Chapter 51: The Price of Going Viral

Once they decided to take action, the sleep-aid streaming track was quickly discovered. At first, the traffic wasn’t exactly spectacular, but it was still decent. Since there had been prior cooperation with the platform, naturally, the platform would also promote this track—after all, only if the track made money could the platform make money too.

But it had to be said, the retention rate was truly impressive. Quite a few users left the stream running as they slept.

“Wow, this track really is novel. But honestly, who invented this livestream thing? I treat it as my spiritual nourishment now.”

“No idea. It seems like some company just popped up out of nowhere, specializing in short video tracks. Livestreaming already existed before, but I’ve never seen so many different tracks.”

“Even though I know the money we spend all ends up going to this company, I don’t mind! They’re providing me with emotional value!”

“Exactly, brother, you’re right. We all know the money we throw in ends up in the same person’s pocket, but I’m happy to do it—they give us emotional value. By the way, have any of you seen the founder of this company? I heard rumors she’s quite beautiful.”

Lin Guanqi hadn’t expected to be talked about at this point already.

But being talked about was a good thing.

This meant that people had started paying attention to him.

This would certainly raise the company’s profile significantly.

“Hmm, I think I heard she was the campus belle. And I also heard she started from scratch.”

“What? A campus belle who started from scratch could reach this level? That’s really something. Most people make a few mistakes along the way, but she succeeded on her first try and even invented such a fresh industry.”

“If she really started from nothing, then I have to say, she’s truly impressive. Most people who start from nothing run into all kinds of obstacles, but just look at how smoothly it went for her. And this track just keeps expanding.”

Lin Guanqi’s reputation online was, to say the least, blazing hot.

In short, his name had become very popular on the internet.

“Jiaojiao, your reputation is really excellent right now. Looks like even Bai Group will get to bask in your reflected glory in the future.”

Bai Ningbing said this to Lin Guanqi, who was beside her.

“Oh, you just love teasing me. Without your help, how could I have such a reputation? I probably wouldn’t even have enough funds to start this company!”

“That’s not true. There are people who, even if you give them money, still can’t pull something like this off. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen who could do this.”

What Bai Ningbing said was true. Some rich second-generation kids lose money for their families when they start a business instead of earning it, so a lot of parents tell their kids not to start a business and just coast through life.

He didn’t really know why his own family had raised someone who started a business so quickly and was so precise in seizing an opportunity, believing this track could really make money.

Actually, there was no need to investigate. He just believed that anything she did was impressive, no matter where the information came from.

“Alright, where are we going to have fun today? Since my business venture has been such a success, let me treat you to a meal! How about that? Then we can take a trip, enjoy the mountains and rivers!”

A little bit of success and she was already floating.

What would happen later? It really made him worry. But honestly, one should relax at the right times—constant pressure isn’t healthy.

“Okay, let’s go travel then. Where do you want to go? From what I know, there’s nothing too interesting nearby. For something really fun, you’d have to go abroad.”

Going abroad really did have its attractions, but it also meant that it would be hard to settle back into daily life afterward.

Once you went, it was hard to come back.

“Then let’s go abroad—I want to have fun!”

Lin Guanqi had already exhausted himself for this business venture. If he didn’t relax soon, the constant tension might just snap.

“Alright, just this once. Let’s go have some fun.”

“So, do you have anywhere in mind?”

When it came to where to go, she really hadn’t thought about it yet.

The two of them were still planning their trip when a piece of bad news arrived, immediately putting an end to their plans. It was as if something was determined to stop them from going out.

“Something bad’s happened. Right now, there’s talk everywhere that our livestream model is some sort of shady scam, set up just to rake in money. Because of this so-called livestream, a lot of people have spent loads of money—some of them even minors tipping streamers.”

Minors tipping? This was bad. Who would have thought the problem of minors giving gifts would come up so soon? This was one of the top poisons of the streaming industry. Not only do streamers suffer, even the platform is troubled by it.

“These underage tips… This is my oversight. I forgot to tell the streamers to hang up a notice in their rooms: ‘Minors prohibited from tipping.’ What’s the total amount of underage tipping so far?”

“About one million, all combined. That’s the total.”

A million—that’s no small sum. Where did these kids even get so much money?

Now Lin Guanqi had to come up with a way to deal with this—how to shut up the critics, how to make it clear this wasn’t the streamers’ fault.

The forums were exploding, and the label of streaming being a ‘cancer’ was spreading like wildfire.

Trying to silence it all was unrealistic.

But as tough as this was, if they didn’t resolve it, the authorities would definitely step in and regulate.

Bai Ningbing saw Lin Guanqi in distress and immediately lost interest in going anywhere. She mobilized Bai Group’s resources and began speaking up for the issue. After all, she knew this wasn’t Lin Guanqi’s fault, so she had to prove it.

Bai Group: [The streaming industry, under our investment, is strictly regulated. None of our streamers are inducing minors to spend. So please don’t paint everyone with the same brush. If these slanders continue, we will take special measures!]

Linbing Group: [We have not induced any minors to spend. Upon verification, we will refund all proceeds from underage viewers! The streaming industry provides many jobs and is purely for entertainment—there’s nothing improper about it!]

Note Platform: [Regarding underage spending, we will soon roll out a minor verification system. If you’re underage, you will not be able to give gifts! Additionally, for this round of underage tipping, the platform will bear the entire loss!]

Lin Guanqi knew that they absolutely couldn’t ask the streamers to pay back the tips. Otherwise, it would snuff out the glimmer of hope the streamers had finally seen.