Chapter 298: 《yi Lu Fan Hua》
Sister Shang and her management company have been constantly pushing for this variety show called《Yi Lu Fan Hua》.
It is an S+ level slow variety show + travel show meticulously crafted by Mango TV in the second half of this year.
The reason there’s a +, is because ordinary slow variety shows and travel shows on the market now can’t pique the audience’s interest anymore, there are too many flat substitutes, casually searching on the three major platforms yields similar variety shows.
The combination of slow variety show + travel show is a new type that Mango TV routinely borrows from foreign variety shows to innovatively create.
The program has a total of seven resident guests, as well as flying guests varying per episode, and the recording time spans half a year—because slow + travel combined, if the time is too short, it simply can’t showcase the unique flavor and fun of this theme.
Of course, for such a long recording period, the appropriate remuneration is also provided.
The two billion announcement fee that Sister Shang mentioned is actually just Chi Ye’s filming fee for three or four episodes, and since Chi Ye’s personal popularity and star power are both too high, these are all negotiable.
To be honest, Mango TV has put in a lot of effort to turn this new variety show into a hit product, and right from the moment the variety show was approved, they thought of Chi Ye, who has been TOP level in their Mango variety shows in recent years.
It’s not like they haven’t sent announcements directly to Chi Ye Studio.
But unfortunately, Chi Ye’s schedule is so full that he simply can’t spare time to record a variety show, let alone record such a long-term resident variety show, so… it came to nothing.
For this reason, Mango TV successively approached the original team from《Jian Ni》, including Director Li and the chief director, followed by《Time With You》 and《Singer》…
Finally, they set their sights on Sister Shang, who has been constantly in scandal with Chi Ye—Sister Shang’s company also wants to use this variety show to promote newcomers.
Then came Sister Shang relentlessly chasing after Chi Ye’s butt every day, begging him to join.
Hmm…
Chi Ye felt quite pleased by it, and also felt that Sister Shang had helped him so much, if he kept refusing, it would really hurt Little Rose’s heart, so he kept refusing her to hurt her heart more…
“……”
“Who are the guests confirmed for the variety show now?”
Chi Ye sat cross-legged on the sandy ground, feeling the scorching heat over 40° under his butt, his expression unchanged.
Seeing that Chi Ye finally showed some interest, Sister Shang hurriedly sat down too, gesturing excitedly: “Lots and lots, all big stars… Currently confirmed are me, Weiwei, I’m the third sister, she’s the fourth sister, then there’s the eldest sister and second sister.”
“The eldest sister is Aunt Mao, the second sister is Zheng Chunchun, and there are three guys left, one young actor from our company, another is a newcomer promoted by Mango itself, and the last one is you.”
Aunt Mao, Zheng Chunchun?
Chi Ye recalled the info on these two in his mind, hmm… one old meddler, one lunatic…
Plus the other newcomers, Sister Shang, pliers…
Chi Ye shook his head: “No fun at all.”
“Ah?”
Sister Shang was stunned: “What do you mean no fun?”
Chi Ye didn’t explain much, just felt that since Mango TV wants to make a hit product, they should find that group of variety show demons and monsters.
Like Yang Zi, Xiang You, Arthur, put them together, even just chatting would be program effect.
This guest lineup looks boring at first glance—like treating it as a serious variety show.
Mango, you’ve finally become the version of yourself you once hated the most!
“Uh… you might not understand the format of this variety show.”
Sister Shang reacted, looking at Chi Ye with a strange gaze: “Its format is like this… each episode will have new guests, but it’s not the new guests coming to us, rather we actively ‘find’ the new guests, then settle in a location to live together for a week, that week is two episodes, then proceed to the next ‘travel’.”
“The new guests could be on a film crew, recording other Mango variety shows, or at their hometown… I remember the first episode has Yang Zi and Teacher Huang…”
“?”
Chi Ye raised an eyebrow: “Limited-time comeback?”
“Yeah…… can you?”
Sister Shang was overjoyed, she was once a loyal audience of《Jian Ni》 too, dying to eat melon live on site herself.
Unexpectedly, after so many years, this time she finally got her wish.
“What’s not possible.”
Chi Ye felt it was getting a bit hot, unconsciously stood up, and asked: “Lin Jingyi isn’t coming?”
“Hm?”
Sister Shang tilted her head: “She… why would she come?”
“Big fat boy and little glutton girl, if she doesn’t come, who will handle Teacher Huang’s cooking?”
Chi Ye was dissatisfied: “I’m at this star power level now, and you still want me to suffer this grievance?”
“…… You’ve agreed? You’re really confirmed this time?”
Sister Shang noticed the key point, grabbed Chi Ye’s pant leg: “You said you’ve agreed.”
“…… I’ve agreed.”
“Haha, good good good, Xiao Chi, I knew I didn’t misjudge you, you’re a caring healthy guy!”
Chi Ye: “……”
From the film crew side, Guo Feng’s shout had already sounded, next was Chi Ye’s scene, he prepared to go apply makeup, turned to leave, but suddenly remembered something, curiously looked back: “You’re just going to keep sitting here?”
“Not… not hot?”
“Uh……”
Sister Shang reacted for a moment, then felt the scorching heat under her butt, hurriedly stood up: “Hot…”
“Why do I feel like you’re very comfortable.”
“No, it’s just my menstrual cramps feel much better, didn’t expect it actually works.”
Chi Ye: “?”
“Yeah… go on, go on.”
Realizing she had blurted out something inappropriate in front of Chi Ye again, Sister Shang wanted to slap herself, hurriedly pushed him: “Go go go, hurry hurry, I want to observe you acting!”
“…… Better come less, I always feel this isn’t great, if the pain is severe, suggest going to the hospital.”
“Got it, thanks for caring about me.”
“You’re welcome.”
“……”
The two continued talking while he went back to filming.
……
Meanwhile.
Mango Building,《Yi Lu Fan Hua》 program team.
“Has Chi Ye agreed? Agreed to be resident?”
“Good good good, that’s great… Shang Youshu really gets things done!”
The program team’s chief director Director Wang got this news and instantly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the task assigned by the station this time should be completable.
Look at the previous《Jian Ni》 and《Time With You》… heavenly beads in front.
“Director, just having Chi Ye isn’t enough.”
Beside him, the now promoted and raised Director Li smacked his lips: “Still need to confirm other guests’ schedules quickly, especially the flying guests for the first few episodes… can’t afford any slip-ups, they’re the soul.”
“Yes yes yes, Lao Li you’re right.”
Director Wang nodded repeatedly.
He’s an insider at Mango, got this chance to personally helm an S+ variety show thanks to his background, if graded by work ability, Director Li beside him would outclass him by a mile.
Hmm… Director Li’s work ability is outstanding, if not for his connections, he might still be helming his own variety show now.
The other party came this time to “protect” him.
Of course, Director Li himself is also happy to get close to Director Wang, this king of connections.
“That… Li, you’re pretty close with Teacher Chi, right? Later still need you to communicate more with him, our program’s biggest selling point is him.”
Director Wang smiled obsequiously, very politely.
“Psh, Director, you’re being too distant, I’m here to be your soldier, as for Teacher Chi and me, we’re indeed old friends of many years, rest assured, Chi Ye is very approachable.”
“Good good good, that’s great, anyway, I’m just a figurehead, everything’s on you.”
“Done.”
Director Li guaranteed repeatedly.
After chatting enough, he walked out of the room, then found a long-uncontacted contact in WeChat friends—【AAA Heavenly Bead supplier Yang Zi（Chi Ye’s intergenerational friend, connection disturbance）】
Seeing this familiar name, he smiled slightly and dialed.
【You are no longer the other party’s friend, please add friend to chat.】
Director Li: “?”
Damn kid, he blocked me?!
Fine, after all he’s a “Dominant CEO” with countless WeChat friends… he gritted his teeth and dialed Yang Zi’s mobile phone.
This time it connected quickly, and Yang Zi’s hearty oily laugh came through: “Hey, who is this?”
“Me, Director Li.”
“Director Li? Which Director Li?”
On the other end, Yang Zi sat in a luxurious office, racking his brains on whose connection to use to join Mango’s newly approved reality show, and was stunned upon hearing this.
Director Li was expressionless, only faintly spitting out two keywords: “《Jian Ni》.”
“!!!”
Yang Zi instantly perked up, eyes wide, his old face blooming like a daisy, standard eunuch tone: “Oh oh oh, Director Li! Director, what made you think to call me? How have you been?”
“Pretty good.”
Director Li exchanged pleasantries with him for a bit, then got to the point: “There’s a program recently, wanna come play?”
“Ah, a program.”
Yang Zi had already guessed the purpose of Director Li’s call, after all Director Li is Mango TV’s variety director, after《Jian Ni》 ended, they’d only contacted a few times, this sudden call must be program-related.
He pretended to hesitate: “My schedule… is a bit full, and you know, my main job isn’t as an artist, I’m an entrepreneur!”
“…… Chi Ye is coming as resident.”
“?!”
Yang Zi kept a straight face: “Where are you? Let’s talk details…”
Director Li smiled slightly.
Fun.
“Then come find me tomorrow… just about the filming fee…”
“Psh, talk what money, with our relationship, talking money aren’t you being distant? Not treating me as a friend?”
Yang Zi was displeased: “Not treating me as a friend?!”
“…… President Yang is too much of a friend, then see you tomorrow, I’ll tell you all about this variety show then, it’s quite interesting.”
“Good good, that’s it… only you, anyone else and I might not squeeze out the time.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow, bye bye.”
“Goodbye.”
The two hung up, Director Li looked at the phone screen for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh.
Still that familiar President Yang, familiar taste.
If saying who changed the most in these years, probably only Chi Ye…
Hmm…
Thinking this, he continued flipping through his contacts, Yang Zi can be handled with this script, but not others.
As the saying goes, administer drugs accordingly… for Teacher Huang’s side, definitely can’t mention Chi Ye, otherwise even one billion… he might not be willing to come.
Change the approach, say Teacher He is participating, and he should be eager.
After all, the little kitchen god has been lonely for so long, ever since Lin Jingyi flopped, no one to play straight man, really wants someone to appreciate his gourmet food.
“There are others… gotta administer drugs accordingly, find the ‘vital point’.”
Director Li continued working, but in his busyness he didn’t expect that just this one call with Yang Zi would indirectly stir up waves across the entire internal entertainment circle.
……
One day later, Yue Na Group.
Xiao Zhan sat quietly in the reception room, playing on his mobile phone.
Beside him, Great President Liu sat on the chair, looked up and asked: “Couldn’t snag Chi Ye’s new variety show?”
“No.”
Xiao Zhan’s agent is a big agent from Penguin side, actually Xiao Zhan’s agency contract is also with Penguin Group, so strictly speaking, he doesn’t belong to Yue Na’s artists.
Of course, that’s just on the surface.
Yue Na and Penguin have always been deeply tied, Great President Liu especially has an extremely good relationship with the big boss of Penguin’s entertainment division, they were close friends before either made it big.
Precisely because of this, it created Yue Na’s current glory and rise in the internal entertainment circle.
Xiao Zhan’s agent was also very polite to Great President Liu: “Mainly tested the waters, with Chi Ye’s current star power and traffic, we still can’t influence him.”
“Seeing him so comfortable now makes me upset.”
Great President Liu and Young President Liu have completely different builds, Young President Liu is a typical workplace elite, while Great President Liu is fat and burly, dressed casually too, at first glance it’s hard to believe this guy who looks like a triad is Yue Na Group’s real boss.
At this moment, he furrowed his fleshy brows and said bluntly: “He needs to suffer a bit.”
“Hmm…… you mean?”
“You guys proceed normally first, Xiao Zhan is good, face not much worse than his, it’s already exploded out, start from his highest traffic field, take him down, that cuts the biggest chunk of income from his little studio, won’t amount to much.”
“Good, got it.”
The agent nodded.
Great President Liu glanced at Xiao Zhan who put down his phone, smiled: “Sign up for a class to practice acting skills, Yue Na this year, we’re promoting just you.”
Xiao Zhan lit up, immediately nodded: “Thanks President Liu.”
“Eh, no need thanks, work hard.”
Great President Liu waved it off.
……
Same time.
Somewhere in Shanghai, Aunt Mao covered her mouth laughing: “Oh, nothing nothing, just a variety show, Mango side kept inviting me, hard to refuse, so go play.”
“Heard the guests in this show are all young ones.”
“Yeah, all unheard-of artists, traffic stars.”
“Then what’s the point of you going, no fun.”
“Can’t say that, idle is idle, plus in a bit Hong Kong Film Awards invited me to open, the show’s first episode is in Hong Kong, free travel.”
