Opening the low wooden door, William Carter walked into the small, crowded kitchen and began to wash rice and cook, getting busy.

The door creaked open, and Lily's cheerful figure darted into the wooden house.

"Brother, I'm back." Lily called out sweetly and crisply, then let out a surprised cry, "Ah, it smells like roast duck! Brother, did you strike it rich today?"

Hearing Lily's words, William Carter couldn't help but laugh and cry; he really had struck it rich.

"I got paid today," William Carter said, unconsciously touching his nose with his right hand. "Hurry up and eat."

Seeing William Carter's habitual gesture, Lily's eyes dimmed for a moment. Brother, do you know, you really can't lie at all. The look in Lily's eyes flashed by, and she smiled sweetly: "Really? Long live brother, we get to eat roast duck tonight. Mmm... smells so good. Oh right, brother, guess what I brought you today."

"What is it?" William Carter asked. Looking at Lily's lively appearance, William Carter felt his mood improve a bit.

"Hehe... The universe's invincible super gaming helmet, making its debut." Lily pulled a light blue gaming helmet out of her bulging backpack. This gaming helmet looked a bit like a safety helmet, but its construction was more intricate, covered with precise electronic devices.

An ordinary gaming helmet costs at least ten thousand yuan. Where did Lily get so much money? Seeing the helmet, William Carter's face darkened, and he asked in a low voice, "Where did this come from?"

"Brother, you owe me an apology! How could you suspect your sister's gaming helmet came from a shady source? Otherwise, Lily will be very angry, and the consequences will be serious." Lily put her hands on her slim waist and glared at William Carter with her bright eyes.

When it came to Lily, William Carter was completely helpless. He nodded helplessly, "Alright, your brother apologizes. Now can you finally tell me where this gaming helmet came from?"

"The game company came to our school to promote it and handed them out. Every student can get one with their student ID. This is a beginner's gaming helmet, only for a one-month trial. After a month, you have to return it. So your sister just took one." Lily shook the helmet and lifted her little face proudly.

These days, companies really are everywhere. This is another marketing tactic: a one-month trial. After a month, who could bear to give the helmet back? Wouldn't they obediently pay to buy it?

Becoming a professional gamer—this idea had been circling in William Carter's mind for a long time. Did he have the talent for it? But thinking of his current situation, William Carter sighed. Did he have any other path?

Seeing William Carter's expression, Lily vaguely understood what he was thinking. Being a professional gamer is better than that other thing. Brother, I believe you can do it.

"In recognition of comrade William Carter's excellent performance in supporting the family, we now award comrade William Carter one gaming helmet as encouragement, hoping comrade William Carter will keep up the good work." Lily stuffed the gaming helmet into William Carter's arms.

"What about you?" William Carter asked.

"Comrade Lily will study hard, make progress every day, and become an outstanding successor of socialism." Lily giggled as she spoke.

Looking at Lily's adorable appearance, William Carter smiled, pinching Lily's nose.

"Bad brother, pinching my nose again! My nose is going to fall off because of you." Lily pouted in dissatisfaction, but deep down she loved William Carter's affectionate gesture. It was a habit of William Carter's, and he probably couldn't change it even if he tried.

William Carter glanced at the light blue gaming helmet in his arms, his thoughts surging. Is this fate?

Night fell.

William Carter lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Lying next to William Carter, Lily suddenly turned over, facing him.

"What's wrong? Go to sleep early, you have class tomorrow." William Carter looked down at Lily and said.

Lily pouted, her eyes shimmering with tears, and burrowed into William Carter's arms. "Brother, I saw Aunt Wu today. Did you get into a fight again?"

William Carter opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. Since childhood, he'd come home injured too many times to count.

William Carter sighed softly, suddenly realizing his chest was damp.

"You silly girl, your tears have soaked my shirt." William Carter affectionately pinched Lily's ear.

"You deserve it! Who told you to get into fights all the time?" Lily pulled up William Carter's shirt and wiped her tears hard, then lifted her little face defiantly.

"This girl..." William Carter couldn't help but laugh and cry. "Alright, your brother won't fight anymore, okay?"

"Hmph... You've said that a million times." Lily quieted down, lying beside William Carter, her small hand resting in the crook of his arm.

Looking at Lily's fair face, thinking of all the hardships she'd endured with him over the years, William Carter said with guilt and self-reproach, "Lily, I'm sorry. Your brother is useless."

A string of crystal tears slid down Lily's cheek. She turned away, murmuring softly, "Lily is asleep, Lily didn't hear anything. Bad brother, making Lily cry again."