My cousin asked me to go to Wuha, and Hanikezi stuck to me.

The data for this period is solid.

Less than ten minutes after Lao Wang finished speaking, he was interrupted by a phone call from producer Li.

Chen Yi was not interested in the behind-the-scenes power struggles.

He pushed open the window, and the cold morning wind of the ancient town, carrying moisture, brushed against his cheeks. The outline of the distant green mountains was half-obscured by the morning mist, and the tiles on the eaves still carried the dampness of last night.

The blue virtual screen in my mind floated silently.

Ding!

In the process of phase settlement.

Recording progress for this episode: Completed on the second day.

Current cumulative popularity score: 15000.

Triggering a phased reward!

Two golden frames popped up on the screen.

The first light frame slowly unfolded, revealing the text inside.

Reward 1: Intermediate level in athletic ability, already issued to the skill list.

Effects: Significantly improves physical performance, reaction speed, and muscle coordination.

Applicable to all sports-themed variety show segments.

A second light frame then popped up.

Reward 2: Intermediate Culinary Skills, officially unlocking all features.

Effect: Removes restrictions, covering all home-style dishes and some elaborate dishes from the eight major Chinese cuisines.

Chen Yi clicked "OK".

As the rewards load, the muscles at the extremities seem to generate a subtle electric current.

He closed the rewards screen and proactively opened the full skill tree.

He didn't have time to examine the system closely when it was fully unlocked after the last contract was signed, so he's taking advantage of the recording breaks to study the patterns.

The skill tree has expanded from the original five branches to twelve major categories, with gray and gold nodes hanging under each major category.

The unlocked skills are shining brightly: Variety Show Perception Level 3, Improvisational Joke Library Beginner, Camera Sensitivity Level 2, Guitar Playing Intermediate, Culinary Skills Proficient Intermediate, and Athletic Ability Intermediate.

Skills that are not yet unlocked but whose names are displayed are grayed out and listed at the back.

Singing Intermediate: Unlocked when popularity reaches 25000.

Dance Basics: Unlocked after completing a stage collaboration mission.

Acting Basics: Unlocked after accepting a formal film or television offer.

After reviewing the entire skill tree, Chen Yi understood the logical chain in his mind.

The system's design philosophy is straightforward: the better the performance on variety shows, the higher the popularity, the more skills unlocked, and the stronger the performance next time.

This is a locked positive loop.

The prerequisite is that he must maintain continuous exposure and consistently produce exciting moments for the audience.

Just as Chen Yi was about to wash his face and leave, the system interface flashed again.

Ding!

Mid-game main quest released!

The pop-up screen border this time is red and gold, several levels higher than the blue border of the normal task.

Mid-term main quest: Permanent Guest.

Task: Before the recording of the third episode of "Five Ha" ends, obtain an official invitation from the program team to become a permanent guest.

Judgment criteria: Producer Mr. Li issues a formal permanent contract, and the contract period is no less than one quarter.

Task Rewards: Advanced Talent Package (containing three intermediate to advanced talent skills), 10 Popularity Points, and a Mystery Gift Pack.

Penalty for failing the mission: Variety show perception is downgraded to level one, and the impromptu joke library is withdrawn.

Chen Yi stared at the popularity value multiplied by 10. The current popularity was 15,000, and multiplying it by 10 would give 150,000.

This represents a national-level entry ticket to the market.

The talent package in the mission rewards is also tempting enough to transform him from a simple variety show personality into an all-around entertainer.

However, the mission conditions are extremely demanding.

His current role is merely that of a temporary guest star.

Two episodes of explosive popularity are far from enough to convince a producer who only looks at data to pull out a full-season contract.

He needs overwhelming data to prove that he is worth this level of investment.

Chen Yi turned off the control panel.

The phone vibrated on the table, and messages from Xiao Fang kept popping up.

"Yi-ge! The behind-the-scenes footage from the first day of filming is out! The clip of you teaching Hani how to chop vegetables got over 20 million views in just 30 minutes!"

"Old Wang sent word that there's a large team mission this afternoon, which is more difficult than yesterday's, so you should be mentally prepared."

"Also, two GG brands have increased their offers, wanting to sign you as their annual spokesperson. I haven't replied yet, I'll talk to them after you finish recording this episode."

Chen Yi replied with three words.

"understood."

He put down his phone and stood in front of the mirror.

The person in the mirror is wearing a simple white shirt; yesterday's traditional Chinese style look has been removed.

The face is still fresh and clean, and it overlaps with the person who was in the rented room a month ago, preparing to go to work.

A month ago, he was calculating whether his 8,000 yuan salary would be enough to pay the rent.

Now he's figuring out how to get investors to offer him top-tier contracts.

Chen Yi opened the door and bumped into Chen Chichi in the corridor.

Chen Chichi rubbed his eyes, his hair a mess like a clump of dry grass.

Why are you up so early?

"I'm used to it."

"What did you and Honey talk about in the courtyard last night? I saw you two standing there for quite a while from the second floor."

Let's discuss today's task assignments.

"Who are you kidding? You need to pass something to me to discuss task assignments? I saw you hand me a bag."

"You're seeing things."

"I'm not that blind. That's a jewelry pouch, isn't it?"

"Then you need to get a pair of glasses."

Chen Chichi pointed at his nose and was choked for a long time.

"Remember, that's an artist from my company, and also your variety show partner."

"If you mess this up, it will affect the entire show's data and my commission."

"So, are you concerned about me, or about your commission?"

"I care about everything!"

Chen Yi patted him on the shoulder and walked past him downstairs.

"Don't worry, your commission will be substantial."

Chen Chichi stood there, watching Chen Yi's figure disappear around the corner.

He always felt that his cousin had changed; that clear-headed, almost ruthless sense of control was nothing like that of a newcomer to the industry.

Downstairs in the courtyard, staff were setting up props for a major event that afternoon.

Old Wang was standing in the center. When he saw Chen Yi come down, he immediately waved.

"Chen Yi, come here. I'll give you a sneak peek at the afternoon's mission."

Chen Yi walked over.

Old Wang's eyes were filled with obvious excitement.

"The afternoon is the ancient town treasure hunt competition. Everyone will be divided into two teams to compete. The rules are much more complicated than yesterday. We will have to use our physical strength, brainpower, and talents."

"How should we divide into teams?"

Old Wang chuckled.

"The team captain system will be used, and the two captains will be Deng Chao and you."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow.

"Me, the team leader?"

"In the last episode, you ranked first in the audience vote for your performance on variety shows, and you truly deserve the title of team leader."

"Choose your players carefully; the points will be doubled this round."

Chen Yi nodded.

He turned and walked towards the restaurant.

The system panel in the corner of my mind flickered quietly.