Chapter 4Broke, Busted, and Billionaire-Bound?

After ending the relationship, I poured all my non-academic energy into making money.

Covering classes and writing papers was just my baseline.

I also started bulk-buying fruit, doing gaming companionship, and offering laundry services...

College students were simply too lazy.

I couldn’t not make money.

The profits were endless.

My only problem was the lack of time; I wished the day had 25 hours for hustling.

My club president, Jessie, noticed my relentless work ethic and took pity on me.

"Sweetie, you're only making peanuts."

She scanned me up and down and nodded.

"You've got decent looks."

"I'm going to show you how to earn the big bucks."

I clutched my chest. "Jessie, I only do artistic stuff."

Jessie laughed. "You wish! You wrote 'None' in the special skills section of your club application."

Me: "..."

That’s how I discovered Jessie was a minorly famous Cosplayer.

She booked a commercial gig for me, taught me how to do my makeup, and styled my hair.

Luckily, the character, D.Va, was one I knew well, so I didn't need to cram.

On the day of the event, my limbs were stiff as I awkwardly posed for photos.

Then I turned and saw Ryan.

He was wearing the matching couples’ cosplay outfit, dressed as my CP (romantic pairing) character, Genji.

The CP fans went wild, constantly urging us to take photos together.

Ryan and I had to grit our teeth and pose, our eyes devoid of affection, filled only with the determination to outshine the other.

A fan held up a sign: "GenVa 99, Never Break Up."

As a cosplay newbie, I hadn't seen this level of fanaticism.

Ryan blushed and quietly leaned closer.

I shoved him away. "Don't you dare try to steal my spotlight!"

Jessie had told me the event organizers gave separate bonuses for excellent solo shots.

Taking joint photos would only ruin my chances.

Seeing the fans absolutely losing it over our pairing, I decided to pull out the big guns.

I touched the headband I was wearing.

"Do you know why my angelic headset is attached with metal wire?"

"Because he's actually dead, and mine is just a prop."

Fans: "Stop cutting us! We beg you!"

I kept twisting the knife: "Do you know why he's always young in every game? Because he died young."

Fans: "Nooooo!"

"Boohoohoo! How can such a beautiful mouth say such cold words, sensei?"

The CP shippers were shattered and quickly dispersed.

Ryan whispered in my ear: "Who was the one who loved taking selfies in my arms? Now you can't even stand a joint photo."

Perfect. He still didn’t know about the bonus.

I remained silent, focusing only on my solo shots.

Thanks to my effort, I finally got the one thousand dollar bonus.

Ryan had left early.

After the event, I learned he’d been scouted by an agency for his good looks.

I was indignant. "Why him and not me? I'm good-looking, too!"

Jessie rolled her eyes. "Hollywood isn't short on beautiful women. It's short on beautiful men."