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nLila spent half an hour setting up the phone for William. Noticing Lana’s puzzled gaze but choosing not to explain, she instructed William on the basic functions of the phone: which app was for news, which was for music, and also helped him register for a live streaming account.

nLana looked on, her lips slightly parted in astonishment. Had William never used a phone before? Considering even four or five-year-old kids know how to use phones nowadays, William’s unfamiliarity was downright baffling.

nIf it weren’t for the impressive guitar skills William had just showcased, Lana might have doubted his intelligence.

nHowever, William seemed nonchalant. After Lila handed him the phone, he opened the streaming software and casually entered a live room. The female host was just chatting casually. Every now and then, she received virtual gifts from viewers, thanking them by name.

n“This is live streaming?” William raised an eyebrow.

nLana replied, “Yes! You can watch others first to see how it’s done.”

nAfter a moment of contemplation, William asked, “Can I do it without showing my face?”

n“Hide your face?” Lana hadn’t expected such a request. “Your appearance is an asset, why hide it?”

n“I’d prefer not to,” William replied. He had made acquaintances fifty years ago, people he wasn’t ready to meet or let them find him, so naturally, he wanted to remain anonymous.

nPondering briefly, Lana said, “It might be challenging. After all, you can’t exactly flaunt your physique like some girls do, but you can give it a try.”

nLana then delved into more specifics of live streaming. After over two hours of explaining, William finally grasped the concept.

nTo him, it was reminiscent of the street performances he saw in New York fifty years ago. Back then, artists also interacted with their audience, only now everything had become more digitized and convenient. “Fifty years ago, I recall artists in Manhattan corners using hats to collect tips from the audience. Now, these tips have taken a virtual form,” William reminisced.

nIn the end, Lana suggested, “William, if you decide to give it a shot, we can draft a contract. Trust me, with your talent, even without showing your face, you’ll be welcomed.”

n“I don’t have a vast repertoire, but I can try other things. As for the contract, there’s no need. I won’t be doing this for long.” William wanted to acquaint himself with the current era, understanding its modes of entertainment and work. Given that live streaming was akin to street performance, he wasn’t keen on doing it long-term, maybe just a week or two.

nOnly for a short while?

nA hint of disappointment flashed in Lana’s eyes, but William was Lila’s guest. He couldn’t be expected to become a full-time streamer, right?

nWhat resources did the Carter family lack?

nJudging from Lila’s attitude toward William, if he wished, Lila could introduce him to any job.

nLana didn’t have strong opinions on the matter. She wasn’t entirely convinced that William was a goldmine, especially since he didn’t want to reveal his face. For now, not signing a contract was fine.

n“William, where are you heading later?”

nWilliam replied, “New York Galaxy Hotel.”

nLila inquired, “Meeting someone?”

n“It’s a mixer for the dance department,” William answered. “Drop me off at the east main gate of the university, and I’ll go with my roommates.”

n“A dance department mixer?” Upon hearing this, Lana’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Can I come?”

nGirls who study dance tend to be quite attractive. Hudson University’s dance department is renowned, and there might be an opportunity to scout potential rising stars. Recruiting a few more handsome guys and beautiful girls would definitely be beneficial for the company.

nLila wasn’t aware that David was also attending the dance mixer. Catching Lana’s glance, she immediately grasped her intentions. “If you want to go, then go. We can dine at a table nearby. Let William head in first, and we can pretend to bump into him. Just a brief interaction.”

n“Great idea. Let’s do that,” Lana, despite being from a wealthy background, was passionate about her ventures. Her primary focus was always on how to make money. While she didn’t particularly enjoy dinner or drinks parties, she was indeed interested in meeting potential stars.

nWith Lila and Lana planning as such, William had no objections. After all, they’d be seated separately; it had nothing to do with him.

nLana smiled at William and said, “William, you guys head in first. Let me know which table you’re at.”

n“Sure!” William wasn’t averse to attractive women; it’s probably just a man’s nature.

nLana, having started her business at a young age, exuded a mature allure. Her attire was always exquisite, and she wore light gold glasses. Her features often hinted at a playful charm, contrasting with Lila’s more youthful demeanor, giving her a unique appeal.

n“Heh, William, I guess we’re friends now. Stream as you usually would, and don’t think of me as your boss,” Lana said with a smile to William. “I particularly like charismatic men like you.”

nShe quickly added for Lila’s sake, “You know when I say ‘like,’ I just mean I admire his looks. I simply appreciate handsome men.”

n“I get it,” Lila responded with a slight pout. “Why are you explaining to me?”

n“Heh heh,” Lana chuckled, not elaborating further.

nWhy explain?

nDo I even need to spell it out?

nIf you understand, why bother saying it? 𝒷𝓭ℴ𝓋𝓵.𝒸ℴ𝓶

nHer smile made Lila roll her eyes dramatically. What kind of smile was that? It’s as if she’s insinuating there’s some hidden relationship between her and William.

nLana was always free-spirited. After briefly communicating with her colleagues, she drove off with Lila.

nThe two of them dropped William off at the university’s east main gate and then went shopping.

nLana, being the kind of girl who wore professional attire to work, naturally needed a change after hours. She aimed to dress more down-to-earth, akin to an average girl, so people wouldn’t assume she was a talent scout out to poach potential stars.

nWilliam wasn’t planning on attending class, so he decided to wait at Cozy Book Haven.

nWith Walker having been arrested the previous day, only Alice was left to manage the shop during daylight. Since he and Evelyn both planned to attend the mixer that evening, Alice, of course, was entrusted with the shop’s evening shift.

nAt this time, most students were in class, so there weren’t many others in the bookstore. As soon as William walked in, Alice approached him with a coquettish smile, “Master… You’re finally here. I’ve got several questions I don’t understand.”

nWilliam arched an eyebrow, “Speak properly! Ask whatever you’re unsure about.”

n“Ahem! So, after I absorb the external energy, what should I do next?”

nWilliam declared, “You need to stop eating any food!”

nAlice responded in shock, “Stop eating everything? Won’t I starve?”

n“You won’t,” William said, carefully examining Alice before commenting, “You’ve made remarkable progress in just a few days. Initially, you can consume a few nuts. Gradually, you’ll come to understand this power. This supernatural energy is more than enough to sustain your body’s normal functions. Once you’ve mastered this technique, you can harness the excess energy, beyond what’s needed for bodily functions, as a unique ability.”

nAlice chuckled, “Then I’ll order two iced lattes to take the edge off.” Turning to William, she added, “Dear mentor, let me offer you a different coffee flavor to try.”

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