Abstract Art Award Winner

The heavy curtains blocked out the last ray of sunlight and the disturbing vibrations.

Only the intense, intertwined breathing and the ambiguous sounds of stpz remained in the room, like the most primal melody.

In the darkness, the senses are infinitely magnified.

The sensation of fingertips gliding across burning skin, the wetness of lips touching, the suppressed moans, and the blood-pumping, tight embrace like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood... all the fatigue, frustration, and hypocrisy of social obligations were burned away in this exhilarating "punishment," turning into sweat that evaporated in the sweltering air.

After an unknown amount of time, the storm gradually subsided.

Zhou Le leaned against the headboard, his chest rising and falling slightly. Sister Meng curled up beside him like a lazy cat, her bathrobe nowhere to be seen.

Her slightly cool skin absorbed his body heat, and her breathing was long and steady, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

It only occasionally makes an unconscious wiggle to show its presence.

After resting for a while, Zhou Le picked up the phone that had finally fallen silent on the bedside table, its screen shining brightly in the darkness.

A series of missed calls and WeChat message notifications appeared, with Dilraba's name prominently displayed at the top.

He frowned, but didn't call back immediately. He simply put his phone on silent and tossed it back onto the bedside table.

Now is not the time to deal with work.

It's best to pretend to be asleep.

He put down his phone, lay down, and naturally wrapped his arm around the soft waist, pulling the person closer to him.

The delicate fragrance of her hair and the lingering scent of their lovemaking filled my nostrils, bringing a sense of peace and contentment.

The fragrant breeze seemed to dispel the stickiness of the Yunnan border.

He closed his eyes, letting exhaustion and relaxation wash over him, and fell into a deep sleep.

The air in Beijing is dry and crisp, carrying the unique vitality of early spring.

On the plane, Zhou Le looked down at the dense buildings below and took a deep breath.

It feels so damn reassuring to be home.

But looking down at his still stubbornly protruding "Manager Lu's belly," a sense of urgency arose spontaneously.

Tao Huawu is a relaxed person; he can't appear on camera with a "work injury," much less play the general in "The Long Ballad" or the aerospace designer in "You Are My Glory" while pregnant.

You must start losing weight immediately!
After getting home and tidying up quickly, he contacted the gym and prepared to go all out.

He turned and walked toward the spacious and bright gym. As a high-end place, because Zhou Le was coming, someone had already cleaned one of the areas, which was fully equipped with treadmills, rowing machines, dumbbell racks, and punching bags.

These things are exclusively for Zhou Le's use as long as he is around.

If Zhou Le doesn't come for a long time, the gym might let someone else use the space, but as soon as Zhou Le comes, they will prepare a new one.

I changed into a breathable tracksuit and looked at my round reflection in the mirror, my eyes sharpening.

The treadmill is started, the incline is increased, and the speed is gradually increased from a slow walk to a fast run.

Sweat quickly soaked through his vest.

The surge of endorphins creates a blissful sensation throughout the body.

In the strength training area, heavy squats, deadlifts, and bench presses take turns.

Every tearing sensation in his muscles made him grimace, and every wave of soreness after exhaustion reminded him of the price he had paid for his indulgence over the past few months.

Salads and boiled chicken breasts became the staple foods, while the braised pork and hot pot that I used to love seemed like memories from the last century.

Like an ascetic, he strictly followed the "devilish plan" devised by the nutritionist and coach.

These past few days, my WeChat Moments have been filled with posts of fitness meals and check-in records.

The caption reads, "Work injury is being treated, don't worry."

That afternoon, Zhou Le had just finished a high-intensity HIIT workout and was slumped on his yoga mat, panting heavily, when a video call came in.

It was Huang Jingyu calling.

As soon as the call connected, Huang Jingyu and Wang Chuanjun were on the other end.

"Wow! Director Zhou! Your work injury repair project is quite massive!" Huang Jingyu's gaze instantly fell precisely on Zhou Le's sweat-soaked sports vest and his belly, which, although still noticeable, seemed to have shrunk a bit. He grinned and said in a loud voice.

Wang Chuanjun remained relatively quiet, nodding and saying, "Director Zhou, sorry to bother you."

His gaze swept around the spacious gym.

"Two brothers? What a rare guest!" Zhou Le asked, somewhat surprised, wiping his sweat as he asked, "What brings you two together?"

Huang Jingyu laughed and said, "We're from the same company. We're attending the same brand event this afternoon, and since it's been so long since we've seen each other, I thought I'd drop by and see how Director Zhou is doing."

"Haha, I'm on a diet right now, but how about we grab some food later?"

"Okay, then we'll go there after we finish the event, probably in about two hours."

"Okay, I'll treat you then. I'll send you the address later."

Afterwards, Zhou Le took a shower and then booked a private room.

Two hours later.

They met in a private room at the restaurant.

As soon as he sat down, Huang Jingyu asked.

"Has Teacher Zhou started another variety show recently?"

“Yes, we just finalized the cooperation framework with Tencent.” Zhou Le smiled. “It’s a slow-paced lifestyle variety show. We’ll find a beautiful place with clear water and lush mountains, where a group of people will live together. There won’t be any scripts or tasks; we’ll just interact authentically, working and chatting.”

"That sounds interesting." Wang Chuanjun nodded, a hint of interest in his eyes. "It's better than those games where you run around tearing off name tags."

As they were chatting, Zhou Le's phone, which was on the treadmill, rang. It was Lao Chen from Tencent.

"Hello? Mr. Chen." Zhou Le turned on speakerphone and continued wiping his sweat.

"Did Teacher Zhou disturb you?" Old Chen's voice was filled with excitement. "The permanent lineup for Peach Blossom Village is basically finalized! Meng Ziyi, Guo Qiling, Tian Xiwei, and Yin Zheng, whom you requested, are all fine! The platform has arranged for Wang Sulong, Li Xueqin, Song Dandan, Zhang Han, Lai Guanlin, and Sister Shu Qi! This lineup is pretty luxurious, isn't it?"

Zhou Le glanced at Wang Chuanjun and Huang Jingyu beside him; both of them were listening quietly.

"Wow, that's a strong lineup!" Zhou Le laughed. "With Teacher Dan Dan leading the way, Sister Shu Qi holding the fort, and witty personalities like Wang Sulong and Li Xueqin, it's really great. As expected of my Brother Chen, he's got real talent."

"Haha, Teacher Zhou, you're too kind. As for the remaining spots," Old Chen changed the subject, "we've tentatively decided on Su Mang. Su Mang is a client who brought his own funding. What do you think, Director Zhou? Also, there are a few spots left. Do you have any friends you'd like to invite?"

Fame doesn't matter, the key is to have unique characteristics and be able to fit into the atmosphere, as long as you can bring a different kind of spark to the show! Just suggest things!

"Okay, I got it. I'll think about it and get back to you later." Zhou Le hung up the phone.

He had just put down his phone and hadn't even had a chance to speak when his own phone started vibrating wildly, as if a bomb had been installed on it!
The WeChat notifications kept ringing, and phone calls kept coming in.

"Hey? Teacher Zhou! I heard there are still spots available at Peach Blossom Valley? Look at me..."

"Brother Le! With a relationship like ours, can you save a seat for your brother? I'm a natural at comedy!"

"Teacher Zhou, we have a very talented new employee in our company, do you think we could..."

"Brother Zhou, the price is negotiable..."

Zhou Le accepted two offers, both of which were indirectly trying to get on the show.

He patiently and gently but firmly declined, saying, "I'm really sorry, I don't really have much say in the selection process. It's mainly the platform that coordinates, I'm just a figurehead... Yes, I can't make the decision. Next time, next time there will definitely be an opportunity to cooperate!" After hanging up yet another persistent call, Zhou Le helplessly shrugged at Wang Chuanjun and Huang Jingyu, "Sigh, this is difficult."

Huang Jingyu laughed heartily, and Wang Chuanjun also showed a rare smile.

Zhou Le rubbed his temples, his gaze falling on the two friends with such different styles, and suddenly an idea struck him.

He looked at the two of them and got straight to the point: "You heard it too, there are still spots available on the variety show. Are you interested in coming and having some fun? The pay is at the normal market rate, and the environment is nice. Think of it as a vacation and meeting some new friends."

Wang Chuanjun didn't answer immediately, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his knees, as if he was seriously considering the feasibility of this "communal living".

Huang Jingyu's eyes lit up, and he said almost without hesitation, "Go! Why not! I've been having some troubles lately, and a change of scenery would be nice! Besides, it's your show, Le'er, it's bound to be interesting! Chuanjun, wanna come along?"

Wang Chuanjun looked at Huang Jingyu, then at Zhou Le, and finally nodded, saying succinctly, "Okay, this sounds more interesting than running around doing promotional appearances."

"Great!" Zhou Le laughed. "It's settled then!"

He then picked up his phone and sent a voice message to Lao Chen: "Brother Chen, I've found two more people for the remaining spots, Wang Chuanjun and Huang Jingyu. Do you think they're suitable?"

Old Chen's message came quickly.

"No problem, both are great."

Old Chen nodded.

Zhou Le also gave a detailed introduction to the concept of Peach Blossom Village: there are no scripted tasks, only common goals in building the village, such as planting vegetables, cooking, and holding a small concert, to truly record everyone's interactions.

"I'm afraid of being bored," Huang Jingyu said while eating sashimi.

“Boredom is also a kind of reality,” Wang Chuanjun replied slowly.

“Yes,” Zhou Le nodded, “What we want is the real state. Awkwardness or awkward silence are all part of life. Audiences are tired of performances and want to see something real.”

Huang Jingyu nodded thoughtfully.

Wang Chuanjun seems to agree with this idea.

After the dinner, Huang Jingyu, as expected, insisted on paying the bill.

Zhou Le is happy to have some free time; he avoids touching his wallet whenever possible.

After saying goodbye, without arranging any follow-up activities, Zhou Le went straight home to continue his "work injury repair" business.

In the days that followed, Zhou Le's fitness routine became a "daily check-in" for his fans.

He occasionally gets the urge to go live, zooming in on his sweaty face and his "disappearing" belly.

"Family! Look! These lines! Aren't they a little bit clearer than yesterday?" He panted as he showed the camera the outline of his clenched abs, which were still covered by a layer of fat, but the trend of firmness was visible.

The barrage exploded instantly:

Upon meeting a stranger: "Ahhh, Brother Le, I'm so touched by how hard you've tried to please me!"

Awkward: "Unbelievable, you want this sweaty mess too?"

kiced: "@That's awkward, how do you know it smells bad?"

It was awkward: "Because I was there, I was the treadmill."

Zhou Yanxu: "Defying the heavens, perverted, disgusting, enviable."

I'm poor: "I've been a fan for ten years, can you save the sweat and mail it to me? I'll pay for it."

While doing intense battle rope training, Zhou Le glanced at the live chat comments in between his workouts.

"I suggest you guys don't go too overpowered. I'll call a few friends to train together later."

Zhou Le's friends were Huang Jingyu and Wang Chuanjun, and their addition gave the live stream a new target for jokes.

However, after seeing the barrage comments in Zhou Le's live stream, the two were so shocked that they couldn't say a word.

However, thanks to Zhou Le's intense workout routine, he is rapidly returning to his former clean-cut and handsome self as director Zhou Le.

The guest list is basically finalized, but a few people are still missing.

Old Chen asked Zhou Le to think about it.

Zhou Le pondered for a while and suddenly thought of someone: GAI.

The call connected, and GAI's signature voice, tinged with a gangster-like air yet brimming with sincerity, came through: "Hey? Brother Le! What brings you here?"

"GAI, what have you been up to lately?" Zhou Le asked casually.

"What else can I be busy with? Writing songs, performing, taking care of the kids! A simple life is the best!" GAI laughed.

"Want me to find something more exciting to do?" Zhou Le cut to the chase. "I've created a new variety show called Peach Blossom Village..."

He briefly introduced the model, emphasizing "authenticity" and "life".

"A slow-paced variety show? A bunch of people living together?" GAI seemed a little confused on the other end of the phone. "Brother Le, you know me, I'm straightforward and I talk too much. Living with those big stars... I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it! I might cause some kind of mishap on the show!"

"That's exactly what I want—authenticity!" Zhou Le laughed. "This is a place for living. You exude charisma on stage, but offstage you're just an ordinary man taking care of kids, cooking, looking after children, and chatting with neighbors. Isn't that GAI's daily life? Just bring your life, your music, and your江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) spirit into the performance! That's what I value in you—your authenticity!"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then GAI's hearty laughter came through: "Alright! Since you've said so, Brother Le! I, GAI, am no coward! I'll just treat it as a vacation and experience life! You can decide on the payment, or not! The main thing is that I trust you, Brother Le! I'll take the job!"

"Great!" Zhou Le laughed. "Don't worry, the pay will be exactly what it is. I'll have my team contact your agent later."

With this, the puzzle of the members of Peach Blossom Village is finally complete:
Zhou Le, Meng Ziyi, Guo Qiling, Tian Xiwei, Yin Zheng, Wang Sulong, Li Xueqin, Song Dandan, Zhang Han, Lai Guanlin, Shu Qi, Su Mang, Wang Chuanjun, Huang Jingyu, GAI.

An abstract group encompassing actors, singers, hosts, comedians, fashion figures, and musicians, with highly diverse ages, personalities, and backgrounds.

These fifteen people are the regular guests.

Once the characters are finalized.

When Tencent Video officially announced the lineup of regular guests for "Fifty Kilometers of Peach Blossom Village" on its official Weibo account, it unsurprisingly became a trending topic!
#50km Peach Blossom Village Lineup#
#Zhou Le, Meng Ziyi, Guo Qiling, Tian Xiwei#
#Song Dandan and Shu Qi join Taohuawu#
#Wang Chuanjun and Huang Jingyu join Taohuawu#
#Is this lineup real?#
#GAI is going to be on a lifestyle variety show too#
The online comments section exploded:

Holy crap! This lineup! Awesome, Tencent, you're my god!

[Dandan's mom! Shu Qi is a goddess! I cried! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment!]

[Wang Chuanjun + Huang Jingyu + GAI? Can these three pull off a great look? I'm already looking forward to it!]

[Meng Ziyi and Tian Xiwei in the same frame! A feast for the eyes!]

With Le Ge, Xue Qin, and Su Long around, the comedic relief is guaranteed!

[Su Mang and Zhang Han? You guys know how to mix and match!]

Get ready for Brother Le to dominate the battlefield!

Meng Ziyi called almost immediately, her voice filled with excitement: "Brother Le! The cast has been officially announced! When do we start filming? Xiaotian and I are ready!" In the background, Tian Xiwei's chattering voice could also be heard.

Looking out the window at the bright sunshine of the capital, Zhou Le glanced down at his flat, firm abdomen with the outline of his abs faintly visible, and a hopeful smile appeared on his lips.

"Soon," he said into the phone. "I just need to finish treating the last few pounds of my work injury, and I'll wait for them too."

Thinking this way, Zhou Le suddenly felt that he should gather all these random people together.

It will definitely be very chaotic then.

But it'll definitely be a lot of fun. (End of Chapter)