Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Indiscriminate Cringe Technique

WHOA!!

The whole venue was in an uproar!

The live stream chat exploded!

Though everyone had been mentally preparing for it, they were still deeply shocked when the result was announced. Wang Xi, this dark horse, had actually become the only candidate in this assessment to receive a "Professional Four Stars" certificate!

After all, the Defense Captain of the Valley City Defense Team was Five Stars. And yet, Wang Xi, having just passed the assessment, was already comparable to a vice-captain.

It was foreseeable that he would become the most dazzling star in the near future. Most organizations, whether official departments, private institutions, or various conglomerates, would be willing to extend an olive branch to him.

Perhaps he would also become a record-setter in the Valley City Professional Warrior assessments, one who would be difficult to surpass for a long time to come.

Remembered by the people of Valley City.

CRACKLE! POP!

Applause and discussion roared like a tsunami!

CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!

The camera drones’ flashes blinked nonstop!

"Congratulations, Wang Xi."

Examiner Shi Bo strode over to the black-haired young man and presented him with the prepared Silver Card, badge, and a small red booklet.

He smiled, then said solemnly:

"From now on, we’re comrades-in-arms."

"Thank you."

Wang Xi returned a polite smile and accepted the items.

He pinned the badge to his chest, then glanced at his Silver Card. Besides his photo, name, and other information, the right side was marked with four shining golden stars.

’Professional Four Stars...’

Wang Xi was also a little surprised.

’I really peaked on my debut this time.’ He had, in a single step, reached a level that most Professional Warriors might not achieve even after years of hard work.

Some might never reach it in their entire lives.

He scanned his surroundings.

He took in the complex, slightly admiring gazes of Yu Jiali, Jiang Tianjie, and the others, the cheers from the surrounding crowd, the lenses of dozens of drones...

Wang Xi broke into a brilliant smile.

And gave a thumbs-up.

...

...

After the award ceremony ended.

Wang Xi and the others didn’t leave.

According to procedure, they still had to be interviewed by the media. This was an agreement between the various conglomerates and the Hero Association; since the former had invested money, the Association couldn’t very well refuse.

A conference hall in the Association’s building.

After some arrangement, the place had been transformed into a temporary press conference venue.

Wang Xi and the nine other new-generation Professional Warriors sat on the stage, surrounded by hovering camera drones. Below, reporters from various media outlets took turns asking questions.

Yu Jiali, Carl, and some of the others showed no stage fright, calmly facing the cameras and the reporters’ questions. In contrast, the trio of Zhong Shuang, Ruan Cheng, and Ge Tian appeared rather reserved and nervous.

After a barrage of questions from the reporters.

Everyone was mentally exhausted.

Soon, a female reporter from the Shanshan Conglomerate stood up and, with a smile, asked the black-haired young man seated in the center:

"Mr. Wang Xi, as the most dazzling dark horse of this batch, you’ve surely captured the affection of the general public... ahem, especially the young women."

"May I ask you a few more... personal questions?"

’What a cringey woman,’ Wang Xi thought.

He glanced at the press pass on her chest. The woman, who looked to be in her late twenties, was named "Fang Zi."

Wang Xi flashed his signature sunny, boyish smile, but said:

"You’d better not."

"..."

The room erupted in laughter.

The reporter, Fang Zi, was taken aback. ’Why isn’t this guy playing by the script?’

’Hey, hey, this is being broadcast live in Valley City! Two million people are watching! Can’t you show me some face?!’

Fortunately, Fang Zi’s professionalism was solid. After a brief stupor, she regained her sweet smile, covered her mouth, and let out a few polite chuckles before continuing:

"Hee hee, Mr. Wang Xi, you’re so humorous."

"In this new era, a humorous personality is a very attractive trait... So, first question: do you currently have a girlfriend?"

"..."

Wang Xi smiled and said nothing.

’Good grief.’

’Is this what they teach in journalism school?’

’I told her not to ask, and she asks anyway!’

But he knew this was a live broadcast, and besides the media, many of Valley City’s higher-ups were in the audience. If he refused again, it would probably be difficult to save face.

"Not at the moment."

Wang Xi answered truthfully.

Fang Zi’s eyes lit up as she continued:

"Wow! An outstandingly handsome guy like you is actually single? This is great news for all the young ladies in Valley City!"

As she spoke, she turned to the camera with a performative grin.

"Did you hear that, ladies? Mr. Wang Xi is currently single. You’d better seize this opportunity!"

Her words indeed tugged at the heartstrings of the many young women watching the live stream.

A blush like a gentle breeze on a peach blossom, a flutter of the heart with a lowered gaze. How could the dazzling black-haired young man on the screen not make their hearts race?

"Although Professional Warriors are everyone’s guardians, I’m sure people are also very curious about what they’re like in their daily lives..."

Fang Zi smoothly steered the conversation back, turning her head toward the stage again.

She asked with a beaming smile:

"Mr. Wang Xi, do you have any hobbies?"

’Hobbies?’

’What kind of hobbies could I have? The seven leisurely arts?’

He pondered how to answer when a flash of inspiration struck him.

’I’m somewhat famous now, so it’s true that I’ll be popular, just like the reporter said.’

’But what about my planned training regimen?’

’My goal is the sea of stars, adventures in the Otherworld! How can I let myself be dazzled by the glitz and glamour of this world!’

’Hmph!’

’So, why not take this opportunity to be a little cringey myself.’

’And while I’m at it, test out that long-held theory of mine.’

If he could, he would have loved to start meowing in front of everyone—

’Simply marvelous!’

"Hobbies..." Wang Xi pretended to ponder, then smiled. "I enjoy appreciating lanterns. I especially love admiring big headlights. Small lights and old lights just don’t do it for me. Looking at them too much makes me listless."

As he spoke, he even glanced at the female reporter’s chest.

Fang Zi’s smile froze, and her cheeks flushed red.

As the saying goes, a young girl’s blush is better than any love letter, while an older woman’s blush is better than any fine wine.

As for the female reporter, she was just getting high blood pressure. She was on the verge of an aneurysm, about to completely lose it on the spot.

’No, seriously, Handsome Wang, what kind of occasion is this? Can’t you be a little more mindful of your image?!’

"Ahem." Even for an experienced reporter, she almost couldn’t find a response. "Appreciating... appreciating lanterns is great! I never thought Mr. Wang Xi’s hobbies would be so elegant!"

She tried her best to smooth things over, forcing a laugh and saying:

"I thought a young, handsome guy like you would be into things like playing video games."

"Of course I love playing games."

Wang Xi gave her a strange look.

Then, with a rather intoxicated expression, he elaborated:

"My favorite is Minesweeper. That feeling of desperately wanting to uncover what’s hidden, but not daring to... it’s just so captivating. Especially the final moment when the truth is revealed, your whole being ascends, and joy just erupts."

As he spoke, he glanced at the female reporter’s chest again.

"Mine... Minesweeper, haha."

Fang Zi nearly coughed up a mouthful of old blood.

Her CPU was currently running at high speed, her water cooling system leaking fluid that seeped from her forehead, as she pondered how to salvage this live broadcast disaster.

"Such a retro game. It seems Mr. Wang Xi is quite nostalgic."

Fang Zi spoke very quickly, rushing to change the subject:

"Then, as a new-generation Professional Warrior, Mr. Wang Xi must be quite knowledgeable about Mazes and disasters. Are there any monsters that you find stressful to deal with?"

Based on her past interview experience, no matter what monster a Professional Warrior mentioned, she could always follow up with, "Well, if a monster like that appears again, are you confident you can handle it?"

And then end on a high note of hope and encouragement.

"Slimes."

Wang Xi said with a perfectly straight face.

He glanced at the female reporter’s chest yet again.

"..."

’Is he ever going to stop?!’

Fang Zi was about to suffocate.

In all her years in the industry, she had never been this flustered. Facing this sunny, boyish young man was like meeting the toughest opponent of her life.

"Mr. Wang Xi must be talking about the Slimes from the Black Spade ♤ Fairy Tale Series, right? Aren’t those monsters the weakest..."

Fang Zi said, feigning uncertainty.

Wang Xi shook his head, saying with an air of breezy nonchalance:

"You’re not a Hero, so you wouldn’t understand."

"O-Okay." Fang Zi felt like she was being roasted over a fire, unable to escape. Her CPU had completely burned out, and as if her programming had gone haywire, she blurted out, "So, Mr. Wang Xi, what do you like to eat?"

’You even have to ask what I like to eat?’

"Sucking on jelly." Wang Xi pursed his lips, then casually added, "And delicious, big meat buns."

"..."

Fang Zi blue-screened.

She just listlessly said, "Okay, thank you for your answers, Mr. Wang Xi," and plopped back into her seat, collapsing bonelessly into the chair, unable to get up again.

’Cringe! So damn cringe!’

The reporter’s defeat left Wang Xi feeling secretly disappointed.

If she had asked what he liked to drink, he would have definitely answered: CoCo, Auntie Kawakami, and Mixue.

The laughter in the room went on for a long time.

Some of the middle-aged leaders shook their heads with smiles, while some of the younger men and women looked completely baffled. As for Yu Jiali, Jiang Tianjie, and the others on stage, they stared at Wang Xi in utter astonishment.

As if to say:

’I never knew you were that kind of handsome guy!’

Only a few naive girls, like Ge Tian and Lin Xin’Er, were innocent enough to think Wang Xi was telling the truth.

Wang Xi’s expression remained normal, as steady as Mount Tai.

CLICK-CLACK, CLICK-CLACK...

A faint sound of turning gears, audible only to him, echoed from the depths of his heart.

「You have lied.」

「The lie is spreading.」

「Experience Points +100」

「Experience Points +100」

「Experience Points +100」

「...」

A continuous stream of notifications popped up. Although Wang Xi had been mentally prepared, he was still startled.

His theory was correct.

According to its description, the unique Black Card, "Pinocchio’s Heart," acquired Experience Points was through lying. The more people affected by the lie, the more Experience Points he would gain.

He had successfully used this live interview to deceive a great many people in Valley City. A massive amount of Experience Points was now flowing back to him, accumulating in his mind!

Wang Xi couldn’t help but feel a thrill of pleasant surprise.

But soon, his pleasant surprise turned into apprehension.

Because he knew very well that such a huge reward meant he would have to pay a hefty price!

Recalling the soul-crushing heart pains from the first time he used "Pinocchio’s Heart," Wang Xi broke out in goosebumps, the hair on his body standing on end.

He sat on the stage, wearing a brilliant smile.

’Hee hee, I have to survive this...’

And at that very moment.

"?!"

Wang Xi’s smile twisted instantly. His heart felt as if it had stopped, and then a terrifying, sharp pain shot through it.

His pupils contracted violently, and then his eyes rolled back in his head as he fell backward, stiff as a board—

CLANG! The chair crashed violently.

THUD!!

Everyone cried out in alarm.

"Wang Xi, what’s wrong?!"

Yu Jiali quickly flashed over to check on him.

Wang Xi held on with his last ounce of strength, his face contorted. Gasping for air like a dying fish, he managed to whisper in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz:

"I... I’m fine... just a little..."

His eyes were rolled back as he foamed at the mouth.

"...tired."

After speaking, his consciousness sank into silence, and he passed out.

At the last moment, he faintly heard another notification:

「You have lied.」

「Experience Points +10」

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.