Chapter 58: Draw a Few Fans for Me
The cruise ship accident stirred up a massive commotion, and Chi Qian and Chi Fengxiao’s livestream shot to the top of the trending charts. Phone notifications flooded nonstop.
The variety show Escape, the Idol’s Way exploded in popularity overnight.
Some people tried to dig up evidence that the livestream had been faked, to prove it was all just scripted.
Not long after, the authorities issued an official statement, personally commending Chi Qian, Chi Fengxiao, and Tang Xin.
With that, the noisy black fans and trolls immediately went silent.
Qian Qian’s fans: Did… did our idol just drag us into a win? (obediently eating melon seeds)
Fengxiao’s fans: My brother basically turned into sister Qian’s leg pendant today (relieved expression)
Actress fans: Our dear Xin Xin is finally shining! If Lili knew, she’d definitely be so proud!
Talent agencies scrambled to sign Chi Qian, everyone eyeing this money tree.
Brands began contacting Brother Zhao, expressing strong interest in collaborating with her.
Meanwhile, Chi Lisen received a phone call from the Oceanic Bureau.
On the other end, the voice was earnest and respectful, asking if Chi Qian could join them in contributing to marine conservation efforts.
Chi Lisen: …
Is it possible that his kid still isn’t even legally an adult?
Chi Qian: “They said we should wait here a bit.”
“Okay.”
The three of them walked around the little island.
It was really tiny—you could circle the whole place in under ten minutes.
Suddenly Chi Qian stopped.
“What’s wrong?” Chi Fengxiao turned his head.
“I haven’t had my nap today. I’m sleepy.”
Chi Fengxiao’s mouth twitched. Honestly, no matter where she went, she never changed her habits.
Even thunder and lightning couldn’t stop her from taking a nap.
While grumbling, he still skillfully gathered a pile of leaves and spread them out, so she wouldn’t dirty her clothes.
Tang Xin thought for a moment, then went into the woods.
The second Chi Qian lay down, she fell asleep instantly.
Chi Fengxiao used his hat to fan her, his hand never stopping even though he was drowsy too.
[Never thought my steel straight-man of a brother could be this gentle]
[Wait, wasn’t the movie emperor always gentle?]
[Gentle? Him? Don’t make me laugh. This guy’s famous for “taking on heaven, earth, and fresh air.” A female actress once tried to throw herself into his arms and said she was hot—he dumped a glass of ice water on her head and asked if she felt cooler now.]
[Guess Qian Qian is the leash that keeps the mad dog from going rabid. As long as she’s around, he won’t go feral.]
Chi Fengxiao thought spreading leaves for Chi Qian was already spoiling her too much.
But Tang Xin topped him.
She came back carrying a bunch of wild fruits from the woods, saying they’d make a nice afternoon snack for when Qian Qian woke up.
Chi Fengxiao sighed. At this rate, they were going to pamper her into becoming a total little waste.
He turned his head—and froze at what he saw on the ocean.
Chi Qian was pushed awake.
“Qian Qian, bad news! We’re surrounded by sharks!”
“?”
The sea surface was full of shark fins, enough to make anyone’s heart stop.
Chi Qian went closer and realized—it was that same group of great white sharks.
The lead shark flipped a manta ray onto the shore.
Then came a sea turtle, ribbonfish, king crab, giant prawns…
Soon the beach was piled high with fresh seafood, more variety than any all-you-can-eat buffet.
And most importantly—fresh!
White Shark Boss: “Eat.”
Chi Qian blinked. “Thank you.”
White Shark Boss: “If it’s not enough, just call my brothers. This sea is mine.”
And then—the two orcas came back.
Only to find their “house” had been robbed.
Orca #1 cursed: “Say that again? Who owns this sea? You think I’m invisible?!”
Orca #2: “Sneaking around flattering big sis while we were gone—how dare you! A bunch of home-wrecking concubines! If this palace weren’t here, you’d all just be lowly side consorts!”
Orca #1: “Get ‘em!”
Chi Qian watched as the orcas plunged into the water with a huge splash, beating the sharks senseless while chasing them away.
Only when there wasn’t a single shark shadow left did they swim back.
Orca #1: “Sister, don’t be fooled by those scheming, stinky sharks. They just want to seduce you!”
Orca #2: “Exactly! Do they even know how old they are? Why should you be with them? Because they’re old? Because they’re ugly?”
Chi Qian decided… maybe silence was best.
After all, she’d already accepted the seafood.
The orcas then said they wanted to take her shell-picking, and led the three of them to a beach.
Chi Qian imagined shells: small, cute ones.
What the orcas meant by shells: giant pearl oysters.
Countless pearl oysters were hidden under the reef.
The livestream chat went wild again.
Who could watch this and not go crazy?!
Forget the pearls, people just loved shells!
Chi Qian and the others used a fishing net to haul up a mountain of pearl oysters, then sat on the sand opening “blind boxes.”
Each oyster had pearls of different size and quality, adding to the gambling thrill.
After all, if people can gamble on durians, why not pearls?
Dozens of oysters later, they had a little mountain of pearls—each round, plump, lustrous white, with the occasional pink or peacock green treasure mixed in.
Chi Fengxiao muttered, “So many pearls… the fans watching this livestream must be drooling.”
“Uncle, you’ve shot commercials now. You must have a lot of fans, right?”
“Not really. Not as many as you.” Chi Fengxiao lied through his teeth.
Chi Qian was stunned. “I have fans too?”
Tang Xin blushed. “Yes. Lots. I even follow you.”
Chi Fengxiao chuckled. “What, you don’t go online?”
“Uh-huh. I’m busy. No time for the internet.” Chi Qian thought to herself—busy eating, drinking, and practicing mystical health routines.
Chi Fengxiao poked her forehead. “You ungrateful brat. You have ten million followers on Weibo. Your fandom is called the ‘Qian Qian Pinks.’” (TN: Pinks = ‘Fen’ = Fans)
“Actually, I prefer yellow and green.” Chi Qian said sincerely.
Yellow—as in literal yellow.
Green—as in turtle-shell green.
Chi Fengxiao: “With ten million fans, shouldn’t you give them some kind of benefit?”
Chi Qian thought about it. “How about a giveaway?”
“What are you giving away?”
“Uh… free raffle to pick a few fans… and I’ll draw them a meal?”
