Starlet Taotie Chapter 11
Chapter 11 Mukbang
Under Tong Tong’s persuasion, Jiang Tao finally gave up on the good(?) idea of eating Han Ziheng.
Tong Tong also managed to calm down.
She slapped her own forehead, realizing she had panicked so badly that she had actually forgotten to report the matter to the company.
Something like this couldn’t be handled by them alone.
The other side’s paid smear campaign was all over the internet, only the company stepping in could suppress it.
So she had Jiang Tao stay at home while she hurried back to the company.
For easier contact, she even left Jiang Tao the phone she was using and took a spare backup phone instead.
After she left, Jiang Tao first wandered into the kitchen, ate most of the leftovers she had bought the day before, then lazily drifted back into the living room.
On the coffee table, the notification sound of Tong Tong’s phone kept ringing without stopping.
Curious, Jiang Tao tapped it open.
On WeChat, everyone who had worked with Jiang Tao sent messages one after another.
Tang Yuxia had sent more than a dozen messages in a row, some comforting her, others angrily cursing the water army and antis.
Her last message read:
【Jiang Jiang, don’t worry. I’ll definitely find a way to get justice for you!!】
Even through the screen, Jiang Tao could feel the warmth and concern in her words.
Pure and intense.
Jiang Tao touched her chest.
It felt a little strange there.
Ever since she was born, she had always been alone.
Because of her nature as a taotie, she was destined to have no family, no friends.
To her, everything in the world was either ‘food’ or ‘not food’.
All living beings feared her, dreaded her, and wished to stay as far away from her as possible.
It seemed like no one had ever cared about her like this, like Tong Tong and Tang Yuxia, so anxious, so earnest, working so hard because of her.
This feeling was strangely wonderful.
Her heart felt as if it had been soaked in warm water, and even her endlessly insatiable appetite seemed to find a fleeting moment of satisfaction.
She held the phone and squatted on the sofa, reading through everyone’s messages.
As she was exiting, she accidentally tapped on an icon.
A line of text popped up on the screen:
【Dear streamer Pretty and Profoundly Perfect Tong, would you like to start a livestream now?】
(TLN: Lmao yes, that’s Tong Tong’s username. Also, I know nothing about live-streaming on apps, so please bear with me)
Jiang Tao: ?
Curious, she tapped again.
The line of text disappeared, and a huge rabbit head suddenly appeared on the screen.
Jiang Tao widened her eyes and, almost instinctively, opened her mouth—only to realize a moment later that this wasn’t food. It was Tong Tong’s phone.
More lines of text popped up on the interface.
【“Little Looker Pao” has entered the livestream room】
【“Sucker for Lookers” has entered the livestream room】
【“Warm Toñed Love” has entered the livestream room】
Although Tong Tong usually acted rather introverted and restrained at work, once off duty she was extremely active online.
While she refrained from exposing her face, her speech was sharp and entertaining, and she occasionally dropped insider gossip from the entertainment industry. She had gained a small but loyal following on the platform.
So the moment her livestream went live, it was instantly pushed to her fans.
【Wuwuwuwu, Perfect Tong, you’re finally streaming!】
【Without your streams recently, I couldn’t even sleep properly】
【Why isn’t Perfect Tong speaking?】
【Sucker for Lookers sent a bouquet of flowers to Pretty and Profoundly Perfect Tong】
(TLN: Sent gifts on livestreams can be cashed for money)
Jiang Tao guessed she had probably tapped the wrong thing and was about to exit.
Just then, a new comment popped up on the screen:
【Is Perfect Tong streaming now because she’s going to talk about Jiang Tao? The trending topic has been up for ages.】
Seeing her own name, Jiang Tao curiously asked, “Talk about me?”
【???】
【That’s not Perfect Tong’s voice??】
【Did Perfect Tong get hacked?】
Seeing that no one was answering her, Jiang Tao randomly poked at the screen again.
Again, without realizing what she had clicked, the rabbit head filter covering her face instantly disappeared.
【!!!!!!!】
【Ahhhhh I’m dying! Perfect Tong my good child, you look this good?? Why didn’t you show your face before!! Mom is heartbroken, like she missed out on a billion】
【Everyone wake up, that’s Jiang Tao!!】
Tong Tong’s fans finally reacted one after another.
【I just checked the livestream title again, this is Perfect Tong’s room!】
【Perfect Tong, you’ve made it! You actually infiltrated the entertainment industry!】
【Nope, this is too much information for my brain to process, I need to log out and get some oxygen first】
The chaotic barrage of comments mirrored the fans’ emotional state.
Jiang Tao found it amusing and leaned a little closer.
She wasn’t wearing any makeup, but even at such close range, her skin showed no flaws at all. Instead, that casualness only added a kind of natural, unadorned beauty to her appearance.
【Aaaahhh gorgeous, don’t lean in so close, I can’t control myself】
【holy shit holy shit holy shit】
【I just came back from the gossip thread, omg I’m sorry guys, she’s made me her face fan!!】
It was then Jiang Tao realized she could actually communicate with them, so she started answering a few of their questions.
After the news spread, more and more people flooded into the livestream.
Very quickly, netizens realized she was completely different from the rumors claiming she was arrogant, domineering, and living a chaotic private life.
She was calm, graceful, and generous in manner, answering viewers’ questions whenever they asked.
More importantly, her skin was fair and luminous, without even the slightest hint of dark circles under her eyes.
And you’re telling me she parties all night, drinks, and does drugs??
What drugs is she on? Immortal elixirs?!
The balance in the netizens’ minds gradually began to tip in her favor.
After chatting for a while, Jiang Tao said, “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to sign off.”
【Nooo! Stay a little longer, Jiang Jiang, chat with us more!】
【We don’t want you to leaveeee】
【What is Jiang Jiang good at? How about a final talent show?】
Jiang Tao thought about it. The thing she was best at was eating.
So she nodded. “Alright.”
The fans immediately became excited again. Even though they had no idea what Jiang Tao was going to perform, they were determined to support her with full force.
So rockets, cruise ships, and virtual villas began flooding the screen.
(TLN: again, these are virtual gifts that can be cashed for money)
Jiang Tao took her phone and walked into the kitchen. “There aren’t many ingredients at home, so I’ll perform… eating a pot of rice.”
Fans: “???”
…
Meanwhile, Tong Tong had returned to the company. She first went to Sun Jianxian, but to her surprise, he was extremely perfunctory and had no intention at all of handling public relations for Jiang Tao.
Tong Tong was both angry and anxious.
She was just a small assistant with almost no authority, and the company was extremely strict about hierarchy; reporting matters out of turn was something they strongly prohibited.
But then she thought of Jiang Tao’s trust in her.
Gritting her teeth, and already preparing herself for the possibility of being fired, she took a gamble and went straight to the chief marketing director.
After listening to her explanation, the marketing director’s expression darkened. “Why are you the one reporting this? Where is Sun Jianxian?”
Since things had already reached this point, Tong Tong simply spilled everything in one go.
From Sun Jianxian completely letting Jiang Tao go unmanaged, to his refusal today to handle any public relations for her at all.
“This is only your side of the story,” the marketing director frowned. “Jiang Tao is an artist under Sun Jianxian. Any issues should be handled by him. Otherwise, wouldn’t everything become a mess?”
Just as Tong Tong was about to argue further, the marketing director’s phone rang.
After answering the call, his expression shifted several times before finally breaking into a smile as bright as a chrysanthemum. “Please rest assured, our Jiang Tao is definitely not that kind of person. We will clarify this as soon as possible and ensure it does not affect our cooperation.”
After hanging up, the marketing director’s attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. He asked Tong Tong, “Are you sure Jiang Tao entered the police station because she was saving someone?”
Tong Tong nodded firmly. “I’m sure. I even have the police officer’s contact number here.”
“I understand. The rest of this matter will be handled by the company. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
Although she didn’t know what had changed the marketing director’s attitude, with the company stepping in, Tong Tong finally felt relieved.
She walked with weak legs to the company's lounge and found a sofa to sit down on.
The backup phone in her pocket kept vibrating nonstop.
She took it out and saw that her WeChat notifications had already turned into a red 99+.
The moment she opened them, she realised every one boiled down to the same two messages:
【What’s your relationship with Jiang Tao?】
【Jiang Tao is in your livestream aaaah!!】
Tong Tong: “!!”
…
Han Ziheng swirled a glass of red wine, the pale glow of his computer screen reflecting faintly across his face.
He watched, satisfied, as netizens furiously attacked Jiang Tao.
After today, Jiang Tao would completely disappear from the entertainment industry.
She would never appear in front of Su Yingxue again, and would no longer make her sad or upset.
Jiang Tao must be crying in pain and despair by now!
This was the price she paid for hurting Su Yingxue.
Pity he couldn’t witness her miserable state with his own eyes.
Thinking this, Han Ziheng revealed a cruel smile and called the water army. “Any reaction from Jiang Tao?”
The water army hesitated for a moment. “She… seems to be livestreaming?”
Han Ziheng’s smile froze. “What??? ”
…
Tong Tong had originally been worried that Jiang Tao’s first livestream would be full of mistakes, making her situation even worse.
But when she clicked in to take a look—
The effect was unexpectedly good?
【I came out of curiosity, thinking this was going to be a crying apology or damage-control livestream… didn’t expect it to turn into a mukbang?】
【how can Jiang jie make plain white rice look this delicious omggg!!】
【What brand of rice is this? Link please!!】
But very quickly, Han Ziheng’s water army made their appearance.
【You still have the nerve to livestream?? Did your mother give you too much nerve when you were born?】
【Aren’t you going to explain yourself?】
【You think you can just pretend nothing happened? Criminal, get out of the entertainment industry!】
Tong Tong’s heart skipped a beat.
But before she could react, the viewers in the livestream had already started firing back on her behalf.
【So annoying, can you take your arguments to Weibo? Don’t interrupt my mukbang!】
The water army was completely stunned.
With such a huge scandal going on, how were they losing to a stupid mukbang??
These viewers were insane!
Jiang Tao slowly swallowed her mouthful of rice and casually advised the audience, “Don’t mind them. If you’ve got the time, wouldn’t it be better to eat a few more bites?”
Netizens: 【Jiang Jiang is right, so where’s the link??】
The water army: “???”
At that moment, Jiang Tao’s agency, Starfruit Entertainment, reposted a Weibo post from Beijing’s East District Public Security Bureau:
【Last night, East District Public Security Bureau received a report that a serious assault incident had occurred within its jurisdiction. Ms. @Jiang Tao acted bravely and subdued the perpetrator, preventing further loss to public safety and property.】
The moment this post went live, it instantly detonated across the internet.
【Holy fk! This is a government certified clarification! Nothing could be more solid than this evidence!】
【So she was taken to the police car because she did a good deed??】
【jie jie is so cool I can’t handle it!!!!】
【Jiang Tao is truly deserving of praise!!】
【Does your face hurt, haters? Hahahahaha】
【Of course it hurts, it’s an official slap in the face LMAO】
【Where are those “insiders” who leaked stuff earlier? Why aren’t they speaking now?】
The water army and antis who had been jumping around moments ago instantly vanished without a trace, leaving only a few stubborn ones still clinging on.
【So what if she did a good deed? The entertainment industry cares about strength. Jiang Tao should still quit.】
【With that level of acting, what director would even dare to cast her?】
At that moment, Director Tang Haisheng posted a Weibo update:
【Devotion to food stems from true passion. Looking forward to working with @Jiang Tao on ‘Divine Chef’.】
Tang Haisheng was one of the most commercially valuable directors in the country, and also the most sought-after director among actors. Being acknowledged by him was extremely difficult.
Haters: ??
The fans were overjoyed and flooded the comments.
Thank you, haters! You reap what you sow!
TL Note: I initially translated the wuwuwu to boohoohoo, but Luna said it was better to leave the orginal, so I took her advice ^^
For future references (future novels etc), what do you think sounds better? I wanna know what yalls think
