The next day.
The spacious screening hall, decorated with considerable artistic flair, had been transformed into a small theater.
A massive, heavy crimson curtain completely concealed the stage, making everyone wonder what performance would be revealed once it was drawn.
Below the stage, quite a few audience members had already filled the dozens of seats.
They were all employees of the Seventh Branch, around twenty of them. They sat in several rows with people they knew well, chatting noisily among themselves.
Backstage, Yu Guo wore formal attire and an extravagantly shaped top hat, making him look rather ridiculous.
He checked the time, picked up a walkie-talkie in his left hand, and asked quietly:
"Is everything ready?"
"Don't worry, there's no problem. Go on whenever you're ready. Remember, you have to get the atmosphere going."
Yu Guo nodded, set the walkie-talkie on a nearby rack, straightened the hat atop his head, and confidently walked out from backstage.
At the same time, the massive curtain onstage slowly parted.
The employees below gazed upward eagerly, and Yu Guo's grinning face appeared before them all.
Yu Guo first gave a deep bow at the center of the stage. After sweeping his gaze over the crowd, he said in a resounding voice:
"Everyone, I'm sure you all know me very well, but allow me to introduce myself again.
Yu Guo—that is, yours truly—is the chief planner, chief director, host, stage manager, and...
By popular demand, I'll be opening today's Winter Solstice Gathering.
Looking at this outfit, you should have guessed what my act is..."
"Magic?"
An employee in the front row shouted loudly.
Yu Guo pointed at him, suddenly tossed away the hat on his head, and snapped his fingers.
All the lights in the venue went out, leaving only a single beam of white