Chapter 25: Collapse

Yang Zi’s spellcasting was interrupted, and he choked on a breath, unable to get the words out.

"Still want medicine?"

Mr. Huang glanced at him.

"Little Huang!" Yang Zi snuck a peek at his own PD camera and said, "exasperated": "The camera! The camera time is all being stolen, aren't you even a little anxious?"

Mr. Huang was displeased: "It’s not for me to say, but you’re already at such an age, why are you fighting those kids for screen time? Do you really have to eat from the bowl of traffic? You can't handle it!"

Yang Zi was shameless: "I’m a kid too."

Mr. Huang: "?"

"You just said I was a kid a moment ago, have you forgotten?!"

In order to snatch back the heat, Yang Zi threw away all shame and said with a straight face: "Actually, I never told you, but when I was born, I started talking later than my peers..."

Mr. Huang: "..."

"I was wondering."

Chi Ye, who was "sitting" in a beauty's embrace, returned to the machine and looked back this way: "Now the cause of the illness has been found."

Yang Zi: "...You’re just an accessory, and you have the nerve to talk about me?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Shi Daifu, who wasn't blushing or panting, and let out a cold laugh.

Chi Ye had no sense of shame and shook his head: "An accessory is still better than a withered bone in a tomb."

"Some people are alive, but they are already dead."

Yang Zi: "..."

Mr. Huang, however, found it agreeable and pouted at Chi Ye: "Are you talking about yourself?"

Chi Ye was surprised: "Does Mr. Huang want to become 'Huang Mou' that badly?"

Mr. Huang: "?!"

While the few were still interacting here, Lü Xiaoming and Lin Jingyi had also arrived at the weighing area, and after the weighing was finished, they returned stumbling.

And this time when they returned, the interaction between them had become even more intimate.

It was unknown just how much Mr. Lü liked tech-savvy people, but after seeing Lin Jingyi’s "exquisite skill" of "pinching her nose with her bare hands," he couldn't stop.

"Girl, pinch your nose again, there’s still a small flaw, let me handle the work."

Mr. Lü stopped Lin Jingyi from going to turn the handle, domineeringly letting her do the easier work.

"Brother Xiaoming~ I don't want you to be too tired, you've been turning the handle the whole time, let me do it this time."

"Hmm..." Lin Jingyi said shyly: "Don't worry, no need to pinch, I'm afraid if you pinch again, the hyaluronic acid will come out~"

Hyaluronic acid is good, I just like this flavor.

Mr. Lü’s lips curled slightly, his expression serious, his voice magnetic: "Girl, be obedient!"

"Brother Xiaoming~~ *cough cough*..." Lin Jingyi was putting on the act a bit too hard, and her voice cracked at the flaw.

Mr. Lü, however, had already been completely stirred into a protective frenzy, and with a wave of his hand, he said: "I don't care what you think, I only care what I think, OK?"

"Be obedient, go rest!"

"But I also want Brother Xiaoming to rest for a while..."

The two began to tug at each other.

Chi Ye couldn't watch anymore and imitated Lin Jingyi: "Brother Xiaoming~ I also want to rest for a while~"

"Huh?!"

Lin Jingyi turned her head and glared fiercely at Chi Ye.

Lü Xiaoming: "..."

Yang Zi couldn't hold it in anymore, pointing at Chi Ye, then pointing at Shi Daifu, who was working with her head down: "Have some shame, haven't you been resting the whole time?"

Chi Ye: "?"

He looked around: "Whose kid is talking?"

Yang Zi: "..."

"Just say it, shouldn't this group of people be thrown into one pot?"

Mr. Huang turned his head, realizing this was an excellent opportunity to "wash his reputation," and faced the camera: "Friends who think they should be thrown into one pot, type 'should,' I’ll stew them tonight."

"hhh, Mr. Huang is so cute."

"It's over, did this old guy really find the technique?"

"I'm dying of laughter, this variety show is too dramatic."

"Go look at Xia Xia, the kid is bored to tears."

The live stream comments scrolled by, and in just one morning, several more search terms for *See You* had gone up.

The various monsters and ghosts each used their own magical powers, each with their own tricks.

The production team was also very satisfied with this situation; after the success of this outdoor planning, the *See You* cabin would have too many "fun things" to show off in the future.

Time passed, and half an hour later, Chi Ye’s group handed in their second batch of corn kernels, successfully taking first place before the deadline.

Lü Xiaoming’s group ranked second, and the "one old, one young" combination of Mr. Huang and Yang Zi deservedly took last place.

"Why did they all get changed into poisonous beans?"

Everyone took off their jumpsuits and went together to the "reward area" where vegetables and meat were displayed.

As a result, one glance over revealed that there were many poisonous beans, and very few other ingredients.

Lin Jingyi was a bit unhappy: "Then our second-place options are too few, aren't they?"

The production team didn't speak, just kept giving the poisonous beans camera time.

Mr. Lü frowned and glanced at Lin Jingyi: "Girl, you can't say that, can Chi Ye and the others really take away all the good things?"

Chi Ye nodded: "Yes."

Everyone: "..."

Chi Ye was surprised: "What makes you hold fantasies about me?"

Everyone was silent again, then tacitly looked at Shi Daifu.

In Chi Ye and Shi Daifu’s group, most of the work was done by Shi Daifu, and everyone felt she had more say.

Who knew that the boxing champion, feeling everyone’s gaze, would have her delicate body instantly tense up, her hands nervously pinching the corners of her clothes: "I... I listen to Teacher Chi."

Yang Zi was furious: "You’re dating too, are you?"

Shi Daifu lowered her head even further.

"...Fine, then let’s leave Mr. Lü one meal’s worth of meat and vegetables, and give all the poisonous beans to the kid and the teacher."

Chi Ye "decided decisively," making Yang Zi’s teeth itch with hatred.

"...Okay."

Shi Daifu nodded and began to pick the ingredients.

Chi Ye had originally planned to follow along and take a look, but noticed Jin Xia walking over in the crowd, and then hanging her head in low spirits.

A charming and exquisite face was written all over with "I am unhappy."

Chi Ye thought for a moment: "Old Buddha, will you take the ingredients and eat with us at noon?"

"Okay, okay!"

Jin Xia changed her expression in a second.

Everyone: "..."

"*Cough cough*... Everyone, please stop for a moment."

At this time, Li Dao walked over with a megaphone and announced the production team’s "extra easter egg."

"In order to improve everyone’s 'enthusiasm' for future work, the villagers have decided that today’s first place, in addition to being able to pick ingredients first, will also be awarded an extra one thousand yuan in living expenses."

With such good outdoor effects, if there were more in the future, wouldn't the heat and ratings just skyrocket?

"One thousand yuan in living expenses?"

Everyone called out when they heard this.

"Isn't that too much?"

"We only get one hundred a day!"

"No, Chi Ye even said the villagers were troublesome!" Yang Zi stabbed him directly.

Chi Ye was dissatisfied: "The villagers are fine, they’ve been fine since I was little! Also, kids shouldn't interfere in adults' business."

Yang Zi: "Stop calling me a kid, I’m not a kid!"

Chi Ye waved his hand: "Don't make a scene, then what should I call you? Grandson? Why are you addicted to changing your surname?"

Yang Zi was trembling with anger: "Chi Ye, you...!"

"What?" Chi Ye asked curiously.

Yang Zi noticed the camera, gritted his teeth: "You’re so handsome!"

Chi Ye was surprised: "Teacher Yang Zi, even if you compliment me, I’m still going to call you a kid!"

Yang Zi turned his head away and ignored him.

He was still angry inside.

Although he could secretly buy things through his assistant... but once or twice is fine, he couldn't keep doing this every time, right?

Damn, Chi Ye, I’m not finished with you!

The matter was settled, Shi Daifu collected the ingredients, picking several large lobsters and beef and mutton, all high-protein, nourishing items.

Chi Ye received the money, the production team left people behind to start cleaning up the scene, and the guests took a car back to the *See You* cabin.

After this morning outdoors, the estrangement between everyone was gone, which could be considered another kind of harvest.

……

On the road, at the request of all the guests, the production team temporarily turned off the cameras, leaving everyone a short break.

Although "See You" claims to be a 24-hour live stream, in actual operation—for instance, after everyone worked all morning—it is naturally necessary to rest.

Sitting by the window, Chi Ye took out his phone to call Keke.

The situation with the "Cycle" project is a bit more complicated than he imagined, so he has to go out and meet with the director in the next few days.

On the other side.

Lin Jingyi sat in her seat, scrolling through her phone.

Suddenly, she saw a certain piece of news and quickly clicked on the Weibo trending list, only to find that the list had been completely dominated.

But it wasn't the trending topic she had imagined: #Lü Xiaoming carries Lin Jingyi#.

Instead, it was—#Meng Yixun's downfall#.

With over 50 million in heat, it had a deep brown "Explosive" tag.

"My god!"

In her astonishment, Lin Jingyi forgot her persona and blurted out: "Meng Yixun has fallen!"

"Hmm?"

The previously noisy carriage went quiet.

"Little Meng has fallen?"

Lü Xiaoming, sitting nearby, reacted the fastest, surprised: "When did this happen? How could he fall just like that?"

He thought of something, sighed, took out his phone, and clicked on Weibo; sure enough, he saw the trending topic too.

Everyone else around them also widened their eyes.

They wanted to eat some gossip.

Meng Yixun.

A top-tier young actor in the domestic entertainment industry, professionally trained, who exploded in popularity two years ago thanks to a hit ancient idol drama. He was one of the "Four Great Double-Hits" mentioned by marketing accounts, a "hit-maker" young actor who once had equal billing with Jin Xia and had a higher status than Peng Chen.

Although Meng Yixun's subsequent works didn't keep up after he became a top-tier star, the traffic dividends remained, and with his powerful company behind him and excellent resources, his future development looked bright.

But just as his career was flourishing, he had actually fallen so abruptly.

Everyone looked at each other. Lü Xiaoming put away his phone and shook his head: "Caught on the spot."

Caught soliciting prostitution on the spot; the studio tried to deny it at first, issuing lawyer letters and denial statements, but ended up happily receiving a blue-background official notice.

Brother Meng instantly turned into Mr. Meng.

Lü Xiaoming’s expression was wistful.

Clearly, this well-connected Brother Xiaoming had a decent relationship with the other party.

The others didn't have that feeling; they only felt shock and a desire for gossip.

As one of the "Four Great Double-Hits," among the guests present, except for Huang, Lü, and the "Old Buddha," most hadn't had much opportunity to interact with him.

"Wasn't that kid developing quite well?"

Teacher Huang said: "I've even heard of him."

"He wasn't clean and got caught, who can he blame?"

"By the way... didn't Teacher Jin Xia collaborate with Meng Yixun before?"

Everyone looked at Jin Xia. The "Old Buddha" wasn't looking at her phone, but she had heard everyone's exchange. Seeing this, she waved her small hand: "Oh, his team insisted on fighting for top billing with me, and we had a conflict."

Everyone: "……"

Chi Ye hung up the phone, curious: "Because of what?"

"His team said I was two millimeters taller than him on the poster!"

The "Old Buddha" got angry just mentioning it: "What kind of reason is that? I'm 176cm tall, he's 175cm; we were both standing on apple crates to shoot, and they were still unhappy?"

Chi Ye: "……6."

"……Hey, Meng Yixun has fallen, won't the other few be happy to death?"

After Lin Jingyi finished speaking, Lü Xiaoming glanced at the camera vigilantly. Finding it was off, he breathed a sigh of relief: "Watch your words and actions."

But since the camera wasn't on, everyone started chatting.

People always say outsiders like gossip, but in reality, because those in the industry have more channels for information, they are only more gossipy.

"Someone said before that the 'Four Greats' were all guarding against Meng Yixun, afraid he would rise in status and snatch resources. I didn't expect him to have an accident himself first."

"What about Shang Yuexi's drama? I heard it's already finished filming. Will they use AI face-swapping?"

"Who will get Meng Yixun's resources? I guess those few families are going to fight again."

"Peng Chen will definitely fight for Meng Yixun's resources..."

When a whale falls, everything else thrives.

When one top-tier star falls, another will rise to take their place; this is especially evident in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry.

Meng Yixun's fall benefits the "Four Greats" above him by removing a potential competitor, but it benefits the group of traffic stars below him who want to move up even more.

As a newly promoted top-tier star, Peng Chen's status has always been weaker than Meng Yixun's, so Meng Yixun's fall is of the greatest benefit to him and his "good brother," the other top-tier star from a boys' love adaptation, Jiang Yi.

And as they two fight over Meng Yixun's "inheritance," the positions and markets they vacate will naturally be left to other "soon-to-be-hit" stars.

In short, for the next period of time, I estimate half the entertainment industry will be tearing each other apart.

"Shang Yuexi is also unlucky enough. I remember her drama had already started promotion, right? Is she going to the Scream Night alone tomorrow?"

"That's unclear, but she isn't the one who had the accident. She was the one supporting Meng Yixun, so it won't affect her going to Scream Night."

Hearing this, Chi Ye finally looked up, his gaze puzzled: "Scream Night?"

"That's right, Teacher Chi."

Jin Xia brought up this topic with little interest: "We won't be able to go out and eat together tomorrow... um, be together."

"What do you mean? Is the show not being recorded anymore?"

Chi Ye was surprised; he knew about Scream Night.

The three major platforms—iQIYI's Scream Night and Tencent's Starlight Awards—are all "peach-picking" galas for the entertainment industry at the end of the year.

Now that the end of the year is approaching, Scream Night is scheduled for tomorrow.

At that time, every top-tier star and big name in the entertainment industry will be present.

But... what does that have to do with them?

"Teacher Chi, don't you know?"

Jin Xia blinked her beautiful peach-blossom eyes: "We can leave the production team tonight; we have to go to Scream Night tomorrow."

Chi Ye: "……"

Lin Jingyi in the front row suddenly turned her head: "You didn't receive the invitation for Scream Night, did you?"

Chi Ye glanced at her: "I received it."

Lin Jingyi: "?"

"Scream Night (Chili Night), right?" Chi Ye nodded: "I'm going to the vegetable market tomorrow to buy some chili peppers (jianjiao) to eat at night. How is that not a kind of 'Chili Night'?"

Everyone: "……"

"A boring awards ceremony, what's there to attend."

Jin Xia hummed, genuinely disdainful, and glanced at Lin Jingyi: "Is this something worth showing off?"

Lin Jingyi: "……"

She didn't dare to speak, absolutely didn't dare to speak.

Because this person truly had the capital to say that.