Chapter 13: Internal Entertainment’s Cixi Hot Search Master
《Jian Ni》 Small Dwelling is located in a picturesque farmhouse courtyard in the capital city.
Of course, though called a farmhouse courtyard, it is actually a small village built by the 《Jian Ni》 Program Team at great expense.
They couldn’t really let all the big star guests live in a real village, right?
The audience wouldn’t like to watch that either.
Chi Ye carried his own suitcase, standing alone outside the farmhouse courtyard, carefully sizing up this “small courtyard” where he would live for “21 days”.
This was nowhere near a small courtyard; it was practically a villa moved here!
“Was what I said earlier a bit too direct?”
Chi Ye didn’t rush inside and instead turned back to ask his follow-shot PD.
After checking into the Small Dwelling, Director Li wouldn’t follow him anymore; only during long-term “outdoor shoots” would he come back to handle work.
The follow-shot PD teacher blinked, said nothing, but the meaning was obvious—this even needed asking?
Chi Ye pondered.
This was also the issue he had been thinking about on the way here.
After the pre-interview ended, the system’s favorability growth slowed down, leaving him a bit “self-blaming”.
It seemed he really couldn’t act out a persona, so if that’s the case…
He could only try his best to watch his mouth and not say random things.
He hoped he could stick to it longer.
Chi Ye set a goal in his mind, then signaled to the PD: “Let’s go, head inside.”
With that, he pushed open the wooden door with a “creak”, and what came into view was a courtyard full of flowers and grass, with two luxury RVs parked nearby, along with a bunch of assistant personnel.
Chi Ye was slightly stunned, seeing the clearly separated Program Team members, and asked in surprise: “Didn’t they say no assistants allowed?”
PD fell silent: “They can’t participate in recording the program. Today is the first day; they’ll help pack up and leave.”
Chi Ye: “…”
He could only nod, just about to step toward the Small Dwelling when he noticed at the base of the courtyard wall a man in his forties or fifties, dressed meticulously, head down looking at the paper in his hand, occasionally gesturing with his hand, muttering to himself, his facial features all over the place, sometimes weeping bitterly, sometimes ecstatic with joy.
《On second look, the heavy-hitter guest, Yang Zi.》
Chi Ye held back again and again but still couldn’t hold it in, turning to the camera and PD: “How fragmented must this script be written? Only a veteran actor like Teacher Yang Zi could handle emotions with such control.”
“But he’s over fifty; making him cry one moment and laugh the next—isn’t that a bit too much for him?”
“No abusing the old man!”
“Um… cough cough!”
The PD looked embarrassed, the assistant girl covered her mouth.
“Quick, what is Teacher Yang Zi doing! Who let him write his own script!”
Director Li, still nearby, saw this and his sideburns bristled in fury: “How did he bring over the bad habits from the last variety show!”
“I’ll go, I’ll go…”
The nearby staff broke out in sweat, hurrying over to remind Yang Zi.
“Your program really is the most real one; no lies, this can even be live broadcasted.”
Chi Ye spoke freely, feeling inexplicably refreshed.
At the same time.
【Favorability +1】
【Favorability +1】
【Favorability +…!】
Favorability actually started growing at a flying speed!
What was this?
Chi Ye was stunned, thoughtful.
Turns out it wasn’t rising earlier because too few people were in the live broadcast room?
…
Mango Video, 《Jian Ni · Chi Ye》 Live Broadcast Room.
「Laughing to death, the first episode and he’s caught reading the script privately?」
「Hu Ye, do you know respect for Senior Lao? If you keep this up, I might just become your fan!」
「Speaking of, does Yang Zi want progress that badly? Divorced and still doing variety shows; fifty years old is exactly the age to venture out?」
「I laughed at Hu Ye’s pre-interview when I came in earlier.」
「Hurry inside! Fast-forward to the chaos, Teacher Huang poisons everyone with a pot of poisonous beans, season finale!」
「Just came from Teacher Huang’s live broadcast room; he’s filming out of town today and can only check in tomorrow, don’t even think about it.」
「…」
Chi Ye didn’t know that his “second-time collaborator” good senior wasn’t in the Small Dwelling right now; if he knew, he would definitely breathe a sigh of relief.
At this moment, he walked alone to the Small Dwelling doorway with his suitcase, while Yang Zi on the other side, after being reminded, hurriedly put away his script and glanced sideways at Chi Ye.
Expression displeased.
But considering they were recording the program now, and Chi Ye was of “great use” to him.
He still walked over with hands behind his back, putting on airs: “You’re here?”
Chi Ye glanced at him: “Yes.”
“You young folks, for a program, bring so many people, wasting effort and money…”
Yang Zi stopped midway through.
Because he noticed Chi Ye’s back was empty; no team had followed.
Just carrying one suitcase, standing there all alone.
“Uh… let me take it for you.”
Yang Zi showed the composure of a veteran artist, not feeling embarrassed at all, smoothly controlling his emotions, picking up Chi Ye’s suitcase and heading inside.
“Whoa, so heavy—what did you pack in here?”
Suddenly, his body sank, with a shocked expression.
Chi Ye was confused for two seconds: “Just three pieces of clothes inside.”
“…Come inside, rest up.” Yang Zi’s face returned to normal.
Watching the other’s back as he entered, Chi Ye held it in for a long time before asking the PD: “Is he a performative personality?!”
Director Li: “…”
He patted his forehead.
Though just a small interlude, he could already imagine how “lively” the Small Dwelling would be for the next 21 days.
…
Meanwhile, Yang Zi pretended to struggle placing Chi Ye’s suitcase in the living room, panting heavily, sneaking a glance at the camera—panting even harder!
“This isn’t three pieces of clothes; lying kid! Hmph!”
He felt secretly smug inside: Little guy, this wave won’t break the audience’s hearts?!
From the lessons learned in 《See You Again, Lover》, this time he had prepared thoroughly, holing up at home for a full month, hiring a top screenwriter team to tailor a top streamer script for him!
This time, he would prove to those who mocked him before that hardworking players were no worse than any talented players!
And Chi Ye was the main one he planned to step on in this variety show.
Others might underestimate Chi Ye due to star power.
He wouldn’t.
Because no one knew better than him how fragile effort was when a talented player took the stage.
Chi Ye was the Wheat Emperor in 《Jian Ni》!
…
Chi Ye was unaware his status in Yang Zi’s mind was “so high”.
He entered the living room and, at the PD’s signal, prepared to pick a room first.
“Our Xia Xia must have the best position, the room with the most sunlight!”
Suddenly, a very assertive female voice came from upstairs: “And no one can live next to the room, or it will disturb Xia Xia’s rest. If Xia Xia doesn’t rest well, she won’t have energy the next day—how can she cooperate with your recording?”
“Also, Xia Xia likes tulips; the room must be filled with tulips. Your conditions here are so poor, who knows if the water is clean. Our team must deliver water and healthy ingredients to Xia Xia every day…”
Another highly recognizable cutesy voice rang out: “Oh, Sister Mi, don’t do this. I’m here for the program; this affects others. Didn’t we agree not to cause trouble? If you keep this up, I won’t record!”
The female voice instantly softened: “Xia Xia, it won’t affect others; we can just send to everyone else too.”
“The room next door will definitely have people living there.” Jin Xia’s nauseatingly cutesy voice rang out again.
“…Alright.”
“Oh, right, the tulips must be air-shipped; last time’s batch wasn’t good quality, not as fresh as air-shipped ones.”
Everyone: “…”
“Seems like a new guest has arrived.”
“Let’s go down and see.”
“Xia Xia, don’t rush, careful of the steps—what if you fall… you guys, hold her steady!”
Upstairs was a flurry of chaos.
Chi Ye looked up, amazed: “Did the Program Team invite the Empress Dowager? Even going down stairs needs someone to hold her?”
“Cough cough.”
The PD coughed nearby, signaling to watch his words—this one was different from the other guests.
But the live broadcast room bullet comments had already exploded.
「Xia Xia!!」
「Xia Xia’s live broadcast room closed; didn’t expect to hear her voice here.」
「Baby goose! Mama loves!」
「Puke, a drama queen like Jin Xia can be popular? All your brainless fans are to blame!」
「Laughing to death, Hu Ye’s mouth is so vicious.」
「Internal entertainment Cixi! This program is full of talents, all ghost-repelling ones.」
「Xia Xia’s two No.1 female lead roles averaged 70M+ per episode, one serious drama female lead broke 100M average, first-tier explosive hit little flower, don’t be sour to death over at some agency.」
「Fans from some lemon agency, don’t come bumping porcelain; your sister is only fit for idol dramas her whole life!」
「Oh no! Hu Ye is right here; he won’t make Jin Xia cry on the spot from rubbing off, right!?」
「Hu Ye drop dead! If you dare rub Xia Xia again, you’re done!」
Bullet comments fell into chaos as a large group also came down the stairs.
And the one surrounded in the center like stars around the moon was the first-tier huadan actress in the 《Jian Ni》 program, second only to Teacher Huang and Teacher Lu in star power—the truly popular first-tier traffic little flower, Jin Xia.
Chi Ye looked up curiously at her, then froze in place.
Not because Jin Xia was hideous, but… her looks were too distinctive.
She had a pitiful top beauty face, with signature peach blossom eyes naturally drooping at the corners, giving an instant sense of pity.
But her figure was tall and slender, with legs at leg-essence level, skin clearly the blowable kind from being pampered since childhood, fair as milk.
Big sis figure, vixen features, paired with that naturally high-recognition cutesy voice— no wonder countless haters and viewers hated her so much.
Because one look at this face made people subconsciously think she was a flashy cheap slut, not a good girl.
At this moment, Jin Xia, surrounded and checked over caringly by everyone, also spotted Chi Ye, paused slightly, and then…
Turned and ran.
This guy had rubbed off her before; she knew!
“Hey, Xia Xia, where are you going?”
“I… I want to drink water!”
“Water… water, Xiao Zhang, get a bottle of San Pellegrino to warm up for Xia Xia; she can’t drink cold water!”
The agent rushed off, then hurried back upstairs.
Everyone: “…”
“Then we’ll just…”
The chief director, now in the living room, opened his mouth.
Soon after, “thud thud thud thud” sounds came again; Jin Xia ran down panting, her team members behind carrying various international big-brand packaging bags.
“Nice to meet you all; hope everyone takes good care of our Xia Xia from now on.”
The agent smiled, politely handing out gifts one by one.
Everyone was flattered.
Truth be told, in 《Jian Ni》, Teacher Huang and Teacher Lu’s star power came from their generation and seniority.
In terms of traffic and popularity, Jin Xia was actually the NO1 in 《Jian Ni》.
Here, Jin Xia herself took an Armani black packaging bag and handed it to Chi Ye.
Chi Ye was surprised but took it.
Jin Xia looked around, voice tiny as she pleaded: “I gave you a gift; can you please not rub off me? Every time you do, the internet is full of scolding me, and Sister Mi will blame me too.”
Chi Ye paused, looking at this pitiful face; her voice was so cutesy and affected, he couldn’t tell if she was acting or real.
But she did have such a motive.
—The original host was a big unlucky person, and Jin Xia was actually a notoriously bad little flower; when they clashed, rubbing others got the original host scolded, but rubbing Jin Xia got Jin Xia called shameless.
Why?
Because she just had a shameless face!
He paused, sincere: “I’ll try.”
“Try?”
Jin Xia’s pretty face froze.
How could a mouth say something like that?
Chi Ye assured: “Light rub, don’t worry; at most light rub, advanced rub. That kind of accident last time won’t happen again.”
Jin Xia: “…”
She turned, hunched over, and walked back.
Deciding not to deal with Chi Ye anymore.
…
“It can be like this?!”
In the corner, Yang Zi, hiding secretly, witnessed the whole thing, dumbfounded.
So boldly rubbing off a top streamer?!
And earlier, if he’d known, he would have given a gift first!
Yang Zi regretted it deeply—
Sure enough, the competition in this variety show was fiercer than in 《Look Again, Cheap Person》!
High-end game!
…
“Alright… now everyone’s here. Oh, note that Teacher Huang, Lin Jingyi, and Teacher Lu have some work unfinished and can only officially check in tomorrow.”
With Chi Ye’s arrival, someone called down the last guest Shi Daifu; after greetings, the guests currently checking into the 《Jian Ni》 Small Dwelling were all assembled.
The chief director signaled everyone to sit on the sofa, then announced the survival rules for the 《Jian Ni》 Small Dwelling.
“First, welcome everyone to check into the 《Jian Ni》 Small Dwelling.”
“Starting today, you will live together in this Small Dwelling for 21 days.”
“During this time, except for necessary daily items, no food or water sources are allowed…”
“Hey, wait.”
Jin Xia’s agent was about to speak.
“Sister Mi, you promised me!” Jin Xia glared puffily at her agent.
Agent: “…Fine, but is your Program Team’s food hygienic? Not Italy San Pellegrino water, Xia Xia won’t drink it. And for ingredients, must be air-shipped organic vegetables…”
“Cough cough, our Program Team’s food is very healthy.”
The chief director frowned; others might fear Jin Xia… he did too, but because of her background, not some little agent.
“Alright, please continue.”
“Mm, continuing: in short, all ingredients in the 《Jian Ni》 Small Dwelling must be obtained by the guests themselves. The Program Team will also provide fixed daily living expenses; how to spend them is up to you to discuss.”
“Finally, wish everyone in the 《Jian Ni》 Small Dwelling can be your most real selves and have a pleasant 21 days.”
Thanks to all the reader bosses for the votes, begging for votes, begging for support!
New book period over; author will explode with updates!
