In most dramas, the names of the male and female leads were usually used for marketing purposes.
Take Bao Ruanruan, for example. In Battle of Jiangxiang, she wasn't even in the top ten cast, so she wouldn't normally be included in promotional campaigns.
Both casual viewers and various fan groups found Director Zhu Chao's move confusing.
[Is the director desperate for clout? Has he lost his mind?]
[Even a minor character's popularity can't be spared?]
In the past, there were many people on the Internet who criticised Bao Ruanruan.
But now, surprisingly, some people had started to speak up for her!
Soon after, Director Zhu Chao released a behind-the-scenes video.
Curious onlookers, suspecting him of power-hunting, clicked on it.
[If the footage isn't good, then this is definitive proof that the director is just riding the trending wave.]
[Let me check it out first~]
On the trending topics list, many people were intrigued and clicked on the video—#BaoRuanruanMedicalDramaBehind-the-Scenes#
On-screen—
Dressed in a white lab coat, Bao Ruanruan had a pale complexion with a serious expression and walked with quick determination.
She really looked like a top doctor in a hospital!
[Not bad! The girl has the look!]
[I thought she was just a pretty face, but she's got some presence!]
[Hmm, that intense gaze—there's something there.]
But soon, Bao Ruanruan raised her hand.
She was holding a pen.
"Professor, I've learned CPR but still have a few questions."
"If someone falls from a mountain and suffers a right tibia fracture, what's the emergency treatment...?"
"And if it's a left chest injury with a wooden branch impalement and an open wound...?"
[Oh, they actually consulted medical experts for this drama.]
[Bao Ruanruan has quite a bit of screen time.]
[Interesting, is this a medical drama? So many medical cases! I'm getting curious now.]
Bao Ruanruan's expression was serious and full of curiosity.
"Professor, in a case of lung injury with breathing difficulties but no one else around, what should be done?"
"Would it be possible for me to stay conscious and perform a tracheotomy on myself for emergency airway management?"
[This plot is a bit much. Ridiculous.]
[No way she could pull that off.]
[With the lack of oxygen, her hands would shake, and her mind would be foggy. It's impossible. @Screenwriter, @Director, I suggest you revise this unrealistic hero scene.]
Some viewers left comments with suggestions in the video's live chat.
But soon, the scene shifted.
Standing in front of Bao Ruanruan was a medical expert who looked visibly embarrassed and conflicted.
"This... this..."
"If this situation were to actually happen, how would field sterilisation be handled? Would using a lighter to disinfect surgical instruments be effective?"
"And if the wound is exposed in the wild, what should I do? Should I carry at least 500ml of 75% alcohol with me at all times to clean the wound?"
The medical expert finally blurted out, "Wait… this is actually in your script?"
Bao Ruanruan's beautiful eyes flickered for a moment.
"No, none of this is in the script."
Medical expert: "……"
[!!]
[???]
[Hhhh are you messing with the expert?]
"I've recently been filming a variety show in the mountains, so I spend a lot of time outdoors. If I were to fall off a cliff..."
As Bao Ruanruan spoke, her slender shoulders trembled slightly.
Her small face turned pale as paper.
"A fall... a fracture... being impaled by tree branches... open wounds... cardiopulmonary injuries..."
The medical expert's eyes widened.
"I just wanted to be prepared in advance."
End of the behind-the-scenes clip.
But the comments section exploded.
[Oh my God, hahahaha!]
[! What is she even preparing for?!]
[@Director Zhu Chao, I apologise. I shouldn't have accused you of clout-chasing.]
[Yeah, the director just couldn't hold it in anymore! Bao Ruanruan has turned the drama crew into her personal emergency survival class!]
[Director Zhu: I had to expose her.]
[Somebody, please tell me in one minute—what's the name of the variety show she's filming in the mountains?!]
In an instant, Bao Ruanruan's name shot into the top ten trending searches.
A flood of new viewers rushed to watch the variety show Chasing Dreams out of sheer curiosity.
[I just want to see how dangerous this show actually is!]
Unaware of everything happening online, Bao Ruanruan was driven directly to Hengshan for filming.
A new episode of Chasing Dreams was about to begin.
As soon as she got out of the car, Director Zheng Mingchang called her into a small cabin alone with a complicated expression on his face.
"Xiao Bao."
Bao Ruanruan: "Hm?"
"I want to thank you."
"...?" Bao Ruanruan looked utterly confused. "You're welcome."
"..."
Zheng Mingchang didn't know whether to laugh or cry and could only wag his finger at her a few times.
"You, ah."
What a character.
The TV station had just informed him that the first two episodes of Chasing Dreams had seen a 20% increase in viewers.
All thanks to her trending search.
"Alright, go ahead and start filming."
Zheng Mingchang waved her off
but remained deep in thought.
Is our show really that dangerous?
Dangerous enough for her to worry like this?
"Xiao Zhen, Lao Yang, double-check the safety of all our filming areas."
"Make absolutely sure there are no dangers—around the mountains, cliffs, or animal traps. Be extra cautious."
"And how's the quality of those new houses? Confirm that again."
*
In this episode, the five Dream Houses of Chasing Dreams were finally completed as the guests accumulated enough points to redeem them!
The guests would come to Hengshan every weekend for two days of filming.
This time, during the previous week, the production team worked hard with the villagers to build the five dream houses for them.
A recording studio, a chatting room, a study room, a dance performance hall, and a sunroom.
When the five guests arrived, the production team showed them the initial structures of the five houses.
"Everyone, the shape of your dreams must ultimately be completed by yourselves."
"We can provide you with some materials, but only if you complete certain tasks to earn them."
Such sneaky words.
Making them work again.
But the guests had long since seen through the production team's true nature and remained unfazed.
Lu Wenhao and Cheng Yao, standing together, nodded in agreement.
Lan Zhi smiled as she stood next to Bao Ruanruan and Xiao Mengfei.
They were all dressed in matching black T-shirts provided by the production team, once again sponsored by Pengmai.
Each had a piece of luggage by their side.
Bao Ruanruan, however, had two 24-inch suitcases in front of her and an almost human-sized backpack behind her.
When she heard the announcement, she instinctively looked around.
[Hahahaha, what is Bao Ruanruan looking for? Looking for the cliff? (dog head1)]
[Of course, she brought the most luggage! Let me guess—75% alcohol, a 500ml bottle, hahaha!]
[Bandages, alcohol, a fruit knife, a lighter… Honestly, if she pulls out a complete set of medical protective gear and surgical scrubs, I wouldn't even be surprised!]
[Same here... I just came from watching the behind-the-scenes clip of that other drama. Bao Ruanruan... hhhhhhh]
[?]
[You guys should catch up—check out Bao Ruanruan's medical studies thread on Weibo.]
[Thanks, I'll watch it after the livestream.]
[Sounds good.]
After the production team explained the rules, they separated the guests for the first time.
The assistant director glanced at Bao Ruanruan, who was standing in the farthest corner, looking completely innocent, and twitched his lips.
"This time, our five teachers will work alone."
"Each of you will stay in your own dream house, where we've prepared basic living supplies for you."
"Please drop off your luggage first. Later, your task cards will be delivered to your rooms."
[They changed the rules?!]
[Nooo, does this mean my Xiao Xiao and Bao Bao will be separated? She won't be able to handle it!]
[Ahh, but Teacher Lan Zhi always uses Bao Ruanruan's foot soak bucket at night!]
[Wait a second—does my Cheng Yao Giegie2 have to live alone now? His only skill is cooking for work points. Will he be unemployed? Can Bao Ruanruan still lend him points?!]
[@Director, I want to see Bao Ruanruan and Brother Lu bickering!]
Fans from all sides were surprisingly reluctant to see the five guests living separately.
And the reason?
Every single discussion thread on the live chat somehow led back to Bao Ruanruan!
At the start of the show, she had the lowest popularity and the fewest fans.
But now, she had become the unexpected centrepiece of the entire variety show.
More than half of the discussions revolved around her.
The only exception?
A small group of her newly emerged 'mom fans' were utterly unfazed by the separation.
[My baby Bao can finally enjoy the joy of earning 500 work points all by herself, hahaha!]
[Hhh, the disgruntled look on the assistant director's face is far too obvious. She's given away far too many work points to the other four contestants.]
[The rules of the show have clearly been changed just for her. If this continues, the tasks will lose all meaning.]
[Lmao, in front of Bao Bao, no task is impossible.]
[Honestly, I don't mind if they split up. Last time, Grandma next door wanted to invite her over for dinner, and Grandpa brought her breakfast, but she was too embarrassed to accept it alone... Now, she finally can!]
[My girl's era of effortless wins has arrived.]
The villagers all had a high opinion of Bao Ruanruan.
And she still held onto her Village Chief Card, which allowed her to request help from one villager per day.
A card she had never used.
All this time, she had been cruising along effortlessly.
And now, with the other four contestants no longer sharing the workload, her journey was about to become even smoother.
Her longtime fans and new followers alike eagerly anticipated this new rule, curious to see how the show would unfold and how Bao Ruanruan would enjoy her leisurely, wellness-focused life.
But the production team quickly proved that it wouldn't be that easy.
As the camera panned, the five dream houses gradually came into view.
All of them were located along a mountain trail, each spaced at least 500 metres apart.
The total distance from Lan Zhi's Chat House at the starting point to Bao Ruanruan's Sunroom at the far end was nearly two to three kilometres.
They were also at least a ten minutes' walk from the village's central residential area.
As the staff led each contestant to their dream house, everyone was sweating by the time they arrived.
Luckily, the scenery was beautiful, and the live chat was lively, so the journey didn't feel boring.
But when they finally reached the five dream houses—
[?]
[The production team is truly evil.]
The first house in view was Lan Zhi's Chat House, a small courtyard.
The front room was designed as a tea room, with straw mats on the floor for people to sit and chat over tea.
The back room was for everyday life.
But at the moment there wasn't a single table inside.
And most importantly, the tea sets—teapots and cups—were completely missing.
"Teacher Lan, you'll need to complete tasks to collect these items."
Next was Cheng Yao's Recording Studio + Bedroom.
But—
The most critical piece of equipment, the recording setup, was missing.
800 metres away from him was Xiao Mengfei's house.
Outside, there was an unfinished stage.
Inside was the dance studio, but it lacked essential equipment such as mirrors and ballet barres.
Further ahead was Lu Wenhao's Self-Reliance House.
The front hall was designed as a study.
After all, knowledge is the ladder of human progress and the foundation of self-reliance.
But at the moment, he didn't have a single book.
He would have to earn them by doing tasks.
And at the very end of the path was Bao Ruanruan's Sunroom.
As soon as they arrived, the live chat exploded with exclamation points!
Her Sunroom was nothing more than a bare shell—it didn't even have a roof!
"Teacher Bao, the glass roof, along with all the interior furnishings and renovations for your house, must be earned through completing tasks."
Bao Ruanruan froze.
[WTF!]
[How is she supposed to live in this at night?!]
[…This is way too hard.]
Compared to the other houses, this one was by far the most unfinished.
The walls were bare cement—no wallpaper, no paint.
The floor was the same: rough concrete with no tiles or wood flooring.
The bathroom? A simple pit toilet.
The kitchen? No facilities at all.
"Teacher Bao, since you have the Village Chief Card, which allows you to request help from a villager at any time, we've given your Dream House an additional difficulty level."
[Ahhh!!!]
Bao Ruanruan's soft pink lips parted in shock.
The assistant director grinned triumphantly and left. "Good luck."
Each contestant was left with only one personal director (PD) to act as a liaison between them and the production team.
They also had their own cameraman,
and several fixed cameras in their rooms.
Soon, the live stream began, showing each contestant receiving their task cards one by one.
Lan Zhi and Cheng Yao glanced at their task cards and immediately sprang into action.
Lu Wenhao frowned deeply, seemingly troubled by his challenge.
Xiao Mengfei was already on the phone, seeking outside help.
The atmosphere in the live stream immediately became tense.
But in the next second, when the camera cut to Bao Ruanruan—
"Teacher Bao, this is your task card from the production team. You can take a look."
As soon as the assistant director left, the personal director handed her an envelope.
"Complete this task, and the show will provide free paint for your walls."
Bao Ruanruan's slender fingers had just touched the edge of the envelope when she suddenly stopped.
"Paint?" Her clear eyes flickered.
"Yes! You can paint your dream house walls in any colour you like~"
The moment Bao Ruanruan heard that, she immediately raised a single finger—
——And smoothly... pushed the envelope right back into the PD's hands.
Show PD: "?"
"Then I don't need it."
Show PD: "!!"
[!!!]
Footnotes Full List
(Internet slang) Denotes that the preceding statement is sarcastic. It is a Doge meme based on the photo of Kabosu, the famous Shiba Inu.
- A new Chinese meme, a weird pronunciation for the word Gege (elder brother), made famous by this lady:
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