Chapter 146: Extreme Joy
Lychee Channel's "Extreme Joy" was a long-running variety show. Its hosts were known for their humor, and the show's games were frequently updated, which made it popular with a wide range of viewers.
As an established program, "Extreme Joy" had high inherent popularity. Artists who were invited to appear on the show received significant exposure. At the same time, if a guest artist was very popular, they could also increase the show's viewership, creating a mutually beneficial situation for both the program and the artist.
As soon as Sally received the invitation, she immediately agreed and adjusted Rong Yu's schedule.
After "Blood Mist," Sally did not immediately line up another drama for Rong Yu without a break. Instead, she enrolled him in acting training classes, giving him time to settle down and hone his acting skills. This was also to avoid him appearing too frequently in various dramas, causing audience fatigue.
While she didn't necessarily require Rong Yu to deliver a stunning performance in every drama, she at least wanted to prevent him from becoming ordinary due to overexposure.
For an artist, being ignored was more frustrating than being criticized.
Sally wasn't accepting new drama roles, but she was very willing to let Rong Yu appear on variety shows like "Extreme Joy" that could provide publicity.
However, perhaps to stir up drama, Lychee Channel's "Extreme Joy" didn't just invite the main cast of "Blood Mist"; they also invited the main cast of "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close," and deliberately scheduled them for the same episode!
When she received this notification, Sally's expression stiffened. But it only lasted for a second before she immediately smiled and said, "Sure, we have no objections on our end. Having both crews promote together and play games should be quite lively, don't you think?"
The person in charge of "Extreme Joy" said, "I knew you'd understand this stuff, Sister Sally. Better start preparing your PR. I believe the ratings will definitely reach new heights after this episode is recorded and aired."
Sally: "Pleasure doing business with you."
"Extreme Joy" person in charge: "Pleasure doing business!"
Putting two crews that have been fighting countless online battles on the same stage to play games together—what a thrilling scene that would be!
Sally thought about it and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Of course, PR still needed to be prepared in advance, just in case the other side pulled something unexpected and they couldn't respond in time.
So that very night, Sally gathered the managers of the "Blood Mist" main cast members into the same group chat. The eight managers had an in-depth discussion, finally settling on a plan late into the night.
At the same time, Sally also notified Rong Yu's major fan groups, calling for fans with organizational skills and free time to form a group and go to the Lychee Channel's "Extreme Joy" studio. They didn't need a huge number, mainly to show support for Rong Yu, and their tickets would be covered by the company.
Five days later, the recording for "Extreme Joy" began. All eight members of the "Blood Mist" main cast and all six members of "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close" were present. When they met backstage, although everyone wore polite smiles, the underlying tension was mutually understood.
The five hosts, greeting the actors backstage, clearly sensed the subtle tension in the air.
After all, these were the new dramas that had been fiercely competing online. Everyone in the industry kept up with internet trends, and even those who didn't naturally enjoy it had to stay current since it was part of their profession.
With so much web surfing, so many hot searches seen, so many online fights witnessed, even if the crew members had no prior interaction, now, meeting face-to-face for the first time, it was hard to maintain a normal mindset for interaction—even if they could keep up appearances, there were inevitably some feelings underneath.
The hosts and production team of "Extreme Joy" could clearly feel the sparks flying between the two crews, making them even more excited.
Once this episode airs, the ratings are guaranteed! Absolutely guaranteed!
The production team rubbed their hands in anticipation, and the hosts secretly calculated how they should mooch a meal or two from the program team after this recording session, or it really wouldn't be worth their effort this episode.
Because there were so many people, "Extreme Joy" suggested they open by singing their respective theme songs, which would also save some time. Since the "Blood Mist" cast had two more people than "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close," during the games, three of the five hosts would be assigned to the "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close" crew, one host would be with the "Blood Mist" crew, and one would act as the referee.
The six members of "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close" were: male lead Lu Xiaoyang, male second Ming Qian, male third, female lead, female second, female third.
The eight members of the "Blood Mist" crew were: Rong Yu, the Chief Superintendent, the Head of the Major Case Unit (later abbreviated as 'the Head' in games), the Male Team Member, the Female Team Member, the Forensic Doctor, the Baby-faced Youth, and the Rich Second Generation.
Because there were so many people, "Extreme Joy" opted for a competitive game mode, pitting the two crews against each other in games, and kindly prepared beginner-level acupressure mats, intermediate-level acupressure mats, and advanced devil-level acupressure mats for them.
Furthermore, the hosts smilingly presented an assortment of punishment juices. The sight of these strangely colored beverages, coupled with their peculiar odors, made many of the guests visibly recoil in disgust.
Amidst their scrunched-up expressions, the "Extreme Joy" host cheerfully announced the content of the first game.
It was a very cliché game, but one that many people still loved to watch—guessing the song from the intro.
The moment had arrived to test the depth of their musical knowledge.
The hosts assigned to the two teams very skillfully began organizing each team to line up and shout slogans, encouraging both sides to exchange taunts.
Since the "Extreme Joy" production team invited these two teams for the same episode, they never intended for them to play nice and act like one big happy family.
Rivalry is rivalry, so arrange it quickly! The more drama, the better! Rile them up!
Naturally, the "Blood Mist" crew put forward Rong Yu to deliver the taunt.
Following suit, the "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close" crew put forward Lu Xiaoyang to deliver their taunt.
Lu Xiaoyang, very much playing along, deliberately struck an arrogant pose, pointed both fingers at Rong Yu, and raised his chin: "I believe you are very capable, but victory will definitely be ours!"
Rong Yu listened to him very seriously, then suddenly stretched the corners of his mouth wide, revealing Wu Xiaoye's signature smile—this smile had become a meme, shared countless times online.
"Oh, then we'll wait and see."
Lu Xiaoyang, facing this expression head-on: "..."
The live audience seeing this expression on the big screen: "..."
Wait! Isn't that Wu Xiaoye's line every time he appears, right before utterly defeating the culprit?
Although it felt a bit chuunibyou, many people were really into that chuunibyou style!
[Chuunibyou (middle school second year syndrome): used to describe early adolescents who act in pretentious, delusionally grandiose, or narcissistic ways, often imagining themselves as having special powers or a unique destiny]
Seemingly not wanting to be overwhelmed by Rong Yu's presence from the start, Lu Xiaoyang stretched out his hand again and made a thumbs-down gesture towards Rong Yu.
Rong Yu then also raised his arm, making a "please" gesture.
Please begin your performance.
The hosts let out cheers of anticipation.
Both sides returned to their respective teams. The host assigned to Rong Yu's side quickly asked: "Xiao Yu, do you usually sing often at home or memorize songs?"
Rong Yu was very calm: "No."
The host assigned to this group: "..."
Then why do you look so confident?
So the host turned his gaze to the other members of the "Blood Mist" crew.
After a few seconds, the male artist who played the Forensic Doctor silently raised his hand: "I, I like listening to music, so I should be able to guess some, right?"
The host immediately felt hopeful: "Are you sure we can win against them?"
Forensic Doctor: "Not sure."
Host: "Then why do you all still look so relaxed? If you lose, you have to step on the acupressure mats, you know!"
The eight exchanged a knowing look. The Forensic Doctor gave a light cough and explained on their behalf: "Because Director Chen has a hobby: if any of us NG too many times, he makes us stand on acupressure mats to recite our lines. If we NG again, we have to jump on the acupressure mats while reciting."
The Forensic Doctor looked up at the sky, sighing with emotion: "We've all been through it!"
Host: "..." The host silently looked at the acupressure mats placed to the side, intended for punishments, looked at the bamboo-shoot-like protrusions on them, and silently swallowed.
You're all used to it, but I'm not!
The host could only frantically pray that his brain was sharp enough to remember the random song intros the program team would play.
But unfortunately, the "Blood Mist" group truly meant it when they said they couldn't. Apart from the Forensic Doctor managing to guess two songs correctly, most of the time they just stood there waiting for the other side to quickly guess the song title, then stood waiting to get blasted with cold air.
Of course, they were quite proactive in grabbing the microphone, but they always gave the wrong answers.
After several rounds, except for the actor playing the Rich Second Generation who used more hair gel, everyone else's hair was blasted into bird's nests.
Rong Yu, sporting a bird's nest hairstyle, stood calmly on the little bamboo shoots... no, the acupressure mats, and calmly summarized for the live audience: "After going home this time, we will definitely cram and study more."
The host, standing among the group of "Blood Mist" crew members who were as steady as Mount Tai, grimaced and said, "Let me add something here: this just goes to show that our show does not leak the answers in advance!"
The live audience burst into laughter.
The second game was Blindfolded Tag. It required one person to carry another on their back. The carrier would be blindfolded, and the person being carried would be responsible for directing their movements. The team that managed to hit the opposing team's "blind" partner three times with an inflatable baton first would win.
The game was divided into three rounds. The first round involved sending two people—one carrying the other. The second round involved four people, meaning two pairs. The third round was a free-for-all.
For the first round, the "Blood Mist" team sent Rong Yu and the actor who played the Chief Superintendent. This actor was tall and burly, looking very strong.
The "Worlds Apart, Yet So Close" team sent Lu Xiaoyang and Ming Qian. It was unclear whether it was intentional or not, setting up Rong Yu and Ming Qian, who were from the same boy band, against each other.
However, just as Lu Xiaoyang decisively carried Ming Qian on his back, eliciting excited screams from their CP fans in the audience, everyone turned to see Rong Yu loosen up his muscles, bend down, and in one motion, hoist the tall and sturdy Chief Superintendent onto his back!
The Chief Superintendent let Rong Yu carry him with complete composure, even striking a muscle-flexing pose towards the opposite team.
Ming Qian, who was also being carried but had a physique more like a plucked chicken: "..."
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