Chapter 120: Mocked by a Beggar

To be honest, Zhou Miao was quite interested in this program. The only issue was that it required teaming up with someone else; he didn't want to go on a poetic road trip with a stranger.

"Can I choose the artist I'm paired with?" Zhou Miao asked.

"That's no problem. Who do you want to choose?"

Zhou Miao didn't say anything, just took out his phone and made a call. It connected quickly.

"Hey, do you want to join me for a travel show?"

Zhou Miao didn't have many friends in the industry. After thinking it over, it seemed it had to be her.

"A travel show?" Zhao Li was a bit puzzled. Why did Zhou Miao suddenly think of bringing her along for a variety show?

"Yeah, are you in?"

"Sure, I'm free anyway. But where are we going?" Zhao Li was still a bit confused.

"You'll see when you get here. I'm hanging up now."

Putting his phone away, Zhou Miao continued to ponder the requirements for becoming a superstar that Gu Zhiyin had mentioned. He didn't enter this industry to just play around.

From the very beginning, his goal was to become the number one figure in the Chinese music scene!

Everyone said that the era of superstars was over, but he refused to believe it. How could one say something was impossible without even trying?

...

Early in the morning, Zhou Miao arrived at the filming site with his guitar on his back. Zhao Li had arrived before him and was now looking at him with a resentful expression.

"Didn't you say it was a travel show?"

Zhou Miao chuckled, "It's basically the same thing."

Zhao Li really wanted to hit someone right now. As a "salted fish" (someone who has given up on struggling) who had already settled into her comfort zone, the last thing she wanted was a physically demanding variety show.

Out of trust in Zhou Miao, she hadn't even read the contract and had her manager sign it for her.

It wasn't until she arrived on-site today that she learned this new show, titled "Departing for Love," was actually a public welfare road trip program where all expenses for food and drink had to be earned by themselves!

"Don't panic! Don't you trust my ability to make money? Follow me, and I guarantee we'll be living the high life on this trip!" Zhou Miao patted his chest, assuring her.

Hearing this, Zhao Li felt much more at ease. Isn't it just street performing? Surely two professional singers wouldn't struggle to make money?

As she thought about it, a smile returned to her face. "That's true. Maybe by the time we finish one road show, we'll have earned enough that we won't even have spent it all by the time we reach our destination."

A camera nearby silently recorded their bold declarations.

"Departing for Love" was a reality show without a host; all segments were directed by the production team.

Soon, the donation ceremony began. The show's sponsor appeared and cautiously handed a charity fund card worth two million to Zhou Miao and his partner. "Please take this love from our sponsor to Enshi, Hubei. I wish you a smooth journey!"

Zhou Miao nodded solemnly. The director walked over and took out one hundred yuan. "This is your starting capital. The production team will not provide any expenses for the rest of the trip, so please manage your funds wisely."

"The poverty-stricken area we are assisting is located in Enshi, Hubei. If you arrive at your destination within ten days, the two-million-yuan charity fund will be doubled. If it takes longer than ten days, the amount remains the same."

The director checked the time. "If there are no questions, your mission begins now."

Zhou Miao took out his phone and searched for the destination. It wasn't too far, but not exactly close either—nearly forty hours of driving.

Zhao Li leaned over to look. "It's so close. Director, are you underestimating us? Never mind ten days; we'll be there the day after tomorrow!"

The director smiled at this and took out two masks. "Please wear these masks on the road. Do not reveal your identities."

Zhou Miao took the mask, his mouth twitching involuntarily. Isn't this Ultraman Tiga? There were even holes punched out for the eyes and mouth.

Zhao Li put on her mask, turned around, and asked, "Which Ultraman is mine?"

Zhou Miao glanced at it and said, "Yours is called 'Salted Egg Superman.'"

"Superman? Isn't this Ultraman?"

Zhou Miao didn't know how to explain this to her, so he quickly changed the subject. "It's getting late. Let's get started. Let's try to earn enough for our travel expenses today!"

"Let's go, go, go!" Zhao Li raised her little fist excitedly.

Zhou Miao chose Wangfujing as their first stop for the road show. As the premier street in Beijing, it was undoubtedly the best place for a performance.

But once they arrived, they realized the street competition was fierce; quite a few street performers were already set up.

They walked a distance inside, found an empty spot, and turned on the portable Bluetooth speaker provided by the production team, connecting it to the microphone and guitar.

On a bustling street like this, the environment was noisy; passersby wouldn't be able to hear them if they sang acapella, so they had to use the speaker.

Passersby looked at the two "Ultramen" strangely. If they wanted to perform, why the masks?

Zhou Miao strummed the strings briefly and cleared his throat. To make money, he had to grab attention immediately! So, he prepared to pull out his best material right from the start.

"The little yellow flowers of the story have been drifting since the year I was born..."

Seeing Zhou Miao begin to sing "Sunny Day," Zhao Li felt confident. She placed her hat on the ground and sat, waiting to collect the money.

However, strangely enough, even though Zhou Miao was singing with such passion, not a single person stopped to listen.

One song finished. Income: zero.

Zhou Miao and Zhao Li fell silent. Something was wrong. Why did the passersby show no reaction?

"Brother, the audience isn't stupid. You won't make any money playing a backing track!" a food delivery driver waiting for an order at a nearby restaurant kindly reminded them.

A backing track? Zhou Miao suddenly realized. The passersby must have thought he was lip-syncing!

"Tiga, let me try." Once she understood the reason, Zhao Li regained her confidence and proposed taking over.

"Alright, Salted Egg Superman." Zhou Miao moved aside and started accompanying her on the guitar.

"What should I sing?"

Zhao Li, naturally, wouldn't make the same mistake of singing her own songs. "'Sweet'."

The music started. Zhao Li, wearing her Salted Egg Superman mask, swayed gently. "I take a gentle taste, the love you spoke of, still savoring the tenderness you once gave..."

Although her face was hidden, the girl's graceful silhouette and sweet, soft voice attracted quite a few people.

Before long, a dozen listeners had gathered around them. Seeing this, Zhao Li sang even more enthusiastically, while Zhou Miao kept a close eye on the tourists, watching for when they would reach for their wallets.

One song finished, and Zhao Li bowed gracefully. But when she looked up, everyone had already walked away, and the hat remained empty.

Income: still zero.

The two sat on the steps in a daze, saying nothing. They couldn't figure out which part of their plan had gone wrong.

After a long time, Zhao Li gently tapped her knees and said, "It seems people still haven't developed the habit of paying for performances."

As soon as Zhao Li said this, even the blind beggar lounging nearby couldn't stand it anymore. He picked up the payment QR code sign in front of him and shook it.

"With an attitude like yours, you don't even know how to beg. What era are you living in? Who carries cash when they go out anymore?"