CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER 11: FIRST INDOOR SPIN-OFF – VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB

On Monday evening, He Ci personally drove Yu Xia to the program group’s base.

These past two days, the buzz around various related topics hasn’t died down. On the way here, the number of paparazzi waiting by the roadside has doubled, making the inside and outside of the base lively.

He Ci repeatedly emphasized in a low voice, "Remember, don’t stay silent, but don’t talk too much either, don’t get too close to the younger guys, and don’t get too close to Shu Ran..."

Yu Xia interrupted him, "I remember, I remember, I’m here to make money, not to mess around with people. I’ve got it down, don’t worry."

As she spoke, she showed off the t-shirt she was wearing.

It was the T-shirt from the assistant, with a nun holding a lotus, and the words "Shameless in Love" in bold, blackened red letters.

It made He Ci’s eyes sting.

He gritted his teeth and said, "How dare you show me that? You’re a somewhat famous female star, is this how you ruin your fashion sense?! If there was a change of clothes in the car, I’d have someone hold you down and change you right now!"

"I think it’s pretty good. Everyone will definitely be staring at me then, and won’t that create buzz? It’ll also let the netizens know that I’m really pure and ascetic."

He Ci: "Why don’t you just say you’ve become a monk?!"

Yu Xia’s eyes lit up, "Can I?"

"...Get in there!!!"

Waving goodbye to the menopausal He Ci, Yu Xia entered the indoor spin-off program’s live location for the evening.

It was a restaurant, where the trainees usually eat.

Unlike a cramped cafeteria, this restaurant looked serene and elegant. Once the tables and chairs were moved, it became a sizable activity room.

The first person she saw upon entering was Shu Ran.

Wearing a light blue long skirt and hair pinned up, she lived up to her name as an elegant female star.

In comparison, she was much more simply dressed, in sweatpants and a white T-shirt, which was why He Ci had nagged her all the way here.

"You’re here? Find a place to sit, they’ll arrive soon," Shu Ran greeted her.

She seemed very happy tonight.

Yu Xia’s gaze wandered around, then she smiled brightly, "Who are the younger guys coming?"

"The popular ones, those with high buzz, as usual."

Not long after they exchanged a few words, He Mingjie and Yu Kuang walked in with the trainees participating in tonight’s spin-off program for the first time.

They were still wearing their training uniforms, with large name tags stuck near the hem.

Xie Qingci stood out like a crane among chickens in the crowd, and as soon as he looked up, his gaze accurately found her.

He then calmly looked away and lined up with his team.

His hair was still slightly wet, his tall nose and thin lips slightly pursed, his posture laid-back.

For some reason, Yu Xia was reminded of the chilled alcoholic drinks by the pool that summer.

In the haze of sweat and dazzling gaze, she saw the damp appearance of the water vapor on the transparent glass bottle.

Just like him at that time.

Back then, Xie Qingci’s hair was also slightly wet from sweat.

The staff brought long cushions against the wall and very low, soft couches on the other side for everyone to sit on.

Surrounded by a circle of cameras, among the nine trainees present, some were still not used to such a setup, feeling very restrained.

Shu Ran served as the host, looking much more relaxed and at ease now than when she was on the initial stage, as if she were at home.

"Welcome to the ’Limited Youth’ indoor spin-off program, the first episode of the discussion session — the Virtual Book Club."

"First, let’s have the younger guys participating introduce themselves."

Song Xi was first, still wearing glasses and makeup, looking refined, followed by cheerful Ning Yunchao, talkative and lively Wei Yaoyao... The last to speak was Xie Qingci.

Unlike others who thought of introducing themselves at length to quickly become familiar to netizens, he simply said to the camera:

"Hello everyone, I’m Xie Qingci."

A bland tone and expression, but his eyes were quite gentle.

Many people are smitten by his approach.

[You are my heart, you are my liver, you are my sweet pancake]

[Listen up, pretty merman, I’m giving you a chance to say you love me, or be careful I’ll push you against the wall, pinch your waist, and beg you with red eyes / Dominant CEO smoking.jpg]

[Xie Qingci, you say something that simple? Not even introducing what color sack you like?]

[Shu Ran is visibly relaxed hahahahaha, this kind of segment has become her most enjoyable, you’ve changed, elegant female star]

[Indeed, looking at handsome guys can relieve stress, my eyes feel cleansed]

[Pfft — What is Yu Xia wearing? Is she trying to hang her vows on her body and speak them, but not keep them in her heart?]

[Hahahahahahahaha You can tell Yu Xia is making a great effort to avoid suspicion, sitting upright with a face full of seriousness, she’s just short of holding a lotus flower like the person on her shirt]

After everyone completed their self-introductions, Shu Ran smiled and began the theme of this first episode of the discussion session game.

"The theme of the first session — Virtual Book Club. Assuming everyone here is a renowned presence in the reader’s association, well-read and knowledgeable. Today, we’ve gathered for a meeting to discuss a book we’ve read and take turns speaking around the content of the book.

The rules are —

1. The first person names a book and randomly fabricates a sentence from its content.

2. Assuming everyone has read this book, the second person acknowledges this statement and adds other details.

3. Subsequent people cannot deny previous statements, and everyone’s narrative must be consistent and logically sound.

4. In the first five minutes, each person’s speaking time must be within ten seconds. After five minutes, within eight seconds, after ten minutes within six seconds, and so on. If it reaches fifteen minutes, a second book begins, with a maximum of three books.

5. If someone can’t think of anything mid-way, disconnects, or what they say doesn’t make sense, they’ll be out, awaiting the final punishment project. Also, from the next person, speaking time is reduced by one second. The cap is still three books in total."

The rules were somewhat long, but not difficult to understand. Shu Ran summarized with a sly grin:

"In short, it’s about making things up. Whoever makes things up plausibly and with a straight face is the master of this game."

Those who’ve seen ’Different Variety Show’ find this game’s style mysteriously familiar.

Loyal viewer Ning Yunchao exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being a game designed by the original writers and planners, that’s the flavor!"

Shu Ran smiled, "Does anyone not understand? Would you like to try a round first?"

Not knowing everyone was eager and enthusiastic, not fearing at all, strongly demanding to explore through official practice.

Shu Ran straightforwardly nodded, "Then who goes first?"

The first spot is quite important and essentially sets the tone for the level of nonsense to follow.

The boys displayed gentlemanly behavior, saying ladies first. Shu Ran passed this privilege to Yu Xia.

Under everyone’s gaze, Yu Xia contemplated and started calmly:

"Speaking of which, the book ’How Anna Broke Her Leg’ I read last month was really brilliant. Although it’s a comedy, I can’t help but cry every time I read it."

The others: "...Good title, good book."

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