He shot Jiang Mingxi a venomous look.
Jiang Mingle pressed his lips together and turned to Jiang Ke. "Big brother, I never thought you really spoke to Xiaoxi like that. Have you misunderstood him? You should apologize to him."
Then he looked at Jiang Mingxi, his face full of grievance. "Xiaoxi, I'm sorry. I didn't know big brother said those things. He was in the wrong. I'll apologize on his behalf, so please don't be angry."
[Lele is innocent! I told you, Jiang Ke was the one at fault. Everyone who cursed Lele, get out here and apologize!]
[How about watching the replay? See what this dumbass said just a minute ago? Hehe, you're welcome!]
[Hahahaha, does Jiang Mingle not know they're livestreaming?!]
[Hahahahaha, suddenly I can't wait to see his reaction!]
Jiang Ke's face was dark, filled with fury and apprehension.
Song Lan would actually cancel the cooperation between Song Corporation and Tianli Group for Jiang Mingxi?
Wasn't Song Lan supposed to hate that bitch Jiang Mingxi?!
After all, that sort of video had leaked before the show.
And on the show, Jiang Mingxi had even courted death by riding Song Lan's popularity.
Song Lan hated that kind of person most.
But Jiang Ke didn't dare gamble.
The company wasn't his alone. If they really lost their cooperation with Song Corporation over this, those shareholders would tear him apart.
Bitch!
Just you wait!
Showing a great hero's ability to bend and yield, Jiang Ke said, "Sorry."
Song Lan raised an eyebrow. "Who are you apologizing to?"
Jiang Ke's face instantly flushed purple-red. It felt as though a bomb had been stuffed down his throat and was about to explode.
For the bigger picture!
He would endure it!
"I'm sorry, Xiaoxi. I was wrong."
The instant the words left his mouth, Jiang Ke looked toward Jiang Mingxi.
And then-
He saw, plain as day, a camera behind Jiang Mingxi, its red light on and blinking.
Jiang Ke's eyes widened instantly. His expression changed drastically, and he all but blurted out as he pointed at the lens, "What's this doing?"
[Hahahahaha! It's livestreaming!]
[While you're looking at me, I'm looking at you too. Happy? Excited? All of it went out live!]
[I heard Jiang Ke invested in this show.]
[Hahahahahahahaha, fuck, that instantly makes this twice as funny! Give the cameraman an extra drumstick!!!]
[Today's buzz was personally provided by our sugar daddy sponsor. Let's all thank our sugar daddy sponsor!]
[Thank you!]
[Thank you +1!]
The comments flew past.
The director, who was still looking for the pig's head, froze. Dread welled up in him, and he asked weakly, "Don't tell me... the livestream has already started?"
The cameraman was utterly straightforward. "Nobody told me to stop broadcasting. I started at the scheduled time, not even a second late. You're not going to dock my pay, right?"
The director: ...
You absolute menace!
Holding the pig's head, the director nearly cried.
Clinging to his last shred of hope, he trembled as he asked, "So, you started from..."
"I turned the camera on when everyone started running this way. I filmed everything and didn't miss a single shot! I'm a professional!" The cameraman brimmed with professional pride.
The director wanted nothing more than to jump up and slap him.
Who asked you to be this professional?!
What was he supposed to do now?!
What could he do?!
The director clutched the pig's head, so desperate he wanted to die.
Jiang Ke felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Everything that had just happened had gone out live?
Didn't that mean everyone knew he had offended Song Lan?
Jiang Ke wanted to rush over and strangle that damned cameraman!
Jiang Mingle trembled with fear, on the verge of collapse.
What was he supposed to do?!
It had all gone out live, so... so what did that make all his explanations?!
What would his fans think of him?!
Terrified and panicked, Jiang Mingle instinctively reached for Jiang Ke's hand, his eyes so frantic they almost spat sparks.
Just as he was panicking.
A clamor came from outside.
Then the village chief came in with a group of people.
The village chief's face radiated joy. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he smiled at Jiang Mingxi. "People from the county culture and tourism bureau are here! They specifically asked to see young Jiang."
As he spoke, he turned back to introduce him to the people behind him. "This is young Jiang!"
Walking a little behind the village chief was an official from the county culture and tourism bureau, a man in his thirties wearing formal attire.
Following the village chief's gesture, he immediately extended his hand to Jiang Mingxi. "Hello, I'm in charge of tourism promotion for Bridgehead Village at the culture and tourism bureau. My surname is Lu."
Even greater unease flooded Jiang Ke's already frightened face.
He instinctively stepped forward and was just about to speak.
Official Lu turned to take a roll-up banner from the secretary behind him and smiled at Jiang Mingxi. "Thank you so much for promoting tourism in Bridgehead Village on your livestream yesterday.
"We held a meeting overnight and decided we'd like to invite Mr. Jiang to become our tourism ambassador for Bridgehead Village."
Jiang Mingxi looked at the roll-up banner in his hands.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He remained polite and smiling. "But my name is Jiang Mingxi."
Official Lu froze, then turned to look at the roll-up banner in his hands.
Written prominently across it was: Let's follow Jiang Mingle to Bridgehead Village and enjoy its scenic wonders~
[Wow! Lele is amazing! He's actually become Bridgehead Village's tourism ambassador! Lele is the best!]
[...]
[There's no such thing as peak awkwardness, only greater awkwardness. Every awkward moment outdoes the last!]
[Congratulations on acquiring an entire Barbie castle of secondhand embarrassment!]
[This show is so exciting I actually forgot it was a variety show called "Survival Challenge"!]
[How can you say this isn't a challenge?! Hahahahaha!]
The village chief froze too, then pointed at Jiang Mingle beside them. "He's Jiang Mingle. Oh, this is my fault. When you said you were looking for young Jiang, I automatically thought of him. He spent all of yesterday livestreaming with two other young men, taking tourists around.
"I thought you were looking for him.
"My fault, my fault. I should've asked properly.
"This one is Jiang Mingle."
The village chief smiled ruefully and made the introduction to the official again.
Beside them.
A villager asked in genuine bewilderment, "Why are you looking for this young man? All he did yesterday was chop firewood, and he chopped it all to bits. That young man was the one taking everyone around!"
Another villager was puzzled too. "That's right. If you're looking for an ambassador, shouldn't you pick the best-looking one? Why pick the ugly one?"
[Hahahahaha, that lady is asking the real questions!]
[Who still refuses to admit this is "Survival Challenge"? Hahahahaha!]
Jiang Mingle: ...
Jiang Ke was about to shatter.
After Jiang Mingxi caused such a stir yesterday, he had immediately called the local county culture and tourism bureau, saying he was willing to invest in their tourism projects, but hoped they would invite Jiang Mingle to be their tourism ambassador.
Preferably when the show went live.
That would be a vicious slap in Jiang Mingxi's face and make Lele happy,
But he had never imagined that something like the blond guy's incident would happen in the middle of the night.
Nor had he imagined that, even after calling in favors through his connections, he wouldn't be able to interfere in the blond guy's case.
Much less had he imagined that he would come to Jiang Mingxi first thing this morning to force him to withdraw the case, only for things to end up like this.
This...