Xu Yan hadn’t expected such a turn of events. His expression remained cold as he muttered, "Jiang—"
"Xu Yan, stop whining already," Lin Mo’s voice cut in.
Xu Yan stiffened, then immediately turned obedient. "Yes, Sister Lin Mo."
Shen Sizhan returned from the food area with a small cake his sister liked. "Don’t go claiming relatives. My sister only has three brothers, no more."
Xu Yan ignored Shen Sizhan and stared at Jiang Wan. "I’m not going to the deck."
A black-clad enforcer promptly swung a hammer and thwacked Xu Yan on the head.
The crowd shuddered.
Watching the livestream might make the hit seem light, but in person, it looked brutal.
Black-clad enforcers were everywhere, vigilantly monitoring every corner.
A short-haired girl ordered a buzz-cut boy to give her a massage.
The boy refused and got hit.
The girl repeated her demand.
The boy still refused.
By the fifth refusal, another hit finally made him comply.
The short-haired girl giggled uncontrollably.
—"Aaaaaah! This show is so fun! Can I please join the recording?!"
—"My demand is simple: guys with abs, strip and let me touch. No abs? Get out!"
The director moved the show along. "Now, let’s officially begin today’s program! We’d like to thank Lin Mo and her best friend, Ms. Zhao Ziling, for this recording location. Per Lin Mo’s request, she’ll kick things off with a song. Everyone, applause!"
The director, assistant director, and crew immediately stuffed their ears with paper.
The audience, still clueless, watched as Lin Mo grabbed the mic and belted out with full force:
"Pure-hearted cockroach, hot and spicy~ Tonight it’s coming to your house~ Your home has its little sweetheart~ Dancing together, bump and bounce!"
Her utterly tuneless voice echoed relentlessly.
Half the crowd clamped their hands over their ears and bolted. "Let me off! I want off!"
A crew member at the exit reminded them, "The yacht has already left the dock. No one’s getting off now."
A chorus of despairing wails followed.
Lin Mo, having just learned this song today, was convinced it was a masterpiece. Oblivious to the chaos, she continued with gusto:
"Then they’ll make a baby~ Baby makes more babies~ Your home’s now a roach family~"
—"Whew! Thank heavens I’m not there in person!"
—"Lin Mo’s singing is divine. When’s the fan meet? My stun baton’s fully charged (heart emoji)."
—"Truly a voice blessed by the heavens!"
After finishing, Lin Mo looked around eagerly. "So? How was it?"
The crowd fought the urge to shake their heads when they noticed Xie Guanyan smiling warmly and clapping.
They swallowed their reactions—except for one masked male model server, who shook his head unabashedly.
Everyone admired his bravery but didn’t dare follow suit.
"It was amazing! A once-in-a-century vocal talent! So bold, so avant-garde!"
"If you competed in Sing to Defend Our Nation, you’d send foreigners packing the moment they arrived!"
"Ms. Lin, your voice is heavenly! My bedridden grandma would jump up and sprint if she heard this!"
Lin Mo, drunk on praise, beamed. "Should I sing another one, then?"
"PLEASE DON’T," the crowd chorused in terror.
Lin Mo: "..."
—"Funny? All I see are desperate sycophants."
—"Xie Guanyan being a delulu fan of Lin Mo’s singing isn’t scary. What’s scary is that the delulu fan holds power!"
The director hurriedly steered the show forward. "Alright, opening act over! Let’s begin the real program. First up—a game called Love Relay! Our guests can join too."
"But you’ll need a partner of the opposite sex. If you find one within ten seconds, come to the center!"
To keep things lively, the director had designed interactive segments.
"Ten, nine..."
Zhao Ziling, ever the playful type, scanned the room and immediately grabbed the male model server beside her. "You! Come play with me!"
Huo Tingshen’s heart pounded violently.
Zhao Ziling’s body had still chosen him.
There was hope for them yet.
Setting down his tray, he followed her to the center—only to regret it instantly.
Though he’d only swapped his usual attire for a plain suit and a mask, the spotlight made recognition a real risk.
But if he backed out now, Zhao Ziling would just pick another man!
After a split-second debate, Huo Tingshen stayed.
If he kept his head down, maybe no one would notice.
Xie Guanyan, ever the diplomat, wouldn’t expose him.
The turnout was impressive.
Gu Song, eager for more interaction with Xie Guanyan, dragged Zhang Meixia along.
Zhang Meixia found it embarrassing but had no choice.
Zhao Zixin tried pulling Shen Ji'an into the game.
Shen Ji'an: "I don’t want to."
Thwack! A black-clad enforcer materialized out of nowhere and hammered him.
Shen Ji'an surrendered.
These enforcers were scary efficient—and eerily stealthy.
Huang Mao waved his hand. "I’ll go! Let me!"
The game looked fun.
With time running out, Zhao Zixin had to settle for Huang Mao.
She frowned.
Was Shen Ji'an upset about getting hit earlier?
As Huang Mao strutted to the center, an inexplicable chill crept up his spine.
He turned and saw his boss wearing the weirdest expression.
How to describe it?
Three parts aloof, three parts resentful, four parts displeased.
Huang Mao squinted.
Something was very off about the boss today.
Shen Yihan, hoping for more sisterly bonding, joined with Jiang Tang.
Thrilled by the turnout, the director had everyone introduce themselves briefly.
Gu Song took the mic and cleared his throat. "Hello, everyone. I’m Gu Song, CEO of Gu Corporation. I’ll keep it short—"
The director snatched the mic. "That was three sentences already. Next!"
Gu Song: "..."
The director had noticed this old man calling Xie Guanyan’s name earlier—and getting ignored.
Since Xie Guanyan was Lin Mo’s partner, anyone Xie disliked was his enemy too!
After Gu Song’s example, the rest kept it concise.
When Huang Mao’s turn came, he said, "Hey, I’m Shi Shang. Currently the head chef at a sweet potato cart outside First High."
His name was so cringeworthy he usually avoided it, preferring "Huang Mao."
The crowd stared.
A sweet potato cart head chef?
This guy really was stone-cold stylish.
The mic reached Huo Tingshen. Hunched and pitching his voice, he muttered, "Server."
Lin Mo frowned. That voice sounded familiar. She took a closer look—then gasped. "Huo Tingshen?! I thought you left!"
