Chapter 55: The Thing Inside You Will Explode, You Know
"Alright everyone, please don't be swayed by certain rumors online..."
Homelander's words were cut short by the crowd below the stage. Holding banners that read "Make Translucent Appear," they shouted loudly, "We don't want any explanations! We just want Translucent to appear before us!"
Seeing things getting worse and worse, Madelyn Stillwell worried that Homelander would lose control of his emotions. She called Ashley Barrett over and asked her to temporarily take control of the situation.
"We can't let things continue like this. Just tell the crowd that Translucent was previously on a secret mission, and his mission ended today, so everyone will see him immediately."
"But..." Ashley didn't understand how Madelyn could make a dead person reappear.
"Don't waste time, I'll handle the rest." Madelyn stood up, picked up her phone, stood by the window, and dialed a number.
Half an hour later, Xia Shang received a notification telling him to go to the Vice President's Office.
"Please sit." Madelyn invited Xia Shang to sit down.
After Xia Shang was seated, Madelyn continued, "Regarding your three plans, I am very satisfied. Although the first plan's effect wasn't good, I understand that wasn't your fault. Therefore, I will have you specifically responsible for the implementation of the third plan."
"You mean... you want me to find a Supe with transformation ability?"
"No, I've already found one for you." At this moment, the real Madelyn walked out from a Room nearby.
Seeing such a bizarre scene, Xia Shang appropriately revealed an incredulous expression. He repeatedly looked at the two, saying in surprise, "They're simply too similar. I don't think I can tell who is real and who is fake."
"This is exactly the effect we want."
Madelyn, who had walked to the desk, smiled.
Meanwhile, the other Madelyn's body began to deform and twist, finally revealing its true appearance: a slightly bloated man.
"Pleased to meet you, sir," the Doppelganger said with a smile.
"The rest is up to you. I hope you can make this public opinion issue pass quickly."
Madelyn lowered her head to tidy the items on the desk, indicating that the two could leave.
"With this gentleman's help, this is a very easy matter."
Walking out of the Vice President's Office, Xia Shang said to the Doppelganger, "I usually like to discuss things with people while dining. A three-star restaurant in New York is good. I can call and book a Private Room."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely arrive on time."
Looking at the other person's awkward appearance, Xia Shang suddenly had the urge to twist his head off. It seemed the Doppelganger, like that Rubber Man before, was bisexual. Regarding this preference, Xia Shang neither opposed nor approved. As long as the other party didn't provoke him, he could pretend not to see it.
In his opinion, as long as the Doppelganger had use value, whether he was bisexual was completely irrelevant.
Evening arrived.
Xia Shang was already sitting in the Private Room in advance, waiting for the Doppelganger's arrival. "Sorry, I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." The Doppelganger was very punctual, almost exactly on time, pushing open the Private Room door.
"The timing is perfect. Please sit."
Xia Shang raised his left hand, looked at the watch on his wrist, and said.
The two didn't speak until all the dishes were served. Only then did Xia Shang speak, "For the upcoming public relations arrangements, I need to know the detailed situation of your superpower. For example, is there a limit to how long you can transform? Can it be maintained continuously, or can it only last for a period of time?"
"It can only last for a period of time. This period is roughly within twenty-four hours. And, after the time ends, if I haven't chosen to transform into someone else, then I can still transform into the previously selected target," the Doppelganger explained his superpower to Xia Shang.
"Good ability. Later, I will give you Translucent's account. You need to go live and explain some questions from the audience."
"Remember, the live stream time should not exceed three minutes. The more questions you answer, the greater the risk of exposure. I think you've been with Madelyn for so long, you should be very good at disguise."
Xia Shang's words made the originally calm Doppelganger turn pale with shock. He subconsciously retorted, "How would you know?"
"What I know is far more than you imagine. If possible, I hope to get all the dirt Madelyn currently possesses. Don't tell me you don't have a backup. Generally smart people leave themselves a way out." Xia Shang put down the knife and fork in his hand and looked calmly at the Doppelganger.
"What do you want to do?! Aren't you afraid that after Madelyn finds out, she'll have Homelander kill you?"
The Doppelganger stood up unsteadily. He seemed to realize the situation wasn't right, so he prepared to leave.
"Don't rush. Look at your pant leg."
At Xia Shang's reminder, the Doppelganger quickly looked towards his pant leg. Only to see a slender creature like a venomous snake was wrapped around his leg. The next second, the slender creature pierced his skin, swimming along the flesh and blood towards the heart.
The excruciating pain couldn't compare to the panic in the Doppelganger's heart at this moment.
He hurriedly took off his upper clothing, then saw with his own eyes that under his own skin, there was a long strip less than two centimeters wide, constantly approaching his heart.
"Quick, quickly make it stop! I'll give you Madelyn's dirt, I'll give you all of it!" The Doppelganger's voice was even tinged with a slight sob. Under the threat of death, it's probably hard for anyone to appear calm and composed.
"When you are infinitely close to death, only then can you deeply experience the meaning of life. Congratulations on making the correct choice."
Under the light from the top of the Private Room, Xia Shang brought the wine glass to his mouth, then drank the pale golden wine within in one gulp. Then he came in front of the Doppelganger, extended the wine glass in his hand, and then released his hand.
Only heard a 'snap', and the wine glass shattered into countless pieces.
"I forgot to tell you, the thing inside you will explode, you know, like this." Xia Shang's right hand made an exploding gesture.
At the same time, the Doppelganger's abdomen was suddenly pierced by several thin steel needles.
"Fuck you!" The Doppelganger was so pained he couldn't straighten his back, half-knelt in front of Xia Shang.
"Okay, just kidding with you. As long as you do as I say, I will guarantee your safety." Xia Shang made the steel needles retract and reached out to help the Doppelganger up. This guy's superpower was very useful, whether used for gathering information or framing someone, it was very good.
"I promise you! You first get this damn thing out of my body!" The Doppelganger was panting heavily. God knows what he just experienced. He could feel that Xia Shang was serious. If he didn't agree to the other party, the other party would kill him without hesitation.
"Sorry, that thing has already fused with your flesh and blood. Let alone me, even if you go to major Hospitals, they won't find any trace of its existence." Xia Shang very gentlemanly picked up the clothes and handed them to him.
(End of this Chapter)