After hanging up the phone, Lin Xia felt a sense of unreality.
Was this for real?
Big Boss Yang wanted him to pick a lock?
This was just too damn bizarre!
So, did this mean he'd really made it beyond his usual circle?
Still, there was money to be made.
He wasn't about to hesitate.
Grabbing his phone, he scanned a shared e-bike and simultaneously started his live stream.
"Huh? What's going on? The streamer's actually live this late?"
"Damn, I was already in bed ready for some 'me time' when I got the notification."
"It's the ultimate side hustle king! Awesome!"
"Where's the streamer headed? Not off to pick another lock, is he?"
"Not sure, but I know the streamer's blown up."
"Why?"
"Because the streamer's a celebrity!"
"Let me tell you a joke: the streamer is a celebrity. Pffft hahaha!"
"New here, confused. Why isn't this streamer acting and instead livestreaming? Aren't celebrities super busy?"
"Poster above, that cuts a bit deep."
"…"
After the day's events, everyone in the live stream now knew Lin Xia was a D-list entertainer.
The feeling was truly peculiar.
One day you're watching an ordinary streamer, someone juggling different side hustles every day, the very image of a struggling everyman constantly on the grind.
Then, suddenly, you discover this 'everyman' is actually a celebrity.
That kind of反差 (chǎfǎn, contrast)... was just comical.
Scanning the comments, Lin Xia didn't mind. He was a niche actor, after all, nothing to be ashamed of. His acting and singing skills were no secret to his live stream audience anyway. And besides, since when were celebrities barred from having side hustles?
"Brothers, order accepted! You won't believe the huge job I just landed!"
Seeing Lin Xia's boastful look, the viewers were baffled. But no matter how they asked, Lin Xia wouldn't explain, insisting they wait until he arrived.
This thoroughly hooked the viewers' curiosity. They grew restless. Many who had been ready to call it a night made a decision that defied their ancestors' teachings: they decided to stay up late!!
...
The location of Skywalk Studios was quite far from Lin Xia, practically east versus west. The bike ride took nearly an hour. Lin Xia decided then and there: once his finances were a bit better, his first purchase would be an electric scooter.
After watching Lin Xia cycle for over forty minutes straight, the live audience grew impatient.
"Damn, streamer, are you messing with us?"
"This is too much! You get us all excited late at night just to watch you bike?"
"If this 'huge job' isn't huge, I'm reporting you immediately!"
"Report +1"
"Report +2"
"Report +3"
"You guys are something else. With everyone chiming in, the streamer will be behind bars tomorrow, right?"
"…"
Just as the viewers were getting genuinely annoyed, Lin Xia finally found a spot, parked the bike, and announced, "Alright, brothers, we're here. Just wait and see how big this job really is!"
With that, he sent Yang Mi a message saying he had arrived.
Upon receiving the message, Yang Mi, accompanied by Dilraba, stepped out of the office.
The moment the two women appeared, the live chat exploded.
"HOLY CRAP! HOLY CRAP! HOLY CRAP!"
"ABSOLUTELY UNREAL!"
"Big! Really big! Huge! Immense!" (Referring to the stars' fame/profile)
"I thought about how big the job could be, but I never imagined it'd be this big!"
"Yeah! First time seeing ones this big, and they're real, wow!"
"Hey, you all better be talking about the job!"
"…"
The viewers were thrilled. These were genuine A-list celebrities!
However, some remained skeptical, thinking this might be an elaborate publicity stunt orchestrated by Lin Xia's company to make him famous.
But when this theory popped up in the chat, the regular viewers just found it hilarious.
Give me a break.
They knew Lin Xia's capabilities all too well. Unless the management at Sky Beyond Entertainment had a few screws loose, they would never make such a brainless decision.
...
Compared to the live stream audience, Lin Xia remained relatively calm upon seeing Yang Mi and Dilraba.
They were all celebrities; no one was inherently superior!
Lin Xia smiled and asked, "You need a car door unlocked, right?"
His composure slightly surprised Yang Mi and Dilraba.
This guy was pretty calm. They wondered if it was genuine or just an act.
But that wasn't important right now. Yang Mi had genuinely called him here to unlock a car. Of course, any other thoughts she might have couldn't be revealed just yet.
"Yes, that car right at the entrance," Yang Mi pointed.
Everyone looked towards the black Mercedes G-Class parked at the Skywalk entrance.
"Can you open it?" Yang Mi asked.
Lin Xia nodded without hesitation. "Yes. 500."
"Fine, no problem. Just get it open."
"Shall I start now?"
"Go ahead."
"…"
Lin Xia walked over to the G-Wagon, examined the keyhole on the door, then turned back to Dilraba. "Do you have a hairpin? Lend me one."
"A hairpin?" Dilraba was momentarily stunned but quickly handed one over.
Lin Xia took it, deftly bent it into the shape he wanted, inserted it into the car's keyhole, gave a slight twist—
Click.
The door unlocked directly.
Yang Mi: ????
Dilraba: ????
Live Stream: ????
"HOLY CRAP! There it is again! The classic one-second unlock!"
"Forget the celebrity part for a second, damn, that unlocking speed is true love!"
"Good grief! Is this guy really a celebrity? How is he so good at this?"
"Newbie above, this is nothing. Last time the streamer opened a small Luban lock!"
"Seriously? You can't get that slick without years of lock-picking experience."
"I seriously suspect the streamer has another identity! Everyone, quick, call the police!"
"Oh, come on! He just got out of the police station this afternoon. Viewers, don't go too far now!"
"…"
The live stream was utterly astonished.
Yang Mi and Dilraba were also stunned, their mouths forming little 'O's.
Witnessing it live was simply mind-blowing!
They barely registered what happened before the car door was open.
If Lin Xia had any ill intentions, wouldn't every 4S shop in the country be in a panic??
As the two women were still reeling from the shock, a calm voice spoke up beside them.
"Alright, all done. Scan the code, or cash?"
Yang Mi: …
Dilraba: …
Live Stream: That's our streamer!
…
…