Chapter 20: Support and Livestream

After a week of fierce voting battles, on the day of the second public performance, Cheng Wangshu lived up to expectations and reclaimed first place.

To thank her fans for their efforts, Cheng Wangshu’s team delivered a heavyweight performance for their second public show.

They fused the traditional ballads of the Wither-Prosper Star System with ancient Earth folk songs, creating an entirely new piece. The choreography was a collaboration between Cheng Wangshu and Shen Qiu from the Wither-Prosper Star System, while the lead vocalist was Guang Yi from the Crystal Song Star System. Whether in stage design or performance, everything was nearly perfect, earning the highest praise from the mentors.

After the performance, Youjian Entertainment immediately announced the details of the support event.

In addition to changing the official homepage to a Cheng Wangshu theme, the company would launch large-scale holographic advertising columns in the main spaceports of the Third Star System, Aurora Star System, Resonance Star System, and Dawn Star System. These ads would loop Cheng Wangshu’s stage video for seventy-two Earth hours, and fans could visit to check in.

The news sent the entire galaxy into a frenzy.

All four star systems ranked among the top twenty, and their main spaceports saw astronomical daily passenger flows. This meant that, for the next seventy-two hours, Cheng Wangshu’s exposure would reach unimaginable levels.

All of this was an honor her fans had won for her.

The announcement also mentioned that after the third public performance, the contestant with the highest vote count would receive one final major support event. The fourth public performance would then determine the final debut lineup.

The intensity of the competition was pushed to a new height.

·

Cen Lan, looking exhausted, arrived at Feng Jingyu’s home and skillfully had the smart butler prepare her a cup of milk tea.

“What’s wrong?” Feng Jingyu rarely saw Cen Lan in such a state and asked with concern.

Cen Lan didn’t answer right away. She waited for the butler to bring her milk tea, took a big gulp, exhaled deeply, and finally spoke. “Jingyu, the Wither-Prosper Star System has asked for our help. They hope we can assist with their surplus Wither-Prosper fruit problem.”

“Wither-Prosper fruit?”

“It’s their local specialty and main economic resource. According to them, their usual sales are enough for self-sufficiency, with some surplus sold to neighboring star systems. But since they’re a small-to-medium system, their sales channels are limited, so they can only sell to nearby systems.” Cen Lan stared into her cup. “But this year, for some reason, there’s been a huge surplus of Wither-Prosper fruit, and they can’t absorb it all. So they came to us for help. They were the first star system to establish friendly relations with us, so we have to help. But Earth can only absorb a portion of their stock—it’s a drop in the bucket.”

“So that’s why you were urgently called into a meeting?” Feng Jingyu took Cen Lan’s milk tea away. “Drinking milk tea with such a heavy heart ruins the taste.”

Cen Lan gave a wry smile. “Sorry.”

Feng Jingyu leaned in. “Did they mention me in the meeting? Want me to solve the problem?”

Cen Lan nodded. “But I didn’t agree. This matter—”

“I can solve it,” Feng Jingyu interrupted, not letting Cen Lan finish.

Cen Lan looked at Feng Jingyu in surprise. “You can?”

Feng Jingyu checked the time and contacted the head of the planning department.

“Send out a notice: we’re reshooting the song selection process for the third public performance, and it’ll be broadcast live online. I’ll send the new guidelines over soon.” After hanging up, she turned to Cen Lan. “Sister Cen Lan, go contact the person in charge at Interstellar Express. Have them open live streaming channels for our contestants. We’re going to do a live commerce event for Wither-Prosper fruit.”

·

“Live commerce?” The head of Interstellar Express, Revi Gatz, had never heard the term before. He pondered for a long time, unable to grasp its meaning, and turned to his trusted aide. In a calm tone, he asked, “Bugar, what are the Earthlings trying to do this time?”

Bugar bowed to Revi Gatz. “Apologies, sir, I cannot decipher it. However, perhaps the very way Earthlings think is their most unique business barrier.”

“Barrier?” Revi Gatz repeated the word with meaning. “We don’t belong to any star system, so we have more freedom. Perhaps I should speak with Ms. Cen Lan directly?”

“Shall I contact her for you?” Bugar asked respectfully.

“Connect me to Ms. Cen Lan. I think it’s time to experience the ‘creative genius’ of Earthlings for myself.”

“Yes, sir.” Bugar activated his terminal to contact Cen Lan, then transferred the call to Revi Gatz’s terminal before bowing and leaving the room.

·

“Hello, Mr. Revi Gatz. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me one-on-one.” Cen Lan was not surprised by the contact.

“Not at all. It’s my honor to chat with Deputy Minister Cen,” Revi Gatz replied with a friendly smile. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

“You’re too kind,” Cen Lan replied with a slight smile. “I suppose you want to ask about live commerce?”

“That’s right.” Revi Gatz was pleased with Cen Lan’s directness. “Am I correct in understanding that you want to use live streaming channels to sell goods?”

“Yes.” Cen Lan nodded. “In the live stream, our star contestants will introduce the products, and buyers can place orders in real time. The sales volume will increase dramatically.”

“Deputy Minister Cen, you must know that Interstellar Express already handles an astonishing daily shipping volume. Why do you think we’d care about the sales from a live stream?” Revi Gatz’s smile didn’t waver.

“Mr. Revi Gatz, perhaps you don’t know how many people are watching our talent show on the StarNet right now.” Cen Lan deliberately left him hanging. “Interstellar Express’s daily shipping volume is huge, but that’s the sum of countless products and needs accumulated over a long day. Live commerce is about igniting hundreds of millions, even billions, of highly synchronized consumer demands in a single Earth hour.”

Revi Gatz’s breath caught.

“This isn’t scattered buying; it’s organized, endorsed by trust, and driven by intense emotion—a pulse purchase. The order density and conversion rate per unit time will be beyond anything your current model can imagine. We’re not trying to increase your total volume, but to show you a new model that can create sales miracles.”

Revi Gatz pondered for a moment. “A tempting prospect, Deputy Minister Cen. But what you describe sounds more like a theory. I need a more convincing reason.”

Cen Lan smiled, sensing the moment had come. “A theory? Perhaps. But my partner has always believed in a simple truth. She says—time is money. And what we’re proposing is to use our most precious ‘money’—one hour—to create for you an unprecedented demonstration of wealth. Are you willing to invest one hour of your backend for this ‘concept’?”

“Time… is money?” Revi Gatz’s eyes lit up instantly. “That phrase speaks to my heart! Brilliant! Did your partner say that? I hope I have the chance to meet her.”

“You will,” Cen Lan replied.

Revi Gatz leaned back in his chair. “Deputy Minister Cen, I must say, after all these years, you and your partner are without a doubt the most outstanding business associates I’ve ever met. You’ve convinced me. We can have a meeting later to discuss the details—how does that sound?”

“I’d be delighted. Looking forward to working with you, Mr. Revi Gatz.”

“Likewise.”

·

Cen Lan ended the call just as Feng Jingyu finished sending the new guidelines to the head of the planning department.

“It’s done. Your phrase ‘time is money’ hit Revi Gatz right in the heart,” Cen Lan said with a smile.

“It really worked?” Feng Jingyu’s eyes widened.

“Mm.” Cen Lan nodded. “He even said he’d like to meet you someday.”

Feng Jingyu couldn’t help but rant inwardly—wasn’t Revi Gatz part goblin? No wonder, in World of Warcraft, your father will always be your father.

“Mm… I’d like to meet him too.” Feng Jingyu’s face was all barely contained excitement.

·

In Star Selection Town, after the second public performance, the number of contestants had dropped from forty to twenty. Now, the girls all received the new arrangement for the third performance’s song selection.

Seeing Shen Qiu and Pu Ye with reddened eyes, Cheng Wangshu took their hands. “Don’t worry, we’ll help you sell every last Wither-Prosper fruit.”

“That’s right!” Everyone gathered around the two. “You’re the only two left from the Wither-Prosper Star System. You’d better work hard during the live stream!”

Seeing that their teammates didn’t mind changing songs, Shen Qiu and Pu Ye could no longer hold back their tears, which fell freely.

“Thank you… thank you, everyone…”

“Don’t start crying yet—there’ll be plenty of time for that later.” An Earth contestant handed them tissues. “Live commerce isn’t easy.”

“Huh?” All the alien contestants stared blankly at the girl who spoke.

“Sixing’s right,” Cheng Wangshu nodded. “None of us have any experience with live commerce. We’ll need someone to train us. Since Sixing is so confident, we’ll leave it to you, okay?”

Jiang Sixing patted her chest. “No problem, leave it to me. After my training, you’ll all be completely transformed.”

The alien contestants looked at each other in confusion. They had no idea just how terrifying what awaited them would be.