Chapter 3 – Live Streaming
Potato chips are his favorite flavor. Qiao Huaiyao looked at Bai Jinyan, who had no expression on his face, solemnly searching for snacks for him. The stark contrast made him involuntarily squint.
Qiao Huaiyao held the bag of potato chips in his hand but didn’t rush to open it. He asked, “Brother, what kind of variety show are you participating in?”
Since they came to film at home, following the director’s intentions, it seemed like they weren’t filming a show about packing luggage, so it wasn’t a travel variety show.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t pay much attention to the entertainment industry, and he had only heard of variety shows in passing. From what he saw now, it was clearly different from the variety shows he knew.
Bai Jinyan carried the groceries bought from the supermarket and headed to the kitchen. He casually replied, “An entertainment one.”
The director immediately retorted, “How could this be considered entertainment? This is a large-scale family-oriented live-streamed and recorded variety show that emphasizes both live broadcasting and recording. We will also randomly assign small tasks to promote emotional connections between the guests and their families.”
The director smiled and said, “After all, everyone is busy with work and often away from home, so this is a great opportunity to spend time with their families while working.”
That was the original intention of this variety show.
Seeing Qiao Huaiyao’s lack of understanding, the director explained, “We have selected five guests and will record their materials in the same way. The initial episodes will be primarily live-streamed, and the higher the live broadcast ratings, the greater the privileges the guests will have during the later joint recording of the variety show.”
Qiao Huaiyao was a little confused and asked with doubt, “But aren’t Aunt Meng and the others abroad?”
Why would they participate in a family-oriented variety show at this time?
Bai Jinyan explained in a low voice, “They signed up before going abroad, and the shooting happened to start after the college entrance examination.”
Since they couldn’t come back from abroad in time, Bai Jinyan didn’t tell them.
Qiao Huaiyao nodded in understanding.
The director observed the two, his index finger rubbing his chin, and his director’s intuition told him that there was something unusual about them. He casually said, “With other guests, many families are involved, but Bai Jinyan is the only one here. I don’t know how to shoot this.”
“Or maybe you could join in—”
Bai Jinyan coldly interrupted the director, “He won’t participate in the variety show.”
The director didn’t dare to provoke Bai Jinyan, as he knew well that although Bai Jinyan had a bad temper, he came from a powerful background.
Even with his bad temper, he still held a strong position in the industry. Moreover, he debuted at a young age, and there were very few artists who could stand on equal footing with him in the same period.
For this variety show, the director didn’t invite other hosts. He came to take charge himself since he knew Bai Jinyan before entering the industry and could be considered friends. He could control the pace and prevent the show from going too bad. Although the director didn’t finish his sentence, Qiao Huaiyao could still guess what he meant after hearing Bai Jinyan’s refusal.
To film the variety show together?
Qiao Huaiyao bit his lip, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of exposing himself on a live stream. But…
Excluding today, there were only six days left until school started.
He had to fly to school one day in advance because it would take some time to settle in the dorm. So, all in all, he had only five days left.
During that time, he would have to go to school, and Bai Jinyan would have classes here. He wouldn’t have a chance to figure out why Bai Jinyan had distanced himself from him.
For a moment, Qiao Huaiyao was in a dilemma.
Bai Jinyan took the vegetables out and placed them on the countertop. He said, “After dinner, you can go…”
Qiao Huaiyao gritted his teeth and decided to take the risk. “Brother!”
Bai Jinyan paused, glancing at him and waiting for Qiao Huaiyao to continue.
Qiao Huaiyao cleared his throat and glanced at the side. He picked up a cauliflower, tore off the plastic wrap on top, and nonchalantly said, “I just got back from school, and I don’t know where I put my keys.”
“It’s late, and it’s not a good time to call a locksmith.”
“I don’t even know what time it is after dinner.”
“I’m also carrying such a big suitcase.”
He muttered a lot of complaints. Then, Qiao Huaiyao elongated his tone and looked at Bai Jinyan, “Brother… You won’t chase me away, right?”
Bai Jinyan looked down at him, and Qiao Huaiyao didn’t avoid his gaze, looking somewhat obedient.
For someone who wasn’t part of the entertainment circle, exposure under the spotlight wasn’t a good thing. Bai Jinyan should have refused Qiao Huaiyao like he rejected the director, decisively and firmly.
But now, Qiao Huaiyao stared at him, and the words that were about to come out of Bai Jinyan’s mouth seemed to be stuck there, unable to be spoken.
At the same time, several bullet comments on the phone on the counter quickly scrolled across the screen, filling it entirely.
[“Don’ make him leave! Make him stay…!!!”]
[“Wow, when talking to the director, he refused firmly, but when talking to his brother, he doesn’t even dare to utter a refusal. I have to call him ‘wow.'”]
[“Bai Jinyan, say something! Continue to be domineering! What happened to your temper?!”]
[“Sigh, although I really want him to stay, with Bai Jinyan’s temper, he might just throw him out with his luggage. Bai Jinyan has always been unyielding.”]
[“……”]
Qiao Huaiyao waited quietly for Bai Jinyan. He was determined to stay, even if Bai Jinyan still had reservations. Even if he left today, he would come back tomorrow. Only by staying by Bai Jinyan’s side could he find out the reason for the distance between them. Directly asking Bai Jinyan wouldn’t yield any answers; he had tried many times in his past life, after all.
After a long pause, Bai Jinyan said helplessly, “Go wash the vegetables.”
This meant that he agreed to let Qiao Huaiyao stay.
Qiao Huaiyao immediately responded, “Okay.”
Bullet comments: [“???”]
[“Is that it? Is that it? He agreed just like that without hesitation? What happened to your principles?”]
[“No way… Bai Jinyan, did you get possessed? You’re so easy-going now?”]
[“Honestly, I don’t know how Bai Jinyan is, but if a cute guy talks to me like that, I wouldn’t be able to refuse either~”]
[“Stop talking, stop talking! This is a setup to make me confess, right? You can handle others without a hitch, but you can’t do anything to him. I might really confess.”]
[“They’re just two brothers; CP fans, stay calm, okay?”]
……
Bai Jinyan chopped the beef and put it on a plate, noticing the flashing bullet comments. He frowned and looked back, seeing that Qiao Huaiyao was completely unaware, diligently washing the cauliflower.
He walked over and reminded, “We’re live now.”
“Huh?” Qiao Huaiyao froze. They started so quickly?
Realizing that he was already being broadcasted, he almost dropped the cauliflower he was holding. Although he knew that they would be live-streaming together if he stayed, he still felt a bit nervous.
Sensing his unease, Bai Jinyan said, “I’ll talk to the director and delay the recording.”
“No need,” Qiao Huaiyao hurriedly grabbed his arm, “We can proceed as planned.”
The recording for the variety show had already been scheduled and contractually agreed upon. They couldn’t just delay it. Besides, other artists were participating, and if Bai Jinyan delayed his part separately, it would raise unnecessary gossip and possibly breach the contract.
“Very late now, let’s cook first,” Qiao Huaiyao said.
Most of the ingredients Bai Jinyan bought were pre-prepared, and only the vegetables needed washing. He quickly cooked them in the pan. The beef and shrimp were also served after changing color. It was almost dawn, and eating too much would be hard to digest, so he kept the dishes simple.
Without realizing it, they finished a bowl of rice, and Qiao Huaiyao put down his chopsticks, taking the remaining milk to drink.
Bai Jinyan’s dishes suited his taste perfectly. When Qiao Huaiyao first moved in, he stayed with Bai Jinyan, who didn’t usually cook and would sometimes skip meals when busy. But when Qiao Huaiyao was there, Bai Jinyan would buy groceries and cook, slowly improving his culinary skills.
“Jinyan, we’re going back now,” the director said. “The mobile live-stream has been switched to the camera, and the cameras are already on. The regular recording will begin now. The phone will be left here, and the program team will send task instructions via text messages. Contact us if anything comes up.”
The material for the opening monologue was more than enough. They would rely on the in-house cameras for the subsequent live-stream; there was no need for a host.
After the director left, Bai Jinyan got up to tidy the dishes. “I’m going to take a shower and change clothes.”
Pausing for a moment, he added, “There’s a camera in the bedroom. Remember to cover it when changing clothes.”
The cameras were installed early on to capture the program from all angles.
Qiao Huaiyao helped carry the dishes into the kitchen and, as he came back, saw the phone on the table. He picked it up.
The phone’s screen was displaying the live-stream room.
The top of the camera accurately captured this scene, and the bullet comments on the screen skyrocketed.
[“Ah ah ah! Handsome boy, notice me!”]
[“Why is the camera in the living room set up like this? This angle makes him look even better. Indeed, someone good-looking can handle any angle.”]
[“……”]
Qiao Huaiyao was a bit nervous at first, but seeing the barrage of “kiss” emojis and scattered “husband” and “wife” comments, he felt more at ease. No one discussed the scene in the hallway, and he silently breathed a sigh of relief.
The bullet comments were flying quickly, and Qiao Huaiyao picked a few to reply to: “My last name is Qiao, Qiao Huaiyao.”
[“Aren’t you surnamed Bai? Aren’t you Bai Jinyan’s brother? Why do you call him ‘brother’?”]
Qiao Huaiyao explained, “We are not blood-related brothers. He is older than me, and we have known each other since we were very young, so I’ve always called him ‘brother’.”
[“Wuwuwu, honestly explaining things makes you look so obedient.”]
[“Those hands! They’re even longer than my ex’s life.”]
[“If it weren’t for the fact that it’s our first time meeting today, I would give you a couple of lines with a touch of color.”]
[“We dated, but he kept stealing the blankets when sleeping. We broke up.”]
Bai Jinyan came out to see Qiao Huaiyao still in the living room and asked, “What are you looking at?” He followed Qiao Huaiyao’s gaze and glimpsed the screen.
The barrage of “kiss” emojis and scattered “husband” and “wife” comments filled the screen.
Bai Jinyan’s smile paused, and he concealed the change in his emotions, calmly taking the phone from Qiao Huaiyao and said, “Your suitcase is in the room. Go and pack.”
Qiao Huaiyao replied, “Okay.”
Most of the suitcase contained clothes, and they needed to be hung up to avoid wrinkles. After Qiao Huaiyao went upstairs, Bai Jinyan frowned and kept a cold expression as he blocked and deleted all the comments.
Fans who saw this scene through the camera were confused: [“???”]
Can you not handle it?