Chapter Nine: An Invitation to Dinner

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"Holy crap! The big boss invited him to a livestream collab!"
"Streamer, say yes! This is your big break!"
"My mom is asking why I'm kneeling while watching this stream..."

The chat exploded instantly. Cheng Ziqiu felt his heart pounding against his ribs. He fought to suppress his excitement and kept his voice as steady as possible:
"I am honored by your kind invitation, Tingquan. It would be my privilege to collab with you! You set the time, and I shall be ready whenever you are!"

Who was Tingquan?
He was a titan among the platform's big spenders—a figure whose mere stomp could make the entire streaming world tremble. A chance to collab with him was an opportunity of a lifetime!

Tingquan’s reply came quickly:
[Fine. Send your contact info via private message.]

"No problem!"
Cheng Ziqiu replied immediately, feeling as restless as if a monkey were scratching at his insides.
"Brothers, that's it for today. I'll notify you all about the next stream time later!"

The chat room went wild, with messages begging him to stay pouring in like a waterfall.
"Streamer, don't go! Stay for five more minutes!"
"It's so early, why are you ending the stream? Do you look down on us night owls?"
"When is the next stream? I need to set an alarm!"

"Brothers, family, old friends! Even the donkeys on a commune don't work like this!" Cheng Ziqiu clutched his chest dramatically, pretending to be frail.
The chat room was instantly flooded with laughter.
"I'll announce the next stream time soon. Don't forget to follow so you don't lose your way!"

Cheng Ziqiu blew a kiss and deftly ended the stream. He let out a long sigh, slumped into his chair, and rubbed his face, which had gone stiff from smiling.
This streaming gig was more exhausting than robbing an ancient king’s tomb! In his past life, robbing a tomb would at most leave him tired for a few days. But this? After two hours, he felt like half his soul had been drained.

Just as he was slumped in his chair, still savoring the olive branch offered by Tingquan, the office door was pushed open.
Chen Churan walked in, her heels clicking on the floor, her hips swaying, a charming smile on her face.
"Ziqiu, your stream today was incredible! I watched the whole thing; it was absolutely thrilling!" Chen Churan praised him without hesitation, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "You are a natural-born streamer. You're so talented!"

Cheng Ziqiu felt smug inside but acted humble on the surface: "Not at all, Ms. Chen, you're too kind. It was just good luck."
"Good luck? This can't be explained by luck alone." Chen Churan walked over to Cheng Ziqiu and leaned in, a faint scent of perfume wafting into his nose. "With your quick wit and eloquence, it’s a waste if you don't become a talk show host!"
As she spoke, she reached out and patted his shoulder.

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Cheng Ziqiu felt a jolt of electricity run through his body from her touch, and he almost cried out.
He coughed drily and asked, "Ms. Chen, do you have any instructions for me?"
"Instructions? No, this is good news!" Chen Churan stood up straight, her smile widening. "I’ve decided to give you a raise and sign you to an A-level contract, making you one of our platform’s featured streamers!"

"An A-level contract?" Cheng Ziqiu’s eyes lit up.
That was the highest-level contract the platform offered, representing more resources and exposure.
"That’s right!" Chen Churan nodded affirmatively. "I believe you will definitely become a pillar of our platform in the future!"

"Oh my, boss, how could I accept such a thing?" Cheng Ziqiu feigned modesty, though his face betrayed a "knew this would happen" smugness.
"Ziqiu, you’re too humble!" Chen Churan said, patting his shoulder again. "Your streaming style is unique, your content is fresh, and you have great rapport with the audience. If I don't promote you, who would I promote?"

Just then, a jarring voice interrupted them.
"Ms. Chen, isn't that against the rules?"
"Cheng Ziqiu has only been streaming for a few days, and you're already giving him an A-level contract? What about Teacher Han? He’s the backbone of our platform!"
The speaker was Director Li from the streaming department—a greasy, middle-aged man whose scalp had even less hair than the grave goods Cheng Ziqiu had seen in his past life.

Chen Churan frowned, clearly unhappy with Director Li’s interjection.
"Director Li, Teacher Han’s streaming style has become a bit outdated. We need fresh blood. Cheng Ziqiu’s arrival perfectly fills the gaps in our platform."
"Ms. Chen, Teacher Han is an authority in the field of archaeology. His content is highly professional and appeals to a wide audience. How can a newcomer like Cheng Ziqiu compare to him?" Director Li persisted.

Cheng Ziqiu watched the two trade barbs, sneering inwardly. This Director Li’s "Mediterranean" hairline was more desolate than the Sahara Desert, yet he insisted on combing three strands of hair across it to cover it up. Did he really think everyone was blind? With a look like that, Cheng Ziqiu wouldn't believe for a second that he wasn't taking bribes from Old Man Han.

"Director Li, I understand what you're saying, but times are changing, and so are the tastes of the audience. We cannot remain stagnant; we must be brave enough to try new things," Chen Churan explained, maintaining her patience.
"Ms. Chen, if you do this, you’ll chill the hearts of your senior staff!" Director Li made one last desperate attempt.

Seeing this Director Li buzzing like a fly, Cheng Ziqiu found him truly annoying and spoke up:
"Ms. Chen, Director Li is right. As a newcomer, I really shouldn't sign an A-level contract so soon. I’d better stream diligently for a while longer and earn it with results first."

Chen Churan looked at Cheng Ziqiu in surprise, not expecting him to say that.
Director Li, on the other hand, looked smug and spoke to Cheng Ziqiu with an air of superiority:
"Young man, those who adapt to circumstances are wise. You've only been here for a few days, and you want to reach the top in one leap?"

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Cheng Ziqiu sneered inwardly.
This fat pig—even the zombies he encountered while tomb-robbing in his past life were more pleasant to look at.
"Director Li is right. I was too impatient. I still have much to learn from all the seniors here."
Cheng Ziqiu wore a harmless, innocent smile, but he was already calculating: *How much did this fat pig take from Old Man Han? I’ll have to look into it later; maybe I can dig up some juicy dirt.*

Chen Churan had wanted to retort to Director Li, but Cheng Ziqiu pulled her sleeve ever so slightly. She looked at him in confusion, only to receive a look that said, "Stay calm."
"Let's do that, then, Ms. Chen." Cheng Ziqiu’s tone was relaxed, as if he had truly given up on the A-level contract.
Although Chen Churan didn't understand his intentions, she chose to trust him. She suppressed her frustration and turned to Director Li.
"Since Ziqiu has said so, we'll leave it at that for now. Director Li, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be going."
"Goodbye, Ms. Chen."

Director Li watched them leave, his face plastered with a hypocritical smile. Once they were out of sight, he spat on the ground.
"Putting on airs—a mere brat, thinking he’s actually someone!"

After walking out of the streaming room, Chen Churan’s delicate face was full of apology, and a touch of self-reproach flickered in her beautiful eyes.
"Ziqiu, I’m so sorry. I let you suffer a grievance."

Cheng Ziqiu chuckled to himself.
A grievance?
When he was tomb-robbing in his past life, being chased by zombies didn't make him feel aggrieved. Would he really be hurt by a greasy middle-aged man now?
What a joke!
Cheng Ziqiu waved his hand dismissively. "Ms. Chen, what are you saying? It's not worth getting upset over him."
"To make it up to you, dinner is on me tonight!" Chen Churan waved her hand heroically, like a martial artist from a legend.

Cheng Ziqiu was overjoyed. Why turn down a free meal?
"Then I shall accept your kindness!"
Chen Churan chuckled, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents, looking incredibly enchanting.
"Let's go, I'll drive."
She pulled her Porsche keys from her pocket.

Cheng Ziqiu had barely sat in the passenger seat, his bottom not even warm yet, when Chen Churan started the car.
She drove her Porsche at breakneck speed. As Cheng Ziqiu sat in the passenger seat, he felt as if his internal organs were about to be shaken out of him.