Chapter 42 Family Group

The following morning, the production team convened all Team A teams and officially announced the adjustment plan for the second round of variety show week "Tracing the Footprints" and subsequent competitions.

"Based on the previous situation, all subsequent filming content for Group A will be pre-recorded in its entirety," the director announced from the front. "These carefully edited clips will be used as exclusive material for Group A during the competition week and will be played on a loop in the main live broadcast room."

This means that although they lost the heat of real-time interaction, they gained better packaging and more concentrated exposure opportunities.

For a capable team, this may not be a bad thing.

"The main mission remains the same: to 'trace' Wanghai Island, find scattered clues, and ultimately obtain complete performance information."

The director added meaningfully at the end, "Of course, you'll have to figure out for yourselves where the clues lead."

Offstage, Ling Wei and her teammates exchanged a knowing glance; they were determined to win on the Lighthouse stage.

Now that they know where the final exam is, their preparation strategy becomes crystal clear: on the road to the lighthouse, they turn every place they pass by into a stage to attract fans.

Over the next few days, the members of Zoothys used all their unique talents and abilities.

Ling Wei sang softly on the rocks, facing the sea breeze; Ye Zhen spontaneously danced a modern dance at an abandoned observation station; Zhao Xiaohe went beachcombing with the tide; Lu Xiaoxiao recited a poem she wrote for her fans in a soothing voice; and Sha Jing even performed a set of flowing Tai Chi sword on the beach at low tide...

During their free time when they weren't recording, the girls would gather together and offer their ideas and suggestions on the songs that Ling Wei wanted to rearrange.

It's worth mentioning that after the cameras were set up again, quite a few local residents did come after hearing the news, trying to "inadvertently" wander into the frame while holding their own seafood specialties.

But after learning that this was not a live broadcast and that all content needed to be edited in post-production, and that such accidental appearances would be cut out, the crowd gradually dispersed with obvious disappointment.

In response, the chief director summarized it in one sentence: "The program and we have grown together."

The variety show week has come to a close amidst intensive recording, and the competition week is about to begin.

Ling Wei's team had already finalized the concept for the song, but encountered some disagreements when communicating with the choreographer.

Looking out at the sea, the choreographer was struck by inspiration: "At the beach, you have to unleash your true nature! Captain Ling Wei, imagine the sea breeze caressing your skin, the moonlight shining on your shoulders—sexy! Bold! That's the sublimation of art!"

She even had the costume department bring her a rather sexy performance outfit.

Ling Wei looked at the design that saved on fabric, paused for a moment, and then quietly raised her hand: "Teacher, the program team gave tickets to our family members for this competition. My grandma... plans to bring a few of her friends with her."

She spoke sincerely, "Um... dancing so sexily in front of my grandma and her group of friends, isn't that... a bit too provocative?"

The choreographer had completely entered the selfless state of an artist. She suddenly leaned close to Ling Wei, their noses almost touching, her eyes burning with the flame of creation: "What's there to be shy about in front of true art? Do you have parts that Grandma doesn't have? Grandma has experienced life experiences that you don't! You have to trust the strong hearts of your elders who have weathered many storms!"

Ling Wei: "...Okay."

Although she felt this had nothing to do with heart strength, it was purely a test of shame, she tried to imagine the scene, and her toes started to work.

At this moment, Lu Xiaoxiao timidly raised her hand: "Um, teacher... my dean mom also said she would bring her younger brothers and sisters to see my performance."

The choreographer and costume designer were discussing the details of the open back, and the choreographer, not paying much attention, casually replied, "Isn't that great? It'll be more lively with more people."

Sha Jingping added, "Teacher, Xiaoxiao means that the children who will come will have an average age of less than ten years old."

What? !

The choreographer froze instantly, visibly becoming anxious as she scratched her head: "Since they're just kids, there's nothing I can do."

My family got VIP seats in the very front row. A bunch of kids, averaging under ten years old, will be staring wide-eyed at the stage with their innocent, wide eyes...

It's one thing for others, but based on her understanding of Lu Xiaoxiao, if this child were to perform a sexy dance under the innocent gaze of other children, she might just turn into a statue while she was dancing.

But... she wailed, "Your music is really suited to a sexy style! Changing to other styles isn't impossible, but the effect definitely won't be this explosive!"

Ling Wei silently raised her hand again: "Teacher, can I adjust the piece a little more?"

The news that family members could come to watch the game was only confirmed after the variety show week ended. Even though Ling Wei had considered everything carefully, she did not expect that Lu Xiaoxiao's younger brother and sister would come to the scene.

The team entered another period of deep thought and creative work. However, this time, Ling Wei's inspiration flowed continuously, and she quickly captured a brand new direction from the symbolic meaning of the lighthouse.

When she played the revised demo, the choreographer's furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and her eyes lit up: "Great! It's powerful yet beautiful, and it offers more room for stage performance. Ling Wei, how did you come up with that idea!"

Tickets for the competition day were released via online reservation and lottery. Highlights from pre-recorded clips of Group A, the live stream popularity of Group B, and various trending topics propelled the show's popularity to new heights.

In addition, with ticket prices as low as a cup of milk tea, the local cultural and tourism department launched a joint promotion offering discounts on attractions with performance tickets, resulting in tickets being extremely difficult to obtain and a very low success rate.

Meanwhile, in a ward at the provincial hospital.

To protect Ling Wei at the bottom of the pit, Qu Mingyuan fractured his right ankle, underwent a minor surgery, and had it strictly immobilized with a cast.

Qu Chen stood by the hospital bed, his whole being seemed shrouded in a low-pressure atmosphere, even more somber than usual.

Qu Mingyuan was incredibly perceptive and naturally noticed his nephew's unusual behavior. When Qu Chen pushed his wheelchair to get some fresh air in the hospital's backyard, he spoke gently, "Xiao Chen, is something on your mind?"

Although Qu Chen didn't show it on his face, he was dependent on his uncle deep down. After being thoroughly scolded by Ling Wei, he was in a state of utter confusion and had no words to say.

He stubbornly turned his face away: "No."

Qu Mingyuan leaned back slightly, his gaze sweeping over his nephew's tightly pursed lips.

"I used to believe that only by having all variables under control could I achieve absolute security."

He turned his head slightly to look at Qu Chen, "It wasn't until later that I realized that true strength is not about building an impenetrable fortress, but about having the wisdom and mindset to find new paths even when faced with unexpected events."

“Xiao Chen, you are far more intelligent than your peers, but the Qu family needs more than just a technical guardian in the future; it needs someone who can lead everyone forward. These are things you can’t learn by hiding behind code and screens.”

"I don't want them all," Qu Chen said in a muffled voice, with the stubbornness of a young man.

"You're talking childish stuff again." Qu Mingyuan shook his head gently. "Go and relax for a few days. You can also go watch the competition."