"Siyi, did you really buy that bracelet?"
In the girls' dormitory.
A few girls gathered around Xu Siyi, admiring the gold bracelet she had just purchased.
"So, what do you think? Is it pretty?"
Xu Siyi put the bracelet on and flicked her wrist.
"It's beautiful. How much was it?"
"Not expensive, just a little over seven thousand."
Xu Siyi said it with an air of indifference.
That’s right.
The market price for this gold bracelet was indeed over seven thousand. The reason she only asked Jiang Chen for five thousand five was that she figured that simp didn't have any more money than that in his pocket.
"You really are willing to spend."
The girls expressed their envy.
Art students generally didn't come from poor backgrounds, but seven thousand was still a significant amount for them as juniors.
"I asked my family for it, too."
Xu Siyi smiled, not mentioning a word of Jiang Chen's "contribution."
"Your parents are so good to you. If I asked my parents for something this expensive, I’d definitely get a good scolding."
"Guo Ran, stop talking about that. You just bought cosmetics last week, and that cost a fair bit, didn't it?"
"Aren't cosmetics a necessity? Don't you buy them?"
"I don't insist on buying luxury brands."
"Alright, the person we should really be learning from is Shurui. She hasn't relied on her family for a long time; she's self-reliant."
Hearing this, Xu Siyi looked toward Li Shurui’s spot and found that she wasn't there.
"Where is Shurui?"
"She probably went back to her rented place. Everyone is gossiping about her and Jiang Chen today, so she’s probably annoyed and doesn't want to stay on campus."
By their junior year, school regulations were no longer as strict. Many students with the means rented apartments off-campus, either for the convenience of dating or simply for some peace and quiet.
Li Shurui rented a studio nearby, with a monthly rent of over three thousand.
"Shurui is truly impressive. She hasn't even been streaming for two months, and she already has over a hundred thousand followers. Who knows, she might become a big internet celebrity before she even graduates."
"Jingjing, aren't you filming videos every day too? How many followers do you have now?"
Clearly, Li Shurui’s success had shown these girls a shortcut to fame, and they all wanted to emulate her, but sometimes, people have different fates.
"I'm just filming for fun."
The girl looked a bit embarrassed.
After chatting for a while, the girls dispersed to attend to their own business.
After admiring her new bracelet for a while, Xu Siyi happily lifted her foot to apply nail polish. At the same time, she casually opened the Xingkong app to watch a stream.
After finishing one foot, she looked up and swiped the screen, eventually entering Li Shurui’s live stream room.
They all knew Li Shurui streamed on Xingkong, and they also knew she earned a considerable income from the app. They hadn't dared to ask exactly how much, but judging by her spending habits, one or two tens of thousands a month was definitely a given.
Jealousy is human nature.
Best friends are no exception.
Looking at the two thousand-plus viewers in the stream, Xu Siyi felt inexplicably irritated.
Then, she thought of that famous simp at school.
Although she knew full well that the simp couldn't possibly succeed, as long as he kept pestering Li Shurui, it would at least make her a laughingstock, right?
That simp seemed to have sent her a message this afternoon, too.
Thinking of this, Xu Siyi put her foot down and picked up her phone.
Not long after.
A fan named "Han Jiang Gu Ying" entered the live stream.
At this point, the number of viewers in Li Shurui’s room was approaching three thousand. The entry of "Han Jiang Gu Ying" was like throwing a pebble into the ocean; it didn't cause a single ripple.
Li Shurui was wearing a red dress, her long hair dark and glossy. She was already exceptionally beautiful, and with the help of beauty filters, she was no less stunning than a celebrity.
Moreover, she knew how to use her advantages; the camera angle showed her proud chest curves and the snow-white thighs peeking out from under the hem of her dress.
"So this is what a heartbeat feels like; it's like my heart was touched by static electricity."
"I strongly suggest the streamer doesn't go out when there's no need; it's easy to be followed by perverts. I lost track of one yesterday."
"If I could have a girlfriend like this, I'd be willing to live twenty years less."
"Keep dreaming. You don't even have a fan badge. How could Shurui ever look at a poor loser like you?"
While typing this, "Neihuanlu Wu Yanzu" sent a "Firework Tube."
A Firework Tube was a gift in the stream to show affection for the streamer, worth 200 Star Coins.
According to the ten-to-one exchange rate between Star Coins and RMB, one Firework Tube was equal to 20 RMB.
"Damn, twenty bucks? Who the hell are you trying to impress?"
The guy who had been insulted as a "poor loser" was immediately enraged and quickly sent a "Love Bicycle" worth 100 yuan.
Li Shurui continued to sing, turning a blind eye to the petty squabbles between her fans.
For a streamer, such conflicts were clearly a good thing, as gifts were an important part of their income.
The more gifts received, the higher the streamer's earnings.
"But the wind gradually, blows the distance so far away..."
Although her major was dance, Li Shurui’s singing was actually quite good. She sang "Sunny Day" effortlessly and with plenty of charm.
"Bu Cha Qian De Hao Shao" sent a "Private Jet."
As the song ended, a jet zoomed across everyone's screen in the stream.
A Private Jet was worth 5000 Star Coins, which was 500 RMB.
"Hao Shao is awesome!"
"Hao Shao is here!"
"It’s gotta be Hao Shao!"
Suddenly, a long string of flattery appeared in the chat.
Clearly, this "Hao Shao" was a celebrity in Li Shurui’s stream.
If one observed carefully, they would see that this "Bu Cha Qian De Hao Shao" was at the top of Li Shurui’s fan contribution list.
"Many thanks for the jet, Hao Shao."
Li Shurui didn't ignore him this time; she thanked him very earnestly with a charming smile.
For those who send gifts, isn't the goal to get the streamer's attention?
The onlookers were all excited, and the chat became even more active.
"Bu Cha Qian De Hao Shao" sent a "Yacht."
A yacht was 8888 Star Coins, worth nearly 900 yuan.
"Thank you for your support, Hao Shao. What song would you like to hear?"
Li Shurui was very professional. Although she was cold and arrogant at school, she had no airs when dealing with such wealthy, loyal fans, her smile as bright as a rose.
"Whatever, anything you sing sounds good."
Hao Shao replied.
The fans below kept typing out song titles, hoping to "pick up the scraps."
"Then I'll sing..."
Li Shurui was about to speak, but just then, a notification floated across the stream.
"Han Jiang Gu Ying" has become a Guardian for streamer "Shurui Sonya."
A Guardian, unlike a gift, was a form of support for the streamer. It was quite expensive—one thousand yuan a month—and required renewal upon expiration.
Therefore, one would only become a Guardian if they were very fond of the streamer.
However, the number of Guardians was often used to measure a streamer's "strength."
Li Shurui had 140,000 followers, but she only had about twenty Guardians.
Sending the occasional gift was harmless.
But spending so much money to become a Guardian with no practical benefit—that was either being a fool or being truly wealthy.