Chapter 64
[This is just a city-level competition, what's so special about it?]
[These variety show fans are probably trying to create a god-like figure; they're probably a bunch who've never even played video games.]
[Don't overhype them; they might get eliminated in the first round of qualifying!]
Jiang Yijing: I'll be there soon.
He checked the weather forecast before setting off this morning; the island was predicted to have a 40% chance of rain. The director ignored his report: "Don't worry, there's still a good chance it won't rain, and we'll be in the woods, so we won't get wet and it won't affect filming!"
After a one-day delay, the production team was already strapped for cash, and the director dared not postpone recording for a low-probability event—two days without live streaming would cause the viewership to plummet.
As evening approached, the Zou family's restaurant gradually came alive with the aroma of cooking.
Zou Shu was in charge of serving tonight, and he keenly observed that the guests at the corner table seemed to be acting strangely.
She was a woman in her thirties, alone, who ordered a bowl of vegetarian noodles and remained silent. Her wallet sat on the table, with half a photograph of her child visible inside; the paper was reflective, obscuring the child's face.
She held her phone, eating while watching a live variety show.
When Zou Shu was serving noodles, he accidentally saw the phone screen. The big logo in the upper left corner meant that it happened to be the children's variety show that his team leader was appearing on.
The Levin was like a phonograph with a broken disc, suddenly falling silent.
Li Chi continued reading: "In conclusion, congratulations to Jiang Mingzhe for winning twelve stars! Duoduo, Youyou, and Xiaoyu won eleven stars! Xixi won ten stars! After we return to land, the production team will prepare a grand awards ceremony for everyone!"
The so-called awards ceremony was actually a last-minute arrangement to make up for the time. At this moment, the director urgently booked a nearby venue, and the props team was arranging the ceremony's setup as quickly as possible.
In any case, a project that's been abandoned can't just go unnoticed!
Lei Ling knew very well that from now on, he had been completely excluded from the program team's plans.
As Li Chi suddenly stepped forward to discuss the program and deliver his opening remarks, the cameras in the camp moved away from Lei Ling, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally trying to downplay his presence.
It is absolutely impossible for him to attend the awards ceremony that evening.
Inside the shed, the director stared at the footage on the camera, veins bulging on his forehead.
Lei Ling is truly a bastard who has done all sorts of bad things. The director originally wanted to film a video of Xi Xi breaking up with him, but this beast still jumped out and interrupted Xi Xi, starting to cause trouble for Leng Zhi.
The director finally realized that he was no longer as composed as before, and was now terrified. He quickly asked Li Chi to change the flow of the process and end this farce.
Lei Ling finally understood the current situation; he had been completely abandoned by the production team.
He had only been a minor internet celebrity for a few years, and when faced with this situation, he had no idea how to deal with it and completely froze.
The camp was divided into two distinct camps, and Xixi, surrounded by the other children, returned to the other parents.
The storm at sea came and went quickly, and before nightfall, the horizon finally revealed the soft glow of the setting sun.
The speedboat brought the guests and staff back to the island.
Lei Ling huddled in the corner without saying a word, already planning where to find work after losing his job.
Is he working at a bubble tea shop or a restaurant as a waiter? Hopefully, he won't run into the owner who's a fan of the variety show...
As the speedboat drew closer to the shore, Lei Ling's mind began to wander again.
He ruminated on the words he had said to the photographer, wondering if he could shift all the blame onto Lei Shen and save himself.
After thinking for a long time, he became even more dejected—of course not, with just a few words he had plunged both of them into a muddy mess, and neither of them could escape.
However, he was unaware that the online public opinion at this time was fermenting far more terrifyingly than he had imagined.
As the woman watched, her eyes reddened, her expression turned angry, and she even dropped her chopsticks to the ground.
After disembarking from the speedboat, the guests retrieved their phones. The first thing Lei Ling did upon receiving his phone was to contact Lei Shen.
For some reason, I couldn't get through on the phone; it was always busy.
Afterwards, his phone was bombarded with calls from the MCN agency's agent. Before the variety show had even ended, they had already coldly stated that they would demand compensation from him according to the contract.
"I still have to compensate you! Shouldn't it be that you bought the insurance for me and then compensate the production team?!"
The agency hung up the phone immediately, leaving behind a dismissive remark: "Look at the contract yourself. We've been scolded quite a bit today because of you."
Lei Ling looked at the contract and realized it was real. If an artist actively engaged in behavior that excessively affected the organization, they would be required to pay corresponding compensation.
When he calmed down and logged into Weibo, wanting to take a look, what greeted his eyes was the top trending search:
#Legendary uses child stars for profit#
#Leishen immediately returns custody of Xixi#
#Levin and Levin get out of the Chinese entertainment industry#
The most viewed video is the blurry footage from a miniature camera on the island. There's also a video shot from a passerby's perspective.
The camera was shaky, and it showed two people arguing.
The person directly in front of him on the right, despite wearing a low-key baseball cap, is still easily recognizable to familiar fans as Lei Shen.
The person on the left has their back to the camera; all we know is that it's a woman.
The content of the argument was quite clear.
How did you find this place?!
"I also want to ask you, what have you done to Xixi in the past two years?"
"Foolish woman, that's my son! I'm doing this all for his own good!"
"You're completely unscrupulous! That Lei Ling isn't a family member Xixi knows at all. You're handing Xixi over to a stranger. What kind of father are you!"
Xu Lin took a deep breath, calming herself down.
She knew that endless insults and accusations would not help; this cold-blooded father would not reflect on his actions. She now had only one goal: to gather more evidence.
Xu Lin pressed on: "Your claim that Xixi wants to attend class and doesn't want to see me is also fabricated, isn't it? You just want to mold him into a so-called prodigy."
"The last time I saw the red marks on Xixi's palm, it was also your doing."
When Lei Shen saw his ex-wife in full force for the first time, he couldn't help but take a half step back: "Let me explain... all of this is for his future development."
"So you admit it." Xu Lin gripped the record button on her phone in her pocket, showing no fear on her face.
Lei Shen also lost his temper: "...So what if it is? Do you have to make a scene? It's because of this that I want a divorce!"
Upon hearing his words, Xu Lin breathed a sigh of relief.
She hadn't expected to run into her ex-husband on this trip, nor did she think she would definitely see Xixi, but fate smiled upon her, and the trip was not in vain.
The fact that the video was secretly recorded by onlookers and posted online was something Xu Lin hadn't expected—she simply hoped it could serve as evidence in her fight for custody.
The video's views skyrocketed, and netizens saw Lei Shen and Lei Ling's despicable nature even more clearly.
Xixi's words silenced everyone in the camp.
Jiang Mingzhe tilted his head: "What do you mean? He's not your uncle, so are you his uncle?"
Youyou reached out her little hand and smacked the silly boy on the head: "It means they have nothing to do with each other, what are you thinking!"
The little incident with the baby did nothing to ease the awkward atmosphere. Lei Ling wasn't about to sit idly by. He raised his voice, trying to drown out everyone else: "He must have a fever and is just talking nonsense!"
We can't let the conversation in the house stay focused on Xixi any longer!
He racked his brains and finally decided to point the gun at Leng Zhi—as long as everyone's attention was diverted, they wouldn't notice what Xi Xi was "talking nonsense" about.
"Leng Zhi! Don't try to sow discord between me and Xi Xi! You were the one who caused my brother Lei Shen to leave this show!"
Leng Zhi: "...?"
What's wrong with this person?
Lei Ling didn't stop for a moment. He no longer cared whether his current hysterical state was consistent with his original gentle and polite persona. He continued, "I heard you making a phone call on the balcony. You want to enter the e-sports industry, form a team, and make money!"
"Everyone knows that esports is a great investment opportunity right now. It must be the Jiang family's capital that wants to get in. They're letting you test the waters first, putting down Lei Shen, and boosting your esports reputation. Once the variety show ends, you'll transform into a team owner and attract all sorts of endorsements!"
Upon hearing this, Leng Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly.
"If I remember correctly, he took the initiative to claim my account. Did I hold a gun to his throat and force him to say that?"
Zou Shu scratched his head as he watched—wasn't this variety show supposed to be quite entertaining?
But he still handed her a new pair of bamboo chopsticks: "Madam, is there anything I can help you with?"
This rainstorm was a case of everyone using their own unique methods. Shaoqi used a giant banana leaf fan, and Le Xinzhou happened to find a plastic shed left by outdoor enthusiasts. Both groups were not greatly affected.
The Lei Ling group, however, made numerous mistakes.
He and Sisi were on the beach, looking for supplies—they were unlucky and found nothing in the woods.
The sudden rain soaked the two of them to the bone, and the sparse woods in the area offered no protection from the downpour.
The cameraman filming them was even more anxious than they were.
The camera, which had been working perfectly, suddenly malfunctioned due to the sudden downpour.
At this moment, Lei Ling's sub-livestream room is completely black, with no data transmission.
[Mario: My friend in the esports circle contacted me. KM said you can go for a tryout if you're free these few days.]
[Mario: [Location Information] This is their building. I see your IP address is in S City, so getting there should be easy!]
[Zou Shu: Captain Leng, I think I found Yu Fu?]
[Team Recruitment: Generous rewards and ample funding! We are recruiting top esports players from around the world. Team LSG awaits your joining!]
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