Thriller Paradise

Right then, Pei Ran ordered through the ear mic, "Oscar, start from the back." The director was definitely helping Fire in the Night because thoughts on return that contestants could give were within a certain range, so those who said them earlier would be more beneficial as they would have said all that could be said already. And the latter ones would definitely repeat his words. When Oscar got his order, he slyly moved to Fire in the Night, "In that case, we shall start with Fire in the Night."

Fire in the Night smiled at the camera. "Good evening everyone, I am Fire in the Night. I have returned again, I hope to reach for another improvement on this stage and I hope for you support." The words were simple and not that memorable but his fans in the audience cheered like he had given a Nobel prize acceptance speech.

Then… it was time for Oscar's quandary…

"He he… Bujue." Oscar could not help his smile from getting frozen. "Why not say a few words…"

"I don't think I need to make self-introduction since you've already done that." When Feng Bujue spoke, he was frowning and turned his face to the side with his glance fixed on the big screen to the side. "About my thoughts in returning… how about 'I still don't think I've used to having fans from being a nobody'…" he paused for a moment, "But there is something else that I have been meaning to say since a few minutes ago…" he said deeply, "When the contestants for the finals were announced and their faces were shown on screen… what's the big idea behind it? Why photoshop their pictures into some kind of criminal mugshots… Are we selecting the best writer or Oka Shichibukai…"

"Ha… ha ha ha…" Oscar laughed awkwardly, he silently tried to make eye contact at the direction of the direction, hoping that Pei Ran would come to his aid, but Pei Ran was not compelled to do anything…

[Aiz…] Oscar sighed deeply in his heart. There was no other choice, as a professional host, as long as the director did not end the shoot, he would have to control the situation and tried his best to keep the show going as smoothly as he could… If course, this was not that difficult for Oscar… After all, he graduated from the best school studying this course, finding topic when there was none and changing the subject were both the basic skill of a host. Even if there was script and there was no prompter before him, he would be able to wax about 10 minutes of nonsensical spiel without any repetition in his content based on the observation of his surrounding and his own quick reflex.

"Bujue, if you continue to mock the show like this, when the show broadcast on the television, our post edit will also give the same treatment and turn you into a wanted criminal. Don't say I did not warn you~" A bright smile soon returned to Oscar's face and he shot back with this comment. At that moment, Pei Ran knew it was his cue to do something. Following the tempo set up by Oscar he raised his arm to make a signal and order the audience to give a wave of laughter. And just like that… in that atmosphere of 'jokiness', Brother Jue's self-introduction segment was concluded. In terms of stage effect, it was not bad. Due to what he had done… the performance given by Fire in the Night earlier now paled in comparison.

"General Fei, how about you give the audience a few words?" Oscar did not give Brother Jue another chance to speak. After he rescued the situation, he moved hurriedly away to address the fifth contestant.

"Good evening, everyone, I am General Fei." General Fei raised his right hand to wave at the camera. "I hope everyone will continue to support me like in the past…" With a smile on his face, he suddenly used a menacing look to glance at his left hand side. "…I will use my actual writing ability to win your applause."

Feng Bujue used his hand to support his chin and tilted his head to look at the man back. He chuckled inside his heart. [Hmph… Well, talk about word within a word…] With this thought in mind, he also slightly tilted his head to his other side… and as he expected, Fire in the Night also glared back at him and at the same time revealed a condescending expression coupled with a derisive scoff. [Hah… what is this? Are we going to battle?] Brother Jue shook his head slightly and thought to himself. [Aiz… I really should not have come here… the atmosphere of this episode does not feel right at all…]

Feng Bujue's feeling was not wrong. The situation of this 'night of revival' was already very different from the episode that he participated in earlier… Just like what Pei Ran told him in the waiting room, I am a Writer, this show had already strayed from what he intended it to be at this latter stage of its life…

Actually during the drafting process of this show, the higher management at the tv station did not have high hopes for this show so they also approved of a very low production budget and assigned the broadcast time at a very unenviable time slot which was 10 pm every Monday night.

In the first and second episode of I am a Writer, there were only two first rate writers that the production crew could invite and they were there due to friendship with members of the production crew. The other five contestants were writers that were not that famous or their fame had started to fade away. Overall, the show was a case that most likely would be cut after its pilot…

But to everyone's surprise… The production crew led by Pei Ran managed to shock everyone and delivered a show with flying color. Under limited budget, they produced a product with exceptional quality and helped made I am a Writer to become one of the unexpected shows with the highest rating during that season. Therefore, the higher management of the tv station reacted swiftly. They started to pour in more resource into the show and moved the broadcasting hour of the show to the prime time slot during the weekend.

Without taking too long… the amount of sponsorship started to surge in and the business companies who had bought the rights of webnovels started to bid for their people to get on the show with high money. And the writers that came onto the stage became more and more popular. Basically as long as the production crew extended the invitation, they would come. Even if the author themselves did not want to come, the company who had their contract would find a way to force them to get on the show…

Feng Bujue was found and selected by the several main editors behind the screen on the show's rising period. After the production crew reached out to the PR department of Luminous Concept Group, they soon reached the man himself. At the time, Brother Jue was in need of money, once he heard they would pay him for his appearance… he surrendered to the promise of money easily. But as the popularity of I am a Writer continued to rise, the intervention from the higher ups… also became more and more consistent and numerous.

The higher ups at the tv station, the sponsors, the parties with related benefits to the show… these people had no idea what professional writing was, but they always had some opinions and ideas that they wanted to input into the show. Most of the requests were due to business factor, and that was considered rational, mainly it was because the benefactors wanted to ensure their return but some had the attitude that 'I could do anything I want because I have paid money for it', they wanted to stick their feet into it for the sake of it, just to make themselves known and make people see that they were clever and knew how things at the entertainment world were run even though they were not a part of it.

And thus from that onwards, the basic premise and essence of the show had gradually changed…

The original sense of camaraderie and friendly interaction between the writers had faded away and in its place as the ever present sense of competition… Therefore, writers like General Fei and Fire in the Night were gradually shoved onto the show. Actually based on the core ideals of the creator of the show, they would never invite this kind of writers but with the pressure of the higher ups hovering over them, they would have to succumb, they had no choice… The sponsors would never know what kind of writers would be suitable for this show and they would never care. What they would do was to open the search engine and type in keywords like 'famous writers' and then strode before the professionals and provided opinions and suggestions that they believed were the best in the world.

Pei Ran was made confused and befuddled by this as well because almost every episode, due to these outside interventions, he and his team would have to keep on adjusting the rules and contents of the various segment to assuage the demands and requirement of various parties…

And thus without even realizing it, I am a Writer had become something that its own creator could not even recognize anymore…

The writers came to this stage not with the ideals of 'learning from each other' or to 'interact with other kindred spirits' but to 'win' and to 'duel'. On the stage, off the stage, in front of the camera, behind the camera, in virtual land and in real life… there were arguments between fans everywhere, the hype made by 50 cent army, there were even authors who went so far as writing other competition in their writing to mock them. Perhaps this was a reflection of that famous idiom from Cao Pi's Dian Lun, Lun Wen—Scholars tend to disparage each other.

However, this was the situation that the businessmen wanted to see, what they wanted to show was conflict and contradiction and false drama that would be shown through the cruel eliminations. They wanted to use these tricks that would only confuse the idiots to attract eyeballs and win benefits. For their goal, they would not hesitate to peel away the very last pride and dignity of the literati. If Feng Bujue had been following this show, he would not have come today because at least at that moment, he already felt like… those who had agreed to come to this stage had already lost.

To use analogy borrowed from Lee Yunlong (the main character from Drawing Sword)… Brother Jue would not pee in the same pot as people like Fire in the Night and General Fei.

"Wow, General Fei surely does not come to play." Oscar's job was still not yet over. He came to the seat of the fourth contestant. "Rose, what about you? What is your thoughts about your return?" Using 'Rose Saw' to refer a girl just over 20 was rather impolite so Oscar naturally picked only the more presentable word in her penname…

"Well, I am me…" Lady Rose was dressed wholly in back and the bangs of her forehead covered her brows. She had on thick smoky make up. Her face was so white that she looked like a ghost and there was a misanthropic undertone to her voice. "I have nothing to say towards a bunch of walking zombies…"

[Hmm… So this Goth girl is another victim of the Sophomore Syndrome…] Feng Bujue turned his head around and he groaned internally, [Nowadays even people like her can have such a high popularity, just what kind of audience do we have nowadays… Aiz…]

"What are you looking at?" Suddenly Rose felt Brother Jue's gaze on her and to everyone's shock, instead of politely ignoring it, she turned and fired back at Brother Jue.

"Hah. To quote your own words, why should you care about a walking zombie looking at you? What harm can a walking zombie do to you by just looking at you…" Feng Bujue very cleverly fired back with an answer that stumped the girl with the Sophomore Syndrome.

"Hmph…" Rose scoffed coldly and then… The surprise kept on coming. She pulled out a cigarette and lighter from her pocket.

[Hey… what the hell are you two doing now? Is this a show within a show…] The veins on Oscar's forehead were about to pop already. He groaned angrily within himself. [Is this some sort of prank on me? Or are you trying to cost me my career? It is already more than a handful that I have to deal with one escapee from a mental asylum but this episode there are two of them?! How do you expect me to save this situation? And director, why have you not shouted for cut? If you allow for this to continue, the situation will inevitably get out of control!!!!]

Ding—Cha—The fire of the lighter lit up. Rose lit herself a cigarette and puffed out a small breath of smoke. The white trail of smoke floated out from her lips that were covered in pure black lipstick and it appeared particularly eye-catching due to the color contrast.

"Oh." It was as if it just occurred to her what she was doing and she turned to ask Oscar, "you won't mind if I smoke, right?"

[Why would you ask when you have already started smoking?!] Oscar shouted back internally but on the surface, he tried to keep his composure as best as he could. "He he he… please, go ahead." This was not the first time Oscar had dealt with Rose Saw. Based on his own experience, at a time like this, the best solution was to ignore her. If you get into an argument with her or even just interact with her, like offering her advice like 'smoking is not good for your health', then there was 90 percent she would reply with Gothic-based answer like 'my heart is already dead, so why should I care. This body of mine is nothing but a bag containing decaying organs,' and what would you say to that…

"Keep on going with your interview. Why are you stopping?" At that moment, Pei Ran's voice came through the ear mic. He was talking excitedly inside the worker only communication channel, "I have a feeling that this episode will become one of the legendary moments in television history…"

[Legendary… your head…] Oscar was covered in cold sweat and he grumbled internally. [Director Pei, you are a man in your forties already. Are you not ashamed saying these words so choked full of Sophomore Syndrome out loud…?]

"Yes!"

"oKay!'

"Understood!"

"We can do this!"

To his surprise, all the members of the other units all replied Pei Ran with inspiring words and cheers. Each of them were showing ambitious expression with bravado, becoming even more focused and intense than before.

[What the fuck… who are these people in the production crew! What species of creature am I working with?!] Oscar screamed internally. [If there is a second season for this horrible show, I swear I will not take the hosting gig anymore. Unless of course they offer me double my current pay… Hmm… perhaps I can consider even if it's just a 50 percent more… Hmm… or even a 20 percent more… that is not bad as well…]

"Then… moving on…" Oscar's thought was not shown on his face at all. Sliding over to the third contestant's seat, he said, "Brother Spring Breeze, it is now your turn."

Spring Breeze touched his black-rimmed glasses and began. "I hope… today I will not disappoint those who has supported me."

"Even though it is short and concise, we can hear the sincerity in it." Oscar added before he nudged a few more steps to the side and turned his face to say, "Yamcha, is there anything that you would like to say to the audience."

"Ah… actually I am already very happy that I can sit here today." Brother Yamcha replied. "I came here with the hopes of learning from my seniors, but of course… I hope I would get a good result as well."

"Okay, we anticipate your performance." Oscar nodded before he finally came to the seat of the first contestant. "And last but not least let us welcome a very familiar face among us… Soda." He paused before adding, "Among the seven contestants we have today, Soda is the one who lasted the longest in the official competition so there is no doubt at all regarding his capability. At this moment… is there anything that you have in mind that you wish to share with the audience."

"I came here today because I got the notice to." Soda shrugged. The attitude that he held was not quite dissimilar from the last time Brother Jue encountered him. He treated this whole show with an even hear. "I guess… I hope I will show something impressive and memorable today."

"Yes, I believe that you will." Oscar added. At the point, the introduction segment of the show was over and Oscar could finally sigh in relief.

He turned around and headed back to the centre of the stage. He stared into the camera and said, "After hearing all of the comments from our contestants tonight, dear audience members… do you think who will appear victorious tonight? If you have any inspiration, please send your answer to the following number…" Then it was followed by a rehearsed monologue relating to the lucky draw related to the messages and the advertisement. During the official broadcast a 2 minute long advertisement would be inputted at this moment.

After reciting the whole script that he was given, Oscar paused for a few seconds. And then he shifted his pose and expression then said to the camera. "Welcome back to… I am a Writer—Night of Revival." The DJ and the sound effect came again to make their presence known.

"Without much ado, let us enter the duel of the first round…" Oscar once again raised his arm with a point of his finger to cooperate with the words on the big monitor, "…Spinning a Tale."

[Hmm, isn't this the same as the segment as the last time I was here…] Feng Bujue thought to himself, [Could it be that the rules have changed?]

"Of course, like what I have mentioned earlier." What Oscar said that confirmed Brother Jue's suspicion. "The rules for this episode will have some changes. Please… take a look at the big screen…"

"Okay…" After the rules had been there for some time, Oscar continued, "First, let us see what the first 'keyword' will be. Ready… Go!" He shouted and the words in the middle of the screen started to spin rapidly. When Feng Bujue was here the last time, the keywords that spun on the screen were terms like 'character, scenery, animal, event' but this time… the amount of these random keywords appeared to have lessened. Probably normal audience or even the contestants themselves did not realize this but with his exceptional power of sight, Feng Bujue noticed this discrepancy…

"Stop!" After about 10 seconds, Oscars shouted again. The keyword that was selected on screen was the term 'love'. There was an instant response from the audience, this appeared to be a keyword that resonated greatly with the general public.

"and then…" Oscar turned to the camera and said, "Based on the new rules, all of the contestants will gain another keyword and this keyword that everyone will see will be the same…" he purposely changed his expression, "In other words… for this episode's Spinning a Tale, all of our seven present contestants will be conducting their writing under the same condition. And the time… will still be limited to the same seven minutes, and now…" He turned around to say, "The first round officially starts!"

Once Oscar said that, the control panel before the contestants showed them the second keywords—'time'.

"Dear audience, just like we have been specifying every episode, all of the creative writing process of this show are all recorded on the spot, there are no editing and fillers." Oscar started to begin his spiel again, "The writers that came to our stage all work under the premise that they had no aid from the internet and other writing tools."

At this point, Oscar's ear mic had Pei Ran's voice coming through, the director appeared to have given him a new direction. Oscar kept speaking while his brain memorized the new order that was given to him. Then he very naturally continued from where he left off, "Based on the unique rules for the Night of Revival, in this round of Spinning a Tale, the sequence where our contestant's writing will be revealed will be arranged according to the time they have used to complete their work…" He turned back to say, "Dear contestants, after you have confirmed that you have finished with your work, you may press the submit button at the top of your screen and the system will help record the time that you have used to complete the task."

Beep—

Before he could even finished, Brother Jue's control panel already rang out…

Then one could Feng Bujue cushioned his hands behind his head, leaned on the back of his chair and looked around with plenty of ease. General Fei and Fire in the Night who sat adjacent to him obviously were affected by this sudden occurrence. Both of them could not help but glance at Brother Jue and their hearts involuntarily squeezed with nervousness.

"Erm…" Oscar was stunned for only two seconds before saying, "Oh, we can see that contestant Bujue has already finished his writing… he only used 52 seconds, this is too amazing…" Even though he was as unwilling as he could be, due to professionalism, Oscar still headed towards Brother Jue's seat….

At this point of the recording, the cameraman for the close up shots should get on stage already. The cameraman who was responsible coincidentally was Xiao Wu, with the direction from the director, he hurried to Oscar's side and followed him to the contestants' area.

After giving each of the six other contestants their close up, the camera finally fell on Brother Jue's face. Oscar also just reached the spot before the seat of the sixth contestant. He commented, "Bujue, that surely did not take long for you."

"Indeed…" Feng Bujue answered rather tiredly.

"You are not going to hand in an empty script again, are you?" Oscar said half-jokingly.

"Why don't you see for yourself?" Brother Jue replied.

"Ha ha…" Oscar laughed at the camera. "Dear audience, this is the benefit for being host. Let me then first take a look…" Two seconds later, Oscar's smile froze on his face because the content that he saw was—'At last my love has come along

My lonely days are over and life is like a song, oh yeah

At last the skies above are blue

My heart was wrapped up clover the night I looked at you

I found a dream that I could speak to

A dream that I can call my own

I found a thrill to press my cheek to

A thrill I've never known, oh yeah

You smiled, you smiled oh and then the spell was cast

And here we are in Heaven

For you are mine at last.'