The host's eyes were filled with concern as he inquired once more, "Please tell me, what kind of self-rescue method was that?"
She closed her eyes slightly, as if transported back to that decisive moment, and recounted softly, "She told me to close my eyes and imagine myself in a pure, vast space, where I could release every distracting thought and uneasiness from my mind, one by one. Then, I began to count down—three, two, one."
As her words trailed off, she mimicked that scene, slowly opening her eyes, which sparkled with the light of recollection. "At that very instant, it was as if I had traversed through the mist of time, and I could vividly recall everything that happened on that night."
In the midst of this tranquil and profound narrative, a sudden, piercing scream erupted within the studio, akin to a sharp blade slashing through the silence amidst a frigid wind. A crew member's body convulsed violently, losing all control and collapsing backwards, crashing heavily onto the ground. This abrupt and unexpected occurrence stunned everyone present.
The producer acted swiftly, darting forward in a single leap and stabilizing the fallen crew member with his own body, while shouting instructions to the surrounding colleagues, "Quick! Hold her shoulders and keep her steady!"
The host was frozen in place by the sudden turn of events, urgently demanding, "What's happening to her? Why did this happen suddenly?" His tone was filled with confusion and concern over the scene unfolding before him.
"1" spoke coldly, a note of unwavering determination in their voice, "Her current reaction mirrors exactly how I felt after completing the countdown." Upon hearing this, the host's eyes widened in shock, darting back and forth between "One" and the trembling crew member.
He asked incredulously, "Does that mean... she too... encountered what Li Haoyu's..."
A faint smirk of sarcasm curved "One's" lips, and her voice, though soft, carried a chilling edge. "This program of yours, truly, has portrayed the ugliness of humanity in all its grotesque glory. It's nauseating!" With that, she abruptly stood up and strode towards the door without a backward glance.
The host quickly scurried after her, attempting to detain her. "Wait, why did you say that all of a sudden? Why are you leaving?"
"One" halted, turning back with anger etched on her face and pointing accusingly at the producer. "You went to great lengths to convince me to come back, just for this absurd theatrical farce?"
The host looked utterly perplexed, asking in confusion, "What are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean."
"One" took a deep breath and continued, "I overheard her phone call in the bathroom. She wasn't sexually assaulted by Li Haoyu at all. She's just a temporary actress you hired for the sake of the show's ratings!"
She struggled to break free from Cheng Shaocheng's grip, only to find her wrist held tighter with unwavering determination. "One's" eyes blazed with despair and fury, "I've been humiliated by you enough, now let me go!"
The host's face darkened ominously as he abruptly grabbed a nearby barstool and, without hesitation, hurled it towards the producer. A deafening crash echoed through the studio, stunning everyone with this unexpected turn of events. The staff member stood frozen, her face ashen.
The host pointed at the producer and the staff member, his voice low and menacing, "Both of you, get out of this studio right now. My show will not tolerate anyone insulting my guests here, nor will it allow any false dramas to tarnish the truth!"
As his words echoed, the camera seamlessly transitioned to a commercial break, with vibrant images flickering on the screen, while the tenant on the 3rd floor struggled to calm his tumultuous thoughts. He was inexplicably curious and concerned about "One's" journey from obscurity, as her memories gradually surfaced from the mist.
Amidst the swirl of thoughts, his phone on the table vibrated softly, a message arriving silently. The screen flashed with the name "Yongjie," and brief words appeared, "Are you watching this too, right now?"
He lightly tapped the screen, read the message, and a complex emotion flashed across his eyes before gripping the phone tightly in his hand. Slowly sinking back onto the bed, he seemed to bury this sudden connection deep within his heart.
The scene shifts, once again focusing on the live show. The tenant on the 3rd floor, now composed, holds his phone tightly, his gaze profound. Meanwhile, inside the studio, Cameraman No. 2 cleverly positions himself in the shadow of Cameraman No. 3, the lens trained on the host's pensive profile, capturing every nuanced expression with precision.
Ahead, stands "One," clutching a delicate handbag, beside the stern-faced producer. The producer's voice, meticulously adjusted by the audio engineer, echoes clearly throughout the space: "I must confess that the boundaries of our conversation, as part of the show, may not always align perfectly with private discourse. But please believe me, I have never intentionally used anyone's privacy as a tool to garner attention. Regarding the suggestion for that staged scene, it was a slip of the tongue, and I immediately recognized my mistake, vigorously opposing it. Unfortunately, someone misunderstood my intentions and acted without authorization. Lies, especially under the guise of such a weighty matter, are never my intention. I have taken serious action against the lady's behavior and pledge that such incidents will never recur, ensuring the authenticity and purity of our interviews."
"One" falls into a prolonged silence, seemingly engaged in an intense internal struggle over whether to continue with the interview. Seeing this, the host speaks gently yet firmly, "The turbulence in our interview has indeed caught me off guard, but I sincerely hope you will join me in presenting this experience in its entirety."
The producer keenly observed the subtle shift in "One's" emotions and discreetly exchanged a glance with Cameraman No. 2. Immediately understanding, Cameraman No. 2 swiftly and gracefully repositioned himself, rearranging the seats on the sofa for the two.
Once seated again, the host let out a gentle sigh, his gaze deep in contemplation for the upcoming conversation. "So, where should we continue from?"
"One's" voice was low and powerful, as if each word carried the weight of her past. "The performance by that lady just now did indeed capture my response accurately. Memories of sexual assault flooded back, plunging me once more into the abyss of panic."
A trace of compassion flashed in the host's eyes as he asked softly, "And after that, how did you gradually find your way out of that darkness?"
"One" shook her head gently, her eyes filled with helplessness. "Though I had the courage to speak out, hoping to shed a light for other victims, it doesn't mean I've fully emerged from that shadow. Panic attacks cling to me like a leech, striking every three to five days, reminding me of that unbearable experience. I can no longer trust others without reservation, for that night, amidst the clamor of the nightclub, he suddenly appeared behind me, touching me roughly, imprisoning me in endless fear. I can still vividly feel everything he did to me, powerless to escape that dark nightmare."
The host's tone was filled with understanding and sympathy. "I can't imagine the torment of such memories haunting you day after day. But please believe that your courage and perseverance have already lit a beacon of hope for many."
"One" spoke slowly, her voice laden with unspeakable heaviness. "The hardest part was when he ordered me to leave after the assault. My body felt like it was being controlled by an invisible force, mechanically obeying his command. In that moment, I felt like I was the protagonist of a horror movie, but a helpless one. Those long hours felt more suffocating than any terrifying scene. Cleaning up the traces he left behind became a wound in my heart that would never heal. I've been waiting, waiting for the law to deliver the justice he deserves. Perhaps then, I will find my release."
Cheng Shaocheng interrupted gently, "Placing the weight of your life on another person's judgment is not a good choice. Your value extends far beyond that."
"One" chuckled bitterly. "What he did to me was far more than just sexual assault. He shattered my sanity, making me feel absurd and ridiculous even when recounting this experience. I endured it all in a near-hypnotic state, my body paralyzed yet my mind acutely aware. But when I was conscious, the memories were erased, unretrievable, sealed away. Only by breaking the hypnosis could I unlock them. Those memories, locked in an invisible box, have gradually been unlocked recently. What I say may sound like madness even to me, but I know it's real. As for others, they might have been affected in some way, but that was never my intention."
Cheng Shaocheng shook his head gently, conveying understanding but disagreement with her self-denial.
"One" continued, "I was deeply infatuated with Li Haoyu. I wrote love letters, masturbated while gazing at Yongjie's room, stalked him – I did so many foolish and sordid things, thinking they were proof of love. But when the truth unveiled, I realized it was because I had been sexually assaulted and hypnotized, my memories manipulated, unable to escape him. It was merely the beginning of his twisted exploitation of me. From infatuation to hatred, I traversed the extremes of emotion, leaving me with a profound sense of shame. For, amidst the depths of my obsession, I had fancied myself replacing Yongjie's place."
The host asked curiously, "Do you have any theories on how he acquired such abilities?"
"One" shook her head, indicating ignorance, and redirected the question to the host. "Have you done any research on this? Any findings?"
The host pondered for a moment before answering, "He hails from XX Town, a place steeped in mystery, where countless unbelievable legends abound. I visited his residence and spoke to his neighbors. A grocer told me that Li Haoyu was different from childhood, seemingly unbound by the laws of nature. In XX Town, many things defy rational explanation. This might offer us a glimpse into understanding his unique abilities."
"One" nodded slightly, seemingly touched by this explanation.
Then, abruptly, she changed the subject. "Let's end my interview here."
The host nodded in respect, and the camera shifted to a commercial break, bringing a temporary conclusion to this profound dialogue.