"Morning Chatter"
The anchor, Dawn, begins the program with a gentle, light cough, her voice tinged with the sweetness of just waking up.
"Good morning, to every friend out there fighting against the first rays of sunlight. I'm Dawn. Yes, I'm embarking on the journey of the early shift again this week, and not just today, but for the coming days, let's stay in the embrace of morning light, remember to come here for mutual warmth and encouragement!"
"New friends, welcome to our big family! Please leave your schedules and work notes in the comments section. It's not easy to wake up early, but we're all walking this path together, well done!"
Dawn gently taps on the chatroom, patiently responding to every message from her listeners.
"The first question comes from 'Setting Off at 4 Under the Stars', who's curious about the color on my lips today. Well, I deliberately chose this shade from a niche European brand, Rose Dawn, hoping it would add a touch of warmth and vitality to my early morning routine."
As the mouse wheel spins lightly, a message from 'Morning Guardian, 6am Shift' scrolls into view.
"Dawn, do you often frequent the owner of that 'Morning Light Café'? Your voice sounds so familiar!"
Dawn chuckles, "Haha, I've been spotted! Yes, I work part-time as a barista at 'Morning Corner'."
"Your voice is truly as warming as it is on the show, I had a hunch. And by the way, your new hairstyle really suits you, making you look even more vibrant."
"Thanks, Morning Guardian, 6am Shift, for the compliment. You're very thoughtful too."
Just then, a listener named 'Watcher by the Rails, 5:45' joins the conversation.
"It turns out I was a regular customer at your shop too, Dawn. I'd visit every Tuesday morning to savor your craftsmanship. What a pleasant surprise to learn it's you today!"
"Watcher by the Rails, 5:45, thank you for your silent support! Next time you come, remember to say hi, and I'll prepare a special coffee just for you."
"I've always wanted to ask, where did you find that unique badge on your chest? It looks like it carries a lot of stories."
Dawn gently caressed the badge on her chest, a trace of tenderness flickering in her eyes.
"This badge was given to me by my grandmother's old friend. She said it represents luck and perseverance. Knowing my dream of owning a little cottage before I turn 30, she gifted it to me, hoping I'd achieve that dream soon. Every time I see it, I feel empowered."
At 5:46, as the morning light peeks through, "Do you think that badge has really brought you good luck?"
"Yes, I believe in it. The magic of lucky charms lies in the faith they carry, subtly influencing our mindset and actions. But the prerequisite is that we must first choose to believe in their power." Dawn's voice was tinged with determination, followed by a slightly sleepy yawn.
"Alishan Morning Mist Guardian, online at 5. When did you finally rest last night? Did you stay up late to follow the latest updates on Li Haoyu?"
"I drifted off to dreamland early last night, so I missed all the news. Is there any new development?"
As the mouse wheel spun lightly, messages scrolled across the screen like a river, and she continued, "'Mr. Ten Thousand Lanterns' Guan would like to hear my thoughts on the Li Haoyu incident?"
"This matter has indeed lingered for some time since it erupted. I have a rough idea of the outline but haven't delved into it deeply. Regarding it suddenly becoming a hot topic of public discussion, my personal opinion is...well, it requires some contemplation."
Just as Dawn was about to elaborate further, the door creaked open, and a gentle-voiced woman in her early thirties softly reminded her, "Grandma is monitoring the line, and she's instructed you not to respond to any questions about Li Haoyu."
This sudden interruption instantly stirred up a storm of reactions in the chatroom.
"Room Service Star, starting work at 7am": "Why can't we respond?"
"Hanjiang Orchard Morning Shift Driver, departing at 5am": "What's going on?"
"Edelweiss Tavern, awaiting guests at 6am": "Yeah, why are we avoiding this topic?"
"Alishan Dawn Watcher, confused at 5am": "Did the microphone accidentally get turned off? Why is it suddenly so quiet?"
On the message board, the doubts and questions of netizens poured in like a tidal wave, dense and overwhelming.
Dawn cleared her throat gently, her voice slightly hoarse yet still as warm as ever. "Regarding this issue, I can't give a direct answer. My family and I have our own beliefs and principles that we adhere to. Sometimes, silence might be the best response for certain matters."
"As for Li Haoyu, the situation is indeed delicate. I can freely discuss the mysteries of deities and share rumors of ghosts, because I have some understanding of them and know what I'm talking about. But in Li Haoyu's story, there are too many corners that I cannot reach. Sometimes, delving into the unknown only invites unnecessary troubles. Therefore, I choose to avoid discussing this matter directly. Instead, let's move on to more lighthearted topics."
---
Cut to the "Talk About Anything" live broadcast scene
As the number of listeners steadily surpassed the 2,200 mark, PeePee welcomed the special guest to the microphone with the crisp sound of a champagne cork popping. After thunderous applause, PeePee enthusiastically began,
"First, allow me to briefly introduce our guest today."
"Hello everyone, my name is Chenghao, Cheng as in honesty, Hao as in vast."
"Chenghao, could you share with us your occupation?" PeePee asked curiously.
"I'm a security guard, to be more specific, a member of the security team at Club H." Chenghao's answer sparked a gleam in PeePee's eyes.
"Club V? That's a place Li Haoyu frequented often!" PeePee's voice betrayed a hint of surprise.
"Yes, I know him." Chenghao nodded and continued, "My daily job involves checking IDs at the entrance of the club. Most of the time, I'm like an invisible person, not drawing much attention. But Li Haoyu made me feel the value of my work. Every time he saw me, he would greet me with a smile, that sincerity and politeness made me feel like I was more than just a doorman. He even offered to light my cigarette and asked about my recent well-being. In his eyes, I wasn't an insignificant being."
Here, Chenghao's voice paused slightly, as if immersed in those memories.
"Please continue with your story," PeePee urged.
"He would arrive punctually around 11 pm every night, and after that, my work shifts always held a special significance for me." Chenghao paused for a moment, his tone becoming firmer. "I strongly oppose any unwarranted accusations against him. From my personal observations, he is absolutely a harmless individual."
PeePee probed further, "Can you provide any specific evidence to support your view?"
Chenghao thought for a moment before responding, "I've known him for over three years, which far exceeds any possible timeframe for concealing malice. I've seen and heard for myself that he has never done anything harmful to others under my watch. This current uproar, I believe, stems more from the public's ingrained fear and prejudice towards people from XX Town. Despite his different background from ours, it doesn't change the fact that he is inherently kind and harmless."
PeePee asked curiously, "What do you mean by 'different' that you mentioned earlier?"
Chenghao explained, "Firstly, I must clarify that he never voluntarily disclosed to me that he was from XX Town; it was a secret I discovered on my own. When I cautiously inquired, he didn't shy away but chose not to delve into his past, sharing more about his recent life instead. I sensed his difference because, in dim lighting, his eyes would emit a strange red glow."
Intrigued, PeePee asked, "Red glow? Can you describe that scene in detail?"
Chenghao recalled, "The first time I noticed it was during an unexpected power outage. He was dancing with a lady in the dance floor when the lights suddenly went out. In that instant, his pupils seemed to ignite with two red flames. But immediately, as the emergency lights flickered on, he quickly closed his eyes, and the glow vanished in a blink of an eye, no longer than a second."
PeePee asked curiously, "What was your first reaction when you witnessed this?"
"It was indescribable. I didn't feel either like or dislike it, but the power of it captivated all my attention, leaving me rooted to the spot, unable to take my eyes off that red glow. Let me clarify, my duty during a power outage is to quickly restore power in the basement, but at that moment, I forgot everything. Even after the glow disappeared, my gaze was still magnetically drawn, until a colleague at the bar shook me with a flashlight, bringing me back to reality."
PeePee pressed on, "Did you speak to him about the red glow afterwards? How did he react? What do you think his motive might be?"
Chenghao shook his head gently and continued, "I asked, but he just smiled, offered me a cigarette, and remained silent, giving no answer." PeePee fell into contemplation after hearing this.
Taking a deep breath, Chenghao continued, "Indeed, the red glow has no direct connection to the misconceptions about him. I reiterate, I've never witnessed him engaging in any misconduct, including the rumors about body-snatching, which are completely false. V-Club has become a beloved gathering place not just for its quality but also for its emphasis on the safety of every guest. My memory and observation skills are exceptional; I have a habit of jotting down individuals with inappropriate behavior, be it drug use, drunken brawls, or anything that might threaten the club's security. I meticulously document and sketch their features to ensure they never set foot in V-Club again."
PeePee relentlessly asked, "So, can you confidently say that every time Li Haoyu left, he was alone?"
Chenghao's expression shifted slightly, and he fell silent for a moment.
Seeing this, PeePee teased with a hint of sarcasm, "What? Just now, you were bragging about your memory and observation skills?"
Chenghao finally spoke, "I remember every detail of that night, but strangely, the scene of Li Haoyu leaving is a blank in my memory. There's no record of his departure in my notebook either."
PeePee pressed, "Not even once?"
Chenghao shook his head firmly.
PeePee said seriously, "Don't just shake your head; your answer is important to the audience."
Chenghao confirmed again, "There is indeed no image of him leaving in my memory."
After a moment of contemplation, PeePee said, "Your answer, ironically, makes me more inclined to believe that there might be some unknown secret hidden behind that red glow."