Chapter 252: Chapter 251: Embracing the New Guests

Even though appearing on this show rakes in money like crazy, Xu Ying feels that dealing with any kind of top-notch characters doesn’t matter much, since she had all last season’s guests completely under control.

But with an entirely new cast this time, Xu Ying is a bit drained, and as a regular guest, she needs to get familiar with the new members.

Director Shao paused before responding: “This time Jiang Mo is in a group for filming, so he won’t be joining the recording of the second season, and Ming Xueying has conflicting schedules with other activities and can’t come. Two new guests are coming: Lu Jinyu, a popular e-sports player, and Su Zhining, a consistently popular female artist.”

At this point, Director Shao spoke tactfully: “Su Zhining was arranged by the biggest sponsor of our show for the second season, I hope you can be more accommodating.”

Director Shao’s choice of words was clever, and Xu Ying immediately grasped the meaning of “accommodate.”

Even if the other party does something outrageous, you must save them some face, don’t expose them in front of netizens, making them embarrassed across the internet.

Xu Ying understood, “Rest assured, I’ll make sure the guests have enough face.”

Just saying to save enough face.

If the new guests pull any stunts, it’s better not to publicly embarrass them across the internet, but to make them secretly suffer a bit, wouldn’t that be better?

Director Shao felt relieved after hearing Xu Ying’s assurance; he thought it might be difficult to persuade Xu Ying given her unyielding nature. Indeed, money talks~

He added another reminder: “Regarding Lu Jinyu, you might need to be a bit accommodating too, his father is…”

Xu Ying promised readily: “Leave it to me, for one, I’m not scary at all. I’m so kind and friendly, little animals love me, let alone the guests.”

Director Shao chuckled awkwardly. He still remembered last season’s show, where Xu Ying rectified Jia Yao, Yao Yingzhe, and Ming Xueying so thoroughly that the seasoned celebrities didn’t dare to play any tricks.

Just from the different modifiers “more” and “slightly,” Xu Ying has already figured out that both are connected, but Su Zhining is the primary relation.

Indeed, the variety show “Desert Survival Law” has already set a record in Dragon Country’s variety show history.

The first season set records, a second season is highly anticipated online. Such enticing resources make entertainment industry stars scramble to compete, vying for fame and strong connections.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Ying searched for information on the two new guests.

Occasionally surfing the internet, Xu Ying would come across recommendations from Lu Jinyu’s fans, describing him as an “e-sports aristocrat,” who “would have to go back and inherit the family business if he lost a match,” and his popularity is quite high in the e-sports community.

He’s a player in a 5v5 shooting game, belonging to a team that has become a championship favorite over the past two years, with very capable teammates.

There are also a few voices mocking him, saying he’s all looks and nothing else, relying entirely on his teammates to carry him. His team’s club was also invested in by his father, which was like wrapping a package of dumplings for the vinegar dish and inviting four gaming masters to carry Lu Jinyu.

However, these negative comments get bombarded by hundreds of replies from Lu Jinyu’s fans, and eventually, no one dares to criticize him.

As for Su Zhining, a wealthy and beautiful idol, she has a high media profile and supposedly polarizes netizen opinions.

Those who like her find her a proud and dramatic young lady, with ambition and career drive, always striving for excellence, appreciating her vibrant assertive vibe.

Netizens who dislike Su Zhining think she’s overly pretentious, likes to show off and compete, suffering from princess syndrome.

Controversy breeds hot topics; Su Zhining often finds herself embroiled in controversies, attracting gossip and ongoing attention.

During a group stage rehearsal, Su Zhining was caught casually standing in the center position, causing the original center member to show an awkward expression.

Fans defended her, claiming it was a positioning mistake, while critics mocked her, saying “The scheming drama queen can’t even be bothered to pretend.” Once the video was out, #SuZhiningSnatchesCenterPosition# quickly trended, comments ranged from accusing her of “hogging as she relies on her background,” to praising her as “having enough talent to compete.”

After reading these sensational reports, the algorithms kept recommending more of Su Zhining’s controversial news to Xu Ying.

When asked why she became an idol in a variety show, Su Zhining casually joked, “The family business was too boring to inherit, better to come out and play.” After the program aired, netizens exploded—some criticized her for having “princess syndrome, treating others’ dreams like a game,” while fans felt “The young lady going down to pursue her career is exciting,” countering by exposing footage of her rehearsing dance moves until early morning with the retort, “Can she reach top level just by playing?”.

…

Xu Ying found some of these news boring, closed her phone.

She’s already numbed by the endless circulation of leaks, gossip, and publicity material online.

The last episode taught her a profound lesson—all the online buzz is insubstantial; whether one’s good or evil, you only find out their true self on the show after interaction.

Xu Ying languidly reclined in the rattan chair, the sunset turning the Snow Mountain peak into molten gold. In her arms, the Snow Cleaning Weasel was curled like a fur ball, its little claws clinging to her shirt tightly. The Tibetan Fox Director sat upright by her feet, expressing a serious yet somewhat comical demeanor, its tail swishing, patting her calf—it hasn’t left her side since hearing it could appear on the show.

Apparently, Tibetan Fox Director also desires fame and wants to become a top star at Snow Mountain.

Snow Cleaning Weasel: [Little Xu Station Chief, did you solve the case?]

Xu Ying rubbed Snow Cleaning Weasel’s head, “Solved it, thanks to your help.”

She explained the whole incident to Snow Cleaning Weasel, who tilted its head and mumbled.

[Humans are so complicated.]

Xu Ying softly stroked its fur, “Indeed, much more complicated than little animals.”

Ji Xuehui approached, handing her a cup of hot coffee, “Little Xu Station Chief, if there’s another tricky case at West Mountain in the future, can we invite you again to collaborate?”

Xu Ying smiled, lifting Snow Cleaning Weasel’s little claw to wave at Ji Xuehui, “It’s us.”

Ji Xuehui giggled aloud, gently poking Snow Cleaning Weasel’s pink paw pads, “Alright, it’s settled—’you all’.”

As her gaze caught the Tibetan Fox eagerly staring, she added, “Definitely including the dignified and wise ’Fox Director’.”

The Tibetan Fox instantly straightened up, flashing its iconic goofy smile.

The cafe at the base of West Mountain Scenic Area and the second-floor guesthouse had already been booked by the program crew as a resting place for guests.

Ji Xuehui sent Xu Ying and Chen Su to the cafe at West Mountain Scenic Area, and after a while sipping coffee, left for the West Mountain Police Station.

Having spent the past few days bustling up and down Snow Mountain, Xu Ying rested on the sofa at the cafe, unknowingly dozing off.

Chen Su returned to the cafe, finding Xu Ying already curled up asleep in the corner of the sofa.

Her eyelashes fluttered subtly in the light, with a loosely grasped half cup of cooled coffee in her hand, and leftover milk foam remained uncleaned at the corner of her lips.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep