"Yaoyang…" Yu Linwan's voice quivered with unshed tears as she spoke again.
"I thought the Yu family was in such disarray that my cousin-in-law would be too occupied to even manage her own affairs. I didn't expect her to have the time to personally bring people to City C for program recording," Gu Yaoyang's voice was clear and distant, laced with a hint of mockery. "It seems the Yu family's situation isn't as dire as I thought."
"Yaoyang, you know about the Yu family's troubles…" Yu Linwan felt a shock run through her at Gu Yaoyang's words, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes. "Then…"
"Cousin-in-law, the recording is about to begin. Please excuse me for now." Gu Yaoyang interrupted Yu Linwan and turned to leave.
Yu Linwan wanted to say more, but was cut off by the venue's music as the recording officially commenced.
Gu Yaoyang walked directly to Bai Yuqi and sat down. Bai Yuqi glanced towards Yu Linwan and then asked, "What's up? She still has the nerve to approach you?"
Gu Yaoyang didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the stage set up for the recording.
Seeing that Gu Yaoyang didn't wish to speak, Bai Yuqi didn't press the matter, merely curling his lips. If it were him, he'd have chopped those scoundrels into pieces. They looked human but acted like beasts.
This episode of the program was an entertainment-focused idol variety show. The host was experienced and managed the crowd well. Wen Shengsheng, as an unexpected guest, was also well taken care of.
In front of everyone and the cameras, Wen Shengsheng didn't cause any trouble. As the sole female guest on stage, she only needed to pout and act cute, occasionally coquettishly appealing to Ling Fenghan, who vaguely brushed her off.
At this moment, Ling Fenghan on stage showed no signs of the distress he'd experienced in the stairwell. Instead, he energetically interacted with the host, and the segments proceeded smoothly.
During the middle segment, Sui Sui made a special guest appearance on screen.
When she first appeared, she looked a little shy, covering her face with her hands and bashfully turning her head, her twin ponytails swaying. The modeling was clearly done with great care, with detailed rigging and fluid, natural movements. Xia Qing Tian was behind the scenes providing the voiceover.
Despite the tight schedule for Sui Sui's appearance, the production progress was strictly managed by Wen Ning, ensuring that every aspect was impeccable. Her playful remarks kept everyone laughing.
Sui Sui's persona was that of a slightly tsundere moe girl. When shy, she’d swing her twin ponytails, cover her face with her hands, wear a red fluffy dress, and her bow hairband would sway with her head movements. Her long legs were adorned with brown leather boots. When angry, she’d stomp her feet. Her waist microphone was a pink, white, and red combination, full of girlish charm. Her cute facial expressions and small gestures were also endearing.
Wen Shengsheng smiled along, somewhat displeased that everyone's attention was focused on Sui Sui. She glanced around the audience and noticed Yu Linwan in the front row with a displeased expression. Mistaking Yu Linwan's displeasure for being suppressed by Gu Shi Entertainment, Wen Shengsheng decided to stir up trouble.
"Sui Sui is so cute! I'm just a little curious, how does Sui Sui's voice come out? Is someone dubbing her? Can the voice actor come out and chat?" Wen Shengsheng tilted her head, feigning ignorance.
Wen Shengsheng's words immediately caused the expressions of those on stage to change. Virtual idols are highly sensitive to being associated with real people, as it can lead audiences to form unrealistic expectations. The experienced host couldn't immediately respond, and Ling Fenghan's expression turned even more unpleasant.
"Who are you calling a voice actor? You're the one lip-syncing! Sui Sui is going to release many songs and become a big star! Don't spread rumors!" Sui Sui, shown on screen, placed her hands on her hips and stomped her foot in anger. "You're even copying Sui Sui's twin ponytails. How old are you, auntie? This hairstyle doesn't suit you at all!"
Upon hearing this, the host quickly interjected, "Oh my, Sui Sui is angry! What a little girl. Alright, alright, all of Sui Sui's songs are sung by herself, not lip-synced."
Hearing Sui Sui's words, Wen Shengsheng immediately knew who the voice actor behind her was, and a surge of anger washed over her. A voice actor who couldn't even show her face dared to challenge her? What a joke!
"Sheng Sheng, Sui Sui is still a child." The host quickly gave Wen Shengsheng a look, urging her to back down and avoid further embarrassment.
"I didn't say Sui Sui was lip-syncing. I was just curious. Don't these sorts of [things] have voice actors?" Wen Shengsheng continued to feign ignorance. "Besides, the twin ponytails were done by the makeup artist, and they called me 'auntie'... Isn't that a bit much?"
Wen Shengsheng's remark completely froze the atmosphere on stage. Even those in the audience were bewildered. Was Wen Shengsheng going too far with her comments?
"As far as I know, Wanqing Entertainment is also planning to launch the [thing] that Miss Wen mentioned recently," Ling Fenghan retorted. "I wonder who your Wanqing Entertainment has hired for the voice acting? Perhaps you could introduce them so everyone can get a look?"
Hearing Ling Fenghan's words, Wen Shengsheng's face stiffened; she could no longer maintain her facade of ignorance. How could she have known her own company was also launching a virtual idol? This was like shooting herself in the foot.
"Oh~ No wonder Auntie has been bullying Sui Sui. It turns out that's why." Sui Sui twisted her waist and made a funny face. "Sui Sui is destined to be a big star. Sui Sui won't stoop to Auntie's level."
"I, I was just a little curious," Wen Shengsheng replied sheepishly. "I didn't know I couldn't ask questions?"
"That's strange. Is this program '100,000 Whys'? You don't know this, you don't know that. Shouldn't you read more books?" Sui Sui said. "Auntie, you mustn't give up on learning. Ignorant people need to learn the most."
"Calling me 'auntie' repeatedly. Isn't that going too far?" Wen Shengsheng latched onto Sui Sui calling her 'auntie'. "Am I really that old?"
"That's because Sui Sui is polite," Sui Sui replied.
"Oh right, Sui Sui is a polite big star." The host, seeing the director's darkened expression, quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Shall we move on to the next segment? I believe everyone is eager to hear Ling Fenghan sing."
With the host controlling the situation, Wen Shengsheng couldn't continue her harassment. While Ling Fenghan was singing, Wen Shengsheng deliberately positioned herself where the camera could capture her, feigning a wronged expression. After Ling Fenghan finished singing, she put on a brave face, applauding with a stiff smile.
No further issues arose during the rest of the recording. The host conventionally asked some questions, including ones directed at Sui Sui.
"Does Sui Sui have someone she likes?" the host asked playfully, with a gossipy air.