Chapter 176: Collapsing Sheng Ning, Despairing Peng Chen
“This… this was given to me by Jiang Mou.”
Xiao Liu hurriedly explained, “You can’t eat it, Sister.”
Sister Shang paused, took it and looked, finding the packaging bag clean, and the small cake was zero-sugar. Her face became conflicted.
I have to say, Jiang Mou really “improved” a lot this time.
His snacks this time, whether it was the packaging or the appearance, looked very appetizing.
“…Zero additives, zero sugar, this looks pretty good.”
Sister Shang took the bag and said, “It’s a good thing, it would be a shame to throw it away… how about…”
Before she could speak, a furious roar came from the other side: “Shang Youshu!! Get back here! You can’t eat any more, or you’ll get as fat as a ball!”
Sister Shang shivered, quickly returned the items to Xiao Liu, and then ran back with a roguish air: “I don’t want it anymore, you deal with it.”
Xiao Liu: “…”
She looked down at the items that were indeed very good, hesitated for a moment, and still felt it was best to let Chi Ge handle it himself.
Ten minutes later.
She returned to the venue.
“Why did you take so long?”
Chi Ye asked, confused.
“Um… I ran into Jiang Mou…”
Xiao Liu recounted the incident, then handed the items to Chi Ye: “Chi Ge, you see how to handle this yourself… I covered his trademark so no one saw it, so I won’t be advertising for him.”
Chi Ye paused, then smiled: “You don’t need to be so sensitive… Hmm, let me see.”
Saying that, he curiously took out a bag of duck necks.
Empress Dowager on the other side also curiously took out a pack of chicken feet and exclaimed in surprise, “Huh, it’s 100% zero additive! So healthy?”
“Did he have a change of heart?”
“…It really seems so.”
Chi Ye was equally surprised. He looked at the “100% Zero Additive” text on the duck necks, very unexpectedly.
“It looks so delicious, Teacher Chi, let me try one first, help me cover it…”
“Wait a moment.”
Chi Ye stopped Empress Dowager, who was about to open the package, and flipped to the ingredients list on the back, scanning it.
As a result, he saw that the ingredients list was densely packed with preservatives, edible flavors, flavor enhancers, stabilizers, color fixatives…
More than a dozen additives, the small packaging bag could hardly fit them all!
He glanced at the information table again and saw that this bag of chicken feet was named: 100% Zero Additive Chicken Feet.
“Heh.”
Chi Ye: “I knew it.”
He handed the item to Empress Dowager, who, after looking at it, became very angry: “How can this person be so wicked!”
“…Alright, it’s a good thing we didn’t eat it, we almost fell for it.”
Xiao Liu felt very guilty: “Chi Ge, I’ll throw it away right now.”
“No rush.”
Chi Ye took out his mobile phone and opened Jiang Mou’s live stream, finding that he was indeed live-streaming his stall.
“I’ll make you harm people.”
Chi Ye casually reported him, then looked up: “The award ceremony is about to begin, I need to communicate with the performance team. You need to follow me, put it on the sofa and cover it with clothes for now, and throw it away when we get back.”
Chi Ye had already seen someone waving at him.
—Because of his recent popularity, he would not only participate in the gala this time but also sing a song during the award presentation.
“Okay.”
Xiao Liu nodded.
“Can I go over and take a look?”
Jin Xia was eager to try.
“No.”
Jin Xia: “?”
Chi Ye chuckled: “But I’m afraid you’ll stop my insurance, let’s go.”
“Teacher Chi, if you’re good, I won’t stop your insurance. Not only will I not stop it, I’ll buy you more.”
“…That’s very kind of you.”
As they spoke, the group walked towards the aisle.
…
Ten minutes later.
Peng Chen, after his usual routine of dealing with his wife’s “room check,” followed his name tag to his seat, and then looked back, discovering the words “Chi Ye” next to him.
Damn it, bad luck!
He cursed inwardly.
Not long ago, he had once again come to believe in metaphysics — wherever Chi Ye appeared, he would have no good outcome.
He involuntarily shifted his butt, and suddenly, he felt like he had sat on something.
“Huh?”
Peng Chen looked down in confusion and found a pile of exquisitely packaged snacks.
“What’s wrong with these staff members, why are they putting things here?”
Shaking his head, he kindly placed the snacks on the round table, then his gaze fell upon a delicate small cake.
The packaging bag of the small cake was printed with a large “Zero Sugar, Zero Additive.”
Hmm… I am actually a bit hungry.
He glanced around, saw no one was paying attention, took the small cake, tore open the packaging, and swallowed it in one bite.
“Mmm~”
His eyes lit up, and he praised, “Zero additive is still this sweet? Delicious.”
Thinking this, he took a few more, choosing only the “zero additive” healthy snacks.
He immediately started “devouring” them.
…
Meanwhile.
Outside.
It hadn’t been long since Jiang Mou started his live stream, and the Golden Eagle Festival’s popularity was still high. Coupled with his glorious identity as a “Rise veteran remnant,” his live stream room was very popular.
The more he piggybacked, the more satisfying it was.
Who said Rise had a bad origin?
He, Jiang Mou, didn’t think so.
But just as he was feeling smug, thinking he would make a big comeback today, suddenly, the live stream screen disappeared, and a “Banned” message popped up in the backend.
The reason was: suspected of defrauding consumers.
Jiang Mou: “???”
Who?
Who is it?!
Which inconsiderate person who was born without a butt is this?
Jiang Mou was furious, and N figures instantly came to mind, but he quickly narrowed it down to one person—
That’s right, it must be Ji Zhua Zhang!
Damn Ji Zhua Zhang, are you wishing for my death!
Dare to report me? I’ll report you back!
Thinking this, Jiang Mou angrily searched for Ji Zhua Zhang’s live stream. Seeing that he was live-streaming at the moment, he immediately clicked in and raised his hand to report.
Hmm… wait.
He suddenly stopped, feeling that something was wrong.
At this moment, Ji Zhua Zhang’s live stream was indeed live, but… it seemed a little different from what he thought “live” meant.
—Why is Ji Zhua Zhang eating chicken feet at home?!
Jiang Mou rubbed his eyes, sure he wasn’t mistaken.
At this moment, Ji Zhua Zhang’s live stream had very high popularity, and in the camera view, Ji Zhua Zhang was sitting in his own restaurant, with a large stainless steel basin in front of him, filled with all sorts of “Xian Ming Chicken Feet.”
He was burying his head and eating, occasionally looking up at the camera, smiling, and “interacting.”
Then he would continue to lower his head and gnaw on chicken feet, not saying a word the whole time, except for the occasional furtive look up and smile, and the “tsk tsk tsk” sound of gnawing chicken feet.
The scene was extremely shocking and eerie.
This…
What is going on?
Didn’t Ji Zhua Zhang come to the Golden Eagle Festival today?
Can he clone himself?!
Jiang Mou was dumbfounded.
Just then, a female voice suddenly spoke in the live stream: “Oh my, everyone stop asking! This is a video specially recorded by Manager Zhang. It’s played 24 hours a day. For the babies in the live stream room who want to buy the same chicken feet, please click on the link for shopping cart number three, and for the spicy flavor, click on link number five…”
Jiang Mou: “…”
I’ll go to your mother, Ji Zhua Zhang!!
You’re playing this “weirdly,” are you?!
While this brother is eating dirt, you’re making money and showing off at the same time?!
Just you wait, I’m going to fight you!
…
Seven thirty.
The 15th China TV Golden Eagle Festival officially kicked off at Xiangnan Radio and Television Station, broadcasting simultaneously on TV and online.
The scene was star-studded, with dazzling lights. External viewership surged, and bullet comments flew.
Peng Chen, clutching his crotch, walked into the elaborately decorated auditorium and found his assigned seat in the second row, near the center.
Beside him, Sheng Ning was already seated with imposing presence, her position closer to the center than his. In fact, if he hadn’t co-starred with Sheng Ning in that major production and needed to promote it, he wouldn’t be seated this far forward given his star power.
In this regard, he was no different from Chi Ye, brothers shouldn’t laugh at each other.
“Sister Ning.”
Lao Peng walked over and sat down, automatically deferring, his attitude respectful.
“Mm.”
Sheng Ning seemed to be in a bad mood, her face sullen.
Peng Chen dared not ask further, only explaining proactively: “I just confirmed with the staff, they said once the venue starts broadcasting, we can’t leave mid-way. An official event like the Golden Eagle Festival is different from one organized by a platform…”
“That’s for sure.”
Sheng Ning glanced at him and reminded him, “Be prepared, you’ll have to go up and present an award to Ling Han later. I’m telling you, her family is not ordinary. Although she doesn’t have much star power in the circle yet, if you get along well with her, you’ll benefit greatly in the future.”
“Thank you, Sister Ning, I know.”
Peng Chen nodded gratefully.
This time, he seized the opportunity of collaboration to establish a connection with Sheng Ning, which is why he was seated so far forward and had this opportunity.
Of course… as for why Sheng Ning was helping Peng Chen, it was a mutual exchange of benefits with Lao Peng’s wife behind him, each fulfilling the other’s needs.
Peng Chen was aware of this, but it didn’t stop him from wanting to “perform” well in front of Sheng Ning.
Sheng Ning!
Unlike some other little flowers, after “Strange Tales Record of Purple Mountain City,” Sheng Ning was already advancing towards becoming a capital-backed big star.
In contrast, the other three top little flowers.
One was unambitious, so lazy she could go half a year without working—the Heavenly Fairy.
One seemed diligent but was actually just a clumsy imitator—Sister Qianzi.
And the last one…
In the past two years, apart from creating a CP with Chi Ye, has her career had any impact?
A pure face dog and drama queen, contemptible.
Only Sheng Ning’s career progressed one step at a time each year. Peng Chen believed her future achievements might not be inferior to those of the big stars who were dominating the film circle now.
Therefore, seizing the opportunity, he had to fawn over her.
To this end, before entering today, he had specifically sprayed himself with a lot of perfume from a certain top luxury brand… it was rumored that Sheng Ning really liked the scent of this perfume.
—Exhausting every effort just to win the beauty’s favor!
“Mm, be prepared. In occasions like this, it’s a live broadcast simultaneously on TV and online, and there are leaders sitting below, so leaving mid-way is definitely not allowed.”
Sheng Ning nodded slightly, putting on an air, but her phoenix eyes kept glancing towards another corner in the second row, at a certain person.
Peng Chen, sitting there, saw this and mistook it as his perfume “little trick” having an effect, feeling immensely proud.
Grumble.
Just then, a faint gurgling sound came from his stomach.
Peng Chen’s face changed.
…
On the other side, Chi Ye was dressed in a suit and tie, with Jin Xia looking stunning beside him.
The two of them were also seated in the second row at this year’s Golden Eagle Gala, but their positions were farther from the center than the prime seats.
It was the same logic as Peng Chen; Chi Ye only got to the second row thanks to Jin Xia. However, even without Jin Xia, given his current star power and his relationship with Mango TV, he would have no problem securing a third-row seat.
—In the past, he wouldn’t even have the qualification to come, and even if he did, he would likely, like Rose today, only be able to sit in the last row where there were no cameras, forcing himself to get screen time.
“Why do I keep feeling like someone is watching me.”
Chi Ye shifted his body, unaccustomed to such a “serious” occasion, and at the same time, he inexplicably felt as if he were constantly being “watched.”
“It must be the seating, being too close to the front.”
Jin Xia actively comforted him this time: “It’s okay, Teacher Chi, I’m by your side, don’t be nervous.”
Chi Ye: “…”
He adjusted his posture and turned to whisper to the Empress Dowager.
…
Also in the second row, and even in the first row, there were people glancing at Chi Ye at this moment.
Sheng Ning was just one of them; more were the Big Stars Chi Ye hadn’t interacted with before.
Most of them had been in the movie circle for many years, and there were also Great Directors and popular Young Actors who were doing well in television.
For example, Chu Han Zhou.
For example, Jiang Kaige, with whom Chi Ye had a “brief encounter.”
For example… others he hadn’t interacted with but had “offended.”
“He’s just someone who sells his charm to get here, and now he can sit in the second row?”
A Television Great Director from the Yue Na System glanced at Chi Ye and unceremoniously scoffed to the person next to him: “Look at his smug attitude.”
A Director from the Beijing Circle next to him smiled faintly and said nothing.
Chu Han Zhou sneered: “That’s what happens when you haven’t been popular.”
“Hey, I heard he wants to compete with you for Most Popular Male Actor?”
The director teased: “Then you have to be careful, Han Zhou.”
“Him?” Chu Han Zhou pouted: “Peng Chen can’t even see my exhaust fumes; let him surpass Peng Chen first.”
“…Speaking of Director Zhang’s film, Jin Xia is the second female lead, and I heard they wanted him to sing the theme song. Is this true?”
Someone else leaned over, a popular young actress from the Beijing Circle.
“That’s nonsense. The matter was real, but it didn’t work out in the end,” the Yue Na Director shook his head.
“Ah? Why? Isn’t he quite popular recently?”
Everyone was surprised.
“What else could it be?” the Yue Na Director smiled. “Do you know who the Male Lead of that film is?”
“Yes, Lin Yang Qianrui. What does that have to do with him?”
“It has a lot to do with it.”
The Yue Na Director said mysteriously: “Jin Xia is just the second female lead, and she even snatched it from Lin Yang Qianrui’s company. When Lin Yang Qianrui heard this, would he let Chi Ye piggyback on Director Zhang? What kind of temper does Si Zi have? He didn’t even care about Yu Yan and lost his temper on the spot.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“…Oh, hearing you say that, I understand now.”
One by one, everyone suddenly understood, feeling like they had stumbled upon a top-secret industry scoop.
In fact, every time there was a similar gala, it was when industry news circulated the most.
Of course, the Golden Eagle Festival was still a very important occasion, so everyone only dared to exchange a few words secretly when the cameras weren’t on them.
As soon as the camera turned to them, they would either put on a serious expression or a business smile.
For example, at this moment, the camera turned to Peng Chen. Lao Peng faced the camera with a smile, even playfully winking, which drew cheers from the few audience members and fans outside.
When the camera moved away, he retracted his smile, his face turning slightly pale, with fine sweat beads forming on his forehead.
“What’s wrong?”
Sheng Ning, who was beside him, was the first to notice his discomfort.
“No… I’m fine.”
Peng Chen forced a smile, but he was already panicking, feeling as if his stomach was staging a “great havoc in heaven.”
The rumbling sounds grew louder and louder.
It wasn’t obvious at first, but by now, as soon as the leader’s speech on stage ended, he felt an urge, as if it were about to shoot for the moon, hitting him fiercely.
This feeling came without warning, yet it was so intense.
It was like high tide, wave after wave, crashing against the dam within his body, making his mind and body tense to the extreme in an instant.
What’s going on…
What’s happening…
Why am I suddenly feeling this way…
His face grew paler, his normally normal lips lost their color, his legs bent slightly, and he constantly shifted his stance, sometimes on his tiptoes, sometimes shifting his weight to his heels.
His body involuntarily leaned forward slightly, as if trying to find a point of support to “hold on.”
“What exactly is wrong with you?!”
Sheng Ning finally sensed Peng Chen’s abnormality, her phoenix eyes widening in surprise and confusion, frowning: “At an event like this, you…”
Before she could finish, the camera suddenly swung over, and she immediately stopped talking, acting as if nothing had happened, displaying a breathtakingly beautiful smile.
“Ahhh!!”
More audience members were cheering.
“Pfft.”
Suddenly, Sheng Ning’s nose tingled, and an indescribable smell rushed into her nostrils, causing her originally beautiful smile to falter slightly.
With a look of disbelief in her phoenix eyes, she turned to look at Peng Chen.
Peng Chen’s expression remained normal, and he looked at her: “What’s wrong?”
“…You?!”
Sister Ning, who was known to never blink even in the face of a “sea of flashing lights,” now lost her composure and stared at Peng Chen in extreme shock: “Did you fart?!”
“What… no, Sister Ning, let me explain…”
“Pfft.”
Another fart.
“Don’t talk yet!”
Sheng Ning covered her mouth.
“I wasn’t talking…”
“Pfft.”
Sheng Ning collapsed: “You’re still saying you weren’t talking?!”
Peng Chen, however, could no longer respond to Sheng Ning. Gritting his teeth, his face turned as purple as an eggplant. Seeing that the camera wasn’t on them, he didn’t have time to think of anything else and bent over to leave.
But the feeling in his stomach was simply indescribable. His steps began to falter, each step appearing extremely difficult, as if climbing a mountain with a heavy load.
“Hey, where are you going?!”
Finally, someone else noticed Peng Chen’s “abnormal behavior.”
Peng Chen remained silent, only weaving and moving evasively.
“You can’t leave during the live broadcast!”
A security guard approached.
Sweat beads densely covered Peng Chen’s forehead, large beads rolling down his cheeks. He looked up, his eyes actually showing red veins, and he opened his mouth to sing a symphony: “****!!!”
The security guard was stunned.
Peng Chen pushed him aside and staggered straight towards the toilet.
…
“Hey, what happened to Peng Chen?”
On the other side, Sister Qianzi looked at this scene with confusion and asked Shang Youshu next to her.
Shang Youshu didn’t speak but looked thoughtfully at Chi Ye, her eyes sparkling.
Hmm… indeed, wherever you are, “big melons” always appear!!
