Andrew Bennett was a bit desperate: "We might end up working together, though the chances are slim... Is there no hope for me?"

Thomas Perry gave him a look only doctors have, then started typing out a prescription on the computer: "Of course there's hope, you can take medication. Take these meds on time, and once your glands get used to his pheromones, the symptoms will gradually disappear after you stop the medication."

Andrew Bennett: "Bro, can you talk without pausing for breath?"

Thomas Perry usually doesn't go online, and when he does, it's only on professional sites, so he knows nothing about this stuff.

He finished the serious talk unhurriedly, then finally remembered the main point: "So, which Alpha is so amazing that you had a reaction? That's rare. Why not consider pursuing him and making a permanent mark..."

Andrew Bennett grabbed his medical card: "Goodbye!"

The next day, Andrew Bennett got a call from Henry Foster.

"Good news! Last night Sister Ya and I talked on the phone for a long time, and it's been decided that you and William Clark will go on the show together," Henry Foster said. "Come to the company soon, take some classes to learn about being on camera, and get ready with your makeup and styling for the show."

Andrew Bennett didn't pay attention to what Henry Foster said after that—he was shocked: "Me, me and William Clark?"

Henry Foster said, "Yes."

Andrew Bennett: "Wait, didn't William Clark just say he'd think about it?"

Andrew Bennett still remembered William Clark's words at the time: "If you want me to take him, maybe in the next life."

Henry Foster was delighted: "Sister Ya thinks, since you and he were photographed together when we sent him back, and the press release called you 'friends,' why not use that exposure and go on the show together? It's definitely better than finding someone new. William Clark knows the pros and cons."

Andrew Bennett was speechless.

He and William Clark weren't friends at all—it was friendship out of thin air. They barely knew each other. Wouldn't it be obvious on the show?

He voiced his concerns, but Henry Foster was already prepared.

"The show requires a contract. William Clark has never done variety shows before, so Sister Ya and the platform have a lot of terms to negotiate. Filming probably won't start for another two or three weeks, so you two have plenty of time to get to know each other," Henry Foster said. "With William Clark on board, ratings will definitely skyrocket. You can put the scripts I gave you on hold for now."

Andrew Bennett had two scripts in hand, both for roles beyond the third male lead.

He had no acting experience, and next month he was scheduled for a full month of acting classes. Now it looked like those would have to be postponed. But Henry Foster's intention was clearly to wait until after the show aired to make further plans.

But Andrew Bennett had already read one of the scripts he liked over and over, and had memorized quite a few lines.

"Zhuzhu, good luck," Henry Foster said at last.

*

A week later, the third season of the hottest variety show of the past two years, "Our Perfect Journey," was officially announced—it was making a comeback.

As a travel variety show that pits (gou) wits (xin) and (dou) courage (jiao), the show is notorious for its ridiculously low budget and so many pitfalls that it makes the stars question their life choices. The celebrities end up fighting and arguing on camera in front of the whole country. Even though everyone knows variety shows are scripted, this one has still become the "most authentic" celebrity reality show in variety history.

"Our Perfect Journey" official Weibo V: We're back! Who will join us on this year's perfect journey? Move your little fingers and give us a like! Tomorrow night at 8pm we'll announce the guests, and we'll randomly pick 100 fans who liked the post to each receive 5,000 Kalubi.

The comment section exploded.

[Perfect? Perfect my ass, it's obviously our "screwed-over" journey.]

[Wait, 5,000 Kalubi. Can the production team act like humans???]

[Let me explain, 5,000 Kalubi = 5 RMB 【smile】. I feel insulted just for liking this post.]

[Hahahahahaha I just want to see which dumbass celebrities are crazy enough to join this year.]

...

A few hours later, "Our Perfect Journey" shot to the top of the Flow trending list with the hashtag #PennyPinchingToANewLevel#.

[Other shows, come take notes—see how they spent 500 RMB to get on the trending list.]

[Hehehe, five yuan, wtm not even enough for a cup of milk tea.]

[With such high ratings, they must be making a fortune. Does the producer have any shame?]

[Wait, I just noticed something—why are they giving out Kalubi? Are they going to Surilan Island this time?]

[Aaaah Surilan is so beautiful, I want to go too!]

Not long after, the movie king Edward Hayes liked a popular comment and also trended.

The comment he liked was "which dumbass celebrities are crazy enough to join this year," and fans online were dying of laughter. Edward Hayes participated in the show last year and almost ruined his public image because of it. Luckily, as a movie king, he managed to pull it back with his superb acting skills.

Looks like this show is really terrifying—Edward Hayes got seriously screwed over.

William Clark was in a foul mood, radiating low pressure—no one dared come within two meters: "Why the hell didn't you say so earlier?"

"How was I supposed to know you'd go?" Edward Hayes put away his phone and stroked his chin. "When I went, I was tricked too. They said as long as I went, I could do whatever I wanted, and they'd absolutely give me special treatment."