Trending Again – Chapter 20

Livestreams can all trend

Si Meng yawned several times in a row, only to realize that her computer was in the midst of a device update. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and, in order to see the English text on the computer clearly, a string of strange codes occupied the entire screen.

Could the computer be hacked again?

Si Meng quickly typed a Java formula on the keyboard, her fingers rapidly tapping on the keys. Strings of code, like Tetris blocks, played a stacking game on her computer screen.

As she typed the final character, the firewall vulnerability was immediately patched. Following that, she took out a USB drive from her pocket, her portable tool because the internet speed at Movie Queen Lin’s place wasn’t fast enough, so she had to rely on the USB drive.

By implanting the “snail” virus into the opponent’s computer, their internet speed would become as slow as hers. However, the opponent’s reaction speed couldn’t match Si Meng’s, and they soon conceded defeat.

Just as Si Meng was about to hack the opponent’s computer, her phone timely rang. It was from an unfamiliar number, showing it was from Country N.

“Hello, who is this?” Si Meng answered the call.

“It’s your brother, me. Little sis, whatever you do, don’t hack that computer. It’s mine, and it contains a lot of business secrets!” Si Zhe laughed on the other end of the phone.

“Middle of the night, Si Zhe, what’s gotten into you?” Si Meng sighed, finding her brother’s actions quite eccentric.

“Hehe, just wanted to give you a surprise. Didn’t expect you to give me a scare instead. Do you think that by not using foreign bank accounts, I wouldn’t know you’ve returned to the country?”

Si Meng frowned slightly. Her older brother had actually found out. Did that mean her parents knew too? Could they be planning to bring her back?

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Mom and Dad don’t know yet. But you’re really not careful. With your usual spending habits, how could the money in your account remain untouched? So, I spent it for you,” Si Zhe said shamelessly.

Si Meng indeed couldn’t use her foreign money. Once the transaction records showed up domestically, her parents would know everything.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up. I need to sleep,” Si Meng impatiently said; after all, she still had a livestream to attend to.

“Wait a minute, your voice sounds a bit strange. Did you catch a cold or something?” Si Zhe suspected.

“No, I’m fine,” Si Meng clicked her tongue, unable to help but marvel at her brother’s perceptiveness.

“It seems something is up. Tomorrow, I’ll have Si Teng return to the country to protect you.”

“Absolutely not! That woman, she definitely cannot…”

“It’s settled. She’ll protect you discreetly, won’t disturb your love life!”

Si Meng’s expression changed. How could this be possible? That woman’s presence would only make things more chaotic. Just dealing with Lin Hanyue was enough, and now Si Teng is coming too. Her brother seemed to be afraid that the world wouldn’t be in turmoil enough.

Si Meng sneakily sent a message to her sister-in-law, containing the locations of all the secret stashes of money her brother had hidden, from the smallest one in smelly socks to the one behind the office ceiling. “Brother, if you’re unscrupulous, don’t blame me for being unjust.”

After a little episode, Si Meng’s computer finally returned to its original state, and the upgraded internet speed became even smoother.

Si Meng opened her livestream room, and indeed, many people were already waiting there. She yawned again. What was she going to livestream? A live sleeping session? She was so tired.

She silently stared at the screen, motionless, and the barrage on the screen also quieted down because everyone thought Si Meng’s computer had frozen.

It wasn’t until Si Meng yawned again that everyone realized their goddess was actually sleeping. Ahhh, even her sleep was so beautiful. Thousands of barrages flooded the screen.

Suddenly, a massive rocket appeared on the screen, wiping out all the barrage messages. Then, Zhang Biliang, adorned with the glittering “Top Fan” badge, appeared in the public’s view.

While other livestreamers had to sing, dance, and chat to earn fans’ tips, Si Meng, on the other hand, just showed her face, even when sleeping, and still managed to attract a deluge of gifts from the audience.

Afterward, the screen divided into two factions, red and blue. One was led by Zhang Bilian’s veteran fans, the old Reds, while the other was led by an anonymous figure, the new Blues. Both sides were frantically sending gifts to Si Meng, vying for the top fan position.

The Blue faction seemed to have acquired a wealthy supporter who directly sent Si Meng several large fortresses. Interestingly, her ID was a new one, the system-assigned popular name: TreasureFriend124lhy.

At this moment, Si Meng was sleeping soundly, drooling even onto the keyboard, completely unaware that her livestream room was hosting a fierce battle.

Zhang Biliang was frustrated. In real life, dealing with the meddling Lin Hanyue was already enough trouble. Now, even online, there was a stumbling block. After consecutively challenging several large fortresses, Zhang Biliang’s account received warnings for data tampering, yet there were no restrictions whatsoever on the new account on the opposing side.

This guy, as soon as he opened the interface for the new account, it was labeled as a King VIP user. Zhang Biliang smirked. He had been playing this game for so many years and had only reached Diamond VIP. How much money did this new account have to spend for the platform to set such a precedent?

Zhang Biliang was unwilling to accept this. Money made one powerful, huh? How about competing with talent?

Zhang Biliang connected to Si Meng’s livestream interface, joined her on the microphone. Fan ranking could only connect with the livestream, not engage in video, but once connected to the microphone, Zhang Biliang opened his sound system. He had a nickname people gave him: the Nightclub Prince.

Zhang Biliang sang freely, attracting thousands of fan votes, thereby increasing his fan value. The higher the fan value, the more chances he had to become Si Meng’s top fan.

The anonymous user’s new account wasn’t to be outdone. They immediately played a Chopin piece in the livestream and seamlessly incorporated some traditional elements, blending Eastern and Western influences. The music was deep and elegant, enchanting and gentle, reminiscent of a tranquil snowy day, a masterpiece for all to appreciate.

With the combined efforts of Zhang Biliang and the anonymous user, Si Meng’s livestream soared to the top position, drawing countless netizens to watch. Forget about love triangles; the audience was most interested in the spectacle.

People occasionally sent sunflower seeds to Si Meng, made comments, hoping that this hotly pursued livestreamer could wake up from her dreams.

“Di-di-ding.” Si Meng was interrupted by a phone call and answered it.

“Hello, speak quickly, say what you need to, or just let it out if it’s nonsense. I want to sleep,” Si Meng murmured with closed eyes.

“Si Meng, are you feeling itchy? I asked you to livestream for a reason, not to go live while sleeping?” Si Meng instantly woke up; oh right, she intended to clarify her relationship with Lin Hanyue through the livestream.

She washed her face in the bathroom, passing by Lin Hanyue’s room. She saw Lin Hanyue sitting on the piano stool, seriously staring at her phone. Si Meng was speechless – playing the piano to show off in the middle of the night.

Si Meng adjusted the camera, speaking earnestly, “The sole purpose of this livestream is to clarify my relationship with Lin Hanyue. We’re just ordinary friends, old classmates for many years. Don’t let your imaginations run wild.”

Just as everyone thought Si Meng had finished speaking, she suddenly changed her tone, pretending to be angry. “Especially those rampant novel authors, how can they portray me like that? If anyone is ‘below’ in the stories, it can only be Lin Hanyue.”

After finishing her words, Si Meng planned to end the livestream. Suddenly, she noticed a flood of gifts being sent, saw the ID of the new user, and couldn’t help but ask, “Lin Hanyue, have you gone crazy? Why are you sending so many gifts in my livestream?”

Realizing her mistake, she quickly covered her mouth. What a mess—she had just distanced herself from Lin Hanyue, and now she had spilled the beans again.

Lin Hanyue suddenly barged into Si Meng’s room, swiftly ending the livestream. All everyone saw was a girl in a white silk nightgown rushing in, her face not visible, only faintly revealing curves. She promptly closed the computer.

Si Meng became aware that she had once again done something foolish. Why did she blurt out Lin Hanyue’s name without thinking? The reason she knew that was Lin Hanyue’s account was that the last time she went to deliver food, Lin Hanyue happened to be busy, and her phone screen was left on the Dy app. Lin Hanyue was, after all, one of her many devoted fans.