Chapter 056: Recording

Before seven o’clock the next morning, Song Wan had just finished styling and was in the middle of her makeup when the big-name guests who hadn’t arrived the previous night began to appear in succession. Of course, the last-minute addition, Qi Ting, also showed up.

Song Wan was the only woman in the entire dressing room, so Qi Ting spotted her immediately. Making quite a stir as she entered, Qi Ting drew Song Wan’s attention; Song Wan glanced back, saw an unfamiliar woman, and turned away without a second thought.

After greeting the others, Qi Ting walked straight up to her. “You’re Song Wan?”

Song Wan looked back at her, her gaze calm. “I am.”

“You—!” Qi Ting glared, but seeing Song Wan’s utter indifference and not daring to cause a scene in front of the others, she could only grit her teeth and return to her seat, fuming.

Gao Xiang, who had noticed everything, gave her a disdainful glance. “Coward.”

If you dare covet opportunities meant for my artist, then you shouldn’t be afraid of my retaliation.

Qi Ting turned, on the verge of snapping back, but seeing it was Gao Xiang, she opened her mouth wordlessly—only to be held back by her manager.

“Sister Gao, Tingting is still young and inexperienced. I hope you’ll be magnanimous and forgive her for this offense.”

The manager’s frustration was palpable. From start to finish, he’d been completely in the dark about the entire incident—he only learned about Qi Ting’s reckless stunt when the higher-ups called to berate him.

“Upward, Star!” was indeed a juicy opportunity; who in the industry didn’t want a piece? Even with confidentiality agreements, some people have their ways of getting information. But why hadn’t anyone else made a move? Did Qi Ting really think everyone else was foolish?

Yes, Song Wan appeared the most easily bullied among the group, but the fact that she was able to secure this opportunity without being edged out should have given Qi Ting pause to consider why. After finally smoothing things over, Qi Ting just had to go and push her luck again.

Gao Xiang almost felt sorry for the manager, but she remained cold and unyielding. “She really is young. My Song Wan is already twenty—how old is Qi Ting now?”

The manager was speechless.

Having one’s age thrown in one’s face was enough to make any woman explode.

Qi Ting sprang up, no longer caring about appearances, but before she could speak her manager shot her a warning glare.

Even when insulted to her face, the manager could only swallow his anger. How unlucky he was to be saddled with such a fool! Unless you were in the business, you couldn’t imagine the extent of Gao Xiang’s connections and resources.

Qi Ting, cowed by her manager, could only grit her teeth, lower her head, and silence herself.

He apologized with a bitter smile. “Sister Gao, I’m truly sorry. Tingting isn’t very bright. I’ll make sure to discipline her properly from now on.”

Gao Xiang’s real target was Qi Ting; she had no interest in dragging the manager into it. Since the main party didn’t speak, she saw no need to bicker further.

The manager breathed a sigh of relief.

He failed to notice, however, that the others in the room were regarding Qi Ting with barely concealed displeasure.

After all, everything had been set, scripts memorized, and now, at the last moment, someone had forced their way in. No one could be happy about that.

What’s more, everyone present had their own sources—they all knew what had happened.

“Um… hello, everyone.” A clear, gentle voice suddenly rang out, drawing every gaze in the room.

Everyone nodded politely before returning to their routines.

Except for Song Wan, who sprang excitedly from her chair. “You’ve finally arrived, Sister You Ning!”

Ji You Ning looked over at the sound of her name, locking eyes with Song Wan. A tremor passed through her heart, then she smiled warmly. “Song Wan, thank you.”

—

With two unexpected female guests joining, many of the original game segments became unusable, and the rushed new script the production team cobbled together was rough and unsatisfying.

Everyone was disgruntled.

In the end, the production team had no choice but to let the guests improvise, giving only a general direction.

For instance, at the start, the director designated the three female guests as team captains, divided everyone into three teams, explained the first game’s rules, and then left them to their own devices.

—

By luck, Song Wan ended up on a team with Guo Feng and the comic actor Zheng Fang.

On stage, Zheng Fang was known for bringing the house down with laughter, but in real life, his personality was aloof and he rarely spoke. When Song Wan realized he was on her team, she was initially worried, but once the cameras rolled, Zheng Fang transformed—quick-witted, endlessly humorous, every line a punchline, his exaggerated gestures and expressions perfect meme material.

—Truly worthy of his reputation as a comedy star.

With Zheng Fang, their team never had to worry about lacking laughs or highlights to make the final cut.

Feeling secure, Song Wan and Guo Feng were relaxed and able to catch every joke Zheng Fang tossed their way.

Song Wan, in particular, was quick to pick up his cues, prompting Zheng Fang to look back at her repeatedly. Finally, he quipped, “Song Wan, why don’t you come perform a skit with me? I think you have a real knack for comedy.”

Song Wan beamed. “I love your skits, Brother Zheng. If you’re serious, I’d be delighted.”

Zheng Fang had only been joking, but Song Wan’s response made him actually consider it. Although he ultimately dropped the idea, his impression of Song Wan improved considerably. He kept tossing her setups, occasionally bantering with Guo Feng as well, making the cameraman following them nearly laugh out loud even behind his mask.

—

The first episode would set the show’s entire tone, so the producers carefully chose three games, ultimately using the two most memorable from the original “Upward, Star!”—name tag ripping and acupressure mats.

The first game was the infamous torture—

Acupressure mats!

Zheng Fang was beside himself. “I’m already tormented at home—my screams echo throughout the neighborhood, and I’ve almost thrown the mats in the trash! Now I come on the show and there are more acupressure mats? Are you trying to kill us, production team?”

Song Wan, initially horrified herself, perked up at his words and sidled over. “Brother Zheng, I didn’t know you had a taste for self-torture.”

Zheng Fang bristled. “You’re the one with a taste for self-torture!”

Song Wan feigned terror and retreated, while the good-natured Guo Feng tried to comfort her—only to be caught by Zheng Fang. “You fool, don’t forget Song Wan’s an actress! She’s gutsy, she just wants you to stand up and take the heat for her!”

With her “plot” exposed, Song Wan rolled her eyes. “Come on, Brother Zheng, you make me sound like a villain.”

Zheng Fang eyed her seriously. “Aren’t you?”

Guo Feng, catching on, joined in. “You really are—you even tricked an old man like me! Society’s going downhill!”

He wiped his eyes in mock despair.

Song Wan could only sigh.

Zheng Fang pointed at Guo Feng, triumphant. “See? Even mild-mannered Guo Feng thinks you’re bad. Still won’t admit it?”

Song Wan blinked and threw a wink at the camera. “Haven’t you heard? ‘Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere.’”

Zheng Fang retorted, “Song Wan, have you no shame? Your face will cry.”

Song Wan shot back, “Then why are you here?”

Zheng Fang was bewildered. “What do you mean, why am I here?”

Song Wan covered her face. “My face! Didn’t you take it? How else could you be so thick-skinned?”

Guo Feng gasped. “You two—one shameless, one thick-skinned. How did I, a normal person, end up on a team with you?”

Song Wan and Zheng Fang, in unison: “Because you’re not normal either.”

Guo Feng protested, “How am I not normal?”

Song Wan nudged Zheng Fang. “If you can get along so well with shameless people, Guo Feng, do you really think you’re normal? What do you say, Brother Zheng?”

Zheng Fang replied solemnly, “Not normal at all.”

Song Wan persisted, “What’s the most abnormal part?”

Zheng Fang didn’t hesitate. “His brain!”

Song Wan nodded sagely. “Ah, so he’s a nutcase!”

Guo Feng wailed, “Director, I want to switch teams!”

The director just laughed heartily.

Suddenly, Song Wan turned the tables, aiming a jab at Zheng Fang. “Brother Zheng, if you’re into self-torture, why the acupressure mat? I heard there’s an act where you walk barefoot on knife blades—want to give it a try?”

Caught off guard, Zheng Fang’s face fell. “Who’s into self-torture? My wife heard acupressure mats are good for your health and bought every kind she could find. She insists I try them all and tell her what I think!”

Song Wan added dryly, “And does she make you write a review?”

Zheng Fang’s eyes widened in alarm. “Song Wan, you’re ruthless! How can I let my wife and kids watch this show now?”

Guo Feng chimed in, “Whether you let them or not, your wife will definitely watch.”

Zheng Fang sighed, “Guo Feng, you’ve gone bad.”

While the three bantered, the second team finally strolled over—Qi Ting’s team.

They greeted them.

As the junior, Song Wan was last. “Hello, Qi Ting, Wu Jin, Brother Qin Hui.”

Qi Ting shot Song Wan a veiled glare, but with her manager’s warning still ringing in her ears, she swallowed her irritation. “Hello, Song Wan.”

To keep up appearances, the two even hugged.

Though both were inwardly nauseated, on the surface they smiled brightly, as if genuinely delighted to see each other.

Guo Feng watched in awe.

Zheng Fang tugged his sleeve, shaking his head. In showbiz, everyone wore a mask.

The last to arrive was Ji You Ning’s group, with national MC Qing He and Best Actor Li Fan.

The initial awkwardness quickly dissipated under Qing He’s skillful mediation, ensuring everyone was included and no one felt left out.

The scene’s harmony was restored.