Shen Xingshuo had naturally thought of that too, a faint trace of mockery at the corners of his mouth. Yang Yi really had taken Mo Zeyao's words about "standing out" to heart, even putting them to flexible use onstage.
As expected, the performance marred by an accident was not as good as those of the other teams, but that little twist put Yang Yi far ahead, even pushing his individual vote count into the top five.
Out of a sense of responsibility, Shen Xingshuo held out until he left the stage before dropping his stiff smile and staring frostily at the microphone.
There was also a livestream camera backstage. Although it did not draw much traffic, viewers could watch the contestants' states of mind before they went onstage, a little behind-the-scenes diversion from the tedium of the performances.
Qiao Luo had not expected a stage mishap. Even after leaving the stage, he was still shaken, his expression grim as he thought back over what could have caused the damage.
With so many contestants, naturally, they could not each have their own microphone. Usually, the teams took turns using them.
Since the previous team had been fine, the microphone must have been tampered with after they received it.
Clearly, the staff's inspection had turned up no problems. The culprit could only be a teammate, someone very familiar with their microphone-handling habits who had quickly swapped the microphones after breaking one.
Even the usually good-tempered Qiao Luo wore a cold expression. While soothing Shen Xingshuo, he tried to keep his voice calm. "After we got the microphones, did anyone move them around again?"
Although Qiao Luo did not say it outright, his gaze landed on Yang Yi, hoping this "suspect" would offer an explanation.
There were few viewers in the livestream, but gossip always drew traffic. As soon as those words were spoken, viewers flooded in, the audience count visibly shooting upward.
"Qiao Luo, what do you mean? Even if you don't like me, you don't have to falsely accuse me over something this serious." On camera, Yang Yi remained unhurried. "The burden of proof lies with the accuser."
The microphones had been left by the previous team, and they had personally tested them upon receiving them. However, they had practiced their stage positions again while waiting to go on, so any tampering would have happened then.
Clearly, Yang Yi was not afraid of anyone checking. He was confident that Shen Xingshuo could not obtain evidence, and even more certain that the person backing him was fully capable of protecting him.
[Qiao Luo just started accusing people right off the bat. Is he lashing out in embarrassment?]
[Luoluo has always been fair. He wouldn't speak up unless something was wrong.]
[Didn't you hear Yiyi? The burden of proof lies with the accuser! He's a grown man and still making baseless accusations. Does he think this is some ancient palace power struggle where all you need is talk?]
[Exactly. Our Yiyi has everything under control, so of course he's confident. Unlike someone who blames the equipment for his own lack of ability. No wonder they were training separately a while ago.]
Compared with the furious Qiao Luo, the remarkably composed Yang Yi became the perfect victim. He even offered comfort in return. "I know you're anxious. I don't blame you."
Yang Yi had claimed the entire role of the good guy for himself. Shen Xingshuo watched his act coldly, his expression full of disdain. "Spare us the pretty words. It's not as if there aren't surveillance cameras."
Yang Yi had long anticipated Shen Xingshuo's insistence. Now, he feigned reluctance. "As long as the production team allows it, of course I'm willing to have the surveillance footage checked to prove my innocence."
His high-minded words won widespread approval. Even the other trainees waiting backstage could not help looking at the "petty" Shen Xingshuo. "You didn't even thank him for saving the performance, and now you're accusing him of sabotage."
"That's gratitude for you."
"Exactly. A real-life farmer and the snake."
With public opinion shifting in his favor, Yang Yi continued soothing Shen Xingshuo with apparent concern. "Even if the production team refuses in order to protect the trainees' privacy, you could go plead with the investors and see..."
"I agree."
"So do I!"
Shen Yu came hurrying over eagerly. Seeing his second brother being bullied, he immediately struck an aggressive pose.
Chu Yao followed close behind. They had known all along that Yang Yi was up to no good, but had not expected him to act at a time like this.
Yang Yi's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Shen Yu in disbelief. He had thought he had already brought Shen Yu into his camp, but had not expected this complication.
Still, since Yang Yi had dared to do it, he naturally had a backup plan. Looking at the "turncoats," Shen Yu and Chu Yao, he showed none of his gentleness from the other day, and his tone carried a faint threat.
"Of course, the show needs its real investors to make the decisions."
Deliberately emphasizing the word "real," Yang Yi also made sure to glance at the person in charge who had rushed over.
He had racked his brains all this time without catching so much as a glimpse of Shen Yu's family, leaving him no choice but to contact his own backer for now.
As an investor, Xu Zhouliang had not originally intended to get involved in these petty squabbles, but thinking of the connections he could make through socializing, he had agreed to come at Yang Yi's invitation.
Seeing that the seats of honor were occupied by two children, Xu Liangzhou had had no choice but to talk to the others. Unexpectedly, he had closed a business deal. After receiving Yang Yi's message, he headed backstage in a good mood.
Gossip ran rampant, drawing a flood of traffic that was even threatening to surpass the main livestream. The director anxiously wanted to shut it off, but with Shen Yu and Chu Yao standing in the way, he could only let it continue.
Just a few days ago, he had been relieved that these two children from wealthy investor families did not cause trouble, unlike other investors who shoved newcomers into the show and forced them into the spotlight. Today, however, they had proved stubborn too, insisting on getting to the truth.
To them, the truth did not matter at all. The show needed a good reputation, but it needed traffic even more.
The confrontation split into three camps: Shen Yu and Chu Yao, who demanded to check the surveillance footage; Yang Yi, who was waiting on his big gamble; and the other teammates, who watched the spectacle.
Daring to mock Shen Xingshuo did not mean they dared to speak recklessly in front of investors. They were all ordinary people, and flattering the powerful while trampling the weak was human nature.
"What a big shot, making us wait. Let's see which mighty CEO is behind him." Chu Yao crossed his legs, playing the spoiled rich brat to perfection, his voice dripping with mockery.
Although the production team knew who the two were, none of the investors were people the director could afford to offend. He could only remain silent, privately feeling sorry that Yang Yi had run into someone he could not push around.
In matters like this, it was not about fairness, only whether one had power.
Xu Liangzhou arrived backstage and frowned at the crowd of trainees packed together, while Yang Yi pressed pitifully against the wall as though he had suffered a terrible injustice.
After hearing the staff's brief account, Xu Liangzhou had no doubt that this was Yang Yi's handiwork. He was just about to cover for him as usual when he saw Shen Xingshuo's openly impatient face.
Familiar, yet he had never seen it before.
Xu Liangzhou had naturally reached his position through underhanded methods and a keen eye for people. The best course now was to settle things peacefully and investigate afterward.
"Could there be some misunderstanding? I know you're anxious, young man, but everything requires evidence. If..."
"Aren't we waiting for you to give the word to check the evidence?" Shen Xingshuo showed no fear whatsoever. He even looked between Yang Yi and Xu Liangzhou with interest, as if curious about their relationship.
That insolent gaze held disdain. Under the youth's stare, Xu Liangzhou could not help hardening his tone.
"Are you suggesting that I want to cover for him?"
His attempt to shift the blame was exactly like Yang Yi's, so infuriating that Shen Xingshuo almost laughed. He was just about to lose his temper when he saw Shen Yu's little figure step in front of him.
"You don't want to cover for him, just blatantly conceal the truth?" Shen Yu did his best to imitate his eldest brother's haughty expression, his eyes full of contempt as he looked at Xu Liangzhou.
After being publicly slighted again and again, Xu Liangzhou could no longer maintain his genial image. He stared coldly at Shen Yu, who did not know what was good for him.
"Even children can wander in here as they please. Who knows where the real problem lies!"
"Is that so? Mr. Xu, you think my little brother is deliberately causing trouble to falsely accuse your... person!"