Chapter 21: The Show Begins

Although it was only a test, Zhao Qingyang and the rest of the production team were genuinely impressed by Ye Qinghe's breadth of knowledge.

No wonder he had the confidence to sign up for the show.

The questions they had given him weren't many, but quite a few were deliberately tricky.

Take the last one, for instance — when most people hear the title "Marquis of Champions," they immediately think of Huo Qubing. In reality, however, five people in history had held that title, one of whom was Huo Qubing's son, Huo Shan. But since Huo Shan inherited the title rather than receiving it as an original grant, that distinction itself was a hidden trap embedded in the question.

Even so, the moment Ye Qinghe saw the question, he answered it without a moment's hesitation.

With that kind of ability, Zhao Qingyang felt there was no need for him to show any favoritism — Ye Qinghe had the talent to hold the podium through at least a second episode on his own merits.

And quite possibly more than two.

That would be far better than quietly pulling strings behind the scenes. It could withstand scrutiny from anyone, and the show's buzz would last much longer. They could go all out promoting Ye Qinghe.

A patient with full-body paralysis, only able to move his head, who had kept on studying through all those immobile days — what an inspiring story that was.

If he could string together several consecutive wins...

Zhao Qingyang felt that this episode of his show was about to produce a legendary moment.

The longer Ye Qinghe stayed on that stage, the better it would be for the show.

"Fantastic!! Truly fantastic!! Qinghe, you've completely exceeded my expectations — brilliant, just brilliant!"

Zhao Qingyang walked over excitedly and almost reached out to shake Ye Qinghe's hand, but caught himself just before he got close, realizing the gesture might be somewhat inconsiderate. He sheepishly withdrew his hand.

"I'm sorry — you always make me unconsciously forget about your condition."

Zhao Qingyang apologized to Ye Qinghe.

"It's fine!"

Ye Qinghe replied calmly.

"Alright, let me walk you through the show's format..."

Zhao Qingyang skipped further pleasantries and moved on to explaining the show's structure. Unlike the other contestants, he needed to make sure both Ye Qinghe and Ye Dali had a very clear understanding of how everything worked.

"You, as the challenger, stand at the center of the stage, while the ten podium defenders stand around the circular stage, each holding a prize of a different value.

After the host's introduction, the challenger selects their first opponent.

The two take turns answering questions, with a twenty-second time limit per question. The challenger has one pass they can use to skip a question.

Answer correctly and you continue; answer incorrectly and you're eliminated. The challenger...

The challenger takes on the defenders one by one. Win three in a row and you may choose to walk away with your winnings or keep going. Win five in a row and you get another chance to walk away. Clear all ten defenders and you may attempt five specially selected grand questions for the ultimate prize. Answer all of them correctly and you become the Stand King."

Ye Qinghe had actually known all of this before arriving, but since the other man was explaining it, he had no reason to interrupt — he simply nodded along cooperatively.

Ye Dali was hearing it for the first time and was genuinely listening with full attention.

"That's roughly how it works. I'll wish you success in advance."

Zhao Qingyang said, turning to Ye Qinghe.

"So if I become the Stand King, I can choose to stay on as the defending champion and accept the next episode's challenge — is that right?"

That was what Ye Qinghe cared about most.

It was the whole reason he had come.

"That's correct. It sounds like you're very confident in yourself, Qinghe — you're here for our two-hundred-thousand-yuan annual salary?"

Zhao Qingyang nodded. Every contestant who came was essentially after that, so it didn't surprise him.

"Yes. I came specifically for the two-hundred-thousand-yuan annual salary. My dad and I are in a bit of a difficult financial situation right now, and I want to use that money to improve our lives."

Ye Qinghe offered no excuses — he said it plainly and directly.

"Then give it your all. We're rooting for you to become the defending champion and ultimately join our Think Tank."

Zhao Qingyang pumped his fist in encouragement.

He wasn't afraid of paying out that two hundred thousand, because if Ye Qinghe truly became a member of their Think Tank, it would bring the show an enormous amount of positive attention.

Back at the hotel, Ye Dali got everything settled for Ye Qinghe, then sat by the window gazing out at the street below, his heart full of mixed feelings.

Ye Qinghe's performance today had made him genuinely see a glimmer of possibility — that two-hundred-thousand-yuan annual salary might not be a pipe dream after all.

It was also the first time he had clearly felt that what Ye Qinghe had said was no idle boast.

And yet he felt an inexplicable ache for Ye Qinghe.

All that knowledge had come at the cost of his freedom. While other kids were at school learning, Ye Qinghe could only lie in bed and watch. While others were out playing with friends, he could only lie in bed and watch.

Damn it!!

Ye Dali couldn't help cursing silently to himself.

How he wished this had happened to him instead of Ye Qinghe. If he could take his place, he would do it without hesitation.

The format of the recording was a little different from what Ye Qinghe remembered — this show also had a live broadcast component.

Those who couldn't watch the live stream could catch the edited version on Friday evening.

At ten in the morning, the live broadcast was already underway, with dedicated camera operators following each contestant.

"It's starting — I wonder who the contestants are this episode."

"I heard there's a fully paralyzed contestant. I'm curious what that's going to be like."

"That's exactly why I tuned in. Someone fully paralyzed still coming on a show — I have to see this."

"Could it be fake? Who in the world is fully paralyzed and still in the mood to appear on a variety show?"

The moment the broadcast began, a flood of bullet comments filled the screen.

Each episode, aside from the previous episode's defending champion, the other eleven contestants were newly selected. Some were well-known figures who brought their own fan bases; the rest were mostly unknown participants.

When the lineup for this episode was announced, it included two moderately well-known authors and one internet celebrity, with the remaining spots filled by unknown contestants.

But even though Ye Qinghe had no fame to speak of, the buzz around him was higher than that of the other three recognizable names combined.

After all, everyone was curious about how a paralyzed contestant would actually participate in the show.

The first contestant to appear on camera wasn't Ye Qinghe, but the internet celebrity — a sweet-looking young woman who had risen to fame through fitness videos, known by the name Kuai Jie.

Despite the name "Kuai Jie," her figure was anything but blocky. On the contrary, she was slim where she should be slim and curved where she should be curved, radiating a powerful physical appeal. Many of her fans called her their "wife."

"My wife looks gorgeous even without her yoga outfit — beauty like that can't be hidden."

"Beautiful! Babe, your man is right here cheering you on — go knock them all off the podium and show them you've got both the looks and the brains!"

"I have to say, Kuai Jie's figure is seriously top-tier."

"With Kuai Jie looking that stunning, how is anyone else supposed to focus on answering questions?"