Kun Yun posted: [#BacktotheCountryside4 The southern land of colorful clouds is ready, and the sea of flowers is ready too. Saying hi to everyone now. — Kun Yun's Weibo video.]
Lan Wuyi posted: [#ReadyBacktotheCountryside4 I'll go ahead and taste the food for everyone. As for the show, help pick out the flaws, folks. #Countryside]
Many fans couldn't watch the video due to phone limitations. Kun Yun's vlog featured a walk past the flower fields south of the Mushroom House. While a bit shaky, the angle and filter were quite decent.
Chen Mei, Min Jeongbae, Ban Ke, Zhou Dakong, singer Tan Lu, and others all posted that day — the buzz was explosive.
Just how explosive? Mango TV shot to the top of the hot app downloads list across major app stores.
Some reinstalled it, but most were first-time downloaders, driven by the need to watch their idol.
Chu Zhi, being a regular cast member, was especially anticipated by Little Fruits, with even foreign fans eagerly awaiting the show.
EarlyToBedEarlyToRise: "I need to watch Longing! I'm dying for it!"
A Naruto fan from the "World of Endurance" replied: "Bro above, let's not take it that far. Life's still worth living."
BlueWhiteMysteryThing: "Wait, is 'Countryside' a short for Back to the Countryside? No way, right?"
EarlyToBedEarlyToRise replied: "Of course it is! Hahaha I'm so hyped for Countryside. My friend asked me to dinner today and I refused."
The nickname "Countryside" was a stroke of genius. Many Little Fruits shared the same excitement.
"My ex asked to get back together today, and I ghosted her!"
"Jiu-yé is finally working again! Subscribed just to see the VIP version."
"I waited so long, even the flowers wilted. They said October before, thank goodness it aired early."
Little Fruits and other viewers, full of anticipation, were unaware of the emotional intensity ahead. Everyone assumed this would be another easy-going variety show.
Back to the Countryside has always been a slow-paced show, offering healing and warmth. In the eyes of Little Fruits, it was a way for Jiu-yé to rest.
Season 1 had a rating of 8.2 on Douban, Season 2 even higher at 8.0, but Season 3 dropped to 7.3. Chu Zhi's variety show Journey Among the Stars scored 8.5, the highest-rated in recent years.
That high rating partly came from fan scoring, but also from the earthquake rescue episode in the sixth installment.
At 8 PM, Mango TV released two episodes. Fans rushed to watch, and the barrage of on-screen comments (danmu) instantly exploded, covering the video unless turned off.
Even celebrities tuned in live — Ban Ke, Zhang Ning, Min Jeongbae, Zhou Xiangsi, Wu Xi, and others watched for various personal reasons.
Take Wu Xi for example. "Old Chu is my bro. Of course I have to watch his show. I'll call Yuan Yuan over too."
To support his good friend, Wu Xi didn't just watch alone — he had his wife and child watch too.
As for Ban Ke, a guest herself…
Normally, Ban Ke doesn't enjoy variety shows, especially those featuring herself. She may bend her character for money, but she's not watching it again. That's easy to understand, right?
The post-production team understood the assignment — Chu Zhi got a lot of screen time. The early episodes had the same relaxing vibe as before, and with Chu Zhi's natural humor, the show felt fun.
People have said that the three best segments in Countryside are "celebrity labor," "mealtime," and "night chats/games." The next scene showed Chu Zhi working furiously.
Post-editing added captions like [Farming Pro], [Even Xiao Mei and Da Kong Are Panicking], and fans in the danmu felt heartache for their idol.
Passersby commented:
"Way better than the boy band guys from Season 3."
"Can't compare. They did all they could to slack off. Chu Zhi's volunteering for work."
"So diligent, I'm starting to see him differently."
"Why is Xiao Jiu working so hard?" Ban Ke didn't believe it was just to ease things for Dakong and Xiao Mei — or not only for that reason.
"Does Xiao Jiu have a self-destructive tendency?"
Ban Ke pondered this deeply. Ever since she found out on the show that the man who once saved her life, Chu Zhi, suffers from severe depression, she began researching his past online.
There are countless versions of Chu Zhi's story online — rumors in every direction.
But Ban Ke confirmed he was once framed and became a public pariah. That part's easy to find.
On his first night at the Mushroom House, instead of night chats, the game was "truth from an empty bottle." In his Emperor Beast persona, Chu Zhi said the most important person in his life was his grandfather.
He answered truthfully based on the original host's memory. He couldn't recall his parents' birthdays, or even his own sometimes, but his grandfather's birthday was etched into his heart.
"Xiao Jiu must've been really close to his grandfather." From Ban Ke's understanding, this usually means the parents were emotionally distant.
After the game, everyone went back to their rooms. Chu Zhi read The Eastern View of the Han Records and began encouraging others to read.
"Don't you think someone who understands their country's history is cool? Using the past as a mirror, I think that's really awesome."
Danmu comments flew across the screen:
[Starting tomorrow, I'll read history books too!]
[I want to be the cool girl in Jiu-yé's eyes!]
[Reading is so attractive, especially when it's Jiu-yé doing it!]
[I used to regret choosing archaeology, but hearing Jiu-yé say this… hey, I'm kinda happy now!]
These comments show the influence of an idol like Chu Zhi — even a single sentence has weight.
Even if it's fleeting interest, even if it's just online talk — if one out of a hundred fans really picks up a history book, given Chu Zhi's fan base, that's still a massive number.
"I saw lots of notes in his Eastern Han book. He really does love to read." Ban Ke doesn't like reading herself, but she agrees it's a good habit.
The camera didn't just focus on Chu Zhi — it also showed Xiao Mei and Chen Mei sharing a room. Chen Mei even wanted logical structure when receiving compliments, making her hard to talk to.
Tan Lu, being introverted, had a rough start, but eventually found a common topic: lipstick.
Lipstick is a universal topic among women. Even girls who rarely wear makeup occasionally use it. Especially since many have dark-purple lips — without lipstick, they look pale and tired.
Cut to Kun Yun and Lan Wuyi's room. The Countryside 4 production crew had clearly stopped caring about appearances, even shooting a follow-up scene of the two discussing mental health with a psychology professor.
"Da Kong and Xiao Mei keep crying out in pain. A-Jiu hasn't said a word."
"A-Jiu has major depression. Maybe he's numb to pain?"
"I'll ask my friend."
On the phone, the professor explained:
"Severe depression leads to brain dysfunction and a drop in 5-HT and NE system function. That makes you more sensitive to pain, not less. If he doesn't feel it, it's because he's used to it. Major depression is often accompanied by painful physical symptoms — headaches, joint pain, stomachaches. With time, pain tolerance increases."
Ban Ke personally agreed. She feared sharp objects and never cut herself, but when extremely low, she'd hit herself with blunt tools or slam into walls. It hurt, but felt cathartic. After many times, the pain dulled.
"Xiao Jiu probably has chronic headaches. That's how he can work all day with blood blisters on his hands and not flinch." Ban Ke felt her heart ache for Chu Zhi.
Some pain hurts just by looking — like groin injuries or bloody hand blisters.
When Ban Ke opened the danmu again, the app actually froze.
"Too many comments…" She had wanted to post: [Xiao Jiu, please take care of yourself.]
Even though she herself suffers from depression, she can't bear to see others suffer.
Ban Ke got up and went to her bedroom, planning to watch from bed. The fatigue came out of nowhere — but she was used to it.
Since falling into depression, her energy had dropped dramatically. Doing nothing felt exhausting.
Wait, maybe that's just what being a homebody is like too… doing nothing and still thinking "good job, self."
A small detail: whether couch or bed, both were far from the window. Even midday sun couldn't reach.
Danmu was still exploding, and the video kept lagging. Little Fruits were spiraling into collective sadness. Ban Ke decisively turned the danmu off.
As night fell, subtitles revealed it was about 2 AM.
The Mushroom House had gone to sleep. It should've been the end of the episode.
Just as Ban Ke relaxed, the night vision camera showed Chu Zhi suddenly waking from a nightmare, gasping for air.
"Back to the Countryside… not relaxing at all," Ban Ke thought.
Next morning, Chu Zhi was up early, helping Lan Wuyi make breakfast. Da Kong and Xiao Mei went to pick up the new guests: Ban Ke and Min Jeongbae.
Watching herself try so hard to integrate into the show, Ban Ke cringed.
The awkward part wasn't her effort — it was that it didn't land well on screen.
Min Jeongbae blended in effortlessly. He was watching for his own performance, hoping to see if he made audiences laugh.
The comment goes like: "Seeing Min Jeongbae makes me laugh," "Haha he rolled under the bed, like my husky," "He's hilarious — guaranteed fun whenever he appears," Min Jeongbae grinned in satisfaction. Better than a feast.
Later, Chu Zhi cooked coconut chicken. To get the coconuts, they had to climb a tree. If not for what happened next, Ban Ke would've watched this part on 2x speed.
While climbing, Ban Ke clearly remembered — the suicidal impulse clouded her judgment. She hadn't exactly meant to fall, but there was a self-destructive element.
What shocked her most was Chu Zhi's reaction. He sprinted toward her with no hesitation, arms out as if to catch her.
"He didn't think about his own safety at all…"
From the viewer's perspective, Chu Zhi's reaction made Ban Ke tear up.
As a girl, she was more sensitive. Even reflexes take prep. That kind of movement doesn't happen instantly.
Only one answer made sense: Chu Zhi recognized her as a fellow sufferer and had been watching out for her.
[Dangerous behavior, do not imitate. For high-altitude tasks like tree climbing, safety is paramount.]
Huge warning text was added post-editing.
Her guess was confirmed in the following episodes. When Ban Ke made the conversation awkward or failed to meet expectations, Chu Zhi and Kun Yun always stepped in.
Kun Yun was a trained host — stepping in was natural. But Chu Zhi?
"He's standing in a storm and still tries to hold umbrellas for others…" Ban Ke whispered.
She has moderate depression, and just showing up on the show was a huge feat — thanks to her daughter giving her strength.
But to notice others so carefully? Even before her depression, Ban Ke couldn't do that. Let alone now.
It was hard to imagine anyone could do that.
Another night passed. During the Mushroom House's late-night talk, Kun Yun gently mentioned her depression and shared some experience.
"Teacher Chu, how do you do it?"
"I'm used to it."
That was their exchange.
Ban Ke saw Chu Zhi's calm expression and feigned ease. She knew the weight of those words — "I'm used to it" — like three ice picks into the heart.
"Someone so kind… please, be okay." Ban Ke murmured.
But the show continued to reveal—
During his nights at the Mushroom House, Chu Zhi was repeatedly awakened by nightmares.
Even on nights without nightmares, there were mutterings in his sleep. Hard to make out because of Da Kong's teeth grinding.
The bits that were audible included: "No!" "I didn't…" "Don't leave…"
Most people don't talk in their sleep. Exceptions: drunkenness or nightmares. Chu Zhi clearly belonged to the latter.
Tears welled up in Ban Ke's eyes. She only had occasional nightmares, but Chu Zhi… seemed to suffer them every single night.
"No wonder he stays up reading until two or three… he's afraid of sleeping."
Ban Ke's heart broke. Her tears blurred the screen.
Depression needs an anchor. On the show, Chu Zhi finally revealed his—
An ambitious one: "I hope my existence can make the world a better place. To me, Little Fruits are my world."
"Little Fruits are so lucky," Ban Ke thought.
Imagine that — a celebrity saying that about his fans. It sounded like a fantasy, but here it was, real.
Each episode of Back to the Countryside runs for 120 minutes. The last ten were peaceful, bringing back that old serene feeling.
Chu Zhi and Tan Lu took a stroll through the flower fields — screen-worthy like a wallpaper.
Before the episode ended, Chu Zhi revealed the gift he brought for the Mushroom House: a telescope — a shared present, and a dream Kun Yun had since his student days.
Because Ban Ke had injured her foot and stayed home, the others went to the hilltop to stargaze.
There, on the hill, Chu Zhi taught the children to sing 🎵 The Firefly 🎵. Ban Ke found his singing impossibly sorrowful.
With the fireflies fluttering in song, Episode 1 ends.
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5-HT and NE systems: Refers to serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters linked to mood and pain perception.