Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen

On a smaller scale, if someone were to peek at the director's scripts or other production materials and leak them, that would be a production incident. On a larger scale, if someone with ulterior motives were to take the opportunity to get close to some celebrities and cause trouble, how could the production team possibly afford the compensation? So, having a work pass is quite necessary.

Chu Tian obediently put on his work pass, then stood at the back, watching everything with interest.

"Alright, everyone get ready! Let's start recording!"

At the director's command, everyone sprang into action. Staff cleared the area and managed the set, while cameramen and sound engineers all got into their zones.

"Okay, tell the cast members to make their entrance." The director started coordinating the scene with his walkie-talkie.

Shortly after he spoke, a figure appeared nearby.

"Hello, we meet again!"

"Cheng Lin, slow down! Why are you rushing? In a hurry to get the answers from Old Zheng?"

"What are you talking about? You guys are the ones dilly-dallying."

With the entrance of several regular guests, the recording had begun.

Watching their performance, Chu Tian nodded in approval. They acted so naturally; it was clear they were variety show veterans. After all, everyone knew the guests had met with the production team more than once before recording began. Yet, their ability to perform so naturally made it immersive for the audience, keeping them engaged.

"Okay, okay, stop messing around. The director is getting anxious. Didn't you see he's sweating?"

"Wow, you're right! Old Zheng, you're not looking too good. Should you see a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner about your kidneys?"

"Ahem, we are starting the recording. Please receive today's task list." The director cleared his throat awkwardly. It seemed this wasn't the first time he'd been teased, so he had to suppress his laughter and get on with the show.

"No way, another task? Can't we switch it up?"

Despite saying this, one of the guests still obediently went over to take the task list.

"Today we've come to the famous Huangpu River bank in Shanghai, a place with a long cultural history and well-known stories. Today..."

"But before we start the task, we have something else to do."

"Oh? What's that? Don't tell me there's a new guest?"

"Isn't that obvious? I knew it! There's definitely a new guest."

"What's Old Zheng going to do if you say that? Should we pretend to be surprised?"

"Hey, why pretend? We all know the routine. Just tell us which poor soul is joining us."

"PFFT! 'Poor soul'? Don't talk nonsense! What if the new guest hears you?"

However, the cast member who had said 'poor soul' nonchalantly flicked the task list in his hand, a resigned look on his face as he said, "Look at this! Such a long task list. If the new guest isn't a 'poor soul,' then what are they?"

At this, everyone lost it, doubling over with laughter. Although they knew it was for show, the effect was undeniably good; even the on-site staff were amused.

Chu Tian also found it interesting.

In his past life, netizens had already summarized it: reality shows either torment the guests, the production team, or the newcomers, or the guests and the production team torment each other. It might be cliché, but it was undeniably effective; the audience ate it up. Manufacturing those convoluted plots or creating entertaining moments—it was all an act. The key was that poor acting in scripted dramas invited criticism, but creating entertaining moments for a show was much safer. If they messed up, they could either redo it, or it would simply become a different kind of entertaining moment. Besides, the audience knew it was an act, but as long as it was fun, who cared? It seemed this reality show followed that exact formula, and judging by the opening segment, it was pretty good. The next thing to see was whether the new guests could integrate well and pick up on the banter. Especially Xu Qingqiu. Considering her previous performance in a certain TV drama, Chu Tian would be lying if he said he wasn't worried.

"Alright, alright, don't keep the new guests waiting backstage too long. It's freezing out here; we don't want them to catch a cold."

"Old Zheng, hurry up and start! I want to see which unlucky fellow was clueless enough to join this show."

Seeing the regulars' sarcastic banter, the director, unable to do anything about it, could only look exasperated as he moved on to the next part of the schedule.

"Okay, everyone quiet down. Next... eh, where was I?"

PFFT!

"Hahaha!"

"Oh, Old Zheng, Old Zheng, are you really getting old?"

Whether he had genuinely forgotten his lines or it was all for show, the audience reaction was fantastic. Everyone, from the guests and production team to the onlookers, roared with laughter.

"Hold on, let me check."

"Oh, right! Before we start the tasks, let's first meet today's new guests. Please welcome the first one!"

Finally back on track, Chu Tian's smile vanished. He looked ahead with concern, wondering if Xu Qingqiu would be the next to appear.

"Wow, who's this?"

"A woman! It's a woman!"

"A woman? A female guest?! Our show got a female guest?!"

"Cheng Lin, are you serious? It's just a... Wait, a female guest?!"

"Old Zheng, you really pulled out all the stops! How did you manage to invite a female guest?"

"Quick, see who it is? Uncle Ming, do you recognize her?"

"I don't know her. I can't see clearly."

"Oh, right, I forgot you're farsighted."

"Get lost! Farsightedness means I can't see things up close. She's too far away, and her face is so small, how am I supposed to see clearly?"

"I see her! It's Qiuzi! Han Qiuzi!"

"Han Qiuzi? The one from that girl group? The actress who's been really popular lately?"