After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 98 - 99: The Kid Also Wins an Award

If any guest other than Jiang Kaiyuan uttered those boastful words, the live broadcast audience would undoubtedly ridicule them.

But when Jiang Kaiyuan said it, the comment section was filled with laughter.

—"Little brother is as confident as ever!"

—"Did little brother notice Director Li’s speechless expression? He probably wants to say: Please, child, just shut up. You’ve said everything; what can I, the director, say afterward?"

—"I have a bold guess about the awards Director Li just announced. The Most Popular with the Audience Award is more fitting as the Best Atmosphere Creator Award for little brother. It seems like this award was custom-made for him."

—"Correct, so little brother, just keep quiet; otherwise, it’ll be incredibly embarrassing if you’re wrong later."

—"Does little brother know what embarrassment means?"

Jiang Kaiyuan’s mother couldn’t help but cover her face while looking at the comments in the live broadcast, feeling a bit reluctant to admit that this mischievous son was her own.

Fortunately, Li Shuo managed to reclaim the moment timely, lightly clearing his throat and raising his voice to announce, "Now, let’s announce the Best Partner Award. Congratulations to the guests Xu Ai and Zhou Yi."

As soon as he finished speaking, a staff member handed a bouquet of fresh flowers, seemingly freshly picked, along with a scroll tied with a blue ribbon to Xu Ai and Zhou Yi, who went up to receive the award.

Xu Ai took the bouquet, and Zhou Yi opened the scroll. Upon seeing the contents, he couldn’t help but be momentarily surprised.

This expression piqued the curiosity of the other guests present and the live broadcast audience.

What exactly was written on the paper?

Luckily, Zhou Yi quickly turned the paper towards the camera, allowing everyone to see it.

In one corner of the paper, there were two vividly drawn figures. Even if their faces weren’t clear, anyone could immediately recognize that these were Xu Ai and Zhou Yi. In the center of the paper, five large Chinese characters, "Best Partner Award," were written in a calligraphic style, revealing substantial skill.

Before everyone could wonder who created the award certificate, Li Shuo was quick to provide an answer: "How about it? My calligraphy and painting skills are not bad, right?"

Everyone: "..."

This is more than just not bad!

But, as a director of a variety show, having such profound skills in calligraphy and painting was truly hard to believe.

Kai Yuan, being straightforward, directly voiced his doubt, "Did Director Li really draw this?"

Li Shuo raised an eyebrow at him, "You don’t believe it?"

"Well, a bit."

"I don’t care whether you believe it or not." After feigning annoyance and shooting back, Li Shuo continued his duties, "Now, let’s announce the second award."

Best Individual Responsibility Award: Lin Jing.

Best Newcomer Award: Yu Hui.

Most Reliable Award: Xu Zhao.

Best Atmosphere Creator Award: Kai Yuan.

Everyone received the same award: a fresh bouquet and an exquisite certificate.

The figures drawn on the certificates varied in form but were all lifelike, even capturing the most remarkable moments of each person during the survival journey.

By now, no one doubted that these were Li Shuo’s works, as it would be nearly impossible to capture everyone’s brightest moments without following the entire journey attentively in the live broadcast.

Only Li Shuo, as the director, could be so dedicated.

When the first few people won their awards, the live broadcast room was filled with comments like ’well-deserved’ and ’these awards really fit the individuals; the production team really did their best coming up with these awards.’

But after Jiang Kaiyuan’s award was announced, the comments turned into a relentless stream of laughter.

—"As expected!"

—"Seeing little brother’s sulky face makes me eat an extra bowl of rice, is that a bit heartless? Hahaha!"

—"Don’t be sad, little brother, you deserve it too. I can’t help but laugh a bit."

After closing his award certificate, Jiang Kaiyuan still wasn’t completely satisfied and turned to Li Shuo beside him, holding onto the last bit of hope as he asked, "Director Li, there are only two awards left, and only Xixi hasn’t received an award. Does this mean someone will get two awards?"

Rarity for having quieted this brat once, Li Shuo held back his laughter with a straight face, "That won’t be you."

Jiang Lingxi noticed Director Li glancing her way when he said this and didn’t think she would get the remaining two awards. Instead, she looked thoughtfully down at the cub sleeping soundly in her arms.

After Jiang Kaiyuan ’sulkily’ returned to the guests’ lineup, the second-to-last award was announced.

"Most Surprising Guest, Jiang Lingxi, please come on stage to receive your award."

When announcing this award, Li Shuo’s tone carried a bit more emotion.

Even when previously considering awards for Jiang Lingxi, before deciding on this one, he had dismissed several options, like Best Breakthrough Award, Best Performance Award, etc. But ultimately, he chose Most Surprising Guest, feeling this best represented how the audience currently viewed Jiang Lingxi. Likewise, at that moment, he was one of the audience too.

Jiang Kaiyuan wasn’t upset about receiving the Atmosphere Group Award either, because as soon as Director Li announced the award, the Surprising Award immediately made him think of Jiang Lingxi. He was delighted to have guessed it right, "Xixi, you go take the award; I’ll hold the cub."

"No need," Jiang Lingxi, predicting the likelihood of the cub going on stage too, politely refused the help. Once she reached the award reception, she placed the cub on her shoulder. Despite being drowsy, the little one instinctively found a comfortable position and continued sleeping.

With her free hand, she accepted the bouquet and the certificate. Like the others before her, she opened the certificate and saw her own portrait.

Unexpectedly, the portrait wasn’t in the current uniform but depicted an armored figure drawing a bow. Yet, even with some imaginative elements, the essence of the persona was captured accurately, almost making her reminisce about her younger days of battles in her past life. The artist’s decades of skill were evident.

The portrait was also shown to the other guests and the live audience.

It amazed those present and many viewers on screen alike.

The scene was momentarily silent, everyone involuntarily absorbed in admiration.

However, the live broadcast chat was bustling with activity.

—"This little portrait makes me feel Director Li’s favoritism."

—"From the award just now, it’s clear that Director Li sees Jiang Lingxi as the pleasant surprise of the show, so a bit of favoritism isn’t unexpected."

—"Indeed, this turnaround to success has been perfectly executed by Jiang Lingxi."

—"Am I the only one curious about who will win the heavyweight Most Popular Award? Could it possibly be Jiang Lingxi again? Winning two awards would truly be unprecedented."

It turned out, the guests thought the same.

However, Jiang Lingxi called Jiang Kaiyuan over and handed him her flowers and certificate for safekeeping.

Then, she cradled the cub back into her arms, nodded at Li Shuo.

Seeing her actions, Li Shuo realized that this secret couldn’t hold up in front of Jiang Lingxi. Seeing the other guests also looking in her direction, they all probably assumed the final award was also for her, which brought a bit of joy to his heart.

"I announce, the Most Popular Award goes to, the Cub!"

With cooperation, Jiang Lingxi lifted the cub toward the camera.

A fluffy black-and-white face suddenly filled the screen, its eyes half-open, sleepily staring ahead.

—"Ahhh, it’s the cub after all!"

—"Wow, never expected it, but the cub winning this award is truly well deserved!"

—"Our little cub also has its own award. The cub is truly the most popular, indisputably. Such fair evaluation criteria! Director Li, I now announce, you are my hero!"