Chapter 102: The TV Program’s Sudden Surge in Popularity

In truth, beautiful women are not always hard to charm. Sometimes they are even easier to win over than ordinary ones. There is a rather rude saying: “Ugly people always make a fuss.” Ordinary women are often not confident enough in male attention and do not dare accept it easily.

But pretty girls are different. They tend to think a man’s attention comes naturally; he must be after their looks. As long as she does not dislike you, getting close is truly simple.

Granted, by any measure Kendall had more fans than he did, greater fame in the United States, and no less ability to make money. But so what? Men were born to conquer women.

Li Lekang took control of the atmosphere of the conversation, using the excuse that he truly knew a little witchcraft. He held her hand, studied her palm, and gave her an analysis of the ancient Eastern art of palm reading.

Kendall was fully immersed in the game, anticipation bright in her eyes. “What do you see, Mr. Wizard?”

“Patience.” Li Lekang pretended to examine it seriously. “This line tells me that you are, hmm, someone who longs for attention and recognition, and there is a kind of perseverance deep inside you.”

“You have your own convictions and principles, and they will give you strength. Follow your intuition, and you will soon find your happiness.”

“Wow.” Kendall blinked. “I’ll admit some of that is kind of right, but as for the part about happiness, I don’t think it just shows up when you say it.”

She was trying to challenge his judgment a little.

But he did not mind at all. Still smiling, he looked at her. “You mean you don’t feel happy at all right now?”

“A little, but...” She searched for a way to push back, unwilling to let him always have the upper hand.

“Oh, come on. I can see it. You’re just a little brat who wants to cheat even while playing games!” Li Lekang laughed, lightly tapped the back of her hand, then leaned back with his arms folded.

“No, I’m not!” Kendall pouted at him.

After all, a date needed a little emotional rise and fall. Too much calm and it would go cold. A bit of teasing, a bit of roughhousing, and then he stood up, sat beside her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

She went from mild resistance, to compliance, to kissing him back on her own.

The afternoon tea passed quickly. By the end, Kendall, nestled in his arms, was reluctant to leave.

“Why don’t you come back to Los Angeles with me?” she asked, looking up at him.

“I think a proper distance makes the next date more something to look forward to.” Li Lekang did not mention work as an excuse. He simply spoke while gently stroking her hair.

“Mm.” Kendall did not object. “I admit this was a pretty good date. If you can still give me a little surprise next time, I’ll come find you first, magician!”

“Then... open your bag and take a look.”

When she came over, she had set her bag down beside her. What was certain was that Li Lekang had never once touched that spot, yet he still pulled out another vivid red rose from inside.

“Wow, that’s so romantic!”

She inhaled it with obvious pleasure.

“I love it!”

Li Lekang smiled with pride. “That’s the charm of dating a magician, isn’t it?”

“Yes!” She looped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I’m starting to love this feeling. You have to come see me again soon!”

To hear a woman say that, Li Lekang was already more than halfway to success. If she had not truly needed to rush off to an event, he probably would have ended the night in a supercar.

But flights did not wait for anyone. In the end, Kendall still left with lingering reluctance. Li Lekang told her he would think of her all night long, and after watching the girl get into the car and disappear down the road, he picked up his phone and called Marlon.

“Hey, brother! I saw your message. A party packed with hot girls? Hand over the address!”

A burst of laughter came from the other end. “How could I ever forget you? There’s never been a woman in this world who was truly one of a kind, and at Marlon’s party, you can always find a type you like! Hurry up!”

A man has only one life to live. If you’re going to be shameless, then be shameless openly and honestly.

Yearning for women all night long only invites trouble.

Li Lekang went off to indulge himself without the slightest guilt.

He spent the next two days like that, amusing himself while preparing for his Broadway show. At the same time, NBC’s magic reality show pilot was finally released.

The Marvelous Journey of Li Lekang was premiered in NBC’s nighttime prime slot, and depending on its ratings, audience response, and so on, the network would decide whether to launch a full series.

Still, everyone thought there was little cause for concern. Li Lekang’s current draw was extraordinary, and the content itself was certain to be highly anticipated, because what had previously been shown from Metropolis Stadium was only the part where the moon vanished.

From his sudden appearance on site to the dazzling performance that followed over the next several dozen minutes, none of it had leaked online. Aside from the eighty thousand fortunate witnesses in the stadium, everyone else could only wait on word of mouth.

The audience’s curiosity had already been thoroughly awakened.

NBC brought the carefully edited New York night to the screen.

That evening, Li Lekang did not go gallivanting about. He stayed with Judy and the rest of the team to watch the broadcast.

The professionally edited footage felt even more immersive than what the live audience had seen. It opened with Li Lekang’s conversation aboard the helicopter, and the first-person perspective made it all the more immediate.

Not long after the beginning, Li Lekang leapt from the helicopter without any protection, vanishing into the vast darkness of night under the stunned gazes of the staff.

The ground cameras even cut to the sky, showing only the departing aircraft and no opened parachute. A scene fit for a Hollywood action film, it delivered a tremendous sensory thrill.

Then came Li Lekang’s flash of arrival onstage, completing that electrifying entrance.

On screen, that move alone was the very peak of variety entertainment.

The footage was more than enough to serve as material for a Hollywood blockbuster.

Viewers were stunned. They had heard how spectacular the live event had been, but witnessing it with their own eyes was something else entirely. Because of the danger involved, it was no less shocking than making the moon disappear.

The ratings proved his popularity as well: an average of 18 million viewers watched. It would unquestionably claim the top spot in NBC’s ratings for the week, with an overwhelming lead of 10 million over the number-two program.

The reception after the broadcast was equally explosive. Comments from viewers overflowed with praise. They felt deeply fortunate that, after America’s Got Talent, they could still see Li Lekang active on stage.

His time on America’s Got Talent had been a must-watch moment for many viewers, and now there was a dedicated series? The anticipation was naturally off the charts.

A great many fans took to the internet to urge NBC to launch the first season as soon as possible.

Countless comments and even letters were also sent to NBC’s inbox, all of them fervent petitions.

Although the network executives had long anticipated such a response, they still fell into rapture once the results were in. If they could sign this show, it would absolutely become a future flagship hit.

One had to know that HBO’s hottest series, Game of Thrones, had once reached a peak viewership of around 19 million. Setting aside the disastrous final season, it had indeed created a pinnacle in television ratings.

After extensive promotion, Li Lekang’s pilot had reached a similar height. If his popularity kept building and he added a few more astonishing performances, would it not take off entirely?

Of course, the larger the number, the harder it becomes to move upward. Adding another million viewers to 18 million is far more difficult than going from 5 million to 6 million.

But the executives’ confidence in Li Lekang outweighed even the difficulty of challenging the ratings record. They nearly reached a unanimous decision overnight: they had to secure this show.

P.S. Holiday obligations kept me busy, so I was too lazy to split the updates. Posting both chapters together—please toss me a vote.