Chapter 31 Unkind [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Recording the variety show "Celebrity Kitchen"

On the day of the program recording.

Mu Zhi was told that she was on the same flight as Lin Xuan, and her agent, Shang Jian, also accompanied her to Lin'an City for recording.

When Mu Zhi received her boarding pass, she discovered that she and her assistant Minmin were in economy class, while Lin Xuan and her three accompanying staff members were in first class.

Agent Shang Jian, also in first class, said, "Xiao Xuan, you said you'd arrange for your assistant to buy the tickets and asked me to send you the information, but..."

Lin Xuan's assistant, a thin man wearing black-rimmed glasses, quickly stepped forward to apologize: "President Shang, I'm so sorry. I habitually booked for our team first, and then I found out there were no seats left in first class on this flight..."

Lin Xuan turned to look at Mu Zhi, her expression saying, "What's the big deal about sitting in economy class?" She said in a light tone, "Junior sister wants to sit in first class. Once we're on the plane, I'll give you my seat."

Mu Zhi replied without hesitation, "Okay, thank you."

Celebrities typically choose to travel in first class for two reasons. First, it ensures a comfortable environment for rest, as they usually need to get ready for events or filming after landing. Second, it prevents them from being spied on or disturbed by other passengers. First-class tickets are also booked for staff so they can be there to take care of them.

Shang Jian would certainly not let Lin Xuan sit in economy class.

The boarding passes indicated economy class. Mu Zhi and Min Min were unable to go to the VIP lounge to rest, and instead sat in the boarding area of ​​the departure hall. They were recognized by passengers from the same flight, and a lot of people surrounded them to take photos and ask for autographs.

Once Mu Zhi boards the plane and news of her sitting in economy class spreads online, how will netizens comment on Xinghe Culture's differential treatment of its artists?

As boarding approached, Lin Xuan reluctantly gave up her assistant's first-class seat after being persuaded by her agent.

After getting off the plane, head towards the domestic arrivals exit.

Lin Xuan's team walked ahead, while Mu Zhi and Minmin deliberately slowed down to keep their distance from Lin Xuan's team.

Anyway, they won't be riding in the same car later.

As they walked, they noticed that Lin Xuan and the others had also slowed down, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far from them.

Two long lines of fans were seen standing at the arrival exit ahead.

Mu Zhi suddenly realized: Lin Xuan wanted to show off her fan base in front of her.

This year, when Lin Xuan flew to airports in various cities to greet fans, she noticed a significant decrease in the number of fans. In the past, she would emerge from the airport surrounded by her staff. To ensure a grander event today, she had her team subtly suggest that the fan club organize a larger fan gathering this time.

Because among the celebrities who came to Lin'an to record the same program with me was Xia Xinyan, who debuted as the center of a new girl group, I couldn't let her overshadow my popularity.

Lin Xuan, wearing sunglasses, walked at the front, looking at the two rows of fans in front of her with satisfaction. The corners of her mouth, hidden behind her mask, turned up in a smug smile. She quietly told her bodyguard to slow down and follow beside her.

She emerged from around the corner, ready to receive the enthusiastic cheers and support of the lined-up fans, thinking to herself: "Considering the respect the fans have shown me, I might consider taking off my mask to let them take some photos."

As a result... no one responded.

What's going on? Didn't they recognize me? Lin Xuan stiffly took off her sunglasses, and this time the fans who came to greet her finally moved.

But it was because Mu Zhi appeared later.

Upon seeing Mu Zhi, the fans who came to greet her immediately erupted in tremendous enthusiasm:

"Ahhh, Michie! Welcome to Lin'an!"

Lin Xuan: ? ? ?

This dramatic scene at the airport.

Assistant Minmin suppressed her laughter the whole way until she got into the car, and the driver drove away from the airport.

Finally, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Lin Xuan's face was so sour."

That was so satisfying!

Mu Zhi corrected, "She was wearing a mask."

Minmin: "..." There's no need to be so rigorous.

Even through the mask, you could tell Lin Xuan's face looked really sour.

Actually, Lin Xuan's fans also came to pick her up at the airport, but the good spots at the arrival gate had already been taken by Mu Zhi's fans, so Lin Xuan's fans could only wait at the parking lot exit.

"The number of Lin Xuan's fans at the airport was only half that of our fans."

It's not about comparing who has more fans, but Lin Xuan's bullying behavior based on her status is really disgusting. Mu Zhi's fans just happened to slap them in the face, and seeing Lin Xuan get her comeuppance was so satisfying.

The agent, Shang Jian, sitting in the front, coughed lightly to indicate that he was still there.

Minmin stuck her tongue out at Muzhi and stopped talking.

Shang Jian was actually quite surprised that Lin Xuan's fans couldn't beat Mu Zhi's fans at the airport.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. This is Mu Zhi's first public appearance since the talent show, and she's here to record a program. Fans are in a "frenzy" for Mu Zhi, so it's normal for a lot of people to come and give their idol face.

Another point is that the debut of the Five Flowers girl group had a significant impact on Lin Xuan's fanbase, with some fans switching their allegiance to the new girl group members and becoming less enthusiastic.

Thinking about the plane tickets he booked today, Shang Jian said to Mu Zhi, "From now on, let your assistant book the tickets herself. Then you can come to me or get reimbursed from the company."

Mu Zhi didn't speak.

These are things that Shang Jian should have explained to Minmin in advance. Ultimately, the issue of booking the plane tickets is due to the agent Shang Jian's inadequate work, his lack of attention to her, and his indulgence of Lin Xuan.

Minmin noticed that Muzhi's expression was unpleasant and the atmosphere was about to turn sour.

He quickly and cleverly replied, "Okay, Mr. Shang, I understand."

The studio where the program "Celebrity Kitchen" was recorded at Lin'an International Film and Television Center.

Food-themed variety shows featuring celebrities and culinary skills have been launched by various platforms. Among them, the slow-paced variety reality show "Rural Paradise Life" on Jinmang Video Platform and the celebrity food talk show on Owl Platform have already run for five or six seasons.

"Celebrity Kitchen" is a show launched by Green Apple platform. Each episode invites three celebrity guests to share a dish they like and compete in cooking skills.

After watching two episodes, Mu Zhi felt that the reason why this show was able to stand out and become popular was that "Celebrity Kitchen" did not deliberately create the stories and warmth behind each dish. Instead, it focused on the color, aroma, and taste of the dishes. Its positioning was to promote food and make people's mouths water.

The show's camera work, through the everyday scenes of cooking, reveals a glimpse into the private lives of celebrities.

When the celebrities arrived, the production crew led them to get their hair and makeup done.

There are two dressing rooms. Mu Zhi and Lin Xuan are not in the same one, but they are in the same dressing room as two other celebrities who are also there to be "cooks". The makeup artist does their makeup and gives them a fresh, nude look. The bare face looks more natural and down-to-earth under the camera lens of cooking.

The makeup artist repeatedly marveled at Mu Zhi's beautiful skin, saying it was so flawless that she didn't even have pores.

When I did Mu Zhi's makeup, I drew her eyebrows, applied only a thin layer of foundation, and her lips were so pink that she didn't need lipstick, just lip balm.

As for the hairstyle, at Mu Zhi's request, to prevent her hair from running around and interfering with cooking, two small braids were braided on the left and right sides of Mu Zhi's hair, then gathered at the back of her head and tied into a low ponytail with a light pink hairband.

For the recording of the program, Mu Zhi prepared a white short-sleeved T-shirt with a large pink strawberry pattern, paired with a denim skirt and white sneakers, a very ordinary and everyday outfit.

She exudes a youthful charm, beautiful and innocent.

After the styling was done.

Mu Zhi and two other guest assistants went out together and, led by staff, arrived at the recording venue.

A large, open-plan kitchen, with two refrigerators and shelves piled high with a wide variety of fresh ingredients occupying about a third of the space.

It felt like stepping into the grocery section of a supermarket.

In the middle are three large countertops, which can be used for cleaning ingredients and cooking.

Further to the side is a "food tasting area," where the program team has invited three food experts to comment on the celebrity guests' cooking process and taste the dishes after they are prepared, voting to select the best one.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, the celebrity guests finally got ready and came over.

Walking at the front was Xia Xinyan, with her hair in a bun, wearing a light yellow bubble-sleeved chiffon blouse and light-colored jeans, a very cute girl-next-door look.

Mu Zhi's gaze fell on the woman next to Xia Xinyan, a woman with short, ear-length hair, red lips, exquisite makeup, a simple white t-shirt with a black suit jacket over it, cropped black trousers, and camel-colored high heels, exuding a sharp aura.

This is Ji Binghe, the talent agent director of Lanxing Media and Xia Xinyan's agent.

The third celebrity guest is a male artist, Qin Luefeng, the "Prince of Love Songs" whom both Mu Zhi and Xia Xinyan know.

"Teacher Xia, we meet again."

"Hello, Teacher Qin, you can just call me Xinyan."

The two exchanged polite words, but a hint of sweetness filled the air. Especially after Qin Luefeng greeted Xia Xinyan and walked to the kitchen counter to check, his gaze inadvertently drifted towards Xia Xinyan beside him.

After all the guests arrived and familiarized themselves with the cooking environment, the production team arranged a rehearsal of the general process.

The formal recording has begun.

First up were three celebrity chefs who introduced themselves, and then invited their respective "assistants" up as well.

Lin Xuan was mentoring Mu Zhi, a junior colleague from the company.

Xia Xinyan also manages artists from the company, including a child star who won the Best Newcomer Award at the Golden Horn Awards last year and who just turned 18 this year. She is the youngest artist signed with Lanxing.

Qin Luefeng's assistant is his senior colleague at the company, Zhou Meiyu, a semi-retired Golden Melody Award-winning singer.

When Qin Luefeng introduced himself, he said politely, "My senior sister is here to teach me how to cook."

The Golden Melody Award-winning singer smiled modestly and said, "I usually enjoy cooking, but my cooking skills are just average; I can only make some home-style dishes."

The host, Yao Dan'er, had prepared the guests in advance. After the guests and their assistants introduced themselves, she had Lin Xuan, Xia Xinyan, and Mu Zhi stand together.

I couldn't help but exclaim, "The three of you standing together look so good together!"

"The public's impression of female celebrities is that they have to control their diet in order to maintain a good figure, so everyone is very curious about what female celebrities usually eat. Are they afraid of gaining weight and dare not eat meat?"

When you're on a food show, you can't say you control your diet.

Lin Xuan: "Food can bring happiness. I'm lucky... I'm the type of person who can eat a lot without gaining weight, so I don't deliberately control my diet. I eat about the same amount as most people, and I can't live without meat."

Yao Dan'er listened and gave a meaningful "oh," expressing her envy that Lin Xuan could eat so much without gaining weight. However, she didn't quite believe Lin Xuan's words. Lin Xuan was too thin and looked like the kind of female celebrity who strictly controlled her diet.

It was Mu Zhi's turn.

To look good on camera, Mu Zhi, as an actress, naturally controls her diet when filming.

However, she never diets. Sometimes, when she has to go to unavoidable gatherings, she can't go without eating anything. She can only eat and then work out like crazy to burn off the calories. So, she mainly relies on exercise to maintain her figure.

Mu Zhi named several home-cooked dishes she used to eat: "I'm still at the age where I'm growing, so I mainly pay attention to a balanced diet of meat and vegetables to eat healthier."

Xia Xinyan's answer was similar to Mu Zhi's.

Using the question from earlier as a starting point, the host introduced the next segment, which is today's topic: what dish will the three guests be making?

Qin Luefeng raised his hand, leaving the answer to his senior sister.

Singer Zhou Meiyu smiled gently and said, "Luefeng told me that his mother likes to eat kale, and he hopes to learn how to cook it for his mother. We are bringing a dish of stir-fried kale with beef."

Next up is Lin Xuan.

The host asked, "Xuanxuan, Zhizhi, what dish are you going to bring?"

Mu Zhi still doesn't know what dish Lin Xuan is going to cook, so she naturally remains silent.

To everyone's surprise, Lin Xuan turned her head and gestured for Mu Zhi to answer.

The host also handed over the microphone.