CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: UNFILIAL DESCENDANTS AND EMPTY NEST ELDERS

After listening to Cheng Zhi’s thrilling tale of battling paparazzi, Mu Qiu nodded absentmindedly, while her peripheral vision remained fixed on Cheng Zhirang.

She was stubbornly convinced that he deserved Cheng Zhi’s partiality.

Cheng Zhirang, sensing something, turned his head towards Mu Qiu’s direction. The only one who would gaze at him so intensely was her, yet when he looked over, Mu Qiu was tilting her head, looking at Guan Yu instead, not at him.

Was it his imagination?

Cheng Zhirang casually looked away and continued chatting with Shi Yuhuai.

Guan Yu and Li Yang were already discussing something else, talking about Li Yang becoming a mobile NPC in the next episode.

"Don’t worry, the person replacing you will never be you."

Li Yang was visibly touched and was about to speak when he heard the next sentence.

"We’ll welcome him with the warmest applause, treat him well and encourage him."

"...Sister Guan Yu, stop talking to me!"

Mu Qiu smiled, "Don’t be anxious. Even though you won’t have free activity time next episode, we’ll remember your contribution and come to visit you."

Li Yang felt even worse. He raised his hand to call the director, who didn’t look over, and all the cameras turned to him.

"Director, can you reveal a bit about the next episode’s program? Although I’m at the bottom, I have a strong desire to fight on the front lines with my partners!"

The director considered for a moment and asked, "So, do you want to sneak into the touring car show and have someone drag your float?"

"..." What a stomach-churning metaphor.

He hadn’t yet objected when Guan Yu started protesting first.

"That won’t do! If it’s another episode based on combat strength, do I have to drag a car while running for my life again? I might as well sit there and chat with him, waiting to be eliminated!"

"Yes, you have a point."

"It’s only suitable as a punishment."

"Forget it, Li Yang. Don’t get your hopes up. Just stay in the position the director arranged for you and act. We’ll come see you and bring you some food whenever we’re free."

This notion felt somewhat familiar.

Mu Qiu had a brainwave, her laughter barely contained in her throat: "Why does this sound so much like the story of a neglectful grandchild and an empty-nest elderly?"

Empty-nest elderly * Li Yang’s face was full of "what nonsense are you talking about" expression.

[Her analogy is really on point every time.]

[I now picture an aged Li Yang waiting alone in an old house for his descendants.]

[Yangyang, did you end up on the wrong show, or did I mistake you for someone else?]

[The atmosphere has lightened up a lot; joking like this has already become the norm.]

[I think Cheng Zhirang seems more like that elderly... he’s just sitting there, lovingly watching everyone talk.]

[How can Brother Long Legs be so adorably silly?! With each sentence, he turns his head to look at the person.]

[This analogical break is incredible. I, Guan Yu, can laugh so loudly, clearly encountering a rival.]

[Should we stop letting Li Yang mix with them? Yet, separating feels a bit regrettable. Mixing together again, that stage prince feels increasingly distant from me.]

[Mu Qiu has an amazing way of eating, it seems as if her life depends on it, that she’d die if she doesn’t eat properly.]

[Is anyone cutting Mu Qiu’s scenes? I might as well follow it weekly as a food show.]

[Am I seeing things? I always feel like Mu Qiu and Brother Cheng have a close relationship.]

[I also feel she has a good relationship with Yangyang, Brother Huai, and Guan Yu /side-eye eating melon.jpg]

[Anyway, it doesn’t include Sister Shu Ran, right hahahahaha]

[Can that crazy person shut up? What did Shu Ran do that you have to keep pulling her into this?]

[An opponent’s fan, probably]

[Some people even talk about Cheng Zhirang, are they also the opposing fans?]

[Sorry, Cheng Zhi declares here, we have no opponents, just uniquely beautiful.]

[You’ve dragged yourself in, Qiuqiu! Being a neglectful grandchild isn’t easy.]

[Qiuqiu? Do even non-celebrities have fan clubs?]

[I just like good-looking, well-built people who eat heartily. So what if it’s a fan club, even tour groups have them.]

[End of the end, it’s almost the end of this episode, the brothers’ looks are still not enough to admire! Is there an extended version?]

[Isn’t there an edited version every third Wednesday? There should be more content in it, right?]

[Got it, I’ll go become a member now.]

The barrage gradually moved on to other endings, and the guests’ meal was nearly over.

Everyone leisurely finished their soup, moved their chairs to form a big arc, and said goodbye to the gathered cameras.

Sated with food and drink, everything felt agreeable, and everyone smiled. Even when the director added a peculiar promotional line on the spot, they accepted it immediately.

No matter their mood, all six smiled at the camera, posing for photos and shouting—

"Different Variety Show, different us! Yay!"

"Okay, episode two ends!"

At the director’s command, most of the cameras were pulled back. Some photographers with no further tasks cheerfully packed their gear and left.

The six seated people stood up to shake hands, feeling a touch more distant, but still better than before.

In an unnoticed corner, a tall, thin man wearing a mask paced anxiously. Hearing the director announce the end, he hurriedly waved to someone.

It seemed something significant had happened.

Mu Qiu caught a glimpse with her peripheral vision and didn’t give it another thought. However, Shu Ran, diagonally opposite, immediately scowled upon seeing the man and hurried over.

"That’s Shu Ran’s manager," Guan Yu said offhandedly next to her.

Mu Qiu glanced at her, "Really? I thought Sister Shu Ran’s manager would be a woman. Are most managers indeed male?"

Guan Yu gave her a sideways glance, leaning in to say, "Don’t say you’re above gossip."

"..." She closed her eyes, "Sister Guan Yu, listening to too much gossip isn’t good for one’s health."

Guan Yu smacked her lips, "Alright, I’ll tell you less in one go, for your health."

Mu Qiu breathed a sigh of relief. She really didn’t want to know more gossip. Who knows what consequences it might lead to if she accidentally mentioned it one day? It’s better not to listen; if she doesn’t know, she won’t have to worry about being suspected when the gossip inevitably gets out.

Meanwhile, in the corner, out of the camera’s view.

Shu Ran and her manager were in a tizzy.

Manager Huang Can had come to inform her that a lot of negative press about her had appeared online.

Shu Ran was quite striking during the first episode prequel of the show, having participated in many variety shows before, boasting numerous fans, and delivering fairly acceptable performances. However, over these two episodes, her presence suddenly wasn’t shining through, making her the least outstanding and most awkward one on the show, making many viewers feel a bit off. This awkwardness even led to some fans in Shufu Jia unfollowing her and leaving harsh comments.

If one is to hit, now would be the time. Following that, the internet filled with various remarks about her.

Public relations are still very important for artists, but clearly, her public relations lately have been dismal.