ADTCP Ch37

“Dong, dong”, two knocks. The assistant, a little nervous, tapped on the office door. She held her breath and waited for a long while before finally hearing a “Come in.”

She carefully turned the handle and stepped inside:

“Sorry to bother you, Young Director Zhu, I have a few documents that need your review. Would you… have time now…?”

The last “now” trembled, because at the desk, the usually calm and self-possessed Young Director Zhu, who seemed indifferent to everything, was at this moment staring fixedly at his computer screen.

He looked in a foul mood. The hand gripping his pen was taut with veins, and it was a long while before he responded: “Just leave them there, thanks.”

The assistant answered softly and, keeping her eyes down, walked to the desk. As she set the stack of papers in order, she couldn’t help but complain inwardly: his expression looked even darker than when he was handling those arrogant old foxes. Who on earth pissed him off this badly? Worse than those old men?

Her mind spun for an answer, but nothing came. Slightly disappointed, she straightened up. Just as she stepped back to leave, her eyes inadvertently flicked across his computer screen,

On the screen was a fair-skinned, red-lipped, golden-haired boy, strikingly beautiful.
It was none other than the popular blogger Zhu Wensheng had personally overseen signing, Zhen Zhibang.

The assistant froze. Then, acting as if nothing had happened, she quietly exited and closed the door.

The moment she turned around though, her curiosity overwhelmed her. She dashed to the restroom, pulled out her phone,

【[AnnoyingCoworkerInHeaven] has entered the livestream room】

【System Notice: Online viewers have reached 1,000. The platform strictly prohibits illegal, vulgar, pornographic, smoking/drinking, self-harm, or inducements for improper tipping…】

“Welcome everyone to my stream, thank you Sunflower for the Carnival gift.”
Tao Zhen straightened nervously in his seat, faced with the sudden surge of viewers. “But… this song…”

He hesitated, his eyes scanning the flood of scrolling comments.

【BlueberryMilkTea: I’m dying, who thought of asking the streamer to sing ‘Let’s Get Married’? Isn’t he just a kid?】

【NoMoreSalt: …Didn’t the streamer clearly say he already has a boyfriend? Requesting this song feels out of line.】

【FollowingSunflower: Come on, he just dropped a Carnival, can’t he request a song? It’s obviously a joke, why take it so seriously?】

【GoSunflowerGo: Exactly, wherever Sunflower is, I’m there too~ Our Sunflower is gorgeous and kindhearted, throwing Carnivals just to support a friend. Who wouldn’t want a friend like that…】

【RealDealCamera: ?? Can Sunflower’s fans chill? This isn’t your master’s living room, it’s someone else’s stream.】

【If you’re so righteous, why doesn’t your idol clarify himself? He knows the streamer has a boyfriend, yet still requests that? Imagine if it were you.】

In that instant, Tao Zhen realized the odd discomfort in his chest, this was why.

He stared at the comment for a few seconds, then looked up and, with an apologetic smile, said to the camera:

“…Sorry, Xiang-Ge, I’ve only heard that song before, never learned it, so I can’t sing it well. Could I sing something else for you?”

At his words, the nearly-explosive barrage slowed. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Sunflower’s reply.

【Sunflower: Fine, another song then. Sing the one on your profile, ‘Baby’.】

【Sunflower: Surely you can’t refuse this one hahahaha!】

【FollowingSunflower: Support! Who cares if we treat this stream like our own house? If Zhen Zhibang’s fans don’t like it, outspend us first!】

【GoSunflowerGo: “What if it were you”, seriously? He spent a Carnival and you’re still whining? Pathetic.】

“…”

Tao Zhen pressed his lips together, the unease in his heart growing heavier. It wasn’t that he minded singing light, sweet songs like ‘Let’s Get Married’ or ‘Baby’ for his audience. But singing them for the whole chat was one thing, singling them out as a dedication to one person was something else entirely.

Thinking back to how Sunflower had repeatedly invited him out, flaunted his wealth over and over, it all felt like a peacock spreading its tail.

Tao Zhen drew a deep breath. He could already imagine Xiaoyu screaming at him later, but he decided to follow his heart:
“Sorry, I think…”

Before he could finish, an over-the-top special effect exploded across the screen. Huge fireworks filled the display, followed by a dazzling galaxy of stars, wiping out all the comments. Clouds wrapped around Tao Zhen, like he was being lifted onto a throne.

But that wasn’t all. As the fifteen-second effect faded, another barrage of extravagant gifts cascaded down. Starry lights kept flashing, the popularity chart shot to the top of the platform homepage. Curious passersby clicked in, stunned by the insane display.

【Z sent a gift: Supreme Guardian ×1】
【Z sent a gift: Supreme Guardian ×2】
【Z sent a gift: Supreme Guardian ×3】
【Z…】

Supreme Guardian, a high-tier gift only unlocked at certain account levels, each costing ¥15,000 RMB.

And this “Z” sent ten of them in one go.

That was ¥150,000 RMB, equivalent to fifty Carnivals.

Two minutes. Money thrown like water.

Even Tao Zhen, a rich kid himself, was shocked. He stared at the screen in disbelief and reflexively blurted: “Wait, stop! …Really, please stop!!”

At his words, the shower of gifts finally ceased. Seconds later, a striking black-background comment appeared:

【Z: I’ve spent more than him. Can I request a song now?】

The barrage froze. Then the chat exploded. Strings of question marks scrolled nonstop; the only words left in everyone’s vocabulary were “WTF.”

Even Sunflower’s fans went silent. No one dared bring up that single Carnival anymore.
***
Sunflower, Xiang Yan, his cigarette fell straight from his mouth to the desk. He leaned in, scattering ashes everywhere, and stubbornly clicked into Z’s profile. After staring at the verified badge for a long moment, his face went ghostly pale. He froze completely, not daring to utter a word.

【Z: Ten Supreme Guardians. Trade me one song. Okay?】

Tao Zhen was still stunned, eyes fixed on that black comment. After a long pause, he blinked, as if waking from a dream.

He remembered now. This “Z” was the very first viewer to enter his stream when he’d just gone live.

“Thank you, Z. Thank you for being here from the very start of my stream, but you really spent way too much money, don’t spend like this,” Tao Zhen steadied himself, “so… what song would you like to hear?”

The scrolling flood of comments slowed a little. Everyone was waiting to see what this “Z” would say. They were curious, did he really spend all that money just to crush Sunflower and prove he was a “Zhenxieqing” CP fan… or was he just trying to “rise above” on his own?

But a few seconds later, everyone froze.

A black-background comment floated up, showing a string of text that most viewers couldn’t even read,

A very obscure French song.

The barrage immediately filled with question marks and “what is this,” but Tao Zhen’s eyes lit up. His voice rose in surprise:
“You like this song too?! This is also my favorite track from Dark Tide, it’s super, super, unbelievably good. My mom, uh, I mean, Ms. Lin Manyao’s performance of it was absolutely stunning! Wow, I rarely meet anyone who’s heard of this song…”

“Although, although I definitely can’t sing it as well as her in French, I’ll try my best!”

His eyes sparkled like a proud little cat. Cheerfully, he pulled up his favorites list and quickly queued the track.

The livestream viewers were dumbfounded, leaning closer to their screens. A little skeptical, could this small-time pop-singing blogger really handle such a difficult French musical piece?

Before they could finish doubting, the flowing accompaniment began. The golden-haired boy closed his eyes, and in that instant, his aura changed completely.

His voice was clear, like pearls falling onto jade; every note was precise and powerful. His fluent French diction rolled out smoothly, without the slightest stumble.

The audience, shocked at first, quickly fell silent, swept into the world of Dark Tide.

When the song ended, many were still dazed. Goosebumps prickled their skin, as if they’d been standing on clouds, and then the chat exploded into a chorus of “ahhhhhhh!”

【BlueberryMilkTea: Mom, I don’t need to go to the Louvre anymore, I’ve already found my Mona Lisa.】

【Lalala: This voice is priceless. Who needs tickets when we can hear such a performance for free?】

【ManyaoMeow: OMG, am I seeing things?! The streamer is actually singing a track from Dark Tide?! Everyone, come check out the ‘Among the Living’ theater troupe. The original singer is Lin Manyao, an insanely talented musical actress…】

Tao Zhen exhaled deeply, eyes on the scrolling comments, his heart pounding wildly.
He felt happy, almost giddy. His emotions surged to the point of overflowing. Tonight’s stream had far exceeded anything he had expected. Before, he never even imagined he could stream, singing live in front of so many people on the other side of the screen.

But now, he had done it.

And the song he sang was one of Lin Manyao’s.

After thanking everyone again, he ended the livestream. Sitting in his chair, clutching his racing heart, he opened WeChat, only to find that his assistant Xiaoyu had bombarded him with messages, almost filling his inbox to 99+. From her helplessness when Sunflower first appeared, to her screaming when Z made his entrance with overwhelming gifts, and finally… something she must have discovered that left her completely speechless.

Tao Zhen chuckled, about to ask her what was wrong, when she suddenly sent over a screenshot.

【[Z]
Account verification: General Manager of Z Era】

“…”

Tao Zhen froze, his body jolting forward.

Yes. He hadn’t misread it.

“Z” was the top executive, the General Manager of Z Era.

And of course, he was also the “prince” Tao Zhen had accidentally slapped that night.