Who said this top flow is crazy! This top flow is awesome!

Chapter 221 The "First" Variety Show After the Breakthrough Top Star

An Unexpected Journey.

This is a top-tier S+ travel variety show that Hunan TV has invested heavily in this year. All the guests invited are top celebrities. While "Big Boss" is gaining popularity, this variety show has also entered the stage of recording pilot episodes.

The incident involving "Pliers Sister" occurred during the recording of the pilot episode.

Therefore, the program "Unexpected Journey" is as its name suggests, full of "unexpected" events, which made the program popular even before it aired and attracted a lot of attention.

Putting aside other factors, the list of regular guests alone is enough to make this variety show extraordinary.

The show "Unexpected Journey" has seven regular guests: Zhang Guowen and Wu Yibo, both top film stars; Fang Min, a leading actress; Shi Jinwei, one of the top actresses among the "Four Little Flowers"; Lu Lanxin, a top actress born in the 00s from the same company; and Shi Daifu and Ding Zhen, who were recently confirmed as guests.

Of the seven guests, six are well-known and popular artists in the industry, except for Ding Zhen. Among them, Teacher Shi is a singer, and the other four are all first-tier or super-first-tier artists, with Zhang Guowen and Wu Yibo being big names at the level of film emperors.

This is a true big shot.

There's a saying in the industry: "Little actresses in dramas," "Big actresses in films," "Young actors in dramas," and "Mid-career actors in films."

Sheng Ning is a rising star in the drama industry, and she has been working hard to become a leading actress in the film industry.

Chi Ye, Yu Yan, and Peng Chen are all rising stars in the drama industry, and they are all moving towards becoming established actors in the film industry.

Of course, now that Ikeno has "The Boss," he can barely be called a rising star in the film industry.

However, because he is the second male lead in "The Boss", and the term "middle-aged actor in the film industry" not only represents age, but also a status and position.

Male actors who can be called "middle-aged" have basically all become capital, and have achieved success in box office and awards. They are one of the real profit distributors in the Chinese entertainment industry. Therefore, the two are completely at the "top level" of two different circles.

However, the film industry is generally considered to be more prestigious than the television industry.

Zhang Guowen is one of the uncles among the middle-aged men who particularly enjoy "playing".

"I heard Shi Jinwei is coming back?"

"I was hospitalized for a few days, but it wasn't anything serious. I still have to record the show, so of course I have to come back."

The filming location for "Unexpected Journey" is near a beautiful meadow.

Zhang Guowen and Wu Yibo talked about Shi Jinwei, who had recently been involved in an incident.

The latter, holding a string of Buddhist prayer beads, with a very noticeable mole between his eyebrows, smiled and said, "Is it you?"

Zhang Guowen was taken aback, then waved his hand with a smile: "What? Don't talk nonsense. Isn't it said that it was that girl from the same company who did it? Her boyfriend is the young master from Thailand. This young master used to pursue Shi Jinwei, but failed, so he got together with Lu Lanxin... Tsk tsk, these young girls nowadays are really wild."

Wu Yibo smiled without saying anything, neither confirming nor denying, and changed the subject: "I heard... Chi Ye is going to participate in the show this time?"

"Chino?"

Zhang Guowen thought for a moment: "The kid in 'The Boss'."

"Yeah, the one who's been popular since the end of last year, the one who's been challenging the Beijing entertainment circle, and the one who's doing better and better now."

Wu Yibo sighed, "He's really famous now. Nobody's more famous than him, right?"

"What's the use of being famous? Aren't top celebrities just for fun?"

Zhang Guowen remembered and laughed: "I remember the New Year's Eve party the year before last... I think I saw him there. He wasn't like this back then. He didn't even have the qualifications to perform on stage... If you ask me, the current era of internet traffic is not good. It makes people famous too fast and gain too much too quickly. They don't know how to cherish it and are easily carried away."

Wu Yibo: "That's still a big hit. I have a movie, directed by the renowned director, and I heard they're interested in casting him."

Zhang Guowen paused for a moment: "...Then he really did succeed in his transformation, haha."

The two uncles were chatting when the director called them over. They stubbed out their cigarettes and went to continue filming the variety show.

……

A week later.

After "The Boss" reached 25 billion yuan at the box office, its progress slowed down - because the release of a film starring Shen Bin and Ma Li, who had collaborated again after three years, took away a lot of screenings and market share from "The Boss".

The market size is limited, and the box office appeal of the Shen-Ma duo has consistently been top-tier in the Chinese film industry for the past decade. In addition, their new films have received positive reviews and high quality, so there's no need to say more.

While "The Fortress of Shanghai" was relegated to the dustbin of history, "The Boss" was a beneficiary, as were other film production companies.

Shen Bin and Ma Li's new movie has a strong box office start, with major media outlets giving minimum predictions of 35 billion yuan or more. As for the final box office figure and whether it can break 40 billion yuan, many people think it's not a problem during the summer season.

Of course, for Chi Ye and the investors and producers of "Big Boss" this year, a box office of 25 billion or even 30 billion is an unimaginable success. While making money and gaining a good reputation, Chi Ye has also successfully fired the first shot in his transformation.

With such a small investment, what is the return on investment?
Then look at "The Fortress of Shanghai," with a total investment of 400-500 million yuan. After its preview screenings, a large number of angry moviegoers demanded refunds, and the final box office figure was only 120 million yuan...

Is this a loss? This is so bad, they can't even afford to pay the actors' salaries!
Therefore, the success of "The Boss" is undeniable, and Ikeno even felt a bit of a financial boost because of this movie.

That day, Chi Ye finished the last roadshow for "The Boss" and, after parting ways with Teacher Wu and others, returned to Taiwan to continue filming "Flu," a truly big-budget production centered around him.

Time flies like water, and in the blink of an eye, another half month has passed.

That day, Ikeno received an invitation from the production team of the program "Unexpected Journey". The program had already recorded its second episode, and the location was set in the United States.

Chi Ye asked the crew for leave and returned to the capital that same day. Then, he took the slightly nervous Teacher Shi and flew directly to the "Unexpected Journey" program crew.

"Relax, why are you so nervous? It's not like you've never recorded a variety show before."

On the plane, Chi Ye saw that Teacher Shi's posture was straight and stiff, and was a little dissatisfied: "You are a popular first-tier singer and a little diva now, show your style."

Teacher Shi glanced at him with her almond-shaped eyes.

Chino grinned dramatically, "Aura."

"..." Teacher Shi's lips curved into a smile, but she subconsciously restrained herself, lowered her head, and remained silent.

"Oh dear, this is so worrying."

Ikeno sighed.

Since choosing to collaborate with Ikeno Studio, Teacher Shi's career has been developing smoothly. Especially after the OSTs of the two hit works "My Love from the Star" and "Big Boss", coupled with the songs written by Ikeno for her, she has now returned to the peak and is a veritable little queen of the music scene.

However, she has a very introverted personality. Even after becoming famous, she can't shake her tendency to get nervous easily and her habitual stuttering.

Chino sometimes thinks that the days when she "clocks in" at the studio every day must be the happiest and most comfortable state for her.

No, you need to keep getting exposure, you need to reach a higher level, get on a hit variety show or something... keep making money for me!

Seemingly aware of what Ikeno was thinking, Shi Daifu remained silent for a moment before promising, "I...I will definitely perform well this time and make myself even more famous."

"what?"

Ikeno raised an eyebrow, looking at her with considerable surprise.

Teacher Shi took a deep breath, stretched out her hand like a primary school student, and promised: "This time I will definitely talk more on the show... and... grab more screen time, so that you won't waste resources."

Ikeno: "...It's not for me. Look at you, you're so blunt. Is it for me? It's for yourself!"

As he spoke, he blushed slightly, feeling that the unscrupulous capitalists hadn't done their job properly.

How can one feel "ashamed"?!
Stevie didn't refute him, but just looked out the window quietly for a while before unusually taking the initiative to say, "The action scenes in 'The Boss' are very good."

"Um?!"

Ikeno perked up: "You think so too, right?"

Teacher Shi didn't say anything.

Chi Ye glanced at her twice, then suddenly realized what she meant, pointing at her and shaking his head: "So, you want me to praise you for being a good teacher, right? Lao Shi, look at you, you've gone astray again, how could you... uh..."

He paused, because he met Teacher Shi's gaze as she turned around.

"Um... Teacher Shi, it's not that I'm imprisoned, is it? Don't look at me like that... it's giving me the creeps."

What are you panicking about? I'm not going to hit you...

It's so annoying! Every time it's either someone saying I have a big appetite or that I hit people...

"...You haven't changed much."

"?"

Ikeno was taken aback for a moment before realizing that Shi Daifu was referring to the fact that, in her eyes, he hadn't changed much since "My Love from the Star" became a hit... that was true for her.

Hmm... he likes that kind of praise... he's just that hypocritical.

"Then you're wrong. Actually, I've changed. I've become better."

"..."

Stevie turned away and ignored Ikeno.

"Look how boring this is."

Ikeno shook his head, feeling much better. He hoped that his trip to the United States, whether it was for variety shows or movies, would go smoothly.

……

The following day, in California, at a recording location.

The "Unexpected Journey" program took a break midway... mainly because by now, everyone has received the news that Ikeno, along with another mystery guest, will be participating in the new episode. The mystery guest isn't important; no matter how mysterious, they certainly won't be as popular as Ikeno.

Chi Ye!
That's Professor Ikeno!

The most popular idol in the Chinese entertainment industry right now, a movie star with over 25 billion yuan in box office revenue…

Which young actress in the Chinese entertainment industry today wouldn't want to collaborate with Chi Ye? Even casually trying to get a piece of her work would be like Kangxi entering a pigsty – completely oblivious!

"When are you coming? When are you coming?"

Lu Lanxin stared longingly at the doorway, adjusting her clothes and touching up her makeup while hiding behind the camera.

"Xin Xin, why are you so agitated?"

Teacher Fang Min joked, "You like Ikeno too?"

"What girl could refuse Professor Chi?"

Lu Lanxin spoke with great composure and laughed heartily, which was different from her pure appearance, but everyone else in the room knew what she meant—which female celebrity could refuse to be associated with Chi Ye now?
Yes, she had already asked her boyfriend and knew that Ikeno would be a guest star before anyone else... So, she planned to take advantage of him and try to make the whole episode full of her "admiration" for Ikeno, so that she could create a good CP (couple pairing) with him.

—I've already thought of a name for our pairing: #WildJoyful#!

"Ikeno is really handsome."

Ms. Fang nodded. She had worked with Chi Ye before—she had made a cameo appearance as the female bureau chief in "Loop." At that time, Chi Ye didn't have the same level of fame she has now, but she was already showing promise.

Who would have thought that in just one or two years, he would rise to such prominence, even surpassing Shi Jinwei in fame…

Eh…

Thinking of this, she suddenly froze, because she saw Shi Jinwei sitting on the sofa in a daze.

Rumors within the industry suggest that Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei have a fairly good relationship… They've collaborated on singing many times, so Chi Ye's visit this time…

She then looked at the other people.

At this moment, of the six regular guests in the room, apart from Ding Zhen who was forced into the situation, the other five, including herself, subconsciously distanced themselves from Shi Jinwei.

She wasn't familiar with Shi Jinwei to begin with, but the others... were purely targeting her.

—When that incident happened to Shi Jinwei during the recording of the pilot episode, it was almost certain that it was one of the regular guests, or several of them, who were behind it.

After all, only when recording a program together can one have the opportunity to put things away; in other settings, Shi Jinwei's assistant would block them.

The conflict among them was already obvious and there was no need to hide it.

These big names are all much more influential than Shi Jinwei, so there's no need for him to be overly polite to them in front of the camera.

"Teacher Shi, why don't you and Xiao Ding go buy barbecue ingredients later? Teacher Zhang and Teacher Wu are getting old and aren't feeling well."

After talking with the production team for a while, Zhang Guowen's assistant went to discuss things with Shi Jinwei.

—The biggest highlight of the show is that the guests have to work hard to travel on a budget throughout the entire journey of "An Unexpected Journey". Before the cameras were turned off, a lottery was held, and Zhang and Wu were chosen to buy ingredients.

However, their location was a bit far from the market, and the production team stipulated that they could only walk there. Naturally, the two uncles were unwilling to do this dirty work, so before filming started, they immediately assigned the task to others.

Lu Lanxin has connections, Fang Min has worked with them all, and she's a top-tier actress... so we can only ask Shi Jinwei and Ding Zhen to make do.

Ding Zhen himself seemed unfazed. He wore an innocent smile and nodded, his words slightly slurred: "Yak! Yak!"

Everyone nodded in satisfaction.

Shi Jinwei raised an eyebrow and said bluntly, "I was just discharged from the hospital, I can't do it."

Zhang Guowen frowned: "Then why are you making us old bones travel so far?"

"Let the assistant buy it; it's not a live stream anyway."

Shi Jin glanced at the assistant who had come to deliver the message.

The assistant's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant: "Teacher Shi, this is a bit unprofessional of you."

"Who do you think you are? Who do you think you are?"

The assistant said with a stern face, "Our Sister Shi isn't feeling well, so she's not going. Whoever wants to go can go."

"...Hey everyone, stop arguing. We're all here to record a show, let's talk this out."

Seeing this, Teacher Fang stepped forward.

"Yes, sister, don't be angry."

Lu Lanxin blinked her innocent big eyes—on the surface, she was still "on the same side" as Shi Jinwei because they came from the same company, but the actual situation... everyone knew the truth.

She was very likely one of those who played dirty tricks on Shi Jinwei.

Pliers Sister glanced at Lu Lanxin with disgust, and was about to curse when she pursed her lips.

creak.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Ikeno, carrying a suitcase and wearing a baseball cap and mask, poked his head in: "Everyone... busy fighting?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and before they could react, another excited voice came from behind Chi Ye.

"fight?!"

"Holy crap... Hurry, Ms. Koike, give me a seat, I want to see this, I want to see this!"

Shang Youshu squeezed in, eager to ask, "Who? Who's fighting?!"

She then realized her emotions were off, quickly stopped smiling, and waved cutely, "Um... hello everyone..."

Chiye: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Shi Jinwei, who had just been happy for two seconds, suddenly became unhappy again.

The next moment, Ms. Shi walked in weakly, and sensing that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the room, she hurriedly closed the door and greeted, "H-Hello everyone, I am Shi Daifu."

Everyone: "..."

Shi Jin smiled with slight relief—so there were two of them?!
Chino thought to herself, "What happened to your promise to do your best?"
That's it?

"Welcome Chi Ye, Shang Youshu, and Teacher Shi to the team."

At this point, the director began to applaud.

The cameraman outside made an OK sign, indicating that the footage of the three people coming in had been recorded.

"Wow... Professor Chi."

The guests inside finally realized what was happening. Lu Lanxin stood up with a look of "surprise," reciting her lines flawlessly: "I'm your fan, Professor Chi... I like you so much..."

Ikeno took a few steps back and said bluntly, "I don't like you."

Lu Lanxin was stunned.

The people around were stunned once again.

The show's director slapped his thigh: Holy crap! That's it, that's it! You're a top-tier star, you can come up with anything! You're amazing, Chi Ye!
"Ah... Chi... Teacher Chi really loves to joke, haha."

Lu Lanxin found a way to save face for herself.

On the other side, Teacher Zhang and Teacher Wu, who had been sitting like two fathers, also stood up—after all, they were top-tier figures, and while they might be respected from behind, they certainly had to be given face in person.

Chi Ye greeted them and then hugged Teacher Fang: "You've met Mazu in person, Teacher Fang, you look so young!"

"Your mouth, really..."

Teacher Fang smiled happily—mainly because she felt proud. Seeing the surprised looks from others around her, her vanity was greatly satisfied.

"Hmm... pliers?"

Chi Ye glanced at Qiangzi, who had been acting all grumpy ever since he came in, and said unhappily, "What's with that expression? Did I owe you money?"

"……welcome."

"Mind your manners and attitude!"

Chi Ye scolded, "If you talk to me like that again, I'll have the production team edit us into a couple, and I'll make sure you get bashed by Chi Pan Xia Yu's CP fans!"

Pliers Sister: "..."

The surrounding crowd looked back and forth at the two of them with surprise. Teacher Fang thought to herself, "As expected—Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei must have a good personal relationship, to be able to speak so 'unrestrainedly'."

So... how will he treat other people?

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Chi Ye and his group walk in. Lu Lanxin "snatched" his luggage and then put his slippers next to his feet.

Ikeno felt a little uncomfortable: "This feels like the male homeowner has come home."

(End of this chapter)