186: anti-bone

While the program hadn't started yet and the others were busy packing their things, Shen Lian took a photo and sent it to Chu Yilan without hesitation.

The sweet smile that was originally on Master Chu's face instantly froze when he saw it. Just as he was about to make a call, Shen Lian's second message arrived: [A wig, does it look good?]

Only then did Chu Yilan snap out of the "Seven-colored Shockwave."

Does it look good?

Chu Yilan looked him over inch by inch, from the tips of his hair to his jawline.

[It looks good.]

This was definitely not a compliment; even others would find it good-looking, and Chu Yilan's filter would only be thicker.

Shen Lian had taken a full-face photo, so Chu Yilan hadn't seen what clothes he was wearing yet.

This episode of "all are big stars" was the selection round to narrow down sixteen contestants to eight. The contestants mainly used a PK format, with overtime for ties, and a final resurrection round. The resurrected contestant would get a PK opportunity in the ultimate selection. The rules weren't difficult; besides strength, it depended on how the production team operated things.

There was a burst of cheering from the recording studio, and the host's voice could be clearly heard from backstage. First came various introductions, then they got down to business. Once the host mentioned the "Special Guest," Shen Lian pulled aside the deep red curtain and stepped into the spotlight.

The scene suddenly went quiet. Shen Lian's expression remained unchanged as he stood in the center of the stage and gave a slight bow. Immediately after, the screams almost pierced his eardrums.

In the audience section closest to him, a girl shouted at the top of her lungs, "Shen Lian, you've really done it! You're so impressive! Rainbow hair, you're so handsome it's killing me, brother!"

"Shen Lian! Hubby!!"

Shen Lian looked over with a smile and then took the microphone from the host.

"Hello everyone, I am Shen Lian. It is an honor to be the special guest for this episode of 'all are big stars'..."

Shen Lian spoke the cliché opening remarks very smoothly. He completely ignored the shock his unique look brought to the audience; anyway, he was just fulfilling the production team's requirements.

"So professional." Hu Kailan stood backstage, admiring Shen Lian's professional quality. "It would've been fine if he'd made a bit of a fuss."

Jiang You: "There was no need to make a fuss."

Makes sense.

The special guest's seat was next to the other eleven teachers. There was a dedicated spotlight overhead, which hadn't been so dazzling before, but today was different. The seven-colored hair was the most eye-catching beacon, and the audience looked over from time to time.

Shen Lian leaned back in his chair in a relaxed posture, his body tilted slightly to one side, arm propped on the armrest, and his two long legs spread out casually. Despite the eye-searing makeup and styling, there was an unparalleled handsomeness about him.

The production team was speechless.

They admitted that they had used a "courtesy before force" approach and indeed had a certain purpose regarding Shen Lian's styling. Recently, "Green Mountain" had received rave reviews, but they hadn't caught it at its peak. If he had come on stage looking perfectly serious, while handsome, it would have lacked a bit of interest. It was better to create a contrast. Who knew that while there was a contrast, it made the production team feel a bit conflicted.

It was like throwing mud at someone, only for them to use it to plant flowers, then laugh and call you a fool when they were done.

Admittedly, Shen Lian himself didn't mean it that way.

Shen Lian watched two PK rounds seriously. The contestants were all talented, but since it was a PK, there would definitely be comparisons.

Before going on stage, a staff member had tactfully told Shen Lian that it would be best to follow Teacher Xiao Weiran's choice.

The implication was that he should vote for whoever Xiao Weiran voted for.

But Shen Lian didn't nod.

Xiao Weiran was in his forties, wearing amber-tinted glasses and sporting a ring of stubble. He was dressed fashionably and held a high status in the rap world, with decent dance skills as well. His voting in the first round was fairly just, but in the second round, in Shen Lian's view, it was a bit nonsensical.

Contestants Fan Xi and Dou Zhengning were in a face-off, both choosing folk dance. Whether in movement or feeling, Fan Xi was clearly a cut above Dou Zhengning. However, Xiao Weiran spoke up and criticized Fan Xi until his value dropped by three points, while he was much more genial toward Dou Zhengning.

Shen Lian suddenly remembered seeing the staff list for "all are big stars"—wasn't the executive producer's surname Dou? Of course, this was a bit of a conspiracy theory, but Shen Lian came from a very ordinary background. He could see Fan Xi's restraint and nervousness, whereas Dou Zhengning was different; that confidence with his chin slightly raised was as if he had been given a reassurance pill in advance.

Not only that, Xiao Weiran's word carried a lot of weight, and several of the younger teachers followed his lead.

The water was deep, Shen Lian chuckled.

When it was Shen Lian's turn to vote, Fan Xi sniffled, seemingly prepared to leave the stage.

Six to five. If Shen Lian followed the staff's instructions and voted for Dou Zhengning, this round would be over.

Was he looking to be cursed at? Shen Lian thought. He could allow the production team to use him for hype, as it didn't really hurt anything, and he had participated in many shows that made fun of people across his two lifetimes. He couldn't help those he didn't encounter—after all, no matter how arrogant Shen Lian was, he didn't have the grand ambition of "purging the entertainment industry"—but since he had run into it, that was another matter.

Over there, Xiao Weiran wore a look of certain victory.

Shen Lian smiled when the camera zoomed in: "I choose Fan Xi."

There was an uproar in the audience, mostly of pleasant surprise; it seemed Fan Xi had no shortage of supporters.

As the saying goes, don't take the audience for fools.

Xiao Weiran frowned and sat up, clearly very dissatisfied with Shen Lian's vote. He picked up the microphone and said in a serious tone, "Does Teacher Shen understand folk dance?"

Shen Lian: "I don't."

Xiao Weiran: "Then what is the meaning of your vote?"

Shen Lian looked surprised: "The production team invited me here, but they didn't say I had to understand folk dance. In terms of professional level, I am indeed inferior to all of you. I'm just an ordinary person, and my intuitive feeling is that Fan Xi's dance was more beautiful."

Xiao Weiran was silent for a moment, then said, "I still hope Teacher Shen will consider carefully."

Shen Lian spread his hands: "I choose Fan Xi."

Six votes to six. This was awkward; it meant they would go into overtime. In the end, besides the teachers' votes, there would also be votes from the live audience.

Fan Xi looked at Shen Lian, and Shen Lian smiled back, his eyes seemingly saying: Give it a shot.

Fan Xi's spirit was instantly bolstered.

In comparison, Dou Zhengning's face looked a bit ugly, completely unlike the incredibly surprised look he had while covering his mouth when Xiao Weiran first chose him.

He has some talent for being an actor, Shen Lian thought.

Once the overtime round started, Fan Xi put in 120% of his effort. His performance to the song "Red Sun" left the audience feeling invigorated, and cheers were endless. If Dou Zhengning could still win and eliminate Fan Xi after this, Shen Lian would be impressed.

The post-production editors would have to use some god-tier skills.

Sure enough, in the live audience voting, Fan Xi's votes crushed Dou Zhengning's by a large margin.

When the second round officially ended, Dou Zhengning couldn't control his emotions, and the camera only captured his back as he left in anger.

Xiao Weiran leaned over and looked toward Shen Lian, but Shen Lian noticed and ignored him.

"Brother Hu, what do you think of this?" A staff member stood beside Hu Kailan with an embarrassed look.

Hu Kailan folded his arms and said solemnly, "It's quite good. Isn't this the effect the production team wanted?"

"..."

Who doesn't know how to play the "courtesy before force" game? Hu Kailan laughed wildly in his heart. If they dared to play dirty, he would report them to CEO Kuang later!