CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: GENTLENESS—CHENG ZHIRANG

To be honest, saying I’m not nervous would be a lie.

An author who’s used to just staying at home and typing is suddenly exposed to so many cameras, with every move watched by countless audiences, and surrounded by so many celeb big shots. She’s so nervous that she has to think twice or thrice before speaking.

But Mu Qiu has a habit: the more nervous she gets, the calmer she becomes.

Just like during university, when the deadlines for essays and assignments were looming, she could still calmly finish typing before actually writing, and her efficiency was even higher.

Her roommate said she has exam-oriented talent.

Now, the exam-oriented talent is sporting a smile, just waiting for the director to remove the cameras and announce the end of the first episode.

The director did intend to call it a wrap, but before ending, he added one more rule.

"The reward for the winner of each episode needs to be worn in the next episode, so everyone can watch multiple times and learn from the target."

Mu Qiu’s smile immediately faded.

"You have to wear it to the next episode too?!"

This armband, red like the badge of an old guard or a Young Pioneer, has to be worn the entire next episode too?!

The director nodded mercilessly.

She was completely dumbfounded.

Next to her, Guan Yu and Zhu Qi burst into laughter.

"Suddenly not envious anymore!"

"Hahahahahahaha are they seriously using her as a target?"

"That armband looks more and more like the kind worn by an old guard, Mu Qiu, is your role for the next episode already set to play an old guard?"

The others weren’t planning to laugh, but hearing the two say this, they couldn’t help but laugh too, especially after taking another look at the armband.

Lin Banyan, with her clear looks, was laughing with her eyes forming crescent moons, while Su Yan was watching her indulgently.

Shi Yuhuai laughed so hard he showed his big white teeth, surprisingly cute and innocent.

As for Cheng Zhirang... oh well, let him laugh. With such a naturally leading-man look, even when he mocks others, it’s impossible to be mad at him.

Mu Qiu closed her eyes and gave an expression to the camera, showing helplessness, speechlessness, and compromise.

"’Different Variety Show’ first episode ends, it’s a wrap!"

The cameraman put down the camera he was holding, and everyone let out a small cheer. Some staff members had already tidied up their clothes, releasing the suppressed fangirl passion, with flushed faces, rushing excitedly towards the guests with paper and pen.

Among the nine guests, there was a top star, a charismatic actor, a popular sensation, a national fresh face, two models, a second-tier male star, and a theater actor, all having been in the entertainment circle for quite a few years. All attractive, and those wanting autographs surrounded them, Li Yang and Shu Ran even had to sign in mid-air with raised hands.

Mu Qiu, standing on the side, was completely ignored.

Which was normal, she thought. Even if her book fans were out of school or work, they’d still probably be sitting in front of the TV, unable to come here.

Just thinking about it, a beautiful jade-like hand on her right handed her a sheet of paper and a pen.

A clear and pleasant voice, like fresh dew in a noisy deep-fry pan, instantly caught her, pulling her out of the hustle and bustle that didn’t belong to her.

"Can you sign for me? Name plus author sign, I heard there are many settings today like those in your book."

Mu Qiu looked up to see Cheng Zhirang still with his semi-permanent expression.

But at this moment, she suddenly felt that he was genuinely gentle, revealing what gentleness truly meant.

It’s not something that can be explained by a few simple adjectives, nor is it about appearing as if nothing matters and not getting angry, but rather it’s something that gradually seeps out from their words and actions.

She took the paper and pen, signed her pen name, then wrote the two characters "Mu Qiu" neatly at the end. When handing it back to him, she gave him a smile, "Once I bring a photo next time, can Brother Cheng sign an autograph for me?"

Cheng Zhirang seriously took the paper back and then nodded towards her, "Sure."

The few staff members waiting for Cheng Zhirang to finish signing all looked at each other and then stood big-heartedly in front of Mu Qiu.

"Mu Qiu, can you sign for us too?"

"We’re Cheng Zhi, and you did a great job today!"

"Yes, you were amazing, not nervous at all."

Mu Qiu was somewhat surprised, but seriously signed her pen name and name at the farthest spot from where Cheng Zhirang signed, and returned it to them.

"Thank you."

She already knew that April’s sunshine was bright, but because of meeting some people, she suddenly felt that the blue sky was even bluer. The willow branches and peach trees under the bright sunshine should also be accompanied by the word "pleasant" to somewhat express April’s brightness.

Gentleness is probably this kind of enhancement.

After the recording ended and after a group photo was taken with all the guest performers today, everyone got on the show’s van and returned to the farmhouse.

Including the pilot episode, they had been together for two episodes, becoming more familiar with each other than before. They chatted in threes and fours after getting off the van.

Only Lin Banyan, with her mask half removed, walked with Shi Yuhuai, occasionally saying one or two sentences, looking completely exhausted.

Behind them, Su Yan followed leisurely, with Li Yang beside him. Li Yang seemed a bit nervous, but since he and Su Yan shared a similar style, he found it useful for reference, so he kept finding topics to chat about.

And Su Yan seemed to be listening seriously, with his eyelids half-closed, showing the high-cold and abstinent look fans were used to. In truth, his gaze never left the two people in front of him, following their movements closely: when they turned, he turned, and when they stopped to say something, he slowed his steps.

Until everyone entered the dining place.

Generally, at this type of gathering, celebrities who aren’t fond of chit-chatting with a group of unfamiliar people, or don’t have a vast backing, find an excuse to decline such dinners. Recording for one day is tiring enough, continuing socializing at the dining table is pretty bothersome.

But those who aren’t popular or don’t have overtly known solid backgrounds, won’t refuse such gatherings.

For example, someone like Mu Qiu, who at most just takes a restroom break to get some fresh air outside.

She wasn’t going to touch up her makeup or felt the need to use the restroom; she just wanted a spot to simply record the "real first-class and second-class celebrity party" scene as it happened, to be used as authentic material for future writing.

But just after passing the restroom to come outside, on the wooden frame corridor outside, she spotted two people among the lush green landscape opposite.

It was about dark by then, even though red lanterns had lit up along the corridor, she could only barely make out the two figures.

It was Lin Banyan and Su Yan, Lin Banyan turning her head away from Su Yan, while Su Yan reached out to grab Lin Banyan’s hand.

Mu Qiu had a bit of a headache; she truly didn’t want to "eavesdrop" on the kind of celebrity gossip she shouldn’t hear.

But if she walked away now, the wooden frame corridor was prone to making noises, and she feared making any noise that would cause Su Yan to issue her a severe warning.

How powerful is a top star’s influence? She didn’t want to even attempt to reason innocently with him.

She thought for two seconds, slid down directly, sat on the floor, pretended to be deaf, and took out sticky notes and a small pen from her bag to jot down little drama material.