Chapter 198: Gala Influence

Chapter 198: The Influence of the Gala

"Did you run outside because you knew so many people would be lining up to invite you?"

"Or did you go out there specifically to show off your jump shot?"

As soon as Meng Fan returned, Bai Zhi and Su Qingcen grabbed him and hauled him into their dressing room.

"So, it’s not that you get nervous during livestreams, but rather that you actually love them, right?"

"Otherwise, why would you go out of your way to hog the camera?"

The two women traded barbs, guessing Meng Fan’s intentions with uncanny accuracy, though they still couldn't fathom why he was so obsessed with livestreaming.

"I just felt stifled inside and went out for a stroll. Who knew the ball would end up in my hands? It was pure instinct to shoot it, and hey, it actually went in. I guess I’m just that accurate," Meng Fan laughed it off before pivoting to Bai Zhi. "Sister Bai, you mentioned people were inviting me? Were there any livestreaming offers? I really do enjoy that."

"There were, and I turned them all down."

Bai Zhi rolled her eyes at him and said, "Qingcen and I are heading back to the hotel. We’ll decide later whether to attend the banquet. What about you?"

"I’m heading back too."

The three of them left the dressing room and, by sheer coincidence, ran into Jay Chou, who greeted Meng Fan warmly once again.

Meng Fan wasn't thick-skinned enough to actually ask for milk tea.

The trio, along with their assistants and managers, left the stadium by car and reached the hotel shortly after.

Bai Zhi and Su Qingcen were sharing a suite, while Meng Fan was in a standard room. Although both women treated him like a younger brother, there were boundaries to observe; no matter how large the suite, it wasn't appropriate for him to stay there.

Besides, even if they had invited him, the "Never Refuse" quest—that wretched trap—was still hanging over his head. Meng Fan dared not touch a task that might boost his abilities but would inevitably invite a streak of bad luck.

Of course, staying there was out of the question, but hanging out was perfectly fine.

Shortly after returning to the hotel, Bai Zhi called to say she’d ordered food and asked if he wanted to join. Meng Fan didn't hesitate; he was genuinely hungry, and besides, sitting alone in his room at that hour would be dreadfully boring.

When he arrived, Su Qingcen had changed into casual clothes and was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, watching a playback of his performance of "The Spirit." She had probably watched it countless times by now.

"Xiao Fan."

Seeing him arrive, she paused the video and said, "I’m planning to film a new music video for 'The Spirit' and I’d like your help. You wouldn't refuse me just because it’s not a livestream, would you?"

The gala version was excellent, but it wasn't quite suitable for a formal music video.

"You actually believe his excuse?" Bai Zhi walked over with a plate of sliced fruit, handing it to Meng Fan. "He owes me several performances, and mine aren't livestreams either. Come to think of it, Qingcen, you’ve given me an idea. I’m working on a new album, and I could definitely incorporate sand art into one of the music videos."

The two women settled the matter between them, and Meng Fan, naturally, couldn't object. He played the role of a quiet bystander, sending a few WeChat messages on his phone before standing up to tell them, "I’m going to start a livestream to hold a giveaway."

With that, he sat in a corner and logged into his channel.

Soon, the fans who saw his notification flooded the stream. It wasn't a huge crowd—only about three thousand people—but they were his most loyal followers.

"No small talk, I’m starting the draw right away. Since there are fewer people, your odds of winning are higher. The prize is to have your Double Eleven shopping carts cleared, up to a limit of ten thousand yuan."

The keyword appeared in the chat, and the winners were drawn shortly after.

"Winners, send your screenshots and info to Little Bee. I won’t keep you from your shopping; I’m signing off now. I’ll stream again once I’m back in Hangzhou tomorrow."

Once the list was confirmed, Meng Fan ended the broadcast.

"You’re very good to your fans," Bai Zhi laughed. "Do you want to clear my shopping cart while you're at it?"

Su Qingcen looked over with a smile as well.

They were both wealthy women; it was bullying, plain and simple.

Soon, his WeChat was flooded with replies.

Wen Wan: "Showing me that performance in person when you get back would be better than anything else!"

Qin Jiao sent a screenshot without hesitation: "Look at you, you wealthy landlord!"

Wu Tong also sent a screenshot, though the amount was modest, and the items seemed to be... men's clothing!

His three roommates were equally shameless, sending screenshots where every single item was, naturally, women's clothing.

Once the food arrived and they finished eating, the three of them gathered in front of the TV. The biggest international star of the Double Eleven Gala was set to perform right before midnight, a show even Bai Zhi and Su Qingcen didn't want to miss.

After midnight, the country plunged into a frenzy of record-breaking Double Eleven sales, the numbers scrolling by so fast they made one's head spin.

Neither Bai Zhi nor Su Qingcen attended the post-gala banquet, and naturally, Meng Fan didn't either.

He woke up early the next morning, his instinct urging him to go for a run, but he laughed and forced himself to catch a little more sleep before heading down for breakfast.

After ten, Meng Fan and Su Qingcen took the same flight to Hangzhou, while Bai Zhi flew to Shanghai.

Su Qingcen needed to continue preparing for her concert in Hangzhou, and she once again invited Meng Fan to be a guest performer. This time, Meng Fan couldn't bring himself to refuse.

The "I only get nervous when I'm not livestreaming" excuse worked on others, but he felt too embarrassed to use it on Su Qingcen a second time.

After landing, Su Qingcen had her staff drop Meng Fan off.

He went to his apartment complex first, heading straight to Wen Wan’s sand art studio. The sand art table had been shipped from the gala but hadn't arrived yet; he needed to explain the situation to her, as the equipment was borrowed.

After clearing that up, Meng Fan shamelessly bought another table from the studio to take home.

He had already converted the sand art skill, and since he had the talent, he couldn't just keep it hidden. He had to put it to use. Besides, after trying it, he found he quite enjoyed sand art—whether it was the attributes required for the craft or the flair of the performance, he found it all very satisfying.

As for how he’d use it, the answer was obvious: his livestreams. He was still some distance away from completing the "Livestream Master" quest, and he couldn't just wait for gala appearances. He had to stream regularly. It wasn't just for experience points; it was to stave off boredom.

Painting was a lonely pursuit, and burying his head in it for hours could test one's patience—though some called it "cultivating patience." Occasionally streaming while painting and chatting was a great way to pass the time and relieve fatigue.

He returned to campus in the afternoon, where he was met with the expected wave of awe and admiration.

He attended a class, ran ten kilometers after five, and after a shower in the dorm, he had dinner with Wu Tong before heading home.

He went live at 8:00 PM. Within ten minutes, the number of viewers shocked him.

In such a short time, the count was already climbing toward 300,000!

Why?

Meng Fan knew it was the influence of his Double Eleven performance. Many people had likely searched for him, and a portion of them had followed him back to his channel.

At this rate, even without relying on special gala events, he would likely finish grinding the remaining experience for "Livestream Master" through his own channel soon.

The title’s attribute, +10 Charisma, was a massive incentive.