Reborn to Make Games: My Girlfriend is a Game Streamer

Chen Bainian awoke in a strange stillness.

The moment he regained consciousness, he instinctively reached up and lightly touched his face, mumbling indistinctly, "Big brother..."

Before he could finish speaking, he laughed at himself.

There's no "big brother" at all; that little troublemaker didn't even come home last night.

There were no furry paws scurrying across my face, nor any soft whimpering urging me on; the bedroom was eerily quiet.

He touched his phone, and the screen lit up: 08:32.

A long-awaited, undisturbed nap.

He remained nestled in the soft bedding, not getting up immediately.

The unexpected tranquility he gained from his "elder brother's" temporary absence felt like a luxurious gift, which he greedily savored for a few more minutes.

It's all thanks to the tireless "early morning face-stepping service" a while ago, and now "Brother Lou" who has taken in "Big Brother".

It wasn't until the chill outside the covers bothered him that he struggled to sit up, shivering from the cold air of Lin'an in February.

He slowly got out of bed, and then, after going into the bathroom, he truly understood what it meant to "turn joy into sorrow."

Last night, that half spoonful of chili oil made by Jiang's father finally completed its "circulation" in the digestive system after a night's rest.

"Hiss..." Chen Bainian gasped, instantly gaining a profound understanding of the joke that "Sichuan and Chongqing are famous for their proctology departments nationwide," a understanding that went beyond mere theory.

It's really... fiery and spicy!

Chen Bainian suddenly felt that this variable factor was also somewhat bad.

If this happens a few more times, I might have to see a proctologist...

After washing up, he took the trash and went downstairs.

As he passed by the community garden, Chen Bainian habitually looked around.

That elegant calico lion cat never appeared again.

What was it thinking at the time that it so precisely "entrusted" such a helpless little troublemaker to itself?

At the entrance of the residential area, in the guard booth, Grandpa Qin, dressed in a security guard uniform, was squinting and puffing out smoke.

"Good morning, Uncle Qin."

"Hey, Xiao Chen, good morning." Grandpa Qin opened his eyes at the sound of his voice, a kind smile spreading across his face. "Are you settling in well with us in this neighborhood?"

"That's wonderful, all thanks to you for making the connection," Chen Bainian said gratefully.

To save money before the Lunar New Year, he considered moving.

When the real estate agent brought him to see the apartment, it was Mr. Qin, a long-time resident of the community, who stopped him as he was leaving. Mr. Qin said he liked the apartment and introduced him to his familiar neighbor, the landlord, saving him the agent's fee.

"Has the matter of Little Leaf's cat been resolved?" Grandpa Qin's small eyes gleamed with understanding.

"You're really well-informed." Chen Bainian appropriately showed a hint of surprise and admiration.

"Hey, what could possibly escape my notice around here?" Old Qin took a smug puff of his cigarette. "I heard yesterday that Xiao Jiang is back, and you even ran into him, so I knew things must be resolved. That girl, Xiao Yezi, she's the one who listens to Xiao Jiang the most."

Chen Bainian gave a thumbs-up in agreement, chatted for a couple more minutes, and then headed towards the breakfast shop outside the residential area.

A healthy life begins with breakfast.

As the saying goes, "A good breakfast makes for a carefree day."

Thinking of this old man Qin, Chen Bainian felt that he was like a know-it-all NPC in a martial arts MMO, as if he knew everything that happened in the neighborhood.

For example, the steamed bun shop where Chen Bainian is queuing up now.

Grandpa Qin said that this steamed bun shop in the vicinity uses the cleanest ingredients and tastes pretty good.

At first, Chen Bainian didn't believe it, but he did not believe it until he saw people wearing city supervisor uniforms queuing up there several times.

"Two green vegetables, one piece of fresh meat, one egg, one bag of hot soy milk, and one bottle of hot milk." When it was Chen Bainian's turn in line, he skillfully ordered and scanned the code to pay.

Holding the steaming hot food in their hands, they ate as they walked back.

As he passed the guard post, he gently placed the unopened bag of hot soy milk on the windowsill.

"Uncle Qin, it's cold. Here, warm your hands with this."

"Oh, I've already eaten!" the old man waved his hand.

"I know you've already eaten," Chen Bainian said with a smile. "Hold this to warm your hands; it won't fill your stomach."

Grandpa Qin then accepted it with a smile: "You're very thoughtful, young man."

Back on the 12th floor, just as I stepped into the corridor, the door to room 1202 opened.

Jiang Yiting emerged like a gust of wind, her high ponytail drawing a neat arc behind her head.

Today she wore a well-fitting off-white short down jacket, paired with dark straight-leg pants and ankle boots, and carried a black backpack, looking refreshing and capable.

"Perfect timing, I'll leave you with my brother. I'm not sure when I'll be back this afternoon, and I have a live stream tonight."

Chen Bainian helped her move "Big Brother's" things back to her own room.

Chen Bainian held the warm kitten and asked, "What about taking 'Big Brother' to get vaccinated this afternoon...?"

"Contact me via WeChat! It's hard to say right now!" She had already pressed the elevator button, waved without turning her head, and her figure quickly disappeared behind the closed metal door.

Chen Bainian stood in the corridor, holding his "elder brother," who looked just as bewildered as he did.

He looked down at the cat, and the cat looked up at him, both looking bewildered.

"Alright." He rubbed his "big brother's" head. "Your sister Jiang seems to have an even fuller development schedule than mine."

I had just gotten back inside and settled the kitten when my phone rang.

Caller ID: Chen Jing.

"Brother, Happy Lantern Festival!" My sister's clear voice came through the receiver, filled with the joy of the festival.

Chen Bainian was suddenly taken aback.

Lantern Festival.

It turns out today is already the Lantern Festival.

Reborn, I resigned from my company and devoted myself to independent development. Time slipped away silently amidst code and trivial matters.

Having distanced himself from the fixed work calendar, his perception of holidays has become so dulled.

"Jingjing, Happy Lantern Festival." He smiled, his tone gentle without even realizing it.

"Brother, Mom and Dad asked me to ask you, is there a lantern festival in Lin'an today? Do you have any plans for the afternoon? Are you going out with your friends?"

Chen Jing obediently relayed the "imperial decree," then, suppressing a laugh, added in a low voice, "Well, they mainly wanted to indirectly inquire when you'd find me a sister-in-law, since you graduated two years ago..."

Chen Bainian was both amused and exasperated: "There was no plan."

The phone call faintly carried the parents' hushed conversation, interspersed with Chen Jing's gentle scolding, "Hey, you two, stop arguing."

The familiar background sound made Chen Bainian's fingers tighten slightly as he gripped his phone.

Having been given a second chance at life, he hears his parents are healthy and his sister is lively on the other end of the phone. This ordinary, noisy conversation now sounds like heavenly music to him, and it is the most solid and warmest source of strength in his heart.

"Did your parents follow the doctor's advice during the Lunar New Year checkup?" He quickly changed the subject, getting to the core issue he cared about most.

"We're keeping an eye on him!" Chen Jing reported. "Mom and I are both supervising Dad's smoking and drinking. He definitely has to quit smoking, and he should drink as little alcohol as possible. Mom hasn't missed a single dose of her high blood pressure medication; she's been taking her dosage lately, and it's under good control."

In the background, a few mumbled complaints from the father and patient nagging from the mother could be heard at opportune moments.

As Chen Bainian listened attentively, the heavy weight in his heart regarding his parents' health finally lifted.

The shadows of the past life have yet to gather in this one.

This made him feel more at ease and fortunate than any game sales data.

He vaguely heard his parents mention words like "college entrance exam" and "review," but Chen Jing hurriedly interrupted him.

My younger sister will be taking the exam this June.

"Jingjing," he said, his tone calm and resolute, "I should be able to come back in June."

"Oh? Brother, you don't need to come back specially. Asking for leave is too much trouble..." Chen Jing said immediately.

"I have confidence in you," Chen Bainian interrupted her, his voice gentle yet undeniable. "But going back isn't entirely for you. There's something else going on, so we can take care of it together."

He has not yet mentioned his resignation to start his own business to his family.

In the adult world, it's common to only report good news and not bad.

He was waiting, waiting for the sales of "Getting Over It" to climb to a more convincing level, waiting for the results to firmly support his choice.

Only then can we begin to discuss things.

As for his younger sister's college entrance exam, he wasn't worried at all. His sister was already intelligent, and her grades were even better than his at the time.

Having memories of the future, he knew even better that she would perform well and enter her ideal university.

At this moment, all he needs is to give her stable support.

After giving a few more detailed instructions on taking care of his health and balancing work and rest, Chen Bainian finally hung up the phone amidst his sister's playful reproach, "I know, brother, you're so long-winded."

The room returned to silence, with only "Big Brother" curiously tugging at his slippers at his feet.

Chen Bainian walked to the window and looked at the scattered red lanterns that had been hung up in the community during the Spring Festival.

Lantern Festival.

A day that should have been a day of family reunion.

He was alone, yet he no longer seemed lonely.

A cat, a busy neighbor, a phone call from home, and a business that is quietly sprouting.