning picked at the food in her bowl and told him all about her grievances regarding the bonus.

Shen Xingbai couldn't help but laugh and cry after hearing this:

"I did my research when you decided to enter this industry. The prize money for youth training competitions is indeed not high; it's mainly for building reputation and seniority."

Su Ningning gave an "Oh," but still couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

Shen Xingbai rubbed her head:

"After dinner, I'll take you to get some dessert. My friend said that place is really good, I guarantee it'll brighten your mood."

Su Ningning's eyes lit up instantly at the mention of delicious food.

Her earlier gloom vanished instantly, and she immediately nodded in agreement.

When we arrived at the dessert shop, we found it filled with young women.

As soon as the two entered, many eyes fell on Shen Xingbai.

Su Ningning was so engrossed in eating her cake that cream got all over her mouth. With her cheeks puffed out, she looked both silly and adorable.

Shen Xingbai looked at her with eyes so tender they could melt water, and his heart trembled slightly. He felt he couldn't get enough of looking at her.

A short while later, two girls mustered up their courage and came over to ask him for his contact information.

Shen Xingbai, who had just been all gentle, instantly turned cold, her tone devoid of any warmth:

"Sorry, I don't add strangers."

One of the girls, unwilling to give up, smiled and acted coquettishly:

"How can we get to know each other without adding each other on WeChat? Maybe after chatting, you'll find I'm quite nice."

The people around them echoed this sentiment.

Shen Xingbai frowned slightly and spoke directly:

"I have a girlfriend, and she's very strict with me."

Upon hearing this, the girls immediately felt embarrassed and awkwardly said, "Excuse me."

She glanced again at Su Ningning, whose mouth was covered in cream and who was still curiously observing them, and then hurriedly left.

After everyone left, Su Ningning finally spoke, her mouth still full of cake:

"When did you get a girlfriend? How come I didn't know?"

Shen Xingbai felt both helpless and amused:

"No, I was lying to them, it's too annoying."

"Hmm, why did they add you on WeChat?"

While eating her dessert, Su Ningning looked at him curiously and asked him a question.

Shen Xingbai was silent for a moment, then said softly, "They... probably want to pursue me."

Su Ningning's eyes widened suddenly: "What? They don't even know you, why would they want to pursue you?"

Shen Xingbai scratched her cheek a little awkwardly, her ear tips turning slightly red.

He had never boasted so shamefully in his life, yet he desperately wanted Su Ningning to know.

He is actually very popular and charismatic.

"Maybe it's because... I'm good-looking."

Su Ningning looked him up and down carefully, then nodded very sincerely:

"Yeah, you're really handsome, the most handsome I've ever seen."

After hearing those words, Shen Xingbai's entire face turned bright red.

Su Ningning tilted her head, then asked curiously:

"With your good looks, what kind of girlfriend are you looking for?"

Shen Xingbai looked at her and said earnestly, word by word:

"She's cute, optimistic, incredibly good at fighting, and has a big appetite."

Su Ningning paused for a moment, compared them carefully, and nodded:

"...He seems a bit like me."

Shen Xingbai chuckled softly:

"Yes, you look a lot like me."

Su Ningning felt uncomfortable all over because of Shen Xingbai's laughter.

After finishing their snacks, the two returned to their lodgings together.

They didn't stay at school this summer vacation; instead, they rented a two-bedroom apartment near Shen Xingbai's company.

As soon as Su Ningning got back, she curled up on the sofa with her tablet and started watching dramas, feeling incredibly relaxed.

Shen Xingbai stood in the living room, watching her relaxed and carefree demeanor, and a sweet feeling quietly welled up in his heart.

They could actually live on campus, but he persuaded Su Ningning to move out with him.

They said it was to make it easier for Su Ningning to play games and go to competitions, saving her the trouble of traveling back and forth.

What truly made him happy was that the two of them spending so much time together gave him a strange feeling of living together.

Even if it's only for a short month, he feels it's precious enough.

Su Ningning plans to go home to visit her parents after all the competitions this summer are over.

Only Shen Xingbai is not going back this summer vacation; he plans to stay here.

Not only did Shen Xingbai not go back, but Zhang Tianyu and He Siqi also didn't go home. The three of them spent the entire summer vacation working at the company.

He Siqi is under the most pressure, as his family calls him every day urging him to go home.

His father always felt that it was a waste of time for a sophomore to run a company instead of studying properly, and what kind of future could he have?

He bluntly told him to go home immediately, and if he wanted to learn skills, he could go to the company; he would arrange a position for him.

That way, I can smoothly inherit the family business in the future.

He Siqi refused without even thinking:

"Let my brother go; I have no interest in the family business."

His father was furious and berated him on the phone for being useless.

"Everyone else is scrambling to claim the inheritance, but you're pushing it away!"

He Siqi replied slowly:

"Dad, aren't you deliberately trying to make me fight with my brother? Are you even my real father?"

Can't stand to see us brothers get along? Maybe he's a stepfather?

One sentence infuriated his father so much that he almost smashed the phone.

Not long after, He Siqi received a call from his younger brother, who immediately launched into a tirade of complaints.

"Brother, can't you act like a human being? What did you say to Dad? I'm already under enough pressure in my senior year of high school."

"You're pulling this stunt again? Are you trying to kill me?"

He Siqi looked completely unconcerned:

"I didn't say anything. It was Dad who insisted that I go back and didn't support my career. I just made things clear to him."

"So you're telling Dad that I'll inherit the company, and you're refusing to go back no matter what, right?"

He Siqi paused, his tone inexplicably weaker, but he still tried to sound tough:

"Yeah... I just think you're very capable."

"Our family company will definitely rely on you to make it thrive and bring honor to our ancestors."

His brother was exasperated: "Can't you be a decent human being?! Can't you just let me finish high school in peace and quiet?!"

He Siqi couldn't help but laugh:

"Don't take it too hard. What Dad says is fine. If things really get tough, just ask Mom for help. She loves you the most."

"You're not home, so of course you can talk like that without experiencing the pain. I live at home, and I get nagged every day. It's not that easy for me."

"Then you should apply for on-campus accommodation," He Siqi suggested casually.

"Anyway, since it's the final sprint of senior year, if you say you want to focus on studying and live at school, Mom will definitely agree."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone; it was clear that she was tempted.

After hanging up the phone, He Siqi shook her head and smiled, then quickly threw herself back into her work.

He was indeed extremely busy these days, but he felt incredibly fulfilled.

Watching the company gradually get on the right track, slowly expand in scale, and witnessing every sign of steady growth...

All of this made him feel truly satisfied—this was the life he wanted.