As the advertisement drew to a close, the host's voice resonated with calm authority, "Thank you all, and welcome back once again to 'Face to Face with Li Haoyu'."
The live streaming room was inundated with a deluge of barrages, a cacophony of voices intertwining.
**FlowerCatJudy** commented, "Her words ring true; those who are labeled deserve equal respect and understanding."
**SouthernCharm** swiftly responded, their message tinged with complexity, "Hearing those words from her, it evokes a mixed bag of emotions. The irony is palpable."
**Joice, the Magician on Keys**, directed at **Dahua**, quipped, "For a moment there, my eye-roll threatened to traverse oceans and reach Antarctica."
**Sweetie520** lazily chimed in, "Remember when she revealed in a video that she preferred morning rendezvous, deliberately skipping her morning rinse, just to flaunt the colorful chaos of her life."
**IncenseSeeker** inquisitively inquired, "Whoa, what episode was that explosive revelation the highlight of?"
**LonelyHeroCabbage** commented with a hint of sarcasm, "To earn respect? One must first summon the courage to open their heart. Though, for some, it might be their legs that open first."
**HeartfeltDiary** didn't lag behind, adding a touch of irony, "Once prided in their recklessness, now speaking of regret. This world, indeed, is unpredictable and ever-changing."
Mood Journal: Wasn't it once a point of pride to indulge oneself freely, and now facing adversity, there's nothing but regret?
Reply to "She's the Incense Burner": The so-called "69 Anniversary Special" mentioned it roughly around the 30 to 40-minute mark.
CrippledTiger777 echoes the confirmation: Indeed, that's accurate.
"She's the Incense Burner" responds promptly: I'll go back and watch that part right now.
I continue to address "CrippledTiger777": I'm not a devoted fan of hers, but I was curious to see just how far she'd go in her quest for publicity.
CrippledTiger777 assesses: It seems the limit is endless.
Sharing my shift in perspective: Initially, I had immense sympathy for the victims' plight, but since her appearance, that sympathy has all but vanished. Her sharing of personal experiences on the show is enough to turn me off, let alone her attempts to alter the program's flow solely to fulfill her need for validation. As a guest, this isn't her show; she should first understand her place and not be consumed by manipulating scenarios to garner more attention. It's absurd!
Echoes of Sentiment: Same here.
WiseChoiceJ: Agreed.
LonelyTiger777: Spot on, right to the heart of the matter.
HoneySweet520: I sincerely hope she'll step down from this stage. More words are futile; I cannot muster even a shred of sympathy for her.
EndlessRainSeason: Precisely, just go, don't add insult to injury here.
UnwaveringPen: Adding insult to injury +1.
CoralSea33: Adding insult to injury +1.
ChiangMaiSpicyLess: Go, go! Hurry!
Rejecting Lip-Reading Spectators: Get out of sight, stop causing more trouble.
Escape Carnival: Leave, you're not welcome here.
$$$$: Get out of my live stream!
Rejecting Lip-Reading Again 1: Scram!
Retro Melodies: Be gone swiftly.
Denying 69 Lip-Reading: Get lost!
Fragile Heart Birdie: Fly away, fast!
Tissue Depleted: Farewell, and goodbye.
Thousand Rejections of Lip-Reading: Move far, far away~
However, these vehement words failed to reach the live audience promptly, as the host was fully engrossed in preparing the introduction for the upcoming interview.
With a profound and solemn tone, he spoke, "To delve into the depths of our program, I personally interviewed nearly thirty victims, all of whom astoundingly concurred that they've been plagued by insomnia lately. The tranquility of night has become a source of dread, with each closing of the eyes ushering in boundless anxiety and an unwarranted wariness towards others. This is a vivid portrayal of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As a man, I've never tasted fear firsthand, but after listening to their narratives, I've begun to ponder—is my fearlessness innate, or a byproduct of living in a relatively safe environment that's dulled my senses? I lean towards the latter. This world is abundant with kindness, yet it also grants perpetrators a cloak of benevolence. Hence, we're constantly reminded with good intentions—never trust strangers blindly, don't drink beverages out of sight, return home early. These seemingly simple self-preservation rules are, in fact, potent tools in unmasking danger. Now, as the clock strikes 2:35 AM, are your loved ones still reveling in nightclubs? Can you bear to see them repeat the same mistakes and suffer similar harms? Please, pick up your phone and tell them that home is the safest haven."
The host's brow furrowed, his lengthy sigh betraying a hint of helplessness and unease. Slowly rising, his eyes shone with determination and anticipation as he continued, "Next, entering our studio is the 74th reporter, the final victim in this series of interviews. I sincerely hope that with the conclusion of this interview, the tragic tale of nightclub sexual assault will finally come to an end. I yearn for the day when I reappear in the public eye, not for tracking such cases, but to bring you positive news from the newly discovered wonders of XX Town. Now, let us extend our sincerest invitation to today's last interviewee, to step onto this stage."
As he spoke, he gracefully extended his right hand towards the empty sofa on his left, yet as his gaze swept across the void, an ominous premonition welled up within him. His eyes grew solemn, slowly scanning from left to right, until he involuntarily turned full circle, surveying the entire studio, as if searching for some elusive clue.
The four seasoned photographers, too, acutely sensed the unusual tension in the air. They exchanged a tacit glance, then in unison, pivoted their bodies, conducting a 360-degree sweep, eager to capture any sign of abnormality.
The host lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper, addressing the program assistant beside him, "Where is she? Wasn't she supposed to be here by now?"
The assistant's face clouded with confusion as she quickly reviewed her notes, then shook her head, replying in a similarly hushed tone, "I'm not sure, perhaps...she went to the bathroom?"
Dissatisfied with this answer, the host made a decisive move. "Call her immediately. Tell her the show is about to start, and she must return now."
As the phone rang out, an eerie tension seemed to grip the entire green room. But all that met their ears was the cold, impersonal tone of an unanswered call. Suddenly, a faint glow illuminated a corner of the lounge – the victim's abandoned phone, its screen flickering in the darkness. "Her phone's here," the assistant said, and the hearts of all present sank.
The producer's reprimand was stern. "What are you waiting for? Standing around won't solve anything! Find her now!" Turning to the host, his tone brooked no argument, "Do as I say. Introduce the guest." The host, hands clasped behind his back, bowed his head slightly, drawing a deep breath in an attempt to quell the turmoil within.
"Director, did you not hear what I said?" The host looked up, his eyes steely with resolve. "This wasn't part of the program plan. I insist on waiting for her arrival."
The director's voice grew even harsher. "In this studio, I am in charge. You will follow my orders without question. No exceptions."
Turning to the camera crew, the host's voice was steady and firm. "If anything unexpected happens, focus solely on my performance. Ignore everything else." With another deep breath, he faced the camera and began his monologue.
"Taking advantage of our guest's absence, I want to extend my deepest apologies to every viewer watching. I know that tonight's show may become a blemish on my career, but I hope it serves as a wake-up call, not just a failure. We had meticulously planned an episode aimed at raising awareness about drug-facilitated sexual assault and empowering victims to speak out. As per the original script, four survivors would share their stories, imbuing strength and hope. One guest's narrative was to be a beacon of light in the darkness, illuminating the path for countless others. Her bravery ignited a spark within other victims, urging them to confront their pasts and seek justice.
Regrettably, tonight's recording seems to have veered off the charted course. But allow me to reiterate that the original intention of our program remains unchanged – not to create sensationalism, nor to inflict further harm on the victims' wounds. We merely aim to evoke society's attention to this issue through these authentic voices, empowering more people to learn self-protection and enabling victims to feel the warmth and support from the community.
I am deeply aware of how burdensome and unbearable the shadow of sexual assault can be for victims. Therefore, we have always upheld an attitude of respect and care, striving to provide a safe and warm space for them to express themselves on the show. If there are any shortcomings tonight, I, on behalf of the program team, offer our sincerest apologies to all victims and viewers. At the same time, I firmly believe that regardless of how tonight's program unfolds, we will remain unwavering on the path of spreading positive energy and upholding justice.