Chereads / Drunk Corpse / Chapter 9 - No.74

Chapter 9 - No.74

Once more, as the emcee, believing the seamless transition into commercial break had been achieved, prepared to gather his thoughts, he little realized that his every move remained locked in the unblinking gaze of countless eyes. The relentless glare of the live broadcast lights, undimmed, illuminated every aspect of the scene, offering the world's audience an unfiltered view. Meanwhile, with near-flawless stealth, Camera One's operator subtly adjusted his lens, ensuring that even the slightest flicker of emotion, every pivotal detail, would be etched in clarity, especially as the complainant, "74," prepared to enter the stage—her every moment destined to become the epicenter of attention.

"74's" prudence was not without reason; as an internet sensation with a loyal following of 1.17 million, she was acutely aware that her every word and deed were under intense scrutiny. When her channel abruptly ceased updating two weeks prior, whispers of her becoming a victim ignited a conflagration of rumors, spreading like wildfire. Yet, she chose silence, using it as a shield against conjecture and falsehood, until this very evening, when she resolved to emerge, for the first time under the gaze of billions, to acknowledge and recount her ordeal in excruciating detail.

The emcee, script in hand, conducted a final, meticulous walkthrough with "74," each question, each segment meticulously crafted to balance respect for her privacy with a quest for truth that would engage and inform viewers. An atmosphere charged with anticipation and tension permeated the air, as if time itself had slowed, awaiting the moment when "74" would lift the veil of mystery, allowing the truth to shine forth, unfettered.

As the camera slowly advances, the clarity of the sound also increases. The picture is like a window that quietly opens the noisy world of the live chat room. The messages of netizens are like countless stars, scrolling rapidly below the screen, carrying their respective emotions and speculations.

"Brother Dong Online": "74? Isn't that the goddess known as the 'Network Red Lips'? Is it her?"

"Rippling Water": "Judging from the outline, it's almost certainly her!"

"Antelope Leaping": "I've confirmed with my eyes. It's definitely her, my goddess!"

"Brother Dong Probes Again": "Why doesn't this camera have a filter? The appearance value is discounted. Considering unfollowing."

"Music Maniac": "She finally showed up. I hope she can give us a clear and sincere account this time."

"Coffee Fragrance": "Newcomers may not know. Who is this?"

"Sweet 520": "(angry expression) Some behaviors are really unacceptable!"

"Astronomical Observer": "Hey, the development of this plot. Even old drivers would say it's professional."

"Four-Square Exploration": "So, are those rumors of sexual assault true? Did she also encounter misfortune?"

"Lucky Bingo": "This revelation is even more exciting than a movie!"

"True Love Guardian": "How can such words be said? Sexual assault is an unforgivable harm to anyone!"

"5151 Joker": "Haha, the reply upstairs is really to the point!"

"Sweet 520 replies to True Love Guardian": "Fully agree. Any victim should not be so despised and insulted."

Amidst the cacophony of varied comments, the perplexed voice of Mr. Yue, the café proprietor, once again rose above the din: "Who is she, really? Why has she stirred up such a tempest?"

The business savant, Zhao Fulai, chimed in with a cryptic suggestion: "Search the web for 'The Attic of Crimson Lips'."

Lionheart 888 followed suit, offering a tantalizing glimpse: "A thousand masterpieces await your perusal."

Tea Shop Lin, puzzled, inquired, "And what genre are these works?"

A youthful voice, that of an innocent, replied simply, "Adult-oriented content, of a specific nature."

A music aficionado concurred, "Indeed, of a specific restricted classification."

The industrious farmer elaborated, "Super-specific, restricted content, you might say."

The bespectacled young man pushed the envelope further, "Super, super-specific, restricted material."

The harassed postman interjected with a mournful sigh, "It was the spark that ignited the rift between me and my ex-girlfriend... alas."

Sweetheart 666, addressing Tea Shop Lin, dispensed her blunt assessment: "Don't waste your time searching. Her works are all within the realm of explicit content, essentially a vixen who attracts attention through daring displays and a singular style."

Starlight Glitter commented with a wry nod, "Her creations set the perfect mood during meals, I must say."

Tea Shop Lin countered, "But aren't many video bloggers doing the same these days?"

Sweetheart 666 replied, addressing the tea shop owner's question, "At first, she was no different from other internet celebrities, merely sharing her experiences. Back then, her following was meager."

The Youthful One spoke, his tone tinged with honesty, "Her early works were indeed far from remarkable."

Tea Shop Lin merely hummed in acknowledgment.

Sweet Candy 888, addressing Tea Shop Wu, replied with a wry smile, "Her meteoric rise began with her public revelation of her romantic partners' portraits, physical measurements, dimensions, and the length of their relationships. She even devised evaluation charts and ranking lists. Whenever there was a new 'interaction,' the scores would be unveiled by noon the following day, at the latest."

Tea Shop Wu raised an eyebrow, perplexed, "Public portraits? Wouldn't that invite legal troubles?"

Sweet Candy 888 corrected his misconception, "You've got it all wrong. Those with high scores wore them as badges of pride, while those with lower ones begged for another chance. One, after their third encounter, soared from the bottom to the top of the rankings. All who ventured into her company were her ardent followers, unfazed and even eager for their details to be made public."

Tiger 666 interjected, his voice laced with amusement, "A former colleague of mine dated her twice. The first time, he scored a dismal 35. Only after resorting to an unconventional tactic did he secure a second chance, barely scraping through with a 60 this time around."

Tea Shop Wu's curiosity piqued, "And what was this unorthodox tactic?"

Tiger 666 chuckled, "A unique gift. He knew it would pique her interest."

"My former colleague went to great lengths to save face," Tiger 666 added, a hint of sympathy in his voice.

Sweet Candy 888, turning to Flower 99, asked rhetorically, "So, how should I express my understanding? Isn't it all the same in the end?"

Sunshine Melody chimed in, her tone neutral, "I'm not familiar with her, but from what you've described, it seems like a case of reaping what one sows."

The Shop Assistant echoed, "Reaping what one sows, indeed."

Cool Watermelon concurred, "Reaping what one sows +1."

Inkpot Lad added his vote, "Reaping what one sows +1."

Qiqi's Juice repeated the sentiment, "Reaping what one sows."

Xiaodong nodded in agreement, "Reaping what one sows."

Let's Go Hiking joined the chorus, "Reaping what one sows +1."

Yuanyuan 99, her words laced with wisdom, offered a parting remark, "Words spoken in discretion, actions done with prudence, my friends. This place holds little for us now. Farewell~"

Liang Liang, responding to Yuanyuan 99, mused aloud, "Perhaps attracting even more attention by being victimized by a notorious figure is precisely what she seeks?"

Number: "74"

With a slip of paper retrieved from her pocket, "74" spoke, her voice laced with solemnity. "I would like to begin by reading this statement. Never before have I addressed my platform with such gravity. I hope they will lend their ears with equal earnestness to my tale."

Li Ming offered reassurance, "The audience is more empathetic than you think, have faith in them." She shook her head, a trace of unease lingering. "I still worry."

"And what, pray tell, are your fears?" Li Ming inquired.

She explained, her voice hushed, her eyes glimmering with complex emotions, "I am no longer merely sharing my experiences on this program. I now carry an added weight of responsibility."

"What responsibility is that?" Li Ming pressed.

In a whisper, she spoke, her eyes brimming with depth, "On the eve of my decision to speak out, an anonymous message arrived, from a girl toiling unseen in a commercial karaoke bar. To her, it was merely a numbing existence, a job to be endured. Seven years of wading through the muck had numbed her to the reality of her situation, until a deranged stalker invaded her world, jolting her into realizing that even in the depths of despair, the power of choice remains ours. Yet, when she reached out to friends, all she received were dismissive laughs, as if she were but another unpaid debt. Her message served as a stark warning, reminding me that though sex may be a part of the conversation, it should never be a reason for disregard. It made me realize that those of us burdened with this label deserve equal care and respect amidst life's storms, for every careless jest can be the final straw that breaks our backs."

The host's eyes softened with understanding and encouragement. "If worry plagues you, let your story unfold organically. Begin by immersing your audience in your present journey, without forcing the wounds open too soon. When empathy reaches its crescendo, gently lift the veil, and let your experiences enlighten them. Trust me, this way, you protect your heart while amplifying your message."

With those words, he settled comfortably onto the sofa, allowing the commercial break to pass unnoticed.

Meanwhile, Camera 1 remained steadfast, capturing every nuance of "74"'s expression. She, too, seized the moment, subtly unlocking her phone's screen.

As the cacophony of advertisements filled the air, a vibration from the 3rd floor announced the arrival of Yongjie's message: "Did you notice? She's a public figure now." Followed swiftly by another: "Emotions may churn, but I'll let them pass, forgotten in an instant." He reread the words, then, with a gentle touch, erased the evidence of their reading.