Su Nian adjusted her attire and carefully examined herself in the mirror, ensuring her appearance was impeccable before stepping out of the room with determined strides.
Inside Magic Feather Fantasy, everyone was busily preparing for the afternoon’s investment promotion event.
Meanwhile, Matthew sat in his office, resting his forehead in his hand as he gloomily surveyed one unresolved matter after another.
Although their debut performance had been a great success, attracting many merchants eager to collaborate with Magic Feather Fantasy…
The situation wasn’t that simple.
Other performing troupes across the region obviously wouldn’t sit back and watch Magic Feather Fantasy grow unchecked and they had identified a glaring weakness.
Countermeasures arrived within just one day.
Of the original 32 public broadcast locations across various cities, 24 city squares had decided not to renew contracts with Magic Feather Fantasy, instead signing with local performing troupes for live shows.
After all, Magic Feather Fantasy was based in Academy City, lacking the local connections that resident troupes in each city naturally possessed.
Moreover…
Major cities were happy to see their local troupes improve, recruit more members, and pay higher taxes.
Naturally, they wouldn’t side with Magic Feather Fantasy.
Now, an even more pressing issue than lacking commercial resources was that their performances might not even be seen at all.
In short-they were being strangled!
Just as Matthew was at his wit’s end…
“Knock, knock, knock.” A rapping came at the door.
It was Su Nian who had come to see Matthew.
His eyes lit up at the sight of her.
“Su Nian, you look absolutely stunning today! Our investment event rests entirely on you now,” Matthew said with eager anticipation.
The few cities still willing to rent them broadcast locations were doing so either out of respect for Su Nian’s status as a magical idol, or because they believed such performances would benefit urban development in the long run.
Forcing a slight smile, Su Nian replied, “Don’t worry, Matthew. I’ll do my best.”
“Oh, there’s something I need to tell you,” Su Nian added.
She then produced her “magic phone”-having already activated Magic Feather Fantasy’s recording crystal sphere and synchronized it with her device beforehand.
When she activated the phone’s projection function, it instantly displayed a real-time feed of the main hall.
The next moment…
Matthew’s eyes widened as he stared at the “long panel” before him.
“Is this… an ultra-compact screen crystal?” Matthew felt a surge of excitement.
If this technology could be widely adopted, Magic Feather Fantasy would no longer be vulnerable to suppression.
“Tell me quickly-what’s this called? Where can we get it? How much does it cost?”
The previously slouching Matthew suddenly perked up with renewed energy.
Su Nian paused slightly, surprised by Matthew’s intense interest in the device.
Well then.
At least this would ease her guilt somewhat; she wouldn’t feel like the partnership between that damned horned demon and Magic Feather Fantasy was solely due to her influence.
“It’s called the Magi…Com…or something?” Su Nian momentarily blanked on the horned demon’s naming choice.
She disliked that name anyway and could never remember it.
Why not just rename it?
“Magic phone” would look similar to a mobile phone, just with fewer functions.
“Yes, it’s called a magic phone,” Su Nian decisively renamed the device.
The system’s task didn’t explicitly prohibit this approach; it only required establishing cooperation.
After all, it was that bastard horned demon’s business.
Not causing him trouble was already being considerate enough.
“This magic phone, besides resonating with crystal balls for photography, can also communicate between two magic phones—either through direct calls or by sending texts and voice messages,” Su Nian explained.
“Incredible, absolutely incredible!”
“I get it now.” Matthew’s eyes lit up.
“How about this-we synchronize Magic Feather Fantasy performances onto these magic phones. As the phones sell like hotcakes, Magic Feather Fantasy shows will reach countless viewers!” Matthew suggested after a moment of thought.
Su Nian sighed inwardly.
Well, there goes her pitch-Matthew had taken the words right out of her mouth.
“The only question is…”
“Would the creator of such an extraordinary device like the magic phone be willing to collaborate with Magic Feather Fantasy?” Matthew asked cautiously.
Given Magic Feather Fantasy current model-live performances in city squares their audience was inherently limited.
Plus, the long- term rental costs for broadcast locations were steep.
But if their shows could be streamed via these magic phones?
The potential would be terrifying!
Su Nian mentally scoffed.
That bastard horned demon would be desperate to collaborate.
“Actually, the creator of these magic phones is my cousin. He purchased Shadowmoon Manor in Academy City and set up a magic workshop there-that’s where these are produced.”
The moment she mentioned “cousin,” Su Nian burned with humiliation.
Damn horned demon-one day, I’ll crush you under my heel!
“Oh?” Matthew’s eyes gleamed.
“If it’s Miss Su Nian’s cousin, then surely Magic Feather Fantasy would be his top choice for collaboration, no?” he asked eagerly.
“Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten my hands on this unreleased magic phone ahead of time,” Su Nian smoothly played along.
“That’s fantastic!”
“However, my cousin does have a condition- He wants The Magic Feather Fantasy to help promote the magic phone,” Su Nian added, not forgetting the horned demon’s demand.
“Naturally! The better these phones sell, the more viewers Magic Feather Fantasy will reach…”
“Hahaha, this is what you call a win-win! Where’s your cousin? I’ll head over right now to sign the contract!” Matthew was overjoyed.
Merchants had already caught wind of the rumors, casting doubts on Magic Feather Fantasy’s future.
Su Nian might as well be his goddess of fortune.
Not only had she helped him realize his dream of forming an idol group, but now there was even a chance to take it further-making their performances accessible to everyone.
Su Nian picked up the magic phone and sent a message summoning the bastard horned demon.
[Su Nian]: The deal’s set. They want to sign the contract with you.
[Horned Demon]: My little slave Su Nian works efficiently. A reward awaits you tonight.
[Su Nian]:… Maybe skip that.
Something about this felt off.
What kind of “reward” could that bastard possibly give her?
[Horned Demon]: No. Refusals. Allowed.
***
What followed went as smoothly as water flowing downhill.
After Shadowmoon Manor’s magic workshop finalized its partnership with Magic Feather Fantasy, a batch of “magic phones” was delivered.
When showcased at the afternoon merchant conference, advertising prices immediately skyrocketed.
And so…
Magic Feather Fantasy entered into a deep collaboration with Shadowmoon Manor.
With the connection of Su Nian’s cousin, the members of Magic Feather Fantasy clearly placed great trust in Shadowmoon Manor’s “Mr. Mo Yuan.”
At Magic Feather Fantasy’s resting area…
Amy munched on leftover snacks from the investment conference, her cheeks puffed up like a hamster’s as she spoke.
“Oh my, the owner of Shadowmoon Manor is actually Miss Su Nian’s cousin? That’s incredible! He’s such an important figure.”
“I heard Shadowmoon Manor is extremely luxurious and beautiful. Su Nian, have you been there?”
Su Nian maintained a polite smile on the surface, but internally she was grumbling-of course she’d been there, she’d even visited the manor’s dungeons!
“If only we could go see it…” Amy sighed wistfully.
“Yeah, that place must be way more extravagant than Magic Feather Fantasy,” a backup dancer nearby chimed in.
Just then, Matthew came rushing excitedly into Magic Feather Fantasy.
“Great news! Great news!”
“Mr. Mo Yuan is hosting a banquet at Shadowmoon Manor tonight, inviting all advertising partners and the entire Magic Feather Fantasy team!” Matthew announced the good news.
Su Nian looked utterly bewildered.
Could this be the reward that bastard horned demon mentioned?
What kind of reward is this supposed to be?!
Does this mean she has to go to Shadowmoon Manor again tonight?