Yi Xing, who slept until dawn, first picked up his phone and opened Wei Bo to check his fan count. Seeing the number at the very front, he couldn't help but rub his eyes, somewhat unable to believe it.
He knew he could gain a lot of fans, but he didn't expect so many. It was truly beyond his expectations. He was already halfway to achieving that agreement, and less than a month had passed. It seemed his father still didn't understand him enough.
However, he didn't screenshot it to show off to Yi Ming. He deeply understood the principle of popping champagne at halftime. Until he reached his goal, he wouldn't show off. What if there was a sudden twist? He would be dumbfounded.
— — — — — —
Time flew by, almost in an instant, arriving at the final recording site of "China Speeding Up." This time, the location was no longer Xing City but Xiangshan Film and Television City in Yongcheng, where the ultimate acceleration race would take place.
During this period, Yi Xing's fan count grew with each episode update, stopping its increase only when it reached around 1.5 million. In other words, his current fan count had reached a new bottleneck, requiring external force to completely break it.
Due to the immense popularity of "China Speeding Up," he received other job offers, but they were all small, unknown productions that wouldn't be broadcast on television. Unless one specifically searched online, they wouldn't even know he was in them.
Through these experiences, he gradually realized that relying solely on variety shows wouldn't allow his fan count to continue growing. He needed to transition into the film and television industry.
But currently, no one was looking for him to act. To enter, he first needed to complete the gambling agreement with his father to get the funds to systematically study acting, and then invest in a production to see if he could secure a role.
Of course, these were Yi Xing's aspirations for his future. Until they were achieved, everything was just talk on paper.
He arrived at the recording site early, as usual. Just like during the third recording, after his styling was done, Xu Ke walked in and took him to a small room to chat.
"Director Xu, do we have another mole this episode?" Yi Xing asked excitedly, unable to wait. He really wanted to continue playing the mole.
"No."
"If there's no mole, then why did you bring me to this room? Could it be that I have some special identity?"
"Not that either," Xu Ke shook his head.
"Then what do you want?"
"I remember you chatted with Xie Na before, saying you really like to travel, right? My friend is starting a new travel variety show recently, also a Mango TV director. I heard it's about traveling abroad."
He paused and then continued, "Now there's one last guest missing. He wants to find a young male who is self-sufficient and can communicate with foreigners. He asked me these past few days, and I thought, isn't that you? That's why I came to you."
Yi Xing remained silent after hearing this. He was very reluctant to go abroad. After all, he had studied abroad for three years and knew that the moon abroad was not rounder than at home. Plus, the food wasn't as good as in China, making him even more resistant.
"It's okay if you don't agree. I'll just tell him there's no one. But then again, all the guests going are actors who have appeared in several shows. You, an amateur, probably wouldn't have much in common with them. It's fine if you don't go."
Seeing that the other party hadn't spoken for a long time, Xu Ke assumed he wasn't interested and stood up to leave.
"I'll go!" Yi Xing grabbed him and pushed him back into the chair.
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? If you don't want to go, then don't go. Why are you swearing!"
"I said I'm definitely going to your friend's travel variety show. No one can stop me."
"Oh, why the sudden change of mind?" Xu Ke asked with interest.
"I never refused. I was just considering whether I should go. But why did you choose me?"
Yi Xing was curious why the director in front of him chose him. He wasn't an essential item; they could have found someone else.
"Want to know?"
"Uh-huh."
"Alright, let me tell you. After so many episodes, I understand your personality and character. And I don't know if you've noticed, but most of the highlight moments in China Speeding Up are related to you."
"Since you've contributed to the show, I should also repay you. That's why I thought of recommending you to my friend. Are you satisfied with this reason?"
After stating his reason, Xu Ke winked at the other party. Actually, there was another reason he didn't mention: he saw the potential for great popularity in Yi Xing. This was entirely his investment in Yi Xing, hoping he would remember this favor later.
"Director Xu, I'm so grateful to you. I don't know how to express my gratitude. How about I acknowledge you as my godfather?"
Although Yi Xing said this, his body showed no action. After spending so much time together, he had long considered Director Xu a friend, occasionally joking to lighten the mood.
"Please, no, I can't bear that title." Xu Ke quickly waved his hand. In his memory, the last person called a godfather was Dong Zhuo, and his end was truly tragic.
After a moment, the two looked at each other and burst into laughter simultaneously, the atmosphere in the room becoming increasingly relaxed and pleasant.
Just as they wanted to continue chatting, someone's voice came through Xu Ke's earpiece.
"Director Xu, all the guests have arrived. What's our next arrangement?"
"Wait until they finish their styling." Then he continued to Yi Xing, "Alright, you go back now. They're all here."
"Okay."
When Yi Xing stood at the entrance of the makeup room, he pushed the door open and walked in. Instantly, everyone's gaze turned to him, especially those who had recorded the mole special with him. Their direct stares made him shiver slightly.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Xiao Xing Ge, did the director call you out for a talk again?" Yi Yang Qianxi walked up to him and asked.
"How did you know?"
"Not only do I know, but every one of us knows."
It turned out that Yi Xing was always the first to arrive. During the previous recordings, there was no sound separation, and he had always stayed in the makeup room, rarely going out.
And this time was very similar to a previous occasion: everyone had arrived, and he was late, with his styling already done. If he claimed to have no special identity, no one present would believe him.
"Yes, Director Xu called me to chat. He was introducing me to a job, asking if I was interested in joining. I know what you're all thinking, but this is the last recording, he won't play these flashy tricks."
"Haven't you heard the saying? The same trick can only be used once; using it again won't work. It also applies to variety show recordings; they'll only do one mole special, not repeat it."
Yi Xing tried his best to convince the others with his words, but the effect wasn't that significant. The recording hadn't even started, and the internal conflict had already begun.