Chapter 53 Which Team I Join is My Choice
Austin's mind felt like it had been hit by a sledgehammer.
These secret strategies were Lily's ideas.
Austin hadn't paid much attention to them before, but with the finals approaching and no suitable player available, he decided to use Lily's previous suggestions to ensure success.
He stared at the computer screen in shock. So, SweetLemon was Lily?
Austin burst out of the room. "Who are you really?"
He had always resisted accepting this reality. But now, he had no choice.
Why had Lily hidden her identity? Why had she deceived him? Why wouldn't she return to the Roberts family team?
Lily dodged Austin's attack. "These moves won't work on me. They're useless!"
"Lily, is that you? Answer me!"
She spoke calmly, "I told you before, your strategies have many flaws. It seems nothing has changed."
Lily leaped into the air and launched a counterattack.
Austin had no chance to defend himself and fell before Lily.
Lily won.
She successfully advanced to the top 90!
The live stream exploded.
[Wow, Swetlemon, you actually beat a pro player!]
[Even though Austin isn't a great person, he's good at gaming. Lemon, you actually won!]
The PK video quickly spread across various gaming groups.
Sophie, who had been playing the victim and smearing SweetLemon to gain followers, was shocked to see the news of Austin's defeat.
This couldn't be!
How could Austin lose?
Sophie ended her live stream and rushed out to find Austin. "Where's Austin?"
"After the match, he left in a daze, ignoring everyone."
Sophie stomped her foot in frustration. How could he lose?
So embarrassing!
After her match with Austin, Lily followed her usual routine of explaining the gameplay.
When it came to her PK match with Austin, she precisely pointed out Austin's flaws and how his personality affected his gameplay.
She had mentioned these before. But Austin never listened.
Lily finished her explanation and logged off.
She received a message from Michael: [SweetLemon, is that you?]
After some thought, she replied: [Does it matter?]
Michael sighed: [I didn't mean it like that. Streaming isn't as simple as you think. This industry is full of mixed characters. You might get taken advantage of.]
[I know.] She replied.
[But if you insist on streaming, I suggest signing up with Austin's platform. He can protect you as family.]
Lily found it amusing. Austin, protect her?
She had finally broken free from the Roberts family. There was no way she would be controlled again.
Lily didn't respond.
Soon, another message from Michael arrived.
[Lily, you can join any platform. But I have one small request: don't join Bubble Buddies Team.]
Lily's eyes flashed with disdain: [Which team I join is my choice.]
[I know, but as long as it's not Bubble Buddies Team. Austin wouldn't be able to handle it.]
Lily understood why.
Bubble Buddies Team's captain, Mark, was Austin's arch-enemy. They never got along.
But which team she joined had nothing to do with the Roberts family.
Lily didn't reply again.
Meanwhile, Sophie was spreading lies on her stream, saying Lily was untrustworthy and had switched to Crayfish, causing quite a stir.
Some of Sophie's fans, who would do anything to please her, kept fueling the drama.
Lily didn't pay much attention to it.
She received a call from Crayfish's live streaming manager: "Sweetlemon, have you made a decision? We can discuss any conditions you have."
"Well, I start school in two months, so I can't commit to a fixed streaming schedule every day." She replied.
"That's fine. We can change the terms to weekend streams only, with no requirements on weekdays. How does that sound?"
Lily was surprised. Were they willing to change the conditions so easily?
"I'll think about it."
"Our platform is very strong. Don't be misled by GreenFruit's offer. We saw they offered you a million dollars, right? We'll double it to two million dollars a year. How about that?"
Lily was tempted.
"Sounds good. I'll think about it and get back to you."
After hanging up, Lily left her study.
Dennis was sitting on the couch, holding a phone.
A voice on the other end said, "Mr. Gonzalez, I've informed the Crayfish executives..."
Hearing footsteps, Dennis hung up and looked at Lily. "There's fruit on the table."
Lily's throat felt a bit dry. She grabbed the fruit plate. "Crayfish just called. They agreed I don't have to stream every day and offered two million dollars."
"They see your potential. Signing you early is a smart move."
Lily was in a good mood. "Now I don't have to worry about tuition and living expenses!"
Since leaving the Roberts family, she hadn't used her credit card or touched her savings account.
Dennis's gaze deepened. "Is there anything else you want to do?"
Lily found his question odd. "Not really. As long as I can make money, my big problem is solved."
After finishing the fruit, Lily went to rest in the neighboring house.
Eric emerged slowly from the bedroom. "Dennis, you've paved the way for Lily. She won't have a hard life. Isn't it time for you to leave?"
Dennis's expression darkened. "After she starts school."
Eric sighed, "You can't fall for her. Lily is great, but you two aren't suited for each other."
That car accident years ago sealed their fate.
Lily didn't know who Dennis was, but if she did, things wouldn't be as peaceful.
If only that car accident hadn't happened.
The next day, Lily agreed to sign with Crayfish.
She decided to stream to make money.
Crayfish sent her an invitation: [There's a social event for influencers tomorrow night. If you're free, you should come.]
Lily glanced at the invitation.
She had wanted to attend such an event in her past life, but Austin had taken Sophie instead.
She had many regrets from her past life.
But attending this event probably required a formal dress.
When she left the Roberts family, she only brought simple clothes.
Lily went to the neighboring house, but found Dennis and Eric weren't home.
She saw a note on the table, the handwriting wild and untamed: [Lily, we're out!]
It was clearly Eric's writing.
Fine, she'd go shopping herself.
Lily took a cab to a mall she used to frequent.
This time, she was spending her own money and felt a newfound confidence.
"Lily, what are you doing here?"
Lily turned to see Violet. She smiled. "Shopping for clothes."
"Are you going to the influencer event tomorrow night?"
"How did you know?"
"I guessed. My brother is working the event, and I heard SweetLemon might attend."
Lily didn't try to hide it. "Are you alone?"
"I just left the internet café. My parents don't let me game at home. I'll help you shop. I have nothing else to do."
Lily didn't refuse. They headed to the top floor.
Violet noticed the brands. "These clothes are expensive."
"Don't worry, I have money!"
Lily walked into a brand store, and a salesperson approached. "Ms. Roberts, how can I help you?"
"Lily's credit cards are frozen. How does she have money to shop?"
Sophie and Calista entered the store, looking smug.