Chapter 4

At eight o'clock the next night, I started my stream on time.

The moment the camera turned on, the chat began to flood.

I smiled at the camera and picked up a piece of fried chicken.

"Good evening, everyone! Thank you so much for the gifts. Today, your favorite curvy mukbanger, Joy, is eating fried chicken and spicy noodles!"

The chat scrolled rapidly.

"Joy looks a bit pale today..."

"Eat up, eat up!"

"Don't eat too spicy, it's bad for your stomach!"

I tore off a piece of a chicken drumstick and took a bite. My stomach churned violently. I forced it down.

As I was eating, the screen suddenly exploded with flashy animations.

The chat went wild.

"Ten thousand dollars! Oh my god!"

"Thank you to the big boss!"

I was stunned. I put down the chicken leg and stared at the screen.

The user ID of the sender was "Richard."

A direct message popped up on my phone.

"Joy, it’s Dad. Please stop the stream. Don't eat anymore. I’m begging you."

I stared at the words. The screen exploded again—he had sent another ten thousand dollars.

"Your mom took all the money I sent you in the past. I know that now. From now on, I’ll transfer it directly to you."

"Get off the stream, please. I’m begging you. Brenda is throwing a huge fit at home because of this."

My nose stung. I quickly lowered my head and chewed on the chicken.

Then, another account sent fifteen thousand dollars. A DM followed.

"Joy, it’s Brenda."

"Listen to me, sweetie, stop the stream. The relatives are all pointing fingers at me, saying I'm a horrible stepmother to you."

"Your dad and I made some good money in business these past two years. If you need money, just ask me."

The chat was still flying by.

"Joy finally got some sugar daddies! You made it, girl! *crying emoji*"

"Why is Joy crying?"

I touched my face. It was wet.

Just as I was about to speak, the door to the streaming room was kicked open.

I turned around and saw my mom standing at the entrance.

She was panting, her face bright red. Two staff members from my agency were behind her, trying to stop her but too afraid to grab her.

"Mom, you..."

She lunged forward and slapped me across the face. "When did you get back in touch with that cheating bastard?"

"Huh? I raised you all these years, and you crawl back to him the second he throws some petty cash at you?"

I held my burning cheek and looked at her. "Mom, I didn't contact him..."

Another slap.

"Is that homewrecker Brenda there too? Did you call her 'Mom' yet?"

I tried to speak, but she slapped me again.

The live stream chat went completely chaotic.

My mom grabbed me by my collar, dragging me in front of the camera, and screamed, "Look at this! This is the wonderful daughter I raised!"

"Her dad cheated and abandoned us years ago. Now he comes back, throws a few dollars at her, and she’s wagging her tail like a dog to call him Daddy!"

"And the homewrecker is here too! A happy little family reunion! What about me? What am I to her?"

"She would rather give all her money to their new family than stay and take care of her own mother!"

The chat was going insane.

"Is this scripted or real?"

"Wait, the big donor is her cheating dad?"

"Stop hitting her!"

The agency staff finally ran in to pull her away. My mom broke free, pointing at the camera and screaming, "Richard, you absolute piece of trash!"

"Why are you acting like a saint now?"

"And you, Brenda! You actually have the nerve to show up? You stole another woman’s husband. You’ll burn in hell!"

Suddenly, the screen went black. The tech team had cut the stream.

I stood there, my face burning, my ears ringing.

My mom stood there panting, adjusting her clothes, and gave me a venomous look.

I knew that look.

That was the exact look she gave the pig when she beat it.

The door pushed open, and Sarah, the operations director, walked in.

She looked at my mom, then at me. Her expression was incredibly grim.

"Joy, come to my office."