The variety show had only four regular cast members.
Only after joining the livestream call room did Jiang Nuo learn that, apart from him and Si Yan, only Yang Xiaoxiao and Tian Dong had stayed on from the previous guests.
Of the four, Si Yan had the largest fanbase. He filmed year-round, and even before he arrived, his fans were waiting excitedly.
Next was Tian Dong, an idol. Although he had fewer fans by comparison, they were extremely good at flooding the chat and boosting engagement numbers.
Interestingly, neither group managed to outpost the haters cursing at Jiang Nuo.
"So many people."
Jiang Nuo entered, glanced at the viewer count, and waved at the camera. "Good afternoon, everyone."
Yang Xiaoxiao responded happily, "Good afternoon, Jiang Nuo! I left in such a hurry that day, I didn't even get to thank you."
"It's okay. You were very brave."
Jiang Nuo hugged a cushion as he spoke, leaning against the headboard.
Clearly, he had just crawled out of bed.
Holy shit... is Jiang Nuo completely bare-faced?
Goddammit, if he's a man, what does that make me? A Zhang Fei who bleeds?
Even the prettiest face can't save a filthy heart! Jiang Nuo has no shame! He hogged all the screen time!
Jiang Nuo yawned, completely ignoring the comments in the chat. Only when he saw Si Yan enter did a smile curve across his face again.
The principles of CP promotion must be upheld at all times!
He waved a paw at Si Yan.
"Good morning, Si Yan."
Si Yan was in costume and looked as though he had squeezed in some time for the livestream. He enlarged Jiang Nuo's video and froze briefly at the sight of him.
"Did you just wake up?"
Including today, he had met Jiang Nuo three times.
Every time, this person seemed... a little different.
But he always looked good.
So thought Si Yan, an eternal sucker for a pretty face.
"As a shut-in, of course I get up late."
Jiang Nuo was very satisfied with his current situation. He peered through the screen at where Si Yan was, which appeared to be a lounge.
How exhausting, having to start work so early in the morning.
Unexpectedly, Si Yan heard something else entirely in those words and had already started planning to give him more opportunities.
Yang Xiaoxiao began moving things along. "Hey, how did you two slip into a private chat?"
"Speaking of which, Jiang Nuo, where did you learn those skills? Did you have a master teaching you?"
She had barely asked the question when Tian Dong cut in before Jiang Nuo could answer.
"Wasn't that all just for the show? Jiang Nuo probably prepared beforehand."
After leaving the show, Tian Dong had asked his company to contact the director, and that was the answer he had received.
He had immediately decided that everything that happened in the old mansion had been deliberately arranged by Jiang Nuo.
Propping up his cheek, Jiang Nuo said with a smile, "An expert guided me in a dream."
Yang Xiaoxiao: "..."
Tian Dong secretly rolled his eyes.
"None of you believe me? It's true."
Jiang Nuo poked the cushion in his arms and glanced at the screen.
"The expert also said I have a tough fate. Anyone who insults me or spreads rumors about me for no reason will have terrible luck."
The chat stalled for a moment.
"Ha, just kidding."
...Fuck your mother, is Jiang Nuo sick in the head?!
You're a public figure! What gives you the right to threaten fans?!
Instead, the insults in the chat grew even filthier.
The more Si Yan read, the tighter his brows drew together. He silently muted several accounts.
Muting fans outright during a livestream... was that really okay?
Even Yang Xiaoxiao nearly lost control of the situation.
Jiang Nuo tilted his head and teased with a soft laugh, "Si Yan, you care so much about me."
His tone was laden with meaning.
As expected of a film emperor. He's even this good at promoting a CP.
Si Yan's hand, which had been quietly muting accounts, paused for two seconds. Whatever had crossed his mind, the tips of his ears suddenly reddened, and he nodded a little dazedly.
"Mm."
It seemed that with Jiang Nuo, he always ended up on the back foot, utterly docile.
Yang Xiaoxiao sucked in a breath, her hands clutching her clothes out of frame.
So sweet!
Si Yan!! Snap out of it! Stop acting so cheap!
Holy shit, what exactly did Jiang Nuo do? Why is Si Yan so... obedient around him?
I think it might be because of... that face.
After all, everyone knows Si Yan is a sucker for good looks!
But even when he had worked with attractive celebrities before, Si Yan had never been this enthusiastic.
Quietly piping up from the cracks: Yan Nuo is so shippable! Nuo Yan works too!
And so, before this promotional livestream could push the variety show's tag onto the trending list, a different one got there first.
#Jiang Nuo always makes Si Yan shy
Fans from all sides were still fighting on the topic page. Although the Ink Wash solo fans usually stayed out of things, they could not stand a tag that looked like a CP tag either.
Suddenly, plenty of other remarks appeared as well.
Yan Yu Lifelong Fan: What kind of filthy thing is Jiang Nuo?!! Stop fighting our Brother Yu for his man!
As soon as comments like this appeared, the Ink Wash solo fan ladies, who had originally only been explaining things, could no longer sit still. Compared with Jiang Nuo, they seemed to hate this so-called Brother Yu more.
They tore into each other in the comments.
Amid the fighting, there was also a breath of fresh air.
Mischievous Passerby: Ah... just a passerby, but Jiang Nuo and Si Yan are practically a feast for face-cons.
This comment received likes from many fellow mischief-makers and shot straight to the top.
Meanwhile, the livestream had reached the fan call-in Q&A segment.
To avoid selecting haters, the staff screened callers strictly. Who would have thought the very first caller would drop a bombshell?
"Hello... can you hear me?"
The caller's voice was male.
"Yes. Who would you like to ask a question?" Yang Xiaoxiao continued hosting.
"I have a question for Jiang Nuo."
The man hesitated a little as he spoke.
"After watching your show, I think Jiang Nuo must have real skills... My daughter has been possessed recently, and the doctors can't do anything either."
"Jiang Nuo! Can you save her?"
Yang Xiaoxiao froze for several seconds, not having expected a question like this.
Si Yan also frowned and looked at Jiang Nuo.
Tian Dong scoffed. "Come on, how can you take that seriously? Sir, you should hurry to a major hospital. Jiang Nuo is just a fake Taoist priest."
The chat was also filled with mockery. Everyone thought Jiang Nuo could not do it.
Jiang Nuo sat up straighter, his expression turning somewhat serious. His hand beneath the cushion moved a few times.
Although he did not consider himself a Taoist priest, that did not mean he did not know how to do these things.
He had been forced to learn them through one desperate, life-or-death struggle after another.
But today...
Jiang Nuo gave a low chuckle. His gaze toward the camera was a little sharp, and his smile did not reach his eyes.
"If you're truly worried, why didn't you join the call yourself instead of having someone else ask for you?"
He had barely finished speaking, and the chat had yet to understand what he meant, when the main screen suddenly showed a verified account with a red V entering the livestream.
Si Yan was a little surprised. "Director Liu Ze?"
Tian Dong grew enthusiastic too, hurriedly introducing himself as soon as he heard Liu Ze speak.
But Liu Ze only gave him a cool response before hastily asking Jiang Nuo.
"If you could tell I had someone else ask for me, does that mean you can save my daughter too?"
The chat instantly erupted.
So Director Liu Ze's daughter is actually possessed!
I even saw him posting pictures of his daughter on Weibo before!
Jiang Nuo said, "If you're comfortable with it, Director Liu, you can tell us what happened."
"All right... I'll tell you."
Liu Ze let out a deep sigh. He could only stake everything on this.
Even if Jiang Nuo could not do it, perhaps the livestream's reach could bring in a real Taoist priest who could help.