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

"If Old Wang comes begging me to stay permanently, you'd better not regret it!"

Chen He's hand, holding the phone, froze in mid-air.

He looked Chen Yi up and down.

"What's gotten into you, kid?"

Chen He asked tentatively.

"You absolutely refused to go just now, but you changed your mind after your aunt made a phone call?"

"I'm doing this to keep my right to go home for the Chinese New Year."

Chen Yi pointed in the direction of the guest rooms.

"If you still want me to save the day, you'd better call Lao Wang now."

"I might change my mind even if it's just a second later."

"No, no, no!"

Chen He immediately put the phone to his ear.

"Old Wang! Don't bother looking! I've found someone for you!"

Chen He yelled into the phone.

Chen Yi ignored Chen He's agitation.

He turned and went into the guest room, locking the door behind him.

He leaned against the door and let out a long sigh.

The emotionless, mechanical electronic voice in my mind rang out again.

"Ding!"

"The basic information panel for the 【King of Variety Shows System】has been generated."

A semi-transparent blue virtual screen popped up in front of Chen Yi's eyes.

Several lines of clear white text were listed above.

[Host: Chen Yi]

[Current Skills: Variety Show Awareness Lv3, Improvisational Joke Library Beginner, Camera Sensitivity Lv2]

Chen Yi reached out and grabbed a handful of air.

The finger passed directly through the virtual screen.

"What the hell is that?"

Chen Yi muttered something to himself.

"Could it be that the tripe I just ate wasn't cooked properly, and I was hallucinating?"

He walked to the bedside, sat down, and rubbed his temples vigorously.

The virtual screen did not disappear; instead, a new message appeared.

"Ding!"

"System has issued new player tasks."

[Task objective: Successfully participate in the recording of a variety show and achieve at least one highlight moment that elicits laughter.]

[Task Rewards: 1 Talent Lottery Ticket, 500 Popularity Points.]

Chen Yi stared at the words on the screen for a long time.

"The highlight of the laughs?"

The system did not respond.

"Where am I, someone who works in internet operations, supposed to create laughs?"

"Will I teach you how to make a PowerPoint presentation on the show?"

The system screen flickered and a line of small text popped up.

[Criteria for judging comedic highlights: A solo comedic scene that elicits laughter from the entire audience or remains in the final cut for more than 30 seconds.]

Chen Yi sighed.

He fell backward onto the bed.

"A 30-second solo comedic scene?"

"Do you guys think I'm Shen Teng?!"

He closed his eyes, trying to feel the so-called "Variety Perception Lv3".

The sound of Chen He making a phone call could be heard from outside the door.

Chen He has a very loud voice; it can be heard clearly even through the door.

"Old Wang, trust me! My cousin is absolutely a talent!"

"Handsome! And with a sharp tongue! Even sharper than mine!"

"What's wrong with ordinary people? These days, audiences love watching ordinary people reform the workplace!"

As Chen Yi listened to Chen He's sales pitch, a few thoughts suddenly popped into his mind.

If this were a recording session and Chen He said these words, how should I respond?

The moment the idea came to mind, the "impromptu joke library" was instantly activated.

Three possible responses automatically came to Chen Yi's mind.

Option 1: Directly dismantle the platform.

"Old Wang, don't listen to him. He just wants to drag someone down with him so that he can run faster."

Option 2: Reverse self-deprecation.

"Director, I am indeed a talent. I can sleep in your production crew for three days straight without increasing the ratings at all."

Option 3: Create contrast.

"My brother is right, I do have a sharp tongue, so I suggested that the production team buy me personal accident insurance, because I'm afraid Brother Chao will beat me up."

Chen Yi suddenly opened his eyes and sat up in bed.

This system is real.

He hadn't thought about it at all; those words just came out naturally.

The angle is tricky, and the rhythm is precise.

It perfectly matches the comedic effect of a variety show.

Chen Yi picked up his phone and opened the video app.

He searched for the previous season of "Five Ha" and randomly clicked on an episode.

On the screen, Deng Chao is trying to trick Lu Han into eating a bite of noodles with wasabi.

Chen Yi stared at the screen, his "Variety Show Perception Lv3" fully activated.

He could clearly see the calculation in Deng Chao's eyes.

He captured Lu Han's subtle facial expressions when he hesitated, and could even sense the rhythm of the camera switching.

When Chen Yi watched these shows before, he would just think they were ordinary funny segments.

Now, he can see the structure of the joke.

Foreshadowing, misleading, reversal, and finally, the explosion.

Chen Yi could even imagine that if he were in that position, he could double the effect of the joke by simply adding half a sentence.

"That's interesting."

Chen Yi turned off the video.

He finally understood the value of this system; it was practically a cheat code!

Chen He was still arguing with Lao Wang outside the door.

Old Wang's voice leaked from the phone receiver, filled with deep suspicion.

"Chen He, stop making empty promises!"

Old Wang roared.

"Ordinary people get stage fright when they appear on TV shows!"

"When I see dozens of cameras pointed at me, I can't even speak!"

"If you send him to save the day and things fall flat, who will be responsible?"

Chen He was so anxious that he kept slapping his thigh.

"He will definitely not be stage-frightened!"

Chen He guarantees it.

"He just said that if I beg him to stay permanently, I shouldn't regret it!"

"So arrogant?"

Old Wang was stunned for a moment.

"Yes! That's how arrogant we are!"

Chen He climbed up the pole.

"Isn't this arrogant, unassuming persona all the rage right now?"

"Just think about it, if an ordinary person makes us regulars question our existence, wouldn't that generate a lot of buzz?"

Old Wang remained silent for a few seconds.

"Fine! I like being arrogant!"

Old Wang made the decision.

"Send his information over immediately!"

"I'll have the legal department draft the contract tonight!"

"But Chen He, I'm warning you, if he messes up during the recording the day after tomorrow, think about how you're going to explain it to the fans and sponsors!"

"It's a deal!"

Chen He hung up the phone.

Immediately afterwards, there was a knock on the door.

"Bang bang bang!"

"Cousin! It's done!"

Chen He called from outside the door.

"Old Wang agreed!"

Chen Yi walked to the door but did not open it.

"Has the appearance fee been agreed upon?"

Chen He made a solemn vow.

"It's settled! You'll definitely be treated well!"

"Specific figures."

Chen Yi wasn't buying it.

"Oh, you'll find out when we sign the contract tomorrow!"

Chen He gave a vague answer.

"That means it's not much money."

Chen Yi drew a conclusion.

"Why are you so obsessed with money!"

Chen He got anxious.

"This is exposure! This is fame!"

"Do you know how many followers you can gain by appearing on this show?"

Chen Yi countered with a question.

"Can fame put food on the table? Can it pay my rent?"

"able!"

Chen He was resolute.

"Once you become famous, you'll eat a Manchu Han Imperial Feast every day!"

"Then I'll have hot pot instead."

Chen Yi spoke in a flat tone.

"The Manchu Han Imperial Feast is too oily and can easily lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar."

There was silence outside the door for a few seconds.

"I'm not arguing with you anymore!"

Chen He's furious voice rang out.

"I'm going to find Lao Wang to coordinate the process. You go to sleep!"

"I'll try on the clothes tomorrow morning!"

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Chen Yi shook his head in the room.

This cousin really sold himself out completely, leaving himself no way out.

Chen Yi tossed his phone onto the bedside table.

He was initially very reluctant to record the show.

But now that he has this system, he suddenly has a bit of hope.

It's just recording a variety show, right?

I'll just treat it as a three-day trip and see what other rewards the system can offer.

Chen Yi lay back down on the bed.

He began to think about the task of creating that "highlight of laughter".

To accomplish this task, you can't rely on forced humor; you have to rely on contrast.

Based on my own persona: sharp-tongued, calm, and an ordinary person.

Chen Yi mentally rehearsed several possible scenarios.

What do you do when Deng Chao digs a hole? What do you do when Lu Han steals your props?

In each situation, the system will automatically provide several excellent solutions.

Chen Yi became more and more energetic as he thought about it.

He pulled the blanket over himself and closed his eyes.

He thought he would fall asleep quickly, but his brain remained in an excited state.

Various variety show references and jokes flew around in my mind.

He turned over and over again, finally managing to fall asleep around 3 a.m.

……

the next morning.

Sunlight streamed into the guest room through the gaps in the curtains.

Chen Yi got out of bed with dark circles under his eyes.

He scratched his head, walked to the door, and opened it.

Chen He stood stiffly outside the door.

He was holding a stack of A4 papers and had two shopping bags hanging from his arm.

Chen He's smile was so bright it was almost lewd.

"Cousin, you're awake?"

Chen He waved the A4 paper in his hand.

Chen Yi took a step back.

What are you doing?

Chen Yi looked at him warily.

"Standing at my door so early in the morning, are you trying to steal my money or kill me?"

"What money are you after!"

Chen He handed the A4 paper to Chen Yi.

"The director agreed!"

"I've brought all the contracts back for you!"

"Recording will be held the day after tomorrow!"

Chen Yi looked at Chen He's face, which was grinning like he'd stolen a chicken.

His gaze shifted downwards, landing on the thin contract.

"The contract is ready so quickly?"

"Old Wang is so efficient!"

Chen He handed the contract forward.

"Sign it quickly, then we'll be in the same boat!"

"I have a feeling this is a pirate ship."

Chen Yi crossed his arms over his chest.

"What kind of pirate ship is this?! This is a luxury cruise ship!"

Chen He stared wide-eyed.

"Hurry up and sign it, then I'll take you to see someone."

Chen Yi asked.

"Whom are you going to see?"

Chen He raised an eyebrow, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.

"Keep it a secret."

Chen Yi stared at the contract.

The system panel suddenly flashed before my eyes.

[Hint: The plot is about to advance; please prepare yourself.]

Chen Yi's lips curled up slightly.

"OK."

He reached out and took the contract.