Chapter 103: The Stage is Set, Let the Spectacle Begin

Lin Zhiwei returned to the staff seat, where Xiao Yu was already eagerly calling out, "Lin, I’ve been waiting for you forever!"

"Is it because the boss is too handsome, leaving you so enchanted that you forgot about work and didn’t want to come back?" Xiao Yu nudged Lin Zhiwei teasingly, her smile full of gossip.

"Xiao Yu, being this nosy isn’t very nice," Lin Zhiwei replied calmly, crossing her long legs and folding her arms, her eyes sparkling with lively light. Xiao Yu immediately lowered her head obediently. "Ugh, Lin, you really shouldn’t speak to me in that tone—it’s way too alluring."

"Have all the fans taken their seats? How’s the situation looking?"

"They’re all in position. We almost had a scuffle with Chu Chuo’s fans earlier, but luckily the Feather Girl’s fanbase is well-disciplined, so don’t worry," Xiao Yu glanced back at the audience stands, which were densely packed with fans from each side, their colorful lightboards glowing vibrantly.

At that moment, Zhao Lei returned to his seat, glanced at his watch, and nodded toward Lin Zhiwei. "It’s about time."

Lin Zhiwei nodded in response. The show was set to start at seven o’clock, and there were still ten minutes left.

"Is it enough to have only Mei Ning from Ruoyu’s side?" Lin Zhiwei asked Zhao Lei with precision.

"It’s enough. Both Pei Xi and Mei Ning are here. The organizers provided two assistants who know the stage and crowd control better than we do," Zhao Lei replied solemnly.

The circular stage lay in quiet darkness, poised and ready.

As the countdown appeared on the big screen, fans from all camps screamed their idols’ names, shouting their support slogans one after another.

"Ruoyu is in my heart, life and death never apart."

"Ruoyu for first place, victory is certain."

"When Ruoyu strikes, the world listens."

...

Meanwhile, Chu Chuo and Ye Linyun’s fans were not to be outdone:

"Brave Chu soars, Mi forever by your side."

"Hand in hand with Chu, walking together."

"All beings are many, but only for Linyun."

"Clouds are everywhere, but Linyun is irreplaceable."

...

Fans of Liu Niwen and Chen Yu also enthusiastically chanted their slogans. Though they couldn’t compare to the big three stars, they wouldn’t let their idols lose face.

Lu Ran strolled to the front row and sat beside Lin Zhiwei. She immediately greeted him politely, "Congratulations, Director Lu. The opening was already so spectacular. I wish the show great ratings."

"Director Lin, you’re too kind. What I’m most looking forward to is the grand finale by Emperor Ling. Frankly, I believe Emperor Ling is the undisputed all-round king," Lu Ran said with admiration, folding his arms.

"You flatter him," Lin Zhiwei replied. Ling Ziheng was currently nothing but a shameless rogue; if there were such rankings, she would buy them out immediately.

"Hello everyone, I’m tonight’s host, He Liang."

A clear male voice sounded as the stage lights came on in full. A man dressed in a deep gray tailored suit with a red bow tie appeared, drawing bursts of astonishment from the audience. The host tonight was none other than the famous TV personality He Liang, known for his rare availability.

The production team had kept this a secret so well—they hadn’t leaked a single detail about booking He Liang.

"Hello everyone, I’m your old friend Qin Yue," a gentle, playful female voice followed. A girl in a pink embroidered gown appeared, petite and adorable, her large eyes expressive as if they could speak. Qin Yue, He Liang’s longtime partner, had been invited as well—a truly grand gesture. The audience shouted their names enthusiastically.

These two had long been a duo; any hit variety show would feature their seamless, complementary hosting.

He Liang laughed heartily. "Thank you all for your warm enthusiasm. As you know, Qin Yue and I have been busy with another show until Director Lu showed us the concept of this program and shared some surprises with us. We came straight here without delay."

"Yes indeed! Everyone here is truly fortunate. From what I see in the script, this event rivals a star-studded gala. But enough talk—I want to ask the audience, are you all excited for tonight’s performances?" Qin Yue mischievously tossed the question to the crowd.

"We are!" came the unanimous response. Tonight’s show featured top stars competing on the same stage, with two rising young stars also catching fire. Tickets were nearly impossible to come by, and scalpers had been selling at exorbitant prices for over a month.

"Please be patient. Let me briefly explain the competition rules for 'Masked All-Round King.' Five performers will debut tonight, performing in the order drawn by lot. They must wear masks throughout their performances. After all have performed, votes from the audience and outside supporters will be tallied. The lowest-ranked performer will enter a waiting zone, awaiting the next challenger’s face-off," He Liang explained smoothly.

"We’d also like to thank Bermuda Culture, Qiao’er Milk, and Lingdong Fashion for their strong support of our show. Without further ado, the stage is set for our first competitor—who that is, we won’t reveal. Everyone, hold your breath and enjoy," Qin Yue said with a smile, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

The lights dimmed, and the stage shimmered with splendor, beams of light artfully illuminating the entrance where the contestant would appear.

In this brief moment, the audience took in the circular stage carefully. It was elegant without being ostentatious, surrounded on all sides by 4K ultra-high-definition screens capable of projecting any scene, creating a vivid illusion. The ceiling was also encircled by ultra-HD displays and white sculptures.

A semi-circular pool of water encircled the stage, where dense water droplets formed an arch pattern, mesmerizing to behold as they waited for the contestant’s entrance.

"This production is truly lavish. The water stage adds a poetic atmosphere and can be adjusted to suit different performances," Lin Zhiwei remarked.

"Indeed, starting from the second episode, themes will be announced, and the stage effects will add even more brilliance," Lu Ran agreed with a smile. Though costly to build, such an investment was necessary to meet the increasingly discerning visual demands of today’s audience. Simple ribbons and flowers were long outdated; now spectators sought immersive 4D surround visuals that immediately captivated the heart.

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