On the following day, “Ailin eating watermelons” became a keyword that could be found among the list of hot searches on the most popular social media platform.
It turned out that a netizen had edited a video recording of Ailin’s live-stream that night and uploaded it to the internet. Moreover, there was plenty of interaction between fans, and the topic became extremely popular.
“Seriously, anyone can end up on the hot search list nowadays. Even a micro-influencer becomes a hot topic just by eating watermelons.”
“Has the person who wrote the comment above watched the video? If you don’t understand what happened, then don’t run your mouth.”
“I just watched the video, and I laughed until my stomach hurt. It doesn’t seem like she paid to be on the hot search list.”
“I watched the broadcast yesterday. I laughed my head off. Now, everyone wants to try and see how terrible the watermelon tastes.”
Due to the fact that the matter happened on the live broadcast platform, many netizens did not understand the course of events, but after the enthusiastic netizens provided some explanations, more and more people joined the team of watermelon eaters.
“The host probably worked with the sponsor to hype things up.”
“Hyping is such a common thing.”
“Ailin is not like those broadcasters who do such things. I’ve watched all her broadcasts, and she would inform us whenever she’s promoting a paid or sponsored product. This definitely isn’t a stunt to hype things up.”
“The comment above must have been written by a fan. Can’t you tell that it’s a stunt when it’s already so obvious?”
Over the question of whether the hot search was a stunt to hype the product up or not, Ailin’s fans and the commenters began arguing with each other on the internet.
Due to the fact that the hot search was caused by a bunch of netizens who did not know what the truth was, the hype died down rather quickly.
Initially, the public should have stopped paying attention to the matter soon, but due to a statement issued by the advertiser, Ailin and the hot search topic were once again pushed into the limelight.
Since the fruit company had thought of engaging a live-stream host to promote their products, they were definitely not a traditional company that sold farmer’s produce. The company was a technology company that had targeted the internet and wanted to make quick money.
Seeing that their company’s watermelons had ended up on the hot search due to how horrible they tasted, the sales and operations department of the company immediately decided to issue a statement on the Internet, in a bid to take advantage of the hot search and promote their own watermelons in the process.
“Trendy Fruit Bar Internet Technology Co. would like to clarify:
The live broadcaster Ailin, the host of Broadcast Room 14XXXX, has recently cooperated with my company to promote our products. Due to the fact that she had defamed my company’s products during her live-stream, there is a breach of contract, and she’s suspected to have done so to hype herself up. This has caused a serious impact on my company’s reputation.
The quality of the agricultural products that my company distributes is in full compliance with the marketing inspection standards. Ms. Huang, please stop all defamatory behavior related to this. Otherwise, our company will pursue the matter according to law, and you will be held liable.
In addition, our company will conduct real-life sampling events in Tong City. When the time comes, all netizens will be welcome to participate in the sampling.”
Due to the well-established reputation of Trendy Fruit Bar, some people found Ailin’s Weibo page and commented on it. There were plenty of comments that were turning against Ailin.
“The advertiser has already stated that the host is trying to hype herself up and bring herself fame.”
“That watermelon seller is so pitiful. They paid her to advertise and promote their products. Surprisingly, they got shamed by the entire internet.”
“These influencers who try to hype themselves up will end up losing popularity very soon.”
“There are definitely people who are managing these influencers. Otherwise, which fool would pay her so much money just because she ate some watermelons? Clearly, there’s an organization running these operations.”
All of a sudden, “Ailin hypes herself up” and “Ailin eating watermelons” made it to the hot search list.
Huang Ailin could read every comment on the internet. She initially wanted to step forward to explain, but she thought about a similar incident that happened previously, wherein she did step forth to explain but ended up making matters worse.
Some of Ailin’s fans could not tolerate it longer and hence started arguing with the commenters.
“So she’s not allowed to speak the truth about the horrible-tasting watermelons? Besides, it doesn’t seem decent for a technological company to sell fruit.”
“Since you keep saying that she’s hyping herself up, bring out the evidence.”
Due to the fact that many of the people who had been paid to comment, accused the local tycoon who sent Huang Ailin gifts during her broadcast, to be the company behind her, the netizens began searching about him online. Soon, the Weibo page of ‘Eternal Knight’ was exposed.
Next, ‘Eternal Knight’ published a post on Weibo which caused the dynamics of the online debate to change again.
“I’m spending my own money, and I’m standing up to explain, simply because I can’t tolerate seeing some people pay others to leave comments and bully a girl on the internet.” He then uploaded the record of transactions that he had made on the broadcast platform.
The ‘Eternal Knight’ was known to be a local tycoon on the broadcast platform, who was somewhat famous. He had spent money to support plenty of broadcasters before. For a while, plenty of broadcasters began to share his Weibo post around.
“Hahahaha, did you see that? The local tycoon is clarifying matters!”
“She’s just a micro-influencer, and yet, she’s causing such a stir because of the hot searches.”
“She was so vigorous while eating the watermelons. I’d like to know what happened next.”
As the main character of the entire matter, Ailin began to retaliate online at this juncture.
“I’m Ailin. To prove that the watermelon from Trendy Fruit Bar is really bad, I’ll bring the watermelon that I ate to Trendy Fruit Bar’s tasting site, and let everyone, who commented, compare between the watermelons. We’ll see which one is delicious. I’ll do a live broadcast of the entire process. Everyone is welcome to watch.”
Huang Ailin’s method was very simple. She planned to buy a few more watermelons that she had at home and bring them to the tasting event held by Trendy Fruit Bar.
Seeing that the main character had spoken, the people left different comments once more.
“I can’t understand these watermelons. Is the host trying to bring fame to herself or to the watermelons?”
“No idea, let’s just hang our heads low and eat the watermelons.”
“I’m in Tong City, and I really want to try and see what the horrible watermelons taste like.”
“To the person who wrote the comment above, come back and tell us about it once you’ve tried.”
Thus, Huang Ailin asked her family about it, and after hearing that it was from Ji Gaosheng, she requested her father to purchase 50 of such watermelons through Ji Gaosheng.
“Mr. Huang, you don’t have to pay for them. Take it as a treat from me.” Ji Gaosheng was still worried about the fact that he could not get acquainted with Mr. Huang, but he realized that the watermelons would be a good medium to do so.
Ji Gaosheng told his mother about the matter and asked her to buy 50 watermelons from Zhou Kun.
“What? You said that people are commenting that someone is hyping up Little Zhou’s watermelons on the internet?”
Huang Fang flew into a rage as soon as she heard those words. She could not tolerate hearing anyone say that the watermelons tasted bad.
“Don’t worry, I’ll let Little Zhou come forward to clarify this matter. Even if he doesn’t come forward, I’ll get those watermelons for you.” The elderly lady Huang Fang decided that even if she had to pay for it out of her own pocket, she had to win the fight regarding watermelons!
“Little Zhou, did you see the hot search of the day? Someone is criticizing our watermelons!”
“What’s the matter?” Zhou Kun had yet to surf the internet. As such, he did not know about the ‘hot search’ issue yet.
“Don’t you know about it yet? I’m telling you…”
After hearing her description, Zhou Kun felt like laughing and crying. Why were his watermelons implicated for no reason?
“I can supply the watermelons, but I’d better not step forth.” Zhou Kun had his own considerations as well. The watermelons were from an unknown source. If anyone were to dig up the matter, things would be terrible.
“You silly child, isn’t it good to have free advertisement? Okay then, I’ll send my son to collect the watermelons from you later.”