Chapter 37: Livestream Announcement

“Oh, I remember now. That filthy dog runs a streaming platform named after hyenas, just as the name suggests.” Zhang Qiyang’s previous self hadn’t paid much attention to online streaming, and he’d muddled the details.

Qin Xueyang, munching on potato chips, said, “Hyena Live has been making a big push lately, hiring a bunch of celebrities to boost their profile. Looks like they’re about to overtake Zebra Live. If Zebra doesn’t step up soon, the throne of streaming will be snatched away by Wang Dazhong’s pack of hyenas.”

“So that’s why they want me to lend them some star power? Do they know about my rivalry with Wang Dazhong?”

“Who doesn’t know you and Wang Dazhong are sworn enemies?”

“Sworn enemies? He’s not even worthy! In my eyes, he’s nothing more than a little pest.”

“Haha, don’t get carried away now.” Qin Xueyang cheerfully handed Zhang Qiyang some chips. “Want some?”

“No. I’m not in the mood to vent with junk food. Why eat garbage when my spirits are fine?”

“Suit yourself. I didn’t really want to share anyway.” It was rare for Qin Xueyang to offer snacks, and her kindness was swiftly rebuffed. She shot Zhang Qiyang a glare and asked, “So, what’s the plan? Are you accepting Zebra Live’s interview? They’re offering five hundred thousand for the appearance fee, maybe more if we negotiate. If you’re in, I’ll contact them right away.”

Zhang Qiyang slapped his thigh. “Of course! But make sure the fee is after taxes. Also, all the gifts received during the stream must be converted to cash.”

“Converted to cash?” Qin Xueyang looked at him with surprised disdain. “This… isn’t very generous of you. Why are you greedy for such small change? Even I, who need money, wouldn’t stoop to this.”

“Small change? Sister, with my status, the gifts from a live stream could easily surpass the appearance fee!”

“Impossible!” Qin Xueyang declared confidently. “Unless some tycoon decides to shower you with cash, you won’t get that much in gifts. But what kind of rich fool would flaunt wealth before you? Giving you lavish gifts would be like brandishing a sword in front of Guan Yu—a show-off meeting the king of show-offs!”

“Maybe there’s a female tycoon who admires me; it gives her a chance to curry favor.” Zhang Qiyang said leisurely, “Anyway, stop wasting time and negotiate with Zebra. I want all gifts in cash. Otherwise, if the gifts pour in and I can only watch, it’ll be torture. If I get cash, I’ll be much more enthusiastic about the stream.”

“Fine, fine. Calculating over such petty sums—no one else like you!” Qin Xueyang muttered under her breath, but went to contact Zebra Live as Zhang Qiyang requested.

Negotiating the cash-for-gifts clause with Zebra was almost embarrassing for Qin Xueyang. In her view, even if Zhang Qiyang’s stream brought in five hundred in gifts, that would be surprising. Who’d be crazy enough to send gifts to a super-rich heir? His detractors far outnumber his fans, and most of his fans are broke—waiting for him to hand out cash, not the other way around!

All in all, Qin Xueyang thought Zhang Qiyang was overthinking it. He really shouldn’t be greedy for such small amounts. But since he insisted, she pressed on with the negotiations.

Zebra Live agreed instantly. Hearing that Zhang Qiyang was willing to appear, they accepted all of Qin Xueyang’s terms, even letting them pick the interview time.

“Wednesday night at eight—is that okay? It won’t interfere with your preparations for ‘My Song’ this weekend, right?” Qin Xueyang, phone pressed to her ear, sought Zhang Qiyang’s approval.

Zhang Qiyang gave her an OK gesture, indicating Wednesday night was perfect and wouldn’t affect his preparations.

Last week, as “My Song” wrapped up, the host Chen Zixuan had already announced to viewers that next week would be a Cantonese special, with all eight singers set to perform Cantonese songs. Zhang Qiyang had already shortlisted several excellent candidates. Judging by the current public sentiment, he’d pick the most fitting Cantonese song for the occasion.

Qin Xueyang, still on the phone, asked, “Which streamer do you want for your interview?”

Zhang Qiyang had no idea who Zebra’s streamers were. “Get the most popular one, preferably someone who knows music and can sing.”

Qin Xueyang blinked innocently. “Would a male streamer who sings be okay?”

Zhang Qiyang glared. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s fine.”

“Fine? That kind of homoerotic vibe won’t attract viewers! Be serious and find me a beautiful female streamer.” Zhang Qiyang finally voiced his true desire.

Qin Xueyang puffed out her cheeks. “I knew you’d say that.”

She went back to negotiations, instructing Zebra Live to arrange for their most popular female streamer to interview Zhang Qiyang.

Within half an hour, the deal was sealed. Wednesday at eight o’clock, Zhang Qiyang would be a guest in Zebra’s streaming room, interacting with millions of viewers.

Landing such a high-profile, attention-grabbing guest excited Zebra’s team beyond measure! Starting Monday afternoon, they launched a massive publicity campaign, determined to ensure every streaming enthusiast knew: the son of the richest man, two-time champion of “My Song,” the legendary Big Cannon himself, was coming to Zebra!

The female streamers at Zebra were even more thrilled. They desperately wanted the chance to interview Zhang Qiyang. Whether or not the stream would let them catch the eye of the richest heir, just interviewing the Big Cannon—currently the subject of public fascination and debate—was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make headlines and raise their profile!

Whoever interviewed Zhang Qiyang would instantly be crowned Zebra’s queen!

Meanwhile, Hyena Live was shaken when they heard Zhang Qiyang would be a guest at Zebra on Wednesday. They had scheduled a sensational, scandal-ridden female celebrity for that night, hoping to draw viewers. Zebra’s simultaneous exclusive interview with Zhang Qiyang was a direct strike at them!

Wang Dazhong’s first thought upon hearing the news was that Zhang Qiyang was deliberately opposing him by accepting the Zebra interview at this moment.

Wang Dazhong was furious!

But there was a bright side for Hyena Live as well.

If Zebra managed to bring in the hottest topic of the moment and Hyena still outperformed them in ratings, it would cement Hyena’s position as the top streaming site.

For Wang Dazhong, this battle was a must-win. He’d stop at nothing to secure victory.

As Zebra promoted the Big Cannon’s guest appearance, Hyena struck back, lining up heavyweight guests for their platform. Wang Dazhong leveraged his personal connections to bring in two more trending celebrities for Wednesday night, joining their already scheduled scandal magnet. Three star women would take on Zhang Qiyang, aiming to crush him and lure viewers from Zebra to Hyena.

This time, Wang Dazhong would not allow Zhang Qiyang and Zebra to win!

Unlike Wang Dazhong, who attached great importance to this stream, Zhang Qiyang barely thought about it once the deal was made.

For him, it was just another routine appearance.

He’d actually considered streaming before—it would bring him closer to his fans and make him more relatable. Though he was the son of the richest man, he was now living a semi-self-sufficient life, so streaming didn’t feel beneath his status.

However, the fact that streaming platforms took half the value of gifts was unacceptable. If he was lending his fame to make money for someone else’s platform, he’d rather, like that filthy dog Wang Dazhong, start his own streaming site—that was the proper way for someone of his stature.

Unfortunately, he was short on funds and energy for such an undertaking.

Zebra’s invitation sparked an idea: if this stream went well, he could do more in the future.

Given his current reputation, most TV stations wouldn’t dare invite him to their shows. Without East Entertainment’s pressure, “My Song” would never have invited him.

As for those mishmash concerts and trashy gigs, he wasn’t interested.

Streaming, however, was a down-to-earth way to make money, connect with fans, and indirectly strike at Wang Dazhong—a win on multiple fronts.

But if this stream didn’t meet his expectations financially, Zhang Qiyang wouldn’t waste his energy again.