Chapter 341: Registering the Company

With the Star Chasers’ triumphant breakthrough into the finals, the team swiftly entered the public eye. People were fervently digging for information about this team, curious about the secrets behind their high ranking.

Traditionally, the top three spots were dominated by professional players, including the renowned Big Three. It was rare for others to break into the top ranks. This year, however, the unheralded Star Chasers shattered all expectations.

Such high-stakes competitions test not only talent and effort but also the team’s resources and coordination. Team events, in particular, require excellent synergy and strategic coaching.

As people delved into the background of the Star Chasers, they were astonished to discover that the team’s owner was Fang Zhou, a somewhat famous figure in the game streaming world. Suddenly, the spotlight shifted from the team members to Fang Zhou.

Many who had never heard of Fang Zhou started watching the variety shows he had recorded, thrusting him into the public’s consciousness.

Out of envy and jealousy, some tried to dig up dirt on him, including his past relationship with Qiao Sisi, his TV appearances, and school embarrassments. Truth and falsehoods mingled, leaving people unable to discern reality, but they enjoyed the spectacle.

Meanwhile, some genuinely admired Fang Zhou’s character and skills, becoming his die-hard fans. They flocked to his livestream, eager to understand his journey.

Those who had bet on the team placing in the top three and won the 50,000 cash prize joyfully helped promote related videos, becoming organic supporters of Fang Zhou and his team.

Naturally, the day after the competition, Fang Zhou resumed his livestream. With the hype so high, he couldn’t miss the opportunity.

As expected, his stream’s viewership skyrocketed, reaching over a million and dominating the platform’s popularity rankings. The chat was filled with praise and compliments, making it impossible for Fang Zhou to suppress his delight.

“I didn’t expect you to be working on something so big while you were away! You didn’t tell your fans and just came back with a third-place win! Treating us like outsiders, huh?”

“Zhou Ge! You’re my hero! Amazing! What are the Star Chasers’ members’ stream IDs? I want to watch them stream too!”

“Yeah, get them on! I can’t wait to chat with them and ask how it feels to win 200K!”

“Silent until now, and then a big bang! You’re no longer a has-been streamer! You’re like the Greek god of training!”

Laughing heartily, Fang Zhou switched from game streaming to a multi-screen video stream, pulling in his studio members.

“Join any stream you like. They’ll be streaming their daily games as well.”

“By the way, I didn’t play a huge part in this competition. The credit goes to Li Siming and Coach Su Yang. Feel free to harass them with questions!”

Fang Zhou’s humor and good looks attracted many fans. Those interested in the team members also flocked to their streams. The team members showcased their talents—whether showing off six-packs, telling jokes, or singing and dancing, making fans realize they weren’t just good at games but also entertaining.

Unlike some top-ranking players who gave fans and viewers the cold shoulder, the Star Chasers were down-to-earth and engaging.

As a result, overnight, the studio members’ popularity soared. Their fan counts ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, achieving a remarkable turnaround.

The sudden influx of wealth and attention left everyone in a daze. They streamed continuously for several days, attracting countless fans and earning substantial income, their faces beaming with joy.

Though their approach received mixed reactions online, some said it degraded the competition’s prestige by using it to profit from streaming, while others argued that players are people too, needing to make a living and should be supported for leveraging their talents.

Despite online debates, Fang Zhou and his team continued streaming, unaffected. Even when critics confronted them, a simple “I need to support my family” from Fang Zhou would earn automatic support from fans.

This was Fang Zhou’s ‘Let the scholars debate for me after entering the pass’ strategy. Instead of confronting trolls directly, they focused on maintaining their genuine fans.

This approach was something Fang Zhou had discussed with Li Siming and Su Yang. They aimed to capitalize on their momentum, growing their fanbase for long-term development.

Prize money was distributed quickly, with the funds transferred to their bank accounts within three days. They also received a 1 million encouragement fund from Han Xi. Fang Zhou split the money with his team and then registered a livestream company.

The studio was now officially a company. Li Siming even rented a convenient location, marking the start of their joint venture as business partners and brothers.

On the day the company was inaugurated, everyone drank heartily, celebrating exuberantly. A young worker who had spent two years tightening screws in a factory held Fang Zhou’s hand and expressed his gratitude.

“Zhou Ge, I’m truly thankful. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be living a monotonous life, working factory shifts and playing games off-hours.”

“I’ve never earned this much money, received so much attention, or been liked by so many people. Thank you for giving me this chance to be something more than ordinary.”

Fang Zhou was genuinely moved by these heartfelt words. He patted the young man’s shoulder, encouraging him, “Don’t worry. Life will only get better from here.”

That night, everyone got drunk and had to be driven home. They were too inebriated to notice the explosive news breaking online.