The company feared he would go off script

Classified as a travel variety show, Lucky Inn stirred up controversy as soon as its promotional campaign began.

Netizens simply could not understand why a variety show had a name that sounded like a sitcom. Had its executive producer and director wandered onto the wrong set?!

The original guest lineup was unremarkable, too.

They were either washed-up or obscure, with even a certain pretty face plagued by scandals and rumors who periodically got cursed onto the trending charts.

That alone would have been one thing, but the choice of location turned out to be especially bizarre: an abandoned mountain lodge deep in the wilderness.

The lodge was infamous for being haunted. Local villagers paled at its mention and could not stay far enough away.

Its reputation had spread to all the surrounding villages. Even villagers who went into the mountains to raise pigs and had to stay overnight would rather sleep on the grass than go anywhere near it.

One netizen with far too much time on their hands looked up the information and posted in bewilderment, [Is this production team trying to go the supernatural route? Don't they know nothing's allowed to become a spirit since the founding of the country?! Can this even pass review?!]

As it turned out, not only did it pass review, but they also invited a major star with a huge following to join.

No matter how his fans protested and raised a fuss, they could not shake his decision. He embarked on that road of no return without hesitation.

Naturally, that certain pretty face was dragged out for another round of public flogging...

And so, a travel variety show that had initially been written off, attracted no interest, and seemed all but guaranteed to set a new all-time ratings low dominated the trending charts for three consecutive days, firmly holding first place among entertainment topics and drawing plenty of attention.

It had all the makings of a race still wide open, where anyone could emerge as the dark horse.

On the first day of filming, the assistant director leading the group was in an exceedingly good mood. Before the livestream cameras went on, he hummed a tune and chatted with the driver.

"This mountain road is pretty winding, huh?"

"Mm."

"Not much traffic, either?"

"Mm."

"The trees on both sides are so thick. Any farther out and they'd practically scrape the roof."

"Mm."

The assistant director: "..."

"Driver, is 'mm' all you can say?"

"Mm."

The assistant director: "!!!!"

Just as the assistant director began questioning his life and was about to lose his mind, a livestream camera swung up close. "The director said we go live at ten sharp!"

The assistant director lowered his eyes to his sports watch.

Five minutes left.

Enough time to go over the essentials of a travel variety show.

"Welcome, everyone, aboard the Lucky Inn variety-show bus. It's another day full of energy, and I hope you're all in good spirits." The assistant director was just getting into the mood when he spotted someone raising a hand in the back.

He wanted to roll his eyes and ignore him, but the man spoke without waiting for permission. "If it's a day full of energy, why isn't there any air-conditioning?!"

"Mr. Jian, there's nothing we can do. Our budget is tight, and we don't have many sponsors. Let's make do for now. We'll be there soon."

The assistant director put on a polite yet awkward smile and turned to the others. "All right, let's get back to what we were..."

"Then why does Lu Yanting get a private car while the rest of us have to ride the bus together?!"

The assistant director: "..." Was there any point in making that comparison?!

Could you possibly compare to award-winning actor Lu, who brought his massive audience along with him?!

It was not that Maple Blue was strapped for cash. As the leading entertainment company, it had considerable financial resources.

It was just that its move into investing in variety shows...

Had failed with every attempt, losing money with every failure.

Wouldn't anyone learn to be more careful and cut the budget?

Of course, Maple Blue had increased the funding after securing Lu Yanting, but those funds were earmarked for a specific purpose.

So the assistant director chose to ignore Jian Ran's protests. (He could not be bothered with an irrelevant nobody who had no self-awareness.)

"One minute until we start, so I'll keep this brief. I'm sure you've all received your scripts. Once filming starts, make sure you don't break character, or your pay will be docked."

"Also, Lucky Inn will be livestreamed from every angle, with no blind spots. Apart from private activities such as using the toilet and bathing, we'll be showing the audience your most authentic selves. Within the bounds of the script, of course."

"So..."

"So you have money for more cameras, but not enough to rent a bus with air-conditioning?"

The assistant director finally ran out of patience. Looking at Jian Ran in the back, whose utterly carefree expression practically begged for a punch, he opened his mouth to curse.

But then the livestream camera suddenly swung toward him. "Five, four, three, two, one, action!"

The assistant director, whose expression had already fallen apart, changed his face in five seconds. "Hello, viewers, and welcome to the Lucky Inn livestream. For this trip, we've chosen a green, environmentally friendly mode of transportation..."

A little irritated, Jian Ran looked out the window and swore inwardly.

Fuck.

Fine, there was no air-conditioning at the apartment. Electricity was expensive, after all.

Yet even riding a bus for a variety show was torture.

In weather over thirty degrees, they were packed inside a beat-up little bus, hot air surging around them like clouds of steam. The makeup on the woman up front was practically melting.

The guests were angry but dared not complain. Their pay was still being held, after all.

The economy was bad, and making a living in entertainment was even harder.

What if they suffered through all this and still didn't get paid?!

Lucky Inn had invited five guests in total.

First was the washed-up singer Yang Ruoxi.

After being exposed for bullying and abusing her manager, she had instantly become a target of public condemnation. She had not worked for two whole years and had nearly been forced out of the industry.

She had been given the mania script and had to maintain a picky, irritable persona.

Second was the obscure actress Du Yunmeng.

She frequently played all sorts of invisible background characters, guaranteed to be forgotten on sight. Despite ten years in the industry, no one recognized him when he walked down the street.

That was right. Du Yunmeng's script was to be a background character with no lines.

Third was the failed idol contestant Shen Jiafei.

An unlucky contestant who had entered through a talent show, been eliminated in last place, returned only thanks to public votes, and then been voted out again, he had failed to secure a contract and could only make appearances to get his face out there.

He could only serve as the comic relief. Apparently, he would be moving into comedy in the future.

Fourth... needed no introduction: the irrelevant Jian the Jerk.

His persona was unclear. After all, the company feared he would go off script.

As long as he didn't go clinging to anyone, Maple Blue's executives would count their blessings!

Judging by those guests alone, Lucky Inn was undoubtedly doomed to flop. Without a major guest joining the cast, the variety show had nearly failed to get off the ground.

Who knew who had found the courage to suggest inviting Lu Yanting, dressing it up as a last-ditch attempt to save a lost cause. If they couldn't get him, they might as well scrap the broadcast now.

No one had expected Jian Ran to accomplish that impossible mission!

Suddenly, the bus braked hard, throwing everyone forward.

Jian Ran braced one hand against the seat in front of him to keep his balance. His gaze sharpened for an instant as he drew it back and looked toward the driver's seat.

"What the hell?! Do you even know how to drive?!" The manic Yang Ruoxi came online, her voice shrill. "You've ruined my makeup!"

The livestream camera hurriedly swung toward her, only for a light, casual voice to drift from behind her. "Lady, your makeup got ruined because this lousy production crew wouldn't turn on the air-conditioning."

"It has nothing to do with the driver."

Yang Ruoxi: "..." Is this guy nuts? Doesn't he know I'm reading from the script?

The livestream camera: "..." Dock his pay, dock his pay! Dock that bastard's pay!

Ignoring the unfriendly looks directed his way, Jian Ran rose from the back row and headed straight toward the front.

"Sir, could you stop just saying 'mm' and answer me?!" The assistant director was trying to communicate with the driver when he caught sight of Jian Ran approaching and said impatiently,

"Don't cause trouble. Get back to your seat."

Jian Ran kept his eyes straight ahead and said nothing. Treating the assistant director like an obstacle, he casually pushed him aside. The man dropped helplessly into a seat, his face full of surprise.

Holy shit, how is he so strong?!

Jian Ran stood beside the driver's seat, his long, evenly proportioned fingers resting seemingly casually on the driver's shoulder. His voice was unreadable as he asked, "Driver, are you all right?"

The middle-aged man gripping the steering wheel shuddered inexplicably. He looked bewildered as he turned his head, the whites of his eyes flashing briefly. "What?"