Sweeping away the previous gloom, Director Wang felt a sense of victory over fate.
This time, the Weibo post wasn’t blocked by the system at all.
Not only was it not blocked, but with the help of Cheng Youyou’s previous popularity, the number of likes on this Weibo post quickly surpassed the number of likes on any previous single guest’s Weibo post.
Director Wang was elated, but Ding Yaxin at home was furious.
Ding Yaxin: “Why was Cheng Youyou’s promotional Weibo allowed to be posted? Wasn’t it blocked?”
System: 【It was blocked, but the system also has a protective mechanism for the host. Since you’re in the video, we won’t alter your innate potential for fame.】
Ding Yaxin: “……”
Ding Yaxin didn’t know what else to say. She wasn’t about to destroy herself just to take down the enemy.
Ding Yaxin: “Well, let’s wait and see then.”
Ding Yaxin was very confident. The recording of the program was about to begin, and she was also the first guest to take part in the flight segment. As long as she kept a close eye on Cheng Youyou throughout the entire event and strategically used the system’s tools, she didn’t believe Cheng Youyou’s popularity could continue to rise.
A few days later, the recording of “Go for it Tycoon” commenced with its first episode.
Alongside the recording of the show, a live streaming mechanism was implemented, allowing netizens to experience the recording process of the program in real-time.
Cheng Youyou was the first to arrive at the recording site.
For Cheng Youyou, this program was a one-time deal. She vividly remembered in her past life being notified of the termination of her cooperation right after recording one episode.
At the same time, what she remembered more clearly was another thing: she was given 200,000 yuan for recording one episode of the show.
Just for that 200,000 yuan, she was determined to do a good job.
On her way to the recording site, Cheng Youyou had already added a bunch of items to her shopping cart on a certain online platform. Once she finished recording this episode and got that 200,000 yuan, she would make the purchase!
In the live stream room, Cheng Youyou was the first to appear in the public eye.
【This female celebrity is way too good-looking.】
【The program’s beauty filter is too strong. How could someone this good-looking not be famous?】
【Who is she?】
In the past few days, Cheng Youyou had undergone photorejuvenation, Thermage for skin tightening, and even her diet consisted of bird’s nest and collagen, making her radiate a healthy glow from the inside out.
【I came here because of the trending short video. Wow, it really is Cheng Youyou!】
【Exactly the same, she’s as beautiful as she was in the short video.】
【No, no, no, I think she’s even more beautiful than in the short video.】
Thanks to the trend a few days ago, Cheng Youyou already has a small wave of fans.
Ding Yaxin was waiting behind, watching one barrage after another, she was getting furious.
Ding Yaxin: “ystem, immediately decrease Cheng Youyou’s popularity.”
System:【Please select a tool.】
Ding Yaxin selected the tool: Natural Disaster.
Natural disasters do not require a designated executor.
Cheng Youyou stood in place, waiting for the arrival of other guests.
Suddenly, a torrential rainstorm struck, impartial and moderate, sweeping in within a three-meter radius of Cheng Youyou.
Seeing the downpour, Ding Yaxin instantly felt relieved.
She thought that Cheng Youyou’s beauty must be due to makeup, and as long as there was rain, it would wash away Cheng Youyou’s makeup. At the same time, the tool she chose could also make Cheng Youyou look as miserable as a drowned rat.
Ding Yaxin could already imagine Cheng Youyou’s embarrassment. However, the next second, she screamed, “What on earth?”
As the heavy rain poured down, Cheng Youyou remained calm and composed. In fact, she seemed even delighted, pulling out something delicate and adorable from her pocket.
Cheng Youyou pressed a button, and the object suddenly unfolded.
【An umbrella?】
【Such a small umbrella?】
Even the barrage was stunned.
Cheng Youyou stood under the umbrella, successfully avoiding the heavy rain, looking fresh and clean.
Cheng Youyou: “Bought it as an add-on item. Turns out it’s quite useful.”
Ding Yaxin made a strategic error and called out to the system again: “No, Cheng Youyou must be embarrassed.”
System: 【Please select a tool.】
Ding Yaxin chose “Gale Force Winds”.
System:【Additional charge: 500 yuan.】
Ding Yaxin gritted her teeth: “So be it.”
With a buzz, Ding Yaxin received another text message from her bank, reminding her of a 500 yuan expense.
The sudden gust of wind caused Cheng Youyou to momentarily lose her grip on the umbrella, and the rain and wind splattered onto her face.
However, in the next instant, Cheng Youyou immediately exerted force and stabilized the umbrella in her hand.
In her past life, Cheng Youyou often moved houses to save money. She did all the moving by herself to cut costs, and she was used to carrying heavy loads. Holding onto an umbrella was a minor task for her.
As the strong winds and heavy rain subsided, Cheng Youyou used her exceptional arm strength to fend off the rain’s assault. However, a fine mist of raindrops still splattered onto her face.
【Cheng Youyou’s face is wet, but her makeup hasn’t smudged at all.】
【Is she possibly wearing a bare face?】
【This is what we call resilience against beauty setbacks. Even heavy rain can’t dampen her beauty.】
Raindrops danced lightly on Cheng Youyou’s face, with little droplets even hanging from her eyelashes.
【Ah, her eyelashes are so long! I feel like swinging on Cheng Youyou’s eyelashes, they’re unbelievably long.】
【Yes, even raindrops can cling onto them.】
Cheng Youyou not only didn’t get wet, but also strengthened her fanbase with her enduring beauty.
In the matter concerning Cheng Youyou, Director Wang once again realized the strangeness of the situation. Ever since he began preparing to record this program, peculiar occurrences had been happening one after another.
However, at the moment, there was something else he wanted to figure out.
Director Wang pulled out a megaphone. “Cheng Youyou, what are you holding in your hand?”
Cheng Youyou replied, “An umbrella, can’t you see?”
Director Wang responded, “…I know, but where did it come from?”
Cheng Youyou looked at the director with a caring but slightly puzzled expression. “I bought it.”
Director Wang asked, “How did you buy it?”
Cheng Youyou replied, “With money.”
【Haha, this kid is too honest.】
【Cheng Youyou is right.】
【The director emphasizes the rules of the game, while Cheng Youyou emphasizes common sense in life.】
【The fairy playing with sand sculptures, that’s just amazing.】
Cheng Youyou’s fanbase became even more solidified as they discovered her sand sculpture prowess.
Ding Yaxin was infuriated to the point of wanting to spit blood.
She still wanted to apply another tool, but she didn’t have the chance. Immediately after, as the flying guest, she needed to take her place.
Apart from Cheng Youyou, the other four guests were already present on stage. With Ding Yaxin as the flying guest, there were a total of six people.
Director Wang, off-camera, began to explain the rules of the program.
“Go for It Tycoon” is the first celebrity competitive business program, where each guest starts with a capital of ten thousand dollars. Throughout the show, they undertake tasks to increase their initial funds and accumulate wealth through various simulated business opportunities provided by the production team.
After the completion of the twelve-episode recording, the celebrity guest who accumulates the most funds will be awarded the title of “Best Investor.” The Best Investor will receive a real cash prize of one million dollars provided by the production team.
“The next segment is the first phase of the program. In this phase, each guest will compete individually, accumulating original funds through games.”
Everyone nodded, indicating their acceptance of the game rules.
Ding Yaxin is eager to give it a try. She knows that as long as she earns the most money in this program and at the same time, Cheng Youyou’s popularity remains at the bottom, she can smoothly replace Cheng Youyou as the first priority guest.
The first game is dragon boat racing.
Director Wang pointed at the six small boats in the lake, then announced the rules: “Now, each person can purchase boat propulsion tools. Of course, this investment will be deducted from your original funds once spent.”
With that, he said no more.
One of the male guests, named Wang Wensheng, who is a variety show celebrity, was the first to raise a question: “Is it just dragon boat racing? Are there no rewards?”
Wang Wensheng had participated in many variety shows and was very familiar with their routines. However, despite his expertise, he was often unlucky in games and hardly ever won.
Director Wang presented the rewards: “The first-place winner will receive a luxurious Western meal, complete with lobster, foie gras, and caviar.”
Upon hearing this, everyone became eager to participate, showing expressions of anticipation.
Standing beside Cheng Youyou, the young girl Li Yiyun swallowed nervously. She had just debuted and was still quite young.
Director Wang continued reading the reward details: “The second-place guest to arrive will receive a boxed meal set with three meat dishes and one vegetarian dish.”
After hearing the rewards, everyone nodded in agreement, saying, “Not bad.”
Director Wang finished listing what the first two winners would receive and then went on to mention the other food rewards: third place would get instant noodles, fourth place would receive steamed buns, while there were no rewards for fifth and sixth place.
Upon hearing this, immediate objections arose.
It was approaching noon, and everyone was already hungry. Although the guests were not overly picky, they couldn’t go without a meal.
First, the variety show star Wang Wensheng protested, “Director, are you trying to starve us?”
Director Wang remained unmoved, “That’s why you all need to work hard to complete the tasks.”
Then he added, “Our production team has also set up energy supply stations for everyone. If you haven’t eaten enough, you can purchase food on your own. However, the cost will be deducted from your original funds. But if you prefer to save money for the second phase of investment, you can choose not to eat.”
This statement resonated with Zhou Hao. He was a top student, a talent from Beijing University, skilled in reasoning and analysis.
Zhou Hao replied, “The economic interests have already begun. If we choose to indulge in good food, it naturally entails high investments and corresponding labor. However, if we aim to have more original funds for future episodes, we must be prepared to sacrifice our immediate personal benefits as the foundation.”
Standing beside Zhou Hao, the two female guests, Li Yiyun and Zhao Mengran, who had been confused all along, also understood.
Zhao Mengran, a model who naturally ate less, commented, “If I can save more money just by eating a little less, I can accept that.”
Li Yiyun replied, “I don’t think it’s necessary to strive for first place. It’s just one lunch. As long as we’re not hungry, I’m willing to choose a moderately priced tool and work hard to achieve a middle ranking.”
Wang Wensheng had participated in many variety shows.
Wang Wensheng said, “But the key is, we can’t determine our ranking ourselves.”
After he spoke, everyone realized this issue. The game seemed simple, but it not only tested the bidirectional issues of temptation and investment but also considered the comprehensive impact on physical strength.
The director also meant this. He wanted to use this game to show that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you may not get what you want.
Everyone became serious, realizing that it might be challenging to achieve their goals.
However, throughout the entire discussion, only Cheng Youyou and Ding Yaxin did not participate.
They both had their own thoughts.
Ding Yaxin didn’t bother with the question of eating or not. She was willing to endure hunger to win the entire game. Of course, she didn’t care about winning the first game; what she aimed for was to become the ultimate champion of the game, meaning she would accumulate the most money in the first phase.
Winning this round alone wouldn’t change much for her. She aimed to accumulate the highest capital in this phase of the program to claim the crown of first place.
At the same time, she could also use her popularity to overshadow Cheng Youyou.
Only Cheng Youyou didn’t participate throughout the entire discussion. She not only refrained from participating but also stood far away.
Her gaze was fixed straight on the energy supply station.
The author has something to say: In the early stages, to accumulate bookmarks, the word count might be constrained. Daily updates might not be achievable, but I promise: every other day, on Saturdays.