Lin Mo had thought that after the "social death" trip to the commercial district, he could return to a "normal" tiger life of quietly devouring and steadily growing stronger. However, he had underestimated both the speed at which information spread in this era and the capitalists' keen sense for "traffic."
Almost the day after he "went viral," the Wang family residence's doorstep was nearly worn down.
All kinds of hovercars filled the reception area outside the estate. Agents in sharp suits, directors wearing oversized black-rimmed glasses, CEOs of internet companies who wouldn't stop talking about "monetizing traffic" and "building IPs," and even regional managers from famous brands... They swarmed in with thick proposals and sincere offers (checks).
They had only one goal: to sign the newly risen top "internet-famous tiger," Mimi, and his genius Beast Tamer, Wang Keke, who possessed both talent and beauty.
"Mr. Wang, Star Shine Media is willing to offer fifty million Huaxia Currency for exclusive rights to Mimi's image, and we'll tailor a series of short videos just for him!"
"Patriarch Wang, Thunder Power is a world-famous energy drink brand. We'd like to invite Mimi and Miss Keke to endorse our new product, Beast King Power. The fee is negotiable!"
"Cute Pet Paradise would like Mimi to be our ambassador. We'd only need him to pose for a set of promotional posters and one commercial!"
The proposals came in all shapes and sizes, and each offer was more staggering than the last. In the reception room, Wang Qingtian sat in the seat of honor, listening as the steward and assistants reported one offer and proposal after another. His expression remained composed, but the occasional glint in his eyes betrayed his excitement.
This wasn't just about money. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a perfect chance to put the Wang family, the Beast Taming philosophy, his daughter, and her battle pet with limitless potential in the spotlight across the entire Base City and even farther afield! It could greatly raise the Wang family's prestige and influence, winning them more intangible political and commercial resources.
After a quick assessment with the family's think tank, Wang Qingtian needed little persuading. He swept his hand through the air and made his decision:
Accept the partnerships! Screen the best brands and launch a full promotional campaign!
And so, Lin Mo, still mourning the loss of his dignity and planning what to order for his next "feast," and Wang Keke, who had only just decided that shopping was fun, suddenly became two miserable "wage slaves."
Their "rise to stardom" began.
First stop: Thunder Power—Beast King Power energy drink.
The lights on the set were blinding. The director wanted Lin Mo to show "strength and vitality."
"Mimi! That's it! Look at the camera. Make your eyes fierce! Yes! Imagine you've just devoured a Lord-level Monster! Great! Now toss your head—let your fur flow! Show us how refreshed you feel after drinking Beast King Power!"
Lin Mo thought, I'm tossing my head because I'm itchy! And this stuff doesn't taste half as good as Moonlight Fox blood!
The finished ad showed a mighty winged white tiger roaring at the sky, followed by close-ups of its powerful muscles and sharp eyes. Then it lowered its head and picked up a can of Beast King Power, drinking deeply (in reality, this was done with special effects). The whole scene brimmed with strength. The slogan read: "Beast King Power—awaken the wild within!"
Second stop: Cute Pet Paradise—brand promotion.
This time, the style took a sudden turn. Lin Mo was asked to wear a special cute outfit with little wings (after his vehement refusal, they settled for a bow tie around his neck) and "play" with Wang Keke in the child-friendly pet park.
"Miss Keke, please put your arms around Mimi's neck. Yes, press your cheek against his and give us a happy smile!"
"Mimi! Don't look so utterly hopeless! Look this way. Yes, tilt your head—you need to look 'adorable'!"
Lin Mo thought, Adorable my ass! I'm a ferocious tiger! A tiger! And this bow tie is choking me!
When the promotional photos hit the internet, people shrieked all over again: "A tiger acting cute! The contrast is deadly!"
Third stop: Rock Military Industry—testing a new type of individual combat armor as a "partner."
This one suited Lin Mo a little better. He had to show off coordinated combat with armored soldiers (for the cameras), using his claws and body to test the armor's defensive capabilities.
"Good! Mimi, give this breastplate everything you've got!"
At last, Lin Mo could unleash a little of his strength. One swipe left a clear dent and claw marks in the custom alloy breastplate.
"Perfect! That's so convincing!" the military industry representative exclaimed, thrilled.
Lin Mo thought, That's more like it. Finally, I get to do something a ferocious tiger ought to do.
There were also endorsements for high-end hovercars (he was just background scenery, there to bring out the cars' wild image), the latest Communication Watch (he had to operate it "clumsily" with his paws to show off the convenience of its voice functions), and even a bedding brand that hoped he'd endorse a high-end health pillow "that can help battle pets fall asleep in three seconds"...
Lin Mo felt as if he was being worked to the bone. He was either shooting something or on his way to shoot something. All the strange instructions and the cameras pointed at him from every angle left him physically and mentally exhausted. He missed those simple days when all he had to do was eat, sleep, and occasionally get into a fight.
At first, Wang Keke had found it all new and fun, too. But after several days of intense "work," her little face fell, and she often leaned against Lin Mo and dozed off between shoots.
The only thing that kept Lin Mo going, barely, was an agreement from Wang Qingtian.
Given Lin Mo's status as a "special citizen" and Wang Keke's wishes, the family hadn't kept all the earnings for itself. After negotiations, once costs and the family's agency fees were deducted, Lin Mo and Wang Keke would receive a combined thirty percent of the profits from all commercial partnerships!
That meant every time he was forced to show up for work, his tiger face, known as "Mimi," earned him a staggering sum of "blood money"!
When Wang Keke excitedly told him, calculator in hand, that their share of the Thunder Power endorsement alone would be eight figures, Lin Mo's tiger heart, so full of humiliation, finally found a little comfort.
Well... The process is a little embarrassing, but for the sake of the star coins (Huaxia Currency)... He licked his paw, weighing his dignity against the money. Maybe... it's not so bad? After all, Devour-based evolution takes resources. Relying on the family's allowance isn't nearly as satisfying—or as justifiable—as earning it myself.
He even started thinking darkly: Once I've saved enough, I'll buy out every brand that dared to make me wear a bow tie! Then I'll make them film ten thousand videos of me tearing mechs apart with my bare paws!
And so, fueled by the powerful motivation of "earning pocket money (and resources for future devouring)"—and his own brand of self-consolation—Lin Mo gradually found his rhythm as a "working" tiger.
He learned how to control his muscles precisely in front of the camera, looking "fierce" or "adorable" as the director required. He learned how to convey "disdain" with his eyes (which people interpreted as cool) and "helplessness" (which they took for grievance). He even learned to seek out Wang Keke for a nuzzle during shooting breaks, creating "deep human-and-beast affection" scenes for the paparazzi to capture...
Under the pressure of capital and the family's encouragement, this reluctant "working couple," Lin Mo and Wang Keke, became famous at astonishing speed. They went from being a hot topic among the upper circles of one Base City to becoming household names across the country.
The name "Mimi," engraved on the tag around Lin Mo's neck, gleamed in countless promotional photos, branding the name that had once embarrassed him deep into the consciousness of this era.
Lin Mo, on his path to becoming a Starry Sky Behemoth, had unexpectedly unlocked the side profession of "top celebrity."
Though the process had been full of social humiliation and helplessness, watching the numbers in Wang Keke's account climb so quickly, he thought... maybe this hadn't been such a bad deal after all?
Damn it, once I'm strong enough, the first thing I'll do is retire! As he filmed a pet shampoo commercial that required him to lick his fur elegantly, he renewed his solemn vow.
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