Chapter 198
Liu Woxing’s vlog also drew considerable attention.
Those unaware of her family background didn’t understand the hidden meaning behind it. They simply thought it was a creative short film with “freedom” as its theme, and they praised Liu Woxing for her talent.
But those in the know instantly noticed something was off.
When Xu Shuangrong, having just finished her third charity event, clicked on the video, her brows immediately furrowed.
These days after the show ended, she had been busy salvaging her public image, constantly doing charity work.
Though she occasionally watched updates about others online, she wasn’t aware of what had happened to Liu Woxing privately.
A bird escaping from its cage…
Could it really mean what she thought?
[ Xu Shuangrong: System. ]
[ System: What is it? ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: I remember you said before, in the original storyline, Liu Woxing never escaped the Liu family’s control. Even though later she found comfort in me, she still never dared to defy the Liu family’s orders, right? ]
[ System: Correct. ]
[ System: Liu Woxing was originally created by the author as a character to support you. ]
[ System: As the daughter of the biggest entertainment news agency in the industry, she had access to insider information and could manipulate public opinion. ]
[ System: Being controlled by her family since childhood filled her with despair, making her easily conquered by your calculated kindness. ]
[ System: In the original plot, you deliberately approached her, and you indeed became her only emotional support during her darkest times. ]
[ System: You became her best friend. With her help, you gained access to all the industry’s inside news and, through her, controlled public opinion. In fact, one of the key reasons you became the top-tier film queen was because of her contribution. ]
Xu Shuangrong frowned slightly.
This she already knew.
That’s why on her very first day on the show, she deliberately got close to Liu Woxing, specifically because of her identity as the news agency’s heiress.
She just hadn’t been aware of Liu Woxing’s true background at the time, which let Xie Mi seize the opportunity instead.
Otherwise, if she had tailored her approach in advance, Xie Mi would never have had a chance.
Thinking of this only made her more anxious.
[ Xu Shuangrong: In the original storyline, Liu Woxing never escaped her family’s control. But what if now, she has escaped? ]
[ System: Then everything’s screwed! ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: ? ]
[ System: You couldn’t hype up a CP with Xiao Jingxi, and you can’t form a best-friend bond with Liu Woxing either. In the original plot, your success hinged the most on those two. Now that both of them are completely off-script, how the hell are we supposed to keep playing?! ]
[ System: I told you long ago—while the show wasn’t airing, you should’ve been targeting someone else. But no, you just had to waste your time on charity work. ]
[ System: And now look, all the benefits have gone straight to Xie Mi. You’re out here looking like charity itself! ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: … ]
The system cared only about the storyline and clearly had no idea how crucial image management was for a celebrity.
Xu Shuangrong couldn’t even be bothered to argue with it.
[ Xu Shuangrong: Isn’t there still the time-travel opportunity? What are you so worried about? ]
[ System: You say that like you succeeded last time. ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: … ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: Last time was unexpected, I was panicked. Thinking about it carefully, that attempt had a lot of flaws. ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: Next time, I’ll plan and prepare more carefully. ]
[ Xu Shuangrong: Of course, I need to first confirm Liu Woxing’s situation. ]
Unless things became truly irreversible, she wouldn’t lightly use that time-travel chance.
After Shen Yanqing and Liu Woxing’s vlogs went viral, Love Observatory stayed trending for two straight days. This wave of pre-show hype was more effective than anything the production team had ever done.
Director Niu was in the TV station’s conference room, slapping the whiteboard in excitement, firing up his staff.
“The second phase of filming has gotten off to an amazing start! Now that all the viewers know our show is a dating variety, we must strike while the iron is hot!”
“Phase Two—brand new upgraded games, more intimate interactions, weaving the most complicated love lines ever! We’ll have the audience hooked!!”
“Filming starts now—are you ready?!!”
The staff shouted in unison, their morale soaring.
Meanwhile, the assistant directors just folded their arms, looking unimpressed, even rolling their eyes.
Director Niu immediately charged over with a flying kick.
“Anyone not on board, get the hell out!!”
The love lines in Love Observatory’s second phase—he was determined to nail them!
Amid the audience’s eager anticipation, the phenomenon-level variety show Human Love Observatory finally began recording its second phase!
The official announcement on day one immediately shot to the top of the trending list. Viewers celebrated collectively, counting down on their fingers to the start of filming.
The original eight cast members all checked into the hotel arranged by the production team the day before recording.
Seemingly to prevent too much pre-shoot interaction, the team had placed their rooms on different floors. After checking in, none of the eight guests saw each other.
And this was when the production team’s antics began.
Knock knock knock—
A staff member knocked on a hotel room door.
A moment later, the door opened, and Xie Mi poked her head out.
“What’s up?”
“Good evening, Teacher Xie,” the staffer said with a friendly smile. “Here’s the situation: for this phase of filming, we’ve got several new brand placements. A few sponsors want to confirm their representatives before we start tomorrow. Right now, they’re interested in you, but they’d like to have dinner to discuss details.”
Xie Mi instantly perked up.
Doing sponsor plugs meant extra pay, and now there was even free food? Perfect.
“Alright! I’ll—”
She was about to head out right away, but after glancing down at her pajamas, she realized that wouldn’t do. She nodded seriously.
“Let me go change first.”
“Of course, I’ll wait.”
As soon as Xie Mi went back inside, the staff member, still smiling, slyly flashed an “OK” gesture at the hallway security camera.
On closer look, there was an extra small camera strapped next to the hotel’s surveillance.
That extra camera was being used for the show’s filming.
Though the program was officially scheduled to premiere the next day, the live broadcast had already secretly started tonight.
[ Secret Footage Unlocked: High Emotional Intelligence Test Begins! ]
When viewers clicked in, confused by the title, and saw the surveillance-style hidden shots, they instantly understood what was happening.
[Aaaaaa I thought my eyes were playing tricks—but it really started early!!]
[Holy shit holy shit holy shit, Love Observatory you deserve the highest temple honors!!]
[My electronic pickled veggies are back!!!]
[Old Xie, I missed you!! (shouts loudly)]
[The Season 1 replays have been worn thin already—Season 2 is finally here, I’m crying]
