novelraw Chapter 656 Mai Mai's Expedition
Chapter 656 Mai Mai's Expedition
It's an entry related to "Mars Intelligence Agency".
I remember he mentioned this in his proposal during the recording.
It's probably not that he spoke particularly well; it's more likely that the show's producers used his "top scorer" persona for promotion, plus it's currently college entrance exam season, so many people are paying attention to him.
Jiang Yang clicked on the entry.
I saw a high-definition clip of him presenting his proposal on the set of "Mars Intelligence Agency".
In the video, Jiang Yang sits in the guest seat with a serious expression.
There was none of the usual banter.
Speaking calmly to the camera, he said slowly, "My proposal today is that the older we get, the more we lose interest in many things."
The video has been edited.
Most of the interactions between Jiang Yang and the other guests were cut.
Only content that enhances the value of the program and has depth will be retained: "I have always felt that youthful spirit is a non-renewable thing. When we were young, a lollipop, an animated film, or a trip out to play could make us happy all day long. We would be overjoyed for a long time over a small thing."
They would also wait with great joy for a small expectation.
But as we get older, we seem to become more and more numb.
Having witnessed the full spectrum of human nature and experienced its share of hardships, I've gradually lost interest in many things. I no longer cheer for small surprises, nor eagerly anticipate promises, and even the things I once loved have lost their initial passion.
He paused, his gaze softening, and added:
"It's not that we've become indifferent, but that as we grow up, we have to shoulder too many responsibilities and deal with too many trivial matters. Gradually, we hide the joy in our hearts and let the weariness of life slowly wear down our love for things."
I hope we can all preserve the purity in our hearts, and even as we grow up, maintain a curiosity about the world and a dedication to our passions. Let's not let busyness and fatigue steal away all our interests and joys.
In the video background, Wang Han nodded slightly in agreement.
Xue Zhiqian, Yang Chaoyue, and others also showed expressions of agreement.
The atmosphere at the scene was gentle and healing.
It fits the absurd yet real atmosphere of the show, offering both warmth and food for thought.
In the comments section under the entry, all sorts of things were said.
A mix of praise and criticism, and evaluations of the variety show.
Most of them praise Jiang Yang:
["To be honest, Jiang Yang's words really hit home. They resonated deeply with us middle-aged adults. The older we get, the more numb we become, and he spoke to our very core."]
["It's rare to see someone so polished on their first variety show appearance. They didn't try too hard to be funny, their proposals were insightful, and their tone was very sincere. They're very endearing."]
["The top scorer's persona is truly well-deserved; he has a very insightful perspective. These words are both warm and powerful."]
There are people who specifically discuss this part of the variety show:
[“I watched it all last night, and to be honest, ‘Mars Intelligence Agency’ is a really great variety show! It’s both funny and insightful, unlike other variety shows that are nonsensical. It makes you think after you laugh, which is what a good variety show should be like.”]
[“The show has a fantastic atmosphere, the guests interact naturally, and the proposals are all very down-to-earth. It's both fun and heartwarming; I'm completely hooked.”]
"The quality is excellent; every proposal resonates with the audience, making it very engaging."
There were also those who cursed.
Specifically for Jiangyang:
[“Is Jiang Yang just trying to elicit sympathy? Isn’t it normal to lose interest as you get older? He’s making it sound so special, all pretentious.”]
"The proposals were nothing new, just a bunch of tired old arguments. The show only gained popularity by hyping up the 'top scorer' persona."
["His speech was too stiff, he lacked variety show sense, and the whole conversation was awkward and uncomfortable to watch. He should be removed from the guest lineup immediately."]
I noticed that MaiMai's reply was mixed in with the others.
Refresh the page.
MaiMai's reply has already reached the top of the likes: ["I just want to grow up quickly, grow taller, grow up a bit more, and experience the adult world sooner. Anyway, I'm taking my high school entrance exam today. Wish me luck, Jiang Yang."]
Jiang Yang was stunned.
For the past six months, Zhao Jinmai has always called him Xiao Jiang, rarely calling him Jiang Yang.
Normally, when MaiMai chats in the group, the texts she posts are all in a Northeastern accent, but this passage has no Northeastern accent at all.
That's rare.
As expected, Mai Mai is a childlike girl in private, and she immediately becomes well-behaved as soon as she appears in the public eye.
Jiang Yang replied to Zhao Jinmai: ["Wishing Mai Mai the best of luck in getting the top score in the high school entrance exam, and that she grows up to be a beautiful Northeastern girl soon."]
Keep scrolling down the trending topics.
Immediately afterwards, two more entries related to Yang Chaoyue and Zhao Lushi appeared, both of which were quite popular.
Yang Chaoyue's name was ranked in the top 20 on the trending searches.
Zhao Lushi is ranked in the forties.
If you click on it, you'll probably find the same content as him, with corresponding program videos and detailed information.
Let's look at Yang Chaoyue's first.
The entry reads: #Yang Chaoyue, 10,000 yuan changed his destiny#.
Clicking on it, I saw an edited video.
It shows Yang Chaoyue explaining his proposal on the show.
In the video, Yang Chaoyue has a hearty smile on his face, while Jiang Yang, sitting in the junior agent's seat behind him, speaks with a firm tone, without the slightest hesitation:
"My proposal today is that ten thousand yuan can really change a person's destiny."
For many people, ten thousand yuan might just be a meal or a piece of clothing, but for me back then, ten thousand yuan was the hope of survival, the key to changing the trajectory of my life.
She spoke a little quickly, her eyes filled with genuine emotion, and continued, "When I was a child, my family was poor and I had no one to rely on. At that time, my biggest wish was to have a stable job and be able to eat and dress warmly."
Later, I met Yang Ge and signed with his company. Although at first it was only 5,000 yuan including room and board, it was a lifesaver for me. And 10,000 yuan was enough for me to get through the toughest times, to try more possibilities, and to change my situation.
She added:
"I'm not saying money is that important, but when you're at your wit's end, a sum of money can give you confidence and the courage to get back on your feet. Ten thousand yuan isn't much, but it's enough to change a person's fate and give hope to someone who's at their lowest point."
In the video, her eyes were firm as she spoke.
The guests were also touched by her sincerity and nodded in agreement.
The comment section for this entry is equally lively, with mostly positive reviews:
"The story of Chaoyue is so real! It's unpretentious and speaks for ordinary people. Ten thousand yuan is a lifeline for people going through a low point."
"I can really empathize with that. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth. A sum of money can really change your destiny."
"He loves money but isn't worldly; he's straightforward and sincere. Yang Chaoyue is really adorable."
"From spending 5,000 yuan on food and lodging to appearing on variety shows, Chaoyue has improved step by step through his own efforts. It's inspiring and he deserves to be liked."
There were also a few negative comments: "All he thinks about is money, he's so mercenary, it's disgusting to watch."
"Ten thousand yuan can change your fate? That's an exaggeration. It's just a pretentious attempt to gain sympathy."
"The proposal is meaningless; it's just showing off one's experiences. They have no real ability and rely solely on playing the victim to gain attention."
Jiang Yang immediately saw Zhao Jinmai's comment: ["Chaoyue, there's nothing shameful about loving money. You earned all your money through hard work. Who doesn't love money? I also like to have fun, but unfortunately I'm going to high school soon and won't have time to play anymore. I'm taking the high school entrance exam today. Wish me luck, hurry up, I'm about to enter the exam hall."]
Yang Chaoyue replied to Zhao Jinmai: [“Go for it, MaiMai, burn your calories!!!”]
Then click on Zhao Lushi's entry:
#Zhao Lushi, boys also need to be coaxed#.
Like Jiang Yang and Yang Chaoyue's videos, it was an edited video.
Zhao Lushi explains the edited footage of the proposal.
In the video, Zhao Lushi sits gracefully and says, "My proposal today is that boys also need to be coaxed."
For a long time, people have believed that boys should be strong, should shoulder responsibilities, and should be tolerant of girls' little moods. It's as if boys can't have vulnerable moments, can't need to be cared for, and can't be comforted.
She paused, her tone gentle.
She continued, "But boys are human too. They also have pressure, moments of vulnerability, and they also feel tired. They also need to be loved and treated gently."
Just like how girls want to be comforted when they've been wronged, boys also need someone by their side when they encounter difficulties or feel tired, someone to praise them, comfort them, and give them positive emotional feedback.
She used everyday examples: "It's not about girls having to give in to everything, but about saying something affirming when he's busy and tired, and giving him an encouraging hug when he's frustrated. That's enough."
Good women are nurtured by being pampered, and good men are nurtured by being coaxed.
Boys also need to be valued and cared for. I don't think that's weakness; it's just human nature.
This entry has many positive reviews in the comments section.
On variety shows, Ma Jie is extremely restrained.
He didn't utter a single swear word.
This proposal has resonated with many male students.
"Lu Shi is absolutely right! Boys also need to be comforted. Stop thinking that boys should be strong; they also have vulnerable moments."
"Men have normal and positive values, break stereotypes, and need emotional value too."
"Finally someone said this: boys also need to be favored. I hope everyone can understand this principle."
There are relatively few negative reviews.
Only a few comments: "It feels so pretentious, why should a guy be fawned over?"
"Who is Zhao Lushi? There is no such person. She relies entirely on variety show popularity and forcibly creates a persona."
"Do guys need to be pampered? It's clearly guys who should be more tolerant of girls, that's too dramatic."
Tian Xiwei sat next to Jiang Yang, also watching the situation on the trending topics.
In the comments section of Ruth and Chaoyue, some people were using very harsh language, which did make me quite angry.
I held back and didn't retaliate.
Because I know that to work in this line of work, you have to adapt to it.
It's normal for some to praise and others to criticize.
This precisely demonstrates that the show, Jiang Yang, Chao Yue, and Ruth are all popular and generating discussion.
What I fear most is not that no one praises me, but that no one even criticizes me.
"MaiMai also left a comment in Ruth's comment section." Tian Xiwei saw Zhao Jinmai's comment in Zhao Lushi's comment section.
The text reads: [“Well said, Ruth! Men and women are equal now. Boys need to be pampered too. When I start dating, I'll pamper my boyfriend too. So I wish I could grow up quickly, start dating quickly, and finish the college entrance exam quickly. Anyway, the high school entrance exam is coming up soon. Wish me luck!”]
Zhao Lushi replied to Zhao Jinmai: ["Do well on the exam, and when you come to Taiwan, I'll take you around."]
After logging out of Weibo, Zhao Jinmai casually placed her phone on a corner of her desk in her room, then checked the room again to see if she had forgotten anything for today's high school entrance exam.
There are textbooks, notebooks and stationery on the desk.
A small globe, and a half-finished glass of warm water on the corner of the table.
A clean school uniform was folded up on the headboard.
Walk along the street toward the school.
It's very hot.
The plane trees lining the street are lush and leafy, their dense foliage blocking out most of the sunlight.
The aroma of soy milk and fried dough sticks wafted from the breakfast shops along the roadside, and the stall owners warmly greeted the students passing by.
Pack your breakfast and bring it to the classroom.
Last night, "Mars Intelligence Agency" premiered, and many students watched the show and learned that Zhao Jinmai, Jiang Yang, and Yang Chaoyue have a good relationship.
Everyone gathered around Zhao Jinmai.
The conversation naturally revolved around the entertainment industry and the program.
"MaiMai, are you really filming a variety show with Jiang Yang and Yang Chaoyue? What are they like in real life?"
Zhao Jinmai put down the steamed bun in her hand and replied with a smile, "Yes, Chaoyue, Jiang Yang, and I have acted together before. Actually, we haven't recorded any variety shows together, but I'll be watching 'Mars Intelligence Agency' soon. They are all really nice people."
Done.
A message was posted in the [Pretty Girl Battle 4] group: ["Xiao Jiang, Chao Yue, Sister Ma, 'Mars Intelligence Agency' is really popular! Right now, all my classmates are telling me about your situation. Xiao Jiang, you must have made a lot of money, right? I was just saying nice things about you, so hurry up and praise me, or I'll spread rumors about you!"]
Jiang Yang replied instantly: [“Mai Mai, you're such a beauty.”]
Another classmate pressed on, "What about Yang Chaoyue? She said on the show that she loves money, is that true in real life too? She seems so real!"
"Sister Chaoyue is indeed very straightforward and sincere." Zhao Jinmai added with a smile, "Chaoyue is not that greedy for money. It's just a little bit of money. She just feels that it is more reassuring to earn money through her own efforts. She is always very hardworking on set and at the recording site. She does everything herself. She is very inspiring. I admire her very much."
Another student asked, "Your interactions on the show were so natural. Was it easy to film the show? Do Jiang Yang and Yang Chaoyue usually bicker?"
“Although it can be tiring at times when recording the show, it’s generally very relaxing and everyone gets along very well,” Zhao Jinmai said with a smile. “Jiang Yang and Chao Yue sometimes joke and bicker, but it’s all in good spirits, and they usually take care of each other.”
One student asked curiously, "Will you still be recording variety shows with them in the future? Could you help us get their autographs?"
Zhao Jinmai smiled and nodded: "If there is an opportunity, we will definitely work together again. As for autographs, I will try my best to ask for everyone, but they are usually very busy, so please don't be too anxious."
Zhao Jinmai knew perfectly well what was going on.
She chatted with Jiang Yang, Yang Chaoyue, and others privately, saying whatever came to mind without any reservations.
But in front of classmates, I can only say these polite, formal things.
I dare not complain or say anything carelessly.
The main reason is that we know these students will not enter the entertainment industry in the future and will not understand the boundaries within the industry.
I will remember every word she says.
If you say something inappropriate and it's taken out of context or spread carelessly, it can easily leave a bad stain on your reputation.
Not only will it cause trouble for myself, but it may also implicate Jiang Yang and Yang Chaoyue.
So she deliberately restrained her private nature, spoke carefully, and avoided offending anyone.
It satisfied the students' curiosity while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Upon entering the examination room, Zhao Jinmai found her seat and sat down.
The first exam was in Chinese. After receiving the test paper, Zhao Jinmai quickly glanced through the question types.
The multiple-choice questions, classical poetry recitation, and reading comprehension sections are consistent with the question types in our usual mock exams.
Start with simpler questions and gradually get into the zone.
Finally, it was time for the last essay question.
She took a deep breath, carefully examined the question, and the essay title was clearly printed on the test paper: "At that moment, I understood my mother."
The essay must revolve around the theme of motherhood. Supplementary content can incorporate motherly love, motherly sacrifices, understanding of mothers, and other mother-related themes. Write a narrative essay of no less than 600 words. The style is not limited (except for poetry). Plagiarism is not allowed, and real names of people, schools, and places must not be included.
In fact, Zhao Jinmai had specifically consulted Jiang Yang about writing essays.
After all, Jiang Yang was the top scholar in the imperial examination, so he had his own methods for dealing with Chinese composition.
Jiang Yang was talking to her via voice message at the time: "Writing essays isn't that difficult. The core is just one skill: make the beginning and ending stand out, spend more time thinking about your wording, and write with literary flair and empathy. Mai Mai, think about it. During the final exam, the Chinese teacher has to grade hundreds of essays a day. They don't have time to read every word in the middle. Most of the time, they just glance at the beginning and then at the ending. As long as these two parts are good, and your handwriting is neat and tidy, your score won't be low."
After a pause, Jiang Yang added with a laugh, "To put it bluntly, it's like putting gold on a turd. Even if the content in the middle is mediocre, as long as the beginning and the end are impressive, you can still get a good score."
Looking back now, Zhao Jinmai has completely forgotten all the techniques Jiang Yang mentioned.
I can only clearly remember six words: "a latrine with gold trim."
She kept this sentence in mind and put a lot of effort into polishing the beginning and ending of her essay. As for the middle part, she thought she could just write whatever she wanted, since the teacher wouldn't read it carefully anyway.
Zhao Jinmai picked up her pen and, as Jiang Yang had suggested, calmed herself down and carefully wrote down the opening lines: "[Time is not the thief that steals my mother's youth, I am the one who does.]"
The umbilical cord was cut, the door was slammed shut in anger—I spent my whole life saying goodbye to you, but you spent your whole life wishing me a safe journey.
After finishing the opening paragraph, she leaned over to the exam paper and looked at it again and again, finding it increasingly satisfying.
Immediately afterwards, Zhao Jinmai quickly began writing down the middle part.
It was written with exceptional difficulty; the handwriting is much more illegible than at the beginning, but the content is touching:
My mom nags every day, starting from the first light of dawn. She calls me to get up over and over again, afraid I'll be late. If I stay in bed and don't want to get up, she'll stand by my bed and keep nagging until I get up impatiently.
When I'm doing my homework at night, she'll come in from time to time, urging me to hurry up and stop playing on my phone. She'll also come over to check how well I'm doing and nag me about how messy my handwriting is and how I should write neatly.
Needless to say, during meals, she kept piling food onto my plate, urging me to eat more, saying that I was growing and wouldn't have the energy to study if I didn't eat enough. Sometimes I got so annoyed that I would put down my chopsticks and not want to eat anymore, and then she would start nagging me for being insensible.
I find her nagging particularly annoying, and we often argue. Sometimes when the argument gets really heated, I slam the door and hide in my room, shutting out her nagging. No matter how much she calls me, I don't want to pay attention to her.
Once, I didn't do well on a test, and when the results came out, I felt ashamed. When I got home, I told her, and sure enough, she started nagging me again, saying that I wasn't serious, didn't pay attention in class, and did my homework carelessly. I got angry at her nagging and we had a big fight. I yelled at her, saying that she didn't understand me at all and had no idea how hard I worked to study. I cried for a long time that day, and she ignored me. The living room was quiet. I actually regretted it a little, but I couldn't bring myself to apologize to her.
I know she meant well and was worried about me, but I just didn't want to listen to her nagging. Sometimes I found her incredibly annoying and nagging, but other times I felt sorry for her. She had to get up early every day to make me breakfast, do my laundry, tidy my room, and take care of my daily needs. It was hard work for her, but I still couldn't control myself and often got angry with her. Sometimes I would even deliberately go against her. Looking back now, I don't know what I was thinking.
It was so enjoyable to write.
That's all the truth.
I finally finished writing the middle part.
Having reached the required word count, Zhao Jinmai calmed down and began polishing the ending, carefully writing each stroke:
["Her incessant chatter has softened my years. In the past, you accompanied me as I took my first steps; in the future, I will accompany you on a sunset stroll. May time slow down, and may your smile be as beautiful as a flower."]
perfect.
The middle school entrance exams ended in two days, just in time for the recording of "Mars".
Yang Chaoyue and Zhao Lushi, who appeared on the first episode of "Mars", are no longer trending on social media after the broadcast.
Jiang Yang and Mars-related trending topics are still hanging at the bottom of the list.
After packing her luggage, Zhao Jinmai tagged Jiang Yang in the group chat:
"Xiao Jiang, I finished my exam yesterday, and I wrote a really good essay. I'm on my way to the airport now. Xi Wei, let me tell you, my mom is just like your mom. Whenever I go to the airport, she makes me leave really early."
Xiao Jiang, I'm on my way to record "Mars Intelligence Agency," I'll arrive in Changsha this afternoon. Are you already there? Xiao Jiang, could you please call the director of the broadcasting station and have him treat me to some authentic Changsha stinky tofu?
Jiang Yang replied: [“If I had those connections, I'd just have the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television give you a billion yuan.”]
Zhao Jinmai replied instantly: ["That's fine too. I'm not as greedy as Chaoyue. One hundred million is enough for me."]
Jiang Yang typed: [“Do you want me to burn this for you?”] (End of Chapter)