I Rely on My Versatility to Reach the Top of the Entertainment Industry [Ancient Times to Modern] - Chapter 32

“Thank you.” Jing Yi paused, then continued, “I’ve already turned down Mr. Lu. I won’t be joining Galaxy Company. You just work hard there.”

“Huh?” Xue An’s voice sounded very disappointed. “You’re really not joining the company? I saw that you and Mr. Lu have a great relationship, so I thought you would come…”

“I won’t be.”

Jing Yi comforted Xue An with a few words and hung up the phone.

Just as he was about to resume his studies with Lu Yuzhi, another call came in.

Jing Yi answered.

“Hello, may I ask if this is Mr. Jing Yi? We’re from the production team of ‘I Can Survive in the Wild,’ and we’d like to invite you to be a guest on our next episode. I was wondering if you have any interest in our show?”

Jing Yi was about to politely decline when the female voice on the phone added, “Is Mr. Lu Yuzhi with you? We are also in communication with Mr. Lu’s assistant. It’s very likely that Mr. Lu will also be one of our guests.”

The production team of “I Can Survive in the Wild” had done their research, keeping a close eye on Jing Yi and Lu Yuzhi’s activities. That was how they had even guessed that Lu Yuzhi might still be with Jing Yi.

However, Jing Yi still wanted to refuse.

The original owner of his body loved acting, not participating in variety shows. Acting was what he needed to accomplish in Jing Yi’s name, and it was also the shackle Jing Yi had placed upon himself.

“Sorry, I don’t have time to participate in your show.”

“You don’t have to be so quick to refuse. This episode will be filmed starting in March, so you still have over half a month to consider it.”

Jing Yi had to refuse two more times, but the call still ended with the person in charge from the production team saying, “Please think it over.”

Placing his phone aside, Jing Yi was about to focus on the advanced mathematics problem Lu Yuzhi was explaining when Lu Yuzhi’s phone rang.

Lu Yuzhi didn’t try to hide it and answered the call right there.

After listening to his assistant for a few moments, Lu Yuzhi looked at Jing Yi. “‘I Can Survive in the Wild’ invited you?”

Jing Yi nodded.

Lu Yuzhi tapped the desktop twice. “I remember you said you wanted to become a top star in the entertainment industry.”

“Yes,” Jing Yi said, looking at Lu Yuzhi.

Lu Yuzhi said, “The entertainment industry now isn’t like it used to be. All sorts of live-streamed variety shows are emerging one after another. Participating in these kinds of shows can help solidify your fanbase.”

“But it seems Mr. Lu has never been on a variety show,” Jing Yi said, following the memories in his mind. “Mr. Lu succeeded by relying on his television and film works.”

That was true.

Lu Yuzhi debuted at fourteen. With his excellent acting skills and workaholic nature, he produced one high-quality work after another over fifteen years, becoming a powerhouse who relied entirely on his film and television works to reach the top.

“That’s because live-streaming hadn’t yet become a popular element in the entertainment industry back then.” A flicker of deep meaning flashed in Lu Yuzhi’s eyes. “What’s more, you aren’t signed with any company right now, which already puts you at a disadvantage compared to others.”

Jing Yi didn’t voice a rebuttal.

Not being signed to a company indeed meant losing out on a lot. For instance, for the production team to contact him, they had to go through the roundabout way of finding Xue An first.

Seeing that Jing Yi was thinking, Lu Yuzhi continued, “‘I Can Survive in the Wild’ has consistently ranked in the top three variety shows. It’s filmed and broadcast on the same day, with no script. If you shine on this show, you can easily gain a massive amount of popularity and attract a wider range of fans.”

“To become a top star, you can’t rely on just one type of fanbase.”

The fans currently active on Jing Yi’s Weibo were basically all female.

Although it was possible he might attract male fans after “Xie Qiyun” aired, that fanbase wouldn’t be stable.

Jing Yi understood Lu Yuzhi’s words, which appealed to both his emotions and his reason.

He started searching for information about the show “I Can Survive in the Wild.” Seeing that the recording period was one month and wouldn’t interfere with his review for exams later, he nodded.

“I’ll participate then. Thank you, Mr. Lu.”

Having gotten the response he wanted, Lu Yuzhi finally spoke into his phone again, “Tell them that Jing Yi and I have both agreed.”

Assistant Jiang, who had been waiting silently, saw his boss hang up right after saying this and grumbled to himself: *Isn’t he just trying to find more reasons to spend time with Jing Yi? Could his motive be any more obvious? But has the boss forgotten that “I Can Survive in the Wild” is a show with five people on it?*

After Assistant Jiang relayed the message to the “Wild” production team, the production team made a special confirmation call to Jing Yi.

Overjoyed to receive a definite response, they invited the two of them to their headquarters to sign the contracts.

On the day they went out to sign the contracts, Jing Yi specifically asked, “Mr. Lu, do you think your family has calmed down yet? Before we start recording the show, shouldn’t you go back and reunite with them for a bit?”

Lu Yuzhi pursed his lips and only spoke after a long moment. “I don’t think they’ve calmed down yet.”

His family members didn’t follow celebrities, but they would keep up with news about him online.

Everywhere except Jing Yi’s Weibo, netizens were wildly discussing the progress of his pursuit of Jing Yi. Jing Yi was the only one who didn’t know about this.

All things considered, Lu Yuzhi felt that his parents’ anger wouldn’t be dissipating. Their inaction for so long was likely because they were waiting for him to confess.

However, what could he confess?

He hadn’t even succeeded in winning the person over yet!

“Then how about you give your family a call?” Jing Yi suggested.

The show “Wild” actually had a certain degree of danger. Although the invited guests’ activities would be under the watchful eyes of professionals, even professionals could have moments where they were unable to attend to everything.

However, because the production team and the guests signed a series of agreements, it was a matter of mutual consent, and the relevant authorities couldn’t interfere.

If their child were to participate in this show, their family would definitely be worried.

Feeling uncomfortable under Jing Yi’s gaze, Lu Yuzhi had no choice but to take out his phone and call his parents.

He specifically walked out to the balcony and spoke in a very low voice, precisely to avoid Jing Yi.

Jing Yi only hoped that Lu Yuzhi would take the initiative to ease the tension with his family; he had no intention of prying into Lu Yuzhi’s privacy.

When Lu Yuzhi returned from his call, Jing Yi didn’t ask anything else.

After the two of them signed the contracts together, the production team requested that starting next Monday, they report to the show’s training base for a three-day special training session.

This was also to build hype for the upcoming show, so during the special training, the production team would start a live stream on their official website.

The five invited guests would get to know each other during this week. Even if the results of the special training were unsatisfactory, they still had to participate in the subsequent survival segments.

On the day of the special training, Jing Yi and Lu Yuzhi, both dressed in camouflage, arrived at the base together.

The live stream began at that moment, filmed entirely by an automated follow-cam robot.

This robot was also equipped with an artificial intelligence program that could interact with people.

“Welcome, Jing Yi. Welcome, Lu Yuzhi. I am Xiao A. The friends in the livestream have been waiting for you for a long time.” The robot’s voice was cute, but it still had a discernible mechanical feel. “Hurry and say hi to everyone. Say ‘peace’~”

Jing Yi knew about the AI robot, but he was still intrigued to see it up close.

He did as the robot asked, raising his hand to make a peace sign. His tone was nonchalant, but his fair, handsome face was filled with curiosity.

Jing Yi’s fans, who had been waiting in the livestream room for a long time, burst out laughing.

“Jing Yi’s version of a peace sign is so much fun!”

“Film Emperor Lu hasn’t made a peace sign yet!”

“Can the two of you get a little closer and make a peace sign together?”

The staff member operating the Xiao A program in the background randomly selected three bullet comments for Xiao A to read aloud.

Hearing this, Jing Yi turned his head to look at Lu Yuzhi.

Lu Yuzhi, knowing Jing Yi had a habit of indulging his fans, moved closer to him. He raised his hand and, in the same nonchalant tone, said “peace” to the livestream camera.

The fans started spamming bullet comments like “I’m shipping it, I’m shipping it,” which the staff did not have Xiao A read out this time.

The two arrived at the special training location and stood waiting. Xiao A remained at the required spot to welcome the other guests.

The bullet comments were all speculating about who the other guests were. The production team, playing games, had only announced Jing Yi and Lu Yuzhi’s names.

Soon, the other guests arrived.

They were, surprisingly, Sheng Xiaguang, Ji Lin, and Fang Zexuan.

The production team of “Wild” was known for stirring up trouble.

“I knew the production team would invite the cast of ‘Yan Zihuan’!”

“This… this…”

“Fang Zexuan just recovered from a bone fracture. Is he sure he isn’t risking his life for attention by participating in a variety show like this?”

“Ji Lin said before that he was going into seclusion for a variety show. So it was this one!”

“What’s with the comment above? Our Zexuan has always worked very hard, okay!”

Fans of the various celebrities began to argue with each other through the bullet comments. Xiao A spoke up, “Will the three guests please share a big group hug and then enter the training grounds~”

A smile appeared on Fang Zexuan’s face. “Come on, a hug is no big deal. We’re all brothers here.”

“Sorry, I don’t like close contact with people,” Ji Lin said, pulling his hat down to hide the disgust in his eyes before striding past Xiao A and walking away.

At the same time, Sheng Xiaguang let out a cold snort and also walked past from the other side of Xiao A.

Fang Zexuan was left alone, the gentle and refined smile on his face gradually stiffening. He silently clenched his fists and said to Xiao A’s camera, “It’s okay, it’s okay. They’re just newcomers, maybe they’re not used to these kinds of games.”

On the bullet screen, Fang Zexuan’s fans commented one after another: “Our Brother Zexuan is still the most magnanimous one.”

“Go, Brother Zexuan, we support you!”

All five of them had finally arrived at the training grounds.

The three newcomers greeted Lu Yuzhi, and Lu Yuzhi nodded in response.

Sheng Xiaguang immediately said to Jing Yi, “I brought a xun and a dizi.”

Jing Yi replied, “Great. We can play together when we have time.”

As they were chatting, a tall figure in camouflage emerged from a nearby building.

His skin was dark, his gaze was resolute, and his square face exuded an air of integrity.

“Hello. I am your special training instructor.” The instructor scanned the five celebrities in the field. “Regardless of your status, here, you are a team, and I represent authority.”

“You may have undergone military training before, but I’ll be blunt: when I give an order, you must answer, ‘Yes, Instructor.’ Understood?”

“Yes, Instructor.”

Five heavy sounds of varying volumes echoed across the field.

“Very good. It seems you all understand,” the instructor said with a smile. “Since it’s the first day of special training, let’s start with something simple. Run five laps around the field. I’ll be timing you. The slowest person will be punished by having to meow like a cat.”

Little A deliberately aimed the live broadcast camera at the instructor before panning around to show the field.

“rwkk which lucky person is going to be the little kitty.”

“Don’t bully our Zexuan, his fracture just healed.”

The bullet comments were a motley assortment, but the five people on the field were already at the starting line, ready to go.

Following the instructor’s command, five figures in camouflage uniforms entered the circular track.

Fang Zexuan started out running fast, but he gradually slowed down after the first lap.

Lu Yuzhi was the fastest, followed by Jing Yi, Sheng Xiaguang, and Ji Lin.

The distance between the four of them wasn’t very large. Jing Yi, in particular, maintained almost the same running frequency as Lu Yuzhi. The two were perfectly level, their movements nearly identical.

“Is this the rapport Yi-zai and Film Emperor Lu developed from working out together?”

“Aaaah, it’s the 4th lap, how does Yi-zai still look so relaxed?”

“Yeah, yeah, the other four are all sweating.”

“This actor named Jing Yi has some skills, his breathing hasn’t even quickened.”

The discussion in the bullet comments was focused on the front four, with occasional cheers of encouragement for Fang Zexuan from his fans.

Fang Zexuan was only on his second lap.

His pace was slow and his expression was resolute, but he would sometimes favor his left foot.

When Lu Yuzhi passed Fang Zexuan, a sharp glint flashed through his amber eyes.

Back when Galaxy signed Fang Zexuan, they had valued his consistently gentle personality and his acting skills. But ever since the wire-harness accident, Fang Zexuan seemed to have changed.

This variety show was the last chance he was giving Fang Zexuan.