Chapter 185: Trending Now [Third Update: Request Subscription and Monthly Votes]

"Xiao'an."

Watching Lin Hao and the others leave, Yu Xueqing gazed longingly at the little fox and said, "Tomorrow's food budget doubles—I promise you'll eat your fill."

The story of Hedgehog Grandma and Lin Hao was like throwing the worldview of Ah Qing and the livestream audience onto the ground and stomping on it repeatedly.

Compared to Hedgehog Grandma's standard of living, every pet video online featuring bluefin tuna or premium wagyu beef looked like nothing more than a stray dog on the street.

The only pet that might rival the Golden-edged Hedgehog was probably the legendary 【Günther IV】 German Shepherd.

Especially when Ah Qing curiously asked whether Lin Hao and the others found their suits and ties unbearably hot in summer.

Lin Hao's reply was simple and natural: "Usually not too hot—we have air conditioning wherever the White Immortal goes, so suits are just right. If we dressed in colorful clothes, how could we highlight the White Immortal's noble and dignified aura?"

Though Lin Hao didn't say it outright, he indirectly admitted they didn't wear suits because they liked them.

One reason they wore suits was simply to be background decor, enhancing the noble, dignified aura of Hedgehog Grandma.

"Stop comparing yourselves to meaningless things. Those businesses are written into the criminal code—they're earned by taking turns going to jail. Do you have that many relatives?"

Seeing Ah Qing wilted like a flower baked under the scorching sun, An Sheng couldn't help but smile. He leapt onto her shoulder and said:

"They have their big yachts and casinos; we have our tea mountains. Later, I'll develop a few new tea blends for our household—maybe not as luxurious as the Golden-edged Hedgehog, but enough to get you to local financial freedom by thirty-five."

'Master, Master? Are you unhappy? Should Foxie perform tea-roasting again for you? Please cheer up, Master! Foxie's worried about you.'

The little fox's comforting words, translated through Yu Xueqing's mental translator, were slightly distorted—but still faithful, clear, and elegant overall.

"I'm fine."

Ah Qing glanced at the fox; the fox tilted its head back at her. She smiled, forcing herself past the shock to her worldview from the Golden-edged Hedgehog, and regained her cheerful demeanor:

"Come on! Let's keep earning Foxie's food budget! Next, I'll take you all to tour the Tea Dueling Competition."

Ah Qing wandered through the Tea Dueling Competition as usual, no longer deliberately talking about tea—she simply drifted toward wherever the crowds gathered, occasionally chatting with passing sparrows or king cobras.

Though a large portion of the livestream audience were flooding the chat, urging Ah Qing to follow Lin Hao and the Golden-edged Hedgehog and check if he was lying.

But Ah Qing chose not to comply.

Though Lin Hao behaved politely.

He gave Ah Qing the same vibe as Ah Chu from the old village.

Ah Chu went to jail for crimes—dozens of cases, hundreds of pounds of case files, many tied to land requisition, all of them jailed.

Ah Qing remembered Ah Chu clearly.

Early in the morning, police arrived in armored vehicles, guns drawn, arresting many people in the village.

Lin Hao gave Ah Qing the same vibe as Ah Chu.

Sentenced to at least ten years in court.

………………

Ah Qing wandered the Tea Dueling Competition with the little fox and her livestream audience.

Her follower count, boosted by the fox's tea-brewing and the Golden-edged Hedgehog, skyrocketed—from barely a thousand at the start, to thirteen thousand by noon.

Mo Yiqing had pushed hard, spending heavily to sponsor Ah Qing's livestream, securing her the top spot on the morning outdoor category trending list.

Noon.

Ah Qing ended her livestream, promised viewers she'd return in the afternoon, and hurried back to her tea stall.

"MoMo, stop spending so much—I'm scared," Ah Qing rushed to hug Mo Yiqing. "How much did you spend boosting me? I'll pay you back when I earn money."

"Pfft! Don't talk like that."

Mo Yiqing rolled her eyes. "If you really want to repay me, become a top streamer and promote our family's paint for free."

"Wahhh… MoMo, you're so nice."

"Shoo, shoo, don't take advantage of me—I'm just worried you'll starve Foxie. But honestly, your little fox really has talent—it's charmed even that rich hedgehog."

"Mmm."

An Sheng wore a honey-smile and said nothing.

Rich hedgehog?

You haven't seen how sly it is—its mouth never stops spouting nonsense. If I hadn't learned a few techniques to stop phlegm and cough, I couldn't have controlled it.

…………

The first day of the Tea Dueling Competition ended.

The first day was lively, with countless tea drinkers and merchants arriving in Zhangxizhen.

But strictly speaking, today wasn't the real Tea Dueling Competition—it was the registration deadline.

All submitted teas had been handed over to the organizing committee for the first round of screening and repackaging.

Screening removed teas that didn't meet entry standards, then repackaged the qualified ones, hiding the farmers' identities.

Starting tomorrow, these repackaged teas will be displayed in the Dueling Zone, brewed by official tea masters for visitors to taste and score.

Public scoring doesn't require expertise.

It's more about whether the tea's flavor wins public approval, not technical perfection.

Though the grand prize tea is excellent and sells for high prices,

from all past cases, the tea with the highest public score always sells the best.

Tomorrow will be the prime time for tea merchants to closely watch and target tea farmers.

Even if the committee repackages the teas, can't the merchants recognize their own?

Once they find the high-scoring teas, merchants might buy them from the farmers at low prices.

Night.

An Sheng, freshly bathed, naturally turned to Ah Qing and said: "I'm going out to play—I'll be back to sleep. Leave me a crack in the window!"

"Come back early to rest! We need to wake up early tomorrow for the livestream—you promised viewers you'd pick tea."

Ah Qing had previously livestreamed tea sales.

Her livestream had many tea drinkers; after seeing the fox's tea-blending method today, some viewers thought it was staged—but after watching her handle the king cobra, they fell silent.

At the end of this morning's stream, many viewers wanted the fox to serve as a cyber judge tomorrow.

Go to the Dueling Zone and rate the teas properly.

The audience might not know tea, but they all loved a good spectacle.

"What's there to pick? You pick, but you won't buy," An Sheng muttered, slipping out the window.

An Sheng strolled over to Lin Ying's house, planning to invite her to Hailinglong together.

He'd also use Lin Ying's phone to send a message to Old Chen.

He owed his victory in the procession to the sedan bearers' hard work and dedication—he was treating them all to Hailinglong, at his own expense.

Don't worry—order freely. Foxie Lord holds Hailinglong's lifeline; they dare not refuse.

"Congratulations, Foxie Lord! Your morning tea-brewing livestream and video with the hedgehog are now trending on Yinfu Platform."

An Sheng arrived at Lin Ying's house and found her rushing over to pick him up, congratulating him.

"Mmm?" An Sheng looked puzzled at Lin Ying.

I… made trending? What trending? Can Ah Qing's traffic even make trending?

(End of Chapter)