Three days later, Mu Li and Fu Peiyao arrived at their agreed meeting spot—the Magic City Museum.
The production team already knew that Wang Yijia and Mu Qingqing were also invited, but Mu Li was unsure about the other guests.
As soon as they got out of the car, they noticed someone already filming with a camera, and a sound engineer was busy attaching microphones to them.
“Didn’t they say today was just a meeting? Why are they already filming?” Mu Li asked, pointing at the cameraman with some confusion.
“Is that what you were told? We were informed that filming would start today, and it’s a live broadcast,” the sound engineer said, quickly stepping out of frame after finishing with the microphone.
“Live broadcast?” Mu Li and Fu Peiyao instinctively exchanged glances.
They seemed to have arrived quite early, as no one else had shown up yet.
Mu Li simply took a tablet from the production team to check the bullet comments.
Upon seeing it, he realized the number of viewers in the live stream was quite high; it wasn't even 10 AM yet, but there were already over 20,000 people watching online.
“Only two people here so far? Why are they so slow?”
“Why aren’t Mu Li and Pei Pei talking? They look so awkward.”
“They’re old friends, right? And collaborating again, I’m looking forward to it!”
“To be honest, I’m more excited for Mu Li and Wang Yijia.”
…
Seeing the content of the bullet comments, Mu Li instinctively glanced at Fu Peiyao, then tossed the tablet aside, pretending not to have seen anything.
These netizens were truly troublesome; all they knew was shipping CPs, and even then, they shipped those bizarre, unconventional ones every day.
What Mu Li didn't know was that the leader of his “unconventional CP” was standing right beside him.
Soon, Li Muhua arrived, accompanied by two Champions specifically invited by the production team to ensure everyone's safety.
“Why are you two here?” Mu Li looked at the two Champions who had arrived, utterly speechless.
These two Champions were not active Champions but rather two who had retired four years ago: Zhang Ruipeng and Li Jiayi.
Their connection with Mu Li was quite deep; Mu Li had participated in competitions with them since his debut, and he retired while they were still active.
Like Mu Li, Zhang Ruipeng pointed at Mu Li with a look of disdain and complained, “Does he even need protection? Are you messing with us?”
Li Muhua seemed to have anticipated this and quickly explained, “Isn’t it true that there’s strength in numbers?”
With that, Li Muhua shot a look at Zhang Ruipeng, signaling, “There are cameras live-streaming around us!”
Zhang Ruipeng also realized his slip of the tongue and quickly forced a benevolent smile, saying, “Isn’t this Mu Li? Long time no see!”
Before coming, Li Muhua had explained Mu Li’s current persona to Zhang Ruipeng and Li Jiayi: they were acquainted and on good terms.
Unlike Zhang Ruipeng, Li Jiayi merely gave a stiff-faced greeting to Mu Li and Fu Peiyao, appearing cold and aloof.
Fu Peiyao looked at Li Jiayi with some confusion and asked Mu Li, “What? Do you have a grudge against him?”
Mu Li pursed his lips: “What grudge? This guy is socially anxious. Don’t let his cold demeanor fool you; it’s just his protective coloring.”
Li Jiayi’s appearance also ignited the atmosphere in the live-stream chat.
“He’s here, he’s here, he’s here! The poker-faced War God is here!”
“Hahaha, the poker-faced Champion!!”
“Don’t think he’s being grumpy; he’s just a little socially anxious.”
…
Although Mu Li hadn't seen Li Jiayi in a long time, one look at Li Jiayi's expression told him that the other person was still the same as before.
Fortunately, this guy was completely different once a battle started; otherwise, Mu Li feared he wouldn’t be able to speak at all on stage.
“Which director invited you to participate in a variety show? They’re truly a talent, aren’t they?” Mu Li also complained.
“Exactly!” Zhang Ruipeng also complained. He hadn’t seen Li Jiayi in a long time either; after retiring, they rarely met.
This time, they didn't even attend the All-Star Game.
Facing their teasing, Li Jiayi showed no intention of engaging with them.
Everyone was like this back in the National Team, but they were all quite familiar with each other then, so Li Jiayi didn’t act as he did now.
Mu Li still remembered one time when Li Jiayi had excellent results and was taken by Ling Fei for an interview.
As a result, after two minutes of interviewing, Li Jiayi’s face turned red from holding it in, but he couldn't utter a single word.
From then on, Li Jiayi never participated in another interview.
So Mu Li found it amazing that such a person would still come out to participate in a variety show.
However, according to Li Muhua, the two didn't need to create any variety show effects; they just needed to appear on camera, which probably convinced Li Jiayi.
And Li Muhua was naturally invited as a research expert for this program.
The appearance of Zhang Ruipeng and Li Jiayi reminded netizens of what had happened a few days ago.
“So Mu Li and A Li really are friends!”
“Didn’t they say they knew each other since they were very young?”
“I envy Mu Li so much; he knows all these Champions.”
…
Mu Li glanced at the bullet comments and couldn’t help but sigh, “Indeed, one lie requires countless other lies to cover it up.”
He didn’t know when his lie would be discovered by others.
Fortunately, the appearance of the two Champions did liven up the atmosphere considerably, and soon, new guests arrived: Wang Yijia and Mu Qingqing.
“Why are you two always appearing together lately? Is there something going on?” Mu Li eyed Wang Yijia and Mu Qingqing with a hint of suspicious intent.
Wang Yijia looked bewildered, clearly not understanding the meaning in Mu Li’s eyes, but Mu Qingqing was sharp-witted; how could she not understand?
“Your gaze is very dangerous, I’m telling you,” Mu Qingqing warned directly. “I specifically turned down a TV drama filming to come here.”
After Mu Qingqing finished speaking, she ran straight to Fu Peiyao’s side and tearfully complained, “Pei Pei, he’s bullying me.”
Mu Li was stunned: “Actors really aren’t ordinary people.”
Fu Peiyao naturally wasn’t swayed. After glaring fiercely at Mu Li, she affectionately poked Mu Qingqing’s forehead and said, “You two, you start bickering the moment you meet.”
Mu Qingqing looked aggrieved: “It’s all because his gaze is problematic.”
She then turned and looked at Mu Li triumphantly: “What now? I have backup! Do you?”
Mu Li immediately cowered, instinctively looking at Wang Yijia.
Wang Yijia simply rolled his eyes: “Don’t look at me; can I even handle her?”
It must be said that the quartet was quite harmonious when together, and the audience immediately became excited.
“Finally, the four-person group is reunited.”
“It has to be a gathering of old friends!”
“Are these four people really that close?”
“I suggest the person upstairs watch Mu Li’s solo variety show; the interactions between the four of them in there are simply hilarious.”
…
“Besides Wu Yao, who else is participating this time?” Mu Li asked Li Muhua.
Previously, Li Muhua had said he planned to invite seven people, but due to the excessive number, they ultimately decided to invite only six, with Mu Li’s group alone making up five.
Before Li Muhua could answer, two figures appeared at the entrance.
Mu Li saw them and immediately smiled: “Oh, all old acquaintances.”