Chapter 44 Strange Stewed Noodles [Is he as good-looking as me?]...
"What's going on, Master? I remember the side quest was supposed to be about increasing Fang Xuran's favorability, so how did it turn into a promise?"
Before she could even think about why her favorability rating had suddenly increased, Shi Yao was more concerned about the fact that the quest target could be changed.
"That's how it is, host. Side quests don't have a fixed target until they're completed. Whoever reaches maximum favorability first completes the quest," the system explained cheerfully.
"Previously, Fang Xuran, Pei Zixuan and Ying Xu, the three key supporting characters, all had a favorability rating of 80 for you, so it's fine for any of them to reach the maximum favorability rating. Even Bai Wenning could overtake them and get ahead of you."
"Host, the rewards for the side quests are very generous. Aren't you going to check them out?" The system fly rubbed its hands together. Shi Yao was the fastest host it had ever seen in completing tasks. Although it had only ever served this one host, it would occasionally return to the main space to take a look and see how others were progressing.
The result was that it actually held the top spot!
Even the main system specifically praised it.
Hehe, it's so lucky to have a good host.
After receiving the information from the system, Shi Yao slowly analyzed, "So, in other words, there's no priority for tasks, and anyone can cut in line?"
"Yes, host." The system nodded. "However, I still recommend that you prioritize winning over the male and female leads, as their favorability is more valuable."
"Oh, it's not important." Shi Yao ignored the system's recommendation. She might have cared about this little bit of proportion in the past, but ever since she learned that the goodwill she received from netizens and fans was much, much greater than that from these few people she was trying to win over, she lost even the slightest interest.
Opening her backpack, she found a considerable number of items already accumulated. Although Shi Yao used them quite frequently, she completed tasks much faster and gained a lot of favorability, making her very wealthy, and thus her inventory was becoming increasingly abundant.
There are three rewards for the side quests: one is a 20-point increase in health, and the other is three card draws. She is very familiar with both of these. She has to admit that the system was not lying. She had completed several main quests before but had not gained 20 points of health. The side quests are indeed generous.
She didn't understand the last item; its name was "Item Upgrader," and it emitted a soft golden light in her backpack.
Although I don't know exactly what kind of enhancement method this is, the golden light is definitely a good thing.
Name: Item Upgrader
Grade: S
Function: Can be applied to any item of any type below S rank, raising it by one level.
Shi Yao tried to analyze it for a moment, then her eyes lit up. She grabbed the system and asked, "System, does this mean I can use this to upgrade an A-grade item to an S-grade item? And there are no restrictions on the type?"
For example, an A-level exposure coupon lasts for 24 hours, while an S-level coupon lasts for three days. The latter is much more expensive to redeem than the former. If you have this upgrade item, you can save a lot of money by buying an A-level coupon and then upgrading it to S-level.
"Yes, host."
Shi Yao's eyes sparkled: "Can practical props be used too?"
"Yes, host. You can use any type of item."
The system was right; the reward was indeed generous.
Other items are fine, but for practical items, the price difference between A-grade and S-grade is huge, so saving money is always a good thing.
She had originally planned to exchange for useful items, but was worried about not having enough budget.
It is indeed possible to draw an S-level item directly from the lottery pool, but it depends on the probability. Shi Yao has only drawn it once in all this time. In critical moments, you still have to rely on your own wallet.
Thinking of this, Shi Yao simply used up the three lottery chances she had just received, since there was no guarantee of a pity even after ten draws.
Perhaps because I had just had a lucky draw, the result of this lottery was indeed mediocre. Not to mention the golden light, there wasn't even a single purple light.
Finally, I drew a 20-point free attribute value, a C-level health exchange voucher, and a C-level skill quick-learning voucher.
"Master, what does 'Life Point Exchange Coupon' mean? Will exchanging for it increase my life points?"
System: "No, host. The way to use the Life Point Exchange Coupon is to obtain a free quota of money that can be exchanged for corresponding Life Points. A C-level exchange coupon can be exchanged for 10 Life Points of money, which is one million yuan."
Shi Yao swallowed back the retort that was about to come out. One million? That's quite generous.
I've never used this exchange function since I linked my account to the system; I almost forgot I could exchange money from the system.
When a notification pops up on my phone that money has been deposited into my account, I don’t have to worry about the source of the money I’ve exchanged from the system. The account identity and the bank that made the transfer are disguised indistinguishably from the real thing.
Having secured the mission rewards, Shi Yao finally had the time and inclination to think about the sudden increase in her favorability rating.
The timing of the increases in favorability with her was quite strange, unlike the other clients, whose favorability usually increased right after completing a task or right after meeting her (after being tricked by her).
The last time, the increase in favorability could be explained by being moved by the video message and happy to learn of the surge in popularity. So what's the reason this time? The new rankings haven't even been released yet.
Could it be because of that straight shot?
Shi Yao didn't believe that Ying Xu only saw the fancam after hanging up the phone with her. These trainees had incredibly fast internet speeds, and his dorm was home to the three most popular members. Even if he didn't see it in time, the others would have been able to see it and remind him.
Why does it take more than ten minutes after the conversation ends for the favorability rating to increase?
"System, is there a delay in your monitoring of favorability?" Shi Yao suddenly asked.
The system, unaware of the situation, still cooperated and replied, "No, all values are monitored and tracked in real time, there will never be any delay. What's wrong, host?"
"It's nothing," Shi Yao replied casually.
That means that Yingxu's favorability rating only suddenly increased after they ended their WeChat chat. In fact, since the maximum favorability rating is 100 and she only had 20 left, she didn't know how much it actually increased, and it might have been even higher.
She reviewed their previous conversation again; it was perfectly normal and calm. What triggered the surge in their affection level?
Shi Yao was completely baffled. In fact, she hadn't even expected that the first person to reach the maximum favorability rating would be Ying Xu. She thought it would be Fang Xuran or Bai Wenning.
After all, Fang Xuran was her first client, and they were now working together again. Bai Wenning, on the other hand, was her only female client at the moment. She trusted and relied on her from the very beginning, and her favorability towards her had increased significantly in a short period of time.
Even Pei Zixuan is a possibility, after all, this boss is unusually generous. After the first collaboration, his favorability towards her skyrocketed, and he even booked the second collaboration that was about to begin.
But the first one to reach the maximum value was the only one among them whom he had officially met.
She had met Yingxu a few times, but under different identities each time. Yingxu didn't know it was her, but her favorability towards her still increased rapidly.
Shi Yao racked her brains but to no avail, and could only attribute the cause to the fact that the child was a very easy person to get along with.
She leaned against the bed with a frown, hugging a pillow. The projector in front of her was still playing a movie, but she could no longer concentrate on it.
After a long while, Shi Yao unlocked her phone screen again, opened the dialog box, and hesitated whether to start a conversation.
Suddenly her phone vibrated, and another WeChat message appeared. Shi Yao opened it and found that it was from Fang Xuran.
[Fang Xuran: Sis, when are you coming back to the set? I haven't seen you for days!]
[Fang Xuran: Everyone misses you. Director Lu is so worried about you that he can't eat.]
[Shi Yao: It's because your acting was so bad that Director Lu was so angry he couldn't eat, right?]
Fang Xuran: ...
[Fang Xuran: Hey, don't embarrass me! We didn't perform terribly, we were just a little slow.]
Fang Xuran: As you know, Director Lu is a rather nitpicky person.
Fang Xuran: Actually, our professional skills are sufficient, but Director Lu's requirements are slightly higher, so it's a little slow.
[Shi Yao: I'll take a screenshot and send it to Director Lu immediately]
[Fang Xuran: Hey hey hey no!]
[Fang Xuran: Panda Crying.jpg]
Fang Xuran: Sister, how could you do this? [crying][bursting into tears]
Shi Yao: I'm just kidding.
[Shi Yao: I'm going back tomorrow]
Actually, I originally planned to stay at the factory for a few more days, but firstly, I just learned from a friend who works at a fan site that the trainees will have a short break after the third performance, so I probably won't be able to take any photos of them going to and from get off work. Secondly, my liking for the trainees has inexplicably increased, so I feel that it would be better to change my work environment to sort out my thoughts.
Fang Xuran: What! Sister, why are you so unlucky? [crying]
Fang Xuran: I won't be on set tomorrow.
[Shi Yao: Why? It's okay, I'll be there the day after tomorrow too, I'll stay for at least three days.]
Fang Xuran: [Tears] But I just happened to have taken three days off...
Shi Yao: ? Director Lu can agree?
Fang Xuran: It's written in the contract that I can take three days off each month.
[Fang Xuran: My agent suddenly got me a job. I have to go on a variety show for one episode. It will take at least three days to film. Fortunately, the filming location is quite close, in the suburbs, so it won't take much time to travel back and forth. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to finish it in three days.]
A bad feeling crept into Shi Yao's mind. A variety show recording? A flight? And the location was also in the suburbs of the capital?
Could it be...?
[Shi Yao: What variety show is it?]
Fang Xuran: Shining Idol
[Fang Xuran: Isn't that outrageous? I can't sing or dance at all, and I'm supposed to be someone else's guest mentor!]
Fang Xuran: I don't even know who will be teaching whom in the end [weak]
Shi Yao typed the words on the screen with trembling hands.
[Shi Yao: So why did you take this variety show?]
[Fang Xuran: It's all because of my manager! He insisted that this variety show is super popular right now, and that he finally managed to get a spot on it after fighting with the company, so he told me not to be ungrateful.]
[Fang Xuran: I told him for ages that I can't sing or dance, but he still insisted that I go, saying that at worst I could just stand still, and the production team would take care of it.]
[Fang Xuran: But my agent said I'm good-looking, so I can gain fans just by showing my face, hehe, what do you think, sis?]
Shi Yao had mixed feelings and remained silent for several seconds before typing a reply.
[Shi Yao: There are a lot of good-looking people on this show, be careful not to lose fans if you go on.]
Fang Xuran: Huh? Really? What should I do? Should I cram for this?
Fang Xuran: But we have to record tomorrow, there's no time for this, is there?
Fang Xuran: But Lao Pei will be going too. I can just ask him to take me with him, and we can be in the same group.
Upon seeing the familiar words, Shi Yao's heart sank once again.
[Shi Yao: Old Pei? Pei Zixuan?]
Fang Xuran: Yeah, Lao Pei came from this show. He was a guest on the show for the first two seasons. He's very good at singing and dancing, so having him mentor me shouldn't be a problem.
"Shining Idol" does occasionally invite celebrities to be guest mentors on the show. Sometimes they give trainees intensive lessons, sometimes they have heart-to-heart talks with the trainees, and sometimes they act as temporary MCs. However, it is rare to invite several guest mentors at once.
Could it be...?
[Shi Yao: Are there any other guests besides you?]
Fang Xuran: Yes, sis, how did you know there were more? There were three more besides us, but I didn't ask who they were. Apparently, they're all acquaintances.
They invited five guest stars in one go, so this recording is most likely...
[Shi Yao: A collaboration stage with a mentor?]
Fang Xuran: Yes, sis, you seem to know the process very well.
[Fang Xuran: Aaaaaah, what am I going to do? I can't sing or dance at all! And I have to practice for a whole stage performance and record a live version in just three days!!! Help!!!]
Fang Xuran: This show would be better if they invited another person who can't sing or dance to keep me company, otherwise I'm going to throw a tantrum.
The mentor collaboration stage is a special competition format, a kind of reward stage, which usually appears after the third public performance and before the third public performance.
This stage doesn't calculate live scores or require performance comparisons; it's a completely relaxed platform where trainees can choose which mentor group they want to join and collaborate with them.
This stage is also the last stage for the trainees who will be eliminated from Sam Soon, so it has special commemorative significance.
The first season of "Shining Idol" featured mentor collaboration stages, but this segment was canceled in the subsequent three seasons, not because the stages were unpopular, but because the time was too tight.
Since the show started airing, time has been flowing faster and faster in the training camp. It became even more exaggerated after the second performance. Various filming tasks awaited them, and the trainees had almost no time to breathe. After the third performance, there were only three days left until the third performance. They also had to prepare another stage in those three days, which was extremely tight.
Although fans also wanted to see one more performance, and the trainees who were about to be eliminated were willing to perform on stage one more time, it was simply too much for the popular trainees. They also had various magazine and commercial shoots to attend, and it was really difficult to make up for it in just three days.
During the recording of the first season, one trainee collapsed from exhaustion, which caused him to miss the crucial fan meeting. He was unable to participate in the recording of the fan meeting and was severely criticized and reported by fans.
Therefore, the production team modified the competition schedule, keeping only the meet-and-greet and canceling the mentor collaboration stage in the middle.
Why did they suddenly bring this competition format back this time?
When Yao heard that Fang Xuran was going to participate in this variety show, she felt something was wrong. When she heard that he couldn't sing or dance, she thought Fang Xuran's task was to teach the trainees. But when she heard that he not only had to participate but also perform on stage, and there was more than one guest star.
It was indeed a stage for mentors to collaborate.
In other words, Fang Xuran and Pei Zixuan are, respectively, her current client and her former client, but they will soon become her current clients as well, and she is about to meet another current client.
Although the two of them may not cooperate with Yingxu and are unaware of each other's business dealings, Shiyao still felt that things were very complicated.
What a coincidence!
Fang Xuran: Sis, where are you?
[Fang Xuran: Why did you suddenly disappear?]
[Fang Xuran: I also wanted to ask if you know any methods for intensive singing and dancing practice (although the probability of that is indeed very low...)]
Fang Xuran: [Looking pitiful]
Shi Yao snapped out of her daze and replied to the other person with a complicated expression.
[Shi Yao: How could such a thing possibly exist?]
[Shi Yao: But I'll be there during the days you're recording the show.]
[Shi Yao: It's just finished, let's go back to the set together]
Fang Xuran: !
Fang Xuran: Sis, you're coming too!
Fang Xuran: Did my sister do this for me? [winking][shy]
Shi Yao: I was always here.
[Shi Yao: [Coordinates]]
Fang Xuran: ?
Fang Xuran: ? Why are you at Yuyang Film and Television Base?
[Fang Xuran: You went to chase after celebrities?! Which trainee did you take a fancy to?! No wonder you knew so much about the trainees' looks just now.]
[Fang Xuran: Well, I knew it! So you'd been gone for so long. Turns out you were seeing someone else.]
[Shi Yao: Stop]
[Shi Yao: I have clients here]
[Shi Yao: I'm doing this kind of work, who do you think I can date?]
Fang Xuran: Oh.
[Fang Xuran: So who is your new client? Do I know him? Is he a mentor or a trainee? Is he from this show, or is there another production crew there?]
Fang Xuran: Is he as good-looking as me?
[Shi Yao: There's no film crew involved, just one program being filmed. You might not know them, but there's a chance you might get to know them. If we happen to be in the same crew, I'll consider introducing them.]
Fang Xuran: You seem to know so much about this place. Did you spend a long time there before?
[Fang Xuran: If we're in the same group, does that mean he's a trainee?]
Fang Xuran: Your scope of business is surprisingly broad.
[Fang Xuran: What kind of trainees are so rich? Didn't they confiscate their phones? This is underhanded.]
After Shi Yao admitted to having clients there, Fang Xuran began typing furiously, firing off words like a machine gun.
[Shi Yao: Are you being sarcastic? Did you just find out I have a wide range of services today?]
[Shi Yao: In this era, who do you think can actually have their cell phone confiscated, besides those who end up in jail?]
[Shi Yao: I am indeed very rich. People who aren't rich wouldn't want to work with me.]
After being rebuked by Shi Yao, Fang Xuran became much more restrained.
[Fang Xuran: Sorry, sister, I wasn't being sarcastic, I'm just... oh well, I'm just a little curious!]
[Fang Xuran: After all, I was your first client, and I introduced you to your next two clients as well. I thought I would know everyone you worked with...]
After sending the message and seeing that Shi Yao hadn't replied, he added another message.
[Fang Xuran: It's good that he has money. I'm just worried he'll renege on his debt and take advantage of my sister's efforts.]
[Fang Xuran: [Cat being cute.gif]]
Seeing Fang Xuran's deliberately flattering reply, Shi Yao scoffed again and couldn't help but shake her head.
[Shi Yao: I didn't mean to blame you, I just felt your reaction was a bit too intense, and I was just curious.]
[Shi Yao: I will have more clients, don't be surprised]
[Shi Yao: But thank you so much for your support of my business. I'll give you discounts in the future.]
Fang Xuran: Okay, sister.
[Fang Xuran: I'll try my best to introduce you to more clients!]
Shi Yao: Okay, thanks.
After sending that last message, there was no further reply. Shi Yao simply put away her phone and then lay on the bed to watch the movie she hadn't finished watching, her mind a jumble of thoughts.
She had just booked to go back to the film set tomorrow, but now she has to cancel. Luckily, she hasn't called the front desk to check out yet.
I glanced at Weibo and Green Petal, and neither side mentioned the mentor collaboration stage. This news is still completely confidential, and no one knows about it except the production team.
Regarding this stage recording, she plans to continue using her role as a fan site manager, simply taking pictures outside. If nothing unexpected happens, the tickets for this stage will probably be very, very few, because there is no need for voting. During the recording of the first season, tickets were drawn on the official website only one day before the performance.
In the end, before all the prizes were won, a lot of them were given away to offline fan site admins.
This time it will most likely be the same.
Although Shi Yao could get a work permit, she thought about it and gave up. Getting a work permit would mean working inside the premises, and then she would really be running into those three people all the time.
After imagining the scene, Shi Yao felt horrified and decisively gave up.
Shi Yao hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to remind the few fansite admins she knew offline to stay for the time being, without explaining the specifics.
Fortunately, the other side was very understanding and knew that this inside information could not be leaked casually. Shi Yao's reminder was already very kind.
After taking one last look at the stats of the fancam on the homepage and confirming that she hadn't been ganked by the official team, Shiyao turned off the screen.
The moment I turned it off, a new voice call popped up on my phone.
It is Fang Xuran.
It's him again!
"What is it now, my young master?" Shi Yao answered the phone helplessly, her voice full of exhaustion.
Fang Xuran seemed a little embarrassed about contacting him so frequently in such a short time, and asked hesitantly, "Sister, are you asleep?"
Shi Yao said with a blank face, "I'm going to sleep if you don't call."
Actually, no.
Fang Xuran: "!"
Fang Xuran: "I'm sorry, sister, I'll only talk for a little while."
His voice carried a youthful anxiety and a hint of dependence: "I'm a little nervous because I suddenly have to go on a variety show that I'm completely unfamiliar with. I was thinking that since you're familiar with this place, I wanted to ask you some questions."
Shi Yao: "Why don't you ask Pei Zixuan? He recorded an entire season and flew there several times. Doesn't he know it better than I do?"
Fang Xuran paused: "Oh dear, he would never tell me that."
"Sister, is this show strict? I heard that we practice from morning till night all day, is that true?"
“Really.” Shi Yao said without any mercy, “And you have to practice, otherwise you’ll embarrass yourself on stage and a new GIF will definitely go viral.”
Fang Xuran: "..." Unpleasant memories flooded her mind.
She paused for two seconds and then asked, "I've also heard that the trainees there are very competitive and backstabbing, is that true, sister?"
This time, Shi Yao fell silent. She rubbed her forehead and said, "Stop watching such nonsense. Although it's a competitive variety show, it's not that outrageous. When you participated in acting variety shows, was there a lot of backstabbing and infighting?"
Fang Xuran thought about it carefully for a moment: "There really is."
Shi Yao: "..."
“But I didn’t engage in any backstabbing or scheming,” Fang Xuran said honestly.
"Then that settles it. Even if it does, it won't affect you, since you're not competing with them for a debut spot."
Fang Xuran seemed comforted and relieved, but he still kept chatting with Shi Yao about this and that until Shi Yao got impatient and asked him directly, "Are you done asking? I want to sleep. What time is it, young master?"
Fang Xuran lingered on the phone, reluctant to hang up. Finally, when Yao was about to yell at her, she mumbled in a low voice, "Sis, I have one last question. Is your client as good-looking as me?"
Shi Yao remained silent. What strange questions were Fang Xuran pondering?
She thought about it seriously for two seconds, then said bluntly, "He's better looking than you."
Author's Note: Here it is! The website was so slow today, damn it! It took forever to copy and paste, so frustrating!
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2024-07-02 22:00:08 and 2024-07-03 21:07:09!
Thank you to the little angels who watered our nutrient solution: May our motherland get better and better! (1 bottle)
Thank you so much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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