A video titled Simon's Dream quietly went live on the homepage of Claire Tickets.
At the same time, YouTube exploded with clickbait headlines from the so-called "shock department" within an hour:
"Shock! Claire Lee Ditches Childhood Sweetheart, Spotted with Model and Secret Love Child!"
"Shock! Manchester United's Star Substitute Claire Lee's Illegitimate Child Has Cancer!"
"Shock! Supermodel Dujuan Falls for Him!"
These viral headlines spread like wildfire across YouTube, spilling over to social media and news outlets. It wasn't just YouTube—USA Today, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Times bombarded North American and European audiences with relentless coverage.
Back in 2007, internet marketing thrived on the "three makes a tiger" strategy: one ad might not grab you, but when the second and third hit with similar headlines, you're hooked. There's a 70% chance you'll click to see what's up. Think of the infamous line: "Big hello, I'm Slag Glow, explore the lazy moon, this is a brand-new version you've never played, just try it for three minutes, and you'll love this game like me." That ad pushed Greedy Blue Moon's parent company to over 4 billion in revenue in its first year, turning its CEO into a tycoon rivaling Didi's founder.
Claire Lee used the same tactic for her campaign. Her innovative "one like, one dollar donation" not only tapped into people's disdain for the ultra-rich, drawing them in, but also leveraged her massive celebrity lineup at Lem Valley Stadium to funnel traffic to Claire Tickets. Meanwhile, little Simon got global attention and aid. It was a win-win plan—Claire's brainchild, born from sleepless nights. But it hinged on her ability to keep producing hit content. If Claire ever stopped delivering, her network would crumble, and her influence at Warner Records would tank.
In the capital world, selfishness doesn't guarantee a climb to the top. It's a give-and-take game.
---
Claire Hotel, the only five-star spot near Lem Valley Stadium, buzzed with activity. The lobby was packed with pedestrians, staff, and even tourists from China pitching in to set up the event. Destiny's Child Simon was about to kick off his "fight for justice" journey here. The less-than-a-mile stretch from the stadium to the hotel was decked out in dark, gritty decor, yet strangers didn't complain—they eagerly helped staff spruce up the street.
Even the usually sensationalist media, rushing to the scene, didn't stir trouble. Instead, they pulled DC masks from their bags and joined the vibe. Zhang Peng, sporting a Joker mask, strutted through the DC-themed setup, his friends nowhere in sight. As he wandered aimlessly, his flip phone rang.
"Hey, Xiao Wang? Where the hell are you? We've been waiting forever! Alright, I'm coming to the entrance." Zhang Peng hustled to the DC event gate, spotting the slightly awkward Xiao Wang.
"Man, if this wasn't a charity event, I'd have bashed those two security guards' heads in!" Xiao Wang's temper flared as usual, making him easy to spot in the crowd. Zhang Peng quickly smoothed things over with the guards, flashing his VIP work pass. The guards, seeing it, relaxed instantly.
"Why're you picking fights with security? I told you, the event's too popular—tons of people can't get in!" Zhang Peng said.
Xiao Wang scanned the scene, muttering, "I've been to Andlem before—a town of barely 70,000. Now it's transformed like this?"
"Our guide said Claire Lee and her uncle poured 10 million pounds into this place. Her uncle's even running for local council!"
Xiao Wang scoffed, "Tch, foreigners and their money-grubbing ways. But how'd you snag that VIP pass?"
"Money talks. With cash, you can do whatever you want here. Gotta hand it to Claire—she knows how to rake it in. Even a photo with her costs thousands."
The two wandered around Lem Valley Stadium for half the day.
"What's the point of us just strolling around like idiots? Take me inside the stadium," Xiao Wang said.
"Can't get in."
"What? We didn't sneak over walls as kids?"
Claire Lee, exhausted from a morning of work, had dozed off in the stadium's front row. She was fine at first, but as the sun dipped and a chilly breeze hit, she jolted awake. Rubbing her eyes, she noticed the Batman-themed setup in the corner and the vanished staff. Stretching, she headed to the bathroom—only to find a line of workers at the door. Embarrassed, she slipped toward the stadium's back entrance, a quieter spot rarely used. Her "urgent business" couldn't wait, boss or not.
Relieved, Claire zipped up, a twig in her mouth, when two muffled thuds came from behind. She turned to see three people staring at each other awkwardly.
Xiao Wang, a troublemaker in his youth, had never been caught red-handed—until now. Sneaking into someone's property could legally justify "self-defense" in the U.S. or UK. His face flushed red to his neck.
Zhang Peng, more seasoned, threw an arm around Claire's neck. "Hey, buddy! Know me? I'm a big client for your tour group!"
Claire brushed off Zhang Peng's overly chummy act, eyeing the self-proclaimed "future king of society."
"Look, I don't care who you are. Since you're here, don't cause trouble. Follow me and stay quiet," Claire said calmly in fluent Mandarin.
Zhang Peng gaped at Xiao Wang, stunned by Claire's . Xiao Wang, quick to adapt, fell in line behind Claire, kicking Zhang Peng's butt for good measure.
"Tch, the future richest kid as my lackey? Not bad," Claire muttered smugly to herself. But her mood soured when she spotted a headache-inducing figure.
Taylor Swift, in a sunhat, black miniskirt, and pink sunblock jacket, strutted out of the stadium's main gate, looking equal parts mismatched and striking. Zhang Peng and Xiao Wang froze, gawking.
"You, the big organizer, sure look relaxed! Don't you know everyone at the hotel's working for free for you?" Taylor snapped.
"You didn't have to come. Nobody forced you. If you want out, I'll talk to the boss. Plenty of people would love to take your spot," Claire shot back.
Xiao Wang blurted, "Damn, that's badass!"
Taylor glared at Claire before storming off toward the main stage with her crew.
As Zhang Peng nudged Xiao Wang to translate, a curvy woman in a sultry outfit threw herself into Claire's arms.
"Wow, you're so mean! You drag me here and don't even check on me. Taylor's been on my case all day," Lucy Pinder pouted.
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Lucy was always a charmer, but she loved playing up their closeness in front of others. Claire, helpless, patted her butt and whispered, "Alright, I've given you face. Go rehearse your hosting gig."
As Lucy sashayed past Zhang Peng and Xiao Wang, Xiao Wang cursed again. "Man, what a player!"
"Lowkey, lowkey. I just did what you guys wouldn't dare," Claire said, feigning composure as she led the way.
Zhang Peng whispered to Xiao Wang, "Don't know why, but I really wanna punch him."
Xiao Wang, ignoring him, watched enviously as Claire greeted Linkin Park. "If I could, I'd be him."
"Then you'd need your dad to bankroll you."
"Why can't I make my own money like Claire?"
Their little encounter was just a blip, not derailing the music festival rehearsal at Lem Valley Stadium.
---
Across the ocean, Steve Chen lay in a hospital bed, watching Claire Tickets' traffic spike by 17,000 IPs every five minutes.
"Wow, Claire's a marketing genius!" he told Kai-Fu Lee, sitting beside him.
Kai-Fu Lee, holding a financial report on Claire Tickets, sighed. "It's a shame Google didn't invest. This would've been a feather in my cap."
"I can finally make up for never ringing the bell at YouTube!" Chen said, a faint flush breaking through his pale complexion.
"If you can get out of bed to ring the bell at NASDAQ, that regret's gone," Kai-Fu replied.
"My first investment's a hit!"
"When Claire Tickets goes public, Google's investment team won't miss it twice."
Chen's words made Kai-Fu Lee grin. "I knew you didn't drag me here for nothing."
"Alright, get ready for surgery. Google's not my call alone."
Chen waved at the sky as Kai-Fu left, beaming. They didn't talk much, but their understanding ran deep—facial expressions said enough.
Despite Goldman Sachs' backing and interest from Caesar Tourism Group, investors knew not to put all eggs in one basket. Claire Tickets had no UK competitors yet, but ticket platforms were easy to replicate. If a rival announced funding on listing day, Claire Tickets could tank. A stock crash was every investor's nightmare.
"I'm ready. It's on you now!"
"Prep for surgery. When I'm done, we'll ring the NASDAQ bell together!"