FLME Ch8: Live Streaming

After all the commotion, it was nearly nine o’clock when they finally had dinner.

Although the boss boasted about taking all the credit for signing Director Gao, Director Gao was not just a contracted director for the company. With his limited business knowledge, Yu Wen realized that someone with company shares couldn’t be considered a mere colleague; he was essentially one of his top bosses.

At the dinner table, only Teacher Xie shared his misfortune, so Yu Wen quietly moved his chair next to Xie Heyu.

“Teacher Xie, does it get tiring balancing school and helping out at the company?” Unable to join in the middle-aged men’s argument, Yu Wen propped his chin and chatted with Xie Heyu out of boredom.

“Not too bad.”

“You’re a sophomore, right? Your coursework must be tough.”

“Mm.”

“Which department are you in?”

“Computer Science.”

“Wow.” Yu Wen clapped like a seal, “That has nothing to do with the entertainment industry.”

What’s going on, bringing such a talent here to help out? Is the boss planning to turn him into a hacker to deal with online trolls?

It’s definitely a case of misusing talent.

“Mm. I’m used to it.”

Yu Wen took a sip of his drink—orange juice. He smacked his lips and put it back. Too sweet, not good.

After a moment of silence, he couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean by ‘used to it’?”

Xie Heyu looked up at him, seeming thoughtful, as if weighing his words.

“My family often comes up with sudden ideas, and the person who carries them out is usually me.”

“…If you don’t mind me asking, how many people are in your family?”

“Including aunts, quite a few.”

Yu Wen was quiet for a moment, then sincerely praised, “Impressive.”

Their Teacher Xie, working hard to support an entire family!

Xie Heyu drove him back again.

The half-drunk boss came downstairs to see them off, laughing foolishly, “Hehehehe Xiao Yu…”

“Xiao Yu is here.”

Xie Jiamao burped and beckoned Yu Wen over, whispering like a thief, “The boss has good news to tell you…”

Yu Wen, with starry eyes, played along, “What’s the good news?”

“Gao Kaiyu’s next movie, I’ve arranged for a likable supporting role tailored just for you…”

“Oh my, tailored!”

“When the movie airs, you’ll definitely become famous!”

“OMG! Famous!”

“Hehehehe but…” The boss scratched his head, embarrassed, “The next movie won’t start for at least three or four months, and during that time, I’ll be helping Gao out. I won’t have much time to get you any gigs, so you might—hic—be stuck at home doing nothing for a long while…”

Yu Wen stared at him with peace and love.

He thought the boss had potential as a bearer of good news; every time he said something like this, gigs came immediately.

That very night, Yu Wen got a new job.

It was an agricultural assistance live stream.

He checked his phone and saw that Chu Han, grateful for his previous kind words, voluntarily lowered his fee to bring him on the live stream.

Though it was a public welfare live stream, it was well-supported by the platform, offering considerable exposure.

Yu Wen didn’t expect a few casual words to be remembered so long by Chu Han, who seemed to have an obsession with repaying kindness.

He obediently sent a thank-you message to Chu Han.

Then he briefly looked over the contract. His calm state of mind shattered when he saw the main product for the agricultural live stream—

Mandarins.

He closed his eyes.

My fate is sealed.

The agricultural assistance live stream was scheduled for the weekend, the time with the best traffic.

The live stream location was an orchard in another city. The company covered airfare and lodging, so Yu Wen didn’t need to worry about that. His only concern was whether he would show a painful expression during the live stream and ruin the farmers’ reputation.

Chu Han arrived early. Though not good at socializing, he was the one who had made the connections. At the moment, he was awkwardly introducing Yu Wen to several platform executives, trying to expand his network.

Yu Wen maintained a serene smile as he greeted everyone, the phrase “Can I not do this?” stuck in his throat.

Backing out now would be a crime.

Four people appeared on the live stream: one host, one sidekick, and two background participants eating mandarins.

Yu Wen didn’t want to eat mandarins, but he didn’t want to take the spotlight from the other two either. After some thought, he decided his role would be peeling mandarins.

The other background participant was good-looking, with a bit of an androgynous appearance. Probably another newcomer trying to get some exposure. Before the broadcast, Yu Wen seriously shook his hand and asked for his help:

“I’ll be counting on you.”

The second background participant scratched his head in confusion and gave him a friendly smile.

At 2 PM, the live stream began.

“Hello everyone, welcome to the ×× live stream. I’m actor Chu Han…” Chu Han, following the script, greeted the audience a bit stiffly.

The sidekick, arranged by the platform, was good at creating a lively atmosphere. Within minutes, his witty remarks got the audience engaged.

“If you have any questions, type them in the chat. Are they sweet? Of course, they’re sweet. Trust us, trust the farmers. Any bad ones won’t be sold. The ones you see and get are definitely the best…”

As he spoke, he peeled a mandarin. Chu Han followed suit, peeling one and eating it slowly, nodding emphatically from time to time.

[Aw, my baby, you’re such a cute mouse.]

[Who understands the chubby cheeks from eating, huh?]

[Streamer, let’s see your abs.]

[How many days to get to XX city?]

[Is there an insurance for non-sweet things? People afraid of sour need this.]

Chu Han looked at the comments and shyly smiled, seriously answering every product-related question.

The streamer was focused on work, and the background was still lively.

Yu Wen quickly peeled an orange with care, like offering a treasure, and handed it to a colleague.

The colleague was moved, tears in their eyes.

Before entering the industry, he heard the entertainment world was cutthroat, but it was all rumors. This friendly encounter was heartwarming.

He respectfully accepted the orange, savoring each piece like contemplating life’s truths.

[Ah…]

[The two in the back—those who know think you’re selling oranges; those who don’t think you’re forming a brotherhood.]

[Although we have different surnames, we become brothers, not seeking to be born on the same day but to die on the same day.]

[Here comes the internet’s friendly person!]

[Go ahead, I asked Mazu, she agreed.]

Yu Wen ignored it; he couldn’t clearly see the fast-moving comments, only catching a few keywords. He noticed at first but stopped paying attention as he was just the background.

Background Person Number Two was named Li; everyone called him Xiao Li. Like Yu Wen, he was absorbed in his world, not hearing anything outside.

The platform enjoyed the banter in the comments, lightening the mood, especially since Chu Han didn’t mind. If the staff hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve called Yu Wen to the front.

Yu Wen kept peeling, and Xiao Li ate with solemnity.

Half an hour passed.

Yu Wen meticulously peeled each orange, and Xiao Li, meeting his gaze, grew more solemn, as if receiving a friendship heavier than a thousand pounds.

[Honestly, the guy eating oranges is turning yellow.]

[Dumb Chun! Stop feeding him!]

[My first internet son is attacking my second internet son.]

[Do you have some KPI to meet…?]

[I’ll buy! I’ll buy, okay?! Damn it, I’m calling the police on you!]

Seeing the comments going off track, the commentator signaled the staff to call the two background people forward to introduce themselves.

“Huh?” Yu Wen’s eyes widened.

Chu Han motioned for him to look at the comments.

Yu Wen leaned closer to the screen, his thick, curled lashes casting shadows on his lower lids, the tear mole at the corner of his eye adding charm to his innocent face.

Pure yet alluring, innocent yet captivating.

The comments stopped calling him “Dumb Chun,” and among the “……” came a “Hi, wifey.”

The reason he was in the background was the poor lighting and unclear angles; he looked like a beautiful, delicate figure from afar.

But when his face suddenly appeared up close, the impact was strong.

[What’s your name? The emperor asks for your name!]

[Make him a concubine, let him serve tonight!]

[Brother, you know, I’ve never had a wife since I was a kid…]

[Do you like foreigners? Hmm? Sis embarrassed herself abroad once, say something.]

“My name is Yu Wen, ‘Yu’ like in ‘famous,’ ‘Wen’ like in ‘unheard of’; first meeting and you want me to serve? Not appropriate, Your Majesty; I also don’t have a wife; I never had one; I don’t like foreigners; I prefer Huns, they’re tall…”

Yu Wen propped his chin with one hand, chatting casually as if with friends.

The key was that he could respond to everything, leaving Chu Han wide-eyed.

[This is my empress! This is my empress!]

[Witty and intelligent, truly knowledgeable.]

[Watching you peel oranges, I thought you were an orange spirit, didn’t expect you to be online.]

[What are you saying, who would peel and offer themselves?]

[Sis buys ten pounds! Let’s chat, sis likes sweethearts like you.]

“Ah.” Seeing the last comment, Yu Wen crossed his hands and righteously said, “No, I resign now; this is a lifetime retreat.”

[Help…]

[Who taught him these silly jokes?]

[He says them so seriously…]

[Frankly, we’re all responsible for how he talks.]

[The world is vast.]

“Then I’ll go back to peeling oranges. Thank you all for the affection.” Stealing the limelight is a sign of low emotional intelligence. Yu Wen was clear on his role. He seriously bowed to the audience, and returned to the back, grabbing a handful of oranges.

A handful.

Xiao Li’s soul half-drifted, still awaiting his offering.

The audience on the live stream was unsettled.

[Stop him, stop him! Don’t let him feed my other wife to death!]

[Dumb… wife, come back!]

[Look at his face! Still feeding him!]

[Don’t worry, I’ve already called.]

[Called the platform?]

[No, called an ambulance.]