Chinese Food Promotion

The more Kuang Youfang spoke, the angrier he became. "Who exactly took that photo of New and Old Xi's filming location? Why didn't I know there was an artist among this season's guests?"

Fang Huiwang gave a cold laugh, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Xie Ran."

Kuang Youfang froze. He remained silent for a long time, apparently lost in thought.

Fang Huiwang grew impatient. "Say something. What do we do next?"

They had put considerable effort into this marketing campaign, but now it had all come to nothing. Their collaboration with that luxury brand probably would not go smoothly either.

And that was not the only problem he faced.

His declining popularity, his studio's funding chain on the verge of collapse—countless problems weighed down on him until he could barely breathe.

After a long while, Kuang Youfang finally spoke. "Win Xie Ran back."

Fang Huiwang was stunned, thinking he had misheard. "What did you say?"

"Win Xie Ran back." Kuang Youfang gritted his teeth. "Isn't that what you've wanted to do all along? Didn't you almost succeed? Then use every means possible to get him back."

His tone was resentful and dark. "Haven't you realized it? Very soon, all the resources and buzz in the entertainment industry will be in Xie Ran's hands."

Meng Feixuan had appeared out of nowhere, and Xie Ran Studio had instantly become the highest-valued studio in the entertainment industry. Talent agencies and tech companies were scrambling to work with Xie Ran, leaving him free to pick whatever resources he wanted.

The New and Old Xi incident was now surging across the internet. It was easy to imagine how glorious Xie Ran would be once the show aired.

Ambition Studio's painstaking plans had suffered a complete defeat. Their best option now was to tie themselves to Xie Ran—not by manufacturing a superficial couple pairing, but by truly getting him.

Just like ten years ago.

Fang Huiwang hung up the phone and returned to his room in a daze.

Xie Ran had already finished showering and was lying on the bed watching television.

For a moment, Fang Huiwang felt lost. He thought he hated Xie Ran now, especially after the past few days, when Xie Ran had nearly driven him mad.

But when Kuang Youfang told him to find a way to win Xie Ran back, he found that he could no longer quite understand his own feelings.

"Xiao Ran..." Fang Huiwang called out absently, then asked blankly, "Do we still have a chance?"

The words had slipped out entirely without thought. Only after saying them did he suddenly come to his senses, instantly filled with regret. Yet he could not help but feel a flicker of anticipation as he stared fixedly at Xie Ran, wanting to know how he would answer.

Just then, Meng Feixuan's voice came through Xie Ran's earphones. "Pair of threes!"

Xie Ran paused. "Pass."

Fang Huiwang had not expected him to be so direct. Embarrassed and angry, he was just about to say something else when he heard Xie Ran continue, "I beat you."

Fang Huiwang was baffled.

Only then did he realize that Xie Ran had not seemed to notice him at all. Following Xie Ran's gaze toward the television, his entire being became: "...?"

Why was the television showing Fight the Landlord?

Why could the television in Old West City play Fight the Landlord too?

Author's note: Mark: Airplane! (I only have one card left.)

President Xie: Bomb.

Chinese Food Promotion

The final task of Somewhere Else with You's recording was a group challenge centered on promoting Huaxia culture.

Previous seasons had promoted Peking opera, embroidery, traditional handicrafts, and more. This year's task was to promote Chinese cuisine.

The Old West City tourism bureau had provided the production team with a restaurant in the city. The team temporarily transformed it into a Chinese restaurant, then invited a renowned Chinese chef from home to take charge of the kitchen. Once that was done, the restaurant could officially open for business.

The task for the three groups of guests was to devise promotional plans for the newly opened Chinese restaurant, attract customers to dine there, and each reach the required revenue within three days.

After the task ended, any group whose revenue exceeded the target set by the production team would receive the excess as a reward. If a group failed to meet the target revenue, the shortfall would be deducted from that group's budget.

As the final segment of the show, this task undoubtedly gave the guests lagging behind in funds a chance to turn the tables against the odds.

During the previous days, both wages and task rewards had maximum limits. First place generally earned around two hundred in prize money. Of course, the balance that had held for years had already been smashed to pieces by Xie Ran's series of maneuvers this season. But precisely because of that, the final task was all the more important to the other two groups.

Because throughout the entire show, only the final task's reward had no upper limit. In theory, as long as they could achieve enough revenue, they could earn enough rewards.

There had once been a season where a group that had ranked at the bottom all the way through managed a desperate comeback in the final task and claimed overall victory.

However, this season's guests were clearly far less spirited than the guests of previous seasons.

After hearing the task requirements, the girl-group sisters and the veteran group all looked eagerly at Xie Ran.

Zhu Chuanjia even refilled Xie Ran's cup and asked respectfully, "President Xie, do you have any flashy moves this time? Could you tell us so we can use them as a reference?"

The production team could hardly bear to watch. Zhu Chuanjia, you debuted more than ten years before President Xie. Isn't being this much of a suck-up a little inappropriate?

Xie Ran, on the other hand, looked perfectly calm, as though he was used to this situation. He even gave a small laugh. "No."

Zhu Chuanjia clearly did not trust him and looked suspicious. "Really not?"

Xie Ran unusually repeated himself with patience. "No."

"Then we can rest easy!" Zhu Chuanjia let out a long breath and raised his fist at the others. "Allies, the intelligence is in. We still have a chance. Let's go!"

The production team: "..." You are openly forming an alliance now?

Had these people developed President Xie PTSD or something?

Still, it was understandable. This season's guests had it far too hard!

Even the staff could empathize deeply.

In his earphones, Meng Feixuan also sighed. "Is this the world of the weak?"