Chapter 588: Pre-Game "Motivation"
Chapter 588: Pre-Game "Motivation"
A Sunday afternoon in Liuyue Eighth, inside the studio of a TV station's variety show.
Feng Bu Jue sat in a Rest Room, waiting for the recording of I'm a Writer: Resurrection Round to begin.
A few minutes earlier, a makeup artist from the production team had come in to tidy his appearance and fix his hairstyle before leaving. Now, only one cameraman remained in the room. For filming purposes, unless Feng Bu Jue went to the restroom, the man would basically follow him everywhere.
This was a popular filming technique nowadays—combining variety shows with reality TV to create authenticity through contrasting "on-stage and off-stage" moments.
But in reality... it wasn't that serious. Anything that needed cutting would still get cut during editing.
Knock knock—
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in", Feng Bu Jue replied casually.
Not that he had a choice—the door hadn't been locked anyway.
"Hey, Bu Jue, ready?" A middle-aged man in a cap entered. He wore an unflattering work uniform, carried a tablet computer, and had a utility belt strapped around his waist. To anyone who didn't know better, he'd look like a crew member, but this unassuming man was actually the show's head director—Feiran.
"Well... not much to prepare for, is there?" Feng Bu Jue slouched on the sofa, giving the director a listless stare. "The quicker it's over, the better."
"Haha..." Feiran chuckled, patted the cameraman's shoulder, and gestured him to turn off the camera.
The man nodded and stopped recording.
"Listen", Feiran said, stepping closer to sit beside Feng Bu Jue, "this is a show, not an execution. You look like you're facing a firing squad." He pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "Mind if I smoke?"
"Go ahead", Feng Bu Jue replied.
Feiran lit a cigarette. "By the way, did you see the online voting results?"
"Nope", Feng Bu Jue answered immediately.
"Haha..." Feiran exhaled smoke. "Alright, let me tell you then—you came in second place in popularity."
"That sounds ominous..." Feng Bu Jue muttered.
"There's worse news", Feiran half-joked. "Actually, the votes of the person in first place are fake..."
"Huh?" Feng Bu Jue squinted sideways at the director. "I'm a contestant. Is it appropriate for you to tell me this?"
"Tsk, it's an open secret—only you don't know", Feiran said, turning to the cameraman casually playing with his phone. "Hey, Xiao Wu, you know about this too, right?"
Xiao Wu shrugged. "Of course~ Their fanbases have been cursing each other online for half a month. Hundreds of posts pop up with a simple search."
"See?" Feiran looked back at Feng Bu Jue. "Bu Jue, you really don't care about this show. If I hadn't called you, you probably wouldn't have known you'd even made it to the Resurrection Round."
"Yeah... I just prayed I wouldn't show up in the voting results at all", Feng Bu Jue said with a laugh.
"Heh... Well", Feiran continued, "I've told you the situation. You'd better prepare something."
"Huh? Prepare what?" Feng Bu Jue asked, puzzled.
"Think about it", Feiran said. "With such high popularity, but you don't want to win—you need a plan."
"Oh... you mean, act badly on purpose?" Feng Bu Jue replied.
"Exactly, but don't pull the same stunts as last time", Feiran warned. "I told you before—if you want elimination, the best way is to be... just plain mediocre."
"Ah..." Feng Bu Jue responded, then paused a few seconds. "Let me confirm something." He turned to Feiran. "Actually, the winner of this Resurrection Round is already decided in advance, isn't it?"
Hearing this, Feiran stiffened slightly. After a drag of his cigarette, he replied after a few seconds, "Why say that?"
"The logic's simple", Feng Bu Jue said, casually resting his hands behind his head. "Since you know the top online contestant is suspicious but still let it slide... you must want this outcome. Also, this episode was supposed to be recorded mid-Liuyue and air at month's end, but suddenly moved up a week. Probably to prevent the vote-rigging scandal from escalating further." He stared calmly at Feiran. "So I guess the winner of the Resurrection Round was decided from the start. And you're giving me this warning because you think... I might mess it up."
Feiran's expression darkened. For thirty seconds, silence filled the Rest Room.
Half a minute later, Feiran took a deep drag, stubbed out the cigarette, and looked up. "Xiao Wu, step out for a moment."
The cameraman left without a word, even closing the door behind him.
"Bu Jue", Feiran looked at Feng Bu Jue gravely, "you're smart. I'm telling you this, but hope it doesn't go beyond this room."
"Sure thing", Feng Bu Jue said, crossing his legs casually.
Feiran glanced at him again, lowering his voice. "You're right—the advance selection was decided. The top online vote-getter, 'Night Flame.'" He made an upward gesture. "Business is business... Some things even I can't control. Higher-ups decide. Understand?"
"Hmph... Of course", Feng Bu Jue smirked slightly, his eyes flashing disdain before he politely added, "Totally understandable. Director, you've got it rough too."
Feiran gave a bitter laugh. "Heh... It's okay." He shook his head. "Honestly, this show wasn't supposed to turn out like this. But unfortunately..." He trailed off, looking helpless. "If everyone were like you, maybe many things would be purer."
"If everyone were like me, the world would've collapsed already", Feng Bu Jue joked, quickly changing the subject. "Alright, I get it. Don't worry, Director Fei." He patted his chest. "Trust me, I'll get eliminated naturally, without leaving a trace of acting..."
Feiran stared at Feng Bu Jue for two seconds. "Hmm... I seriously doubt that..."
(End of Chapter)
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