Chapter 55: The Director Is Nearly Bald

The director, producer, scriptwriter, and planner convened an emergency meeting to discuss and determine a new direction for the show.

"Currently, the investors are extremely dissatisfied with our program's progress. Their main complaint is that the romantic environment we've created for the participants is far from pure—there are too many distractions from the outside world, which isn't conducive to fostering emotional development between them," Director Lin Jiale relayed the investors' concerns.

The planner couldn't help but laugh. "Isn't it more accurate to say it's not conducive to Zhang Chen and Ye Fangfei's relationship development?"

Lin Jiale nodded in acknowledgment. "That's exactly it. After all, their real intention is to see these two get back together."

The scriptwriter looked exasperated. "But that's not even the purpose of our show. Are they confused about our core message?"

"The investors don't care about your program's philosophy—they only care about the results," the producer interjected.

"We can't possibly change the show's principle just to help Zhang Chen and Ye Fangfei reconcile, can we? That would betray the very reason we created this show," the planner said, troubled.

Director Lin Jiale, his face lined with worry, said, "The purpose of today's meeting is to brainstorm and come up with a solution that doesn't contradict the show's core values, yet also satisfies the investors."

Everyone groaned in unison.

Lin Jiale continued, "The investors want the participants to experience the romance reality show fully, with minimal external interference. Let's use our heads and figure out how to make this happen."

Everyone fell silent.

"They're asking for a fully immersive experience..." The scriptwriter rubbed the bridge of his nose and muttered, "What else can we do? We'd have to forcibly cut off all outside contact and make them engage in a closed-off romance under the camera's gaze."

"That won't work. The participants have to be able to comply, after all. For example, Qi Jiajia is an office worker—she needs to work every day. How can we cut her off? And besides, would Ye Fangfei even agree to this?" The planner shook his head, unconvinced. "And would Ye Fangfei ever agree to such a setup?"

"Let's propose the plan first. As for Ye Fangfei's willingness, her family can handle that," Lin Jiale replied.

"Total isolation isn't realistic. Maybe we can regulate when they can contact the outside world," the producer suggested.

"The investors also hope we can come up with ways to increase effective interactions between Ye Fangfei and Zhang Chen, so they can get to know each other faster," Lin Jiale added, flipping through his notes.

Everyone was left speechless. This was a nightmare difficulty level.

After several rounds of brainstorming, they finally devised a plan.

The proposal would be submitted to the investors for review, and only with their approval would it move forward.

This time, in response to the investors' demands, the production team intended to turn the latter part of the show into a ten-day immersive trip for separated couples.

What was relayed to the investors was this:

Travel is a powerful test of emotion.

A journey brims with infinite possibilities. Every unknown, every thrill, and every rich encounter creates countless opportunities. Amid the collisions of various situations, people can't help but reflect on themselves, gain insight into others, and contemplate life.

It's possible that two people who once felt nothing for each other may discover one another's charms and develop feelings; previous conflicts once deemed unforgivable may be resolved through the journey; and, of course, even couples who seemed inseparable might begin to doubt their relationship after the trip.

If, after the journey, a separated couple reconciles, it proves their love can withstand trials. If, after the journey, they remain apart, that too demonstrates, from another perspective, that they simply aren't right for each other.

After communication, both major investors approved the team's latest proposal.

However, a new complication arose—a complication named Ye Fangfei.

Upon hearing about the show's new direction, Ye Fangfei suspected that both families were trying every trick to coax her into a marriage alliance.

Why had she agreed to join this show in the first place? Was it not to publicly demonstrate that she and Zhang Chen truly couldn't be together, hoping to cut off their families' matchmaking efforts once and for all?

Their insistence on her joining the show was, to some extent, a plan to use public opinion to pressure her into submission.

Look, he’s so devoted to you; look, everyone says he’s a good man, yet you refuse to marry him—it must be a problem with your thinking.

She could already imagine the lines they’d use.

The show was merely a tool for them.

Zhang Chen was clearly building himself up as the "devoted, wealthy heir."

Did they want to use public opinion to manipulate her? Ye Fangfei laughed.

If that was the case, then the viewers ought to see the true story, not just a polished, edited montage.

Thus, Ye Fangfei submitted her own condition for the show's new format.

"I can accept an immersive trip with no outside contact, but I demand a full live broadcast. If that's not possible, I won't play along."

A full live broadcast?

When this reached Zhang Chen, he hesitated.

But then he thought, if she isn’t afraid, why should he be? Let it come!

But when this demand reached the production team, Director Lin felt another headache coming on.

A live broadcast?!

That changed everything!

Even the format of the show would have to change!

What kind of capricious investors were these...

Was this even the same show anymore? They might as well drop the second season of "Switching Exes" and rename it "Let's Get Back Together" season one!

The producer was so aggravated he howled, "So much trouble—let them withdraw their investment!"

Director Lin gave him a sidelong glance. "If they pull out, will you make up the funds?"

The producer deflated. "Forget it, let’s just adapt!"

Is money really everything?

Well, yes, money really is quite something.

"If we switch to live broadcasts later on, then the footage we've already shot must air first, or there will be no continuity," the assistant director chimed in.

"Agreed."

"So what exactly do we do now?" the planner was flummoxed.

Everyone sighed.

...

After in-depth, one-on-one communication between the dedicated PD and each participant, the production team finally managed to persuade them to accept the new filming format.

In truth, none of the participants joined the show with entirely pure motives; most had at least some desire for fame. So they weren't about to quit just because of a change in filming style—unless someone felt they couldn't handle the scrutiny of a live broadcast.

But all of them were brimming with self-confidence.

Of course, the production team also offered a generous adjustment fee to the other six participants.

With money on the table, no one objected.

Lu Zhou was indifferent; he could more or less guess the reason behind the drastic changes. In the entertainment industry, meddling from capital was par for the course.

That day, the production team sent out a new notice: because future episodes would be live, the previously filmed content would air first. The reality show, which aired weekly, would pause filming after that day's shooting to maintain continuity for viewers.

The exact date for resuming filming would be announced later.

At 8 p.m., after dinner, the participants gathered in the first-floor living room, chatting and drinking. The impending, brief separation left everyone with a strange sense of reluctance.

It was an odd emotion, given that they weren’t particularly close.

Suddenly, the large TV screen flickered on, startling everyone.

"What’s happening? Why did the TV turn on by itself?" Li Jiayan exclaimed.

"It's possessed," Lu Zhou joked.

A countdown icon appeared on the screen.

Zhang Chen asked, "What's going on?"

Chu Yao said, "I have a bad feeling about this."

Wen Yiming commented, "With this atmosphere... I think the production team is about to stir things up."

Xu Junze smiled. "I know what this is—most likely..."

Qi Jiajia, puzzled, turned to ask him, "What is it?"

Ye Fangfei took a sip of her red wine and answered for Xu Junze, "They're about to announce the exes."

Li Jiayan's eyes widened as she cupped her face. "Oh my god, they're announcing it so early?"

Lu Zhou laughed—the production team was clearly forced to reveal the exes ahead of schedule.

After all, during the filming hiatus, the show would begin airing, and by then, everyone would know who was paired with whom.

Wen Yiming teased, "The awkward moment is coming."

The countdown began to move.

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

...