Xu Man had not expected that trying to gain traffic would attract a mob of anti-fans. She realized then that Cheng Xiaofan occupied a powerful position in the hearts of his fans.
To avoid further baseless abuse, Xu Man reluctantly withdrew the live stream video.
No one could be blamed for this; the internet was like this. She could only attribute it to her insufficient experience in live streaming, having touched upon a sensitive nerve for the fans.
However, this phenomenon was a great boon for the live streaming platform!
In the future, Cheng Xiaofan would undoubtedly be a cash cow for the company!
After lunch, Xu Man, accompanied by Fang Ming, went to Cheng Xiaofan's home to negotiate and sign the contract.
Cheng Xiaofan picked up the contract and reviewed it, finding no major issues.
However, the clause stating that for every download of Cheng Xiaofan's videos, the audience would have to pay twenty yuan to the platform made him frown. He asked, "Isn't this fee a bit high?"
"High?"
Fang Ming was surprised that Cheng Xiaofan would find the price too high. Others would have gladly doubled it, considering the fifty-fifty split; the more money involved, the higher the profit share for the streamer.
"Mr. Cheng, this price is not high at all."
"If anything is high, it's the quality of your live stream videos, Mr. Cheng, which are downloaded in large quantities. Compared to that, I find this price even a bit low!"
"Besides, we will have regular promotional activities for our long-term fans."
Hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan said nothing more.
After the contract was signed, Fang Ming and Xu Man prepared to leave. Miao Xiuhua, however, brought out two large bundles of cabbage and a big basket of "fruit ginseng" from the backyard. She hurried over, saying, "Xu Man, don't rush off. This cabbage and these radishes are new varieties personally cultivated by my son. Take some back to try!"
Upon hearing his mother's words, Cheng Xiaofan broke into a cold sweat.
She always referred to the fruit ginseng as radishes.
He suspected that the cabbage and fruit ginseng in the backyard were almost depleted due to her efforts.
Looking at the abundance of cabbage and "radishes," Xu Man, who hadn't wanted them initially, as such items were readily available in the provincial capital's markets, said, "Auntie, you're too kind. Giving so much, both Fang Uncle and I can't eat it all!"
"How about this, we'll take a smaller portion back to try!"
Miao Xiuhua anxiously replied, "Xu Man, Auntie likes you. Treat this place like your own home. Just take all this cabbage and these radishes!"
"Thank you, Auntie. We really can't carry so much!" Xu Man politely declined.
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't bear to watch any longer and said to his mother, "Mom, they don't need that much. Can you please not force them to take it back?"
Faced with such an overgenerous mother, he felt like banging his head against a wall.
Xu Man symbolically took a small amount of cabbage and "radishes," placed them in the car, said goodbye to Miao Xiuhua and Cheng Xiaofan, and drove away.
"Xiaofan, this girl, just like Xue Yun and Xin Yue, is truly beautiful. She'd make a wonderful daughter-in-law!" Miao Xiuhua said with a beaming smile.
Cheng Xiaofan nearly fainted on the spot.
Had his mother gone mad for a daughter-in-law?
"My dear mother, please don't jump to conclusions. I have no relationship with Xu Man. This was our first meeting today; we are at most ordinary friends!"
Cheng Xiaofan said, feeling on the verge of tears.
Miao Xiuhua pouted, her conversational skills instantly leveling up to ten: "Xiaofan, don't try to hide it from me. I've been around the block, and my eyes are sharp. The girl rested her fair chin on your shoulder. You two are definitely not just ordinary friends!"
Sigh.
Cheng Xiaofan felt he couldn't explain any further to his mother.
He blamed Xu Man entirely. Did she really need to do that just to gain traffic?
This was a remote, old-fashioned village, not the city!
"Mom, I'm not talking to you anymore. I need to go to the back mountain!" Cheng Xiaofan fled out the door, afraid to say more to his mother.
Luo Changsheng and Cheng Fugui were still discussing the construction of the fish pond at the banquet table.
The construction of the fish pond had already begun, and they were planning how to make the dam more robust. However, these were no longer Cheng Xiaofan's concerns.
As for the table occupied by Po Tian Ying and Tao Qi Bao, it had long been cleared of dishes, and their occupants were nowhere to be seen. They had likely eaten their fill and returned to the back mountain.
"Xiaofan, where are you going?"
Luo Changsheng asked with a smile as he saw Cheng Xiaofan approach.
Ding Xiaofan smiled and replied, "Grandpa Luo, I'm going to the back mountain to take a look!"
Luo Changsheng said, "Xiaofan, look at this banquet; everyone will be feasting until dark. You shouldn't go to the back mountain. Come and have some fun with everyone!"
Cheng Fugui seconded, "Xiaofan, listen to your grandfather and rest for the afternoon!"
Ding Xiaofan smiled, "Dad, no need. I have other matters to attend to!"
Upon arriving at the back mountain, Ding Xiaofan received a call from Han Jie: "Mr. Cheng, I've received the Happy Fruit you sent!"
"The imported taste of this fruit is truly wonderful. After eating one, I feel an indescribable sense of comfort!"
"Mr. Cheng, can't you mass-produce this Happy Fruit?"
Hearing this, Ding Xiaofan smiled, "Mr. Han, I am still in the exploratory phase with this Happy Fruit. If it can be mass-produced, I will inform you!"
"Great, thank you very much, Mr. Cheng!"
...
Fang Ming and Xu Man were heading towards the provincial capital.
Halfway there, Xu Man glanced at the cabbage and "fruit ginseng" piled beside her and said to Fang Ming, "Women in the countryside are truly hospitable. I didn't expect Cheng Xiaofan's mother to insist on forcing a bunch of vegetables and radishes on us."
"She said they were new varieties cultivated by Cheng Xiaofan. I'm thirsty; let me taste one of these radishes," Fang Ming said.
These "radishes" had been thoroughly washed by Miao Xiuhua.
Xu Man picked up a fruit ginseng and handed it to Fang Ming.
"Ah..."
Fang Ming took the "radish" and took a bite, exclaiming and displaying a peculiar expression.
Xu Man asked in surprise, "Uncle Fang, what's wrong?"
Fang Ming, too engrossed to respond, slowly chewed. A fragrant aroma filled his mouth and reached his heart. After swallowing the juice, a slight bitterness lingered on his lips, mingled with a rich ginseng flavor.
This bitterness stimulated his saliva and brought a warm current to his body, transforming into a surge of strength.
After a while, Fang Ming finally said to Xu Man, "Xu Man, this is no radish at all! It's more like ginseng than ginseng. Unlike regular ginseng, it's fragrant and sweet, incredibly delicious. After a few chews, there's no residue left!"
"Assistant Xu, quickly take one and try it!"
Xu Man, filled with doubt, took a fruit ginseng and bit into it.
"Oh... Ah!"
Just like Fang Ming, she also exclaimed.
This was definitely not a radish!
At that moment, Xu Man deeply regretted not accepting all the cabbage and "radishes" Miao Xiuhua had offered her.
She was convinced that this cabbage was also extraordinary.
Why had she refused back then?
Was it simply because the cabbage and "radishes" looked too ordinary?
She had refused to accept so much cabbage and "radishes" in front of Cheng Xiaofan. She couldn't possibly go back and ask for them now.
Xu Man finally realized she was too young and lacked experience in dealing with people. It was too late for regrets.
What kind of person was Cheng Xiaofan?
There were so many mysteries surrounding him!