C142 Once a Person Is Shameless He will be Invincible!!
In the next moment, Zhao Kuo's voice rang out with excitement, "I'll pick the gentleman sitting in the corner. Do you dare to join me on stage?"
His tone carried a clear challenge.
No sooner had he spoken than all eyes turned to Zhang Chen.
Han Qiqi blinked in surprise.
Zhang Chen banged on the table, stood up, and bellowed, "I'm not brave enough!"
With that, he plopped back down with a thud.
A chorus of boos filled the room.
Everyone had assumed Zhang Chen was about to accept the challenge, but who could have guessed...
Zhang Chen just kept on cracking melon seeds.
What's the price of pride, anyway?
Zhao Kuo's mouth twitched again, his gaze burning with fury.
He never imagined Zhang Chen could be so brazen!
After a moment's thought, he managed a strained smile and said, "Don't worry, our actors are all specially trained."
"You're just going to take a quick spin on stage—it's all for a bit of fun. You wouldn't want to let everyone down, would you?"
His words backed Zhang Chen into a corner.
All eyes were on him once more.
Zhang Chen casually lifted his hand and quipped, "I've only got one face to give. If I give it away, then I'm left with none, right?"
With that single line, he defused the tension and drew laughter from the crowd.
Han Qiqi gave Zhang Chen an astonished glance, impressed by his quick wit.
Zhao Kuo inhaled deeply, his fists tightening.
After a pause, he pressed on, "I offered you a great opportunity to shine, and you let it slip through your fingers!"
"You're Miss Han's dance partner. Being this timid, you're going to embarrass her."
Zhang Chen just rolled his eyes, unimpressed.
If you hadn't mentioned it, who would've known?
Han Qiqi, still munching on melon seeds, chimed in cheerfully, "No worries. I can't lose face if I don't have any to begin with."
The crowd erupted into laughter, but Zhao Kuo's expression grew stormy.
Shamelessness can be an unbeatable trait!
Zhao Kuo wrestled with himself before proposing, "How about we make a bet instead?"
His plan was all set, but if Zhang Chen didn't take the stage, it would all be for naught!
What was crucial, though, was that he still hadn't unleashed the fury brewing inside him!
Zhang Chen, with a smile, simply said, "No good."
He then bowed his head and went back to cracking melon seeds.
Han Qiqi, struggling to contain her amusement, covertly flashed Zhang Chen a thumbs-up.
By now, a few in the crowd were beginning to pick up on what was happening.
Clearly, Zhao Kuo had it out for Zhang Chen.
Sneers began to curl on the lips of many onlookers.
Zhao Kuo, feeling the embarrassment, clenched his teeth and proposed, "Don't rush to decline. If you have the guts to join us on stage for more than a minute, I'll give you a million. How does that sound?"
"If you last two minutes, that's two million. Make it over ten minutes, and I'll hand you ten million!"
"Survive more than half an hour, and I'll reward you with fifty million. What do you say?"
His offer left everyone with expressions of utter astonishment.
Zhao Kuo, grinning, clarified, "I'm willing to dig into my own pockets to give everyone a good show."
Zhang Chen arched an eyebrow, a peculiar smile playing on his lips. He inquired, "Will you stand by your word?"
Zhao Kuo slapped his chest confidently, declaring, "With all these witnesses, I always keep my promises."
"Fifty million is a drop in the bucket for me."
He spoke with unmistakable pride.
Fifty million was a hefty sum, but he was convinced Zhang Chen wouldn't be able to claim it.
Was Zhang Chen about to cash in?
"I'm in!"
Zhang Chen accepted without hesitation.
Moments later, he was standing right next to Zhao Kuo.
The crowd was taken aback.
Had he no scruples at all?
Zhao Kuo's anxiety finally eased. He chuckled, "Our act lasts only thirty seconds. After that, two actors will escort you offstage!"
"If you leave the stage, you lose!"
Zhang Chen responded with a knowing smile, "Understood!"
Zhao Kuo, smirking to himself, announced, "Very well, now let's all enjoy the performance!"
With that, he turned and made his exit.
He subtly signaled a beheading motion to the two actors.
The actors responded with a silent nod.
Soon after, a stopwatch appeared on the screen.
As the music began, the stopwatch on the screen started ticking in sync.
The actors began their movements.
But instead of charging forward, they carried on with their performance on stage!
Zhang Chen stood off to the side, quietly waiting.
Feeling somewhat self-conscious under the gaze of the crowd, he blushed slightly.
Han Qiqi's brow furrowed, a sense of worry creeping up on her without reason.
Time ticked away.
When the stopwatch hit 15 seconds, the actors exchanged a glance!
In a flash, one of them somersaulted and charged towards Zhang Chen!
Zhang Chen's frown deepened, sensing trouble.
Before he could process further, the actor was already upon him!
He landed deftly before Zhang Chen!
Zhang Chen's frown persisted.
Suddenly, the actor spun around, something clenched in his mouth!
And now, he brandished a fire stick in his hand!
Zhang Chen was taken aback!
Without a moment's hesitation, he sidestepped swiftly!
The actor expelled a liquid from his mouth!
Flames leapt towards the spot Zhang Chen had just vacated!
Had Zhang Chen not moved so quickly, he would have been engulfed in flames!
Below the stage, the audience erupted into cheers.
Most believed it was all part of the act!
Zhang Chen regained his composure, his frown easing.
Another actor approached.
Zhang Chen scrutinized them both.
They appeared to be concealing something!
Though it was his first brush with such an incident, a thrill surged within him.
The actor drew near, and his spear thrust forward!
It aimed directly at the root of Zhang Chen's thigh!
Internally cursing, Zhang Chen swiftly backed away!
The crowd's cheers resounded once more.
Zhang Chen's expression softened; he had figured it out.
Zhao Kuo was trying to make a fool of him!
But such a petty ploy was beneath him.
A smirk soon played across Zhang Chen's lips.
