Who are the most fanatical people on the internet? Naturally, it is the fans who protect their idols.
Although Jiang Yuan was not an entertainer, under his deliberate hype, his CP fans with Xie Chengnan and Jason’s "mommy fans" had blossomed across the web. Their numbers were now fully comparable to the fanbases of top-tier celebrities.
The Jiang Group’s official Weibo was besieged for three days, and their stock price continued to plummet. Finally, the Jiang Group’s PR team was forced to issue a direct response, clarifying that Jiang Hao was Jiang Kunbo’s stepson and that there was no biological relationship between the two.
Jiang Yuan didn’t care how Li Yan and her son would react after this statement was released. From beginning to end, he hadn't lifted a finger in this matter. When the public outcry was at its peak, he hadn't kicked them while they were down either. On the surface, he had been more than benevolent enough; no matter what, Jiang Kunbo could not pin this on him.
However, just because Jiang Yuan didn't pursue it didn't mean his fans wouldn't. Once the "truth" came out, a massive wave of fans flooded Jiang Hao’s Weibo to mock him, helping him trend on the hot search once again.
【A stepson popping up to steal Baby Yuan’s spotlight? Have you no shame???】
【Did you think no one would notice you were buying your own press through marketing accounts??】
【And you even tried to drag my Baby Yuan down to boost yourself. Look at you go!】
【Don't treat netizens like fools. You know exactly what you’ve done. Attached_Image.jpg】
Someone had screenshotted the chat logs and transfer records of Jiang Hao hiring a "water army" to smear Jiang Yuan, dating back to when Jiang Yuan’s relationship was first exposed.
The comments Jiang Hao had ordered the water army to post were incredibly insulting, most of them containing discriminatory remarks against homosexuals. This time, even passersby couldn't stand it and joined in the bashing, forcing Jiang Hao to turn off his Weibo comments.
Once the matter settled down, Jiang Yuan’s final exams also came to an end. He officially took over Onion Culture and Xianglong Real Estate, and the live-streamed variety show signed with Morning Star Entertainment was officially put on the agenda.
The final location for the live stream was changed from the private manor Jiang Yuan had originally planned to provide to a new, unreleased residential development under Xianglong Real Estate.
Jiang Yuan cleared out a row of fully furnished townhouses to accommodate the fifty trainees simultaneously. He also temporarily moved there himself to act as a guest field host.
On the day of the official launch, after finishing his styling, Jiang Yuan opened the program’s dedicated live-stream room.
He waved at the camera and smiled with narrowed eyes. "Hello, everyone. Welcome to Onion Live’s first live variety show, *Idols Live Next Door*. I am today’s field host, Jiang Yuan. If you have any opinions or suggestions, feel free to interact with the production team through the bullet chat."
【Ahhh! Baby Yuan is live!】
【Another day of feasting on his visuals!】
【Baby Yuan is actually a guest host! I’m going to cheer for you!】
Gifts began to flood the screen frantically. Jiang Yuan walked out with a professional cameraman and a temporary assistant. The bullet chat was broadcast in real-time onto a monitor held by the assistant, and the room moderators would randomly select questions to enlarge on the screen, making it easier for Jiang Yuan to interact with the viewers.
Jiang Yuan raised his hand to check his watch. "It is now exactly 9:00 AM, one hour before the official start. You can cast a vote for your favorite contestant in the voting column on the right. In a moment, I’ll take you on a surprise interview with the number one idol to see what he’s up to~"
The voting channel on the right immediately began to surge. These fifty trainees all had their own rooms on Onion Live and had accumulated their own fanbases during this period. As soon as the competition preview came out, many fan clubs began following the progress and organizing fans to support their idols.
The area where Jiang Yuan lived was a detached villa zone, about fifteen minutes away from the townhouses. He used those fifteen minutes to introduce the new development to the fans.
"I heard that after finding out I didn't have a real estate company under my name, my dad gave me one." As soon as Jiang Yuan spoke, he used the words Jiang Hao had used to smear him earlier as a joke.
The youth gave a sly smile to the camera, looking somewhat childish. "This development is a new project the company is preparing to release. The greenery coverage exceeds forty percent, and it features an artificial lake, aiming to create a green ecological living area. There are bus stops and subway stations right outside, and there are schools, hospitals, and large commercial plazas nearby. It’s very convenient for both travel and daily life."
【The gifts other people's dads give... Jealousy makes me weep QAQ】
【This wave of product placement is 66666】
【He’s advertising his own property so naturally and unpretentiously, I’m crying laughing.】
Jiang Yuan gestured for the cameraman to aim the lens at the botanical landscaping on both sides, which didn't look bleak even in winter.
Although this development wasn't in the city center, it won out with its quiet environment. The greenery coverage within the community was very high; everywhere one looked was lush and verdant.
He timely dropped the most important advertisement of the day: "This development will open for sale after the competition ends, including the townhouses where the contestants are staying. Interested viewers can follow Xianglong Real Estate’s official Weibo; there will be a preview before the sale starts."
【!!!! I want to buy the house Ming-Ming stayed in!!!!】
【I want my Qiu-Qiu’s!!!】
【Say no more, I’m calling my dad right now!】
Looking at the "buy, buy, buy" messages in the bullet chat, Jiang Yuan once again marveled at the power of wealthy fans.
When the voting channel closed, Jiang Yuan saw the name "Du Tingming" at the very top. He raised an eyebrow, not particularly surprised.
The popularity of Du Tingming’s live-stream room had always been high. Even after Jiang Yuan stopped entering to drop "landmines" to avoid making a certain someone jealous, it didn't affect his steadily climbing fan count.
Jiang Yuan learned from his assistant which unit Du Tingming lived in and went up to knock on the door quite naturally.
When the door opened, both the person inside and the people outside were stunned.
Du Tingming had likely just finished a shower. He was holding a towel to dry his hair, and the soft cotton pajamas on his upper body were unbuttoned and hanging open, revealing the lines of his well-trained chest muscles. The eight-pack on his lower abdomen was perfectly defined—he was practically a walking hormone.
The bullet chat was already a sea of screams.
【Surprise interviews are indeed the best!!!】
【Ahhh! My nosebleed won't stop!!!】
【Help me up! I can still keep swooning!】
When Du Tingming saw that the person standing at the door was Jiang Yuan, his face instantly turned red down to his neck. His expression was a bit embarrassed, but his eyes were very bright; it was hard to tell if he was shy or happy.
When he saw the camera and assistant following behind Jiang Yuan, he pursed his lips and instead calmed down instantly. He scratched his head sheepishly. "I thought it was the styling team. President Jiang, what is this?"
Jiang Yuan pretended not to see his somewhat fervent gaze and smiled. "I’m a guest field host today, and this is a surprise interview. Is it convenient to come in?"
Du Tingming stepped aside to invite them in. Jiang Yuan originally wanted to remind him to button up, but seeing his unbothered attitude, he didn't speak up, thinking the guy might be taking the opportunity to gain fans.
Jiang Yuan had the cameraman slowly pan the lens across the interior of the townhouse. The wood-toned decor gave the entire house a warm and bright feeling.
Du Tingming stood in the sunlight, looking at Jiang Yuan from the side. His lips moved, but in the end, he only asked, "President Jiang, would you like a glass of water..."
While directing the cameraman to set up the equipment, Jiang Yuan nodded. "Sure, thank you."
Du Tingming went to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm water and very thoughtfully added a slice of lemon.
The fans started howling again.
【Our Ming-Ming is so sweet~~~】
【I don't care, I am Ming-Ming’s pajama button, no one try to fasten me!】
【Am I the only one who noticed Ming-Ming is a bit shy when Baby Yuan is around?!】
【Is it because of the sudden inspection by the boss?】
【Shouldn't you be very stiff during a boss's inspection?? Why be shy???】
【Could it be...】
【Could it be...】
Seeing the bullet chat veering toward strange territory, Jiang Yuan had to step in to stop it. "Don't talk nonsense, my 'gege' will be angry if he sees this."
Hearing this, Du Tingming’s gaze dropped slightly. When he looked up again, his trademark smile was back on his face, bright and sunny. "What does everyone want to ask me in this surprise interview?"
【Does Ming-Ming like Baby Yuan~ Hehehehe】
Du Tingming brushed his slightly damp hair back and smiled. "Of course I like him." After saying that, he saw Jiang Yuan frown slightly in disapproval, so he added, "If I said I didn't like him in front of the boss, do you guys not want to watch my streams anymore?"
【That makes so much sense~~】
【I don't care, I don't care~ Like is like~】
【Explaining is just covering it up~ Look at you, you’re smiling so hard your eyes are disappearing!】
"Don't talk nonsense." Du Tingming’s smile grew even more radiant. "What if you scare the boss away? Will you compensate me with another one?"
【Can't afford it, can't afford it~~】
【Your boss is the most precious~】
【The Ming-Yuan CP is back in the world~ Don't miss out as you pass by~】
Jiang Yuan’s expression cooled slightly. He didn't mind others using his popularity for hype, but he didn't like it when the other party kept clinging on after he had made his stance clear.
Originally, he had only planned to surprise one contestant and have them lead the viewers through the various rooms, but now he changed his mind. After Du Tingming interacted with the fans for a few rounds, he reminded him that time was up.
When Du Tingming saw him out, the corners of his eyes drooped piteously. Jiang Yuan didn't want to get too involved with him, so he pretended to notice nothing, said his goodbyes, and took the cameraman to the next house.
The number of real-time viewers and the total amount of tips received that day set a new record for Onion Live once again.
Aside from Jiang Yuan, the happiest person was none other than Fang Yuan. These fifty contestants were all trainees trained by his company; no matter who won or lost, Morning Star Entertainment would ultimately benefit.
As soon as the live stream ended, Fang Yuan suggested going out to celebrate. Seeing that everyone was in high spirits, Jiang Yuan didn't want to spoil the fun. He called Shen Qinian to reserve the largest private room at his club and took the production team and some of the contestants there for a party.
For the past half month, Jiang Yuan had either been reviewing his lessons or shamelessly rolling around in bed with his boyfriend. It had been a long time since he had stepped into a nightclub.
While skillfully ordering drinks, Fang Yuan teased, "Young Master Jiang has been really hard to invite lately. Now that I’ve finally managed to get you out today, you have to give me some face and have a few extra drinks."
Jiang Yuan crossed his legs and leaned back against the chair somewhat lazily. "This group of people under you has made me quite a bit of money. I should be the one treating everyone to drinks today."
"That’s not right." Fang Yuan handed the drink menu to the waiter and said seriously, "Although our company debuts some newcomers every year, to be honest, very few can actually attract fans. The competition in this circle is too fierce. If you want to build a top-tier star, the initial investment is no small amount."
As he spoke, he offered Jiang Yuan a cigarette. Jiang Yuan didn't refuse and took a puff from the lighter in Fang Yuan’s hand.
Fang Yuan lit one for himself as well before continuing, "I really didn't expect that sending them to be streamers would yield these results. Not to mention the others, Du Tingming’s current Weibo follower count alone would already be considered A-list in our company. There’s more than one entertainment company out there, but only your Onion Live can boost so many people through a single platform. This model wouldn't work on other platforms because they don't have that little robot of yours. That’s the real fan-magnet. With him there, new customers will keep joining constantly, and in the end, it’s my people who benefit."
Jiang Yuan knew Fang Yuan was being sincere, so he stopped arguing. He proactively raised his glass and smiled. "It seems our contract can be extended. President Fang, it’s a pleasure working with you."
Fang Yuan laughed heartily and clinked glasses with him. "A pleasure working with you!"
***
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