After five bigwigs in Beijing's elite circle fell into their trap, I fled.

Chapter 43 Live Stream Substitute
Assistant Gao is decisive and efficient, unlike Assistant Yang who likes to play dirty tricks.

He concisely and clearly stated the content of today's live broadcast:

"You don't need to pay attention to me today, because I will be playing a supporting role. In tonight's live broadcast, we have invited three heavyweight kings and queens to join us. Tonight, they will bring you an hour-long audio-visual feast! Now, please welcome the first king—he has released 8 gold records and won the Best Actor award at the Hundred Flowers Awards five times. He is... Jiang Liufeng, the King of Pop!"

[No way! Doesn't Jiang Liufeng, the Heavenly King, never do any variety show live streams? How did the puppet show manage to get him to participate?]

[Ahhh! Jiang Yingdi! He's one of only two favorite actors besides Yan Yu!]

[This is much more interesting than watching livestreamers sell things! Things are hard to get, but everyone can watch Jiang Yingdi—though, maybe we'll just chat, since Jiang Yingdi hasn't released a new song in years…]

[I don't care! I don't care! Go to Jiang Liufeng! Go to Jiang Liufeng now!]

……

Jiang Liufeng, a 45-year-old man known as the "ageless god," appeared impeccably dressed in the live stream, instantly eliciting screams from the audience! He smiled, sat down at the front of the live stream, took over the hosting privileges from his assistant, and began speaking in a deep, sexy voice:
"Hello everyone, I'm Jiang Liufeng! This is my first time appearing in Puppetman's live stream, and I'm quite surprised to meet you all in this way. Just three hours ago, I was walking my bird in Beijing... Haha! Enough chit-chat, let me dedicate a song called 'Sister' to you all."

[It's my husband's hit song "Sister"! I remember Jiang Liufeng sang this song when he first debuted 28 years ago! Back then, he was already a well-known doting brother in Beijing, and this song was incredibly good! So sweet! So sweet!]

My husband hasn't sung this song in twenty years. I heard it was because of his sister's accidental death. I remember he retired for three whole years! When he came back, he looked so haggard! I can't believe he's singing this for us today! Has he finally moved on from the grief of losing his sister?

My husband's singing is as amazing as ever! He's way better than many of today's popular young male singers!

……

Jiang Liufeng didn't look at the screen. After softly singing his signature song, he stood there for a moment, then chuckled.

"This is my first time doing a live stream, so what should I call you... my babies? Haha, sorry babies, this song reminded me of my sister, and I got a little distracted. Next, I'll chat with you about some strange things I encountered at the film studio. The director of the new drama 'The Great Wind Song' has a little-known quirk. Can you guess what it is?"

[As expected of Jiang Yingdi! If it were someone of lower caliber, Wang Dao would probably have beaten them up with a stick!]

[Director Wang, come quick! My husband is about to tell everyone about your peculiar habit of eating bitter melon with sugar!]

Jiang Liufeng: "This baby is right, Director Wang loves to eat bitter melon with sugar, but that's just a hobby, not a fetish! I'll secretly tell you all, he really likes to kneel on durians..."

Jiang Liufeng's gossip amused the audience, and he would occasionally sing a famous song or two. He was completely unlike the aloof person he usually appears in entertainment magazines and TV dramas, and his humble demeanor won him countless fans.

In the mourning hall of Xinghua Village, the monotonous nightlife, apart from keeping vigil, seemed to consist only of gossiping. A group of villagers crowded into the mourning hall, playing cards and eating sunflower seeds, while Assistant Yang sat obediently with Jiang Shu.

While Jiang Shu held the cat, her mother, Jiang Liuyun, asked about her school life and then began a lecture filled with maternal love:
"If a boy confesses his feelings to you, don't rush to agree. Take him back to the village first so everyone can give you their opinion... And don't go to bars or similar places late at night, they're not clean."

Jiang Shu nodded: "Mom, don't worry, I won't get married. I'll only find sons-in-law for our village and be there to see everyone off when they die."

Assistant Yang took a sip of goji berry tea with a blank expression.

He couldn't quite imagine the BOSS becoming a live-in son-in-law... but he guessed he would be willing?

Jiang Liuyun earnestly advised, "Men have always been fickle, so don't fall for someone easily. Even if you do fall for someone, prioritize looks, and preferably someone whose charm lasts a long time—many men outside gain weight after a few years of marriage, and those who lack self-control and don't exercise regularly should be immediately ruled out." Jiang Shu nodded again.

Jiang Liuyun sighed softly: "Big cities are dazzling and bustling. Sometimes I really hope you can see more of the world outside, but I'm also afraid you'll get too caught up in it and lose yourself..."

Before she could say anything more, Li Erniang, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore: "Alright! Our Shubao can live however she wants. If she's really bullied, we're all in this together. With the whole village's strength, we can protect her. Shubao, listen to me, just snatch whoever you fancy. Don't worry about how long their lifespan is, their character, or their status. If you get tired of them, just move on. Do whatever makes you happy."

Assistant Yang coughed lightly from the side: "Actually, there are also those exceptionally good-looking men who are also exceptionally attractive and have an exceptionally long blooming period, and who spoil their wives without limit, like my BOSS."

Jiang Liuyun then suddenly remembered that he hadn't asked Assistant Yang about his background and identity: "Little Yang, who is your boss?"

Assistant Yang straightened his expression and said, "To be honest, my boss is Li Yubai, the richest man in the capital."

The surroundings suddenly fell silent! Even the villagers playing cards and eating sunflower seeds nearby paused for several seconds...

Jiang Liuyun replied with an unchanging "Oh," and said, "I don't know him."

Assistant Yang began to cultivate goodwill towards his boss: "Let's not talk about trivial matters like the fact that the boss has trillions of assets, or that he is self-disciplined and has never had a girlfriend. Just take what you just mentioned about a man's prime of life, Mrs. Jiang. If my boss claims to be second, no one dares to claim to be first."

Not only Jiang Liuyun, but even Jiang Shu and the leopard cat in her arms looked at Assistant Yang in surprise.

Jiang Shu asked curiously, "Tell me more about it."

Assistant Yang organized his thoughts: "I heard that the previous heads of the Li family—that is, the BOSS's father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and so on—each head of the family..."

Jiang Shu said, "Oh, I know, none of them lived past 50."

"Ahem! We're talking about the flowering season today." Assistant Yang avoided the main point. "Every head of the family looks like they're in their thirties until the very end, and their figures are so well maintained that even most models can't compare. As for my boss's appearance, Madam Jiang, you may not have seen it, but Jiang Shu has. He easily holds the title of the most handsome man in the capital!"

Jiang Shu nodded: "It is extremely beautiful."

The cat in my arms started to get restless!
Jiang Shu added, "Just as beautiful as Ali in my arms."

Assistant Yang clicked his tongue: "Jiang, you've never seen an eighteen-year-old BOSS before..."

"Was Li Yubai even more handsome at eighteen?"

"They're different types!" Assistant Yang recalled. "I first met the BOSS at his eighteenth birthday banquet—the day the old patriarch passed away, and he appeared in public for the first time as the new patriarch. His dashing and unique charm was simply amazing! But Jiang, although you missed the BOSS's most youthful years, you can wait a little longer. When the BOSS has children, you can look after them when they're eighteen..."

Li Erniang scoffed, "How can different people be the same?"

"Same!" Assistant Yang stated decisively. "Many elders of the Li family have seen what the previous one or even two patriarchs looked like when they were eighteen. It is said that every patriarch is exactly the same, even the beauty mark under their eyes is in the same place..."

(End of this chapter)