Fortune Telling Live: Streaming from the Human Realm - Chapter 2 - The First Live Stream

As the live streaming industry became increasingly lucrative, many companies launched their own platforms. Among the numerous platforms, the most prominent were the three major ones, with Shark Platform being one of them.

Shark Platform was the latest to enter the scene, but it had the advantage of substantial financial backing, allowing it to nurture and attract many well-known streamers. The platform was thriving, with popular figures dominating various sections such as gaming and singing, making it a rising star in the industry.

An Rugu had previously only been vaguely aware of live streaming but hadn’t delved deeply into it. Now, she found herself intrigued and decided to explore Shark Platform’s homepage.

As a new user, the homepage recommended several live streaming rooms to her-some focused on gaming, others on singing, dancing, or simply broadcasting outdoor activities.

The rooms featured on the homepage were undoubtedly of high quality. She clicked into a few and noticed that the viewership often exceeded 500,000, with an overwhelming number of comments flooding the chat. Before she could even read one comment, it was quickly buried under new ones.

These live streaming rooms… are really popular, she thought.

An Rugu mused that if her own live stream could attract such a large audience, and if even a portion of those viewers visited the Taoist Temple, it might not feel so desolate anymore.

She quietly made up her mind, unbothered by the possibility of failure. It wasn’t out of arrogance or certainty of success, but because live streaming had a low barrier to entry. Unlike investing in advertisements, which required significant financial resources, failing at live streaming would only cost her time.

In any case, for someone who had just graduated and was short on funds, it was an excellent choice.

An Rugu was highly proactive. Once she decided the idea was feasible, she wasted no time and immediately began learning the ins and outs of live streaming.

After studying online tutorials, she downloaded the live streaming platform and registered an account.

As for the account name…

An Rugu thought for a moment and typed in “Welcoming the Rising Cloud.”

-“The Book of Rites¹: Sacrificial Laws” states: “Mountains, forests, rivers, valleys, and hills that produce clouds, bring wind and rain, and reveal wonders are all called divine.”

After completing the real-name verification, her live streaming room was approved.

She pressed the “Start Live” button, and her room quietly went live on Shark Platform.

As expected, after one minute, no one had joined the stream.

Seeing this, An Rugu wasn’t anxious. Instead, she stood up from her desk and calmly brewed a cup of Lu’an Melon Seed Tea.

Five minutes later, the room was still empty.

For most people, sitting idly in front of a computer screen might feel awkward and unbearable due to the silence. However, An Rugu was fine with it. She often meditated for long periods and was already accustomed to patiently waiting.

Moreover, after a quick calculation, she sensed that someone destined to connect with her would arrive soon.

The initial phase of a live stream is often the hardest to endure, and Shark Platform was well aware of this. To retain new streamers, the platform had implemented a traffic policy for newcomers. As long as a streamer broadcasted for a full half-hour and the content passed a basic review, the live streaming room would receive a small push and be listed on the “New Streamer” chart.

The new streamer chart was tucked away in a corner of the platform, attracting minimal traffic. However, there was a small group of viewers who enjoyed watching the awkward, flustered charm of new streamers or who wanted to “raise” a new streamer from the ground up. These viewers would specifically seek out and click into such rooms.

After thirty minutes of streaming, An Rugu’s live streaming room appeared at the bottom of the chart.

【Time Flows Like Water has entered the live streaming room.】

【Are You Teaching Me has entered the live streaming room.】

【Choose Me for Online Love, I’m Super Sweet has entered the live streaming room.】

…

In just one minute, the backend showed that the room had fifty viewers.

The unconventional title of the live streaming room made it the most intriguing among its peers, but it also left viewers puzzled.

【No way, no way, the title of the live streaming room is “Only Two Readings.” Is this a fortune-telling live stream?】

【Drop the “Is this.” It definitely is.】

The viewers who clicked into the room were all interested in fortune-telling, so they began chatting about it in the public chat.

【This is my first time seeing a fortune-telling live stream. My impression of fortune-telling is still those masters setting up stalls under overpasses. Wow, even fortune-telling has to keep up with the trend and go live now?】

【So, is the streamer accurate?】

【If they’re here doing a live stream… they must be pretty good, right?】

【Streamer, give me a reading. If it’s not accurate, I’m not paying.】

While some were discussing how skilled the streamer might be at fortune-telling, others didn’t believe in it at all and had only entered the room to challenge the streamer: 【Stop debating who’s better. They’re all just scammers. Accurate? Nonsense. I’ve never met anyone who could actually tell fortunes accurately.】

Someone retorted: 【Actually, when I was a kid, I met a fortune-teller who was pretty accurate. Don’t assume “your experience is everyone’s experience.”】

Supporters and skeptics of fortune-telling each shared their perspectives, chatting in the comments about their experiences with the practice. As is often the case, the two sides quickly began to argue, and the once-empty chat suddenly became lively.

In live streaming, popularity and the number of online viewers are two different things. Popularity is always much higher than the actual viewer count, as it’s calculated based on factors like gifts and the number of comments.

Because the comment count had increased, the live streaming room’s popularity had risen slightly.

However, someone seemed to realize something and sent a comment: 【What’s the point of chatting like this when the streamer isn’t even here? She can’t see it. By the way, why is the streamer’s screen black?】

Others hadn’t noticed the screen. But now, upon closer inspection, the screen was indeed black, and no one was speaking-it was eerily quiet.

Just then, An Rugu finally adjusted her camera software, aimed the camera at herself, and her face appeared on the screen.

An Rugu knew the comments were lively, but the camera had been a bit blurry earlier, so she had to switch the live streaming page to black and adjust the settings.

After fixing the camera, An Rugu glanced at the comment window on the right side of her laptop. Her long eyelashes cast shadows, but her expression remained calm and indifferent. “Whether it’s accurate or not, you’ll know once you try a reading.”

However, the live streaming room remained silent for a long time. The two groups that had been arguing about the accuracy of fortune-telling were now completely quiet. If it weren’t for the viewer count on the backend showing no decrease, she would have thought they had all left.

After a while, someone finally commented.

【Holy crap, I’m stunned. The streamer looks like this?】

【Oh my god, she’s so beautiful the screen can’t even contain it.】

【You’re exaggerating. The streamer is just average-looking-just a bit like a fairy, that’s all.】

The viewers, upon seeing An Rugu’s face, instantly lost all desire to argue. Their eyes and minds were completely captivated by the stunningly beautiful face on the screen.

Those who had been ready to leave because the streamer hadn’t started broadcasting yet now froze, their fingers hovering over the exit button.

【Debut already. I’ll bring my aunts, uncles, and cousins to vote for you.】

【Teacher, can you teach me what god-level beauty filter you’re using?】

【With a quick snap, I’ve already hit follow.】

【Streamer, go to the Singer section. The old queen is dead, long live the new queen-you’re definitely the next Queen of Shark!】

The Singer section, as the name suggests, is for singing. There are many beautiful women who live stream singing and chat with viewers. It’s a place with a high concentration of beauties, wealthy viewers, and quick money.

But An Rugu wasn’t interested. Her gaze fell on the comments on the screen as she answered the viewers’ questions: “Filter? I’m not using a filter.”

【Your skin is this flawless without a filter? No pores or imperfections? You’re not just lying to me because I’m young, are you?】

The viewers were both surprised and envious, even feeling as though they had stumbled upon a hidden gem-they had casually clicked into the room and discovered such a high-quality streamer.

As they thought this, they immediately hit the follow button. The follower count, which had been at zero, quickly climbed to over a hundred.

With the streamer’s looks, she could easily attract fans. And when she became famous, they would be her loyal, early supporters!

As for the fortune-telling… they figured it was probably just a gimmick.

In their minds, fortune-tellers were usually middle-aged or elderly individuals. The older, the better-preferably with a beard and an air of wisdom, as those were the ones who were most accurate.

An Rugu, however, didn’t fit their stereotype at all, except for that ethereal aura.

They assumed she was using the unique title to grab attention and lure people in for the sake of traffic.

And, indeed, they had been successfully lured in-and then stayed because of her face.

Darn it, she’s got us hooked!

An Rugu didn’t care much about others’ opinions of her appearance. She remained emotionally neutral but was somewhat concerned that the audience’s focus was entirely on her looks, ignoring the theme of her live streaming room. She said, “I’m not here for other categories. I’m here to offer fortune-telling to those destined to connect with me.”

She raised her hand and picked up her teacup. The steam rising from the tea made her face appear dreamlike and indistinct.

The viewers: “!!!”

She’s really here to tell fortunes?

An Rugu waited quietly for the audience to process her words, then finally got to the point: “Who among you would like a reading? Today, I’ll only do two.”

【What do you mean? Are you saying you’ll only do two readings and then never stream again?】

【No, no, don’t do that!】

An Rugu: “What I mean is that I’ll only do two readings today. When the right time comes, I’ll stream again.”

The viewers understood, and while some still doubted her accuracy, they were intrigued and began asking about the price.

An Rugu: “One High-energy Rocket.”

A High-energy Rocket was a mid-tier gift on Shark Platform, costing 666 yuan². The platform and the streamer split the revenue 50-50, so the streamer would only receive half, not including taxes.

Technically, private transfers could bypass the platform, but such behavior was prohibited, and live streaming rooms caught doing this were often banned.

One High-energy Rocket was neither too cheap nor too expensive. Many were worried that the streamer might not be accurate and that they’d be scammed out of their money, so they hesitated.

However, at that moment, the screen suddenly lit up with countless red High-energy Rockets, accompanied by the crackling sound of celebratory fireworks.

This was the animation that played when the live streaming room received a High-energy Rocket.

【Time Flows Like Water has gifted a High-energy Rocket.】

An Rugu’s eyes lit up slightly-the destined one had arrived.

Judging by the timing, it seemed that as soon as An Rugu had announced the price, Time Flows Like Water had immediately opened the interface and sent the gift.

The viewers in the live streaming room, seeing how decisive she had been with An Rugu, who had just started streaming, commented: 【Boss, you’re being too hasty!】

【Time Flows Like Water: It’s fine, it’s just a small amount of money.】

Seeing how casually Time Flows Like Water spoke, and noticing that her profile indicated she was female, the audience immediately started spamming the chat: 【Rich lady, I’m hungry, feed me.】

【I also want a little bit of that “small money.”】

An Rugu ignored the other comments and got straight to the point: “What would you like me to read for you?”

【Time Flows Like Water: I’d like to know when would be a good time to get married this month.】

【Rich sister is actually getting married? I’ve missed my chance, wuwuwu.】

【I’m not here to break up rich sister’s family-I’m here to join it.】

“So soon?” An Rugu said. “This month is almost over.”

【Time Flows Like Water: Really? But I want to settle things this month. Add me, and I’ll send you my Eight Characters³.】

Time Flows Like Water clearly knew the process of fortune-telling and was ready to send her Eight Characters right away. However, An Rugu didn’t immediately agree. Instead, she said, “There’s no need to send your Eight Characters. I’m skilled in Physiognomy⁴ and can deduce them from your appearance. Would you be comfortable with a video call? If not, sending a photo would also work.”

Time Flows Like Water wasn’t afraid of being on camera and replied directly: 【I’m at home right now. Add me as a friend, and then call me on WeChat⁵.】

“No need. I can invite you to a video call directly in the live streaming room.”

Time Flows Like Water often appeared in financial magazines and was very open about showing her face: 【Alright.】

An Rugu had previously studied the features of Shark Platform’s live streaming room. The streamer could invite platform users to join a video call.

She clicked on Time Flows Like Water’s user profile with her mouse and pressed the “Invite to Video Call” button.

The live streaming room interface immediately split into two halves. On the right was An Rugu, and the other half was the call interface.

As the other person answered, a woman in her thirties or forties appeared on the screen.

She was strikingly beautiful, wearing a red dress with wavy hair. Though there were some wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, they didn’t detract from her elegance. She was captivating at first glance.

【Wow, this rich lady is quite beautiful.】

【Sister, don’t be so strict about gender preferences.】

An Rugu: “You’d like to know a suitable wedding date, right?”

“Yes,” Time Flows Like Water nodded, smiling. “You can call me auntie if you want. I was born in 1984.”

She wasn’t taking this too seriously. She just found An Rugu beautiful and felt a connection. Plus, she had been thinking about finding a good date for her wedding but hadn’t found the right person to ask. On a whim, she decided to support this small streamer.

【I did the math-rich lady is 37 this year, but she looks like she’s only 30.】

【Maybe it’s because she’s getting married. Good news brings good spirits. Congratulations! It’s just a shame there’s one less bowl of soft rice in the world.】

Time Flows Like Water glanced at the comments in the live streaming room. Seeing others compliment her youth and congratulate her on her upcoming marriage, her smile became more genuine. “I’ve been single for several years before meeting someone compatible. Don’t worry, you’ll all find someone too.”

When she mentioned her boyfriend, her heart felt as sweet as honey, and her face radiated joy. It was clear to anyone watching that she and her boyfriend had a strong relationship.

However, just as the live streaming room was filled with warmth and cheer, a voice suddenly interrupted the conversation.

An Rugu looked at Time Flows Like Water’s face, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed. Her voice was as pleasant as the wind through the trees, but her words were shocking: “You’re not suited for marriage.”

Time Flows Like Water: “???”

The viewers in the live streaming room: “???”

Footnote:

1. The Book of Rites (礼记): “The Book of Rites” describes ancient Chinese sacrificial rituals and systems.
2. Yuan(元): Yuan (yuán) is the basic unit of currency in China. The symbol for yuan is ¥, 1 yuan ≈ 0.15 USD.
3. Eight Characters(八字): In Chinese metaphysics, Bazi involves analyzing and predicting an individual’s personality and destiny based on their birth time. Within Bazi, various “palaces” represent different areas of life, while different “stars” provide additional influences and energies to help more accurately interpret one’s fate.
4. Physiognomy(相面):The practice of assessing a person’s character or personality from their outer appearance, especially the face.
5. WeChat(微信): WeChat is a popular Chinese multi-purpose messaging and social media app similar to WhatsApp or Messenger.