38

Zhai Xingchen went back to his bedroom and just flopped onto the bed.

Today was really exhausting. During the actual Performance he put in even more energy than during rehearsal—the first few minutes after finishing he felt completely drained, but because of the Live Streaming he had to keep himself propped up after that. Especially since he'd been overusing his waist these past few days, the soreness was pretty obvious.

He planned to send his heart-flutter message first, then sleep early.

But just then, someone gave his door a light tap from outside.

He sat up. 'Come in.'

It was a staff member. 'About to sleep?'

Zhai Xingchen nodded. 'What's up?'

'Xingchen, check in a bit and see if your money's come in.'

'That fast? I thought they said we'd get paid after the first episode aired.'

'It's an ad prepayment.'

Zhai Xingchen was surprised. 'I didn't shoot any ads, and I'm getting a cut?'

When they signed, they actually signed an ad contract too—mainly for the mid-roll ads that occasionally pop up during the Love Variety Show.

He'd watched Love Variety Shows before. The mid-roll ads were always two-person dialogue format—like one female guest excitedly telling another, 'Oh sis, your dress is so pretty, where'd you get it?'

The other pulls out her phone: 'I got it on this shopping site. Their clothes are gorgeous and cheap, and you can grab coupons for discounts too.'

Then the two of them huddle together looking at the phone, besties forever.

But The Red and Blue Signal's mid-roll ads this season were a big deal—not just anyone got to shoot them. Since they were positioned as a high-society Love Variety Show, the mid-rolls were all international luxury brands. They'd shot one before recording started—apparently it was Hu Ying and Yan Zhi, for a watch.

Especially Yan Zhi—handsome, good family, plays esports where his hands are always on camera—he was the brand's only domestic spokesperson. Yan Zhi wore a different watch every day.

As a broke civilian student, he obviously didn't qualify for luxury brand ads.

The image didn't fit.

But the staff member told him: 'You're shooting an ad too.'

'Me?'

'Yeah, with some of the other guests. Since someone's leaving first thing tomorrow, we're shooting now. Get up.'

This was way too sudden.

He actually qualified for an ad shoot.

The staff member went back next door, walked up to Guo Bing and Liu Screenwriter, and shook his head with a sigh. 'Teacher Liu, Director, you two are really ruthless.'

Two fires in a row today already—the dashing Prince of Lanling dance, the beautiful-attacker image leaping up, then the Fox Dance, wishing every Red Team Guest could flip and top—still not enough? These two fires had already burned the guests' hearts scorching hot!

And now another fire on top of that.

Leave the guests a way out, will you? Tonight the Red and Blue House isn't going to start smelling like heather flowers, is it?

'Tomorrow they're scattering everywhere, with several days apart in between. If this fire doesn't burn bright, how do we level up the next stop's chaos?!' Guo Bing said, fully justified.

Ten minutes later, Zhai Xingchen, Yan Zhi, Pei Xu, and Huo Cheng were all sitting in the first-floor living room.

'This time we're mainly shooting the Blue Team Member version. Next week the Red Team Guests shoot theirs.'

This was Zhai Xingchen's first ad shoot. The brand this time was a menswear label.

The photographer came over and briefed him on what they were roughly going to shoot.

'This ad's super simple. You don't even have to say any lines—just take some photos, pose a bit.'

For high-luxury ads, the content was set by the brand itself. The requirements and approval process were strict, with every tiny detail nitpicked.

The biggest requirement was that the visuals be high-end enough, beautiful enough.

Among them, Yan Zhi had the most shooting experience, then Huo Cheng—he'd been on tons of magazine covers.

A few makeup artists and stylists came over to touch up their looks. The Production Team brought over the clothes for the shoot. 'Everyone change into these first. We might be shooting pretty late tonight—thanks for your hard work.'

No choice—the brand hadn't originally considered Zhai Xingchen for the ad lineup. Now that they saw he'd blown up, they were eager to have him shoot some stills first, then a video ad later when there's time.

Hu Ying and Wen Nu heard the commotion and came downstairs. Hu Ying looked at Zhai Xingchen. 'You're wearing formal wear?'

Zhai Xingchen took the clothes and headed for the bedroom. 'Yeah, I've never worn a suit before.'

Lin Qingning came out wrapped in a bathrobe after his shower. They sat on the stairs, Duan Yihua joined them, and they all waited to watch the Blue Team Member change.

Yan Zhi came out first.

He was just born to wear suits. A grey suit, gorgeous as always.

'Handsome, handsome.' Hu Ying and the others said.

Next was Pei Xu—black suit, making him look even paler and more strikingly handsome.

These two were the kind of men you could close your eyes and just know they'd look amazing in a suit.

The most unexpected was Huo Cheng.

Huo Cheng wore a pinstriped suit this time—very British, paired with his sharp, no-nonsense vibe. Very 007 energy.

'Wow, Brother Huo, so handsome!' Hu Ying cheered with a laugh.

Huo Cheng raised an eyebrow and tugged his tie with a roguish smirk.

'Cheesy, cheesy.' Hu Ying said.

Lin Qingning next to him laughed. 'Why hasn't Xingchen come out yet? I really can't picture him in a suit.'

'He should look great too.' Wen Nu said.

'That face and that body—he'd look good even in a burlap sack.' Hu Ying said.

Pei Xu wasn't used to wearing suits. Unless it was an important occasion, he never wore one.

He felt too restricted—he couldn't even tie a tie properly.

Huo Cheng saw his tie wasn't done right and beckoned. 'Here, let me fix it.'

While fixing Pei Xu's tie, he said: 'Wonder if Xingchen knows how to tie one.'

Pei Xu glanced toward Zhai Xingchen's door at that.

Everyone was waiting for Zhai Xingchen to come out.

Guo Bing personally tied Zhai Xingchen's tie.

'Never worn a suit before?' Guo Bing asked.

Zhai Xingchen said: 'Nope. This suit fits pretty well actually.'

'We didn't actually have it custom-made. Your proportions are just standard, so a close-enough size works fine.' Guo Bing finished his tie, then crouched down to re-tie his shoelaces.

Zhai Xingchen was overwhelmed, hurriedly bending down. 'Director, I'll do it myself.'

'It's fine. Don't bend over, it'll wrinkle.' Guo Bing said excitedly.

Our show's gonna be riding on you from now on.

Brother Zhai, don't blame me for pushing you into the chaos arena. Workers, we all have it tough!

Guo Bing stood up and took a look at Zhai Xingchen.

His eyes lit up.

'Would he look even better with his hair combed back?' he asked the Production Team's stylist.

'We could try exposing his forehead.' the stylist said.

'What about the tie? Too plain?'

'Trust me, no. The plainer it is, the more he stands out!'

Outside, Hu Ying and the others were getting restless sitting around. 'Zhai Xingchen, are you done yet?'

She had barely finished speaking when she saw the staff coming out of the room.

This time four or five people came out. Hu Ying laughed: 'Oh god, finally—'

She cut herself off mid-sentence.

Duan Yihua and Wen Nu beside her froze too.

Hu Ying was stunned. No more laughing, no more commentary.

Pei Xu, Yan Zhi, and Huo Cheng were already doing test shots, surrounded by crew and light reflectors. The lighting was a bit too bright, the noise a bit too much, when they suddenly heard the crew around them say: 'He's here.'

All three turned their heads at almost the same instant.

Through the silhouettes of the crew, they saw a boy in a black suit walking over, accompanied by Guo Bing and the others.

It was Zhai Xingchen, and yet it wasn't.

Black suit, black tie, white shirt—such a clean, almost too-plain look, but that face made it shine. Zhai Xingchen had combed his hair back, his smooth forehead exposed, refined and bright, tall and striking. He raised a hand to fasten his cuff button and gave the crew a slight nod. 'Sorry to keep you waiting.'

As if he'd suddenly grown up, matured, become a man who walked with the wind and carried his own light.

Hu Ying, Duan Yihua, Lin Qingning, and Wen Nu sat on the stairs, all straightening up, their eyes unable to leave him.

Hu Ying thought of a very famous song in that moment. Her gaze followed Zhai Xingchen as he walked. When Zhai Xingchen reached the shooting area, he was met by the stunned eyes of three men—Huo Cheng, Pei Xu, and Yan Zhi.