Mm... hmph!

Olivia glared puff-cheeked at the Foolish Hero in front of her, all cute-angry and obvious. Gawain awkwardly brushed his hair, then frowned a little.

“Senior... how did you know I only have thirty thousand? I just said... I’ve got thirty thousand and change.”

“Uh... I, well...”

The Bluehaired Loli got stumped by that one. She stammered for a while, but couldn’t think of a clean excuse. Inside, she screamed: No kidding—because this busted game only lets you make thirty thousand in the early phase!

Gawain’s background was plain. No safety net. That thirty thousand came from him grinding like crazy to finish a high-level commission early game, just so he wouldn’t trouble Rin and could scrape together tuition for the magic academy.

In the end, Rin got his tuition waived. Even then, he never splurged. He saved everything, always planning for everyone’s tomorrow.

Such a precious stash, and the guy wants to lend it to her now. That was why Olivia was mad. It was... too, too careless!

What if I’m a bad woman scamming your money and feelings? Then you, you Foolish Hero, would lose it all.

Seriously... idiot. And you still have the nerve to ask how I knew how much you have? Usually, in this kind of situation... the other side already dug up everything about you with bad intentions, right?

All I can say is, Foolish Hero, count yourself lucky you met a senior as... kind as me.

[Hey hey hey, “kind senior,” that’s not what you say to your bestie!]

[Natasha-chan: Aren’t I already living on air?]

[The streamer’s double standards are screaming. Little wifey vibes, what can I say~]

[Streamer’s such a thrifty, homey, virtuous wife~]

Hiss...

Olivia glanced at the chat and sighed. You guys are scarier. This chat is harder to answer than Gawain’s question.

The Bluehaired Loli snapped back to the conversation. She couldn’t say “because I know everything about you.” She coughed twice, then waved it off. “Social surveys, statistics, that kind of stuff... ahem, don’t—don’t ask.”

Gawain listened, then nodded in thought. He didn’t understand, but it looked like it was something he needed to study.

Right now, he still wanted to help his senior solve the immediate problem.

“It’s fine, Senior! I’m a grown man. Even if I lend you thirty thousand, I can still eat. As long as you repay within a month... no, two or three months! If I can help my senior, I... won’t hesitate!”

Gawain spoke seriously to Olivia, reaching for his wallet. The Bluehaired Loli saw his look and got even more annoyed. She pouted, eyes not-so-friendly, scanning him up and down, then clicked her tongue. “Tsk tsk tsk.”

Hopeless. This fool’s ready to live on relief flatbread for two months just to back me up, huh? Anyone watching would think Gawain’s my hardcore one-true-fan...

On the other side, wallet in hand, Gawain hesitated at his senior’s obvious displeasure. After a moment, he asked, careful and slow.

“If it really won’t work... then, pushing it to half a year, that’s okay too?”

“Repay, repay, repay—repay your big-headed ghost! Are we even that close? You trust me this much—what if I run off with your money? Hmph. Scared now? Put your money away. I don’t need it! And don’t be so impulsive. Why care about Martina’s words? Why butt heads with her?”

Yeah. In Olivia’s view, she and Gawain weren’t close. So why lend her money? Obviously, he got riled by Martina’s “I feel sick just seeing him” from earlier, and wanted to help her to save face.

As for why Gawain showed up here, or why he believed in her—uh... the Bluehaired Loli didn’t think too hard. Maybe it was just coincidence. The Imperial Capital is big yet small. Even if she avoids crossing paths with Gawain, sometimes it’s inevitable.

Olivia muttered her piece, and the Gawain in front of her lowered his head, a little crestfallen. After a moment, the Hero sighed, then said:

“Senior, it’s not what you think. I... I just want to help you. So, can you tell me first—are you buying seeds? What seeds?”

“Coldbug Grass... the seeds of coldbug grass!”

Olivia didn’t bother to hide it. Hearing that, Gawain’s brow tightened. He murmured, worried: “Coldbug Grass? Senior... that stuff’s hard to keep alive alone. It’s high risk.”

“Yes, high risk.” The Bluehaired Loli nodded, then went with it. “So put your thirty thousand away. Or I’ll con you till you lose everything.”

She thought that would be enough to scare him off. But to her surprise, Gawain got more anxious. He grabbed the Bluehaired Loli’s hand and asked, tense:

“Why do something like a gamble... Senior, are you in trouble? Can you tell me... your reason for buying these seeds? I... I’ll help you!”

Sss—

Olivia, caught, really didn’t want to explain. Just as she was about to yank her hand free, suddenly... an electronic chime cut the air.

[System: Ding-dong. New quest released. Within ten minutes, the host must complete an explanation to the Hero via audience voting. Reward on success: one Quick Growth Agent, 5,000 Love Points. Failure will result in teleportation to a pleasure house for a high-paying night shift job!]

[Now, voting begins! Three explanation directions available!]

[A: See this coldbug grass—tiny and humble, but it boosts vitality. I plan to buy it and gift you some. That way Jitou San won’t mock you “down there” anymore!]

[B: I’m getting married, about to be a rich wife. I’m buying coldbug grass seeds as my dowry! Or... want to be part of the dowry?]

[C: Felt like you didn’t cop enough feels at the gate earlier. They say coldbug grass helps with bust enhancement. I’ll try it at home—next time hubby will be satisfied for sure!]

...

No—no, what even is this aaahhh!

Olivia stared at the three “abstract” options, and her face went pale.

Meanwhile, the live room... kicked off a fresh war of chaos.