Chapter 50: Quite the Talent

By the industry standards of a decade later, an annual salary of one million yuan was certainly not considered top-tier income within the influencer circle.

However, back in 2012, when online streaming had yet to establish a complete commercial system, even top-tier streamers struggled to break the seven-figure mark in yearly earnings.

To Qi Dong and Qi Xia, who were still college sophomores, this figure sounded like absolute fantasy.

Most ordinary college students still simply hoped for a monthly salary exceeding ten thousand yuan after graduation.

To be honest, if any other freshman had uttered the words "an annual salary of one million," the sisters would have most likely written them off as insane.

Wang Can was different, however. They had actually ridden in Xie Kewei’s Mercedes-Benz S400, and luxury cars of that caliber implicitly explained certain things.

From Wang Can's perspective, offering a million-yuan annual salary was actually a relatively restrained move.

After all, even a decade later, the top female dancing streamer on Douyu only pulled in net annual earnings of a few million yuan.

The commercial value of talent-based streamers ultimately could not compare to that of top-tier gaming streamers.

As for whether to transition the sisters into different career directions in the future, that was a conversation for another day.

"Still, my talent for making empty promises is getting stronger by the day," Wang Can muttered self-deprecatingly to himself.

Following a brief silence, Qi Dong's voice carried barely concealed excitement: "We can give it a try."

Both she and Qi Xia came from an ordinary working-class family in Bincheng, where their parents barely brought in around one hundred thousand yuan from dawn till dusk all year round.

Now, with an opportunity right before them that offered a million-yuan annual salary without requiring them to compromise their dignity, how could she possibly refuse?

Meanwhile, Qi Xia had long since drifted off into daydreams, already calculating how she should spend all that money.

"Alright, then it's settled."

Wang Can snapped his fingers, his gaze sweeping over the resting girls in the dance studio, before suddenly offering a suggestion: "Actually, I think if you girls performed this routine wearing suits, black silk stockings, and high heels, the visual impact would be even more explosive. I can sponsor the costumes."

Qi Xia blinked her expressive eyes, a playful smile curling the corners of her lips: "So the junior is into that sort of thing, huh."

......

With everything settled, Wang Can wanted to wander around the art department, so Qi Dong arranged for her younger sister, Qi Xia, to act as his guide, while she returned to the dance studio to continue coaching the club members.

Chen Xiaobei and Zhang Bailan, those two incorrigible fellows, were completely glued to the spot the moment they laid eyes on the dance club girls, stubbornly insisting on lingering there to watch the rehearsal.

"What other clubs are holding activities today?" Wang Can asked, looking at the skipping Qi Xia.

"Both the classical dance club and the music club are active right now," Qi Xia replied after a brief moment of thought.

Wang Can’s eyes lit up, visions of ethereal figures clad in flowing Hanfu garments dancing gracefully amidst the fragrance of tea instantly flashing through his mind.

Elegant, utterly elegant.

"Actually, my sister and I used to be in the classical dance club as well, but we quit later after falling out with the club president."

"You girls know how to dance that too?" Wang Can asked, eyeing Qi Xia with sudden surprise.

The sisters really were a pair of hidden treasures.

"My sister loves classical dance, so we've dabbled in a bit of everything."

Qi Xia suddenly flashed a sly smile, her arm tracing an elegant wave through the air: "Would the senior sister here like to perform a segment for you?"

"Not really," Wang Can replied.

"Huh?"

Qi Xia was momentarily choked by the sudden rejection, then puffed up her cheeks indignantly and declared, "Well, I'm going to dance for you whether you like it or not!"

"You asked for it," Wang Can chuckled.

The subsequent visit did not go smoothly.

The moment the president of the classical dance club caught sight of Qi Xia, her expression darkened instantly, and she gave Wang Can a hostile glare by association.

"Club premises, unauthorized personnel are not permitted inside."

A cold statement shut Wang Can out entirely.

Wang Can was unbothered; traditional arts like classical dance generated mediocre live-streaming performance anyway, so he had just been trying his luck.

By comparison, the situation at the music club later on proved far more complicated.

According to Qi Xia's introduction, the music club was split into three major divisions: the vocal music group was managed directly by the club president, while the folk music group and the pop music group were each overseen by two vice presidents.

On the surface, the three groups coexisted peacefully, but in reality, the vocal and folk groups looked down on each other while both despising the pop group, whereas the pop group held absolute disdain for the other two.

Wang Can had no idea that vocal performance could involve so much intricate politics.

Pushing open the doors to the music club, Wang Can went straight to the person in charge to explain his purpose.

The club president, Sun Xinyun, was a junior wearing gold-rimmed glasses who specialized in vocal performance, his every gesture exuding the refined poise born of a wealthy upbringing.

The vice president of the folk group, Dai Lingling, was a sophomore, while the vice president of the pop group, Feng Yinan, was in the same graduating year as the president.

Upon hearing Wang Can's proposal, Sun Xinyun immediately voiced his refusal.

"Artists must maintain their elegance and keep a distance from their audience. Interacting while singing is completely beneath one's dignity."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Dai Lingling had been tempted to give it a try, but seeing the president's attitude, she retreated hastily as well in order to preserve the "artistic integrity" of folk music.

Only Feng Yinan from the pop group remained. He showed a deep and genuine interest in Wang Can's proposal.

"Are you saying that if viewers send virtual gifts, the streamers split the revenue fifty-fifty with you, and those who stream for a full fifty hours a month get an extra five-hundred-yuan bonus?"

Feng Yinan adjusted his glasses, asking with a thoughtful look.

Wang Can nodded. "The platform is just launching now, so we'll use this model initially, and make adjustments later on."

"This is getting interesting."

A sharp glint flashed in Feng Yinan's eyes as he suddenly lowered his voice: "You're currently pretty short on streamers, right?"

"Does the senior have any good suggestions?"

Sensing that the other party had something in mind, Wang Can cut straight to the point: "Just speak your mind. I'm a businessman; I don't care for beating around the bush."

Feng Yinan's lips curved into a smile: "Then I'll be direct. I can help you recruit and manage streamers. You just need to funnel all their earnings to me uniformly, and I'll handle the distribution. That way, you save on hiring costs while instantly gaining a ready-made manager for the streamers."

He paused briefly before adding: "Of course, in exchange, I hope you can provide me with some extra resource support."

Wang Can was slightly stunned, silently marveling that Feng Yinan was a natural talent who had independently conceived the operational model of an MCN agency.

"No problem."

Wang Can readily agreed. "While the revenue-split ratio can't change, once the platform takes off, I can provide you with more traffic support."

"Furthermore, in the early stages, I'll provide you with funding for virtual gifts to guide others into spending money."

"Guide others into spending money?" Feng Yinan momentarily failed to grasp the point of doing that.

Wang Can smiled mysteriously: "It's very simple. I'll set up a gifting leaderboard for every streamer. Rankings breed competition—who doesn't want to be number one?"

"You know what a plant or a shill is, right? I don't think I need to spell out the rest."

Holy shit?

Feng Yinan drew in a sharp breath. It took him a good moment to recover before he slammed his hand down on the table in excitement: "Brilliant! Isn't this exact same logic as combat power leaderboards in games? Your move is ruthless!"

Then, his expression suddenly turned serious: "How about I just come work directly for you?"

Feng Yinan felt that Wang Can was not only financially backed and quick-witted, but also craftier than a fox—he practically embodied every single prerequisite of a successful entrepreneur.

Wang Can happened to have the exact same thought in mind, so the two of them hit it off instantly.

Feng Yinan even volunteered to take charge of promoting Doyou Live within the art department.

"Then it's settled."

Wang Can put away his phone and stood up just as the two finished exchanging contact information.

Feng Yinan eagerly followed after him: "Boss, let me walk you out."

Just as the two reached the entrance of the music club, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

A crisp female voice rang out with a hint of surprise: "Wang Can? What are you doing here?"