Chapter 121
The fan circle is so small that it can't even accommodate Feiwei. The fan circle is so big that it has various factions.
The whistleblower in the forum was a beneficiary in the early Chu Cheng fan circle. Because he had been following the show offline for many years, he had a good relationship with the fan club management and could often get priority in getting tickets allocated by the program team to various fan clubs in the small group.
However, emotions inevitably arise in social interactions, and after a subtle disagreement with the fan club management during an offline event, the whistleblower was quickly ostracized from the fan club's core circle. He only learned the results of the partial fan circle votes for the Qixi Festival Gala after the Chu Cheng fan club's announcement.
Although he was notified to participate in the ticket allocation this time, the whistleblower simply refused to accept the fact that he had to bid and pay for an internal group event like the NINE STAR press conference.
Qi Sisi, who had seen this before Zhou Xiao, nudged Zhou Xiao, who was staring at his phone, with her elbow and said, "Luckily, our fan club has already experienced disbanding. So, having no merits or faults is a hundred times better than this."
"Yeah," Zhou Xiao nodded, feeling somewhat emotional. Perhaps the Chu Cheng fan club itself hadn't anticipated that the same group that initially colluded with them to exploit the fandom would be exposed over a single ticket sale. But she was also curious: if they were clearly all involved in this evil, why weren't they worried about being exposed?
In addition to the aforementioned information, the revelations also touched upon fan club support and voting. Zhou Xiao still remembers seeing Chu Cheng fans on the forums during the broadcast of "Star Path 101" asking netizens to help register app accounts to unlock the big screen support for Chu Cheng. She remembers that Chu Cheng's popularity on the forums was very high at the time, and many netizens offered their help.
But the "unlocking the big screen support" was fake; the real purpose was to attract new members. After the whistleblower's warning, some netizens who hadn't yet uninstalled the original unlocking support app discovered that the app's content had been transformed into a chat app. The huge sums raised from attracting new members went entirely into the fan club's pockets, with not a single cent going towards support.
"Now Chu Cheng's square is full of people tagging his fan club to come out and explain." Qi Sisi finished reading the post and started searching for related content in the square. She handed the content she found to Zhou Xiao and asked her to take a look as well.
"Didn't they publish their identities?" Zhou Xiao noticed that many people in the square were tagging the fan club's account, while no one was tagging any individual accounts. If it were their own fan club, the square would probably be completely filled with their IDs.
Zhou Xiao returned to the forum and immediately spotted a newly posted post on the homepage: [Chu Cheng's fan club has run away!]
She clicked on it and saw a screenshot posted in the main post. It showed Chu Cheng's fan club had both blacklisted their profile picture and removed their account verification. As someone who debuted in a high-profile position, Chu Cheng's fan club had already applied for Yellow V verification, and due to the high number of views, it was already a Red V account.
Switching back to the backstage, Zhou Xiao used his secondary account to access the Chu Cheng fan club account that had been tagged by fans in the plaza. As the forum users had predicted, the profile picture had been blacked out and the verification removed. Its latest blog post already had three to four thousand comments. The comments section also answered Zhou Xiao's earlier question about whether the fan club had publicly disclosed its private account, as the comments were largely urging the fan club to disclose its private account and respond to the forum users' revelations.
Before long, the term #Chu Cheng Fan Club Black Avatar# had climbed onto the main trending search list, climbing rapidly upwards, seemingly poised to reach the top of the trending search list. However, when curious people clicked on it, they discovered that only a few marketing accounts were posting related topics and content within the trending search.
At that moment, each fan club received a message from Hua Yao in the communication group: "Everyone, lead your fans to discuss the topic #NINESTAR团杂播#! Participate in the discussion of the group variety show~ Bring the topic and you will have a chance to get autographed photos from the members!"
If a bored netizen were refreshing Weibo's trending search list at this time, they'd notice two hot searches vying for attention. Ultimately, #NINE STAR团杂节目第一播# topped the trending search chart during prime Saturday surfing time. As for the other trending search, it held second place for just an hour before eventually declining in popularity and falling off the main trending search chart, landing at the bottom of the entertainment trending search chart.
Discussions about the group variety show began to appear on the forum's homepage. Soon, amidst the heated discussion, one or two posts related to the Chu Cheng fan club would occasionally rise to the top, but they would soon disappear in the flood of traffic. Aside from the poster, no one cared that the post with the leaked information had been banned from replying and the original poster had been muted by the administrator.
…
"Huayao is so rich!" Many fans of other celebrities in the circle sighed as they watched the top trending search on the list. As for the second hot search, in the eyes of outsiders, it was also a reflection of NINE STAR's popularity.
Among them, the trending search #Chu Cheng Fan Club Black Avatar#, aside from the two related posts pinned by the host, the public was already discussing the group variety show and photos and videos related to Chu Cheng. And the Weibo comments? They were already controlled by fans.
For passersby, the trending topic was quite attractive. Many people clicked in to take a look and even forwarded a few of NINE STAR's fan lottery blog posts.
And everyone's noticed how generous the fans of each group are! Anyone who says something like, "I really like X, but I can't watch the group show without a membership," will receive a private message offering a monthly Blueberry Video membership! And many people who simply praise a Nine Star member in a comment also receive a private message from a fan offering membership. Unable to refuse the generous offer, passersby who receive memberships will open Blueberry Video's group show "Nine Star Growth Diary." Well, there's no need to search, just a big promotional board!
Meanwhile, Zhou Xiao, having finished his meal, saw the message Zhu Jian sent in the group chat about the Huayao connection and instantly understood the agency's intentions. Of course, this didn't affect Zhou Xiao at all. Seeing that it was almost eight o'clock, Zhou Xiao tapped Qi Sisi on the head and said, "Get ready!"
Qi Sisi, who was hit on the head, was obviously a little conflicted, but between the group variety show and the square where nothing could be gained, she decisively chose the group variety show!
[NINE STAR Growth Diary Issue 1]
The film begins with a slightly shaky picture. When the camera gradually becomes clearer from blurry, the image of several teenagers sleeping together in the car appears in front of the camera.
Then the scene flashed back, and some trailers were interspersed in it, showing members facing the camera without makeup, shooting blockbusters in the studio, playing, suspected MV scenes, training in the practice room... and when the Star 101 theme song and Ji Shao's voice-over sounded, accompanied by the post-edited game scenes, NINE STAR's growth diary was leisurely introduced.
"Today is the first day that NINE STAR members move into the dormitory—"
The bus rolled along smoothly, the night outside the window pitch black. Suddenly, a snoring sound broke out from the quiet cabin. The camera panned to Xu Zhou, who was sleeping with his head tilted back. The member next to him, wearing a hat familiar to Ji Shao fans, was clearly Ji Shao. He seemed to have been awakened by the snoring next to him and was in the process of removing the hat from his face.
Ji Shao straightened up and opened his eyes dazedly. He caught a glimpse of Xu Zhou snoring beside him with his mouth wide open. He wanted to put his hat back on his face and go back to sleep. Just as he was about to lean back on the soft bus seat, a pair of sharp eyes from under the brim of his hat swept across the camera.
The cameraman, carrying the camera, became visibly panicked for a moment. Ji Shao then removed the cap from Xu Zhou's head and placed it over his face. Accompanied by the snoring of the teenager and the creaking of the bus, the camera seemed to close its eyes, blinking several times before plunging into darkness.
Then, a line of words appeared in the upper right corner of the dark screen: Teenagers who fell asleep in the car after working continuously for 34:23:41
When the camera regained sight, the bus had come to a steady stop. The photographer moved the camera, scanning the members who were still in their dreams.
"Tsk—" The bus door opened automatically, and a staff member, completely censored, entered the bus, waking everyone up one by one. Several people jolted awake as unfamiliar footsteps echoed through the bus. Ji Shao, leaning against the window, removed his hat, rubbed his face, and looked toward the cameraman, who had been holding the camera. He smiled obediently and gave a V sign.
[The cute font in the later part is marked: The only business that the photography teacher gained along the way TAT]
Zhou Xiao and Qi Sisi were both captivated by Ji Shao's cute appearance. As Qi Sisi screamed like crazy on the sofa, Zhou Xiao silently noted the time. He planned to jump back to this screenshot later. It would be a shame not to draw a Q version of this V!
One by one, the young men disembarked from the bus, their suitcases already placed before them by the production crew. Liang Wendao, without a hat, frantically stroked his hair, which had become frizzy and stood up from sleep. His eyes darted around, as if he was contemplating something.
Ji Shao, standing next to him, seemed to be aware of his gaze. He silently pressed the brim of his hat with his right hand and took a step back, revealing Xu Zhoulai beside him. Liang Wendao, who seemed to have received Ji Shao's signal, chuckled and reached out to pinch the brim of Xu Zhou's hat, pulling it up and quickly covering his messy hair.
Xu Zhou, squinting under the brim of his hat, seemed to have anticipated something. Zhou Xiao and Qi Sisi, watching from the screen, saw Xu Zhou turn his head and say something censored to Liang Wendao. Ji Shao, who seemed to be vaguely involved, burst out laughing at his words, then clapped Liang Wendao on the shoulder and laughed, revealing his bright white teeth.
The remaining members, still bewildered, stared at Xu Zhou and the laughing Ji Shao with bewildered expressions. But soon, the director spoke up, "Members of NINE STAR, welcome to your new home! Bring your suitcases and move in to complete the pre-move-in task—room assignment!"
The PD's words perked everyone up, while Zhou Xiao, in front of the screen, looked thoughtfully at their clothes. The boys were wearing baseball uniforms from the Qixi Festival Shanghai Gala. Of course, Zhou Xiao's attention wasn't focused on that; she noticed the logos on their jackets weren't blurred out.
Before this, Zhou Xiaoyou noticed that even the water on the car had been blurred in post-production. While the water was blurred, the brand was still recognizable: it was one of the sponsors during the Star 101 competition. And the clothing wasn't blurred? Of course, it's unclear whether this was a team endorsement or a variety show endorsement. But it could be both.
At this time, the camera also generously shows the audience the community where the members live and the two-story villa under the starry sky. It is surrounded by lush green plants and it looks like it really took some thought.
Of course, this didn't prevent Zhou Xiao and Qi Sisi from exchanging a tacit glance on screen. This appearance clearly confirmed their earlier guess. NINE STAR's dorm was located within the Huashang Times Villa complex!
The boys, carrying their suitcases, opened the villa's front door, with Chu Cheng and Yan Shu each on either side. The modern minimalist style of the villa was instantly illuminated as the door opened. The spacious, lofty design greeted the boys and the audience on screen. The oversized living room also connected to the outdoors. Under the flickering outdoor light strips, the faint traces of a swimming pool could be seen.
“Oh oh oh~” “It’s so big!” “Ahhhhhh” “So cool” The teenagers who were surprised by the house decoration in front of them pushed the suitcases in their hands forward and ran to throw themselves on the big sofa in the living room, rubbing against it left and right.
Wu Yanyan and Ji Shao exchanged a glance before arranging their suitcases, which had been pushed into a mess, in front of the sofa. The others, no longer content with the living room sofa, wandered around like wild horses. After a while, Lin Nan exclaimed, "Come and see! There's an elevator over here!"
The remaining few people who heard the sound gathered towards where Lin Nan was. They saw an elevator embedded next to the stairs. If you didn't look carefully, you would probably mistake it for a grocery room.
Several people immediately boarded the elevator to go to the second floor. Ji Shao, standing by, held his forehead with his hand helplessly. "I remember someone just ran down from the second floor, right?"
Liang Wendao, who had just run down from the second floor, chuckled, waved to Ji Shao who was leaning against the stairs, and went up to the second floor as the elevator went up.
As the members toured the room, Zhou Xiao silently lowered the volume. Wow, they'd looked so listless just off the bus, but now they were completely full of energy and making a ton of noise. It was only later that they'd added a note next to the room saying "No one lives nearby," otherwise Zhou Xiao felt they'd definitely be getting a few noise complaints from the neighbors...
After checking the rooms, it was time to assign them. Nine people gathered in the large living room on the first floor. Zheng Shulin, one of them, picked up the cards the PD had placed on the table and announced, "There are four rooms in total: two upstairs and two downstairs!"
Of the four rooms, three were doubles and one was a triple. Of course, the triple room was larger. Having already gone through several months of training together, the three-person room wasn't a problem for the members.
Wu Yanyan spoke first, "How should we divide it? Drawing lots or choosing among ourselves?" Seeing that no one else spoke, he desperately signaled Ji Shao with his eyes to take over.
Ji Shao, who received the signal, spoke slowly, "Before we assign rooms, can everyone tell me if they have any intentions?"
Hearing this, Xiang Rui, who had been quiet on the side, quickly raised his hand. Seeing Ji Shao nod at him, he said a little embarrassedly, "I can room with you. We've teamed up and lived together before."
This made Chu Cheng next to him throw a flying knife immediately. He said sinisterly, "Oh, someone has lived with me for even longer!" As soon as he said this, the whole place burst into laughter.
Seeing Xiang Rui's face flushed to the roots of his ears, Wu Yanyan stepped out to smooth things over, "Oh, I really want to room with you!"
But unexpectedly, many people were trying to hold back their laughter even more. Zheng Shulin said in a mosquito-like voice, "But no one wants to be in the same room with you!"
[A cracked and smoking Wu Yanyan was drawn later]
Liang Wendao continued, "If you can wash your feet every night—" Before he could finish his words, Wu Yanyan covered his mouth with her hands like a hungry tiger. Xu Zhou, who was standing by, looked at Ji Shao, who was trying to hold back his laughter. His mouth opened and closed without making any sound—"Did he wash his hands—"
The show effect reached its peak at this moment. The two creaking sounds in front of the screen overlapped with Ji Shao's defenseless laughter in the picture at this moment.
Soon, this "farce" stopped at Wu Yanyan's forced request. He didn't know why he became the ultimate "victim" even though he was clearly trying to rescue others.
In the end, everyone chose rock-paper-scissors, and the winner got to choose the room first. There were a lot of hilarious moments during the process, especially when it was Wu Yanyan's turn, the camera showed the pupils of the people who had already chosen their rooms dilated.
As for the last loser of the rock-paper-scissors game, Ji Shao, who had no choice, he dragged his suitcase to one of the rooms on the second floor under the guidance of the PD through the camera.
When he opened the door, it happened to be——
Chu Cheng, who had the least interaction with him on the show, was a little surprised by each other. But soon, Ji Shao took the lead and opened his arms to hug his roommate for the next period of time.
The first episode of the group variety show has concluded. As for the preview? The mass commercial shoot has begun! And in a flashback, the nine members sit solemnly at a long, U-shaped table—a solemn scene!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
