Chapter Fifty-Two: Changing the Battlefield

Ma Wu paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words before explaining, “Here’s the situation: I am now the chairman of Goldfish TV. I have a clear view of the platform’s current operations.”

“At present, Goldfish TV is entirely dominated by Erke’s family; the other streamers have no way forward. This has led to a drastic shortage of mid- and lower-tier broadcasters, and their gifts and rewards are minimal as well. While I am glad to see Erke receiving so much love, this is an unhealthy state for Goldfish TV as a whole.”

“After the last blow it suffered, Goldfish TV is now just a second-rate streaming platform. This is not beneficial for Erke’s growth either. I want Erke to move to Huhu TV—a top-tier platform that outstrips Goldfish TV in both size and traffic by more than a margin.”

“For Erke, this would be a new opportunity for improvement.”

Ma Wu finished all this in one breath, and the fans immediately understood. After a moment’s thought, they realized Ma Wu’s words made sense. Whether for the sake of Goldfish TV or for Lin Erke’s future development, now was the best time for Lin Erke to leave Goldfish TV.

The die-hard fans weren’t watching just for Lin Erke’s streams anymore; they had grown into true followers, eager for her to become even more popular. So, they quickly voiced their support for Ma Wu’s decision:

“I think that’s a great idea, Ma Wu-sama.”

“Hahaha, I think it’s fine. I studied business management in college, and Ma Wu’s analysis is spot on. I have to say, Ma Wu is quite the talent. I think this is the best plan.”

“If the management expert approves, what else is there to say? No matter where Erke goes, her fan club will always support her!”

“Ha, next time we’ll be sending gifts on Huhu TV—can’t wait!”

Seeing such support from the fans, Ma Wu finally relaxed. For a streamer, fans are the foundation of their career; to have their approval was the best outcome.

Lin Erke soon recovered from her sadness. Once she realized Ma Wu wasn’t abandoning her but was actually helping her seek greater development, she was moved to tears of joy.

She looked into the camera, wanting to see Ma Wu behind it, her voice soft as she said, “Thank you, Ma Wu. I understand your intentions. I’ll keep working hard, and strive to bring happiness to even more viewers.”

Ma Wu nodded and smiled. “You have to trust me, Erke. Back then, I sent you ‘Erke, I love you’ every day—not just for show.”

Lin Erke blushed deeply at that and quickly turned away, not wanting Ma Wu to see her bashful expression.

Meanwhile, the comment section erupted once again:

“Big Boss and Erke, get together! Big Boss and Erke, get together!”

“The boss is so infatuated, I’m touched. How about you take me too? Erke can be the main, I’ll be the side.”

“Yeah right—stop dreaming, go to bed, anything can happen in your dreams.”

After a few more words with the fans, Ma Wu exited the live room and immediately contacted Chen Ao of TengYue Advertising, sending him a new request:

Launch a campaign to promote Lin Erke’s move from Goldfish TV to Huhu TV, attracting more new viewers who didn’t yet know Lin Erke to her streams.

Chen Ao readily agreed. Ever since he’d expertly handled the negative PR for Goldfish TV, Ma Wu always reached out to him first for any publicity work—and the compensation was generous.

With that handled, Ma Wu called the deputy manager of the modeling agency where Li Mida once worked, asking him to take over the management of Goldfish TV.

After all, Goldfish TV was on a different level from that modeling agency. The deputy, hearing of such a golden opportunity, was beside himself with gratitude—he felt that losing a hand to Ma Wu previously had been well worth it.

Efficient as ever, Ma Wu swiftly set Goldfish TV’s next phase in motion and finally felt at ease. Soon, he drifted into sleep.

He didn’t know how much time passed before he suddenly realized he couldn’t breathe through his nose. He tried harder, but when that failed, he switched to breathing through his mouth—only to find his mouth covered as well.

Now fully awake, he rubbed his eyes and found himself face-to-face with a pretty, innocent, and slightly mischievous young woman.

“What are you doing, Wu Ting? Planning to steal my bed? You’re a guest, act like one! How dare you disturb your host’s sleep!”

Wu Ting blushed and spat, “Who’s the host? Don’t twist my words! I came to wake you because I wanted to tell you Wu Di invited me out for dinner tonight.”

The mention of Wu Di snapped Ma Wu out of his grogginess. He looked at Wu Ting and suddenly smiled. “Wu Di invited you to dinner, and you’re telling me?”

Wu Ting bared her teeth in mock anger. “Why not? Aren’t I your woman? If a strange man invites me out, shouldn’t I let my man know?”

Ma Wu hadn’t expected Wu Ting to be so forthright. He’d wanted to tease her, but now found himself blushing as she beat him to it. He turned his head slightly, paused, then patted Wu Ting’s head. “Alright, I’ll go with you to see what Wu Di is up to.”

Wu Ting nodded. “But Wu Di is part of our faction. My father seems to like him, too. He says he wants to celebrate the hope of my father’s recovery and is hosting a banquet. Be nice to him.”

Ma Wu narrowed his eyes and, out of sight of Wu Ting, sneered. “Be nice? Sure, I’ll be nice to him.”

Wu Di had chosen a private club on the outskirts of the eastern part of the city for the celebration.

This club didn’t accept strangers, only regulars. Every meal there was a small fortune. It was a gathering place for the city’s elite.

Ma Wu drove up and found the parking lot packed, with only two adjacent spaces left.

As he was about to park, a BMW X5 suddenly pulled up beside him. The window rolled down to reveal Wu Di’s warm smile.

He quickly spotted Wu Ting in Ma Wu’s car and called out, “Cousin Wu Ting, I’m here.”

Wu Ting smiled and nodded back. “Thank you for your invitation, Cousin Wu Di.”

Wu Di glanced at Ma Wu sitting beside Wu Ting, his gaze sharpening before quickly returning to normal. Casually, he remarked, “The man beside you, cousin, can just drop you off. He doesn’t need to stay.”

Ma Wu raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Wu Ting spoke up, “No, Cousin Wu Di. Ma Wu is here to join me for dinner tonight.”

Had it not been for what happened at the Wu family that day, Wu Di might have feigned indifference to Ma Wu’s presence. But that day, when Wu Ting shouted at the mention of Ma Wu being hurt, her feelings for him became clear—and Wu Di felt threatened.

For years, Wu Di had maintained a close relationship with Wu Ting, waiting for a chance to possess her and, in turn, gain control of the entire Wu family.

Though Wu Ting had never grown closer to him, in Wu Di’s mind, she was already his to claim. Now, seeing the intimacy between Ma Wu and Wu Ting, he couldn’t bear it.

Hearing Wu Ting speak up for Ma Wu, Wu Di said nothing more. He turned and squeezed his BMW X5 into the two empty parking spots, taking up both spaces.

Ma Wu frowned and honked, signaling Wu Di to make room.

Wu Di acted as though he hadn’t heard. Ma Wu waited a while before Wu Di finally got out of his car, lazily and with a hint of provocation curling his lips at Ma Wu, out of Wu Ting’s sight.

Then, feigning distress, he said to Wu Ting, “Oh dear, cousin, my parking skills are terrible. I don’t know how it ended up like this. What should I do?”

Ma Wu let out a cold laugh—such acting, Wu Di was wasted not being an Oscar winner.

Staring at Wu Di’s shameless face, Ma Wu exhaled slowly, thinking through his options.

Wu Xin had approached him, warning of Wu Di’s threat to Wu Ting. The intention was clear: without exposing Wu Di’s true identity, Ma Wu was to use his own name to obstruct Wu Di’s actions.

For now, Wu Di was an asset to Wu Ting’s faction. Exposing him outright would drive him to join a rival group, endangering Wu Xin’s position. That was why, even knowing Wu Di’s ill intent toward Wu Ting, Ma Wu hadn’t told her.

So, if he was to have a falling out with Wu Di, he’d need to cast himself as a spoiled troublemaker to intensify their conflict.

Accordingly, Ma Wu pretended to be furious, cursing as he leaned out the window and called to Wu Di, “Kid, ten seconds. Move your car.”

Wu Di, delighted by Ma Wu’s anger, put on an anxious, apologetic face, pressing his hands together to beg Wu Ting’s pardon. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I really don’t know how to park, oh dear…”

While apologizing, he thought to himself, “Go on, Ma Wu, lose your temper, show Wu Ting your uncouth, hot-headed side. She’ll soon see who is the better man.”

Ma Wu didn’t disappoint. After waiting ten seconds with no response, he started his SUV, slammed the accelerator, and crashed it straight into Wu Di’s BMW X5, forcibly pushing it forward by quite a distance.

Wu Di was dumbfounded. Luckily, he’d already gotten out of the car—otherwise, Ma Wu’s move could’ve half killed him.