Isn’t money good?

Chapter 48

Having stayed up until past 3 AM and being woken by his alarm at 6:30, Yan Shiqiu was completely dazed.

He sat on the bed holding his blanket for quite a while before finally throwing it off and getting up. With his eyes half-closed, he stumbled drowsily into the bathroom.

After washing up and leaving his room to go downstairs to the meeting point, he still couldn’t help yawning, his eyelids so heavy he wanted to close them.

Fu Baiqing had started catching up on sleep yesterday evening after arriving at the hotel, sleeping for over ten hours straight. Now full of energy, seeing Yan Shiqiu looking listless, he moved closer to observe him at close range for a few seconds before firing off a string of questions:

“Why are you so tired? Didn’t you sleep last night? What were you staying up for? Playing games? What did you play? Why didn’t you bring me along!”

Yan Shiqiu painfully covered his ears. “…You’re so noisy.”

“I wasn’t playing games, just stayed up to finish watching the awards ceremony.” He said.

Fu Baiqing looked confused. “What awards ceremony?”

He was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly remembered. “I know! The Venice Film Festival awards ceremony, right? You stayed up to see if Ji Yunnian won an award?”

His voice was too loud, drawing looks from several staff members. Yan Shiqiu quickly shushed him twice. “Keep it down.”

Fu Baiqing stared at him, completely puzzled. “Why did you stay up to watch whether he won an award?”

Yan Shiqiu was stunned.

Right, why did he specifically stay up to watch the awards ceremony?

And when Ji Yunnian won, he was actually happy about it?

“I know.” Fu Baiqing suddenly had an epiphany, crossing his arms and analyzing matter-of-factly. “You’re setting a goal for yourself. I noticed it back when we were filming. Whenever you’re up against Ji Yunnian, you become very competitive. You see him as a rival.”

Yan Shiqiu lowered his eyes. A rival?

Fu Baiqing asked curiously, “Did Ji Yunnian win an award?”

“He did.”

Fu Baiqing exclaimed, “How amazing!”

He clenched his fists. “When will I be able to win an award too?”

Yan Shiqiu patted his shoulder. “No rush. You can look forward to a newcomer award next year. You did well in ‘Rivers and Mountains in Chaos.’”

Fu Baiqing’s eyes lit up, looking at him intensely. “I really did well?”

Yan Shiqiu smiled gently. “Really.”

He wasn’t just being nice. Fu Baiqing really had done well. In fact, as a complete newcomer acting for the first time, being selected by director Chen Hangsheng in the audition was already quite impressive.

“By the way, did you read the variety show script?” Fu Baiqing changed the subject, frowning. “It’s just a thin sheet of paper that doesn’t explain the plot at all, doesn’t even have the gameplay or rules. What if it’s too difficult? It’s a live broadcast. It’ll be embarrassing if we can’t play well.”

This variety show had a very special format, considered pioneering domestically. The premiere used a live broadcast format, with an edited version released later.

“I read it, and I also watched the edited versions of the previous episodes. It’s okay, not particularly difficult. Besides, having no rules is better. We can improvise freely.” Yan Shiqiu asked him, “You didn’t watch them?”

Fu Baiqing looked innocent. “Filming is so tiring, I don’t have much time as it is, and I still need to play games.”

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

“Hehe, we’re good brothers, right?” Fu Baiqing grabbed his shirt hem, looking at him hopefully. “Please carry me.”

Yan Shiqiu was speechless.

He shook his head. “I’ll do my best.”

Fu Baiqing immediately beamed with joy.

While they were chatting, the other four regular guests also came over.

The first guest was actor He Ming, known as the “period drama heartthrob.” He currently had a popular xianxia drama on air and frequently trended on social media, with extremely high public attention.

The second guest was Qingning TV host Lu Qian, who served as the glue and mood-lifter in the guest group. She had a lively, outgoing personality, with her only flaw being her fear of ghosts. You could hear her creative screaming in every episode.

The third guest was Lin Zhixin, who worked in both music and film. After three years of obscurity, she won both “Most Popular Female Singer” and “Best Supporting Actress” last year, catapulting her to A-list status. She now had several endorsements and very high popularity.

The fourth guest was Lin Moxuan. Though he wasn’t in the entertainment industry, his fame was considerable, as he was a very famous novelist.

Several of his works had been adapted into TV dramas or movies with good ratings and box office results. There was also one crucial reason. He was handsome.

The four entered chatting and laughing. Having filmed several episodes together, they had developed a “revolutionary” friendship and were quite familiar with each other.

After everyone greeted each other and got acquainted, Lu Qian spoke up, asking Yan Shiqiu and Fu Baiqing: “Are you two afraid of ghosts?”

Fu Baiqing put his hands on his hips smugly. “Not afraid! I can recite the Eight Honors and Eight Shames and the Socialist Core Values. No ghosts or spirits dare come near me!”

Everyone laughed and praised his cleverness.

Lu Qian then looked at Yan Shiqiu.

Meeting her gaze, Yan Shiqiu smiled and said, “Not afraid. The NPCs in the show are all played by staff members, and I can recite the Core Values too.”

Everyone laughed again, except Lu Qian who looked dejected. “So I’m still the only one afraid of ghosts, right?”

Lin Zhixin linked arms with her, seriously patting her head. “It’s okay, Qianqian. There are still six episodes left. You’ll eventually meet a kindred spirit.”

Lu Qian: “…”

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

This exchange between Lu Qian and Lin Zhixin’s cooperation instantly made the atmosphere harmonious. By the time the production crew’s car arrived to pick them up, everyone was chatting and laughing together.

Seeing the production staff arrive, they paused their conversation, left the hotel, and got in the car to head to the filming location.

Qingning TV was very wealthy and willing to spend money. The variety show filmed on location—abandoned hospitals, schools, unfinished buildings, etc., striving to create the ultimate horror atmosphere in every episode.

This episode was filmed in an abandoned village in the suburbs of Y City. All the original residents had moved away, leaving only empty houses.

The village was surrounded by mountains on all sides. To enter the village, you first had to climb mountain paths for over half an hour. After the car turned onto the mountain road, it was covered by tree shade, and the temperature dropped. The opposite mountain ravine was shrouded in clouds and mist. It was quite beautiful.

After driving for over an hour, they finally reached their destination.

As soon as they got out of the car, filming officially began.

Veteran viewers were already waiting by their computers, while Yan Shiqiu and Fu Baiqing’s fans also quickly rushed over.

[The first thirty seconds of establishing shots. If you didn’t say this was a horror variety show, I’d think it was a tourism commercial. The scenery is too beautiful.]

[The scenery is beautiful, but this village clearly hasn’t been inhabited for a long time. It’s run-down and empty, with tall weeds everywhere. Plus the mountains are overcast and gloomy. Walking around in there would be terrifying.]

[Lu Qian screaming.JPG]

[I’m okay with these guest appearances. Who are they?]

[The one in the light blue shirt is my baby, Yan Shiqiu. Click to see promotional content (link) (link).]

[Maybe everyone has used those popular goose emojis? That’s right, they originated from Yan Yan’s interaction with geese in “Each Grain is Hard-earned.”]

[The one in white clothes sticking close to Yan Shiqiu is my little Qingqing, full name Fu Baiqing. A super cute boy!]

Everyone was oblivious to the netizens’ reactions.

After getting out of the car, the production crew confiscated everything they had on them, then gave them backpacks and had them go to a long table ahead to choose four items to take in with them.

Fu Baiqing stuck to Yan Shiqiu, bouncing along after him. “What are you going to choose?”

“Let me think.”

After speaking, Yan Shiqiu walked around the table, pondered for a while, then finally took paper and pen, rope, and mint candies.

Fu Baiqing: “?”

“Why are you taking candy?”

Yan Shiqiu rubbed his eyes and said softly, “I’m so tired, afraid I’ll fall asleep. Mint helps wake you up.”

Fu Baiqing: “…”

[So soft and cute.]

[Baby, why are you so tired? You need to sleep properly and not stay up late, or you’ll go bald!]

Fu Baiqing also started choosing items. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he selected water, a small shovel, a pair of walkie-talkies, and binoculars, tossing them into the backpack provided by the production crew.

Once everyone had made their selections, staff members came over to put bracelets and headphones on them.

The director spoke: “The 10 on your bracelet is your base life value. This episode, all of your life values must reach 100, and no one can die in the process for the game to be considered a victory.

Of course, if someone does happen to die, you can still activate the college entrance exam side quest to obtain two revival potions. But in the past five episodes, no one has ever successfully completed that challenge, so please cherish your companions’ lives.”

[Wow, so this time it’s team cooperation?]

[No one can die. That’s such a harsh condition.]

[It’s the beloved college entrance exam side quest again. I deeply suspect the production crew is here to remind viewers to study, because it’s really difficult hahahaha.]

After that, the director briefly explained some precautions, then signaled for staff to blindfold them and take them to designated locations.

Yan Shiqiu was led by staff to his designated spot, and then a mechanical female voice came through his headphones, speaking clearly: “This script is titled ‘The Extra Person.’ Please assist the six guests in helping 18 players find the ‘ghost’ hidden among them and solve the murder case behind it all. Please note: don’t let the ‘ghost’ kill you. Game time is 6 hours.

Countdown now: 3—2—1. Game begins. Please remove your blindfolds.”

Hearing this, Yan Shiqiu took off his blindfold and found himself standing in a dilapidated house.

The place where he stood had no windows and was quite dark. The cameraman stood beside him in all black, carrying his camera and wearing a demon mask on his face.

Yan Shiqiu: “…”

The show really worked hard at creating a horror atmosphere.

But he just wanted to laugh.

He tried to hold it in but couldn’t, laughing as he said, “Cameraman, why don’t you take off the mask? Otherwise I really want to laugh.”

The cameraman didn’t speak or move.

But a female voice in his headphones reminded him: “Please do not tease the NPCs.”

“…”

Yan Shiqiu sighed and could only slap his own cheeks hard to make himself ignore the cameraman’s mask.

Walking out of the dilapidated house into better lighting, he walked along the street for a while and saw Fu Baiqing squatting dejectedly by the roadside, playing with dogtail grass.

Fu Baiqing also saw him and immediately stood up, cheerfully waving at him before running over.

They had just reunited and Fu Baiqing was about to speak when dry ice began floating from both sides of the road. A thin layer of mist covered the entire long street, and suddenly the sound of suona horns came from ahead, accompanied by funeral music. At the end of the street appeared a funeral procession.

The procession was eerie. They were clearly carrying a coffin, yet everyone was dressed in red. The few people at the front were expressionless and sinister-looking, holding three photographs: one individual portrait and two group photos. Their walking posture was very stiff, like marionettes.

Undoubtedly, this was a funeral procession played by ghosts.

Just as Yan Shiqiu had said at the beginning, the NPCs were all played by staff members, so he wasn’t afraid at all. He focused intently on watching the funeral procession, not missing any details.

Suddenly his shoulder was tapped. He instinctively turned around, and a highly impactful ghost face appeared in his vision.

The female ghost had disheveled hair, a bluish face, with half her face rotted. Her tongue extended long, fresh red blood hanging from the corners of her mouth, her eyes rolled back showing no pupils as she stared directly at him.

Fu Baiqing also turned around.

In that instant, like the netizens frantically sending protective bullet comments, he shouted very loudly: “Prosperity, democracy, civilization, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, friendliness ahhhhhhh——”

However, Yan Shiqiu’s expression not only didn’t change, he even studied the female ghost’s makeup with interest, then commented: “Well done, quite scary indeed.”

Female ghost: “…”

The female ghost felt very awkward and spoke up: “How about you scream a couple times just to humor me?”

Yan Shiqiu asked: “Do you have KPIs?”

The female ghost nodded.

So Yan Shiqiu pondered for two seconds, then delivered with a deadpan expression: “Ahhhhh, a ghost.”

Fu Baiqing, who had recovered: “…“