December of this year was destined to be both lively and extraordinary.

The highly anticipated first-ever domestic large-scale celebrity variety show, 《Hi, My Friend》, was about to begin live streaming.

Even before the show aired, it had already caused an uproar online due to its unique guest selection process. The closer it got to the live broadcast, the more attention the show garnered.

The twelve celebrities participating in the show were all selected blindly by netizens through an online vote.

During voting, only the backs of the cards were displayed online, and the designs on the backs were similar. As for which celebrity was on the front of each card, not even the production team knew, let alone the voters.

It had to be said that the show’s director was remarkably bold— to the point of being unconventional.

Before him, no director had ever selected variety show guests in this way. They lacked the creativity and the courage to attempt it.

But the director of 《Hi, My Friend》  dared to take this leap.

And his boldness paid off handsomely.

The show became a sensation before it even aired. During the guest selection stage, it had already drawn a massive amount of attention.

Once the twelve cards with the highest votes were chosen, the production team revealed the fronts of the cards, allowing the audience to see which celebrity each card represented.

The process was highly random.

As a result, the celebrities participating in the show varied greatly in popularity— from superstars and trending actors and actresses to virtually unknown eighteenth-line actors and actresses.

Coincidentally, Ning Xiaoyu was one of the unknown eighteenth-liners. Before landing a spot on this show, she was practically a nobody in the entertainment industry.

At this moment, Ning Xiaoyu leaned against the wall, checking the meager bank balance on her phone while patiently waiting for the program to start recording. Nearby, snippets of conversation drifted into her ears.

“Do you see that girl over there? I think her name is Xiaoyu or something. She’s the lowest-ranking guest among the twelve.”

“Her luck is unbelievable. She’s so obscure she doesn’t even have an assistant, and yet she got picked. If she can make it, why can’t I?”

“I’m so jealous. Even though it’s a large-scale friendship variety show, the participants are all gorgeous men and women. Who knows? Maybe it’ll turn into a dating show as it airs.”

“Do you think the director is secretly trying to pair people up?”

Ning Xiaoyu pretended not to hear the snide remarks.

The pay offered by the production team was substantial, which was the main reason she was there.

She had just closed the banking app with its depressing balance when a trending notification popped up on her screen.

She instinctively clicked on it.

【The lineup for 《Hi, My Friend》  is unprecedentedly luxurious! Does it include your favorite celebrity?】

Ning Xiaoyu skimmed through the list.

Most of the names were so famous that even someone like her, who rarely followed entertainment news, recognized them.

These people were all big names— some to an almost absurd degree.

The least famous among them were third-line actors and actresses who had played lead roles in multiple minor hits.

This show was truly a gathering of stars.

So, those whispers earlier weren’t wrong. Among the twelve, her rank was indeed the lowest.

It was likely even the director had been surprised when the blind selection included her.

Her eyes paused for a couple of seconds when they landed on a particular name before she quickly looked away.

Their sibling bond had all but dissolved ever since that person followed their mother into a wealthy family, abandoning her and their father without a second thought.

Ning Xiaoyu stood there in a daze for a moment before the production team notified her that the live broadcast was about to begin.

The show would use real-time streaming to present the most authentic sides of the guests to the audience.

However, there were designated rest areas in the ‘Friendship House’ where guests could enjoy absolute privacy and peace. Only these areas wouldn’t be live-streamed constantly.

────ρя


Soon, Ning Xiaoyu followed the staff’s instructions to the first-floor living room of the Friendship House.

By the time she arrived, most of the guests were already there.

The living room had naturally split into four small groups, each distinctly separate.

Everyone was socializing.

A casual glance around revealed a top star, two trending actresses, and a well-known director.

Unlike them, Ning Xiaoyu, as an unknown actress, only knew other small-time actors and actresses like herself. Apart from her nominal biological sister, she was unfamiliar with anyone else present— and she had no desire to get to know them. It was too exhausting.

Ning Yuwei only glanced at Ning Xiaoyu briefly when she entered before quickly looking away, acting as if she didn’t know her own older sister.

Ning Xiaoyu noticed that Ning Yuwei was enthusiastically chatting with a top star.

Thus, with Ning Xiaoyu’s arrival, the original four groups became five.

She stayed in her corner, playing the role of a loner.

Without the pressure of socializing, she felt rather at ease.

However, this demeanor, when seen by some viewers, came across as pitiful.

【It’s a friendship variety show, a friendship variety show! Why isn’t this eighteenth-line actress trying to make some friends?】

【Maybe she feels out of place. After all, her rank is just too low.】

【Even eighteenth-line actors and actresses have ranks. But she’s so far down I don’t even know what to say.】

【I wonder if her being chosen is lucky or unfortunate.】

【Poor thing.】

【Really pitiful.】

After a few viewers expressed their fleeting pity for Ning Xiaoyu, their focus quickly returned to their idols. Their sympathy for her was brief, more of a passing thought than genuine concern.

A few minutes later, the director of the show appeared.

“Welcome, everyone, to 《Hi, My Friend》. As the first large-scale celebrity friendship reality show in the country, I hope you all find precious lo— I mean, friendships here.”

【The director meant love, right? Hahaha.】

【As expected, it’s called a friendship show, but it’s actually a dating show. Got it, got it.】

【Where’s my idol? I don’t see him!】

It was only at this point that viewers noticed that there were only eleven guests in the living room. The highly anticipated movie king, Lu Jingdu, was absent.

Perhaps noticing the comments, the director explained, “Your movie king has just gotten off the plane. He’s currently resting in the lounge but will join us this evening.”

Afterward, the director introduced the rules of the show in detail.

“As we all know, pure, untainted emotions— ones without any ulterior motives— are rare anywhere, especially in the dazzling and competitive entertainment industry. 《Hi, My Friend》  aims to help celebrities find their true lo— no, true friend.

The rules are simple.

Send a ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good night’ message to a fellow guest each day to foster closer bonds.

Prepare your own meals or collaborate with others to divide the tasks.

Participate in randomly assigned, chemistry-building mini-games.

Look forward to even more exciting activities.”

Since today was the first day of filming, the director allowed the guests some time to adjust and relax after explaining the rules. From then on, the guests were free to explore and interact as they pleased.

Ning Xiaoyu, however, had little interest in making friends.

As soon as the director announced the start of free activities, she was the first to leave the hall. To some, her actions seemed like she was fleeing the scene.

Top star Xu Cheng, with his hands casually in his pockets, watched her leave with a puzzled expression. “Was that person also a guest?”

Ning Yuwei retracted her gaze from Ning Xiaoyu and responded with a faint, “Mm.”

Xu Cheng chuckled. “She doesn’t look familiar.”

Ning Yuwei simply smiled without saying much.

An unknown, obscure actress? It would be odd if she were recognizable.

────ρя


Once Ning Xiaoyu left the living room, she immediately relaxed.

That highly social environment, where everyone seemed like a networking expert, was not a scene for a salted fish^[1]someone who has no intention of doing anything like her. She felt much more at ease in a quiet space where she didn’t have to interact.

Why waste time on small talk when lying down would be far more enjoyable?

The thought of lounging around tempted her to head back to her room and sprawl on the bed. But as she walked, she passed by a partially open lounge.

Curious, she wondered if this was one of the private lounges the production team had mentioned. She peeked inside to take a look at its setup, hoping it might cater to her laid-back lifestyle.

To her surprise, what she saw inside wasn’t just the room’s décor— it was the movie king, Lu Jingdu, resting peacefully.

The scene inside was serene and tranquil.

The man leaned against the large floor-to-ceiling window, his long legs casually stretched out. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass, bathing him in a soft glow. His side profile, outlined by the light, was stunningly handsome, almost unreal.

Ning Xiaoyu hadn’t expected the absent guest to be resting there in such comfort.

No wonder he hadn’t shown up at the initial gathering. Being a top-tier celebrity clearly afforded him certain privileges. If Ning Xiaoyu had skipped the gathering, the internet would be tearing her apart by now. But since it was Lu Jingdu, the viewers didn’t seem to mind.

When they learned he had just gotten off a flight, they were filled with concern for his well-being. No one seemed to care that he’d skipped the initial gathering. Both the director and the audience appeared to hold a special fondness for the young movie king.

Comparing herself to him would only leave her exasperated. There was simply no contest.

As those thoughts crossed her mind, Ning Xiaoyu prepared to quietly step away to avoid disturbing his rest. Just as she was about to turn, a row of floating text suddenly appeared in front of her.

〖Girl, do you want to be famous? Do you wish to bask in the spotlight? If you win the movie king’s favor, all of it can be yours. Right now, the movie king is resting in the lounge. You can:

A. Steal a kiss from the movie king.

B. Take a secret photo of the movie king’s handsome sleeping face.

C. Spend ten warm and quiet minutes accompanying the movie king.〗

Ning Xiaoyu stared blankly at the text.

What in the world was this nonsense?