After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 38: Who Hasn’t Arrived Yet?

Once again, Jiang Lingxi was distracted from the newspaper by a somewhat familiar cry of "Xixi Jie"!

She looked up and met the slightly smug eyes of Jiang Kaiyuan.

"Jiang Kaiyuan."

"Didn’t expect me to be here too, did you?" Jiang Kaiyuan placed the backpack in his hand on the sofa next to Jiang Lingxi and casually greeted the director, staff, and Yu Hui, who was sitting far away, before naturally sitting down next to Jiang Lingxi.

Only then did he see what Jiang Lingxi was reading, "You’re reading a newspaper?"

"Why? Can’t I?"

"You can, but just looking at all those dense little words gives me a headache."

Jiang Lingxi calmly turned the newspaper to the other side and casually replied, "Then you can sit a bit further away."

The words fell, and everyone held their breath unconsciously.

Unlike the newbie Yu Hui, who was as fresh as they came, Jiang Kaiyuan was a hot young celebrity, having transitioned from being an esports player, with a straightforward personality that endeared him to many fans spanning both the esports and entertainment circles.

Was it really okay for Jiang Lingxi to speak so ungraciously?

As it turned out, it didn’t matter at all.

Jiang Kaiyuan stubbornly stayed put without moving, even pulling out a phone from his pocket, "Xixi Jie, what’s so good about the newspaper? Want to play a game?"

"What game?"

"A competitive game, one of the most popular on the market right now."

Jiang Lingxi put down the newspaper she’d just finished reading and took out her phone to check the battery level on the screen, "It’s almost out of battery, not playing. You play by yourself."

"Alright then."

Yu Hui, having eavesdropped on their conversation, hesitated but couldn’t resist asking, "Is the game you’re talking about Dragon Alliance, Teacher Jiang?"

Jiang Kaiyuan nodded casually, "Yeah."

Yu Hui pulled out his phone, "I’ve been playing this game lately too, want to team up?"

Jiang Kaiyuan finally looked over at him, "What’s your rank?"

"Seven."

"This account of mine is twelve, barely enough to team up, sure, I’ll carry you."

After all, whether he played alone or with someone, it was the same.

Once they were in the game and confirmed to start, Jiang Kaiyuan noticed the small badge next to Yu Hui’s game avatar, "This is a promotion match?"

"I’ve played quite a few matches before and haven’t been able to level up, sorry to trouble you, Teacher Jiang."

Soon, the game began, and the lounge was filled with intense game background music and battle sounds.

Jiang Lingxi, sitting beside them, couldn’t help but be somewhat drawn in, turning to look at the phone screen in Jiang Kaiyuan’s hand.

Being the most popular game on the market right now, the graphics were naturally exquisite, with characters and skills each having their own beauty and unique features, providing an immersive sensory experience.

Even though she didn’t understand the rules of the game, she could tell both sides were engaged in an intense battle.

The game characters varied in strength.

"Oh no, Yu Hui, you sold me out!"

"Ahem, sorry, that was an accident."

"You’d better stay behind me and stop dying needlessly."

Yu Hui pursed his lips, feeling his ears burning from the comments.

Watching Jiang Kaiyuan chat happily with Jiang Lingxi while leaving him on the side, he took the opportunity to bring up playing games together.

Yet he forgot that Jiang Kaiyuan was known in the industry for his straightforwardness. Now, in front of the camera and others in the lounge, especially Jiang Lingxi, being told he wasn’t good at games made him feel a bit embarrassed.

He even regretted it a bit; though his rank went up, it might have been better if it hadn’t!

After finishing an undisputed victory match, he quickly exited the game under the pretense of his phone running out of battery.

Looking up, he met Jiang Lingxi’s brief glance, instantly feeling exposed and awkward.

His face grew even stiffer for a moment.

As Jiang Kaiyuan’s phone continued to chime with kill notifications, the lounge door opened again.

This time, the arrival had everyone in the lounge rising to greet them, even Jiang Kaiyuan paused his beloved game.

All because the newcomer commanded respect.

Lin Jing, a former world champion combat athlete, had won several world-class championship titles for the country, effortlessly grabbing other continental and national championship titles, single-handedly supporting the domestic combat sports scene in earlier years.

Later, due to physical decline and recurring old injuries, he chose to retire, and after recuperating, ventured into the entertainment industry, only appearing in mainstream TV dramas and films. Nowadays, he is one of the special guest actors at the central television station.

These days, whether in sports or entertainment, when people see Lin Jing, they address him as Brother Lin or Teacher Lin.

"Looks like I’m not the last one to arrive, everyone sit down, don’t stand, sit down."

Li Shuo personally handed over a cup of warm water, "Teacher Lin, now there are eight guests in total, and four of you have arrived, with four more left."

Lin Jing took the cup, smiling and nodding, "You go about your business."

Li Shuo then returned to sit behind the camera.

Jiang Lingxi silently retracted her gaze.

It was just yesterday that Tong Yue had informed her about the other seven guests on this Survival program besides herself.

Tong Yue emphasized most on Mr. Lin Jing, listing the many honors he had received and his current status in the industry.

Advising her that, no matter who she offends, she should not offend him.

Now seeing him in person was a bit different from what she imagined.

He was leaner and shorter than she expected, but she would not underestimate him because of that.

One can’t judge by appearance alone; from her observations, even if Mr. Lin Jing’s age and condition have declined, he could easily take down everyone in this lounge if he wanted to.

Jiang Kaiyuan didn’t reopen his game after pausing it. In front of Lin Jing, how could he dare to play games and complain about teammates?

Luckily, three more guests arrived one after another.

Adventure experts Xu Ai and Zhou Yi were a couple with shared interests, while Xu Zhao was a retired soldier. The three were also specially invited amateur guests for this survival show.

The three first greeted Lin Jing, Xu Ai boldly asked Jiang Kaiyuan for an autograph, then the couple sat together whispering, while Xu Zhao chatted with Lin Jing.

The atmosphere in the lounge gradually warmed up with the arrival of the guests.

However, in the corner reserved for the behind-the-scenes staff, the mood was somewhat tense.

Only one person hadn’t arrived yet, and it happened to be Jiang Xiyu, who they had guessed would be the first to arrive.

After waiting for a while, Li Shuo glanced at the time, got up with his phone, and subtly exited through the back door of the lounge.

Outside, he made a call to the person responsible for picking up Jiang Xiyu.

When they answered, he suppressed his anger and asked, "Where are you now? Do you know everyone is waiting for you? Teacher Lin arrived early, and yet Jiang Xiyu is so hard to invite?"

To think he’d regarded Jiang Xiyu more highly than Jiang Lingxi before, only for Jiang Xiyu to let him down at the beginning of the shoot.

The person on the other side was also frustrated, glancing at the rearview mirror where someone was still sleeping soundly, lowering their voice to explain, "Director Li, we arrived at Teacher Jiang’s house on time, but waited almost an hour for her to come out. We’re rushing to the airport now."

"Waited an hour? What’s wrong with your voice, did you shout yourself hoarse at the door?"

"No, Teacher Jiang fell asleep shortly after getting in the car, and she hasn’t woken up yet. I didn’t dare to speak loudly."

In the bustling VIP lounge corridor at the airport, Li Shuo couldn’t help but scowl.

Back in the lounge.

Yu Hui looked again towards the lounge door, unable to resist tapping his hand with his phone.

Why hasn’t the Goddess arrived yet?

Doesn’t she know with Lin Jing among the guests, she’s not suited to be the last to arrive?