Chapter 186: Chapter 185: Desert Variety Show

“Station Chief Xu.”

Liu Kai, holding his phone up: “Your phone hasn’t been reachable. Director Yi asked me to remind you to return his call.”

“Oh, okay, thanks for the reminder.”

Xu Ying realized she had left her phone at the rescue station and pushed open the farm door to walk back to the rescue station.

As she left, she reminded Liu Kai to plant trees diligently and not slack off.

After all, he still owed two thousand trees.

Whenever Liu Kai had free time or after work at four thirty in the afternoon, he had to come over to Xu Ying’s to “pay off the debt.”

Liu Kai felt like hitting his head against a poplar tree.

Xu Ying found that Director Yi had called ten times, so it must be something urgent.

She quickly called back Director Yi.

“Director Yi, what’s the matter? Is there a small animal that needs emergency rescue?”

Xu Ying was puzzled. If it were that urgent, Liu Kai would have told her directly.

“Little Xu Station Chief, here’s the situation, I’ve received a notice from the higher-ups. The Xizhou Province Department of Culture and Tourism is collaborating with Snow Wave Video to produce an S-level variety show ’Desert Survival Law,’ which will invite celebrities to our desert management area to shoot.”

Director Yi spoke in a negotiating tone: “The organization wants to send you to participate as a guest on this variety show. Would you be interested?”

“Huh? On a variety show?”

Xu Ying was taken aback.

Snow Wave Video is one of Dragon Country’s mainstream video platforms, with over a hundred million daily users, having produced several nationally popular phenomenon-level variety shows, and the budget for variety shows is quite substantial, which could bring attention to the filming location.

Xu Ying frowned.

If she were to record a variety show with celebrities, she felt a bit uncertain.

Snow Wave Video’s S-level productions invite first and second-tier celebrities.

Among these celebrities, there are controversial ones, drama-makers, or quirky characters. Xu Ying doesn’t have many connections in the entertainment circle, and she’s heard that some celebrities act differently in front of the camera and behind it…

Although the pay for recording the variety show should be quite substantial, her current life was quite fulfilling, and she didn’t see the need to bring potential trouble upon herself.

Seeing Xu Ying’s hesitation, Director Yi continued: “Considering that during this desert journey, you might encounter many unexpected situations, the show has offered you the top-tier payment of 600,000 per episode, with each episode taking two days to film. There’s also additional income from advertisement and membership fee shares, due to your current fame online.”

“These two additional streams are crucial, and looking at the show’s market placement, if it gains popularity and high ratings, you could potentially earn seven figures overall, with a base of one million, and not unlikely to double that if the show performs well.”

“How much?!”

Xu Ying was stunned, her heart raced.

On second thought.

Even though her current life was comfortable, this was a seven-figure opportunity.

“Additionally, the small animals in your rescue station can receive an appearance fee, with each animal getting 20,000 in appearance fees, plus various food, medicine, and insurance-related costs, all of which will be clearly outlined in the contract.”

“It’s merely a fee for their appearance, with no mandatory participation required.”

Mentioning the small animals in the desert, Xu Ying became serious and attentive.

Xu Ying was concerned: “Will the production team ensure no harm comes to the small animals, nor will they be forced into participating in recording activities?”

Director Yi answered earnestly: “Rest assured, our ecological environment is a priority, and we’ve negotiated various terms and conditions with the production team. They will be held accountable if they breach any terms.”

“Hosting this variety show is intended to bring attention and funding to improve the desert ecological environment.”

After hearing Director Yi’s explanation, Xu Ying was moved.

The two of them discussed various details about the variety show ’Desert Survival Law.’

After confirmation, Xu Ying said:

“Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll inform the small animals in the desert so that if they don’t wish to make appearances, they can avoid the filming routes once they’re established.”

Director Yi appreciated Xu Ying’s caution: “Good, with you sending out the notice, I feel at ease. We’re also concerned that the crew might disturb wild animals along the way.”

“In about a week or so, the production team will come to finalize contracts with us, and by then, the list of celebrity guests will also be released.”

“Just giving you a heads up.”

“Alright!”

After Xu Ying hung up, five little foxes had gathered around her feet.

The conversation with Director Yi took quite some time, and was packed with information the little foxes couldn’t comprehend.

[Sister, sister, what’s a variety show?]

[I heard small animals get appearance fees! Do I get one too?]

The curious little ear foxes squeaked, bombarding her with questions.

Xu Ying patiently explained to them what a variety show was.

Upon hearing this, the fox cubs were overjoyed, [We can also earn money to buy milk powder for ourselves!]

“Yes!”

Xu Ying cupped the little ear fox’s cheeks and teased them.

However, she then warned the fox cubs,

“A production team consists of over a hundred people, and not everyone will be kind or easy to get along with. You need to stay vigilant around strangers, got it?”

“Look out for each other if there’s any situation.”

The fox cubs nodded vigorously like chickens pecking at rice, patting their chests and responding: [We’ll only stick close to sister!]

Fox Boss took on the big brother responsibility during this moment. [Don’t worry, Station Chief, I’ll protect the four younger ones firmly!]

“But if you encounter anything you don’t like, just hide—hide in the Little Sand Cat’s den, and don’t pay attention to it.”

Xu Ying instructed: “Don’t force yourselves, understood?”

The little ear foxes nodded in unison.

Fox Xiao Wu earnestly suggested: [Wow, we can act like divas! Refusing to perform!]

Xu Ying was amused by Fox Xiao Wu’s words, “Yes! You’re learning fast, baby!”

Xu Ying also reached out to Gray Tail the Bird Messenger, asking it to help spread the word about the production team coming to the desert for filming, and not to be alarmed upon seeing the recording vehicles and equipment.

The setting sun cast a golden-red glow over Xu Ying’s modern indoor farm.

She bent down, traversing between the beds, her fingers skillfully plucking a handful of tender spinach and picking a few plump tomatoes.

The plant workshop was permeated with a warm, humid atmosphere, contrasting starkly with the desolate desert outside.

“Rustle, rustle.”

Suddenly, small rustling sounds came from the edge of the vegetable bed.

Five fluffy little ear foxes lined up and burrowed in, their large ears swiveling alertly.

[Big brother, old fourth, how many times have I said it, you can’t steal sister’s tomatoes!]

Fox Erniu used his paw to hold back Fox Si Bao, who was about to pounce on the tomatoes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep