The meal ended in a harmonious atmosphere, though it made Qian Jianan hate every minute of it. After dinner, considering they still had filming the next day, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
In the afternoon, the program staff came to discuss details and confirm the show’s format with both casts. They then arranged to have dinner with the two hosts and key staff of the show to get acquainted beforehand.
The male host was named Wei Jia, and the female host was Yao Qian. Both were famous hosts on Dolphin TV, known for their witty hosting styles, which made them very popular with audiences. They were outgoing and hit it off quickly with everyone present.
This time, Qian Jianan knew better than to cause trouble. Other than being friendly with the hosts, he didn’t make any more scenes during the dinner.
“This afternoon, our staff should have already gone over the show’s format with everyone, right?” Wei Jia looked around at everyone as dinner was ending, finally getting down to business. He smiled and said, “You all probably know our show’s style already. It’s basically games throughout, with a segment for showcasing talents. Just prepare something based on your own skills and report it to the production team beforehand, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”
He paused, then added, “Of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them now so we can resolve them before filming starts.”
Of course, everyone knew these were just formalities. All of them had thoroughly researched the show before coming, and the basic format was clearly laid out in the script. Anyone with objections would have negotiated with the production team before signing the contract, so no one would be foolish enough to actually raise questions now.
Everyone voiced that the production team had arranged things very well and that they had no objections.
After some more small talk, Wei Jia saw it was getting late and stood up with a smile. “Let’s end here for tonight? We still have filming tomorrow, so let’s not keep everyone. We’ll get together again after the recording is done.”
“Please review the format again when you get back so you’re clear on it. Tomorrow morning, we’ll have a rehearsal at the studio, make some adjustments based on the actual setup, and then start formal recording.” Yao Qian also stood up and laughed. “We’ll be off first, then. Rest early tonight everyone, let’s put our best face forward tomorrow! See you tomorrow!”
Everyone else also got up to bid the two hosts farewell. After seeing them off, they returned to their own rooms.
The next morning, both casts arrived early at the Dolphin TV station. They were first led backstage by staff for makeup and rehearsal preparations, going over the show’s format again. The recording studio was also ready.
As Dolphin TV’s signature show, “The Big Winner” needed almost no promotion with its immense popularity. After learning of this episode’s guest lineup, many viewers and fans of the celebrities had come hoping to see their idols up close in the live audience, waving light sticks that nearly blinded the eyes.
But there was no live audience during rehearsal, so when the hosts did their opening lines and welcomed the celebrity guests onstage, they were greeted by rows of empty seats.
As seasoned actors, though, they showed no unease performing to this unseen audience, interacting naturally with the hosts and imagined spectators below. Combined with the hosts’ experienced hosting skills, the entire rehearsal proceeded very smoothly, going through the full run of events in one take.
After rehearsal was the formal recording, when the live audience would start coming in.
To prepare for the actual recording, the hosts went over some minor issues from the rehearsal with all the celebrity guests and reminded them of some points to note. Soon, the director sent someone to notify the hosts to get ready to start.
The other guests also took their positions backstage, where glimpses of the stage and audience seating could still be seen.
The seats were completely filled now, with colorful light sticks even visible.
This was Jing Li’s first time seeing a live fan audience like this, and he couldn’t help looking over with some curiosity.
“Remember to perform well later, don’t disappoint your few little fans, alright?” Qian Jianan noticed his gaze and scoffed disdainfully, clearly mocking him for his small fanbase.
Jing Li ignored his snide tone, took a few more glances, then withdrew his gaze. Noticing Wang Lele beside him getting angry enough to bite, he reached out to calm him down.
Soon, the familiar opening theme music of “The Big Winner” sounded, and the show officially began.
After an opening song and dance, the two hosts slowly walked to the front of the stage. As usual, they first addressed the audience with a short opening statement, then welcomed the main casts of the two dramas amidst thunderous cheers from the crowd.
As all the members of both teams appeared on stage, the screams from below grew so loud it nearly blew the roof off the studio. Wei Jia exaggeratedly widened his eyes in shock, putting on a hurt face as he murmured, “So, love does fade? Just because they’re all more handsome than me?”
His words were instantly met with waves of laughter, followed by a unified loud shout: “Yes!”
This interactive method instantly delighted everyone on and off stage, and they couldn’t help laughing out loud. Seeing their idols actually laughing at his joke made the fans below even more excited.
The atmosphere was instantly hyped up.
Riding this energy, the hosts introduced the celebrity guests to the live and TV audiences. They then gave brief promotions and introductions of the two dramas, following the program flow.
Having rehearsed already, the whole show progressed very smoothly, soon arriving at the first highly anticipated game segment.
The first game was called Gold Coin Defense. Just hearing the name, one could tell it was an attack-and-defend style game.
According to the rules of the game, defenders would have a large 3D gold coin made of paper and bamboo sticks behind them. Attackers had to break through the defenders within the time limit and smash through the gold coin with their bodies to score points.
The members of the two drama casts would be split into attacking and defending teams, taking turns guarding the coins. Each side had three chances, and the final winner would be decided by who smashed more coins.
“Won’t this seem like we’re bullying others?” Qian Jianan couldn’t help grinning in satisfaction after hearing the host Wei Jia explain the rules. He looked provocatively at the other team and said arrogantly, “Want to just admit defeat now, friends over there? Save yourselves from losing too badly!”
It wasn’t surprising Qian Jianan would think this way. Although both teams had 3 men and 2 women, their physiques were very mismatched.
In Xianxia Romance, Wen Ting and the second male lead, Zhang Ji, were quite muscular, exuding an aura of explosive strength just standing there. Qian Jianan himself, though not as exaggerated, was no weakling after years of working out and boxing. The second female lead had a domineering lady character, so she exercised regularly as well.
Aside from Xiao Lin, who looked more delicate, the rest of their team were the power player types.
In contrast, other than Fu Yan, who looked quite sturdy, the rest of the Immortal Road team – second male Wang Heng and Jing Li, and Wang Lele – were clearly the weak scholarly type. The only female, Du Jiaojiao, also seemed slightly less robust than their female lead.
So, in this match, as long as they contained Fu Yan, the rest would be easy pickings.
“Come now, the ‘Chosen One’ of Xianxia Romance has already started trash-talking! He seems to be very confident!”
Naturally, banter made for good entertainment and ratings, so Wei Jia didn’t take offense to Qian Jianan’s words. Yao Qian even laughed and picked up on it, turning to ask the Immortal Road team, “Let’s get reactions from the Immortal Road side. Facing your opponents’ taunts, do you have anything to say in return?”
“It’s not even nightfall, yet the ‘Chosen One’ is already dreaming?” Wang Lele was the first to retort.
Behind him, Du Jiaojiao also chuckled and arrogantly lifted her chin. “Let’s just wait and see.”
…
The audience originally paid little heed to Qian Jianan’s words but were instantly riled up by the back-and-forth, loudly cheering for their favorites. The whole stadium echoed with roars of support.
“Everyone seems fired up and raring to go!” Wei Jia was happy to see the lively interaction on and off stage. Sensing the atmosphere had been sufficiently stirred up, he directly announced the start of round one with a laugh. “Since that’s the case, let’s see who will be the last one laughing. Go for it!”
Following the host’s words, amidst the even more thunderous shouts from the audience, the Xianxia Romance team taking the attack position first instantly split into male and female groups, charging at their opponents.
The two attacking females on the Xianxia Romance side directly headed for Du Jiaojiao.
Wen Ting, as the male lead and an A-lister, naturally charged at Fu Yan, who was of similar status and strength.
The second male lead glanced at the three remaining males opposite him and decisively took on the task of facing off against the second male lead and Wang Lele beside him.
Qian Jianan, who was left, eyed Jing Li, who looked like a cornered prey, and the corners of his lips curled up cruelly. Making a gesture like an eagle’s talons, he made a swooping motion and charged straight at his target without hesitation, accelerating as if to simply bowl him over.
The scene was chaotic, and the hosts were focused on the overall situation, paying no attention to his little movements. But the audience instantly gasped and sucked in a breath at Qian Jianan’s actions.
What happened next was completely unexpected, however.
Just before Qian Jianan’s high-speed collision with Jing Li, Jing Li seemed to sense the danger and suddenly dodged to the side at the last second, pulling the paper gold coin along with him.
Unable to stop his momentum in time, Qian Jianan stumbled forward and slid on his knees from the excess force, crashing right into the safety cushioning behind and becoming buried in it, flailing wildly.
“Oh my, did the Chosen One just invent a new bullfighting style to steal coins?” Jing Li tilted his head with feigned surprise at the sorry state Qian Jianan was in, smiling as he said, “Though it seems you didn’t even touch the coin?”
Everyone paused their actions at his words and looked over.
Jing Li happened to be wearing a red casual shirt, while Qian Jianan was still struggling to get up from the cushion pit, finally turning back with a look of utter bewilderment as if not understanding how things had come to this.
It really was just like a bull in a bullfighting ring charging forward when it saw the red cape, only to crash headfirst into the barricade and get its horns stuck, dazed by the impact. Everyone instantly burst into hearty guffaws at the sight.
“You’re right, they really look alike hahahahaha!”
“Hahaha I didn’t expect Qian Jianan to play along so well!”
“Hahahaha I can’t, Qian Jianan looks too hilarious like this!”
“Seeing Qian Jianan flailing in that cushion pit, I’m imagining a bull getting its horns stuck and then desperately struggling to break free, hahaha…”
…
Everyone was laughing sincerely, not just polite chuckles to spice up the atmosphere. The two hosts even shook with mirth, Yao Qian laughing until tears came out.
Qian Jianan was the only one not laughing. Taking in his disheveled state and the studio full of people laughing themselves breathless, he felt all his face had been lost in that moment.
Bullfighting? How dare you even think that!
Qian Jianan stared darkly at Jing Li’s hateful face, his heart instantly filling with rage. He silently swore to take this chance to properly teach the other a lesson.
The hosts finally got themselves under control and moved the show along, publicly announcing the end of the first round, residual laughter still audible in their voices. This sparked another round of laughter from the audience and cast, making Qian Jianan’s eyes sink further into gloom.
So, when the second round was announced to start, he charged at Jing Li with even greater vigor, focusing intensely on Jing Li’s movements, determined not to repeat his earlier mistake.
Jing Li was busy helping Wang Lele fend off the second male lead and didn’t notice him coming.
What a great chance!
Qian Jianan’s lips curled up cruelly. Seizing the opportunity, he sped up and rushed right in front of his target, ready to launch a surprise attack.
But another sudden reversal happened at this moment.
Right as Qian Jianan reached him, he saw Jing Li abruptly turn his head, give him a playful blink, then instantly shift away.
Caught off guard again, Qian Jianan swiped at empty air.
But he wasn’t so lucky this time, missing the cushion pit and crashing straight into the ground face-first instead, with only the foam padding below to cushion his fall.
The impact made his face ache sharply. His nose nearly smashed crooked.
His nose?!
Qian Jianan’s expression changed drastically. Ignoring the pain throbbing through his body, he hurriedly reached up to feel his face.
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