With the person steering the tone gone, the Director quickly got into full swing.
“Coming toward us now is a male contestant. It’s obvious he’s overly confident in himself—I’m not mocking, but even someone as handsome and flawless as the Director avoided the open auditions, and that’s for the sake of the audience. I’m worried their aesthetic standards are high; if I don’t meet them, it would be my fault for causing visual pain.”
“However, it’s clear this contestant is not as thoughtful as the Director. Come, let’s all raise our tissues and wipe away the tears that have been stung from our eyes.”
As he spoke, he actually removed his glasses and dabbed at the tears that somehow appeared at the corners of his eyes.
While dabbing, he let out soft, hissing sounds—shhh… shhh…
“66666, the Director really knows how to entertain. First time I’ve heard the shhh shhh for this reason.”
“I’m dying laughing, but seriously, a tip: contestants should at least put on makeup before appearing. This one here is… slightly rough around the edges.”
The Director put his glasses back on, his eyes calm and calculating.
He quickly moved on to ‘introduce’ the next contestant.
With the live-stream drawing in viewers, many who were originally stuck on the official broadcast rushed in.
Compared to the boring official feed, who wouldn’t prefer a host making it lively and fun?
Especially with the Director’s stream full of golden lines and witty remarks.
Many who were initially serious about the talent show found themselves getting sidetracked, laughing uncontrollably.
Any discordant voices were soon drowned out by the laughter.
“Agent Fan, judging by the current situation, it’s all basically going as you predicted.”
The person reporting glanced at him with admiration.
There had been some internal debate over securing the live-stream rights.
After all, it was just four contestants going to participate—why make such a big effort?
But with Agent Fan’s move, not only did the stream’s traffic increase, the signed internet celebrity brought tangible benefits to the company.
Well… those weren’t even the most important thing.
The employees quietly thought to themselves:
The most important part?
He’s genuinely enjoying this.
Their job was to monitor the stream.
In the past, it would have been incredibly boring, requiring three big cups of black coffee just to keep up.
Normal talent shows were a battlefield, and media guidance alone could give them a headache.
But this time? Pure joy.
And that host was a genius.
Whenever someone tried to stir trouble, he would interrupt perfectly and turn it into a joke, filling the chat with laughter.
Isn’t that effortless? Isn’t that fun?
Yes—less work, more fun. Who wouldn’t love that?
As the employees pondered, they thought about sending gifts to the host with their own accounts after work.
Fan Qing: …
So, as they say, things resemble their master—his employees were starting to orbit around Jin Yi now?
Amused by their subtle changes, Fan Qing tapped lightly on the desk.
“Since the timing is right, the other one can be arranged as well.”
“Got it! I’ll contact them immediately.”
The other person Fan Qing referred to was a content creator in the ghostly, meme-style video category—the next step in his plan. Simple, yet something nobody expected.
After the Director’s golden lines in the live stream, many viewers were still craving more.
They wanted to push their friends to check it out too—but it was a live stream.
They couldn’t exactly force friends in just as the Director was dropping more golden quotes.
Just when they were fretting, a ghostly meme video suddenly appeared on the homepage.
Many viewers scrolled absentmindedly and clicked in…
Whoa.
The Director’s golden lines and the open audition contestants’ varied expressions were all perfectly showcased in the meme video.
The catchy, addictive music made people laugh uncontrollably; many clicked a second time without realizing it.
Don’t ask why—just know it’s addictive.
Those who previously failed to spread the word felt like they’d hit the jackpot.
The live stream couldn’t be spread? The meme video was easy enough.
Show me! Big servings!
Many who were dragged into it laughed foolishly, bewildered, then clicked away with a giddy, carefree spirit.
No way—they couldn’t be the only ones hooked!
Suddenly, the viral effect spread from person to person.
Even the talent show’s production team was shocked at the rapid rise in attention—no promotion had been done recently.
Where was this sudden buzz coming from?
By the time they investigated, the production team was completely dumbfounded.
Tenghuang Entertainment?
They went to such lengths just for four contestants?
The audition’s popularity kept climbing, but the trend was getting stranger and stranger.
Everywhere was full of laughter—hee hee ha ha! Those who knew it was a talent show were fine, but those who didn’t might have thought they were watching a sketch comedy!
Even the most avid fans of such programs felt a bit thrown off.
“…This is so weird, girls. It’s the first time I’ve ever gotten this kind of hooked feeling from a talent show.”
“LOL, are we even watching a talent show? Definitely not! It’s clearly a sketch comedy marathon.”
“LOL, right? None of my dorm mates liked talent shows before, but now they crowd around me at mealtime every day, insisting it’s funnier in a group. I mean, really, do people actually talk like this?”
“It’s not anything else. This time, the audition only sticks in my mind for who’s funniest. Sisters, help! My brain and eyes that pick funny contestants… are they salvageable?”
“No hope, but it’s fun! Cherish it!”
“Hee hee hee hee hee… so fun, so weird, so addictive, hee hee hee hee.”
“…What even is this?”
Jing Yuan scrolled through Weibo, his mind full of question marks.
He was both confused and angry.
“What about the tasks I asked you to do? Where are the people you assigned? Are you even working?”
How could it turn out like this?
The trends on Weibo were completely opposite to what he wanted!
Jing Yuan’s voice rose as he questioned them, but a chill ran through his chest.
He couldn’t help checking Yuan Jing’s info again.
It didn’t match. This ‘Jing Yuan’ wasn’t the Jing Yuan he knew at all.
Maybe Yuan Jing really was different than he thought?
Could it be… useless?
But this Yuan Jing was far too similar to him!
And…
A trace of fear appeared in Jing Yuan’s eyes.
He would never forget—this was a novel world, and he had replaced this ‘Jing Yuan’s’ identity.
Then why was he able to take over this ‘Jing Yuan’?
Where had the original Jing Yuan gone?
If…
If someone identical appeared, could they be here to replace his version of Jing Yuan?
And this Yuan Jing was just too similar.
Name, appearance… even after checking, there was only a sickly old man in his background.
Almost a carbon copy of himself.
If the real Jing Yuan no longer existed, then who—or what—was this Yuan Jing?
Had he replaced the original Jing Yuan but the world hadn’t recognized the identity?
But why?
He hadn’t faced any issues before, so…
Jing Yuan’s heart sank.
If this Yuan Jing truly had no problems, then why was he signed to Tenghuang? The recent online buzz—you know the effort Fan Qing put in for him. If he were truly ordinary, why would Fan Qing go to such lengths for a regular rookie?
Fan Qing had been full of problems from the start.
If it weren’t for him…
“If it weren’t for him, how could I have ended up like this!”
Jing Yuan suddenly erupted in anger.
Yes, everything was because of this Fan Qing!
“Mr. Jing…?”
The person in front of him spoke cautiously.
Jing Yuan snapped back to reality, glancing at the person before realizing he had lost his composure.
He frowned as he saw fear in their eyes.
Ever since his turnaround, he had meticulously crafted his image—he wouldn’t let this person ruin it.
Since they had already seen…
Jing Yuan’s expression turned ice-cold, eyes sharp as knives, even venomous as if infused with snake poison.
“If I find out about today’s incident anywhere else, expect people from Mr. Zhuo’s team to come have a serious talk with you. Understand?”
Jing Yuan was clearly connected to Mr. Zhuo…
The person dared not overthink and nodded tremblingly.
“Get lost. Worthless.”
He sneered, unrestrained. Finally, he felt relieved.
He had suppressed himself too long for acting.
He had been too naive before.
He had always hidden his true self just to advance further.
Jing Yuan snorted.
Now, with Zhuo Yuan as his backing, who dares oppose him?
Isn’t Zhuo Yuan’s position earned through his own ability?
If he acts like a dog in front of Zhuo Yuan, can’t he make others act like dogs in front of him?
Then what was the point of flattering Zhuo Yuan?
Thinking this way, Jing Yuan felt much better.
Yes, he was right all along!
He had a backing now—different from before.
Still, he needed to think of another plan.
Jing Yuan opened the official blog of the talent show.
His finger paused, and a trace of surprise appeared on his face.
The production team had posted a new Weibo update:
“Auditions are over, and the list of selected contestants will soon be announced! We also have another exciting update! The four mentors are in place, along with a mysterious assisting mentor. Who could they really be? Stay tuned!”
A barely recognizable silhouette accompanied the post.
But Jing Yuan immediately recognized it.
It was Nie Luo. This had to be Nie Luo!
Nie Luo had actually joined this show?
Of course—it must have something to do with that Fan Qing.
This was a golden opportunity!
Thinking of this, Jing Yuan excitedly pulled out his phone.
This time, it was truly a heaven-sent chance!