The VIP private room on the seventh floor of the Silver Pearl Hotel.
A large round table for over twenty people was elegantly set with dozens of exquisite dishes, each person served a plate of nine-head abalones of excellent quality.
However, not a single person dared to touch their chopsticks. The room was eerily quiet, with only the curling smoke silently lingering in the air.
The man sitting at the head of the table had a gloomy expression. Several cigarette butts were scattered in the ashtray in front of him.
“Can’t you come up with any other ideas?” he asked.
“Boss,” Chen, the executive from Shiyong Media, carefully refilled his wine glass and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “SPF and Minghao have joined forces, and their defense is impenetrable.”
They had been using the old tactics before, which had always been effective. They would spread rumors, manipulate public opinion, and even if they hurt the surface, it would still damage their public image. They could always gain something from it.
However, ever since Director Qi had come to warn them, first Minghao Entertainment withdrew from all film and television collaborations, and even the paparazzi suddenly changed their narrative overnight, unifying their stance and refusing to engage in this type of harmful work.
The guests at the table remained silent, sitting there like a group of puppets.
Chen continued, “That guy named Pei started his livestreaming, and now whatever we expose will be turned into positive publicity for them. It’s like we’re just giving them money.”
The man picked up the ashtray and threw it at Chen’s face, “You useless idiot!”
The white ashes in the crystal ashtray were still warm, and Chen trembled all over, not daring to move.
Although Han Qu appeared to be the head of Juyu Culture and was holding a glass of rum in his hand, he was not considered a big player in the entertainment industry. Yet, he was the heir to a financial empire. Just a slight movement of his fingers in the world of business could make Jiyong Media cease to exist.
Juyu Culture had acquired several old companies in the entertainment industry in one go, all for the sake of competing with Minghao Entertainment and Hongguang Entertainment.
However, four years had passed, and everything had remained stagnant, with no progress.
Han Qu smoked in silence, and the head of Lizi Entertainment next to him bent down to light his cigarette, half trying to save the situation and half inciting trouble, “The old tactics are no longer effective; sometimes Chen’s mind isn’t very sharp.”
Chen frowned and dared not argue.
SPF had tightened its security patrols and network defenses so much that even trying to send someone to impersonate a fan and throw sulfuric acid was impossible. This kind of task was becoming increasingly difficult to accomplish.
Someone tried to defuse the situation, saying, “Why don’t we change our target…”
Before Han Qu could speak, several of his subordinates on the side spoke angrily, “Who gave you the right to speak here?”
“Who said we are giving up? Corona is currently at the top, and toppling it would be like taking down both the gold and silver mountains. Whoever succeeds will reap the rewards!”
Han Qu paid little attention to this and turned to ask, “What do those six think?”
“They have all been thoroughly investigated multiple times,” another woman in the corner quickly replied.
“Huo Ren is heavily protected by the company, and his biological father is no longer of any use.”
“Long Jia… can’t be touched.”
“Mei Shengyao had no dirt, and the two with foreign backgrounds are challenging to investigate.”
“Dig, dig deeper.” Han Qu pressed the cigarette butt directly on the silk tablecloth, letting the tablecloth embroidered with wisteria flowers burn into ugly black scars.
“There will be a new project next year, if you don’t start it, what else are you waiting for?”
“Ah-choo!” Chi Ji sneezed out of nowhere.
“Put on a warmer outfit; you haven’t even gone on stage yet.” Bo Jue helped him put on a black jacket, his tone complex as he smoothed down Chi Ji’s bangs with his fingertips. “You look handsome in this flight suit.”
“Of course,” Xie Lianyun knocked on the door with the back of his hand. “We’re about to head to the front lines; everyone, hurry up.”
After three rounds of selections, “The Idol’s Code” finally assembled three teams to compete against Corona. Due to the nature of the show being entirely live without any editing, everything that happened was authentic.
Fans could witness trolls being dragged away by security guards like pigs, handsome fitness coaches secretly scratching their armpits, and a few exceptional contestants who were not only outstanding but also skilled.
Before their enthusiasm could be worn down, the Nightfire livestream finally presented the main event.
“Let’s give a warm welcome to our idol spokespersons of the season — CO-RO-NA!”
The amateur contestants from the three teams had mixed expressions, a combination of fear and anticipation.
The six big stars were even thinner than they had imagined.
Even though they already looked slim and slender in billboards and posters, it was only when they saw them in person outside the lens that they truly understood the difference between celebrities and ordinary people.
From their cheeks, jawlines, to necks and arms, there was not a single trace of excess fat on their bodies. Their figures looked as if they had been meticulously sculpted by ancient Greek craftsmen.
Their gazes were steady and powerful, exuding an aura that made people want to step back instead of challenging them.
The moment the celebrities and the amateur contestants appeared together on the screen, the number of bullet comments skyrocketed.
[That internet-famous guy suddenly doesn’t seem as appealing anymore… my ultimate bias Corona, I’m crying.]
[I’m waiting online for the Crown to explode in the Red and Blue teams, those few straight guys with their stinky faces! If you get any more arrogant, we’ll win you to the point where you have no pants left!]
[OMG, why do those few amateur contestants look like they’ve gained weight when they’re in the same frame? Is it just my eyes playing tricks on me?]
[Sister, it’s not just you. I actually felt like they got fatter as soon as the beautiful female host appeared…]
After a brief self-introduction, the two hosts continued with a smile.
“As we all know, the idol profession has always been a subject of controversy and criticism.”
“So, before the competition begins, why don’t you all exchange your opinions with each other?”
The straightforward contestant from the Red Team was the first to speak up.
“Buddy, no offense,” the big guy spoke openly, “What kind of job is it for people in their twenties? Singing ‘I love you, you love me’ every day, it’s meaningless.”
The real-time barrage on the electronic display screen instantly became so dense that nothing could be seen clearly. There were supportive comments and insults alike.
Huo Ren maintained his smile, nodding to indicate the next person to speak.
“I can understand to some extent,” another contestant from the Blue Team took the microphone. “Singing and dancing are all about making fans happy.”
“The problem is, you guys are always dressed so flamboyantly, wearing earrings and makeup. Do you think this is something a man should do?” This contestant had previously boasted on forums and in personal livestreams, and today he came to expose their faces. “Furthermore, this competition isn’t difficult at all. If you guys had this level of skill before your debut, even I could have made it.”
Although the hosts were well aware of the situation, they still listened with a hint of anxiety.
Livestreams were prone to these sorts of unexpected situations, and there was no way to reshoot or edit. Everything was happening in real-time.
Before they could step in to salvage the situation, the handsome contestant from the Green Team took the microphone.
“This program is called ‘The Idol’s Code,’ and I believe it’s supposed to truly begin after we have our official match against you.”
He bowed slightly, his attitude mild. “I’m looking forward to competing against you.”
The six of them all returned the courtesy with smiles. “Please teach us.”
These doubts and taunts had raised audience expectations to the highest level, and fans from both sides were already engaged in heated arguments in various forums and comment sections.
Some straight men were waiting to see those few contestants who perfectly fit their ideals of manhood prove themselves, while most fans were feeling sorry for their brothers who had to compete against these jerks. As a result, the livestream room was filled with a continuous stream of gifts.
“In the three rounds of competition that will follow, one team will be eliminated in each round,” the host explained. “Physical fitness, intelligence, and labor will be divided into three arenas, with a designated number of participants chosen from each team for each competition.”
“I have a question,” a male contestant with a Grade 10 piano level raised his hand. “Why are we competing in labor instead of talents?”
Xie Lianyun and Bo Jue avoided eye contact.
“Because every member of Corona is proficient in at least two musical instruments,” the host smiled. “So, it wouldn’t be fair to compete in talents.”
The male contestant was bewildered for a moment, then subconsciously asked, “But you mentioned earlier that three of them are banned from the intelligence competition.”
“That’s correct,” the host’s smile remained unchanged. “In addition to being proficient in at least two musical instruments, most of them are also proficient in English and French.”
The contestants who had been boasting earlier had furrowed brows.
Wait a minute… this doesn’t seem… very good.
The first competition was actually an intelligence competition.
And the livestream venue was right next door.
The area that was originally the performance stage had been transformed into a high school classroom, complete with blackboards, desks, doors, and windows, all exuding a lived-in atmosphere.
The teacher rapped the pointer on the blackboard to signal them to look.
“This class is an introduction to basic Spanish. Each team should send at least two participants. We will start an in-class test after a forty-minute lecture.”
The Green Team contestants, all peace enthusiasts, greeted the teacher with a wave and went off to receive their textbooks and notebooks.
Most of the Red and Blue Team members had exceptional physical fitness and were now trying to reason with white faces.
“Why do we have to learn Spanish? Are you planning to hold a concert in Barcelona or something?”
“We’ve already explained,” the host said leisurely, “All six of them are too proficient in English, making the starting line unfair.”
“If you insist on protesting, we can switch to Java programming or topology introduction. Or should we vote on it now?”
“Java? Topology? What on earth?”
The trio of Long Yun Chi was already holding their textbooks, preparing to enter, and exchanging high-fives with their teammates.
“I haven’t attended a class in centuries,” Xie Lianyun whispered, “Don’t scold me if I fail.”
Huo Ren felt regretful. “I self-learned Spanish… I’ll just sit outside and listen.”
“You dare to sleep in class, give it a try.” Bo Jue raised an eyebrow and stared at Xie Lianyun. “This is a live broadcast.”
“I know, I know…”
One by one, they took their seats, and the teacher began the live broadcast lecture.
“Today, we’ll start with the Spanish alphabet and pronunciation.”
“Please follow along with me: la, le, li, lo, lu,”
“ala, ele, ili, olo—”
The barrage was already bursting with laughter.
“I can’t believe I’m learning a foreign language through a live broadcast. Hahaha, this is amazing.”
“That guy’s face is like a question mark, he looks like he has no idea what she’s saying, ‘Who am I? Where am I?'”
“Teacher! Xie Lianyun is secretly folding paper airplanes! I want to report him!!”
Outside the camera’s view, Huo Ren was diligently reviewing the introductory course on his notebook when his shoulder was suddenly tapped.
Bo Jue, who was next to him, suddenly coughed and quickly retreated.
Beside him stood Pei Ruye, his voice cold.
“Come, I’ll show you something new.”
“But we still have another hour of recording for the program—”
“There’s time.”
They went to the downstairs training room, where the room was lined with mirrors, shining brightly.
At first glance, Huo Ren saw a thirteen-section whip on the table, coiled like a silver serpent.
“Do you want to give this a try at the concert?” Pei Ru spoke calmly. “It’ll probably hurt for several days straight when you’re just starting, this is quite challenging.”
“Sure,” Huo Ren’s eyes lit up, “It’s good if it’s challenging.”
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It’s too cold in winter… Let’s change the update time to 8 AM until it warms up in spring. I’ll go update the announcement.
“Where learning Spanish!” Also “we are learning BDSM!”