Chapter 28: Intervention by the National Media
Inside a luxurious apartment in the magic metropolis, Liu Siyen smoothed her tousled hair and began putting her clothes back on, one garment after another.
She glanced at Xu Mingkun, sprawled motionless on the bed from exhaustion.
A devilish smile played on Liu Siyen’s lips as she murmured softly, “There aren’t many young men these days who work so hard.”
“Keep it up, my dear Kun-kun!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything perfectly for your showdown with Su Bai in two days.”
“There won’t be any surprises.”
“When the time comes, I’ll let the entire nation witness who is truly the chosen one, who is truly the most talented!”
“For now, let those netizens heap on their praise.”
“The higher they lift you, the more devastating the fall!”
With a sway of her alluring hips, Liu Siyen sauntered back over to Xu Mingkun.
She bent down, gazing at his handsome face below her, unable to resist planting a kiss.
She whispered, “When you become the ambassador for the Palace Museum’s cultural promotions, don’t forget how much your big sister did for you!”
“You’d better love your sister even harder!”
Xu Mingkun, too, seemed to be lost in visions of that glorious moment, basking in his own imagined triumph.
He knew full well that he owed everything to Liu Siyen’s maneuvering.
If he wanted an even more dazzling future, he needed to please this woman before him.
With that in mind, Xu Mingkun, resisting his fatigue, pulled Liu Siyen back onto the bed...
Ten minutes later, Xu Mingkun lay back against the headboard, smoking a cigarette while scrolling through his phone.
Suddenly, he shot upright in bed, so startled that his phone fell to the floor.
“What’s wrong, Kun-kun? Jumping out of your skin like that—I was hoping to get some more sleep!”
“Sis, look at the news...”
“For the event in two days, the central media is getting involved!”
Xu Mingkun’s voice was trembling.
He couldn’t fathom why the central media would step in.
No matter how much of a sensation he was, Xu Mingkun never imagined himself important enough for them to single him out for coverage.
“What do we care about the media? They’ll have to watch from afar, and everyone up close will be our own people!”
But even as she said this, Liu Siyen abruptly sat up in bed.
“What did you say? Central media?”
She snatched the phone from Xu Mingkun’s hands.
On the account of CCTV News on Douyin, the following announcement had been posted:
“In response to widespread demand from netizens, CCTV News will provide special coverage of the upcoming talent duel between current sensation Xu Mingkun and rising star Su Bai in two days’ time.
To ensure fairness, the contest will be broadcast live from the venue!
Moreover, CCTV News will pre-verify the events of the competition!
We invite all netizens to watch and supervise.
We are committed to ensuring the fairness and impartiality of this ‘competition.’”
Reading the official announcement, Liu Siyen’s face turned ashen.
She knew all too well the power wielded by the CCTV news team.
To attempt any trickery under their watchful eyes would be a death wish.
Now, all her previous arrangements were rendered meaningless.
She wouldn’t dare attempt any of them with CCTV present.
Xu Mingkun’s voice quavered, “Sister Yen, what… what do we do now?”
“What if… what if Su Bai really does have genuine talent?”
“All our suspicions were just that—suspicions.”
“From what’s happened these past few days, and with Su Bai’s air of confidence, I don’t think he’s bluffing!”
Liu Siyen’s brows furrowed deeply.
“Wait, let me make a call and confirm the truth of this.”
Even though the official account had posted, which meant it was certainly true, Liu Siyen was unwilling to give up hope.
Two minutes later, she returned from the balcony, her face dark as thunder.
“Kun, it’s true this time.”
“My friend thinks it’s likely because those 168 rescued girls spoke out together.”
“Now, the eyes of the entire nation are on them.”
“Their collective appeal is too influential!”
“That’s why the central media had to step in!”
Upon hearing this, Xu Mingkun cursed loudly, “Damn it! Why can’t they mind their own business!”
Liu Siyen’s eyes flashed with a trace of disgust at his outburst.
This was not the Kun-kun she liked.
In front of her, Xu Mingkun had always been obedient and gentlemanly.
“Now is not the time for complaints.”
“Nor is it the time to analyze the reasons!”
“All you can do is practice your instruments even harder!”
“Especially your best pieces—you mustn’t make a single mistake!”
“As for the rest, all we can do is hope Su Bai is all smoke and mirrors!”
“Kun, you must understand!”
“No matter whether you win or lose, as long as you perform well and your fans see your talent, we haven’t truly lost!”
“So, keep your composure! At the very least, hold on to your current fanbase!”
After listening to Liu Siyen, Xu Mingkun wanted to roar: I just want to crush that country bumpkin with no chance to fight back!
But, seeing Liu Siyen’s expression, he swallowed his words.
He knew she despised those who lost their heads in a crisis.
“All right, Sister Yen, I understand!”
“I’ll go practice now!”
As Xu Mingkun left, Liu Siyen’s eyes gradually chilled to ice.
She dialed her phone and said into it, “Do it.”
Then she drove away from the apartment.
At Magic Metropolis Hospital, Yang Mengke stared incredulously at the central media’s announcement.
“Brother, even CCTV is getting involved!”
“It looks like, the day after tomorrow, you’re going to be truly famous!”
Right now, almost all of Yang Mengke’s thoughts revolved around Su Bai.
Anytime there was news about her brother, she would immediately tell him.
Su Bai looked at Yang Mengke, whose body had mostly healed but whose face was still scarred, and a sudden, inexplicable fear crept into his heart.
If it weren’t for the system, what kind of life would his sister have led?
Even if she were cured, every time she looked in the mirror, she’d be haunted by sadness.
Perhaps the system sensed Su Bai’s thoughts.
[Ding! Honor Points +5]
[Ding! Honor Points +5]
[Ding! Honor Points +5]
...
After a string of system notifications, Su Bai looked at his final point tally, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
[Current point balance: 16,483 points!]
It’s… over ten thousand! Finally over ten thousand!
Mengke’s seventh potion was finally ready.
Su Bai’s voice shook as he said, “Mengke, w-wait for me, the seventh potion is ready—I’ll go get it!”
With that, Su Bai dashed out of the ward as if possessed.
Yang Mengke, covering her mouth in disbelief, whispered to herself.
“The final potion—is it really ready?”
“Can I… can I finally be completely healed?”
During all this time, though her body had regained almost full mobility, Yang Mengke had never dared look in the mirror.
She hadn’t dared touch her own face.
She couldn’t bear to accept it.
When her brother told her the final potion would restore her looks, she never asked about it, but every moment since, she had longed for the arrival of that seventh potion.
And now, at last… it was here…