Huayu: Traffic is king

Chapter 36 Our story has already begun (two in one)

The trainees are not aware of what is happening in the outside world. They have been filming some spin-off variety shows and dormitory footage these past two days.

The trainees in Class A also filmed some sponsor advertisements that will be inserted into the show. As the show becomes more popular, they will continue to show their faces in front of the audience.

Today, Zhang Yixing is calling all the trainees to gather in the studio.

"All the trainees, did you sleep well last night?"

"Hello, PD Zhang"

"I slept well. It was the most restful sleep I've had in the past few days!"

Zhang Yixing easily livened up the atmosphere in the audience, and the trainees answered questions happily.

But soon, they stopped laughing.

Zhang Yixing smiled and announced a piece of news while holding a handheld cue card:
"Remember what I told you during the re-evaluation? All trainees who are rated A and B will receive a hidden benefit."

He smiled slightly and said, "After the theme song recording, everyone can leave the training base. Come with me to participate in the recording of Mango TV's weekly program."

A weekly show? Could it be...

After hearing this, the eyes of the members of Class A and Class B gleamed with hope.

"Yes, that's what you think."

Zhang Yixing looked at the trainees, who couldn't hide their little thoughts, and said with a smile, "Congratulations to Class A and Class B. You will go with me to Mango TV to record "Happy Camp" tomorrow afternoon, perform the opening song with me, and have your first stage."

"This show will be airing in a month. Know what that means?"

Zhang Yixing actively interacted with the trainees in the audience and gave way to the camera.

“It means extra exposure”

The clever little boy Justin was the first to speak out. Since he was young, everyone would just think he was cute even if he said something wrong.

"Yes!"

Zhang Yixing smiled, and what he said next made everyone excited.

"Happy Camp will air on February 2th, right after the first public performance. Most importantly, you will be in front of the public before the first episode is even released. You will gain unique exposure and a potential fan base that other levels don't have!"

It has to be said that EXO's long-time member Zhang Yixing is really good at stirring up the atmosphere. After he finished speaking, most of the trainees' heartbeats quickened.

"Unique exposure" is tantamount to seizing the initiative in a talent show that essentially relies on fan voting.

After the first public performance, the circle of popular people was basically formed.

"Happy Camp" is Mango TV's top variety show, broadcast every week in prime time, with extremely high ratings and a fixed audience.

The audience watching this show will inevitably overlap with the audience of talent shows.

If the first public performance goes well, Happy Camp can continue to generate buzz and attract new fans to watch the first public performance to solidify their fan base.

If the performance of the first public performance is not normal, it can be reflected in "Happy Camp". It will also leave an impression on some viewers and increase the tolerance rate.

Gu Jingyi looked at the reactions of the people around him. Justin and Zhu Zhengting were very excited. Cai Xukun was a little excited, but he still managed to keep a straight face.

Perhaps among all the trainees on the field, he was the most calm and composed one.

He appeared on "Happy Camp" not long ago with the crew of "A Little Thing Called First Love".

At that time, "A Little Thing Called First Love" had not yet been aired, and the program team only gave about two hours of recording time after big names such as Shen Teng appeared.

That episode of "Happy Camp" has not been aired yet. It is estimated that it will not be released simultaneously with the finale of "A Little Thing Called First Love".

Gu Jingyi estimated that he would be in a top-tier variety show that would last about two and a half hours. His personal cut would not exceed ten minutes, and the variety show would fully showcase the star's popularity and status.

Even though Zhang Yixing announced the recording of "Happy Camp", Gu Jingyi didn't think it was that strange.

This time, Class A and Class B of "Idol Producer" were able to appear on the show all because of Zhang Yixing's face.

To put it bluntly, he is Zhang Yixing's "partner".

Before "Idol Producer" was aired, no one could have imagined that a talent show imitating the South Korean competition system would produce a "phenomenal top star" in one fell swoop.

Apart from the opening performance of "Sheep", the production team will not give many shots to the trainees in the following game segments, and it is estimated that only Gu Jingyi will have more shots.

However, this level is difficult for the trainees on the field to think of.

"Alright, so Class A and Class B contestants, hurry up. You don't have much time left, except for performing 'Sheep' with me. The IFS Center in Star City has also sent a flash mob invitation to the Class A trainees."

"Trainees who weren't selected, don't feel disappointed. After the performance, there will be a popularity reshuffle. Your rank will be determined by a vote of all the producers. Popularity will be the basis for everything."

Zhang Yixing announced the second piece of big news, and then left after the “flash mob” announcement.

The unprepared trainees in Class A had their pupils trembling as they were still trying to digest this hard-earned good news.

"Let's go, have you practiced 'Sheep'? Stop dazed and go practice."

Gu Jingyi took Justin, Zhu Zhengting and others out, and the other trainees who were still immersed in joy finally woke up from their dreams.

Before long, they all ran to the practice room to start practicing extra.

Gu Jingyi was really ambitious. Since he couldn't get enough screen time in the main episode of "Happy Camp", he relied on his strength to leave a deep impression on the audience during the opening song with Zhang Yixing.

Inspired by him, the other trainees also worked harder.

They all began to follow Gu Jingyi's example and practiced in the practice room day and night.

Time quickly arrived at the next afternoon, and Gu Jingyi simply packed up. This was the first time since the recording began that he had left the "Idol Producer" recording building during the day.

The area between the recording building and the dormitory building was still crowded with young girls.

Many girls brought their own folding chairs and portable tents, sitting there in groups of three or five, sharing hot milk tea, hot latte and heating pads.

After the theme song MV was filmed, only the contestants from Class A and Class B were left in the recording building rehearsing for the opening dance of "Happy Camp".

Some contestants picked by the fans were not included in the "Happy Camp" recording list, so they stayed in the dormitory building early to take photos of themselves before going home.

But more contestants picked by the fans are still staying in the recording building to rehearse for the recording of "Happy Camp".

Although the fans were braving the biting cold wind, they didn't feel cold at all.

The contestants who can enter the recording group are either talented or popular.

They waited outside, like parents attending a conference for honor students.

Everyone was proud of it and their faces were radiant.

"Sisters! I saw the Class A uniforms, someone came out!"

"Is it Gu Jingyi? Oh, where's my camera?"

"Is it Jingyi? It must be Jingyi! He's tall and has long legs, so he's the only one with this aura!"

The veteran fans of Gu Jingyi listened to what their fellow fans were saying without saying a word.

He just quickly set up the cannon, pointed the camera at the figure and took many pictures.

The "click, click" sound of the camera is the best answer.

The sound of shutter clicks and the voices of "Gu Jingyi" came one after another.

Gu Jingyi heard someone calling his name and slowed down.

He raised his head slightly, and then——

Turned around and took a look.

'Crack--'

Tian Xiwei, who was standing outside the camera, subconsciously pressed the shutter button and stared at him blankly through the camera.

Gu Jingyi was still wearing his Class A uniform, and he had simply tidied his hair back, revealing his handsome features. Under the natural light, he made a truly captivating appearance.

Gu Jingyi has fair skin, dark eyebrows and loose black hair, which reminds people of the handsome Hong Kong guys in the golden age.

He doesn't look like a trainee coming out of a recording base, but more like a supermodel walking on the catwalk.

Just this one glance made Tian Xiwei's heart beat uncontrollably again.

This person seems to have magic, no matter how much time has passed, he is still so attractive.

"good afternoon"

Gu Jingyi took a few steps forward and greeted the fans warmly.

Despite his sharp and overly handsome appearance, his eyes were very soft when he greeted his fans.

On this bitterly cold winter day, the hearts of fans have turned into a pool of spring water in which people are willing to drown.

"Ahhh, Gu Jingyi! It's really Jingyi, he's coming!"

"Gu Jingyi, have you eaten?"

One question after another came rushing towards Gu Jingyi.

"I haven't eaten yet, how about you?"

Gu Jingyi answered and interacted with fans.

The election officer next to him was a little displeased to see that he stayed too long.

The trainees who participated in the recording of "Idol Producer" had strict rules and regulations, such as "no leaking of recording information" and "no staying for more than ten seconds on the way home from get off work."

In order to control the trainees, when the contestants leave the recording building, the selection managers will also follow them out to set up and record the time each trainee stays.

If Gu Jingyi continues to stand here and greet fans, he will be considered to have violated the rules and must accept the corresponding punishment.

The fans standing outside the cordon all knew about this rubbish rule.

They were afraid that they would drag Gu Jingyi down, so they quickly waved their hands to signal him to leave quickly.

"Gu Jingyi, go eat!" "Xiaoyi, don't worry about us. Go and have a good rest. See you tomorrow."

"Baby, go straight back to the dorm after get off work every day. It's okay to just watch us from afar. Don't let this rubbish get you punished by the production team."

"Jingyi, don't be too stressed. This time the honor belongs to you, and we will defend it for you."

When Gu Jingyi heard these calls, his eyes swept over their faces one by one.

Most of them are familiar faces, whom I saw during the Produce 202.

Gu Jingyi once thought that with his withdrawal from the competition, these people would gradually disappear from his star journey.

During the six months he returned to China, he witnessed with his own eyes that after the new group debuted, some fans left their fan base to follow the new group.

With the passage of time and the distance between countries, the fans that Gu Jingyi attracted through talent shows are gradually disappearing.

Unexpectedly, some of the other South Korean fans, after seeing him participating in "Idol Producer" on the forum, boarded the latest plane overnight and came to China with their camera equipment.

Gu Jingyi cannot ignore the love of his fans just for the sake of some rules of the program team.

In this world, fans are probably the only people who are not related by blood but sincerely hope for the best for a person.

Every bit of love is precious and worth cherishing.

He has never been a very obedient person. The only condition for "Idol Producer" to rebel against him was this. They just wanted Gu Jingyi to participate in a few more episodes of the derivative variety show and shoot some sponsor advertisements.

"It's okay, I don't think it's a burden. I'm happy you can come. And remember to keep warm and don't catch a cold."

Gu Jingyi, despite the pressure from the election committee, said goodbye to his fans and left.

Only the standing sisters were left standing there, tears of emotion in their eyes.

People are all made of flesh and blood, and no one doesn't expect to get positive feedback from celebrities.

Gu Jingyi's appearance was like a breeze, gently blowing through their hearts.

Fans of Gu Jingyi don’t need to hypnotize themselves like other fans.

Tian Xiwei looked at Gu Jingyi in the camera; he was still as beautiful as a dream.

It reminded her of their encounter a year ago.

At that time, she was in the most confused period of her life. When she traveled to South Korea, she saw the overwhelming advertisements for "Produce 202".

Maybe it was luck, but she happened to be there when the trainees of "Produce 202" were participating in a music show on Mnet.

When more than a dozen Class A players got out of the van, Tian Xiwei saw it clearly.

When Gu Jingyi got out of the van, he didn't need any constructed personality or halo.

He was simply incredibly handsome, a 24k, all-natural handsomeness that made Tian Xiwei's mind go blank at first sight, and she fell into a heartbeat that was tangible.

"Hello there!"

The familiar Chinese made Gu Jingyi walk towards her step by step, and the distance between them kept getting shorter and shorter.

She felt her heartbeat become uncontrollably fast like a kite out of control.

"Hello, I'm Gu Jingyi"

The wind blew, and that second seemed to stretch out very long. Gu Jingyi was only one step away from her, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of laundry detergent.

Standard Chinese was spoken by the person in front of me.

No filters or personas are needed.

Many young men got off the same car, but the first person Tian Xiwei saw was Gu Jingyi.

Therefore, she only wanted to remember Gu Jingyi.

Anyone who has ever chased a celebrity can probably understand this moment, even if they didn't know the person at first. It was just a fleeting glimpse, and she couldn't just watch the other person pass by.

If you miss this opportunity, you will regret it for a long time.

Who knows, will she meet Gu Jingyi again?

The Sichuan and Chongqing girl's daring love and hate character was once again demonstrated. She took the initiative to call out to the other party: "Then Gu Jingyi, can you... give me an autograph?"

With a name, memories will be left.

That is the unique bond between us.

After greeting Tian Xiwei, Gu Jingyi stopped walking as they passed by.

The scene of him turning back was also recorded by Tian Xiwei using the delayed shooting function of his mobile phone.

This moment was more heart-pounding than any classic idol drama. Tian Xi nodded with a slightly blushing face.

Tian Xiwei was only as tall as his chin. Gu Jingyi stared down at her in astonishment, "Me?"

"Yes, that's you."

Tian Xiwei smiled happily. How come this person has such a nice voice?

"Then where do I sign?"

Gu Jingyi asked gently.

Tian Xiwei's face turned embarrassed, and she realized that she had not handed over the pen and paper at all.

She frantically took out a pen and paper from her bag and hurriedly handed it to Gu Jingyi.

Gu Jingyi hesitated slightly before putting pen to paper. The tip of the pen hovered above the paper for a long time before he wrote hesitantly and quickly.

At that time, he had not practiced any special running script, and his agency had not designed a signature for him.

Gu Jingyi pondered for a moment, and finally wrote his name in neat regular script, stroke by stroke.

The few seconds it took to sign seemed to pass very slowly.

Tian Xiwei silently held up her mobile phone to record the video, but couldn't help but secretly stare at Gu Jingyi from a close distance.

His eyes were slightly lowered, and his body was depicted by the setting sun with the most gentle strokes.

It's the kind that makes your heart flutter whenever you see it.

Tian Xiwei followed the speed at which he wrote and silently recited along in her mind.

[Gu-Jing-Yi].

“To my first fan:
This is my first signature in my life. I wish you happiness and all your wishes come true.

Gu Jingyi"

After he signed, he showed a faint smile that was almost shy because of his seriousness.

"You are my first fan, thank you for your support, I will remember you."

Tian Xiwei, who had never been a fan before, was bewitched and obsessed with it.

The first fan, the first autograph, being remembered by the idol, these romantic lines came to her like a net.

The unprecedented and unexpected feeling of happiness came like a tornado, swirling in and swallowing her up like a tsunami.

Falling in love with Gu Jingyi is as easy as breathing.

Tian Xiwei, who was on a short trip, chose to stay and became Gu Jingyi's first fan site.

Delicious food always brings her more happiness, so Tian Xiwei’s website is called “Gu Jingyi’s Donuts”.

After Gu Jingyi's public performances became a big hit in the entertainment industry, "Gu Jingyi's Donuts" became a place for countless fans to do some research.

After Gu Jingyi withdrew from the competition, Tian Xiwei bought the same flight with him and returned home.

She chatted with Gu Jingyi with some uneasiness, asking him what unfair treatment he had received on the show and whether he would be an idol again.

Gu Jingyi did not answer. At that time, he could not give a specific answer.

He just felt sorry to leave the stage.

Tian Xiwei saw what Gu Jingyi was thinking.
She tactfully changed the subject and continued talking about some safety topics.

When the plane was about to arrive, she suddenly called out to Gu Jingyi. She asked somewhat dejectedly, "If you leave like this, which star will I chase after? I don't even know if I can meet you again."

Gu Jingyi turned his head, looked into her eyes, and said seriously, "Yes, I won't quit the entertainment industry because of this. Xiaotian, you are so beautiful, and you are a student of Shanghai Opera. You will definitely meet me in the entertainment industry in the future. Don't just keep chasing me. Your true No. 1 has always been yourself."

Tian Xiwei's eyes were filled with complicated emotions, and after a while she burst into tears of joy.

"Hmm... I get it. Then Jingyi, let's make a pinky promise."

Because of this promise, her sister, who was one year older than him, with tears still on her face, smiled childishly and raised her little finger to make a pinky promise with Gu Jingyi.

"Hand in hand, unchanged."

Gu Jingyi, you really did it.

Tian Xiwei had a faint smile on his face, feeling the enthusiasm of his fellow enthusiasts and their pride in him.

"Sister Tiantian, has Gu Jingyi always been so doting on his fans?"

A young fan asked with a blushing face.

"of course"

But soon, Tian Xiwei quietly added in his heart.

[But I am the only one who is unique to him, and all his firsts were experienced with me.]
When she thought of this, Tian Xiwei felt inexplicably happy.

In the past that no one knew about, her story with Gu Jingyi had already begun.

　Happy New Year's Eve! Gu Jingyi, along with Xiaoye, Xiaotiancha, Xiaoxiao, Diba, Tongtong, and Dani, wish you all a happy new year! Here's a 5200-word chapter.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)