It was just a love letter; I'm really no great writer!

The girl's coquettish voice exploded like a thunderclap—

"Huh?" Passengers around them cast strange glances.

Lu Ran chuckled awkwardly, burying his head in the sand like an ostrich, and started scrolling through the book review section.

Although Xia Mi was stabbed.

However, readers have given the second part of Dragon Raja a very high overall rating.

Looking forward to the third installment! Keep it up, Listening Rain!

"Waaaaah, Old Tang is gone in the first season, and Xia Mi is gone in the second season. I feel like that old scoundrel is up to no good again..."

"The comic book is out too, it's great!"

A lengthy review by a prominent Zhihu user:

"Thanks for the invitation. After reading novels for so many years, Dragon Raja truly stands out from the rest."

"The dawn of fire unveiled a corner of the world, the best youthful fantasy of a spoiled kid;

"The eyes of the mourner are a masterpiece of writing; sorrow washes over you like a torrential downpour..."

Weibo is rife with online flame wars:

"Don't call him 'Umbrella Filial Son,' Tingyu's strength lies in his ability to capture emotions!"

"Listening to the rain condenses the atmosphere and imagery into a short phrase: the darkness of the raging rain, the youthful classmates who were not wicked, unable to outrun the Bugatti Veyron of time, and the blood of kings must end with the sword..."

"Shouldn't Rain Boy take a look at how many memes he's created with 'Bringing an Umbrella'? 'The Great Hero is One Who Serves His Country and People,' 'Peach Blossom Shadow Falls with the Flying Divine Sword,' 'Extinction Master,' 'Dugu Qiubai'... "

There are also rational and objective people:

"Everyone, please stop arguing. I think that as a senior who listens to the rain, Daisan has better grades and a higher position, but the core of both is the same."

"Carrying an umbrella depicts the world of martial arts, listening to the rain depicts a lonely youth. The traditional society of the Celestial Empire relied too much on family, fame, and connections."

"Leaving all these things aside, the martial world doesn't need a distinguished background. Once a young man leaves home with his sword, he is free."

"Let's all look forward to the next work from Daisan and Tingyu. By the way, the TV series 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' is coming out soon, so keep an eye out for it..."

Lu Ran scrolled through the news, taking a look at the cast of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" with great interest.

The cast is full of big names, including both popular actors and veteran performers. The male lead is Hu Xiaoyao, a top star in the entertainment industry, and the female lead is Zhang Ruolan, a very popular actress.

"Wow, it's really beautiful."

Lu Ran looked at the leaked stills of Zhang Ruolan and was quite satisfied.

Although she's a bit older, she has the perfect makeup and styling... This still captures both the beauty and liveliness of a young girl, as well as her mischievousness and wickedness.

However, he had heard Sister Di talk about gossip in the entertainment industry.

For female celebrities who follow the "pretty face" route to rise from obscurity to stardom, they have to go through at least nine rounds of unspoken rules and exploitation.

Unless you have excellent acting skills and are lucky enough to meet a good mentor, you won't succeed.

Otherwise, if you run into a troublesome kid, your acting career might come to an end... Becoming an overnight sensation is no exaggeration.

So just observe female celebrities from afar.

……

"What! You want me to seduce Lu Ran?"

In a conference room in the Broadcasting International Building in the provincial capital, Zhao Sizhe looked down at the bustling buildings and streets from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Zhou Haoxi exploded: "What is my status? I'm a Stephen Chow girl! I debuted as the epitome of a pure and innocent beauty! Lu Ran is just a lousy poet!"

"Why should I?!"

Zhou Haoxi, a junior at the Beijing Film Academy, was selected as the female lead in the new movie "Tang Bohu 2" in a nationwide audition. She rose to fame overnight. With her clean and innocent appearance, she is known as the "Nation's Daughter".

When it flies too high, its tail gets all sticky.

"Have you forgotten how you climbed up there?"

Zhao Sizhe's expression was somewhat gloomy. He glanced at the stomping girl and his gaze was cold and sharp.

The latter shrank back, "I...I'm a good actor..."

"Think about it again?" Zhao Sizhe said dismissively.

With that kind of intelligence, she was just lucky to be chosen and enter the entertainment industry. She'll be devoured in no time.

"...Okay, I'm good-looking." Zhou Haoxi sighed.

This industry is just that cruel; there's no quantifiable or demonstrative standard for acting skills, but there is for appearance.

If an ordinary pretty face is placed on a movie screen, its flaws will be exposed. A movie face and audience affinity are the rarest things.

Zhou Haoxi knew very well that the reason she, a girl with no background, was chosen and stood out from thousands of candidates was...

She has the delicate, fresh-faced beauty that her parents gave her, making her a perfect movie star.

Thus, they avoided the quagmire of unspoken rules at the bottom of the entertainment industry.

After she became famous, offers of help poured in.

At least for now, they don't lack resources, and they can use their fame to protect themselves...

But this doesn't mean there's no danger; every step is still extremely perilous.

"Heartbeat Trip" is the safe option that her agent, Sister Li, managed to secure for her.

Lacking acting skills, yet bearing the weight of public fame.

You have to be extremely careful about the movies and TV series you accept afterward. But variety shows are different; they can not only boost your popularity but also help you establish a persona.

Most importantly, it was an olive branch extended by the Zhao family of Beijing's elite circle—establishing this connection would undoubtedly broaden his future career path!

However, Zhou Haoxi had told Sister Li beforehand that her bottom line was that she would not accept any form of unspoken rules.

I can tolerate the rumors and gossip.

But now...

Are you going to create a romantic pairing with an unknown nobody?

Zhao Sizhe said calmly, "With the 'Star Girl' label, you can remain chaste until you're old and your beauty fades."

If you want to leave, then leave.

"The 'Heartbeat Trip'... has no shortage of people who want to climb to the top."

Knowing full well that they were masters at gradually lowering the bar... Zhou Haoxi gritted her teeth: "Are you sure it's just about creating a CP (couple pairing) and nothing more?"

"To be precise, dating is prohibited on this show," Zhao Sizhe said with a slight smile.

"What you need to do is secretly seduce him until you 'accidentally' expose yourself during a live stream..."

"We will handle the rest naturally. Your agent will issue a statement. In short, you are still the pure and innocent national sweetheart."

Lu Ran is really unfortunate... Zhou Haoxi thought about it and realized that she didn't need to pay any price to get exposure on a top travel variety show and support from the Zhao family's top resources, and she could then disappear without a trace.

"that's all?"

"that's all."

Zhao Sizhe gazed at the cloudless blue sky and thought, "Lu Ran, Lu Ran, let me give you a little something to start with."

I hope you can hold on a little longer...

That way it won't be boring.

……

At noon that day, in a restaurant at a five-star hotel in the provincial capital.

Lu Ran, dressed lightly, met Zeng Yang, Di Qingling, Qiu Ran, Zhao Sizhe and other members of the production team.

After exchanging pleasantries.

Zeng Yang warmly greeted him: "Teacher Lu, welcome to the Heart Journey crew!"

"Let's eat first, and I'll introduce you to our guest teachers."

"The show will officially go live tomorrow, so you can get to know each other today. You'll be partners on the trip afterwards."

Lu Ran was unusually nervous.

"Heart-Fluttering Trip" has not yet aired.

But Tencent had already spread the news everywhere, which is the real buzz across the internet.

For example, with one day left before the premiere, Tencent revealed the identity of a guest only every three hours, which kept viewers in suspense.

Up to now, Lu Ran only knows that Ning Ning will come.

But he still had no idea what the specific process of this variety show was or how it would be filmed...

As they entered the bright restaurant, Zeng Yang led Lu Ran to the first table and introduced them: "These four teachers are the travel observation team, who will accompany you remotely from the studio."

"Cultural observer, Professor Mo Hua!"

The somewhat chubby and adorable teacher, Mo Hua, stood up and smiled kindly.

Wow, I met my idol!

Lu Ran was flattered and shook hands with him: "Hello, Teacher Mo Hua, I'm a fan of yours, could you please sign my autograph?"

"I also really like your poems." Mo Hua readily signed his name on the napkin.

Zeng Yang continued, "This is the poetry observer, Teacher Dan Ding!"

Dante, with his white hair, said humorously, "Lu Ran, I'm your fan."

"Teacher Danting is exaggerating." Lu Ran was very excited and exchanged autographs with Danting.

Zeng Yang remarked with emotion, "Professor Dan Ding was overjoyed to see that China had produced you."

The next two are also heavyweights among heavyweights.

The scientific observer is Yang Wendao, one of the top physicists in China and even the world.

The old man appears to be in good health, and his achievements are even more remarkable, making him a strong nominee for this year's Nobel Prize in Physics.

An Yun, an emotional observer and a regular CCTV host on the Spring Festival Gala, is a key figure in the show's annual program.

An Yi has a gentle face that suggests peace and prosperity, exuding an intellectual and scholarly charm.

Lu Ran seized the opportunity to flatter her: "Aunt An Yun, I've been looking at you since I was a child, and I'm still looking at you now that I'm grown up. You're still so beautiful, you haven't changed at all."

An Yi said with a smile, "Haha, as expected of a poet, you have such a sweet tongue, you must have fooled quite a few young girls, right?"

Lu Ran: "...No."

Yang Wendao's expression was somewhat cold: "Little Lu, I heard you're the young poet saint personally chosen by Dante. What are your thoughts upon seeing the four of us?"

Splash... crackle...

The entire film crew swarmed around, pointing their long lenses and cameras at Lu Ran.

Everyone had heard of Lu Ran's renowned reputation, but witnessing it in person was a first for them.

Curiosity, anticipation, or ill intent...

Di Qingling silently watched Lu Ran, secretly sweating profusely.

Flashes of light went off one after another.

No, they've already started filming?

Lu Ran frowned slightly, but meeting the earnest gazes of the four seniors, he calmly pondered:

"Even the divine tortoise, though long-lived, has its end."

"The flying serpent riding the mist will eventually turn to dust."

The murmurs subsided, and everyone fell silent.

"An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles."

"Even in their twilight years, heroes still cherish lofty ambitions."

A sense of awe arose, and everyone was deeply moved.

"The timing of waxing and waning is not solely determined by Heaven;"

"Nourishment and well-being bring blessings, and one can attain...longevity!"