Outside the window, night had fallen, while the warm glow of the lights filled the room.
Inside, Chu Duxiu carried a plastic container over, took out the miscellaneous items inside, and transferred them into her suitcase. She planned to take her belongings back to Haicheng but leave the plastic container behind at the hotel.
Wang Nali had just finished washing up. She emerged from the bathroom and asked curiously, “Where’s your rabbit?”
Chu Duxiu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled guiltily. “It’s too big to bring back…”
“What a pity.” Hearing this, Wang Nali didn’t press further. Instead, she brought up another matter, grinning mischievously as she said, “Have you prepared for the lesson? Give me some advice – what should I teach?”
In two days, the group was scheduled to meet with the trainees. Aside from the experienced Lu Fan, the others had little experience teaching on stage, so it was only natural for them to feel nervous.
Chu Duxiu stood up, pulled out her laptop, and opened a document on the desktop. “I’ve written a little something.”
Wang Nali stared at the densely packed Word document in shock. “A little? This is practically a book!”
The word count in the document was staggering, and the formatting resembled that of an academic paper.
“Can’t help it – journalism majors are used to grinding,” Chu Duxiu said awkwardly. “Back in college, for a 2,000-word assignment, some of my classmates would turn in 20,000 words. So I don’t think I’ve written that much, right?”
“You really just finished your thesis defense – your preparation is way too thorough,” Wang Nali muttered. “Now I’m even more nervous. My ranking was already low, and now I have nothing to share.”
“How could that be?” Chu Duxiu reassured her. “Why not talk about performance? Share the style you’re good at – you clearly have a lot to say.”
Wang Nali hesitated. “…Is my style even worth sharing?”
Chu Duxiu replied without hesitation, “Absolutely. At least your style can be shared. Unlike Scallion’s style – they’d need a partner first.”
Wang Nali: “?”
It had to be said that Chu Duxiu’s logic was flawless, instantly restoring Wang Nali’s confidence. After chattering away in discussion, they even scurried over to Lu Fan’s room together to ask for her feedback and refine their teaching plans.
Lu Fan was responsible for teaching at the company and had recently led the establishment of a training group dedicated to translating and writing guidebooks on stand-up comedy, helping more people understand and get involved in the industry.
A few days later, Chu Duxiu and the others arrived at the training camp and finally met the new batch of trainees.
The classroom was familiar, but the faces were new. The tables and chairs inside were divided into several groups, just like the setup during last year’s training session. The trainees formed their own groups, chose their preferred mentors, and worked together to discuss and revise their drafts.
At the podium, Lu Fan wore a warm expression and spoke gently, “Everyone, the theoretical sessions have come to an end. Next up are the practical classes. The training camp has invited several mentors to help you revise your drafts. I know many of you were introduced to stand-up comedy through the show, so you’re probably already familiar with our mentors…”
Upon hearing this, the trainees immediately began whispering among themselves, buzzing with curiosity and excitement.
“Are they other cast members from the show?”
“From the sound of it, they’ve all been on the program…”
“Can I wish for the Rookie Queen?” someone joked. “If that comes true, this trip would’ve paid for itself.”
Another trainee chimed in, “The popular contestants are probably busy recording shows. She likely doesn’t have time. Besides Ms. Lu, the others are probably booked with commercial events or other variety gigs.”
After the rise in popularity of stand-up comedy, well-known performers had begun receiving external opportunities, making appearances on other variety shows.
Lu Fan, as the head of the training camp, was the one interacting with the trainees. For someone as prominent as Chu Duxiu – Shanle’s most popular performer – showing up here was nearly unheard of, akin to a fantasy. It was, by all accounts, a loss-making venture.
Amid the murmurs, Lu Fan revealed the answer. She glanced toward the classroom door and announced, “Let’s welcome Chu Duxiu, Wang Nali, and Scallion to join today’s training session!”
By the door, Chu Duxiu and the others peeked in, cautiously scanning the room before stepping inside at Lu Fan’s signal.
The next second, the entire room erupted in excitement. It was like water splashing into hot oil – crackling and sizzling – as exclamations of “Wow!” filled the air.
“They actually came!”
“This is insane! This trip was worth it-”
“So how are we splitting into groups? Isn’t one group about to be completely swamped?”
The trainees buzzed with energy, chattering animatedly.
Seeing their exhilaration, Lu Fan smiled and said, “Let’s give a warm round of applause to welcome our mentors!”
No reminder was needed – the trainees were already electrified, clapping so hard their palms turned red. The appearance of Chu Duxiu, in particular, sent their excitement soaring. Some even pulled out their phones to take pictures.
The mentors, taken aback by the fervent response, seemed slightly flustered by the exuberant welcome.
Trainees in the front rows repeatedly called out Chu Duxiu’s name. She quickly bowed in gratitude, waving warmly to acknowledge their enthusiasm.
Scallion remarked in awe, “Wow, this feels like some kind of fan meet-and-greet.”
Wang Nali remarked, “She’s practically half the stand-up comedy scene now.”
Lu Fan, ever the seasoned professional, smoothly took charge again. “Let’s invite our mentors to share first,” she said in an orderly manner. “Everyone is welcome to ask questions on the spot. After that, we’ll break into groups for discussions. The grouping is flexible – as long as you’re willing to wait, you can line up to speak with any mentor. You’re free to consult with as many as you’d like and take whichever advice you find most helpful.”
With a gentle smile, she added, “Now, let’s welcome our first speaker – Chu Duxiu.”
The moment she finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted. The trainees buzzed with excitement, cheering enthusiastically.
“Thank you, thank you, everyone,” Chu Duxiu said, standing at the podium. She lowered her head slightly and admitted candidly, “I’m really happy to be here, though it also feels a bit surreal. Just last year, I was sitting where you are now, and this year, I’m up here sharing my experiences.”
“But I think it’s actually a good thing to have newer actors like us speak,” she continued lightheartedly. “Ms. Lu is way too professional – it’s hard to feel confident next to her. Maybe after listening to us, you’ll suddenly feel a lot more self-assured. You might even think, ‘So this is what the King of Stand-Up Comedy is like?’ It’s kind of like doing an easy practice set right before the college entrance exams to give yourself a break.”
The room burst into laughter at her remark.
Someone in the crowd shouted, “No way-!”
Facing the sea of smiling faces, Chu Duxiu spoke with sincerity, “I’ve always firmly believed that stand-up comedy has the power to bring people together. Just as I’ve encountered many inspiring mentors and friends along my journey, I hope our sharing today can be of help to you. I also hope this training camp will give rise to a new ‘Rookie King.'”
“This isn’t about imparting some golden rules,” she continued warmly. “Instead, let’s just chat freely, sharing our perspectives on the world as if we were ordinary friends catching up.”
As she finished speaking, waves of applause rose from the audience, and the atmosphere grew even more relaxed.
After the initial excitement settled, the classroom returned to a sense of normalcy. Lu Fan watched Chu Duxiu, a faint smile gracing her lips as well.
“Not only is she skilled professionally, but her emotional intelligence in the workplace is on another level too,” Scallion remarked, clicking his tongue in admiration. “I’ve always found it amazing how well she speaks on the show.”
Wang Nali chuckled. “Well, what can you do? Journalism majors are used to handling pressure.” – They’re just accustomed to the grind.
After a while, the mentors took turns sharing their experiences, and soon it was time for the one-on-one script consultation session.
Without a doubt, a long line quickly formed in front of Chu Duxiu’s group. Even though Lu Fan had mentioned that trainees could line up for multiple mentors, many still chose the “Rookie Queen” as their first choice.
The classroom buzzed with noise as Chu Duxiu sat at a table, greeting her first trainee.
The trainee was a girl with a short, mushroom-cut hairstyle. Clutching her script, her face flushed bright red before she could even say hello. She covered her face, laughing shyly. “Hi…”
Chu Duxiu smiled warmly and took the paper from her. “Hello, is this your script?”
“Yes,” the girl replied bashfully. “I only started learning stand-up comedy after watching your performances. You could say you’re the reason I decided to walk this path – you’re my idol.”
Chu Duxiu’s eyes widened, touched by the girl’s words. She felt a wave of humility and quickly responded, “Thank you! I’m truly honored!”
The two shared a smile, both feeling a little nervous. After exchanging a few lighthearted words, they gradually eased into discussing the initial draft of the girl’s script.
Chu Duxiu read through the material carefully and patiently shared her thoughts. Then she added, “Of course, these are just suggestions. Feel free to consider what works for you – it’s totally fine if you decide not to make changes…”
“I’ll revise it, I definitely will! I just felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint the issue,” the girl whispered, barely containing her excitement. “…It’d be a waste if I didn’t make the most of this opportunity.”
The classroom remained lively and bustling, with seekers of guidance coming in an endless stream.
Chu Duxiu and the others worked late into the night, talking until their throats were dry before finally seeing off the last of the trainees. Even as they left, the students lingered reluctantly, taking group photos with each of the mentors and lining up one by one for autographs.
“Alright, everyone, head back early to rest and revise your drafts,” Lu Fan advised with a warm smile. “Who knows – we might meet again on the show! There will be plenty more opportunities then.”
Only after plenty of cheerful chatter did the trainees finally agree to leave.
The classroom settled back into quietness, leaving behind only the utterly drained mentors.
Scallion cleared his throat hoarsely and rubbed his head. “My voice is completely gone.”
Lu Fan returned with bottles of water. “Have some water, take a break, and then we’ll call it a day. You’ve all worked hard.”
Outside the window, the sky had long turned dark, with only the bright moon hanging high above. The group had been fully occupied with consultations and script revisions, and now, utterly exhausted, they finally had a moment to catch their breath.
Chu Duxiu gazed at the empty classroom, taking small sips of water as she suddenly mused, “So this is how Ms. Lu and the other teachers felt all along.”
In the past, she hadn’t fully understood the perspectives of mentors like Lu Fan and Bei He. But now, having gone through the experience herself and sitting in this classroom again, she was flooded with new emotions.
Lu Fan was taken aback for a moment before smiling softly. “Not easy, is it?”
Wang Nali asked curiously, “How does it feel?”
“The feeling of being a mentor,” Chu Duxiu replied, closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair to rest. “A little surprising, a little magical, and a little exhausting.”
So, after the newcomer’s protection period had passed, it was now her turn to charge ahead and lead the way.
She was no longer a fledgling sheltered under the wings of her seniors. Instead, she had become an idol to many – the one now leading the formation, bearing high expectations with no room to fall behind.
The young talent who had once carved out her place through bold, unbridled effort had now become something like the leader of the martial arts world. Beneath the roaring tide of fame lay endless responsibility.
In Yancheng, Lu Fan and the team successfully launched the training camp, while Shang Xiaomei and her colleagues also arrived to begin preparations for the third season of The Stand-Up King. Although the recording was still some time away, the competition format and guest schedules had to be finalized well in advance.
Although Lu Yi and his company had faced setbacks with their offline plans in Haicheng, their collaboration with Chengjing Video on the new show had not come to a halt. The new program had already been officially announced and was in the midst of an open sponsorship drive. Titled The Greatest Funmaker, it primarily featured stand-up comedy while incorporating other comedic performances, backed by a powerful lineup of celebrity guests. It was clearly designed to compete head-to-head with Shanle.
Even before filming began, the show had already attracted a wave of criticism. Yet, it couldn’t be denied that even negative attention was still attention – the program had garnered significant interest from netizens. Coupled with its strong production team, it showed early signs of potentially becoming a hit.
At the hotel, Xie Shenci gathered the performers who were in Yancheng, along with the newly arrived Shang Xiaomei, for a brief meeting.
After everyone heard Director Shang’s update, they exchanged uneasy glances.
Wang Nali frowned. “When you have no shame, you’re truly unstoppable. Why does he cling like sticky candy that just won’t let go?”
Chu Duxiu looked puzzled. “Is the show’s title meant to be Lu Yi’s self-introduction?”
She felt that The Greatest Funmaker didn’t even need to be filmed – the title itself was laughable, and there was already someone who fit the description perfectly.
“Let me check… the official Weibo account actually has quite a few followers, and the criticism in the comments doesn’t seem bought,” Scallion remarked as he scrolled through his phone, browsing the show’s page. “They really came in with a built-in wave of attention.”
Shang Xiaomei added, “They’ve also recruited quite a few stand-up comedians, though those confirmed so far don’t have the best reputation in the industry. General audiences just aren’t aware yet…”
The pool of stand-up comedians was limited. Even with a surge of newcomers, it took time to nurture mature talent. Shanle had built connections with clubs across the country and held the richest network of resources in the industry, leaving few worthwhile performers available for others to pick up.
As a result, most of the comedians Lu Yi’s team managed to recruit came with baggage – whether it was past scandals, accusations of plagiarism or content theft, inappropriate behavior, or previous conflicts with Shanle’s culture that led to boycotts by peers.
Every community had its good and bad apples. In the past, Shanle had dominated a relatively small and tight-knit circle where drama was limited. But now, with the market suddenly expanding, all sorts of questionable characters had emerged.
Shang Xiaomei’s concern was that someone might cut corners and steal the fruits of their labor. If Lu Yi promoted actors with questionable integrity, it could deal another heavy blow to the entire industry.
Once standards eroded, the community would fall apart.
“Our performers are undoubtedly of higher quality than theirs,” Xie Shenci stated calmly. “The only issue now is how to secure guests for the third season – that’s where Lu Yi excels.”
Lu Fan nodded. “True. After what happened in the second season, other celebrities are hesitant to join.”
The finale of the second season had been explosive. Netizens had fiercely criticized Lu Yi while also turning their anger toward the celebrity guests, accusing the production team of inviting outsiders to judge a competition among professionals.
While the criticism sounded reasonable, the practical reality was different. Celebrity guests were a crucial boost for sponsorship and branding. Relying solely on the influence of stand-up comedians simply couldn’t sustain an S-tier variety show – streaming platforms would never agree to it.
All along, Director Shang and the team had struggled to maintain a balance, juggling various factors and interests, yet the finale had still blown up in their faces.
Now, the third season faced a real challenge: which celebrity would dare to accept an invitation, knowing it would mean openly opposing Lu Yi? In the entertainment industry, where paths constantly cross, it simply wasn’t worth the risk for most stars to stick their necks out for Shanle.
“Actually, some guests have reached out on their own initiative. They want to chat with the contestants and discuss the third season in person…” Shang Xiaomei paused briefly before adding, “Since Duxiu is also in Yancheng right now, why not join us for the meeting?”
Xie Shenci nodded. “That works.”
Chu Duxiu looked puzzled. “They want to talk to me?”
“Yes,” Shang Xiaomei replied hesitantly. “Actually, there’s one more person they’d like to include, but we’re not in a position to reach out…”
Everyone immediately understood who she was referring to just by the look on her face.
Scallion cautiously ventured, “Are the guests asking for the top two finalists?”
“Mm.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t practical for Cheng Junhua to come to Yancheng. But as luck would have it, Chu Duxiu was in town for her tour and could meet with them.
The cultural industrial park was quiet and sparsely populated, home to countless film, television, and variety show production companies. However, given its distance from the city center, few people wandered around, and even celebrity sightings went largely unnoticed.
Chu Duxiu followed Xie Shenci and Shang Xiaomei into the park, weaving through several buildings before finally entering one of the companies. A manager was waiting at the entrance, swiping a card to lead the group inside. As they walked, they passed through a corridor lined with countless photographs.
Stepping into the unfamiliar environment, Chu Duxiu glanced around curiously. “Is this a talent agency?”
The walls were adorned with artistic portraits and stills of various celebrities, though she couldn’t put names to all the faces. Some were likely up-and-coming actors.
Xie Shenci replied, “Yes, they represent quite a few artists.”
Growing even more curious, Chu Duxiu made her way to the conference room at the end of the hall.
As the door opened, she saw that someone was already waiting inside. The person greeted them warmly, “Mr. Xie, Director Shang.”
After exchanging pleasantries, Xie Shenci said calmly, “I suppose no introductions are needed.”
He and Shang Xiaomei stepped slightly aside, making room for Chu Duxiu to enter.
“Long time no see, Rookie Queen.”
Chu Duxiu’s eyes lit up as she recognized the person. “Miss Su! Mr. Luo!”
Throughout the journey, she had been speculating about who the bold guest might be – daring enough to openly defy Lu Yi. Now, seeing familiar faces, she felt an unexpected wave of emotion.
This meeting felt different from their interactions during the show. They were no longer just the Laughter Representatives and a contestant. Meeting under different identities, daring to come together despite the intense public scrutiny, felt like a testament to their genuine connection.
The months of competition had forged real bonds, and the camaraderie they shared was far from superficial.
Su Xinyi, dressed casually yet still radiant, broke into a warm smile. “How have you been lately?”
Luo Qin waved his hands in a fluster. “Hey – no need to be so formal! We’re not that kind of ‘entertainment industry teacher’! Mind your words – think of the impression you’re making!”
The callback to a fresh joke had everyone bursting into laughter, leaving Chu Duxiu slightly flustered yet amused.
Chu Duxiu was at a loss for words. She mustered her courage and asked, “…You actually went to see the live show in person?”
“I’ve always liked stand-up comedy,” Luo Qin replied with a smile. “Even before joining the show, I used to watch specials often. I went to see your first show in Yancheng as soon as it opened.”
Xie Shenci raised an eyebrow. “You bought the ticket yourself?”
Luo Qin nodded proudly.
Chu Duxiu exclaimed, “I had no idea!”
Su Xinyi added, “You’re quick! I booked tickets for the day after tomorrow – you actually caught the premiere?”
“Of course. Disguised and diving straight into the lion’s den,” Luo Qin said, turning to Chu Duxiu with praise. “The energy was electric, and the atmosphere was fantastic.”
The room filled with laughter and lighthearted conversation.
Su Xinyi explained, “Yunhan couldn’t make it today, so he asked us to discuss things first and fill him in later.”
Chu Duxiu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “So today is an exclusion party? Are we engaging in workplace bullying…?”
The scene left her stunned. With the exception of Lu Yi, all the celebrity guests from the finale had gathered. If word got out, it would undoubtedly become a major talking point – enough to keep gossip enthusiasts buzzing for days.
“How can you call it workplace bullying? This is more like an industry self-rescue mission – an attempt to remedy a medical mishap,” Luo Qin sighed deeply. “The entertainment world isn’t done for yet; we’re still fighting. If we don’t take a public stand soon, people will question both our intelligence and integrity. Then we’d truly be sinking together.”
“…”
