Since the show is broadcast in pre-recorded format, Ji Ruochu needed to film for a week, after which post-production synchronization and editing would take place before the parents from the participating families visit the set to record the observational portions of the show.
According to the production team's recording format, only one member from each family needs to attend.
However, the production team originally thought it would be hopeless to invite Ji Ruochu, so they also extended an invitation to Ji Mochen as a guest.
They thought that even if Ji Ruochu didn't participate, the other families along with Ji Mochen would make for a powerful lineup.
But in the blink of an eye, they found that both the father and daughter had accepted the reality show.
This meant that ultimately, on 'The Child's Independent Living', Ji Ruochu would be the observed "child", Ling Chujin would be the family member, and Ji Mochen would be the observing guest.
The Production Team: ...Okay, okay, it seems their turn for immense wealth has finally come!
Afraid that the Ji family would back out as if they were money trees, the director rushed over to the Ji residence as soon as they received confirmation, burning the midnight oil until he secured three signed contracts before happily returning to the production office.
The next day, rumors started circulating that this season of 'The Child's Independent Living' would feature an all-star 'Dad Is Home' lineup.
However, exactly which season of 'Dad Is Home' and which families would be involved remained undisclosed.
This piqued the curiosity of netizens, who were itching to become moles at the production office.
By the time the production team arrived at the Ji family villa, numerous "leaked lineups from insiders" had surfaced online.
Unsurprisingly, the Ji family topped the list of rumored participants, while many considered Ji Ruochu's involvement the least likely.
After all, ever since Ji Ruochu formally entered the entertainment industry, she rarely appeared on reality shows. Additionally, many of her Peking University alumni revealed that she was basically always busy - previously with school activities and later running projects with professors.
In short: no time, impossible to book her.
Even if she did accept a reality show, given her capabilities, it would most likely be a brain-teaser like an escape room challenge.
Unfortunately, the lineup for the new season of the escape room show had already been announced, and her name was nowhere to be found.
Some industry insiders claimed that Ji Ruochu's agent was currently working to land her a major film production.
After some discussion, the general consensus was to exclude her, with fans directly commenting:
[Instead of guessing whether Ruochu will be on 'Independent Living', why don't we guess if Ji Mochen will appear as a guest along with the other families?]
Seeing this popular comment, Ji Ruochu thought: ...I have to admit, fans can sometimes be quite perceptive.
"Ruochu, are you ready? We're about to start the pre-show interview."
A crew member's voice came through, and Ji Ruochu turned off her phone and nodded to indicate she was prepared.
After the makeup artist did one final check, the camera facing Ji Ruochu began rolling.
"Ji Ruochu's first interview, start!"
The crew member spoke, and the obedient Ji Ruochu, sitting in the chair, clapped her hands—
Clap!
She did the opening clapperboard.
Her serious professionalism nearly made the crew members laugh out loud.
"Hello everyone, I'm the actress Ji Ruochu."
Yes, actress.
This was Ji Ruochu's self-defined identity in the entertainment industry, so the director asked:
"I thought you would introduce yourself as a current Ph.D. student at Peking University."
"That's the civilian Ji Ruochu," she said with certainty. "Now it's actress Ji Ruochu's work time."
"I see, then may I ask why actress Ji Ruochu accepted the production team's invitation?"
"Because...this is the only show my agent found that would allow our entire family to participate together."
The director was momentarily stumped. Should he thank the agent for the referral?
"Does Ruochu currently live alone?"
"No."
"So, did you have any intention of 'using this show to get some early practice for independent living' when you accepted?"
"No, I don't think I'll be living separately from my parents."
"Why? Do you feel lonely living alone? Or do you feel you can't be apart from them?"
If that's the case, then perhaps the subsequent individual challenges could focus on independent living—
"Well, if I said it's because they can't be apart from me, would you believe it?" Ji Ruochu blinked, adding, "I'm telling the truth."
The director: ...Okay, next question.
"Do you remember your co-stars from when you filmed shows as a child?"
"Of course."
"Are you still in touch with them?"
"Not anymore."
To be precise, the contact had faded after she skipped grades and became their senior.
While she didn't mind continuing to meet with her former co-stars, her schedule was too packed. By the time she had availability to meet, they had grown apart.
So she stopped pushing for it since they weren't in the same circles anymore.
Sometimes she wondered, if not for the chatty geniuses in her accelerated learning class, would she have even bothered making new friends?
She had no choice - she skipped grades too frequently.
"For this show's filming, there will be a reunion episode. Would you prefer to dine with your parents or the other guest families?"
"Either is fine." Realizing her response sounded cold, she added, "If everyone wants to get together, I'd be happy to. But if it's just for show ratings and putting on an act, I might not be very interested."
The director turned: Director, she's throwing shade at you!
The director behind: ...I heard, I heard! Loud and clear!
On the other side, Ling Chujin's interview was also underway.
"According to the production team, you haven't made any public appearances since giving birth. Could you share what made you agree to film this show?"
Hearing this question, Ling Chujin paused for a moment before looking into the camera, "Of course it's because of our Ruochu."
Only Ling Chujin knew that this "Ruochu" was not just her daughter, but also...
"Was it to use the show to train your child's independent living skills?" the director continued.
"How could that be?" Ling Chujin was startled, the hint of sadness from before instantly vanishing. "Our daughter said she won't move out and wants to stay with us forever."
The director: ??
"So the reason you decided to accept our invitation was..."
"Because our Ruochu said this is a show our entire family of three could participate in together. She wanted to have a project with her dad and mom."
Ling Chujin added with a helpless sigh, "If only her dad's acting skills weren't so lacking, we could have filmed a drama together."
The director: ...Is it really okay to so blatantly expose the King of Acting's poor acting skills?
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