There are currently three types of streamers in this industry.
The first type is streamers who are under contract with a live streaming platform. These streamers are generally stronger and fewer in number. Those who can secure contracts are highly valued by the platform and receive plenty of resources. Their gift revenue is typically split 50-50 with the platform.
Becoming a contracted streamer is very difficult. Even after just one day of live streaming, multiple platforms approached Ning Fei to sign a contract with him. In the world of streamers, this is quite rare.
The second type is streamers who are contracted with a talent agency or union. This situation is far more complicated. Talent agencies and unions can sometimes be tricky, and there are many scammers out there.
Once a streamer joins a union or agency, the platform takes its 50%, and the union negotiates the remaining split with the streamer. In some cases, a shady union will take up to 40%, leaving the streamer with only 10%. This is unfortunately common.
The advantage of joining a union is that it can help promote the streamer and bring in some level of popularity. However, unions often exploit new streamers like wolves feeding on the vulnerable. Even quitting can be costly, as most unions require a minimum three-month commitment and charge exit penalties of at least 10,000 yuan.
Even top streamers can get burned if they join the wrong agency, so choosing the right one is essential.
The third type is freelance streamers. They stream whenever and wherever they want, and platforms have little control over them. Freelancers only get 40% of their gift revenue since they don't sign formal contracts with the platform.
For now, Ning Fei doesn't plan to sign any contracts. He believes that if his skills and popularity continue to grow, the platform will eventually offer him better terms. After all, success and good treatment go hand in hand.
Signing a contract too hastily could lead to regret down the line, so he prefers to wait and see.
The next morning at six o'clock, Ning Fei woke up and started working in his vegetable garden.
Life on the mountain is simple. This time of year, the weather becomes unbearably hot by nine o'clock, so most villagers get up at five or six in the morning to finish their daily farm work.
After that, they retreat to their homes to escape the heat.
Ning Fei spent the early hours planting the seeds he had drawn in the previous day's lottery. To get the watermelon growing as soon as possible, he used the fertile soil and silver carat fertilizer he had also drawn. By seven o'clock, he had finished his work and took a cold shower before enjoying breakfast. Feeling refreshed, he began his morning meditation.
Unlike strict, orthodox Taoist temples, Ning Fei's temple isn't bound by rigid schedules. His daily habits were passed down from his master, who valued a more relaxed approach to Taoism.
His master once said, "Those strict people will never understand that happiness is the real Taoist truth. They exhaust themselves every day—what a waste."
After breakfast, Ning Fei thought about what to stream that day.
He checked his stats:
"Host: Ning Fei"
"Strength: 13.5 (average is 10)"
"Agility: 13.5 (average is 10)"
"Endurance: 12.5 (average is 10)"
"Current popularity: 14,000 (12,000 spent, 2,000 remaining)"
"Skills: Fishing (Elementary), Fish Encyclopedia, Extreme Knives."
Ning Fei's attributes had increased by 0.5 each, thanks to the five physical fitness pills (low-grade) he had taken the night before.
"I don't have many skills yet, but I should focus on what feels natural for my stream."
"Let's go visit the 'Sacred Tree' today," he decided, feeling more at ease with the plan.
After a brief rest, he started his live stream at nine o'clock.
The drone hovered above him, and his phone was set up for the stream.
At first, there were few viewers, but Ning Fei knew that popularity needed time to build.
100, 200, 300, 1000, 5000...
Gradually, the number of viewers grew rapidly.
Instead of immediately greeting his audience, Ning Fei switched the camera to the drone and began his slow sword dance. He had practiced this particular form for over ten years, and it now flowed from him effortlessly.
"Good morning, streamer!"
"I'm back!"
"Wow, sword practice again—so cool!"
"I'm new here—what's this stream about? Is the streamer fighting monsters?"
"This place looks amazing! Everything's so green. I'm jealous."
"There's something calming about watching him practice the sword."
As Ning Fei performed, the chat became more active.
His sword movements were slow, deliberate, and full of grace, but every so often, he would switch to a quick, powerful move. His movements were precise and forceful.
After about ten minutes, Ning Fei finished his sword dance. By this time, his audience had grown, so he switched the camera back to his phone, waved to his viewers, and greeted them with a smile.
"Good morning, everyone. Today, I'll be taking you to visit a sacred tree in the mountains. I hope you'll enjoy it."
The chat erupted with excitement.
"This streamer is so elegant when he practices swords!"
"Whoa, he's so handsome!"
"He looks like he walked straight out of an ancient painting!"
"Wow, so many female fans watching an outdoor streamer this early in the morning?"
"Everyone, let's calm down—after all, not many people are as handsome as me and the streamer."
"Seriously? What are you even talking about, dude?"
Ning Fei chuckled at the banter in the chat. He then stepped out of the temple, with the drone hovering above him.
Even though people lived far apart in the mountains, word spread quickly about Ning Fei's drone. In just one day, everyone in the village had heard about it, so no one was particularly surprised when they saw it.
"Aunt Liu, good morning," Ning Fei greeted an older woman as he passed by.
"Good morning, Ning Fei. Have you had breakfast? I made some pancakes yesterday—come grab a couple."
"No, thank you, Aunt Liu. I've already eaten," Ning Fei replied with a smile.
He continued on his way toward the sacred tree, passing through a small cluster of houses that made up the largest gathering spot in Qinshan Village. About twenty households lived in this area, and the village committee was based here as well.
As Ning Fei walked, he kept an eye on his chat. The drone gave him a huge advantage—he didn't need to hold a selfie stick like other streamers, which made it easier to move around freely and capture better footage.
Suddenly, the chat exploded.
"Streamer, why are those ducks blocking the road?"
"Yeah, why aren't those five ducks moving?"
"Wait, now that you mention it—what's up with the ducks?"
Curious, Ning Fei looked ahead and saw five ducks standing in the road, quacking at a nearby farmhouse.
"Oh, those are Uncle Wang's ducks," Ning Fei explained. "They're waiting for Uncle Li's ducks so they can all go swimming by the river together."
As soon as he said that, the chat went wild.
"What? The ducks are waiting for each other? Is the streamer joking?"
"Did I hear that right? The ducks are meeting up to swim?"
"Is this for real? Ducks are that smart?"
"I never thought ducks could be so human!"
Seeing his viewers' disbelief, Ning Fei smiled and said, "Just wait a little longer and watch."
"This happens every day around this time. Whichever group of ducks comes out first will go to the other house and wait."
"They'll swim together, and when they come back, Uncle Li's ducks will go home first, while Uncle Wang's ducks head back to his place."
The chat was still buzzing with questions and amazement.
"Is this real?"
"Why does this sound like a story?"
"This reminds me of when we'd call our friends to play as kids."
Just as everyone was doubting the story, the farmhouse door opened, and five more ducks waddled out, quacking as they joined the first group. Together, the ten ducks walked past Ning Fei, heading toward the river.
"See? If you're interested, I can show you the scene when they come home in the afternoon," Ning Fei said casually, as if this was an everyday occurrence.
To his audience, though, the sight was completely novel.
"A group of ducks waiting for another group to go swimming? Seriously?"
"Streamer 666! I've learned something new today."
"This streamer's life is full of surprises. Yesterday, he had a fight with a bunch of local dogs, and today, ducks are meeting up to swim. Amazing!"
"Subbed to this streamer for life!"
"Everyone, subscribe! This guy is the real deal!"
The chat flooded with messages, and the audience was buzzing with excitement.
As the ducks waddled past him, quacking all the while, Ning Fei continued on his way toward the sacred tree.