Global Collapse-Chapter 506 - 475: Xū_1

Fatty would have to be crazy to do as Gu Mian said.

Of course, he didn't dare reach out, slap someone, and spout lines like, "Fuck your ancestors' graves!"

By this time, Gu Mian had more or less figured out the nature of this variety show-themed instance.

Unlike the "Crazy Guessing Words" and "Sweet Lovers" instances, this one, though also a variety show, featured people who seemed completely unaware they were NPCs. They didn't realize they were in a Low-Dimensional World.

This is quite similar to the "Slaughter Game" instance, Gu Mian thought.

Speaking of which, which world is this…?

Gu Mian sat in his chair, mulling it over. The environment here seemed similar to Earth. He recalled Chu Changge mentioning that the Second World greatly resembled Earth.

Could this possibly be the Second World?

A wall-mounted TV outside the door caught Gu Mian's attention. Tilting his head, he looked at the distant television, his superior vision allowing him to clearly see the images on the screen.

Content was playing on the television, apparently a live broadcast.

On the screen, a host was holding a microphone and introducing something. Gu Mian glanced down at the subtitles.

"All eyes are on 'Metamorphosis'; we are already prepared for filming. This installment will also be broadcast live. Everyone must be greatly looking forward to the performances of our nine guests…"

Gu Mian shifted his gaze slightly upward and saw the TV channel's logo in the upper-left corner: "World Channel."

The host on the screen was still speaking.

"I know what everyone is most eagerly anticipating: information about our four violators. As always, these four violators were chosen by public vote. The violators with the most public support—those at the top of the polls—will be pardoned if their performance in this episode earns public approval. Next, our reporter will go interview these four guests and ask them how they're feeling…"

Violators? Pardon?

Gu Mian latched onto these two rather strange words.

He suddenly recalled what Liu Ruyan had recently told them about the "Old World." Those who violated the "Law Code" were reviled and ostracized by everyone. In Liu Ruyan's time, when she was fourteen—eight years ago—anyone who broke the "Law Code" rules would be relegated to the lowest rung of society, at the mercy of the frenzied populace's scorn.

Could this be…?

Gu Mian continued to watch the television outside the door.

The camera angle shifted slightly, revealing a dense, fervently animated crowd behind the host. Their eyes were wide, mouths agape, collectively shouting something in unison. Gu Mian carefully discerned that the word these frenzied people were chanting was "punishment."

Punishment…

It seems Liu Ruyan really has returned to her old home, Gu Mian thought, observing the nearly fanatical onlookers. They were passionate about punishment; they yearned for it.

In that case, there probably aren't any ghosts in this instance…

However, in the intervening eight years, this world had made some progress.

It was no longer an immediate death sentence; instead, there was a chance to "turn over a new leaf" through this program.

And the violators participating in the show were the top four chosen by public vote. Gu Mian figured the voting was akin to: "I have many death-row inmates here. Everyone, vote for who you want to see perform. I will select the top four to put on a show, and if anyone manages to gain everyone's approval, I will pardon them."

Gu Mian felt that if he were participating in this vote, he definitely wouldn't pick uninteresting, dull criminals. He'd choose the most insane, most depraved, preferably those utterly devoid of humanity.

Four such individuals together would surely be interesting.

And this world had clearly voted along the same lines. The transgressions committed by these four must have been exceptionally severe.

The host continued, "Next, we're going to interview the guest who ranked fourth in votes, Accompany me next year, who is also the only female among the four violators. I'm sure everyone is very much looking forward to it, right?"

They certainly look excited, Gu Mian observed. Quite a few people had gathered in front of the TV outside, their expressions eager, as if they couldn't wait for the live broadcast to begin.

At this moment, the host had reached a door. Without knocking or announcing her presence, she pushed it open and walked right in, the camera following closely behind.

Behind the door was a lounge. A girl with clear, pretty features was sitting on the sofa—it was Accompany me next year.

She was unaware of this world's insane worldview, completely oblivious to everything.

Accompany me next year didn't detect anything amiss. When the door was pushed open, she immediately stood up, dutifully playing the role of a good guest.

"Hello." Accompany me next year bowed slightly towards the screen.

"Oh, my," reading the subtitles, Gu Mian could almost hear the host's strangely sarcastic tone. "It seems this young lady has already started trying to curry favor. You weren't like this before you came on the show…"

The host was seen uttering a string of sarcastic remarks, while Accompany me next year looked somewhat bewildered but still tried hard to maintain her smile. It was clear she was making a real effort.

It wasn't long before the host emerged from Accompany me next year's room, disappointment visible on her face. "This young lady is so uninteresting. Who would have thought the fourth most popular guest would be this boring? Next, let's move on to see the third-ranked guest, Meiren Chu."

Gu Mian realized that the show claimed to want guests to reform, but that wasn't true. Its core purpose wasn't that; it was to satisfy the desires of others.

Most people enjoy plots where a powerful villain is ultimately beaten until they're wailing.

Just as a novel without conflict won't attract many readers.

Similarly, a TV drama that proceeds too smoothly often won't achieve high viewership. One must always create some conflict, introduce a few villains for the protagonist to defeat, to stimulate people's desire to watch.

It aimed to satisfy the audience's desires, so it selected the four individuals the audience considered most "interesting."

And Accompany me next year's performance had clearly disappointed them.

Gu Mian knew they didn't want to see a well-behaved girl being well-behaved from beginning to end. Instead, they wanted to see a defiant guest who initially cursed and refused to compromise, only to eventually be forced to bow their head and become a fawning, tail-wagging dog.

That kind of reversal is more satisfying, Gu Mian mused. Actually, I enjoy watching that sort of thing too.

But today, it's my turn to be the dog.

By now, the host had entered Chu Changge's room.

"This is the lounge of our third most popular guest, Meiren Chu. Speaking of whom, this guest seems rather cold, as if very unwilling to cooperate with us… Guest Meiren Chu, may I ask your thoughts on being chosen for this program?"

"…" Chu Changge said nothing.

"Then, may I ask if you regret what you've done before?"

"…" Still no words.

However, the host didn't get angry. Instead, she chuckled, "What an interesting guest. I hope he can maintain this toughness once filming begins."

Sure enough, the audience likes this type.

Gu Mian stroked his chin, thinking, and silently resolved, I'm going to be the type the audience loves most!

That said, I wonder what rank I am?