Chapter 31: It is fine, this is my retribution!

"Are these lyrics too many? I don't think I can memorize them," Meng Ziyi pouted, looking distressed.

How one regrets having so little brainpower when the time comes to use it! She couldn't remember them; she simply couldn't.

For the next half hour, Xu Xiu repeated which lines were hers over and over again. Whether time was passing slowly by the beach or if being with Meng Ziyi just made it drag, Xu Xiu felt as though every day were like a year.

He sat atop the highest rock, the sea breeze brushing against his cheeks. It carried a hint of salt and tousled his hair, yet it didn't feel harsh—only a quiet, soothing comfort.

Below the rock, Meng Ziyi was crouched on the sand, her expression one of utter agony. She kept muttering to herself, scratching her head every now and then.

In the distance, seashells were scattered across the beach like treasures gifted by the ocean. They shimmered softly in the sunlight, undisturbed by anyone. The horizon met the blue sky, a seamless canvas unfolding before the eyes, pure and untarnished. Occasionally, a few seabirds would sweep past, their wings silently slicing through the serene scene before vanishing back into the azure expanse.

Such a beautiful and harmonious sight served as a cleansing balm for Xu Xiu’s body and mind. He rested his left hand on his knee and his right under his chin, mimicking the posture of the famous *The Thinker* statue.

"Hey, what are you doing? Aren't you afraid sitting that high up?" Meng Ziyi called out, looking up.

"Keep it down. I’m contemplating life. Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Why did I join this variety show? Why am I singing with you!"

Stunned by this barrage of verbal attacks, Meng Ziyi’s face turned awkward. She realized Xu Xiu was subtly calling her stupid!

How annoying! She didn’t think she was stupid; she was just a bit slow in this one area. At other times, she was sharp as a tack!

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" Meng Ziyi said, feeling aggrieved.

"It's fine. This is my retribution!" Xu Xiu sighed deeply.

"Every cause has an effect; is your retribution me?" Meng Ziyi quipped, trying to land a joke.

Xu Xiu gave her the blank, speechless stare of the famous foreign boy meme.

"Listen to me, thank you, because of you, the summer has turned cold!"

The banter between the two nearly made the audience laugh their heads off.

"Meng-jie really knows how to keep the jokes going. Even if the timing was off, you have to admit she played along, right?"

"Hahaha, I'm dying. 'It's fine! This is my retribution.' Congrats to Meng-jie for driving another person insane."

"'Every cause has an effect, your retribution is me.' Hahaha, Meng-jie is just too cute!"

"Xu Xiu's emotional stability is too high. He didn't even break down after Meng-jie's antics. I want to date him!"

"Xu-Ni-Yi-Meng is the best! Please keep this pair together; they are such great entertainment!"

Xu Xiu couldn't sit still anymore. He realized he wasn't cut out to be *The Thinker*. He knew deep down that if he stayed any longer, he would explode (mentally).

"I'm tired. Let’s head back. You can memorize them slowly when we get there," Xu Xiu said, standing up.

"Oh, okay. Do you need me to help you down?"

"Not at all. You stay right there and don't move. I'll go... I'll just get down by myself."

The two walked side by side toward the path they had come from, leaving the sun and sand behind. As they reached the path, the sound of a loudspeaker crackled in the air.

"Hey, hey, hey, hello! This is Radio 650, your old friends, DJ A-Long!"

"I'm DJ Xiao La!"

"I'm Li Xueqin!"

"I'm Da Linzi."

Accompanied by their voices was a melodious, light background track. The music was well-chosen, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility, bringing to mind a leisurely afternoon. Perhaps lying on a bed watching a familiar cartoon, or playing cards under the shade of a tree. Or maybe sitting under a fruit tree in the courtyard, eating an ice cream while the chirping of birds drifted from afar...

"This is still the warmest voice circling over Peach Blossom Dock. How are you, my old friends?"

"I don't know if you're doing well, but I'm not doing so great," Guo Qilin’s voice rang out.

As soon as he spoke, the radio erupted into laughter. Although they didn't know that Xu Xiu had asked Guo Qilin when he would cut ties with his father, Master Guo, they *did* know that when Guo Qilin arrived that morning, the first thing Xu Xiu asked him was how Cao Jin was doing.

"It's okay, Da Linzi. You might not be familiar with Xu Xiu. How should I put it..." Wang Sulong hesitated.

Li Xueqin added, "It's just that his way of thinking is a bit different from others. You'll get used to it."

"Yeah, he likes to have occasional 'episodes,' but after he's done, he's just like a normal person," added La Mu.

The group laughed as they spoke, completely disregarding Xu Xiu’s dignity!

Xu Xiu looked up at the loudspeaker. *You guys are really something!*

What did they mean by "likes to have occasional episodes"? And "just like a normal person after he's done"? Was he not a normal person then?

Infuriated, Xu Xiu picked up a pebble and threw it at the speaker, resulting in a metallic clang followed by a yelp!

Xu Xiu gasped, clutching his head where the rebound had hit him. Beside him, Meng Ziyi’s face turned bright red; she was clearly struggling to hold back her laughter.

"Mmph-mmph-mmph..."

When she saw Xu Xiu glare at her, she covered her mouth and shook her head.

"I didn't mean to laugh! You know me, what kind of bad intentions could I have?"

"You're the best!"

Xu Xiu stormed away from the scene of the crime!

Damn it! When a person is having bad luck, even drinking cold water makes their teeth ache!

At that moment, the voices from Radio 650 came through the speaker again.

Wang Sulong said, "Alright, let's start with the first question. Xueqin, please ask Da Linzi."

Li Xueqin pondered for a moment before blurting out a shocking question: "So, Da Linzi, do you think your departure had any impact on this show?"

Indeed, Guo Qilin was a regular guest in the first season. Due to work commitments, he didn't join this season, which opened the door for Xu Xiu. It could be said that if Guo Qilin hadn't stepped aside, Xu Xiu wouldn't have had his chance to shine—only for Xu Xiu to deliver a critical blow to Guo Qilin the moment he arrived.

Before Guo Qilin could recover, Li Xueqin landed another strike. Guo Qilin was stunned; how had this show turned into something so incomprehensible to him?

Amidst everyone’s anticipation, Guo Qilin thought for a moment and replied, "I think if I didn't come, it might have caused our Penguin Video stock price to drop."

"Hahaha!" (x3)

"So shameless!" (x15)

...

(Patch applied!)

(System reward added: Physique +0.0069...)

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