Li Feng's finger hovered over the donation button, a silent promise forming in his mind. With a tap, a colossal rocket – the platform's most expensive virtual gift worth 10,000 yuan – soared onto Yumi's stream.
Yumi's eyes widened in surprise. A notification blared across the screen, announcing Li Feng's generous donation and his newly acquired title – "Guardian Angel." A blush crept up her cheeks as she stammered out a heartfelt "Thank you!"
The impact was immediate. Viewers, lured by the spectacle of the massive rocket and the sudden surge in donations, began migrating from the Ms. Flash streamer's channel. Comments flooded the chat, a mix of curiosity and appreciation directed at Yumi.
However, the jubilation was short-lived. Despite the influx of viewers, Yumi was still behind in the competition. The gap between her donations and her opponent's remained significant.
Li Feng, undeterred, continued his strategic support. With a series of rapid clicks, he unleashed a salvo of nine more rockets, each worth 10,000 yuan. The virtual fireworks filled Yumi's stream, a dazzling display of his unwavering support.
The chat exploded in a frenzy. "Who is this Guardian Angel?" "Is it raining rockets?" "Yumi, you deserve it!" The other streamer, her confident smirk replaced by a flicker of annoyance, watched helplessly as the tide turned. Yumi's calm demeanor remained unchanged, but a hint of gratitude shone in her eyes as she expressed her sincere thanks to her anonymous benefactor.
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 1
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 5
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 15
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 40
These notifications flooded the chat, each one accompanied by a dazzling fireworks display in the chat window. The name "Whale Feng" became synonymous with generosity and extravagance. Yumi's stream, once a quiet haven, was now a whirlwind of activity, with viewers flocking in to witness the spectacle.
As the rockets soared, Yumi's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't believe the generosity of her benefactor. The quiet, unassuming man who had entered her stream earlier had turned out to be a real-life hero. She tried to express her gratitude through chat messages, but the sheer volume of messages made it impossible to convey her true feelings.
Ms. Flash, watched in disbelief as viewers abandoned her ship in droves, drawn to the sudden downpour of rockets on Yumi's stream. Her carefully curated image contorted in frustration.
Leaning forward dramatically, Ms. Flash purred into the microphone, "Whale Feng, huh? Why not come shower some love on a real beauty like me?" She batted her heavily-mascaraed eyelashes and struck a suggestive pose, reeking of desperation.
Li Feng, watching from his phone, felt a surge of annoyance. Her attempt to manipulate him with cheap tactics was as transparent as her overly revealing outfit. With a scoff, he unleashed another barrage of rockets.
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 1
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 5
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 15
[Whale Feng has fired a big rocket] x 30
The virtual fireworks practically drowned out Ms. Flash's pleas. The chat erupted in a frenzy of "Whale Feng MVP!" and "Yumi fighting!"
With this final show of overwhelming support, Li Feng had poured a total of 800,000 yuan into Yumi's stream. The gap between them and Ms. Flash was now insurmountable.
As the timer on the Streamer Showdown reached zero, a celebratory fanfare blared across Yumi's stream. A giant banner declared her the winner! Her opponent's donations, amounting to nearly 600,000 yuan, were automatically transferred to Yumi's account.
Yumi's eyes welled up with tears. She had never expected such generosity, such a sudden turn of events. Grasping for words, she managed a choked "Thank you" to her anonymous benefactor, her voice thick with emotion.
The chat exploded in congratulations. Li Feng, however, felt a quiet satisfaction.
Li Feng closed the app, his mind abuzz with ideas.
There had to be more streamers out there like Yumi, talented individuals creating wholesome content that was drowned out by the noise of flashy personalities. And there was definitely an audience for it, as evidenced by the influx of viewers to Yumi's stream. He wanted to do something about it, to level the playing field and create a platform for these genuine creators to thrive.
But what? He was lost in thought, formulating a plan, when a soft knock on the bedroom door startled him.
"Master," Cain's voice announced gently, "dinner is ready."
Li Feng looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Chen," he corrected, a playful glint in his eyes. "I almost forgot." He rose from his seat, his phone tucked securely in his pocket.
As they walked to the dining room, Li Feng casually mentioned, "Chen, I have an idea. I want to create a live streaming platform."
Chen nearly choked on his own surprise. A live streaming platform? Where did that come from? Li Feng, accustomed to Chen's stoic demeanor, picked up on his bewilderment.
"I know it sounds strange," Li Feng began, "but hear me out." He then recounted his experience with Yumi and the other streamer, Ms. Flash. He omitted the specific amount of his donation, but emphasized the unfairness of the system and the struggles of genuine creators like Yumi.
By the time he finished, Chen's eyes were wide with newfound respect. "That's… a brilliant idea, Master," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "There has to be a way to promote genuine talent and discourage some of the…unseemly practices that exist on these platforms."
"Exactly!" Li Feng exclaimed, his enthusiasm growing. "A platform that prioritizes high-quality content, fosters community, and rewards creators fairly, regardless of sensational tactics."
A thoughtful frown creased Chen's brow. "It's entirely possible to create," he admitted, "We can hire the best team to build and manage the platform, acquire top-tier servers for smooth operation…"
He paused, his voice trailing off. Li Feng noticed his hesitation. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
"Not exactly, Master," Chen replied. "It wouldn't be difficult to create the platform itself. The challenge lies in its financial viability. Platforms like these typically generate revenue through advertising, subscriptions, or virtual gifts."
"Ah," Li Feng chuckled, understanding dawning on him. "You're worried it might be a money-losing venture, right?"
Chen nodded hesitantly.
"Well," Li Feng said, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "that's why I mentioned creating it. I don't intend to make money from it. I want to offer a platform for these creators to share their passions, just like Yumi. So, no worries about profit margins."
A relieved smile spread across Chen's face. "In that case, Master," he declared, "consider it done. I'll start assembling the best team as soon as possible. We'll build a platform that celebrates talent, fosters positive communities, and revolutionizes the live streaming experience."
Li Feng watched as Chen's eyes lit up with excitement and gratitude. This was a testament to his trust and faith in Chen's abilities. He handed Chen a card, a relic from his father. "Use this if you need more funds," he said simply. "I'll arrange for additional resources if necessary."