Chapter 42: Can we not go?

“But keeping everyone in suspense like this, I still think it’s not great. It might even lose new fans. This gradual hype-building, like a rotating battle format—let’s skip it this time. We have other methods.”

Just as she said that, the waiter quickly served the new desserts.

When Hoshisuna saw the two tempting strawberry parfaits placed in front of her, her originally calm eyes immediately lit up.

But out of maidenly reserve, she forcibly suppressed the urge to immediately grab a spoon and dig in, quickly returning to her aloof expression, though she kept staring at the strawberry on the glass with her peripheral vision.

Orange Quiet Forest saw that Chu Yong was still beating around the bush with her buildup, so she cut straight to the chase and asked.

“What exactly is it?”

“It’s a famous TV show, the kind that airs live simultaneously on TV and online platforms.”

The girls present weren’t too clear on the specific intricacies of the entertainment industry.

But still, the words “live on TV and online simultaneously” sounded pretty impressive.

Everyone clapped in unison.

Chu Yong lowered her head, thought for a moment, then explained.

“Our own fixed online variety show is still in preparation. Although we could indeed debut on our own show, that would make it hard to expand our circle.”

Her fingers began to twirl flexibly, as if she was thinking about something.

“If we can appear before the public through a well-established famous variety show, that would naturally be the best start.”

Cao Qian Ju finished the last bite of dessert, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, and gently set down her utensils without making a sound.

“What specific variety show is it?”

Cao Qian Ju asked with some anticipation.

Chu Yong gave a slight smile and uttered a name.

“Gold Dsah”

“Uh…”

The relaxed and cheerful atmosphere in the private room froze.

The girls sitting there had expressions that turned subtle in an instant.

Orange Quiet Forest’s tiramisu, which she was about to put into her mouth, froze in midair, and her eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

Cao Qian Ju, who usually paid the most attention to sun protection and skincare, suddenly dropped her napkin onto her lap.

Jingchuan Xuanxiang’s usually composed fox-like eyes flew wide open, and the small silver spoon in her hand scraped a sharp screech against the porcelain plate.

Even Hoshisuna, who had been pretending to be aloof, stopped sneaking glances at the strawberry parfait.

And Umimi, sitting next to her, had already silently shrunk her shoulders like a hamster sensing danger.

It was indeed a famous variety show, no mistake.

But this show…

Is an outdoor survival show.

For a group of teenage girls, that’s too torturous.

Although it’s indeed a classic variety show with over a decade of history.

A classic variety show with extremely high national recognition.

But anyone who has seen this show knows that its core appeal is its dark humor.

Ehhhh…

Simply put, part of the audience’s enjoyment is built on watching the painful expressions of celebrities struggling in the wild and their disheveled appearances.

After all, outdoors, far from phones and computers, there are no ready-made useful tools, not even a comfortable bed to lie down on.

Let alone having to deal with all kinds of bugs and mosquitoes in the forest.

That’s really unbearable.

The anger of celebrities pushed to their limits against the production team, the exhaustion of long journeys, the genuine emotions of breaking down and shouting “I want to go home.”

These are all excellent material for the show to increase ratings and humor.

It could even be said that some audiences like this show specifically to see usually glamorous celebrities brutally tortured by outdoor survival.

Especially girls…

Harsh natural environment, intense UV sun exposure.

For girls who value skin and image more than life itself.

It’s too painful.

And these heartless audiences just love to watch the genuine reactions of female celebrities getting too scared and screaming crazily when they encounter bugs at night.

Moreover, the production team especially likes to invite inexperienced new celebrities as guests, focusing on real emotional breakdowns.

So that’s why they invited them as guests on this show.

Orange Quiet Forest silently put down the dessert fork in her hand.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to flip the table.

‘Let her, a shut-in who grew up in a gaming chair, go survive in the wilderness?’

‘How many days will I be unable to play games?’

‘Who will make up for the log-in rewards I’ll miss?’

Orange Quiet Forest was getting anxious.

“No way, no way, no way! Boss, is this a show that normal carbon-based life forms should participate in? We’ll die out in the wilderness, won’t we?”

Chu Yong pouted and shrugged exaggeratedly.

She picked up a spoon, scooped a large spoonful of the melting vanilla ice cream into her mouth, and said indistinctly.

“But this show does have an extremely large audience base.”

Chu Yong swallowed the ice cream, and her tone became realistic.

“This is the highest exposure show I could secure for you using all my connections. Everyone, be realistic. You’re just about to officially debut. What right do you have to be picky at this stage?”

That’s true…

Everyone had no choice but to silently accept reality.

They all had certain goals; they couldn’t just give up because a show was a bit difficult.

No one saw how Hoshisuna did it, but those two towering parfaits had been completely devoured by her in such a short time.

She elegantly picked up a napkin, wiped her mouth, and raised her eyes.

“I’m willing to participate. Since I chose this path, I should strive to seize every opportunity.”

Chu Yong started to praise.

“Oh oh, that’s the spirit.”

She spread her hands, analyzing the pros and cons.

“To be honest, debuting comfortably in our company’s own studio with an online variety show would be very easy. But if we do that, only the old fans who already follow you will watch. How do we break out?”

Umimi, sitting next to Orange Quiet Forest, nodded obediently like a chick pecking at rice.

“Indeed…”

Seeing that everyone’s emotions were stirred up, Chu Yong stood up excitedly and slapped the dining table hard with both hands.

Clang!

The porcelain plates and cutlery on the table made crisp clattering sounds from the sudden vibration.

“Everyone, perk up and do your best!”

Chu Yong propped her hands on the table, sweeping her gaze over the five girls before her.

“I’ve already fought hard with the production team this time. They will leave us plenty of self-introduction screen time in the main episode.”

What else could be said?

We just have to do it.

Chu Yong started calling the waiter to pay the bill, and finally added.

“I’ll send you all the location, precautions, and procedures soon, and start the pre-heating with the show.”

Everyone answered together.

“Understood.”

“Alright, let’s call it a day. Everyone go do your own thing. I’ll give you a few days off; the training schedule for other days remains the same.”

Everyone picked up their bags and headed outside.

Just as Chu Yong was about to open the door, she added one more thing.

“Because we’ve recently started building up hype for your debut. Although I think it might not be possible to recognize you just by voice, everyone should be careful of strange fans.”