Chapter 43: Desert Challenge and Livestream Dreams

Xu Hao announced this in his livestream.

Liu Qing replied softly.

Although the challenge had officially ended, they kept an eye on Xu Hao – after all, he was the man who had cost them a five-million investment.

“Such arrogance. Raising a desert? Not even the major domestic conglomerates would dare pull something like that! Do you really think that a four-million prize lets you do whatever you want in the desert?”

Not to mention that even making a profit from desert greening would cost an astronomical sum.

Yang Yuan scoffed coldly, his face full of disdain.

If the desert were so profitable, the major domestic conglomerates would have snapped up the land long ago – it’s not like a minor director like him would get a chance.

Even with huge expanses of cheap desert land available without relocation worries, why is no one interested?

It’s simply that no one can handle the outrageous expenses.

“The situation is like this, but the kid sure knows how to hype up the audience. His fan base isn’t dropping – it’s even growing a bit.”

Liu Qing nodded in agreement, a hint of admiration in his tone.

If anyone benefited most from this challenge, it was undoubtedly Xu Hao – fans, prize money, and traffic, he got it all.

“What good is a rise in fans if there’s no profit in the end? Let’s get back to our own extreme challenge. By the way, when will the streamers from Ziyun Live Stream Guild arrive in Haishi?”

Yang Yuan, growing increasingly irritated at Xu Hao, didn’t want to mention him again.

Yesterday, he visited Ning’an and already reached a cooperation agreement with the Ning’an Cultural and Tourism Group. Qi Haoyong confirmed that, as previously agreed, they could accept ten challenge contestants – all of whom were streamers from Long Kingdom – but it had to be under a wager contract.

Last year, Yunning County Cultural and Tourism Group hosted 500,000 visitors from June to September. This year, if they can boost that number by 20% to 600,000, the wager would be deemed successful. If successful, all agreements would proceed as stipulated; if not, Tianchen Culture would pay a 20-million penalty.

Yang Yuan found nothing objectionable with Qi Haoyong’s terms. Besides, Tianchen Culture already had its own following, and these ten streamers from Ziyun Live Stream Guild brought considerable traffic. Worst-case scenario, he could ask his sister Yang Ziyun to feature the guild’s top streamer selling tickets on the livestream – problem solved.

“Boss Yang, they’ll arrive around 7 p.m.”

“7 p.m.? Good. Also, keep a close eye on a streamer named Zhang Chi.”

Lighting a cigar, Yang Yuan leaned back in his executive chair.

“Zhang Chi?”

“Yes. Zhang Chi is our key player this time. He already boasts 500,000 fans and is a talented craftsman. Rumor has it he even worked as a technical consultant for a modern large-scale antique architecture company. With the right promotion, he can definitely win back the audience we lost from Xu Hao.”

He added, “Plus, Zhang Chi has already started teasing his livestream – and the response is excellent.”

Yang Yuan remarked matter-of-factly.

“Understood, Boss Yang.”

“Alright. Things are almost set on the Ning’an side – all the necessary groundwork has been laid. Tomorrow at 8 a.m. we’ll start the announcement and pre-event hype, with the challenge kicking off three days later.”

“Got it!”

Under the setting moon and rising sun, number 256 in Hongsha Gang Village in the Tengli Desert welcomed a new day. Pushing open the door,

Xu Hao gazed at his ever-lush fenced courtyard and the gentle ripples of the small lake. He stretched luxuriously – truly, it was a delight to escape the bustling city and spend some time recuperating here.

But to fully enjoy the coolness of the small lake, it needed further work – it had to be deepened to connect with the groundwater so that it would never run dry again.

Ding-a-ling. Just as Xu Hao was about to freshen up, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at it – it was not Zhu Qiang, but Luo Peng from Hongsha Gang Village.

Yesterday, the two had hit it off – especially when discussing desert construction. Luo Peng had even declared he’d join Xu Hao for a major project, willing to work for free – as long as it could lift Hongsha Gang Village from poverty and keep the eastern sandstorms at bay.

Xu Hao had agreed eagerly.

Time reveals a person’s true colors. Some people, like Luo Peng, show their character in just a few hours of conversation.

“Little Luo, what’s up?”

“Bro Hao, the camel deal is done. Once the materials arrive, I’ll organize the villagers to get the wood, motor equipment, and supplies over here.”

Luo Peng exclaimed excitedly.

“That fast?”

Xu Hao was a bit taken aback – even if Hongsha Gang Village suddenly bought thirty-eight camels, it wasn’t a simple matter.

“The village chief was over the moon at the news that you’d be staying here long-term. A few easy words were all it took, and everything fell into place. The villagers even offered to help with the deliveries for free.”

“Free? That won’t do! Every job deserves proper labor pay – not a penny less. The rates should match local standards. Listen, I’ll call Boss Zhu from Ning’an Cultural and Tourism Group to register another labor company for you to manage. You’ll be in charge of all manpower matters.”

Hearing the villagers were volunteering, Xu Hao quickly added, “Ordinary people are honest, but we can’t always take advantage of their goodwill.”

“Bro Hao, you’re getting too formal – our village’s biggest dream is to tame the sand,” Luo Peng paused before continuing,

“Little Luo, just follow my plan! We’ll need manpower time and again – the Shadou area requires plenty of grass lattice installation, and soon we’ll be buying and planting trees. We can’t keep relying on the villagers forever. Besides, when they earn money, they’ll support us even more.

And with a labor company, we can even get them insurance – an extra layer of security.”

Before Luo Peng could say more, Xu Hao cut him off to finalize the plans.

“Alright, then it’s settled!”

Perhaps the promise of insurance had swayed Luo Peng; this time he didn’t insist any further.

“Okay, just get in touch with Boss Zhu afterwards – he already knows you.”

“Got it!”

After discussing a few other matters, Xu Hao finally ended the call.

“Truly, one man can’t form a forest. More hands make lighter work.”

Surveying his surroundings, Xu Hao began his morning routine. After a quick refresh, he set up his livestream. By the time he reached the streaming rig, it was already 9:50 a.m. – only ten minutes until his promised start time.

After plugging in the backup power and checking everything, at exactly 10:00 a.m. the livestream went live.

“Bro Hao, you’re finally online!”

“That’s right!”

“I’ve been waiting for this forever!”

In no time, thousands joined the stream and the chat rapidly buzzed with activity.

“Good morning, everyone,” Xu Hao greeted his viewers as was his custom.

“Bro Hao, has the wood arrived yet? When do you start construction?”

Soon, an eager fan asked.

“The wood and paint, along with the glazed tiles, have all been ordered. They should arrive this afternoon at the log cabin, and tonight we’re prepping the parts – barring any hitches, work will start by tomorrow at the latest,” Xu Hao explained.

“Paint? Bro Hao, what do you need paint for?”

Many viewers were taken aback.

In their minds a pavilion only needed wood and waterproofing – paint was seen as unnecessary.

“What’s the point of an octagonal pavilion without paint? Without it, the structure just doesn’t look right – it’s incomplete!”

The audience’s reaction caught Xu Hao off guard, and he muttered in surprise.

In the subconscious of those who appreciate ancient architecture, a pavilion wasn’t complete unless it featured painted beams and carved details.

“Painted beams?”

At that moment,

a viewer suddenly caught on and spammed several wide-eyed emotes.

“Wait a minute – are you saying your pavilion will resemble ancient architecture?”