Chapter Forty-Three: Returning to the World
(Yesterday I wrote a single chapter, full of swagger, unmatched in its brilliance—if only everyone could see it, the recommendations and bookmarks would surely outshine all the great masters. But perhaps the heavens were jealous; before I finished, my hand trembled, the page refreshed, and everything was gone. Let me summarize: it began with a pitiful, moving lament, so poignant it would break anyone’s heart, all because of this week’s struggles, and then sorrow became strength, power surging to the skies, looking down upon the world with disdain. Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao appeared, charming as ever, but fate obscured their shine. The point of the chapter was simple: over a thousand bookmarks, yet not even a hundred votes a day—how could you bear it? Everyone, let’s work hard! Fifty thousand votes for a hundred extra chapters, fifty thousand bookmarks for a hundred extra chapters, simply and directly: five hundred votes for one extra chapter, five hundred bookmarks for one extra chapter. As for the rest, first place on the membership click list means a hundred extra chapters, first place on the recommendation list means a hundred extra chapters, first on the new book list means a hundred extra chapters… Haha, just kidding. Let’s read quietly, be gentle gentlemen and elegant ladies. Remember to vote and bookmark…)
“Dad.”
The three siblings entered the city, and their first task was to visit their father.
“Xiaoyu, Xiaoxiao, come here, let Dad have a good look. Oh my, just two days and you’ve grown even prettier.” Seeing his children, their father was overjoyed and quickly called out to Xiaoxiao.
“Hehe, Xiaoxiao is Daddy’s little princess, of course she’s pretty.” Xiaoxiao was delighted.
Father had been hospitalized for over twenty days, and the three siblings only visited every other day.
Their father, with his noble nature, still had a certain charm. In his quiet moments, he seemed pitiful. During his hospital stay, a divorced head nurse cared for him in many ways; without family to help, he wouldn’t have fared so well.
After visiting Father for a while, the siblings eagerly headed to the appliance store to buy a refrigerator, washing machine, and a flat-screen TV.
Although they had some spare cash now, Su Tong still worked part-time every day, though he shifted his hours to the daytime.
After a month in the hospital, Father was finally discharged.
Once home, their noble father was very well-behaved, vowing never to drink again.
Su Tong didn’t believe him; every time trouble arose, he said the same thing, but when the mood turned sour, he’d drink once more.
Such vows were only a matter of time.
The suppressed wild side of Father would eventually influence his noble nature, leading him back to drinking.
…
“Coiling Dragon” had been published for over a month, and the editor informed Su Tong that it would be launched in September.
With such good data for a new book, a strong push for votes was certain.
Yet, at this moment, a Supreme God named Shenlong from DianDian launched an attack on “Coiling Dragon.”
Shenlong’s book was also in its new phase, but the new book rankings were split between new authors and signed authors, so their books weren’t on the same list and didn’t clash.
But just because the new book list didn’t clash didn’t mean other lists wouldn’t—like the recommendation list and the membership click list.
On the recommendation list, “Coiling Dragon” by Nian Nujiao always ranked a few places lower, but on the membership click list, after both books received a strong push, “Coiling Dragon” knocked Shenlong’s “Great God” down.
Shenlong was loyal but hot-tempered. Seeing his readers attack “Coiling Dragon” after their book lost rank, and being countered by “Coiling Dragon’s” fans, he was left battered and frustrated. He couldn’t hold back.
“Brush’s minions, all get out of my review section. We’ll settle this on next month’s vote rankings. Brothers, when the time comes, let’s fan the flames, fan them again, and fan them some more—let’s see how he handles it.”
Shenlong’s declaration of war shook the whole online literature world, though, in truth, that world was tiny, no bigger than a small city.
So Su Tong saw it calmly; his goal was the stars and the sea—no, the entertainment industry.
After a month in the web novel world, the little demon told him his fan growth was limited, and the faith power he could draw was only tens of thousands.
Now, Su Tong had gathered just over three hundred thousand units of faith.
In this month, the system issued two tasks, only main quests, no side quests.
Today, another task appeared—still only a main quest: gather five hundred thousand units of faith within a month.
With no other options, Su Tong decided to make a comeback—return to live streaming.
He announced his return: August 27th at 8 p.m.
Since he was returning, the show he chose was naturally the platform where Zhang Xin was.
The contract was a diamond one, requiring an average of one hour of streaming per day, with an eighty-twenty split—Nian Nujiao would take eighty percent, the platform twenty.
Su Tong didn’t care about Shenlong’s declaration of war, but his fans did.
His battle-crazed fans—like Combat Cat, Combat Robot, and others—had been busy these days, seemingly fighting online for three days and nights without sleep.
“Wow, these are gods among men.”
“I admit defeat, bowing with all five limbs.”
“Look at their reply times—just a few minutes apart, for three days and nights. Are they even human?”
“Nian Nujiao’s fans are monsters. One would be amazing enough, but there are several.”
“I just want to say: holy moly.”
“With readers like these, what more could one ask for?”
“…”
Su Tong was speechless, but said nothing—he simply uploaded his chapters on schedule.
As school was about to start, Su Tong’s part-time job ended on the 25th. Both bosses were wonderful, and before he left, each gave him a red envelope.
Su Tong spent two days playing with Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao, and finally the 27th arrived.
Tonight was his first live broadcast on the new platform; on the 29th, he would return to school.
Because of Zhang Xin’s presence, Nian Nujiao had been poached to this platform, so the first broadcast was naturally given a warm promotion.
Ten minutes before eight, Nian Nujiao’s room already had over three hundred thousand viewers.
“Oh my.” Su Tong logged into Nian Nujiao’s room and was startled by the numbers.
Just switched platforms, and even with promotion, he expected maybe a hundred thousand, but there were over three hundred thousand.
Room admins and props were all prepared, with familiar faces from last winter’s trip to Huangshan, and the props were still edible treats.
As soon as Nian Nujiao entered, the room exploded.
Countless gifts—Häagen-Dazs, Australian abalone, lobster, even red banners and a Great Qin salute.
Su Tong was deeply moved, recognizing many familiar nicknames.
These were loyal fans who had followed from CoolCool.
“Haha, brother, finally we meet again.”
“Wait, why do you sound so weird when you speak—‘finally meet again’? Shouldn’t it be ‘finally see you again’?”
“Haha, brother, open the video. We haven’t seen you for over a month, we miss you too much.”
“Throwing flowers, mwah!”
“…”
The audience was as enthusiastic as ever. That long-lost feeling made Su Tong’s heart stir.
He calmed himself before opening the video.
“Wow, brother is even more handsome now.”
“Hehe, so cool.”
“Wow, such a handsome guy—much better-looking than the promo photos.”
“Hm? Brother, where are Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao?”
“What about our little darlings?”
“…”
With the video on, viewers were happy, puzzled, and a little sad.
They remembered Su Tong had said Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao wouldn’t join the live broadcast anymore, especially Xiao Qiao, who would definitely retire. From Su Tong’s tone, Da Qiao might guest appear someday.
“Dear friends,” Su Tong said cheerfully, “I missed you all so much.”
“We didn’t miss you.”
“We only miss Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao.”
“Get them on screen!”
“…”
The audience teased Su Tong.
New viewers who didn’t know Nian Nujiao watched Su Tong banter with his fans and couldn’t help but smile—this handsome guy was so approachable.
“Alright, let’s let everyone see Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao—just for a moment.” Not wanting to disappoint, Su Tong called for Xiaoyu from the hall.
“Brother!” Soon, the viewers heard the door open and Da Qiao’s voice.
“Bring Xiaoxiao over, let’s say hi to everyone,” Su Tong said.
The two sisters were watching cartoons in the living room, but hurried in when summoned.
As soon as they appeared on camera, a chorus of exclamations erupted.
“Such beautiful, adorable little girls—two at once!”
“What a wonderful family!”
“So cute, I want to hug them!”
“…”
Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao’s charm was still unmatched, sending both old and new viewers into a frenzy.
“Xiaoxiao, say hello to everyone.” Su Tong smiled.
Xiaoxiao, following orders, covered her mouth with her small hand and then blew a flying kiss: “Love you!”