Chapter 44: Expand and Strengthen, Forge New Glories

Lin Bai: "..."

He rubbed his face vigorously. Time was of the essence, so he set off to find Xu Youmeng’s esports studio.

Compared to the mission objectives, the S-rank gaming talent was far more tempting to Lin Bai!

Gaming truly required talent. People like Zhao Fangting and Li Yu could pick up any game and play it well immediately, but as for him... no matter how hard he tried to learn, he remained a gaming dunce.

"Once I get that S-rank gaming talent, I’m definitely going to challenge Zhao Fangting to a 1v1! I'll wash away my past humiliations! Hehehe..."

With this thought in mind, Lin Bai let out a creepy laugh.

After walking for a while, he finally found Xu Youmeng’s esports studio.

"Dream Esports Studio. That name is a bit cheesy," Lin Bai couldn't help but chuckle.

Faintly, he heard an argument coming from inside the room. After hesitating for a few seconds, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.

Just as he was about to knock a second time, the door swung open, revealing Xu Youmeng’s beautiful face, now twisted in anger.

When she saw Lin Bai standing there, the anger on her face quietly faded, replaced by a slight furrow of her brows.

"How did you find this place?"

Lin Bai opened his mouth to explain, but a man’s voice cut in from behind Xu Youmeng.

"Xiaomeng, considering our seniority, is it too much to ask you to call me 'Senior'? It wasn't easy to build this team. We know you're short on cash, and we've never asked you for a single cent in payment; we’ve done this out of passion and belief."

"But passion and belief can't put food on the table! There’s such a great opportunity right now! We can win fifty thousand yuan just by winning this match. Do you have any idea how long that money could keep us going?"

The young man acted as if he didn't see Lin Bai, focusing entirely on Xu Youmeng and completely ignoring him.

Xu Youmeng turned her head, frowning. "I said I’m not participating, and I mean it! I am the captain of this team; if you're unwilling to stay, you can leave."

Xu Youmeng’s lack of hesitation surprised Lin Bai.

Looking at the young man, his face had turned a liver-colored purple; he looked absolutely miserable!

"Xiaomeng, how can you say such heartless things? You know I..."

"I don't know, and I don't want to know. Just go, Li Ye. Consider it as if you were never part of my team."

Faced with Xu Youmeng’s near-cold-blooded response, Li Ye was in immense pain, but he had no choice.

"Fine, I’m leaving! See how far you get without me in this team!"

With that, Li Ye brushed past Xu Youmeng and strode out of the room, creating a gust of wind as he headed toward the entrance of the entrepreneurship park.

Lin Bai stepped aside to let him pass, and once Li Ye was far away, he turned his attention back to Xu Youmeng.

"Do you need something?" Xu Youmeng looked at Lin Bai, frowning.

Lin Bai glanced past her into the room. It was a bit cluttered; two rows of desks and chairs were arranged in an L-shape, with desktop computers on top and various logos plastered all over the four walls.

"If there’s nothing, I’m closing the door."

Xu Youmeng seemed resistant to Lin Bai’s presence and made a move to shut the door.

Lin Bai quickly braced the door with his hand. "There is! I do have something!"

Xu Youmeng studied Lin Bai carefully for a moment before finally turning back into the room and sitting down in her chair.

Lin Bai followed her inside and sat down opposite her.

"It’s a bit empty. Where are the other team members?"

Xu Youmeng rubbed her temples. "We had a fight, and they all left. What? Are you here to laugh at me?"

Lin Bai was speechless. He leaned back, watching Xu Youmeng as he fell into thought.

A few seconds later, he looked up. "I heard what Li Ye said earlier. Can I ask why you won't compete against the neighboring college?"

Xu Youmeng lowered her hand and glanced at Lin Bai, her expression tinged with bitterness.

"What do you expect us to compete with? They are a college team led by two Masters and a Grandmaster! The skill gap is too large; we don't have a shred of hope of winning."

Lin Bai suddenly understood, subconsciously recalling what Li Yu had said the previous night.

"If there’s no cost to it, wouldn't it be good to compete just to gain experience?" Lin Bai asked, confused.

Xu Youmeng shook her head with a bitter smile. "I have my reasons for not participating. Do you actually have a point or not?"

Seeing that Xu Youmeng was about to kick him out again, Lin Bai quickly raised his hand.

"I do! Aren't you short on money? I'll be your investor and help you open a club! We’ll work together to grow, get stronger, and achieve glory!"

Lin Bai stated his plan decisively. He watched esports competitions often, and studios like this were usually referred to as clubs.

After hearing his words, Xu Youmeng’s first reaction was stunned silence, followed by a wry, speechless laugh. Her tone shifted suddenly.

"I saw the posts on the campus forum a few days ago. You’re actually not bad. Perhaps Chen Shuya leaving was a good thing for you."

"For a man, having money or not isn't the most important thing; having ambition is what matters."

"At least, that’s what I think."

Faced with Xu Youmeng’s lecture, Lin Bai was completely bewildered.

But he soon realized that Xu Youmeng had misunderstood him.

The posts made by Brother Luo were full of his previous part-time job experiences. Influenced by this, Xu Youmeng assumed Lin Bai was just a poor student working to support his studies.

This also meant that, in her eyes, he didn't have any money! She thought he was just bragging!

"Regardless, thank you. I appreciate your kind intentions, but you should focus on your studies."

Xu Youmeng stood up. There was no trace of contempt on her face, only respect, which touched Lin Bai deeply.

Just as Lin Bai opened his mouth to explain, a middle-aged man wearing flip-flops and a tank top walked in.

The man was holding a notebook and had a cigarette dangling from his mouth. A thick cloud of smoke filled the air, causing both Lin Bai and Xu Youmeng to frown.

"Young lady, you’ve been behind on the rent for a whole semester. If you don't pay up now, you’ll have to move out."

As soon as the man spoke, Lin Bai looked at Xu Youmeng. "You have to pay rent here?"

Xu Youmeng’s face darkened. "Of course, though it’s much cheaper than rent outside."

With that, she approached the man, pressing her palms together in a humble gesture.

"I’m sorry, Uncle Liu. Can you give me a few more days? Just a few days! I will definitely pay the rent, please?"

Uncle Liu shook his head with his eyes closed. "No, no. How long has this been going on? Every time I come, it’s the same story. A whole semester has passed, and there are plenty of other students waiting in line to use this space."

"Either pay the rent today, or move out today. Don't blame Uncle Liu; I’ve already done all I could."

Watching Uncle Liu’s expression, Lin Bai nodded slightly. From his perspective, he had indeed been more than reasonable.

Seeing Xu Youmeng looking helpless, Lin Bai was just about to offer to cover the cost when a loud, clear voice rang out from the doorway.

"How much is it! I’ll pay!"

The three of them turned in unison to see a young man walking in with his hands in his pockets, looking high-spirited and confident.

The young man wasn't particularly handsome, nor was he tall—he looked to be just over 1.7 meters—dressed in a white shirt and jeans.

However, there was an aura about him... one that seemed to look down on everyone else. It was rather strange.

"Zhao Sen, Vice President of the Civil Engineering Student Union."

Xu Youmeng, knowing Lin Bai wouldn't recognize him, whispered the introduction.