CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: BROTHER CHENG, YOU’RE THE PERFECT MVP!

Mu Qiu was forced to accept a brainwashing session on eight aspects of civilization construction before being released.

Guan Yu said she wouldn’t believe anything Mu Qiu said in the next three episodes.

Mu Qiu awkwardly admitted her mistake, then followed Cheng Zhirang to climb down from the high platform, with all six people standing on the open ground below, facing the director and a ring of photographers and staff.

The director used a small loudspeaker to shout at them, "Have you all counted your sticker Life Values? Come on, line up from highest to lowest."

Mu Qiu exchanged a single-sided emotional look with Shi Yuhuai next to her, then she proactively moved one spot to the right, "Brother Huai, your turn."

Shi Yuhuai tidied his white robe, leisurely stood in the second position, and joined Cheng Zhirang, who was calmly waiting beside him.

She didn’t deserve to join the high-value duo.

Once in formation, Li Yang reluctantly took the last position, feeling utterly hopeless.

Great, he’s going to lose more followers again.

"So the result is clear. Congratulations, Brother Cheng, for winning this episode’s MVP! Please, staff, present his reward."

The row of people all turned their heads.

"Huh? Only one staff member this time? No penalty for us?" Guan Yu asked.

Only one award presenter in a suit walked over, holding the prize tray with both hands, directly to Cheng Zhirang.

"Congratulations, Brother Cheng, please accept your prize."

Cheng Zhirang used two fingers to lift the cloth covering, revealing the brooch and red armband inside.

This time, the brooch had changed to dark green, with a gem in the middle that glowed luminously, looking high-end and classy. After being pinned to Cheng Zhirang’s white shirt, it harmonized as if it was always meant to be a set.

"This brooch is beautiful! The color is great."

"The shape is different from last time; low-key luxury with depth, perfect for Brother Cheng."

"So the distribution of prizes is based on people, huh, Director? Why does this episode’s look so good? If you had told me the prize was so nice, I would have tried harder, Director!"

Director: "Some guests shouldn’t just boast after the fact."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, Director, you’re so straightforward!"

"Director, your straightforwardness has ruined so much gentleness for us!"

"Sister Guan Yu, give the Director a tough look! Tell him you’ll definitely be the MVP next time!"

Guan Yu felt a choke in her chest, still unwilling to submit.

"Well, Director, can’t I at least stand up for our MVP from last time? Why wasn’t last time’s brooch as nice?"

Mu Qiuxin, metaphorically struck by an invisible sword, felt residual pain: "Can’t we just let bygones be bygones? My heart seems to hurt even more now."

"It’s okay, Brother Cheng hasn’t put on the red armband yet." Shi Yuhuai seriously pointed out the problem.

Red armband?

Everyone’s gaze fell simultaneously on the vibrant red in the tray.

"... Hurry up and wear it! This is a unique honor from our show!"

"I want to see if Brother Cheng wearing it will give this red armband a VIP vibe."

"Come on, Brother Cheng, let us help you wear it!"

A group of people surrounded Cheng Zhirang, forcibly putting the bright red armband on him, placing the gold pin on the outside of his arm, and smoothing it down twice for him.

Mu Qiu: "Perfect. Brother Cheng, you are the best MVP!"

Guan Yu took a few extra glances, unable to help herself: "Pfft hahahahaha, my goodness! Why do I feel like Brother Cheng instantly turned from an auction house VIP into a young gatekeeper uncle!"

"So even Brother Cheng can’t suppress the armband’s tacky, dismissive feel."

Cheng Zhirang: "..."

He tilted his head for a glance, feeling the three capital letters MVP on the front were too glaring.

The award ceremony concluded, the director gave a final address.

"This episode was one of three possible programs chosen by audiences online and was the simplest of the three. The others, B and C options, will be deferred to later episodes as alternatives, so there’s no need to explain further. As we didn’t know which option would be chosen until the end, we notified you that the time could be long, so everyone should be prepared. You’ve all cooperated wonderfully, and it’s only four in the afternoon, still some time till dinner. This location was developed by our production team in collaboration with the local tourism bureau as a new sightseeing spot. There are many places to eat and play here, and after the show ends, you can explore freely. All expenses are covered by the production team!"

Everyone cheered.

"Director, you’re the best!"

"This is actually a newly created sightseeing spot? No wonder I hadn’t heard of such a place before."

"Director, you’re the best director!"

"Finally, we can rest! Let’s go exploring!"

"Are we leaving?"

The director grinned, "Hold on a minute."

Guan Yu turned back, "Wait for what? Are we getting a send-off?"

"The production team has already booked a great meal for everyone, plus a VIP lounge."

Li Yang exclaimed, "That good?"

"Oh, no need to be so courteous."

Director: "It’s not about courtesy; this added VIP experience is only for the first place winner."

"..."

[Hahahahahahaha, I’m dying of laughter!]

[Guan Yu’s face now compares to Guan Gong’s face]

[Brother Cheng: Hit by an unexpected gift package]

[Director is cheeky!]

[Yangyang laughed, then his laugh disappeared, and Yangyang felt upset]

[Look at Mu Qiu’s envious eyes]

[Brother Huai, why are you staring at Brother Cheng? Look at the camera!]

[Shu Ran has already balanced her mindset, maintaining the expression well]

[Initially, it was about not being last; now it’s: why didn’t I try harder to be first?!]

[Really no penalty? I always feel the director’s smile holds bad intentions]

[I’m sure there’ll be a penalty]

The director, smiling with malicious intent, suddenly became excited, grabbing the small loudspeaker to shout, "In the prequel, we mentioned that every episode has guest NPCs, mobile NPCs, and fixed NPCs, and as said last time, doing well deserves a reward, doing poorly deserves a penalty. Last time was a team competition, so there was no last place, but this time is a personal battle, so the last one according to the rules will directly become a mobile NPC in the next episode."

"This episode’s penalty, apart from Brother Cheng, everyone else must undergo a personal film role-play, acting out a storyline with various fixed NPCs we’ve invited until dinner time."

... Faces grew stiff.

The expressions of the unsuccessful five were as if struck by lightning, in disbelief.

"No snacks?"

"Can’t wander around?"

"Acting with teachers?"

"And follow a storyline?! I’m just waiting to be rescued; what plot could I have?"

"I’m a rookie, Director! I’ll be lambasted mercilessly by the teachers!"

The director remained unmoved, and gestured to staff in the corner.

Then two staff in black suits, wearing sunglasses, and white gloves swiftly walked over, one on each side pulling open the large iron door of the factory, striking a welcoming pose.

"Mr. Cheng, please board the car."

Outside, a black Bentley was parked by the roadside, and the chauffeur with white gloves smiled at Cheng Zhirang.

The setup was akin to welcoming the empire’s crown prince returning to the capital from exile.

Mu Qiu: "...Isn’t this contrast a bit too stark?"

The status difference between the hungry wanderer and the sponsored crown prince is just too vast!