Chapter 13: Paid Membership

After a week of eager anticipation, the people of the interstellar community finally welcomed the second episode of “Interstellar Singer.”

Countless viewers couldn’t wait to click on the video, but instead of the familiar opening sequence, what popped up on their terminals was a payment notice.

[This episode is exclusive to VIP members. Please purchase a VIP membership to continue watching.]

VIP membership?!

What on earth is that?!

A collective cry of shock and confusion swept across the entire Interstellar Federation.

Desperate to see the latest update, interstellar viewers carefully studied the membership system, only to discover it was divided in detail into one-month, quarterly, and annual memberships, with options for monthly, quarterly, and yearly plans. Each was priced differently, and all time calculations were based on Earth’s calendar.

Seriously, Earthlings, it’s one thing to charge money, but why are there so many different payment options?

The interstellar audience was left with headaches, clutching their time conversion tools as they calculated one option after another, trying to figure out which membership offered the best value.

Some, too impatient to wait, simply bought a one-month membership, reasoning that they could watch today’s update first and ask friends later which plan was most cost-effective.

·

It had to be said, aliens were remarkably efficient when it came to crunching numbers. Very soon, someone on StarNet created a comparison chart of the various membership types, making it easy for everyone to choose according to their own needs.

The private StarNet account that released the chart even gained a wave of popularity, with grateful interstellar viewers flooding the comments to thank the creator for their guidance.

With the problem of membership purchases solved, everyone could finally watch the new episode.

This week’s update focused on the singers’ daily lives. The official program homepage had already announced that “Interstellar Singer” would be on a biweekly schedule, with competitions held every two weeks. This was to account for the longer preparation cycles of the alien singers. The off weeks would feature behind-the-scenes footage of the singers’ preparations, perfectly meeting the audience’s earlier requests for more daily content.

·

Membership payments were credited in real time. The finance staff at Youjian Entertainment watched the numbers climb, their expressions shifting rapidly from stunned disbelief to total numbness.

Once the numbers stabilized, the finance department immediately submitted the compiled report.

Cen Lan received the report at once. Even she couldn’t help being surprised by the figure, current as of just five minutes ago.

The government’s investment in manpower, resources, and funding had not only been recouped—it was now turning a profit.

She forwarded the report to Feng Jingyu, only for Feng Jingyu to send it right back, with a single comment attached.

[Too long, didn’t read. Basic operation, don’t 6.]

Cen Lan smiled and sighed, then sent the report up the chain. The invisible benefits were already well known to everyone; the tangible gains needed to be made visible to those above as well.

Earth had made breakthrough progress in economics, cultural export, and influence. It was time for a summary meeting. Other regions could try rolling out this model and see how it fared.

Cen Lan had the AI record her thoughts. Every meeting was a battlefield for her, but this time, it was a victory parade. All she needed to do was place the fruits of success in the center for all to see, and wait quietly—more people hungry for hope would be drawn in.

·

Central Star System, Interstellar Institute of Literature.

“Teacher, how did Earthlings ever come up with such an interesting payment system?” Shu tapped on the membership price analysis chart on the virtual screen, his voice full of admiration.

The Wordweaver, Star Anchor, selected the annual membership option and asked, “So which membership did you buy?”

“Of course I got the annual plan—didn’t they say it’s the best value?” Shu cleared his throat, remembering something, and continued, “Besides, the fact that Earthlings created this membership system means they’re definitely planning to roll out even more content in the future. This is only the beginning.”

“Very good.” Star Anchor nodded approvingly. “Looks like you really did read that book.”

Rarely praised so directly by his teacher, Shu couldn’t help but grow even more excited.

“But…” Star Anchor deliberately paused, and sure enough, saw Shu’s face fill with confusion. “This is only the first layer.”

“The first layer?”

“That’s right. This move also increases user retention, getting everyone into the habit of purchasing, so that eventually they’re subtly influenced by the Earthlings.” Star Anchor smiled. “You could call this—boiling a frog in warm water.”

“‘Boiling a frog in warm water’…?” Shu repeated softly.

“And the third layer…”

Shu forgot all decorum and blurted out, interrupting Star Anchor.

“Teacher, there’s a third layer?!”

Star Anchor didn’t mind her student’s obvious breach of manners. “Yes. Look, the timing for this payment system is based on Earth’s calendar, which forces us to get used to Earth’s chronology and daily rhythms. I can say with certainty that, aside from the interstellar calendar, Earth’s calendar is now the one we use most. That’s the truly frightening part.”

Shu sighed. “Politics really is too complicated.”

“As long as you’re willing to learn, you’ll always be able to master it.” Star Anchor once again turned her attention to the program playing on the terminal. “Perhaps it won’t be long before we can officially visit Earth ourselves…”

·

Feng Jingyu had no interest in the uproar outside—she was busy working herself to the bone on new content. The latest “Interstellar Singer” episode’s Yu7 interactions had her heart racing; in just three hours, she’d finished an 8,000-word one-shot and, still riding the high, edited a five-minute video packed with all the highlights.

“Love really is the greatest motivator.” Feng Jingyu looked at her work with satisfaction, then uploaded everything to StarNet in one go.

The CP fans, who’d been starving for content, swarmed to her posts the moment they appeared, devouring everything with delight and leaving thoroughly satisfied.

Naturally, Yu Huaiyin also saw the updates and sent a virtual message, voicing some complaints about the story.

“How could you write that I secretly like S-77 but don’t dare confess? If I liked someone, I’d just tell them directly!”

“That’s called literary creation, okay?” Feng Jingyu rolled her eyes. “Besides, can the actual person maybe focus a bit more on their career and a bit less on fandom drama? You’re killing my creative inspiration here.”

Yu Huaiyin was so angry he trembled, slamming the communication shut. Turning around, he saw his mother thoroughly engrossed in Feng Jingyu’s latest updates, and any further outburst died in his throat. All he could do was return to the studio to finish composing for the next round.

As luck would have it, the next competition’s theme was war. Yu Huaiyin felt he’d never understood the topic so deeply and thoroughly—he finished the new piece in a single night, pouring all his anger and pain into music that would let listeners feel every bit of it.

·

Just as the interstellar audience was still agonizing over which membership to buy, an announcement on the official “Interstellar Singer” homepage doused their enthusiasm completely.

[“Interstellar Singer” Program Announcement]

To all interstellar viewers:

Due to the arrival of Earth’s traditional major holiday, the “Lunar New Year,” the originally scheduled update of “Interstellar Singer” Episode 3 will be postponed by one week.

To thank you for your support, on Earth time 5203-02-16 (the third day of the Lunar New Year), we will exclusively release the “Interstellar Singer New Year Special” for all VIP members, showcasing highlights of the singers celebrating Lunar New Year on Earth.

“Interstellar Singer” will resume updates on Earth time 5203-02-20.

Here, the “Interstellar Singer” program team wishes all interstellar citizens an early Happy New Year!

Thank you for your support and companionship across the stars over the past year. In the new year, we wish you:

Smooth sailing, dragons soaring, prosperity in all seasons, peace throughout the year, five blessings at your door, double good fortune, the stars shining high, wealth from all directions, unity of hearts, and perfection in all things!

And above all:

Good health and hearty appetites, may all your wishes come true and your smiles be ever bright!

See you on the third day of the Lunar New Year on the VIP channel!

In the new year, let us continue to connect the galaxy through music, to hear each other in melody, and to cross light-years in rhythm.

The “Interstellar Singer” Program Team

Youjian Entertainment

Respectfully

Earth time: 5203-02-10

·

[Earthlings, aren’t you going too far?! First you roll out this membership thing, now you’re suspending updates—are we ever going to get to watch the show in peace?!]

The interstellar audience was thoroughly enraged, venting their frustration in the comments section even at the risk of being roasted by Earthlings.

Perhaps Earthlings knew they were in the wrong, for the comments section was unusually quiet, with not a single Earthling reply to be seen.

After venting, the interstellar viewers regained their composure and began to analyze the announcement.

[What is this Lunar New Year? It seems to be a very important festival for Earthlings. They’re even willing to postpone such a major competition for it.]

[Do the contestants also get to celebrate this festival together? Suddenly I’m looking forward to it.]

[These blessings are so fun! Is this how Earthlings send good wishes to each other?]

[Damn it, looks like there’s no way I’m missing this special! So what if it’s for members only? I’ll buy it!]