Chapter 160: Embarrassment in Progress

Chapter 160: Embarrassment in Progress

"A small segment to relax everyone now. We'll have a score estimation competition. The guest with the most accurate guess will receive a mysterious souvenir."

The chief director's voice suddenly echoed from the production team's loudspeaker.

The waiting guests all froze, confused.

Estimating scores?

Why aren't they announcing the results yet?

This is killing us with suspense!

Director of Group 1: "Ms. Tang, would this segment help you relax?"

Tang Fei: "I'm not too nervous, but I think this will make everyone even more anxious. Look at how pale Jiang Xiaoying's face has become. Just give us the results straightaway; no need for games."

Director of Group 1: "The audience enjoys watching you engage in these activities."

Tang Fei: "You enjoy watching us struggle, right? I used to like watching this kind of show too, but being in it is a whole different story – it's a trap!"

Director of Group 1: "Is Teacher Tang not accustomed to variety shows? What's the difference between coming on a show and acting?"

Tang Fei: "Well, in a show, there's a sense of being exposed. When you're acting, you're playing someone else, and the audience sees them, not me. My true self is concealed.

What appears on screen is the character.

But in a reality show, it's me, and after airing, people will scrutinize me. The psychological pressure is different."

...

Director of Group 2: "Teacher Song, how would you rate yourself?"

Song Li: "I'd estimate myself at around 80 to 90 points. Dialects are actually quite easy once you grasp the key techniques.

I believe I've achieved a middle-to-upper tier performance in recitation and dialogue."

Director of Group 2: "Then where do you think you rank among the four guests?"

Song Li: "Hmm, for me... I might not get first place, but second should be achievable, something like that."

Group 2 Director: "Do you want to guess the rankings of the other guests?"

Song Li: "From listening to Jiang Xiaoying and Tang Fei's conversation earlier, they seemed to have picked up some skills quickly, but without systematic learning, they might only excel in a few specific sentences. For today's poetry recital, which requires comprehensive knowledge, it could be a weakness for self-taught learners. I think Xiao Yuan should be first, then me in second, followed by them in third and fourth."

...

Group 3 Director: "Teacher Xiao, you seem in great form and very confident. Do you think you can take first place?"

Xiao Yuan: "I'm confident in the effort I've put in. I'll strive for first, though it's challenging, but I'm not afraid."

Group 4 Director brought a large bottle of mineral water: "Teacher Jiang, please have some water."

Jiang Xiaoying guzzled down the entire bottle in one go, then crumpled it, making a crunching noise. "Please reveal the results soon, I'm about to be squeezed dry!"

Indeed, at this moment, Jiang Xiaoying was drenched in sweat, as if she had been literally squeezed.

Group 4 Director: "How do you estimate your own score?"

Jiang Xiaoying: "I dread exams the most. I didn't even attempt to estimate my score during the college entrance exam. Please spare me."

...

Approximately twenty minutes later, the production team's loudspeaker announced, "Please write your estimated scores on the blank cards and then take your seats in order."

There was a row of seats numbered 1 to 4.

The first was a sofa, followed by an office chair, a folding chair, and lastly, a small stool.

The production team was determined to differentiate the treatment!

Tang Fei: "Here you go again, stirring up trouble."

Producer: "Visuals are more straightforward than words. This way, the audience can resonate more deeply."

Tang Fei confidently wrote down a score of 95, while Xiao Yuan also wrote 90 with full confidence. Jiang Xiaoying, on the other hand, struggled before scribbling a 75.

Only Song Li didn't write anything. Instead, she walked around, looking at their scores and asking about them. Upon seeing that Tang Fei had the highest estimate among the three, Song Li appeared displeased.

Could it be that Tang Fei was vying for the top spot just for the thrill of it?

She had initially planned to score 85, but seeing Tang Fei aiming for first place, she promptly wrote down 96.

She would rather give up the souvenir than allow Tang Fei the chance to snatch the spotlight in the number one position.

Producer of Group 2: "Professor Song, didn't you previously say your score would be between 80 and 90?"

Song Li: "I noticed that everyone else seemed to have overestimated their scores, so I thought I should be more confident too."

Producer of Group 2: "Are you trying to secure the first place then?"

Song Li: "No, not really. I just want to boost my own confidence. I might not necessarily be in first place, I dare not even think that way. It's just a way to motivate myself."

The producer and cameraman exchanged resigned glances. What was the point of waiting to see others' scores only to write down the highest possible one?

After this segment aired, there might be a lot of controversy. It would be interesting to see how Song Li would react to her own performance.

Before working together, they had perceived Song Li as both intellectual and composed. But now, they realized she was incompetent, arrogant, and insincere.

The production team's speaker announces, "Please, guests, reveal your scores and take your seats in order from highest to lowest."

Song Li was the first to take her seat at the top spot, her smile impossible to contain. Tang Fei sat down beside her. Song Li had intended to greet her with a warm smile and a handshake, but as she raised her hand, the memory of Tang Fei's pinch lingered painfully in her mind. She withdrew her hand, smiling instead, and said, "Tang Fei, your score is so impressive. Your confidence is admirable."

Tang Fei: "Your score is even higher."

Song Li: "We are not the same."

But you are a junior high school student, and the test-taking ability of junior high school students is not very good.

What's so different? Tang Fei found Song Li's behavior rather inexplicable.

Xiao Yuan sat down and smiled at Tang Fei. After Jiang Xiaoying took her seat, she continued to drink water frantically, drenched in sweat.

Jiang Xiaoying said, "I've always been terrified of getting my exam results since I was young."

Xiao Yuan was curious. "Weren't you the top student at Capital Film Academy? Why are you scared?"

Looking around to make sure no one was nearby, Jiang Xiaoying leaned close to Xiao Yuan's ear and asked, "Did you get beaten when you performed poorly in exams when you were young?"

Xiao Yuan glanced at Jiang Xiaoying, her eyes flickering. She lowered her head and said, "I don't have to. My parents are quite supportive. You, on the other hand, had it rough."

"My parents have never paid attention to my grades."

Jiang Xiaoying kept sipping her water vigorously. "No wonder you're not nervous."

Once everyone was seated, the production team's speaker announced, "Now, please welcome our judge He Zhuhua. Sister Zhuhua will be revealing the contestants' scores."

He Zhuhua asked, "Would you all prefer to hear the scores from highest to lowest or lowest to highest?"

Jiang Xiaoying raised her hand. "Lowest to highest, so we, the academic underdogs, can suffer less torture."

The others nodded in agreement. He Zhuhua chuckled. "Alright, then I'll start with the last place. 55 points!"

All four of them looked at their scorecards. Could it really be that low? They exchanged glances, each believing it couldn't possibly be them.

Scores below 60 would lead to elimination!

To be eliminated in just the first round – surely no one could be that unlucky, right?

This performance was dreadfully poor.

Wouldn't it be a public humiliation in front of the nation's viewers once it aired?

Scoring 55 points, they were eliminated halfway through due to failing the assessment.

How embarrassing would that be?

Everyone has their pride; they're all individuals with names and reputations.

Even their fans would lose face going out.

Jiang Xiaoying began to reassure herself, "I can't possibly score that low, right?"

Xiao Yuan spoke confidently, "It definitely won't be me."

Tang Fei smiled but remained silent.

Song Li's eyes lit up. If Tang Fei couldn't even pass the dialect test and got eliminated by Fang Yan, it was unlikely that any good producers would want to work with her anymore.

No need to even try – she could be eliminated halfway through, and Song Li couldn't hide her schadenfreude. "Tang Fei, is it you? You're not good at exams, right?"

Tang Fei shook her head and firmly replied, "It's not me."

Song Li asked, "Then who do you think it is?"

Tang Fei shook her head again. "I have no idea."

Song Li consoled, "If it's you, don't be sad. It's okay. Anyway, you're filming Immortal Melody Six Realms, so it doesn't matter if you get eliminated."

Tang Fei looked at Song Li with a compassionate gaze usually reserved for the mentally challenged, barely holding back from asking if she was alright.

He Zhuhua declared, "I won't keep everyone in suspense! Let's reveal the guest's name now! The last place goes to… Song Li!

Unfortunately, your journey ends here. I look forward to our collaboration in the future. Goodbye for now!"

Clap, clap, clap.

Three solitary applause rang out, sudden and awkward. Who would applaud and cheer for coming in dead last, sending them off to elimination?

Upon closer look, it turned out to be the very person they disliked clapping for herself.

The smiling, intellectual beauty clapped her hands twice before suddenly realizing something was amiss. Was it her? Her name?

Song Li was last! 55 points!

Song Li stood up in shock from her seat.

55 points? Impossible! How could she be the last one?

She had studied diligently with the teacher!

Everyone's gaze fell on Song Li as they watched her blossoming smile fade away in the face of this news. It was both amusing and pitiful.

Just moments ago, she said it didn't matter if Tang Fei was eliminated.

Tang Fei approached and patted her on the shoulder, putting on an act of genuine concern. "It's alright. Didn't you still want to film 'Embroidery Master'? Leaving doesn't mean anything."

Karma came swiftly! Within five minutes, Song Li's words echoed back to her own ears.

Song Li truly lacks self-awareness, not realizing her own limitations. How could she have dared to sit in the top position without even meeting the basic requirements?

This would indeed be the impact the show would create.

Just moments ago, she was seated at the first place, jovially jesting and mocking others. Yet, she received the news of being the last one eliminated, with such a humiliating scene broadcasted nationwide. Who could endure that?

How could one still preserve their dignity?

He Zhuhua embraced Song Li with open arms. "I'll miss you. Goodbye, it's alright. Being a bit slow-witted doesn't stop you from delivering a great performance."

Experience truly counts. Sister Zhuhua's addition of this small segment made Song Li lose face in front of everyone.

She even directly called her stupid!