The host gracefully retreated to a tranquil corner, each of his delicate movements unwittingly captivating the gazes of millions of viewers on their screens. The designated "commercial break" was, in essence, a meticulously crafted diversion by the production team.
Drawing near to a lady adorned in vibrant emerald, numbered 74, he murmured, "Please maintain your composure. Should the situation necessitate your earlier appearance, I shall promptly inform you." A trace of apprehension flickered across the lady's brow as she voiced her concerns in hushed tones, "I fervently pray that the fiancée's wrath does not reignite the tempest. I am here, eager to share my narrative, not to be ensnared as a pawn in another dramatic spectacle. Kindly ensure that I am afforded a platform where I can speak amidst a relatively impartial atmosphere."
Upon hearing this, the host could only respond with a wry smile, saying, "I understand your concerns, but the direction of the show is now beyond my sole control. This producer has an almost obsessive pursuit of ratings, and from the very beginning of the recording, he confidently declared that this would be an unprecedented, late-night masterpiece that would shake viewers to their core. Clearly, he has prepared a series of unexpected segments for this purpose, and as part of this live broadcast, we can only go with the flow. But please rest assured, if you ever feel uncomfortable, I will do everything in my power to support you in leaving, ensuring that you are not harmed in any way."
Her voice rose excitedly, almost accusingly, as she said, "Is this not the crisis management capability that a professional host should demonstrate? Unconditionally obeying all the producer's instructions, yet putting the guest in a state of terror and unease! Your responsibility at this moment should be to give me a clear commitment – to ensure that the woman's fiancée does not step into this studio and disrupt our interview process. Please bear in mind that as a victim of sexual assault, I have already endured too much unnecessary pain and harm. In this highly anticipated live broadcast, I will not allow myself to be insulted or harmed in any form again."
Her eyes sparkled with indomitability and determination, with every word bursting forth from the depths of her heart, filled with a yearning for justice and respect. In this moment, she was not just fighting for her own rights, but also speaking up for all those who have experienced similar difficulties.
The host replied, "Please rest assured, you have my commitment."
Upon hearing this, the lady's emotions seemed to subside slightly, yet her words still conveyed persistence. "What I need is not just an opportunity to speak, but a space where I am respected and understood. I hope that through my story, more people will become aware of the severity of the issue, so that similar tragedies do not repeat themselves."
At this point, the camera seemed to have inadvertently captured this scene.
The producer's countdown echoed through the air: "Five... Four... Three... Two... One, action!"
The host sat silently on the sofa, his gaze deep and seemingly burdened with a thousand weights, staring beyond the lens into a world unseen. The camera slowly advanced, like an explorer, eventually settling on his eyes, brimming with complex emotions. Then, gracefully, the frame rotated 180 degrees, shifting focus to the producer standing beside him, who was crouched down in a private and tense conversation with the guest labeled "1."
Guest "1" had her hands lightly covering her face, tears slipping silently through her fingers as she sobbed softly, looking incredibly vulnerable. As the camera crept closer without a sound, their dialogue gradually became audible, like whispers uncovered with gentle care.
The producer soothed with the utmost tenderness, "Please be assured, I've arranged for my assistant to temporarily cut off all external distractions. You can return to the stage with peace of mind and continue our unfinished conversation."
Yet, Guest "1" remained unstirred, immersed in profound sorrow and struggle, as if everything around her had lost its significance. Seeing this, the producer couldn't help but sigh softly, a hint of helplessness flickering in his eyes before turning to the camera with a subtle hint: "Dear viewers, please understand, the camera continues to faithfully record everything at this moment. Countless eyes await her return, eager to hear more of her story."
At this juncture, Guest "1" finally spoke, her voice soft yet unwavering. "Find someone else, I really can't continue with this recording."
The producer's face flickered with a complex array of emotions as he replied slowly, "You know, in this moment, you seem like a evader to me. Your accusations, in that fleeting instant, appear to have been cast into doubt, leading you to take a step back. But let me tell you, avoidance does not prove your innocence."
She lifted her head sharply, tears now dried, her eyes shining with an unwavering light. "I have not lied. Every word, every sentence, is a true account of my experiences and feelings. I am willing to face any and all doubt, solely to bring the truth to light."
The producer's gaze was resolute as it fixed on the camera, his tone imbued with an unwavering strength: "Then, please tell me the entire story from start to finish, every detail, without any reservation. I need this information to rebuild my trust in you." Upon hearing this, a flicker of struggle crossed her eyes, before she finally spoke slowly, "What she recounted are the shadows cast by the Li Haoyu incident within me, feelings that are complex and blurred, as if even in my own recollections, I am shrouded in mist, uncertain if I ever lost control for a moment."
Before she could finish, the host stepped forward, gently interrupting the producer's inquisition. He extended a hand towards the Guest No. 1, a gesture filled with encouragement and understanding.
As Cheng Shaocheng stood side by side with Guest No. 1 in front of the camera, the atmosphere within the entire studio seemed to undergo a subtle transformation. Since Yong Jie's intervention, the tension and unease that had permeated the air had quietly dissipated, replaced by a deeper sense of listening and comprehension.
The host's voice was gentle yet powerful as he offered words of solace, "Everything in this world has two sides, and this stage belongs solely to you at this moment. Please, bravely tell your story. Do not let the regret of leaving without explanation become an excuse for others to misunderstand you, thereby eroding your credibility."
She took a deep breath, as if gathering her thoughts, and then spoke slowly, "After the sexual assault, my life seemed calm on the surface, but that memory was tightly sealed by an invisible curse, allowing me to maintain an outward tranquility most of the time, without truly remembering what had happened. However, when I encountered him again at the company, the curse seemed to be triggered, plunging me into an unprecedented chaos and frenzy. I vaguely remember our encounters, unable to contain my desires, but every time I tried to delve deeper, my emotions ran wild like untamed horses, impossible to rein in. I felt an unprecedented surge of lust and possessiveness, distorting my reason and making me mistakenly believe in some sort of fateful connection between us, as if we were destined to be together. I admit, the actions in the video are mine. At that moment, I was like being pulled by some force, losing the ability to control myself."
The host nodded gently, a sign of understanding.
She continued, "One night, when I briefly managed to distance myself from that frenzied state, I hastily sought out my friend. She too, struggled with mental illness, diagnosed with paranoid delusions. In her world, only those afflicted with mental illnesses could truly understand each other. She offered to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist for me, but I knew time was of the essence. If that force struck again, I might plunge into even greater depths of despair. So, she taught me a method of self-rescue, a technique her own psychiatrist had given her when she suspected she was being mind-controlled. She told me that mind-control was essentially an advanced form of hypnosis, and if not addressed promptly, one could completely lose oneself. This method allowed me, whenever I sensed the onset of being manipulated, to swiftly regain a glimmer of clarity, resisting the encroachment of that force."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Shaocheng's brow furrowed slightly as he asked with concern, "And what exactly is that method of self-rescue?"She continued, "One night, when I briefly managed to distance myself from that frenzied state, I hastily sought out my friend. She too, struggled with mental illness, diagnosed with paranoid delusions. In her world, only those afflicted with mental illnesses could truly understand each other. She offered to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist for me, but I knew time was of the essence. If that force struck again, I might plunge into even greater depths of despair. So, she taught me a method of self-rescue, a technique her own psychiatrist had given her when she suspected she was being mind-controlled. She told me that mind-control was essentially an advanced form of hypnosis, and if not addressed promptly, one could completely lose oneself. This method allowed me, whenever I sensed the onset of being manipulated, to swiftly regain a glimmer of clarity, resisting the encroachment of that force."
Upon hearing this, the host named Cheng Shaocheng's brow furrowed slightly as he asked with concern, "And what exactly is that method of self-rescue?"