159: Chapter 159 Exposing His True Colors

In the hall, over twenty young people were divided into two rows. Xiao Bei noticed Su Yun standing in the girls' line, her face pale but her expression resolute. Her gaze briefly met Xiao Bei's, and she subtly shook her head.

Director Ma stood at the front desk, next to a bald man who had never appeared before—tall and thin, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a greasy appearance and cold, snake-like eyes.

"Everything is ready."

Director Ma introduced, his tone clearly showing reverence,

"You can draw lots now."

The bald man pushed up his glasses, his voice soft yet chilling:

"Congratulations to everyone who passed the preliminary assessment. To reward our outstanding newcomers, today we will select three lucky individuals to enjoy our 'Star Creation Program.'"

He took out an exquisite wooden box:

"Please come forward one by one to draw your fate."

The line began to move slowly. Xiao Bei saw that each person who drew a lot had their number recorded by a security guard, and those who drew a red slip of paper were led aside and guarded by a dedicated person.

Team Leader Zhang Yining quietly touched Xiao Bei's hand:

"The metal door..."

She whispered.

Sure enough, the three young people who drew red slips were led towards that mysterious metal door. One of the girls suddenly struggled:

"I'm not going! I'm not going!! I'll stream properly and earn money properly! I'm not going!"

Director Ma swiftly stepped forward and slapped her hard:

"You're ungrateful! This is an opportunity countless people beg for!"

The girl stumbled a few steps, blood oozing from the corner of her mouth.

Su Yun suddenly stepped forward:

"I'll go, I volunteer."

Her voice was clear and firm.

The bald man narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her:

"Miss Su certainly has good judgment. However..."

His gaze swept over Su Yun's delicate face,

"Your conditions are already good enough; you temporarily don't need our 'creation.'"

Su Yun didn't retreat but advanced: "I want to earn more money, I want to quickly attract wealth, I want to try."

Xiao Bei's fingernails dug deep into his palm. This stubborn woman was playing with fire!

The bald man seemed amused by her courage:

"Interesting."

He said meaningfully,

"How about this, you complete today's training task first, and we'll talk later."

After the draw, the newcomers were led back to their respective positions. Xiao Bei and Team Leader Zhang Yining were assigned to a new live streaming room—this time, a setting simulating a home environment, requiring them to conduct a six-hour 'couple's daily life' live stream.

"The rules are simple,"

Director Ma grinned, "If your income is in the top three within six hours, you can end the stream early; otherwise, you'll stream for twelve hours! Remember, viewers love authentic interaction—"

After the live stream began, Team Leader Zhang Yining showcased her acting talent, sometimes pouting and asking Xiao Bei to feed her, other times pretending to be angry and asking the audience to judge. Xiao Bei tried to remain silent, only cooperating when necessary.

Taking advantage of the interval to adjust the camera, Team Leader Zhang Yining whispered:

"I'm going to the restroom and will try to get some news about Sister Su Yun."

Five minutes later, Team Leader Zhang Yining encountered several streamers touching up their makeup in the women's restroom. She pretended to casually strike up a conversation:

"Sisters, is the interest on that 'Beauty Loan' you borrowed really that low?"

A girl named Xiao Yu gave a bitter smile:

"Low? I borrowed eighty thousand to get a nose job, and now with compound interest, it's over two hundred thousand! The company said if I can't pay it back, they'll send me to a special group..."

She suddenly covered her mouth, looking around in fright.

Another girl sneered:

"What's that? At least you can make money. My roommate always gets the lowest tips and was sent to be a clinical trial participant for micro-plastic surgery materials. Her face got allergic, swollen so much she can't even put on makeup, let alone stream to earn money and pay off debt..."

"You haven't thought about leaving?"

"Leave? That little food streamer last night, haven't you heard? You can't leave... otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?!"

Team Leader Zhang Yining quickly asked, grasping the crucial information.

"For some girls who actively borrowed Beauty Loans, the company holds their photos. Even if they run away, they'll be threatened back by the photos! I heard before that some small food streamers who escaped were caught and locked up, to be starved to death..."

"But, you can call the police!"

Team Leader Zhang Yining's heart pounded. The camera in her hairpin was recording everything. Just as she was about to ask further, the streamer named Li Xingyu suddenly reached out:

"Lend me your powder puff, mine's run out."

Before Team Leader Zhang Yining could react, Li Xingyu had already taken the powder puff. The moment she pressed it to her face, a trace of unnatural metallic glint appeared at the edge of the puff. Li Xingyu's hand froze, and she suspiciously flipped open the powder puff—

The lens of the miniature camera reflected a cold light under the restroom's illumination.

Time seemed to freeze. Team Leader Zhang Yining's mind raced, about to explain, when Li Xingyu suddenly showed an expression of realization, followed by ecstasy.

"I... I'll go touch up my makeup."

Li Xingyu stammered, clutching the powder puff and quickly leaving the restroom.

Team Leader Zhang Yining wanted to follow, but was stopped by the other two girls who engaged her in idle chat.

Ten minutes later, when Team Leader Zhang Yining returned to the live streaming room, Xiao Bei immediately noticed her abnormality:

"What's wrong?"

"Something happened,"

Team Leader Zhang Yining's voice trembled slightly,

"My powder puff was taken by Li Xingyu, she might have found the camera inside..."

Before she finished, the live streaming room door was violently kicked open. Director Ma rushed in with four security guards, his face terrifyingly grim. Li Xingyu followed behind them, her face a mix of fawning and fear.

"Director Ma, it's her!"

Li Xingyu pointed at Team Leader Zhang Yining, her voice sharp with excitement,

"Her powder puff has a hidden camera! I always felt something was off with her, always asking about company matters..."

Director Ma snatched Team Leader Zhang Yining's bag and roughly emptied its contents. When he found the modified phone, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

"Well, well, well,"

He sneered, "Are you a reporter? Or an undercover cop? Daring to cause trouble on our turf! You have a death wish!"

Team Leader Zhang Yining tried to remain calm: "I don't know what you're talking about. That's just ordinary makeup..."

"Bullshit!"

Director Ma slapped her across the face. Team Leader Zhang Yining was knocked into the wall, blood oozing from the corner of her mouth,

"Take her away! Lock her in solitary confinement first, don't let the higher-ups know, or we'll all be in deep trouble!"

Xiao Bei stepped forward: "Brother Ma, is there some misunderstanding..."

Director Ma gave him a cold glance: "You'd better pray you weren't involved, otherwise..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

The security guards dragged Team Leader Zhang Yining out. As she passed Li Xingyu, Team Leader Zhang Yining stared intently at her.

Li Xingyu's smile froze; she seemed to realize something, and a trace of fear flashed in her eyes.

Director Ma roughly pushed Li Xingyu out:

"You, come with me to collect your reward!"

His tone carried malicious pleasure, "The higher-ups just happen to need new 'material'..."

...