50: The essence of the little devil

Yu Heng's eyelid twitched. Did this little girl listen to the whole thing from upstairs before coming down?

Just as he was about to say something else, Qin Ya turned and walked out.

Watching them leave, Yu Heng closed the door. The scent of Qin Lu's perfume still lingered in the living room.

It wasn't strong, but it was quite alluring.

How did that little girl know what a Covered Rice Dish was?

Never mind. Judging by her reaction, she probably wouldn't mention anything to Qin Lu.

Yu Heng leaned back on the sofa, pulled out his phone, and checked the time.

9:20 PM.

Bai Xinran usually streamed until ten, but since today was her first day back to work, she probably wouldn't drag it out too long.

He got up and went to the kitchen, grabbed a can of Coke from the fridge, pulled the tab, and took a big gulp.

Today had been busy, starting from 8 AM, then the basketball game, and finally sitting with Qin Lu for three hours.

He wasn't tired, but it was mentally exhausting.

Especially that staring contest with Qin Lu.

He walked upstairs and turned on the computer Qin Ya used.

He glanced at the backend data; it was still accessible.

Today, there were two new Captains and a few gifts worth over a hundred yuan, totaling almost five hundred.

Not bad, steady growth.

But compared to Bai Xinran... there was no comparison.

Yu Heng pulled out his phone and clicked into Bai Xinran's livestream room.

Given Bai Xinran's momentum today, the revenue was easily over twenty thousand.

He went downstairs and happened to run into Bai Xinran, who was wearing a nightgown and leaving after ending her stream.

"Oh, the Boss is still here?" Bai Xinran walked over to the sofa. "I thought you went home already."

Yu Heng glanced at her legs.

The nightgown only reached the base of her thighs; anything higher would expose everything.

"I just saw Qin Ya and them off," Yu Heng said. "Why did you end your stream so early? It's only a little past nine-thirty."

"I'm tired," Bai Xinran yawned. "I just recovered from being sick, so I can't push myself too hard. Slow and steady wins the race."

She paused, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, guess how much revenue I made today?"

"How much?"

"A new record," Bai Xinran's eyes sparkled. "Thirty-two thousand!"

Yu Heng raised an eyebrow. "That much?"

"The Bosses knew I was sick and all said they wanted to cover my medical expenses," Bai Xinran counted on her fingers. "One new Boss directly gifted five thousand yuan."

Yu Heng cracked a smile.

This skin really knows how to rake in the cash.

"Your medical expenses are higher than most people's annual salaries," Yu Heng teased. "Why don't you stay sick for a few more days?"

"Get lost," Bai Xinran kicked his shin. "I don't rely on pity."

The kick wasn't hard; it was just a tap.

But Yu Heng still felt her foot was cold.

"No socks," Yu Heng said. "Just recovered, and you want to go back to the infirmary?"

"Mind your own business," Bai Xinran pulled her feet back onto the sofa. "I feel like it."

Yu Heng didn't reply, pondering the matter of the skin.

Bai Xinran's data proved the power of a custom skin.

Qin Ya using a free skin and managing to attract Captains was already good, but if she wanted to advance, she needed a private skin.

"What are you thinking about?" Bai Xinran asked.

"I'm thinking about getting a skin made for Qin Ya too," Yu Heng said. "She's been streaming pretty well these past couple of days, gaining two more Captains today."

Bai Xinran nodded: "It definitely needs changing. A free skin has no recognition. Look at my skin—you put it out there, and everyone knows it's Night Lingyuan."

She looked smug as she said this, but it was true.

A custom skin wasn't just for looks; it was for uniqueness.

"How much did you spend on your skin back then?" Yu Heng asked.

"Over ten thousand," Bai Xinran said. "If you get one for Qin Ya, it will probably be around the same price."

Over ten thousand.

It was acceptable, not too much, and similar to the market rate years later.

He hadn't touched much of the five hundred thousand yuan he had on hand yet.

This small investment was worthwhile.

Even if Qin Ya stopped streaming later, the skin could be used to recruit a new Internal Performer.

Unlike Bai Xinran, her skin belonged to her.

Once the skin was made for Qin Ya, it would be best to sign a contract and follow the Corporate Model.

Base salary plus commission. Should the base salary be 3,000?

And the commission be 15% or 20%?

Bai Xinran asked again: "Then what kind of skin are you planning to design for her? Does it also need to be a bit 'spicy'?"

"It definitely needs to be spicy," Yu Heng said, "but it must be in the Mesugaki style."

"Mesugaki..." Bai Xinran pondered. "That's just a loli fantasy, right? How can that be spicy? Their chests are flat."

"Tsk, who says lolis have to be flat?" Yu Heng said. "What about a Baby Face Big Boobs?"

"I don't get it." Bai Xinran pouted and tugged her nightgown down. "I've only heard of this Mesugaki you're talking about; I don't really know what it's like."

Yu Heng leaned back against the sofa: "Simply put, the essence of the Mesugaki lies in the desire for conquest."

"Desire for conquest?" Bai Xinran tilted her head, her hair falling over her shoulders. "What do you mean?"

"Mhm," Yu Heng placed the can on the coffee table. "Think about it: a little loli who clearly needs a good spanking, constantly challenging you during streams, saying things like, 'That's it?' 'No way, no way, did that break you?' 'Are you even capable, Uncle?'"

Bai Xinran couldn't help but laugh as she listened to him imitate that irritating tone. "Won't she get scolded for that?"

"No, she won't," Yu Heng shrugged. "She can't be genuinely annoying; she has to find a balance between arrogance and cuteness. Besides, the ones who stick around in the stream are into that kind of thing."

"Moreover, clashing with the bullet comments is more likely to generate traffic. The more provocative she is, the more feedback she'll get. And this clash isn't just simple cursing."

"How so?"

"For instance, if you just call someone an idiot, they probably won't respond. But if you hit a nerve, they will debate you."

"For example?"

"For instance, you could say that people who read Lewd Books won't amount to anything."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Then the Great Scholars will come to debate scriptures with you!"

"Pfft..." Bai Xinran blinked. "And then?"

"Then you keep clashing with the audience, making them want to educate her even more," Yu Heng grinned. "It's not just verbal suppression, but physical too."

"Physical?" Bai Xinran raised an eyebrow. "You don't mean..."

"It's about triggering the fans' impulse to think, 'I absolutely must put this little girl in her place and make her submit.'" Yu Heng smiled and said, "It's not just about convincing them verbally, but also physically."

"Tsk, you pervert!" Bai Xinran scolded playfully.

Then, after thinking for a moment, she suddenly stood up and walked over to Yu Heng.

She was 1.7 meters tall, and with her standing and Yu Heng sitting, she was genuinely looking down at him.

"Like this?" She put her hands on her hips and deliberately raised her chin. "You little thing, you? You think you're worthy of challenging me, Miss?"

Yu Heng looked up at her, barely suppressing a laugh.

The girl was acting quite convincingly.

But he said aloud, "No, your aura is too strong. A Mesugaki is all bluster; deep down, she's very timid."

"How should I act then?" Bai Xinran lowered her hands.

"The tone must be arrogant, but the gaze needs to be shifty," Yu Heng stood up as well, now looking down at Bai Xinran. "See, like now."

He took a small step forward.

Bai Xinran subconsciously took half a step back.

"Yes, that reaction," Yu Heng chuckled. "Brave with the mouth, but cowardly with the body."

"Who's cowardly? I just lost my footing." Bai Xinran rolled her eyes. "I get it now. You look proper, but you've done a lot of research into this improper stuff."

"That's called market demand," Yu Heng said without changing his expression. "Just tell me, is your revenue high when you stream like this or not?"

Hearing that, Bai Xinran pursed her lips and didn't refute it. It was indeed high—she had earned enough in one day to pay for a skin.

She thought to herself that although her allowance wasn't low, she didn't have a huge desire for money at this stage.

But she liked the feeling of being busy, achieving small successes, and being recognized; it felt fulfilling and satisfying.

Besides, who doesn't like more money!

She still had many things to spend the money on, and many packages were already on the way!

She would have to open them when Yu Heng wasn't around.

"Alright, alright, I won't argue with you anymore," Bai Xinran got up from the sofa. "I'm going to change and head back to the dorm!"

"Then I'll wait for you for a bit, and we can go back together!"