On the day of the first public performance.
The production crew started recording the first public performance after all the dancers had a chance to go through dress rehearsals in separate groups.
The location of the recording was an enormous stadium that could accommodate thousands of people, which demonstrated the show’s financial capabilities.
Outside the venue, the fans arrived one after another. Support signs and flower baskets were delivered to the stadium’s entrance one by one and placed in an orderly manner.
“Oh, God. I’m so excited. It’s finally time for the first public performance!”
“I cannot breathe as soon as I think of being able to see Yichen in just a moment.”
“Nanyun’s support poster looks so pretty! I want to take a photo with him!”
“Where is Xiao Huai’s fan club? I want to get the merchandise…”
Although the contestants were still preparing backstage, their fans could not hold themselves back any longer. All the fan clubs started to distribute merchandise and other items to their fans.
Jiang Li was a die-hard fan of Ji Zeyu’s. She used to be a fan only because of Ji Zeyu’s appearance, and she even went to the marketing summit. After the summit ended, she became a fan of Ji Zeyu’s charisma on stage, as if she had become possessed.
Jiang Li’s friends all thought she had become insane. How could Ji Zeyu have any stage charm?
Jiang Li set up a club for Ji Zeyu out of spite, vowing to change everyone’s rigid impression of Ji Zeyu for the better.
Her club was named “Dazzling Season,” which meant “the season to shine.” Because she came up with a great name and took many pretty photos, she attracted many fans within three days. Everyone affectionately called her “Sister Dazzling,” and Ji Zeyu’s Supporting Club specifically sent her a ticket to the performance.
Carrying a camera on her back, Jiang Li went to the booth of Ji Zeyu’s Support Club and received a support banner and a headband. She blushed, and her heart palpitated upon seeing the cute cartoon figure of Ji Zeyu on the banner. At this moment, she heard someone exclaiming, “The quality of our support items is so high! Doesn’t it cost a lot of money?”
“A mogul gave us a huge amount of money when we were fundraising a few days ago,” a member from the support club said in a low voice, “that mogul told us that we must make Xiao Yu’s support items well.”
Jiang Li could not help but feel ecstatic for Ji Zeyu. Ji Zeyu is blessed to encounter such a rich and devoted fan.
Right at this moment, a luxurious car was parked outside the stadium. A mature woman with a sublime temperament stepped down from the car. Even though she wore a simple T-shirt, jeans, and wide sunglasses, she could not disguise her astonishing aura. She instantly attracted the attention of countless people.
The woman scanned her surroundings before her eyes locked onto Jiang Li’s headband. She strode over to her and asked, “Young girl, where did you receive your support items?”
“Are-are you a fan of Xiao Yu’s, too?” Jiang Li was startled by her temperament and hurriedly pointed at the booth not too far away, “I, I got them from there…”
The beautiful woman nodded, thanked her, and joyfully went to pick up a full set of support items. She put on her headband and stepped into the venue.
Then, another slightly high-profile racing car parked next to the stadium. A man wearing a mask stepped down and, once again, attracted everyone’s attention.
The man appeared very tall with perfect body proportions. He was dressed in black, casual attire, and his low profile exuded coldness and dignity. Although he wore a mask, he still made many turn their heads. He also picked up Ji Zeyu’s support items.
Jiang Li could not help but become stunned.
Nowadays, why do fans of celebrities… all have such good looks?
And just like her, they were both here to see Ji Zeyu!
After the duo exited, everyone else at the scene was whispering to one another.
“Those two people are too good-looking. Are they really not celebrities?”
“Those two cars look very expensive as well…”
“Oh, crap. I am here to see celebrities along with such powerful people. Yu Bao is too charming!”
TL’s Note: Yu Bao is just another affectionate nickname that fans came up with for Ji Zeyu.
At this moment, Ji Zeyu was putting on makeup backstage.
His manager, Yun, suddenly appeared in the dressing room. She enthusiastically greeted Ji Zeyu and Qi Aodong, wishing them a successful public performance.
Then, Yun pulled Ji Zeyu aside and told him in a soft voice, “I heard from Mr. Ji that your second eldest brother and sister are both coming to watch the public performance. Mr. Ji has too many things to take care of lately, so he cannot come. He donated money to your club to demonstrate his support for you. You must be on your best behavior; do not forget your lyrics like you did in the initial rating round.”
Ji Zeyu was startled.
He did not expect the Ji family to spoil their youngest son this much. Not only did they donate money to his support club, but they even came to watch his performance in person.
One should know that his eldest brother, Ji Zefeng was the boss of Starworld Entertainment; his second eldest brother, Ji Zicheng, was a successful real estate investor; his sister, Ji Mingyun, was the founder of a fashion brand… Their time was much more precious than his!
“Don’t you worry,” Ji Zeyu assured Yun, “I will not forget my lyrics.”
Yun nodded, feeling pleased, “You are showing improvement. Not bad.”
She did not have many expectations for Ji Zeyu, as she only hoped he could complete the performance—though she thought such a task was already very challenging for Ji Zeyu.
Not a lot of time passed until the recording for the public performance officially started.
“Hello, co-founders of Shining Future. I am your organizer, Chen He, and I will also be tonight’s host,” Chen He was a popular, capable singer in the entertainment industry lately, and many in the stadium were his fans.
After briefly warming up the crowd, Chen He began to introduce the competition’s rules for today.
All constants will be separated into sixteen groups and will compete in pairs. The viewers would show their approval, and the winning group would receive votes as a reward. The contestant with the highest number of votes would become the King, and there could be three candidates for the King in total.
“To the right of this stage, there are three chairs,” Chen He continued to explain, “After each battle, the person with the highest number of votes will be qualified to sit on one of these chairs. There are three spots in total, and everyone has the opportunity to be in one of them.”
Spotlights hit the right side of the stage. The three chairs were crafted in the style of medieval thrones, with trims of gold, silver, and copper. Under the light, they appeared regal.
“After all the battles end, the trio that sits on these chairs will be the three most capable contestants tonight,” Chen He looked towards the audience and put on a mysterious smile, “Who do you think will be the trio?”
The fans offstage began to scream the names of their idols; all kinds of names could be heard.
The contestants sat in a grand room backstage. As they watched the live broadcast, they were inspired by the fans’ enthusiasm.
Even Ji Zeyu felt inspired. Long-gone feelings of passion and desire for the stage rose in his mind, similar to what he felt when he first participated in a talent show in his previous life.
At this moment, not only did Ji Zeyu want to win…
He also wanted to sit on that red-velvet, golden-framed chair that symbolized first place.
Translated by: Sydney
Edited by: Alex
Vandez Translations 