The opposing representative started to recite the script.
He stammered all the way, struggling to recite the lines.
However, Ning Ran couldn’t care less about his performance because she was currently busy thinking about the script she saw on the screen earlier.
The particular script had left a deep impression on her. On the day of the shooting, the supporting actress, Tang Jing wasn’t at her best, so the scene was shot many times.
In the end, Ning Ran had a fever and was admitted to the hospital because she was being splashed with water repeatedly during the shooting.
As she was still deep in her thoughts, there was a commotion among the audience.
The opposing representative had already made ten mistakes when he had only recited one-third of the lines.
I’ll win if I can recite one-third of the script precisely with less than ten mistakes. But that’s quite hard because I’ve never practiced these lines before.
“Ms. Ding, it’s your turn. Are you confident about it?” the host said.
“Not really,” Ning Ran answered with a wry smile, and the audience burst out laughing.
“It’s alright, Ms. Ding. We believe in you,” the host chuckled and said.
“Okay, I’ll try my best. But I have a request.”
“Oh? Please go ahead.”
“Can I close my eyes when I recite the lines? The lighting here is too strong, and it may affect my memory. I’m quite sensitive to lights,” Ning Ran said with a rueful smile.
“What a unique request. Yes, you may do that.” The host smiled at her.
“Thank you.”
Closing her eyes, Ning Ran recalled the particular scene of the TV series.
She gradually got in the mood while recollecting every detail.
It was a sad and emotional scene. That was why Ning Ran could remember it clearly.
The moment she got in the right frame of mind, the lines popped into her head.
She went on to recite the lines, speaking slowly yet steadily, and she didn’t make any mistake in the first part of the lines.
Her soul-stirring recitation made it sound as if she wasn’t just memorizing the script but dubbing for the movie scene.
The crowd fell silent eventually and was deeply moved by her sentiment.
Almost halfway through the script, they realized that she had yet to make any mistake.
Everyone was astounded, including the audience and the person who was observing her in the dark.
How can this be? I changed her script so that she would play this game unprepared. How did she manage to memorize it perfectly? What went wrong?
On the other hand, only Ning Ran herself knew that she didn’t win by sheer luck.
She had memorized these lines even before the production of the TV series.
Tang Jing’s poor performance during the shooting caused the shoot for that particular scene to repeat countless times. Thus, she was able to recite those lines, provided that she immersed herself in the scenario.
In the end, she made only three mistakes.
The audience broke into thunderous applause, which went on for a long while.
Other than the minimal mistakes, Ning Ran recited the lines with heartfelt emotions, bringing the scene to life, and the audience felt as if they were listening to a radio drama.
Meanwhile, in the VIP room at the TV station, Nan Chen’s lips curled into a smile as he watched the show. This woman is really something.
“Mommy’s the best! Mommy won!” Erbao shouted excitedly while wiggling her little butt.
“Not bad, Mommy is doing great.” Dabao remained calm and collected even when he was praising his mother. But his eyes glinted brightly with admiration.
“Why don’t we go there and watch it? The place seems so lively. I feel like going there.” Erbao pouted her lips.
“We can’t.” Her brother replied.
“Why?” The little girl was puzzled.
“Someone will probably recognize Daddy and take photos of us, so it’s not safe to be there,” Dabao explained.
Erbao glanced up at Nan Chen, hoping to get a definite answer from him.
“He’s right. We can only watch it from here,” Nan Chen said conclusively.
Only then did the girl simmered down.
In the meantime, the crowd was very responsive, but the culprit who changed Ning Ran’s script felt disgruntled.
“Alright, it’s a tie now. Each team has won one time. Coming up next, an impromptu Q&A session. As you all know, in order to be an outstanding actor, one must have excellent acting skills. Besides that, it’s crucial to have extensive knowledge of various aspects too. Today’s questions will not only include knowledge of performing arts but also encyclopedic knowledge.”
The host continued explaining, “Each team will select a representative to take part in the Q&A session. The game goes like this. I’ll read a question, and when I say start, you can press the bell to answer the question. The one who presses the bell first can answer the question yourself or choose to let the opposing team do it. The opposing team will get one point if they answer it correctly. But if they got it wrong, one point will be deducted, and you will get one point instead.”
Following the pre-planned arrangement, Ning Ran represented her team and stood in front of the game table, which looked like a podium.
She then stealthily slipped her phone into a corner under the table.
I’ll be satisfied as long as I don’t lose terribly. Instead of pressing the bell, I’ll let the opposing team answer the question. I’ll just go along with the flow if they ask me to answer it.
“Since both teams are ready, let’s begin!”
“The first question is, which emperor was reigning over China during the Napoleonic era?”
Ding! The opposing team pressed the bell at once.
“Alright. Would you like to answer it yourself or let the other team do it?” the host asked.
“I choose to let the other team answer this question.”
A wave of panic washed over Ning Ran.
Oh no! I don’t have any clue! The only thing I know about Napoleon is the Battle of Waterloo, but I have no idea which Chinese emperor was on the throne at that time.
Peeping at the phone, she was glad to find the screen already lit. Thank God! Dabao just texted me! It’s the son of Qianlong, the Jiaqing Emperor.
“Ms. Ding, do you know the answer? If you don’t, the opposing team will be awarded a point then.”
“I’m not very sure. Is it Qianlong’s son, the Jiaqing Emperor?” Ning Ran answered.
“Congratulations, you got it right!”
A round of applause filled the air.
Ning Ran heaved a sigh of relief. What an adrenaline rush! It feels great to cheat. By the way, how does Dabao know the answer when I have no clue at all? On second thought, he indeed knows much more than I do.
“Ms. Ding is incredible. Not only can she memorize her lines well, but she’s knowledgeable too. The other team has to buck up.”
“Alright, next question. Why is the ocean blue? And start!”
Ding! The opposing team member beat her to it again.
“Are you or the other team going to answer the question?” the host asked.
“The other team.”
Ning Ran felt her head throbbing at his words. I know it has something to do with light, but I have no idea how to explain it.
“Ms. Ding, do you know the answer?”
She sneaked a peek at the phone, but the screen remained dark.
“Umm… I guess it’s because of light?” Ning Ran gave an ambiguous answer.
“Yes, it is. But can you explain in detail?” the host questioned her.
At that moment, much to her relief, the phone screen finally lit up.
“Because the water absorbs red and orange light while the blue light bounces off, so the ocean looks blue,” Ning Ran answered.
The host declared, “Although your answer is more or less incomplete, I’ll accept it. You’re correct! Congratulations, Ms. Ding, you’ve won again.”
Another round of resounding applause and cheers erupted in the place.
