However, Li Manni’s sudden “intrusion” did startle Su Xiuxiu, who was in the midst of a phone call. She turned her head to glance at Li Manni, and her conversation abruptly ceased.
The atmosphere in the resting room turned quiet in an instant, but the voice from the handset continued, “Li Manni is someone Tianmei arranged. She’s not part of our station’s system. I heard she has a very strong backing over there at Tianmei; don’t provoke her…”
Su Xiuxiu quickly hung up the phone, and the voice from the handset came to a stop as well.
With an embarrassed smile, Su Xiuxiu faced Li Manni, “I didn’t mean to pry into your affairs. It was just a special reminder from the leadership.”
Whether Li Manni had heard her previous conversation or not, Su Xiuxiu couldn’t tell, but she explained forcefully anyway.
“Hmm, I hope we’ll have a pleasant collaboration.”
Li Manni replied indifferently. She knew that taking on the role of the host for “My Idol” had caused dissatisfaction among many. Now she didn’t need to explain anything; a strong performance to counter the doubts was sufficient. This wasn’t her first encounter with such a situation; when she first entered Jiangcheng Newspaper Group, it was the same.
Everyone said she was a beneficiary of connections, landing directly as head of the New Media Broadcasting Center.
In just a few short months, the New Media Center had become the most profitable business unit of the Jiangcheng Newspaper Group, and the group’s market value had doubled because of the successful development of its new media endeavors.
In the public resting room.
Contestants of “My Idol” gathered together, mostly good-looking young girls around the age of eighteen or nineteen, which gave the room a vibe as if flowers were vying for attention.
At that moment, Chen Ruohan was chatting with two girls—one named You Qianyi and the other Xia Qin. They were both newcomers signed by Tianmei Media, like her, and were also the predetermined top five contestants of “My Idol,” destined to form a group.
Therefore, so-called public talent shows weren’t really fair at all. When talent shows just started to become popular, ordinary people with good luck might have truly had a chance.
But now, as the industry has developed, the outcome of a talent show is practically pre-written during the planning stage.
Before filming the show, various capital interests had already divided the spoils amongst themselves.
This installment of “My Idol” was a program invested in and produced by Tianmei Media; naturally, it served as a platform for their own artists. Besides Chen Ruohan, You Qianyi, and Xia Qin—the three pre-determined group members—there were also several other newcomers signed by Tianmei Media among the contestants. But they would have to rely on their performances in the show to fight for a spot.
However, their chances of making it into the final group were far greater than those of real “outsiders.”
Since the show was a joint endeavor by Tianmei Media and Jiangcheng Satellite TV, Jiangcheng Satellite TV’s side also pushed in some contestants through connections. But as Jiangcheng Satellite TV wasn’t a financial backer, their influence was limited, and so the contestants they pushed in were likely just there to run alongside, grabbing some of the show’s popularity for themselves.
After all, with popular mentors like Xiao Yinqiu, Lu Chuanyu, and Tang Rui on the show, it was foreseeable that the program would garner high interest once it aired.
“Hello, you are Chen Ruohan, right?”
While Chen Ruohan was chatting with You Qianyi and Xia Qin, two girls from the same company who would also be her future groupmates, a tall girl with a high ponytail and purple-dyed hair tips approached them.
“Yes, that’s me.”
Chen Ruohan sized up the newcomer while nodding.
“I’m Fang Tong.”
“Can I add you on WeChat?”
“Oh, sure!”
Chen Ruohan wasn’t sure why Fang Tong suddenly wanted to add her on WeChat, but since she had already added several other contestants, one more wouldn’t hurt.
After they added each other as WeChat friends, Fang Tong glanced at You Qianyi and Xia Qin, then said, “Could I talk to you alone for a moment?”
“Sure.”
Curiosity piqued, Chen Ruohan nodded and followed Fang Tong to a corner of the room.
“Ruohan, here’s the thing, I’m Yu’s junior sister, and we are both from Hucheng Music Academy.”
“Once the recording program officially begins, I’ll be joining Yu’s team, he just came by here earlier, you know, and he seemed quite impressed with you, so he asked me to see if you wanted to join his team?”
“If you do want to join, he will take special care of you, get what I mean?”
Fang Tong crossed her arms in front of her chest, adopting a you’re-so-lucky, you’ve-been-chosen attitude.
The ‘Yu’ she mentioned was naturally Lu Chuanyu.
And Chen Ruohan finally understood the other’s intention, to speak harshly, her action could be called “pimping”!
That phrase “get what I mean” actually implied something about the unspoken rules, what kind of gratuitous care was there? It was nothing but a transaction.
“Sorry, but I already have a mentor in mind!”
Chen Ruohan decisively refused.
She had just been discussing with You Qianyi and Xia Qin about which team to join, and the first one she eliminated was Lu Chuanyu’s, hesitating between Xiao Yinqiu and Xia Qin.
Little White Flower’s plan was to see how things went once the recording officially began, and then decide; whichever mentor showed more interest, she would join their team.
But Lu Chuanyu had never been in her considerations from the start. As a male mentor, the first thing Little White Flower considered was to avoid any hint of impropriety, as she didn’t want to cause any misunderstandings with Mr. Yang—little did she expect the other party would take the initiative to approach her!
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?”
Fang Tong looked at Chen Ruohan in surprise, obviously unaware of Little White Flower’s background.
In her eyes, being favored by Brother Yu, Lu Chuanyu, was already an honor for Chen Ruohan, yet she even refused.
Actually, Chen Ruohan’s choice had nothing to do with her, but the issue was that she had guaranteed Lu Chuanyu that she would handle this matter successfully!
Fang Tong originally thought this was an easy task and it was a chance to show off in front of Lu Chuanyu, killing two birds with one stone! Discover hidden content at empire
But Chen Ruohan unexpectedly refused, something Fang Tong had not anticipated!
“Yu is extending an olive branch to you, which is a very rare opportunity.”
“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?” Fang Tong asked, frowning.
“No, I won’t consider it!”
Chen Ruohan responded very decisively and prepared to leave.
Seeing this, Fang Tong, somewhat anxious, grabbed her arm, “You don’t understand what I mean?”
“To put it bluntly, Yu has taken a shine to you; you can take a shortcut!”
“With Yu’s protection, making the team is definitely not a problem!”
Fang Tong started to paint a big picture for Little White Flower.
Upon hearing this, Chen Ruohan couldn’t help but laugh. If she didn’t know Yang Hao, she might have considered the olive branch Lu Chuanyu was offering.
But now there was no need, especially since Little White Flower, who had always lacked a father figure, had always favored older men.
It was the same with her celebrity crushes; she never followed those young idols and admired a few skillful, middle-aged male actors instead.
And Yang Hao had fulfilled all her fantasies of an older man, so naturally, she would not consider anyone else!