Please Take Me Home, Daddy - Chapter 401: Chapter 401

Andy paused in confusion and said, "Yes. We've overhauled that game several times, upgrading it to the latest model, but Lilian's record is still intact. After all, she's the legend who cleared the level without taking a single hit, a feat no one has managed to beat in all these years. She's become the undisputed queen of the gaming circle."
Relieved, Favian asked, "Can Laura play it?"
Andy blinked in surprise, "Well, she can, but it's a zombie game, quite frightening, you know?"
Laura raised her hand courageously, "I'm not scared."
Favian and Andy looked at Laura.
Laura watched them with anticipation, "As long as it brings me closer to my mom, I'm not afraid of anything."
Andy was stunned, "Are you Lilian's child?"
Laura nodded.
Favian added gravely, "Lilian has passed away. This VR is the only way for Laura to feel close to Lilian."
Andy quickly said, "Then let's not wait any longer. I'll take you to see Lilian. Well, her complete game record now."
Laura followed Andy, trying hard to hold back tears of excitement.
Soon Laura would meet Lilian.
It wasn't Carol pretending to be her this time.
It was her seventeen-year-old mother's legacy.
Just as they left, Evan arrived wearing a duckbill cap, trying to stay incognito behind a mask, joined by three adoring female fans who were excited to accompany him to the counter.
Evan stood at the back, cautiously pulling his mask tighter, fearful of being recognized.
The fans said happily, "We'd like to start a game called The Wasteland City."
The rest of his fans stood beside Evan and claimed with excitement, "Let's start a round of The Wasteland City. You're bound to hit the trending list."
Evan nodded, feeling the cloud of gloom lifting.
He had been put on ice recently, with no one to talk to, dying of boredom, and without a source of income.
Besides, he had been dumped by a rich woman.
A few of his most devout, deluded fans had invited him out, footing all the bills and even giving him one hundred and twenty thousand.
This was nothing compared to his previous income, but without chances, it was better than nothing.
He owed it to his little patron to ensure they had a good time.
The fans clustered around him, chattering excitedly, "Last time you played this game, you were so close to a flawless victory. You can do it this time, right?"
Evan removed his mask, flashing a confident smile at them. "Of course, I can. I've aced it before without a hitch, this time I'll wipe that girl's record clean."
The three girls swooned, hearts in their eyes, no matter how they looked at him they adored him, "We'll help you promote it then, and a lot more fans will come to watch you play."
Evan nodded confidently and headed towards the arena.
Laura swung her legs from a bench and watched them.
Evan's smile evaporated suddenly and thought, 'Laura is here.'
Laura hadn't recognized him and continued to casually swing her legs, waiting.
The female fans' faces changed, muttering annoyed under their breath, "What's Laura doing here?"
"Yeah, is she stalking Evan now?"
"Let's not get worked up. We can ask her. She can't be that obnoxious."
"Don't ask. Won't that just give us away? Besides, how could she ever admit it? He hasn't been made yet."
The fans looked towards Evan with concern.
Evan struggled to hide the resentment flickering in his eyes and forced a strained smile. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. After all, that kid has got one over on me. Maybe we should just go. We can't afford to mess with her."
His female fans frowned in sympathy, seizing his arm. "No way. We can't leave. It's her who should leave. What did we do wrong?"
"Exactly. We shouldn't be the ones to go." Another fan agreed.
As they spoke, Andy approached Laura and said, "Laura, let's go. I'll show you how to play. Are you excited to see your mom?"
Laura nodded happily, "Yes."
Andy fixed the equipment for her. "All right, let's get started."
Evan started to feel uneasy. "What did Andy mean?"
One of the fans suddenly remembered, "Oh, that's right. The woman who holds the high score from decades ago would be in her thirties or forties now. It could very well be Laura's mother."
Another fan exclaimed in surprise, "Laura's mom has passed away, and this might be the only chance for her to feel close to her mother by playing here. If you can beat the score this time, you'll replace Laura's mother's image, and she won't be able to see her mother anymore."
Evan grew more excited, "Then she might cry."
A girl snorted, "Let her cry. She was cruel to you and we should teach her a lesson."
"Yeah. Erase her mom's record in front of her, like killing the spirit of her mother's younger self." Another fan said and burst into laughter.
Evan's lips curled up in pleasure. "If that's what you all want, it would be rude of me to refuse. I'll grant your wish then."
Everyone nodded and suggested, "Just keep your glasses on and the kid won't recognize you. Then link up with her in the game. We'll make her cry right there and then."
Evan put on the act of being considerate, swiftly donning the gear, and turned to the booth where Laura was in, "Hello. How about we play together?"
Laura took off her VR headset and looked at Evan.
Evan didn't remove his glasses and still had his mask on. He spoke cheerfully, "I'm here to play the game too. I'm a fan of the game. I see you're pretty young and we'll have a great time together. What do you think about it?"
The three girls in the waiting area smirked and teased.
Laura tilted her head, scrutinizing his voice. "Evan, is that you?"
Evan was speechless.
Laura approached him and asked, "You must be Evan because your voice is the same as him."
Evan stuttered, taken aback, and vehemently denied, "No. Of course not!"
Then, the staff approached, "Mr. Blackwell, I'm sorry, but we've just found out that Laura has the game booked exclusively. To express our apologies, we'll provide complimentary food and beverage service for you and your friends. Could you please move to another activity?"
Stunned, Evan took off his glasses in disbelief. "Why? I paid for it."
Laura was thrilled, pointing at him. "Ah, so it is you. Are you here to bully me again?"
Favian arrived from the office, escorted by Andy, and his gaze sharpened when he heard the accusation. He looked at Evan, "Oh? So you're that effeminate performer who's been picking on Laura."
Favian sized up Evan, mocking as he rolled up his sleeves, "I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Evan panicked.