Chapter - 6068

During the performance the following day, Charlie felt utterly defeated.

He wanted Stefanie and Tawanna to switch to a different dancer, but both of them firmly resisted.

Stefanie believed that no one could replicate Charlie's captivating presence on stage.

Tawanna was keenly aware that it was her bold actions during last night's performance that put Charlie in a difficult position.

So, she earnestly said, “Mr. Wade, don’t worry; I will definitely keep everything in check today…”

Noticing Tawanna’s sincere demeanor, Charlie thought that if he reacted harshly, he wouldn’t come across as very generous, so he nodded and replied, “Alright, let’s agree to keep our interactions less intimate in the upcoming performances.”

Tawanna nodded vigorously, surprised, and repeatedly assured him, “Don't worry, I absolutely will. My agent even told me yesterday…”

Stefanie found it amusing to watch Charlie acting so bashful and covered her mouth, laughing as she said, “So, there are things that make Charlie nervous.”

Then, she took Tawanna by the arm and playfully said, “I’ve never seen Charlie this uneasy about anything before. I guess he was intimidated by your enthusiasm and willingness.”

Charlie couldn’t help but roll his eyes at her and thought to himself, “I’m not just intimidated by her; I’m also worried about you. You must have picked up some bad habits from this American girl.”

Given that yesterday's performance was so sensational that it trended globally for an entire day, expectations from today’s audience for Stefanie’s performance were sky-high, eager to see Tawanna’s passion and energy on stage.

As soon as Stefanie began singing “Assassin” again, Charlie erupted into cheers from the audience as soon as he stepped onto the stage.

The audience may not have known who Charlie was, but they couldn’t help but admire the male dancer’s form, figure, and every move of his sword dance—everything was flawless. As young people often say nowadays, it radiated an air of sexual tension.

Although his face was hidden, everything visible about him was perfect, and the masked Charlie retained an air of mystery that only made him more alluring.

After all, people have varying standards of attractiveness. Some men may be handsome but lack masculinity; others may be rugged but have less appealing features. Some prefer long faces, while others are drawn to square ones; some like thick eyebrows and large eyes, while others may favor a more delicate look.

So, if Charlie weren’t masked, there would always be someone who didn’t find him attractive.

However, when masked, it was impossible to find any faults with him.

As Charlie started his sword performance, it became a visual and auditory feast for the audience.

When Tawanna made her entrance, deafening cheers erupted from the crowd. The audience had come to witness Tawanna’s passionate exchanges with the male dancer, but Tawanna remained quite composed. Although there was some physical contact between her and Charlie during the song, she ultimately held back and didn’t move in to kiss him.

As the song concluded without the anticipated kiss, the fans began waving their glow sticks, and someone shouted “Kiss” in English, prompting the entire crowd to join in a chorus of “Kiss! Kiss!”

After Tawanna finished singing all her numbers, it was expected that Charlie and Stefanie would leave the stage and cede it back to Tawanna.

But in the spirit of wanting to see something exciting unfold, the audience continued to encourage them to create an unforgettable moment.

Noticing the growing excitement in the audience, Tawanna leaned in to whisper in Charlie’s ear, “Mr. Wade, could you just give me a gentle kiss? The crowd is so enthusiastic; if we don’t give them what they want, they’ll be very disappointed…”

While she spoke, her expression was a blend of longing and pleading.

She had promised not to initiate a kiss like the day before, but asking for his permission seemed reasonable.

If he was willing, that was great, and if not, she wouldn’t force him.

With so many fans cheering her on, it seemed understandable for her to make this request, and it was now up to Charlie to decide.

At that moment, Charlie felt a touch of pressure from the fans. Why were they so nosy?

Other fans typically hope their idols steer clear of romantic entanglements, but Tawanna’s fans appeared to relish the notion of watching something unfold.

Yet, considering Tawanna’s history of captivating her audience with romantic escapades, it seemed natural for them to anticipate such interactions. Watching her in a playful situation on stage was likely more entertaining than just hearing her songs.

As Charlie heard the chants for a kiss reverberating around him and looked at Tawanna’s beseeching expression, he noticed Stefanie, not far away, wearing a teasing grin. In a bid to leave the situation quickly, he reluctantly whispered, “Alright, alright, let’s just get it over with.”

Tawanna was overjoyed at his concession. She quickly rose and gently kissed him through his mask.

The audience erupted in cheers, thoroughly satisfied, and their applause continued for a long time.

Feeling helpless, Charlie let out a sigh of relief as he took the lift with Stefanie to exit the stage.

Since yesterday's passionate kiss overshadowed today's lighter one, this performance didn’t create the same buzz.

However, the fact that they kissed on both days led to the audience feeling that this was a deliberate part of the show’s design.

Back in the lounge, Stefanie was grinning while scrolling through trending topics on TikTok. “Charlie, fans are now convinced this was all part of the stage design. I bet you’ll have to share another kiss with Tawanna during the next two performances in a row.”

Charlie shrugged, no longer interested, and casually replied, “Whatever they want; it’s not like it was a real kiss through the mask anyway.”

Stefanie immediately snuggled up to him like a playful rabbit, adopting a delicate tone, “Tawanna is so unfortunate; she can only kiss you through the mask, but I can kiss you directly.”

Then, she leaned closer to him, her lips hovering just above his, her warm breath washing over his face as if she might kiss him at any moment.

“Hey…” Charlie hadn’t anticipated that she would lose her shyness after their kiss the previous day. Not only was she unreserved, but she was also teasing him.

He instinctively recoiled and said with faux seriousness, “Stefanie, can we keep it more restrained…”

Stefanie was unfazed, resting her head against his chest as she whispered, “Everyone else is taking the initiative to ask you for a kiss; what do you expect from me?”

Charlie was left speechless by her words, rubbing his temples and letting out a sigh.

At the same time, he silently vowed never to agree to such a request again, no matter who it was.

...

Tawanna’s performances were set for two shows following a day off, and she was thrilled to have a whole day to rest.

To win Charlie over even more, she planned an entire day tour of Eastcliff, which she also decided to broadcast live across the globe.

So, early the next morning, Tawanna, accompanied by her manager, assistant, bodyguard, and a group of twenty others, boarded a bus bound for the Great Wall.

Several cameras streamed the event live on multiple platforms, drawing over 10 million viewers online.

Throughout the broadcast, Tawanna enthusiastically praised everything she encountered, helping international viewers—who had never visited China or Eastcliff—admire the grandeur and splendor of the Great Wall.

After exploring the Great Wall, her convoy quickly returned to the city, first stopping at the Summer Palace, followed by the Old Summer Palace.

Many assumed that Tawanna, not being knowledgeable about Chinese history, chose the Old Summer Palace simply because it was famous and nearby, thinking it was just a casual third stop.

However, what no one knew was that Tawanna had thoroughly prepared for this.

She understood that Charlie was very patriotic, so she strategically arranged a global live broadcast and pretended to choose the Old Summer Palace as a way to showcase her attitude and align her preferences with Charlie’s values.

As she entered the Old Summer Palace, she feigned confusion like a curious little rabbit. While admiring the scenery, she asked the tour guide about its history.

The guide assumed this American superstar was unaware of the historical significance of the Old Summer Palace and began to explain its construction and the events that led to its destruction.

The live camera focused on the ruins, especially the site of the fires that had burned the Old Summer Palace, showcasing the most prominent remnants of its history.

As viewers witnessed this significant site, the live chat flooded with comments in various languages, expressing regret and sympathy.

At this moment, Tawanna pretended to be surprised and asked the tour guide, “Who was responsible for this destruction?”

“The British and French forces burned this place in 1860,” the guide replied. “They launched the Second Opium War, aiming to transport opium to China. After capturing Eastcliff, they pillaged and destroyed the Old Summer Palace. Many artifacts from that time can still be found in the British Museum.”

Tawanna feigned shock and exclaimed, “The British and French did this? Did they ever apologize for their actions?”

“Not at all,” the guide answered. “The British and French have colonized many parts of the world, engaging in burning, looting, and various forms of oppression. To my knowledge, they haven't publicly apologized to any country, and the artifacts they stole remain in the British Museum.”

“My goodness!” Tawanna said, her voice filled with indignation. “I think their behavior is absolutely disgraceful! In the past, sincere apologies could wash away mistakes, but how can they be so shameless? Not only do they refuse to apologize or return stolen cultural treasures, but they also showcase them in their museum as if they’re proud of their history of colonization. Is this what they call the gentlemanly spirit of Britain?”