After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Shi Zhou took the elevator straight down and left through the villa's back entrance for his solo interview.
The manor consisted of a cluster of buildings, and the production team had set up in a slightly smaller three-story building at the back.
As he passed through the backstage area, he saw that the writers and directors all had dark circles under their eyes, though they looked quite excited.
So this was life behind the scenes, Shi Zhou mused, looking at everyone's thinning hair.
In the same spot as last time, the staff conducted another preliminary interview with Shi Zhou. Some questions were the same as in his first interview, while others were more detailed and probing. Some covered things Shi Zhou had never even considered.
On top of that, the alcohol he had drunk last night had left his head a little fuzzy and his reactions slow. He had to rack his brains to answer, and by the time the interview finished, more than half an hour had passed.
Seeing that it was about time, Cheng Lu knocked on the door and asked with a smile, "Finished?"
After her colleague confirmed it, Cheng Lu nodded and told Shi Zhou, "Zhouzhou, Director Zhang wants to see you."
The two of them made their way past the busy staff to Director Zhang's office. As usual, Cheng Lu knocked on the door. "Director Zhang, he's here."
This was only Shi Zhou's second time meeting Director Zhang in person. He was a slightly plump, middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor. He smiled as he invited Shi Zhou in. "Have a seat."
Cheng Lu left, closing the door to shut out the noise and prying eyes outside.
The desk in front of Director Zhang was a mess. Even in the interstellar era, he still preferred reading documents on paper.
After Shi Zhou sat down, Director Zhang remained frowning over something. Shi Zhou was in no hurry either. He sat properly across from Director Zhang and let out a breath, his gaze clear and steady, neither impatient nor rushed.
Director Zhang finished reading the last bit, looked up at Shi Zhou, and asked with a smile, "How's it going? Settling into the show?"
Shi Zhou nodded. "Everyone's really nice, and the atmosphere is good too."
He wasn't just making polite conversation. He genuinely felt that way.
Director Zhang nodded and slid a document over. "Take a look."
Shi Zhou took the folder and said in surprise, "This is..."
"That's right. A new contract."
Director Zhang rose from his chair, stretched his neck and shoulders, and let out a breath. "You can think about whether you want to sign it."
Shi Zhou carefully read through the clauses. Most of the terms hadn't really changed.
He was still largely free to be himself, present his true personality, and enjoy falling in love...
Of course, that third point had nothing to do with him.
There was one added clause, which Shi Zhou read aloud in a low voice:
"At certain times, cooperate with the production team to fulfill reasonable requests and tasks."
Seeing him frown, Director Zhang smiled. "Don't worry. We won't ask you to do anything that puts you in a difficult position."
He stretched his stiff body, then sat back down across from Shi Zhou.
"To be honest, a show this big can't leave everything entirely up to the guests. You understand that, right?"
Shi Zhou nodded.
Not only that, the production team also had dedicated writers and analysts who studied the guests' personalities and preferences to map out potential CP storylines, making it easier to manage how things developed later.
It was all hard work. A Dating Reality Show wasn't nearly as simple as it looked.
It took a lot of effort from many people behind the scenes.
Satisfied, Director Zhang continued:
"You won't have to do much. It's just that if something seems to be starting between any of the guests, you can quietly nudge things along. A word or two will do."
The production team had held a long meeting yesterday and decided they needed to plant a little undercover agent after all!
The idea had everyone slapping the table and declaring it brilliant!
Not only would they have someone to steer things along, but they could also gauge everyone's reactions through that guest's interactions with the others.
And they couldn't just pick anyone. The person had to be easygoing and open to discussion, as well as good-looking enough to win over the audience.
Most importantly, they had to need money...
What was there to hesitate over?
They immediately settled on Shi Zhou.
Shi Zhou glanced at the new contract. Not only was this condition harmless to him, it actually fit his plans perfectly.
With inside information from the production team, wouldn't it be even easier for him to pair up the male leads into CPs?
Reading further, he saw that the production team's offer had changed, from the previous hundred thousand per episode to a guaranteed twenty thousand.
However, the more popular the show became, the more he could receive in corresponding performance bonuses calculated by AI.
How much he earned depended entirely on his performance.
See? He had shown off his cooking skills, and hadn't the production team immediately recognized his value?
Of course he would perform well, let his own brilliance shine, and bring both attention and credit to the show.
Shi Zhou smiled.
While he read the contract, Director Zhang was watching him too, growing more satisfied by the moment.
The young man sat with excellent posture, his neck and shoulders forming exceptionally beautiful lines. He also had a face that looked great on camera. More importantly, after digging deeper last night, they had discovered he possessed plenty of other skills. And as an ordinary participant, his fee was only a tiny fraction of what the other guests cost.
They had originally planned to use his relationship with Xie Jiali as a hook in the teaser to draw viewers in. They hadn't expected him to perform so well!
The production team changed plans on the spot, holding a meeting with the writers specifically about Shi Zhou and reworking the various potential CP storylines. The more they examined the possibilities, the more excited they became.
After discussing it, everyone still felt that Shi Zhou would probably become a background figure later on.
"Privileged elites versus an ordinary person" was just a gimmick. The production team knew that better than anyone.
The head writer said:
"But he has some very contradictory qualities. He can be a little childish at times, yet he's very capable of shouldering responsibility. He has a sweet face and a good personality, but also firm boundaries and a mind of his own. He works with all sorts of people."
Exactly. When they selected an ordinary participant, they hadn't expected him to actually end up with any particular guest. Being versatile was ideal. If he seemed to have CP chemistry with everyone, that would give the show both appeal and suspense.
Bringing Shi Zhou onto their show had really paid off. Director Zhang's eyes narrowed with his smile. They had gotten lucky and drawn a pleasant surprise. Ha!
After confirming that there were no legal loopholes, Shi Zhou signed his name without batting an eye.
This contract clearly showed that the production team valued him.
Although the system had helped him cheat earlier so he could be selected during the open auditions, everyone in the draw first had to pass the initial big-data screening, then make it through three rounds of interviews.
Most people couldn't even move naturally in front of a camera, let alone get along with guests who were far above them in social standing.
Shi Zhou had originally hoped to stay for three episodes, pocket three hundred thousand, and collect the system's rewards.
-He had never told the system about this.
He had ideas of his own. He wasn't the sort to obediently complete tasks just to secure some protagonist's ending.
So what if he was cannon fodder? So what if they were protagonists?
He was the protagonist of his own life.
Still, he was more than willing to stay longer if that was what the production team wanted. He needed money, and most of the guests were lovely. Heart-Pounding Expedition was definitely a place where he could change the course of his life!
"Thank you, Director Zhang. I'll do my best."
Watching him sign the new contract without hesitation, Director Zhang chuckled. "Good. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just keep doing what you normally do."
Previously, the production team had only looked into his university years. This time, they had investigated Shi Zhou's high school days and received quite a shock. His normal performance would be more than enough.
"While we're at it, I'll give you a little inside information. Our first stop will be somewhere with water."
Shi Zhou's lips parted slightly in surprise. He was just telling him outright like that?
Director Zhang said, "All right, just keep that in mind. Go back and get ready."
Shi Zhou acknowledged him, went out, and closed the door.
How was he supposed to get ready?
Somewhere with water...
He felt his chest. It was a little soft. Realization dawned on him. It looked like he needed to work on firming up those flabby muscles.
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