I’m Really a Superstar

Five episodes.

Ten episodes.

Twenty episodes.

One month.

Two months.

The show was getting more and more popular.

Zhang Ye’s international popularity was also ever-changing.

He was advancing every week on the International C-list Rankings.

24th place on the C-list.

20th place on the C-list.

11th place on the C-list.

Everyone knew that the higher one was on the international celebrity rankings, the more popularity they would need in order to advance. There might not be a big difference between the 100th place and 99th place celebrities on the international C-list, but once you reached the forefront of the International C-list Rankings, the difference in popularity scores between the rankings would get further and further apart. Don’t mention advancing a dozen spots in one shot, just advancing by one position was already a very tough achievement. The other international celebrities were not idle either and would definitely not be waiting for the others to catch up. But even so, over the past two months, Zhang Ye still managed to advance close to twenty places.

This was obviously a very shocking matter. However, a lot of people did not feel too surprised about it.

In these two months, the international entertainment circle had seen drastic changes and many excellent works had emerged.

Novels, songs, movies. Some newcomers rose to fame, some washed-up celebrities returned for a second shot, while some popular celebrities fell off their altars. But when it came to the television show industry, only Man vs. Wild was worth a mention. Ever since its premiere broadcast, it had monopolized the entire television show industry. During these two months, Zhang Ye might not have had any contributions in other areas, like writing a novel, composing a song, or making a movie. However, his work in the television industry alone was more than enough. With Man vs. Wild, he had given more than what was necessary. Currently, Zhang Ye had ascended to the top of the global television industry.

…

On this morning.

At the studio.

Ha Qiqi was at a loss “Are we really going to end it?”

Zhang Zuo said anxiously, “Do reconsider, Director Zhang.”

“Yeah, we have only done 20 episodes!” Little Wang yelled in protest. “Although it has achieved heaven-defying viewership ratings around the world, there are still many countries where it hasn’t reached the top. Shouldn’t we at least make a few hundred more episodes?!”

Zhang Ye was amused. “A few hundred more episodes? Can you really grasp the concept of what a few hundred episodes entails? For just twenty episodes, we’ve already spent two months working on them. Are you saying that we shouldn’t be working on anything else for the next few years and only shoot Man vs. Wild? First, we don’t have the time, and second, viewers will get tired of it. Even the best shows shouldn’t be watched so often, and there will be a time when viewers get weary of it. I’ve seen the viewership ratings, and I think that the numbers for the past few episodes have peaked. There shouldn’t be much room for growth. In fact, yesterday’s episode is already reflecting a downward trend, so that indicates the show’s momentum has already reached its limit.”

Tong Fu said, “Are you really willing to give it up?”

“Let’s just end the first season here.” Zhang Ye smiled and said, “When the viewers are no longer tired of the show, who knows, we might go on to shoot a second season. However, we can’t tweak the format much further, so making more episodes is actually rather pointless. It would get very repetitive, and that’s not how I like it.”

Little Wang said, “But you’re almost into the International B-list Rankings!”

“Yeah.” Ha Qiqi took a look at the rankings. “You’re already in 11th place.”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “I can bear with not being home much for two months, but are you guys up for that physically?”

Tong Fu had gotten very tan.

Zhang Zuo had become thinner.

Wu Yi lost even more weight.

Everyone had really suffered a lot over the past two months.

Tong Fu stiffened up and said, “I can still take it.”

Wu Yi also said, “Let’s do it again, Director Zhang! Everyone can take it!”

Zhang Zuo said, “That’s right! It would be such a pity otherwise. Even if we have to end the first season, we should finish it off with a bang! It wouldn’t be our style if we didn’t do it that way!”

Zhang Ye said, “Make it a big ending?”

“Right!”

“Let’s do it, Director Zhang!”

“We’ll give it our all for one final time!”

“We haven’t gotten first place in American viewership yet!”

“We’re not yet first place in Japan and Korea either.”

“Yeah, I’m not ready to give up until we’re first in those countries.”

“We’re in our most glorious period right now, and our international influence and fame are their highest as well. If we don’t fight for it now, who knows when we’ll get another chance?”

Everyone started expressing their views on the matter.

Zhang Ye had his own way and style when it came to doing a show. For example, the original version of Man vs. Wild in his previous world was indeed made up of several dozen episodes and ran for several seasons. But Zhang Ye did not do it the same way because he felt that it was sufficient to extract just the most interesting and exciting parts of the show. If he shot more than what was required, it would only become a burden to his reputation and hasten the viewers’ fatigue of the show. Therefore, he felt that it was good enough to finish the show here. However, his studio’s staff were also right in their views. There really weren’t too many opportunities to reach the top of the global television industry. Blinking for a bit, he suddenly had an idea.

Zhang Ye said, “You guys really want to finish this off with a bang?”

Everyone nodded their heads.

Zhang Ye acknowledged, “Alright, then how about this? We’ll still go ahead with our original plan to finish up Man vs. Wild, but we will add in a few more episodes at the end and call it the Man vs. Wild Special.”

Ha Qiqi was taken aback. “A special?”

Little Wang said dumbfoundedly, “What do you mean?”

Tong Fu said, “Yeah, special in what way?”

Zhang Ye smiled. “I’ll invite some celebrities to come with me to survive in the wilderness.”

“Ah!”

“This is good, this is good!”

“Damn, what a wonderful idea!”

“This will definitely work!”

When everyone heard that, they couldn’t be more excited. They didn’t know who Zhang Ye would invite, but just the thought of it was already something to look forward to. If the special was filmed well, they would definitely give an additional boost to the viewership ratings that had already peaked. As long as the celebrity guest lineup was good, it would surely work!

On the same day.

Zhang Ye made a few calls.

It was very important to find the right celebrity guests. As his social network wasn’t good and he didn’t know a lot of people, there were only a few people he could think of.

…

America.

Jacques was currently on set for the filming of a show.

“Hello, Director.”

“Jacques, what are you doing?”

“Haha, I’m filming a show.”

“I heard that you’ve taken roles with several Hollywood productions, and their box office earnings are quite good too. I haven’t congratulated you for that yet.”

“Hollywood is placing more and more importance on the Chinese market. The slap that Wolf Warrior 2 dealt them has woken them up. Actually, it’s only because of my popularity in China that I managed to secure several good offers. Speaking of that, Director, I really have you to thank for it.”

“You’re welcome. Oh yes, I was looking for you regarding business.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Do you want to come on Man vs. Wild?”

“Huh?”

“Are you interested?”

“Doesn’t that show only star you?”

“I’ve added in a special episode and would like to invite a few celebrities to join me on my adventures.”

“Haha, of course it won’t be a problem for me.”

“Alright, it’s settled then. Set aside your time for me. We’ll start filming next week.”

“Alright.”

…

England.

Lillian’s house.

A call arrived.

“Hi, fellow smoker?”

“Lillian, what are you up to?”

“I’m just at home.”

“Whoa, you don’t have any events today?”

“Hur hur, I gave myself a vacation. Can you hear it? I’m watching Man vs. Wild right now. I didn’t have time yesterday, so I’m watching the rerun today.”

“How do you find it?”

“It’s quite good.”

“Are you interested in being my guest then?”

“Guest? For Man vs. Wild?”

“Yes, but I wonder if I can convince an international superstar like you to take part in the show.”

“Your show is so popular around the globe, so it shouldn’t be difficult for you to invite a guest on the show, right?”

“I’ll take that as you’re willing then.”

“Sure.”

…

China.

At Heavenly Queen Xu Meilan’s studio.

“Sister Lan.”

“Zhang’er, what made you think of calling me?”

“We haven’t met in a while. Wanna get together?”

“Are you sure you have time for that? Don’t you have to go out into the wilderness?”

“I’m waiting for you to go with me next week.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m doing a special episode and would like to invite some celebrities to survive in the wilderness with me.”

“Ah?”

“So how about it?”

“Who have you already invited?”

“Jacques and Lillian.”

“Your show has gone international. Will it be OK if I go?”

“What’s there not to be OK about? You’re an Asian Heavenly Queen!”

“But beyond Asia, who would know me?”

“That might not be true. Even if they don’t know you now, they’ll know you soon enough. So then, I’ll take it that you’ve agreed? I’ll fill you in with the details when we meet up.”

“OK.”

The call ended.

Her studio staff all looked over not knowing what was going on.

Sister Lan’s agent also asked, “Was that from Director Zhang?”

Xu Meilan nodded.

Her agent asked, “What was that about the wilderness?”

Xu Meilan laughed and said, “He’s going to do a special episode and would like to invite me as one of his guests to go on a wilderness adventure with him.”

Her agent was stunned. “Zhang Ye’s inviting you to go on Man vs. Wild? Who are the other guests?”

“Lillian and Jacques,” Xu Meilan said.

Immediately, the studio’s staff screamed in excitement.

“Lillian?”

“Lillian’s going too?”

“That’s an international A-list superstar!”

“Oh, I nearly forgot! Director Zhang and Lillian are friends!”

“Has Director Zhang really invited us?”

“Director Zhang is such a loyal friend!”

“Yeah, Man vs. Wild is such a popular TV show around the world. If we can also appear on it, that would mean global exposure for us. Heavens, we finally have a chance to step onto the international stage!”

“Director Zhang is a true friend!”

“Director Zhang is definitely one of our people! He actually thought about us when a good opportunity arose!”