CSGM - Chapter 135
Chapter 135: Teacher to the Rescue
Inside the prep meeting room for the Chinese team of I Am the Brain King, Zhang Yuxue spoke slowly under the watchful eyes of the expert panel and her teammates.
“No, Director Zhang, I don’t mean I want to go myself.”
Zhang Yuxue shook her head, her voice filled with confidence, her eyes sharp and wise.
“I want to recommend another contestant. Since Haifan isn’t going, why don’t we find a substitute?”
Director Zhang frowned hesitantly.
“Oh…? Who are you talking about?”
At the same time, countless faces of past Brain King contestants flashed through his mind.
To his surprise, Zhang Yuxue’s eyes gleamed as she said:
“My Teacher, the actress Chu Xi.”
A thunderclap seemed to boom through the meeting room.
Who?!
An hour later.
It was time to part ways, and Chu Xi had to return to her own room.
She was lingering, clinging to Ren Zhi and reluctant to leave, when her phone suddenly rang.
She took the phone from her pocket and answered it to hear Zhang Yuxue’s voice.
She sounded as excited as an ancient military scout returning with a victory report.
“Teacher!! I have something to tell you!!”
Chu Xi: “Mm, go ahead.”
Zhang Yuxue: “Teacher! We’re competing against the little island nation the day after tomorrow, but we’re short one person. Can you come?!”
Hearing this, Chu Xi was stunned. “…?”
Huh? What did this have to do with her?
Zhang Yuxue’s proposal had just been approved by the expert panel. Director Zhang had stated that as long as Chu Xi was willing, she could represent the Chinese team in the competition.
What initially seemed like an absurd suggestion was, after an hour of discussion, deemed a “clever strategy” by the experts.
The panel had seen some of Chu Xi’s performances. Although her skills were somewhat “dramatized” for the camera and might not be entirely genuine, they acknowledged she wasn’t completely without talent.
In other words, while there was certainly a gap between her and a regular Brain King contestant, this entertainer wasn’t completely unskilled. She had some ability.
Therefore, having Chu Xi compete in one match wouldn’t be seen as China being perfunctory.
However, if Chu Xi were to lose to the little island nation’s speed memory emperor, Matsushita Hiroaki, the Chinese team could save the most face.
After all, your little island nation brought a world-class speed memory emperor, while the contestant representing China is just an artist from the entertainment industry!
They weren’t even in the same weight class. It was like Tian Ji’s horse race strategy—it’s no disgrace for the weakest horse to lose.
With this line of thinking, the expert panel adopted Zhang Yuxue’s proposal.
This would also go a long way in salvaging the Chinese team’s reputation.
When the time came, a loss wouldn’t be so bitter.
However… Director Zhang did ask Zhang Yuxue a humanitarian question:
“Will Chu Xi be willing to come? If she loses, she’ll probably get a lot of hate… But don’t worry, the production team will definitely explain the full context of her last-minute substitution for her.”
Huh? Lose? To be honest, Zhang Yuxue hadn’t even considered that possibility.
She declared with utter certainty, “She’s my Teacher. How could she possibly lose?”
But her opponent was the speed memory emperor, Matsushita Hiroaki… Well, it was good to be confident before a match.
Director Zhang remained noncommittal, keeping his thoughts to himself.
The next step was to have Zhang Yuxue discuss the matter with the person she had recommended, Chu Xi.
Chu Xi listened to the five-minute explanation and learned that Zhang Yuxue wanted her to save the day.
—To beat up Matsushita Hiroaki and kick the little island nation’s butt.
Chu Xi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her passionate description.
“Little sister, didn’t I tell you I’m still filming in X City?”
“Teacher, without you, the other members have a very low chance of winning against Matsushita Hiroaki…” Zhang Yuxue whispered into the phone from a corner, not wanting the other team members to hear.
Chu Xi glanced at Ren Zhi, who was silently mouthing suggestions to her.
Following the words formed by Ren Zhi’s lips, she said to Zhang Yuxue:
“I’ll think about it. I’ll call you back in a bit.”
After hanging up, she looked at Ren Zhi.
Ren Zhi got straight to the point. “Based on Matsushita Hiroaki’s Baidu profile, are you confident you can beat him?”
She handed her phone to Chu Xi, which displayed Matsushita Hiroaki’s profile.
Chu Xi scanned it.
A pile of empty titles.
“Is it hard to beat him?” she tilted her head, as if talking about something completely ordinary.
Ren Zhi was used to her way of speaking. She nodded and analyzed the situation for her.
“Xiao Xue said their team members aren’t confident against Matsushita Hiroaki. The show is asking you to save the day, but they’re probably not counting on you to win. Perhaps they just want you as a scapegoat, so if our country’s team loses, it won’t be as embarrassing… Hmm, I don’t know, maybe I’m overthinking it. In any case, if you’re not absolutely sure you can win, you shouldn’t go. You’ll definitely get hate if you lose.”
Ren Zhi was just putting herself in their shoes, imagining the current situation and possible thoughts of the I Am the Brain King production team.
Then she considered the pros and cons for Chu Xi.
“But if you dare to step in at the last minute, winning would naturally be the best outcome.”
Thinking of the potential benefits, she chuckled lightly.
Chu Xi had just heard about the event she would be competing in against Matsushita Hiroaki, and it was hardly worth a scoff.
She only cared about one thing—
“But Baby, this means I won’t see you for a day.”
Oh no, her love-struck brain was acting up again.
Ren Zhi shot her a look.
“We can’t do anything these next two days anyway. If you have the confidence to win glory for the country, then go do it. Let me see just how smart you are.”
That last sentence instantly ignited Chu Xi’s desire to win.
What? Did Baby really not think she could easily beat that little islander?!
Chu Xi instantly felt it was time to show Ren Zhi her true strength.
It was like pointing at a peacock in a zoo and questioning whether its fanned tail was beautiful. Wouldn’t that peacock immediately shake its rear and give you a clear look?!
She wrapped an arm around Ren Zhi’s shoulders and looked at her seriously.
“Then I’ll agree to go. You just wait and watch me annihilate that little islander!”
Some speed memory emperor? She would go and see for herself.
Because they needed to free up twelve hours for Chu Xi to participate in the international match of I Am the Brain King, the film crew had to change the shooting schedule on short notice.
Chu Xi moved the latter half of the day’s scenes to the previous day to finish them early. The director and her colleagues watched her work without any rest, hesitating several times.
“Chu Xi, do you really not need a break? If it’s too much, we can just film this scene after you get back.”
Why not just delay for a day? How could she compete without sleeping the day before?
But Chu Xi herself firmly refused, insisting on finishing the shoot.
“I’ll catch up on sleep on the plane. You don’t need to worry.”
When she got back, she needed to kiss and hug her baby. Who would have time for reshoots?!
Besides, in her eyes, Brain King was just an entertainment program.
With 5 hours and 26 minutes left before the second international match began, Chu Xi left the set in X City and got into a car heading for the airport.
For a small matter like this, she didn’t have Jin Yuan accompany her.
However, when Jin Yuan saw her off, she stuffed her pockets with lots of her favorite fruit candies. The little assistant was gradually getting to know her better.
After catching two hours of sleep on the plane, a drowsy Chu Xi got into the car sent by the Brain King production team to pick her up.
There were now 42 minutes until the official start of the competition.
The contestants from both China and the little island nation were already backstage making their final preparations.
When Chu Xi was brought backstage, the expert panel and the Chinese judges saw her rubbing her eyes, still looking like she hadn’t woken up. Their heads instantly started to ache.
“Wake up, Chu Xi, get your head in the game. Do you need some coffee?”
Zhang Yuxue also ran over to her, concerned. “Teacher, didn’t you sleep well?”
Seeing Zhang Yuxue, who had defeated the British team captain in the last round, respectfully call an actress “Teacher,” the other Chinese team members were surprised but said nothing.
They just felt that Chu Xi’s reputation was probably undeserved…
Chu Xi declined the staff’s offer. “No coffee, thanks. Isn’t there still forty minutes before it starts? Get me a mask.”
The production team, thinking she was a public figure and probably used to wearing one, quickly had someone bring over a blue disposable mask.
Chu Xi glanced at it and put it on, figuring it would do.
She looked back at the contestants’ seats and asked:
“Where do I sit?”
On the stage, there were eight contestant seats on a high platform—four for the Chinese team and four for the little island nation’s team.
Each country had four contestants competing in this match.
The host pointed to the last seat in their team’s area. “You’ll sit there later.”
Chu Xi said, “I’ll just go sit there now.”
There was nothing else to do in the little time left before the competition started anyway.
Zhang Yuxue immediately followed her, a wide smile on her face as she watched Chu Xi’s back.
“Then I’ll go sit down too. Fengfeng, I’m taking your seat, I’ll give it back later!”
Zhang Yuxue wasn’t competing against the little island nation in this round, so she borrowed a teammate’s seat to chat with Chu Xi before the match officially began.
“Teacher, Teacher…”
She was like a little bee, buzzing around Chu Xi.
Unable to bear it any longer, Chu Xi pressed a hand on her head.
“Stop buzzing, little sister. Let me rest for a bit.”
“Oh… Teacher, Matsushita Hiroaki is coming over!”
Only then did Chu Xi raise her eyelids slightly, seeing the contestant from the little island nation, Matsushita Hiroaki, approaching to greet her before the live broadcast began.
Matsushita Hiroaki was of medium height, with some stubble on his square face, but his eyes were sharp and looked extremely shrewd.
He stood before Chu Xi and smiled slightly.
“!#@￥#%…**@…”
A stream of gibberish filled Chu Xi’s ears. She shot a look at Zhang Yuxue.
Zhang Yuxue translated:
“Teacher, he says you’re very beautiful, but he won’t go easy on a beautiful woman. He hopes you won’t cry on stage after you lose, because he hates it when women use that trick on him. He says this is a fair international competition.” Xiao Xue couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she translated.
Chu Xi: “…………” This little islander was quite the drama queen.
Chu Xi said, “Tell him to get lost and not to disturb my rest.”
So, with a cold expression, Zhang Yuxue shooed away Matsushita Hiroaki, who had come over to boast.
Then she blinked and asked Chu Xi.
“Teacher, will not sleeping well affect your performance?”
Chu Xi’s eyes remained closed.
“Don’t you worry. I just find this place too boring. I’m just catching a little nap. In a moment, I’ll let him know just how formidable a beautiful woman can be.”
She let out a small laugh at her own words.
Zhang Yuxue, in full fangirl mode, watched her rest with a beaming smile, completely believing in her. This baffled the other team members, who were convinced Zhang Yuxue had been brainwashed by Chu Xi!
In response, Zhang Yuxue simply stated, not bothering to argue with them:
“My Teacher taught me everything I know. I’m the one who knows her abilities best!”
The team members watched as she proudly returned to the audience seats a minute before the match began. “…………”
Confirmed. Definitely brainwashed!
The second international match of I Am the Brain King, China vs. the little island nation, officially began!
The live broadcast started simultaneously on the local TV station and online video platforms.
As the host walked to the center of the stage and delivered the opening remarks, passionate comments flooded the online platform’s bullet-screen.
【Here we go, here we go! I love watching them beat the little islanders!】
【Go, Team China!!】
【I love all the contestants this year. I hope you guys crush the little islanders, ahhhhhh!】
【Let’s destroy the little island nation this year!】
Amidst the cheers from the live audience, the host waved his hand and announced:
“Let’s welcome today’s contestants with a round of applause and screams!”
The camera flashed across the audience, where Chinese spectators with red national flag stickers on their cheeks waved small flags and cheer sticks, letting out passionate roars.
The next second, the camera panned to the contestants’ seats for this match!
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