Chapter 38: No Right to Rest

The Yellow Lantern streamer building was ablaze with light, buzzing with the sound of many voices.

The female group streamers here were granted only three days off for the Spring Festival. Data from their app showed clearly that the only time online traffic dipped was around New Year's Eve, when families were busy and the "big spenders" were offline. Since the first day of the Lunar New Year, young people had gradually abandoned the tradition of visiting relatives, choosing instead to stay home and live through their phones. Digital junk food might not be nutritious, but it was certainly addictive. By the third day, the triple-pay holiday period was over, the big spenders had time to scroll, and the streamers had to get back to work.

"Have you all learned the new dance for the group stream today?" Vivi was drawing on her lower lashes in the mirror. She used to buy fake lashes online, but to save costs, she now just used an eyeliner pen.

Didi sighed. "Ugh, it’s not smooth at all. The break is so short, and we have to self-study new routines. I barely had time to rest." Even though their group choreography was simple, the sheer volume was overwhelming. The same basic moves were recycled into different songs, requiring different combinations, and her brain just couldn't keep up. Besides, if she were smart, would she even be a streamer?

Dandan was equally exhausted. "Tell me about it. I’m so tired. I got home and crashed for two and a half days; I only crawled out of bed for the New Year's Eve dinner."

Vivi shook her head. "You guys have it easy; at least your homes are nearby. My trip home takes thirty hours by train, and a flight costs thousands—I don't even dare to think about it."

"What’s the point of going home? I complained to my parents about how hard this job is, and you know what my old man said? He said if he could earn 8,000 a month, he wouldn't complain; give him 8,000, and he wouldn't sleep for twenty-four hours."

"But this 8,000 isn't a base salary—it's blood and sweat! That tiny base pay means every cent of our earnings is something we have to beg for in the livestream."

"Ugh, my mom has a retort for that, too. She asks, what about waiters carrying plates? Isn't that hard work? What about cleaners working from dawn till dusk? They earn less than you, and you’re still being picky." Dandan mimicked her mother’s tone so theatrically it made the others laugh.

"You’re lucky! Your mom just wants you to make money. My mom wants me to get married and have kids! Whenever I tell her this job is tiring, she immediately tells me to find a husband. She even threatened to introduce me to the village idiot. It scared me so much I started practicing my dance moves late into the night."

Vivi almost cried. "You guys are something else! A bunch of people who actually went home are here acting 'humble' in front of me. I haven't seen my parents in two years! If you let me go home now, I'd agree to anything my mom said!"

Didi wrapped an arm around her. "Alright, don't cry, Vivi. I brought you some local specialties from home."

Vivi hurriedly opened the bag to find a large piece of cured ham, her favorite. "You're too kind! Are you trying to fatten me up so you can take my center spot?"

"Haha, you caught me."

"Go away, take it back! I’ve decided to eat nothing but baby bok choy and broccoli from now on!"

"It’s so fragrant, though. Authentic Yunnan specialty, pure, natural, organic ham!"

"You... you’re impossible!"

"I am, aren't I? So, are you going to eat it or not?"

"I am! Hand it over!"

"Are you all ready, ladies? Are you done playing around?" The group was interrupted by a cold voice. Everyone stood up in unison.

"Teacher Wenwen."

Wenwen was the team leader for their groups. She choreographed their dances, taught them makeup, and coached them on how to face the camera. She began adjusting their outfits with practiced, tireless precision.

"Pull your off-the-shoulder top down a bit more so there’s something to see when you look down. Your figure is your advantage here; if you aren't as tall or as slender as the others, and you cover up this much, who’s going to watch you?"

"Your eye makeup is nowhere near enough. Move the aegyo-sal shading down another 5 millimeters. Once the beauty filter is on, what will be left? I’ve told you a hundred times: don't be afraid to exaggerate. Nothing is 'too much' on camera."

"Oh, my dear Didi, how many times have I told you? You must wear colored contacts! Must! Your myopia makes you look like you’re glaring at people as if they owe you money when they’re far away. People watch streams to have fun; who wants to see you pulling a long face?"

Wenwen was experienced in everything related to streaming. She had risen through the ranks herself and was now in management, yet she was only in her early twenties.

Didi looked troubled. "Teacher Wenwen, it’s still the holiday. Are there really that many people watching?" Her dry eye syndrome had been worsening; she was sleeping late and using her eyes too much, and wearing contacts had become painful.

Wenwen looked at them with a mix of frustration and pity. "Poor people don't have the right to take holidays! Get your priorities straight, ladies. Are you on vacation? Am I? Are the delivery drivers on vacation? Are the ride-share drivers on vacation?"

"Only the company owners have the right to take holidays, and only those truly famous stars have the right to take holidays!"

She thought to herself: these silly girls, do they really think the company is short of people? If you don't do it, someone else will. Every position is a slot; if you don't bloom, you’re losing money and you’ll be out. Was it easy for her to reach this management position? If the groups under her failed to meet their performance metrics next time, her own position would be at risk.

"Ladies, it's the Spring Festival. The company has doubled your base pay, so you need to show performance that justifies it. The holidays are the best time when the 'big spenders' have both money and time. If you can seize this moment, you’ll be set for the whole year. If you succeed, you'll be part of next year's annual gala!"

"You've been trained for a thousand days to be used in this one moment. Give me your energy and vitality for the new year! Our slogan is!"

A group of seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girls reached their hands into the center. "Vibrant! Unlimited passion! Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!"

Coercion or motivation, it didn't matter. At least one thing Teacher Wenwen said was true. As long as they wanted to earn this money, they had no right to rest.

The base pay was doubled, after all... How could that not be a good job?

Looking at the bustling city lights outside and the bright red paper-cuts fluttering on the windows, the girls put away their playful moods, forced themselves to be content, put on their professional smiles, and walked into the studio.

This was their New Year. This was their work.

It was a job that brought tears, despair, confusion, and exhaustion, but also laughter and hope—a job that they had no choice but to keep doing.