Live Streaming: Great Adventure in the Wilderness

Chapter 38: The Relationship Between

Platforms and Broadcasters

Translator: 549690339 I

After discussing the contract issue, Lord Mu was extremely furious and immediately declared his intentions to find out what the deal with Shark was!

Even Bi Fang hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from the other party. He hung up the call without delay, and immediately phoned Li Liming, only to find that the latter seemed to have anticipated this and was also very polite in tone.

“The thing is, Mr. Bi, regarding your live streaming content, our leadership is actually very optimistic about it. Not only is it innovative, but your performance has been very good. We indeed agreed to your previous terms, and the platform even planned to promote you as the top streamer.”

On the phone, Li Liming spoke with humility, and Bi Fang could only suppress his irritation and continue listening to him.

“But who could have expected Cheng Yaojin to emerge halfway through? Mr. Lu not only stated that he too could do ‘Wilderness Survivalist’, but also offered terms far lower than what you proposed. Mr. Bi knows, as platform operators we are essentially businessmen; if the leadership thinks it’s a good deal, then we can only put you out.”

Bullshit!

Bi Fang’s expression turned unpleasant. Naturally, he couldn’t believe such a one-sided argument.

“So you just went ahead and did it without prior notification? Now that the data is out, you send over the contract, isn’t double-dealing a bit too ugly?”

That his ‘Wilderness Survivalist’ had achieved great success and attracted others to this lucrative opportunity was normal, but during these five days, there hadn’t been any notification from Shark TV, which clearly indicated some trickery.

Bi Fang wasn’t foolish. In his previous life, he hadn’t been involved in the corporate world, but that didn’t mean he was completely inexperienced with society. He quickly understood the situation.

Shark was clearly looking to play both sides, unable to estimate who brought more value and thus wanting to compare the two.

The live stream by that Lu Wentao had already started yesterday; surely the first day’s data met the expectations. After comparing, they must have concluded that the returns were more favorable with the other party, and that’s why they sent the contract to Bi Fang today.

On the other end of the call, Li Liming didn’t expect Bi Fang to speak so frankly and directly; this caught him somewhat by surprise.

Li Liming paused for a few seconds before laughing, “Mr. Bi, you jest. There’s no double-dealing, just a consideration of interests, we absolutely had no intention of deceiving you…”

“Cut the crap.” Bi Fang wasn’t receptive to his explanation. These kinds of words were idiotic, and he seriously asked, “Have you considered the consequences?”

If the terms of the agreement failed to be reached, they could be discussed.

But to easily go back on a deal that had been firmly agreed upon showed a complete lack of sincerity!

Yes, he wanted traffic, fame, and more recognition from the public, but Shark TV’s two-faced behavior made him feel disgusted.

What a bunch of crap!

As Bi Fang grew serious, for some reason Li Liming felt nervous, as if the person on the other end wasn’t just a promising newcomer to the streaming scene, but some high-profile figure.

But he quickly regained his senses, chiding himself for being absurd. It was just a streamer, right? What was there to be nervous about, staking a claim with unique content?

Inside the office, Li Liming shifted in his chair and fell silent for a while before speaking with implied meaning, “Mr. Bi, this is the decision of our leadership, and it is irreversible. If you agree, you can sign right now—we will not favor one over the other, the resources we provide to you will surely be the most appropriate. You might not be aware of Ling Xuefeng’s room inspection, but that was actually arranged by us. CEO-level streamer room visits are not something every platform can offer.”

After a pause, he wasn’t in the mood for niceties anymore, “Lu Wentao’s team is stronger, and they will definitely make the ‘Wilderness Survivalist’ theme go viral. When that happens, it will be beneficial for both you and our platform.”

“Mr. Bi, you’re still young, you shouldn’t act rashly. It’s really about making the pie bigger together. If you sign the contract, I can assure you that your recommendations will never stop, and we can even pay you an advance salary for a quarter, which is one and a half million! With your current situation, you surely need this money, right?”

Li Liming was experienced with these matters, having seen them frequently. Some streamers, despite appearing successful and having a fully equipped team, were in fact penniless.

Regardless of the other party’s use of drones and first-person views, if they were truly wealthy, why would they undertake such dangerous live streaming?

By the end of his speech, he almost convinced himself with his own sincerity, “With these conditions, even if someone competes with you, what’s there to worry about? We will not easily give up on anyone, and after all, resources are something you have to compete for yourself. As long as your program is more exciting than Mr. Lu’s, you will definitely have more resources than him.”

Li Liming spoke the absolute truth, his confidence in persuading Bi Fang started right there.

Here were fame and prospects. Now that his streaming content wasn’t unique, and with Shark TV having the highest traffic, even the dividends would be incomparable to any ordinary Joe. What reason did the other party have to refuse?

Bi Fang listened quietly, but didn’t rush to speak.

What was he so angry about really? The sudden competition?

Of course not!

You support other Wilderness Survivalist streamers, fine, that’s acceptable, Bi Fang has never been afraid of competition, no real sword is without nicks, only after countless clashes with other weapons can it be considered a genuine sword.

It’s betrayal!

That is what he cannot tolerate!

Promises easily broken, not only asking for outrageous prices but also deceiving the streamers, and even planning to deceive others with lies afterwards!

He chose the live streaming platform because it represented a trustworthy partner, but now this partner showed not a shred of sincerity and even rolled out his replacement!

Bi Fang wanted money and fame, wanted to achieve the goal of being the number one Wilderness Survivalist, that’s why he came to the most popular streaming platform, but that does not mean he would grovel like a dog, indifferent to deception and concealment!

He possessed a normal human’s sensibility, dignity, his own principles and bottom line!

The platform is not above all!

Bi Fang’s voice was calm and resolute, “No, Mr. Li Liming, you know full well what the situation is, want to sign a contract? Fine, but the terms should be as I previously stated, and you have to remove Lu Wentao’s major feature. Then I’ll agree!”

Li Liming was stunned, his smile fading quickly, his confidence vanishing.

He struggled to understand Bi Fang’s way of thinking, blurting out, “Mr. Bi, do you realize what you’re saying? You’re openly opposing Shark’s top management’s decision, you’re ruining your streaming career!”

What is Shark TV?

One of the top three live streaming platforms!

More than five thousand streamers signed under its banner, not counting the small streamers who haven’t signed!

Countless people and tasks, beyond imagination, each promotional spot fiercely contested with people going to great lengths to grab it, and various forms of bribery rampant, a power institution!

In such a scenario, withdraw a major promotion because of a demand from one streamer?

Impossible!

Even if you have a live audience of one million, it won’t work!

This is a precedent, once set, it would destroy Shark TV’s credibility!

Bi Fang nodded lightly, and after speaking, he felt less tense.

He leaned back in the chair, laughed directly into the phone, “Mr. Li Liming, I know what I am saying. If you didn’t hear me clearly, I can repeat it. I—Bi Fang, find your underhanded, double-dealing behavior disgusting! Want to sign me? Fine, but you’ll have to apologize to me, and remove Lu Wentao’s major feature!”

Bi Fang found Li Liming’s remarks laughable. Resisting Shark meant ruin? Who the hell does Shark think they are? As someone who’s already faced death once, would he fear this?

Really think being the head honcho of streaming platforms means you can do whatever you want? Boss my ass. What if I switch platforms, what then? Are you going to ban me from the whole network?

Li Liming fell silent, turning his head to look at Wang Weifeng, who had been standing by the whole time.

The phone had been on speaker from the start, and all conversations were conducted under Wang Weifeng’s supervision.

But things had developed to a point where they were beyond his ability to resolve.

Originally, Li Liming thought this was just a normal contract discussion; little did he expect to encounter a stubborn greenhorn. So the first broadcast was too successful, leading to an inflated ego? Can’t gauge the relationship between himself and the platform?

Wang Weifeng gestured with his hand and said, “You go out first, I want to have a talk with Mr. Bi.”

Li Liming immediately understood, quickly retreated, and only after pushing open the door did he shake his head.

What an idiot to not accept such good terms. For what?

Pride?

Is that more important than real gold and silver, than fame? Looks quite young, seems to be just stepping into society, real damn foolhardy, every year there are plenty, but this year especially so, such a waste of my emotions!