Chapter 49

Lu Wen first went back to South Bay, took a shower, changed his clothes, and then drove to the company.

The Aijian Media building stood on the west side of the road, tall and beautiful. Lu Wen took the elevator from the underground garage to the 25th floor. The entire floor was filled with meeting rooms of various sizes, dedicated to handling and discussing work for their artists.

Sun Xiaojian had been waiting for a long time, chatting idly with the interns in a cubicle. When he saw Lu Wen arrive, he quickly grabbed a folder and went to greet him, "What took you so long? Did you ride a shared bike here?"

Lu Wen was wearing an Eisenhower jacket and a Bvlgari pure black ultra-thin tourbillon watch. He raised his arm to glance at it and coolly replied perfunctorily, "It's been a while since I've been here. I forgot the way."

Sun Xiaojian was indeed in a good mood. He said, "You go to the meeting room first. I'll go make some coffee!"

But Lu Wen was not in the mood. He wanted to get this over with and go home quickly. He slung his arm around Sun Xiaojian's neck and headed for the meeting room. "It's just a variety show, what the hell are you so excited about?"

"Who am I doing this for?" Sun Xiaojian stressed. "Isn't it all for you!"

They entered the meeting room. No one else had been called in yet. Lu Wen sat down and flipped through the program materials. When he opened the folder and saw the title clearly, he understood why Sun Xiaojian was so excited.

This reality show was called "Utopia." It would be broadcast on a satellite channel that ranked among the top five nationwide. The key point was its brand-new filming model—filming and broadcasting simultaneously. It claimed to be the "most authentic reality show with no script and no malicious editing."

Even before filming began, it was highly anticipated and had garnered a great deal of attention.

The theme was the currently popular "slow-living" variety show, but with a slight difference. The guests would go to live in an ancient town, learn the local traditional crafts, and offset their room and board fees as apprentices, similar to a "work to travel" type of budget trip.

Lu Wen read a passage stating that part of the sponsorship funds would be donated to the local area for the protection and development of intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts. He thought it was good and quite meaningful.

Sun Xiaojian said, "Take a look at the production companies."

Lu Wen flipped to the back. There were two production companies: one was the TV station's program center, and the other was The Writers and Filmmakers Foundation.

"The Writers and Filmmakers Foundation" was a foundation established by Zeng Zhen and Wang Mingyu, well-regarded in the industry for many years. Sun Xiaojian said, "With a charity organization involved, the show's concept and reputation are guaranteed to be good."

As for the guests, the production team had been in talks with many artists. Although the official announcement hadn't been made, the internet was already flooded with leaks. Lu Wen gossiped, "Is Jin Yanyu really in it?"

"Absolutely." Sun Xiaojian said with satisfaction, "With Jin Yanyu on the show, it comes with its own online army. His fans are the best at making noise online."

Lu Wen asked, "Who else?"

Sun Xiaojian replied, "The ones confirmed so far are Best Actress Tu Ying, international supermodel Yi Chuan, and the veteran actor Xu Youke, who's a guarantee for viewership ratings. Plus the traffic star Jin Yanyu, and you. That makes two women and three men in total."

Lu Wen felt his head ache hearing this. A Best Actress, a supermodel, a top-tier star, a veteran actor, plus a transparent, eighteenth-tier nobody? He said tactfully, "Don't you think I'll be a fish out of water among them?"

Sun Xiaojian said, "Every show needs a transparent nobody with no status, just like every class needs a thankless student in charge of cleaning."

Lu Wen had an epiphany. "So you're saying I'm going there to do manual labor?"

"Please." Sun Xiaojian knocked on the table with his knuckles. "Is doing manual labor so bad? You get to meet a Best Actress, get connected with a major TV station, and increase your exposure alongside A-listers you can't afford to offend. It's a huge win with no downside."

Lu Wen was easy to coax and deceive. He nodded in conviction.

"Listen to your big bro," Sun Xiaojian, though frivolous, could be reliable at times. "You played the male lead in Screenwriter Qu's project, so your value has doubled. Otherwise, you wouldn't even be qualified for a show of this caliber. You have to cherish this opportunity, you know?"

Suddenly hearing the name "Qu," Lu Wen became overly sensitive and mumbled a reply.

Sun Xiaojian noticed something was off with him and asked again, "Did you hear me?"

Lu Wen, trembling folder in hand, promised, "I heard you. I'll definitely give it my all with the variety show spirit."

But Sun Xiaojian shook his head, took the materials away, and stuffed another document into his hand. "You don't need to 'give it your all'. Just work hard, don't hog the camera. We're not aiming for you to get famous, just to get through it smoothly. This is your script."

Lu Wen was shocked. "But didn't they say there's no script?"

Sun Xiaojian was even more shocked. "You actually believed that?"

He had to finish reading all the program materials. If there were no issues on either side, the company and the production team would draw up a contract according to procedure and set a date for signing. Lu Wen gathered the stack of documents and left, giving Sun Xiaojian a ride home on the way.

He stepped on the gas and drove out of the underground garage, slowing down slightly as he drove on the slick, slushy road. Lu Wen turned on the music, an English song, and habitually hummed along.

Sun Xiaojian's place wasn't far from the company. It was a rented apartment he chose for the convenient commute. When they were one intersection away, he suddenly asked, "Where did you sleep last night?"

Just then, the light turned red, and Lu Wen braked a bit too hard.

As his manager, Sun Xiaojian didn't interfere much in Lu Wen's private life. Firstly, Lu Wen wasn't famous, so there were fewer concerns. Secondly, Lu Zhanqing was very strict with him, so there was no need for an outsider to worry.

His hand slipped from the steering wheel. Lu Wen rubbed his thigh, looking a bit guilty, the kind of guilt a teenage boy feels when being questioned by the dean. He enunciated softly, "At home."

"Oh." Sun Xiaojian was tapping his phone screen, playing a matching game. "After dinner at the izakaya, how did you leave?"

Lu Wen's tone didn't change. "By car."

Sun Xiaojian cursed, "Nonsense." Last night, after the gathering, Lu Wen had disappeared in the time it took to go to the bathroom. His phone was dead, so he had waited in the nanny van for half an hour for nothing.

The green light flashed. Lu Wen floored it through the intersection and asked nonchalantly, "What's wrong?"

Sun Xiaojian said, "Nothing, just asking."

A few apartment buildings were ahead. Lu Wen turned the steering wheel, pulled over, and slowed down without turning off the engine. He unlocked the doors. Sun Xiaojian exited his game, and as he unbuckled his seatbelt, he turned to him and asked, "You're not in a relationship, are you?"

"Damn," Lu Wen frowned. "With you?"

Sun Xiaojian said, "Good, as long as you're not. For now, put relationship matters aside."

Lu Wen didn't have a partner, not even a romantic interest, yet he locked the door with a serious air, as if a precious right had been violated. "Why?"

Sun Xiaojian explained, "You did very well filming this web drama, and the production company is satisfied. The company has seen your value. That's why they arranged this reality show for you. Also, that show you were in, 'Ten Thousand Years of Autumn,' is about to air. You'll get simultaneous exposure."

The implication was that his acting career was on the rise, so it wasn't a good time to be in a relationship. Having been a reckless, eighteenth-tier actor for so long, Lu Wen found this sudden reminder very surreal.

"Of course," Sun Xiaojian didn't make it an absolute rule. "If you really meet someone you like, the company won't stop you."

These few ordinary instructions from his manager left Lu Wen feeling agitated. On the way back to South Bay, he even turned off the music and took a long detour. By the time he got home, the sky was growing dark.

The father and son had dinner together. Lu Wen told Lu Zhanqing about the reality show but received no kind words. They exchanged a couple of barbs and parted on bad terms.

At night, Lu Wen stayed up late in the study, reading the materials, including the recording schedule. The first two episodes of the show would be filmed in Lanshui Ancient Town. He looked it up online; it was a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters.

He read until his eyes ached. Lu Wen put on his headphones, lay down on the chaise lounge to listen to music, opened QQ, and sent a message to Socially Anxious Little Writer while tapping his foot: Are you resting?

Having slept dirty the previous night, Qu Yanting was in the middle of changing his four-piece bedding set. He waited until he was finished to reply: Not yet.

Unlucky Little Singer: I'll be busy lately and have to go on a business trip, so my replies might not be timely. Just letting you know.

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Okay, no problem. I wish you success.

Unlucky Little Singer: What are you busy with?

Qu Yanting returned to his study. On the lit computer screen was an unfinished script—it was neither a studio project nor a favor for someone else, but a completely independent work of his own.

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Writing a story.

Unlucky Little Singer: Are you really a writer?

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Otherwise, you think I just made up my ID?

Unlucky Little Singer: No, I just thought there might be some exaggeration involved.

Socially Anxious Little Writer: How much exaggeration?

Unlucky Little Singer: I thought you wrote articles for public accounts.

Qu Yanting laughed out loud but didn't mind. It was normal to be skeptical of online identities. Besides, Sándor Márai once said that literature is not just the sum of masterpieces.

Socially Anxious Little Writer: What about you? Are you exaggerating?

Lu Wen had no intention of deceiving him. After all, he had indeed been in the music industry and was unlucky enough. He replied: I really am a... singer.

Socially Anxious Little Writer: What have you sung?

Unlucky Little Singer: It's a secret.

Socially Anxious Little Writer: Alright, I wish you great album sales.

Lu Wen switched from QQ to a music app. He had only officially released three songs, and the main track had barely surpassed ten thousand plays. His past bold words and surging dreams swept into his mind with the other's blessing.

Unlucky Little Singer: When the day comes that I hold a concert at the Bird's Nest, I'll invite you to come see it!

Late at night, Qu Yanting was infected by the enthusiasm of this netizen he had never met. His ten fingers rested on the keyboard, longing to use these hands that typed out scripts to list out storyboards, draw blocking diagrams, adjust machines, and hold a walkie-talkie to call out "Cut!" with resounding force.

He solemnly replied with a single word: "Okay."

Two days later, it was time to officially sign the contract with the production team. Lu Wen arrived at the company early in the morning. His sports car had been repaired, but its flamboyant, gaudy red color was too eye-catching, so he had opted for a low-key, dark-colored outfit.

Both parties gathered in the meeting room with legal counsel present to conduct a final review of the contract details. The terms and conditions weren't overly meticulous because television programs are full of uncertainties.

Lu Wen was squeezed in among a group of big-shot guests. He was destined not to get much screen time, and no one was counting on him to boost viewership ratings. The company's advice was to film it safely and steadily. He was handsome, so just leaving the audience with the impression of a cool guy would be enough.

He signed his name with a flourish. The agreement between Lu Wen and the production team was officially reached, and the specific matters were left for the company to follow up on.

After the business was done, almost everyone had left. Lu Wen's face ached from smiling, so he popped two pieces of xylitol gum into his mouth to exercise his facial muscles. Sun Xiaojian, who had been uncomfortably dressed up in a formal suit, pulled off his tie and said, "Let's go celebrate at noon. Your treat."

Lu Wen rolled his eyes. "I have to be on camera. I'm on a diet."

Sun Xiaojian's attitude changed in an instant. "Right. Even though we're not famous, we can't lose."

Lu Wen took out his phone and searched for Jin Yanyu's height and weight. The official data was 181 cm. He suddenly came across a photo of Jin Yanyu and Ruan Feng from an event last year.

He chuckled, like a childish brat in class who loves to expose his classmates' shortcomings. "He's not as tall as Xiao Ruan. This guy lied about his height."

"Hey, do something productive," Sun Xiaojian said. "Follow the show's Weibo account and the other guests."

Lu Wen logged into Weibo and searched for "Utopia." The first result that appeared was a post from the show's official account. The text was long, and it had tagged the five guests one by one. He clicked on each and followed them.

"Damn," Lu Wen reacted slowly, staring at the Weibo post that had tens of thousands of reposts and comments. "Is this... the official announcement?"

The show's promotion had been arranged in advance. Not just the show's Weibo account, but the TV station's official account, major media accounts, and marketing accounts all released the news. In a short time, "Utopia" shot up from the trending-in-training list.

It was the first time Lu Wen had been tagged tens of thousands of times. Although most were reposts from the other guests' fans, and his name couldn't even be found in the comments, he was uncontrollably excited.

A few messages popped up—congratulations or teases from his friends. Lu Wen held his phone, replying. When he looked up, Sun Xiaojian had long since gone off to get busy, leaving him alone in the meeting room.

It was quiet all around, and the excitement in Lu Wen's chest gradually subsided. He exited Weibo and WeChat. Among all the noisy and chaotic messages, there was one person he wanted to share this with the most.

Lu Wen called Qu Yanting.

The call connected after three or five rings. The familiar sound of breathing. They tacitly moved past the awkwardness of that day. Lu Wen started clumsily, "Teacher Qu, the car is fixed."

Qu Yanting asked, "How much was the cost?"

Lu Wen said, "Are you really going to pay for it? There's no need."

"Of course I am." Qu Yanting was insistent. "Just tell me the amount, and I'll transfer it to you."

Lu Wen joked, "520."

Qu Yanting paused for a second. "How about I give you 250*, that's more like it."

*T/N: 250 is slang for someone's who's an idiot or foolish.

Lu Wen said, "Aiya, the only person I've ever asked for money is my dad. I can't bring myself to say it."

"Then send it on WeChat," Qu Yanting said. "Why are you being so wishy-washy? If you're too embarrassed to say it, why did you call me?"

Lu Wen finally got to the point, afraid that Qu Yanting would think he was making a big deal out of nothing, already feeling like backing down. "I'm going to be on a reality show."

Qu Yanting had already seen the news. It was a good opportunity. He guessed Lu Wen was happy and excited. He pondered for a moment and asked, "Is Jin Yanyu one of the guests?"

Lu Wen was inexplicably alarmed. "Do you admire him?"

"I—"

"He lies about his height!"

What does that have to do with anything, Qu Yanting said, "I was just going to remind you, whatever you do, don't provoke him."