Chapter 103:

The competition venue is set in Los Angeles, USA.

Located in the southwestern part of the United States, Los Angeles is the largest city in California, both in terms of population and land area. Due to its Mediterranean climate, the weather is mild, with little rainfall throughout the year and generally high temperatures. It is currently September, the peak of summer, with hot, dry weather and minimal rain.

They arrived around 10 a.m. local time and were greeted by a white man named Eric Joshua.

However, as soon as they stepped out of the airport, the group was hit by a wave of scorching heat. The blazing sunlight felt like it could burn holes into their skin.

Fortunately, they had prepared for such weather. The girls applied sunscreen and wore long-sleeved sun-protective clothing, while the boys, being less meticulous, simply wore long-sleeved jackets.

Though it was still uncomfortably hot, at least they wouldn’t get sunburned. Moreover, they quickly boarded the car arranged by the organizers, so the heat didn’t last long.

The atmosphere during the ride was pleasant. Eric Joshua was a talkative man, engaging Qin Chaoyu and her group in lively conversation, frequently expressing amazement at the landscapes and culture of China they described.

Perhaps because the conversation went so well, Eric Joshua even shared a crucial piece of information—this year’s competition format had undergone a major overhaul, completely different from previous editions.

A flicker of concern passed through the team leader’s eyes, but since they had already come this far, there was little they could do. He simply reminded the six of them to stay calm, be quick-witted, and adapt to the situation.

The hotel booked by the organizers was in Beverly Hills. The mere mention of Beverly Hills made some of them realize just how extravagant the organizers were.

Known as a prestigious “city within a city” in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills is dubbed the “most exclusive residential area in the world,” symbolizing wealth and fame. Here, one can enjoy top-tier cuisine and purchase all kinds of luxury goods. It is an ideal residence for many millionaires and Hollywood celebrities, and it’s also considered a holy land of the global film industry.

However, most of the group came from well-off backgrounds and were no strangers to luxury. Besides, staying at a hotel in Beverly Hills was not the same as owning a villa there, so they remained unfazed.

The hotel booked by the organizers was called Hotel Sixty, a place that blended exotic charm with Californian modernism. Its stylish, contemporary design complemented the manicured lawns and historic architecture of Beverly Hills, exuding an air of sophistication.

Eric Joshua led them to the front desk, handed out their key cards, and then bid them farewell. Before leaving, he mentioned that the organizers would host a party at the hotel the night before the competition—tomorrow evening—to allow participants from different countries to mingle and get acquainted.

The group exchanged knowing smiles at this.

“Get acquainted”? More like a battlefield. If things didn’t escalate into arguments, it would already be a miracle.

Still, they couldn’t refuse to attend—that would be too disrespectful to the organizers.

After over ten hours on the plane, everyone was exhausted. As soon as Eric Joshua left, they retreated to their rooms to rest.

With the competition starting in two days and the scorching heat outside, Qin Chaoyu and her teammates decided to conserve their energy indoors, preparing themselves in the best possible condition.

Meanwhile, participants from other countries gradually arrived at the hotel.

Whether intentional or not, the organizers had placed the Chinese team’s rooms right next to those of the Japanese team. In recent years, political tensions and historical grievances had strained relations between the two countries. If there was one nation that Chinese citizens despised the most, Japan undoubtedly topped the list.

Knowing full well the animosity between the two countries, the organizers’ arrangement seemed like they were stirring the pot. Whether the Japanese team felt disgusted or not, Qin Chaoyu and her group certainly did, so they avoided leaving their rooms even more.

~

The party was scheduled for 8 p.m. sharp. As the clock struck eight, teams from various countries made their way to the hotel’s rooftop, where the event was held.

By the time Qin Chaoyu’s group arrived, some participants were already there, dressed in formal suits and gowns. Judging by their demeanor, they were undoubtedly competitors.

Unfamiliar with the others, the Chinese team chose to stay in a corner rather than approach anyone.

However, Rong Zhen’er, having skipped dinner in anticipation of the party, couldn’t resist the spread of delicacies. She eagerly grabbed a plate and started loading it with her favorite foods.

As the oldest and most mature member of the group, Xing Weiyue was tacitly acknowledged as the leader. Seeing that not everyone had arrived yet, he suggested to the other four, “Let’s grab some food too. Who knows what the organizers have planned later?”

Qin Chaoyu remained indifferent. She had little interest in Western cuisine, being a staunch lover of Chinese food. These past few days, she had barely eaten properly, as the hotel’s attempts at Chinese dishes fell far short of authentic flavors.

Still, she wouldn’t undermine Xing Weiyue’s authority. The six of them represented their country, and internal conflicts were unacceptable. So she casually walked over to a dessert table, eyeing the pastries that at least looked appealing.

Before they could eat much, the organizers quietly arrived—exactly at eight.

And so, the party officially began!

“Hello, dear ladies and gentlemen! Could I have your attention for a moment? Otherwise, I’d be terribly embarrassed.” A man’s voice suddenly rang out, drawing everyone’s focus. Only then did they notice a tall man standing at the front, his animated expressions and witty remarks eliciting good-natured laughter.

Once the laughter subsided, he continued, “Oh, thank you for noticing me—what a delight! Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Stanley Derek, the host of this year’s competition. That means I’ll be announcing all the rules and formats. Exciting, isn’t it?”

The crowd played along, cheering, “Yes!”

Stanley Derek grinned. “I’m thrilled to share the rules with you.” Then, his tone shifted mischievously. “But I wonder if you’ve heard… this year’s rules have changed! So all the advice you got from past participants? Useless now. Surprise!”

This bombshell had been tightly guarded by the organizers. Apart from vague hints given to the American team, no other country had been informed. If not for Eric Joshua’s earlier tip-off, Qin Chaoyu’s group would have been just as blindsided as the others, who erupted in chaos.

For the organizers, changing the rules was a last resort. As profit-driven Americans, no matter the purpose of the competition, they couldn’t let it interfere with making money.

In previous years, the organizers recorded the competition and uploaded it online. But after the initial novelty wore off, viewership declined year after year, with some editions even incurring losses. Naturally, investors were displeased—who would enjoy pouring money into something that didn’t yield returns?

Just as the organizers feared the competition might collapse, a major conglomerate stepped in as a sponsor. To prevent another investor pullout, they hired Anthony Lance, a producer renowned for hit shows, hoping he could inject new life into the event.

But back to the party.

Stanley Derek closed his eyes, relishing the complaints, groans, and murmurs from the crowd like a sadist. Once he’d had his fill, he cut them off with a half-hearted consolation: “Alright, alright, no use complaining. The rules aren’t changing back. Ha!”

His taunting only earned him glares.

Unfazed, Stanley shrugged. “That’s all from me. Now, it’s your turn to enjoy the party! I’ll take my leave now. Bye! Mwah~”

With a blown kiss, he swiftly exited.

Realizing there was no point in sulking, most attendees began enjoying themselves—dancing to the music, indulging in food, or making new friends.

Qin Chaoyu, with her striking looks, was constantly approached by bold foreigners who openly flirted with her. Unaccustomed to such directness, she grew increasingly uncomfortable and was about to leave when she caught sight of a commotion in a corner.

Amid the loud music, even with her heightened senses, she could barely make out Luo Chenshe’s furious voice. Worried, she hurried over.

As she neared, she confirmed it was indeed Luo Chenshe, his face flushed with anger as he glared at a man opposite him. Thankfully, despite his rage, a thread of rationality remained in his eyes.

The man’s back was turned, so Qin Chaoyu couldn’t see his expression. To prevent any physical altercation, she quickly positioned herself between them.

“Are you okay?” she asked Luo Chenshe.

Seeing her, Luo Chenshe calmed slightly and shook his head, indicating he was unharmed. Only then did he notice the crowd around them, and his face reddened further in embarrassment.

Before Qin Chaoyu could ease his discomfort, the man across from them spoke in heavily accented English: “Am I wrong? Our traditional Korean medicine has perfected Chinese medicine. And in past competitions, your Chinese team’s performance was lackluster. Besides, does China have no one else? Sending a young woman like you—”

Instead of arguing, Qin Chaoyu swiftly stepped forward and, before anyone could react, inserted a silver needle into the man’s body. Then she retreated and coolly asked his companions, “Do you feel my medical skills now?”

Why not ask the man himself? Because he had been rendered mute.

His companions panicked, demanding, “What did you do?!”

Qin Chaoyu replied, “Didn’t you say your medicine is superior? Then remove the needle yourselves. Oh, and a friendly reminder—don’t pull it out carelessly or move too much, unless you want him to stay mute forever.”

A brutal slap in the face!

Just moments ago, they had boasted about their superiority, only to be humbled by a single needle.

Actions speak louder than words. They were doctors, not lawyers—real skill lay in practice, not empty talk.

The man’s companions hesitated, not daring to touch the needle, while the man himself froze, terrified of permanent muteness.

Luo Chenshe watched Qin Chaoyu’s actions with admiration. That was beyond cool!

The onlookers recognized the technique as acupuncture. The fact that a single needle could produce such an effect left them awestruck. Many had doubted the legendary claims about Chinese medicine, but now they saw proof. At the same time, they grew wary—such skill could shake up the competition.

As tensions mounted, a handsome but sharp-featured man stepped forward. After a subtle glare at his teammates, he smiled at Qin Chaoyu. “My companion spoke too bluntly, and I apologize on his behalf. As the team leader, I sincerely hope you’ll remove the needle. After all, the competition starts tomorrow—this isn’t ideal, is it?”

His words were smooth, twisting the narrative to paint his team as victims and Qin Chaoyu’s retaliation as aggression. Apologies laced with veiled threats—a classic carrot-and-stick approach.

Qin Chaoyu disliked dealing with such manipulative people. Before she could respond, Xing Weiyue joined them, along with Rong Zhen’er, Si Liangxiao, and Gao Xiangfei. They surrounded Luo Chenshe protectively before turning their glares on the opposing trio.

Xing Weiyue retorted, “Mr. Kim, that’s quite the exaggeration. Your team provoked us, and we merely responded in kind. We’re not stopping you from removing the needle—in fact, we even warned you against mishandling it. How is that unfair?”

Kim Jiji’s eyes flashed with irritation. He resented his teammates for putting him in this humiliating position.

Suppressing his anger, he said, “Since Miss Qin inserted the needle, it’s best if she removes it. We’re just being cautious.”

No amount of sugarcoating could hide their inability to undo the acupuncture.

Kim Jiji felt the crowd’s mocking gazes piercing him. His smile strained, his expression darkening.

Xing Weiyue scoffed and stepped back, leaving the decision to Qin Chaoyu.

She approached, and in a blink, the needle was out. “No skill means no skill. No need for excuses,” she remarked before walking away.

The others followed.

Kim Jiji’s face twisted in fury. Ignoring his teammates, he stormed off, leaving them scrambling after him.

The spectacle concluded, and someone in the crowd couldn’t help but laugh, sparking a wave of chuckles.