32: I'm here to participate in the program.

Gao Xiaofan sat inside his car model, watching the group walk toward the station entrance until they were out of sight. Only then did he let out a sigh and slowly start the car to leave the station.

All good things must come to an end; everyone had their own business to attend to.

Hu Bu Shi Lang had left with Zhang Dali in the morning. Since he was from H City, he just hailed a taxi once they reached the main road from the farmhouse.

Zhao Yuling also went to the station this morning. After Mei Hong from her group left in disgrace, she, having just become a regular employee, suddenly became very busy.

Intentional Punch eventually let Strong Hand Cracks Skull off the hook. Last night, Strong Hand Cracks Skull had been persistently plying him with drinks to get on his good side, finally getting Intentional Punch to say he'd forgive him.

Although Intentional Punch regretted it as soon as he woke up this morning, he still let him go. Otherwise, there might have been two blondies today.

Li Yuer, on the other hand, kept reminding him that if he got any information about the other two celebrity guests, he must tell her.

Gao Xiaofan looked dazed.

Didn't they say there were four celebrities?

Just as he drove out of the station, he received a call from Ai Qi Film and Television, asking when he would be available to discuss the cooperation details.

Gao Xiaofan checked the time—it was 9:30 AM. He pulled over to the side of the road and searched for the Program Production Crew's office location in T City.

Seeing that it wasn't far, he started the car and followed the navigation directly to the Program Production Crew's office.

Upon arrival, he learned that this meeting was only to confirm his willingness and introduce the contract terms. The actual signing would need to be completed on-site at the filming location.

Gao Xiaofan naturally confirmed his participation and left shortly after with a stack of documents.

Sitting in the car, he began to read through the materials slowly.

The first page contained an introduction to the variety show and some points for attention.

The variety show was expected to last two weeks and would be the first to adopt a 24-hour live broadcast format.

Because this was iQiyi's attempt to test the waters, they weren't sure how it would turn out. The documents stated that if the results were good, they would negotiate with the guests again to see if the duration should be extended.

The live broadcast was currently scheduled for the end of the month. All guests were required to arrive at the Program Production Crew's location three days before the start. Now, there were only ten days left until the end of the month.

A 24-hour live broadcast was like crossing a river by feeling the stones. Reserving some time in advance to discuss things together would always be better.

Gao Xiaofan continued flipping through and saw the earnings for the cooperation on the second page.

However, it made him unable to help but frown.

The earnings were too low; the total remuneration for the entire variety show was only 50,000 yuan!

Of course, these materials were meant for internet celebrities; the actual stars certainly wouldn't be at this price.

But a paragraph below made Gao Xiaofan's brow relax.

“The remuneration for internet celebrities has always been a point of contention for the Program Production Crew. After all, we aren't clear about the authenticity of followers on various platforms. However, the Program Production Crew is showing full sincerity in this invitation for cooperation with internet celebrities. We hope to achieve a mutually beneficial result.”

“If you are dissatisfied with the remuneration, you can choose gift earnings. During the live broadcast, all gift earnings will belong entirely to the internet celebrity, and the Program Production Crew will not provide a salary.”

Seeing this, Gao Xiaofan breathed a sigh of relief. He naturally wanted to be on TV—no one doesn't want to be both famous and rich—but those 50,000 yuan were quite measly. Now that there was a share of the live broadcast gifts, he would definitely choose the second option.

Turning to the third page, some harsh clauses began to appear, though Gao Xiaofan could understand them.

First, one had to guarantee that no negative news would be exposed during the live broadcast. If there were, the penalty would be ten million yuan in liquidated damages. If one had no money, they'd sell their house and car; if that still wasn't enough, they'd face legal responsibility.

Second, one had to guarantee their words and deeds during the broadcast. If you had any bad habits, then don't participate.

A 24-hour live broadcast was different from ordinary variety shows; no one would call 'cut,' and no one would help you edit things out.

Moreover, as iQiyi was the first to take the plunge, they wouldn't perform any 'pause broadcast' maneuvers. That would be ruining their own reputation.

After a general look, Gao Xiaofan drove back home.

He planned to head to the Program Production Crew now. Although they said arriving three days early was fine, going ahead of time wasn't out of the question.

Gao Xiaofan had this one good trait: he had a clear self-awareness. If he didn't know something, he'd learn. If others went three days early, he'd go ten days early.

Watching more and learning more would always be good.

The filming location for the Program Production Crew this time was in a village, a village under Annan City. It was in the same province as H City, which was something he hadn't expected.

Annan City was a nationally famous tourist spot. He had been there once, but he had never heard of the village the Program Production Crew was using.

After arriving home, he packed his clothes and other things, then put them in the car.

He stroked his chin, looking at the cluttered fishing gear in the car, wondering if he should bring it along.

Ultimately, he bit down on a cigarette, coolly closed the car door, plopped into the driver's seat, and zoomed off with a kick of the accelerator.

The Program Production Crew definitely wouldn't need fishing gear, but these were his treasures. Where the man goes, the rod goes. How could he leave them at home? He had to bring them.

And so, Gao Xiaofan embarked on a solitary journey.

At noon, Zhao Yuling sent a message asking if he was up. When she learned he was already on the road, she was completely shocked!

“Brother Fan, you're truly something!”

Zhao Yuling struggled for a long time on WeChat before only managing to squeeze out that one sentence.

Gao Xiaofan hummed a little tune, his thoughts drifting as he looked at the trucks ahead.

The car was too low-end; it really needed to be replaced.

On the highway, it could only go up to 90 km/h. Any faster and it would start rattling and clanking, and the car body felt a bit unstable.

But he wasn't in a hurry, letting small cars zoom past him one by one.

The entire journey was four hours long. The highway section alone took a full four hours, followed by more than half an hour on rural lanes.

After getting off the highway, Gao Xiaofan turned directly onto the rural lanes, only to find there wasn't even a convenience store nearby, let alone a place to eat. He could only keep driving forward on an empty stomach.

He didn't know how the Program Production Crew found such a remote place. He highly doubted if there would even be a signal here.

At 2:30 PM, Gao Xiaofan finally arrived at the GPS location, Xiushui Village.

The van drove over the gravel road, making series of strange noises that caused the villagers to stop what they were doing and look over.

“Based on the current situation, the staffing is definitely insufficient. We must continue to increase it.”

A middle-aged man wearing a baseball cap spoke to the assistant beside him while looking curiously at the Wuling van arriving at the village entrance.

“Didn't they just deliver equipment this morning? Why is another one here?”

The assistant was also dazed, not knowing how to reply.

Gao Xiaofan slowly brought the car to a stop, got out, walked up to the two men, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and handed one to the middle-aged man.

“Master, may I ask if this is where the iQiyi Program Production Crew is?”

The middle-aged man took it and nodded. “Yes. What is it? Who are you looking for?”

“Oh, oh. I'm here to participate in the show,” Gao Xiaofan said with a grin.