Livestream Matchmaking: My Intel Infinitely Refreshes

"Actually, I’m not here for a blind date."

"I know."

"Huh? Then why did you say you were going to let a female guest come on, Brother Zhang?" The man was a little confused. "Online matchmaking... I feel like it’s not very reliable..."

He might have often had seemingly sweet but manipulative girls in his Porsche’s passenger seat, but that was just because he was emotionally oblivious. It didn’t mean his standards had dropped, nor did it mean he was stupid.

He really wasn’t interested in the heavily photoshopped "warriors" you could find all over Xiaohongshu, or the uncouth women who threw themselves at you with no finesse.

"You have a misunderstanding about livestream matchmaking."

"Offline matchmaking is just as full of tricks. It’s like opening a blind box, not to mention the worst part: a lot of the ’high-quality’ candidates are just plants hired by the organizers."

"There might be all sorts of characters online, but at least it’s genuine."

"Besides, the online part is just the first interview. Eventually, it has to move offline."

Matchmaking is just like job interviews these days. In Shencheng City, any company with a bit of sense holds the first round of interviews remotely over video. They only invite you for an in-person meeting after they’ve determined you’re a suitable candidate.

With traditional matchmaking, a Matchmaker introduces you, you add each other on WeChat, exchange a few "good mornings" and "good nights," and then arrange to meet up offline.

The chances of that process being a complete waste of time are just too high.

You’re better off coming to the livestream.

"Then why don’t the matchmaking agencies here in Hang Z do many livestreams?" the man asked, confused.

"I’m not sure about how things are over there."

Zhang Zhe actually knew the reason: they could charge more for in-person meetings, from both the man and the woman.

Especially the kind where the agency arranges the venue—they could generate revenue from all sorts of things.

But saying that out loud would hit too many of his peers with collateral damage. There was no need.

"Anyway, over here, we always start with a video chat."

"You don’t even have to stay in the livestream the whole time. See? Aren’t your qualifications already written on the whiteboard?"

Zhang Zhe tapped the whiteboard, then pointed to himself. "I can chat for you."

"You can watch the livestream or the recording. It’s up to you."

"Whoa, you can do that?" The man felt like his horizons had just been broadened. ’So matchmaking has its own substitute-for-the-rich-guy trope.’ "In that case, I want to buy this substitute service."

’He wants to buy it?’

Zhang Zhe nodded. ’Wealthy people who aren’t nouveau riche really do have the habit of paying for services.’

He hadn’t really sold this service before, but there’s a first time for everything. He could give it a try.

But how to price it was a problem.

To be honest, with this guy’s qualifications, Zhang Zhe should be paying *him* for the privilege of being his substitute. The number of girls who would want to connect for a date might be more than he could get through in one night.

"How long do you want to buy the service for?" Zhang Zhe asked in return.

"I’ll keep buying it until I meet someone suitable."

Zhang Zhe thought for a moment. ’This guy might be terrible at dating, but there are tons of women on the platform. The sheer numbers should give him a chance.’

’I can take this job.’

Not only could he make money, but he could also go on dates with girls. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

Just before the stream, Mrs. Xu had taught him how to post a link for a marriage counseling product.

Livestreaming on Xiaohongshu didn’t rely on gifts; it relied on selling products. Posting a product link was a basic skill.

Connecting via video was free. If someone wanted to pay for a one-on-one service, they would click the link.

Zhang Zhe immediately listed his personal consultation service at a price of 1,000 RMB per session.

"My friend, just click on the link I posted."

"OK." The man placed the order immediately. Only after paying did he say, "Brother Zhang, your service is limited to 99 purchases. I bought them all."

"I’ve seen a lot of relationship experts before. They took my money just to tell me that the problem was my own mentality. I felt insulted."

"This substitute matchmaking of yours seems more reliable."

"If I can’t find someone suitable here, I’m just going to give up on marriage for now and focus on my career. This whole damn thing has already drained too much of my energy."

"..." Zhang Zhe had been about to suggest he just buy one session to see how it went.

He never expected this rich dude to buy out the entire stock.

’Ninety-nine thousand, just like that?’

Zhang Zhe felt like he’d never made money so easily. ’So this is how fast you can make money selling things on Xiaohongshu. No wonder people get addicted.’

It was clear the man trusted his abilities.

"Alright. Thank you for your trust."

"You can disconnect for now, my friend. A girl has already requested to connect. Just watch from the audience, and if you think one is OK, send me a private message."

"You got it. But, Brother Zhang, I don’t actually know what counts as ’OK,’ so you’ll have to help me judge." The man made a request that wasn’t unreasonable.

"You trust me that much?"

"Of course. Based on how well you helped me analyze the problem just now, I trust your judgment."

"Done. Then just sit back and watch."

Zhang Zhe gave a firm nod.

For the money’s sake, he lightly slapped his own face, reminding himself to get serious.

[Someone’s actually connecting? Just because this guy is rich?]

[Any brainless girls should stay away. You’ll just get clipped and shamed all over the internet.]

[Can you connect with me first? I’m outstanding.]

[Why can’t we pay to connect? Isn’t this just letting some broke people sneak in and cause trouble?]

[This feels scripted. Pretend to be a rich guy, bait some people into making a fool of themselves, then post the video for views.]

In a short time, the live comments had already split into three factions.

Some wanted to get on the call, some were flaming those who wanted to get on the call, but the most boring were those who claimed it was all scripted.

To be honest, even if Zhang Zhe tried, he couldn’t have come up with a script like this. The reason was simple: he wasn’t A9 himself, so he couldn’t imagine what a rich person’s life was like.

"Alright, miss, you’re number one."

"You’re clear on the qualifications on my end, right?"

After accepting the video call request, Zhang Zhe quickly got into the zone.

He pointed to the whiteboard. "Take a close look. Do you have any questions? If not, you can start by introducing yourself."

"I was just in the audience," the girl said. Her voice was delicate, giving off the vibe of a spoiled, bossy princess. "Brother Zhang, let me first explain why I wanted to come on for this."

"Mm, go ahead."

Zhang Zhe folded his arms, looking relaxed.

He had already anticipated that the girl would start with a personal statement. With over two thousand people watching the stream, any girl with a significant presence on Xiaohongshu would definitely want to maintain her image.

"I also have a bachelor’s and master’s from a TOP3 university. It’s just that my family isn’t as well-off. I’m what you’d call a ’small-town high-achiever.’ My father works for the township power supply bureau, and my mother is a township employee."

"I work in Hang Z now, but I’m just a very ordinary cog in the machine, and my path for advancement is visibly blocked."

"I’m already 25 this year, and since I’m an only child, my family is pushing me to get married. My parents want me to go back to my hometown to find someone. With my education and my looks—which are about a 6 out of 10—I could probably find an A8 guy back home."

"But I’m a little unwilling to settle for that..."

Hearing the girl rate her own looks a 6, Zhang Zhe unhesitatingly clicked on her Xiaohongshu profile picture.

’A 6 is campus belle level. She should be very good-looking.’

The girl’s tone already clearly revealed her desire to stay in the big city.

For someone with no connections, her looks became her greatest asset.

’If she were truly beautiful, she should be using her face to land a rich guy.’

"Miss, you’re only a 6 with makeup and beauty filters," Zhang Zhe said bluntly after looking at the photo. "Let me be clear: you rated yourself first. I’m just evaluating your score."

"That’s right. If I were a 6 without any makeup, wouldn’t that make me a celebrity?"

"I’m considered pretty among normal people."

"Sorry, but in my evaluation system, you’re only a 5," Zhang Zhe said very seriously.

The client had paid money for this date; the scores couldn’t be inflated in the slightest.

"If you’re only a 5 for looks, even with your education and background, you’re not a match for an A9 rich man like me."

"You said you could only find an A8 guy in your hometown. How could you possibly move up the food chain by coming to Hang Z?"

"It’s different," the girl said with great earnestness. "I have a huge advantage."

"What is it?"

"I’ve never been in a relationship. I still have my first kiss."

[??? Are you proud of that?]

[This girl is trying to say she’s a virgin, right?]

[Please, this isn’t a brothel. It’s not like the virgins are worth more.]

[Don’t be so sure. Didn’t that A9 guy from before say he was looking for true love? This girl might actually have a shot.]