"Just for this reminder, I think we can be friends!"

Liu Xingyun chuckled to himself with a bit of self-deprecation.

"Sure, as long as we don't sign a contract, everything's good!"

Zhang Yang wasn't swayed by the other's tone, skillfully making a cheeky remark.

"Judging by your registration info, you don't seem that old, so I'll just boldly call you Brother Zhang!

I don't get it, signing a contract is clearly beneficial for both parties, why do you avoid it like the plague?

How much do two planets cost? Enough for you to make a special call to thank me!

With your base of millions of followers on public social media, signing with a platform company would earn you a sign-on bonus of at least six figures, possibly even seven, without even mentioning regular wages, and you're not tempted at all!

I've noticed a lot of data from the website backend, many of your fans are registering and following for the first time, which means they are new traffic drawn from other channels!

Even without signing, you're already creating value by attracting traffic to the platform, so why aren't you cashing in on it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang asked back, "Since I'm not asking for money and have already contributed value to the platform, why do you insist on signing me up?"

"Well..."

Liu Xingyun was momentarily at a loss for words.

"What's up, not convenient to discuss? If it's not, we can change the topic!"

"It's nothing confidential!

The head office is preparing for an IPO! Ringing the bell on Nasdaq!

Signing top-tier streamers can provide a solid backing for the company's operations!

A big name like you, with a vertical niche and precise traffic, ranks among the highest-rated power streamers!"

Liu Xingyun spilled some industry basics to Zhang Yang.

Liu Xingyun wasn't wrong, this stuff isn't secretive to insiders, but to Zhang Yang, it's beyond his current understanding.

One thing Zhang Yang could confirm was that Liu Xingyun, with the help of alcohol, had indeed become talkative.

Zhang Yang knew about Yingke Live's later developments and its 2018 listing on the Hong Kong stock market.

Yet the subsequent progress didn't soar as many expected, failing to maintain dominance in the live streaming industry.

Zhang Yang naturally wouldn't discuss these future events, but that didn't stop him from subtly hinting to Liu Xingyun.

After all, Zhang Yang didn't like owing favors. Whether they became friends or not was secondary; at least Liu Xingyun had been generous with gifts and drunkenly shared industry secrets he normally wouldn't mention.

Zhang Yang paused calmly for a few seconds and suddenly asked, "Have you thought about what happens after the company's IPO? Or the future development of the live streaming platform?"

"The future? Of course, it's all about prosperity and financial freedom! Although we higher-ups have little equity, we can still get a piece of the pie when it goes public!

As for the platform's development, that's even less of a problem.

As an emerging mobile live streaming platform, both user numbers and streamer numbers are growing rapidly! I even suspect it has a huge potential to break the existing traditional media landscape!"

When talking about the future, Liu Xingyun clearly had considered it. If he told ordinary people his insights, they'd be bewildered.

But on the other end of the call was Zhang Yang, who had the advantage of foresight.

Zhang Yang chuckled lightly, "Live streaming, as a new track, is indeed experiencing significant short-term growth.

But what happens when the growth phase ends? How long can the current format and content of live streaming last?

Without new models being developed, existing live streaming content will eventually get phased out, at least the majority of it!

If I'm not mistaken, the platform spends astronomical amounts daily on bandwidth, data fees, and operational expenses, right?

The only reason they're spending so freely is that investors have high expectations for the future; essentially, the projections are promising enough!

What if the investors stop funding?

Or to put it differently, once the company goes public and investors cash out gradually, what will happen to the platform?

For sustained operations, you need to address the ongoing costs of traffic and operations! Besides gift top-ups, does the platform have any other revenue streams?

The current boom in rewards and top-ups is due to new users wanting to try things out, certain streamers needing to grow their fanbase, and a few generous patrons who don't care about spending supporting out of sentiment!

Which of these is sustainable?

If these revenues were halved or cut by half again, could the company still support everyone?

What would happen if I signed with the platform now?"

After Zhang Yang's forward-thinking words, the always self-assured Liu Xingyun was stunned!

As the operations manager for the platform, he had access to plenty of company insider information.

Although Zhang Yang's words might be somewhat exaggerated, the overall thought framework was sound!

Anyone with an economics education knows a basic principle: when user growth can't continue, only the market share remains to fight for!

Because the total number of users has an upper limit.

In the short term, live streaming platforms indeed seem high-quality, with ample cash flow and the backing of a rising new industry, but it lacks a key element: the lack of core competitiveness once the incremental market becomes a stock market.

The competition and innovation among similar products and sustainable business profitability models.

The current platform is like a baby continuously nourished by its mother's umbilical cord, appearing promising yet with fatal growth defects. Without continuous nourishment after birth, there's a high chance of developmental issues or even premature failure!

Although Zhang Yang didn't explicitly state why he wouldn't sign a contract, his explanation indirectly answered the question.

In short, he didn't have confidence in the future prospects of Yingke Platform!

"I didn't expect you to think about so much!" Liu Xingyun was silent on the phone for over ten seconds before finally speaking.

"Just some random thoughts, not worth mentioning! Still insisting I sign the contract?" Zhang Yang said lightly.

"I have to admit, your vision far surpasses mine! Just your words today make the planets I bought totally worth it!"

At this moment, all of Liu Xingyun's lingering intoxication vanished, his mind became exceedingly sharp, constantly ruminating over what Zhang Yang had mentioned.

The higher you climb in a company, the more you have to consider, and the greater the pressure. Liu Xingyun seemed glamorous but was actually quite uncertain about the future.

Until recently, he was fixated on the company's prospects and personal gains after going public, but after Zhang Yang's words, it seemed even his superior hadn't realized some things!

This gave Liu Xingyun a vague sense of crisis. If everything Zhang Yang said turned into reality, what path should he take?

No, he had to find an opportunity to talk to his boss!

"Haha, engaging in deep talk despite shallow acquaintance is usually against social norms! Brother Liu, please don't laugh at me!

According to what you said, we're basically friends now. If there's any good policy from the platform that doesn't require a contract, don't forget about this brother!

I have something to handle, let's leave it at that for now!"

"Certainly, certainly! You go ahead!"

Hanging up the phone, Liu Xingyun promptly opened a document on his computer and began organizing the series of points Zhang Yang had made during their conversation.

On the other end, after Zhang Yang hung up, he took a sip of Red Bull and stared at the phone screen for at least ten seconds.

For such a fleeting encounter, he'd already said so much, which could be considered revealing the future!

The favor was repaid; as for how the platform develops in the future, whether the other party delves deeper and tries to implement changes, that's no longer Zhang Yang's concern.

Coincidentally, Lin Nianwei had messaged him on WeChat inviting him for dinner and a movie, so he dashed home for a shower, changed clothes, and left!