Chapter 10

“Welcome to the first episode of No Escape! After yesterday’s warm-up activity, the members of the Pursuit Team and the Criminal Team had all gotten to know each other and met the audience friends.”

In the main Live Stream Chat, as the host’s enthusiastic words rang out, the camera switched to the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel.

“That’s right, not only them—the audience watching the live stream on their screens also had deep impressions of some contestants. Among them, Criminal Team contestant Xiao Fen and Pursuit Team’s Inspector Fang had their thrilling elevator encounter at the last second of the countdown forwarded nine million times online, with the topic consistently ranking in the top three across the entire web,” Director Wang said proudly.

He glanced at the current Live Stream Chat viewer count—already over eight million. Just one minute into the broadcast, it surpassed yesterday’s final numbers, and the figure continued to climb steadily. He felt secretly pleased.

“Last night, the internet was abuzz with rumors that their activities were all scripted. What does Director Wang think?”

The warm-up activity’s live stream had spread online, and rumors swirled that the Pursuit Team deliberately failed to crack the case to draw traffic. Everyone said there was a script, treating contestants like props. The host straightforwardly brought the topic out for discussion.

“This variety show has no possibility of scripting—even we couldn’t control the plot’s direction,” the director clarified solemnly. “For example, yesterday Xiao Fen jumped onto the air conditioner outside the room without any prior notice to us. By the time we brought in the safety air cushion, he had already jumped back inside. We hope such irresponsible behavior for the sake of traffic doesn’t happen again, and it doesn’t set a bad example for the young viewers in front of their screens.”

With that one sentence, he explained that the Program Crew did take measures against some contestants’ dangerous actions and wasn’t irresponsible. Xiao Fen’s actions were entirely his personal choice, unrelated to the Program Crew—no coercion involved.

Most importantly, these words guided the audience to form a negative impression of Xiao Fen: he did it purely for traffic.

Sure enough, as soon as he said it, the Live Stream Chat erupted in curses.

【This Xiao Fen is desperate for fame, huh.】

【Relying on his decent face to pull all sorts of stunts—loves the spotlight so much, he’ll get himself killed sooner or later.】

【It just proves he succeeded. If not for that ten-minute Miracle Nikki outfit show yesterday, he wouldn’t have caught my eye.】

【I think he’s just trying to get injured and scam the Program Crew—that’s way more than his 18th-Tier Celeb appearance fee.】

The director watched the thousands of scrolling insults in the comments, feeling secretly smug.

Any dangerous actions Xiao Fen took in the future—if something happened—it would have nothing to do with him or the Program Crew.

Xiao Fen, oh Xiao Fen, who did you have to offend but Boss Lu? You can only blame yourself for being a newbie who didn’t know better and stole the spotlight from Boss Lu and the one he fancied. Boss Lu holds a grudge against you now. Sure, you bring a bit of Weibo traffic to the show, but I can’t protect you.

“Besides Xiao Fen, we have many other memorable highlights.” The host timely shifted the audience’s attention to Lu Jin and Ou Yu, but unfortunately, their performance yesterday had been lackluster—they ended in under a minute.

Inside the control room, Old Master Lu and Bureau Chief Wu sat once more, watching the main Live Stream Chat and each contestant’s performance.

“That Xiao Fen from yesterday needs a severe warning—no more dangerous scenes,” Bureau Chief Wu said discontentedly. “If your show does well and achieves the publicity effect, it could lead to official collaboration later. This is a key opportunity for the Lu Family to enter the political sphere. You understand the importance, right?”

Old Master Lu chuckled. “Of course. We’ll give it our all and not disappoint the official attention. As for this Xiao Fen, we only signed him for one episode. Once he draws enough traffic with his gimmicks, we’ll kick him out.”

“Good.” Bureau Chief Wu nodded faintly.

In the Live Stream Chat, the director and host had already begun introducing this episode’s rules.

“For the first episode, what surprises will our contestants bring us? Stay tuned.”

“Program rules for this episode: Each Criminal Team member receives a bank card with 1,000 yuan. They must evade the Pursuit Team’s capture in City A for a full 7 days to win.”

“City A is so vast, and with 30 criminals—if they flee, the criminals have a high chance of winning.”

Director Wang smiled faintly. “We’ll deploy over a hundred veterans from the Fox Hunt Commando Team for the pursuit. This time, the area is larger and the chase longer, maximizing the Pursuit Team’s case-solving advantages.”

“Of course, we believe in the power of the masses. This pursuit involves everyone—as long as they catch someone, ordinary people can claim the corresponding reward.” The director reiterated the show’s ethos. “So, the Program Crew only sets the rules. No scripts for the guests—capture and escape rely on their personal abilities. And whether you claim a reward depends on your own skills.”

Pleased that his words ignited the entire Live Stream Chat, the director paused briefly before continuing. “Based on yesterday’s warm-up performances, our Program Crew experts assessed each guest on physical strength, intelligence, and social harm potential to determine their reward amounts.”

The big screen displayed the first person’s reward.

“Liu Daquan, 130,000.”

“Qi Yan, 250,000.”

“Ou Yu, 500,000.”

…

The Criminal Team guests’ rewards rose from low to high. When it reached yesterday’s trio-kidnapping leader, the screen showed the first seven-figure sum.

【1.05 million!】

【Brothers, chance for promotion and riches!】

【What a baller Program Crew—Boss Lu is mighty!】

【Boss Lu, you’re worth 850,000, but I’ll let you go—you deserve to be with this show forever!】

【Wait, isn’t Xiao Fen the only one left without a reward announced? Could it be more than 1.05 million?】

【You mean that Jade Balance Star Lord Xiao Fen from Starlight? Ruined my white moonlight—blacklisted for life.】

The director built up the suspense before announcing the final guest’s reward.

“Criminal Xiao Fen—reward amount: 3.5 million.”

The sum sent the entire web into a frenzy.

That was over three times the second place!

【Eradicating evil starts with me!】

【It’s not about the money—I just love doing justice for the people.】

【No wicked criminal will escape the law’s sanction!】

The Live Stream Chat brimmed with passionate righteousness.

“With that said, no more words—let’s start the countdown!”

At the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel.

Xiao Fen received the bank card from Wang Ze and learned he had only one hour to prepare his luggage. After that, the Pursuit Team would take action, fully investigating his character network and movement history.

Each guest had signed relevant agreements upon registering for the show. For these seven days, they would experience true criminal life.

“Teacher Xiao, yesterday was just the warm-up—you winning doesn’t matter. Today is the official live broadcast. We expect ten million online viewers. If you set a bad example again… won’t you consider your career?” Wang Ze said with a smile that hid a knife.

“Your Boss Lu seems to have forgotten—I was planning to terminate my contract anyway and quit this line of work. My future has little to do with the entertainment industry.”

Wang Ze flinched at his momentum and stammered, “That’s from upstairs, Teacher Xiao…”

“I know.” Xiao Fen cut him off. “It’s Lu Jin’s order because he doesn’t like me. It has nothing to do with you.”

Wang Ze made an excuse about calibrating live equipment and hurried away, thinking: How did the Program Crew recruit someone this troublesome? Do they think their lives aren’t exciting enough?

But yesterday, when they met, he had seemed so obedient and quiet—he’d been fooled too.

Half an hour later, Xiao Fen emerged from the hotel room with his backpack. Ou Yu waited at the door, clearly there to intercept him.

As he was about to leave, Lu Jin stepped out from two doors away. The three bumped into each other.

【Isn’t this yesterday’s Culprit Bro, fall guy, and corpse bro?】

As soon as viewers entered the personal live streams, they encountered this scene.

The atmosphere grew subtly tense.

The three live streams instantly filled with people.

The air crackled with tension.

Xiao Fen had just stepped out of his room, but his mere appearance pushed his personal live stream past two million viewers.

Lu Jin’s eyes widened instantly.

Ou Yu wore a pure white lightweight athletic set, with white-gray sneakers—youthful and capable. His face bore a warm, sunny smile.

He could already picture Movie Emperor Ou dazzling countless youths in high school and college.

A dazed look flickered in his eyes.

A smile crept onto his stern face. “Movie Emperor Ou, morning.”

“Morning.” Ou Yu returned a polite smile.

“Got any plans later? Team up with me?”

Ou Yu stepped aside slightly, standing with Xiao Fen. “This time, I want to hug a big thigh.”

Only then did Lu Jin notice the third person. His gaze turned hostile as he eyed their intertwined arms, sliding up to Xiao Fen’s face. He forced a smile. “Mr. Xiao, you’ve got some skills.”

Xiao Fen picked up Ou Yu’s unspoken signal from that remark and naturally draped an arm over his shoulder. “At least way more reliable than a corpse.”

The Live Stream Chat burst into laughter.

【Salting the wound, whipping the corpse again.】

Yesterday clearly wasn’t a fond memory—Lu Jin’s face darkened.

The three took the elevator down together.

“Mr. Ou, yesterday’s incident didn’t cause you any trouble, did it?”

“Which one?” Ou Yu was whispering with Xiao Fen. Hearing Lu Jin, he recalled and replied in a joking tone, “You mean when you messaged to proposition me, or when I offered myself on a pillow, or maybe Boss Lu’s long-unrequited crush on me?”

Lu Jin glanced at Xiao Fen, who looked back with a gleeful, watching-the-show expression.

This was a perfect chance to clear things up. Though he’d already suppressed the related messages yesterday, he couldn’t leave it ambiguous—it harmed both his and Ou Yu’s reputations. Perfect to address it live.

“The files about you on my phone were fake. As for the texts and front desk call—whoever did it knows the truth.”

“Everyone knows they were fake—some clever culprit framed us.” Ou Yu smiled and flicked Xiao Fen’s forehead.

Though he said that, neither he nor the Program Crew believed it deep down.

Yesterday, outside the live stream, Lu Jin had set off fireworks and sent roses—clearly harboring extra intentions toward Ou Yu.

Xiao Fen clutched his head and glared. Ou Yu chuckled and rubbed the spot, naturally pulling his head into an embrace.

“Movie Emperor Ou’s shoulder is so comfy—too bad some people will never enjoy it.” Xiao Fen and Ou Yu were about the same build; to match, he deliberately bent at the waist, cheek pillowed on his shoulder.

Ou Yu couldn’t help chuckling and met his gaze with a smile.

Lu Jin gave the pair a deep look and turned away.

A few seconds later, he suddenly struck, grabbing Ou Yu’s wrist and yanking him into his arms. With one arm around his waist in a lock, he glared at Xiao Fen. “Does he look delicate to you? Ou Yu, don’t let him fool you!”

Xiao Fen spread his fingers to tousle his hair, crossed his arms, and slanted a look at him. “Boss Lu jealous? Who was it that just said he doesn’t like my bro?”

“Your bro?”

“Last night, I took Movie Emperor Ou as my big brother.”

A wicked glint rose in Lu Jin’s eyes, laced with threat. “You’re an artist under my company—I have the right to warn you. Watch the public opinion.”

“Never thought lofty Boss Lu would even know his company has a bottom-tier 18th-Tier Celeb like me. I’m honored.”

Ou Yu also looked at Lu Jin curiously.

Before yesterday, how many people even knew Xiao Fen’s name? The Lu Family conglomerate had artists like grains of rice—how would Lu Jin know about someone like him?

“I…” Lu Jin stammered an explanation. “I saw your Weibo post yesterday, then had someone… check him out. Don’t mind.”

Xiao Fen laughed mockingly and speechlessly.

“Whether you actually investigated is your business—my stuff isn’t worth much anyway. But since I’ve caught Boss Lu’s eye, how about we talk? Help me line up some gigs afterward?”

With that, he grabbed Ou Yu’s other hand, pulling him to his side and asking the boss for work in front of the entire web’s audience.

“Don’t you know your own limits?” Lu Jin yanked Ou Yu back over.

“At least I’m a bit stronger than you, Corpse Brother.” Xiao Fen pulled the person over. “If you shelve me, I’ll go to Brother Ou Yu for resources.”

Movie Emperor Ou, sandwiched in the middle: “……”

One side fumed like he wanted to eat someone, while the other unflinchingly met his gaze without yielding an inch.

The live stream chat erupted. Onlookers and fans collectively admitted they couldn’t understand what was going on.

“The elevator’s here. Let’s go.” Ou Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly pulled Xiao Fen away.

Xiao Fen saw Lu Jin’s smug face and felt annoyed. Before stepping out of the elevator, he even wanted to kick him in the knee.

Ou Yu quickly wrapped his arms around his waist and dragged him away.

Lu Jin saw his baring fangs and brandishing claws look and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Suddenly, he realized what he was doing. The smile vanished instantly, and he left with a gloomy face.

In the main live stream room.

As the countdown ended, the criminals’ escape officially began!