"Love Watch's first-ever fun debate tournament will now beg-"
"Wait!"
Qiu Chengye suddenly interrupted, pointing at the four empty chairs opposite them. "Where are they?"
The four affirmative debaters sat neatly in their chairs, while the negative side's seats remained empty.
Director Niu checked the time. "It's already nine. The debate will begin on schedule. If the negative team is more than ten minutes late, they'll forfeit."
Qiu Chengye was satisfied with that.
"See? I told you they were scared. They didn't prepare anything last night because they knew they'd lose to us today. I just didn't expect them to be too chicken to even show their faces. Hahahaha-"
Xiao Jingxi's lips also curved upward as he leisurely flipped through the material in front of him.
Xu Shuangrong, however, froze, her expression suddenly souring.
Liu Woxing caught on too. "No, they're not late."
"They're not late, they're forfeiting!" Qiu Chengye declared smugly.
The live chat was equally confused.
[Huh? They're just not coming?]
[I just checked the other livestream. They're all up and ready, so why aren't they coming downstairs?]
[Wait! Something's wrong!]
[Holy shit!! I get it now!!]
[Ahhhh I get it too, I get it!]
[Holy crap hahahaha, so THAT'S what they meant by strategy.]
[? Seriously, what are you all talking about?]
[I hate cryptic people!!]
Time ticked by, and the ten minutes were up.
Qiu Chengye immediately clamored for Director Niu to announce the result.
Instead, Director Niu suddenly began clapping. "What a brilliant debate!"
Qiu Chengye: "?"
Qiu Chengye said, "Are you nuts? They didn't even show up! What debate?"
The smile on Xiao Jingxi's face gradually soured too.
Wait.
That's not right!
"Mr. Qiu, what's today's debate topic?" Director Niu asked Qiu Chengye.
Qiu Chengye answered dismissively, "Whether we should reason with idiots."
"And