Chapter Twelve: Crying, Throwing Fits, and Laughing

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At that moment, Vivi heard those words and didn’t find anything wrong with them at all. On the contrary, she thought that if the day ever came when she became a big star with millions of fans fighting for her and the company, no amount of penalty fees would scare her.

Heh, how naive.

Did she not go to Tsinghua or Peking University because she didn’t like it?

“Still, Pokjian is better. I heard that if their streamers breach contracts, as long as they keep their accounts and sign a non-compete agreement, they won’t appear on screen again. Even if they don’t pay penalties, they won’t be sued.”

Didi rolled her eyes. “Pokjian makes money from platform advertising revenue. What about us? We make money by casting a wide net to recruit streamers and then cash in on their breach penalties.”

“Shh! Keep your voice down.” Dandan grabbed Didi’s arm. “Don’t be reckless! There are still people in the company!”

The two MCN agencies, Yellow Lantern and Pokjian, essentially followed completely different paths. Even though their apps competed fiercely, the two MCNs weren’t exactly rivals because their business models were entirely distinct.

Pokjian only cared about traffic.

They spared no expense in competing for anything that could bring traffic. They had no bottom line, no ethics, no humanity, but they won the favor of advertisers.

Pokjian’s users were the bored masses treating short videos as “spiritual opium,” spanning every industry and field, countless genres, where everyone could find something they liked.

Yellow Lantern, on the other hand, sought gifts.

The Yellow Lantern app had almost become a mere accessory for MCN agencies’ signed streamers; every feature was designed to serve these tall, handsome, and beautiful hosts.

Yellow Lantern’s fans enjoyed the privilege of feeling like “big brothers” online. With just a small gift, they could have the beautiful streamers they usually couldn’t approach obey their every whim. If they sent a “Carnival” gift, the entire stream would be filled with special effects, and all the streamers would bow at a 120-degree angle in thanks.

Licking ice cream with their tongues, squeezing balloons between their thighs, spitting out half-drunk milk... any gesture with strong suggestive meaning was openly priced. No matter what the “big brothers” desired—affection, respect, or the pleasure of taming the streamer—it could all be openly negotiated.

Not to mention those late-night “assignments” worth 50 yuan each, soothing countless lonely nights.

Yet behind these emotional values lay the tears of countless young streamers in the dead of night, unnoticed by anyone.

Being trapped in a paradise one cannot escape is far more agonizing than hell.

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“Shh, don’t say anything. Someone’s coming.”

With a glance, Vivi looked toward Xu Meiqi, who had just entered the lounge. The group’s expressions instantly changed. “Sister Maggie, it’s so late and you’re still here?”

She was at the top of the company’s hierarchy—not a first-tier celebrity, but a streamer personally managed by a star agent. Those exhausting short dramas were beneath her; she was different from these cannon fodder.

Star agent Zhou Yifan was a key partner at Yellow Lantern MCN. Rumor had it that he had jumped ship from a big company after a quarrel, bringing with him a wealth of resources and connections envied throughout the industry.

He came from a wealthy family, a scion of the Beijing elite—a person who, if he didn’t work hard, would have to return home to inherit the family estate. Yet he thrived in the agent world, managing a few rookies who, in less than a year, became the company’s top streamers.

If he hadn’t claimed to dislike the entertainment industry and refused to manage actors, focusing solely on the live streaming scene, Yellow Lantern might have already soared into a major company. Even so, Zhou Yifan could still arrange for well-known actors to co-host brand streams with his streamers, provoking envy from many.

Within Yellow Lantern, everyone knew of the legendary agent known as “Young Master Zhou,” who took special care of the streamer Maggie. He had recruited her from school and always protected her reputation, unwilling to let her suffer even the slightest criticism.

These young streamers, only sixteen or seventeen years old, would never have signed on so wholeheartedly if they hadn’t truly seen that the company had such well-off, low-stress, high-benefit seniors.

Xu Meiqi had, of course, heard what they were just saying but didn’t intend to expose them. “The PK match today ran a bit late. Have you just finished work? Heading back to the dorm? I can give you a ride.”

She knew these young streamers had it tough. They were always polite to her, and Xu Meiqi never wanted to make things difficult. She helped whenever she could—after all, everyone had started from nothing.

The group of streamers looked a bit nervous. “No, no, we’re still waiting for Lin and the others. Sister Maggie, you work too hard. With your status, how could you still do PK matches? Doesn’t Boss Zhou feel sorry for you?”

Rumors about the relationship between Xu Meiqi and Zhou Yifan had long circulated in the company. Though unconfirmed, Zhou’s excessive attention to the little internet celebrity Xu Meiqi was obvious to all.

With his support, Xu Meiqi never lacked advertisers and even did endorsements for small brands. She often participated in grand openings, ribbon-cuttings, and music festivals. Such a powerful figure was naturally not to be crossed.

“He’s busy managing the top streamers. How could he bother with little me?” Xu Meiqi shrugged helplessly, not avoiding the question of whether he cared. Today was the big day of the guild competition—she needed to give her fans a strong performance, so there was no way she would end the broadcast early.

“I heard your group did well today, finishing your targets ahead of schedule. You refused to be ‘picked up and dropped off’ by the big brother yesterday, right? That takes backbone. I support you.”

The young streamers looked a little embarrassed. “We were foolish and became the company’s joke.”

“What joke! Having principles is a must! Besides, you won today! That’s how streamers should be. We’re here to work, not to degrade ourselves. Of course, I’m just telling you this because you know how the company’s atmosphere is…”

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“Sister Maggie, you’re really wonderful. Others only tell us that without effort, there’s no gain. But we don’t want to lie or cross our own boundaries.”

“That’s right!” Xu Meiqi smiled encouragingly. “Be yourselves—that’s your path, and there’s no escaping it. I’m heading off now. Don’t work too hard. When things get slow, connect with me. Maybe I can help boost your performance.”

“Thank you, Sister Maggie!” The girls were overwhelmed with gratitude and hurriedly bowed.

Watching Xu Meiqi’s pure yet charming figure disappear, the group sighed in unison. “Ah! A big shot is a big shot! Seeing her, I finally understand why nobody watches my streams.”

“Yeah! No wonder I’ll never be top-tier—with that grace and poise, Vivi, I think I’m falling for her.”

“Hey! You said you loved me just yesterday.”

“I’ve transferred my affections.”

“Get lost!”

“No, I won’t.”

“You big fool.”

“Bounce back, bounce back.”

The girls burst into laughter, feeling grateful that despite the heavy burdens on their shoulders, they could still smile like this.

Even if only for now.