57: Chapter 57 Traps and Counterattacks

"Please welcome Teacher Liu Huan to present the awards to our second-place winners. Let's give them a warm welcome."

Hearing Lin Xin's words, Liu Huan was visibly stunned—before the show started, the production team clearly arranged for him to present the award to the first-place winner.

But he quickly composed himself, thinking that perhaps the production team had made a last-minute adjustment.

To him, presenting an award to the champion or the runner-up made no difference.

Amidst Lin Xin's thanks, Teacher Liu Huan presented the award to the second-place winners and then stepped off the stage.

Fang Mingjie was initially delighted to have won second place.

But as soon as he remembered that Chen Shaoping had taken the championship, he felt a wave of frustration, still unsure how he should face this person in the future.

With the second-place award presented, it was now time for the first-place award.

Lin Xin continued to announce.

"Who is in first place? I believe everyone is very clear. They received a total of 147 votes."

"They are Wang Bo, Chen Shaoping, and Zhou Bule."

"Listen, these names are extraordinary, no wonder they achieved such impressive results."

"Please welcome Teacher Gu Jianfen to present their awards."

As Teacher Gu rose from her seat, Liu Huan quickly stepped forward to support her, fearing she might be unsteady and have an accident.

Gu Jianfen, however, gently pushed his hand away and said with full vigor, "I'm fine, I'm steady!"

Then, under everyone's gaze, she slowly and steadily walked onto the stage.

When she took the oversized check, Chen Shaoping quickly ran over to take it, so she wouldn't be too tired.

Wang Bo and Zhou Bule also quickly took the oversized check from her hands.

In a sense, the scene looked as if Chen Shaoping was presenting awards to Wang Bo and the other person.

After presenting the awards, she held Chen Shaoping's hand and encouraged him, "Young man, you should be bolder. This song 'rain flower stone' incorporating traditional opera singing is a very good highlight."

Chen Shaoping bowed slightly, "Thank you! Thank you, Teacher Gu."

Liu Huan hurried up from below the stage and helped Teacher Gu Jianfen down.

Lin Xin walked over to the three, smiling, and said, "Congratulations to the three of you for winning the championship this episode! What are your thoughts at this moment?"

She handed the microphone to Wang Bo, signaling for him to answer.

"I am very happy. Thank you to the judges, the judging panel, the audience friends present, and all the netizens watching the live broadcast. Thank you for your recognition of us."

Lin Xin took the microphone back from Wang Bo, her gaze shifting to firmly lock onto Zhou Bule.

That scrutinizing gaze made Zhou Bule's heart pound, and he involuntarily became nervous.

"Zhou Bule, I see that the lyrics for this song were only written by Young Master Ping. Did you not participate in writing the lyrics, or were your suggestions rejected?"

Everyone actually knew the answer to the question she asked.

Chen Shaoping frowned, not knowing what Lin Xin was trying to do.

'rain flower stone' was "created" by him in less than five minutes and broadcast live throughout. What was her intention with this question?

Simply trying to embarrass Zhou Bule? Tostrike his self-confidence?

Zhou Bule took the microphone she handed him and boldly met her gaze, "I didn't participate at all. Everyone knows that answer."

Lin Xin let out an almost inaudible sniff, her face unperturbed.

Her intention was to hint to everyone: the composition of this group was not a strictly defined "singer + lyricist + composer" combination.

Although she couldn't say they violated rules, she believed that netizens online would definitely raise questions.

Then, she turned to Chen Shaoping again and asked, "You are the core of this group. With the 2 million yuan prize money, have the three of you considered doing some charity?"

She smiled radiantly, her voice soft, her large eyes focused on Chen Shaoping.

Her smile seemed warm and caring, but a subtle calculation flickered in the depths of her eyes.

She waited to see how this young man in front of her would handle this tricky question.

Chen Shaoping's gaze sharpened, but his tone remained steady: "Host Lin, this 2 million yuan is company property, and its use is not convenient to discuss in detail here."

"However, since you mentioned charity, I naturally support it."

"For me, I only just paid off my debts by selling a song to Jiaxing Media a while ago, but I am still willing to donate 200,000 yuan in my personal name."

"A leading figure like Host Lin, active in the hosting world, must have a considerable income, right? I wonder how much charity you've done over the years?"

"Teacher Han happens to be here today. How about Host Lin also donates 200,000 yuan as a gesture?"

"I believe Teacher Han can ensure that all the money we donate is put to good use, after all, she can keep track of the whereabouts of even a packet of instant noodles or a bottle of mineral water, clearly and precisely."

He finished in one breath, his tone steady, even a faint smile on his face, but his gaze was fixed directly on Lin Xin.

The scene suddenly became unusually quiet, without a single sound, so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was waiting for Lin Xin's reply, countless pairs of eyes staring at her.

Lin Xin's signature smile vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression. If it weren't for the live broadcast, she would have already lost her temper.

She didn't understand why this move, which had always been effective, had backfired this time, leaving her in such a predicament.

At the same time, her hatred for Chen Shaoping had permeated her very bones.

200,000 yuan was no small sum; she was unwilling to donate the money she had worked so hard to earn.

She forced a stiff smile onto her face, pretending to be calm as she spoke.

"Teacher Chen is joking. Don't look at how glamorous we are on stage, we actually don't earn much in a month."

"How can we compare to you? A single song is worth tens of millions."

"Hehehe!"

Finally, she used laughter to break the awkward situation.

Chen Shaoping originally thought that even if she didn't donate 200,000 yuan, she would at least donate some.

He still underestimated the thickness of this person's skin.

When she was being generous with others' money, she'd strip them bare.

But when it came to herself, she'd feel pain even before it touched her fingernail.

Chen Shaoping's eyes turned cold, and he had no intention of letting her off easily, continuing with a sneer.

"So Host Lin is only charitable in words, or rather, she likes to help others with charity."

"It seems Host Lin hasn't donated a single cent all these years, and perhaps even hopes others will donate to her."

"Hahaha!"

He also laughed, his eyes still locked with Lin Xin's.

The two exchanged fierce glances; if looks could kill, Chen Shaoping would have died several times already.

Since the feud had been established, it was best to find a way to finish her off with one blow, making it impossible for her to ever recover.

Liu Huan saw that the atmosphere was wrong, and if it continued, this episode would not be able to conclude.

He stood up to mediate, laughing and saying, "Donations are entirely voluntary; how can they be forced?"

"Host Lin, has the interview segment gone over time?"

Receiving the lifeline from Liu Huan, Lin Xin suppressed her anger and put on her signature smile again.

"That was just a joke to liven up the atmosphere. I didn't expect Teacher Chen to be so serious."

"I hope the vast audience and netizens will do charity from their hearts and within their means."

"Alright, audience friends, time is short. This episode is coming to an end. Let's meet again in the next episode!"