One hundred.

101 Male Lead War (Part I)

Host: Today is a joyous occasion. Our "Speak Your Mind" program team has invited the five contestants competing for the male lead role in "Drifter of the Apocalypse" to join us on set. We will exclusively reveal their personal journeys throughout this competition and share some explosive, gossipy secrets. Let's welcome them with a round of applause!

[Audience applauds]

Zhuo Chenglan (bows solemnly): Thanks to everyone's support, I was unexpectedly chosen as the male lead. I am truly surprised and grateful. I will continue to do my best.

Host: As expected of a loyal, devoted type; even his thank-you speech is so sincere and powerful. He truly is a reliable man!

Zhiqiu (smiling): I don't know if I'm overthinking it, but our male lead seems to be radiating a sense of insecurity...

Bai Qing (smiling as well): I have the same illusion.

Zhuo Zelian (snorting with contempt): Losers shouldn't be green with envy and making snide remarks. My brother is the most excellent man in the world; how could he be insecure?

Bai Qing (smiling): Although your appearances are very similar, your levels of self-inflation are polar opposites.

Zhiqiu (thoughtfully): You two have a great relationship. Why don't you withdraw and enter the National CP competition instead? Forbidden brotherly tropes are quite popular right now, really.

Zhuo Chenglan (earnestly): My brother and I do not have that kind of relationship.

Zhuo Zelian: Speaking of which, the one sitting across from us who has been silent all this time is the one who's actually suspicious, right? →_→

Xiyu: ...

Host: Oh, oh, oh! Speaking of being androgynous and universally appealing, contestant number one is certainly the most representative! Xiyu, many readers believe that the first mysterious man to appear in a romance novel is destined to be the male lead. Are you disappointed that you missed out on the role?

Xiyu (calmly): If it is meant to be, it will be. If it is not, do not force it.

Zhuo Zelian: That may be true, but you must be quite bitter about losing to my brother, right? ╮(╯▽╰)╭

Xiyu (closes eyes): No comment.

Zhiqiu (whispering to Bai Qing behind his hand): Being asked such a question by a fellow loser—both sides are quite pathetic, don't you think?

Bai Qing (answering in a low voice): Only one side is pathetic. Number one clearly doesn't care at all, while the younger brother is quite obsessed and rather twisted about it...

Zhuo Zelian: ...Could you two please turn off your microphones when you say things like that?

Bai Qing & Zhiqiu (in unison): It was intentional.

Zhuo Zelian: ￥@…%￥*&##@!!!

Host (noticing the tension, quickly trying to smooth things over): Thank you all for your enthusiastic contributions. We are now going to a commercial break; we'll be right back!

[Commercial break: "Golden Fertilizer" theme song plays on a loop]

"Hey, stop it, the studio is about to be destroyed!"

"Director, there’s an explosion backstage!!"

"Oh my god, where did that giant dog come from?!!"

...

[To be continued]