Chapter 82

Page Thirty-One

Beauty Pageant

The wooden raft drifted into the dock at the end, gently bumping against the rubber tires used for collision prevention. The staff member, wearing a grotesque mask, reached out and pulled us onto the pier.

Unlike the strange dancer at the starting point, this staff member was sinister and did not engage in any business-like conversation. Coupled with the brutal-looking mask, he looked more like a cannibal.

I finally understood why Orange was unwilling to ride the raft again. The so-called surprise was an unexpected cliff waterfall. If I had known about it beforehand, I would never have gotten on the raft.

Tan Linhua seemed very satisfied with this “surprise journey.” As she walked out of the dock, she nodded seriously and praised, “Not bad, this rafting course is quite interesting.”

“Where’s the fun? It scared me to death!”

“Kai-chan’s terrified expression is super interesting!”

…Hmm? Can the phrase ‘terrified expression’ be used for big men?

The exit of the dock was near the men’s changing room. This rafting course twisted around the Water World before returning to the artificial beach where everyone was gathered. There were no facilities here, so there were no lights, making it quite dark, just like a nighttime beach.

“Everyone hasn’t returned yet. Could Liuliu also be playing?”

There was no one in the lounge chair area. Not only had the others not returned, but Yan Liuzhuan and Feng Wu were missing as well.

Although it was still before five o’clock, according to usual circumstances, Xiao Hai Tang should already be waiting here. Although she can be a bit conceited, her sense of time is strong.

“They wouldn’t have gone back, right!”

The possibility that flashed through my mind made me jump in surprise. Thinking about it again, it didn’t seem likely. The swimsuit beauty pageant wasn’t over. If it were Zhao Zhao, he wouldn’t leave so easily.

Tan Linhua shook her head and said, “Liuliu won’t just leave me alone.”

That’s right. Even if Xiao Hai Tang wanted to sell me off, Orange wouldn’t abandon her dear brother, probably.

“I’ll send them a message. Let’s go find Zhao Zhao at the stage first.”

Finding Zhao Zhao sounds like a tongue twister.

I originally wanted to call him, but the sound from the stage speakers was too noisy. After hesitating, I sent a message to Orange.

Fortunately, when the cat turned into a human, the Notebook bestowed a language and text gift pack, so Orange could read.

[No one’s here at the lounge chair area, where are you?]

[At the swimsuit beauty pageant site]

The typing status on the chat box flickered for a long time, but only a few short words came through. Orange’s typing speed was still too slow.

But why did Orange go to the beauty pageant? Was she bored waiting alone and went to find Zhao Zhao… No, that couldn’t be true. Orange absolutely wouldn’t want to be alone with Zhao Zhao.

While I was lost in thought, Orange’s second message arrived.

[Everyone’s here, Qiaojue has advanced to the finals]

The message was short and to the point, indicating they all went to watch the competition.

From my position, I could barely make out Bei Qiaojue on stage. She stood behind the hostess, crossing her arms and occasionally winking and blowing kisses at the audience below, presumably at some cute girls.

Although she was just a junior high school girl, Bei Qiaojue indeed had the potential to advance to the swimsuit beauty pageant finals. Today, she wore a black bikini that highlighted her healthy physique on stage, though her chest was somewhat noticeable.

Chests are important, but they’re not everything. Qiaojue’s tight muscle lines were also attractive, and she had room to grow.

The crowd around the stage was even larger than before. Normally, during the trial period, there were few tourists, but now it seemed half of the Water World’s visitors had gathered here.

I vaguely remembered that when Tan Linhua and I climbed the fake mountain, the swimsuit beauty pageant was down to eight finalists. More than half an hour had passed, so it should be in the finals by now.

Talking about beauty pageants, isn’t it just about who looks prettier? Why do they have quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals? What’s the judging criteria?

At this moment, the loudspeaker broadcast the female host’s voice again.

“Number 13, Le Miaomiao, eliminated her own sister and remained on stage. As a new idol just starting out, she will compete in the final round with our charming Bei Qiaojue. And the audience present today will decide the final outcome…”

The female host’s words left me bewildered.

On stage, Le Miaomiao, wearing a straw hat, stepped forward and stood beside Bei Qiaojue. She smiled and waved to the tourists, as if she wasn’t participating in a beauty pageant but holding a concert.

Before explaining why Le Miaomiao, who said she was going to sing karaoke, participated in the swimsuit beauty pageant, it was odd that Tian Qian was eliminated by Le Miaomiao. Knowing Tian Qian’s figure was at the top of the food chain, it was strange.

Was Tian Qian giving Le Miaomiao a boost by voluntarily stepping aside?

Because everyone was wearing swimsuits, people were spread out, maintaining space to avoid awkward physical contact.

Tan Linhua and I wandered aimlessly among the crowd, finally finding Xiao Hai Tang and the others in the inner part of the center. Not only Yang Qi and Xiao Cangyu, but Yan Liuzhuan and Feng Wu had joined them, though they were standing farther away.

“Oh, Chairman, you’re here? Your drink, and the fake guy’s too.”

Seeing me and Tan Linhua, Xiao Hai Tang handed us two cups of bright yellow juice, which looked like it had a lot of coloring. However, I was thirsty and didn’t care about the coloring, drinking it greedily… Ouch…

“This is really sour… But thank you.”

“Thank you, Hai Tang.” Tan Linhua also thanked Xiao Hai Tang.

We had chatted while eating grilled meat earlier, and Tan Linhua had become familiar with Xiao Hai Tang.

“Don’t thank me, Yang Qi bought it for everyone. Thank her.”

Hearing this, my gaze naturally fell on the braided girl, who smiled and waved, indicating it wasn’t necessary to thank her.

I asked Xiao Hai Tang, “What’s going on now? How could Qian Jie be eliminated by Le Miaomiao?”

When mentioning Tian Qian, Orange pouted unhappily, “Brother, why are you still thinking about that cheating cat? Don’t let your chest deceive you!”

“What is there to be deceived about? Qian Jie and I are just friends… She was a bit affectionate because she didn’t know I was a boy.”

“If you just want a chest… I have one too!”

“So you misunderstood!”

“Hmph, chests are just decorations. The big shots won’t understand.”

Without a chest, Xiao Hai Tang raised her fist, emitting a sound of jealousy.

“So Chairman, you still don’t understand~” She crossed her legs, her slender legs shaking, and held her chest dramatically. “Although the busty girl’s fit with the white one-piece swimsuit is quite high, Le Miaomiao’s charm isn’t just about her body and appearance. Indeed, her figure isn’t particularly hot, and her swimsuit style is conservative, but the way she stands on stage, that confidence, she’s like a superstar with a spotlight… Do you feel it? The entire stage revolves around her.”

This Xiao Hai Tang, after playing a game, became a fan of Le Miaomiao. I was glad to see their relationship improve.

Though she exaggerated a bit, I had experienced Le Miaomiao’s charisma at Lost Moonlight. She had a natural ability to gather people and focus them.

In other words, this quality was leadership charisma. Thunder Tiger could get dozens of little brothers to follow him loyally in less than a month, not just because he had money.

“By the way, what are you sitting on?”

It was dark and hard to see. Only Xiao Hai Tang had something under her in the otherwise flat sand, which was somewhat unusual.

This thing had Xiao Hai Tang’s wooden knife stuck in it. I casually pulled it out, but blood splattered, making me drop the knife hastily.

“Oh, this? It’s Zhao Zhao.”

I took a closer look and realized it was a beaten-up person. The wooden knife had pierced through Zhao Zhao’s swimsuit, protruding from his buttocks, causing blood to flow when I pulled it out.

Xiao Hai Tang sat on the Orz posture of the injured Zhao Zhao.

“…Is he still alive?”

“Don’t worry, I hit him with the blunt side of the knife.” Why is this a recurring joke? Is there really a difference between the blade and the back of the wooden knife?

“This guy was so excited under the stage, like a red-haired gorilla in heat. It was too indecent. Before the Water World security arrived, I dealt with him first.”

He sighed regretfully, “Ah, what a pity. I actually liked this knife.”

Why don’t you feel sorry for your childhood friend!

After Le Miaomiao finished greeting, Bei Qiaojue stretched her hand in the air and produced a dark red rose, presenting it to Le Miaomiao.

— “Beautiful girl, can we have dinner together after the show?”

The entire magic trick was performed smoothly, suggesting she had practiced with many beautiful girls before.

But where did she hide the rose before…

Logically, Le Miaomiao, originally a man, wouldn’t fall for Bei Qiaojue’s tricks, but she smiled and accepted the rose, saying, “Sure!”

I was shocked. She agreed so quickly.

“She can do magic too? What a capable person!” Tan Linhua admired.

“Of course! As my intelligence minister, sometimes I have to play the role of a thief.”

So what kind of organization is your student council?

“If she faces Qiaojue, the violent girl will still lose because Qiaojue’s aura is quite strong, you know?”

Because Le Miaomiao hit me, Orange still had a hostile attitude toward her, but what she said was true.

Qiaojue’s aura was indeed quite captivating. Her strong social skills made her appealing to both men and women, and her athletic physique was also striking, presenting a significant challenge for Le Miaomiao.

“How exactly does the beauty pageant work?”

“Maybe to extend the program duration? The organizers use a group competition format, drawing lots to form groups, with judges and audience voting, each group competing one-on-one.”

So Le Miaomiao drew Tian Qian in the semi-finals?

“Although this format prolongs the event, it also gives more time for the contestants to showcase themselves. It allows the audience to better understand the contestants’ charm. If everyone voted from the beginning, the busty girl would likely win, considering men are shallow beings.”

Shallow beings?

I glanced at the lifeless Zhao Zhao on the ground and echoed, “Indeed.”

“Brother is infatuated with that cheating cat,” Orange muttered.

Le Miaomiao’s melodious voice came from the loudspeaker.

“And now, the blood-boiling performance. Here’s my unreleased debut single ‘Restart’~ Ah, of course, it’s a cappella~ I hope you support me~!” Le Miaomiao swung her straw hat, her smooth golden hair cascading like a waterfall, attracting everyone’s attention.

She had no fear in her dictionary.

Although Le Miaomiao was drawing attention on stage, I noticed Le Lao and Tian Qian taking photos frantically around the stage with their phones, moving faster than even the most professional Western reporters.

So that’s it. They wanted to use the beauty pageant as a gimmick to create news headlines?