This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist

Chapter 41: Little Silver Coin Strikes Again

Rita had a clear memory of why that costume was so special to her. It wasn't just a prop from a low-budget drama that marked her rise to fame; two years later, it had found its way back to her in the most ironic way possible. During her first escape attempt in the previous life, when she was being hunted down, she had killed one of her pursuers.

While searching the body for supplies, she found that same costume—and discovered her name still stitched inside the collar.

It was her first acting gig, and though the costume wasn't anything remarkable—it was just good-quality, durable fabric meant to last through months of filming—she had stitched her name in black thread inside the collar with hopes for a bright future.

In this life, she hadn't initially planned to search for that costume. After all, she hadn't been smeared by scandals or forced to sell it off. Her fan probably hadn't been so heartbroken as to auction it.

But, while idly scrolling on her phone one day, she was hit with a recommendation from the algorithm—a fan's video showing photos of her eating at a restaurant, followed by pictures of the costume itself. The fan mentioned they were short on cash and wanted to sell the outfit they had bought for 20,000 yuan.

Immediately, Rita messaged the fan from her main account, saying she was nostalgic and offering to buy back the costume. She played the sentimental card, then followed up with a more compelling one—cash. She offered 50,000 yuan.

The fan, perhaps feeling guilty or embarrassed that their favorite actress had seen the post, initially refused, saying they had changed their mind about selling it.

Rita raised her offer. "100,000."

The fan apologized again, explaining that they were only trying to sell it out of desperation, not because they didn't like her anymore.

"150,000, sweetheart," Rita said, adding a touch of affection to seal the deal.

Whether it was the allure of the money or the endearing term, the fan relented.

The next morning, Rita personally drove to pick up the costume. Once home, she washed and sanitized it before hanging it in her walk-in closet. It was a simple black modified Hanfu—nothing elaborate, just a long black robe with a wide belt. Actors could wear whatever they wanted underneath. The moment you slipped the robe on and tied the belt, you were ready to act.

**A blue-tier piece of gear!**

A blue-tier piece that had been with her through a year of running and fighting for her life. And now, after all that, it was back with her.

She briefly considered finding a skilled tailor to embroider some subtle patterns on the fabric, hoping it might enhance the costume's rank when the game invaded. But she decided against it. What if the change interfered with its potential to mutate? Better to leave it as it was—safe and unaltered.

Since Rita had started making big money again, accepting jobs that paid 1 million per session, her family had grown envious once more.

Scarlett was pestering her for spending money, and even Samuel, in his usual depressive state, was also asking for a little extra cash.

Rita @-ed Rick in their group chat.

**Rita:** @Rick All the money I'm making is from your wife. Can't you make money with your Divine Gift?

Her words nearly sent Rick spiraling back into depression.

His **Divine Gift**… let's not even talk about it.

**Rita:** I need the money for weapons, @Scarlett @Samuel. Want in?

**Scarlett:** Is that bed… really not available anymore?

**Samuel:** What exactly do you mean by that?

**Scarlett:** Just asking.

**Samuel:** @Rita Any game weapons?

**Rita:** Nope. Haven't seen any for sale. @Rick, have you?

**Rick:** I've seen some, but they're way out of my reach.

The conversation quickly shifted to talk about the game.

A few days later, Rick messaged the group chat, saying Zoey was away on a business trip, and he'd be staying at his parents' house for a few days.

**Rick:** @Rita Come over for dinner tonight.

**Oh? Here comes the little silver coin again.** Is this really dinner you're offering?

Without missing a beat, Rita switched apps and booked a flight to Thailand!

Not long after Rick's message, Rita sent her location from the airport.

**Rita:** [Location shared]

**Rita:** You're too late! I already planned a trip to Thailand to scout out some interesting things. I'll bring you all souvenirs when I get back~

Then she turned off her phone.

Rick stood in the kitchen, his face dark with frustration. He didn't want to resort to this, but he was out of ideas.

After the third closed beta, Zoey had asked if he had become a player. He couldn't exactly admit he hadn't, especially knowing how differently players were treated. He feared Zoey would look down on him even more. So, when he told her he had, the next question had been about his **Divine Gift**.

Now that everyone knew about **Divine Gifts**, it had become an unspoken rule not to ask about each other's gifts—unless it was for cooperation or hiring purposes, or the person volunteered the information.

Even Rita had shared her **Divine Gift** voluntarily, and Rick hadn't pressed for more details about her skills beyond altering luck. Asking more would have been a breach of privacy, like trying to pry into someone's bottom line.

But Zoey didn't care about that. She wouldn't pry into her friends' **Divine Gifts**, but Rick was her husband, her property—of course, she had the right to know.

Just as the Lopez family had the right to ask about the **Divine Gifts** of their employees who participated in the game's betas. It was only natural, and they had every right to do so.

Rick understood the significance of this unspoken power dynamic. He could bet that Zoey wouldn't dare ask Rita about her **Divine Gift**, but she had no hesitation in asking him. To Zoey, she had the right to know and control everything about him.

At the time, Rick had shown no displeasure. Instead, he had smiled wryly and told Zoey he had drawn an excellent **Divine Gift** but that it had been sealed. When she pressed for more, he admitted it was an **SS-rank** gift, but most of its skills had grayed out after the game.

Zoey hadn't said whether she believed him, but she clearly took the matter more seriously after that.

Rick had skillfully avoided mentioning the one skill he could still use, quickly steering the conversation toward his newly learned crafting skills, offering to make jewelry and potions for Zoey. He even brought up Rita's ability as a distraction.

It was all thanks to him that Rita was making so much money!

Unfortunately, she had managed to slip away… again.