YA Ch119: Filming

“Bang!” In the next second, President Shen was smacked on the butt by his elder brother’s tail, and his smug laughter came to an abrupt stop.

“Better beat you up a few more times before you start making money,” the mermaid ball smirked.

President Ball widened his eyes and immediately turned to run, with the Fish King chasing after him, fork in hand. But dragging a pig slowed Shen down, and he was quickly caught by his brother…

Lu Yu laughed heartily as he watched and said to Ming Yan, who was leaning against his back drawing, “Having more kids in the house sure makes things lively.”

Hua Wenyuan, uninterested in money, floated over to Lu Yu, who was serving as Ming Yan’s backrest, and casually commented, “Uncle, you should go write your book.”

Lu Yu’s laughter stopped abruptly: “…Maybe it’s better to focus on quality over quantity when having kids.”

Ming Yan stifled a laugh and nudged him, “Go on, get to it.” At the rate Hua Wenyuan was urging, once the pocket watch exhibition was over, they could start working on Shen Ying’s transformation.

Lu Yu put on a bitter expression as he got up and walked toward the study, muttering, “If you want to get rich, have fewer kids and plant more trees.”

After discussing The Golden House issue with his family, Lu Yu held a meeting the next day to finalize the plan and immediately gave Bajiao a response.

Lu Yu didn’t expect to get any big celebrities for this variety show, so he was fully prepared to gather a bunch of amateurs. He even specifically requested that they should have both intelligence and looks. However, as soon as Bajiao released the news, entertainment companies flocked to it, almost fighting over spots.

Lu Yu didn’t understand. Why were so many big stars fighting to join a variety show that sounded exhausting and prone to failure?

Xiao Jiang explained, “Bajiao’ variety shows—no matter how unpopular they may seem—are always something stars are eager to join.”

In the AI brain era, the entertainment industry relies even more heavily on video platforms than it did during the mobile era. Whether a drama gets aired, the resources available during its airing, and even a star’s income are all at the mercy of the platform.

Bajiao has always had an excellent reputation—paying the most and the quickest—but they also have the strictest requirements. If a star offends Bajiao, the consequences are unthinkable. So, if Bajiao wants someone to participate, they can definitely get them as long as the higher-ups ask.

“However,” Xiao Jiang pushed up his glasses, shifting the conversation, “this time, Bajiao didn’t extend any invitations. They’re all coming because of Chenyu.”

The livestream of Shooting the Heavenly Wolf had undeniable hype, and its viewership was guaranteed. Plus, this is the world’s first live-action holographic variety show, with a super-intelligent assistant participating and novel characters brought to life. No matter how you look at it, it’s very appealing.

Looking at the list of names submitted, Lu Yu couldn’t help but chuckle. All kinds of current top stars, award-winning actors, and even some entertainment company owners wanted to join. One of these bosses was said to be a die-hard fan of Shen Baishui, and it was their company that had bought the film rights to The Golden House.

Speaking of fans, Lu Yu clicked his tongue and wrote down a name on the list—Jiang Mi.

Xiao Jiang was taken aback and asked in disbelief, “Boss Lu, you want me to go too?”

The competition was so fierce that Xiao Jiang had never even considered joining the variety show himself. He had only hoped to interact with Shen Baishui during the preparation phase.

Lu Yu nodded, “Yeah, I promised you.”

The talented Xiao Jiang, who was being courted by various company owners, stayed with this startup company. Why? Because of Shen Baishui, of course! There was no way Lu Yu could disappoint Secretary Jiang’s unwavering devotion.

Xiao Jiang pushed up his glasses, hiding his tear-filled eyes, and said hoarsely, “Thank you, Boss Lu.”

Lu Yu patted him on the back. “No need to thank me. This is what you’ve earned through your hard work. Besides, this game needs you. If you’re not there to keep an eye on Shen Baishui, I’m afraid he’ll end up killing all the celebrities as soon as the game starts.”

The Golden House is an infinite-loop game, and in-game, it’s possible to kill people. That guy—Second Brother—has no patience for people with low intelligence, so he’s likely to eliminate any idiots one by one.

And indeed, that turned out to be true.

When it was time to shoot the promo, all the big-name celebrities arrived, each one excited. Only Xiao Jiang remained calm, issuing a stern warning: “Everyone, once we enter the simulator, please do not shout or make loud noises. Our President Shen dislikes people who yell. Additionally, unless absolutely necessary, do not touch President Shen. He has a cleanliness obsession, and if you provoke him, something unpredictable might happen.”

The stars, who had originally been casual about filming with what they thought was just a doll, suddenly tensed up.

Lu Yu, holding the watch containing Shen Baishui’s data source, scanned it around the set. As soon as he entered the suggestion room for operations, Shen began complaining non-stop: “Xiao Jiang really gets me. If they dare shout and make a ruckus in The Golden House, I’ll kill them all.”

“If you kill them all, the show’s over, and you won’t get your appearance fee,” Lu Yu said as he inserted the watch into the mechanical arm that connected to the simulator. The screen instantly displayed a luxurious office with Shen Baishui in a sleek suit.

Since Ming Yan had been too busy recently to create anything complicated, they decided to use the office scene from the side story to shoot the promo.

The family of three entered first to prepare for filming.

Originally, Ming Yan didn’t need to participate in the variety show promo, but he made a special trip back to witness this important moment in their digital child’s life.

“By the way, today we’re also shooting a pocket watch ad to promote next week’s big show,” Ming Yan said as he picked up his pen and drew a decorative pocket watch for Shen Baishui. This pocket watch, named “Falling Flowers in the Galaxy,” was the star product for the upcoming show.

Lu Yu looked at Shen Baishui, dressed in a high-end suit with a jeweled pocket watch hanging on his chest, and finally understood why so many people called Shen Baishui “husband.” He touched his chin, circled around Shen, and said, “This guy really has some capital.”

Sitting in a leather boss chair with his legs crossed, President Shen looked elegant and noble as he said, “The president should be like this.” Then he glanced disdainfully at Lu Yu’s T-shirt and shorts.

Since he was just adjusting things and there was no live broadcast, Lu Yu was wearing the system’s default outfit. In the ancient world, the default outfit was patched shorts, and in the modern world, it was a short-sleeve shirt and shorts.

Lu Yu reached out and flicked the top of Shen Baishui’s head.

Shen was furious: “I said, don’t flick my head!” With that, he pressed the red button on the desk without hesitation.

After the sound of a “beep,” a team of bodyguards in black quickly appeared, grabbing Lu Yu and dragging him out of the office without a word.

Lu Yu tried to struggle: “Hey, what’s going on?”

Shen Baishui said triumphantly, “This is my world. I have the final say.”

Back in the world of “Golden House,” he was no longer the helpless little balloon. He was the world’s richest man, controlling the world’s economic lifeline, and able to turn clouds into rain with a flip of his hand!

Ming Yan chuckled silently and, ignoring the scene of his old attack being dragged away, adjusted his child’s hairstyle, looked around, and said, “Okay, you look very handsome.”

Shen Baishui glanced at himself in the decorative mirror, smiled slightly, and took Ming Yan’s hand, kissing the back of it in a gentlemanly manner: “Thank you, beautiful.”

Then, Ming Yan twisted his ear.

Ming Yan playfully tugged at his child’s little ear: “What are you saying! You need to shoot a watch advertisement soon, so put away the frivolity and fully display your nobility, understood?”

Shen, rubbing his ear, puffed up his face and nodded: “Understood.”

Just then, they suddenly heard Lu Yu shouting, “Key, come!” Soon, the office door was opened again, and the bodyguards lined up and bowed: “Master, please!”

Lu Yu swaggered in: “Although this is your world, I’m your father.”

Shen Baishui sneered: “Cheating is shameful.”

After preparing everything, the two of them jumped out and handed the game pods over to Xiao Jiang and the stars.

The stars, using the holographic game pods for the first time, couldn’t help but touch and look around the world of “Golden House.”

“Wow, the touch feels so real.”

“Oh my god, it even has weight.”

“Wow, I look a bit better than in reality.”

Xiao Jiang quickly came out to maintain order, putting a finger to his lips: “Shh, everyone quiet, click here to change clothes.”

After changing into the pre-selected outfits and tidying up, Xiao Jiang lightly knocked on the office door, and after receiving permission, led everyone into Shen Baishui’s office.

What they saw was an extremely luxurious and spacious CEO’s office, with a panoramic glass window showing the high-rise buildings of the outside world, incredibly lifelike. The boss’s chair, facing away from them, slowly turned around to reveal Shen Baishui’s impeccably handsome face.

Everyone involuntarily held their breath, this was their first direct encounter with a fictional character materialized.

Xiao Jiang was trembling with excitement but still very restrained and did not approach.

Shen Baishui smiled, showing the calm smile of a superior.

“Welcome to the world of Golden House. I should state in advance that this is an IQ test infinite game. If you think your IQ is not enough, you should exit as soon as possible. Otherwise, after the show airs…” He casually extended his fist and made a sudden opening motion, “Pop, fans will be gone.”

The office was silent for a while. A female star who came to her senses first whispered, “So handsome.”

Shen Baishui: “…”

The stars who came here did not consider IQ as an issue; after all, it was a variety show. In other variety shows involving games, there were also silly beauties. As long as they managed it well and didn’t irritate people, they could still gain fans.

Instead, being of insufficient status and participating in this show might lead to discrimination.

Everyone subtly looked at Xiao Jiang, who seemed out of place here. A male star said, “Xiao Jiang, we already know how to use the game pods. We’re about to start shooting the commercial. Do you want to step out first?”

Before Xiao Jiang could respond, Shen Baishui tapped on the desk and said, “Xiao Jiang, come over here and be my secretary.”