Chapter 209

In the shooting competition, Gu Cheng appeared with a "perfect ten-ring" score, whether in the preliminary round, the semi-finals, or the official final.

This made the production team very excited.

Having done this show for so long, everyone knew that many celebrities were just for show—they looked good on the outside, but their athletic nerves weren't very developed.

It was better for boy group and girl group stars; at least they had decent stamina.

But in sports competitions, the gap in stamina is only one aspect of the game; persistent training and talent are the keys to victory.

That's why the production team tried so hard to persuade Gu Cheng and modify the rules for him, because there were simply too few celebrities who could produce results!

Since "Star Sports Games" had rarely caught a Gu Cheng, they definitely had to film him as much as possible and then use it as a key promotional point.

"Director Peng, I remember Gu Cheng signed up for the swimming event last year and got second place. The reason he settled for second was because his start was too slow; otherwise, he could have totally taken first!"

A planner saw Gu Cheng performing so well on the shooting range, and the production team also had the intention of focusing this season on Gu Cheng, so he had a flash of inspiration and proposed an idea.

"How about we let Gu Cheng participate in swimming too?"

Director Peng's eyes lit up, and he pondered: "Did you find the footage from last year? Bring it to me to see first."

The planner had long been prepared and took out his phone: "I've edited it; take a look."

Director Peng took over "Star Sports Games" this year; he wasn't the one filming last year, so he didn't know the results of each celebrity.

After watching it repeatedly several times, Director Peng said decisively: "Okay, Gu Cheng's start was just too slow; he was clearly distracted.

But his swimming speed after entering the pool was very fast, and his late-stage power was also fierce. If it weren't for the huge gap in the beginning, he really could have staged a comeback and become first!"

If it were Director Peng in charge, he would definitely re-record this competition and arrange a comeback script for Gu Cheng.

From being the last at the start to gradually overtaking one by one, then fighting braver as he went, and leaping to first place in the final few seconds!

The fighting spirit and tenacity displayed in this would fit the theme "Life never stops, sports never end" perfectly.

No wonder "Star Sports Games" wasn't that popular last year; it was entirely because the previous director didn't know how to film.

Director Peng then personally called Gu Cheng and brought this up to him in a consultative tone.

Gu Cheng frowned and said: "I have already promised you to make concessions in the shooting competition."

Director Peng said nicely: "Yes, yes, the production team also wants to create more highlight reels about you; it will also look good on you when promoted.

Your sports talent is so outstanding; it will definitely be promoted and edited repeatedly!"

Gu Cheng couldn't help but smile.

He admitted that when Director Peng proposed this idea, he was mainly thinking about the latter.

If it were edited and posted repeatedly by bloggers, wouldn't Jin Li see it too?

However, he could agree to make concessions in shooting because it was an event he signed up for, and out of professional attitude, he could extend the filming time.

But swimming...

Gu Cheng said: "Director Peng, I am already in the nanny van, preparing to head to the next announcement location with my teammates, so I cannot answer whether I can film it.

How about this: if you really want me to film swimming, call my manager and discuss it with him to see if he can clear my schedule."

Director Peng agreed happily.

He thought that since Gu Cheng had no objections, the manager would definitely have no objections either.

But he didn't expect to hit a hard nail with Zhang Guang!

After Zhang Guang heard Director Peng's intention, he said with a smile: "Director, it's not that I don't want Gu Cheng to film; Gu Cheng is willing to cooperate, and you want to give Gu Cheng key shots, so I'm too happy to even have time to be unhappy."

Director Peng nodded along.

The next second, Zhang Guang changed his tone: "But Gu Cheng's schedule is really too busy. He not only has individual announcements but also many group announcements. He is running announcements every day, and his rest time is too little. I have to ensure his sleep."

Director Peng frowned and emphasized: "Manager Zhang, the ratings of 'Star Sports Games' are among the best of all variety shows, and it rarely highlights which celebrity athlete.

But once highlighted, they all become material for many independent bloggers, and the celebrity's popularity and fame will increase significantly. This is equivalent to using the variety show's resources to promote the celebrity; many first-tier stars can't even get this treatment!"

Zhang Guang sighed: "I know, I understand very well, but I also have my difficulties.

The announcements that come to Gu Cheng are all booked in advance with money. I can't possibly push these paid announcements just because of your words, right?

Pushing away paid bookings is one thing, but Gu Cheng's credibility in the industry will decrease. You also know how important a celebrity's reputation is in the industry."

Hearing this, Director Peng's face darkened.

Zhang Guang said he couldn't do it on the surface, but in reality, it was still a matter of money; otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly emphasized "spending money."

And because he promised to record for them, he would have to push away other scheduled announcements, affecting his reputation, so the money he would receive would also be more than usual!

This made Director Peng hesitate; the production team's budget...

Director Peng had to say first: "Manager Zhang, let me discuss it with my team."

Zhang Guang immediately said: "Okay, I'll wait for your news at any time!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Guang sneered: "Another one who wants a free ride."

A few rustling laughs came from behind.

I'm afraid even Director Peng didn't expect that Zhang Guang was in the same car as Sanyuetian at this time, and even the conversation was on speakerphone, without hiding anything from Sanyuetian at all!

Chen Lin couldn't help but say: "Brother Guang, they want to arrange another event for Orange to get more highlight moments, and it's key promotion. This is a good thing for Orange; can't you make an exception?"

Zhang Guang said with a dark face: "What good thing? A good thing for charity?

I know you have kind hearts, but you have to look at the problem from a business perspective.

You are already a top-tier boy group; so many variety shows are fighting for you to participate. In every variety show you go to, which one isn't promoting you as the focus?

If they don't promote you, what are the fans coming for? You don't care, but your fans will make a fuss.

Since that's the case, even if we don't want this key promotion, they won't not give it."

Zhang Guang emphasized: "It's them who need your popularity more, not you who need their editing. Your daily exposure is already enough.

This is business, and there's a saying: 'Mercy doesn't do business.' You are popular now, so you can earn more money. When you are no longer popular in the future, you'll be counting on this money for retirement. I am also responsible for you.

In short, if they want Gu Cheng to participate in another competition without paying, no way!"

Chen Lin couldn't help but turn his head to look at Gu Cheng and ask: "Do you agree with Brother Guang's idea?"

Gu Cheng had already lowered his head to read a book and said faintly: "Xiao Lin, I personally want to do charity, but as a popular celebrity, I am endowed with many values.

Celebrities are equivalent to a commodity. If they want to showcase us, they should pay the corresponding value.

If the value we carry can last for a long time, then doing charity occasionally is still good, it's just a pity—"

Gu Cheng paused, "No celebrity can be popular forever."

The "popular" here doesn't refer to being deeply rooted in people's hearts and having household-name popularity.

It refers to dominating headlines and hot searches, with commercial value maxed out.

Old-school celebrities like Jin Li who have a lot of public foundation can do charity occasionally.

Because they have already passed the most popular stage and have earned what they should earn, they need to build a reputation and do long-term business.

But Sanyuetian is currently popular, so they can't waste time; they must perfectly exert the commodity value they carry.

Just as Brother Guang said.

They don't lack exposure; it's the variety shows that beg to give them exposure.

Chen Lin thought for a long time and suddenly said: "I think I'm still not suitable for business. I'll just hang out with you guys in the future and do some investments. Business matters are too complicated for me."

Luo Yi said very approvingly: "You have a very profound level of self-awareness."

Chen Lin's mouth twitched, and he said with a threatening tone: "Brother Luo Yi, you'd better check your bag next time you go out."

Luo Yi:?

Chen Lin said with a fake smile: "I'm afraid I won't be able to help myself from taking away your thermos, goji berries, tea leaves, and chess pieces."

Luo Yi:...

He made a gesture of zipping his mouth.

Jin Li returned to the beach, and the tide had already begun to recede slowly.

Many various shells, starfish, and conchs were washed onto the shore; one could pick one up just by walking a few steps.

If one's eyes were sharp enough, one could see large octopuses by prying open some rock crevices, and one could also encounter rampant green crabs.

Chen Qin was worried about Jin Li going to pick them alone, so she went with her.

The weather at the beach was very gloomy; the weather forecast said it wouldn't rain, but Chen Qin was worried it would, so she put a disposable raincoat on Jin Li in advance.

When going to the beach to pick shells, Chen Qin also took out rain boots for Jin Li to wear.

Chen Qin had prepared all these in advance when she knew Jin Li was going to the beach to catch seafood in the afternoon; one has to say, it was very thoughtful.

Jin Li looked up and found that more people had gathered on the beach ahead; they were residents of local fishing boats who also came to catch seafood.

Because the area where Jin Li was located had been booked by the production team, the local fishermen didn't come over.

Such a large area was equivalent to being booked by Jin Li.

Jin Li picked them very happily!

She had decided that she would pick more beautiful shells to take back as commemorative gifts for friends.

"Hey, Xiao Qin, do you see that? There is a big octopus there!"

Chen Qin squinted and looked, only seeing a few rocks, nothing else.

Jin Li reminded her: "Move the rocks away and take a look, be prepared so you don't get entangled by the octopus."

Chen Qin tentatively moved it away, and suddenly a white section darted out, tentacles swinging around, almost entangling her arm!

Chen Qin immediately took a few steps back, and the big octopus quickly crawled into a hole and left.

The moved rocks only looked shallow on the surface, but once moved, it was discovered that the inside was very deep and all buried by sand.

Chen Qin was a little envious of Jin Li's good luck, but didn't think much of it.

Until Jin Li told her about another place: "I just saw several green crabs there, quite plump, they were all washed up."

Chen Qin looked over, but besides seeing rocks, she still gained nothing.

But she thought of Jin Li's good luck and didn't dare not believe it; relying on her hands alone wasn't satisfying enough, so she said: "I'll go buy a red bucket and tongs."

Jin Li reminded her: "Things sold at the beach aren't cheap."

Chen Qin knew, after all, a bottle of water could be sold for double the price, but seeing so many fresh seafood items pass by her eyes without picking them up made her feel even more uncomfortable.

Soon, Chen Qin came over with tools, and wherever Jin Li pointed, she dug.

Before long, she had dug up several octopuses, and later on, it was as if the green crabs' nest had been poked; she harvested eight of them, all weighing several pounds!

Chen Qin then realized belatedly: "Why is there so much seafood in this area? Wasn't it blocked by nets? You were filming in the afternoon and the waves were huge, but there were none of these things."

Jin Li said happily: "After I returned to the hotel, I immediately called the director and asked them to remove the nets.

Director Deng said the filming was already finished and they were just about to remove the nets, and asked me why I specifically asked. I said I wanted to go catch seafood in the afternoon.

Director Deng's hometown is near the beach, and he had caught small seafood with his parents when he was a child. Hearing me say this, he helped me put a net on the mudflat, and he would help me collect the net later; the fish caught would be mine."

Chen Qin was surprised: "Would the local fishermen agree?"

Jin Li couldn't help but smile: "The marine resources in this area are average, and there's very little left to catch, and Director Deng booked the venue until today.

According to the fishermen's rules, whatever is caught in which venue belongs to whoever. Besides, I don't think there are that many fish."

Chen Qin looked at the red bucket underneath and didn't think highly of Jin Li's idea.

Although she didn't grow up by the beach, she knew that some people were born with strong sea luck, or strong mountain luck.

In the same sea area, some people could just discover green crabs, while others looked several times and just didn't see them.

The ocean is boundless, so it's understandable to miss things.

But some people with strong mountain luck could just discover things that ordinary people couldn't see.

Clearly that area had been searched many times, but they could just find king oyster mushrooms and tiger-head mushrooms, and find a large patch at once.

Comparing people to people is really infuriating.

"Eh, this snail is very beautiful." Jin Li squatted down curiously and poked the snail with a small twig.

The snail's shell was yellowish-brown, shaped like a papaya, smooth and with dark brown spots.

Chen Qin used photo recognition and said: "This is a Melo snail, also called a papaya snail. This isn't their growth area, and I don't know how it drifted here."

Jin Li said happily: "Is that so? But I see quite a few; I've already seen three."

Chen Qin scanned the surroundings again; besides the one Jin Li was holding, she couldn't see anything, and couldn't help but fall silent.

Confirmed by the look, she was indeed the person without sea luck~

"Where is it?"

Jin Li held one in her hand, walked to a place, dug, and dug out another one.

Only a shallow tip of this one was poking out on the beach, but she saw it.

Another one was hidden in the middle of the rocks, and she saw it at a glance.

Chen Qin thought for a while and said: "The internet says this kind of snail can produce Melo pearls, which is a very rare pearl that cannot be cultivated artificially. The chance of being opened is one in several thousand. Why don't you try?"

Jin Li casually found a rock and smashed it toward the ugliest one.

"So rare, how many snails would one have to open to get one? How could it possibly be in my—"

Suddenly, Jin Li paused, and from a pile of crushed snail meat, she saw a tiny thing.

Orange-yellow, size unknown.