The Streamer With a Stomachache, Toughing It Out Live

When Diao Xiaolao first started livestreaming, he wore a tank top and baggy shorts, wiggling in front of the camera like a Snake game come to life. His fans told him he was wasting a handsome face, but he didn't get mad. He just grinned, showing off his two little tiger teeth, and laughed until everyone adored him.

Just as his follower count began skyrocketing, Diao Xiaolao suddenly vanished without a trace.

After two years off the air, Diao Xiaolao returned to livestreaming. He no longer danced or wore tank tops. Instead, he became a relationship advice streamer.

He comforted people going through breakups and kept company with those battling depression. Wrapped in a soft, cozy coat, he sat quietly in front of the camera and chatted with them.

New fans called him the pinnacle of gentleness. His old fans didn't know what had happened during the time he was gone, but everyone was curious about how his stomach had gotten so bad that he was often in pain, drenched in cold sweat.

Less than a month after his return, his livestream audience was growing steadily. One day, Diao Xiaolao connected with a viewer whose ID was "Darkness Is Never Absent."

"Le Xiaoyan, I know all your secrets," the person said, opening his mic and calling him by his real name.

Diao Xiaolao's face went deathly pale.

After the stream ended, he received a private message: I know why you stopped streaming. I know all your secrets. And I know you're a traitor.

An Shenyuan stared at the ghastly pale face on the screen and slowly lit a cigarette.

Two years ago, fresh out of college and still ignorant of how cruel the world could be, he'd tried to get justice for a boy who'd been beaten nearly to death. He gathered evidence, drafted a complaint, and took on the powerful. He'd promised the boy with absolute confidence, "Don't worry. I'll make sure we get to the bottom of this."

For that, he lost his job and all his faith in justice, only to hear the boy say, "I'm sorry. I don't want to press charges anymore."

During that battle, An Shenyuan had believed the boy was a complete traitor. He hadn't known that the violence had left the boy with more than physical injuries. The other side's lawyer had also tossed out a casual remark:

"Your grandparents are old. They wouldn't be able to handle a shock, would they?"

[Content Warning]

1. The setting is entirely fictional! My own take on the livestreaming and voice-acting circles. The livestreaming and voice-acting plots have not been researched for accuracy, so please don't scrutinize them. There are no real-life inspirations, so don't associate the characters, places, or events with reality.

2. The love interest is gorgeous, but in very poor health. There are frequent descriptions of illness and frailty. No medical accuracy is intended, so please don't scrutinize it.

3. The love interest has an ex-boyfriend. Please take note.

4. Old-school, melodramatic romance. The pairing will not be split up or reversed, so it won't suit readers who are strongly invested in either character's role.

5. The characters' values do not necessarily reflect mine.

About the cover character design: The cover character art is a licensed, commercially usable design asset purchased by the cover artist. It isn't exclusive, but the cover is fully licensed and the overall design is unique.

Blurb written on March 10, 2025. All versions have been archived.

Theme: What are you waiting for? Just do it.