Go all out being crazy, then blow everyone away

Lu Xiaoxiao thought the system really knew how to pick its moments. Every time it had something important to say, it had to do it in the dead of night.

"What is it? Wasn't everything fine last time? Don't tell me it's changed its mind." Lu Xiaoxiao closed her eyes again, her tone distracted.

The system tried helplessly to reason with her. "How is that changing its mind? It never agreed to let you do whatever you wanted last time, did it? That was just your own interpretation!"

"Fine, fine. So what did it say this time? Good news or bad news?"

"I wouldn't call it good news. The higher-ups said that, given the presence of the Unknown Bug, you're being granted special permission to advance the plot according to your own understanding. However, they will periodically check this world's vitality score to determine whether your mission meets the requirements..."

Lu Xiaoxiao immediately brightened after hearing that. "Who said that was bad news? That's fantastic news! Looks like it finally used its brain for once!"

"Host, please don't interrupt me. I haven't finished. The higher-ups also said that if the readings fail to meet the requirements, your mission will be terminated early."

Lu Xiaoxiao didn't understand. "What does that mean? Does termination mean I get to go straight home?"

The system replied, "No, it means you die on the spot. You only get to go home if you complete the mission successfully, sweetie."

Lu Xiaoxiao: "..."

Lu Xiaoxiao's expression grew a little grave. She asked, "Then when's the next check?"

The system said, "After this season of Desert Island Survival ends."

"...What do I have to do to pass the check?"

The system sounded deeply troubled. "Well... there's no precedent for this situation, and the higher-ups haven't given any specific criteria."

Lu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, ready to curse someone out.

The system hurried to soothe her. "But! I think the more entertaining you make the show, the better! I believe you can do it! You've got this!"

Boohoo, don't take it out on me! I don't have any real authority. I'm totally innocent, okay!

Lu Xiaoxiao knew cursing at it wouldn't help either. Once she calmed down, she began making plans in her head.

The simplest way to make the show more entertaining was to be an attention-seeking clown. Unfortunately, that would completely destroy her persona as a delicate, sweet-faced schemer.

Lu Xiaoxiao sighed inwardly and began forcing herself to fall asleep.

I'll get some rest first. Tomorrow, I'll go all out being crazy, then blow everyone away!

At seven the next morning, Desert Island Survival began streaming right on schedule. Within seconds, the number of concurrent viewers climbed at a staggering rate.

[Aaaaaah, Shiyan, my husband, I'm here!]

[I've finally found you! Thank goodness I never gave up!]

[This camera has no sense at all. Can we get more close-ups of Emperor Lu? What's so interesting about the non-celebrities?]

[Xinyan, Xinyan, aaaaaah, you're such a gorgeous baby! Did you see how close Xinyan was standing to Emperor Lu? My ship is feeding us again!]

As the live chat erupted with excitement, the announcer began reading the show's opening lines.

"Push your limits! Desert Island Survival! Our guests will be divided into two teams and cast away on a mysterious, uninhabited island. No supplies, no assistance. Everything starts from scratch!"

"Across scorching beaches and dense jungles, they will hack their way forward, relying on wisdom and courage to face the relentless challenges of blazing sun, wind and rain, injury, illness, and hunger!"

"Here, you will witness their ingenuity in building shelters, their struggles to find water and food, the power of teamwork, and the limits of individual willpower pushed to new heights!"

"Now, allow me to formally introduce our guests to everyone watching. First, Lu Shiyan! Our Emperor Lu!"

Lu Shiyan smiled at the camera, and the volume of live comments instantly skyrocketed as fans squealed over his good looks.

"Second, renowned actress Bai Xinyan!"

Unlike her arrogant, domineering behavior yesterday, Bai Xinyan had perfect control of her expressions in front of the camera. Her smile was incredibly sweet, and when the announcer introduced her, she even blew the camera a kiss.

[My goddess kissed me! She kissed me! Someone help!]

[Move aside, person above me. Xinyan was obviously kissing me! Me!]

[Ah, her beauty shot me straight through the heart, sob...]

"Third, Ye Xinglan, a photographer returned from overseas. Fourth, Xiao Yichen, a doctor..."

The announcer continued with the introductions, but since the remaining guests were non-celebrities without established fan bases, the discussion in the live chat gradually dwindled.

When the doctor named Xiao Yichen appeared, his handsome features still caught some viewers' attention.

The man was tall and lean, with an upright posture. His simple outdoor clothing was clean and tidy, giving him a crisp, capable air, while his short black hair made him look sharp and alert.

His face was well-defined, with strong, angular lines. A pair of black-framed glasses rested on his high nose bridge, and the deep-set eyes behind the lenses held a calm intelligence. His lips were somewhat thin and pressed taut, giving him an air of resolve.

His skin was slightly pale, a sign of long hours working indoors, but that pallor also added to his reserved bearing.

When the announcer introduced him, the man didn't greet the camera. He didn't even offer a nod, his expression utterly cold.

That attitude soon drew complaints from some viewers.

[What the heck? A non-celebrity putting on airs like that? Isn't he a little too full of himself? I don't like him.]

[Exactly! Even Emperor Lu greeted us so warmly. Who does this guy think he is? He won't even smile!]

A few scattered comments drifted past saying that the man looked familiar, as though they'd seen him somewhere before, but they were quickly buried beneath the other comments and disappeared.

The camera didn't linger on Xiao Yichen either, quickly moving past him to the next person.

"Ninth, Emperor Lu's younger sister! Lu Xiaoxiao!"

The announcer delivered Lu Xiaoxiao's name with great enthusiasm, and the viewers almost immediately erupted.

[Where is she? Where is she? I want to see what my husband's little sister looks like!]

But when the camera turned, all it showed was an empty patch of ground.

Viewers flooded the chat with question marks, demanding to know why they were being shown thin air. But the announcer and cameraman were just as baffled. They had no idea how Lu Xiaoxiao, who had been standing there perfectly normally a short while ago, had suddenly vanished.

This was a live broadcast! How could something like this happen?!

The announcer was frantic, but he forced himself to sound calm as he called Lu Xiaoxiao's name several more times.

The cameraman swung his camera around as well, but still couldn't find her.

Just as everyone descended into chaos, a clear female voice came from a nearby tree. "What are you looking for? I'm right here!"

Everyone immediately looked up and saw a young woman sitting high on the trunk, swinging her legs. She held half an unfinished banana in one hand and looked utterly relaxed.

The announcer stared dumbfounded and couldn't help asking, "Miss Lu, why did you climb up into the tree?"