After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 99 The Work of National Treasures

Jiang Kaiyuan’s mouth opened into an ’ah’, and it was a while before he slowly closed it.

Muttering under his breath, "I’m impressed."

First, impressed by Director Li’s creativity, coming up with an award for the little one was something none of them expected.

Second, impressed by Jiang Lingxi’s acuity. It was only now that he understood why she didn’t let him hold the little one when she went to receive the award earlier; she had already anticipated that the last award would be for the little guy.

Jiang Lingxi held the little one, who was waving its small paws trying to eat the flowers in Director Li’s hand, with one arm and opened the certificate with the other.

A black and white panda cub, so cute it could melt hearts, appeared on the page, clear for other guests and online viewers to see.

— "I was just about to say that Jiang Lingxi’s piece was the best artwork of the event, but after seeing this one of the little cub, I don’t know how to judge anymore."

— "Why bother ranking them? Every artwork on those awards has its own unique touch. The bottom line is they’re all exceptionally good. Director Li is amazing, thumbs up to Director Li!"

— "I just did a quick search, and wow, you learn something new every day. Let me give you guys some info: Director Li’s full name is Li Shuo, aged forty-five. There’s a lot of basic info you can look up, so I’ll skip that. Here’s something not everyone knows. For those in the cultural arts or related circles, you might know our national Calligraphy and Painting Association’s president also has the last name Li, full name Li Yi, aged sixty-nine. Same last name Li—have you all guessed they might be related? Yup, President Li is Director Li’s uncle!"

— "That explains it, coming from a family with a scholarly background."

— "But Director Li’s career path is quite broad, isn’t it? Shouldn’t someone from such a background be doing something related to knowledge and the arts on television? Instead, Director Li created Wilderness Survival!"

— "Just personal interest, I’d say. Look at the certificate; it shows Director Li’s talents in calligraphy and painting are still impressive, honoring the Li family name."

As the barrage seemed to thoroughly shift to discussing the director’s family background, a viewer interested in the show couldn’t take it anymore and typed a reminder.

— "Reminder to everyone, it seems the show is about to end soon. If you want to catch more glimpses of the little one and the guests, let’s pause the discussions about Director Li’s family, okay?"

The live chat went silent for two seconds, then resumed with a flood of reluctance.

Make it end just a little slower!

However, the audience’s plea didn’t seem to reach the director and guests immediately.

After displaying the certificate, Jiang Lingxi decisively started to return to the guests with the little one. Seeing this, Li Shuo couldn’t maintain his composure, "Um, Teacher Jiang."

Jiang Lingxi paused her steps and turned back to meet Director Li’s somewhat expectant eyes. After a two-second interpretation, she realized those eyes weren’t aimed at her, but at the little one in her arms.

Li Shuo, finally holding the little one as he wished, was overjoyed, feeling that the little one’s soft texture exceeded his expectations. Unbeknownst to him, his uncontrollable reluctance to let go attracted the indignation of the other staff.

When all the guests gathered with flowers and certificates for a group photo, then decisively ended the livestream amid viewers’ repeated expressions of reluctance, Li Shuo, still holding the little one for a guest photo, was quickly surrounded.

"Director Li, you’ve held the little one long enough, let us have a turn too."

"I promise I’ll be gentle."

"Just one minute, let me hold it for one minute, no one else interfere."

"I washed and sanitized my hands specially, can I go first?"

Surrounded on all sides, Li Shuo said, "...Slow down, be gentle, one at a time."

All chaos, and he hadn’t even held it that long!

Jiang Lingxi saw the scene forming in front of her, and calm as ever, retrieved a few bottles of mineral water from the edge of the venue, handed them to other guests, then opened the one she reserved for herself, took a few sips, and walked over to Qi Chen and the others.

"Professor Qi."

"Miss Jiang."

"What are your plans next?"

Qi Chen couldn’t decide if he was disappointed or pleased at that moment, sighed lightly, and replied, "After borrowing the show’s drone to expand the search area, I still couldn’t find the little one’s family. I suspect this little one either got separated from its family, though that’s less likely, or its parents are no longer around. So, I plan to take it with me. I’m not worried about adult pandas, but one this young cannot survive alone in the wild."

"I’m at ease handing it over to you, Professor Qi."

This was entirely genuine from her.

When it came to the little one, even she merely treated it as a beloved pet, but Professor Qi and his team, especially Qi Chen himself, treated the little one as if it were their own child, probably more pampered than their own.

And this love was genuinely from their hearts.

To be honest, when they first met, she handed over the little one with some mixed feelings, but over the past few days of interaction, seeing how patient and caring Professor Qi and his team were, she had no worries left.

The only regret was that she’d no longer be able to see the little one every day.

Qi Chen looked at the girl standing before him, then glanced at the staff behind her busy dismantling equipment and tidying the venue, a spark flashed in his mind.

He smiled and said, "This separation might not last long. Miss Jiang, you might soon reunite with the little one."

"Oh?"

Qi Chen just smiled in silence.

Though usually impatient—like when he rushed overnight upon hearing the news of a wild panda cub found—he was cautious enough not to promise anything until things were confirmed.

While they talked, the little one, across the room, had already been passed adorably and cautiously among everyone. Its fur, instead of being disheveled, ended up smooth and glossy.

When Jiang Lingxi and Qi Chen walked over, the little cub even squinted its eyes contentedly.

Qi Chen, seeing this, couldn’t help but reflect, "Pandas are usually quite afraid of people; not many are unafraid and can interact with humans. The little one here has such an outgoing persona. If it starts working, it’ll definitely be the most popular."

"Work?"

"Just being watched from a distance by tourists while eating, playing, or even sleeping—that’s their job."

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

She recalled a scene she had seen in news reports: pandas eating inside a barrier, surrounded outside by throngs of spectators. So that’s considered working?

Honestly, she was a bit envious of such a job.

The pay was great, and how unbelievably relaxing!