Chapter Seventy-Four: If Only They Had Treated Him Like a Treasure

"It seems we've come at the wrong time," Zhao Hong remarked to Han Yinglan after briefly expressing his admiration for the young man before them. Judging by the situation, it didn't look like the problem would be resolved anytime soon. Perhaps they should return in the afternoon or even tomorrow?

"No, I believe we've arrived at the perfect moment!" Han Yinglan's perspective was the complete opposite. Though she had nearly been startled by the unfolding scene, a quick change of thought made her realize this was a golden opportunity to foster closer ties.

With this in mind, Han Yinglan smiled and, in front of everyone present, shook hands with Luo Chen, raising her voice so all could hear, "Luo Chen, is it? I'm Han Yinglan, the manager of the Bizarre Content Division at Stardust Platform, and this is my colleague Zhao Hong. We're here on behalf of Stardust Platform to sign a Platinum Contract with you. Welcome to the Stardust Platform as a Platinum streamer!"

Han Yinglan deliberately amplified her voice, suppressing the noisy discussions in the living room. For a moment, aside from Luo Chen, Han Yinglan, and those already in the know, everyone else was stunned, and the entire room fell silent.

If only the Platinum Contract had been mentioned, some might not have understood its significance. But Stardust Platform was a household name in the country. Even if some had never watched a livestream or video on the platform, they had certainly heard of it.

Whether through friends, family, or television and web advertisements, any citizen who browsed the internet or watched TV could not escape Stardust Platform's relentless publicity.

"Stardust Platform? Streamer?"

"Is that the one from the ads, where they claim streamers earn tens or hundreds of thousands a month?"

"You believe the ads? Still, Platinum streamers might really earn that much."

"A Platinum streamer, really? I heard there aren’t many of those on Stardust Platform."

"No wonder he could suddenly produce so much money..."

...

After a brief lull, the room erupted with chatter. Stardust Platform's blanket advertising had proved effective—even among the middle-aged men and women present, many were viewers of the platform, and the rest were at least aware of it.

But precisely because they understood, their shock was greater. While their own children seemed only to spend money on games, here was someone else's child already earning—and not just hundreds or thousands, but tens and even hundreds of thousands. These distant relatives began to look at Luo Chen with renewed enthusiasm; here was a golden opportunity. If he could just guide their children a little, the sky would be the limit.

Han Yinglan saw things progressing as she had hoped and couldn't help but congratulate herself on her cleverness. Having shown such generosity, the other party could hardly refuse the contract now.

Han Yinglan had truly exhausted herself to secure Luo Chen. Seeing success within reach, she thought a little extra goodwill and waving the Stardust Platform banner wouldn't hurt.

Amidst the chorus of astonishment, the only exceptions were Luo Song and his wife. The two were consumed with regret. Had they known Luo Chen possessed such talent, had they supported him from the start, would they ever have to worry again?

Houses and insurance money—could any of that compare to the significance of the young man before them?

He was a Platinum star on Stardust Platform! In a few years, they might not just move into a regular apartment but a villa.

Luo Song was no conservative old man; he understood perfectly well what being a Platinum star meant. The platform's stalwart, Huang Ying, reportedly earned millions annually and held the same Platinum Contract.

He had missed out on a golden opportunity for mere petty gains. Did he still need to work? He could have said goodbye to his wretched boss and enjoyed a comfortable retirement, rather than struggling as he did now.

He never imagined he would misjudge so badly. Luo Song knew that after falling out with the young man, reconciliation was likely impossible.

Who could have predicted that a boy, once burdened with debt and nearly out of options, would transform so dramatically in just a month?

"Don’t let this kid fool you! These newcomers must be accomplices—he’s surely staging this because he can’t pay his debts! A mere child, a Platinum streamer? Do you believe it? I certainly don’t!"

In contrast to Luo Song’s regret, Li Tong was far more vocal. If this turned out to be true, it would mean she and her husband had been fools. Ignoring a walking cash machine to chase after meager profits would soon make them the laughingstock among family and neighbors. How could she show her face?

She had to expose Luo Chen’s scheme and ruin his plot; she refused to believe he was capable of such achievements.

It had to be fake!

Despite the many holes in Li Tong’s argument, the creditors were slightly hesitant. Hearing about talented children elsewhere was one thing, but witnessing it firsthand always felt surreal.

"You all know about Professor Yuan Ning, right? The million-yuan donation from fans a few days ago—have you heard about that? That was Luo Chen and his sister’s doing. If you don’t believe it, once Luo Chen signs the contract, you’ll see him live in the stream. How could this possibly be a trick?" Han Yinglan scoffed at Li Tong’s desperate attempt, citing one event after another. Faced with such facts, there was no room for doubt.

"Yuan Ning? The professor from the news who was arrested?"

"I think I heard about that. They say a famous streamer exposed the evidence—could it have been this Luo Chen?"

"Incredible! I heard the million-yuan donation nearly crashed Stardust Platform's servers."

"How much money is that? At least two or three million, right?"

...

The recent headline-making events were widely known. Anyone online was aware, and with these familiar proofs plus the impossibility of faking a livestream, nobody doubted anymore.

Confronted with such irrefutable evidence, Li Tong could do nothing but sit powerless on the sofa. She met her husband’s gaze; the only emotion left between them was regret.

Had they really made a mistake back then?

Thanks to readers Senluo Yeck and Shisi Nai for their generous donation of 1,000 Starting Point coins; to The Strongest Chubby and Low-Key Confident Brother for their donation of 600 Starting Point coins; to Lonely Heart of the Deep Sea and Greedy Jelly for their donation of 300 Starting Point coins; to the reader Midnight Snow? for their donation of 200 Starting Point coins; and to readers I Am the New Generation of Three-Good Youth, Xiao Xiao Ming, Fallen Character, Ink from the Eight Clouds Family, Devoted Reader, and Emperor of the Way of Books for their donation of 100 Starting Point coins. Thanks also to sYe Ai An for their donation of 10 Starting Point coins—throwing flowers. Finally, as always, please recommend and bookmark!