First-timers aren't afraid of tigers—Zhou Guowu's fan club calls themselves "Xifan," a pun implying "rice porridge," hence the "newborn calf" metaphor.
Before the show aired, the Xifan group was split into three factions: one eager to clash with Chu Zhi and dominate bullet comments; another who believed such conflict was pointless; and a third who were already Chu Zhi fans themselves.
The first two factions remained at a stalemate.
After watching the full episode, most Xifan members were won over—they realized their idol was saved by Chu Zhi risking his life. The show clearly marked that the Hokkaido rescue team didn't arrive until hours later.
"No wonder Chu Zhi is the entertainment sphere's peak—such character. Xifan thanks Jiu-ge for saving Xiao Wu's life."
"Xiao Wu really loves his pet lizard, Barbie Doll—they even opened the case before leaving. And whoever speaks ill of Chu Zhi after he saved 28 lives—I'll spit on them."
"Originally a hardcore Xifan, but watching Jiu-ge rescue, I literally cried sobbing—eight hours without water, just to save more lives. What spirit is that?"
"Little Fruits and Xifan forever united—Jiu-ge is too good. On behalf of Xiao Wu, thank you, Jiu-ge."
Hundreds—thousands—of such comments flooded in. Many had been both Xifan and Little Fruits fans before; now more Xifan were joining Chu Zhi's side. This confirmed the fan-circle urban legend: "There are only two kinds of people in fandom—Little Fruits, and those who haven't met Chu Zhi yet." Even opposing fan bases can't resist his charisma.
Cai Jia, Luo Jianhui, and Zhou Guowu's fans expressed feelings online. Zhang Ning and Min Zhengpei's fans showed support at box offices and in public opinion. For example, comedian Shen Teng has 15 million Weibo followers, but only a few hundred to a thousand comments per post—online metrics don't tell the full story.
Many who like Zhang Ning or Min Zhengpei don't comment online—they discuss privately.
Late-night snacks included flavored crayfish with drinks.
"Chu Zhi cleared things up before—some idiots still didn't believe him. They love conspiracy theories with zero evidence. I know human nature's complex, but would someone like Chu Zhi, if married, cheat?"
"I don't know about his personal life—but that guy has brushed past death many times, never hesitated."
"Is this the divine favor of a good person?"
Notice how men behave differently when drinking: slightly tipsy, they gossip about celebrities and tycoons; after more, they criticize society; drunker, they reminisce about friendships.
Those saved include not only star friends and staff, but pure gratitude from their families. Like Zhang Ning's best friend Qin Qingqiao—less famous internationally, but in domestic TV drama circles, she's one of the most-winning actresses, with three Feitian Awards for Best Actress.
At 46, Qin Qingqiao became one of Chu Zhi's "mommy fans."
Back at the starting point: muffled sobbing in the living room. Xiao Qing was crying hard, and her father Xiao Yue handed her tissues.
After letting her vent, Xiao Yue spoke: "Stop crying. Your idol wouldn't want fans to cry—and I have proof."
"?"
Xiao Qing looked confused.
"Remember the end? When the doctor used hydrogen peroxide." Xiao Yue said.
Xiao Qing nodded; she remembered how Chu Zhi rolled up sleeves and pant legs, revealing splinters and cuts—and she cried even harder.
"The doctor used hydrogen peroxide for wound cleaning. People assume alcohol hurts, but peroxide is painful—like burning. He had dozens of wounds. I felt the pain myself watching. And Chu Zhi screamed out in pain."
Xiao Yue continued, "That proves Chu Zhi does fear pain. But what did he do next? He bowed his head and endured it. Then during the rest of the cleaning, he didn't cry out even once.
Why do you think he did that?" Xiao Yue asked. Without waiting, he answered, "Because he was worried fans were worried. He saw the camera, and even facing pain, his first thought was concern for others.
He did this because that's who he is—bite down on your lip and swallow it. Personality that doesn't let anyone worry."
"Dad… your tone sounds like you know Jiu-ge really well." Xiao Qing hesitated, then spoke.
"I don't know Chu Zhi that well. You don't know him well enough." Xiao Yue saw her ready to argue, then immediately asked, "Do you know why Chu Zhi almost committed suicide?"
"?"
Xiao Qing stammered. Being wrongly accused and then cyberbullied? Could be—but that seemed too obvious.
"He almost took his own life because his guardian grandfather died the previous year." Xiao Yue said. "His parents died in the line of duty when he was a child."
Xiao Qing went pale at those words.
"Yes, just as you thought. His father was a firefighter who died saving someone. His mother was a police officer who died on duty. A family of two martyrs. Chu Zhi's actions today are the inheritance of his parents' spirit." Xiao Yue sighed.
Firefighter… Xiao Qing's reaction was like being struck by lightning. "No wonder he got so angry when Korean fans insulted firefighters." She didn't know that during the cyberbullying he was still mourning the last close family member.
"Then why does Jiu-ge never talk about this?" Xiao Qing asked, then realized the answer: his pain doesn't become public; he bears it alone.
"Chu Zhi is a role model idol. But since he doesn't speak out, neither should you." Xiao Yue said, then stood up—his intervention prick deeply delivered. He left calmly.
Yet he didn't notice tears in his own eyes. He, too, had been moved.
Xiao Qing sat lost in thought on the sofa.
Episode 5 of Journey Among the Stars saw record-high bullet comments, views, and online buzz.
The producers were clever: the first four episodes had VIP-only content, but episode 5 didn't. Behind‑the‑scenes and rescue site footage were free.
That decision was smart—over 100,000 new VIPs during the two-hour broadcast.
iQIYI's CEO said when reviewing metrics: "The brilliance of human spirit is deeply attractive. Honestly, I'm impressed with Chu Zhi."
New viewers—"ordinary passersby"—don't use bullet comments. They're not fans. They're just watching for entertainment. But they also made the view count skyrocket. For any film, drama, or show, it's not just a few fandoms contributing.
The official channels quietly took action. First came "Voice of Culture & Tourism", with just over 700,000 followers—but backed by influential sponsors (feel free to search their background). They posted:
"#PassingOnTheSpiritOfMartyrs#, star Chu Zhi @EatingABigOrange_ rescued 28 people during the Ishikari earthquake, saving dozens of crew members with zero fatalities, a miracle! #IshikariEarthquakeNoDeaths#"
Their wording "passing on the spirit of martyrs" was precise. Chu Zhi comes from a family of two martyrs, and his actions fit this label perfectly. Since his status hadn't been public, most assumed it meant "sacrificial spirit." With limited exposure, it didn't spark major controversy.
Still, the effort paid off. The organization behind the Golden Bell Music Awards reached out to Chu Zhi's team, granting him an "Outstanding Potential Musician" award—no nomination needed, straight to win.
The Golden Bell isn't Taiwan's Golden Melody—this is the China Music Golden Bell Awards, one of the four major national arts prizes, alongside the Golden Eagle TV Awards, Golden Rooster Film Awards, and Plum Blossom Theatre Awards. Recently, the Golden Eagle's reputation has dropped, overtaken in TV by the Feitian Awards. But the Golden Bell, backed by the Musicians' Association and Federation of Literary and Art Circles, remains well respected every two years.
Its categories include: Work Awards, Performance Awards, Critical Commentary Awards, Special Awards (Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Potential Musician), and include live instrumental and vocal competition rounds—making it both a competition and ceremony.
"Why is the Golden Bell suddenly giving us such a jackpot?" agent Niu Jiangxue was stunned. But finding it fun, she quickly composed herself.
Ever since becoming Chu Zhi's main agent, she felt her horizons expanding—but the Golden Bell felt next-level.
Don't think the Golden Bell lacks clout internally. On Orange Community, Chu Zhi mentioned China's top four awards: Mandarin Music Media Awards, Music Top Chart, Chinese Song Music Festival, and Global Chinese Music Chart—Golden Bell wasn't ranked simply because it's in a different dimension.
Take prior Outstanding Potential Musician Tian Yixin: unknown before winning, but her accolades include:
—2016: Performed in the epic opera Blood-Stained Long March for the 80th Long March anniversary
—2017: Invited by National Centre for the Performing Arts to star in Sunrise Over Rivers and Seas
—Plus, she's a doctoral candidate in vocal performance, officially recognized as a "Youth Top Talent." Golden Bell vocal prizes usually go to classical and folk singers.
"Maybe it's related to previous ministry-sponsored delegations?" Niu Jiangxue speculated.
"We need to discuss with Qin Fei," she decided. Regardless of how it came, they should maximise benefits. "Golden Bell also includes culture forums. Chu Zhi's popularity has surpassed all idols. Now his awards and events extend beyond pop music." She knew they needed a bigger strategy.
The studio became a whirlwind. China's internet buzzed, while abroad Russia's 9th St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum reached its opening ceremony.
This year's theme: "Russian Culture in Globalisation." Last time celebrated Sino-Russian relations with Chinese drama Legend of the Phoenix and Sino-Russian concert. This year emphasises Russian arts.
Held at the Winter Palace, the ceremony included speeches by Russia's culture minister Sidokaros, followed by elite artists—opera singers, dancers, writers, etc.—the usual hierarchy placed pop stars below. But Chu Zhi believed he could stand out.
"There are 380+ events, guests from 101 countries, over 40,000 attendees."
"We'll discuss how our country positions itself culturally in globalisation—through film, drama, ballet, music, literature."
Sidokaros spoke for over ten minutes. Major media outlets attended: Labour Gazette, Izvestia, Pravda, and from China: People's Daily, Guangming Daily, Global Times.
"I feel the power of national strength," Chu Zhi whispered.
The speech was in Russian, but subtitles in Chinese, English, and Spanish were displayed.
Most vocal performers on stage were classical or folk singers. When top delegates spoke, Chu Zhi politely applauded, emotionless but present.
Four hours later, the ceremony ended. Chu Zhi rubbed his eyes—no personal cameraman was present; only accredited media allowed into the Winter Palace. But he'd be free to film elsewhere.
Guests arranged their own hotels. On the walk back, Chu Zhi ran into Li Weiwen, and joked:
"Uncle Li, don't want fans to know you have no sense of direction, right?"
At 55, Li Weiwen holds the "Outstanding Expert" honour, and is a national first-class male operatic tenor in China—famous worldwide.
"I can't say that, can I? I have to preserve my idol image," Li Weiwen joked. Unlike Aurora, who admits being directionally challenged, he pretended otherwise.
"Perfect timing—you ate at my place yesterday, now I'll guide you," Li Weiwen said.
"No problem. I do have some navigation talent," Chu Zhi replied.
They chatted as though longtime friends, though they'd only met a day ago.
Contacts matter: director Qiu—an art-film specialist, winner of the Moscow Silver George—introduced Chu Zhi into China's artistic circles.
Qiu and Chu Zhi were introduced by Liao Dachong—a brutal-looking artist-director with low directing skill but high painting skill—who had collaborated twice with Chu Zhi on music videos. Because Chu Zhi remembered Liao's birthday, and was supportive on social media, Liao considered Chu Zhi like a younger brother.
Seeing Chu Zhi attending the forum, Liao asked Qiu to look after him—Qiu and Liao have collaborated for over a decade.
Singer Li Weiwen dined with Liao's group last night, meeting Chu Zhi then too.
"Any exhibits you want to see?"
Li asked. "This afternoon there are many. I'll probably go to the October Film Cinema and see film exhibitions."
"Great, I'll go to the design exhibition—interested in architecture."
Soon they arrived at the hotel.
===
Song title:孤勇者 (Gu Yong Zhe, "The Lone Brave") Artist: 陈奕迅 (Eason Chan)
From now, I will try to add more information about the song that mentioned in translation like this.