Seeing Xia Lin hesitate and unable to answer, Penguin Ma asked considerately, "Like singing, dancing, anything to get by, and I'll arrange some support dancers for you."
Singing?
Xia Lin couldn't sing. She had sung once in her live stream, and after losing tens of thousands of fans, she never dared to sing again.
However, dancing was an option, as she had some basic skill.
"Uncle Ma, would dancing be okay?" Xia Lin confirmed her performance direction.
"Dancing is great. Just dance freely on stage, and I'll have people coordinate with you," Penguin Ma nodded, then looked at Chen Dajie and continued, "Which celebrities have been invited to this event?"
"There are over a dozen top-tier celebrities, such as An Zha Lababy, Guan Xiaoxiao, Dililaba, Ouyang Lala, Jin Xiaochen, Yang Yang, Wang Xiaokai..." Chen Dajie listed more than ten popular male and female stars.
Penguin Ma didn't understand. He had heard these names a few times, but he didn't know their talents.
"Pick two people to dance with Lin'er," Penguin Ma, not understanding these matters, could only entrust the task to Chen Dajie.
"Uncle Ma, wouldn't that be... inappropriate?" Xia Lin felt even more pressure with Penguin Ma's suggestion.
Were these her idols, dancing with her?
"It's fine. You dance your part, they dance theirs. Any flaws will be their problem," Penguin Ma quickly comforted her.
Xia Lin: --!
"For the supporting dancers, let's have An Zha Lababy and Jin Xiaochen, and maybe Ouyang Lala can play the piano on the side. That will elevate the stage effect," Chen Dajie expressed his thoughts.
"Okay, I'll leave the arrangements to you. When we go to the stadium later, I'll speak with them personally," Penguin Ma nodded.
After finalizing the matter, Penguin Ma decided to go to the stadium early to have a dance team choreograph a routine for Xia Lin.
Xia Lin would be the finale, and during this time, they could rehearse backstage.
"Is there anything I can help with? I can also perform with Lin'er, I'll sing," Jack Ma, who had been listening, felt like he wasn't involved and proactively offered.
"You'll sing?" Penguin Ma feigned an exaggerated expression, drawing out his voice in surprise.
"Yes, haven't you seen that I'm the lead singer whenever our group holds a gala?" Jack Ma said confidently.
"Cut the crap. If you want to ruin the entire event, just say so," Penguin Ma flatly rejected Jack Ma's suggestion.
"I sense you looking down on my singing from your words."
Jack Ma stopped Penguin Ma, who was about to leave, and asked.
"Can't you be more confident and remove the 'sense'? I *do* look down on your singing, and you're not getting on stage, not even close," Penguin Ma said.
"Damn... You actually look down on me? I remember you doing that awkward dance with a deadpan expression at your group's annual meeting. I almost threw up."
"If you're so capable, you have the guts to go support Lin'er tonight. I'll personally cheer for you." Jack Ma said with a look of disdain.
Recalling Penguin Ma's performance at the annual meeting – a dance with a blank face, left hand on his hip, right hand making swaying motions – Jack Ma felt nauseous.
(You can search for it; it's so awkward it'll make you laugh until your stomach hurts.)
Penguin Ma: .....
Exposed by Jack Ma, he had nothing to refute; it was indeed awkward.
It wasn't his forte. No matter how well he danced, no one would subscribe.
"So? Have you considered my suggestion? How about you dance with them, and I'll sing backup?" Jack Ma, seeing Penguin Ma's silence, had a sudden idea to trick Penguin Ma onto the stage to make a fool of himself.
"Get lost."
Penguin Ma shook Jack Ma off and hurried away.
Dancing was out of the question, not even if he were killed.
"Xiao Ma, consider it!" Jack Ma quickly chased after him, shouting.
............
Because Xia Lin needed to rehearse her dance, everyone had an early dinner and headed to the stadium.
By the time they arrived at the stadium, most of the participating celebrities had already arrived. They needed to rehearse as it was a live broadcast, and mistakes could easily happen without practice.
As soon as they reached the stadium, Penguin Ma instructed Chen Dajie to call An Zha Lababy, Jin Xiaochen, and Ouyang Lala over.
He planned to discuss the supporting dance arrangements for the evening with the three of them.
As for whether they would agree, Penguin Ma believed they had no choice, as the request wasn't excessive.
"Director Chen, do you have something to tell us?" Jin Xiaochen, who had a more cheerful personality, asked as they walked.
"We're planning for the three of you to support someone tonight. An Zha Lababy and Jin Xiaochen will do the dancing, and Ouyang Lala, you'll play the piano," Director Chen saw Jin Xiaochen's question and saw no need to hide it.
"Who is it, and how should we cooperate?" An Zha Lababy's curiosity was piqued.
"The person you'll be supporting is definitely a veteran artist."
"You'll know when the time comes." Chen Dajie didn't mention Xia Lin, as he wasn't sure of Xia Lin's actual identity.
As for the streamer identity, it was clearly a disguise, something Chen Dajie could tell.
Chen Dajie led the three to a room on the second floor. Inside, about a dozen people were seated. The sudden entrance startled the three women, who initially thought Chen Dajie had ulterior motives.
It wasn't until they saw Penguin Ma, Jack Ma, and the National Youth King that their expressions shifted from surprise to shock.
"Mr. Ma, they're here," Chen Dajie walked over and whispered.
Penguin Ma stood up and walked towards the three women.
"Hello, Mr. Ma," the three said in unison.
Penguin Ma nodded. Seeing that they were a bit nervous, he smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. We need your help with a supporting dance tonight."
"Okay, no problem." The three agreed without hesitation.
Penguin Ma spoke to them personally, and no matter who they were supporting, they had no objections.
In the eyes of capitalists, trending celebrities were nothing. Those in their profession understood this principle too well.
"Lin'er." Penguin Ma beckoned towards Xia Lin.
Xia Lin walked over and called out, "Uncle Ma."
"This is Lin'er, the most important protagonist tonight. You'll be responsible for supporting her performance. We'll have the dance team choreograph a dance for you later," Penguin Ma introduced Xia Lin.
The three of them smiled and greeted Xia Lin, making their acquaintance.
After they got acquainted, Penguin Ma asked them to leave for now.
As they walked out of the room, the three women were still quite shaken.
"Uncle Ma, Teacher Ma just said you'll also be dancing with Lin'er tonight. I really didn't expect you to know how to dance!" Xia Feng said with a smile as Penguin Ma walked over.
"En???"
"What's going on?"
Penguin Ma looked utterly confused.