Want to Chat with You is a talk show that invites guests from different professions to gather in the studio and discuss topics around work, love, family, and other aspects of daily life. The aim is to help online viewers resolve their confusions while sharing personal experiences.
The recording format is simple: guests sit around a table and chat. There’s no need for stand-up performances – just read the audience’s questions for each segment and share personal views. Although the production cost isn’t high, the content is witty and entertaining, and it has built a steady audience.
Inside the studio, a long table divides the space. The host sits in the very center, with other guests already seated on both sides. Bright lighting fills the room, while sofas, bookshelves, and other furnishings near the table create a warm, homey atmosphere.
As soon as Chu Duxiu and Scallion stepped inside, they were greeted by the huge program logo on the wall, along with the host and regular guests who were already seated. The two of them tucked themselves into a corner, waiting for their turn.
“This is Want to Chat with You, where there’s always something to talk about. Today’s theme is love, and we’ve invited two special guests to join us for a casual chat.” The host smiled warmly as he made the introduction. “Please welcome Duxiu and Scallion!”
With cheerful music playing, Chu Duxiu and Scallion entered together. They bowed to the people present, then turned to the camera to greet the audience, kicking off the self-introduction segment.
Chu Duxiu said, “Hello, everyone. I’m Chu Duxiu, currently working as a stand-up comedian.”
Scallion followed. “Hello, everyone. I’m Scallion, currently a stand-up comedian who’s not quite as popular as my colleague here.”
Chu Duxiu: “?”
She shot Scallion a glance, then looked back at the others and sighed helplessly. “So now my colleague’s getting competitive – starting to play with humor already.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
The host said, “Welcome to you both. We have a fun little setup here: you choose your seat according to your relationship status. Friends who are single sit on the left, those who are taken sit on the right.”
Hearing this, the two looked over the seating arrangements and indeed noticed that the guests were split accordingly.
Without even blinking, Scallion darted straight to the right side. “Of course I belong over here.”
Seeing this, the host teased, “Feels like history repeating itself – back then, whenever you two were on a show, you always ended up in the ‘romance group’ too!”
During the second season of The Stand-Up King, Chu Duxiu and Scallion had been placed in the same team, each writing stand-up bits about love from different perspectives. Now, history seemed to be repeating itself with a similar setup.
The guests seated on the left overheard this and turned toward Chu Duxiu, waving enthusiastically. “Come join us, our friend, the eternal single AI dog!”
“Welcome to our big single family!”
Faced with such warm and eager invitations, Chu Duxiu cautiously inched toward the right side instead, forcing a smile. “Sorry, everyone… even without the thick brows and big eyes, I’m still defecting from the revolution…”
Her words left the entire room stunned.
The host said in surprise, “Duxiu, you’re no longer single?”
Chu Duxiu nodded honestly. “Yes.”
The other guests grew even more excited, their faces lighting up with gossip.
“The AI single dog has betrayed the organization!”
“We’ve lost another great comrade!”
“Oh my god, but in my eyes, Xiuxiu is still just a kid…”
Scallion, both exasperated and amused. “Wait, who just said that? Since when does this show have her mom-fans in the audience?”
The host’s eyes lit up with excitement, pressing eagerly, “So is this a recent relationship? Is it with another stand-up comedian?”
Chu Duxiu admitted frankly, “It’s been a while now. Not a comedian, but still someone in our industry.”
The others immediately started egging her on, “Spill it! Come on, tell us more!”
“This is impossible, we can’t keep recording like this. Forget the show – let’s gossip about her first, I need the scoop now…”
Want to Chat with You was designed to feel like close friends casually hanging out, unrestrained and comfortable. So when this unexpected revelation dropped, everyone was naturally eager to hear the inside story.
Chu Duxiu sensed their excitement and was startled herself, not sure where to even begin.
Fortunately, the host stepped in to smooth things over. “Alright then, let’s stick to the plan for now. Once we get to the later topics, Duxiu will have a chance to share more!”
“Next, let’s throw out today’s very first chat topic. It also comes from our viewers’ submitted questions: ‘When it comes to dating, is the first meeting a matter of life and death? Does the first impression determine the entire direction of the relationship?’”
On the big screen, the discussion topic appeared in bold letters as the show moved into its first segment.
“So, does everyone think first impressions matter?” The host looked around the table and asked. “For those of you sitting on the right side, do you still remember what it was like the first time you met your partner?”
“I think first impressions are very important,” Scallion replied. “When my girlfriend first met me, she thought I was really interesting. I managed to win her over, and she couldn’t forget me for a long time.”
Another guest asked curiously, “And after that, she started noticing your sense of humor? That you seemed especially fun?”
Scallion nodded solemnly. “That’s right.”
Chu Duxiu frowned in doubt. “Really? Is Tofu that kind of person?”
Listening to Scallion brag, she couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. She clearly remembered Scallion and Tofu as a bickering pair, always joking and squabbling – where did this talk of love at first sight and being moved come from?
“Of course. The first time I met her, I happened to trip and fall on the sports field, and she just happened to be passing by,” Scallion argued righteously. “She said she had never seen anyone fall that far before, so she remembered my face for a long time!”
Chu Duxiu: “…”
She said earnestly, “That wasn’t her being moved by your humor – it was her being knocked over by your humor.”
The others burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained by the two of them.
The host laughed. “Wow, today’s recording feels unusually fun. It’s like the two special guests brought a completely different vibe…”
The other guests chimed in, “So competitive! Your comedy company is too competitive – even on a talk show you have to keep cracking jokes!?”
“Scallion really has a strong variety-show sense,” someone said in admiration, deliberately stirring things up. “Queen Chu, you can’t just let that slide – your authority in humor is being challenged!”
“I honestly doubt anyone could be more explosive than Scallion,” the host chuckled so hard he hiccupped, then added, “So, Duxiu, how did you meet your boyfriend?”
Chu Duxiu paused to think for a moment before saying, “At the time, I was listening to an open mic session. One of the performers, not knowing any better, called me up on stage, and I was forced to improvise a set. He happened to be in the audience that day and heard it.”
“Since it was graduation season, I had casually tossed my résumé into the trash that same day. Unexpectedly, he picked it up and then reached out to invite me to try stand-up comedy.”
The host exclaimed in amazement, “That dramatic!?”
A guest on the other side sighed. “You stand-up comedians all seem to have these bizarre, outlandish experiences. Everything sounds like it came straight out of one of your routines…”
Scallion’s story had already been ridiculous, but Chu Duxiu’s was even more unbelievable.
“It’s not made up, I can vouch for that.” Scallion deadpanned, “Because I was the clueless performer who dragged her on stage.”
“Exactly. So don’t go digging in the trash for a boyfriend.” Chu Duxiu touched her nose and muttered softly, “But you might find a girlfriend in there.”
“Hahahahahahaha!”
The host pressed further: “So what was your first impression of him?”
After much hesitation, Chu Duxiu decided to be honest. “…A scammer, a romance-con-artist, a weirdo.”
Delighted by the drama, Scallion whipped out his phone, gloating. “No way, I have to record this and play it back for him later!”
Exasperated, she defended herself. “Well, back then stand-up comedy wasn’t popular. He was trying to convince me I could get rich off jokes – it honestly just sounded like a joke itself.”
“And now?” the host asked with interest. “Now that you really have become a stand-up comedian, is there anything you’d like to say to him?”
Chu Duxiu was taken aback. “Something I’d like to say?”
The host encouraged her, “Yes. After all, he was sort of your mentor, the one who discovered you. Your perspective must have changed since then. Why not say a few words to the camera – maybe about what you think of him now?”
Chu Duxiu gazed at the camera, her expression turning serious and deliberate, as if carefully polishing her wording.
The others fell silent too, waiting in anticipation for her heartfelt words.
Just when everyone thought Chu Duxiu was about to get sentimental, she suddenly switched gears, clicking her tongue. “Kid, you really pulled one over on me. I never realized I was that funny myself.”
The unexpected twist, paired with her vivid expression, sent everyone into fits of laughter.
The host let out a long sigh. “I’ve figured it out now – dating a stand-up comedian must feel like living inside a routine every single day!”
The talk show went on, with more questions from viewers being tossed out, and the guests diving into increasingly deeper conversations.
Some questions were rather odd, such as: “If your partner gets too close with a colleague of the opposite sex, would you mind?” or “If making your relationship public might damage your partner’s career, would you be willing to keep it hidden?”
Looking at the question, Chu Duxiu – still a rookie in love – was taken aback and exclaimed in surprise, “Feels like some of these viewers are real hidden masters. Ordinary netizens couldn’t come up with questions like this.”
Scallion laughed. “That one about ruining someone’s career – are they secretly dating a superstar or something?”
“Since our submissions are anonymous, people can send in things they’d normally be too afraid to say out loud. After all, what we’re thinking and what our partner’s thinking can be very different,” the host explained.
The host continued, “So for the next segment, since we’ve already split into left and right groups, we’ll pick one guest from each side to make a phone call to someone outside the show, and ask them one of the questions on the screen.”
“Single friends can call anyone they like; those in relationships should call their partner. How about it?”
“Sounds good.”
Everyone agreed in chorus.
Both Chu Duxiu and Scallion were seated on the right side, and in the end Scallion was chosen – he would be calling Tofu.
Soon, text appeared on the big screen, revealing the next question.
The host read aloud, “If you’re already in a relationship, and then someone even better comes along – someone more impressive, closer to your ideal type – would you be tempted?”
The other guests commented, “Wow, that’s a really sensitive one. Honestly, even if you asked, I doubt the other person would admit it.”
Moments later, the studio grew quiet. Scallion dialed the number on his phone, holding his breath as he waited for the call to connect.
“Beep–”
“Beep–”
Listening to the ringing, Chu Duxiu hesitated. “Is Tofu busy right now?”
Scallion looked a bit guilty. “No way, she should be free right now…”
Fortunately, the call was soon picked up. A gentle female voice came through the speakers – it was the well-known Tofu. She often appeared in Scallion’s stand-up routines, but had almost never shown up on programs herself. Still, her name was already famous in comedy circles.
“Hello?”
Clutching his phone tightly, Scallion quickly said, “I’m recording a show right now, and there’s a question I need to ask you.”
Tofu played along. “Alright, what’s the question?”
“If someone even better came into your life – I mean hypothetically – someone more accomplished, closer to your ideal type… basically, someone stronger and funnier than me… would you be tempted?”
“…”
The line went silent.
Tofu stayed silent for so long that Scallion began to panic. The other guests exchanged looks, unsure what was happening.
At last, Tofu finally spoke, countering with a question, “…Are you talking about Chu Duxiu?”
“?”
She gave a little hiss. “Well, that wouldn’t be impossible.”
“???”
The very next second, the whole studio erupted into laughter, everyone doubled over.
Instead of getting angry, Scallion laughed helplessly. “Come on, are you messing with me? I said hypothetically! How could it possibly be her!?”
But Tofu went on, “I thought it through – no need for hypotheticals. You already have someone right next to you. She’s stronger than you and funnier than you…”
Chu Duxiu couldn’t hold back her own laughter either. “Thank you, thank you, Tofu. You’re too kind. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime.”
Tofu agreed readily. “Sure! You and Nali come together. Don’t bother bringing that guy.”
Scallion, utterly abandoned: “…”
The host slapped his leg, laughing. “He’s already been downgraded to ‘that guy.’”
“This is peak variety-show effect – no wonder you’re comedians! This has to be part of your script, right?”
“No way, I need revenge. She has to make a call too.” Scallion, pranked by his girlfriend, turned angrily toward Chu Duxiu. “I refuse to believe I’m the only one getting this treatment!”
If he had to suffer, he was determined to drag someone else down with him – never passing up the chance to mess with a colleague.
The other guests, hearing this, instantly grew excited and backed him up.
“Queen Chu has to take the challenge now-”
“Alright then, I’ll give up my turn to make a call, and let Duxiu on the other side do it instead!”
Caught up in the teasing, Chu Duxiu exclaimed, “…So the whole purpose of this show is to break up as many couples as possible?”
Why did they all love risky stunts so much? Were they trying to sabotage every guest seated on the right side?
The host replied cheerfully, “Exactly! Why else do you think the director invited all the people in relationships for this episode?”
In the end, Chu Duxiu couldn’t withstand the crowd’s pressure. She dialed Xie Shenci’s number, unwilling to ruin everyone’s fun by refusing the gossip.
“Beep–”
As the waiting tone echoed, the guests leaned forward expectantly, eager to hear how he would respond.
The call was picked up quickly. “Hello? What’s up?”
The moment the steady male voice came through, deep and resonant like a cello, the studio instantly fell silent for two whole seconds. It felt as if everyone had been subdued by the sheer presence in his tone, and they only dared to exchange looks, secretly passing messages through their eyes.
Under the weight of everyone’s stares, Chu Duxiu also felt a little shy. It wasn’t as if she’d never spoken to him on the phone before, but this was the first time doing it in public. She said stiffly, “It’s nothing big, just… there’s a question I need to ask you right now.”
Xie Shenci asked curiously, “What question?”
“If someone better appeared in your life – someone more accomplished, closer to your ideal type than me – would you be tempted?”
“Yes.”
Scallion gasped sharply, instantly pricking up his ears. He sat bolt upright with a look of shock on his face.
The others were also startled, worried that a huge revelation was about to drop.
“Why?” Chu Duxiu immediately protested, her voice rising in volume. She reminded him sternly, “Think carefully before you answer. I’ll give you one more chance.”
“I think that person would be the future you,” Xie Shenci replied earnestly. “Stronger and better than you are now – and yes, I’d still be moved.”
If such a person truly existed, it would be her – tempered by time into an even better version of herself.
Chu Duxiu hadn’t expected him to say that. It was as if a flame had brushed past her, leaving her skin burning hot and even making her heart tremble slightly.
The host hugged himself dramatically. “Waaah–”
Someone shouted, “Terrifyingly pure love! Among all the guests on the right side, this one is the most explosive yet!”
Scallion pointed angrily at the studio door, grumbling, “Get out – leave our camp! I don’t want to sit next to you anymore!”
Hearing everyone’s teasing, Chu Duxiu grew even more embarrassed. Her chest, though, felt warm as she muttered under her breath, “Oh… got it. Me too.”
“What?”
Laughter rippled all around her. Surrounded by teasing, her face burned completely red. Just as she was about to break and hang up, she still managed to squeeze out one last line, “I’m the same as you.”
Round and round, and it still comes back to you.
With that, Chu Duxiu finally couldn’t take it anymore. She hung up swiftly and decisively, unable to endure the others’ banter a moment longer.
Hearing her reply, Xie Shenci’s heart softened to the core, and he suddenly felt a strong urge to see her. A thought crossed his mind, and he asked, “Are you guys recording a show? Want me to come pick-”
Before he could finish, the call cut off. The line went dead, leaving only silence.
Xie Shenci lifted his phone closer, staring at the ended call screen. His heartfelt moment came to an abrupt halt: “?”
