Chapter 124: Promotion

Jiang Zheng first went to look for rental rooms near the school, where there were many such places. Quite a few students preferred renting off-campus rather than staying in the dormitory. So, rental housing around the school was abundant, and Jiang Zheng went about searching.

There were plenty of apartments, and Jiang Zheng inquired at numerous agencies but couldn't rent a single one. These places were all long-term rentals, with a minimum lease of three months, but Jiang only needed to rent for a short half-month. Even if he extended to a month, he couldn’t find anyone willing to rent for so short a term.

Helpless, Jiang Zheng had to give up on the idea of renting and turned his attention to hotels instead. However, staying in a hotel for half a month would cost quite a bit. Although it would be expensive, it was comparatively more convenient. Rental apartments required setting up internet by himself, doing his own cleaning, making the bed, and washing the sheets. Hotels, on the other hand, provided WiFi, and bed-making and cleaning were handled for him.

Jiang Zheng checked a few hotels and finally settled on one that offered good value for money. Hotels around the school were generally not too expensive and had decent soundproofing, making them suitable for live streaming.

After securing the hotel, it was already late. He grabbed a quick meal outside and then returned to the school. Back in the dormitory, Jiang Zheng saw Wang Bing setting up live streaming equipment.

“Fourth Brother, you’re back just in time. Take a look at this live streaming setup of mine. What do you think?” Wang Bing asked.

Jiang Zheng glanced over and said, “Not bad. It looks pretty professional.”

“I’ll be streaming from the dorm then. Fourth Brother, you’ll have to put up with it,” Wang Bing said.

“No problem, you do your thing,” Jiang replied.

Wang Bing added, “Don’t worry, I’ll stop streaming after lights out.”

Jiang nodded, not really concerned. Lately, he hadn’t been spending much time in the dorm anyway. Even if he was there, it wouldn’t bother him much. Honestly, as long as the streaming didn’t continue after lights out, it was fine.

Shortly after Jiang Zheng returned, the others came back as well. Seeing that everyone was gathered, Jiang spoke up: “Brothers, I’m thinking of staying out for half a month.”

“Why?” Zhou Quanyi asked.

“Yeah, Fourth Brother, you’re doing fine here, why do you want to live elsewhere?” the others also inquired.

Jiang Zheng explained, “There’s something I need to take care of. By the time I finish, the school might be closed and I won’t be able to get back, so I thought I’d stay outside first. Once this busy period’s over, I’ll come back.”

“Are you seeing someone?” Zhou Quanyi teased.

“Yeah, Fourth Brother, be honest. Have you got a girlfriend now?” Yang Po joined in.

“I saw you and Jiang Qianyue reading together in the library the other day. You two looked so cozy—I didn’t want to interrupt,” Yu Qingkui said.

Jiang Zheng: ……

It was true he had been reading with Jiang Qianyue, but where was the intimacy they were implying?

“Well, I didn’t expect you to be so smooth, quietly winning over Jiang Qianyue,” Yang Po teased.

“I—” Jiang Zheng started to speak, but Yu Qingkui interrupted, “Otherwise, why do you always want to go to the library, and every time you go with me, you disappear?”

Jiang couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Really not. You’re overthinking.”

“Fourth Brother, that’s your mistake. Having a girlfriend is nothing to hide. Just tell us straight up. By the way, when are you going to bring Jiang Qianyue out and officially introduce her to us?” Zhou Quanyi said.

“Fourth Brother, you’re impressive. You actually got a beauty like Jiang Qianyue,” Wang Bing added.

“Fourth Brother, when are you treating us to a meal?” Liu Hua asked.

The more they talked, the more it sounded like they were a couple. But Jiang Zheng really hadn’t pursued Jiang Qianyue; they were just good friends. Who didn’t have a few friends of the opposite sex?

Jiang thought it was perfectly normal, but in his roommates’ mouths, it was as if they were already a couple.

In reality, that was not the case.

“Really not. You have to believe me,” Jiang tried to protest.

“We believe you.”

“Yes, yes, whatever you say is fine.”

“We all believe you.”

……

Jiang Zheng: …………

He gave up struggling.

Jiang was too lazy to explain further. He knew the truth himself, and if they didn’t believe it, there was nothing he could do.

“By the way, remember to cover for me. I don’t plan to report this to the counselor,” Jiang said.

He was only going out for half a month; there was no need to cause trouble by involving the counselor.

“Don’t worry, we understand. Just go. We’ve got your back,” Zhou Quanyi said.

“Fourth Brother, are you going out to do part-time work?” Yang Po suddenly asked.

Before Jiang could answer, Yang Po continued, “I think so. After getting a girlfriend, expenses definitely go up. We all understand.”

Jiang kept quiet. Well then, no explanation necessary.

It was a beautiful misunderstanding, and they were welcome to believe it.

Jiang said nothing, and everyone assumed he was tacitly agreeing.

“Fourth Brother, don’t worry too much. Sure, having a girlfriend costs money, but don’t overwork yourself. If you run out of money, I can still treat you to a meal,” Zhou Quanyi said.

Jiang smiled. “Thanks for your kindness, but I can handle it.”

After a while, the conversation drifted to other topics.

Wang Bing’s official live streaming would start tomorrow, and he asked everyone to help bring in viewers. Zhou Quanyi readily agreed.

Wang Bing was full of anticipation but also a bit anxious about tomorrow’s stream.

Today, the platform Jiang Zheng had chosen began its promotion. The million-yuan prize was enough to excite most people, especially professional players, who made a living from gaming and whose careers were fleeting.

A million was very tempting.

Not every professional player earned a million during their career. The competition was ruthless—winners took all, losers got nothing.

If this tournament were held by an individual, it likely wouldn’t go well; many would see it as a joke and not believe anyone would put up a million as prize money, especially for dueling professional players.

But with a platform backing it, everything was different. No one doubted its legitimacy.

With the platform’s endorsement, even if it was fake, they would have to make it real. Otherwise, the platform’s hard-earned credibility would be destroyed, and no one would trust future events.

No platform would be foolish enough to risk that.

The promotion was effective, and many people’s interest was piqued.

This was a clash between ordinary players and professionals; people wanted the underdogs to win but doubted they could.

Seeing these promotions, Jiang Zheng was fairly satisfied with the platform. At least, they hadn’t completely deceived him.