Fu Bing was a person who couldn’t sit still. After taking a nap in the hot spring pool, she woke up feeling much more relaxed. She opened her Weibo account, which she hadn’t used for several years, and posted an update: "In an hour, I will start a live stream to chat with everyone and to share my recent plans." As soon as her post went live, it instantly topped the trending search list.
Xiaomei was downstairs scrolling through her phone when she rushed up. "Sister, are you going to start a live stream?" she asked.
"Yes," Fu Bing replied. "Contact Cheng Shuangqing for me. I want to stream on her platform."
"I’ll get in touch right away."
Naturally, Cheng Shuangqing also saw Fu Bing’s Weibo post; she couldn’t believe that Fu Bing was giving her such a precious opportunity. Cheng Shuangqing obtained Fu Bing’s contact information from Xiaomei and immediately called her.
"Sister Bing, thank you for giving me this opportunity," Cheng Shuangqing said, her voice choked with emotion.
After switching from the film and television industry to short video platforms, she had maintained strict control over content quality for years. Her works were of high quality, but as soon as the hosts she mentored gained a bit of fame, they would switch teams. She simply couldn’t retain anyone under her. As time passed, her position in the company became quite awkward. Her three-year contract with the company was expiring next month, and it was clear the executives were reluctant to renew it. Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, Fu Bing chose to entrust her first live stream to Cheng Shuangqing.
Fu Bing’s position in the entertainment circle was hard to define. The only certainty was that she was a superstar. She was truly someone who could bear the title of "female star."
"I’ve always wanted to see you, but I’ve been too busy recently," Fu Bing said with a smile. "Go negotiate with your colleagues first, and we’ll catch up later."
"Sure, sure, I’m on it."
Cheng Shuangqing hung up the phone and burst into the executive office on the top floor.
Lin Yu had an angry expression. "Cheng Shuangqing, what are you up to? If you don’t want to work here anymore, get the hell out!"
Cheng Shuangqing ignored his anger. "Fu Bing just called me, saying she wants to do her first live stream on our platform. Does the company have any traffic support to offer?"
"Fu Bing wants to stream? She’s got Su Junling, why would she come to you?"
"President Lin, please check Weibo. The top trending search is Fu Bing. She’s going to stream in an hour. It’s been 23 minutes since she posted the update. We don’t have much time left to prepare."
Lin Yu touched Cheng Shuangqing’s forehead. No fever. He stammered, "Are you serious?"
Just then, Fu Bing’s new update appeared on both of their phone screens: "I’ll be streaming on Douyu in half an hour to connect with everyone."
Lin Yu was dumbfounded. "Pinch me!"
Cheng Shuangqing, not holding back, seized the opportunity to settle a personal score.
Lin Yu yelped in pain but wasn’t angry. His face even showed a foolish smile. "Quick, call over the best operations team we have! We don’t have much time, and the task is critical, HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH. Fu Bing’s first time is with me, HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH."
"Would you mind finishing your sentence? Talking like that can easily be misunderstood."
Lin Yu glared at her. "Quit your jabbering and get to work!"
With the boss’s orders, Cheng Shuangqing organized everything with exceptional efficiency. Back when she was just a rookie reporter, it was Fu Bing who had given her the first interview opportunity. Now, facing a bottleneck in her career, it was once again Fu Bing who came to her rescue. Cheng Shuangqing’s chest felt warm with gratitude. She definitely would not let Fu Bing down!
Time passed by, second by second. The entire Douyu Company was closely monitoring the situation, as waves of new users surged into the Douyu Platform. The engineers were working hard to maintain the platform, preventing any lag. It was the Goddess’s first live stream, and it would be incredibly embarrassing if they couldn’t keep the platform running smoothly. They couldn’t allow any flaws in the Goddess’s first live stream.
A company that had always been riddled with internal strife now had an unusually unified goal. They couldn’t let the Goddess see their own mess. They were determined to make the Goddess fall in love with live streaming through this experience.
The time was drawing near to the moment Fu Bing had scheduled. Fu Bing made a call to Cheng Shuangqing. Lin Yu asked Cheng Shuangqing to place the phone beside the microphone at the company’s broadcasting station. Fu Bing’s voice instantly filled the entire Douyu Building.
"Shuangqing, thank you and your colleagues for all your hard work. Today’s live stream was a very hasty decision of mine, yet you all have been working so hard for me for so long. For the upcoming live stream, I want to disable the tipping feature. If this causes any loss to you and your colleagues, I will compensate."
Everyone was shocked. The Goddess’s choice to stream on their platform was an act of great favor. The long-term benefits she brought were worth much more than just one live stream.
"Sister Bing, you’re too polite," Lin Yu said. "Whatever other requirements you have, I will fulfill them."
"I have no other requirements. I trust that you will handle everything very well. Thank you, everyone."
At 12 o’clock noon, Fu Bing started her live stream on time. When Fu Bing’s face appeared on the huge screen of the Douyu Building, many eyes grew warm. Fu Bing had a kind of tolerant divinity about her. She stood there quietly, drawing people’s attention to her. For many, it was the first time they had seen her since her release from prison. Before her incarceration, she shone brightly, outshining the entire entertainment industry. Now, she had been through trials. She was still radiant, but with an added touch of composure.
Fu Bing smiled at the camera with aplomb. "Good afternoon, everyone. I am Fu Bing, and I am very happy to have the opportunity to meet everyone in this way."
As soon as her voice was heard, the barrage went crazy.
"My Sister Bing, you finally returned, BOO HOO HOO..."
"Why can’t I tip? I want to give my Sister Bing money! She’s so beautiful, so good-looking, I want to spend money on my Sister Bing! AAAHHH, damn Douyu, you’re inhuman!"
Lin Yu was quite happy to be cursed at. Because as soon as Fu Bing started broadcasting, the numbers hit fifty million. Within two minutes of streaming, the popularity soared to over a hundred million.
"I communicated with the platform to turn off the tipping feature, so there’s no need for anyone to spend money," Fu Bing said with an even warmer smile, looking at the continuously scrolling barrage. "I know everyone is concerned about me, and I’ve always had you on my mind. I recently addressed some personal matters, which meant I had to put all of you second. I am very sorry for that. You always give me the sincerest love and support when I need it, and I haven’t been able to reciprocate with equal sincerity."
The barrage kept replying.
"Sister Bing, we understand; you don’t need to apologize."
"There’s no star who cares about us more than you do."
"We truly feel your care."
"Sister Bing, BOO HOO HOO, I’m in the restroom watching the live stream, crying so loudly. Sister Bing, have you settled your personal issues now? Can you live well from now on?"
"Sister Bing, what are your plans for the future? When will you start filming again? We really want to see you acting."
Fu Bing said, "Today’s live stream is not just an opportunity for you to see me; I also intend to discuss my future plans. These plans might be disappointing to some of you, and I ask for your understanding."
Everyone’s heart sank.