Chapter 55

Variety shows have scripts.

This isn't a secret—even Bai Liang knows about it.

Fortunately, for a show like Da Ben Ying, they don't hand out absurd scripts to follow.

On one hand, the show doesn't need them; on the other... someone like Bai Liang isn't even worthy.

So what they received were just basic scripts listing the segments and mini-games for the recording.

Na Zha, Lin, and Xin's scripts were different—they had dedicated staff come over to communicate with their assistants or agents.

Like which topics were off-limits, or how far certain games could go.

The bigger the star, the more details.

Small-time newcomers like them could only accept it—no room for negotiation.

Bai Liang didn't care much about any of this; he wasn't bothered by weird games.

Some "idiotic" games even seemed fun to him!

Lin Gengxin kindly warned him not to take the games too seriously—sometimes, one misstep could leave behind dark history.

Variety shows are made to entertain the audience; making fun of artists is standard practice.

Before official recording, the five hosts of Kuai Le Jia Zu came over to chat with everyone; Host He, the station's pillar, was indeed as online rumors said—kind to everyone.

Even newcomers like Bai Liang and Mencius, whom no one had ever heard of, he encouraged warmly.

The so-called "Evil Gardenia Flower" was definitely not seen.

"Welcome everyone to... we are, Kuai Le Jia Zu!"

Official recording began; after a chaotic opening, Host He started introducing today's guests.

When mentioning Lin Wuer, the audience erupted in screams and cheers, many holding up glowing fan banners.

The spectacle left Mencius stunned, his envy visible.

But Bai Liang noticed something extra in her eyes.

Da Ben Ying is pre-recorded, so the filming time doesn't match the final broadcast length.

They had to film for several hours.

The initial segments focused entirely on the two main stars—Bai Liang and the others had nothing to do with them.

In the first half-hour, they only got a self-introduction, but he still found it thrilling to watch!

It wasn't because Lin Gengxin and Lin Wuer were entertaining; on the contrary, their chemistry was average.

Though Lin Wuer had studied Chinese, delivering witty lines on camera was impossible.

But Kuai Le Jia Zu truly had something! Watching a variety show live was completely different from watching it on TV!

Xie Na: "Host He, describe me in four characters."

Host He blurted out: "Fuck off!"

Naturally, they had to redo it.

Host He: "Zhang Jie is awesome!"

Bai Liang: Holy shit! If you'd edited the show like this all along, I'd have watched it nonstop!

He'd always assumed stars and hosts kept their composure on variety shows—now he realized... it was the editing that kept things in check!

So Xie Na's frequent outbursts weren't without reason.

Before the break, the show aired some clips or trailers from Wu Shen Zhao Zilong.

For the first time, Bai Liang had some presence—there, clearly, was a full ten seconds of him.

Riding a horse, holding his halberd, from this angle, he thought he looked incredibly cool!

The next second, the live camera zoomed in; Bai Liang blinked, then smiled at the lens~

"So silly~" Na Zha whispered teasingly, grinning.

"Can't I smile?"

"It's too contrasting with the drama—you look way cooler when you're cold-faced," Na Zha declared firmly.

"What are you two whispering about? Our Lu Bu and Diaochan~" Host He appeared out of nowhere, wearing a strange smile.

There it was! The Evil Gardenia Flower!

He also seemed to sigh in relief—as if he'd finally found the show's punch.

"She secretly said I'm handsome~"

Na Zha was a little embarrassed, but Bai Liang didn't know what "stage fright" meant—he was an honest, reliable young man.

Host He nodded in agreement: "I think you're especially handsome too, and you ride horses incredibly well—you truly have the bearing of a young general..."

Bai Liang: Young general?

It felt weird—didn't quite match Lu Bu's character...

"Yes! He rides horses amazingly well!" Na Zha couldn't hold back and joined the praise.

Host He: Finally hooked!

On the topic of horseback riding, he successfully stretched it to three minutes.

Left plenty of usable footage for editing.

The live cameras knew exactly what to do—they immediately caught Na Zha's unusual gaze toward Bai Liang, shooting countless close-ups.

No one knew what Host He discussed with the producers during the break, but after it ended, Bai Liang noticed his segments and camera time had inexplicably increased.

Mostly centered on him and Na Zha.

Every topic leaned into ambiguity; Host He nearly transformed into Host He-Dirty.

Lin Gengxin joined in mid-conversation, but ended up talking nonstop about gaming with Bai Liang—leaving the hosts slightly speechless.

You go quiet when they mention CP, but light up the moment they bring up gaming...

Lin Gengxin said he was equally helpless—how could he and Lin Yue'er create any chemistry when they couldn't even speak the same language?

Even though Lin Yue'er was learning Chinese, her level was still far from sufficient; they absolutely needed a translator to make the show work.

I've never heard of a couple doing a CP segment with a translator standing between them.

It'd be better to just chat about the fun of playing games with buddies.

Game time!

The show had many small games; today they'd start with one called "No Heartbeat Challenge."

It was quite fitting for this episode's theme.

The rules were simple: wear a heart rate monitor and try to make each other's heart rate rise.

The goal was naturally to create some pinkish chemistry~

So viewers could happily binge on it.

This segment was truly useful—it required no speaking.

When Lin Gengxin and Lin Yue'er sat down and gazed at each other, adding small gestures like touching faces or holding hands, their heart rates clearly rose.

Both were handsome and beautiful, had worked together on dramas for a long time, and now, under the eyes of so many live audience members, engaging in eye contact and "teasing"—of course their heart rates would rise.

Several other female entertainers also took turns on stage: Zhao Yingzi, Jia Qing, Sun Xiaoxiao, and others.

Lin Gengxin still understood what the show needed; none of the later contestants could make his heart rate rise higher than when he faced Lin Yue'er.

One contestant, however, was bolder—she suddenly leaned in so close she nearly kissed him.

In that instant, Lin Gengxin's heart rate did spike sharply.

But beside him, He He He He Laoshi silently shook his head: "This will definitely be cut… How could the male lead 'spark' with a female supporting character?"

And if it were actually aired, Lin Yue'er's fans might cause an uproar.

Making a show involves so many considerations~

"This is fun!" Zha, who had originally planned to slack off this episode, was now highly excited, her eyes shining!

Clearly, she had suddenly become serious!

This segment is perfect! Today, she'd test Bai Liang's "quality."

Not just her—Mencius, still a minor presence on stage, was also eager to try.

She hadn't joined the earlier "teasing" of Lin Gengxin; clearly, she'd been waiting for this moment!

There's one more update today—I'll deliver as promised!