Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 317 Do whatever you want
That evening, the small meeting went on until after 11 p.m., and Zhai Da drove Xiao Lu back to Peking University to prevent her from becoming a "sand deer".

The next morning, Zhai Da picked up Xiao Lu again and then went to a photography studio in the DX area.

Makeup, preparation, and process review—all the work was completed within two hours. Judging from the bloodshot eyes of many staff members, it was clear that they had worked incredibly hard last night.

However, Zhai Da didn't feel too guilty, because he wasn't the one who profited; his appearance fee was only 1000 yuan.

Yes, the unit is correct; there is no "ten thousand".

In 2009, the media and entertainment industry had not yet expanded significantly, especially talk shows. Most people who came to these shows were there to increase their exposure, and their appearance fees were pitifully low. For shows like "A Date with Luyu," which had a certain level of popularity, the fee was only a symbolic 1,000 yuan.

The kind of reality show appearance fees that come with millions or tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions in pay, that era is yet to come.

Money laundering may not have yet expanded into this business.

In the preparation room, Lu Siwen asked worriedly, "Student Zhai, do I look okay? Am I ugly?"

Behind them, the assistant, who looked just like a real-life Doraemon, rolled his eyes to the heavens.

Sister, you're still ugly, so what are girls like us?
Tank Baby?
Zhai Da tilted his head and sized up Lu Siwen.

A light blue long dress paired with a white shirt and dark canvas shoes makes her look youthful, beautiful, lively and energetic.

The art of dressing is actually not that complicated.

It's all about looks.

Body shape is a secondary factor.

Lu Siwen is now fully equipped.

So he smiled and said, "It's alright."

Hearing that she was alright, Lu Siwen breathed a sigh of relief.

----------

At 1 p.m., everything was ready, and Zhai Da and Xiao Lu entered the studio to begin this extra recording of "A Date with Luyu".

The place was decorated in a fairly stylish way. The host sat on a separate sofa, while Zhai Da and Xiao Lu sat on a red double sofa opposite them.

The sofa was a bit soft, and as soon as we sat down, gravity began to pull the two of us closer and closer together.

On the other side, there were nearly forty or fifty spectators, but Zhai Da knew they were all planted; they were mostly employees of the production company and local residents who were also actors.

Sit down here, and I'll give you 50.

Aside from not being able to use their phones, their freedom wasn't restricted, but if they left early, they wouldn't receive their money or boxed meals.

From a television program perspective, the opening should show some video footage, such as Zhai Da receiving an award, the impressive sales figures of their works, and Lu Siwen's stunning campus photos online, to provide a transition for the audience.

But on set, the interview started with zero frames.

Having already gotten to know each other briefly, the two were no strangers to the short-haired host, Li Jing; at least they had to pretend to be very familiar with her.

Li Jing: "Zhai Da, Siwen, welcome to 'A Date with Luyu'."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the host began asking some routine questions, which lasted for about half an hour.

Lu Siwen was a little uncomfortable sitting in front of the camera for the first time, and kept subconsciously looking at the camera. She was called "Cut!" twice in the middle of the session.

"Click" doesn't mean stop recording, but rather restart. The camera doesn't need to be turned off; the person just needs to go over the recording again, and it's very fast.

Occasionally, when Zhai Da takes too long to think during an answer, it affects the editing and he will be "cut" and asked to reorganize his words. The same goes for the host Li Jing. Sometimes she makes an inappropriate joke and asks to reshoot.

During the Q&A session, there were some sound effects, some funny and some gentle, which made it quite relaxing.

It's much easier than "Face to Face".

After a moment, Li Jing changed her posture: "We have a few pointed questions for you. Are you ready?"

Zhai Da and Lu Siwen exchanged a smile; in fact, it was all a pre-arranged issue.

"The first question is for Siwen: Did Zhai Da have any girls pursuing him during high school?!"

Lu Siwen thought to himself, "I know how to do this!"

Pretending to be deep in thought, she said, "We weren't in the same class, so I hadn't heard anything like that. I was wondering back then how come such an outstanding guy didn't have any admirers."

Then Lu Siwen and the host discussed the topic for a few more minutes, while Zhai Da only needed to keep quiet and smile.

The general direction was agreed upon.

It's so relaxing to have an interview program without Shiba Inus chasing and biting you.
This is also the selling point of such interview programs. In such a relaxed atmosphere, celebrities are more willing to confide and show a relatively true side. If anything goes too far, it can just be "cut off".

"The second question is for Zhai Da: What are your requirements for your future partner?"

Zhai Da calmly said, "I hope she can shine in some field, have her own career and hobbies, be filial to her elders, gentle and kind, and compassionate."

The host followed up by asking, "Besides the internal qualities, are there any requirements regarding appearance?"

Zhai Da blurted out, "I like girls with thin legs."

Then wait with a smile.
After a long pause: Where's my car? Where's my car?
Lu Siwen, a beat slow, suddenly kicked her legs forward, then remembered she was wearing a long skirt and pulled back, looking quite comical. In the studio, the audience was gradually getting tired, but they had already contributed enough screen time in the first half, with several bursts of laughter interspersed throughout the program.

Li Jing has switched legs from left to right several times, which is considered a basic skill for female hosts. She can cross her legs for hours on end, and only she knows whether her legs are numb or not.

Li Jing started a new topic, saying to the camera, "Many viewers may not know that, besides two great writers and two top scorers in the college entrance examination, there is another student from Teacher Zhai and Teacher Lu's hometown who is already quite famous."

On the big screen, Fan Junwei was shown fiercely attacking in the boxing ring.

"The young athlete who achieved second place in the Asian Boxing Championship recently was actually a classmate of both of them."

Inside the studio, a timely "Hey~!" sound effect appeared.

"Don't you two find it amazing that so many outstanding people could come from the same county, the same school, and the same graduating class?"

Zhai Da looked at the photo; on Fan Junwei's imposing body, sweat reflected the glimmer of his daily hard work.

This guy has already returned to his Henan provincial club to focus on preparing for the competition. His next stop is Japan, and his journey to gain international competition experience continues.

However, according to Chu Xiang in the group, he has basically secured a spot in the National Games.

"Yes and no, we grow together, and they all deserve to improve."

Li Jing covered her mouth and said, "Your high school is the biggest winner, as is Dongyang County, which has produced so many famous people."

The background showed a scene of Dongyang, a small county town.

That was the dividing line on the road into the county, with an antique-style archway standing there, bearing the three characters "Dongyang County". Behind it were low-rise street buildings, giving the impression of being a generation behind.

Appearing in this fashionable studio, it feels three parts rustic, seven parts dilapidated, and ninety parts underdeveloped.

The reason the program team chose this photo was not to belittle the area, but because among all the photos related to Dongyang County online, this was the only one that made it recognizable as the location, since there are no noteworthy scenic spots or landmark buildings in the county.

There's no malicious filter, no deliberate attempt to recreate the feeling of decades ago, but in the eyes of people from northern Beijing.

That's what the 80s felt like, even if it's an illusion.

Zhai Da often went back, but he never imagined that when Dongyang County appeared in the media, it would be in such a desolate state.

Some things are clearer when you see them with your own eyes than when you look at them from across the river.

Zhai Da stared at the photo, lost in thought, until Lu Siwen tugged at his sleeve.

"what?"

Li Jing called out "Cut!" and asked her question again: "Teacher Zhai, the people in Dongyang County must be very proud of you, right? This small county is famous now."

Zhai Da turned his head and remembered what Xiao Mutou had said a few days ago.

"Becoming famous doesn't really bring any practical benefits. Dongyang is still a poor county in a fragmented province, and people's income won't increase by even a single yuan because of me."

Li Jing keenly sensed that there was something to dig up and guided her, "You must have a deep affection for your hometown."

Zhai Da shook his head and said, "This is a common sentiment among most people. When you are born, make a living, grow up, and succeed in a place, you will always have some longing for that place."

The biggest reason why Zhai Da was separated from his hometown in his previous life was the death of Yu Xiaoli.

From then on, the wanderer, far from home, no longer has that fleeting, loving mother's thread behind him. Naturally, the world is vast and no two places are different; everywhere is home, and nowhere is not home.

"Modern society is characterized by urbanization. Children from small towns will eventually have to leave their hometowns. When they talk about how much they have achieved outside, their hometowns are proud of them, but this is mostly just self-consolation."

Soothing music played at the right moment in the studio.

Zhai Da raised his head and said, "So the development of a place depends on its own endowments and the support of the country. As for what kind of celebrity they are, unless their influence is really great enough and they are willing to go back."

Host Li Jing said, "It seems you have given this serious thought."

"It's not so much a reflection as a microcosm. I studied in Harbin, and young people from the three northeastern provinces are also leaving. Looking at the bigger picture, countless people are going abroad. The attachment to our hometown is ingrained in our culture, but it's not the whole story of life."

"For most people, the most important thing is to find a way to make a good life after leaving their hometown. Of course, they shouldn't start cursing their mothers after leaving."

Li Jing posed the last question, but this direction was somewhat out of step with the show's tone, and their audience might not be willing to listen to it.

People with depth have many topics to discuss, but listeners with depth are few.

"Does Professor Zhai plan to go back to develop his career in the future?"

Zhai Da also realized he had gone off-topic and prepared to give a perfunctory reply: "Unlikely."

But for some reason, I thought of my teacher.

Perhaps when he is strong enough, both mentally and in terms of ability.

When something is powerful enough to abandon its environment and create it.

Advantages and disadvantages are not important; ideas are.

How can this not be considered "doing whatever one pleases"?

The great writer then looked up at the camera and said, "I think it will happen, at the right time and under the right opportunity, with the right people."

(End of this chapter)