HDIEUMDBTSB ### Chapter 54: So Bold?
## Volume 2: The Road to Winning Fans
### Chapter 4: So Bold?
"Red Mansion" is introduced as a 24-hour live broadcast, but the live stream doesn't actually last an entire day. Once the celebrity goes to sleep, the screen won't continue broadcasting, as streaming someone sleeping doesn't align with proper values. Once, Lou Guo invited a female artist on the show and live-streamed her sleeping. Regardless of how conservatively dressed she was, it still felt inappropriate, so during the blackout phase, they only show behind-the-scenes footage from the day.
For the live broadcast room, the peak viewing time is the two or three hours starting at 7 p.m. During this time, the hosts and on-site writers suggest that the guest showcase their highlights. Remember how Zheng Lin, Gu San, and the others discussed Dai Yang on "I Am a Singer"? As a renowned classical singer and a member of the national team, she would perform a segment before every meal on the show, impressing viewers with her deep talent all year long.
But Chu Zhi was different. Despite reminders from the hosts, he maintained his own pace, spending six or seven hours in the study writing songs from 1:30 in the afternoon, with no highlights to show and revealing too much about himself.
This left host Pang Pu at a bit of a loss. During previous live broadcasts, viewers always wanted the hosts to ask bold and provocative questions, like whether the artist had any bad habits or any undesirable behaviors at home. The hosts' job is to interact with the artist based on viewer comments. Pang Pu and Wei Tongzi's earpieces could receive both the director's instructions and audio comments from the viewers.
"I'm going to the balcony for a smoke." After dinner, just as Chu Zhi sat down on the sofa, he took out a pack of Yellow Crane Tower cigarettes.
"Mr. Chu, you smoke?" Wei Tongzi wanted to remind her idol to be mindful of the camera.
"Secondhand smoke isn't good. Tongtong, you don't have to come." Chu Zhi stood up and headed to the balcony.
"Oh, it's okay, I'm not sensitive to smoke," Wei Tongzi quickly replied, following him.
Photographer Guodong didn't need to follow since the balcony had a camera installed. He just needed to switch the view seamlessly. On the screen, viewers saw Chu Zhi leaning against the railing with one hand, holding a cigarette with the other, as smoke curled around him.
Chu Zhi's gaze seemed to contain many emotions. He looked up slightly at the distant sky, his bangs lifted by the cool evening breeze, revealing his forehead. His low hairline didn't make him look like he had a big forehead at all.
The comments section quickly went out of control: "Mom, how can someone look like this? Do such features really exist?", "I hate men who smoke, but Nine is an exception.", "I've always heard about 'modeled faces,' but now I get it.", "Such perfect brows and a high nose bridge, I'm so jealous"...
Even though, the scenery is just too beautiful. Wei Tongzi's idea of beauty included the man in front of her as well as the view behind him.
In person, it was even more direct. "The night stars pale in comparison, so the moon and stars are hidden," Wei Tongzi thought. As a host, she tried to control herself and not appear lovestruck—this was her last bit of professionalism.
He looks so melancholic. I wonder what Mr. Chu is thinking about.
Wei Tongzi saw deep sadness in Chu Zhi's eyes.
Who says human sorrow is unrelatable? At least fans relate to their idols, even if the details differ slightly. Wei Tongzi thought her idol was contemplating life and the future, big, grand themes.
Chu Zhi was melancholic because if he hadn't transmigrated, he would be eating hotpot and singing songs, possibly with a model by his side. Unlike now...
"Did you write the lyrics for 'Against the Light,' 'Wind Blows the Wheat,' and the upcoming 'I Miss' in your study?" Wei Tongzi asked to lighten her idol's mood and to help promote the new album.
"The lyrics require many revisions. The current songs need another two days of polishing before they're finished," Chu Zhi replied. "If possible, I'd like to ask fans to suggest a name for the album."
Predictably, the comments section froze again. Naming their idol's new album—what kind of participation is that? If fans weren't overjoyed, they weren't real fans.
"I must suggest a name in the comments later," Wei Tongzi immediately responded.
Chu Zhi nodded. "Alright."
"We all look forward to Mr. Chu's new album," Wei Tongzi said. "And also to the Li Ning Chitu series running shoes."
Everyone should know that "Red Mansion" is sponsored by Li Ning. Mentioning the sponsor is essential.
Never forget your roots—well done.
Chu Zhi finished his cigarette and prepared to leave the balcony. He seemed to remember something and addressed the camera in the corner: "Smoking is very harmful to your health. I hope the viewers in the live room avoid smoking if they can, especially minors."
Leaving the balcony, Chu Zhi returned to his study to continue revising lyrics, with Wei Tongzi occasionally asking questions based on the live chat's curiosity. The other host, Pang Pu, was waiting for the staff meal. Pang and Wei took turns resting and eating, similar to shifts in a factory, though not as exhausting. When not following the camera, the hosts could leave the frame, needing to discuss the live stream's direction with the on-site writer, Frog Sun.
A few minutes later, a delicious meal of braised pork leg rice arrived.
"Mr. Chu is a good person, a guiding light!" Pang Pu couldn't help chatting with Frog Sun while eating.
Photographer Guodong nodded in agreement. Smoking and drinking without any reservations—if the production team didn't make this a trending topic, it would be a waste of Mr. Chu's boldness.
He’s like a candle, burning himself to improve the show's ratings.
Frog Sun remained silent. Even with limited interaction, a single dinner had convinced him that Chu Zhi was highly emotionally intelligent and wouldn't be so "foolish."
Seeing that Guodong and Frog Sun only nodded without responding, Pang Pu didn't start a new topic. Some people indeed don't like to chat while eating. Pang Pu continued his meal while messaging Xiao Gu, who had gone to Seoul, on WeChat.
**Host Pang Pu:** [Have you arrived?]
**Xiao Gu:** [Just checked into the hotel. We're staying right next to YG Entertainment, so it's convenient for tomorrow.]
**Host Pang Pu:** [A bit jealous. Though filming Chu Zhi is more interesting than expected, I still want to go to Seoul!]
**Xiao Gu:** [You can't envy this, haha. There are so many Chinese tourists here, mostly for the Princess Group's fan meet in two days. If our team hadn't booked the hotel early, there wouldn't be any rooms left.]
**Host Pang Pu:** [I also dislike K-pop, but the idols who are famous in Korea really do have impressive singing and dancing skills. They’re much better than the slackers in our domestic entertainment industry.]
...
Their conversation was brief because Pang Pu had to switch shifts. Wei Tongzi needed to eat too, as beauty alone doesn’t satisfy hunger.
At 11:30, after Chu Zhi finished his workout, showered, and went to bed, the "Red Mansion" show temporarily went dark. About five minutes later, the screen started showing behind-the-scenes footage, such as the production team helping with takeout. Chu Zhi's lunch and dinner were both takeout. Veteran artist Dai Yang wasn’t mentioned; with his life experience, he cooked his own meals and was quite skilled. Other young actors, even dancers, showcased their cooking skills as modern men.
It’s too naive to think the Movie King can’t cook. Of course, he can. He can make shredded potatoes and tomato scrambled eggs. Having risen from humble beginnings, he had endured tough times. Ordering takeout wasn’t for convenience. His image was a singer and an idol: producing good work for the former and maintaining a handsome face for the latter. Everything else was secondary.
Would you choose an ordinary person who can cook or Liu Yifei, who doesn’t touch housework? Would you choose an ordinary person who can cook or Hu Ge, who only orders takeout? The answer is obvious.
From Chu Zhi's perspective, an idol must have some "flaws" to make fans care for them. If they excel at everything, they become the too-perfect child who gets no candy.
As the behind-the-scenes footage played, the number of viewers in the live room dwindled. The staff hastily tidied up since they would leave the house after filming. They wouldn’t stay at the guest’s home but at a hotel near Chu Zhi’s neighborhood.
NEXT