Chapter Thirty-Eight: Yuan Xiong in Bewilderment

Wang Mo was cheerfully connecting with each "netizen," answering their questions just as the team had requested. The entire session was electrifying.

To the viewers in the livestream, the host known as "West Tower" was undoubtedly worthy of the title "talented streamer," responding to all sorts of questions with eloquence and ease.

"Incredible."
"I can't believe I've found such a gifted person on Douyin."
"I'm loving this, absolutely loving it."

The novel approach to livestreaming, coupled with Wang Mo's voice, made for a powerful combination—a magnet for followers.

An hour into the broadcast, Wang Mo noticed that the "West Tower" account's followers had already surpassed fifty thousand! At this pace, it would take at most a week for his fan count to break one hundred thousand, completing the system's task.

But soon, his brows furrowed. Unfriendly voices began to surge in the comment section. In truth, since he started livestreaming, the comments had never been quiet, always filled with laughter and scolding alike.

Yet now, the comment section seemed to explode.

"Streamer, you're faking it!"
"Streamer, do you have no shame? Connecting only with your own people?"
"I knew it, there's no way a talented streamer exists online."
"Haha, except for their staff, no one else could succeed in connecting, right?"
"Brothers, I only suggested there was something fishy, and my main account got blocked. Feeling guilty, are we?"
"I've smashed my keyboard, still couldn't connect."
"The few who succeeded in connecting, I checked and they all have private accounts. That says a lot."
"Blatantly treating us like fools."
"If you're Wang Mo, you deserve criticism—how dare you livestream? If you're not Wang Mo, you deserve it even more, riding the hype of that fallen celebrity. Shameless."
"…"

Having weathered highs and lows, Wang Mo was no stranger to dramatic situations. Seeing the comment section, he instantly knew he was being questioned again. And this time, the scrutiny was far harsher than yesterday's broadcast. Some comments were particularly sharp, quickly inciting scores of uninformed viewers.

Despite this, Wang Mo's smile remained, for he knew such matters were nothing for him to worry about. The company's team had anticipated every possible scenario.

As expected, the team sprang into action.

Muting.

Blocking.

Expelling.

All sorts of measures were deployed in succession. Before long, the atmosphere in the livestream returned to normal.

However, soon after, Yuan Xiong in the backstage received a report from a staff member, his expression turning grave.

The staffer explained, "The chaos in the livestream has been traced to its source. It began when a Douyin blogger with over three hundred thousand followers proclaimed in his own livestream that he wanted to connect with West Tower. He said if West Tower could withstand his knowledge test, he and his followers would recognize West Tower as a true talent. But he and over twenty thousand viewers tried for half an hour, and none succeeded in connecting. That's why his fans rushed over to accuse West Tower of fraud."

Yuan Xiong frowned, "Who is this streamer?"

The staffer replied, "We've looked into him. He hasn't signed with any MCN company yet, but it's possible someone is backing him."

Yuan Xiong nodded, "That's normal. West Tower's livestream is likely being watched by many entertainment companies in the industry. Even if they don't know West Tower's real identity, it doesn't stop them from stirring trouble. Rivals are enemies—it's not just a saying."

Staffer: "What do we do now?"

Yuan Xiong: "Ignore it."

The best response to such provocation is no response. On the internet, no matter how big the issue, if you pay it no mind, the hype dies down after a few days. This was already part of the company's plan. They had foreseen that once Wang Mo started livestreaming as "West Tower," he'd face online attacks.

But neither Yuan Xiong nor the staff had anticipated the real consequences this time.

A streamer with over three hundred thousand followers, a livestream with more than twenty thousand viewers—such a force could stir up far more trouble than anyone imagined.

In West Tower's livestream, after muting and blocking a batch of people, even more poured in.

"You muted me?"
"You blocked me?"
"Hahahahaha, who would believe there's nothing shady going on!"
"Streamer, if you're not guilty, why block my main account?"
"Talented streamer? Bah!"
"Do you dare connect with 'Silver Moon' and accept his challenge?"
"The streamer doesn't dare—he's a fraud!"

Mute one, ten more curse. Block one, dozens of alt accounts flood in.

Chaos.

Order in the livestream had completely unraveled.

Actually, such scenes are common in the livestreams of deceptive streamers. Without strong psychological resilience, the average person would collapse at the barrage of comments.

This was why Yuan Xiong had prepared Wang Mo mentally.

At first, Wang Mo paid little mind.

He had excellent psychological strength.

But as time passed, the barrage grew ever more outrageous. Some even resorted to profanity.

Wang Mo had managed to endure, but soon his expression changed.

[Reputation -1]
[Reputation -1]
[Reputation -1]

If the black fans' attacks couldn't shake Wang Mo, the system's notifications did. He had intended to follow the company's plan, step by step, to build his image as a "talented youth." But now, hearing his reputation plunge made his heart sink.

After all, his main purpose for livestreaming was to complete the system's task. If his reputation fell instead of rising, what was the point?

He took a deep breath, said "please wait a moment," and got up, leaving the camera.

The comments erupted.

"The streamer ran away."
"Haha, guilty as charged."
"Claims to be talented, but won't accept 'Silver Moon's' challenge."
"Fraud—this kind of streamer should be banned."
"Reported, you're welcome!"

Wang Mo's departure seemed to confirm he was a fraud, and the barrage became even more reckless.

At that moment, he walked over to Yuan Xiong.

Yuan Xiong saw Wang Mo's tightly furrowed brow and patted him on the shoulder. "Stay strong. Just don't read the comments. These trolls won't last long. Just stick to our plan. Trust me, in three days, everything will return to normal."

Wang Mo shook his head. "I don't want to wait three days."

Three days—who knew how much reputation he'd lose in that time.

Yuan Xiong was taken aback. "What are you planning?"

Wang Mo: "Brother Xiong, do you trust me?"

Yuan Xiong thought for a moment. "You're lazy, unruly, shameless, thick-skinned, hypocritical, and unfaithful... but when it comes to the big stuff, you're reliable. I trust you!"

Wang Mo replied, "Then that's settled. Brother Xiong, have the staff remove all the scripts and plans. Leave the rest of the livestream to me."

???

Yuan Xiong was momentarily at a loss.