This Streamer Has a Conscience, But Not Much!

Lu Xiaoqi: "???"Photographer: "???"

To be honest, Lu Xiaoqi was a little confused... She had heard of Cambridge University, but this "Sharkey Botcherdan Chaikov-Corgi University" that Cao Shengming mentioned? That was a first.

"Uh... that university name sounds kinda long..."

"Yeah, it's part of our school's cultural tradition," Cao Shengming replied, trying to keep a straight face. "Even though our university isn't that famous, I think you should know that anyone studying in the England has to pass the TOEFL."

"Since I was able to study in the UK, I think you can trust my English skills. Being a translator for your company shouldn't be a problem."

Lu Xiaoqi thought for a moment.That made sense—if he passed TOEFL, translating English should be a piece of cake.

"Oh, by the way, do you want to test me?"

Cao Shengming suddenly smiled. "If you don't test me, I'm afraid you won't feel reassured. How about this? Back in university, I wrote an article. I'll read it to you..."

"Sure," Lu Xiaoqi crossed her arms, intrigued. "Go ahead."

Cough cough.

Cao Shengming cleared his throat, took a deep breath, and began his "English showcase."

"I. see. your. monsters. I. see. your. pain.(I understand your fears and pain.)

Tell. me. your. problems. I'll. chase. them. away.(Let me share your worries, I'll make them disappear.)

I'll. be. your. lighthouse. I'll. make. it. okay.(I'll be your guiding light, I'll make everything alright.)

When. I. see. your. monsters. I'll. stand. there. so. brave.(When I see the demons inside you, I'll stand up for you.)

And. chase. them. all. away."(I'll make them disappear completely.)

Cao Shengming let out a slow breath. "So? What do you think of my English level?"

Lu Xiaoqi frowned and thought for a while before speaking. "To be honest, there's no doubt your English is good... but why does this sound less like an article and more like..."

"Oh?" Cao Shengming raised an eyebrow. "More like what?"

"Like... a song?" Lu Xiaoqi hesitated. "By the way, what's the title of your 'article'?"

"Uh... Monsters."

"That just makes it sound even more like a song..."

Cao Shengming blinked but didn't reply, just kept smiling confidently.

"Forget it, forget it. Your English is probably fine." Lu Xiaoqi decided not to dwell on it and got straight to the point. "By the way, where do you live? If it's too far..."

Before she could finish, Cao Shengming interrupted.

"I live in Syria. Just got back to China. I don't have a place to stay in Linhai yet."

"???" Lu Xiaoqi was stunned. "Weren't you studying in the UK? How did you end up in Xuliya!? Isn't there a war going on there...?"

"Oh, I went there for a summer job." Cao Shengming waved his hand dismissively. "Not important. Anyway, I remember you mentioned on the phone that the company provides accommodation? I just hope it's decent—after all, a good night's sleep is important for performing well the next day."

Something felt off to Lu Xiaoqi.But she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Still, the phrase "went to Syria for a summer job" echoed in her mind.

"I... uh... Don't worry, I'll book you a hotel," she said, feeling slightly dizzy. "Come with me. Oh, right, and this guy...? Why is he carrying a camera?"

"Oh, he's a war journalist. Met him in Xuliya. He had nowhere to go, so I brought him back."

Photographer: "..."Lu Xiaoqi: "..."

This story was getting more ridiculous by the second!

Meanwhile, the livestream chat was absolutely losing it:

— "LMAO my stomach hurts! HELP! Hahahaha!!!"— "'Sharkey Botcherdan Chaikov-Corgi University'... I CAN'T BREATHE!!!"— "This man is just making stuff up as he goes... "— "Syria… summer job… bro, you went to a war zone for an internship???"— "AND THE WAR JOURNALIST??? The photographer is like 'please don't drag me into your BS!'"— "How is this girl actually believing all this nonsense...?"— "To be fair, his English pronunciation was kinda decent though."— "Wait… am I the only one who thinks that 'article' sounded suspiciously like song lyrics…?"— "I thought so too! But I searched, and there's no song like that!"

After crossing a few streets, the three of them arrived at a fancy-looking hotel.

Lu Xiaoqi quickly booked a room with her ID and handed the key card to Cao Shengming.

"I'll pick you up at 8 AM tomorrow. Don't oversleep."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

As soon as Lu Xiaoqi left, Cao Shengming twirled the key card in his fingers, looking smug.

"See? We have a place to stay tonight."

The photographer's mind was in turmoil.His head was still spinning from all the absurd stories Cao Shengming had just spun.

"Sharkey Botcherdan Chaikov-Corgi University...""Syria summer job...""War journalist..."

"Oh my god, how did she actually believe all that nonsense!?" The photographer took a deep breath. "Bro… before this show, were you a professional scam artist!?"

"I think you should sleep in the hallway tonight."

"Bro, I was wrong, I was wrong!" The photographer immediately raised his hands in surrender. "My respect for you is as vast as the ocean, truly. But seriously, your English is pretty good—I couldn't have pulled off what you just did."

Cao Shengming stepped into the elevator, turned to him with a slight smile.

"Yeah… that was song lyrics. Good thing she didn't ask me to continue, or I'd have to start singing."

Photographer: "..."

Livestream chat: "..."