TCFOTKB 41

Chapter 41

The director’s expression seemed as if he had found a way out of a desperate situation, on the verge of tears of joy.

Lou Ting quickly said, “Other groups consist of internal players, and it wouldn’t be suitable for our group to choose from the audience. How about this – everyone takes the stage, and we select audience members to join us in a collaborative game.”

No one in the group wanted to be pulled out, and after a lot of pushing and shoving with no results, Lou Ting’s suggestion left no room for escape!

Vocal group: “???”

Finally pushing you onto the stage, and now you’re suggesting this – this is creating trouble.

“What you said makes sense,” the director thought. To avoid making He Yunzhou’s appearance on stage too abrupt, he decided to select a few more audience members to use as smokescreen.

The more he thought about it, the better the idea seemed. The director made a decision, “Come on, prepare the lighting!”

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Jynjpvytl zktbvkdt vlnbdknkyd: “…”

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“R scflnv vss!”

Fsxlsdl vssj vbl zlye, yde svblap kxxlekyvlzu hsknle vblka alpkpvydnl.

Wydt Twydesdt nypwyzzu pyke, “Xcflnvksdp yal kdhyzke. Mbl ywekldnl plzlnvle cu vbl zktbvkdt nyd nsxl sd pvytl.”

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Ubsspkdt psxlsdl vs nshla qsa Tl Zwdgbsw clbkde vbl pnldlp oyp yzps y okd-okd pszwvksd.

This time, when selecting people, Fang Huandong intentionally exchanged glances with the lighting technician and chose one from each person’s fan group.

After all, fans focus on their own idols. Going on stage to interact with someone other than their idol would be too heartbreaking.

Following the support signs in front of them, the audience quickly stood next to the trainees.

“Alright, pair up, and decide on your own who will carry and who will be carried,” the director said, smiling widely as he stepped aside to watch the show.

Trainees: “…”

Everyone’s eyes swiftly turned towards Lou Ting.

As the one who proposed the idea, Lou Ting felt like they all wanted to lift him up and throw him out.

Lou Ting cleared his throat and decided to embrace the chaos.

Facing the piercing gazes of the others, Lou Ting remained composed. His lips couldn’t help but curve up as he said, “Everyone who came here is a fan. Since they are fans, they should be pampered. And if we’re pampering them, we can’t let the fans carry us, right?”

Ji Huan, the first to object, said, “No!”

“Someone, lift Lou Ting up and throw him out!”

There were several Alphas present who couldn’t tolerate being princess-carried by others.

The role of Liang Caijin, the leader, became apparent. He stepped in to stabilize the situation and suggested, “How about this? Since Lou Ting is embarrassed, each of us can take turns carrying him. How about that?”

Lou Ting: “???”

“Hahaha, sounds good!”

“No need to trouble the fans. Just lift Lou Ting and pass him around.”

Liang Caijin’s idea received unanimous approval.

Fang Huandong, wanting to control the recording time, didn’t give them more chat time. “Get ready, we’re starting the timer.”

“What?!”

Everyone panicked. This competition could affect subsequent song changes, and they were all dissatisfied with the songs they had received, hoping to turn things around with this opportunity.

“I’ll carry you. I’ll carry you.”

“Stay still and let me do it!”

Everyone quickly negotiated with the nearby audience.

Lou Ting also turned to He Yunzhou, smiling, and asked, “Mr. He, care to be carried?”

I thought there would be no response, or perhaps a refusal.

Who is He Yunzhou? Even appearing on stage is a rare sight. How could he possibly allow someone to princess-carry him on stage, damaging his dignified image in front of everyone?

But what Lou Ting didn’t expect was He Yunzhou’s decisive response: “Sure.”

Lou Ting was momentarily stunned and quickly retorted, “You said it yourself.”

Before he could finish his sentence, he reached out to place his hand on the back of He Yunzhou’s neck, planning to stabilize the upper body first, and then lift him by the knees!

Lou Ting had planned out his movements and the force he would use, but as soon as his hand touched He Yunzhou’s neck, He Yunzhou grabbed his wrist.

“Huh?”

In the next moment, He Yunzhou grabbed both of Lou Ting’s hands and wrapped them around his own neck.

“W-Wait…”

Without waiting for Lou Ting to speak, He Yunzhou directly lifted him horizontally.

The movement was skilled, clearly practiced in private.

After securing the hold, when Lou Ting was about to release his hands, He Yunzhou advised, “Hold on tight.”

Lou Ting: “…”

Your way of carrying and what I had in mind are not the same!

Seeing everyone in position, Fang Huandong gave the command, “Get ready – the competition begins!”

“Adding a rule, if there are equal counts within the same time, then those two pairs will compete again.”

As Fang Huandong spoke, he moved around among the contestants.

Compared to the others, He Yunzhou, with his background in the Imperial Army, had a natural advantage. After his military service, he hadn’t neglected his daily training, making it easy for him to carry Lou Ting.

Lou Ting had gotten used to being carried by He Yunzhou when his leg was injured before. Now, as he turned to look at the others, he realized that it hadn’t been long since they started, yet some were already wobbling and struggling to stand steadily.

“I…I can’t do this anymore.”

“Huff, huff… Is this really a talent show I joined?”

As time passed, they all withdrew from the game.

On the contrary, He Yunzhou didn’t even break a sweat.

Lou Ting asked him, “Tired?”

Just a few squats, how could he be tired?

But… He Yunzhou watched the person next to him being princess-carried, wiping their sweat, and some even sat up straight, holding the person tightly with their faces close.

He Yunzhou felt he could have that too.

So, He Yunzhou took a casual breath, pretending to be exhausted, even though he hadn’t sweated a drop. But it looked convincing.

“Tired!” He Yunzhou said, emphasizing the word with strength.

Lou Ting’s eyes lit up at his words, “Then let me try!”

…

He Yunzhou remained silent, holding Lou Ting tightly and doing a few more squats.

Lou Ting was a bit puzzled and was about to ask when Fang Huandong shouted, “Alright, now it’s down to Liang Caijin and Lou Ting! Let’s guess who the final winner will be!”

Lou Ting vaguely felt that there might be something wrong with Fang Huandong’s words. He raised his hand and said, “Host.”

“Huh?” Fang Huandong approached, “What’s wrong?”

“Aren’t we both from the vocal group?” Why were they so enthusiastic about competing? The winner would just switch songs in the vocal group.

“Oh, right.” Fang Huandong, caught up in the excitement, forgot who was paired with whom.

Lou Ting said, “Let’s not bother. We’ve won.”

There was no need to compare who did fewer squats within the specified time; the fewer people left at the end, the better.

He Yunzhou stopped at the words, but held onto the person without hurrying to let go.

On the other side, Liang Caijin, whether it was because she was too far away to hear or for some other reason, continued for another four or five before stopping.

Liang Caijin released the audience, breathing heavily, and said, “I won!”

Lou Ting didn’t understand. Was the competition within the group so intense?

Then, the next moment, Liang Caijin said, “No change of song for the vocal group!”

Lou Ting: “?”

“I think you’re shameless,” he said. “Risking your life to win just to avoid changing the song?”

Ji Huan clapped from behind. “Great! I love the cute song ‘Sweet Sweet Sweet’!”

Other members of the vocal group also responded enthusiastically.

Except for Lou Ting.

At this moment, He Yunzhou already understood what was going on. He asked Lou Ting, “Regretting it?”

Lou Ting: “…”

If only I had known they would be so cunning, I wouldn’t have let you stop first.

“‘Sweet Sweet Sweet’ is not suitable for the vocal group,” Lou Ting tried to persuade Liang Caijin. “This song has a simple melody, simple sheet music, no need for high or low notes, and no need to add any techniques. It’s just a simple beginner’s song.”

The vocal group must have chosen this ordinary song to showcase their singing skills, but it wouldn’t give an impressive feeling on stage.

Liang Caijin waved her hand. “That’s not important.”

“???”

“The performance outfit for ‘Sweet Sweet Sweet’ is pink and fluffy!”

“…”

Lou Ting: “I want to withdraw from the competition.”

The crowd exclaimed in unison, “Too late!”

Lou Ting fell silent.

How did you manage to be so united in all three groups?

The mentors on stage were all laughing like mad.

He’s in trouble.

It’s over.

They were all holding their breaths to mess with him.

Wait until you go on stage wearing a fluffy outfit and acting cute, their faces expresses.

The last time Lou Ting performed, it was cool, but next time, he would have to wear a fluffy costume and sing a sweet song.

Lou Ting can’t help but laugh just thinking about it without even seeing the stage.

Fang Huandong, although also laughing uncontrollably, remembered his role as the host. He began guiding the fans off the stage, saying, “Alright, our game is over. Please, audience, exit the stage. Come… this way. Someone will lead you back to your seats in an orderly manner.”

The fans, being part of the audience, were happy to have close contact with their idols. Everyone left the stage happily.

Fang Huandong stood on the side guiding them off, and only after they were gone did he notice He Yunzhou. He hurriedly ran over and whispered, “Mr. He, the fans have left. Please put down Lou Ting. We still need to film later.”

Lou Ting, after being targeted by everyone just now, started pretending to be an ostrich. Feeling He Yunzhou walking away, he thought He Yunzhou was just wandering around on stage. When he heard Fang Huandong’s voice, he raised his head and realized he was almost off the stage.

Lou Ting quickly nudged the man’s shoulder, and He Yunzhou smoothly let him down.

Lou Ting waved his hand, gesturing for him to go down, and he himself walked back to the vocal group’s position.

After He Yunzhou sat back down, Fang Huandong also breathed a sigh of relief.

If Lou Ting had been carried away, he didn’t know if they would still need to film later.

The risk of bringing fans up for interaction was too high. Fang Huandong secretly decided that if there’s a chance, he might remove the fan interaction segment.

—

After selecting the song, they filmed a closing scene, concluding all the shooting for today.

Before the fans arrived, they all signed confidentiality agreements, promising not to reveal any content. Moreover, each fan knew that such leaked footage would result in their idol’s scenes being edited out when officially broadcast. As a result, no one released any videos.

However, the staff didn’t have to consider this aspect. Some programs relied on them to ‘inadvertently’ share a small image, arousing curiosity before the official broadcast, thereby increasing viewership.

Just before the end of the shoot, He Yunzhou had to leave due to some last-minute business. As soon as he arrived at the company, he received a message from his assistant.

Assistant: [Mr. Hé, your photos have been widely circulated on the internet as memes. Do you want us to request the removal from all platforms?]

He Yunzhou frowned, opened his Weibo notifications, and saw a picture of him holding Lou Ting in his arms while Fang Huandong spoke on the side. The caption read: [Boss Hé: What I’ve hugged is mine, taking it away, taking it away.]

[Fang Huandong: Leave my popularity king behind!!!] Fang Huandong’s face had been edited with two wide strips of blue tears.

He Yunzhou: [Delete it.]

Bored and unimpressed, He Yunzhou didn’t bother criticizing the poorly edited image. The whole picture had no redeeming qualities.

Assistant: [Yes!]

Shortly afterward, He Yunzhou received a message from Lou Ting: [How’s my new profile picture?]

He Yunzhou opened Lou Ting’s full profile picture, which happened to be the photo he had just ordered to be deleted from all platforms.

He Yunzhou: “…”

After a moment of silence, He Yunzhou, with a deadpan expression but extreme seriousness, tapped the virtual keyboard: [Looks good.]