Chapter 34: If I Don't Act Abstract, What Should I Act?

To cut costs, the production team ultimately set their sights on the guests, squeezing them for every bit of value they could get! It was absolutely insane!

As the music started, the girls on stage began to twist and turn to the rhythm.

The "magnificent" dance moves of the group immediately caused Xu Xiu and Wang Chuanjun to burst into laughter.

"Honk, honk, honk..."
"Hahaha!"

The two laughed so loudly, completely indifferent to anyone else’s reaction. It really wasn’t their fault; none of these people could keep a beat, and each of them seemed to be dancing to their own tune. Calling it a lack of coordination would be an understatement—it was more like a "hundred flowers blooming" in total chaos.

Though they danced poorly, their conviction was strong; they even attempted formation changes and other fancy tricks. One moment Song Dan took the lead, the next it was Song Yanfei. When it was Meng Ziyi’s turn, Xu Xiu burst out laughing again.

Meng Ziyi was waving her arms and legs with great effort, but it looked as if her limbs were struggling to keep up with her brain. Most absurdly, she was "cross-gaited"—her hand and leg on the same side were swinging in the same direction.

"Hahahahaha..." x15

Even her teammates on stage couldn't help but laugh; they truly couldn't hold it in!

"Sister Meng, you managed to go cross-gaited on such a simple dance? That’s just too ridiculous!" Xu Xiu goaded, eager to stir the pot.

Despite the provocation, Meng Ziyi didn’t stop dancing. She just bit her lip and pointed a finger at Xu Xiu. The message was clear: wait until I’m off stage, and I’ll deal with you!

In a corner where no one was looking, Wang Chuanjun covered his face with his hands, staring at the scene in disbelief. He felt his worldview shattering. He knew this wasn’t a formal gala, but he never expected a dance to be this... refreshing. It was almost too much to bear!

When the music ended, the group even struck a pose. The guests below gave them "heartfelt" applause and cheers, with Wang Chuanjun shouting the loudest.

From stoic resistance to "if you can't beat them, join them." It was as if his hidden potential had been unlocked, and he looked incredibly hyped.

"Wow! That was amazing! You guys are incredible, I’m your fan!"
"Awoooo! So beautiful!"

"Ahhhh! Mama Dan, you’re so cool, we love you forever!" shouted Wang Sulong.

"Alright, thank you all for such a spectacular dance. Now, please step down and take a rest," hosted Guo Qilin.

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Ziyi lunged forward, heading straight for Xu Xiu. Whether it was because the grass was uneven or something else, she faltered and fell straight toward him.

Xu Xiu was startled, and Wang Chuanjun, sitting behind him, made a face of pure shock. Without time to think, Xu Xiu reached out to catch her.

Grab.
Pull.
Embrace.

The three movements were performed in one seamless motion. Meng Ziyi fell straight into Xu Xiu’s arms like a fragile damsel. Xu Xiu, taking advantage of the lack of attention, silently loosened his grip. Even though the area was soft and round, Xu Xiu was a gentleman; he wouldn't take advantage of anyone! That’s how it was! It definitely wasn't because the cameras and other guests were watching...

Meng Ziyi switched from panic to calm: "You... thank you..."

"Hehe, no worries. This is my karma!"

"You! Don’t go too far! You only held me for a second!"

Xu Xiu pointed at his own face: "I’m going too far? Do you not look at the ground when you walk? Or are you trying to scam me? I’m not even old yet, and you’re already trying to collect my pension? Trying to save fifty years of life’s detours at such a young age!"

Meng Ziyi’s brain short-circuited. Was that even human language? Why could she understand every word, but not the sentence as a whole?

"What do you mean? What kind of pension scam? If I were going to scam someone, it wouldn't be you! Can you stop being so abstract? You’re actually scaring me."

Xu Xiu glanced at Meng Ziyi’s frame: "What are you afraid of? I’m not a bad guy. Besides, if I don't get 'abstract,' what should I get? If I were to 'get' you, could you handle it?"

Meng Ziyi froze!

*Whimper*—are you crazy? What does "if I don't get abstract, I'll get you" mean? Did I offend you?

The audience burst into laughter at Xu Xiu’s antics.

"Pfft—honk, honk, hahaha, what the hell is 'if I get you, could you handle it'?"

"I don't understand, let me ask: how do you 'get' someone? With what? Can you be gentle? My heart aches..."

"Don't know if she can handle it, but I wonder if you can handle it, kid? I sell supplements, you need any? I'll give you a 40% discount!"

"Why are all the officials silent? Do they not like to speak? I support 'getting' her, hit her hard!"

"I can't anymore, I’ve got the image in my head—Sister Meng cornered in a room by Xu Xiu. Truly the definition of 'beautiful, strong, and miserable'."

[Ding! Detected host's abstract behavior gained exposure. Exposure +69... Exposure +69...]

Meng Ziyi was so angry that her chest heaved; she raised her small fists and hammered them against Xu Xiu’s arm.

"Still want to 'get' me? Your guts have grown!"

"Ah! My arm is broken! Help! Is there anyone in charge here?"

Although Xu Xiu’s cries were miserable, no one wanted to pay him any mind. Everyone was focused on the stage.

"Alright, I’m sure none of us got enough of that opening dance from the girls, right?"

"Right! It was so good!" Fei Qiming chimed in.

Wang Chuanjun joined the shouting, acting like a little fanboy. "Wow, wow, wow, so spectacular!"

"Next up, we have an international friend who will perform a song while playing the piano. Let’s give a warm welcome to Pai Pai!" hosted Guo Qilin.

"Awoooo! Pai Pai, Pai Pai, we love you!" La Mu shouted with great effort, like a little fan girl.

The others were equally enthusiastic, only Xu Xiu sat in his chair with a blank expression.

This move by the production team felt familiar. When Pai Pai first arrived, he showed everyone their team’s hand gestures, which made the atmosphere incredibly awkward. Now, having him perform solo—it felt like they were forcing his promotion.

If he remembered correctly, their group was the last one to be formed through a talent show, and they were the most heavily funded international group, seemingly aimed at conquering overseas markets. However, the show's ratings were abysmal, and their popularity was the lowest—even less recognizable than the Hard Candy Girls. Most people hadn't even heard of them.

Xu Xiu quickly understood. "The truth is... always hidden."

It wasn't the production team trying to promote Pai Pai; it was because Pai Pai belonged to Tencent Video, and the production team was also under Tencent. Tencent was just trying to boost his profile!