Chapter Fourteen: Every Family Has Its Troubles

Cheng Guanzhi rubbed his brow, exhausted after just implementing the new streaming mechanism. "The company’s idea is to use your background to clear your name, so you can earn sympathy points. Isn’t that better than just being insulted?"

Lin Ke hesitated. "But my parents... they’re not like that."

Cheng Guanzhi finally looked at Lin Ke, but with a gaze that seemed to see her as foolish. "I thought you had already accepted the image the company has packaged for you. At this point, what’s the use of still thinking about this? Your family lives thousands of miles away and won’t be exposed. If you don’t want to be harassed by thugs or yelled at in public, don’t entertain useless thoughts."

In truth, he genuinely cared for Lin Ke. Since she appeared on camera, it was far better for netizens to direct their anger at her virtual family than at her personally.

Lin Ke understood this clearly. "I’m sorry, I just—"

"Alright! Go back now!" Cheng Guanzhi was in no mood to listen further. "The company’s packaging plan for you has been approved. The tech department will cooperate, but you need to adjust your mindset."

Busy leaving work, Cheng Guanzhi didn’t say more. It was almost laughable—didn’t this girl say in her own videos that no one could succeed without weathering storms? True dream chasers are like that; they are willing to pay any price. The company was like that, and so was he. A newcomer wanting to stay untouched? Impossible.

“Darling, where’s Yao Yao?”

Cheng Guanzhi rarely got home before ten, which was his daughter’s bedtime. But today, rushing back early, he didn’t see her.

“She went to a classmate’s house to make some snacks and won’t be back tonight.”

“Which classmate? She’s only in third grade and already staying out overnight?”

His wife shot him a glare. “Beibei’s! Her best friend! She’s been over there many times. You never pay attention. Don’t worry, I messaged Beibei’s mom. The girls are fine.”

“Oh, Beibei. Got it. As long as it’s nothing wrong, I’ll play some games then.”

His wife hung up the clothes Cheng Guanzhi had casually tossed on the sofa, displeased. “You never pay any attention to the kids. The teachers say Yao Yao’s grades have dropped badly. She’s about to move up a grade—a critical point. What you build now will determine what kind of student she becomes.”

Cheng Guanzhi was distracted. "Third grade isn’t that hard. She’s just careless. When we were kids, no one cared, and we still grew up fine."

“Times have changed! Do you know how many extra classes other kids start from first grade?”

“Alright, alright, I get it. It’s different now. I’ll talk to her when I get back.”

His wife kept her thoughts to herself, but the sound of games from the small bedroom had already started.

Forget it.

Expecting anything from you is like expecting it from a pig.

...

Lin Ke hadn’t left the Breaking Cocoon Building.

She walked back to the first group’s lounge in a daze and sat on the sofa, scrolling through new notifications on the app one by one.

She should have been happy.

With this batch of traffic, even her previous videos about dream chasers, which had once gone unnoticed, suddenly exploded overnight, each gathering countless comments.

Putting content aside, those comments would make anyone envious. Although she couldn’t cash out based on traffic yet due to her guaranteed minimum salary, if this trend continued, surpassing 5,000 yuan would be only a matter of time.

Yet, for some reason, as Lin Ke looked at the small group of two or three dozen people who had unfollowed her, she couldn’t feel even a hint of joy.

She had watched each of them countless times before—back when she was a “positive energy” streamer with a small but loyal fanbase.

“Something wrong? Feeling uneasy?”

The night had deepened, yet Lin Ke still sat in the lounge. Unexpectedly, Selina appeared and approached her.

“D-Director.”

“Just call me Selina. Titles are just external. ” Selina gently pushed the startled Lin Ke back into her chair, smiling warmly and familiarly.

“Three days before the competition, your results are the best. Although your fanbase isn’t large, your popularity has soared, and your active followers have increased a lot. Do you know how many streamers wish for this all their lives? Why aren’t you happy?”

Lin Ke smiled bitterly. “It’s just... the insults are harsh.”

“Hey! That’s nothing.” Selina naturally took Lin Ke’s hand. “At the start, controversy is normal. People arguing for you means gaining fans, people watching you get scolded means fan abuse, people fighting over you means fan loyalty—it’s all routine.

To be honest, every seed streamer in the Hundred Butterflies Plan goes through this. But you’re the most successful. President Wang is very pleased with your results and has already informed the tech department to give you a special stream boost.

You can’t even imagine how powerful the Breaking Cocoon tech team’s traffic push is. Just wait to get rich overnight!”

“Thank you, Selina. I understand. It’s just that relying on this kind of start makes me feel a bit sorry for my family.”

Selina showed no trace of leadership airs, even though their ranks were worlds apart.

“Don’t worry about these early troubles. Only the unknown are truly humble. When you succeed, great scholars will defend your name! As for your family, I believe those who truly love you will only want you to get better and will understand your difficult choices.”

Lin Ke felt warmth in her heart.

She had to admit, the company truly treated her well. The tech staff, strangers who happened to meet, offered guidance; her supervisor cared not just about her work but also her mental state; the big boss personally planned her image despite a busy schedule; even her rent was loaned to her out of pocket by a leader...

Having entered such a company, what more could Lin Ke want?

“Thank you, Selina. I’m fine. I just need to adjust. I’ll work harder and do better.”

“All right, go home and rest. Pretty girls need good sleep to stay youthful forever~”

Selina coaxed Lin Ke into the elevator, then quickly messaged Wang Tianxia.

“President Wang, rest assured. It’s done.”

...

Stepping out of the Breaking Cocoon Building, the night breeze stole the last warmth. Lin Ke wrapped her coat tighter.

Her mood was somewhat better but still not entirely clear.

But Lin Ke knew one thing: she could never turn back.

The building behind her still blazed with lights; true dream chasers were still working through the night, though not in the dignified way she had once imagined.

No wonder no one watched her short videos before.

Now, even she didn’t want to watch them.

“Hi, Mom, I’m off work. Just left the office.”

Calling home, Lin Ke suppressed her gloom. “Mom, you’re worrying for nothing. What’s unsafe? The big city is always bright, no matter how late. Look, this is our company building. I’m considered early getting off work.”