Marriage?
Jiang Baiqi's hand that was held in Song Juyao's palm clearly twitched once.
The gossip-loving staff members of the Survival Island Paradise project were instantly thrilled and jumped up from their chairs, making excited gossiping sounds.
The audience was even more excited.
【Ahhhhhhhh awsl!!!】
【Mom agreed to this marriage!!! Mom will do sell everything to arrange the wedding banquet for you, wuwuwu...】
【Song Juyao has fallen for Jiang Baiqi in the second season too! She simply has a thing for Jiang Baiqi's plain and ordinary type!】
【At this point, I no longer believe that Song Juyao would actually force herself on someone and rape in the real world. Even if she really did such a thing, it couldn't possibly be the victim in the case as the victim's appearance is worlds apart from Jiang Baiqi.】
【??? The victim has already suffered enough, do you have to scrutinize and comment on them? Song Juyao's aesthetic in the virtual world is indeed peculiar, but who's to say she won't want to change her taste? Let's see if she has the ability to like only this type of guy for all eight seasons; only two seasons are not enough to prove that she only likes this type.】
【Whether Song Juyao loves Jiang Baiqi or just like the state where she can easily manipulate him is still unknown. I feel a bit twisted, disgusting.】
Once the issue of whether Song Juyao committed the crime was brought up, the comment section of the trial show livestream became a mess, sparking arguments. Unlike Season 1, supporters and opponents of Song Juyao in Season 2's comment section were evenly split in 50-50.
Under the unwavering public opinion guidance of the Tianhui Forum members, coupled with Song Juyao's outstanding performance, many people couldn't help but have a thought—anyway, it's not like their votes would directly absolve Song Juyao of her crime and set her free from prison, so why not give her a chance? What if she really has been wronged? Song Juyao is so outstanding, it would be quite absurd for her to sit in prison until death with such charges.
Of course, Rome wasn't built in a day. Even if they harbored such thoughts, many people still wouldn't easily cast their votes, or many wouldn't even buy the grievance vote tickets, because that's their own money and credit points after all. Many people hesitate even when donating for natural disasters, let alone spending money on a stranger. Grievance tickets weren't cheap, and even if money wasn't an issue, credit points were limited.
But even so, the number of grievance votes had still been growing slowly.
The audience could see the number of grievance votes. Huo Sen watched the number in the bottom right corner of the live broadcast room—seventeen million. At the end of the first season, there were ten million grievance votes. This number skyrocketed when Song Juyao revealed the truth of the virtual world at the end of the first season. This season, even though only half had passed, it had already increased by seven million.
The distance from the fifty million votes needed for reduced sentencing was getting closer. This was unprecedented in the history of the judgment show. Given her current performance, she might have fifty million votes and qualify for commutation by the end of the fourth season only.
But does she really just want a reduced sentence?
He recalled the disdainful smile she gave him when they met, and his heart started to beat rapidly. He felt both angry and inexplicably excited.
But his excitement, upon seeing Song Juyao holding Jiang Baiqi's hand and expressing her desire to marry him, instantly subsided, and his lips tightened in displeasure.
Downstairs, Yuan Manzhi was going crazy again. Whenever she saw someone sympathizing with Song Juyao and questioning her son in the comments, she became infuriated. Yet, she couldn't resist the urge to keep an eye on the comments.
"I won't let you get any reduced sentencing, don't even think about it; don't even dare to think about it," Yuan Manzhi muttered to herself, her gaze glaring like a vengeful spirit.
"This time, just wait to die."
……
In the virtual world, Survival Island Paradise.
Jiang Baitao, who was looked at expectantly by Song Juyao, was excited inside but had a stiff expression on her face.
"Uh, this... this..." She was just a mere extra, not really Jiang Baiqi's sister. Although she didn't know who Jiang Baiqi was, thinking carefully he must be some big shot. How dare she say; sure, you can have him, quickly take him away ahhhhh!!!!, even though she really wanted to!
Jiang Baiqi held his breath; his heart seemed to want to jump out of his throat, and his mind went blank.
At this moment, Jiang Baitao had a clever idea. She said, "Although my brother is a bloodthirsty patient, he's different from other patients. He has recently started regaining consciousness! If you... if you like him, ask him yourself!"
A slight adjustment to the character setting should be fine. Since the staff of the Fanxing Group were so excited and gossipy, Jiang Baiqi must be an important figure in the group, so she didn't dare speak rashly—just let him say it himself! I'm so smart! I wonder if I can earn an extra bonus? Jiang Baitao gave a thumbs up to herself.
Jiang Baiqi's expression froze. This woman arbitrarily added settings to me without authorization? My consciousness has recovered? So can I still attribute yesterday's finger-licking behavior to the viral infection?
Song Juyao looked at Jiang Baiqi's eyes, and indeed, there was a change. "He has his own consciousness..."
"No." Evans' cold voice came suddenly.
Evans woke up at sometime without them noticing. Upon hearing this, he walked over with a frosty expression. "Ellie, you're still young. You can't talk about marriage yet. Besides, he's sick, and even if he recovers, there may be sequelae that can affect the genetic inheritance. You can't marry him."
Evans finally understood what Song Juyao meant last night. He wished he could pick up a shovel now and bury Jiang Baiqi again, bury him securely, and even put up a monument on it.
"Alright, brother." Song Juyao sighed helplessly, but she understood her brother's personality well by now - arguing with him at this moment was pointless, just a waste of time. So she stood up and climbed onto her brother's back. "Let's go, let's find something to eat."
She gave up so easily, as if what she just said was just a joke. She also let go of his hand, and his hand returned to the ground.
Jiang Baiqi's burning body temperature gradually cooled down, and he lowered his gaze. This girl was a bit mean, teasing him like a dog to toy with. Hearing Jiang Baitao say he had consciousness, she probably found him less entertaining. Well, who would fall for a patient who bites people and drinks blood? Like everyone else, she probably couldn't even remember his face.
After finishing breakfast, the group dug Jiang Baiqi out of the ground again upon Jiang Baitao's repeated confirmation that he would not bite and truly had self-awareness now.
"The virus can modify the human body, and my brother can help us as a combat force," said Jiang Baitao. This was the most enticing point for the others. Song Juyao's ankle was injured, and among their group, only Stanley could fight, but one person alone couldn't hold up much, making them feel insecure.
Removing the safety helmet revealed that pale, gloomy face, and no one doubted he hadn't been infected - he looked rather sickly. His entire body exuded a generally gloomy aura. Those ashy eyes that seemed devoid of emotion when looking at people, gave off an inorganic feeling like colorless glass beads with no feelings at all.
Song Juyao lying on Evans' back, watched him intently without blinking.
Jiang Baiqi lowered his eyelashes, avoiding her gaze.
Song Juyao's eyes curved into a smile.
Jiang Baitao was familiar with the safe route to the research institute, so she temporarily became the leader.
Song Juyao kept watching Jiang Baiqi all along until she noticed that Wen Zhulian had been saying something to Li Dada the whole time. Though she couldn't hear, Li Dada's increasingly pale face let her guess what Wen Zhulian was saying to her.
However, she kept persuading Li Dada until noon, but Li Dada remained unmoved.
Wen Zhulian seemed to be impatient and directly pulled Li Dada towards Li Siqing.
"Dada, as your good friend I can't stand by and let you do this - you'll regret it later. We're soon going to the research institute, and who knows what dangers we're going to face later, or is there even any future. Do you want to leave any regrets behind? Go talk to your father and clarify things. What's really bothering you, what can't you forgive him for? Say it, we're all here, don't be afraid."
Li Siqing looked at Li Dada expectantly.
Li Wenling and others also looked at her, not saying a word but watched silently in support. They all got along well with Li Siqing, who though a painter, had a wide circle of friends and a good reputation. He was very sincere with his friends, so he had many friends and acquaintances from all walks of life.
Apart from Song Juyao, Evans, Meng Cong, and the Stanley father and son, who were not familiar with Li Siqing, everyone else tried to persuade Li Dada for Li Siqing's sake - what enmity could a parent and child have? Li Siqing had always wanted to reconcile with Li Dada, but Li Dada had been unwilling, stubborn to the point of causing people to frown.
As Li Siqing approached her, surrounded by the silent supportive gazes, Li Dada's face grew even paler. Her stomach churned and her whole body started to tremble.
She desperately tried to pull her hand from Wen Zhulian's grasp but was held tightly.
Just as she was about to be dragged before Li Siqing, a hand suddenly pressed down on Wen Zhulian's arm, stopping her from pulling Li Dada.
"Wen Zhulian, you've gone too far," Song Juyao spoke calmly. She got off Evans' back at some point unnoticed.
Everyone stopped in their tracks.
Li Dada looked at Song Juyao with the eyes of a drowning person grasping a straw.
Wen Zhulian was stunned, as if not understanding why Song Juyao suddenly spoke like this. "Juyao?"
Song Juyao said, "Why are you meddling in other people's private matters?"
"Dada isn't someone else; she is my good friend. I want to see her happy and help her."
"Even a good friend's private matters shouldn't be arbitrarily interfered with. If Li Dada doesn't want to reconcile with her father, she must have her reasons. You don't even know the reasons, yet, based on your own views, you keep pushing her to reconcile. Doesn't that seem like too much meddling?"
"According to you, should I just stand by and do nothing? How do I not know the reasons? I do know, and that's why I feel that Dada shouldn't be like this. Father has paid so much for his children, can't he make a little mistake?"
Wen Zhulian finally found an opportunity to confront Song Juyao and said confidently, "Moreover, I am Dada's best friend. She may seem cheerful and carefree, but in reality, she is a scaredy-cat. If I don't force her to do certain things, she'll just keep hiding in her shell like a snail. If I hadn't forcibly dragged her to confess, she would have long missed her chance with her crush."
Once an argument started, the livestream chat would also start quarreling.
【It seems Li Siqing has really did something wrong, possibly cheating or something like that.】
【This pig cares too much. What about the things she did to her mother and brother? Does she have the right to talk about filial piety here?】
【Wen Zhulian's character does have issues, but that doesn't mean everything she says is wrong. Li Dada is not in the right to begin with; what daughter treats her father like this?】
【Song Juyao is quite cold-blooded. So many people died before, while others were breaking down, she remained so calm. Li Dada has a good relationship with her, but Song Juyao has never cared about Li Dada.】
【Interfering in someone else's private affairs is indeed wrong, but Dada is really a scaredy-cat; sometimes she needs a push.】
"I get it, Juyao, you're still holding a grudge against dad, right?" Wen Zhulian suddenly said with red eyes. "You think a father should be the one to bow their head and apologize first. That's why you feel that Uncle Li Siqing needs to bow and apologize to Dada."
Evans sneered instantly, "Is your whole family this self-centered? Thinking everyone's dying to have you? A foster father who has supported his daughter in every decision for 8 years, and a biological father who has never fed a single bite of food—this multiple-choice question, even a child would know to pick the former."
Wen Zhulian suddenly felt at a loss, like a pitifully bullied child. Seeing Wen Zhulian seemingly besieged by the two siblings, Wen Guohua and Wen Yingting walked over.
After hearing Evans's words and seeing Wen Zhulian like this, Wen Guohua felt terribly choked up inside.
"You can hate me, scold me, but there's no need to target Zhuzhu. It's not her fault for the mix-up."
"You guys, don't fight because of me. I..." Li Dada spoke, her pupils were trembling, looking dazed. Something was terribly wrong. As she spoke, she suddenly turned around and ran away.
"Dada?!" Wen Zhulian called out, then looked to Li Siqing. "Uncle!"
Li Siqing immediately stepped forward to chase after her. Seeing this, the others stopped in their tracks, thinking this might be an opportunity to let Li Dada and Li Siqing talk alone, and clear things up.
Song Juyao watched the direction the two disappeared in, and lowered her gaze. The wind scattered her long hair, falling onto her fair cheeks, and her slender fingers brushed it back behind her ear.
This really is a good opportunity, Dada.
In the previous life, she had never met Li Dada face to face. After all, she was just a poor real daughter while Li Dada was an international supermodel. She came to know about her because Li Dada suddenly revealed on a show that her father, Li Siqing, had controlled and abused her in her childhood, deriving inspiration for painting from her pain and fear. He also demanded that she display a sweet smile when facing outsiders. He was a complete pervert and a psychopath.
This revelation caused a huge uproar. But Li Dada couldn't provide any evidence. She didn't even have a single scar that could be used as proof. Moreover, by that time, Li Dada had completely abandoned her previous sweetheart image, no longer displaying a sweet smile. She got into all sorts of eyebrow-raising news such as tattoos, smoking, clubbing and the like. Many people suspected that she had gone crazy.
Li Siqing had many influential friends, and his reputation and image were extremely good. They all stood up for him, and for a while, public opinion sided with Li Siqing.
Eventually Li Siqing also produced a diagnosis proving Li Dada's mental illness, making people believe she was just talking nonsense in her delirium. This also granted him legal guardianship over her, legally controlling her personal freedom and assets. The sweet princess Li Dada then disappeared from the public eye, until a devoted fan broke into where she was imprisoned and found she had committed suicide in the bathtub.
Although public opinion changed somewhat later, since no evidence was found of Li Siqing abusing Li Dada, more people believed Li Dada committed suicide due to her illness, allowing Li Siqing to continue escaping punishment.
It must have been extremely painful, right? No one believes what you say, even the law is on the other side, and you can't find a single life-saving straw. It's like the sun has disappeared, leaving you all alone in darkness, helpless to the point of breaking down.
It's okay, this time the result will be different.
A hint of something unknown flashed in Song Juyao's eyes, and she limped towards Jiang Baiqi.
"Aqi, will you carry me to find Dada?"
Jiang Baiqi was stunned for a moment, can she see him all of a sudden?
Song Juyao patted his shoulder, "Aqi."
Jiang Baiqi subconsciously squatted down, and then Song Juyao's soft body pressed against him, and his whole body muscles tensed instantly as he realized what was happening.
"Ellie!" Evans turned his head and was startled. He immediately ran over. "It's dangerous; get down quickly!"
"It's okay, brother. I feel Aqi won't hurt me. I'll go find Dada, you wait here for me."
Wen Zhulian immediately came over to stop her: "Juyao, don't do this, this is a chance for the father and daughter to reconcile!"
"I don't think so."
"Do you think you understand Dada better than me?"
"I don't understand, but I know what respect is." Song Juyao hugged his neck.
Jiang Baiqi immediately carried Song Juyao and ran towards the direction Li Dada and Li Siqing had left. Because he was modified by the virus, he ran faster and was more stable than Evans.
Wen Zhulian looked at the backs of the two of them and stomped her feet angrily.
【What is Song Juyao doing? Why is she insisting on interfering in others' family matters?】
【Did Wen Zhulian's pig fans take the opportunity to dance out again? Wen Zhulian harassed and forced Li Dada all morning, isn't that interfering?】
【With Dada's reaction, could there be something really wrong with Li Siqing?】
【No matter what Li Siqing did in private, he couldn't possibly wrong Li Dada. When Dada lost her sight for a while during childhood due to illness, Li Siqing almost gave his own cornea to her. Isn't that fatherly love?】
【Go and check Li Siqing's diary and paintings, you won’t maliciously speculate on Li Siqing’s love for Li Dada.】
......
Since finding Li Siqing on the island, Li Dada's emotions had been on a tightrope. Especially as she was brought here by Wen Zhulian. Before that, she had no idea Li Siqing would come.
She felt betrayed by her good friend, but Wen Zhulian seemed so well-intentioned. She just didn't know what happened and was deceived by Li Siqing's twisted facade, like everyone else.
Afterwards, those who were deceived by Li Siqing, one by one, came to her, persuading her to reconcile with Li Siqing and stop being stubborn. Layer upon layer of shadows enveloped her, making it hard to breathe.
Everyone thought Li Siqing was a great person who loved her very much. She ran away because of her willfulness. No one would believe her words, just like what Li Siqing said to her once - even if she walked on a brightest stage, the light would never truly fall on her.
Wen Zhulian's persuasion all morning finally caused her forcibly suppressed past memories to break free of her control, flooding her mind. Finally, she couldn't hold it back anymore. She ran non-stop, just wanting to find a cliff to leap off and escape this world.
"Bang!" She tripped over a tree root protruding from the ground, her arms and knees were bruised. A stone also left a gash on her.
However, what froze her in place was Li Siqing's smiling figure approaching towards her.
【Finally stopped, quickly clarify things!】
【Dada, reconcile with your father.】
【Li Dada looks really off...】
"It was quite a serious fall." Li Siqing approached Li Dada, crouched down and forcefully grabbed her ankle, looking at the scratches. "Daddy told you not to run and jump around; you'' get injured. Why didn't you listen?"
As he spoke, he pressed down hard on the wound with his thumb. The seemingly small wound instantly tore open.
"Ahhhh!!!" Li Dada screamed in pain, struggling fiercely. Yet, she couldn't break free from the man's grip, like a rabbit futilely struggling in the jaws of a fierce beast.
The expressions of the viewers in the Survival Island Paradise livestream room froze.
Li Siqing, watching Li Dada's painful expression, had a strangely joyful and eerie gleam in his eyes. "Yes, that's the expression. It's so beautiful! It sparks my inspiration. Without you by my side, I can't paint outstanding paintings. Come back, darling."
"You...monster. One day, I will expose your true face." Li Dada's lips trembled violently, almost passing out from the intense pain.
"Hahaha you still don't see reality clearly, no one will believe you hahaha..." Li Siqing laughed maniacally and his refined face was twisted.
He was proud of his meticulous actions, the seamless planning and flawlessly concealing everything - he had fooled and toyed with everyone. No matter how Li Dada screamed, no one would believe her. Her pained expression and despair only fueled his inspiration.
【Holy shit...】
【Fxxk Fxxk Fxxk!!!】
【I f**king literally threw up all over my keyboard.】
【Ahhhh Dada ahhhh!!!】
【The Dada fans are going to lose it. What kind of pervert is this? No wonder Dada was like that, what a freaking psycho. To what extent did this psycho torture her?】
【If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it...】
This kind of twist was too shocking and the viewers in the livestream room went crazy. Even the staff of Fanxing Group were dumbfounded. When they worked on this project, they thought it would focus on family members experiencing life and death together, strengthening their family bonds and realizing the importance of each other. They never imagined a deeply hidden maniac would be exposed in this way.
Footsteps approached from a distance. Li Siqing immediately restrained his expression, turning it into a refined and caring fatherly face full of disappointment. If one hadn't witnessed his psycho side just now, they would almost be fooled by his excellent acting skills that surpassed even Li Wenling and the others.
Li Dada closed her eyes in despair, curling up helplessly as the thick, dark abyss enveloped her completely.
"Dada." She smelled a faint fragrance, gentle and light. The voice was also as soft as a spring breeze blowing over her.
A gentle hand pressed on her shoulder, the fragrance becoming stronger. The person leaned over and gently embraced her. The black hair that fell down blocked her mouth as she whispered something in her ear.
It was like a pair of gentle yet powerful hands tore apart the darkness. Brilliant sunlight poured in through the cracks, flooding and drowning her like a burst dam.
Li Dada looked at Song Juyao incredulously, seeing her gentle yet powerful gaze, encouraging her.
In the depths of her dark despairing pupils, a faint light slowly flickered. Tears welled up in her eyes, and Li Dada hugged Song Juyao tightly, like a child who had finally found someone to trust and rely on, sobbing loudly.
Jiang Baiqi stood to the side, watching Song Juyao being hugged tightly as if clutching onto a piece of driftwood wondering what she just said to Li Dada.
No one knew what Song Juyao had said to Li Dada, but when Li Dada stood up again, wiped away her tears, there was a different sparkle in her eyes.
Li Siqing had a bad feeling in his heart, but no matter how he thought he couldn't figure out what was wrong. Soon, he dismissed this feeling and threw it to the back of his mind. What could Li Dada do to him? She had no evidence to confront him head-on, on the contrary, he could effortlessly control her.
She was a gift from fate, destined to add color to his career. Unless they died on this island, she was destined to never escape his grasp.
The four people returned to their previous location. They were sitting in the shade of the trees waiting. Seeing them coming back, Wen Zhulian immediately ran over with concern, grabbing Li Dada's hand.
"Dada! Dada, how did you get hurt?"
"I fell." Li Dada looked at her hand and said calmly.
Seeing Li Dada calm down, Wen Zhulian asked again, "Dada, how was it? Did you clear things up with Uncle?"
Li Dada replied, "Zhuzhu, didn't I tell you he had deeply hurt me before, and I don't want to see him again?"
Wen Zhulian was momentarily stunned and said, "You did say that. But, how can fathers and daughters hold grudges over an overnight feud..."
Before she could finish, Li Dada withdrew her hand, and looked at Song Juyao eagerly with tearful eyes. Song Juyao was stunned for a moment then smiled at her. Regardless of the bleeding wound on her leg, Li Dada ran towards her.
【I feel sorry for Dada...】
【Damn Wen Zhulian is really a blooming white lotus.】
【Since she herself is cherished in Wen Guohua's palm, she thinks all fathers in the world are so good, and all daughters in the world must be as happy and blessed as her】
【Understand Li Dada? How ironic, we outsiders may let it slide, but Wen Zhulian claims to be her best friend. Has she ever truly cared for Dada? Compared to Li Dada, she seems to trust Li Siqing more, right?】
【Wuwuwu, Song Juyao is amazing. As a Dada fan I can't thank her enough. In Dada's moment of despair, she's the only one reaching out to her. What an angel wuwuwu.】