105: Do I have to hand over my phone to buy a cup of lemon tea?

While the financial channel on TV offers one-way content, the online version of the program is more like a live broadcast. When the footage is transmitted to the live stream, Yan Bingbing can see audience feedback in real-time through mobile bullet comments.

Sure enough, with the launch of the new program, the online financial channel immediately attracted a lot of attention from viewers.

"Yan Bingbing? The reporter in charge of the new program is actually Yan Bingbing, that popular beauty influencer recently?! The production team really went all out this time!"

"Hahahahaha, with my goddess Bingbing in charge, I'm definitely following this show."

"With Yan Bingbing, there's no need to worry about the show's ratings. The director certainly knows how to cast."

"undercover visit 630, this show sounds interesting. Is it a live record of reporters' private investigations and interviews? If some shocking secret is revealed, holy crap, just thinking about it is exciting!"

"But where is Goddess Bingbing? Why does it look like there are street stalls everywhere?"

Yan Bingbing had completely entered her role by this point.

She was completely bundled up, and after getting out of the car, she didn't immediately rush into the residential complex. Instead, she took out her phone and walked towards a small convenience store on the street.

"Welcome everyone to undercover visit 630!"

"I'm Yan Bingbing, your frontline undercover reporter today!"

"Right now, I am outside a large public rental housing complex in Chongqing. Today, we are going to conduct an on-site undercover visit to understand the real living conditions of the people residing here."

"As you can see, it's not even evening yet, but the street leading to the complex is already filled with all sorts of small stalls."

"I believe, like me, this is your first time seeing so many small stalls on the roadside in broad daylight. Soon, we'll start by interviewing the residents around here to get their opinions on these vendors."

Yan Bingbing spoke softly through her Bluetooth earpiece, and her words were still clearly audible in the program.

"Indeed, this is too outrageous. I heard Chongqing really promotes the street stall economy, but don't stalls usually set up on the side of the road? This is my first time seeing them in the middle of a main road."

"Holy crap, that's really something! What are the local urban management officers doing? If this dared to appear downstairs from my home, I'd call to report it in a minute!"

"Reporting depends on whether it affects the residents of the complex. If even the owners don't mind, and it's such a remote place, the urban management officers won't be eager to come."

"Makes sense! Let's hear what the surrounding residents have to say first."

Watching the active interaction from the audience on her phone, Yan Bingbing felt a surge of energy, as if she had been injected with adrenaline.

She walked into the convenience store, pretending to pick out snacks while discreetly asking the middle-aged owner for information.

"Boss, I see the street is packed with stalls in broad daylight, it's even hard to get into the complex. What's going on here?"

When the boss mentioned this, he was also fuming.

"Tell me about it! I don't know who started it."

"Before, I could drive my car directly into the complex when I came home. Now, these vendors, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, have completely blocked it off."

"I've called to complain and report so many times, but no one ever comes to deal with it!"

Yan Bingbing's eyes lit up.

"So, these small vendors weren't here before, but suddenly appeared all at once on a certain day?"

The convenience store owner squinted at Yan Bingbing, whose face was completely covered, hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice and said softly,

"That's right! I don't know what's going on!"

"The key is, when they set up their stalls, it feels like they're organized and disciplined. I've seen it in other places before! Many people would argue fiercely, even fight, to get a good spot."

Yan Bingbing blinked her bright, clear eyes and continued to inquire with interest.

"And them?"

The convenience store owner looked up, her gaze seemingly lost in thought.

"They, this group of people, never seem to have had such a situation."

"Besides being very harmonious, I feel like many times they act as if they've all agreed — they set up together, and they pack up together! I've never seen them have a conflict."

A hint of surprise showed in Yan Bingbing's eyes behind her sunglasses.

"Boss, are you implying you suspect they are an organized, disciplined street vendor squad?"

The convenience store owner waved her hand.

"I don't know about that, but I really don't like those vendors."

"I remember last time I went to buy some fried potatoes, and I saw them selling potatoes that were already burnt! I really don't know who would be such a sucker to patronize their business."

"Even if you do patronize their business, it'll be so bad you won't want to talk."

She left the convenience store.

Yan Bingbing adjusted her Bluetooth earpiece and began to speak.

"After our random roadside investigation just now, it seems these suddenly appearing stalls have another, very mysterious story behind them."

"Now, I'll take everyone to investigate the specific situation on-site."

After saying that, she strode towards the complex.

One step, two steps, three steps... She didn't know why.

The moment Yan Bingbing stepped into the area of the street food stalls, she suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of pressure.

It was like a little white rabbit had stumbled into a wolf's den. And, as soon as she entered the den, she was immediately fixed by countless pairs of eyes.

No way, she was dressed so inconspicuously, yet she was still noticed?

She passed the skewer stall, the fried rice stall, and then, as she walked past a hand-beaten lemon tea stall, Yan Bingbing's steps abruptly halted.

The stall owner was a middle-aged man, 1.85 meters tall, holding a short metal rod made of an unknown material, furiously smashing lemons.

His arm muscles bulged, like a hard block of bread.

Yan Bingbing was startled by his sudden shout.

"Hey! Need some lemon tea?"

"In the scorching summer, a cup of 'Beat the Scumbag' lemon green tea is delicious and refreshing!"

Yan Bingbing, still shaken, waved her hand.

"Tha-thanks, no need, boss."

To her surprise, upon hearing this, the stall owner not only didn't let her leave but suddenly became unhappy.

His gaze was fixed intently on Yan Bingbing, hidden behind her mask, her face full of anger.

"Madam, you absolutely need to try a cup!"

"'Beat the Scumbag Green'! It's really delicious! Have a cup!"

Yan Bingbing looked at the metal smashing rod clutched in the stall owner's hand and swallowed hard.

"Then, then I'll have one..."

"That's right! Madam, please wait a moment, I'll make it for you right away."

"Oh, my QR code for payment is malfunctioning. Can you give me your phone so I can scan the code myself?"

Yan Bingbing's eyes widened at her words, looking at the stall owner in front of her in disbelief, her mind filled with question marks.

Seriously, buying a cup of lemon tea at a street stall now requires handing over your phone?

Is this how business is done these days?