Universe Infinite Canteen

The Zambian Fisherman's video had already finished playing.

In the video, he detailed the criteria he used to determine whether lip syncing was involved, the professional software he used, and the source of the audio. Plus, he had made similar exposé videos in the past, with a stunning hit rate of 100%.

Under these circumstances, Angie's proverbial death sentence had basically already been pronounced.

Therefore, the host asked Angie afterward whether she had used backing tracks in her previous concerts.

Because the talent agency had given her a heads-up, the host's wording was relatively gentle and did not use the term "lip syncing" that was currently flooding the comments.

However, this was just her first question. If Angie admitted to using backing tracks, the host's subsequent questions would become increasingly sharp.

It wasn't just that concert. She also planned to ask Angie whether she had used backing tracks in previous concerts, because once you start doing such a thing, it's unlikely to be just a one-time deal.

Likewise, she would ask Angie many questions involving her personal privacy, including rumors about her boyfriend in the entertainment industry and secrets within her own group.

Because people are most psychologically vulnerable when being publicly exposed, it was very likely that she might totally give up and reveal even more explosive news.

Although the live-broadcasting platform would show some courtesy to the talent agency, the two were not entirely in comradeship.

The platform needed viewership, viewership, and even more viewership!

In order to outperform several competitors, they had splurged 200 million to secure the exclusive broadcasting rights for this live event and even upgraded their servers. They wouldn't settle for a mere five million views record.

For that, even sacrificing a top-tier idol was deemed worth it.

Yet Angie's answer was simply three words, "I did not."

This response surprised both the female host and the Zambian Fisherman. At this point, was she still going to play tough?

Indeed, even if it was unreasonable, adopting such a strategy could at least retain her core fans. But if that was the case, wouldn't it have been better not to organize a live broadcast to prove herself from the start?

The usual practice within the circle was for the agent's studio to issue a statement to fool the fans and then let the issue cool off.

However, Angie had uncharacteristically issued a very tough challenge, stepped into the ring, and then unilaterally declared a ceasefire. Where does such a thing happen?

Besides, the platform had genuinely invested 200 million dollars; they couldn't just accept such an abrupt end.

The person in charge of the platform was obviously getting anxious, and began urging the female host through the earpiece to be more assertive.

So, biting the bullet, the host continued to push harder, "So, you're saying, Ms. Angie, that you're denying you used backing tracks during the concert and that you performed perfectly, even better than the other four in your group, and identical to the album which was edited post-production?"

"I didn't sing better than the others, I just did my best," Angie replied, sniffing, appearing truly aggrieved, as if her tears might fall at any moment.

A flicker of delight that was hard to notice passed through the host's eyes, "Good, then let's watch two more videos next."

After saying that, she put two more videos in the live room. Both videos were from Love&Five's concert scenes, both featuring the song "Sewer Love Mouse," both with Angie on stage, and both precisely 60 seconds long, just not from the same concert.

After playing these two clips, the host handed them over to the Zambian Fisherman.

"Mr. Zambian Fisherman, could you analyze these two videos live and give your expert verdict?"

"No problem."

Zambian Fisherman replied crisply as he opened his work software on his computer and imported both audio files.

After analyzing them one by one, he found the first video flawless, but the second was full of flaws.

Indeed, even without tools and just by listening, one could easily discern the huge difference between the two videos.

If the first was like a state banquet, the second, at best, was street food. While it might not taste too bad alone, it became hard to swallow when compared to the first one.

The host then turned to Angie, "These two clips, the first is from that highly controversial concert, and the second is from another concert held a week ago.

She deliberately paused to let the comments surge before continuing, "Ms. Angie, do you have anything to say?"

Confronted with such a question, tears involuntarily fell from Angie's eyes, but she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.

"I know this sounds incredible, but it's true; I sang live at both concerts.

"That... some people online criticize my singing skills; I know I have disappointed everyone. Here, I want to apologize to my fans and listeners again."

Angie then stood up, genuinely bowed deeply towards the camera, but when she raised her head again, more tear marks streaked her face, and she couldn't wipe them away with the back of her hand, only to choke up and say.

"I didn't want to keep dragging everyone down, so I had been practicing hard in private, but the results weren't very promising, until one day it suddenly clicked. It felt like... like the kings and queens of music were teaching me to sing, hand in hand."

"That's outrageous!" Zambia Fisherman blurted out, unable to contain himself.

The female host, possessing professional demeanor, briefly checked the viewer count in the livestream after Angie's incredible statement and saw it had jumped to 6 million, which visibly energized her.

She first changed her pose to flaunt her black silk legs, then continued, "So, Ms. Angie, you really are a uniquely gifted individual."

"You don't believe me?"

"Of course I have no reason not to believe you, Ms. Angie," the host smiled, "but it seems that Mr. Zambian Fisherman and many of our viewers have different opinions...."

"Then let me sing it again live."

"What?" The host was stunned. Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

"I said, let me sing it again live," Angie said weakly, "Even though singing it perfectly live can't prove that the concert wasn't lip-synced, at least it shows that my skills indeed have improved and my hard work over this period wasn't in vain."

"Give it up, people are not machines. No matter how hard you try, you can't achieve total perfection," Zambian Fisherman said coldly.

"But, I want to try." Angie clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly, "I will sing now, and the song will still be 'Love in the Sewers: Mouse'."

She then looked to the female host, "Can you help me find some accompaniment? Just download something online."

"Okay, sure," the host barely managed to keep from laughing as the number of online viewers continued to soar.

The big moment had arrived.

Angie then turned to the Zambian Fisherman, "Mr. Fisherman, the recording and analysis are up to you."

"Why do you even bother," Zambian Fisherman sighed, "Just admit to the backing track, it's embarrassing, sure, but you wouldn't be the only singer to do it; one more wouldn't matter much."

"But I, I really didn't lip-sync," Angie grasped the microphone.