Li Chunhua's face turned green instantly upon seeing the two big bags of stuff that the staff had brought over.
With Zhou Yiyi gone and Xu Qingqiu without any other assistants, was she really expected to carry them herself?
Just as she hesitated, she unfortunately looked up and saw Chu Tian sitting with his legs crossed, engrossed in a TV drama.
"Give it to him!"
"Chu Tian! Yiyi has gone home because of some personal matter, and you're the only assistant Qingqiu has left. Since you're not busy anyway, stick by her side for the time being. Remember, be observant and don't loaf around all day!"
Chu Tian thought he had heard wrong. Huh? Me? He pointed at himself, making a face that said, "Are you serious?"
"Yes, stop pointing! It's you!"
Wait a minute, how did it end up being me? he wondered. If Yiyi isn't here, it has to be me? Who is Yiyi anyway? What does she have to do with me?
He really didn't want to go. What could be more exhausting than running around outside? It was so much better to lie down in the office with air conditioning and binge-watch dramas.
But seeing the way Li Chunhua looked like she was about to eat someone alive, Chu Tian wasn't too keen on admitting that he was a wimp. It wasn't about being cowardly; it was about not wanting to give up a monthly salary of over 20,000.
Another thing was that there were only two things he was scared of in this life: one was snakes, and the other, talent agents.
With a face full of reluctance, he took the items handed to him by the staff: two big bags, no idea what was inside, but they were pretty heavy.
Just then, Xu Qingqiu came out. You know, she looked radiantly beautiful even without makeup. Now that she was all dolled up, she was downright dazzling!
And that was just her light makeup. She would have it redone once they got to the show. Even so, she was already a knockout in the office. What would she be like on the actual set?
Definitely not as good-looking as she is now... Chu Tian pursed his lips, already having his answer.
It wasn't that the show's makeup artists were no good. It was just that during recordings, they had to apply heavy makeup to look good on camera, which felt too caked on in person.
He had experienced it firsthand; he knew that the makeup for shows didn't compare to everyday wear.
"Let's go! What are you staring at? Hurry up!" Li Chunhua glanced at Chu Tian, who was standing around like an idiot, and urged him on impatiently.
"Sheesh! Fine, let's go. Can't you ask nicely?" Chu Tian rolled his eyes. He glanced at his outfit—hmm, casual athletic wear. The key was his good foundation—in a word: handsome!
He adjusted his hair and casually pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket, placing them on the bridge of his nose.
With his sunglasses on, he was the epitome of cool indifference.
Casually picking up the two bags, he scurried after the people ahead and hurried downstairs.
"Wow, a nanny van, huh?"
When they got downstairs, the car that had been booked in advance was already waiting.
Hmm, I've never seen this brand before. It must be unique to this world. I wonder if it's comfortable, he mused, completely unaware that some of the crew had already started filming nearby.
Needless to say, the vehicle was also prepared by the show.
Like most variety shows, current ones liked to shoot an introductory clip for promotion. Filming typically started with their departure, involving some chatting and a few questions in the car—all pretty standard procedure.
Amidst the bustling surroundings, with staff scurrying about and cameras pointing in every direction, not only did Chu Tian feel no discomfort, but he also felt a sense of familiarity, as if he were back on Earth.
Once people in the car saw Xu Qingqiu coming out, they quickly got off and reached out to greet her from afar.
"Hello, Teacher Xu, I'm Zhouzhou. During the show's recording, I will be your exclusive assistant. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me directly."
Though she was called an 'exclusive assistant,' her role was actually a variation of a 'follow PD' common in reality shows. Unlike the off-camera director, the exclusive assistant would appear on screen, much like the managers in singing competition shows from his previous world.
Chu Tian didn't care what she was there for; seeing her reaching out her hand, he casually passed the bags over to her.
Zhouzhou looked bewildered as she suddenly found herself holding two bags. When she looked up, she saw a handsome guy with sharp features standing in front of her. Unfortunately, the sunglasses covered half of his face, and she couldn't see his full appearance.
But just his fair skin, unruly hairstyle, and how he wore inexpensive casual clothes with the aura of a supermodel—a natural-born clothes horse—made him the center of attention just by standing there.
Zhouzhou was only in her early twenties, the prime of her youth, and instantly became mesmerized.
Everyone around, whether it was the camera crew, the staff, or Xu Qingqiu and Li Chunhua, all froze. Hold on, how could he act so naturally? Just casually handing over the bags like that? That person was sent by the show crew to help the guests get acquainted with the program, not an actual assistant!
Li Chunhua felt her temples throbbing, feeling as if her forehead was about to explode. And what's with this Zhouzhou? She just takes whatever is handed to her? Fine, she took them, but why is she standing there staring at him like a lovestruck fool?!
She was about to burst with irritation, yet Xu Qingqiu felt a bit uncomfortable. For some reason, seeing Zhouzhou staring fixedly at Chu Tian made her feel uneasy.
Fortunately, Zhouzhou snapped out of it at this moment, quickly bowed her head, and hurriedly apologized, "Sorry, sorry..."
After saying it twice, she realized something was wrong. Why am I apologizing? Oh, right, it was impolite to stare. But what about these bags in my hands? Why did he hand them to me so naturally?
Poor her, her simple mind couldn't quite process it all in that short moment, but simplicity had its merits—like not overthinking things.
Zhouzhou, unable to comprehend, naturally carried the bags, smiling to dissolve the awkwardness while guiding everyone to the front of the car.
With nothing in his hands, Chu Tian instantly felt much more relaxed, his hands in his pockets as he sauntered behind.
When Zhouzhou put down the bags and opened the car door, he naturally sat down, even checking if the seat was comfortable. Not bad, the production team is quite meticulous. This car is pretty comfortable; it must have been expensive.
Li Chunhua was nearly driven mad with annoyance. If not for the cameras rolling, she would have lost her temper long ago! Chu Tian, what on earth are you doing? Don't you realize the show has started filming? You're an assistant! An assistant! Why are you acting like you're the star? Xu Qingqiu is still standing outside the car; how can you just sit there so complacently?
Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, Li Chunhua casually walked up to the car, reached out, and poked Chu Tian's arm. If I wasn't worried he'd cry out... wait, he can't cry out, right?
Realizing this, she changed from poking to pinching, grabbing a small piece of flesh and twisting it 180 degrees!
"Ouch, dammit!!"
Blindsided by the sudden attack, Chu Tian leaped up. He wanted to shout, but his throat was too weak, and the sudden gasp caught in his throat, preventing any sound from escaping.
Turning his head and seeing Li Chunhua retract her evil claw, then looking at Xu Qingqiu, who was also staring at him, Chu Tian immediately understood.
Crap! I overdid it!
Having been a star for decades, muscle memory had him falling into roles reflexively in familiar scenes. His body reacted even before his mind did.
If it weren't for Li Chunhua's reminder, he would have forgotten that he had transmigrated, no longer a star, but an assistant.
Realizing this, he hurriedly got up, intending to get out of the car. But seeing the cameras outside, he immediately understood that exiting like that would be a blunder—it would require editing, or worse, become a topic of discussion.
So, he turned and took a seat further inside, where he couldn't be seen by the cameras. At most, he would later explain that he was delayed putting away some things.
Li Chunhua and Xu Qingqiu responded quickly as well. Seeing him move further in, the two followed suit and got into the car. Everything seemed as if nothing had happened, except for Zhouzhou, who had witnessed the whole thing and was still befuddled. Wait, what was going on with these people? Why hadn't the Queen, Xu Qingqiu, gotten into the car yet, while this other guy was already in? Who was he? A celebrity? He was so handsome, but she'd never seen him before. Xu Qingqiu's boyfriend? Unlikely. The manager's attitude towards him didn't seem like it. It couldn't be a male assistant, could it? That seemed even more far-fetched. Who had ever seen such an arrogant assistant? Casually handing things to the show's director during filming, and so naturally at that? What kind of assistant got into the car before their boss, sat there looking pleased, and only reacted when the manager prompted them? If it was none of these, then what exactly was the situation? She couldn't figure it out; it was simply baffling.