Suddenly, an earpiece dropped from who knows where, landing right into Su Yan’s hand while everyone else was distracted.
She was familiar with this thing! Su Yan effortlessly put the earpiece on.
A voice from the production team came through quickly: “You control the scene first. Don’t let it get awkward. The host will be here soon.”
Su Yan remained silent for a moment and realized that there really was no follow-up from them.
She sneered and said sarcastically, “No way, no way. Surely no one actually thinks people would work for free, right?”
Production team: …Old sly fox.
What.
They just forgot for a moment!
They’re not trying to scam anyone!
“Ahem, how about twenty thousand for you? Is that alright?”
They were pretty honest when it came to money and offered a generous sum.
Su Yan’s eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded: “Deal.”
Since the earpiece had fallen from the sky, the “Confucian Merchant” had been looking at Su Yan with a strange expression.
With his experience, he naturally knew what it was.
That was obviously the earpiece the host wore to communicate with the production team!
But when the host was gone, the production team naturally handed the earpiece to Su Yan to control the scene.
The implications of this couldn’t help but make the “Confucian Merchant” think deeply.
He wasn’t naive enough to believe the earpiece was randomly given by the production team.
Even if they wanted to pick someone to control the scene casually, it would definitely be him!
This wasn’t “Confucian Merchant” being narcissistic—he was confident that whether it was his seniority, skill, or popularity, the production team would have given him the earpiece.
But in the end, the earpiece fell onto Su Yan’s head, and judging by her reaction just now, he could clearly tell this was not her first time getting this earpiece.
This was really interesting, “Confucian Merchant” lowered his eyes, hiding the depth of his thoughts.
The production team had actually thought this through carefully before deciding to give Su Yan the earpiece.
Currently, there were indeed two candidates who could control the scene on stage—the “Confucian Merchant” and Su Yan.
But the difference was, Su Yan already had experience controlling the scene.
Moreover, it had gone quite well; although the episode ended early, the ratings didn’t drop at all.
This left a deep impression on the production team because this was their first time having a guest control the scene.
It had never happened before.
In this situation, it was obviously steadier to pick Su Yan.
The probability of things going wrong was low.
The director sighed, hoping Su Yan wouldn’t disappoint his expectations.
Sure enough, Su Yan didn’t let the production team down.
She cleared her throat and smiled: “Since the game isn’t over yet, while the host isn’t here, let’s analyze the current situation.”
Why didn’t she choose to play a mini-game to buy time this time?
Because this time’s situation was fundamentally different from the last.
Last time, the game ended too early, so anything to stall time was fine.
But this time, it was different.
The program hadn’t ended yet; they were still in the middle of the game.
Playing other mini-games during this would inevitably break the immersion for the audience.
Waiting for the host’s return, the viewers wouldn’t be able to get back into the game’s atmosphere.
So Su Yan chose to analyze the situation, meaning the game as a whole continued uninterrupted, and the audience wouldn’t feel like they were off-track or that the players were slacking.
Number 4 sighed helplessly: “I find those obstacles really hard! Especially the ones I saw from Sister Yan Jing’s path—I definitely can’t get past those.”
Su Yan nodded: “I’ve been thinking about what ‘no surrender’ means in the rules, and I only understood it when I faced the Faceless Lady just now.”
Everyone looked at Su Yan curiously: “What does it mean?”
“If we just do this, we’ll never pass. Because we can’t surrender, the only way to end the game is by suicide,” Su Yan said solemnly.
“Why can’t we win?”
Number 1 asked with a laugh.
“Besides, suicide isn’t the only way to die, right? You saw that Faceless Lady killed two people at once just now.”
Su Yan sighed.
“Haven’t you noticed that the Faceless Lady seems very familiar with what’s behind her? Like she has eyes in the back of her head. This game itself tests how well we can confuse her and how well she can judge us. Now that she knows us inside and out, it’s impossible for us to get close to her, let alone take the next step.”
Seeing that Number 1 wasn’t convinced, Su Yan explained his other doubt: “As for how we die, haven’t you noticed that the Faceless Lady doesn’t actually want us to die quickly? She just wants to toy with us.”
Number 4 nodded: “That’s true. When Sister Yan Jing showed up, the Faceless Lady only wanted her to move and didn’t hurt her. As for Number 6 before, the Faceless Lady was only teasing. If he hadn’t been reckless, he wouldn’t have died.”
Su Yan glanced at Number 1, who was about to argue: “Of course, if you insist on provoking the host and want to get killed like Numbers 2 and 6, then you’ll experience the same fate.”
Thinking about those two’s gruesome deaths, Number 1 shivered and fell silent.
“Confucian Merchant” chuckled quietly: “Good analysis. If you just walk through, you won’t meet the host.”
That was basically stating the obvious. Number 1 grumbled in dissatisfaction: “Why don’t you at least give some useful advice? You just sat there motionless before, didn’t even try. Now you only echo others. You really are just dragging us down like Number 2 said.”
The Nick Star viewers exploded at Number 1 insulting their idol.
“Who do you think you’re talking to? Your grandpa was carrying the team when you were still playing in the mud!”
“Such arrogance, daring to talk back to anyone?”
“Confucian God, teach him a lesson!”
“Come on, after the show let’s gang up and blow up this guy’s homepage.”
“Of course, who dares talk trash about my idol?”
“If Confucian God doesn’t show his power, you guys really think he’s a sick cat?”
“Confucian Merchant” didn’t show any anger at their provocations. He just smiled but spoke less politely: “When I feel like it’s time to pass the level, I’ll do it myself. But by then, you all will be dead.”
“What did you say?”
Number 1, a hot-headed young man, couldn’t hold back after hearing such arrogant words.
He wanted to rush forward and hit him.
Su Yan quickly grabbed him and looked to Number 4 for help: “Quick, quick! I can’t hold him back!”
A bewildered Number 4 immediately nodded and helped Su Yan restrain Number 1.
Number 1 angrily shouted: “Didn’t you hear what that old bastard just said? Talking nonsense just because he’s old—he’s really shameless!”
Su Yan looked helpless: “Calm down, or you won’t even know how you die.”
After speaking, she signaled Number 4 to control Number 1 alone and stood up to face “Confucian Merchant”: “We’ll try to clear this level quickly. Maybe you can give us a hint or something?”
To this polite request, “Confucian Merchant” maintained his gentlemanly demeanor.
He nodded and smiled: “With your intelligence, I think when the other host arrives, you might have some ideas. But if by then you still have no clue, I guess you can just kill yourselves.”
Su Yan nodded thoughtfully and said no more.
The comments were full of question marks.
“??? Is this how smart people communicate?”
“Can someone who understands explain?”
“Let’s spam question marks!”
“So what exactly are these two playing at?”
“Big shots’ conversations are always hard to follow.”
Obviously, not only were the viewers confused, but Numbers 1 and 4 were equally clueless.
Number 1 had calmed down by now and shouted at Su Yan: “Hey! What are you two whispering about over there?”
Number 4 cautiously asked: “Sister Yan Jing, what were you just talking about? I don’t get it.”
Su Yan smiled to reassure her: “Nothing. When the next host arrives, I think I’ll have a strategy to pass the level. By the way… though the chances are slim, do either of you have a newbie starter pack?”
Numbers 1 and 4 looked blank and shook their heads.
Su Yan sighed; she’d have to rely on herself.
“Confucian Merchant” raised an eyebrow at Su Yan’s question: “Why not ask me?”
Su Yan turned to him: “I’m sure you have a newbie starter pack, and it’s directly related to how you pass the level. With it, you should be able to pass easily, maybe even on your own.”
This genuinely surprised “Confucian Merchant”: “You’ve already analyzed so much, and it’s all correct. I guess I underestimated you. This game shouldn’t be too hard for you.”
Show-off?
Su Yan didn’t demur and nodded: “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
She could tell the other had figured out so much because of his own skill.
When you analyze something based on your ability, why pretend otherwise?
He had been calm and composed from the start, clearly confident he could clear any dungeon smoothly.
Based on that, Su Yan guessed he probably had a newbie starter pack.
After all, the starter pack was her anchor in the game, so she assumed the same for him.
Of course, Su Yan never liked to explain her thought process while analyzing.
She only shared the results, which helped build the aura of a master.
And indeed, she succeeded.
“Wow! Her analysis was spot on!”
“Is this what a master looks like?”
“Masters always recognize each other.”
“I’m so curious how she’ll get past this game.”
“Already a fan! So impressive!”
“Is anyone else wondering what her newbie starter pack is?”
“Upstairs! You’re not alone!”
“I want to know too.”
Suddenly, the production team’s voice sounded in Su Yan’s ear: “The substitute has arrived. Your payment has been transferred.”
So they were satisfied with her performance?
Su Yan raised an eyebrow and looked back.