When Mu Qiu arrived, the online discussion about the show had already soared, frequently advancing on the trending list, becoming number one.
She got off the car with her suitcase, paid with one hand and took the task card with the other, then quickly walked forward. Not quite used to being followed by the cameras, she kept a blank expression, telling herself: I look beautiful today, the most beautiful in the world, my outfit is neat and my hairstyle perfect, and I've even put on makeup. Stay calm.
This calm facade shattered once she opened the task card.
[Please sincerely exclaim to the first guest you meet—"I am truly going to be mesmerized by you." Remember, there must be a plot, the plot must be reasonable and not awkward.]
Mu Qiu's hand holding the task card almost froze.
She tried to avoid the cameraman's amused expression, glanced at the dark camera lens, and uttered, "…Uh???"
This is making things difficult for the most beautiful in the world.
[Pff—each one gets tougher]
[It even requires a plot?!]
[Such bad luck, she drew the toughest one yet]
[These lines are getting more and more embarrassing, has the director team been watching too many Thai dramas?]
[Even tougher than Guan Yu's, pff]
[I feel like this variety show isn't playing by the usual rules]
Mu Qiu stared at the task card for a while, wordlessly, and sighed, accepting her fate.
She remembered this task was used in episode five to prank two male guests. Why did the directors move this to the first episode and use it on her?
Dragging her suitcase, she reached the villa halfway up the mountain, and pushed open the ornate gate, entering the courtyard lined with flowers.
Inside, people came out to greet her, three men and two women. She knew Fried Chicken and Xiao Hua, but the other faces were unfamiliar.
It seemed she was the last to arrive.
Li Yang, who was closest to the door, was the first to rush out, but seeing someone he didn't recognize, he paused.
With that pause, the first person Mu Qiu saw became the man next to him.
Those dazzling eyes…
She snapped back to reality, bent down, and greeted, "Hello everyone, I am Mu Qiu."
No one knew her, which made it a bit awkward to interact with her, and the atmosphere was rather lukewarm.
Cheng Zhirang, who was facing her, recognized her, a bit surprised, and politely reached out to take her suitcase handle.
"Hello, I am Cheng Zhirang."
With him leading, the others introduced themselves one by one.
"I am Shu Ran."
"I am Li Yang, leader of TY."
"Hello, I am Guan Yu. The Yu with the female character on the side."
"Hello, I am Shi Yuhuai."
Each introduction was met by Mu Qiu's nod and a gentle smile.
After some pleasantries, Cheng Zhirang rested his hand on her suitcase handle, waiting. Once introductions were over, he lifted the suitcase up one step, "Let's go inside first."
Everyone turned to go in.
"Wait a moment."
[Here it comes!]
[Is it Li Yang or Cheng Zhirang??]
[Probably Li Yang? He was the first to run out]
[But the person she saw first seems to be Brother Cheng]
[So is she going to be mesmerized by Brother Cheng?]
[I was already mesmerized ages ago]
[I want to swap places with her]
[Who is this? Never heard of the name, a newcomer?]
[Brother Cheng must be shocked, right?]
[Will the perpetual subtle smile be wiped off? I've been waiting for this day for a long time]
[What a wicked thought above]
[I just want to hear what kind of reasonable plot she can come up with]
[Seriously don't know her, she's probably a newcomer? Changtong's first variety show, and they used a newcomer as a regular guest?]
[I think without any merit she wouldn't make it to this show, this newcomer probably has something special]
[The previous five were a singer-dancer idol, spokesperson and poster girl, actor, model, comedian; they pretty much cover all types in the entertainment industry]
[Waiting for Brother Cheng's aloofness to break, I've wanted to see his change of expression for ages]
Mu Qiu clicked her tongue internally, while externally trying to maintain a serious expression, facing the five people's curious stares, she tentatively started.
"Actually, I didn't come alone today."
Li Yang in front gave her a puzzled look, glancing behind her. Nobody was there.
Cheng Zhirang saw her gaze remained on him, and courteously engaged, "So where is the other guest?"
Engagement is good.
Mu Qiu internally sighed in relief and pointed to the outside of the suitcase under his hand, "There."
Everyone looked down, at a plush long-legged monkey dangling there.
"He's called God," Mu Qiu suppressed the embarrassment, keeping a straight face, "My nickname is Perspective, we formed a group."
She looked expectantly at Cheng Zhirang after speaking.
Cheng Zhirang's eyelid twitched, "…Your group name, is God's Perspective?"
"Brother Cheng, you're not only handsome but also so smart, I'm really…" She took a deep breath, speaking softly, "I'm truly going to be mesmerized by you."
"......"
Cheng Zhirang looked at her red ears under her ponytail and her forced calmness, and unexpectedly chuckled.
"Isn't the requirement for intelligence in your… group a bit low?"
Then the others seemed to be suddenly switched on, bursting into laughter.
"My God! Where does the director team even get such odd ideas?!"
"Mesmerized? Hahaha I'm also going to be mesmerized by the director team's tricks!"
"They're really making it tough for our guests!"
"I thought Guan Yu's frantic eye-twitching admiration just now was unexpected enough hahaha!"
[First step of breaking the perpetual slight smile accomplished!]
[God's Perspective hahaha! I want to see this group debut!]
[Brother Cheng's laugh nearly sent my soul flying, when his hands passed over that suitcase handle... oh!]
[Cheng Zhi 19999 is here!]
Mu Qiu felt like she was about to ascend to immortality, the awkward stiffness almost elevating her spirit and burying her shell into the ground.
However... that Cheng Zhirang, the way he looked at her and laughed, really gave off a feeling like the whole world was just the two of them.
Is this entangled state what they mean by mind and body being uncontrollable?
"Alright alright," The awkwardness didn't last long, the pretty Xiao Hua spoke up, "Let's let her go in first."
Mu Qiu bent slightly in thanks for the save, and Cheng Zhirang smiled politely, using his arm strength to lift her suitcase straight to the door, the dangling long-legged plush monkey bobbing, unexpectedly harmonious with his aura.
All six went into the villa, in the spacious living room surrounded by dark lenses and black-clad photographers, a few directors from the script team sat in the corner, holding a walkie-talkie.
Mu Qiu scanned the room calmly, then sat cautiously at the far end of the long sofa in the living room. She ignored the scrutinizing looks thrown by Shu Ran and Shi Yuhuai over there.
"Let's assign rooms first," Shu Ran suddenly suggested, her exquisitely made-up face showing a gentle smile, "It seems almost time for lunch, I'm guessing the director has tasks arranged."
Cheng Zhirang nodded but didn't speak. Shi Yuhuai, who looked mixed and sat upright, waited for a bit, and seeing him silent, opened his mouth, "Then how about the men stay downstairs and women stay upstairs? We can sort out the specific rooms ourselves, how about that?"
Everyone agreed, being the newcomers, even the most obvious nonsense needed continuous nodding and agreement.