As the beautiful hostess's voice fell, two young girls, dressed in striking red and yellow embroidered kimonos, gracefully emerged from backstage, carrying a long glass case.
Within the glass case, a pure gold statue of a goddess, over a meter tall, was displayed.
The moment Cheng Xiaofan's eyes landed on the statue, they widened.
It was crafted to resemble their very own Goddess Bai.
Her eyes, nose, lips, and graceful figure were all flawless, as if meticulously replicated and then expertly sculpted from Bai Yiling herself.
Unlike their goddess, the statue was depicted with flowing robes, like an ethereal fairy soaring through the air, with clouds beneath her feet.
The entire statue, forged from pure gold, was a testament to exquisite craftsmanship.
This forced Cheng Xiaofan to reassess Takahashi Kiyonori, marveling at his speed.
They had met just yesterday at Li Weiguo's Tang Dynasty Grand Hotel, and in the blink of an eye, a pure gold goddess statue worth two hundred million had been created.
Did the person who made this statue possess hands that could move at the speed of light?
"We now invite Miss Bai Yiling to the stage to accept the Goddess Statue presented by Governor Takahashi!" At this point, the beautiful hostess bowed to Bai Yiling, making a gesture of invitation.
Takahashi Kiyonori was already on stage.
Bai Yiling glanced at her mysterious man.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately smiled back at his Goddess Bai, conveying his message: "My goddess, please go up there!"
A two-hundred-million pure gold statue, why refuse it?
Especially one made in your likeness!
At the very least, it held sentimental value.
Bai Yiling understood Cheng Xiaofan's unspoken words instantly.
She rose gracefully, her long legs carrying her elegantly towards the stage, her queenly demeanor perfectly in command.
A roar!
The audience erupted into applause once more.
Cheng Xiaofan wished his hands could clap with the force of two mountains colliding.
Applause for his goddess had to be given with full force!
This round of applause lasted for over ten minutes.
Truly a lengthy ovation.
Only when their palms were red and swollen did the hall finally quiet down.
It was none other than!
Bai Yiling's beauty had captivated everyone present.
Even some who knew she was already taken, and was Cheng Xiaofan's close girlfriend, and had initially decided not to applaud, found themselves unable to resist.
It felt as though not applauding such a goddess would invite divine retribution.
This inexplicable psychological suggestion was the most powerful form of conquest!
Takahashi Kiyonori, facing Bai Yiling, said with genuine admiration, "Goddess Bai, you are truly magnificent! Since I became the administrative head of Yamaguchi Prefecture, I have never received such enthusiastic and prolonged applause!"
"This is a record-breaking moment in the history of our Yamaguchi Prefecture!"
"Governor Takahashi, you are too kind!"
Bai Yiling, with perfect politeness, addressed the audience once more, "Thank you all for your applause for Bai Yiling!"
Her voice was like heavenly music, stirring the audience below. Despite their red and swollen palms, they erupted into another ten-minute round of thunderous applause.
Truly a goddess!
The reception of applause was electrifying!
Cheng Xiaofan could tell that while some were applauding his goddess with all their might, they were inwardly seething with jealousy towards him, their heads practically itching with envy.
He felt no anger about this.
It merely proved the overwhelming charm of his Goddess Bai.
"Goddess Bai, please accept this Goddess Statue!" Takahashi Kiyonori took the pure gold statue worth two hundred million from the two young girls and presented it to Bai Yiling.
"Thank you, Governor Takahashi!" Bai Yiling accepted the statue without hesitation.
Takahashi Kiyonori then said to Bai Yiling with a smile, "Goddess Bai, our prefectural government is planning to erect another statue of you in the plaza on Shimizu Street, for everyone to admire and take photos!"
"..." Cheng Xiaofan was momentarily speechless upon hearing this.
Just statues of Bai Yiling? What about him?
After all, on this land of Sakura, he was also a male god in the hearts of countless young girls!
What was happening to the world, becoming so biased towards women and neglecting men?
Wait a minute!
At that very moment, Cheng Xiaofan distinctly felt that Takahashi Kiyonori was pursuing a "goddess strategy," aiming to please him.
Right.
When his goddess shone, it reflected glory upon him.
Thinking this, Cheng Xiaofan found Takahashi Kiyonori to be exceptionally cunning.
He must have something to ask of him!
With this thought, Cheng Xiaofan chuckled inwardly.
Then, Bai Yiling spoke to Takahashi Kiyonori, "Thank you for your kind intention, but I don't think building a goddess statue in the plaza is necessary!"
"I don't like being too ostentatious!"
"This..."
Takahashi Kiyonori stammered, "This is everyone's wish, and it's not really ostentatious!"
Bai Yiling said with a serious expression, "Thank you, Governor Takahashi. Please forgive me, but I truly do not wish for a goddess statue to be erected in the plaza. I hope you will respect my personal opinion!"
Cheng Xiaofan was rendered speechless by her words.
He wished he could jump up on the spot and accept on her behalf.
After all, a statue being built would attract significant popularity.
And for a cultivator, popularity was extremely important. It could not only help cultivators improve their cultivation but also strengthen their aura.
However!
Since his Goddess Bai had refused, he couldn't say much.
"Mr. Cheng, what are your thoughts?" Takahashi Kiyonori then asked Cheng Xiaofan with a smile.
"..." Cheng Xiaofan blinked, asking for his opinion?
Easy! Since his Goddess Bai was unwilling, why not build a male god statue for him in Shimizu Street plaza, for all the men, women, old and young of Sakura to offer incense morning and evening, and kowtow thrice at dawn and dusk.
That would also help him gather popularity!
But he couldn't voice those words!
If he, who was rejected by Goddess Bai, eagerly accepted, would she look down on him?
Cheng Xiaofan could only offer a slight smile and say, "Governor Takahashi, my Goddess Bai has always been very low-key in her affairs. Since she is unwilling, then let's not force it!"
"Alright, then I will follow both your opinions and cancel this plan!" Takahashi Kiyonori said with a hint of regret in his tone.
"Thank you, Governor Takahashi!" Bai Yiling immediately clasped the pure gold statue and descended the stage.
At this moment, the beautiful hostess began inviting relevant representatives to the stage to speak.
When Bai Yiling arrived before Cheng Xiaofan, he lowered his voice and said to his Goddess Bai, "Yiling, you shouldn't have refused Governor Takahashi's suggestion!"
"Why?" Bai Yiling asked.
Cheng Xiaofan then explained to her the connection between building statues, gathering popularity, and its benefits for cultivators.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yiling showed no hint of regret. She smiled and said, "Xiaofan, I don't want my statue to stand alone in that plaza."
"If Governor Takahashi's proposal was to build statues for both of us in the plaza, I definitely wouldn't refuse!"