FLME Ch22.2: Program Broadcast

An advertisement break came in, and coincidentally, Xie Jiamao called. Yu Wen paused the show and went to the balcony to take the call.

“Boss!” He figured the boss must be pretty excited right now. Rule number one of being an employee: don’t act more composed than the boss.

So he said energetically, “I saw the trending topics. I actually made it to the trending list!”

Xie Jiamao: “Hahahaha, this is just the beginning. Xiao Yu, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to trend next!”

Yu Wen: “Really? I’m so looking forward to it.”

After some mutual compliments, they got to the point. Xie Jiamao said, “Have you watched that very popular variety show ‘Battle Royale’ from the past two years?”

Yu Wen hadn’t actually seen it, considering he’d only been in this world for a total of three months.

“Find some time to watch it. The producer of ‘Battle Royale’ contacted me. Their permanent cast list for the third season isn’t finalized yet, and the producer mentioned inviting you to sign on for a few guest episodes. But I think we can try to get you a permanent spot.”

Xie Jiamao paused, then chuckled, ” ‘Battle Royale’ is a prime-time variety show with real-time filming. Each episode has a different theme and location, and they assign roles and costumes to the guests according to the theme… Xiao Yu, even if you can’t carry the whole show, the most important thing is, each episode the production team will dress you up beautifully. If you can become a regular, you’ll have twelve looks created by top styling teams in the country!”

Yu Wen understood, the boss was treating him like a collectible figure.

However, excellent styling seems to be a powerful tool for gaining popularity. The cost of a variety show role is much lower than a supporting role in a TV drama, and the downtime is shorter.

After hanging up the phone, he opened the search engine to look up information about ‘Battle Royale’ and opened Word to prepare a document for analysis later.

‘Battle Royale’ is the country’s first unlimited flow variety show, and so far there’s no substitute for it. Whether it’s the script’s core or the guest lineup, no other variety show can easily replicate it. Starting from the second season, every episode is filmed on location. The production team has to scout locations across the country and build recording sets. The desolate mountains and wilderness in the show are usually real desolate mountains and wilderness.

This type of variety show has always been a favorite among young audiences. It has mind games, pacing, twists, and emotions. Even through the screen, it can make viewers feel the adrenaline rush. Thanks to the award-winning styling teams hired by the production team, each episode can produce a couple of visual standouts. Even without thinking, just watching is a pleasure.

Receiving an olive branch from ‘Battle Royale’ was truly beyond Yu Wen’s expectations. After all, his current level of fame made it difficult to qualify for such a national variety show. As for the permanent spot the boss mentioned, it sounded like a fantasy, not something he considered.

He finished watching two episodes on double speed to get a general idea of the show’s universe. After saving the half-completed document, he checked the time—it was already 11 PM.

He remembered the trending topics and picked up his phone to check the current situation. As soon as he turned on the screen, he saw a flood of message notifications.

As expected, the boss was celebrating in the group chat, implying that Yu Wen was no longer the same person he was yesterday—he was now a man who had trended on his own.

Yu Wen quickly skimmed through the messages, most of which were Xie Jiamao’s monologue. Xie Heyu’s last message was from yesterday, and Director Gao was currently scouting locations in some remote area, with no signal and almost out of contact for half a month.

Scrolling through the homepage, a message from an unfamiliar nickname caught his eye.

No Nickname: [You’re not lying to me, right?]

No Nickname: [My agent showed me the contract. It includes terms related to CP (couple pairing) promotions.]

At first, he didn’t remember, but as soon as the other party mentioned the contract, Yu Wen knew who it was.

Yu Wen noted down this “No Nickname” person as “Blue Hair.”

Yu Wen: [What kind of contract?]

The message was sent two or three hours ago, so Yu Wen estimated the reply wouldn’t be prompt. While waiting, he opened Weibo to continue browsing the trending topics.

#UndercoverBetrayalHighlights# was still trending at number three.

Scrolling down, the boss wasn’t exaggerating—there really was a trending topic just for him.

#YuWen#

Just his name, with no prefix or suffix.

Yu Wen remembered seeing such name-only trending topics when following entertainment industry scandals, which made his hair stand on end. He quickly clicked to see what it was about.

Bored netizens had created a summary of his acting career, thoughtfully including links for promoting this newcomer.

But in total, there were only two links: one for the replay of his last livestream and one for the current episode’s link.

So sparse.

The netizens who came to dig up material were left speechless.

[Where’s the drama?! New drama! Bring it up while it’s still hot!]

[Is that all? The company doesn’t even make a vlog for you?]

[Not just that, he doesn’t even have any selfies on his Weibo.]

[He doesn’t post selfies, he’s bad; netizens want to see their new wife, netizens are good.]

[Above, justice for the people!]

Yu Wen let out a sigh of relief, then fell into deep thought.

He wasn’t fond of taking selfies, but vlogs might be worth considering… maybe he could discuss it with the boss another day, though he wasn’t sure what content to film…

While he was pondering, his phone vibrated.

Blue Hair: [Image.jpg]

Blue Hair: [Like this.]

Yu Wen opened the image, which indeed showed a common variety show contract.

But he thought of a possibility.

Yu Wen: [Check the back and see if Chu Han signed it.]

Half a minute later.

Xi Su: [No, he didn’t.]

Yu Wen: [Oh, you idiot.]

Xi Su: [??? Why are you swearing? I haven’t even sworn yet.]

Xi Su had always been the one getting scolded for swearing and had never been so straightforwardly sworn at by someone, especially in the entertainment industry. He felt a bit aggrieved.

Yu Wen rarely swore, but this time he couldn’t hold back.

Yu Wen: [A contract without the signature of the involved party is not legally binding. Don’t you even know that?]

Xi Su: [Of course I know! I just didn’t think of it at the moment, damn.]

Yu Wen: [Read more, watch more news, swear less, sleep more.]

Xi Su: […Why do you sound like my grandma?]

Yu Wen: [Because, like your grandma, I have deep love for you. Fake smile with a heart.jpg]

Xi Su: [What should I do now? The variety show has two episodes left. Suddenly distancing myself might backfire with the audience.]

Yu Wen: [You’re asking me? Are we in some very close relationship?]

Xi Su: [Aren’t we friends? Love at first sight, you said so.]

Yu Wen: […Alright.]

He had to bear the consequences of his previous nonsense. After thinking for a while, he suggested Xi Su talk to Chu Han. Chu Han was not an unreasonable person. If Xi Su’s behavior was merely personal and not influenced by Feng Chengzhou, even if he really wanted to take advantage, Chu Han could forgive him.

Teacher Chu was a kind-hearted person.

They could cooperate for the last two episodes, end things amicably, and move on without any company shenanigans. It wouldn’t be a big deal.

Xi Su humbly sought advice: [How can I avoid company shenanigans?]

Yu Wen thought, how would I know?

After some thought, he said casually: [Change companies.]

–

After dealing with Xi Su, Yu Wen finally reopened the current episode.

It was already 11:30 PM, and he figured he might have to stay up late tonight. Thinking this, he yawned sleepily.

The undercover agents were chosen by drawing lots, and early the next morning, the three undercovers received their task cards.

The screen showed an enlarged task card with two brackets left blank, awaiting completion.

“What does this mean? Do we choose ourselves?”

Song Chenglei, holding a pen, read his task card aloud. It said: ( ) directly touch ( )’s toe, and Song Chenglei earns 2 points.

“Am I supposed to choose a victim?” He gave a guilty smile to the camera. “This is too much. After this episode airs, won’t the person I pick and I never speak to each other again?”

A similar scene unfolded in Tong Li’s room.

Her task card read: ( ) directly touch ( )’s shoulder, and Tong Li earns 2 points.

“Shoulders aren’t too private, but there aren’t many opportunities for such contact in a normal variety show. I’ll rule out the guys first. Physical contact between different genders is usually less frequent… wait, since the second bracket can be filled in freely, the first bracket doesn’t necessarily have to be me, right? It can be anyone from this episode’s guests.”

The director smiled without speaking.

Tong Li interpreted the hidden rules from his smile and decisively excluded herself from both brackets.

To avoid suspicion, she had to be completely out of the picture.

She didn’t think for long and chose close same-gender friends other than herself.

——(Xi Su) directly touch (Chu Han)’s shoulder, and Tong Li earns 2 points.

[Smart!]

[Tong Jie is a veteran. She’s been battling wits with the production team for so many episodes, she knows how to turn their traps to her advantage.]

[Didn’t I say she shouldn’t be the undercover? Originally, Teacher Song could balance her out, but now that he’s also an undercover, this round is hard.]

Soon after, Xi Su and Song Chenglei also chose their targets.

When their task cards were shown to the camera, the comments exploded.

Xi Su pointed to his task card, looking serious. “I chose Teacher Song and Teacher Yu because I thought Teacher Yu just arrived and isn’t familiar with everyone. At this time, he’d need the old members to take care of him. Teacher Song has always taken care of newcomers, so choosing him is a safe bet.”

His choice was acceptable, but the next moment, when Song Chenglei’s task card was revealed, it truly stunned the audience.

Song Chenglei covered his task card, smiling meaningfully.

“I’ve been on variety shows for so many years and have been on brain-challenging shows. I might not have the highest IQ, but I have some experience—”

He moved his hand.

(Yu Wen) directly touch (Yu Wen)’s toe, and Song Chenglei earns 2 points.

[He’s a veteran in variety shows.]

[Damn]

[Damn]

[He’s so sly, hahaha…]

[To be honest, I thought of that, but it won’t be easy. Who would touch their own shoes for no reason?]

Song Chenglei: “I went out just now and noticed that among all the members, only Xiao Yu’s shoes are white. White shoes get dirty easily in the mountains. As soon as I see them dirty, I’ll remind him to wipe them.”

[666]

[This is what being a veteran in variety shows means—bold and meticulous.]

[What I care about is that two undercover agents chose this guest named Yu Wen. This teacher is probably going to have a rough day.]

[No bullying! No bullying! This is my newly acknowledged wife! You can’t bully him!]

[I’m already feeling sorry for him.]

[Can I remind him loudly through the comments so he can see?]

[Why don’t you just shout with your voice?]

[The time when the show is recorded is different from when we watch it, don’t be fooled.]

[Thank you upstairs, otherwise I would still be in the dark.]