Live-streamed dating: My information is constantly updated

Chapter 9 If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how can you catch the tiger’s cubs?

The guys in the group analyzed Zhang Zhe's idea from every angle.

The best-case scenario is: he becomes a big internet celebrity, switches to live-streaming e-commerce and earns 2000 yuan a year, then crashes and gets permanently banned.

The worst-case scenario is that all the money and effort invested goes down the drain, resulting in losses and only publicity, with the live stream eventually being shut down.

Zhang Zhe summarized what they had said, wrote down all the advantages and disadvantages on a piece of paper, listed them one by one, and then tried to find the answer to the problem.

Doing practice problems is something he's very familiar with.

They worked on it until midnight and actually found an answer for Zhang Zhe:
That means finding a short-term job at a matchmaking agency.

It doesn't necessarily mean becoming a matchmaker. The job of a matchmaker is too prestigious. It requires not only eloquence and emotional intelligence, but also flexibility in maintaining boundaries. Most people can't do it, and they might not even pass the interview.

If all else fails, Zhang Zhe could just become a clerk who helps create files, which would be perfect.

Not only do clerks have access to firsthand information, but they also have the advantage of being close to the right person and can arrange blind dates for themselves with their colleagues if they find someone they like.

Most importantly, people who are willing to spend money to find a partner through a matchmaking agency are generally very willing and even eager, which is much more reliable than finding someone through a matchmaker's live stream.

"As a graduate from a 211 university, I'm applying for a clerical job, and I don't even have any salary requirements. I should be able to find a job easily, right?"

"It's not a public institution, so it shouldn't be that complicated."

Just to be on the safe side, Zhang Zhe decided to contact the largest matchmaking agencies in the area, since the larger the agency, the more job openings it would likely have.

Based on the local matchmaking agency rankings and online reviews, he narrowed it down to a few agencies overnight, and then checked each one to see if they were hiring clerical staff.

After looking through them all, Zhang Zhe was somewhat disappointed. These matchmaking agencies only recruited "trainee matchmakers" or "apprentice matchmakers," and there were no other positions available.

However, he did not give up.

Based on his experience looking for jobs in big cities, many companies do have job openings, but they simply don't post them online.

Try asking HR or in person; you might find the answer.

……

Zhang Zhe got up very early the next morning.

His parents were still washing up when they saw him finish getting ready to leave.

"What are you doing out so early?" Zhang's mother asked suspiciously. "You're not going to go online with your classmate, are you?"

"No, I'm going to check out the Zhiyin Marriage Agency."

"Where to?" Zhang's mother blinked, thinking she was hallucinating.

"The biggest matchmaking agency around here. What's wrong? Does this Zhiyin Matchmaking Agency have any problems?"

"No, no." Zhang's mother shook her head repeatedly, her excitement evident: "Then you should go quickly. They start work at 8:30. Go early to avoid queuing."

"Oh, I know."

Carrying a file bag, Zhang Zhe rode his electric scooter out of the residential area under the watchful gaze of his mother.

He couldn't help but laugh at the thought of what he was going to do later.

Being both a referee and a contestant is definitely considered unorthodox in the dating industry.

His first destination was a long-established matchmaking agency with over 20 years of history – Zhiyin Matchmaking Agency.

Blind dates are inherently a highly regional phenomenon.

When people talk about blind dates, they usually say they'll find someone in a certain place, and sometimes they'll even specify a particular county.

Therefore, the longer a matchmaking agency has been established in a local area, the more well-known and trusted it is, and the deeper the bond between the local residents and the matchmaking agency becomes.

As far as Zhang Zhe knew, his second cousin found his aunt through the Zhiyin matchmaking agency. His cousin's daughter also found her partner through the same agency last year, and now their child is a month old.

This kind of situation, where two generations have all crossed paths with matchmaking agencies, is definitely not an isolated case like Zhang Zhe's second cousin's family.

The estimate of tens of thousands is an understatement.

This is enough to demonstrate the power of the Zhiyin matchmaking agency.

……

Since it is a long-established matchmaking agency, it is naturally located in the old town, surrounded by residential buildings from the 1980s, which are old and dilapidated but full of life.

Zhang Zhe ate two baskets of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) by the roadside, rested for a while, and then waited for the matchmaking agency to open.

At exactly 8:30, the roller shutter door creaked and groaned as it rose.

Zhang Zhe stood up, tidied his appearance, and became the first bachelor to enter the matchmaking agency that day.

The auntie who opened the door was startled when she saw him come in. "Handsome guy, you're here so early? Did you make an appointment with some matchmaker?"

"It is a bit early, but I'm not here to see the matchmaker," Zhang Zhe replied, while scanning the scene in the matchmaking agency lobby.

This matchmaking agency is a classic example of something that looks rotten on the outside but is actually glamorous on the inside.

Many shops in the old town are like this.

It looks dilapidated on the outside, but the interior is actually very modern.

The most eye-catching thing in the lobby is the 100-inch screen hanging on the left wall as soon as you enter. The screen displays a list called "Matchmaker List".

The highest level is "King of Matchmakers," and there are only two of them.

Below are "diamonds", "gold", "silver"... arranged in a pyramid shape.

Before Zhang Zhe could take a closer look, the aunt across from him called out to him:

"Handsome guy, aren't you here to see the God of Love? Then what are you doing here?"

"You're here not to find a partner, are you trying to sell yourself?"

“I’m not trying to sell you anything,” Zhang Zhe said, pointing to himself. “I’m here to look for a job.”

“I graduated from a reputable 211 university and just returned from Shenzhen. I am very interested in the matchmaking industry and want to make a living in it.”

“My mom told me that the best matchmaking agency in Qingdao is Zhiyin Matchmaking Agency.”

"That's why I rushed over early this morning, hoping to find a job here while you're still not too busy."

"Oh~" The aunt nodded, then shook her head: "But we've already filled our internship quota for this year."

"You're too late."

"It's okay, it doesn't have to be a matchmaker."

"Not a matchmaker? You want to be a security guard? But we don't need any more security guards."

"Besides security guards, are you looking for clerks or typists?" Zhang Zhe relentlessly promoted himself: "I majored in computer science in college, I type incredibly fast, and I can even write programs..."

The aunt across from him frowned upon hearing his words.

After Zhang Zhe finished speaking, she tentatively asked, "Are you having some kind of trouble?"

"No."

"Then why would a computer science undergraduate like you work as a clerk at a matchmaking agency?"

"This is very strange!"

“I think it’s normal. I just want to get into the industry first, start from a basic position, and accumulate experience.”

"No, no, no, this isn't about accumulating experience." The aunt shook her head. "Young man, let me tell you the truth, I'm one of the partners in this matchmaking agency, so I know exactly what's going on here."

"We really need a few more young and strong guys like you."

"There are relatively few male matchmakers here. There are very few men willing to become matchmakers these days."

“But even if we were to hire, we would hire people with relevant experience. We wouldn’t dare hire someone like you who is a complete novice and doesn’t know anything about the industry.”

"I hope you can understand..."

“I understand.” Zhang Zhe waited patiently for the other party to finish speaking, and then said very sincerely, “So as long as you are willing to give me a chance, I can do without a salary.”

"Huh?" The elderly woman, who had originally planned to see the guest off, hesitated.

These days, anyone who encounters a job seeker offering to work for free will hesitate.

Free cattle and horses are really tempting.

"Don't doubt it, you heard me right. I think it's already very kind of you to give me a job opportunity, and I shouldn't ask for a salary." Zhang Zhe said earnestly, "Just think of me as a volunteer."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, we can sign a contract."

"Why? Just because you simply like this industry?" The aunt was puzzled; in her more than 30 years of working in the industry, this was the first time she had encountered such a situation.

"Yes, I think the meaning of life is to live it in a way that you like," Zhang Zhe said with a touch of childish eccentricity. "I like it, so I came."

"I understand." The aunt nodded. "So, the lifestyle you prefer is to work for others without getting paid?"

(End of this chapter)