"Ahem, this contest seems to have reached a stalemate!"
Soda Man clasped his hands behind his back and announced on the spot:
"Here's what we'll do. Each side gets one chance to call in outside help."
"Of course, you'll have to bring your own materials this time!"
"Since no one objects, let's continue!"
In full view of everyone, Soda Man carried out five pottery bottles from backstage, each of them already fired once.
"See? I brought my own materials, and I'm this esteemed contestant's outside help!"
"What the heck?" March 7th nearly fell over. "Since when does an examiner declare himself a contestant's outside help?"
Yan Huan stroked his chin. "Just how much did they pay him?"
"Outside help?" Plastic Bag, who was looking up information onstage, froze, then called toward the Audience Gallery:
"Bodyguard! Bodyguard, where are you?!"
"Who summons me?"
Yan Huan shot onto the stage and glared at his opponent's host-turned-assistant.
Like Doraemon, Soda Man ignored Yan Huan and kept hauling things over to the blond kid's table.
"Oh, sure. 'Bring your own materials.' You might as well hand him a finished piece!"
"So what?" Soda Man turned from the things he was carrying and snapped at Yan Huan across the stage.
"Do you know how long it's been since I last spent any money? For once, I get to call the shots. Can't I enjoy myself?!"
"Like I haven't been there!"
Yan Huan immediately pulled out a glittering lump of clay and slapped it onto Plastic Bag's table. "Know what this is?"
"Hmph. I thought you might have a half-finished piece too. What good is a lump of mud, no matter how pretty?" Soda Man scoffed.
The audience erupted.
"OHHHHH—!!"
"So now it's a contest of connections!"
"Shareholder versus judge! Who's more underhanded?"
"Come on, watch