Chapter 98: A Platform for Communication

Jiang Qiuqiu’s livestream went live right on schedule on the last day of November.

Five minutes before it began, a recommendation for her stream had already appeared on the homepage.

In countless homes, holographic projectors were being set to her channel.

For Jiang Qiuqiu, this was an unprecedented day. It was the first time so many people were in her stream, and the first time it carried such significance.

Her fans were also discussing these things.

Today was a rest day. After finishing their drills on the training grounds, Changbei and Qiudao sat together on a small bench to watch the stream.

As for why they didn’t go back to their own places?

They didn’t live together, so if they went back, they wouldn’t be able to watch it together.

They gathered near the doorway. Changbei, being a bit rough around the edges, couldn’t grasp all the strange, deeper meanings. He had been spending a lot of time on the forums lately and had some idea about the recent family incident. "Qiudao," he said, "do you think the streamer is going to get huge this time?"

"She’s tackling a social issue, she’s got all this buzz, and her ranking shot up so high all of a sudden. The little streamer we both started following is finally starting to make it big."

Then, he added, "Talented people really can’t be held down, can they?"

He was optimistic, but Qiudao’s expression was a little off. "What you said about the stream’s goal being noble is true, but... it’s just a food stream. Pinning the harmony of parent-child relationships on a food stream... I just find it a bit absurd."

"What’s absurd?" The Changbei Tiger blinked, a look of confusion on his face.

Qiudao took a breath.

"Right now, it’s being hyped up like crazy, as if the stream deserves all the credit whenever a father and son or a grandparent and grandchild make up."

"What’s with the way you’re talking? Isn’t it because of the stream?" Changbei scratched his head. "Their relationships were bad at first, and after watching the stream, they got better. Isn’t that because of the stream?"

At first glance, what Changbei said made a lot of sense, but—

He was also very stubborn, and Qiudao didn’t know how to explain it. Just then, Mo Si’s voice came from behind them.

"Then by that logic, if they started out with a good relationship and it turned bad after watching the stream, it must be the stream that made them have a falling out."

"...How is that possible!?" Changbei instinctively retorted. "How could a food stream turn people against each other?"

The small room suddenly fell silent.

That’s right. A food stream couldn’t possibly make close friends into bitter enemies.

Nor could it instantly make estranged relatives close again.

"So, you can’t say the stream is what solves parent-child problems," Mo Si said, standing behind the two of them, his tone level. "The only ones who can solve parent-child problems are the parents and children themselves."

The stream only provides a platform.

And Jiang Qiuqiu’s stream is a high-quality platform.

"Admiral! What are you doing here?"

"Watching the stream again?"

"Yeah. Admiral, you know so much about this. Are you watching this stream too?" As Changbei spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he stared intently at Mo Si.

Mo Si saw fanaticism—and trouble—in his eyes. "No," Mo Si said. "I just overheard you talking about it."

Before Changbei could say anything else, Mo Si glanced at the time. "Your stream is about to start. I’ll be going."

"Next time, you don’t have to stay here. Just go home after training is done."

With that, he strode toward his office.

After he left, Changbei muttered, "What’s with the Admiral lately? He’s starting to meddle in such trivial matters."

"But it’s such a shame. I’ve recommended it to the Admiral so enthusiastically twice now, and he still hasn’t watched it either time..."

"He’s just missing out."

"Ah, well." Changbei put on an air of concern for his superior. "The stream’s about to start, Qiudao. Let’s just focus on watching it ourselves."

"Oh, right. When Terry’s lease is up, you should come live with me," Changbei said without a hint of embarrassment. "It’ll be more convenient for us to do stuff together."

Moving was a big deal, so Qiudao neither refused nor agreed. "We’ll see when the time comes."

Their idle chatter slowly faded away as Jiang Qiuqiu’s stream began.

It was her familiar opening—

"Welcome, everyone, to my food stream. I’m Jiang Jiujiu, and on the menu today is: Braised Delicacies."

But unlike usual, there was another opening message after her introduction.

"I’ve seen the posts on the forums, and I’m honored that my stream can serve as a catalyst and a bridge for everyone’s communication. I hope that the fans and parents watching together today can sit down and have a calm conversation."

"Because of the special nature of this stream, and because our follower count broke 100 million last time and is about to break 200 million this time, I won’t be charging any fees for the taste-testing slots in this special broadcast. I also won’t be accepting any tips. Think of it as a fan appreciation special! Alright, I’m sure all of you watching can’t wait any longer!"

"Without further ado, let’s start today’s stream!"

The camera turned, focusing on a plain, unremarkable large metal pot.

In his office, Mo Si watched Jiang Qiuqiu’s stream, his expression relaxing slightly.

’She’s young, but very clever. She’s willing to tackle a social issue but has no desire to be at the center of the storm of praise that follows. She knows exactly how to handle herself.’