Chapter 201

Page Fifty-Seven: Wider Path (Part One)

Cherry Sauce, who had been silent all along, suddenly showed interest in my evening gown arrangements for the banquet. She started to praise extravagantly.

— “From the invitation, tonight’s coming-of-age ceremony will be held in the form of a self-service ball. Therefore, a luxurious and elegant medieval dress would be perfect. With our looks, we’ll definitely be invited to dance by wealthy young men.” —

She was very excited, but I didn’t really like hearing that.

— “Moreover, if Sister Lěi wears a tuxedo and you wear an evening gown, standing together would look very well-matched. As for Lǐn Huā…” —

Before Cherry Sauce could finish her thought, Lǐn Huā said, “If Sister Língmèng plans to wear an evening gown, then I’ll also get a male suit? Sister Fēiyuè! Please pick out clothes for me too!”

Sister Fēiyuè exclaimed happily, “Sister Lǐn Huā also wants to buy one? Leave it to me!”

— “As expected of Lǐn Huā, she has noticed this as well?” —

The shop assistant ran off happily to pick out clothes. I complained to Lǐn Huā, “What are you doing? Didn’t you say you have formal wear at home?”

“Putting on formal wear is like giving yourself away to an idiot!”

In the end, Sister Fēiyuè picked out a female western suit for Lǐn Huā: black jacket, black vest, white shirt, with a black ribbon tied around the collar, and long hair tied up into a high ponytail, paired with light leather gloves, exuding an aura of a mafia woman.

However, Lǐn Huā was slightly inferior to Xiǎo Lěi in terms of physique, although her chest had a bit more fluctuation, which was barely noticeable.

“Since I can’t compete with Xiǎo Lěi in height, waistline, and leg length, I’ll win with my aura!”

With these words, Lǐn Huā pulled out her “cheat.”

It was her portable makeup kit. Lǐn Huā intended to use her makeup skills to make up for the physical disparity.

The idiot immediately cried out, “Isn’t that cheating? What kind of aura is that? I want to put on makeup too!”

Lǐn Huā originally wore light makeup, making her appear much softer.

Xiǎo Lěi and I always went bare-faced, but my appearance spoke for itself; even without makeup, I could dispel smog and purify the air. Compared to this, the idiot seemed too plain, almost foolish.

To争夺 the makeup kit, the idiot and Lǐn Huā started to play around, filling the back warehouse with a lively atmosphere.

I turned to AJ and said, “If I remember correctly, Sister A also knows how to apply makeup, right?”

“Of course! Even if I’m amateur, I’m still a model! Plus, my makeup skills are pretty good. I’ve learned a bit from professional makeup artists… So, do you need my help with makeup?”

“Then…”

— “No, just leave it to me.” —

Although curious about AJ’s makeup skills, I shook my head and declined, “No, thanks. My personal stylist wouldn’t be happy.”

“…Huh?” AJ clearly didn’t understand this statement.

“Let’s talk about Sister Yǐjī’s matters instead.”

Since we met today, we could discuss yesterday’s topic first.

“How’s the popularity of your live streaming room now?”

Upon hearing this, Sister Fēiyuè also came over, confirming that Tony Yáng wasn’t in the back warehouse, she added, “Sister Yǐjī’s popularity is steadily rising. She can reach over fifty thousand viewers during a solo live stream at night, which is much faster than when I first started.”

AJ added, “Yes, if she collaborates with Lucy now, breaking a hundred thousand viewers is certain. If we create some major news, it might even surpass Sister Tāo’s twenty thousand viewer requirement.”

“Major news? What do you mean?”

“For example, this threat. I think if used properly, it could become an opportunity. The threatening messages we’ve saved as evidence, we can use them. But catching the real culprit through those small accounts is difficult.”

Clearly, she hadn’t discussed this with her before, yet she had thought of this aspect.

“In fact, I have a new plan, and Sister Tāo agreed. But it requires Sister Yǐjī’s cooperation. If successful, we could deal with the Glorious Family… Oh, the Glorious Family is the third-rate live streaming union targeting you.”

AJ bluntly stated, “Glorious Family… Wow, what a lame name.”

“Yes, they mostly use marginal marketing tactics, and their main streamers are not top-tier. They rely on controlling and suppressing lower-tier streamers to monopolize middle-tier platform profits. Based on the photos Sister Yǐjī exposed earlier, comparing them with earlier street performances, they may have already figured something out. However, since Sister Yǐjī rarely goes out, they might be targeting Sister Tāo.”

Considering Sister Fēiyuè’s lack of understanding, I explained again.

She asked, “Is it okay for Sister Yǐjī to continue streaming?”

“Sister Tāo said she’s fine, but currently, Sister Yǐjī needs to give her fans a ‘vaccine,’ creating a real ‘background story’…”

I told both of them about the plan proposed by Líng Shàojié.

However, I hid from Sister Fēiyuè that Sister Yǐjī is actually Long Yáo and the mistakes he made in the past. Although curious, it was someone else’s private matter, and she didn’t press further.

AJ pondered for a moment and asked, “This sounds like a gamble, betting that they won’t expose those details?”

“It’s not a gamble. This is building a firewall. Once the prevention is in place, it’s hard for them to attack Sister Yǐjī and the Long family with that information. I’d even call it a surefire method.”

Not exposing anything would be fine, but once exposed, we could even ride the wave, bringing significant popularity to Sister Yǐjī’s live stream.

Although identities were exposed, it didn’t matter much. For Sister Yǐjī, the most important thing is fulfilling the agreement with Sister Tāo.

“I think it’s feasible. What do you think, Sister A?”

She replied, “You said those scoundrels have found us, right? What if they use offline intimidation?”

She was worried about Sister Tāo.

“I don’t think we need to worry. Sister Tāo won’t act alone recently. The reputation of the Bìyáng Girls’ School security force should be known to you. There’s no way anything bad would happen.

Also, there are so many streamers on the platform. They’re not the first to encounter small streamers they can’t control. If the cost of suppression exceeds the benefit, they will give up. Although this live streaming union is dirty, fundamentally, they’re just trying to make money.”

However, as an unaffiliated solo streamer, Sister Yǐjī’s popularity has surged rapidly since she started broadcasting, even without much promotion. From the data, she’s a potential star. They might be willing to invest more, so we can’t be too relaxed and must still be wary of their follow-up moves.

“I’ll arrange for Sister Yǐjī to tell stories today, but keep an eye on Little Lingmèng over at Sister Tāo’s side.”

I nodded in agreement, wanting to say more, when Tony Yáng led a middle-aged woman in a simple outfit into the back warehouse.

He greeted, “AJ, come here.”

“Oh! Coming!”

After AJ left, I asked Sister Fēiyuè, “That lady… Is she the designer from a big brand?”

Her outfit seemed a bit casual, not quite fitting her status.

“That’s right. Miss Grizelda is Tony’s senior classmate from when he studied abroad. She was pre-selected by a big brand before graduation… Though she doesn’t care much about her daily attire, after all, the clothes she designs aren’t suitable for everyday wear.”

Unlike Tony, who considers pocket placement when designing clothes, this female designer wasn’t particularly practical…

Could it be those flamboyant outfits worn on the runway?

I imagined models walking down the runway in snake skin bags.

Western fashion shows were beyond my comprehension.

Sister Fēiyuè sighed helplessly.

“Miss Grizelda is a British-Chinese, rarely visiting China for official business. She originally wanted to spend her free time reminiscing with her brother, but her brother is such a dull person, actually wanting to introduce AJ to her…”

“If I understand correctly, she likes your brother?”

Only then did I notice that Miss Grizelda had been staring at Tony Yáng the whole time, even when AJ introduced herself, she never looked up, a痴痴 smile on her face.

“See, isn’t it obvious? Unfortunately, my brother prefers the store manager downstairs, the one who uses rhythm rap to sell clothes to customers.”

…What?

Rhythm rap sales?

Originally, I wasn’t interested in trendy brands with hip-hop style, but Sister Fēiyuè’s words made me very curious.

“My brother recommended me to go to that store to buy clothes, saying I could get a discount if I mentioned his name. It turns out he was trying to curry favor?”

“Unfortunately, she’s not interested in him, treating him coldly. I think Miss Grizelda’s conditions are better…”

Looking at the other side of the back warehouse.

Tony Yáng also recommended AJ as a model to Miss Grizelda, but she wasn’t stupid. How could she not see the situation? She became restless, her expression gradually stiffening and awkward… An unwanted third party.

Fortunately, Miss Grizelda wasn’t a stubborn person. She simply grabbed a white embroidered cheongsam from Tony’s rack and handed it to AJ, saying, “Since Tony recommended you, Miss AJ, put on this dress and walk for me. If it doesn’t work out, then forget about being a model.”

Sister Fēiyuè added, “That dress is exactly AJ’s size. Did Miss Grizelda know that just by looking?”

It felt like she was just finding an excuse to send AJ away.

But in terms of appearance, cheongsam, this traditional Chinese formal wear, should be AJ’s comfort zone… Or so it should be. AJ asked, “Walking means catwalking on the runway?”

“Of course, can’t you do it?”

So, a flat model wouldn’t know how to catwalk. Miss Grizelda gave AJ an unsolvable problem, to which she responded with an awkward yet polite smile.

Tony Yáng explained beside, “Senior, AJ is only a flat model.”

“Even a flat model is amateur, lacking confidence. Would you recommend someone like this to me?”

Miss Grizelda’s provocation and disdain only strengthened AJ’s resolve.

“I’ll do it! I’ll show you!”

There was rare seriousness in her eyes.

And stubbornness.