It was the year 2020. The wave of becoming a content creator had already died down, but Chen Yu, who was a slow-witted oddball, only thought of becoming one now.
After doing some simple research online, Chen Yu decided to start his journey of being a technology content creator on Bilibili.
He dreamt that many large organizations would come to him, begging for collaboration and gifting him many technological products. He would be able to earn money too.
However, reality gave him a smack in the face.
After spending all his savings on a camera and notebook that cost more than 3,000 yuan in total to do two unboxing videos, and all he got in return was a measly 56 views and 0 comments.
This made Chen Yu go ballistic.
Other UPs had at least a hundred thousand or even millions of views! Why did he have only 56? (TL notes: In China, content creators are known as UP, short for "uploader.")
This was so unfair!
Chen Yu's impotent rage lasted for two days before he decided to give up on being a content creator. He deleted both videos, which he found too painful to look back on, and listed both the camera and laptop on Xian Yu to break even. (TL notes: Xian Yu is a Chinese platform that second-hand items are listed on.)
He was already 18. He should just focus on his studies like an honest person.
However, just when Chen Yu had contacted the buyer and was ready to sell the items away, a WeChat notification popped up on his mobile phone screen.
["Transdimensional Marketing" sent you a friend request.]
"Mm?"
Slightly shocked, Chen Yu accepted the request subconsciously and sent a message over. "Who are you?"
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Take a guess."]
"Guess your grandma." Chen Yu removed the user from his contacts without hesitation.
After the failed entrepreneurship attempt, he was currently emotionally unstable. Thus, the burning fire in Chen Yu was easily fueled.
["Transdimensional Marketing" sent you a friend request.]
["Transdimensional Marketing" sent you a friend request.]
["Transdimensional Marketing" sent you…]
And a bunch of friend requests started popping up on Chen Yu's WeChat right afterwards. It got on Chen Yu's nerves. He was ready to block and report the other party, but an idea crossed his mind. Why don't I take out my anger on him? Thus, Chen Yu accepted the request and typed his "friendly" message out furiously.
However, before he could send it, Chen Yu was struck dumb by the new message from the other party.
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Hello, are you the UP who does unboxing videos on technological products on Bilibili?"]
Chen Yu reread the message repeatedly, making sure that he had read it correctly, and Chen Yu proved himself right. With trembling hands, he deleted the "friendly" message in the text input bar and typed another reply.
[Chen Yu: "Are you a subscriber that watches my videos?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Yes. I saw your video on Bilibili and contacted you through the WeChat ID you left on your bio."]
[Chen Yu: "My pleasure!"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Are you interested in advertising my company's products?"]
What?
Is money coming to me right now?!
An advertising agency?!!
Those three words echoed in Chen Yu's head. Excitement caused his breathing to become heavy and rapid…
As the Chinese saying goes, "Good wine needs no bush."
And "Real gold will shine one day."
So what if I'm not on the recommendation page or there are no likes? There's someone who discovered my talents at the end of the day!
Huff…
In high spirits, Chen Yu took a deep breath and shut his eyes, calming himself down. Thirty seconds later, he looked up, eyes glowing with excitement as he typed a reply.
[Chen Yu: "I'm interested!"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "That's great."]
[Chen Yu: "So, what are the products that you would like me to advertise? Mobile phone? Tablet? Educational technology device?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Those are just the basics."]
[Chen Yu: "There are better products?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Yes, we mainly advertise high-tech products, and we hope to work with you for a long period of time."]
Chen Yu gulped and sent a reply.
[Chen Yu: "Are you serious?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Yes. But we would firstly have a one-month probation period. If the results are good, we will extend the term."]
Once again, Chen Yu lost his calm that he had regained with much difficulty. Grabbing his mobile phone tightly, he pounced onto his bed, rolling all over it repeatedly as if he were insane. He sat up right after, pondering for sometime before sending a question over.
[Chen Yu: "Why choose a newbie like myself when there are so many well-known UPs around?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "I've tried, but to no avail. Everyone blocked me after receiving the list of products that we want to advertise. Thus, I'm trying my luck on newbies, hoping that they would be easier to negotiate with."]
"Blocked?" Gradually, Chen Yu calmed down.
Don't tell me they are adult products?
[Chen Yu: "Are they adult products?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "There are some, but not mainly. We advertise high-tech products mainly. It may have been because of the price we offer. It might be too low compared to what they want."]
Chen Yu was relieved to see the message. He started typing on his mobile phone speedily.
[Chen Yu: "That's fine, I'm new, so I'll accept any decent price. May I know the price that your company offers?"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Our company does not pay for collaborations."]
[Chen Yu: "???"]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "We only gift our partners the products for advertising."]
"No wonder!"
Chen Yu suddenly understood.
No wonder you're being blocked by famous UPs!
Which famous UP would advertise for you when they would not be getting a single cent and the product is all they get in return?
Upon knowing the reason, the excitement in Chen Yu had largely died down. He thought long and hard before deciding to accept the offer.
I might not earn anything, but I am getting my hands on technological products for free. It wouldn't be a loss either.
I could sell them off after I'm done with them. In that way, I would be earning too.
[Chen Yu: "I get it. I'm willing to work with your company."]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Thank you so much! Let's sign the contract now."]
[Chen Yu: "Hold on."]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "Yes?"]
[Chen Yu: "I want to take a look at the company's products. I'll only sign when I'm sure that everything's alright."]
[Transdimensional Marketing: "No problem. I'll send it over right now. Please take note. You can ask me if you have any doubts."]
[Chen Yu: "Okay."]
Chen Yu lay down on the bed, holding onto his mobile phone as he patiently waited for the list to be sent over.
Two minutes later, a Word document was sent to him.
"Here it is."
Chen Yu opened the document in a hurry, but the first product had him jumping out of his bed in utter disbelief.
[Transdimensional Marketing's product list:
LVV8 Model Quantum Notebook, made in 2084, product of Pear Technology Co., Ltd.
Mini Nuclear Fusion Reactor, made in 2114, product of KGQ Technology Co., Ltd.
Smart Information Processing Contact Lenses, made in 2149, product of Bright Windows Medical Research.
Magnetic Levitation Vactrain, made in 2150, product of Hua Xia Tie Jian Corporation.
Romantic Partner Simulation Robot, made in 2177, product of Daisy Rays Daily Products Co., Ltd.
Soaring Anti-gravitational Flying Car, made in 2305, product of Soaring Technology Corporation.
Continental Particle Oscillator, made in 2463, product of the Haqiu Arms Company.
Dual vector foil, made in…]
Holding his mobile phone, Chen Yu's hands trembled.
"This…
"What…on earth are all these?"