After finishing his washing up, Nan Que happened to see Xiao’s reply.
Xiao: Not very convenient
Ah, rejected by Lovecast!
His puppy eyes blinked repeatedly, feeling somewhat unwilling to accept it.
Without even drying his hair, he lay on the bed with damp hair, explaining to Xiao.
Nan Que: Here’s the situation. Previously, I had some issues with Yue Yin Lou’s L. Lan, right? In a couple of days when I start streaming, the other party will also resume streaming. Both sides plan to organize some small programs to shift the momentum and see if we can break through our usual circles.
Nan Que: Those I’m familiar with are all new teachers with insufficient live streaming experience. I’m afraid they can’t hold up the scene and might embarrass our Siji Xianyin.
Nan Que: Xiao Ge, I’ve thought it over carefully – you’re the most skilled streamer I’ve ever seen. That’s why I took the liberty to invite you. Could you reconsider? (Puppy pleading)
Xiao: Did the company approve?
Nan Que: Yes, if the results are good, they might loosen restrictions later.
Zhu Mingxiao nodded secretly to himself.
This was indeed a good opportunity for him.
Recently, he hadn’t been gaining many new fans – it was just the same broad love fans from their own Voice Hall coming and going. There weren’t many good programs to do when streaming outside either. If he could expand his reach, there might be some unexpected surprises.
Xiao: Thank you for thinking of me. Let me arrange my schedule. What needs to be done?
Nan Que: (Yay)
Nan Que: Bro, is voice call convenient?
Nan Que happily shook his head, splattering water from his hair everywhere.
Seeing Xiao had agreed, he immediately clicked to call.
As water droplets slid down the screen, Nan Que’s finger that was meant to click voice call accidentally hit video call instead.
“Eh—wrong!”
Nan Que quickly tried to hang up, but the other side had already answered.
Zhu Mingxiao was stunned.
The boy in the video had a slender figure, wrapped in a loose white T-shirt. Because he was lying down, the collar was slightly open, revealing neck skin with a cool-toned pallor.
His hair wasn’t dry yet, damp strands falling across his forehead. Water droplets rolled down his hair ends, hanging from his long eyelashes, trembling precariously before sliding down his clearly defined collarbone into the depths of his collar. His bright puppy eyes, now made especially clear by the moisture, stared directly at the camera as if he had accidentally stumbled into a silent painting.
Nan Que screamed and quickly flipped his phone face down.
Xiao’s room was pitch black, with only a faint human silhouette visible.
But even so, he was terrified.
Streamers’ faces in the 2D world were protected by confidentiality agreements – 5 million! 5 million!
Even if he sold himself, he couldn’t afford to pay that!
Zhu Mingxiao was also startled, instinctively wanting to hang up, but when he heard the other side shouting about five million, he couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha, it’s fine, it’s fine. There’s immunity between streamers. Just don’t take screenshots and share them.”
Nan Que desperately kowtowed toward his phone, “No screenshots, no screenshots! I’ll chop my hand off right away!”
“Sorry Xiao Ge, I really clicked by mistake. You hang up, I won’t look!”
Xiao hung up the video and sent him a voice call instead.
Nan Que checked repeatedly before daring to answer.
“This time it’s correct, this time it’s correct…”
Zhu Mingxiao couldn’t stop laughing.
“My place is completely dark, even if you looked you wouldn’t see anything. But you, so fair and tender – are you even of age?”
Nan Que was extremely embarrassed, “What do you mean fair and tender? Bro, I’m 22 already!”
Xiao: “So you really are quite young~”
Nan Que tried to change the subject, “Bro, you have more streaming experience. The other side will bring one more person too. What would be good for four people to play?”
Zhu Mingxiao’s mind was still flashing with Nan Que’s clean, fair face, talking nonsense, “Can you dance? I feel like you could be a dance streamer, that attracts more fans.”
Nan Que bristled: “Xiao Ge!!!”
Xiao: “Hahahaha, alright alright, I’ll stop.”
For some reason, Zhu Mingxiao felt inexplicably happy after seeing Nan Que.
Other singers in the Voice Hall were like colleagues separated by internet cables to him.
There were some he got along very well with, but after all, it hadn’t been long and they had never met in person. Zhu Mingxiao was a very guarded person – he wouldn’t say it out loud, but there was always a line drawn in his heart.
Previously, he had felt the same about Nan Que, even viewing him with prejudice as a colleague trying to ride on his traffic and steal his performance.
Repeated tests had never completely dispelled his suspicions.
But with that one glance just now, he suddenly felt relieved.
He’s still just a kid.
After the teasing, back to business.
Xiao: “Since it’s the first time collaborating with them, I suggest showcasing some talents to gauge each other’s abilities.”
Nan Que agreed, “That’s what I thought too. Coincidentally, our last PK was a talent battle, and we haven’t given out the rewards yet.” (The winning side of PK can punish the losing side, but now instead of saying “punishment” they say “rewards”)
Xiao: “Yeah, that works. We can use that as a stepping stone to build topics. With four people doing talent rounds, it’ll take about an hour, which should be enough time.”
Nan Que’s little brain started working again, “I asked L. Lan, he said he’d bring a friend he often collaborates with. Do you think they might do a duet?”
Nan Que: “Should we prepare one too?”
After dispelling his suspicions, Zhu Mingxiao became much more agreeable.
Xiao: “Sure, let’s choose something we’re both good at and practice.”
Nan Que couldn’t help rolling around on the bed.
Lovecast wants to sing with me!
Hahahaha!
So proud! (￣▽￣)
The two immediately got to work, not minding the fatigue despite the late hour, going to the YY channel to connect and select songs. Coincidentally, both were in Winter Hall now, and they even went hand in hand to schedule two shifts in the hall.
“Xiao Ge, why do I feel like you’re more suited for sad love songs?”
This was after Xiao finished singing “Excuse,” with Nan Que showering him with praise.
“Wait, I think you’re good with high notes too.”
This was after Xiao sang “Night Asks the Day,” leaving Nan Que troubled about which song to choose.
Nan Que was also getting carried away – after two consecutive songs, even Zhang Zhe was woken up by the singing.
Everyone on shift was going crazy.
X. Guandeng: “Bro, Xiao Ge! Nan Ge! I’ll call you bro, okay? Please leave some living space for your little brother!”
The public chat was filled with “hahahaha.”
[We hit the jackpot tonight!]
[I was sleeping with the stream on, but these two are getting more and more intense, actually waking me up]
[What miracle drug did they take? At the crack of dawn, going this hard?]
[Xiao’s Miao Miao: …Bro @Xiao, why are you scheduling shifts at this hour?]
[Xiao’s Miao Miao: Shattered, no one’s home]
Zhu Mingxiao just remembered he forgot to notify the group.
He could only apologize sheepishly to his manager, “It’s fine, I just couldn’t sleep and came to work for a bit.”
Nan Que giggled secretly beside him.
[Xiao’s Miao Miao: You’re no longer my good boy who clocks in and out at fixed times (wiping tears)]
X. Guandeng: “Xiao’s sister, look at their scores, then look at our brothers. Don’t worry, we won’t let them starve!”
Tonight was actually Nan Que’s first time scheduling shifts in Winter Hall after his assessment. Initially, he was worried about not meeting his targets, since Winter Hall’s minimum target had already reached 5.0.
Perhaps the atmosphere was really good tonight – he passed his targets easily. The passing brothers and sisters were very supportive, not leaving him hanging on the tree calling for help, and he even gained quite a few new fans.
[Xiao’s Miao Miao: Are you still singing later, master? @Xiao (exhausted)]
[X. Xiao: @Xiao’s Miao Miao Not singing anymore, you can rest peacefully]
After Xiao got “scolded” by his manager, Nan Que was also ordered to sleep by Zhang Zhe, so the two could only reluctantly stop for now.
As they were saying goodnight in the morning light about to hang up, Zhu Mingxiao suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way Nan Que, why did you draw that painting?”
“That one, my solo portrait.”