[Wow! Why does the Patriarch's explanation make so much sense?]
[Exactly! Now I can't stop thinking about where Cifera went and what her real goal is. I don't even want to go to work this afternoon.]
[The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. The Pursuit Team is clearly stationed at Starry, and the Production Team has lost track of Cifera. She's truly free to roam as she pleases now.]
[But since Cifera stole something without the Production Team knowing, isn't it now a real crime?]
[That's why the Patriarch said we should trust her character. I bet Cifera will notify the Production Team after she gets her real target. The Pursuit Team's reaction will be hilarious!]
[Hurry, hurry, hurry! What's the real target?!]
["The Deceiver's Guide to Self-Cultivation": Use a vanishing act to give the entire human race insomnia!]
[Don't get too optimistic. Cifera's probably still inside the Starry Building. Whether she can escape remains to be seen!]
-
Behind the Scenes at the Production Team:
Chief Director Guo Tao listened to Nie Junfeng's analysis, and his inner turmoil and anxiety were significantly eased.
While the later analysis about ultimate trickery and building suspense was helpful, it was Nie Junfeng's earlier words that truly resonated with Guo Tao, reminding him:
Cifera's character was indeed beyond reproach. She wasn't the type to abandon all moral boundaries for personal gain.
If she were, she wouldn't have risked exposing herself as a mole to save others.
After all, as a mole, wouldn't she have been better positioned to savor the so-called "thrill of deception"?
With this realization, Guo Tao finally felt much more at ease. At least he no longer had to worry that Cifera was a latent criminal, secretly planning to commit heinous acts.
Relieved of his anxiety, Guo Tao immediately recognized the silver lining: the program's potential for spectacle had returned!
Whether Cifera ultimately stole the "Starry Light" or targeted something else entirely, her reappearance would guarantee explosive ratings!
As this thought struck him, Guo Tao's face lit up with undisguised excitement and delight, shocking the employees who had been secretly observing him.
The Nie Family Patriarch's silver tongue is truly terrifying! He even managed to persuade the notoriously hot-tempered Director Guo!
Ignoring the employees' reactions, Guo Tao swiftly issued instructions:
"Let's frame the upcoming live broadcast based on Nie Junfeng's analysis. We need to create maximum suspense around Cifera's true objective! Make it clear that we still don't know what she's really after!"
"And don't forget to keep trying to locate Cifera!"
"Understood, Director Guo!"
Backstage, the Production Team had regained its composure. Host Qiu Qiu received instructions to have Nie Junfeng provide further analysis.
With Cifera's footage gone, it was time for Nie Junfeng, the "Poison Milk" expert, to step forward.
Like Director Guo, Host Qiu Qiu had been enlightened by Nie Junfeng's words: Cifera would never commit any truly malicious acts!
Regaining her professional composure, she smiled and asked:
"Inspector Nie, your analysis has been truly insightful. I'm sure everyone now feels a sense of clarity.
"Next, there's a question everyone's been burning to ask: how exactly did Contestant Cifera vanish in just one second of darkness? From your expert perspective, how do you think she pulled it off?"
Hearing Host Qiu Qiu's question, Nie Junfeng once again transformed into a riddle-master:
"Having a 'god's-eye view,' I've already roughly figured out how Contestant Cifera vanished.
"However, I suspect the experts on the Pursuit Team will soon discover it as well, so I won't say too much for now. Let's all wait and see!"
"Ha, it seems Inspector Nie wants the audience to experience the thrill of detective work alongside our experts on the show!" the host quipped, all the while internally grumbling:
Just as the viewers predicted, the Nie Family Patriarch has already entered his second form! Not only has he stopped spewing 'Poison Milk,' but now he's even stealing my lines...
On the live broadcast:
At the press conference venue, Lei Gang had completed a thorough search of the entire hall, yet found no trace of Cifera. The chaotic incident had forced the Press Conference to halt. Now that it was confirmed Cifera wasn't present, the frustrated Lei Gang had no choice but to instruct staff to resume the proceedings.
But just as he was about to do so, Liu Shanhe called out to stop him:
"Minister Lei, wait a moment. I believe we must first verify the identities of everyone in the hall, ensuring they entered through legitimate means."
Hearing Liu Shanhe's words, Lei Gang frowned slightly:
"Old Liu, do you suspect Cifera had accomplices who infiltrated the hall?"
"Accomplices? That's certainly a possibility, but I believe there's an even greater likelihood." Liu Shanhe's expression turned grave as he spoke, each word measured:
"Cifera disguised herself and blended into the crowd."
"What?!" Lei Gang stared in disbelief.
"That's impossible! The lights were out for such a brief moment. Even if she escaped our security cordon immediately, she wouldn't have had time to change her disguise!" Lei Gang retorted, his skepticism palpable.
As if anticipating Lei Gang's objection, Liu Shanhe immediately explained:
"It does sound far-fetched, but let's entertain a bold hypothesis: what if she possesses the ability to rapidly disguise herself? Even a crude disguise would have been enough to temporarily blend in during that chaotic moment!"
Liu Shanhe's hypothesis might seem far-fetched, but upon closer examination, it offered the most plausible explanation for Cifera's sudden disappearance—provided she possessed both extraordinary agility and the ability to rapidly alter her appearance.
Lei Gang, already simmering with frustration from Cifera's taunts and the fruitless search, now found himself forced to retract his earlier announcement that the press conference could resume. This was infuriating!
More importantly, if his search strategy had failed, and the Pursuit Team's new plan succeeded, wouldn't that make him look utterly incompetent?
Clenching his jaw, Lei Gang forced a smile—one that appeared respectful but concealed his intense resentment.
"Old Liu, I naturally respect your experience and judgment," Lei Gang said, his tone turning sharp. "President Li has instructed us to fully cooperate with the Pursuit Team's efforts."
He paused, his voice hardening further.
"But as head of the Starry Security Department, I bear an undeniable responsibility for the safety of this building and the experience of our guests!
"President Li's request for cooperation means we should work together thoughtfully, not abandon our own judgment and blindly follow orders.
"Therefore, I strongly disagree with your proposed 'identity verification' measure!"
He straightened his back, his gaze sweeping over the murmuring reporters and staff. His voice rose slightly, carrying a "righteous" concern for the company and its guests:
"First, as you yourself admitted, this 'rapid disguise' theory is utterly far-fetched—based solely on a bold hypothesis!
"In reality, escaping from the center of the stage, disguising oneself, and seamlessly blending into the crowd within a mere second of darkness is an almost impossible feat!
"While Cifera exploited a loophole in Starry's security system, our eyes aren't just for show! With so many pairs of eyes watching, how could she possibly have executed such a meticulous operation amidst the chaos?"
Lei Gang gestured towards the reporters and guests present.
"Secondly, the Press Conference was forced to halt earlier due to the search for Cifera, causing significant delays for everyone.
"Now, are we really going to subject everyone to another identity verification based on a highly improbable conjecture?
"While this might be a worthwhile gamble for the Pursuit Team trying to capture Contestant Cifera, it would severely compromise the guest experience and tarnish Starry Jewels' reputation!
"Old Liu, I believe we cannot mobilize such extensive resources again based on mere conjecture and force everyone to pay the price!
"This violates Starry Jewels' principles of respecting our clients and prioritizing efficiency!"
Lei Gang delivered his speech with righteous indignation, placing the company's image and guest experience above all else, attempting to suppress Liu Shanhe's proposal with an appeal to the "greater good."
Many of the reporters who had been delayed nodded in agreement, finding Lei Gang's reasoning sound.
Liu Ruyan and Li Zhanting also remained silent. After all, Lei Gang's argument was entirely based on the company's interests and contained no flaws.
After all, they were both avid Cat Fans—essentially Starry Jewels' own moles.
Liu Shanhe suspected that they would find the idea highly plausible, exactly the kind of thing Cifera would do.
If they had conducted a thorough search of everyone, they might actually have found Cifera.
Now that Lei Gang had refused so adamantly, it actually worked to Cifera's advantage!
On the Pursuit Team's side, Zhang Hong immediately grew agitated upon hearing this and was about to argue, but Feng Chiyu and Wang Lei grabbed his arms, holding him back.
Feng Chiyu shot him a meaningful glance, gesturing toward Liu Shanhe.
At that moment, Liu Shanhe's face remained calm, his eyes deep and unreadable. He didn't immediately counter Lei Gang's objection, as if waiting for something.
The atmosphere hung in tense silence.
Seeing that neither Liu Ruyan, a major shareholder, nor Li Zhanting, the company president, had voiced any objections, Lei Gang felt a surge of smug satisfaction. He believed his "reasoned defense" had successfully safeguarded his department's autonomy and the company's reputation.
Just then!
Nie Bing's excited voice crackled through Liu Shanhe's earpiece:
"Master! We've found something in the surveillance room!"
Hearing Nie Bing's words, Liu Shanhe breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Lei Gang with a cordial smile.
To Lei Gang, however, that smile looked positively sinister.
His heart skipped a beat, and he felt a deep sense of foreboding.