The Female Carry I Picked Up

As a minor celebrity with barely any fame, Zhi Lan is an absolute gaming addict. Whenever she has nothing to do, she plays games, even though she's terrible at them and loves playing anyway.

When she gets killed again in a game, bringing her score to 0-12, the support on her team turns on her mic and says in a sweet, pitying voice, "Sis, you're really bad. Could you please stop playing Xiao Qiao next time?"

The jungler on her team, a guy with a voice like a slipper stuck in his throat who is carrying a girl, also mocks her: "Scatter some rice across the screen and even a chicken will navigate better than you. Hang a cat treat on the screen and even a cat will deal more damage!"

He keeps taunting Zhi Lan in the all-chat, too.

After being berated mercilessly, Zhi Lan lowers her head and questions her skills for the first time. Is she really that bad?

Just then, the enemy jungler moves like a ghost and kills both of them, taking out her two other teammates along the way. Just as Zhi Lan thinks the enemy is going for a pentakill, they stop in front of her, and a message appears in all-chat: [You can have this kill. Take it.]

Zhi Lan quickly swings her fan and claims the kill. They lose in the end, but Zhi Lan is delighted.

Just as she's about to log off, the enemy jungler invites her to a game. She thinks it over and accepts. Before she can say anything, the other player starts the match.

In the second game, the other player carries her to victory. Their mechanics and game sense are incredible, so dazzling that she can barely keep up and hardly dares to breathe.

After much hesitation, she types: [Thanks for earlier.]

The top jungler replies coolly: [It's nothing.]

[Turn on your mic.]

Zhi Lan: "?"

[It's... not very convenient.]

Even though she's only a minor celebrity and no one would recognize her voice, she's still so embarrassed. What if someone does recognize her?

But the top jungler insists: [Turn on your mic and call me "sis." I'll help you rank up.]

The temptation of climbing the ranks outweighs the fear of being found out. After much hesitation, Zhi Lan turns on her mic and imitates Yao, straining her voice into a high, coquettish pitch. "S-Sis..."

Hearing that familiar voice, Bai Kou curls her lips into a faint smile. So it really is her.

She's waited so long for this person. This time, she won't let her slip away again.

Theme: Never give up hope. It's right in front of you