Entertainment: Oh no, I've become the sect leader!

"What invitation?"

"Top-tier actor's salary." Liu Xia answered irrelevantly, clearly knowing what Xu Kong cared about: "It's 'Mushroom House,' that rural labor documentary outdoor reality show."

"A guest?" Xu Kong asked.

"Yes." Liu Xia nodded: "One million per episode."

"Only one million?" Xu Kong clicked his tongue in disbelief.

Although he hasn't been in this world for very long, a million was a sum that would have taken him half a lifetime to accumulate in his previous life. But to be honest, Xu Kong really looks down on a journey that costs a million.

Even at the start of 2026, apart from the eight million in friendly fees he earned from the "Ultraman Tiga" production team, he had no other income—the Pradar endorsement fee hadn't arrived yet, so it didn't count.

"One million is too little." Xu Kong was inclined to refuse: "I can accept the salary alone, but going to 'Mushroom House' is like testing the waters."

A while ago, a guest who participated in the recording of "Mushroom House" was hospitalized due to food poisoning.

This matter caused quite a stir, and even Xu Kong, who was obsessed with being Ultraman Tiga's human form, wentssiped about it.

These words left Liu Xia unsure how to advise Xu Kong.

Judging from the current reputation of "Mushroom House" and the content and risks of the show, it seems that this is indeed the case.

Guests visiting the restaurant not only have to try the bizarre food, but also face a significant risk of food poisoning.

From this perspective, a million dollars for recording one episode doesn't seem so high after all.

It's actually a bit low.

"So I should refuse 'Mushroom House'?" Liu Xia's tone was somewhat regretful. "It's a pity, they said they could include the 'Ultraman Tiga' crew in the package..."

"Wait a minute—"

Hearing Liu Xia's mutterings, Xu Kong paused for a moment before interrupting, "What do you mean by 'package' it up and give it to the 'Ultraman Tiga' production team?"

"Besides inviting you, Mushroom House said they also plan to invite three other artists: Chen Shu, Chen Ling, and Yan Xue," Liu Xia said.

Yan Xue is the actor who played the crash duo and the archer Xin Cheng in "Ultraman Tiga". He is also one of the relatives of Dou Dou House, one of the main sponsors of the entire series.

She and Xu Kong occupy the same niche as traffic stars, but their styles are quite different, and there is little conflict of interest.

"That's something we can consider," Xu Kong said. "Let's ask Sister Shu and the others for their opinions."

If all four members of the Victory team were to appear on the show together, it would be possible to create a "Tiga" themed episode of "Mushroom House," serving as a promotional warm-up for "Tiga."

After all, based on the current filming schedule, Zheng Wei's team could theoretically bring "Ultraman Tiga" to the big screen as early as October.

Although Ultraman Tiga is of top quality, there's nothing wrong with promoting it in advance.

"Okay." Liu Xia nodded. "Then if Sister Shu and the others can participate—"

"I'll participate too." Xu Kong took a deep breath.

It's just a poison test, so what if we have to take the risk? We can just talk more and eat less when we get there.

"Okay, then you need to prepare in advance, Brother Kong. If the schedule is confirmed, you may have to go to the program site to report the day after tomorrow," Liu Xia instructed.

"Hmm." Xu Kong nodded slightly. "There shouldn't be any extra requests from the 'Mushroom House' team this time, right?"

When he first transmigrated, the variety show "Let's Go" asked him to record a program. The main purpose was not for the program's effect, but to make him attract attention.

If "Mushroom House" has the same idea, then they really need to raise the budget.

One million dollars really can't do all that work, like recording, testing, and drawing attention.

"That wasn't mentioned." Liu Xia paused, then added, "But if we invited Brother Kong and the entire 'Ultraman Tiga' crew—"

Liu Xia didn't finish her sentence, but the subtext was clear.

While the hype surrounding Ultraman Tiga may seem to have died down, the controversy surrounding it remains significant.

If the entire crew went to "Mushroom House," even if the crew didn't intend for Xu Kong and his group to draw attention to them, it would still have the same effect.

"No, let's involve the company too." Xu Kong thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "My appearance fee is subject to a salary cap, so let's have 'Mushroom House' give the company's newly signed trainees an opportunity to appear on the show."

"Okay." Liu Xia nodded, then asked, "How much would be a suitable price to sell this program's resources to the company?"

Liu Xia was a little unsure about the current relationship between Xu Kong and Xu Yejing.

The two don't actually spend much time together on a regular basis, but whenever they are together, they are always in a relaxed and somewhat intimate state.

"Let the company decide... never mind, I don't want the money." Xu Kong said, "I won't ask for money. If President Xu insists on giving it to you, then you can accept it."

"Uh... I understand."

To be honest, the company has given me a lot of support, and the domineering CEO Xu would often send me red envelopes or something, indicating that he would be my backer.

Xu Kong is not someone who doesn't know how to give back and be grateful.

The resources for a variety show were given away, so they were given away.

But if Xu Yejing insists on giving it to him, he will reluctantly accept it.

then.

three days later.

Xu Kong took Liu Xia to Meilan Airport in Hainan Province, and then transferred to a business vehicle to go to the filming location of the eighth season of "Mushroom House" in Changjiang County.

In the car.

Liu Xia then briefly explained the schedule for this episode: "We'll arrive there around 2 PM and start recording right away..."

The guests who come to participate in the recording of "Mushroom House" usually stay for this long, from the afternoon of the first day to the morning of the second day.

"So, I have to eat at 'Mushroom House' for another day?" Xu Kong's face was grim. "This is Hainan Province; they don't just serve seafood, do they?"

If some seafood is not handled properly, the risk of food poisoning can be very high.

"Hey, Brother Kong, do you want to grab something to eat beforehand?" Liu Xia reached behind Xu Kong's seat and pulled out a lunchbox.

Xu Kong: "???"

"I asked the driver to prepare boxed meals for us in advance, but time was limited, so they were quite simple," Liu Xia explained.

Xu Kong gave a thumbs up: "You've thought of everything."

"Brother Kong, you can talk more and eat less when you go. I'll secretly bring you food when we're not filming."

"Xia, with your ambition to improve, it's hard for me not to give you a raise," Xu Kong said with deep emotion.

Liu Xia's eyes lit up when she heard about the pay raise.

"But I held back." Xu Kong patted Liu Xia on the shoulder: "Work hard. The studio is having a tough year, but I'll definitely give you a raise next year."

Liu Xia: "..."

Liu Xia glared at Xu Kong with annoyance. Although she hadn't really thought about getting a raise, Xu Kong's words made her decide to change the food she was going to secretly give him tonight from hot to cold.

"...Air host, we've arrived."