161: Chapter 160; Interweaving

Kim Minju was dressed today in light gold sportswear representing libra, with mini scales and feather decorations on her shoulders. The exaggerated "Earrings of Justice" on her ears seemed to be sparkling at this moment. She had been trying her best to lower her presence, but hearing this, her body stiffened slightly. She looked up and met Jiang Zhiyu's affirmative "it's you" gaze, along with the members' complex looks of sympathy, relief (thankfully it wasn't them), and "Minju, we're counting on you."

Damn that red cabbage...

Kim Minju wailed internally. The memory of yesterday's absurd "Red Cabbage Court" in the market was still fresh. The image of her being forced to act as the "judge," holding a toy wooden gavel and making a "just ruling" on the red cabbage, was still circulating on social media! And today it was happening again? And an upgraded version as the Chief Referee?

She wanted to refuse, but Jiang Zhiyu gave her no chance. He stepped forward and shoved a "Gavel of Judgment"—tied with a golden ribbon and looking like a toy but exquisitely made (slightly higher grade than yesterday's toy gavel)—into her hand. At the same time, he pinned a plastic badge that read "Chief Referee: libra · Kim Minju" onto her.

"Minju-xi, I believe you will definitely uphold the principles of libra and make the fairest judgments!" Jiang Zhiyu patted her shoulder, his tone full of "trust."

Kim Minju gripped the cold little gavel, looked at the badge on her chest, then at the "rest in peace" looks from the members around her and the curious, excited gazes of the audience below the stage. She could only take a deep breath, try to make her expression look serious and earnest (despite crying inside), and nodded: "...I'll do my best."

"Very good!" Jiang Zhiyu turned to the remaining ten people with satisfaction. "Now, the remaining ten Star Saints, please automatically split into pairs to form five 'Charm Display Teams'!"

The grouping process was completed quickly amidst brief chaos and eye contact. Based on their usual chemistry and current "strategic considerations" (like who could best neutralize the sense of shame together), five groups were quickly formed:

Kwon Eunbi (leo) & An Yujin (capricorn) — Leader line, the charisma duo.

Miyawaki Sakura (virgo) & Yabuki Nako (taurus) — J-K line, the steady combination.

Jang Wonyoung (aquarius) & Kang Hye-won (aries) — maknae + easygoing Unnie, the visual/contrast combination.

Kim Chaewon (scorpio) & Jo Yuri (gemini) — Main vocal line, the power vocals.

Lee Chaeyeon (sagittarius) & Honda Hitomi (cancer) — Main dancer line, the dance powerhouses.

With the groups decided, Jiang Zhiyu immediately pointed to the stage that had already been cleared—at this moment, the light-up sign hanging above it had been changed to "Street Charm Overlord Fighting Arena (Exhibition Match)."

"Your stage is right there!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice was stirring. "Each group will take turns on stage to perform a charm display lasting about 90 seconds! The format is unlimited—you can sing, dance, perform a skit, or even show off your 'constellation potential' (like a Lion's Roar? Or a Pisces Swim?)!"

He winked and made a joke, but the girls couldn't laugh.

"There are two judging criteria!" Jiang Zhiyu held up two fingers. "First, the real-time decibel level of the live audience's cheers will be measured by our professional sound control equipment, accounting for 50% of the total score!"

Hearing this, the audience below immediately erupted in excited clamor, everyone eager to shout for the group they supported.

"Second," Jiang Zhiyu pointed to a new small judging panel set up next to the stage, where three staff members sat with scoring paddles in front of them, "our production team's 'Professional Jury' will give scores based on expressiveness, creativity, and fit with the theme, which also accounts for 50%!"

"Ultimately, the five groups will be ranked based on their comprehensive scores! The ranking will directly relate to—" he elongated his voice, building suspense, "relate to how much 'initial operating capital' your group can attract for the 'Pisces Sausage Stall'! And, in the subsequent 'Survival Challenges,' you may obtain different advantages or clues!"

The pressure was on. This wasn't just about pride (performing in a competition on the streets of Myeong-dong), it was about actual "survival resources."

The five groups immediately huddled together, discussing nervously.

"Let's dance! It's short and has a strong impact!" Lee Chaeyeon (sagittarius) suggested; both she and Hitomi (cancer) were strong dancers.

"What about singing? Acapella or an arrangement of one of our songs?" Kim Chaewon (scorpio) looked at Jo Yuri (gemini).

"Should we add some plot? Like showing the characteristics of our constellations?" Miyawaki Sakura (virgo) pondered.

"90 seconds is so short, we have to grab the audience immediately," Kwon Eunbi (leo) frowned.

Jang Wonyoung touched the "Crown Aquarius" on her head and whispered to Kang Hye-won, "Unnie, what should we do? Dance? Or..."

Just as the groups were discussing intensely, trying to come up with the most attractive plan in the shortest time, a staff member wearing a vest with the show's logo printed on it expressionlessly held up a huge cue card by the side of the stage. On it, in bold, eye-catching font, was written:

[Warm Tip from the Production Team: Please cleverly integrate at least one sponsor/partner product from this show into your charm display. The method of display is unlimited. Those who integrate creatively can receive extra points (at the Jury's discretion).]

The cue card sparkled in the sunlight, but the words on it felt like ice water being poured over the heads of the ten girls.

The spark of enthusiasm for discussion that had just been lit was instantly frozen.

Everyone: "..."

I knew it!!!

I knew they wouldn't miss this opportunity!!!

Damn product placement!

The girls, who were just thinking about artistic expression and stage charm, now felt as if they had been forcibly fed a mouthful of ice mixed with the stench of commercial money—it was choking and bone-chillingly cold.

Kwon Eunbi and An Yujin looked at each other, both seeing the helplessness and "as expected" in each other's eyes.

Kim Chaewon held her forehead, and Jo Yuri sighed.

Lee Chaeyeon and Hitomi's dance ideas were instantly blocked—how could they naturally bring out a product while dancing? Dance while holding juice? Spin with a bag of chips on their heads?

Miyawaki Sakura and Yabuki Nako also fell silent. Rice cake balls and taurus treasures didn't seem to go well with sponsor products?

Jang Wonyoung looked at the cue card, then touched the "Crown Aquarius" on her head, and suddenly felt... her "walking 400,000-won billboard" self might not be the most miserable? At least she didn't have to think of extra ways to "integrate."

Kang Hye-won, on the other hand, was quite calm and even a little eager: "Since we have to do it anyway, let's think of how to make it interesting. For example... singing while eating chips? Or using a juice bottle as a microphone?"

Her suggestion drew a complex look from her teammate Jang Wonyoung: Unnie, your train of thought is quite unique sometimes.

By the side of the stage, Chief Referee Kim Minju gripped the "Gavel of Judgment" in her hand. Looking at the cue card, then at the gloom-stricken members, and then thinking about how she might have to score these "advertising ideas" later... she suddenly felt that the position of Chief Referee might be more torturous than performing on stage. At least performing on stage only required being ashamed once, while she had to watch and judge repeatedly while pretending to be fair.

Jiang Zhiyu took everyone's reactions in. The smile on his face remained unchanged, even becoming more "amiable":

"As you can see, this is one of the rules of the mortal world—'commercial win-win.' Star Saints, adapt to it and utilize it; this is also a part of survival wisdom!"

"I'll give you five minutes for final discussion and preparation! In five minutes, according to the group order, the first group, the 'leo & capricorn' team, prepare to take the stage!"

"Remember, display your charm to your heart's content, and—don't forget our 'friends' (referring to the products)!"

He waved his hand, signaling the start of the timer.

The streets of Myeong-dong remained noisy. The aroma of sausages, the audience's expectations, the commercial shackles, and the forced rapid-fire brains and forced calm expressions of the eleven girls (plus one Chief Referee) together formed the first absurd yet real "Charm Fight" under the backdrop of the "Pisces Sausage Stall Grand Opening."

They had to please the audience, satisfy the judges, and "cleverly" promote products all within 90 seconds.

What kind of charm display was this?

This was clearly an extreme pressure test of shame, variety sense, and commercial value!