E-Sports Boss Wants To Post Messages With New Players Every Day Chapter 82

2.

After drinking the black tea, Bai Chen set down his cup. Seeing Bai Ke still smiling and staring at him, he frowned. “What else do you want to say?”

Bai Ke didn’t mind his coldness and smiled. “That Miss Luo Er, are you really going to meet her?”

Bai Chen said, “Why wouldn’t I?”

Bai Ke blinked. “Or… I could help you chase her away.”

For the last sentence, he half-stood up, his lips almost touching Bai Chen’s ear.

Bai Chen glanced at him, his gaze subtly sweeping over the Beta’s bright red lips, and said flatly, “No need.”

No need?

Bai Ke’s expression instantly soured, but he quickly recovered. He shrugged, saying nonchalantly, “Suit yourself.”

With that, he stood up and quickly left.

Bai Chen watched his retreating figure until the young man completely disappeared around the stairwell corner before withdrawing his gaze.

Since childhood, Bai Chen had maintained a detached, cold-eyed perspective toward the people around him. Perhaps because of his indifference, he saw many people and events more clearly than others.

All approaches were purposeful; all affection was driven by self-interest.

This mindset made it difficult for Bai Chen to develop feelings or interest in anyone; everyone looked the same in his eyes.

Bai Chen’s mother was a little princess living in a castle. She was pampered by her parents when she was young and adored by Bai Chen’s father when she grew up. With the family’s wealth and power, even in her forties, she still held naive and willful ideas about many things.

For example, if one child wasn’t close to her, she would raise another who was willing to be close, to satisfy her excessive maternal love.

Bai Chen had always clearly seen through his mother’s intentions. He knew, but he was too lazy to cater to them, so he pretended not to understand.

Bai Chen’s father was a taciturn Alpha. He was principled in other matters, but when facing his beloved wife, he lost his resolve. So, he took her to an orphanage and sponsored a child to satisfy her desire.

Initially, when Bai Chen saw Bai Ke following his mother, smiling brightly and sweetly calling her “Mom,” there was a hint of sarcasm in his heart. He thought the child was too stupid and understood nothing.

Later, he slowly realized that Bai Ke was not the naive, sweet person he appeared to be. He probably understood some things more clearly than Bai Chen did.

Bai Ke understood, but for the sake of wealth, glory, and a bright future, he was still willing to cooperate and continue the act.

After realizing this fact, Bai Chen’s view of Bai Ke changed.

Clear-headed, calm, goal-oriented, knowing what he wanted, and able to seize opportunities and put them into practice.

A smart and rational child.

Bai Chen admired such people, so his attitude toward Bai Ke softened considerably afterward.

And this concern gradually changed in nature through repeated interactions.

He never expected that after he and Xie Wei joined TWG and started playing esports, Bai Ke, who had always been diligent and hardworking, would abandon his imminent opportunity for higher education and follow him into TWG.

It wasn’t that esports was bad, but in Bai Chen’s mind, Bai Ke was not someone who would give up ten years of hard study due to a momentary impulse or for a so-called dream.

Puzzled, Bai Chen went to the second team to find Bai Ke.

The formerly pink and adorable little dumpling had grown into a slender, tall young man. When asked, a smile curved his lips. “Isn’t it good? This industry pays well, brings in money quickly, and you get to enjoy being admired.”

Bai Chen frowned. “Just for money?”

Impossible. After becoming the second young master of the Bai family, the one thing Bai Ke probably didn’t lack was money.

Bai Ke looked into his eyes, smiling slightly. “What else? Is there anything else here worth my pursuit?”

“Stop messing around,” Bai Chen sighed, a rare sense of helplessness rising in his heart. “How much money do you want? I’ll transfer it to you.”

The esports industry sounded wonderful, but the hardships behind it were only known to those truly involved. Countless esports players suffered lifelong ailments and pain due to prolonged sitting and frequent finger movements. The endless online abuse was also a heavy blow to their mental health.

Not to mention the grueling training and the competitive pressure from a constant stream of talented newcomers.

Bai Ke scoffed. “I was joking. Brother, I genuinely like esports and the game Resist, which is why I joined the team. Everyone has an esports dream, right?”

Bai Chen didn’t believe him at all.

He knew better than anyone that it was a lie.

But he chose not to press further, saying helplessly, “…What position do you play? I’ll take a look for you.”

At that time, Bai Ke curved his eyes, smiling cutely. “Brother, you’re so good to me.”

Good?

Perhaps he was.

Bai Chen couldn’t quite explain it himself.

Just as now, he couldn’t explain what this emotion in his heart was.

These past few days, he had rejected all the blind dates his mother arranged for him, simply because, in a midnight dream a few months ago, a soft, snow-white body had embraced him, and when Bai Chen looked down, he saw Bai Ke’s face.

He found it hard to believe he could fall for anyone or spend his life with someone, walking hand in hand.

But toward Bai Ke, he had indeed developed inappropriate feelings.

Looking at the teacup in front of him, Bai Chen’s eyes deepened. He raised his hand, his fingertip lightly tracing the rim of the cup.

Withdrawing his hand, he let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head in self-mockery.

Perhaps he really should face reality and go on a blind date.

—

On the day of the blind date, Bai Chen was dressed in a suit. Under his mother’s eager gaze, he looked at himself in the mirror, frowned slightly, and then quickly relaxed. “I’m heading out.”

“Good, good,” his mother said with a bright smile. “Have fun.”

Fun.

Bai Chen’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. He didn’t say much, just nodded. “Mm.”

Just as he pulled open the front door, he suddenly heard a rush of footsteps from upstairs. Immediately after, Bai Ke ran over like a gust of wind, plopped down on the shoe bench, and started changing his shoes.

“This child, why is he so flustered,” his mother’s smile faded slightly.

Bai Chen, however, looked at the small section of fair skin exposed as Bai Ke bent over. “Are you going out?”

“Yeah, meeting a friend for dinner.” Bai Ke quickly tied his shoelaces, looked up, and smiled widely. “Brother, I wish you a pleasant blind date.”

Bai Chen wanted to ask which friend it was, but the words felt inappropriate once they reached his mouth, so he said nothing.

Bai Ke waved his hand and zipped away like a gust of wind. His mother sighed softly. “Sigh, it’s time to find a suitable partner for Bai Ke too, otherwise, if he keeps being so restless, when will he ever settle down?”

Hearing this, a sudden surge of anger inexplicably rose in Bai Chen’s heart. He turned around and said coldly, “He’s only nineteen.”

“Nineteen is quite old already,” his mother didn’t notice his displeasure and continued talking to herself. “But since he’s a Beta, it’s fine if he marries out. It’s convenient either way.”

Bai Chen laughed, looking coldly at his mother. “He’s the child you raised yourself. When talking about such a lifelong matter, you only think about ‘convenience’?”

His mother was startled by his sudden anger and stammered, “X-Xiao Chen, what’s wrong?”

Bai Chen didn’t want to talk to her anymore. He closed his eyes, grabbed his suit jacket, and strode away.

The meeting place for dinner with Miss Luo Er was a high-end French restaurant. Bai Chen rarely came to such places; when he went out with friends, they usually chose clubs or bars.

He took the elevator up to the top floor of the skyscraper. When the elevator doors opened, a waiter quickly approached, quietly asking for his reservation name and table number.

Bai Chen provided the information, his eyes unintentionally scanning the room, and suddenly froze.

By the large floor-to-ceiling window, a familiar figure was talking to the man across the table. The two seemed to be enjoying their conversation, laughing after every sentence. Outside, the night was enchanting, and nearby, a pianist in a tuxedo played a gentle, soothing melody. The lighting was intimate, and the atmosphere was just right.

Why was Bai Ke here?

Who was the man opposite him?

“Sir,” the waiter reminded him softly, “Your table is this way.”

Bai Chen frowned. Emotionally, he wanted to walk over and grab Bai Ke, demanding an explanation, but reason stopped him. He took a step, walking in the opposite direction.

By the table the waiter indicated, a beautiful, delicately made-up girl was already seated. She wore a blue dress that made her look charming and delicate.

Seeing Bai Chen, her eyes lit up, and she stood up with a beaming smile. “Hello, I’m Luo Chuxi. Aunt Bai was right, you really are handsome.”

Bai Chen had come with a perfunctory attitude, and having just seen Bai Ke, his mind wasn’t on her at all. Hearing her, he simply said, “Hello, I’m Bai Chen.” And said nothing more.

Luo Chuxi smiled awkwardly. “Then… shall I ask the waiter to serve the food?”

“Yes, thank you.”

On the other side, Bai Ke was straining his neck to look back. “Damn, why can’t I see anything from here?”

“Stop, stop it,” Zhang Xiaolian kicked him under the table. “If you keep doing that, they’ll think you’re a weirdo and drag you out.”

“Tsk.”

Bai Ke unhappily retracted his gaze. “You’re useless.”

“I don’t appreciate that,” Zhang Xiaolian said. “I skipped work to come and help you monitor… oh no, observe your brother’s blind date.”

“Don’t be cheesy,” Bai Ke rolled his eyes. “Would you have come if I hadn’t invited you for French food?”

Zhang Xiaolian chuckled. “See through it but don’t say it, let’s stay friends.”

The appetizer arrived. Bai Ke picked up his knife and fork, cutting the food on his plate with a look of displeasure. Zhang Xiaolian was a streamer friend he had known for a while. They rarely met in person but had a very good relationship online, which was why Bai Chen hadn’t recognized him earlier.

Now that they weren’t at home, Bai Ke didn’t bother to pretend and wore a sullen face. “What is my brother thinking? He clearly doesn’t want to, yet he came on a blind date. Does he really want to go down the path of an arranged marriage?”

Zhang Xiaolian didn’t know about his feelings for Bai Chen, only assuming he was a severe case of brother complex. He said earnestly, “Your brother is at that age, and he’s the heir. This step is inevitable. They say love is the best way to divert attention. How about this, I’ll introduce you to someone, absolutely reliable, what do you say?”

Although Bai Ke was a Beta, he was good-looking, so he had no shortage of admirers. However, after falling for Bai Chen, it was hard for anyone else to catch his eye. He said without interest, “Forget it.”

“Alright, come find me anytime if you change your mind.” Zhang Xiaolian didn’t press him, lowering his head to taste the food. “Holy cow, this is delicious. You really get what you pay for.”

This restaurant cost over four thousand per person, with top-tier ingredients and wine.

With gourmet food in front of him, Bai Ke was uninterested. He knew that if he waited any longer, Bai Chen would genuinely marry someone else.

He had to make a move.