WS - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Wang Mancang had made it sound easy when he told Song Shiyue, but in reality, the opportunity he secured for her to join The Wilderness Journey involved both luck and a great deal of effort.

With the precedent of artists on Amusement Journey two years ago raking in both fame and fortune, and with the same model of a corporate-acquired planet redeveloped as a reality show promotion, The Wilderness Journey was eyed by every entertainment company from the moment it was greenlit over a year ago.

However, Amusement Planet was developed for leisure and entertainment. Back then, Amusement Journey mainly used the reality show as a gimmick to introduce the various amusement parks and holiday destinations on Amusement Planet. There was eating, drinking, playing, and sightseeing all the way, with the most thrilling parts merely being some slightly-dangerous-looking amusement projects. Apart from getting a little tired from all the walking, the participating artists didn't have to endure much hardship.

But The Wilderness Journey, even from its name, was clearly different from Amusement Journey.

Compared to Amusement Planet, which took only a few years from purchase to completion, Mu Group had bought a subordinate planet of Mingtan Planet over a decade ago. For all those years, there was no news about it, until over a year ago when The Wilderness Journey was greenlit, and that planet was remembered by everyone again.

Wang Mancang had also heard from people in the industry that when Mu Group bought that agricultural subordinate planet, they didn't continue with technological modernization. Instead, they returned farmland to forests and introduced a massive number of plants and animals, nurturing that subordinate planet into an ecological planet. Now they were preparing to open it to the public, with its main selling point being the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature — the kind of beautiful natural scenery rarely seen on modernized, steel-ridden prime planets like Beichen and Mingtan.

Mu Group named this transformed planet Wilderness.

Amusement Planet also had many artificially crafted scenic spots. Back then, Amusement Journey filmed plenty of artists enjoying themselves amid the scenery. Perhaps to differentiate itself, The Wilderness Journey was positioned as a wilderness survival show.

That much, Wang Mancang could infer just from the show's title.

What he had not expected, though, was that The Wilderness Journey would actually be a livestream variety show.

Wilderness survival was already difficult, and making it a livestream meant there could be no slack or special treatment for the artists during filming...

Wang Mancang had seen this kind of survival show before. One major draw was watching participants, cold and hungry, struggling to eat their fill, stay warm, and survive. But in reality, behind the scenes, the production team would always provide food and drink, and even arrange better places to stay. What the show presented was only what the production team wanted the audience to see. Yes, there were hardships, but definitely not as harsh as the show made it seem, and certainly not as miserable as the audience might imagine.

But The Wilderness Journey, over ten-plus days, twenty-four hours a day, was fully livestreamed. Only when dealing with personal matters or entering the camp washroom could they press the Privacy Shield Button...

So harsh... no wonder Yao Mingzhu gave up this opportunity.

Wang Mancang looked at the related documents sent by Wanshan Entertainment, his expression growing darker.

Over a month ago, Wang Mancang had taken his artist Ren Qiu and left Beichen Planet to film on Mingtan Planet. Then, in less than two weeks, Yao Mingzhu, an artist from the same crew and also from Wanshan Entertainment, was revealed to be pregnant.

Yao Mingzhu was a top-tier artist pushed by Wanshan Entertainment, mainly a variety show star with tens of millions of fans. Although she couldn't compare to someone like Yu Nianbing, who had won two Golden Planet Awards at a young age, she had received a Golden Planet nomination, which wasn't bad for someone whose side job was acting.

Over a year ago, the participation slot that Wanshan Entertainment secured from The Wilderness Journey production team had fallen on Yao Mingzhu.

Wilderness survival was not suitable for a pregnant woman.

While on Mingtan Planet, Wang Mancang knew that Yao Mingzhu's spot would likely be returned to the company. But with so many artists at the company, a show destined for explosive popularity and generous pay would never fall to the fourth- or fifth-tier ones he handled, so he didn't think much of it.

Until today, when the matter of Song Shiyue's suicide hit him in the face, Wang Mancang had rushed onto a spaceship back to Beichen Planet, his mind full of how to get money for Song Shiyue, and only then remembered this matter again.

For all these years, his artists were mediocre, his resources meager, and Wang Mancang had never thought of using his connections. This time, however, he had no choice but to do so... With only the work he himself could find for Song Shiyue, it would likely take years to pay off. Of course, Wang Mancang now knew that with Song Shiyue's current work, those debts might not be cleared even in decades. He had been too naive.

He had swallowed his pride and begged for the opportunity on The Wilderness Journey, but now, looking at the specific content the company sent over, Wang Mancang hesitated again. A livestream wilderness survival, he feared it might bring more black marks than fame. A delicate girl like Song Shiyue... wouldn't she just cry and cry once she went there...

At that thought, Wang Mancang shuddered again.

Could it be that this was exactly what the company wanted to see?

Without a variety-show-savvy Yao Mingzhu, putting on a delicate one like Song Shiyue wasn't without its own appeal... And to be fair, although this show was destined to be a huge hit with high pay, the livestream aspect alone was enough to deter artists who were already A-list.

If they were already famous enough, why would they need to go on a show and roll around in the mud looking bad?

Not to mention, it looked like a show where you couldn't eat or sleep properly.

Could Yao Mingzhu have deliberately gotten pregnant after learning the show was a livestream? That way she could reasonably drop out of the show... Wang Mancang shook his head. Maybe it was just a coincidence; he might be overthinking.

Anyway, in that case, the people joining this show probably wouldn't have too high a status. No wonder Song Shiyue could squeeze her way in.

Wang Mancang felt a bit of hesitation, but at this thought, his finger still quickly slid over, skipping some less important information, and began searching for the list of artists participating later.

Though it wasn't very honest to slack off while others were working hard, Song Shiyue still resolutely reached for the second scallion flower roll on the tray.

"What the—!" Wang Mancang was shocked when he saw the list.

Song Shiyue was startled by Wang Mancang's sudden yell. By reflex, she stuffed the whole scallion flower roll into her mouth.

Wang Mancang, already shocked by the list in the document, had exclaimed under his breath. He was about to talk to Song Shiyue about it, but when he turned his head, he saw the girl with bulging cheeks like a startled hamster spirit, her hands braced on the window sill as if ready to jump down at any moment.

"What are you doing! What are you doing!" A cold sweat broke out on Wang Mancang's back. He rushed over in a few steps and grabbed Song Shiyue's arm.

"Mm..." Seeing he seemed to misunderstand, Song Shiyue waved her hand. "Mm... mm..."

This was a habit from the apocalypse... Whenever there was food, you had to eat it quickly, especially when something happened, so you could eat and flee without missing anything.

Unfortunately, Song Shiyue couldn't say that. Under Wang Mancang's suspicious glare, she used the thin congee to wash down the scallion flower roll that had nearly choked her, without even tasting it, and hurriedly used the word "hungry" to cover up her somewhat idiotic action just now.

Afraid Wang Mancang wouldn't believe her, Song Shiyue then swept clean like a whirlwind the remaining congee, two small dishes of side dishes, and a basket of nearly-cold xiaolongbao.

Wang Mancang was well aware of Song Shiyue's usual bird-like appetite. Seeing her now quickly eat so much without any struggle, he was mostly convinced, so his tense expression relaxed.

"Even if you're hungry, eat slower. If you gulp it down before your stomach realizes, you'll feel stuffed later." Wang Mancang couldn't help but nag her like an old father.

Song Shiyue nodded, but gazed at the now empty trays with a little regret.

Ah, she had just barely whetted her appetite, and now there was nothing left. When would they finish the talk and have the next meal...

Wang Mancang had no idea that Song Shiyue was currently calculating a long list of dishes in her mind. He quickly brought up the StarNet page in front of her: "Take a look. This is the information sent about The Wilderness Journey, and this list is the people who will participate... I think we might want to reconsider whether to join this show, or if there's another way to get money..."

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Song Shiyue took a cursory glance. She didn't see anything that would make her give up such a good deal: over ten days of work for ten years' salary.

"First, it's a livestream, over ten days, 24/7, unlike the recorded kind where they can edit out your bad moments in post. Second, it's a wilderness survival show. You... you might not be able to handle it. You won't get enough food or sleep, and the production team won't cut you any slack. Most importantly, look at the participant list." Wang Mancang frowned and pointed at the StarNet page.

Song Shiyue looked over the list again.

Apart from the staff and expedition leaders, the artists included a Best Actress, a Best Actor, a popular singer, the female lead of a hit drama, a retired athlete...

Hmm, they all looked more impressive than her.

"Is it because my status isn't high enough?" Song Shiyue tried to grasp Wang Mancang's meaning. "Worried that if I'm on the show with them, people will say I got in through connections?"

Wang Mancang froze for a moment, as if he couldn't comprehend Song Shiyue's stupidity.

"Look, look at the first name!" Wang Mancang, exasperated at her lack of initiative, jabbed heavily at the StarNet.

"Yu Nianbing." Song Shiyue obediently read out, then looked at Wang Mancang in confusion. "What about it?"

"This is a livestream show. What if Yu Nianbing accidentally blurts out what happened today during filming? And previously, you took it upon yourself to confess to her; the production team will definitely use that to stir up hype. Won't your reputation be even worse then?" Wang Mancang said up to here, and got angry again. "You said last time it was just a brief brush, but look what happened? How is it, the moment I went to Mingtan Planet, you ended up living right next to Yu Nianbing? Wait, this time you..."

Song Shiyue saw the chubby man's face turn a bit pale and hurriedly shook her head: "No, no... Alright, no matter what, what happened today wasn't me scheming to get at Yu Nianbing. I also promise I won't attempt suicide again and won't use confessions to ride on Yu Nianbing's popularity. But I believe Yu Nianbing isn't the kind of person who would help me today and then blab about it to harm me tomorrow."

Song Shiyue had overheard Yu Nianbing's conversation with her agent more or less, so naturally she didn't share Wang Mancang's worries.

"Ai, I also think she isn't. You had an accident right next door, so it would be hard for her to explain. And she even sent you to Ciming, which probably means she was covering for you." Wang Mancang sighed again. "But the production team will definitely hype up the two of you. That confession of yours last time, though it got you a supporting role in a drama, attracted a ton of haters... If the show stirs it up again, it'll be terrible for your future development."

Wang Mancang's expectations for the original host, Song Shiyue understood.

But Song Shiyue held a doubtful attitude about whether she could be a good actress.

If it weren't for the fact that she now had no better options and was saddled with debts waiting to be repaid, she might not continue on this path.

Whether she would continue acting in the future, or go back to studying her original field and learn this world's advanced science and technology, that was still up in the air.

Right now, repaying debts was the priority, and this variety show... paid a lot of money.

Even from all kinds of information, regardless of how the original host performed, after this show, her worth would definitely be different, with more opportunities. That would help her pay off the remaining debts quickly.

"I want to participate." Song Shiyue made her decision.

Wang Mancang also knew in his heart that such a large sum of money, if they gave up this opportunity, would be hard to clear quickly, and with interest piling up, they'd probably sink into a quagmire... But this show had too many drawbacks. He even couldn't figure out why those on the list with pretty good status, especially two-time Golden Planet Award winner Yu Nianbing and the currently popular new-generation singer Mu Xingzhou, would think of joining such a torturous show...

Compared to Song Shiyue, who was desperately short of money, they should have had better opportunities...

But Wang Mancang didn't dwell on that question for long.

Song Shiyue felt that since she was fine now, there was no need to keep wasting money at this expensive-looking hospital, and she prepared to be discharged right away.

But the attending physician who came on rounds suggested that Song Shiyue stay for two more days of observation, after all she had been unconscious from oxygen deprivation.

With differing opinions, the one to win over was naturally Wang Mancang's vote.

Wang Mancang temporarily had no time to think about the thoughts of those on the list.

Meanwhile, Yu Nianbing, still unaware that Song Shiyue was about to be discharged, had once again stood in her own bedroom.

Before her was the collapsed wall that she hadn't yet had someone come clean up.

Just how... was it done?

Yu Nianbing touched the long table that had pushed nearly halfway through from Song Shiyue's side, then looked at the few steel bars sticking out from the remaining wall beside the table.

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