Chapter 027: You’ve Figured Everything Out

While discussing the performance, Mike asked Li Lekang midway how long he needed to prepare. Li Lekang’s answer was perfectly satisfactory: “This Saturday is no problem.” He understood that one must strike while the iron is hot. Before his popularity completely faded, he would swiftly launch a second stage show!

Quick-witted Mike began plotting as well: “We can film this performance too, upload it online, and attract even more viewers.” “Will the other side agree?” Li Lekang asked. “Definitely not, but if we don’t ask for a performance fee, it’ll be fine!” Li Lekang guessed there was more to it.

Mike didn’t keep him in suspense and explained, “Do you know how much money your talent show video could have made if it had been uploaded through an original channel?” While Li Lekang didn’t know the exact amount, he was well aware of the over thirty million views it had garnered.

Mike revealed the secret: “YouTube creators earn advertising revenue. The calculation varies by region, but in the US it’s usually two to five dollars per thousand views.” “So that means every million views brings in two to five thousand dollars in ad revenue. Over thirty million views means at least sixty thousand dollars in ad share—if the quality’s high, it could be over a hundred thousand!”

“That much? Sixty thousand dollars?” Li Lekang was astonished. If only he’d known, he would have posted it from his own account! But Mike laughed, “The premise is that he has over four million followers, which is the main reason the video went viral. But now that you’ve built your own fame, you can focus on growing your own channel.”

“Look at the short video we shot at Marlon’s party—see your feedback on TikTok? You’ve gotten hundreds of thousands of likes, your YouTube subscribers are about to hit a hundred thousand, and the ad network contracts are already coming in!” Li Lekang pondered, “Let me think—so you mean this performance will be free, but we’ll film it, upload it, earn ad revenue, and gain exposure?”

“Exactly!” “Then, next time we hold a solo show, we can charge much more, because solid audience traffic is our bargaining chip. If they’re not interested, there are plenty of others who will be!” “Genius!” Mike applauded.

Li Lekang realized he had underestimated the power of traffic. Fame came so easily and overnight, turning him into an internet celebrity—with so many ways to make money, anyone with a bit of smarts wouldn’t be short of cash! No wonder everyone wants to be famous!

Naturally, Li Lekang decided to go with the latter plan. What’s a small appearance fee? Traffic is king! Traffic didn’t just bring him money—it brought him the precious value of loyal fans, who contributed points for his transactions and allowed him to enjoy the life of a true mage. They were his dear, beloved family!

For the next two days, Li Lekang familiarized himself with the venue and stage, coordinated with the lighting techs for effects, arranged props with the company, and selected some background music. Since he relied mainly on magic, he didn’t have many requirements for the stage—lights and music were just for atmosphere. He didn’t forget to promote his upcoming Saturday night performance on his social media.

This announcement caused a sensation. His fanbase had grown sizable, with several days of trending updates on TikTok, over half a million followers, and fans not just from the US but worldwide. The news drew enthusiastic comments; some said they were too far away or even abroad and asked if there would be other shows.

“These must be my earliest die-hard fans on social media!” Li Lekang responded to these “family members” as earnestly as he could, but there were simply too many to keep up with. He thought that having an assistant to handle his phone would be wonderful. Once his solo show date was set, he’d hire an assistant or have the company arrange one—after all, a superstar couldn’t spend all his time glued to his phone!

“Knock, knock, knock.” The door sounded. Li Lekang opened it to find Big Peach with her phone in hand, grinning from ear to ear: “Hey, I have to thank you for the tag—my TikTok followers have skyrocketed!” She spoke as she walked in, glancing around the living room before naturally settling on the sofa and teasing the dog. “Hey, Mike, are you being naughty again?”

Li Lekang sat back down, phone in hand. She glanced at his screen, “You’re still replying to every comment?” “I enjoy my fans’ affection,” he replied without looking up. “I was just like that at the start,” Sandra laughed. “But you’ll find you can’t keep up—you’ll go cross-eyed after hours. My goodness, you have so many comments!” She tried to lean in to read, but Li Lekang, feeling awkward, shifted. He slipped his hand around her waist from behind—much more comfortable and fragrant.

She wore a lovely jasmine perfume, fresh and alluring, paired with a figure no one could fault. It was hard for Li Lekang not to be distracted. “Do you have any new performances coming up?” Sandra asked, seeing the notice. “Can I come?” “I should be able to get a few tickets.” “Give them all to me, I’ll come support you!” She looked up at him with a hint of coquettishness.

Western girls weren’t known for their subtlety, but Sandra wasn’t entirely without charm. Daisy, for instance, a pure-blooded white girl, could pull off the Japanese style coquettishness—though she often mixed up “oppa” and “onii-chan.”

Sandra seemed to think of her not-so-close friend. A spark lit in her eyes. “Don’t tell Daisy—I want to support you alone, and then you can take me on a date!” As if summoned by thought, Li Lekang’s phone buzzed with a message.

It was Daisy, a voice message: “Lekang darling, you’re performing at the music center? Take me with you—I’ll agree to anything you want, onii-chan!” “Lekang darling? That witch!” Sandra was instantly annoyed. She snatched the phone away, straddled his lap, holding his face. “Look at me!”

“Your hands don’t need to be so well-behaved!” She began to show off her curves. “Am I irresistible?” “But I still need to reply…” Li Lekang laughed, reaching for his phone.

“Answer me honestly!” She took his hand, eyes locked on him. “Don’t lie—you can’t possibly be thinking about anything else! Because certain parts of you are already telling the truth about what’s on your mind—you’re picturing me with nothing on!”

Li Lekang had no defense. She’d guessed everything. Sandra’s lips curled in satisfaction. Men were all creatures who, once they had a taste, always wanted more—and with a body like hers, she’d never tried so hard to charm a man. This had to be a knockout!

After an exhausting and passionate encounter, Li Lekang returned to his phone. Sandra, now gentle as a kitten, lay on his chest listening to his heartbeat, her face flushed with the satisfaction of victory. She praised him, as she should: “You really are perfect.”

“Thank you.” Li Lekang kissed her hair. “I really ought to hire an assistant—there’s no way I can keep up with all these messages.”

“I’ll do it,” she said offhandedly.

“You?” Li Lekang shook his head. “You’re not suited for that. You’re better as a sizzling influencer, attracting men and women alike, not getting bogged down in these trivialities.”

She pressed her chin to his chest, striking a seductive pose. “I’m better suited as your sweet, clingy darling, letting you indulge in all the perks a celebrity deserves!”

She’d figured it out again! Li Lekang could only marvel—she was not someone the average person could handle!