Chapter 84: The Popularity of QQ Gummies

Descending the stairs, Tang Zhichu trailed half a step behind Guo Jinglong. Guo Jinglong was busy greeting everyone from all directions, while Tang Zhichu bowed slightly from right to left in succession. Such is the way of newcomers in the entertainment industry.

"Mr. Shen!" Even from a distance, Tang Zhichu extended both hands. Shen Jianxin had already risen to wait for Tang Zhichu.

"Welcome, welcome to our Wildfire Alliance!" Shen Jianxin said with a hearty laugh.

They shook hands, and Tang Zhichu replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Shen."

"Oh, that's too much," Shen Jianxin said, patting Tang Zhichu’s shoulder and moving aside to offer him a seat.

Tang Zhichu didn't sit down immediately; he greeted several others first.

"Mr. Shen, I’ve been looping Brother Xi’s songs for quite some time. Mind if I sit with him?"

Shen Jianxin smiled, "As you wish, sit wherever you like."

Thus, Tang Zhichu took a seat at the far left of the back row, right beside the bald rapper Sig. Tang Zhichu addressed him as Brother Xi, the way fans did.

Next to Sig sat Yun Miao. Shen Jianxin’s invitation for Tang Zhichu to sit nearby wasn’t at all out of place, since both sides of him were occupied by newcomers.

"Did you recently participate in a dating show?" Yun Miao turned to ask as soon as Tang Zhichu sat down, beating Sig to the conversation.

Tang Zhichu nodded, "Yes, Sister Miao, please forgive my awkwardness."

Yun Miao’s face lit up with a smile; she had felt he looked familiar up close. "I watch every episode. Who did you pick in the end? Did things work out with Yangyang?"

Tang Zhichu hurriedly waved his hands. "Sister Miao, you’re putting me on the spot! Who else could I pick? I was completely bewildered on that show."

Sig listened to their exchange, surprised. "Man, you went on a dating show?"

"Oh, Brother Xi, you’re behind the times. That dating show is super popular right now. Chen Siyang—from the girl group Planet Girls—she went on, and even dated little Tang. I just watched episode four before coming here. Another female guest even invited him on a mini date. Little Tang’s quite the hot commodity!" Yun Miao explained enthusiastically to Sig.

Sig widened his eyes and lowered his voice, directing his question to Tang Zhichu, "You went on a date with Chen Siyang? The really gorgeous one? What show is that? I want to watch—I want a girl group girlfriend too!"

"No, don’t listen to Sister Miao exaggerate. I was really passive on the show, just a fringe character," Tang Zhichu replied softly.

Perhaps it was Tang Zhichu’s striking appearance or his dignified manners, but Yun Miao’s warmth quickly drew Tang Zhichu into their little circle with Sig, even Shen Jianxin listened in with interest.

Yun Miao glanced at the host, who was still checking something with the staff, and stood up.

"Wait for me, I have something good!"

Yun Miao’s short hair and somewhat square face gave her a cool, aloof look when silent, yet her voice was distinctly feminine when she spoke. Her movements were quick and deft.

She hopped down the steps and ran backstage, returning shortly with a small bag.

"Here, for you all."

"What’s this, Sister Miao?"

"Candy! Good stuff!"

Yun Miao glanced at Tang Zhichu and nodded, "Bet you don’t know—these are QQ candies, just recently became popular. I had to fight for these; they’re sold out everywhere."

Shen Jianxin squeezed the little bag in his hand, puzzled, "Jelly candy?"

"Sort of, but these are called QQ candies, invented by little Tang."

Everyone looked at Tang Zhichu, confused.

Tang Zhichu couldn’t help but think, a married woman really is different—they’re apparently veteran viewers of dating shows. He hadn’t watched the show himself, but had seen some clips online. The fourth episode featured Tang Zhichu making QQ candies for Chen Siyang, and dating Zhou Yun. The show deliberately set up a contrast—Tang Zhichu with Chen Siyang, and Tang Zhichu with Zhou Yun—to create drama.

"I just made them on a whim," Tang Zhichu said quietly.

Yun Miao distributed some to the group next door, responding to requests for more. After sharing, she returned to her seat and, seeing everyone curious, began to gossip.

"Little Tang made these on the show for Yangyang—because Chen Siyang loves sweets. Now this candy is available, but you have to fight for it. Otherwise, you can’t even buy it..."

Shen Jianxin swallowed the candy and raised his eyebrows, "Delicious! My daughter will love it. Little Tang, it wouldn’t be too much to ask you for some, would it?"

"Tang, I want some too!"

"Wow, Tang, you’re amazing! I’m watching that dating show, but only saw two episodes—too busy."

In the midst of all this, Tang Zhichu became the focus, and the other two newcomers began to chat with him as well.

Sig was truly shocked. At first, he just thought Sister Miao was socially adept, highlighting the newcomer and forming a little group. But seeing Sister Miao’s attitude, it seemed there was something more here.

"Sister Miao, what do you mean? Are you saying this candy was made by little Tang to woo Chen Siyang and now it’s a bestseller?" Sig confirmed.

Yun Miao nodded, "Yes, I didn’t recognize little Tang on the show at first, but up close, I realized it was him. Don’t let his humility fool you—he knows how to charm girls. Watch the show and look at Yangyang’s expression; she had stars in her eyes, I was jealous. If a man treated me like that..."

Sig rubbed his bald head, muttering softly, "Wow, really? Went on a dating show and now has a bestselling candy?"

"Brother, come on, we must add each other on WeChat!" Sig pulled out his phone.

Shen Jianxin glanced at Tang Zhichu, giving him a knowing smile—a look only men could understand, as if to say, "You’ve got something, kid! You look honest, but you’re quite bold with the ladies."

Yun Miao wasn’t exaggerating. Online, many clipped videos of Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang; marketing accounts began with, “See how he pursues girls.” On the show, because Chen Siyang loved sweets, Tang Zhichu created a special candy just for her...

Not only those shipping couples, even casual viewers found the QQ candy intriguing. The small, handy packets, a clean ingredient list—besides being a symbol of sweet romance, they were ideal for children.

Over the past few days, QQ candy had truly exploded in sales. Some influencers tried to source it, but couldn’t get any.

"Mr. Shen, you know I wasn’t involved in this at all, so I couldn’t get the candy either. Who knew it would sell so well," Tang Zhichu said helplessly.

He had really underestimated the candy’s popularity. At first, he’d simply wanted to add another dimension to the dating show. Everyone expects sweetness, but how do you show sweetness? Just cuddling isn’t enough.

So Tang Zhichu created QQ candy.

He had overlooked not only the candy’s appeal, but also the marketing efforts of the show, DY, and Tianhe behind the scenes.

A good story, engaging characters, a reliable product, and a concentrated push—and it went viral.

What Tang Zhichu didn’t know was that food companies and advertising agencies were already studying QQ candy as a classic case of marketing. Episode four had only been online for four days, yet it had already caused such a sensation.