Although Hashwini had her reservations, the dramatic jump in viewership figures for Teen RV was indisputable. Readers who followed the heated exchange on The Tornado had traced the bread crumbs back to Teen RV. Hashwini was ecstatic that the few articles she uploaded were now read by up to a thousand people. She did not know who these people were, but the fact that they had spent up to three or four minutes of their time reading what she wrote had validated her effort and spurred her on. She now wrote with a definitive audience in mind. These readers felt short-changed by the system. Her purpose and mission was to be their voice.

The Tornado must have realised that Teen RV was merely reader-baiting, for she quickly withdrew from the battlefield. Luckily for Teen RV, Daxue hopped into the ring and engaged in instant combat. Unlike The Tornado, which prided itself as a sociopolitical blog harbouring serious intent, Daxue wrote a lifestyle blog that was both savvy enough to provide interesting content and astute enough to employ effective gimmicks. The combat took on a different flavour. Daxue defended her stance with intelligent arguments but rigged them up with fangs and claws that tore into her opponent’s flesh and drew blood. She initiated a poll for her readers to rate Teen RV on how dumb, devious or demonic a bitch she was. That poll alone drew massive traffic to Teen RV.

“Now this is a star blogger who knows how to play the game!” Euu Ki screeched in ecstasy. “Let’s return her the favour.”

Euu Ki put his amazing Photoshop skills to good use. He picked from Daxue’s collection of photos in her blog, doctored them then posted them online as a poll for readers to pick their favourite. There was Daxue working the twerk as Nicki Minaj, dancing Gangnam style à la Psy and straddling the wrecking ball as Miley Cyrus. Hashwini had thought some of them were too risqué, but the readers loved it. They even wrote in to request for more.

Viewership continued to climb as Teen RV and Daxue battled it out. Hashwini came to learn that this was a game with no losers. Like in a choreographed wrestling match, the objective was not to floor the opponent but to entertain the spectators. Despite the satisfaction of watching Teen RV build up a substantial fan base quickly, Hashwini felt uneasy. Her blog readers were faceless digits on the view counter. She had no idea who they were in real life.

Until now. If Jingxuan followed Daxue, she had to know Teen RV.

“Any interesting postings lately?” Hashwini casually asked. “I have been too busy to follow this blog.”

“There is an ongoing blog war with this other blogger called Teen RV on the issue of migrant workers.” Jingxuan made a face. “Been dragging on for too long though; it’s getting stale.”

“Really?” Hashwini felt pinched. “Why?”