Chapter 67: Has the Superstar Been Played Again?

"Uh, three plus twelve..." In a moment of panic, Lin Yunyu spotted Wang Fei's hidden Three Plus Twelve phone and blurted out a made-up answer. Seeing Qiu Shishang nod in approval, she confidently recited all the advertising slogans the group had mentioned earlier.

"You got a few words right, so your team scores," the glamorous hostess announced.

Suddenly, she turned to Qiu Shishang. "No outside assistance allowed! Even though you scored, you cheated by exchanging glances. Teacher Qiu, you're disqualified."

The score was now back to zero for both teams—no clear winner yet. Each team had lost a member, and with the final round at hand, it was obvious this would be the deciding match. The remaining players huddled together, plotting their strategies with growing fervor.

Groups of three clustered in heated discussion. Wang Fei seemed to have recovered from his earlier disappointment, thanks in part to a brief moment backstage when Bai Yichu quietly apologized to him—not offering much explanation, but enough to rekindle his hope in pursuing love.

Maybe the goddess did have feelings for him after all—just a bit too shy to show it.

Meanwhile, Si Shaozhe resumed his usual role as the team's self-appointed leader. Unfortunately, his teammates responded half-heartedly to his strange suggestions, offering only perfunctory "okay"s and "mm-hm"s. Nevertheless, Si Shaozhe's inexplicable confidence soared; he was already imagining how he would use this chance to show off the rap he had just written if they took first place.

"Alright, teachers, have you all decided on your strategy for the final?" the hostess asked.

"Ready! To your positions—next round starts now!"

As Wang Fei's team headed for the chairs, he, as the initial round's captain, arranged for Bai Yichu to sit in the frontmost spot. Si Shaozhe, who had barely had a chance to shine earlier, wanted nothing more than to seize the spotlight. He had just realized that, in this game, sitting first let you fully express yourself, and after that, what happened was out of your hands.

With this in mind, he was the first to protest. "No way, I want to sit in the front!"

Wang Fei nodded—this was exactly the outcome he wanted. Si Shaozhe's blind confidence had left him lost in his music during the first round. If he were last to answer again, the team would likely lose. But if he went first, as long as he delivered the message properly, his antics wouldn't affect the result too much.

Wang Fei and Bai Yichu had already agreed on this backstage, so they deliberately pushed the self-assured Si Shaozhe to demand the lead position.

So the new team order was set: Si Shaozhe in front, followed by Wang Fei, with Bai Yichu at the end.

No sooner had they settled on this arrangement than Si Shaozhe's fans in the livestream chat went wild with praise.

"Of course our Shaozhe is first—he was born to lead!"

"Go, Shaozhe! You're the best!"

"If those two in the back cost us the win, we won't let it go!"

"This is hilarious. Where does this confidence come from? Did Shaozhe hand it out? With his clumsy acting, let's hope he can at least be understood!"

"Seriously, are his brainless fans really this delusional? How's a toddler supposed to win an acting contest? Please."

"I get it now. Wang Fei and Yichu, that obviously star-crossed couple, are working together to embarrass Si Shaozhe. Isn't that love? Such perfect chemistry! I'm so jealous!"

"I told you my ship is real!"

"Everyone saw them sneak backstage just now. Those two—what a sight! Envy, pure envy!"

"Could it be a secret romance?!"

"..."

The final showdown began. The three contestants took their seats as staff brought out the telephone-game placard. This time, the prompt was relatively simple.

Si Shaozhe's expression soured. "My rap is definitely world-class!" And then: "I can't stand posers." Two options.

The first line, after all, was exactly what Si Shaozhe had insisted on a few days ago when he wanted to add an original rap to the theme song. To have his own words thrown back at him on air was a slap in the face, leaving him momentarily tongue-tied.

"Mr. Si, once you've made your choice, we can begin!" The hostess, barely disguising her amusement at the showrunners' prank, urged him on.

This was a public shaming, plain and simple.

The round started. Si Shaozhe spun his chair to face Wang Fei, his self-assurance giving way to hesitation. Meeting Wang Fei's gaze, he opened his mouth but failed to utter a single word.

Wang Fei: Confused meme face.

What was going on? Why wasn't he speaking? Wasn't he just boasting about winning from the first seat? Why was he suddenly at a loss?

Had he still not gotten over his farming mishap last time?

After a long silence, and only when Wang Fei reminded him time was almost up, did Si Shaozhe finally raise his hand, hesitating, and then pointed at himself.

"What do you think about me?"

If this question had come up in private, Wang Fei would have had a dozen sarcastic answers for this self-important guy. But on the show, all grievances had to be hidden behind an awkward smile.

Wang Fei, the prince of love ballads, thought quickly and replied with a beaming grin, "Ah, well, I like women."

Si Shaozhe: What?

Dude, are you out of your mind?! I wasn't confessing to you!

Wang Fei feigned composure, but his answer left everyone in stitches. His quick thinking and humor brought smiles all around, lightening the atmosphere instantly.

As his turn ended, Wang Fei, still looking puzzled, turned to face Bai Yichu. With a fresh and elegant gesture, he removed his headphones, stared blankly for a few seconds, then pointed at Si Shaozhe behind him and asked, "What do you think about him?"

Even he felt this question was absurd—was this really acting? This top idol really did have the skills of a toddler; if acting doesn't come naturally, there's no need to force it!

"Oh," Bai Yichu replied almost instantly. Her sharp mind wouldn't let her be too obvious on camera; sometimes a female celebrity needed to play dumb. She stroked her chin thoughtfully, while Wang Fei, not wanting his goddess to lose, anxiously scratched his head, hoping to spark another idea from Si Shaozhe's earlier words.