Who wants to become a god? Aren't you all forcing me?

"I have a question. Why do I need makeup for an interview?" Li Chenqiu asked, frowning in confusion.

The woman applying makeup on Li Chenqiu paused, then explained with a smile, "People with a good image are more believable. While you are already good-looking, you lack some embellishments. My job is to make you more eye-catching."

Li Chenqiu narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, carefully examining himself in the mirror.

Although he didn't know what the woman had done to his face, it was indeed as she said. His features seemed more eye-catching and clearer, like upgrading from smooth definition to ultra-high definition.

"Amazing," Li Chenqiu sincerely praised, while glancing at Li Qingxia sitting next to him, "Isn't this an interview? Why is he getting makeup?"

Before the woman could explain, Li Qingxia retorted, displeased, "It's 'you' this and 'Li Qingxia' that. Do you have any respect for your elders?

What do you mean, 'Why is he getting makeup?' They said I need to show my face in some segments, or I would have gone back to sleep already!"

"Steady Bro, I was wrong. I'll call you 'bro' from now on," Li Chenqiu said dismissively.

Li Qingxia was amused and retorted, "Oh, how could I compare to you, 'Strength Bro.'"

The makeup artist worked quickly, finishing their makeup in ten minutes.

Li Qingxia stood in front of the mirror, shocked, touching his face as if it were a rare treasure, "Damn, so handsome! My looks are good enough to be a celebrity!"

"Your handsomeness is too subtle. After sharing a bed for two years, I still didn't notice," Li Chenqiu said speechlessly, "Let's go quickly, don't waste time."

After speaking, Li Chenqiu followed the staff out of the makeup room.

"Wait for me! Let's take a photo together before we go!"

……

……

Inside the brightly lit studio, two black sofas were placed at an angle on the stage. A poised female host with a microphone and cue cards stood quietly in front of the sofas.

The studio audience was packed, with hundreds of people from all walks of life looking expectantly at the female host, Yang Zixiao.

In the last row, Ye You and Zheng Kang sat side by side, wearing masks.

Zheng Kang leaned over and whispered, "Sister Ye, are we just going to keep watching like this?

"Resurrectors supplement their life energy by eating human flesh, thus delaying aging. 096 Disaster Water is no exception. If Li Chenqiu behaves himself for the next half month, we'll investigate in another direction.

By the way, what's the situation on Uncle He's side? Has he found anything?" Ye You turned to look at Zheng Kang.

Zheng Kang shook his head, "Nothing. Li Ji has been holed up in the hotel and hasn't come out."

A faint coldness flashed in Ye You's eyes, "If there's nothing, tell Uncle He to withdraw. That old guy is not simple. It would be troublesome if he were discovered."

"Understood."

Time passed, and as the clock's hand clicked onto the number "6," the host Yang Zixiao smiled brightly, "Good evening, esteemed audience members! This is People's Gathering Special Interview. I am your host, Yang Zixiao."

After speaking, Yang Zixiao bowed slightly to the audience.

Clap clap clap!

Enthusiastic applause came from the audience.

"Host, is the guest for this interview really Li Chenqiu?"

"Yeah, is it really Li Chenqiu?!"

"We all came for him. If it's him, please bring him out quickly!"

Yang Zixiao smiled sweetly and said in a gentle voice, "We released three hints before the program started.

They were: a super-strength teenager, a hero from North Huangshan, and someone with a blurred line between black and white. Actually, these hints are quite clear. Please welcome Li Chenqiu with your applause."

Yang Zixiao took the lead in applauding and turned to her left.

Instantly, everyone's attention focused on the shadows on the left side of the studio. The audience members sitting in the back rows stood up one by one, recording with their phones.

Tap… tap… tap……

Under everyone's gaze, a neatly dressed and clean teenager walked out from within.

His features were as sharp and distinct as a sculpture, and his deep, bright eyes were like a dark blue ocean under the night sky, with turbulent undercurrents, yet captivating.

Although his figure didn't look particularly strong, his upright posture was hard to ignore. Like a solitary iceberg, he exuded a faint sense of detachment from his bones.

This person was none other than Li Chenqiu, who had put on makeup and changed into new clothes.

With Li Chenqiu's appearance, the noisy venue instantly quieted down. Everyone seemed to be stunned, staring straight at Li Chenqiu, with only the sound of cameras clicking incessantly.

After a few seconds, a cry of surprise came from the audience, "Holy crap!"

In an instant, as if something had been activated, the audience erupted.

"Um… why does it feel a little different?

"Damn… is Li Chenqiu this handsome in person?!"

"He looks the same as in the photos online, but why is there such a big difference?!"

Exclamations of amazement filled the audience, and fiery gazes constantly lingered on Li Chenqiu.

The reason Li Chenqiu could bring such a shock to everyone wasn't because of how exquisite his features were, but because of the aura he exuded, that aloof and superior temperament.

It was like how people from wealthy families exude nobility, and people in high positions carry an inexplicable pressure in their every move.

At the same time, the program's livestream exploded.

"He's the Li Chenqiu who destroyed the energy measuring device! Finally, we get to see him in action."

"His looks are surprisingly high-quality. How did I not notice before?"

"I feel a bit cold even through the screen. Is that normal? Could he really be the Disaster Water from the rumors?!"

"The guy upstairs is my dog. Please ignore his barking."

"Chenqiu is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. He saved me when we were on North Huangshan. How could such a person be Disaster Water?!"

"The internet is not a lawless place. Everyone must be responsible for what they say!"

……

Inside the studio, Li Chenqiu touched his face in confusion, looking at the audience's reaction.

Am I really that good-looking?

That shouldn't be. If I were good-looking, why hasn't anyone praised me before?

Although puzzled, Li Chenqiu didn't delve into the matter, and walked to the stage.

Seeing Li Chenqiu approaching, Yang Zixiao, who was standing on the stage, subconsciously took a step back, but quickly realized it and greeted him with a smile.

"Hello, I'm the host, Yang Zixiao," Yang Zixiao extended her hand.

"Hello, Li Chenqiu," Li Chenqiu reached out and shook it.

After exchanging pleasantries, they sat down on the sofa.

"Chenqiu looks very handsome. Please introduce yourself to the audience first!" Yang Zixiao gestured to the audience below the stage.

"Um…" Li Chenqiu was momentarily speechless, his deep eyes becoming somewhat vacant.

After a few seconds of hesitation, he revealed a natural smile and said in the audience's expectant gaze, "I'm 19 years old. Currently, I work at a fried rice restaurant and I am an ordinary resident of City 11."

A hint of surprise flashed in Yang Zixiao's eyes, "Chenqiu, you are really too modest. If you are an ordinary person, then there might not be many ordinary people left in City 11. Everyone, please look at the big screen."

After speaking, Yang Zixiao turned to look behind her.

The hundreds of inches large screen in the studio flickered slightly, and a figure appeared on the screen, which was a video of Li Chenqiu measuring his energy at the Special Abilities Department.

At the same time, dozens of kilometers away from the studio, inside an abandoned factory.

Under the constantly flickering industrial lights, seven or eight boys covered in blood were tied up with their hands and feet and hung in mid-air. Because their mouths were taped shut, they couldn't call for help and could only make muffled whimpering sounds.

At their feet was a chair, and Xue Rui, who had been beaten up earlier, sat there with his head drooping, motionless as if he were dead, but the slight rise and fall of his chest proved that he was still alive for the time being.

Not far away, the fake Disaster Water was squatting on the ground, watching the livestream of the People's Gathering Special Interview on his phone, occasionally laughing.

"Sir, it's about time."

At this moment, a woman wearing a ghost mask walked to the fake Disaster Water with a laptop.

The fake Disaster Water waved his hand, "Don't rush, don't rush. Let me finish watching the newbie's livestream. Do you want to watch it together!"

The woman glanced at the people hanging in mid-air, then squatted down and said, "Our master told me to tell you to start immediately, put away your playful thoughts, and be careful not to be overturned in a ditch."

The fake Disaster Water curled his lips and repeated in a strange tone, "Put away your playful thoughts, and be careful not to be overturned in a ditch~"

Woman: "…"

"You can tell Yama that are you out of your mind, didn't you say to let me act in my true colors? I'm acting in my true colors now. If you can't stand it, I don't want to act!"

After speaking, the fake Disaster Water stroked his chin and pondered for a while, adding, "After 'I don't want to act,' add another sentence, 'Don't force me to strike.' Go, tell him that verbatim."

The corners of the woman's mouth under the mask twitched, "Um… okay."

……

……

Li Chenqiu hadn't experienced the word "uneasy" for a long time, at least not in the past year.

He originally thought that the big screen would only play the video of him measuring his energy, but he didn't expect it to be much more than that. After playing that video, the big screen started playing the video of him saving people on North Huangshan.

If it was just a simple video of saving people, that wouldn't be anything, but these videos were taken by the people he saved with their mobile phones. At the time, Li Chenqiu, in order to create a good image for himself, said a lot of righteous words, such as:

"Don't be afraid, as long as I'm alive, I won't let the Resurrectors hurt you in the slightest."

"With great power comes great responsibility. Since God has given me extraordinary power, then I should fulfill my obligations."

"Stop your tears, don't worry about me. Even if I'm alone, I can wipe them all out."

"As a Chosen One, I should do my best to protect ordinary people. This is my mission in life, and also my final ending."

……

Sitting on the stage, Li Chenqiu became more and more silent. The fingers resting on his knees couldn't help but tap involuntarily. The regret in his heart was like a raging fire, unable to be extinguished, growing stronger and stronger.

Had he known that they were going to do something like this today, he would have torn his mouth to shreds rather than say another word on North Huangshan.

"Huff~" Li Chenqiu let out a long breath and was about to block his hearing when a sob came from beside him.

Li Chenqiu turned his head in a daze and saw that the host Yang Zixiao's eyes were red, and drops of tears were sliding from the corners of her eyes.

Noticing Li Chenqiu's gaze, Yang Zixiao turned her head and gave Li Chenqiu a complicated look.

That kind of admiring and touched look messed up Li Chenqiu's brain.

I shouldn't have done anything that would move people, right? I just said a few righteous words, how did it make her cry?

Li Chenqiu took out a tissue from his pocket speechlessly and handed it to Yang Zixiao, "Don't cry, they're still filming."

Yang Zixiao nodded and lowered her eyebrows, reaching out to take the paper that Li Chenqiu handed over.

Just when Li Chenqiu thought this farce was over, bursts of sobbing came from below the stage, and there was a tendency to spread.

He stiffly turned his body and what came into view were pairs of eyes full of emotion.

Li Chenqiu forced a smile, "Everyone doesn't need to be so excited, I'm not dead yet. This mourning session is a bit too abrupt."

Li Qingxia, who was sitting backstage, couldn't suppress the grin on his face any longer.

If there weren't any staff members around him, he would have fallen to the ground laughing on the spot.

After a long five minutes, the video finally ended.

Li Chenqiu breathed a long sigh of relief, the clenched fist slowly relaxed, and he smiled and looked at the host Yang Zixiao.

Yang Zixiao calmed her emotions and said with a warm voice, "When I was nineteen years old, I was just a freshman. Every day I thought about what kind of clothes to wear, where to go on holidays, what I saw was prosperity, and what I heard was laughter.

Before today, I always thought this was normal, until I saw these video clips today, I realized that this is not normal. There is no such thing as a peaceful life, it's just that someone is carrying the weight for us."

Yang Zixiao looked at Li Chenqiu with deep emotion, "A nineteen-year-old child, using his not-so-broad shoulders, blocked the wind and rain and sheltered many people. Please give the warmest applause to Li Chenqiu!!!"

Clap clap clap clap!

"Well said, what a good child! The Special Abilities Department should learn more about this kind of selfless character!"

"City 11 is proud of you, we are proud of you!"

"Such a good child was actually slandered as Disaster Water by the An Tong Division. I think that Ye You is blind and her brain is muddled!"

"That's right, they even imprisoned such a good child. Are we paying taxes to support these kinds of people?"

Ye You and Zheng Kang, who were sitting in the back row, remained silent, like people from two different worlds compared to the emotionally excited audience around them.

"Hey, why aren't you talking or applauding?" The middle-aged man sitting next to Ye You asked curiously.

Ye You gave the other party a cold look, "I don't agree with the host's words, so I don't want to applaud or speak."

"Don't agree?" The middle-aged man sat up straight, "You mean you think what the host said is wrong?"

"I think there must be a reason why the An Tong Division suspects that Li Chenqiu is Disaster Water. He may not be as righteous as he is in the video," Ye You replied calmly.

"That's bullshit!" The middle-aged man pointed at Ye You and cursed, "I think you're really like that Ye You, small-headed and brainless!"