"Thank you, Director. I'll return to the crew by mid-August," Chu Zhi said before hanging up.
He had originally taken a three-day leave from the My Love From the Stars production to attend the Fuji Rock Festival, but plans rarely keep up with change.
As an apology for the disruption, Chu Zhi agreed to the producer's request to sing the series' theme song, My.Destiny.
His EP After the Clouds Clear had broken records in South Korea, selling over two million copies. Choosing him to sing the theme song was far more reliable than hiring any other artist.
Every producer in South Korea knew that for the past year or two, Chu Zhi hadn't sung any song composed by someone else.
It was also through his manager, Niu Jiangxue, that Chu Zhi learned why filming for Back to the Countryside 4 had been suddenly pushed up. Apparently, Mango TV received word that the broadcasting bureau would issue new variety show production regulations in October, which triggered the sudden changes.
The entertainment industry is prone to sudden shifts. Beyond government policy, there's always the risk of a guest getting "canceled," a sponsor collapsing, or a host making headlines for the wrong reasons. In short, showbiz is a minefield.
Even the well-planned second Orange Festival faced unexpected changes.
Despite effective domestic control, social media sites like Renren and official media outlets issued suggestions to "minimize large-scale gatherings in July."
These were only suggestions, not mandates, so most celebrities ignored them. Concerts and events continued as usual.
But Chu Zhi always took such recommendations seriously. So the Orange Festival was rescheduled from July 9 to September 7. Both dates held special meanings related to "nine" and "seven," which had been discussed before.
What was interesting, though, was that even though the government's suggestions weren't mandatory, very few celebrities followed them—until they found out Chu Zhi had rescheduled his fan event. Then, one by one, they all followed suit.
His influence as the Emperor Beast of the industry was undeniable. Everyone had been burned too many times. At the slightest gust of wind, they all braced for a storm.
"Brother Jiu, do you have any plans for your new album?" Niu Jiangxue asked.
New album?
Chu Zhi was confused. Didn't he just release Chu Ci: Ode to the Orange Tree?
Then he thought more carefully. It was already August. This time last year, he had already started prepping the new album.
"There's just been too much going on," Niu Jiangxue said. "The filming for Back to the Countryside and My Love From the Stars Maybe we should cut down on commercial events for a while."
"Sure. That'll give me more time to plan and develop the new album," Chu Zhi nodded.
Niu Jiangxue had already made plans to cancel seven or eight upcoming gigs. Honestly, if filming hadn't been bumped up, they wouldn't be this overwhelmed now.
It was late. Niu Jiangxue was tired and yawned.
Yawns are contagious, like the flu. Wang Yuan, too, couldn't stop yawning.
"You two go home first. It's already eleven. I'll finish recording this segment and then head back," Chu Zhi said.
"All right, then. You rest early too when you're done."
"Take care, Ah Jiu."
They didn't protest. Both had an early morning ahead. They asked Old Qiu to drive them home.
Old Qiu knew the route well by now, having chauffeured most of the team. No directions needed. Wang Yuan lived in Huazhou Junting on Yinzhu Road, and Niu Jiangxue had a single apartment of her own.
Inside the car, Niu Jiangxue nearly fell asleep if she wasn't checking tomorrow's flight info on her phone.
"Chu Zhi sleeps the latest and wakes up the earliest. I wonder if his body can really handle it," she sighed.
"Sometimes he even reads late into the night," Wang Yuan nodded in agreement. His schedule was definitely unhealthy.
What they didn't know, however, was that "sometimes" was actually "every day." Chu Zhi read daily. Without fail.
"I just hope Back to the Countryside being a slow variety show will give him a chance to rest," Wang Yuan said.
Niu Jiangxue wasn't so optimistic. Slow variety shows may seem chill, but they're still work.
By the time Niu Jiangxue and Wang Yuan were dropped off at their places, Chu Zhi had just finished recording a short promo video.
It was for the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Awards. Even though none of his films were nominated, the committee had still invited him to be a promotional ambassador.
That's the power of popularity.
Chu Zhi got home around 12:30 AM. After washing up and changing into pajamas, he began his nightly "homework session." The thought of opening a book again filled his already-exhausted mind and body with resistance.
History books were dull and tiring. Even literature wasn't all that entertaining. Chu Zhi couldn't help but wonder why, even after becoming this successful, he still couldn't just enjoy life?
He had earned the right to rest on his laurels, hadn't he?
In moments of fatigue, he often wanted to slack off, to give up. The Emperor Beast was just like anyone else in that regard. The difference? He was very good at convincing—no, manipulating—himself.
"I've kept this up for a year. Wouldn't it be a shame to stop now?"
"Just hang in there one more day!" Chu Zhi thought. With that, the resistance lessened.
[You said that yesterday too.] The system popped up.
"Yesterday was yesterday. Today is today. They're not the same," Chu Zhi replied matter-of-factly.
He thought to himself, "Besides, as a professional idol, I can always pass my suffering on to others."
That idea sparked something. Chu Zhi began planning the three tasks he wanted to complete while filming Back to the Countryside.
1. Promote the benefits of reading to encourage more fans to pick up books.If only one person suffers, that's pain. But if thousands suffer together, then it's just an experience.
2. Raise awareness about depression, perhaps through the "Sick Leave Persona."
3. Decide how to disclose the truth about his parents' identities.
Not long ago, the editor-in-chief of Southern Weekly had called him. Many media outlets were digging into the background of Chu Zhi's parents.
Why? Simple. He was famous enough, and curiosity about him was strong enough, to fuel the hunt.
Chu Zhi figured the only reason no journalist had broken the story yet was because the government had placed some protection on the information.
But no wall is completely sealed. Rather than letting someone else expose him, Chu Zhi thought he might as well do it himself.
"I'll have to think more on the third one," he said to himself. "Let's go, let's go! Just one more night of study. I'll read a bit more today."
[…] The system fell silent. It had witnessed just how terrifying humans could be—so ruthless, they even lied to themselves.
Last night, Chu Zhi had finished reading a work by Lan Wuyi. Tonight, he turned to Distant Intimacy, an autobiography by Kun Yun.
Kun Yun had written the book at forty, reflecting on his career from graduation through his years working at Mango TV. When Chu Zhi went to buy it, he noticed most major bookstores didn't carry it. Sales must have been poor.
It was a short memoir—180,000 characters—and Chu Zhi read it in about two and a half hours. His main takeaway? Kun Yun had a clear people-pleaser personality and was overly concerned with how others saw him.
"He's used to taking care of people. Kind of like Min Jeongbae. Min-ge always tries to make people laugh," Chu Zhi murmured.
Min Jeongbae was a friend Chu Zhi knew well. And with people like that, the Emperor Beast had plenty of experience.
He sorted his notes and practiced his lines. He didn't need to memorize everything, but he had to be able to recall the key points smoothly. That shouldn't be too hard, right?
He went to bed at 3:00 AM. Woke up at 7:00 AM.
If it weren't for miracle meds, he'd probably be scrolling Weibo from an ICU bed.
The sky hadn't opened its eyes yet. Clouds hung low and heavy.
The morning was a blur of activity. By 2:00 PM, Chu Zhi and his team boarded a flight to Kunming.
Back to the Countryside 4 was set in Xishuangbanna. Its full title was Back to the Countryside: Colors of the Cloud. Aside from the new filming location, the biggest change was the new major sponsor.
Seasons one and two of the show had been wildly popular. But by season three, it was losing steam. Sponsors pulled back. Now, the show was getting a second wind—for one simple reason: Chu Zhi had joined the cast.
To reinforce its feel-good image, the show team added a new theme: showcasing and supporting rural life.
Four regular guests arrived first to get familiar with the setting. The Mushroom House was a classic Dai-style bamboo home. The rooftops were cone-shaped, supposedly modeled after Zhuge Liang's hat.
Zhuge Liang was revered in this part of Yunnan. When Christian missionaries tried to spread the gospel here during the reform era, they struggled—until they adapted, telling locals, "Jesus is Zhuge Liang's younger brother. Zhuge Liang's retired in heaven, and Jesus is now in charge." Conversion rates went up.
The goats, peacocks, dogs, and other animals from earlier seasons were all relocated to the new set. The dogs, especially, were having the time of their lives indoors.
Since it was a slow variety show, there wasn't much of a fixed schedule. Watching the guests settle in was part of the charm.
In other words, the moment the four regular guests appeared, filming had officially begun.
"This place is gorgeous," said Lan Wuyi as he cut pineapples.
"The environment is amazing," Kun Yun added while pouring milk into popsicle molds and giving a plug for the sponsor, Chunsheng Organic Milk.
"Teacher Lan, could you dice a little bit of pineapple for me?" Kun Yun asked. "I want to make a tray of pineapple popsicles."
"Of course," Lan Wuyi replied. He was the Mushroom House's designated chef. Whenever guests ordered food, it was up to him. Judging by his slightly chubby face and belly, he was clearly a little too good at his job.
"Come here, little sister," Kun Yun called over Tan Lu, handing her the leftover milk from the popsicle batch.
Aside from the show's two core veterans, there were also two younger regulars: Zhou Dakong and Tan Lu.
Zhou Dakong was born in '95 and graduated from Central Academy of Drama. He had acted in several dramas over the past four or five years but didn't gain much traction.
That changed with a hit historical fantasy drama, where he played the landlord's simple-minded son and shot to fame. Fans joked, "Please stop casting Dakong as a fool. He's way too convincing."
Tan Lu was born in the 2000s, a young singer-songwriter just eighteen this year. Her fans affectionately called her "Little Sister Tan." Her music focused on healing themes.
"Dakong, help me bring those Hami melons over. I'll make a fruit platter," Lan Wuyi said as he finished up.
The landlord's "simple" son worked with explosive energy. Though a little dim, he got things done. He brought over three large melons.
Ding ding ding—the phone rang inside the house.
"Haven't heard that sound in ages," Lan Wuyi laughed.
Kun Yun, Little Sister Tan, and Zhou Dakong rushed from the kitchen. It was obvious: another guest was about to arrive, calling ahead to order their first meal.
===
"My Destiny" / 마이 데스티니 by Lyn)