The headquarters of the Shark Platform in Seoul.
Around three in the afternoon, Penguin Ma brought everyone to the headquarters early, if for no other reason than to show off.
The evening's gala was to be held at the Seoul Stadium, a venue capable of seating over a hundred thousand people. On the second floor, to the upper right of the stage, were private rooms, much like luxurious banquet rooms in a restaurant.
The Shark Platform's celebration this time had cost a fortune, not only inviting numerous well-known domestic stars but also choosing the Seoul Stadium as the venue.
Chen Dajie knew Penguin Ma would arrive in the afternoon, so he waited downstairs at the headquarters. Seeing a convoy of Rolls-Royces drive up, Chen Dajie knew without a doubt that Penguin Ma had arrived.
Boss Ma was certainly impressive, creating such a grand spectacle for the Shark Platform's seventh-anniversary celebration. It seemed Boss Ma's recent focus had shifted to the live-streaming industry, which was also an acknowledgment of his capabilities.
Chen Dajie jogged to the front car. As soon as it stopped, he ran over, intending to help Penguin Ma open the door.
Following the normal protocol, Penguin Ma would undoubtedly be in the lead car.
Chen Dajie's outstretched hand didn't reach the door handle before it was roughly pushed away by a strong force. Chen Dajie almost stumbled, and as he looked up, he saw a large man glaring at him with fury.
However, the man's expression changed faster than a page being turned. Just moments ago he was furious, but at the instant the door opened, he suddenly became amiable and appeared with a beaming smile.
A true talent, Chen Dajie thought to himself.
Before Chen Dajie could react, he noticed a gust of wind flash past him from behind, and the door on the other side was opened by a refined-looking man wearing glasses.
Chen Dajie looked closely and realized it was Boss Ma.
"Holy cow..." Chen Dajie exclaimed inwardly, nearly shouting it out.
Following closely behind, a foreigner, seeing Penguin Ma get out first, muttered a curse audible only to himself: "Sycophant."
Chen Dajie was stunned, his worldview shattered. Watching Penguin Ma's fawning smile, he couldn't snap out of it for a moment.
The first person to alight from the car was Xia Feng. Dressed in a flowing robe with long hair, he looked incredibly elegant. Chen Dajie observed him, harboring a question: one couldn't achieve such a level of flow without at least half a bottle of hair conditioner.
On the other side of the car, Chen Dajie saw someone he knew all too well: Lin'er, the streamer from their platform, the object of Penguin Ma's obsequiousness.
"Young Master Xia, this way, please. Come upstairs and take a look at my humble establishment," Penguin Ma said respectfully, walking around the vehicle to Xia Feng's side.
"This spot looks quite good. Let's go," Xia Feng replied, leading Xia Lin inside.
A group of magnates followed behind.
Jack Ma?
Jiang Quanshui?
And the national "Little Prince"?
Chen Dajie was stunned again. The others were somewhat expected, but why was Jack Ma here to join the fun?
Was this a case of the weasel paying respects to the chicken?
"Why are you still standing there? Are you feeling unwell lately?" Penguin Ma turned back, seeing Chen Dajie standing motionless, and walked over to point at Chen Dajie and scold him.
"Huh? ...Oh..." Chen Dajie, after being berated by Penguin Ma, quickly followed.
He dared not ask, nor dare to say more, obediently following behind the group like an idiot. From this point on, it seemed he had no role to play.
Penguin Ma led everyone directly to the reception floor on the third level, where tea and snacks were already prepared.
"Lin'er, are you the one who does that live-streaming on this platform?" Xia Feng asked Xia Lin as he sat on the sofa.
"Mmm-hmm, I'm also an employee of Uncle Ma. I've been streaming on their platform for two years," Xia Lin nodded in affirmation.
"Lin'er, what do you mean 'employee'? Saying that is like slapping your Uncle Ma in the face! This is our own family; you can do as you please," Penguin Ma waved his hands repeatedly.
How could he dare to call Xia Lin his employee? From now on, the Shark Platform's sole purpose was to ensure Xia Lin's happiness.
"Lin'er, would you like to visit other parts of the company? I'll personally show you around," Penguin Ma continued.
"Okay," Xia Lin replied with some interest. After all, she had been streaming on the Shark Platform for two years and had always harbored fantasies about the company.
"Come, this way. Be careful of the steps," Penguin Ma led Xia Lin towards the office area.
Chen Dajie followed beside them, feeling somewhat speechless at the excessive fawning.
He still couldn't figure out why Penguin Ma was so eager to fawn over Xia Lin. Was there some unknown secret?
"Lin'er, you must be tired. Have some water," Jack Ma, appearing from who knows where, handed Xia Lin a bottle of water.
"Thank you, Uncle Ma," Xia Lin said as she took the water.
"Hm?"
Jack Ma is also fawning? Chen Dajie's eyes widened in disbelief. He had thought Jack Ma was invited by Boss Ma.
It seemed that wasn't the case.
"Old Ma, isn't this going a bit too far? Why are you trying to take over my tasks on my turf?" Penguin Ma whispered to Jack Ma, pulling him aside.
"What do you mean 'take over'? Didn't you see Lin'er hasn't had water in a while? Don't you have any observational skills?" Jack Ma said dismissively, then moved forward to catch up with Xia Lin.
"Useless! Can't you read the room?" Penguin Ma, rendered speechless by the retort, turned and scolded Chen Dajie.
Chen Dajie: ...
"What's the program schedule for tonight? What have you arranged for Lin'er?" Penguin Ma, seeing Chen Dajie's speechless expression, felt a pang of pity.
"Nothing has been arranged yet. I'm not sure what talents Lin'er has."
Xia Lin was invited on short notice, and no arrangements had been made. The plan was to discuss it with her upon her arrival, but they couldn't even get close to her.
With a group of magnates surrounding Xia Lin, Chen Dajie had no opportunity to speak.
"Alright, I'll go discuss it with Lin'er," Penguin Ma nodded in agreement.
As for what talents Xia Lin possessed, Penguin Ma didn't know. He only knew she was a game streamer, and it wasn't as if she could play a game during the anniversary gala.
And she wasn't good at games either.
He wondered how other game streamers had been arranged.
"Lin'er, what program will you be performing at tonight's gala?" Penguin Ma hurried forward and asked.
"Huh? Am I supposed to perform a program?" Xia Lin was taken aback.
She didn't have any particular talents.
Other than chatting and playing games in her stream, she had no other skills.
Now that Penguin Ma was asking her to perform, Xia Lin couldn't help but be flustered.
Xia Lin usually just chatted in her streams. This was her first time facing such a formal stage, and she felt a little timid.
"Yes, Lin'er, what are you best at? Don't worry, I'll arrange it all for you," Penguin Ma said, seeing Xia Lin's apparent nervousness, and offered words of comfort.
This was understandable. Even when nervous about speaking on a platform in school, it was impossible not to feel anxious facing such a grand stage.
"What can I do?"
"That's a good question.
"I can't do anything.
"I participated in the school-wide dance competition in elementary school and got third place. Does that count?"