Pfft!
Backstage at the Production Team, Chief Director Guo Tao, who had just breathed a sigh of relief and taken a sip of his goji berry tea after hearing Cifera's words, immediately spat it out. He mentally cursed:
"My dear Cifera, stop guessing and just leave! What could be more important than avoiding elimination?!"
It was already 8:07 AM, and Guo Tao was frantic.
Inspector Nie had explicitly warned them that every second past 8:00 AM would significantly increase the risk of elimination.
Cifera couldn't possibly be unaware of this. She was clearly just stalling!
While this stunt certainly made for good entertainment, Guo Tao was aiming for long-term sustainability, for a steady stream of viewers.
Yesterday, during the show's premiere, prioritizing dramatic effect had been necessary to ensure a strong start and attract attention and traffic.
But today, the focus needed to be on maintaining momentum and capitalizing on yesterday's success.
The explosive reception of yesterday's episode meant a flood of new viewers would tune in today, primarily to see Cifera.
In short, Cifera was now the focal point of the show—the "main character"!
If Cifera were eliminated so early, the show's premiere episode's massive viewership would be cut in half!
Guo Tao didn't believe the remaining Night Shadow contestants could replicate Cifera's performance from yesterday.
Even though he had personally invited Night Shadow to participate, they paled in comparison to Cifera.
But now that things had reached this point, Guo Tao had no way to intervene. Once the show officially started, the Production Team could no longer actively interfere.
Watching Cifera's relaxed demeanor on screen, Guo Tao could only pray she knew what she was doing and could escape successfully.
In the studio,
Like Guo Tao, Nie Junfeng had also believed Cifera was about to leave and had already prepared his "acceptance speech":
Who says I only deliver Poison Milk?
Step forward and tell me to my face!
I'm asking you now—have I been proven wrong this time?
However, Nie Junfeng's imagined speech would have to wait, because the "script" was starting to go off the rails...
Yesterday, he had confidently declared that Poison Milk had no power against undeniable skill. Yet now, a familiar sensation crept into his heart, and his face felt like it was starting to burn again.
Seeing the Bullet Comments mocking him once more, Nie Junfeng wanted to beg the Director:
"Could you turn off the Bullet Comments for a bit? They're making me dizzy..."
But Nie Junfeng couldn't bring himself to say it. Admitting that would be admitting he'd been slapped in the face.
The situation was still uncertain. What if Cifera suddenly said, "Just kidding! I was just teasing you all," and then bolted?
That was entirely possible.
With this thought in mind, Nie Junfeng decided to wait and see. There was still time before nine o'clock.
-
Live Stream:
The expressions on the Expert Team's faces on the second-floor balcony were priceless when they heard Cifera's words.
The unique atmosphere—both adversarial and friendly—that had surrounded their farewell to Cifera just moments ago shattered instantly.
"Ha ha! Looks like Cifera's played us again. That girl's a real prankster, isn't she?" Liu Shanhe shook his head, between amusement and exasperation.
The others nodded in agreement.
Cifera had already reached the door—who could have imagined she'd pull a stunt like this?
"That little brat Cifera is definitely up to no good. She's probably plotting something to mess with us again. I suggest we don't play along this time. Let's not guess—make her spell it out herself."
Wang Lei was still stewing over Cifera's earlier jab about his poisonous green beans. He deliberately wanted to thwart her and get a little revenge.
To his surprise, everyone wholeheartedly agreed.
"Teacher Wang Lei's suggestion is excellent," Lin Zhiyuan declared, his eyes burning with renewed determination. "We can't let Cifera lead us around by the nose anymore. If she wants us to guess, then we'll stubbornly refuse!" If Cifera simply left, it would be utterly anticlimactic.
"Agreed," Feng Chiyu and Zhang Hong nodded in unison.
"Alright, then we'll proceed as Teacher Wang Lei proposed," Liu Shanhe finalized the decision with a decisive clap of his hands.
"Since everyone's in agreement, I'll go tell Cifera," Wang Lei said. He cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and shouted toward the doorway, "Sorry, Cifera! We've decided not to guess this time. Feel free to go handle whatever's so important!"
Hearing Wang Lei's words, a flicker of disappointment crossed Cifera's face. Holding up a megaphone, she retorted:
"Teacher Wang Lei, this must be your idea, right? You're using your position to settle personal scores and screw over the fans! But fine, if you won't guess, then you won't guess. However, the task I need to complete requires the cooperation of the entire Pursuit Team. You wouldn't refuse to help me, would you?"
"How should we respond to that?" Wang Lei asked, completely at a loss for what to say.
"Let her explain the matter first, then we'll see if we can help," Lin Zhiyuan said, his brow furrowing slightly. He knew Cifera was still leading them by the nose; the "guessing game" was never the point—this so-called "important matter" clearly was.
After Wang Lei relayed Lin Zhiyuan's message, Cifera's face shifted from mild disappointment to utter speechlessness:
"Hmph, fine, don't guess then! But after all the hints this cat has given you, you still don't know what it is?
"Alright, I'll spell it out—since today is my graduation ceremony, aren't we still missing a group photo with everyone?
"When I came outside earlier, I was scouting for the best angle. This spot by the main gate is perfect—it can capture the entire villa in the background.
"Now do you understand? It's such a small request. You can help me with this, right?"
[Ugh, poor kitty! She just wants a group photo!]
[Is wanting a group photo really too much to ask? The Pursuit Team wouldn't refuse such a simple favor, would they?]
[Exactly! It's just taking a picture. It's not like the Pursuit Team will lose anything!]
[They were just writing blessings for Cifera moments ago. If they don't help now, I'll believe they were just acting the whole time.]
[It's just a variety show, after all. There's no real emotion involved.]
[Damn it! I was so moved watching them write those blessings for Cifera earlier!]
[Hey, don't be so harsh on the Pursuit Team. Cifera is their opponent, after all. They have to be careful—one wrong move and they'll get tricked again.]
[I don't care! If the Pursuit Team doesn't help Cifera, I'm only watching Cifera's individual live stream from now on!]
Ignoring the heated debate in the Bullet Comments section, the group on the balcony fell silent after Cifera's request.
On the surface, Cifera's suggestion of a group photo seemed reasonable. The problem was that none of them genuinely believed in her so-called graduation ceremony.
Deep down, they all saw it as just another stunt by Cifera for the show's sake, perhaps even a subtle provocation aimed at the Pursuit Team.
After all, their true roles on the show were adversarial. Cifera, at her core, was a mole, and her disguise as a member of the Expert Team served only to mock and deceive them.
Naturally, none of them could have guessed that her request for everyone's help would simply be to take a group photo.
"Have we been too cold? Maybe Cifera genuinely just wants a special graduation ceremony. I know some girls place great importance on these rituals," Feng Chiyu said, unable to hold back his opinion. After hearing Cifera's words, he felt a pang of guilt.
"Brother Feng, I must say, you've actually spoken like a human being this time. I support you," Zhang Hong chimed in, clearly sharing Feng Chiyu's sentiment.
"I honestly can't figure this out, so I'll reserve my opinion," Wang Lei said, choosing neutrality.
After the three had voiced their views, Liu Shanhe noticed Lin Zhiyuan was still deep in thought. He decided to speak first:
"Don't laugh at me, but ever since Cifera tricked me with her microexpressions yesterday, I can't seem to read her anymore. Her expressions, words, and actions have all become completely unpredictable to me.
"But at least, based on my current gut feeling, she genuinely wants to take a group graduation photo with everyone. I never imagined such a simple group photo could cause us any harm."
As he spoke, Liu Shanhe saw Lin Zhiyuan finally look up. He seized the opportunity to ask:
"So, Little Lin, what are your thoughts?"