Chapter 242: The show isn't good to watch? Then open a golden finger

*Young Days* held an emergency meeting.

Chen Biqiu asked: "Why did such a thing happen? How could you still take the artists to the water's edge? There were no protective measures at all."

Li Zhenzhen immediately said: "This matter is my fault. I felt the recording content was a bit plain, so I proposed to let them go fishing by the reservoir, without fully considering the safety issue."

Chen Biqiu glanced at Li Zhenzhen, whose face was full of self-blame.

Seeing this, Chen Biqiu sighed and couldn't say anything more.

Zheng Hesong, however, said at this time: "This matter has nothing to do with the director. It was clearly Meng Li herself who wasn't careful, insisting on wearing high heels to the reservoir. When we got there, we all reminded her not to get close to the water, but she insisted on having people take photos of her there, posing and posturing. As a result, she wasn't careful and stepped on air. How can you blame us? There are video records on the scene."

"Even if it was all Meng Li's own carelessness, did it happen while she was recording our show?" Chen Biqiu questioned Zheng Hesong with a serious tone.

Zheng Hesong still wanted to continue to argue, saying: "Even if it happened while recording our show, we aren't nannies, how could we watch her every moment?"

Chen Biqiu slammed his hand on the table with a loud "Bang!"

This loud noise startled everyone present.

Chen Mo's pen fell to the ground in fright.

She hurriedly bent down to pick it up.

Chen Biqiu glared, his gaze turning around everyone, and said: "Can you say these words to the audience? Can you say them to Meng Li's fans?"

Chen Biqiu was so angry that no one dared to speak anymore.

"This matter has already happened, how to give an explanation is what we need to discuss," Chen Biqiu took a deep breath. "If this matter causes public opinion, and others question our show for not caring about guest safety and not doing a good job of protection, don't forget that two years ago, because a guest suddenly passed away during the recording of a show, the whole show was directly gone!"

Chen Biqiu's words left everyone with no temper.

He looked at Li Zhenzhen: "You come with me, return to the city tonight, we must appease Meng Li and her agent team tonight."

He looked at Zheng Hesong again and said: "Hesong, leave it to you here. Fortunately, today this happened, and no one else was present. There is no news on the internet yet. You tell everyone to keep their mouths shut, and for the other artists, each group should do a good job of appeasement."

Chen Biqiu vigorously arranged all the tasks.

Everyone acted according to instructions.

At this moment, although Li Zhenzhen was the general director, she was still listening to Chen Biqiu's arrangements.

Just as someone in the program team said, although the nominal general director of *Young Days* was Li Zhenzhen, the actual helmsman was still Chen Biqiu.

Most of this team were Chen Biqiu's people.

The occurrence of an artist falling into the water was completely beyond Li Zhenzhen's expectations, and it also made Li Zhenzhen's emotions uncontrollably low.

From the first day of recording *Young Days*, it seemed to have been jinxed, constantly having all kinds of problems.

Whenever Li Zhenzhen felt that the situation had improved, new problems would arise.

Li Zhenzhen hadn't slept well for these few days, with an average daily sleep time of only four or five hours. After the actual recording started, she lost her self-control ability, being pushed by all kinds of things every day.

Meng Li fell into the water, Li Xia ran over to scold them, and directly took Meng Li away.

What crushed Li Zhenzhen the most was not the above things, but the moment Chen Biqiu blew up in the workroom just now.

Li Zhenzhen clearly saw the gap between herself and Chen Biqiu.

Before, Li Zhenzhen always felt that she had accumulated enough talent and rich enough experience, and could fully take on the role of a show director without having to be an assistant director again.

She had high aspirations, wanted to make her own show, didn't want the show to be too copper-smelling, and even felt that Chen Biqiu's set was already very old-fashioned and would eventually be eliminated.

But when problems truly arose, Chen Biqiu could immediately make various arrangements with a clear mind and decisive actions—Li Zhenzhen didn't say a word, letting Chen Biqiu replace her and say the words that should have been said by her. It seemed she respected Chen Biqiu, but only Li Zhenzhen knew that at that moment, her mind was blank, and she didn't know what arrangements to make at all.

Yes, until that moment, Li Zhenzhen realized the true gap between herself and Chen Biqiu.

Chen Biqiu drove, and Li Zhenzhen sat in the passenger seat.

The night was vast, and a road was winding and tortuous.

Chen Biqiu looked at Li Zhenzhen several times, but Li Zhenzhen had no reaction, expressionless.

"Were you scared?" Chen Biqiu asked.

"Ah?" Li Zhenzhen came back to her senses, shook her head, and said: "No, just too tired recently, and such a thing happened today, maybe it was too abrupt, I didn't come back to my senses."

"It's normal that you couldn't react immediately when you encountered these things for the first time as a director, no need to put so much pressure on yourself," Chen Biqiu saw through Li Zhenzhen's entanglement and suddenly turned to comfort her gently. "Moreover, if it wasn't this thing, it would be another thing."

"What?" Li Zhenzhen didn't understand the last sentence of Chen Biqiu.

Chen Biqiu said: "Even if this didn't happen, Li Xia would still find an excuse to take Meng Li away. Meng Li wouldn't stay in this show. After the first day's events, this was destined."

Li Zhenzhen said: "I thought they would at least wait until the first recording was over, or until this season of the show was over."

"Maybe, if this falling into the water hadn't happened. But I actually think this is a good thing," Chen Biqiu said. "She herself didn't want to stay in this show anymore, and we didn't want her to continue staying in this show, but there was no proper reason. It was hard for her to speak, and it was hard for us to speak. Whoever spoke first would become the one who didn't keep faith. Now it's good, Li Xia took Meng Li away so ruthlessly, it might not be without such an idea."

Li Zhenzhen was somewhat surprised. "I thought you taking me to find Li Xia and Meng Li tonight was to persuade them to come back."

"Should persuade, still have to persuade. Face-saving things must be done in place. But they definitely won't come back," Chen Biqiu said firmly. "We go over tonight, just to appease them, don't use this falling into the water to make extra trouble and bite us back."

"How to bite?"

"Say our program team's arrangements were unreasonable, or act pitiful and sell misery. As long as they want to bite, there are many ways, and they can act any one of them," Chen Biqiu said. "It's not like you haven't seen her acting."

Li Zhenzhen's face changed immediately.

Chen Biqiu: "First thing, handle her and her team, let them not talk nonsense. At least externally, we are breaking up peacefully and friendly. Second thing, find new guest candidates."

At night, in the Young People's House, a group of people sat together, worried. The atmosphere that had finally improved these few days returned to the pre-liberation state tonight.

"Don't know how Meng Li is doing." Song Lin Xin said.

"Just choked on two mouthfuls of water, no big problem," Li Zhibai said.

The Young People's House, which housed eight people, now only had seven left.

Meng Li finally left, in a way no one expected.

"Then Meng Li is gone, should we continue recording the show?"

"Why not continue recording?" Li Zhibai said. "Is it possible that this show can't be recorded without Meng Li?"

"But wasn't it said before that our show would be changed to doing tasks? The first time we did a task today, something happened," Song Lin Xin's face was full of worry.

"Are you worried that we will encounter such safety problems when recording the show in the future?" Li Zhibai asked.

Song Lin Xin nodded, "I know Meng Li falling into the water today was mainly her own reason; she didn't stand steady and fell down. However, if the program team had made relevant preparations, thought of all kinds of possibilities, and done some defensive measures, it wouldn't be so dangerous. Today, after Meng Li fell into the water, only you two jumped into the water to save her. If it weren't for you two, who would save her?"

Song Lin Xin questioned that the program team hadn't made preparations.

Her words made everyone else fall into thought.

Indeed, after Meng Li fell into the water today, only Peng Zhixing and Li Zhibai jumped into the water to save Meng Li at the first opportunity. None of the staff on the scene went down.

After the incident, there were no rescue measures prepared in advance, nor was there any relevant equipment to help them.

Yan Liang said: "Is it because this itinerary was originally a temporary plan, so they didn't prepare so much?"

"If it were a small river or something, that would be fine, but the water in the reservoir is so deep," Song Lin Xin hugged her chest with both hands, seeming to have psychological shadows from Meng Li's accident, still having lingering fears.

Everyone else didn't speak.

After a moment of silence, Peng Zhixing said: "Falling into the water, surely no one wants it to happen. Fortunately, Meng Li didn't really have an accident. I think what Lin Xin said is also very reasonable. Since the program team took us to the reservoir, there should be relevant preventive measures. Let's talk to the program team later."

"Hmm," Li Zhibai nodded. "I also support talking to the program team. It's not just about the preventive measures this time, but also about the subsequent recording. To be honest, the current recording is really not very interesting. It was said to be studying how people get along, but now it's just putting us few people in a house for a few days. Every day we chat, play games, there is no substantial exchange. Of course, many slow variety shows are filmed like this, maybe it's quite interesting, but at least I already feel that the daily filming is meaningless. Don't know how you guys feel."

"I have this feeling too," Song Lin Xin raised her hand directly and said: "I actually like everyone, but like now, staying in this house every day, it's like being in prison."

"So you all have this feeling?" Xiao Yun said, holding her legs carefully. "I thought it was just me. I saw everyone so happy and harmonious, I didn't dare to say."

"It's all acted," Li Zhibai pouted and shook his head. "Can't say it's acted, but coming to record a show, everyone must be full of spirit, giving the best state in front of the camera. But like now, there is no emotional feedback, all relying on ourselves to give emotional reactions, over time it really becomes acted."

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang looked at each other.

They didn't expect everyone to suddenly start attacking this show.

Starting from Song Lin Xin's accusation to Li Zhibai's questioning of the filming, Lu Yan He originally thought the biggest problem with this show was the conflict between Li Zhibai and Meng Li, but now he found that in others' eyes, it wasn't like that at all. It turned out everyone was secretly questioning the show's own setup.

"Then what should we do? Should we go tell the director team?" Song Lin Xin asked.

Li Zhibai hesitated and asked: "What do you guys think?"

Peng Zhixing shook his head, indicating he had no opinion.

Song Lin Xin also shook her head and said: "Actually, it's only the first recording now, we don't know what the show will look like when it's recorded. When Director Li Zhenzhen came to tell me about this show, I was actually very moved by her philosophy. Today is only the fourth day of recording, we are questioning her filming method now, wouldn't it be not so good?"

Li Zhibai said: "It's not questioning, but we are indeed in a dilemma now. At least we few don't know what to do in this show, right? We have to communicate with the director and figure out what we should do in the show."

"If so, why don't we figure it out ourselves?" Peng Zhixing asked.

"Hmm?"

Peng Zhixing said: "The director team's philosophy is actually very simple. They hope everything is decided by us, right? Let us explore the space and possibility of becoming friends. Since we all feel we don't know what to do, how about this: everyone proposes three things they most hope we do together. Everyone thinks about how we can promote understanding each other and becoming friends. We write it down, gather here in half an hour, announce it together, and then vote on these things. There is still one day tomorrow, and the one with the highest number of votes, we will do it together tomorrow."

Song Lin Xin opened her eyes in surprise, "This is good."

Qin Zhibai said: "Can I not write? You guys do whatever, I can do it, I can't think of anything."

"You haven't even thought about it and you can't think of anything." Li Zhibai glanced at Qin Zhibai.

Peng Zhixing patted Qin Zhibai on the shoulder and said: "You can't sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor."

In the workroom, Zheng Hesong sat up in disbelief.

What are these artist guests doing?

Just when the program team was still uneasy about Meng Li falling into the water, they actually started thinking about how to film the subsequent show?!

Zheng Hesong only felt that this show suddenly became precarious.

Feels like nothing is going smoothly.

The doubts of Peng Zhixing, Li Zhibai, Song Lin Xin, and others about this show were actually the doubts in Zheng Hesong's own heart.

After a few days, Zheng Hesong himself felt that this was not the filming method for a regular show.

If Chen Biqiu wasn't the producer, Zheng Hesong didn't know how long he could hold on.

Now, a few artists actually started designing how to film the show themselves?

Zheng Hesong didn't know how to describe his mood.

He thought about it and felt that this matter still had to be told to Li Zhenzhen and Chen Biqiu.

What kind of things can be done to make everyone get familiar with each other and become friends as soon as possible?

Lu Yan He was alone in his room thinking.

He really hoped this show could be good.

So, what should be done?

Lu Yan He really didn't know anything about variety shows.

He was worried and blank.

Wait—

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind.

He didn't understand variety shows, but he had watched quite a few variety shows!

Before coming to this world, he also experienced an era of variety show explosion.

Lu Yan He suddenly became excited! That's right, he was a person with a golden finger!

How could you forget your biggest treasure?

In the year since he traveled here, Lu Yan He had become more and more adapted to this world, and more and more regarded himself as a person of this world. Everything in the past seemed to have become a dream of yesterday.

He always felt that he was just a newcomer now, even if he said something, no one would listen, no one would care, so he didn't think about the possibility of copying those successful cases now.

However, the equipment of a show like *Young Days* was itself a very good container—Li Zhenzhen wanted to do a young people's dating show that was not interfered with by the program team 100%. Under this framework, they could do whatever they wanted. Isn't this a stage where Lu Yan He could perform?

Lu Yan He's eyes suddenly lit up.

Just like the Werewolf game from before.

Lu Yan He knew how popular this game was among young people.

Lu Yan He's thinking was like breaking through a shackle, standing from another perspective to look at the relationship between himself and this world.

Half an hour later, everyone gathered in the living room.

"Alright, everyone, let's announce your thoughts."

Peng Zhixing first announced his thoughts.

"One, let's decorate this house together, and rearrange this house according to our own preferences."

"This is a big project, can't finish it in one day tomorrow, right?" Li Zhibai immediately said.

Peng Zhixing: "If we can't finish it, we'll talk about it later. You listen to me finish first."

"Two, have an outdoor barbecue."

"Three, you guys act as behind-the-scenes staff to help me complete a recording of *Zhixing*."

Song Lin Xin immediately said: "I vote for the third idea. I've long wanted to know what behind-the-scenes work is done for interview shows, especially interested."

"Me too," Xiao Yun raised her hand.

Peng Zhixing smiled and waved his hand, "I'm just throwing a brick to attract jade; everyone say your thoughts first, then we'll vote together."

So, everyone said it one after another.

Everyone's thoughts were purely based on their own preferences, unconstrained, either very ordinary activities like Peng Zhixing's "outdoor barbecue," or activities that sounded romantic but were actually unaffordable for the show's budget, like "going to the North Pole to see the aurora."

As everyone's thoughts were said one after another, everyone's hearts slowly started to drum. Hearing this, it seemed there wasn't any interesting idea that made everyone feel "this is it!"

Compared to the excitement when hearing Peng Zhixing's proposal at the beginning, now everyone was gradually becoming listless.

In the workroom, Zheng Hesong saw their momentum slowly weakening and couldn't help but mutter: "Really think it's easy to think of an interesting idea?"

At this time, Yan Liang finished saying his idea, and Peng Zhixing looked at Lu Yan He and said: "Yan He, it's your turn, do you have any thoughts?"

Lu Yan He nodded.

He said: "My thoughts are actually very simple, and it's not something I want to do myself, but I feel it might be able to help us become more familiar and understand each other—three games."

"Games?" Peng Zhixing was somewhat surprised to hear that Lu Yan He thought of three games.

Others also showed confusion, even a bit of disappointment.

They had basically been playing games for the past few days and were already tired of it. How could Lu Yan He still let everyone play games?

Lu Yan He also saw everyone's disappointment.

He said: "It's not quite the same as the games we played before, everyone can listen first."

Peng Zhixing also noticed everyone's low mood and said: "Let's listen first, and vote at the end."

Lu Yan He said: "The first game is called 'I have, you don't.' Simply put, everyone says something I have done but others haven't done. For example, I debuted at fifteen, Yan Liang also did, others haven't. Those who haven't must put down a finger. There are seven of us now, everyone says one thing, whoever puts down five fingers first loses."

"Oh, this game is interesting," Li Zhibai was the first to say.

"As for what punishment the loser has, let everyone decide," Lu Yan He said.

Peng Zhixing gave Lu Yan He a thumbs up and said: "This game is okay."

Lu Yan He laughed, "The second game is also very simple, 'Harm you in the heart, hard to open mouth.'"

"What open?" Li Zhibai looked surprised.

Lu Yan He smiled and said: "Everyone writes a word or an action on a card, then puts it on each other's heads. Except for ourselves, anyone can see the information on our heads. We must try our best to make this person say this word or do this action. Once done, they are eliminated."

Yan Liang looked at Lu Yan He in surprise and said: "Are these all games you thought of yourself?"

"Hmm," Lu Yan He nodded.

These games, he had checked, very clearly, in this world, these popular games didn't exist.

Lu Yan He didn't know how to describe his mood at that moment.

It was like there was clearly a warehouse of gold in his family's warehouse, but he had been diligently thinking about working to make money.

"The third game is the Werewolf game I mentioned to you guys a few days ago," Lu Yan He said. "Actually, I feel the third game can be played later. When we are more familiar with each other, it will be more fun."

Mainly because Lu Yan He hadn't fully made the game rules yet.

With only seven people, he still had to be the judge. According to the rules he knew, six people couldn't play, so he might need to adjust the rules.

Xiao Yun looked at Lu Yan He in disbelief and said: "How could you think of so many games?"

"Because I love playing myself," Lu Yan He said very embarrassedly. "I used to be very embarrassed to talk to everyone when many people were present, a bit introverted, so I often pondered some ice-breaking games myself."

Qin Zhibai asked: "Are you introverted?"

Qin Zhibai asked this, and everyone laughed.

The person who looked most introverted here was Qin Zhibai, and his question seemed to be questioning Lu Yan He.

Lu Yan He said: "I used to be more introverted than you, really, you can just search for my old videos online and you'll know."

Peng Zhixing said: "I think we can try the 'I have, you don't' game now."

"Then we must agree on the punishment first," Lu Yan He said. "And, if you really lose, you must do it."

Peng Zhixing asked: "Then what punishment do you think is better?"

Yan Liang: "Make breakfast for everyone tomorrow morning?"

"Meaningless," Song Lin Xin shook her head. "How about this, everyone writes a punishment, the loser draws lots, whatever they draw is the punishment."

Li Zhibai looked at Song Lin Xin in shock: "Playing so big?"

Song Lin Xin raised her chin, looking like "who is afraid of whom," and asked: "Why, don't dare?"

"What do I not dare," Li Zhibai said. "You'd better not draw what I wrote."

Lu Yan He couldn't laugh or cry, thought about it, and wrote on the paper: Tell an insider gossip you know.

After everyone wrote it down, they all showed the punishment content they wrote to the camera.

Li Zhibai said again: "Everyone just pray, don't draw what I wrote."

Peng Zhixing: "Li Zhibai, have you ever thought that it might be you drawing what you wrote?"

Li Zhibai: "I won't be that unlucky."

"That's really not certain," Song Lin Xin said.

Xiao Yun put her hands together and said: "Let Li Zhibai draw what he wrote."

Lu Yan He asked curiously: "What did you write?"

Li Zhibai said: "Call your secret crush and tell them to remember to watch the show."

Lu Yan He stared in shock, "Playing so big?"

Qin Zhibai shook his head hurriedly and said: "No, this won't do."

"Oh, who is your secret crush?" Li Zhibai immediately grabbed Qin Zhibai and asked with a wink.

Qin Zhibai's cheeks were red, "No!"

Peng Zhixing clapped his legs with a smile, "We haven't even started playing yet, and one has already been blown out."

"Brother Zhixing, you're too proud too early, this is a gentleman's game, can't play dirty," Song Lin Xin said. "However, what if there is no secret crush now?"

Li Zhibai said: "Then tell how you confessed to someone before."

"..." Lu Yan He said, "Then what if you haven't confessed to anyone?"

"Anyway, either call your secret crush, don't need to tell us who it is, don't need to make it public, just let this person watch the show. Or, tell your confession story, secret crush story is also fine, who you liked, what stories you have," Li Zhibai said. "Gentleman's game, can't play dirty, everyone says it passes to pass."

A group of people's adrenaline was up.

"Old Lu, you started this game, you go first," Li Zhibai said.

Lu Yan He said: "When I thought of this game, I didn't think your punishments were so ruthless!"

"Stop talking nonsense, start quickly!" Li Zhibai shouted.

Lu Yan He shook his head helplessly, thought about it, this game is to say something others probably haven't done, Lu Yan He thought and thought, thought of one, and said: "I livestreamed studying for a year!"

The five fingers opened by others put down one after another.

"This counts as you being ruthless," Peng Zhixing immediately said, "I've had twenty-five birthdays."

Among the group, only Peng Zhixing was twenty-five.

Others put down their fingers one after another.

Qin Zhibai said gloomily: "I lived abroad for seven years."

Xiao Yun laughed loudly, "Although I didn't have seven years, I also lived abroad for two years, this should count, right?"

"I'm seven years." Qin Zhibai just finished speaking, others nodded and said "counts." Qin Zhibai looked at those who said "counts" in disbelief, still wanting to say something, Xiao Yun immediately went "wow" and laughed loudly.

Now, Li Zhibai, Yan Liang, and Song Lin Xin only had two fingers left.

It was Song Lin Xin's turn. Song Lin Xin pondered for a moment, suddenly thought of something, smiled successfully, and said: "I've had a boyfriend, note, it's a boyfriend, only those who have had a boyfriend count."

"..."

Lu Yan He and others silently put down a finger.

"Doesn't this count as cheating?" Li Zhibai asked speechlessly.

Song Lin Xin shrugged, "You can also say you've had a girlfriend."

Li Zhibai: "This is farting, so many men, killing a thousand enemies, losing eight hundred."

Now only Li Zhibai and Yan Liang were left with one finger.

It was Li Zhibai's turn to speak.

Li Zhibai pondered for a long time, looked at Yan Liang, and smiled.

"I've been in love."

A group of people showed surprised expressions one after another.

Song Lin Xin: "Is this a giveaway question?"

Peng Zhixing didn't put down a finger either.

Qin Zhibai didn't either.

Finally, only Lu Yan He and Yan Liang put down their fingers.

Yan Liang became the first person to have all five fingers wiped out.

He glared at Li Zhibai with resentment.

Li Zhibai laughed loudly, "Yan Liang, don't blame me, dead friend, not dead priest."

Yan Liang: "You wait! Come, draw!"

He drew one from the slips of paper everyone wrote punishments on.

"Among the other six people on the scene, choose one to confess to for one minute, must be that kind of deep affection."

Song Lin Xin and Xiao Yun instantly let out surprised screams, their faces full of excitement to watch the show.

Lu Yan He couldn't help but laugh.

Yan Liang's cheeks were red.

He looked around and asked speechlessly: "Who wrote this punishment?"

"Me!" Xiao Yun raised her hand, her eyes full of pride, "Quick, quick, quick, who do you choose to confess to deeply?"

This night, the atmosphere seemed to have started to change under the drive of this game.

Seven young people, in the increasingly immersive game, forgot the filming of the camera, and started to try every means to win the game, let others suffer punishment, and watch others make a fool of themselves.

For the first few days, everyone returned to their rooms to rest at nine or ten o'clock, but this night, they played until 11:30 and were still not satisfied.

Later, everyone was a bit tired, changed places, and sat in the sofa area.

"So tired," Song Lin Xin rubbed her face, "My face is almost stiff from laughing."

Xiao Yun leaned on Song Lin Xin's shoulder and said: "Really didn't expect that Lu Yan He and Yan Liang had never been in love."

"They both just graduated from high school."

"It's just strange that they haven't been in love after graduating from high school," Xiao Yun said.

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang, who were teased, didn't speak.

Peng Zhixing gave Lu Yan He a thumbs up and said: "I really didn't expect this game to be more exciting than when you said it."

Later, they all started to deliberately say some things that only that person might not have done in order to deliberately let someone suffer punishment. A group of people pitted me, I pitted you, and it became more and more noisy.

Lu Yan He said: "Looks like I have to register a copyright and collect copyright fees later."

"Okay," Peng Zhixing nodded, "You really have a talent for designing games, I'm looking forward to other games you design now."

The games Lu Yan He designed were not simple games. After a few hours, everyone, through this game, said a lot of things they had done and hadn't done, allowing each other to have a deeper understanding, which was the true meaning of this game.

The so-called ice-breaking.

And this segment was also very on-topic, suitable for the theme of this show.

Everyone had a heartfelt feeling that they finally took the first step to becoming friends with each other.

Li Zhenzhen returned to the Young People's House at 2:00 AM.

She was exhausted, and her whole body exuded a feeling like a walking corpse that might collapse in the next second.

However, as soon as she entered the workroom, Li Zhenzhen saw Zheng Hesong's two eyes looking at her as brightly as light bulbs plugged into sockets.

Li Zhenzhen couldn't help but frown hesitantly and asked: "What's wrong with you? How many cups of coffee did you drink?"

Zheng Hesong said: "You definitely can't imagine what happened in the few hours you left."

"What happened?" Li Zhenzhen asked.

Zheng Hesong signaled Li Zhenzhen to sit down.

He opened a video, patted Li Zhenzhen on the shoulder, and said: "I finally had a premonition tonight that this show is going to be a success."

Since the show started recording, this was the first time Li Zhenzhen heard Zheng Hesong speak to her in such a sincere tone.

Li Zhenzhen was really a bit tired.

These days of continuous rotation seemed to have squeezed out all her strength and spirit.

But since Zheng Hesong said so, Li Zhenzhen had to sit down, put on headphones, and start watching this video.

This video, which lasted more than four hours and hadn't undergone any editing.

The first recording ended at 5:20 PM on the fifth day of recording.

Lu Yan He packed his suitcase and said goodbye to everyone.

Before the artists left, Li Zhenzhen gathered all the artists together and announced one thing.

"Meng Li will withdraw from the subsequent recording of our show," Li Zhenzhen said. "As the director of this show, I feel very sorry. The first recording had many situations, making everyone feel uneasy, including Meng Li falling into the water yesterday afternoon. This is indeed our program team not doing a good job of preventive measures. Please trust me one more time, such things will not happen again in the future."

The matter Li Zhenzhen announced didn't make everyone feel surprised.

Everyone basically guessed in their hearts that Meng Li would withdraw.

What everyone wanted to know was, how will this show be recorded next after Meng Li withdraws?

Li Zhenzhen said: "Before the second recording, we will discuss a plan to see how to record later, and then communicate this matter with everyone."

Once Meng Li left, Li Zhibai became the most popular and highest-status artist among all artists, and Peng Zhixing, because he was the oldest and a host, was also trusted by everyone.

Once Li Zhenzhen said this, everyone subconsciously looked at the two of them.

Peng Zhixing said: "Director, will you change the recording form of this show?"

"What form do you mean?" Li Zhenzhen asked.

"Is it the script written by your director team for each subsequent recording, or is it still handed to us, letting us know each other and do what we want to do."

Li Zhenzhen said: "We will also discuss this point and then communicate with you in a meeting. I watched the video of you last night, I like it very much, you finally have the atmosphere of friends getting along."

"Hmm," Peng Zhixing said. "Actually, regarding the next recording, we also have some of our own thoughts. To be precise, Lu Yan He proposed an idea, and we all think it's very good."

Li Zhenzhen asked: "Is it the idea you discussed this morning?"

"Yes," Peng Zhixing nodded.

Li Zhenzhen said: "Let's all go back and think about it carefully. I also need to review. Let's give each other some time and think seriously."

"Okay."

Lu Yan He went back with Li Zhibai and Yan Liang in the same car.

When they came, the three of them each took a car, and when they went back, there was no cameraman from the program team following, so the three of them were directly in one car.

Yan Liang said: "It's not easy to record with a bit of feeling, and the first recording ended."

"At least the first recording ended with some feeling. If the first recording ended with no feeling at all, then we really came to this show in vain," Li Zhibai said. "The idea Old Lu proposed this morning is really good. If the next recording can be recorded like that, it should be quite interesting."

Yan Liang turned to look at Lu Yan He and praised: "You are really talented, how come you have so many ideas in your head?"

"Because I want to let this show continue to be recorded. We three have known each other for so long, it's not easy to have a show we can record together," Lu Yan He said. "This is the first work of the three of us."

Before, the Wind Youth also had combined shows, but those were all guest appearances, or performed once, unlike *Young Days*, which would be broadcast in twelve episodes through three recordings.

Li Zhibai said: "Old Lu can directly be a show screenwriter, your creativity is too awesome."

"Don't, don't, don't," Lu Yan He shook his head hurriedly and said: "It's just a sudden creative idea."

"That's right, your one idea attracted all of us," Li Zhibai clicked his tongue. "I say, if *Young Days* really wants to use your idea, you must collect copyright fees, can't be cheap for them."

Lu Yan He couldn't laugh or cry and said: "How can that be? It was already agreed that we design what to do in the show ourselves, I just proposed some of my thoughts."

Li Zhibai: "Don't be stupid. The few games you proposed in the show will definitely sweep the country. Hurry up and find Sister Yan to help you register trademarks and copyrights, don't let someone else register them first."

Once Lu Yan He heard this, he was reminded. It really was. He immediately sent a message to Chen Ziyan: Sister Ziyan, the few games I told you about before, have you registered the trademarks and copyrights for me?

Chen Ziyan said: It's already done, don't worry.

Lu Yan He breathed a sigh of relief: That's good.

In the following few days, *City Travel Notes* Jiangzhi episode and *Zhixing* interview program were broadcast in turn.

Lu Yan He's livestream room welcomed He Yunlan and leaders of the local industrial and commercial department, cooperating with the launch of the Jiangzhi episode to help Jiangzhi sell local agricultural products.

The Jiangzhi episode was launched in two parts, upper and lower, resulting in the launch time of (lower) colliding with *Zhixing*.

Jiangzhi is not as rich as Langhua and didn't buy hot searches for Lu Yan He.

However, Ye Mai Network, livestream platforms, and local media in Jiangzhi all did a lot of promotion for the show and Lu Yan He's livestream room.

Lu Yan He said in the livestream room: "This is my first time selling things in the livestream room, and I don't understand much, but the three products I want to recommend to everyone are all things I have eaten, drunk, and used in Jiangzhi, so I recommend them very seriously, and everyone can try them."

"This chili sauce is the local chili sauce used in Sister Jing's private kitchen, the taste is very unique."

"Red plum wine is relatively mellow, I can't drink much, everyone should act according to their ability, those who can't drink much can buy a pot to try first, but it is worth trying."

Lu Yan He's livestream time was one hour, and the number of people watching the livestream exceeded 100,000.

This number of viewers is still not much in the livestream circle, but the total sales of the three agricultural products exceeded two million, which surprised the person in charge of Jiangzhi.

"For me, Jiangzhi is a place I can go to if I'm tired or annoyed. The modernization level there is not high, it has the simplicity of small bridges and flowing water, but it also has a prosperous fireworks atmosphere," Lu Yan He said. "When we went to record *City Travel Notes*, we ate happily and strolled happily. Everyone can find a weekend time to stroll around this city with family or friends. It is different from most modernized cities and can bring everyone a very different experience."

Compared to the livestream, the broadcast data of the Jiangzhi episode also exceeded many people's expectations.

Originally, everyone's expectation for the Jiangzhi episode was that it would be a success if it could reach half of the Langhua episode.

Because the popularity of the Langhua episode was a coincidence.

As a result, after the upper and lower parts of the Jiangzhi episode were launched, within twenty-four hours, the number of viewers exceeded 2 million.

Ye Mai Network, as the exclusive broadcast website, relied on this documentary to pull in hundreds of thousands of new users, not to mention attracting sponsors to plant end-of-film advertisements.

Just as Xin Zixing and Lu Yan He expected, the couple He Yunlan and Liu Yiyi, who gave up Yuming and returned to Jiangzhi to work and live, triggered a lot of attention and discussion.

After the show was launched, the discussion about them was much more than Lu Yan He.

Mainly because one is handsome and the other is beautiful, with a good image, which is attention-grabbing in itself.

The most gratifying thing is that the number of tourists in Jiangzhi suddenly increased by nearly 20,000 on the weekend after the show was broadcast.

Everyone came because they watched this show.

The success of the Jiangzhi episode made Xin Zixing breathe a sigh of relief.

Heaven knows how worried she was that the success of the Langhua episode of *City Travel Notes* was just a flash in the pan. How many people would be willing to watch this kind of documentary-style show?

Xin Zixing herself had no bottom.

The phone rang.

It was Liu Qiao calling.

"Editor-in-chief."

"Come to my office."

Xin Zixing said okay, hung up the phone, and went to Liu Qiao's office.

As soon as Xin Zixing entered, Liu Qiao let Xin Zixing sit.

"Congratulations first, the Jiangzhi episode also broadcast such good results," Liu Qiao said. "The data just obtained internally, the Jiangzhi episode pulled in more than 100,000 new users for our Ye Mai Network."

Xin Zixing's eyes lit up and said: "Thank you, Editor-in-chief, for your support, so we could make such a show."

"Where do you plan to record the next issue of *City Travel Notes*?" Liu Qiao asked.

Xin Zixing said: "We are contacting seven cities, all in the preparation stage, not yet determined."

Liu Qiao said: "The higher-ups have decided to further increase investment in the documentary *City Travel Notes*."

"Increase investment?"

"The production budget for each issue is increased to 500,000," Liu Qiao said.

"500,000?" Xin Zixing looked at Liu Qiao in surprise, never expecting Liu Qiao to bring her such a shocking piece of news.

The recording of a previous issue only cost about 100,000.

Liu Qiao: "Now *City Travel Notes* has become our biggest business card for Ye Mai Network, and for Ye Mai Network itself, it is also a very valuable brand. We must further make the show more high-end."

"Of course, with money, it can be done."

"There is another requirement," Liu Qiao said. "In addition to Lu Yan He, invite one or two more artists to participate in each issue. The higher-ups mean they feel that always using Lu Yan He as an artist is easy to make people tired of watching. Changing different artists to participate can also expand the scope of publicity."

"Editor-in-chief, I told you, if the guests for this show are not suitable, it won't be able to achieve the current effect," Xin Zixing said. "It's no problem for you to add people, give enough budget, I will invite other guests. But if you want to find someone to replace Lu Yan He, I suggest you be cautious. You can also count it yourself. In the entire entertainment industry, are there any other young artists who can take on the concept of culture like Lu Yan He? *City Travel Notes* has been broadcast for two episodes, and the reputation can be so good. One very important reason is that Lu Yan He is threading the needle. His fan base is our show's fan base, and for the public, his public image and the strong cultural attribute of *City Travel Notes* complement each other. Changing to another artist might be a deduction for *City Travel Notes*."

Liu Qiao: "Stop, stop, stop, I know how much you value Lu Yan He, and I don't intend to let you replace Lu Yan He with someone else. But I also support the higher-ups' meaning. We can't bind *City Travel Notes* too deeply with Lu Yan He. He is just our cooperative artist. Now he has only recorded two episodes with us, and the impact on this show is not yet deep-rooted. If he keeps recording, one day he doesn't record this show, the impact on this show will be much greater than finding a few people to record with him now."

Xin Zixing: "Without Lu Yan He, this show wouldn't be able to be made. It's only been two episodes, and you're already worried about Lu Yan He not recording in the future. This precaution is too early."

"Higher-ups' decision, don't complain. What else can we do? Not listen?" Liu Qiao said. "Go organize a list of artists. Starting from the next issue, at least pair Lu Yan He with an artist to record the show together."

Xin Zixing: "With a budget of 500,000, big names definitely can't be invited. Let's see who is suitable. You always give me difficult problems."

"It's only just started, at least they haven't started stuffing relationship households to you. When this show is so popular that someone comes to stuff relationship households to you, that's the real difficult problem."

"Don't, stop," Xin Zixing immediately made a "prohibit" gesture.

Lu Yan He didn't expect that when he woke up, Xin Zixing and Li Zhenzhen both came to meet him.

However, Lu Yan He had already made an appointment with Chen Siqi to go to the printing factory to see the layout today. There was no way, Lu Yan He had to make an appointment with Xin Zixing and Li Zhenzhen to meet in the evening.

For the whole day, he stayed at the printing factory with Chen Siqi, making layout adjustments and looking at the printed sample drafts.

Lu Yan He also knew at this time that when a book is printed, there are so many trivial things.

The color of the printed paper draft had a color difference from the design draft. If the paper Chen Siqi liked was to be used, it would exceed the cost budget. They hoped to print it within fifteen days, but the printing factory couldn't do it, a series of haggling...

Fortunately, Xu Xiaoyin and Xu Mingyue came later.

Xu Xiaoyin still had experience dealing with them. After round after round of communication, these problems were finally solved.

"Didn't expect it to be made by the end of this month after all," Xu Xiaoyin took the reading copy, flipped through it, and said: "Not easy."

"All thanks to Chen Siqi," Lu Yan He also sighed, "Later, I almost had no time to manage this matter, it was all Chen Siqi doing it."

"It's very good to be able to make it," Chen Siqi said, "Finally, the first issue of *Jump Up* is made."

Xu Xiaoyin said: "We have already sent ordering notices to various channels, and in a few days, we will be able to determine the first printing number."

"Sister Xiaoyin, how many do you think our first printing number of *Jump Up* can reach?" Lu Yan He asked.

Xu Xiaoyin said: "Hmm, conservatively, three to five thousand should be there. The current market for physical publishing is indeed very bad. If it weren't for your celebrity status, I estimate three to five thousand would also be very difficult. Actually, if there were no electronic version, this first printing number would be adjusted up a lot. With the electronic version, actual publishing is definitely affected. However, I am very optimistic about the performance of this book after it goes on the market. The content of this book you made is very good, many articles can resonate, and it talks about student days. If it can move the student market, the sales won't be bad."

To tell the truth, the first printing number of three to five thousand was lower than Lu Yan He's estimate.

Lu Yan He originally thought that with the current author lineup, he would get a better first printing number.

"Then let's work hard to do a good job of publicity," Lu Yan He said.

Xu Xiaoyin said: "At that time, we really need you to cooperate with us to do some publicity, and Siqi too. This is an era where online publicity is king. Various e-commerce channels need to be negotiated one by one. Whether you are willing to cooperate with publicity or not has a great impact on what conditions we get. Since we all think about making this book a series Mook, the first shot must be fired."

"Hmm," Lu Yan He nodded.

The first printing number is nothing, what really matters is the long road ahead.

In the golden age of print media, many magazines could only sell one or two

After finishing the business for *Jump Up*, Lu Yan He rushed to the City Bookstore to meet with Xin Zixing.

Xin Zixing was already waiting for him at the City Bookstore; he was ten minutes late.

"Sorry, Sister Zixing, the traffic was a bit heavy on the way, kept you waiting."

Xin Zixing smiled and shook her head, saying, "It's fine. Have you had dinner?"

"Not yet." Lu Yan He checked the time; it was already seven in the evening. "Just came from the printing plant."

"Then let's order something to eat. The waffles and Black Forest cake here are quite good," Xin Zixing said.

Nowadays, bookstores and cafes are basically all being turned into urban cultural IPs; they are places where you can both read books and have something to eat or drink, becoming popular social spots for urbanites.

Lu Yan He ordered a waffle and asked for a glass of milk.

Xin Zixing took advantage of this time to tell him about the changes they planned to make to *City Travelogue* going forward.

"We hope to further refine the program and want to add more people as travelers to explore the city," Xin Zixing said. "Currently, you are the only main traveler. After discussing it, we feel that if we could add one or two people to each episode, it could make the program's content richer."

Lu Yan He fell into deep thought.

Seeing this, Xin Zixing said, "If you have any candidates to recommend, you can tell me directly. After all, it's about picking a partner for you."

"Actually, I don't have any suitable candidates either, Sister Zixing. You started this program, you know it best, you find them," Lu Yan He said. "I also think it would be better for you to find more people to join the program. People will get tired of only seeing me all the time. Besides, I still have classes later and other work, and I'm worried that it will become increasingly difficult to coordinate schedules, affecting your recording."

Xin Zixing shook her head and said, "Yan He, this program must have you; we will accommodate your schedule. Please don't misunderstand; I'm not looking for someone to replace you."

"How could I?" Lu Yan He smiled and waved his hand. "I'm serious. This program can definitely be made richer. If only I am recording it, it is indeed quite dull and boring."

Lu Yan He chatted with Xin Zixing for about forty minutes to get these matters settled before Xin Zixing left.

Lu Yan He did not leave; he waited here for Li Zhenzhen.

Li Zhenzhen said she would drive here to pick him up.

"Tsk tsk, Lu Yan He is actually busier than me now. It's only his first day back, and he's been nowhere to be seen from morning till night," Li Zhibai remarked while lying on the sofa.

Yan Liang said, "The more capable a person is, the busier they are. Recording the program this time, I truly witnessed how talented Yan He is. He can come up with so many ideas; he's really amazing."

After saying this, Yan Liang suddenly thought of the conflict between Li Zhibai and Meng Li.

"Will the incident where you and Meng Li clashed be broadcast on the show?" Yan Liang asked.

Li Zhibai shook his head: "Don't know, let's see how they edit it."

Yan Liang: "Next time, don't impulsively admit to writing love letters to tease people again. No matter how many reasons you have, it's your fault. Fortunately, this time the program won't air it, otherwise you'd probably be cursed to death."

"I'd rather be cursed to death than be threatened by that woman using it as leverage," Li Zhibai snorted coldly. "Now that she's quit the program, it's the best outcome."

Yan Liang: "I feel worried about this program. I reckon everyone will curse the show after seeing Meng Li fall into the water and quit."

"Being cursed is better than no one watching," Li Zhibai said. "Let me tell you, something like this happening is actually a good thing for the program—it's natural clickbait."

Yan Liang shook his head. "Then I think it's still more reliable to come up with good ideas like Lu Yan He to attract the audience."

"A Lamp" is a quiet bar, and also a rare place with booths for customers to drink in peace.

Lu Yan He sat opposite Li Zhenzhen, with a candle lit on the table.

The candlelight illuminated this dim corner, yet created an atmosphere suitable for private conversation.

Li Zhenzhen looked much better than she did yesterday.

"Sister Zhenzhen, did you go for a medical beauty treatment?" Lu Yan He asked in surprise.

Li Zhenzhen smiled. "What medical beauty? I just caught up on sleep; I've slept too little these past few days."

"You've worked hard."

Li Zhenzhen said, "Actually, after I heard the idea you mentioned yesterday, I thought it was very creative. But my state yesterday was truly too terrible to make any decisions. So, it wasn't until today, after I woke up from a good sleep, that I seriously thought about the idea you proposed."

Lu Yan He nodded.

"Seven people trying to find ways to earn one thousand yuan in this city every day, just so they can move into the House of Youth at night and enjoy time spent with friends." Li Zhenzhen shook her head, sighing, "How did you come up with this?"

Lu Yan He thought to himself, this is just a disguised combination of a celebrity survival show and your program.

Lu Yan He remembered vividly how much audiences love to watch the drama of usually glamorous celebrity artists suddenly needing to find ways to earn money to survive like ordinary people.

So much so that many hit variety shows have such segments. For example, in *Flowers and Youth*, there is only a fixed amount to spend, and the scene where artists struggle between spending and saving money is a long-lasting, popular segment of that show. And there are even more, like those outdoor survival reality shows.

Lu Yan He felt that the program *Days of Youth* had a big problem: everyone got everything as soon as they arrived—living well, eating well, and doing well.

*Where Are We Going, Dad? * even divided rooms into good and bad ones, making celebrity families re-allocate rooms every time they arrived at a new place. Some lived in good houses, some in bad ones; didn't that create an effect?

Therefore, simply turn indoor slow living into outdoor survival.

It's not real survival, it's just finding ways to earn money.

Without relying on their celebrity status, without accepting any subsidies, seven young people huddling together for warmth—wouldn't the emotional bonds come out just like that?

And the House of Youth, which can only be entered through one's own hard work, would then seem precious.

A single concept made everyone realize that filming it this way could be better.

It's just that no one had thought that a social-type program could be filmed this way.

"This creative idea is actually very good, but for the seven of you to earn money in the city of Yuming, the pressure of recording will be very high," Li Zhenzhen said. "Wherever you go, you might be surrounded by onlookers, and then it will turn into a show."

Lu Yan He said, "The recording pressure will indeed be very high, but I think it's worth it. How to film it is something you need to find a way to solve, but filming it this way is the only way we can truly have interaction, and it will truly have an effect. If we just keep sitting in the house filming, even if we chat for ten days and ten nights, we will only just get to know each other. To be honest, the tasks you set have no stimulation for us. This kind of slow-living variety show might be more suitable for those artists who have debuted for many years; they have enough topics to talk about. We are still just starting out; we don't have that much life experience to share with everyone."

Lu Yan He was telling the truth.

Li Zhenzhen also knew that Lu Yan He was telling the truth.

How do people become friends?

They have to experience some things together.

So tired.

Really so tired.

This was Lu Yan He's most honest feeling when he walked to the entrance of the Hongfu residential compound at 9:30 PM.

He left at nine in the morning and had been busy until just now; all sorts of things came one after another, filling his day to the brim.

Yet Lu Yan He was also satisfied.

Things he had worked hard on for a long time were all about to bear fruit.

The *Jump Up* pilot was already out, the Jiang Zhi episode of *City Travelogue* had aired, subsequent recordings had new developments, and *Days of Youth*, after experiencing various setbacks during the first recording, had unexpectedly opened the door to his golden touch.

Lu Yan He was also reflecting on himself—what was wrong with him, that he had actually forgotten his golden touch?

Before, he felt he had no say, being only eighteen or nineteen, unable to make others believe in him or invest in him.

And now? Now he had undergone a huge change from the person he was then; he already had the initial ability to push for things he wanted to do. Just like *Jump Up*, as long as he could convince others, there would be many people to help him do the things he wanted to do.

At this moment, although exhausted, Lu Yan He was also ignited with new fighting spirit.

He wanted his variety show planning and screenwriting abilities to be reflected in *Days of Youth*, letting everyone know that his ideas were very effective.

That night, after Lu Yan He went back, he took a shower and started sitting in front of the computer, beginning to write some variety show proposals.

He wanted to take advantage of the fact that he still remembered these variety shows and write down all the hit variety show formats he had seen.

A good idea is a new type of market.

Lu Yan He had seen programs like *The Voice*, *Running Man*, *Where Are We Going, Dad? *, etc., single-handedly supporting a TV station's revenue and making a whole bunch of stars famous.

He had previously always thought that he had a talent for acting, so he should act well, and perhaps he could become a Best Actor, then go write scripts and film the classic movies he had seen in this world.

Now that he thought about it, his perspective had been too narrow.

The entertainment industry isn't just about movies. He didn't know when he would have the ability to film a movie himself, but he could start with variety shows!

After writing down the ideas for over a dozen blockbuster variety shows in one go, Lu Yan He excitedly came out of his room.

"Li Zhibai, Yan Liang!"

Both of them were sitting on the floor playing online games; suddenly being roared at like that, they were startled and looked at him in shock.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to scare people?"

Lu Yan He said: "In the future, I'm going to make my own variety shows. Are you coming or not?"

Li Zhibai showed an expression of "What are you messing around with?!", "Did you suddenly lose your mind?"

Lu Yan He said: "I'm serious. I have a lot of ideas. If there's a chance, I'll make a show. Are you coming or not?"

Li Zhibai immediately said: "Not coming, don't mess around."

Yan Liang said: "Don't listen to his nonsense. He will come, and I will come too. As long as you need us, we will all come."

Lu Yan He smiled.

Having these words was enough.