179: Chapter 177

The echoes of the "Rescue Duck X" mission declaration seemed to still be reverberating above the stage. Inside the eleven heads wearing plush headgear, the "battle fever" that had just been forcibly injected by Jiang Zhiyu's "script" and Kwon Eunbi's "leadership aura" had not yet fully cooled down. They were currently pondering how to "check equipment" and "prepare to set off" in a way that appeared professional yet retained a sense of variety show entertainment.

However, reality (or rather, Jiang Zhiyu's brain-child) was always more "exciting" than any script.

Just as Kwon Eunbi (the Lion Head) finished saying, "Prepare for action!", a very deliberate and clear sound suddenly rang out from the venue's speakers—

"Gulu-lu~~~~~~!!!"

It was the kind of long, penetrating growl that only a stomach in a state of extreme emptiness could produce. The sound effect was realistic, even carrying a bit of a 3D surround-sound feel, as if it were coming from everyone's stomach and from all directions simultaneously.

On stage, the girls who were preparing to "act" froze in unison.

The audience was stunned for a moment before bursting into massive laughter! The timing of that stomach growl was too perfect! They got hungry right after shouting the slogan?

Immediately after, Jiang Zhiyu's smiling voice, as enthusiastic as a TV shopping host, rang out through the speakers at just the right time:

"Oh my! It seems our heroic Star Saints have consumed a huge amount of physical strength after that intense 'Charisma Fighting' and 'Battle to Protect the Sausages'! Listen to these honest 'war drums' (referring to the stomach growls)!"

"As the saying goes, before the troops move, the provisions must go first! Before setting off on the dangerous 'Rescue Duck X' mission, it is a vital strategic step to replenish necessary physical energy!"

His voice was full of "for your own good" concern:

"Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable and normal to have a pre-battle energy replenishment right here on site and share some delicious and nutritious food, right?"

The girls on stage looked at each other through their plush headgear, an ominous premonition rising in their hearts. Eating again? Eating what? It couldn't be...

As expected!

Several staff members appeared, pushing a dining cart decorated gaudily (plastered with the giant Ju Fu Zhai logo and pictures of roast duck), and quickly arrived at the center of the stage. The cart was covered with a large silver domed warming lid, full of mystery.

Meanwhile, the remains of the "Soft Baby King" that had been defeated by the "Lion Charge Duck Punch" earlier had long been cleared away, and those eleven chairs were still arranged in a circle.

Jiang Zhiyu's voice continued to guide them: "Come, Star Envoys, please take your seats. Let us temporarily set aside our 'combat stances' and enjoy this moment of tranquility and... deliciousness."

They were caught in a trap. The girls had no choice but to follow instructions and sit back down in that circle of chairs. Only this time, the atmosphere had shifted from a "tactical meeting" to a "pre-battle picnic"?

The warming lid of the dining cart was suddenly whipped off by a staff member!

A steaming aroma instantly filled the air!

Inside were—several authentic Jufu Zhai Roast Ducks, glistening with oil, with crispy skin and tender meat, neatly arranged! Beside them were lotus leaf pancakes, sweet bean sauce, scallion shreds, cucumber strips, and a full set of condiments. The charred aroma of the roast duck mixed with the sweet scent of the bean sauce aggressively invaded everyone's nostrils. The "stomach growls" from just now seemed to have received a response, growling even more excitedly.

"Wow... is it real roast duck?" An Yujin (the Goat Head) subconsciously swallowed her saliva, her voice sounding muffled coming from inside the headgear.

"It looks... like it's really delicious," Kang Hye-won (the Lamb Head) also muttered softly.

But the problem was... they were still wearing headgear! How were they supposed to eat? Did they have to lift the headgear? Wasn't that headgear supposed to enhance "constellation resonance"? Could it be removed?

As if hearing their inner thoughts, Jiang Zhiyu's voice rang out again, with a hint of mischievous "thoughtfulness":

"Ah, considering it's inconvenient for everyone to eat while wearing the 'Constellation Sensing Headgear,' we specially designed a 'detachable faceplate' feature! Please find the hidden snap button at the chin position of the headgear. With a light press, the faceplate part can be temporarily removed for easy eating! Isn't that very user-friendly?"

User-friendly my foot!!!

Everyone roared inwardly. This headgear could actually be disassembled?! So why did they have to endure the shame of putting it on just now?! Just to take it off and eat now?! Jiang Zhiyu, what on earth were you thinking when you designed these props!!!

Complaints aside, with gourmet food in front of them and their stomachs indeed hungry, the members had no choice but to clumsily grope around the chins of their fuzzy headgear. Sure enough, they found a discreet plastic snap button.

"Click," "Click"... a series of faint sounds.

The "face" part of each plush headgear was flipped upward like the visor of a medieval knight's helmet and fixed at the top of the head, revealing the girls' small faces, which were a bit flushed from being cooped up and filled with complex expressions (mainly shame, indignation, and helplessness).

Lion Head Kwon Eunbi wore a Lion Head with the faceplate flipped up, revealing a serious (?) little face.

Aquarius Head Jang Wonyoung wore a mineral water bottle head with the faceplate flipped up, revealing a beautiful face that had lost all hope in life.

Sakura Head Sakura, Goat Head An Yujin, Calf Head Nako, Scorpion Head Kim Chaewon, Twin Head Jo Yuri, Sagittarius Head Lee Chaeyeon, Crab Head Hitomi, Lamb Head Kang Hye-won, Libra Head Kim Minju...

Eleven exquisite faces, all written with "what is even happening," were perched atop eleven ridiculous plush headgears. Sitting in a circle with the fragrant roast duck in the middle—this scene was eerie, absurd, and yet carried a strange... harmony?

The audience below was already dying of laughter, their phone cameras snapping non-stop. This was definitely one of the most classic scenes of the day!

"Alright, everyone, don't be shy, dig in!" Jiang Zhiyu's voice sounded like a banquet emcee. "Only after you're full will you have the strength to rescue your companions!"

Staff members began to carve the roast duck and wrap the pancakes for everyone.

The girls looked at each other, then at the tempting roast duck. Ultimately, appetite and a "whatever, it's already come to this" attitude of despair won out. Temporarily forgetting their shame, they picked up the lotus leaf pancakes and clumsily (because the headgear on their heads was a bit in the way) began to wrap the roast duck, dip it in sauce, and stuff it into their mouths.

"Mmm... delicious!" An Yujin took a bite, her eyes lighting up, temporarily forgetting the shame of the goat headgear.

"Indeed... the taste is good." Kwon Eunbi also nodded, though eating while wearing a Lion Head was a bit awkward.

Jang Wonyoung ate in small bites, her heart filled with mixed emotions. The roast duck was delicious, but eating while wearing a mineral water bottle head... this experience was just too surreal.

However, the "pre-battle replenishment" Jiang Zhiyu arranged was clearly more than just eating quietly.

Just as the girls were slightly immersed in the deliciousness of the roast duck, a group of "uninvited guests" appeared on the stage.

They were several staff members wearing huge, bloated, yellow fuzzy duck mascot costumes! But they weren't ordinary ducks; they were... "roast duck man"! The costumes clearly had roast duck patterns and the "Ju Fu Zhai" logo on them. They wobbled as they walked, and in their hands, they held... mini versions of lotus leaf pancakes and scallion shred props?

Even more ridiculous, the venue's speakers suddenly switched music!

A familiar, light, and lively intro played—it was IZ*ONE's song, "secret story of the swan"!

Then, under everyone's dumbfounded gaze, those "roast duck man" actually began to clumsily yet diligently dance the chorus part of "secret story of the swan" to the music!

They shook their plump "roast duck" bodies, waving the "lotus leaf pancakes" and "scallion shreds," their steps stumbling yet exceptionally serious. Their mouths even made "Quack quack quack!" onomatopoeic accompaniment (sound effects?), attempting to recreate the elegant and mysterious swan posture from the original dance. But the result... completely turned into a hilarious version of "Roast Duck Disco"!

"Pfft—!!!" Several of the girls eating roast duck on stage spat out their food (fortunately, they covered their mouths in time).

"Hahahahahaha!!!" The audience below was already laughing so hard they were leaning every which way, some even pounding their chests and stamping their feet.

"What... what is this?!" Jo Yuri (the Twin Head) laughed so hard the roast duck roll in her hand fell.

Choi Yena's commentary (was she still backstage? Her voice came through the speakers) was also full of shock and laughter: "Wow! Ro-roast ducks are dancing?! Dancing to our 'secret story of the swan'? Quack quack quack? This is even more ridiculous than my sausage rap!!"

Jiang Zhiyu's voice joined in as well, but this time, he completely switched to the fast-talking, inflammatory salesman mode of a TV shopping channel:

"Look! Even the roast duck spirits from 'Jufu Zhai Fairyland' have been conquered by the charm of IZONE and couldn't help but dance to 'secret story of the swan'!"

"What does this show? It shows that Jufu Zhai Roast Duck is not only delicious and juicy with crispy skin and tender meat, but it can also bring you a fairytale-like dining experience and a joyful mood!"

"Whether it's a family gathering, a small get-together with friends, or like our Star Saints, replenishing energy in the intervals of saving the world—"

"Jufu Zhai Roast Duck is your best choice! Call now to order, and the first hundred people will have a chance to get an IZONE signed photo... (interrupted by sound effects)"

His advertising lines came one after another, seamlessly connected.

However, this wasn't over yet!