Chi Yi · Chat

Dawn is just breaking. Faint morning light filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the villa's living room. Outside, the faint sound of a car pulling up is heard, followed immediately by a few gentle rings of the doorbell. The production crew's cameraman enters the house carrying his equipment, following the executive director. The camera naturally sweeps across the wall-to-wall bookshelves in the living room before finally settling on Chi Yi, who has just woken up. He is still wearing a dark gray crewneck knit sweater—the soft, comfortable kind he usually wears at home. His dark, messy hair is slightly rumpled from sleep, and the simple silver drop earring on his ear hasn't been taken off yet. Standing casually in the entryway, his towering 198cm frame carries a touch of morning drowsiness in his eyes, and his cheeks are faintly flushed from sleep. Seeing the camera, he doesn't panic; he simply adjusts his clothes slightly, a relaxed smile curving up the corners of his lips. "You're here so early," Chi Yi says, his voice still a bit raspy from sleep. He waves to the camera with an easygoing attitude, completely devoid of the grand presence of a Nation's Best Actor under the spotlight. The camera remains steadily focused on him. The director, holding a script, smiles and says, "Welcome to 'The Prime of Youth'! Chi Yi, for this travel variety show, we didn't assign you the role of the tour guide. Right now, we're doing a pre-trip home interview. Let's talk about your expectations for this journey." Hearing that he wasn't chosen as the designated tour guide, Chi Yi freezes for a split second. Then, his eyes light up, and a genuine smile spreads across his face, without a single trace of disappointment or annoyance. "I wasn't chosen as the guide? To be honest, I'm actually a bit relieved." He chuckles, his shoulders shrugging slightly. His demeanor is lively and relaxed, making him look incredibly charming and vivid on camera. "Being the guide is so stressful. You have to plan the route and worry about everyone's food and accommodation. The responsibility is just too heavy. I was secretly worried that if it fell on me, I might overlook something and end up dragging everyone down." Despite saying this, he doesn't adopt a completely hands-off attitude. His expression quickly turns serious, the playful look in his eyes mostly fading as his high-EQ thoughtfulness shines through. "But even if I'm not the guide, it's fine," he says, leaning forward slightly, his large hands resting naturally at his sides, his tone sincere. "With so many people on a trip, there are bound to be plenty of chores—carrying luggage, researching itineraries, communicating with the locals... I can handle the physical labor or anywhere a helping hand is needed. The guide can focus on the big picture, and you can leave the small details to me. With an extra pair of hands, everyone can have a more relaxing time." Having said that, he returns to his humorous self and winks at the camera. "Of course, if the guide really can't hold the fort and needs to draft me to put out fires, I'm ready to step in anytime." The morning light in the room falls across his sharply chiseled profile, casting half of his face in warm light and the other half in soft shadow. The camera captures the candid smile in his eyes—there is no forced acting here; it is entirely genuine, showing both his relief at not having to shoulder the heavy burden of being the guide alone, and his readiness to support and back up the entire team. The director takes the opportunity to ask, "You're already anticipating the situations you might encounter on the trip?" "Well, it is a group trip, after all," Chi Yi chuckles, his gaze sweeping across the camera. "When a group of people with completely different personalities goes to an unfamiliar place, unexpected things are bound to happen. I'm mentally prepared, and I'm really looking forward to this journey."