Chapter Thirteen: You Call This Not Greedy?

“If you’re willing to sign an exclusive contract with us at Douyin, we’re prepared to offer you a signing fee of ten million a year.”
“If you’re interested in product promotions, we can pair you up with Li Jiaqi as your partner, and the platform won’t take any commission from your sales.”
“In addition, aside from top placement during your livestreams, any short videos you post on Douyin will be promoted immediately.”
The operations manager from Douyin couldn’t wait any longer and was the first to speak, extending an olive branch to Bai Qingming.

Ordinarily, for a streamer like Bai Qingming, who commands four to five hundred thousand followers in his live room, a ten-million signing fee would be something out of a dream, not to mention the other two enticing benefits on offer. This was a decision made at the highest level of Douyin before coming—the mandate was clear: offer a high price and secure Bai Qingming at all costs. The ten million would be nothing compared to the value he could bring to the platform.

But then again, could Bai Qingming really be considered an ordinary streamer? What other streamer could dominate the top ten trending topics the way he did?

So, Bai Qingming didn’t even bother responding to Douyin’s offer. Was this a joke? He now owned a penthouse worth over a hundred million; did they really think a mere ten million would buy him? Was he some beggar to be bought off so cheaply?

“Seriously? Is that all?”
Li Sanjiang spoke up, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Brother Qingming, I know you used to do gaming streams. If you join Doyu, we’ll give you a signing fee of thirty million a year. As long as you’re willing, big-name streamers like Piao Laoshi and the Demon Sect Leader Zhi Xun will help promote you. If you’re interested in hyping up a CP or need a female partner, you can choose from any of our top female streamers—Feng Timo, Dai Xiaomei, or Xiaotuantuan—whoever you want.”

“Also, we’ll cover your breach of contract penalty with Huya. And as far as I know, Huya never truly valued a streamer like Brother Qingming, so the penalty won’t be much anyway.”

By comparison, the offers from Doyu were much more generous than those from Douyin. In their eyes, Bai Qingming was worth every penny. With such a lucrative package and the platform’s full backing, Bai Qingming could instantly become a top-tier gaming streamer if he agreed.

“Brother Qingming, signing fees are negotiable. We at Douyin are willing to offer thirty-five million a year. And as for top streamers, we’re not lacking in talent either.”
Douyin immediately upped their offer.

Li Sanjiang gave a cold laugh. “Fifty million! Doyu can offer fifty million!”

Upon hearing that, the Douyin manager fell silent. Thirty-five million was already the absolute maximum authorized by his superiors; there was no way to compete with that.

Having witnessed the offers from both Douyin and Doyu, the Huya manager finally stepped forward, producing a contract from his bag.

“Brother Qingming, you know Huya’s strength. I won’t say much. As long as you don’t sign with them and are willing to renew with Huya, top streamers like Uzi, Saonan, and Zhang Daxian will interact with you to boost your popularity. We’ve got plenty of female streamers if you want to hype up a CP—even two at once is no problem.”

What he said sounded nearly identical to Doyu’s offer, but there was one thing—this Huya manager was shrewd. Everyone now knew Bai Qingming lived in a penthouse worth over a hundred million; he was a wealthy man with hidden depths. So, really, what wealthy man would be enticed by a mere few tens of millions in signing fees?

“This is a new contract we’ve drafted, with some additional benefits inside. Brother Qingming, have a look—if you agree, just sign.”
With that, the Huya manager handed over the contract.

Bai Qingming flipped to the benefits page, and after reading it, he couldn’t help but be surprised. In addition to the previously mentioned perks, there were two more:

First, all revenue generated during his livestreams would go directly to Bai Qingming, with the platform taking no commission, and he could withdraw at any time.

Second, the Huya platform was willing to sign a share transfer agreement, granting Bai Qingming 5% of the company’s shares.

Judging by these two points, Huya was demonstrating tremendous sincerity. Gifts and bonuses were secondary; the real gem was the second point. Huya’s market value was in the billions, and 5% of that was at least a hundred million.

Compared to that, Doyu’s signing fee paled in comparison. It had to be said—Huya was going all out to keep Bai Qingming. No other streamer had ever received such an offer. Without exaggeration, if Bai Qingming signed, he’d become the highest-paid streamer in history.

“Well?” the Huya manager asked, seeing that Bai Qingming seemed interested.

Bai Qingming didn’t reply, but instead glanced at the manager from KuaiShou, who had remained silent.

The latter just laughed awkwardly. “You all go ahead, I’m just here to listen, not to compete.”

The KuaiShou manager looked utterly embarrassed. Before coming, he’d been told the highest offer they could make was ten million, which he’d been assured would be more than enough.

Yeah, right! What a joke—stingy to the bone and a total embarrassment.

“Alright,” Bai Qingming finally responded, signaling his understanding.

At that moment, the operations managers from Doyu, Douyin, and Huya were all on edge.

Was the decision about to be made?

“Everyone, I have a suggestion—would you care to hear it?”
Bai Qingming closed the contract in his hands, his tone exceptionally calm.

“Go ahead, as long as we can sign you, Doyu is open to any suggestion,” Li Sanjiang declared.

“Same goes for Huya!” echoed the others.

Seeing this, Bai Qingming spoke up.
“My suggestion is actually quite simple. To be honest, I’m not greedy, but I’d like to sign with all of you.”

Upon hearing this, all the managers present fell silent.
You call that not greedy?
Impressive—so young, but with such an appetite.

“You want every platform to promote you?” After a moment, Li Sanjiang was the first to catch on.

Bai Qingming nodded—that was exactly what he meant.

“Let me finish. If you’re willing to accept my proposal, I won’t take a single cent in signing fees, and all the benefits you mentioned can be set aside.”
He was completely serious.

The room went silent as everyone took a sharp breath. No signing fee? Nothing at all? Was this guy crazy?

“Ahem, that said, I’ll still need the revenue from my livestreams.”
Bai Qingming coughed twice and added that last point.

With the system backing him, he wasn’t concerned about money, but he wasn’t about to turn down what he was owed.

Honestly, Li Sanjiang and the others were tempted by his proposal.

“This is a major decision—I can’t make it alone.”
“Same here—I’ll need to report back to my superiors.”

One after another, the managers excused themselves and left.

Bai Qingming, meanwhile, was quietly confident. This was the best way to gain even more followers, and he was certain the platforms would eventually agree.

Just then, the operations manager from Bilibili arrived, fashionably late. He was an older gentleman and came straight to the point.

“Brother Qingming, Bilibili is willing to offer a signing fee of five hundred thousand for you to join us. How about it? Tempted? If you are, come to Bilibili!”

“…” Bai Qingming was speechless.