Edited by Qiuxue and Noks
Fan Jialuo had been sitting quietly in the dark since the very beginning of the show. Not once had he cast his gaze towards the black curtain, nor had he made any attempts to communicate with anyone else.
It was this very Fan Jialuo who handed over a sketch just as the time plate counted down to the last second—a sketch that looked exactly like the photo hidden behind the thick curtain.
When the technical producer displayed his sketch on the same big screen as the photo selected by the team, Song Wennuan could only look at the display monitor in astonishment and horror, her mouth falling wide open from shock.
Song Rui covered his face with his palm and sighed. This sigh of his seemed to express contentment, but there was also a trace of regret in it.
Witnessing this ‘miracle’ being performed by Fan Jialuo with his own eyes made him finally understand just how the death sketch that Sun Ying had previously handed in to the police could stir up one’s soul and whisk it away.
However, this scene that revealed the truth of this mystery failed to satisfy his inner thirst for knowledge, instead plunging him deeper into a spiral of confusion.
He felt a vague premonition that, even if he spent the rest of his life on trying to demystify this, even if he exhausted all of his erudite and scholarly knowledge, his understanding of this man would forever remain at a superficial layer; he might never be able to understand the kind of existence the other man truly was.
“Why are there such people in the world?” Song Rui wondered as he shook his head and sighed again.
He couldn’t even begin to imagine the kind of environment that would produce this sort of unique person. He really wanted to know, and deeply longed to know.
The other three judges were already wearing stupefied expressions on their faces as they pointed at the biggest screen with trembling fingertips.
“He, he, he, he drew the photo exactly as it is!”
Upon hearing the exclamations around her, and seeing the evidence before her, Song Wennuan’s cheeks gradually changed from a pale white to a bloody red.
It looked as if they had been slapped hard by invisible palms. It was the first time in her life that Song Wennuan had felt such shame and embarrassment.
The scene being displayed on the screen reminded her of her previous words, which she had used to deliberately oppose and belittle Fan Jialuo.
But now, upon seeing the sketch, she realized that his ‘psychic’ ability was stronger and more terrifying than that of the other contestants.
She opened her mouth, but couldn’t find the words to express her tangled thoughts and feelings. After struggling for a long time, she said hoarsely, “Cousin, that death sketch…”
She even forgot to hide the fact that she was cousins with Song Rui in front of the camera.
Song Rui nodded, his voice was a little brisk as he said, “Ah, I forgot to tell you. The police had already verified the origins of the death sketch provided by Sun Ying. It’s true that Fan Jialuo drew it himself, and that he drew it even before Gao Yize fell from the building. The surveillance cameras happened to capture the scene of him drawing it at that time.”
And that was also the main reason why he had become the police investigation team’s primary suspect in that case.
Of course, such digressions were not worth mentioning in the current situation.
Song Wennuan’s cheeks flushed with shame.
She widened her eyes and asked in disbelief, “Cousin, you knew that the death sketch was real. Why didn’t you tell me about it before? Did you want me to look like a fool?”
If her cousin had clearly explained the circumstances surrounding the death sketch earlier on when they had been discussing the contestants, she would never have spoken in such a way in front of the camera!
She had originally wanted to slap Fan Jialuo’s face which had been full of arrogance when joining the show, but right after the first testing round of the audition, all the slaps that she had wanted to deal to him were delivered right back onto her own face.
It’s way too shameful!
She knew better than anyone just how difficult it would be to sense the contents of the photo through the black curtain. Because prior to pressing the pause button, even she didn’t know which one among the millions of possible photos would be chosen.
She could already imagine the irritating comments that would be left by the audience after the show was broadcast, mocking her previous arrogance and ignorance.
Thinking of this, Song Wennuan could only wail on the inside. It would definitely become awkward when meeting people in the future.
Song Rui knocked against the table with his knuckles and said slowly, “I remember that you said that your program is 100% authentic. You will faithfully broadcast the captured footage of everyone’s performance, and you won’t edit scenes out to cover up someone’s ugliness? Do those words still count?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Song Wennuan pulled out a forced smile and promised from between gritted teeth, “Of course, I always mean what I say. In our show, yes is yes, and no is no. I will broadcast every single wonderful shot.”
If this piece of content was published on the Internet, what would the netizens’ response be like? Even more so from the ones who so righteously hated Fan Jialuo for using his psychic identity to create hype?
This reality show would undoubtedly grab the headlines and become an instant hit!
The better Fan Jialuo performed, the more popular her show would become. Why wouldn’t she broadcast it?
Song Wennuan turned around and sent another message to the technical producer, this time asking him to arrange and take some more shots of Fan Jialuo.
This man was definitely the most prominent dark horse of this show!
The time plate was once again reset to 30:00 again, and the second testing round was about to begin.
Song Wennuan pushed the box containing the red pause button over to Dr. Lin and suggested with a smile, “Let each one of us choose a photo, so as to display the impartiality of the show.”
“That’s a good idea, I’ll press it now!”
Dr. Lin watched the big screen in the middle as pictures dazzlingly rolled across it.
Two or three pictures would sweep by almost every second, making it difficult for anyone to even distinguish any patterns in the afterimages.
After waiting for a moment, Dr. Lin hit the button. The rapidly scrolling pictures came to an abrupt stop.
A colorful poisonous snake had its mouth opened wide, as it bared its sharp fangs, and it was almost as if it was lunging forward for a ferocious attack, targeting the people right in front of the screen.
The whole photo contained a great sense of momentum.
“It’s a good choice. I like reptiles,” Dr. Qian said as he smiled happily, though the other two doctors looked slightly uncomfortable.
At the same time, this photo was projected onto the screen behind the curtain.
The off-site host heard the confirmation of the picture change through the headset and thus notified the contestants, “Alright, the second test has started. Please show us your miraculous abilities.”
The energy fluctuation given off by this picture was much weaker than the previous one, to the extent that the beautiful woman and the pale girl had to leave their seats and head closer to the stage.
The young Taoist remained standing in his spot under the stage, and glared contemptuously at those who were trying their best to get as close as possible to the curtain.
After taking a look at every potential rival to him, the young Taoist then looked back at the last row of seats, which was furthest from the stage, looking at Fan Jialuo who had never moved from the beginning till now. Seeing the other still sitting there, his smile turned even more contemptuous.
He was under the impression that Fan Jialuo had not submitted any answer for the first test, but in fact, the cameraman who was in charge of taking the close-up shots for Fan Jialuo was holding the notebook with his answer in shock.
It was the very notebook that contained the sketch of the struggling black child, and this detailed sketch left him secretly stunned and horrified.
Was this the right answer? Was this the photo behind the curtain? Was it truly? It must be!
In fact, none of the staff at the scene knew what was hidden behind the curtain. But, after witnessing how the sketch had come into being, the cameraman was firmly convinced that there must be something mysterious in Fan Jialuo’s body.
His aura was completely different compared to everyone else’s!
The technical producer fiddled around with the camera footage and selected seven close-up shots, after which seven distinctive faces appeared on the monitors in the observation room.
Once again, the black-robed uncle with the face full of life’s vicissitudes shook his copper bell. The crisp sound reverberated in the open hall.
Ding ling, ding ling, ding ling…
The girl with the pale face stood in front of the curtain, but soon after, she stepped back and covered her head with her hands as if she was defending herself from an invisible attack. Her mother hugged her in her arms and whispered soothing words in comfort.
The beautiful woman stood directly in front of the curtain with her hands around her chest and her back taut. Her eyes constantly flickered with light, as if peering at something.
A Huo stuck very close to sniff at the curtain and murmured something to himself in a low voice.
Ding Puhang didn’t pay attention to what might lie behind the curtain, but instead observed the beautiful looking woman with bright eyes. He was far more interested in her.
The young Taoist remained standing in his dimly lit spot, where he curled his lips and flaunted a triumphant smile.
On the last screen, Fan Jialuo’s drooping eyebrows and his calm expression showed no change. He did not move forward even a single step.
Song Wennuan gazed at Fan Jialuo’s placid face for a long time, as if wanting to discern the other person’s thoughts through the screen.
It was at that moment that Fan Jialuo suddenly raised his eyes to pinpoint onto one of the dozens of cameras that were hanging overhead, and lightly directed his gaze into its lens.
At the same time, the monitor placed in the center, which was currently right in front of Song Wennuan, displayed a very familiar sharp and penetrating gaze.
Song Wennuan felt as if she had been fiercely stabbed by this sharp-edged gaze, and couldn’t help but wonder to herself: What a ghost! With so many cameras, so many screens and so many random close-up shots being taken on-site, how can Fan Jialuo know which monitor and which display screen the person spying on him will use to observe him? Did he see it with his own eyes?
Seeing her gaffe, Song Rui reminded her in a low voice, “Fan Jialuo’s intuition is very keen.”
“I know now.” Song Wennuan managed to calm down after a short pause, then opened a stack that contained the contestants’ information and introduced the seven people onscreen one by one, following the order of the screens.
“This black-robed contestant is called Yuan Zhongzhou, 46 years old. He is a practitioner who does not practice Buddhism or Taoism, but instead cultivates the heart.
“The Taoist priest, who is called Chongming, is from Yundou Temple, which is where he also grew up. He is 20 years old.
“This first-rate beauty is Zhu Xiya, 25 years old, from the Miao ethnic group, and she practices witchcraft.
“The more frail girl is He Jinglian. She just turned 18 this year. She appears to be in poor health. She has dropped out of school and can only compete with her mother aiding her by her side. However, it is said that she is very capable, and people all over the country seek her out for her psychic ability. She’s quite popular.
“This handsome man is Ding Puhang, 27 years old. He has founded several companies, and now has assets worth over 100 million yuan, in short, he is a successful person. He came to our show just for recreational purposes, but at present, his ability seems to be very good.
“This is A Huo, from the deep valley of the Himalayas, hailing from the Hunza Tribe, 19 years old. He has a very good sense of smell.
“Last is Fan Jialuo, and I think everyone already knows him.”
Looking at the seven people, Song Wennuan asserted, “At present, I am most optimistic about these seven contestants. Our show will not allow for any fakers. Within the first three rounds, everyone will show their true colors. Well, let’s wait to see their performances.”
From the contestants’ expressions, it seemed that this second testing round was more difficult than the first one.
Yuan Zhongzhou was still ringing his bell, and every wrinkle on his face showed that he was quite perplexed.
Zhu Xiya and A Huo stood in front of the curtain, but it seemed that they still had been unable to deduce any clues.
He Jinglian and Chongming seemed to have understood something and had both retreated to a quiet corner to organize their thoughts.
Ding Puhang, who was standing at the edge of the stage and observing the contestants, caught a glimpse of He Jinglian and Chongming, and then revealed a sly smile.
At this time, Fan Jialuo raised his pen and began to sketch fluently. The slim pen looped across the paper, the strokes twisted and pleated, and finally a strong, sturdy, and entangled limb was sculpted out onto the paper.
Then appeared a triangular head embedded with a pair of cold eyes. The large mouth was open, fangs drawn and dripping with venom, and thin and dense scales covered the page.
Finally, he shaded in deep and shallow patches to even out the sketch. There were only three colors, black, white and gray, but the sketch appeared vibrant and colorful.
“Quick, quick, close up!” The technical producer’s excited voice sounded from the headset of the cameraman who was in charge of filming Fan Jialuo.
The cameraman immediately cut a close-up.
The technical producer was still not satisfied with the result, and harshly yelled, “Closer!”
The cameraman adjusted the focus again and again, but the producer’s scolding never stopped.
“Closer, closer, closer! Alright, good, well done! That’s good, stay still!”
At this moment, the cameraman seemed to understand something. He looked at Fan Jialuo with both shock and awe.
If this sketch had been different from the photo behind the curtain, why would the boss become so excited?
Fan Jialuo’s ability must be truly terrifying!
After being enlarged by the camera lens, the sketch and photo were displayed side by side on the big screen in the middle of the observation room.
The attention of all the judges was drawn to the two pictures, one in black and one in color, but which perfectly overlapped in all aspects.
It was simply too unbelievable.
Meanwhile, the six other contestants who were said to be very powerful, were writing down their answers.
Yuan Zhongzhou—【Animal, cold and dangerous.】
Chongming—【Snake.】
He Jinglian—【Attack!】
Zhu Xiya—【Some kind of dangerous animal.】
A Huo—【Reptile.】
Ding Puhang—【Viper preparing to launch an attack.】
They all had sensed the content of the photo, with some of them giving a partially correct response, while the others provided a full response. Still, each one of them could be regarded as displaying a performance which proved that they possessed some sort of supernatural ability.
However, in front of Fan Jialuo’s black and white sketch, their answers became pale and dull.
“What is this?” Song Wennuan’s eyes twinkled with strange light as she sighed and asked, “What is all this? When others are suffering from having to even sensel the content properly, has he already seen through it all?”
Song Rui glanced at her and said, “I don’t know if you have heard, but there exists a certain kind of person in this world, who, even without any substantial contact, and with just a flash of thought, can discern a lot. Such a person’s eyes have the ability to penetrate through to the past, to clarify the present and to break the veil of the future.
“They can see what you see through your eyes, smell what you smell through your nose, taste what you taste through your tongue, and can even perceive what you think through your heart.
“As long as he wishes for it, your perception is his perception, your thoughts are his thoughts, your past is his past, your present is his present, and your future can also be his future.
“You can only mobilize the body to understand the world, but he can mobilize all the divine consciousness to explore the unknown. Everything in the world is his medium.”
Seeing his cousin’s puzzled eyes, Song Rui added, “This is the self-introduction he gave of himself when we first met. How is it? Can you understand such an existence?”
Song Wennuan slowly turned her head, slowly opened her eyes to see the youth on the screen, and then slowly shook her head.
Her voice was extremely dry as she replied, “I can’t, even if I see it happening right in front of my own eyes, I can’t understand it! This is really beyond my understanding!”
Song Rui sighed. “Me too, but I am eager to understand it.”
…
Noks: It seems that FJL has affected SR quite a bit… he even memorized those words of his from that interrogation session!
Frozenmirage: …good-looking, good with children, good at drawing, and doesn’t need food!!! I-I can afford him 
My favorite novel, so happy to see an update! Thank you so much!
SR just lowkey bragging about FJL, and having fun with the face-slapping 😂😂😂 thanks for the chapter! (˘︶˘).。.:*♡
FJL so kwool I just can’t 😂
We’re at chapter 64 and still no clear male lead. I need a person to root for 😭
Udvhsn OMGG?? If you hadn’t said it I really wouldn’t have realised! I thought we were in the tens or smthn 💀💀😭 Time really flies huh…
ikr, I started this when I was in quarantine and now I’m in quarantine again…. Time sure flies fast
My money is on song😍I really have started shipping them…. it would be heart breaking if it’s not him😭
+1 I want Song too QAQ
I’m rooting for Song Rui I’ll cry if its not him
Aa, time flies when you’re in lockdown. I really hope the ML is SR, but if not, I will bide my time ehehe
Omgggg FJL IS TOO COOL!!
Thanks for the chapter! 🙂
Everyone should be amazed! Fan Jialuo is Extraordinary!
Thanks for the chapter!
Thanks for the chapter
He remembered all the explanation he gave the first time they met!! Really!! I really think he’s the ML!! I mean if he isn’t the ML no one can afford to be with FJL :3
Thank you for the chapter!!! ❤️❤️
The face slapping this will bring when this airs gives me satisfaction
Fangirling aside,
ML has to be SR . It can’t be someone ordinary. SR is the most viable option. If it’s not him it has to be demon king or something like that
demon king XDDD
lmao maybe in future chap that’s who the love rival will be
song rui is beyond saving now hahvjjfngk thank you for the chapter!!
I want to be able to afford Fan Jialuo but I don’t want to risk my life and fight with Song Rui ;~; I don’t have enough guts for that
SR was ready to to witness the slaps! And bragging about FJL, memorizing his intro? SR you really were interested in him.
Thanks for the update!
Thank you for the chapter
Ahhhhh!! Song Rui is such a cutieeeee
Lmao FJL is really an affordable pet to have. He doesn’t need to eat or drink. He only needs a good bathtub and it’s all good. With an occasional benefit of removing bad luck, FJL really is an ideal pet.
THIS IS SO AWESOME PERIODT
SR memorized his whole introduction 😭 Man you are obsessed but so am I with this story!! It’s so interesting seeing people who are similar to my beloved MC I wanna see how it’ll turn out!