stjorthotic Chapter 66: Advancing to the Top 4, Wolf vs. Bear!
Chapter 66: Advancing to the Top 4, Wolf vs. Bear!
As the fifth inspection day arrived before they knew it, Yuan Linghan learned from the staff that only three contestants remained besides himself. Two contestants had been eliminated in the previous ten days.
Upon hearing the news, Yuan Linghan smiled and said, "So, I've made it to the top four?"
Upon hearing this, the staff member smiled and said, "Yes, Yuan! Congratulations on successfully entering the top four."
Actually, when the production team first learned that Aipai Company was going to send a contestant from Xia Country, they were still skeptical. Now, fifty days later, Yuan Linghan's strength and popularity have far exceeded the production team's expectations.
Compared to when the contestants first arrived in the jungle, when each contestant had more screen time and the production team didn't have to worry about editing out footage that viewers would enjoy, the vast majority of contestants simply went into hibernation mode as winter approached.
The videos recorded each day consist of repetitive shots, causing headaches for the post-production team. What's the point of editing if there are no scenes that will attract viewers?
Only Yuan Linghan's videos were truly captivating. It was only at this moment that the production team finally realized why Douyin (TikTok) was willing to pay a high price to purchase Yuan Linghan's solo video of living alone in the wilderness.
The reason is simple: Doumi (TikTok's parent company) probably already knew that the video blogger they signed had something to offer. Whether it's footage of hunting and fishing, or making pottery in the wilderness and building ice castles, everything is highly engaging.
What surprised the production team even more was that when editing the fifth recaptured video, the staff member in charge of post-production editing was completely stunned when they heard Yuan Linghan playing the ocarina in the shelter.
"Oh shit, what kind of tune is this? How can this instrument produce such a beautiful melody?"
As the staff member couldn't help but gasp in surprise, the others working there also asked in astonishment, "Bick, what's wrong?"
Upon hearing his colleague's question, Bick excitedly exclaimed, "Manager, come quick! Take a look at this video!"
The supervisor, Tim, who had been called, came over, though he was confused, and asked, "Bick, what's wrong?"
"Manager, this is a video of Xia Guoling. Listen to his playing; I think it's fantastic."
"A tune he played? Wait, you mean a tune he played on a fired ocarina?"
"Yes! It sounds amazing! Praise God, I never imagined He had such talent."
Initially, Bick, the white guy, was quite unhappy about being assigned to edit videos of Yuan Linghan. But now, he finds that the vast majority of the videos he edits are used by the production team, and he suddenly feels very satisfied.
Within the production team, he has become a staunch supporter of Yuan Linghan!
He knew that as the show progressed and the number of contestants decreased, the amount of video footage that the remaining contestants could provide would become extremely limited. In this situation, editing out footage that was both engaging and attention-grabbing would become extremely difficult.
Tim then said at the opportune moment, "Bick, play this video out loud so everyone can hear it."
"Yes, supervisor. Gentlemen, believe me, you will all fall in love with this piece of music just like I have."
As Bick quickly replayed the video, the clear and melodious sound of an ocarina soon filled the speakers. The clear and ethereal sound of the ocarina was uniquely penetrating, and the lingering melody seemed to contain distant memories, as well as a bittersweet homesickness.
In its low, gentle melody, it resembles a deep valley's murmur, slightly hesitant; in its high, soaring notes, it's like a mountain stream, a long, flowing waterfall. The entire melody is smooth and soothing, as if recalling and narrating the scenery of one's hometown. Those who hear it for the first time are instantly captivated by the flute's sound.
After just a few minutes of video playback, the staff, seemingly unsatisfied, quickly said, "Bick, rewind, loop it!"
"That's right! I never imagined that an instrument made of clay could produce such beautiful music."
While the "Living Alone in the Wilderness" production team was captivated and excited by those few minutes of music, Yuan Linghan, still staying at the campsite, knew perfectly well that it was all intentional on his part. After all, the video he recorded for the fifth inspection didn't have much to offer.
Aside from ice fishing and cooking, he didn't hunt any valuable prey. To maintain his popularity and gain more followers, he eventually "created" this song that was immersed in his memories.
Having merged with the memories of that "him" that he had awakened, Yuan Linghan knew very well that the world he and that "him" belonged to was a so-called parallel universe. What "him" knew about, he now also knew.
For example, Chen Duling exists in that "his" memories as well. But some things that exist in "his" mind do not exist in this time and space. That is why Yuan Linghan dares to openly say that the music was "created" by him!
In the video, Yuan Linghan played the ocarina several times in succession, and finally said with satisfaction, "Although I don't know if this counts as composing a piece of ocarina music, I think I should give it a name. What should I call it?"
After some thought, Yuan Linghan said thoughtfully, "This piece was composed when I was missing my hometown, so let's name it 'The Original Scenery of My Hometown.' Although it still needs improvement, I think this is the name it should be."
Although he was in the wilderness and couldn't immediately register the copyright, once the video was broadcast, the whole world would know that he was the creator of this famous ocarina piece. Others trying to register it would simply not be recognized by the copyright authorities.
Meanwhile, Yuan Linghan, who was at the camp, realized that the competition was already halfway through and he was ready to embark on a real hunting trip. In the past two days, he had already seen many traces of wild animals in the jungle near the camp.
"Although I have no shortage of food, I rarely have the opportunity to hunt legally, so how could I miss such an opportunity?"
Without further hesitation, he picked up his bow and arrows, hunting knife, and axe again, and taking advantage of the improved weather, he began a new round of hunting. In fact, at this moment, the wild animals migrating out of the mountains also began a new round of fighting.
As Yuan Linghan searched the jungle for any signs of wildlife, a roar from ahead immediately caught his attention. Removing his snowboard, he quickly walked towards the direction of the roar.
"Judging from the sound, it should be the sound of a black bear. The other mixed sounds are unclear!"
Speaking to the camera he carried with him, Yuan Linghan explained in a low voice that the loudest "grunt" sound was probably made by a black bear. As for the other noisy and chaotic sounds, he couldn't identify what animals they belonged to.
When Yuan Linghan finally saw the two sides engaged in battle, he quickly recognized the largest one as the black bear that was constantly howling. Surrounding the black bear was a pack of wolves that resembled gray wolves.
Lying on the snow and peeking out, Yuan Linghan carefully examined the pack of "bold" wolves, and finally said, "These should be coyotes, also known as North American coyotes. They belong to the same family as gray wolves, Canis genus, but are significantly smaller."
Although coyotes are small in size, they excel at hunting in packs. Normally, they wouldn't easily provoke a ferocious black bear. But with food scarce these days, they have to take the risk. They are undeniably brave!
That being said, seeing the wolves seemingly at a disadvantage, being repeatedly swatted away by the enraged black bear, Yuan Linghan felt he should lend a hand. After all, he could see that many of the coyotes were watching from the sidelines.
Judging from their posture, the wolf pack intends to hunt a black bear to ensure the cubs have a good meal. Of course, if the pack leader or adult wolves are killed, the fate of these cubs will likely be grim, and they may not survive the winter!