Rebirth 09: Starting from taking charge of Running Man on CCTV

Li Chen was the first to pick up a pen and start writing seriously.

Wang Baoqiang also started filling in the form, muttering to himself as he wrote: "The thing I'm most afraid of... is snakes. I was bitten by a snake once when I was a child in the mountains."

Chen He picked up his pen and started writing, muttering to himself, "My least favorite food is bitter melon, absolutely bitter melon."

Zheng Kai wrote two lines and leaned over to look at Chen He's: "What kind of punishment do you find most unacceptable?"

Chen He covered the paper: "Don't look! This is private!"

Shen Teng wrote slowly, then suddenly stopped.

"Director Chen, does writing that I'm afraid of running count?"

Chen Yang smiled and said, "Fine."

"Then I'll write about any sport that requires standing up."

The whole audience burst into laughter.

Baby quietly filled out the questionnaire, her handwriting neat and tidy. She even wrote down her biggest fear very carefully: "I'm afraid of bugs, especially caterpillars."

Ten minutes later, all seven questionnaires were returned.

Chen Yang looked down and flipped through it.

Deng Chao, what are you afraid of? Nothing!

Li Chen is afraid of heights.

Wang Baoqiang is afraid of snakes.

Shen Teng fears any sport that requires standing up.

Chen He is most afraid of having his feet tickled and hates bitter melon the most.

Zheng Kai is afraid of the dark.

Baby is afraid of cockroaches.

Chen Yang folded the questionnaires and put them into a folder.

His expression was gentle, and his tone was considerate.

But only he knew that every single one of these written rules would be precisely utilized in future programs.

Afraid of cockroaches?

Then arrange to put realistic cockroach props in a sealed room.

Afraid of heights?

The punishment for the high-altitude portion is yours.

Afraid of having your feet tickled?

A punishment competition on acupressure mats: running 100 meters barefoot.

Chen Yang closed the folder and looked up at the seven unsuspecting faces.

"Thank you for your cooperation. Rest assured, this information will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for security assessments in game design."

All seven people nodded, their faces filled with emotion.

Someone else whispered, "This director really put his heart into it; he's much better than the ones we've encountered before."

Chen Yang tilted his head slightly, the curve of his lips barely visible.

The sheep entered the tiger's mouth and even praised the tiger for being handsome.

This deal is a good one.

He composed himself and flipped to the diagram of the Bird's Nest hanging on the whiteboard.

"Let me briefly explain the general process of the first phase."

"The location is the Beijing Olympic Park, specifically the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. The main task is to complete missions and collect clues in various areas of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, and finally return to the Bird's Nest for the ultimate showdown."

"What is the ultimate showdown?" Deng asked.

"Let's tear off name tags." Chen Yang said, then looked at the expressions of the seven people.

Deng Chao got excited, Li Chen frowned, Wang Baoqiang was eager to try, Shen Teng shrank back into the sofa, Chen He and Zheng Kai exchanged a glance, and Baby clenched her fingers slightly.

"The specific game segments and rules will be announced on-site."

"Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Chen He's eyes widened.

"I won't say." Chen Yang's tone was decisive. "The show has no script. When you get there, just listen to the rules and be yourself. Win and you'll get a big prize; lose and you'll be punished."

Shen Teng raised his hand: "Can we know in advance what the punishment will be?"

"cannot."

"Is it too late for me to quit now?"

The whole audience laughed again.

Chen Yang ignored him and turned to look at Chen Xi sitting in the corner.

"Chen Xi, create a QQ group."

Chen Xi nodded, opened her laptop, and typed quickly.

What's the group name?

"Let's call it 'Running Man Family'." Chen Yang looked at the seven MCs. "From now on, all work communication will be done in the group chat. Announcements, meeting times, and precautions will all be handled via QQ."

"Also, I have something to tell you all in advance."

Chen Yang's tone became slightly more formal.

"Our main sponsor, Houlang, will be launching a new product called Vbo in the second half of the year. At that time, everyone will need to register with their real names and cooperate with the program's promotion."

"We'll discuss the specifics of how we'll cooperate after the product launches. I'm just letting everyone know in advance."

Deng nodded: "No problem."

No one else objected.

After finishing his business, Chen Yang clapped his hands.

"Alright, we've finished discussing the important matters. Let's go eat."

"It's my treat."

……

Outside the East Fourth Ring Road in Beijing, there is an inconspicuous private restaurant.

The private room wasn't big; it just barely fit a round table.

Eight people sat in a circle, the table laden with Beijing-style hot pot and a case of Yanjing beer.

Chen Yang sat in the main seat and personally poured the first cup for Deng Chao.

"Brother Chao, the first toast is to the captain, thank you for your hard work."

Deng picked up his cup and laughed.

"I haven't done anything yet, what's there to be tired about?"

"There will be many tough times ahead," Chen Yang said, clinking his glass together.

The two of them did it.

Chen Yang poured Li Chen another cup.

"Brother Chen, come here."

Li Chen wasn't used to this kind of occasion and held his cup somewhat awkwardly.

"Don't mention it, we'll be brothers from now on." Chen Yang patted him on the shoulder.

Li Chen took a sip of wine, and his ears turned red.

The third cup went to Wang Baoqiang.

"Brother Baoqiang, cheers!"

"Great!" Wang Baoqiang downed it in one gulp, his face contorted from the spiciness, but he smiled very happily.

Shen Teng poured himself a glass and slowly raised it.

"Director Chen, I drink slowly, please don't mind."

Chen Yang smiled and bumped hands with him.

"Brother Teng, no rush."

Chen He and Zheng Kai were vying to clink glasses with Chen Yang, and almost spilled their drinks.

"Director Chen! I'll go first!"

"Why did you go first? I got here first!"

"You two together." Chen Yang raised a glass in one hand and drank from both.

Baby sat next to Ma Li, holding a glass of orange juice, watching the lively scene at the table with her eyes crinkling.

Deng Chao noticed this and stood up, holding his wine glass.

"Come on, everyone, let's not just drink. Let's toast Baby. This young lady came all the way from Hong Kong; it wasn't easy for her."

"From now on, she'll be our little sister on the show, and no one is allowed to bully her."

"Except for the production team," Shen Teng added.

The whole table burst out laughing.

Baby stood up, holding a glass of orange juice, speaking in a soft, Cantonese-accented Mandarin.

"Thank you, everyone. I will work hard and not hold you back."

Chen Yang held his wine glass, watching the scene before him.

The seven people went from strangers to acquaintances, from polite to relaxed, in just two hours.

Deng Chao was serving meat to Li Chen, Shen Teng was fighting with Chen He for the last plate of tripe, Wang Baoqiang was grinning from ear to ear, and Zheng Kai and Baby were engrossed in eating hot pot.

The chemical reaction has begun.

……

At 11 p.m., Chen Yang returned home.

The living room light was still on. Zhang Xiulan was sitting on the sofa watching TV, and there was a bowl of mung bean soup on the coffee table.

"You're back? Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten, Mom."

"Have you been drinking?"

"Just two cups."

"Drink less."

"understood."

Chen Yang picked up the mung bean soup, took a couple of sips, and returned to his room.

He spread the questionnaire folder on the table and looked through them one by one.

Then I turned on my computer and started the final round of process simulation.

Then, the next two days, the weekend.

Zhang Lei led the camera crew through the Bird's Nest three times, Dong Jun revised the security plan two more times, and Su Xiao's game script was finalized.

All procedures, all plans, and all emergency response measures are in place.

At 11 p.m. on Sunday, Chen Yang sent his last message in the QQ group.

"The production team will send someone to pick you up at 7:00 AM tomorrow and take you to the south gate of Olympic Park."

"Those who are late will be punished twice as severely."

Deng replied instantly: "Roger! The captain is never late!"

Shen Teng replied after three minutes: "...Seven o'clock?"

Chen He then sent a series of crying face emojis.

Li Chen replied with a single word: "Here."

Wang Baoqiang sent a voice message, his Hebei accent accompanied by the sound of wind: "I've already set my alarm!"

Zheng Kai replied with "OK".

Baby's final reply was a little sun emoji with the caption: "See you tomorrow, everyone."

Chen Yang closed QQ, stood up, and walked to the window.

The city lights of Beijing were dim, and the traffic on Chang'an Avenue in the distance was still flowing.

tomorrow.

The first outdoor competitive reality show in the history of Chinese variety shows has officially started filming.

......

P.S.: Let's continue the discussion: What celebrity? Song? Movie/TV show impressed you the most in 2009? And which guest would you like to invite to Running Man?