"Xiaolan..."
Watching Lin Hao and the others leave, Yu Xueqing looked longingly at the little fox and said, "Our food budget will double tomorrow. I'll make sure you eat well."
The story of Grandma Hedgehog and Lin Hao was like tossing the viewers' worldview on the ground and trampling it repeatedly for Ah Qing and the viewers in the live stream.
Compared to Grandma Hedgehog's living standards, pet videos across the internet showcasing pets eating bluefin tuna or top-grade Wagyu beef are not even close.
The only one that might match the golden hedgehog is that legendary German Shepherd known as "Gunther IV."
Especially when Ah Qing curiously asked if Lin Hao and the others weren't hot wearing suits in the summer?
Lin Hao's answer was simple and natural: "It's usually not too hot. Our Lord White Fairy always visits places with air conditioning, so suits are just right. If we wore colorful clothes, how could we emphasize Lord White Fairy's elegant and noble aura?"
Lin Hao, though not explicitly stating it, indirectly admitted that they wore suits not out of preference.
One reason for their suits was merely to serve as a background, highlighting Grandma Hedgehog's dignified aura and her majestic presence.
"Don't compare meaningless things. Those businesses are written in the criminal law, where a village takes turns going to jail for returns. Do you have that many relatives?"
Seeing Ah Qing looking a bit dry, like a flower wilted under the scorching sun, Ansheng couldn't help but find it amusing. Ansheng jumped back onto Ah Qing's shoulder and said:
"They have their casinos and grand ventures, while we have our Tea Mountain. Later, I'll develop a few staple teas for our family. Although we won't be as wealthy as the golden hedgehog, by 35, you should reach the local standard of wealth freedom."
'Master, master? Are you unhappy? Will Foxy keep performing tea brewing to make you happy? Master, master, cheer up a bit, okay! Foxy is a bit worried about you.'
The words of comfort from the little fox, after being processed through Yu Xueqing's brain translator, seemed slightly distorted, but were still generally faithful and elegant.
"I'm fine..."
Ah Qing glanced at the little fox, who tilted its head and looked back at her. Ah Qing smiled, barely shaking off the impact the hedgehog's lavish lifestyle had on her worldview, and regained her cheerful nature, saying:
"Let's go! Continue earning food money for Foxy! Next, I'll take everyone to see the tea competition."
Ah Qing continued to wander around the tea competition without intentionally discussing tea as she normally would. She dove wherever there was excitement and occasionally chatted about sparrows and king cobras passing by.
Despite many viewers in the live stream sending comments urging Ah Qing to tail Lin Hao and the golden hedgehog and check if he's bragging.
Confronted with the viewers' requests, Ah Qing didn't choose to comply.
Lin Hao behaved quite politely.
But he gave Ah Qing a feeling somewhat akin to Uncle Ah Chu from the village in the past.
Uncle Ah Chu was jailed for breaking the law, involved in dozens of cases, his files weighing hundreds of pounds, with many linked to demolition, all ended in prison.
Ah Qing remembered Uncle Ah Chu clearly.
At dawn, police arrived with riot gear and guns, capturing many in the village.
Lin Hao made Ah Qing feel like Uncle Ah Chu.
Once in court, the minimum sentence starts at ten years.
......
Ah Qing wandered the tea competition with the little fox and the viewers from the live stream.
The number of followers in the live stream surged due to the fox brewing tea and the golden hedgehog, going from barely a thousand to thirteen thousand in one morning.
This growth was also due to Mo Yiqing's efforts, using her financial power to help Ah Qing stay atop the morning outdoors category's trending list.
At noon.
Ah Qing closed the live stream, promising to meet viewers and fans in the afternoon, and hastily returned to her tea stall.
"Momo, stop spending so much, I'm scared..." Ah Qing hurried back to her tea stall, immediately hugged Mo Yiqing, saying, "How much did you spend boosting my popularity? I'll pay you back once I earn money."
"Gosh! Why say such distant things."
Mo Yiqing rolled her eyes and said, "If you truly want to repay, strive to become a big streamer and help promote our paint for free, that's enough."
"Waaah... Momo, you're really kind."
"Shoo, shoo, don't try to take advantage of me. I'm just worried you might starve the little fox. But speaking of which, your little fox is indeed talented! Even charmed the wealthy hedgehog..."
"Squee..."
Ansheng smiled with a mysterious grin, unwilling to speak.
Wealthy hedgehog?
If only you'd seen its flamboyant nature, spouting fancy words non-stop; if not for An's skills in cough remedies, it would be hard to handle.
...
The first day of the tea competition ended.
The first day of the tea competition was bustling, with many tea enthusiasts and traders arriving in Changxi Town.
However, strictly speaking, today isn't really the tea competition; it's just the registration deadline.
All competing teas have been submitted to the contest committee for the initial selection and repackaging.
The initial selection involves removing teas that don't meet competition standards and then anonymizing the qualifying teas for repackaging.
Starting tomorrow, those repackaged teas will be displayed in the tea competition area, brewed by official tea masters, for all visitors to taste and score.
The public scoring doesn't require expertise.
It's more about whether the tea's flavor is accepted by the masses rather than professional assessment.
Award-winning teas are great and can be sold at high prices.
Yet, historically, those with the highest public scores in the tea competition tend to be the best sellers.
Tomorrow is also a prime time for tea traders to focus on and capture tea farmers.
Despite the committee's repackaging, can't the tea farmers recognize their own tea?
By finding high-scorers, traders might get top-quality teas from farmers at lower prices.
At night.
After bathing, Ansheng naturally said to Ah Qing, "I'm going out for some fun, will be back for sleep later, remember to leave the window open for me!"
"Come back early to rest! We need to get up early for the live stream tomorrow, you promised the viewers to help choose tea." Ah Qing smiled, patted the little fox, indicating he should go and return quickly.
Ah Qing's previous live streams were selling tea.
There were quite a few tea enthusiasts in the live stream today. After seeing the little fox's brewing method, although some thought Ah Qing's stream was scripted, viewers went silent after seeing her handle the king cobra.
Many viewers wanted the little fox to act as a cyber judge for tomorrow's competition when the stream ended this morning.
They hoped for it to identify the top three in the tea area.
The viewers might not understand tea, but they do know how to seek excitement.
"What's there to choose? They don't buy even if they choose." Ansheng grumbled a bit, slipping out through the window.
Ansheng wandered over to Lin Ying's house, planning to invite her along to the Hai Linglong.
Meanwhile, borrowing Lin Ying's phone to send a message to Old Chen.
Let him know today's victory in the parade was thanks to the bearers' efforts and dedication, tonight's celebration at Hai Linglong, all expenses charged to Ansheng's account.
No worries, everyone can just order freely. Master Fox controls Hai Linglong's lifeline; they wouldn't dare defy.
"Congratulations, Master Fox. Your tea-brewing live stream and interaction video with the hedgehog are now trending on the Music Platform."
Ansheng arrived at Lin Ying's house, only to be greeted by her, picking him up to congratulate.
"Squee?" Ansheng looked puzzled at Lin Ying.
I... trending? What trending? Can our Ah Qing's traffic really trend?